Tag: Four stars

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2023 Squadpod Squadpod Book Club Squadpod Recommends Squadpod Reviews

SQUADPOD BOOK CLUB: 73 Dove Street by Julie Owen Moylan

Published July 20th, 2023 by Michael Joseph
Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Romance Fiction

Welcome to my review of the stylish, soulful and compelling, 73 Dove Street. This was our Squadpod Book Club pick for July. Thank you to Michael Joseph for the gifted proof.

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SYNOPSIS:

The page-turning and evocative new novel set in 1950s London from the author of That Green Eyed Girl


‘An incredibly vivid rendering of post-war London and the complicated lives of three woman whose fates intersect at a boarding house . . . emotional, immersive and utterly absorbing’ JENNIFER SAINT
‘The sense of time and place is beautifully evocative. It’s about pride and shame and love and loss and ultimately hope’ LAURA SHEPHERD-ROBINSON
‘Once again, Julie Owen Moylan has created a world that feels completely real and vivid’ JODIE CHAPMAN
‘From the Rivoli Ballroom to the seedy nightlife of Soho, the characters leap off the page in this compelling mystery’ WOMAN & HOME
___________
When Edie Budd arrives at a shabby West London boarding house in October 1958, carrying nothing except a broken suitcase and an envelope full of cash, it’s clear she’s hiding a terrible secret.
And she’s not the only one; the other women of 73 Dove Street have secrets of their own . . .
Tommie, who lives on the second floor, waits on the eccentric Mrs Vee by day. After dark, she harbours an addiction to seedy Soho nightlife – and a man she can’t quit.
Phyllis, 73 Dove Street’s formidable landlady, has set fire to her husband’s belongings after discovering a heart-breaking betrayal – yet her fierce bravado hides a past she doesn’t want to talk about.
At first, the three women keep to themselves.
But as Edie’s past catches up with her, Tommie becomes caught in her web of lies – forcing her to make a decision that will change everything . . .

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MY REVIEW:

73 Dove Street is a story of secrets, lies, heartbreak, trauma, and fear told through the eyes of three women: Edie, Tommie, and Phyllis. To keep their secrets, the women keep to themselves, leaving them feeling isolated, lonely, and without anyone to turn to or confide in. But when Tommie gets tangled in Edie’s web of lies the women are forced to make decisions that will alter the course of their lives forever…

My love for Julie Owen Moyan’s writing is sealed after reading this book, which was the Squadpod Book Club pick for July (yes, I’m a bit behind). Beautifully written and compelling, she knows how to captivate her audience, drawing you into the story and the lives of her characters. She transports you to 1950s London with descriptions that are so vivid you can not only see it in front of you, but you can hear and smell it, too. A tense, claustrophobic atmosphere leapt from the pages, and there’s a quiet intensity to it that tells you something is simmering beneath the surface just waiting to boil over. I lived every moment alongside the characters as I read this heartbreaking and hopeful story. 

The characters are key to this story, giving it its beating heart. Edie, Tommie and Phyllis live in a time where women are subservient to men, often abused, and have few options for an independent life. The story seamlessly shifts between dual timelines to tell their stories, illuminating the lives of these ordinary women who were ignored by a misogynistic society. They spend their lives swimming in guilt, trauma, and fear, but it was powerful to watch as they discovered their own strength and resilience, refusing to be cowed by society and finding the courage to live life on their own terms. I loved these strong, inspirational women and was rooting for them every step of the way.

Stylish, soulful, and deeply human, 73 Dove Street is a gripping novel from a rising star in literary fiction and I can’t wait to see what this author writes next.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Julie Owen Moylan is a writer whose short stories and articles have appeared in New Welsh Review, The Independent, Sunday Express, and My Weekly.

She has also written and directed several short films as part of her MA in Film. Her graduation short film called ‘BabyCakes’ scooped Best Film awards at the Swansea Film Festival, Ffresh, and the Celtic Media Awards. She also has an MA in Creative Writing, and is an alumna of the Faber Academy’s Writing a Novel course. 

Julie has written two novels, THAT GREEN EYED GIRL ( May 2022) and 73 DOVE STREET ( July 2023 ) Both novels are published by Penguin Michael Joseph.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones | Amazon | Bookshop.org

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxxx

*All purchase links are affiliate links

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2023

BLOG TOUR: Masters of Death by Olivie Blake

Published August 17th, 2023 by Tor
Fantasy Fiction, Contemporary Fantasy, Paranormal Fantasy

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for this cryptic and bizarre fantasy. Thank you to Stephen at Tor for the invitation to take part, and to Bookouture and Tor for the gifted ARC.

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SYNOPSIS:

From the internationally bestselling author of The Atlas Six, Masters of Death by Olivie Blake is a gripping, page-turning fantasy.

‘Olivie Blake is a mind-blowing talent’ – Chloe Gong, author of These Violent Delights

This book is about an estate agent. Only she’s a vampire, the house on sale is haunted, and its ghost was murdered.

When Viola Marek hires Fox D’Mora to deal with her ghost-infested mansion, she expects a competent medium. But unbeknownst to Viola, Fox is a fraud – despite being the godson of Death.

As the mystery unfolds, Viola and Fox are drawn into a quest that neither wants nor expects. And they’ll need the help of a demonic personal trainer, a sharp-voiced angel and a love-stricken reaper. And it transpires that the difference between a mysterious lost love and a dead body isn’t nearly as distinct as you’d hope.

This edition features beautiful interior illustrations from Little Chmura.

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MY REVIEW:

When you play the immortal game there is only one rule: don’t lose. 

Masters of Death is a brilliantly bizarre and cryptic caper that had me spellbound. It begins as a simple story of a haunted mansion and an estate agent who hires a medium to get rid of the ghost, and then morphs into an epic quest to save humanity from a demon king. 

Despite the fact I have all of her books on my shelves, this was my first time actually reading a book by Olivie Blake. And I’m kicking myself for waiting for so long. Blake has artfully crafted a multifaceted and complex story that is told like a riddle. Blake combines mystery, humour, folklore, and mythology with lyrical prose and engaging dialogue to create something truly remarkable and memorable that was nothing like I expected. I loved the beautiful artwork and small details such as naming the chapters that added to the overall experience of reading this book. The plot of the book, particularly the immortal game, is a unique concept that is partly deliberately enigmatic to add to the intrigue, but there is also a philosophical element that I didn’t quite understand and I had no idea what was going on in the scenes where the game was being played. But I loved the concept and could feel the draw of the game that the immortals did and the tension that came with its high stakes.  

The book features an array of mythical creatures including vampires, ghosts, demons, reapers, angels, gods, and demigods, as well as some mortals for good measure. The characters are richly drawn, sassy, witty, and compelling. They had depth and felt real despite the fact that most of them were not human. I had a particular soft spot for Viola and loved her banter with Tom. And while the archangels Gabriel and Raphael only made a relatively brief appearance in the story, they were hilarious and stole every scene. I’d have loved more of them and would definitely buy a book with them at the centre (hint, hint). Another aspect I really enjoyed was the narration from Death that opens the book. It gave things a sinister, forbidding vibe that captured my imagination and I would have liked to have seen more of this, too. 

Darkly funny, offbeat, moving, and addictive, Masters of Death is an entertaining and ambitious fantasy from a true storyteller. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Alexene Farol Follmuth, also known under the pen name Olivie Blake, is a lover and writer of stories, many of which involve the fantastic, the paranormal, or the supernatural, but not always. More often, her works revolve around the collective experience, what it means to be human (or not), and the endlessly interesting complexities of life and love.

​

Alexene tripped and fell into writing after abandoning her long-premeditated track for Optimum Life Achievement while attending law school, and now focuses primarily on the craft and occasional headache of creating fiction. Under her Olivie byline, New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling The Atlas Six released 2022 from Tor Books, followed by its sequel The Atlas Paradox and the re-release of her viral literary romance Alone With You in the Ether. She has also been published as well as the writer for the graphic series Clara and the Devil and a variety of other books. As Alexene, her debut YA novel My Mechanical Romance released May 2022 from Holiday House (US) and Macmillan Children’s (UK).

Alexene lives and works in Los Angeles with her husband and goblin prince/toddler, where she is generally tolerated by her rescue pit bull.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Amazon* | Bookshop.org*

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the tour.

*All purchase links are affiliate links

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR: Someone Like Her by Awais Khan

Published August 17th, 2023 by Orenda Books
Suspense, Saga, Psychological Fiction, Coming-of-Age Story, Religious Fiction

Today is my stop on the blog tour for this powerful, heartwrenching and inspirational novel. Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part, and to Karen for the gifted ARC.

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SYNOPSIS:

A young Pakistani woman is the victim of an unthinkable act of vengeance, when she defies convention for love, facing seemingly insurmountable challenges and danger as she attempts to rebuild her life.
 
‘Stunning, shocking, compulsive reading … A breathtaking masterpiece’ Hazel Prior
 
‘Pacy, gripping and fast-moving … I literally could not put it down!’ Edel Coffey
 
‘Rarely has a writer affected me so deeply. Someone Like Her is an epic story of love, power and extraordinary courage’ A.J. West
 
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Multan, Pakistan. A conservative city where an unmarried woman over the age of twenty-five is considered a curse by her family.
 
Ayesha is twenty-seven. Independent and happily single, she has evaded an arranged marriage because of her family’s reduced circumstances. When she catches the eye of powerful, wealthy Raza, it seems like the answer to her parents’ prayers. But Ayesha is in love with someone else, and when she refuses to give up on him, Raza resorts to unthinkable revenge…
 
Ayesha travels to London to rebuild her life and there she meets Kamil, an emotionally damaged man who has demons of his own. They embark on a friendship that could mean salvation for both of them, but danger stalks Ayesha in London, too. With her life thrown into turmoil, she is forced to make a decision that could change her and everyone she loves forever.
 
Exquisitely written, populated by unforgettable characters and rich with poignant, powerful themes, Someone Like Her is a story of love and family, of corruption and calamity, of courage and hope … and one woman’s determination to thwart convention and find peace, at whatever cost…

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MY REVIEW:

“Nowhere is safe for our girls in this country.”

Multan, Pakistan. A city steeped in violence. A conservative city where women are still subservient to men, considered old maids at twenty-five, and violence against women is rampant and often unpunished. Twenty-seven-year-old Ayesha is a modern Pakistani woman who is independent and in no hurry to marry. Then one day she catches the eye of Raza, the son of one of the wealthiest and most influential families in Multan. It is the answer to her parents prayers but the start of a nightmare for Ayesha as Raza becomes increasingly obsessed and exacts unthinkable revenge on her for being in love with another man. In an attempt to stay safe and recover from her ordeal, Ayesha travels to London where she meets Kamil, a UK Pakistani who is recovering from his own trauma. The pair begin to get closer, but Raza can’t let go of Ayesha, not only herself, but everyone around her in danger. Can she find a way to escape Raza’s clutches?

Powerful, heartrending, and thought-provoking, Someone Like Her is an unforgettable story that went straight to my soul. Beautifully written and powerfully told, Awais Khan explores themes of love, family, equality, female empowerment, domestic violence, and justice in this captivating novel. There’s a sinister presence and all-consuming dread that leaps from the pages as Khan paints a vivid picture of the stark reality of life in Pakistan. It is a particularly bleak life for women filled with subservience, brutality and fear, where women face the threat of beatings, rape, acid attacks, knife attacks, and even death for any perceived slight against men. It enraged me that there are still societies that allow this kind of behaviour to be seen as acceptable and go unpunished. As the mother of sons I was disgusted that parents are raising men who see women as property they are entitled to abuse or even kill. As a domestic abuse survivor I was incensed that these women have real safe haven or way out. But it isn’t only women who are abused and I was happy that Khan also highlighted domestic abuse against men in this book. We need more visibility of this taboo topic so men feel more comfortable opening up about their experiences and asking for help.

“She was done being scared. It was time to take control of her life.”

Ayesha is an inspirational but very real character. She’s progressive, tenacious, courageous, and easy to root for. She goes through absolute hell and there were many times I wanted to reach into the book and help her escape this nightmare but I was also filled with admiration for the strength and fierce resolve she possessed even in the darkest and most terrifying of circumstances. I had a real soft spot for Kamil who was obviously going through a lot, and as his past trauma was slowly revealed my heart went out to him even more. I was also filled with admiration for how he worked to heal and overcome his pain, something that I’m sure will help a lot of people. And though it was predictable, I loved the blossoming relationship between him and Ayesha and was rooting for them to overcome the horrific obstacles put in their way to find happiness together. Then there’s Raza. Cruel, depraved, and merciless, he is one of the most terrifying monsters I’ve read. A true psychopath with no redeeming qualities, he made me shudder every time he was on the page and was a prime example of toxic masculinity, twisted love and obsession. The revenge he took on Ayesha for daring to say no to him is truly horrifying and I felt sick knowing that there are real men like him subjecting real women to these unspeakable acts. 

Dark, hard-hitting, affecting, and inspirational, Someone Like Her is a difficult but important read that I highly recommend. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

✮✮✮✮.5

TW: Domestic violence, rape

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Awais Khan is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario and Durham University. He has studied creative writing with Faber Academy. His debut novel, In the Company of Strangers, was published to much critical acclaim and he regularly appears on TV and Radio. Awais also teaches a popular online creative writing course to aspiring writers around the world. He is currently working on his third book. When not working, he has his nose buried in a book. He lives in Lahore.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Orenda Books | Waterstones* | Amazon* | Bookshop.org*

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the tour.

*All these links are affiliate links

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR: Farewell to the Little Coffee Shop of Kabul by Deborah Rodriguez

Published August 3rd, 2023 by Sphere
Literary Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, War Story

Today I’m delighted to be closing the tour for this uplifting novel. Thank you to Lucy at Sphere for the invitation to take part and the gifted copy of the book.

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SYNOPSIS:

THE LONG-AWAITED SEQUEL TO THE LITTLE COFFEE SHOP OF KABUL, THE BESTSELLER THAT CAPTURED THE HEARTS OF MILLIONS WORLDWIDE

Kabul, August 2021

Sunny Tedder is back in her beloved coffee shop. After eight years away, she’s thrilled to reunite with her Kabul ‘family’:

Yazmina now runs a pair of women’s shelters from the old cafe, and dreams of a bright future for her two young daughters.

Her sister Layla has become an outspoken women’s rights activist and, thanks to social media, is quite the celebrity.

Kat, Sunny’s friend from America, is wrapping up her year-long stay in the land of her birth, but is facing some unfinished business.

And finally there’s elderly den mother Halajan, whose secret new hobby is itself an act of rebellion.

Then the US troops begin to withdraw – and the women watch in horror as the Taliban advance on the capital at ferocious speed…

Set against the terrifying fall of Kabul in 2021, Deborah Rodriguez concludes her bestselling Little Coffee Shop trilogy with a heart-stopping story of resilience, courage and, most importantly, hope.

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MY REVIEW:

“And there it was. The turquoise gate, that crazy wall. The little coffee shop of Kabul. Sunny was home.” 

We’re back at the little coffee shop of Kabul for the concluding instalment of this heartwarming series.  Sunny is thrilled to reunite with her ‘Kabul family’ and be back at her beloved coffee shop after eight years away. But much has changed since her last visit, and with US troops about to withdraw from Afghanistan, Sunny is worried for the safety of her friends, but they dismiss her concerns, sure that the Taliban won’t regain control. But Sunny’s greatest fears are realised as the Taliban once again take control of the city. The race is on for Sunny to get herself and her friends out of Kabul to safety. 

This is a story of love, friendship, courage, survival, and hope that will remind you that light can be found even in the darkest of times. I read The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul when it was first released and couldn’t wait to immerse myself in the world of these characters. And though it had been over a decade since then, I soon felt like I was back with old friends as the author succinctly catches the reader up on events. And it’s those wonderful characters who are the beating heart of this series. The deep bonds and compelling personalities of this eclectic group leap from the page, with Layla and Halajan shining particularly brightly for me.

“We have lived with the sharks circling for twenty years now, yet still we stand strong. It will be fine. We will be fine.”

I’ll admit, I only knew a little about the fall of Kabul in 2021, which is the time this story is set. But Rodriguez sets the scene for the reader, detailing their culture and social expectations and evocatively illustrating a city where life is lived on a knife-edge. We see the reality of inhabiting a place filled with unrest, where women are still forced to walk a careful tightrope every day. It was eye-opening and heart-wrenching, particularly when every hard-won freedom is lost in the instant the Taliban regains power. I could feel the anxiety, fear and despair radiating from every word, my heart pounding as I desperately hoped for an escape for them. It is exquisitely written, never losing its potency or the heart and humour that is woven into the darker moments. 

A comforting, uplifting and moving read that you won’t want to put down, Farewell to the Little Coffee Shop of Kabul is a must read. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Deborah Rodriguez spent five years teaching at and later directing the Kabul Beauty School, the first modern beauty academy and training salon in Afghanistan. Rodriguez also owned the Cabul Coffee House. She is now a hairdresser, a motivational speaker, and the author of the bestselling novel The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul. Deborah currently lives in Mexico where she owns the Tippy Toes Salon.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Amazon* | Bookshop.org*

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxxxx

Please check out the reviews fromt the other bloggers taking part in the tour.

*All Purchase links are affiliate links

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR: The Black Crescent by Jane Johnson

Published August 3rd, 2023 by Head of Zeus
Historical Fiction, Historical Thriller, Historical Romance

Today I’m delighted to be finishing off the blog tour for The Black Crescent. Thank you to Sophie at Sophie Ransom PR for the invitation to take part, and to Sophie Ransom PR and Head of Zeus for the gifted ARC.

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SYNOPSIS:

Bringing 1950s Morocco vividly to life, Jane Johnson’s masterful new novel, The Black Crescent, is a gripping story of murder, magic and divided loyalties…

Hamou Badi is born in a mountain village with the magical signs of the zouhry on his hands. In Morocco, the zouhry is a figure of legend, a child of both humans and djinns, capable of finding all manner of treasure: lost objects, hidden water.

But instead, Hamou finds a body.

This unsolved murder instils in Hamou a deep desire for order and justice: he trains as an officer of the law, working for the French in Casablanca. But the city is trapped in the turmoil of the nationalist uprising, and soon he will be forced to choose between all he knows and all he loves…

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MY REVIEW:

“You know, Hamou, you stand with a foot in two worlds that are moving further apart by the day. Sooner or later you’ll have to come down on one side or the other or you’ll find yourself falling between them.”

When he is eleven-years-old, Hamou Badi discovers a corpse while on  his way home from collecting milk. The unsolved murder changes how Hamou sees the world and alters his life forever. Determined to help make a difference in his country, Hamou trains as a police officer, only to find himself caught up in the political unrest sweeping Morocco as its people fight the French for independence. As things spiral further out of control, Hamou is forced to choose a side in a war he doesn’t want to fight.

Murder, magic and political turmoil are at the heart of this compelling piece of historical fiction. Jane Johnson expertly combines history, religion, social issues, complex moral dilemmas, mystery, suspense, and folklore to create an intricately woven tale set during the French occupation of Morocco. I knew nothing about this piece of history, but Johnson’s meticulous attention to historical, cultural and religious detail, combined with her evocative writing, brought it to life so vividly that I could feel the blazing sun on my skin, smell the spices, and hear the bells ringing for prayer. 

“He had known, deep down, that this was what went on here, hidden in the bowels of the chic, modern building with the pots of jasmine at the entrance, amid the smart uniforms and the smothering layers of bureaucracy, all the rules and regulations and pretence at carrying on civilised governance, by the book, according to the training manual, in the correct fashion. It was all a facade, a smokescreen. A smart suit on a rotting corpse. 

And he – Hamou Badi – was paid to be part of this pretence. “

There are some dark, gritty, and quite brutal scenes that take place, particularly as dissident group the Black Crescent takes increasingly violent action to try and win back their country. There is a sense of unease and of tensions that are about to reach boiling point that lingers over every page. But Johnson balances that heaviness with humour, romance, Moroccan legends, and the gentle nature of Hamou himself. Hamou is a wonderful character that I absolutely loved reading. He is someone who is motivated by wanting to do good and change things for the better that finds himself in an impossible situation. Will he choose loyalty to his family and his country or his job as a police officer? The author really puts Hamou through it, giving him many difficult decisions to make that really test his moral compass and loyalty before she finally brings it all to a head in a shocking scene that I know will stay with me. What does he choose? You’ll have to read to find out. 

Gripping, clever, complex and beautiful, this is a story that will make you despair of humanity and then restore your hope. It will tug at your heart strings and then tie them back together. Highly recommended. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Jane Johnson is from Cornwall and has worked in the book industry for 30 years as a bookseller, publisher and writer.

For many years she was responsible for publishing the works of JRR Tolkien, and later worked on Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, spending many months in New Zealand with cast and crew (she wrote the official visual companions to the films). The authors she publishes include George RR Martin (creator of A Game of Thrones), Dean Koontz, Robin Hobb, Stuart MacBride, Mark Lawrence, Raymond E Feist and SK Tremayne.

While she was in Morocco in 2005 to research The Tenth Gift she met her soon-to-be husband Abdellatif, a Berber tribesman from a village in the Anti-Atlas Mountains. Returning home, she gave up her office job in London, sold her flat and shipped the contents to Morocco and they were married later that year. They now split their time between Cornwall and Morocco, and Jane still works remotely as a Fiction Publishing Director for HarperCollins.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Amazon* | Bookshop.org*

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxxx

Please check out the reveiws from the other bloggers taking part in the tour.

*All purchase links are affiliate links

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Paperback Publication Day

PAPERBACK BLOG TOUR: London, with Love by Sarra Manning

Published August 3rd, 2023 by Hodder & Stoughton
Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance, Humorous Fiction

Today I’m delighted to be resharing my review of London, with Love for the paperback publication blog tour. Thank you to Alara at Hodder & Stoughton for the invitation to take part and the gifted copy of the book.

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SYNOPSIS:

‘A VERY special book. GORGEOUS, real believable and BEAUTIFUL’ – Marian Keyes

London. Nine million people. Two hundred and seventy tube stations. Every day, thousands of chance encounters, first dates, goodbyes and happy ever afters.

And for twenty years it’s been where one man and one woman can never get their timing right.

Jennifer and Nick meet as teenagers and over the next two decades, they fall in and out of love with each other. Sometimes they start kissing. Sometimes they’re just friends. Sometimes they stop speaking, but they always find their way back to each other.

But after all this time, are they destined to be together or have they finally reached the end of the line?

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MY REVIEW:

After meeting at college, Jen and Nick strike up a close friendship that sizzles with an undercurrent of love and lust.  Over the next twenty years the pair dip in and out of each other’s lives, fall in and out of love and try to make it work with other people.  But when two people are meant to be something will just keep pulling them back together.  Can they finally get the timing right or will they reach the end of everything they’ve shared?

London, with Love is a story of love, friendship, joy, heartbreak, triumph and tragedy. I loved the concept of following a couple that first fall for eachother in the all-important yet crazy teenage years but can never quite make it happen.  It’s the fantasy of ‘the one who got away’ or the person who you always wonder ‘what if’ about that great romance stories are made of yet the reality never quite lives up to.  I liked that Sarra Manning gave this book a dash of both fantasy and reality that she combines into one great story.  There were times I was rooting for Nick and Jen to just get together already, and other times I wanted them to wake up and realise it would never work.  But at every point I loved reading their story and rooting for Jen to find happiness.

But this love story isn’t just about romantic love.  There is the love of writing and books woven into both Jen and Nick’s characters that this bibliophile adored, and then there is the fact that this novel is undoubtedly a love letter to the city of London.  While it isn’t a place I’ve been many times or am that familiar with, I did find myself getting caught up in Jen’s love for her home city and how intricately it is woven into every facet of her life.  The author makes London feel like a character in its own right and I could picture every place so clearly thanks to her evocative descriptions.  Jen’s passion for London leaps from the pages and made even this staunch northerner feel a little bit of love for our capital. 

But the thing I enjoyed most about this book is the nostalgia.  I’m just under a decade younger than Jen and Nick, so while I was still in primary school when the book opened in 1986, I was of a similar age to them at many points in their story and enjoyed reliving the nineties and early noughties through them.  The author weaves many memorable historical moments into the story such as Y2K that pulled me in and helped me feel even more connected to the story.  I couldn’t help but reminisce about where I was, how I felt and what I was doing in life flashed before my eyes as I read.  

So if you enjoy readable romances filled with compelling characters, engaging plotlines, familiar tropes and heaps of nostalgia, then this is the book for you.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Sarra Manning has been a voracious reader for over forty years and a prolific author and journalist for twenty five.

Her novels, which have been translated into fifteen different languages include Unsticky, You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me, After The Last Dance, The Rise And Fall Of Becky Sharp and her latest, Rescue Me, which publishes in 2021. Sarra has also written over fifteen YA novels, and four light-hearted romantic comedies under a pseudonym.

She started her writing career on Melody Maker and Just Seventeen, has been editor of ElleGirl and What To Wear and has also contributed to The Guardian, ELLE, Grazia, Stylist, Fabulous, Stella, You Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar and is currently the Literary Editor of Red magazine.

Sarra has also been a Costa Book Awards judge and has been nominated for various writing awards herself.

She lives in London surrounded by piles and piles of books.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Amazon* | Bookshop.org*

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the tour.

*All purchase links are affiliate links

Categories
Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR: Lost Little Angels (Detective Eve Bennett Book 2) by Holly S. Roberts

Published July 14th, 2023 by Bookouture
Mystery, Suspense, Crime Fiction, Thriller, Psychological Thriller, Noir Fiction, Police Procedural, Romance Novel, Crime Series

I’m a few days late due to illness, but here is my review for this tense and twisty thriller. Thank you to Bookouture for the invitation to take part and the eBook ARC.

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SYNOPSIS:

She wakes suddenly, realizing with a panic that her darling baby daughter should have woken long before now. Racing to the pink-colored nursery, she lets out a deep cry as she opens the door. The crib is empty. Her little girl has vanished.

It’s after midnight when Detective Eve Bennet receives a distraught phone call from an unknown number. The voice at the other end begs her not to hang up—a baby has gone missing. But what the caller says next makes Eve’s heart race. “She isn’t the first. There are many, many more.”

Rushing to the missing girl’s home, Eve finds the house empty, and when she knocks on their neighbors’ doors, not a single person answers. Whoever reported the missing baby doesn’t want to be found…

Secrets are held tight in the small town of Hilldale and as an outsider, Eve knows that the only way to uncover the truth is to persuade someone to talk. She finally has a breakthrough when a young wife goes against her husband’s wishes and tells Eve it’s not just babies being taken—mothers are disappearing too.

The woman leaves Eve a hand drawn map leading her to an isolated trailer park. What she finds there shocks her to her core. But she hardly has time to think before she notices a lone figure watching her every move. She’s not alone.

Can Eve save herself in time to finally unmask the truth before more innocent children disappear forever?

Fans of Melinda Leigh, Kendra Elliot and Lisa Regan won’t be able to put down this utterly gripping crime thriller from a USA Today bestselling author.

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MY REVIEW:

Just after midnight Detective Eve Bennett receives a call from an unknown number. It is a distraught woman claiming her baby is missing and that there are many others who have also vanished. Eve rushes to the caller’s home only to find it empty and the neighbours unwilling to answer the door. No one is willing to talk in Hilldale. The town is home to a polygamist sect and secrets run rife, as does their distrust of outsiders. Eve and her team have to convince someone to talk if they are to find the baby or her mother. And what she eventually uncovers is worse than anything she imagined…

The second book in the Detective Eve Bennett series takes us back inside the twisted world of a fundamentalist cult and the battles Eve and her team face trying to help their innocent victims. But don’t worry if you’ve not read the first book, because Holly S. Roberts catches you up succinctly, making it possible to read this one while still feeling like you understand all the nuances of the story and character relationships. It is well written and gripping, taking you through a wide range of emotions and keeping you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end as she expertly weaves heartbreak, anger, frustration, laughter, disgust and strength into the narrative.

Eve Bennett is a fantastic protagonist, and I stand by my comments from my review of book one where I referred to her as ‘a new star in crime fiction.’ Feisty and tenacious; she is passionate about giving a voice to the voiceless and helping people escape the cult. It is personal for her, as she escaped the cult as a teen and is still coming to terms with the long-term trauma of being raised there. It was great to see her slowly allowing love into her life in this book and watching her continue to grow as a person. Her team is also made up of fascinating characters and I love their dynamic. It makes you believe in them and root for them to solve the case despite the many obstacles in their way. There are also some brilliantly written villains in the book who will make you rage and your stomach turn, Roberts expertly walking that fine line by making you feel those feelings while also helping you understand the indoctrination they’ve been subjected to and also never using it to excuse their actions, making it clear they should still be held accountable. We also see some incredibly brave characters who risk their lives either by helping Eve or reaching out for  help themselves. It is a reminder of just how dangerous these extremist views can be and the risk to those caught up in them. 

Gritty, chilling, twisty and tense, this heart-pounding thriller is a must read for fans of the genre. Now I just have to wait impatiently for book three.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

TW: Religious indoctrination, abuse

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Holly Roberts began writing to alleviate stress in her day job, that of a homicide and sex crimes detective. Romance was her go to genre because she required a happy ending. She also touched on cozy mysteries and added six books to her forty book romance repertoire. Now that she’s retired and her mind at peace, she decided to delve into crime thrillers using her background and thirst for research to write the Eve Bennet series.

Holly has two movie/television options under her belt for her amazing life story. Part of the reason is Holly became a police officer at age 45 and led two high profile cases, one involving a serial killer. Now she enjoys the excitement of writing about crime while sitting at home with her two dogs, laptop, and a cup of hot tea close by.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Amazon*

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers talking part in the blog tour.

*These links are purhcase links

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2022 Paperback Publication Day

BLOG TOUR: The Moose Paradox by Antti Tuomainen (The Rabbit Factor Trilogy Book 2)

Published June 22nd, 2023 by Orenda Books
Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Hardboiled, Police Procedurals, Humorous Fiction, Book Series

Happy Paperback Publication Day to The Moose Paradox, which is the second in one of my favourite-ever series. Thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for asking me to reshare my review today as part of the papaerback publication tour, and to Orenda Books for my ebook ARC.

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SYNOPSIS:

Insurance mathematician Henri has his life under control, when a man from the past appears and a shady trio take over the adventure park’s equipment supply company. Things are messier than ever in the absurdly funny, heart-stoppingly tense second instalment in Antti Tuomainen’s bestselling series.

‘In these uncertain times, what better hero than an actuary?’ Chris Brookmyre

‘One of those rare writers who manages to deftly balance intrigue, noir and a deliciously ironic sense of humour … a delight’ Vaseem Khan

‘What a book! Antti has managed to put the fun into funerals and take it out of fun fairs in a gripping nail-biter … a thrilling and hilarious read’ Liz Nugent

**Soon to be a major motion picture starring Steve Carell**

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Insurance mathematician Henri Koskinen has finally restored order both to his life and to YouMeFun, the adventure park he now owns, when a man from the past appears – and turns everything upside down again. More problems arise when the park’s equipment supplier is taken over by a shady trio, with confusing demands. Why won’t Toy of Finland Ltd sell the new Moose Chute to Henri when he needs it as the park’s main attraction?

Meanwhile, Henri’s relationship with artist Laura has reached breaking point, and, in order to survive this new chaotic world, he must push every calculation to its limits, before it’s too late…

Absurdly funny, heart-stoppingly poignant and full of nail-biting suspense, The Moose Paradox is the second instalment in the critically acclaimed, pitch-perfect Rabbit Factor Trilogy and things are messier than ever…

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MY REVIEW:

We are back at the YouMeFun Adventure Park for the second instalment in Antti Tuomainen’s Rabbit Factor series and Henri’s life is messier than ever.  Starting as it means to go on, we leap head-first into the action and don’t pause for breath as we are taken on a tense roller-coaster ride of crazy antics involving a serious insurance mathematician, unsavoury characters and theme park equipment.

He’s done it again.  Hilarious, bizarre, clever and original, Antti Tuomainen has created another riveting page-turner that I couldn’t put down. I devoured it quickly, Tuomainen’s singular style captivating me completely.  Brilliantly written, tense and pacy, he didn’t miss a beat as he succinctly catches the reader up on events from book one while the madness is still going on around the characters.  It is far-fetched and absurd, yet you totally believe it and he had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.  

Henri is one of the most eccentric yet endearing characters I’ve ever read and I challenge anyone not to fall in love with him.  He’s straight-laced, rational, makes sense of the world through numbers and mathematics and finds social etiquette and the actions of others confusing and strange.  You will laugh, you will cringe, and your heart will go out to him.  But what I enjoyed most about this book is that he really came into his own.  It was great to watch him fall in love, read between the lines, understand how to interact with others and show that he is much more astute and capable than he’s given credit for.  I think Steve Carrell is the perfect actor for this character and I can’t wait to see him play Henri when the adaptation comes to our screens soon.

Quirky, original, funny and entertaining, The Moose Paradox is a book you simply have to read. It is one of those books where it’s best to know little about the book before reading, but it is important to read the first book, The Rabbit Factor, before this one in order to make sense of what’s happening.  And because it’s absolutely brilliant. 

So go and read The Rabbit Factor and The Moose Paradox now!  Meanwhile, I will be eagerly awaiting book three, which is out in November.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Finnish Antti Tuomainen was an award-winning copywriter when he made his literary debut in 2007 as a suspense author. The critically acclaimed My Brother’s Keeper was published two years later. In 2011, Tuomainen’s third novel, The Healer, was awarded the Clue Award for ‘Best Finnish Crime Novel of 2011’ and was shortlisted for the Glass Key Award. The Finnish press labelled The Healer – the story of a writer desperately searching for his missing wife in a post-apocalyptic Helsinki – ‘unputdownable’. Two years later, in 2013, they crowned Tuomainen ‘The King of Helsinki Noir’ when Dark as My Heart was published. With a piercing and evocative style, Tuomainen was one of the first to challenge the Scandinavian crime genre formula, and his poignant, dark and hilarious The Man Who Died became an international bestseller, shortlisting for the Petrona and Last Laugh Awards. Palm Beach Finland (2018) was an immense success, with The Times calling Tuomainen ‘the funniest writer in Europe’, and Little Siberia (2019) was shortlisted for the Capital Crime/Amazon Publishing Readers Awards, the Last Laugh Award and the CWA International Dagger, and won the Petrona Award for Best Scandinavian Crime Novel. The Rabbit Factor is the first book in Antti’s first-ever series.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Orenda Books | Berts Books | Waterstones* | Amazon* | Bookshop.org*

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the tour.

*These links are affiliate links

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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Published March 5th, 2019 by Penguin UK
Historical Fiction, Music Biographies, Biographical Fiction, Sagas

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SYNOPSIS:
From the author of CARRIE SOTO IS BACK, THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO and the bestselling MALIBU RISING

‘I LOVE it . . . I can’t remember the last time I read a book that was so fun’ DOLLY ALDERTON

Everybody knows Daisy Jones and the Six.

Their sound defined an era. Their albums were on every turntable. They sold out arenas from coast to coast.

Then, on 12 July 1979, Daisy Jones walked barefoot onto the stage at Chicago Stadium. And it all came crashing down.

Everyone was there.

Everyone remembers it differently.

Nobody knew why they split. Until now . . .

‘The verdict: Daisy Jones steals the limelight‘ STYLIST

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MY REVIEW:

“I had absolutely no interest in being somebody else’s muse. I am not a muse. I am the somebody.” 

Daisy Jones and the Six has been on my TBR ever since it was released in March 2019. I have delayed reading it because I was worried it won’t live up to the massive hype surrounding it. But when the series was released in March, I knew it was time to finally bite the bullet and decided to listen to the audiobook after reading many reviews recommending it.

I was already a fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s writing after reading the fantastic ‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’, and this book cemented my love of her work. I’ll admit, this was my second time trying to listen to this audiobook. I couldn’t get into it the first time, but I was still determined to discover what it was about this book that has garnered so many fans and so much praise. This time around, I was hooked from the start. Jenkins Reid’s masterful storytelling combined with the superb perfomances of the narrators to bring to life Daisy and her world. I was transported back to the seventies  and the heady world of this infamous band, following their journey from conception to realising their dream and then finally having it all fall apart. I lived these moments with the characters, feeling their joy, pain, heartache and triumph as they chased their dreams. It was all so well written and performed that I could almost feel the California sun beating down on me, smell the cigarette and taste the whiskey. I had to keep reminding myself that this was not a podcast about a real band, but a fictional story from the pen of a very talented author. 

“Some people, you bathe them in those lights and they disappear. But, some people, they glow.”

A story about the ugly celebrity, fame, wealth and success, Daisy Jones and the Six is narrated by an eclectic cast of characters. It is told in a series of interviews with the band and those closest to them, giving the whole thing a very authentic documentary feel. Once again Jenkins Reid showcases her talent for writing  glamorous, alluring and compelling characters who are also complex, flawed and real. She knows how to make you care about, root for them, and feel invested in every facet of their lives. Each of them are brought to life so vividly that you feel like you’re sitting in the room with them. I was completely sucked into their hedonistic world and couldn’t get enough. 
But while every character in this story has a charisma that draws you to them, it is undoubtedly Daisy Jones who shines brightest amongst this group of stars. She lights up the stage, and every room she is in. But this beautiful woman is also broken. She is damaged by indifferent parents, falls in love with the wrong men and relies upon descending into a haze of drink and drugs to get through her day. It’s a familiar but tragic story that makes Daisy feel heart-wrenchingly real. 

Glamorous, magnetic and totally riveting, I loved every moment of this wild and crazy ride. So much so that I binged the TV series straight after listening as I was not ready to say goodbye to these characters just yet. 

This is a book that lives up to the hype. If you haven’t read it then what on earth are you waiting for?! 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Taylor Jenkins Reid is the New York Times bestselling author of eight novels, including Malibu Rising, Daisy Jones & The Six, and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their daughter.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones*| Amazon* | Bookshop.org*

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxx

*These purchase links are affiliate links

Categories
Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR REVIEW: The Funeral Cryer by Wenyan Lu

Published May 4th, 2023 by Allen & Unwin
Literary Fiction, Humorous Fiction

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for the beautiful and moving, The Funeral Cryer. Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part, and Allen & Unwin for the gifted copy of the book.

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SYNOPSIS:

***’A refreshing perspective on mourning, as well as a moving tale of a social outcast’ – i-D Magazine***

An Yu’s Braised Pork meets Flaubert’s Madame Bovary in this unforgettable, tragi-comic tale of one woman’s mid-life re-awakening in contemporary rural China.

The Funeral Cryer long ago accepted the mundane realities of her life: avoided by fellow villagers because of the stigma attached to her job as a professional mourner and under-appreciated by The Husband, whose fecklessness has pushed the couple close to the brink of break-up. But just when things couldn’t be bleaker, The Funeral Cryer takes a leap of faith – and in so doing things start to take a surprising turn for the better . . .

Dark, moving and wry, The Funeral Cryer is both an illuminating depiction of a ‘left behind’ society – and proof that it’s never too late to change your life.

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MY REVIEW:

“I almost live in isolation, with very little movement. Sometimes I was even suspicious of myself. Was I really carrying something contagious or lethal in my body? Maybe I was. I did breathe in a deadly atmosphere regularly at funerals.”

The Funeral Cryer isn’t an easy book to review. A truly unique story, this touching exploration of identity, mourning and social isolation follows the mid-life awakening of one woman in contemporary rural China.

Living in a loveless, unhappy marriage, the funeral cryer is resigned to her mundane life in the small village where she was born and raised. A good husband is one who doesn’t hit you, which hers doesn’t, but he also never speaks a kind word and they are just two people who sleep in the same bed each night rather than partners or friends. It is a lonely and bleak existence, something that is magnified by the superstition surrounding her profession that makes her an outcast. We never learn the funeral cryer’s name. In fact, she isn’t even sure the others in her village even remember it as they now only refer to her as that woman who cries at funerals. This namelessness adds to the sense of a lack of identity and belonging surrounding her, and makes her feel all the more distant and disconnected from both the reader and the world. It is a life filled with sadness, guilt and isolation, emotions that permeate the pages along with an atmosphere of melancholy, monotony and acceptance as she  evaluates and looks back on her life, wondering how things might be now had she taken different paths and contemplating an array of questions she has no one to answer. 

From the start this story avoids feeling overshadowed by any of its sombre or negative emotions thanks to Wenyan Lu’s exquisite and at times almost poetic prose. It is also helped by the narration continuously and seamlessly moving between a tale of heartrending tragedy and dark comedy as the funeral cryer finally makes choices for her own happiness and begins her reawakening. I was rooting for her to seize something for herself and rejoiced as she discovered parts of life, and herself, that had lain dormant for so long.

Profoundly moving, wistful and thought-provoking, The Funeral Cryer is a curiously beautiful story that will linger long after reading.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✫

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Originally from Shanghai, China, Wenyan Lu is the winner of the SI Leeds Literary Prize 2020. She holds a Master of Studies in Creative Writing as well as a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Creative Writing from the University of Cambridge. Her unpublished historical novel The Martyr’s Hymn was also longlisted for SI Leeds Literary Prize 2018 and Bridport First Novel Prize 2019.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Watertones | Amazon | Bookshop.org

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the tour.

*All purchase links are affiliate links