Tag: Humorous Fiction

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Audio Books Beat the Backlist book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: Happy Bloody Christmas by Jo Middleton

Published October 24th, 2024 by Avon Books
Mystery, Crime Fiction, Humorous Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Holiday Fiction, Christmas Story, Festive Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Don’t miss the perfect Christmas present for yourself (or for that best friend who would definitely help you hide a body…)

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Anna’s Christmas Eve To Do List:

1. Wrap the kids’ presents​

2. Peel the potatoes ​

3. Get rid of the dead body?!

Hungover and exhausted after her family’s annual party, all Anna Johnson wants for Christmas is to finish her to-do list and finally sit down with the world’s biggest glass of wine.

But when she stumbles across a dead body in her larder, her plans are well and truly buggered.

A mysterious death in her home really is the last thing she needs, but with her judgemental in-laws arriving in less than twenty-four hours, turning her house into a crime scene is not an option. If she’s going to save Christmas, it’s up to Anna to find out what the hell’s gone on. Oh – and figure out what to do with the body before one of the kids finds it.

And you thought burning the turkey was the worst that could happen…

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

When Anna wakes up with a hangover on Christmas Eve she is dreading the clean-up from their party the night before and trying to fit that in alongside all of the other things she has to get ready for Christmas Day. She’s expecting to find a mess. But what she isn’t expecting to find when she opens the pantry is her boss, Colin, dressed in a Santa suit and stabbed to death. This really is the last thing she needs. With the police hopeless and less than twenty-four hours until her judgemental in-laws arrive, Anna knows it’s up to her to save Christmas and solve the mystery of who stabbed Santa.

I love a mystery with lots of black humour thrown in, and this one was overflowing with hilarious moments that had me laughing out loud. So much so that I was scared I’d wake Mr. Bibliotreasures when I was reading in bed! Thankfully, he’s a deep sleeper. I decided to pick this one up after reading rave reviews from a couple of fellow bloggers. And I’m so glad that I did because this uproarious festive mystery was a real treat. It’s tense, twisty, kept me on the edge of my seat and had me guessing right up until the very end.

Anna was a fantastic protagonist. I think I think many of us can relate to Anna feeling stressed about all she has to do for Christmas and I can’t imagine the amount of extra pressure caused by finding a body in the pantry! I loved her hilarious inner monologue, the banter she had with others, and I was rooting for her at every step. She and the other characters are charismatic and compelling, making me feel totally invested in the story. I didn’t only want to know who killed Colin for a resolution, I also cared who it was in terms of Anna’s relationship with them and how she would be affected. I also really enjoyed reading Anna’s sarcastic best friend, Jennie, who was a real hoot.

If you’re looking for a lighthearted festive mystery that will have you in stitches, this is the book for you.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jo Middleton is a writer, mum of two grown up children and slave to a golden retriever and three cats, named after fictional detectives. Jo published her first novel, Playgroups and Prosecco, in 2019 and has since gone on to work with her good friend Gill Sims, hosting her 2022 theatre tour and co-hosting a podcast, It’s Five O’clock Somewhere. Happy Bloody Christmas is her first crime novel and is an amalgamation of everything she loves best – murder at Christmas, what’s not to love?

Jo lives in Somerset and when she’s not working or tending to a pet she loves reading murder mysteries, binge-watching dating reality TV shows and being dragged around the countryside by her disrespectful dog Mako.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Readalong

READALONG REVIEW: The Nancys and the Case of the Missing Necklace by R.W. R. McDonald

Published November 20th, 2025 by Orenda Books
Mystery, Thriller, Cozy Mystery, Humorous Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Eleven-year-old Tippy’s uncle and his boyfriend turn up in her small New Zealand town to look after her when his mother is away over Christmas, but when her schoolteacher is found dead and her best friend has a near-fatal accident, the trio turns detective, dubbing themselves The Nancys, and launching a chaotic, hilarious investigation.

‘Heartfelt and hilarious, this mystery is packed with vivid, beautifully written characters … highly recommended’ A.J. West

‘Wonderful … A book of great heart, humour and originality. I loved it’ Chris Hammer

‘A wonderfully smart, funny, intriguing and joyously camp mystery. I loved it!’ William Hussey

‘Entertaining and satisfying, with a cast of characters I loved and genuinely cared about … unsettling, captivating and uplifting‘Vanda Symon

*** WINNER of the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best First Novel***

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Meet the Nancys…

Tippy Chan is eleven years old, and she lives in a small town in a very quiet part of New Zealand – the town her Uncle Pike escaped as a teenager, the moment he got a chance. Now Pike is back with his new boyfriend Devon to look after Tippy while her mum is on a Christmas cruise.

Tippy can’t get enough of her uncle’s old Nancy Drew books. She wants to be Nancy and is desperate to solve a real mystery. So, when her teacher’s body is found beside Riverstone’s only traffic light, it looks like Tippy’s moment has arrived. She and her minders form The Nancys, a secret detective club.

But what starts as a bonding and sightseeing adventure quickly morphs into something far more dangerous. A wrongful arrest, a close call with the murderer, and an intervention from Tippy’s mum all conspire against The Nancys. But regardless of their own safety, and despite the constant distraction of questionable fashion choices in the town that style forgot, The Nancys know only they can stop the killer from striking again. Whatever the cost…

Gripping, glorious and glittering with suspense, The Nancy’s is also a heartwarming, hilarious novel for anyone who’s ever felt like they were on the outside, looking in, with a simmering mystery at its heart and characters you will never forget.

A hilarious, and heartfelt twist on Nancy Drew – with murder, mayhem and makeovers in small-town New Zealand.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Heartwarming, witty, chaotic and flamboyant, this delightfully original debut had me hooked from start to finish. 

11-year-old Tippy Chan lives in a small, quiet town in New Zealand with her mum, Helen. She is obsessed with her Uncle Pike’s old Nancy Drew books and longs to solve a real mystery just like her hero. So, when the body of her teacher is discovered one morning, it looks like Tippy’s moment is finally here. Together with her Uncle Pike and his boyfriend, Devon, she forms The Nancys, a secret detective club, and they begin their investigation. It all starts as a fun adventure, but things quickly morph into something more dangerous and they face mounting obstacles as they search for the truth. But The Nancys are sure they are the only ones who can find the killer and stop them before they strike again. 

This book is the hilarious and uplifting mystery I didn’t know I needed. I’m a big fan of cosy crime stories and love an amateur detective, so I was excited to read this. And in The Nancys I’ve found my new favourite crime-solving trio. It’s a story of family, friendship, murder and makeovers. A story for the outsiders. And I loved every word. R. W. R. McDonald writes with heart and humour, creating a compelling mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat but also makes you feel all the feelings, adding depth to the story as he addresses topics such as grief, trauma and identity. 

The first rule of The Nancys is that everyone is a suspect. And they take that to heart; unafraid to suspect everyone they know in this tiny town as they search for the killer. This created a sense of unease and distrust, as we couldn’t be sure about anyone or anything. I had my own suspicions and theories, but the author did an excellent job of making me feel unsure about them, keeping me guessing and delivering red herrings that shook me along the way. 

There is a motley crew of captivating richly drawn characters on these pages who pull you into their world and take you along with them for the ride. I loved that this story was told from Tippy’s perspective, and that she is such a likeable character who is easy to root for. In many ways she’s a typical 11-year-old girl who just wants the latest smartphone, but she’s also dealing with a lot after the sudden death of her father earlier in the year. When we meet her, she’s on the cusp of both her first Christmas without her dad and her first time apart from her mum, who is off on a cruise she won. And that’s where the fabulous Uncle Pike and his boyfriend, Devon, step in. I loved these delightfully campy characters and they never failed to make me laugh. I also enjoyed their untraditional approach to babysitting and that they quickly decided to makeover the girl next door and enter her in a local beauty pageant. This was a fun side story that added lots of levity alongside the darker search for a killer. 

Hilarious, mysterious, quirky and heartfelt, this glorious debut is not to be missed. And I am really hoping that it is the first in a series as I need to return to these wonderful characters again.

Rating: 🔎🔎🔎🔎

Thank you Orenda Books for the invitation to take part in this readalong and for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

R.W.R. McDonald (Rob) is an award-winning author, a Kiwi and Queer dad living in Melbourne with his two daughters and one HarryCat. His debut novel, The Nancys, won Best First Novel in the 2020 Ngaio Marsh Awards, as well as being a finalist in the Best Novel category. It was shortlisted for Best First Novel in the 2020 Ned Kelly Awards, and Highly Commended for an Unpublished Manuscript in the 2017 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards. His second novel, Nancy Business, was a finalist for Best Novel in 2022 Ngaio Marsh Awards.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOKS: Till Death, or a Little Light Maiming, Do Us Part by Kathy Lette

Published July 10th, 2025 by Aria
Humorous Fiction, Domestic Fiction

Today I’m sharing my review of this hilarious and raunchy story. Thank you to Head of Zeus for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

One dead husband. Three grieving widows.

When she hears a man has been killed by a Great White shark, Gwen races to the beach only to find that all that remains of her husband is his swimming cap and a piece of torn, blood-stained wetsuit. Her grief is soon interrupted by Tish, screaming for information about the accident. When Gwen reassures her that it’s her husband, Jason Riley, who’s perished, Tish’s response is earth-shattering for them both: Jason was her husband too.

The women’s mutual animosity is not assuaged when they learn that Jason recently sent all his – make that their – money to a mysterious ‘business partner’ in Egypt called Skye. But when they fly to Cairo to confront her, they find another grieving widow whose life-savings have gone missing…

As this double-crossed threesome cross continents in their search for truth and retribution, they start to realise they’re embarking on a journey of self-discovery, renewal and friendship too.

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MY REVIEW:

Hilarious, barmy and utterly brilliant, this raunchy caper made me laugh from start to finish. It begins with a suitably crazy premise: Gwen rushes to the beach after hearing that a man has been killed by a Great White Shark to discover that all that is left of her husband, Jason, is his swimming cap and a piece of torn, blood-stained wetsuit. But Gwen’s grief soon turns to anger and disbelief when Tish turns up asking after her husband and the women discover they were married to the same man. Things get worse when they learn that Jason recently transferred all of their money to a mysterious business partner in Cairo. So,  they put aside their animosity to go and confront her. But instead they find another swindled wife and the trio embark on an around-the-world journey of vengeance, self-discovery and sisterhood.

This book was the definition of insane. And I absolutely loved it. From the storyline to the characters, everything was ridiculous, but it also felt relatable and real, with moments of real emotion and surprising twists thrown in amongst the craziness.  Gwen, Tish and Skye are fantastic characters. Each woman is completely different to the others and they often wonder how they could all be married to the same man. But as they bond over their anger and grief at Jason’s betrayals, they find the similarities that exist in them and work together to try and get answers. I loved their banter and the xx situations they got themselves into. It kept me turning the pages, eager to see if they would finally get their vengeance. But what I loved most is how they went from women who had been humiliated and felt they couldn’t go on without Jason to discovering themselves and their inner strength. These ladies are a great example of girl power and a reminder that it is never too late to find out new things about yourself or to find a new best friend.

This was my first time reading a book by Kathy Lette but it won’t be my last. Witty, entertaining and addictive, this is a must for your summer TBR. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kathy Lette is a celebrated and outspoken comic writer who has an imitable take on serious current issues. She is one of the pioneering voices of contemporary feminism, paving the way for Caitlin Moran and Lena Dunham.

She first achieved succès de scandale as a teenager with the novel Puberty Blues, which was made into a major film and a TV mini-series.

After several years as a singer with the Salami Sisters, a newspaper columnist in Sydney and New York, and as a television sitcom writer for Columbia Pictures in Los Angeles, Kathy wrote numerous international bestsellers including Mad Cows (which was made into a film starring Joanna Lumley and Anna Friel), How to Kill Your Husband and Other Handy Household Hints (recently staged by the Victorian Opera, Australia), To Love, Honour and Betray and The Boy Who Fell To Earth.

Her twenty novels have been published in nineteen languages around the world, and she is also an ambassador for The National Autistic Society, Their World and Ambitious about Autism.

In 2004 she was the London Savoy Hotel’s Writer in Residence, where a cocktail named after her can still be ordered.

Kathy is an autodidact (a word she obviously taught herself), but has three honorary doctorates.

Kathy recently completed a tour of her one-woman show, “Girls Night Out“, and is pleased to report that she didn’t fall out with the cast. She cites her career highlights as once teaching Stephen Fry a word, Salman Rushdie the limbo, and scripting Julian Assange’s cameo in the Simpsons 500th episode.

Kathy has two children and divides her time between Sydney and London.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Bookshop.org* | Waterstones* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR: Island Calling (Tuga Trilogy, 2) by Francesca Segal

Published June 19th, 2025 by Chatto and Windus
Literary Fiction, Romantic Comedy, Humorous Fiction, Medical Romance

Welcome to my review for this glorious escapist summer read. Thank you Insta Book Tours for my invitation to take part in the readalong, and to Chatto & Windus for sending me a copy of the book on exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

On remote Tuga de Oro, vet Charlotte Walker’s caseload of donkeys, cows, and ailing lizards has only increased. She still can’t believe the humiliating truth about her father. Probably, she ought to feel worse than she does. But the islanders have taken Charlotte to their hearts and somehow, between days on the farms and nights with a new love interest, she’s content to remain in blissful retreat from her real life in London. Just for now.

But real life hits the island with the force of a tropical storm: Charlotte’s mother arrives. Lucinda Compton-Neville knows an identity crisis when she sees one, and has come to haul her daughter back on course: back to England, back to her career, back home where she belongs.

Funny, moving, and hope-filled, Island Calling is a joyous novel about mothers and daughters; about holding on and letting go.

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MY REVIEW:

We’re back on Tuga for the second installment in the Tuga Trilogy, and this book was even more fun than the first. 

Accepted and loved by the islanders, Charlotte has now outstayed her one-year contract and is enjoying life on the island, including her new relationship. It’s a world away from the reality of her life in London. But real life has a way of finding you, and it finds Charlotte in the form of her mother, Lucinda, who arrives on the island out of the blue. Sure that her daughter is having an identity crisis, Lucinda will stop at nothing to get Charlotte back to London where she belongs. 

Delightful, funny and uplifting, this was the perfect read to escape with this summer. I loved being back on Tuga amongst this eclectic cast of colourful characters. All the familiar faces were here, but Francesca Segal also introduced us to some of the other islanders this time around. She also dove deeper into their relationships, such as the complex emotions and difficulties between Marianne and her daughter Annie. Segal also explored more of the challenges that can arise from living on a secluded island, particularly the medical limitations, which were addressed through various storylines. And, with Charlotte’s veterinary profession, there were obviously lots of animal moments in this book that I loved, especially the scenes where she and Katie worked together to try and save them. 

After the shock of discovering her father’s identity and having her dreams of him shattered in book one, Charlotte is on a journey of self-discovery this time around. As if this wasn’t enough to be going through, her mother, Lucinda, also arrives on the island. We know they have a difficult relationship, and it was quickly obvious why. Selfish, entitled and snobbish, I couldn’t stand Lucinda, who hits the island with all the subtlety of a hurricane. Disruption and chaos follow her every move and she doesn’t care who or what she disturbs in her quest to get herself and Charlotte back to London during island close. But, Segal takes these characters on quite the journey, and Lucinda did grow on me. And that ending! I’m going to need book three ASAP.

Rating: ✭✭✭✭✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Francesca Segal is an award-winning writer and journalist. She is the author of two critically acclaimed novels, The Innocents (2012) and The Awkward Age (2017), and a memoir of NICU motherhood, Mother Ship (2019). Her writing has won the 2012 Costa First Novel Award, a Betty Trask Award, and been longlisted for the Women’s Prize.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Bookshop.org* | Waterstones* |Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Squadpod Squadpod Featured Books

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK: Mrs Spy by M. J. Robotham

Published May 15th, 2025 by Aria
Mystery, Historical Fiction, Humorous Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

‘Dark, twisty, and thoroughly entertaining, Mrs Spy is a Thursday Murder Club for spies. You won’t be able to put it down’ – Ava Glass

Get ready for a pulse-pounding, laugh-out-loud ride through 1960s London as Maggie Flynn, unexpected MI5 operative and single mum, unravels the intelligence agency’s most treacherous secrets.

***

Maggie Flynn isn’t your typical 1960s mum.

She’s a spy, an unsuspecting operative for MI5, stalking London’s streets in myriad disguises.

Widowed and balancing her clandestine career with raising a Beatles-mad teenage daughter, Maggie finds comfort and purpose in her profession – providing a connection to her late husband, whose own covert past only surfaced after his death.

But Maggie’s world spins out of control when a chance encounter with a mysterious Russian agent triggers a chilling revelation: he knew her husband. And what’s worse, the agent suspects someone on home soil betrayed him.

As Maggie searches for answers, she’ll question everyone – and everything – she thought she could trust. In the murky and perilous world of espionage, can she outsmart those determined to keep her silenced?

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MY REVIEW:

London, 1965. Maggie Flynn is anything but the typical 1960s mum. Because Maggie is a spy working for MI5 who stalks the streets of London in her many disguises and struggling to balance her clandestine career with single motherhood now she is widowed. But when Maggie makes a surprising discovery about her late husband, things get even more out of control as she is drawn deeper into the dangerous and murky side of espionage.

Intelligent, suspenseful, witty, intriguing and thrilling, this was such a treat! A nostalgic trip to the 60s that is rich in historic detail, M. J. Robotham has created a story that is evocatively told, cleverly plotted, intricately interwoven and twisty, pulling you into the story and holding you captive until the very last page. One of my favourite parts of the writing was the gorgeous imagery and metaphors that Robotham used, bringing the story to life around me. A story filled with treachery, secrets, subterfuge, lies and grief, chapter by chapter the plot unfolds, themes of family, loss and grief are delicately woven into the narrative, allowing the reader to empathise with the characters and the situations they find themselves in. I loved the lighthearted and upbeat vibe the story had and often found myself laughing out loud. Robotham expertly merged this with the stories darker and more suspenseful moments, keeping the lighthearted vibe whilst also keeping me on tenterhooks and making my heart race.

I loved Maggie. She has an unusual job but she’s relatable and easy to root for, mixing the ordinary and extraordinary of her life as a spy and role as a mother. I loved how fierce, upbeat and light-hearted she was, her narration was so entertaining and funny, keeping me totally immersed in the story and Maggie’s world. Maggie’s mum, Gilda, was a fantastic and ebullient character, and I loved Maggie’s banter with fellow spy Frank. The background characters were also richly drawn and there was an abundance of unsavory and unlikeable characters that I loved to hate.

A dark yet delightful historical mystery, Mrs Spy is perfect for fans of Dear Mrs Bird and Lessons in Chemistry.

Rating: 🔍🔍🔍🔍

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

M J Robotham saw herself as an aspiring author from childhood, but was waylaid by journalism, birth, children and life. After twenty years as a midwife and a Creative Writing MA, she is a full-time author, writing historical fiction as Mandy Robotham. She lives in Gloucestershire with her partner.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Bookshop.org* | Waterstones* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxx

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR REVIEW: Happy is the One by Katie Allen

Published May 22nd, 2025 by Hodder and Stoughton
Romance, Humorous Fiction, Pensioners in the Pages

Welcome to my review for this heartfelt and moving story. Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for inviting me to take part, and to Orenda for my copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The carefully ordered life of a middle-aged man falls apart when he is forced to return to his hometown to care for his elderly father, and meets a woman who has as many secrets as he does … A warmly funny, poignant, life-affirming novel about coming home and letting go.
 
‘A moving and emotional story told with warmth and humour … a book to curl up with and forget about the world’ Eleanor Ray
 
‘A novel so full of heart it will pull on your heartstrings and nestle itself into your soul’ Emma-Claire Wilson  

‘Gentle, poignant and often witty … A beautifully written and intelligent novel about working out who and what really matters´ Susan Elliot Wright
 
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What if halfway through your life was just the beginning?

Robin Edmund Blake is halfway through his life.
 
Born in 1986, when Halley’s Comet crossed the sky, he is destined to go out with it, when it returns in 2061. Until that day, he can’t die. He has proof.
 
With his future mapped out in minute detail, a lucrative but increasingly dull job in the City of London, and Gemma to share his life with, Robin has a plan to be remembered forever.
 
But when Robin’s sick father has one accident too many, the plan starts to unravel. Robin must return home to the tiny seaside town of Eastgate, learn to care for the man who never really cared for him, and face the childhood ghosts he fled decades ago.
 
Desperate to get his life back on schedule, he connects with fellow outsider Astrid. Brutally direct, sharp-witted and a professor at a nearby university, she’s unlike anyone he’s ever met. But Astrid is hiding something and someone from Robin.
And he’s hiding even more from her…
 
For fans of Hazel Prior, Rachel Joyce and Jonas Jonasson

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MY REVIEW:

Born under Halley’s Comet, Robin has always known that he will die when it returns on July 29th 2061. Now halfway through his carefully ordered life, things are thrown into disarray when he has to move back home to care for his sick father. Now he must make new plans, but life seems to be getting in the way. 

Heartfelt, moving, poignant and funny, Happy Is the One is an unforgettable story. I fell in love with Katie Allen’s gorgeous storytelling when I read her debut, Everything Happens For A Reason and have been eagerly awaiting this follow up. I was not disappointed. Once again, Allen makes us reflect on life and some important questions with her thought-provoking story as she explores topics such as love, family, friends, and what it is that really matters. Her writing is heartfelt, warm and witty but also heartbreaking, real and unflinching, stripping away the layers of pretence and distraction that we often surround ourselves in. I was enthralled and completely lost myself in this beautiful story. 

The story is told by Robin, a quirky and unique protagonist who I certainly won’t forget in a hurry. Central to the story, and Robin’s whole persona, is his belief that he is invincible until Halley’s Comet returns. He was first told this as a child, but his belief  solidified when he survived the car accident that killed his mother when he was just twelve. Ever since, this belief has been at the centre of his life and every decision he makes. Robin is regimented, planning every aspect of his life and future down to the smallest detail, making him often quite selfish and frustrating, but I warmed to him over time. The background characters were equally compelling and I enjoyed watching Robin reconnect with Danny and navigate a burgeoning romance with Astrid. But it is his relationship with his father, Ken, who has dementia, that was most moving. Ms. Allen wrote with honesty and sensitivity, creating a fully rounded and interesting character while also accurately portraying the realities of caring for someone with such demanding and complex needs. 

Happy is the One is a powerful, unpredictable and life-affirming story that will tug on your heart strings. A must have addition for your TBR.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Everything Happens for a Reason is Katie’s first novel. She used to be a journalist and columnist at the Guardian and Observer, and started her career as a Reuters correspondent in Berlin and London. The events in Everything Happens for a Reason are fiction, but the premise is loosely autobiographical. Katie’s son, Finn, was stillborn in 2010, and her character’s experience of grief and being on maternity leave without a baby is based on her own. And yes, someone did say to her ‘Everything happens for a reason’. Katie grew up in Warwickshire and now lives in South London with her husband, children, dog, cat and stick insects. When she’s not writing or walking children and dogs, Katie loves baking, playing the piano, reading news and wishing she had written other people’s brilliant novels.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Orenda Books | Bookshop.org* | Waterstones* | Amazon*
*These are affiiliate links

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx 

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

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Respect Rom Fic Romance Rocks Squadpod Squadpod Book Club Squadpod Featured Books Squadpod Reviews

SQUADPOD BOOK CLUB: The Last Days of Summer by Sarra Manning

Published March 27th, 2025 by Hodder & Stoughton
Romcom, Romance, Romatic Comedy, Humorous Fiction

Welcome to my review for this spicy and heartfelt romcom. Thank you to Hodder and Stoughton for sending me a proof copy in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Sometimes all it takes is one long summer weekend for the person you thought you hated to become something more…

‘It’s about friendship, it’s about life, it’s about how people change . . . I loved it very much’ MARIAN KEYES
‘Funny, filled with emotion and very, very sexy! Add it to your 2025 TBR pile immediately…’ BETH O’LEARY
‘I laughed out loud, cried until I was a husk and finished it feeling refreshed, renewed, and looking at life a little bit differently. It’s a summer I never wanted to end’ CRESSIDA MCLAUGHLIN
‘Your favourite writer’s favourite writer . . . fun, sexy, bittersweet and utterly romantic, I fell head over heels for Cassie and Marc’ LINDSEY KELK
‘Expertly crafted, extremely loveable and a perfect balance of wit, heart and smut’ LAUREN BRAVO
****

After a disastrous first meeting, Cassie and Marc become arch nemeses. He might have great cheekbones and a sexy French accent but he’s a terrible person who did a terrible thing. Too bad that Cassie’s best friends Lucy and Russell think he’s wonderful.

But years later, when an unexpected tragedy strikes their friendship group, Cassie and Marc team up to give Lucy and Russell the best weekend ever so they can make new memories with all of their favourite people. Which means convincing everyone that Cassie and Marc are head over heels in love.

After hating him for so long, it takes four bittersweet days for Cassie to wonder if she got Marc all wrong. Can they let go of their troubled past and together, face whatever the future is going to throw at them?

⭐Enemies to lovers
⭐Fake relationship
⭐Grumpy / sunshine
⭐Heartfelt and emotional
⭐True love
⭐Hot, French, male main character
⭐Spicy, including a walk-in pantry scene…

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MY REVIEW:

Cassie and Marc have been the archest of nemeses ever since their disastrous first meeting sixteen years ago. She knows that beyond his sexy French good looks is a terrible person, even if her friends seem to like him. But now an unexpected tragedy forces Cassie and Marc to work together to give their mutual friends, Lucy and Russell, the best weekend ever. And to make things worse, they must pretend to be in love. As the weekend unfolds, Cassie begins to see Marc in a new light. Could her arch enemy actually be the man she’s been waiting for all this time?

Sarra Manning never fails to deliver. A delightful and funny romcom filled with depth that made me feel all the feelings,  The Last Days of Summer was the perfect pick for our SquadPod Book Club this month. This is Manning at her best. The enemies to lovers storyline radiates hatred and chemistry, the spice is sizzling, the humour is sharp, and the emotions are heartbreaking. Heartfelt but hopeful,  it had me glued to the pages and I devoured it in under a day. 

Cassie and Marc are compelling characters who immediately drew me in. I loved how different they were and the added mystery of a secret history between them that was at the root of their mutual distaste. Their best friends, Lucy and Russell, were also brilliantly written, pulling on my heartstrings with their tragic storyline that I’m not ashamed to say brought tears to my eyes a few times. Their love radiated from the pages and I understood Cassie’s mixed feelings of jealousy at the love they shared and grief at what was happening to them. As the story, and the weekend away, progressed, I was glued to the pages by Cassie and Marc’s will they/won’t they romance. I really related to Cassie as Manning expertly portrayed the fear, insecurities, hurt and resentment she was feeling. I wanted her to find the love she longed for, and after seeing how red-hot her chemistry was with Marc, I wanted her to find it with him. 

So, if you’re looking for a spicy but emotional romcom to read in the sun, this is for you.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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ABOUT 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:

Bookshop.org* | Waterstones* | Amazon*
*these are affiliate links

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Categories
Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: I Bet You’d Look Good in a Coffin (Kitty Collins Book 2) by Katy Brent

Published January 30th, 2025 by HQ
Thriller, Dark Comedy, Mystery, Suspense, Crime Fiction, Satire, Contemporary Romance, Humorous Fiction

Welcome to my bookish thoughts on this darkly funny and deadly thriller. Thanks to HQ for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Your favourite anti-heroine, Kitty Collins, is back! Expect more wit, sass, and, of course, murder…

‘I was rooting for Kitty even as she killed more men (oops!). Funny and twisty in the best of ways’ Tasha Coryell

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My name is Kitty Collins and I’m a serial killer.

I don’t want to kill. It’s just so hard to resist. Some men really, really deserve it.

Men like Blaze Bundy, an anonymous influencer spreading misogyny online. He’s making it very hard for me to control my murderous urges.

Meanwhile I’m in the South of France to watch my mother marry a man I’ve never met. I should be drinking cocktails and focusing on my tan, not plotting a murder.

But a woman’s work is never done. Surely one more teensy little kill wouldn’t hurt, would it?

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MY REVIEW:

“But it’s never enough, is it. As long as men exist, I’m going to have to be out there protecting women.”

Kitty Collins is back! I loved Katy Brent’s wickedly funny debut How To Kill Men and Get Away With It, and I was thrilled to see that Kitty was back. Deliciously dark, devious and deadly, I Bet You’d Look Good in a Coffin is every bit as good as its predecessor. I listened to this on audiobook and couldn’t turn it off once I’d started, devouring it in just a few hours. 

Picking up after the events of the first book, we meet a very different Kitty at the start of the book. Life is good. She’s happily loved up with her boyfriend, Charlie, and has sworn off killing. But she misses it. And – let’s face it – there are some men who just make it so hard not to murder them. One such man is Blaze Bundy, the anonymous and misogynistic influencer spreading his hate online and seeming to taunt Kitty in his posts. Can she keep her murderous urges under control? Or will she go back to doing what she knows best?

I have loved Kitty since the moment I met her in book one. Snarky, sassy, feisty and warped, she’s easy to root for and it is fun to live vicariously through her as she carries out her murderous missions. And while some of that is initially tamed this time around, it’s soon apparent Kitty isn’t enjoying murder sobriety and she’s still the same woman with a thirst for revenge underneath. Katy Brent skillfully portrays Kitty’s inner torment as she fights the urge to kill predatory men. I think all of us can relate to that battle inside as we try to resist the urge that is bad for us. Even if in my case it’s chocolate rather than murder. I also enjoyed seeing more of Kitty’s strained relationship with her mother. It humanised her and gave us greater insight into what makes her tick, especially as their estrangement is all wrapped up in Kitty’s deadly hobby. 

Darkly funny, outrageous, moving and addictive, Brent has once again crafted an unflinching commentary on misogyny, male violence against women and female rage that will have you hooked from start to finish. Perfect for fans of Sweetpea that are looking for a new female serial killer to stan, pick this up now! 

I just hope that this isn’t Kitty’s last outing. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

*I listened to this on Bookbeat. Click here to listen for 2 months for free*

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Katy is an author and award-winning journalist from the UK. She has worked on newspapers, magazines and websites since 2005, writing about popular culture. How To Kill Men and Get Away With It (HQ, 2022) is her first novel.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Bookshop.org* | Watertones* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Categories
Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR: Gone with the Penguins by Hazel Prior

Published November 7th, 2024 by Bantam Publishing
Literary Fiction, Humorous Fiction, Pensioners in the Pages

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for this charming and uplifting read. Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part and Bantam Publishing for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

From the No.1 bestselling author of Away with the Penguins comes the heart-warming and charming final chapter of Veronica McCreedy’s story.

Readers have fallen in love with Gone with the Penguins

‘Like a warm hug I didn’t know I needed’
‘A truly life affirming, beautiful read . . . I loved it!’
‘A charming, wonderful romp of a book, chock full of quirky plot and characters’

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“Emperor penguins defy the odds, and I shall too.”

Still fiery and feisty at eighty-seven, Veronica McCreedy, the very first Penguin Ambassador, is determined to prove that nothing is impossible when you put your mind to it.

Eileen, Veronica’s ever-patient assistant, is content taking care of other people. But when a new adventure calls, it makes her question everything…

Ten-year-old, penguin-obsessed Daisy can’t wait to be reunited with Mrs McCreedy in her huge house by the sea for the school holidays.

When they discover that the local Sea Life Centre is under threat, the unlikely trio are determined to save it and the penguins that live there.

Inspired by the penguins and fuelled by Darjeeling tea and finger sandwiches, they embark on an epic fundraising walk. But soon, their mission becomes so much more and it might just lead each of them to a new beginning…

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MY REVIEW:

“Emperor penguins defy the odds, and I shall too.”

My favourite curmudgeonly, feisty and determined octogenarian is back for her final outing in the conclusion to the Penguins Trilogy. 

Veronica McCreedy is about to be named the first ever Penguin Ambassador in recognition for all she’s done to raise awareness and funds for the penguins. Ten-year-old Daisy is obsessed with penguins and can’t wait to spend a week of her summer holidays with Mrs. McCreedy at her house by the sea. During Daisy’s visit, Veronica and her housekeeper, Eileen, take Daisy to the local Sea Life Centre to visit the penguins. But they are devastated to learn that the centre and all its animals are under threat and vow to save the penguins and their home. Taking inspiration from their beloved flippered friends, they decide to walk one hundred miles in a month to raise the funds. As their planning starts, they realise that Veronica is due to be in the Galapagos, Falklands and Antarctica during their walk. Daisy begs to join her, and soon the unlikely trio find themselves embarking on a fundraising adventure of a lifetime where they will walk with the penguins while trying to stop the centre from closure. 

Warm, witty and utterly delightful, this was a balm for the soul and a perfect conclusion to the most uplifting trilogy I’ve read. I loved being back with Veronica and the penguins. It is great that despite her adventures, she never changes. Remaining just as intrepid, bold and independent, still taking her daily constitutionals, and still drinking her Darjeeling tea. She is a great reminder that is never too late to find your passion or have a new adventure. This book gives us an opportunity to finally get to know her devoted housekeeper, Eileen. I loved reading more of this character and watching how she and her friendship with Veronica grew over. It was also fun to see the return of the charming, ebullient and compelling Daisy. They may be an unlikely trio, but I loved how they supported and encouraged each other in so many ways. 

While this is a heartwarming and lighthearted story full of lots of cute penguins and fun wildlife trivia, it is also a story about found family, self-discovery and determination. And once again the story explores issues such as climate change, plastics, and our personal responsibilities to change our ways to help save the earth and the wildlife that inhabit it. But it is never preachy, with Ms. Prior striking that perfect balance between education and entertainment. 

Charming, uplifting and addictive, this is the perfect cosy read for the colder days. So snuggle up under a blanket with a warm drink and read this one now. 

Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Hazel Prior lives on Exmoor with her husband and a huge ginger cat. As well as writing, she works as a freelance harpist. Ellie and the Harp-Maker was her first novel.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Bookshop.org* | Waterstones* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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

Categories
book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Squadpod Squadpod Featured Books

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOKS: One Bad Apple by Jo Jakeman

Published September 19th, 2024 by Constable
Crime Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Humorous Fiction

Welcome to my review of this witty and riveting thriller. Thanks to Constable for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

One murder. A school full of suspects…

‘I loved it! Throw a murder into the politics of the school gates and the parents WhatsApp groups and you have a witty, insightful and thoroughly entertaining murder mystery.’ Jo Callaghan, author of In the Blink of an Eye

‘Packed with explosive twists, this captivating murder mystery will keep you reading late into the night’ Womans Own

Welcome to Aberfal Boys High School. Independent jewel of academic and sporting excellence in the South-west — until the headmaster is murdered in his study. And now the Year Seven School Mums’ WhatsApp Group really do have something to talk about…

Clare Withoutani: OMG have you heard about Newhall?!!!
Becky Rupertsmum: Helen-Louise just texted. Can’t believe it.
Asha: Not heard anything. What’s happened?
Pam Geoffreysmum: What’s he done this time? They’re going co-ed, aren’t they? I knew this would happen.
Clare Withoutani: Can’t believe it, Becky. I’m in shock.
Pam Geoffreysmum: Are we going co-ed?
Becky Rupertsmum: No, Pam. Newhall died.
Pam Geoffreysmum: Oh GOD. Seriously??!! Can’t believe it. So sad. He’ll be such a loss to the school. The boys will be devastated. Will the school be offering grief counselling?
Rose Oliversmum: Anyone know what pages they’re meant to do for chemistry? Ollie’s homework diary says ‘do questions 1-4’ but no page numbers!

As the resulting police investigation reveals more and more of Aberfal’s long-hidden secrets the list of suspects who wanted the headmaster dead grows by the day. And far from being a glittering jewel of exclusivity and excellence, it would appear Aberfal Boys High School is rotten to its core…

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MY REVIEW:

“You can never tell which one’s the bad apple, can you?”

Aberfal High. A sort-after independent school for boys that offers only the highest quality education to the best students. It’s a school parents dream of sending their sons to. Until the day when their Headteacher is found murdered in his office. Rumours swirl and the Year Seven Mums’ WhatsApp Group is brimming with gossip and speculation. Who killed Mr. Newhall?

Tense, twisty and wickedly funny, One Bad Apple was a riveting thriller that exposes the dark secrets lurking in the halls of an eminent boys high school. Skillfully written, cleverly plotted, insightful and Jo Jakeman uses mixed media to tell the story from multiple points of view. The complex characters are ones we will all recognise, especially those of us who’ve braved the gauntlett of the school run and playground politics. Piece by piece she unveils the anxiety, secrets and tensions bubbling beneath the shiny veneer of the perfect lives of the teachers, parents and students of Aberfal High. I was in her thrall, devouring almost all of this book in just one sitting, unable to turn away from the drama and chaos that was unfolding. There was an abundance of suspects and my suspicion vacillated between a couple of them, but I was floored when all was revealed. I fell for all of the red herrings and am still trying to figure out how I missed the signs. Well played, Ms. Jakeman.

So, if you’re looking for an original, funny and riveting thriller that will keep you turning the pages, this is the book for you.

Rating: 🍎🍎🍎🍎

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jo was the winner of the prestigious Friday Night Live competition at York Festival of Writing.

Her debut psychological thriller was published in the UK as Sticks and Stones by Harvill Secker (Penguin Random House) and as The Exes’ Revenge in the USA and Canada. It was shortlisted for the Best Revenge Thriller at the Dead Good Reader Awards 2019.

Since then Jo has had two more books published by Harvill Secker (Safe House and What His Wife Knew) They have been translated into several languages.

One Bad Apple was released in September 2024.

​Jo lives in Cornwall with her family and is an avid wild swimmer, making the most of her home county.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Bookshop.org* | Waterstones* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx