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

BOOK REVIEW: How To Disappear by Gillian McAllister

Published July 9th, 2020 by Michael Joseph
Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Legal Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Political Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The gripping Sunday Times bestseller that will have you on the edge of your seat until the very last page

‘Bravo! Gripping and emotional – a cracking read’ Clare Mackintosh

‘A relentless drumroll of suspense . . . ranks among the best psychological-suspense thrillers of recent years’ A. J. Finn

You can run, you can hide, but can you disappear for good?

Lauren’s daughter Zara witnessed a terrible crime. But speaking up comes with a price, and when Zara’s identity is revealed online, it puts a target on her back.

The only choice is to disappear.

To keep Zara safe, Lauren will give up everything and everyone she loves, even her husband.

There will be no goodbyes. Their pasts will be rewritten. New names, new home, new lives.

The rules are strict for a reason. They are being hunted. One mistake – a text, an Instagram like – could bring their old lives crashing into the new.

They can never assume someone isn’t watching, waiting.

As Lauren will learn, disappearing is easy. Staying hidden is harder . . .

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

After witnessing a group of young men stabbing a homeless man to death, Zara speaks up and testifies in court. The young men, who were promising footballers, are outraged that they have lost their careers and had their life ruined. Her identity is revealed online and Zara’s life is now in danger. There is only one solution: Zara and her mother, Lauren, must disappear…

Heart-stoppingly tense, twisty and addictive, I binged this book in under a day. Nobody goes heart-pounding tension and twists that make your jaw drop like Gillian McAllister, and this book is the perfect example of why she’s one of my favourite thriller authors. Masterfully written and skillfully choreographed, this is a story that held me tight by the heartstrings whilst keeping me on the edge of my seat. And make sure you clear your schedule before you start reading, because once you pick this one up you won’t be able to put it down. It’s emotional, hard to predict and so twisty it gave me book whiplash. And that ending! A round of applause Ms. McAllister for one of the best thriller endings I’ve ever read. It’s been a few weeks and I’m still not over it.

Before Zara witnesses the crime, she, Lauren, Aiden and Poppy are an ordinary blended family. But after Zara’s identity is revealed they are dropped into a nightmare. Lauren and Aiden have difficult decisions to make that could tear their family apart. It is so emotional as well as tense, and really made me think about what I would have done in their situation. My heart broke for them, but especially for Zara. Being a teenager is hard at the best of times, but being a teenager when you’re having to hide your identity, run from people trying to kill you and worry about everything you say and do, is impossible.

Thriller lovers, you don’t want to miss this book! 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

Thank you Michael Joseph and Netgaelly for provoding me with a proof copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Gillian McAllister  is the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author of nine stand-alone novels. Her books have been selected for the Radio 2 Book Club, Reese’s Book Club and the Richard & Judy Book Club. Her previous novel, Wrong Place Wrong Time, was a Waterstones Thriller of the Month and was shortlisted for The British Book Awards Crime & Thriller Book of the Year and the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. Gillian’s books are published in thirty-eight languages.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK: Time To Burn by Ellery Lloyd

Published July 23rd, 2026 by Pan Macmillan
Historical Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Science Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

From the author of The Club, a Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick, Time to Burn is Ellery Lloyd’s compelling time travel thriller.

If the past catches up with you, time travel can be murder . . .

London, the present day: commercial time travel is a reality.

Tempus Tours – owned by controversial tech entrepreneur Inigo Frank – offers the wealthy a chance to witness pivotal moments in history.

To immortalise his achievement, Frank enlists award-winning filmmaker Phoebe Hunt to create a fly-on-the-wall documentary. On her first day shadowing Inigo, she is set to witness the return of a billionaire property developer and his family from their trip to the past. But instead of their awe-filled return, she captures the group arriving bloodied and traumatized, with one of their number missing.

Not only that, but Phoebe recognizes the missing woman. She knows not only that she’s not who she claims to be, but that the woman has every reason to harbor a grudge against her. And as events begin to unravel in the present day, it seems increasingly clear that the woman had sinister motives for returning to the past – and that people close to Phoebe are in danger.

Can Phoebe stop the ripple effect before she loses everything – and everyone – she holds dear?

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Have you ever wanted to go back in time and witness some of the most pivotal moments in history? Well now you can with Tempus Tours, a commercial time travel business that allows you to do just that. For a hefty price tag of course. Tempus’ owner, controversial tech entrepreneur Inigo Frank, decides he wants his achievements immortalised and invites award-winning filmmaker Phoebe Hunt to create a fly-on-the-wall documentary that goes behind the scenes at Tempus. She will start by capturing the return of a group who travelled back to the Blitz. But things don’t go to plan and the group return injured and bloody, while one member, Sasha, is left stranded in 1941. As Inigo and his team try to figure out how to rescue Sasha, Phoebe realises she recognises the missing woman. And she’s not who she says she is. And as events unfold, we learn she has sinister motives for remaining in the past that could change everything for people in the present.

Suspenseful, transportive, twisty and bingeable, Time To Burn is another winner from Ellery Lloyd. Expertly written and cleverly choreographed, this action-packed historical thriller had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The story is told in the present and in 1941, with flashbacks that tell the story of Phoebe and Sasha’s shared past. I was intrigued by the idea of being able to travel back in time to witness history for yourself, but this story serves as a reminder of how such technology can be exploited and the butterfly effect that can occur from going back in time. 

Narrators Phoebe and Sasha are compelling and deeply flawed characters. But I had a real soft spot for these women, even if I didn’t always agree with their actions. We know from the start that their histories are intertwined in some way, that Phoebe regrets her behaviour and understands that Sasha is probably out for revenge, but it takes some time for the full picture to emerge. And when it did I certainly understood Sasha more but still wasn’t on board with her plan for revenge and the way she altered people’s lives.

An addictive and propulsive historical thriller that you don’t want to miss.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you Pan Macmillan for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ellery Lloyd is the pseudonym for New York Times bestselling husband-and-wife writing team Collette Lyons and Paul Vlitos.

Collette is a journalist and editor, the former content director of Elle (UK) and editorial director at Soho House. She has written for The Guardian, The Telegraph, and the Sunday Times.

Paul is the author of two previous novels, Welcome to the Working Week and Every Day is Like Sunday. He is the program director for Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Greenwich.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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BOOK REVIEW: The Dinner Party by Rebecca Heath

Published June 6th, 2024 by Head of Zeus
Thriller, Suspense, Domestic Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Secrets. Glamour. Lies. Your new favourite twisty thriller was written by INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER Rebecca Heath.

A dark and twisty domestic thriller set in a seemingly idyllic suburban neighbourhood, where family secrets are best kept buried…

FOUR COUPLES.
Summer 1979. In the idyllic suburban neighbourhood of Ridgefield, Australia, during a scorching heat wave, four couples gather for their weekly dinner party.

AN ORDINARY EVENING.
When Frank Callaghan checks on the sleeping children, he finds an empty crib where his four-month-old daughter Megan should be sleeping. The party-goers swear they didn’t see anything but each of them has something to hide.

THE BEGINNING OF A NIGHTMARE.
Forty years later, a stranger knocks at the Callaghans’ door. She claims to be their missing daughter. And she’s holding the blanket she was wrapped in the night she disappeared.

Shocked, the Callaghans must finally confront how well they know their neighbours, and ask themselves:
Where has Megan really been all this time?

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

On a hot December night in 1979 in the idyllic suburban neighbourhood of Ridgefield, Australia, four couples gather for one of their regular neighbourhood dinner parties. The children are left to sleep at home while the adults let their hair down, but they check on the children regularly. All is as it should be until during one of his checks, Frank Callaghan finds his daughter Megan’s crib is empty. No one saw or heard a thing. Forty years later, no trace of Megan has ever been found and a podcast is now airing about the case. On the anniversary of Megan’s disappearance a stranger knocks at the Callaghan’s door saying she believes she is Megan. And when she shows them she has the blanket Megan was taken in as proof, it seems like the missing little girl is finally home. But Billie, Megan’s niece, can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right. So she begins to look into the stranger and the truth about that night. But is she prepared for what she’s about to uncover?

Tense, twisty and addictive, The Dinner Party had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. A story of family, community, secrets, lies and the ripple effect of trauma, there is a chilling sense of foreboding from the opening pages. Expertly written, deftly plotted and intricately interwoven, Rebecca Heath merges traditional storytelling with true crime to tell this riveting tale. And I couldn’t put it down. I was in her thrall, totally lost in the drama and mystery that surrounds this family and their neighbourhood. The story is told in dual timelines: the present and in flashbacks to ‘that night’. Then there are the podcast episodes that include interviews with some of the people there that night. It unfurls slowly, drip-feeding us clues about the characters and that night that I was trying to piece together to learn what happened to Megan. But this story was so hard to predict. Almost every twist was a surprise and I had no idea what the truth was about that night. 

The Callaghan’s are an ordinary family pulled into a nightmare on the night that Megan vanishes. A nightmare they are never released from. There are no clues and the family is left to wonder who could have taken their precious daughter. The family have never stopped searching, even starting a foundation in Megan’s name to try and find her and other missing people. I loved that they were a family going through normal things as well as the extraordinary as it made them easy to relate to and root for. I really liked the main character, Billie, and felt for her as she became the only one to doubt the stranger in their midst. The other characters are also well written and there is a strong sense of community that isn’t always a positive thing.

So if you like true crime, cold cases and well-written thrillers, then this is the book for you.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you Head of Zeus and Netgalley for providing me with a proof copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rebecca Heath studied laser chemistry at university, worked in hospitality and teaching, and wrote obsessively whenever she could find the time. She wrote several young adult novels as Beck Nicholas, and was published in Australia and Germany before turning to a life of (writing) crime. She lives in Adelaide, Australia, halfway between the city and the sea with her husband, three children and a much-loved border collie. The Last Encore is her fourth novel for adults following The Summer Party, The Dinner Party and The Wedding Party all published in Australia, UK and USA.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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

BOOK REVIEW: A Beautiful Way To Die by Eleni Kyriacou

Published May 8th, 2025 by Head of Zeus
Historical Fiction, Crime Fiction, Thriller, Historical Thriller, Mystery, Hollywood Noir

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Don’t miss the new novel from Eleni Kyriacou, author of BBC Between the Covers pick The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou.

‘Deeply atmospheric… From movie star glamour to the rotten core of fame, I couldn’t put this down.’ LOUISE HARE
‘Evocative, tense, seductive.’ TAMMY COHEN

PLAY THEIR GAME
Hollywood, 1953. Young actress Ginny Watkins is turning heads. Even the legendary – and married – actor Max Whitman can’t resist the allure of the hottest new starlet. He promises Ginny the world, in return for the right favour.

DO WHAT THEY SAY
London, 1954. Stella Hope, once the most famous actress in Hollywood, has been ousted to Ealing Studios after her divorce from the powerful Max. Just as she accepts her fate, she receives a letter, blackmailing her for a mistake she made many years ago.

OR THEY’LL BURY YOU
Two women on either side of stardom find themselves in the orbit of the same beguiling man. And one night, in the shadows of a glamorous Oscars afterparty, their lives are changed forever.

A Beautiful Way to Die delves into the decadence and depravity of the early film industry from Hollywood to London. Perfect for fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and films like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Babylon.

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

A captivating exploration of the dark underbelly of Hollywood that lies beneath the glitz, glamour and fame, A Beautiful Way To Die is enthralling, taut and poignant. Written with style, pose, beauty and packing a strong emotional punch, it has a cinematic edge that makes it feel perfect for the big screen. Cleverly plotted and intricately interwoven, Eleni Kyriacou had me in her thrall from start to finish with her red herrings and surprising twists.  A superb story of feminism, friendships, secrets, misogyny and true crime, I inhaled this book in under a day.

Moving between L.A and London in the 1950s we follow the stories of four women: disgraced Hollywood starlet Stella, actress Ginny who is trying to make it big in Hollywood, make-up artist Maggie and an unnamed woman who has been locked in a sanatorium. The world they inhabit is very much a man’s world. A time when misogyny is rife, women have come to expect sexual assault and men’s misdeeds are covered up, especially in Hollywood. They are seen as disposable and easily replaced. This brings us to Stan Fisher is a Hollywood exec and ‘fixer’. He not only runs the studio and rules these women’s lives, he also covers up the men’s actions. But although there are dire consequences for stepping out of line, these women refuse to stay quiet and are fighting back.

I loved these fierce, strong and sassy women who pushed back and refused to behave. It’s because of brave women like them we have the rights we do today and I was cheering them on every step of the way. They and the other characters were charismatic, captivating and richly drawn. There are some truly vile, odious brutes who enraged me and the book is overflowing with unreliable narrators so we never feel sure about who we can trust. But it was the  mysterious, unnamed woman in the asylum I felt drawn to the most. Who was she? What is the truth behind the haunting flashes of memory she keeps having? I had a few theories but none of them were correct and my jaw hit the floor when her identity was finally revealed. 

And don’t miss the author’s note at the end with some fascinating facts and insight into the story.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

Thank you to Head of Zeus for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

​Eleni Kyriacou was born and raised in London to Greek Cypriot parents. She’s an award-winning editor and journalist and she has appeared in publications such as the Guardian, the Observer, Marie Claire, Red and Stella. She’s written on a wide range of topics including adoption, relationships, travel, self-development, the arts and women’s health.

Her first novel She Came to Stay was published by Hodder in 2020, and her second, The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou (Head of Zeus, 2023) was a BBC 2’s Between the Covers pick.

A Beautiful Way to Die (Head of Zeus) was published in 2025.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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BOOK REVIEW: Just Like The Other Girls by Claire Douglas

Publised August 6th, 2020 by Michael Joseph
Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Crime Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

*CARER/COMPANION WANTED FOR ELDERLY LADY*

*YOUNG FEMALE PREFERRED * COMPETITIVE SALARY*

*ROOM AND BOARD INCLUDED*

Una Richardson is devastated after the death of her mother. Hoping for a fresh start, she responds to an advertisement and steps into the rich, comforting world of elderly Mrs Elspeth McKenzie.

But Elspeth’s home is not as safe as it seems.

Kathryn, her cold and bitter daughter, resents Una’s presence. More disturbing is the evidence suggesting two girls lived here before.

What happened to the girls?

Why will the McKenzies not talk about them?

As the walls close in around her, Una fears she’ll end up just like the other girls . . .

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

When Una answers an ad from an elderly woman looking for a live-in companion, she feels like it’s the fresh start she’s been looking for after the death of her mother and the end of her relationship. And when she steps into Elspeth’s large, comforting home she is filled with hope for the future. But this house isn’t as safe as it seems. It is filled with a dark, dysfunctional family history and Elsepth’s daughter Kathryn is a bitter woman who resents Una’s presence. And then she learns about the two girls who worked there before her. Is this job the answer to Una’s problems? Or just the start of them…

Omg! This was one crazy rollercoaster ride!  Deliciously dark, chilling, sinister and twisty, this addictive thriller had me totally hooked. Expertly written, cleverly choreographed and filled with red herrings, it took me by surprise at every turn. I was on the edge of my seat and devoured the book in under a day. It had been a while since I’d read a book by Claire Douglas, and after reading Just Like The Other Girls I’m wondering why. And I certainly won’t be waiting long before reading more of her backlist.

I love an unreliable narrator and this book was jam-packed full of them. It was obvious that Elspeth and Kathryn were hiding things from the start and you couldn’t trust what they were saying. But the distrust rippled out to the other characters and made me question what almost all of them were saying. And who was the mysterious stalker watching Una who seemed to be involved in her predecessors leaving their positions? One person was a strong suspect for me from the start, but they weren’t the only person I considered as a start and the person I eventually landed on was the right answer. But even then Ms. Douglas had another surprise in store that left my jaw on the floor and changed everything I thought I’d known about the story.

If you’re looking for a dark and unpredictable thriller then I highly recommend you read this book.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you to Michael Joseph and Netgalley for providing me with a proof copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Claire Douglas worked as a journalist for fifteen years, writing features for women’s magazines and national newspapers, but had dreamed of being a novelist since the age of seven. She finally got her wish after winning the Marie Claire Debut Novel Award with her first novel, The Sisters.
She is a Sunday Times bestseller and a frequent Richard & Judy Book Club pick. Her books have sold over three million copies in the UK alone.
She lives in Bath with her husband and two children.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The Midnight Guests by Alex Hay

Published September 10th, 2026 by Headline
Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Crime Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Gay Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Welcome to the Hotel Artemis – and an opening night to remember. The White Lotus meets Peaky Blinders in this page-turning new mystery from the bestselling author of The Housekeepers.

1926. Diana Gold, owner and impresario, throws open the doors to the most opulent new hotel in London. As the champagne flows and the chandeliers shimmer, millionaires and gamblers rub shoulders with film stars and royalty.

Yet nothing at the Hotel Artemis is quite what it seems – not least two infamous guests who Diana expects at midnight. Powerful and dangerous, they’ve dragged her from the gutter and taught her all she knows. Now they’re calling in her debt – and Diana must take perfect care of them, unless they take care of her first.

But when a body is found in the hotel’s finest suite, the lavish opening night begins to spiral out of control. And over twenty-four fateful hours, the staff and guests of the Artemis will find out why they are really there.

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

Glamorous, entertaining, immersive and twisty, The Midnight Guests is an absolute delight. Cosy crime at its best, the story is told in dual timelines over two fateful twenty four hours. 

May 1st, 1926. The night of the grand opening of the Hotel Artemis, which is owned by socialite and impresario Diana Gold. Tonight the champagne will flow as prominent guests enjoy the result of months of her hard work. But there are two guests that Diana is not looking forward to welcoming; two infamous people who could give away the truth that lies beneath the glittering facade of this opulent hotel. Because the Hotel Artemis isn’t what it seems and Diana is hiding some dark secrets. And when a body is found in one of the lavish suites, it sparks a chain reaction of events that spirals out of control.

Meanwhile, in January 2026, Joe Carberry is staying at the Hotel Artemis for its final night in business. But Joe has ulterior motives for his stay. He is here to try and uncover the identity of the two bodies that were found in the hotel’s crypt a century ago. Could the bodies be linked to the tragic events that unfolded on opening night? And if so, who will end their night dead in the crypt? And why? 

Part The Great Gatsby and part Peaky Blinders, there is an elegance merged with a sense of danger and criminality in this book that feels intoxicating. Well-written, expertly plotted, intricately interwoven and surprising, Alex Hay crafted a treasure trove of mysteries and misdirects and transported me back back to the roaring 1920s with all of its sophistication and glamour. An array of potential victims and suspects kept me guessing and I was on tenterhooks from start to finish.

The story is filled with a collection of charismatic characters who leap from the pages. But the characters I loved most were the array of strong, feisty, audacious and devious women who were unashamedly themselves. These women were taking their lives into their own hands and refusing to conform to societal expectations or cow down to men. I had a real soft spot for Cleo and loved her character arc. But there were some great male characters, too, and I enjoyed reading Joe and following his journey as he tried to uncover the truth about the bodies in the vault. 

A glamorous and entertaining murder mystery that you don’t want to miss.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you Headline and Netgalley for my copy of the book in exchange for my honest reivew.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alex Hay is a bestselling author whose debut novel The Housekeepers was a Waterstones Book of the Month and Paperback of the Year and won the Caledonia Novel Award 2022. He is also the author of The Queen of Fives and The Midnight Guests, both published to great acclaim. Alex was born in London and now lives in Brighton, U.K. with his husband. He is currently working on his next book.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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BOOK REVIEW: The Love Library by Sarra Manning

Published June 25th, 2026 by Orion
Romance Novel, Fantasy Fiction, Contemporary Romance

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

What if you could date your favourite book boyfriend?

“All loans are at the borrower’s own risk…”

After a series of dating disasters, Tess Hardy wonders if she’ll ever find the man of her dreams – or if he only exists on the pages of her favourite novels. So when she’s invited to visit The Love Library, a 200-hundred-year-old institution which promises dates with her favourite romantic heroes in real life, Tess can’t resist!

But handsome head librarian Gabe Sharma seems grumpily determined to keep the library under lock and key. And as soon as Tess steps into the beautiful building crammed full of books, she realises why – it’s not just dust in the air… it’s magic. Here she really can grab drinks with Heathcliff, dine with Rochester and cosy up to her one true literary love, Darcy.

There’s just one problem: Gabe. He’s determined to sabotage all of Tess’s dates! And why is it that she has more fun fighting with Gabe than flirting with any of her book-bound suitors…?

Heartwarming, hot and hilarious, The Love Library is a must-read for anyone who wishes they could step into the pages of their favourite book. Perfect for fans of Ashley Poston, Lucy Jane Wood and Kirsty Greenwood.

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

Being able to go on a date with one of your bookish romantic heroes sounds like a great idea. But would it really live up to your dreams? That’s what writer Tess Hardy is about to find out in The Love Library. Tess wants to find her happy-ever-after, but the only decent men she can find are the ones in the books at Waterstones. So when she receives an email from The Love Library, offering her the chance of a real-life date with one of her favourite literary love interests, she is intrigued. After all, her book boyfriends never let her down. But Tess doesn’t count on Gabe, the handsome Gabe and Tess immediately clash and, as she embarks on yet more disastrous dates, the pair keep fighting – seemingly oblivious to the sparks that are flying between them.

Magical, heartwarming, hot, witty and uplifting, this charming enemies-to-lovers romcom is the perfect read for book lovers. I think most of us have daydreamed about stepping into the pages of our favourite book or wished a romantic hero was real so I was intrigued by the premise of this one. Wonderfully written and cleverly plotted, Sarra Manning brings those daydreams to life perfectly while making them a cautionary tale. I loved all the bookish references and the varied cast of characters that Sarra selected for Tess’s dates. And I can’t share this review without mentioning the wonderful narrator, Imogen Wilde, who brought the story to life in vivid technicolour with her fantastic performance.

Tess and Gabe are the perfect example of the grumpy/sunshine trope and I loved their contrasting characters. Their attraction was obvious from the start so I was shouting at them to just realise they were meant for each other from early on. And then there’s their sizzling chemistry.  Talk about sizzling. I listened to the audiobook and just as it got really steamy my son and his girlfriend came downstairs and I was so embarrassed I had to stop the book! It will certainly make you blush. I also liked that Sarra doesn’t give her readers their romantic payoff easily and takes things in unexpected directions that were so much fun to read.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you NetGalley and Orion for my audiobook copy in exchange for my honest review.

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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 thirty.

Her many novels, which have been translated into numerous languages, include Unsticky, London With Love and The Last Days Of Summer, which publishes in the US in May 2026 and The Love Library, which publishes in the UK in June 2026.. Sarra has also written a number of YA novels, and several light-hearted romantic comedies under a pseudonym.

She started her writing career on the iconic Melody Maker and Just Seventeen and has written for The Guardian, The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, ELLE, Grazia, Stylist, You Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar and was most recently, Literary Editor of Red.

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

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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BOOK REVIEW: Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser

Published March 5th, 2026 by Orion
Historical Fiction, Fairy Tale, Feminist Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

THE REESE WITHERSPOON BOOK CLUB PICK!

‘Feminist, fierce, and wildly fresh. Lady Tremaine is destined to be one of the biggest books of the year’ GLENNON DOYLE

‘A reimagining of Cinderella’s stepmother that explores motherhood, family, and the pressure to be perfect’ REESE WITHERSPOON

Everyone said she was wicked.
Now Cinderella’s stepmother tells her own story…

After the death of her second husband, Lady Etheldreda Verity Isolde Tremaine Bramley is solely responsible for her two daughters, Rosamund and Mathilde, her simpering stepdaughter Elin, a razor-taloned peregrine falcon, and a crumbling manor buried in the woods.

When a royal ball offers the chance to change their fortunes, Ethel risks her pride in pursuit of an invitation for all three of girls – only for her hopes to be fulfilled by the wrong one: Elin.

Yet as her stepdaughter’s engagement to the future king unfolds, Ethel discovers a sordid secret hidden in the depths of the royal family, forcing her to choose between the security she craves and the feckless stepdaughter who has rebuffed her at every turn…

Bridgerton meets Circein this breathtaking reimagining of one of the world’s most iconic fairytales, Cinderella.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

We all know Lady Tremaine as the infamous wicked stepmother to poor Cinderella. But what is her story? How did she become the symbol of cruel mothers? In her magnificent debut Rachel Hochhauser answers those questions, exploring the life of Lady Tremaine and turning the well-known fairytale on its head in a fierce and feminist reimagining. 

This story is so much more than a fairytale reimagining. It is also an exploration of marriage, misogyny, motherhood, the pressure to be perfect, violence against women and domestic abuse. With beautiful, evocative and razor-sharp storytelling, Hochhauser reclaims the fairytale, peeling back the layers of dysfunction to reveal the truth about this famous blended family. Nothing is what it seems. Instead of the wicked stepmother and ugly stepsisters, she reveals a loving family who have no idea how to reach their lazy and entitled stepdaughter/stepsister and are pushed to the end of their patience. It’s honest, nuanced, insightful and filled with understanding that ensures you will never look at Cinderella the same way again.

The eponymous Lady Tremaine is a fascinating and unforgettable character. She’s feisty, strong, determined and will do anything for her children. When we meet her she has been left penniless by her late husband but is trying to keep up appearances, scrimping on meat to buy sugar to maintain the protective cloak of respectability for herself and her daughters. She knows that this is vital if she wants them to make good marriages and secure themselves a better future. I loved her relationship with her daughters and my heart broke as she tried to connect with her stepdaughter. It was a surprise to find myself empathising with those I’d traditionally thought of as the villains in this fairytale but I appreciated how Hochhauser fostered an understanding of everyone’s behaviour in this version, providing nuance, showing us that nothing is ever black and white and reminding us to look to the shades of grey for the truth.

A spectacular and unforgettable debut, it’s easy to see why this was a recent Reese’s Book Club pick. Highly recommended.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you Orion and NetGalley for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rachel Hochhauser is a writer and co-founder of Piecework, 
a cult-favorite puzzle brand. Raised in Santa Barbara, she studied at New York University and earned her master’s in fiction from the University of Southern California. She now lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and two young daughters.

Her debut novel, Lady Tremaine, will be published by St. Martin’s Press (U.S.), Orion (U.K.), and Fleuve-Éditions 
(France) in March 2026.

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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

Audiobook Review: In Bloom by Liz Allan

Published March 12th, 2026 by Sceptre
Literary Fiction, Coming-of-Age Story

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

An Observer Best Debut Novelist 2026

The Bastards aren’t afraid of anything.

It’s the mid-nineties, and in the small, shitty coastal town of Vincent, four girls – each hailing from single-mother, multi-sibling families, form a band: The Bastards. Friends since they were children, they consider themselves ‘forgettable girls’ – distracted, disillusioned, and desperate to escape the fates of their mothers.

Winning the Battle of the Bands is their ticket out – they might not have talent, but they can play three chords and scream until their vocal folds burst out of their throats – and nobody wants it more than them.

But when lead singer Lily Lucid quits, and accuses their idolized music teacher of sexual assault, the three remaining girls are left with nothing. They’ll do anything to keep their dream alive, even if it means sacrificing school, Lily and their mothers. But how far out of control can they spin before there’s no turning back?

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MY REVIEW:

1994. Vincent, Australia is a small, shitty coastal town that is the capital of teen pregnancies and absent fathers. Four girls from single-mother families looking for a way to be noticed and get out, decide to form a band. And if they can win the Battle of the Bands then they will get their dream. But when their lead singer, Lily, quits the band and accuses their music teacher of sexual assault, everything falls apart. The three remaining girls have nothing left but a desperate dream they are trying to keep alive. But just how far are they prepared to go to do that?

Gritty, grungy, absorbing and immersive, this was a phenomenal debut. Liz Allan has been named one of the Observer’s Best Debut Novelist of 2026 and it’s easy to see why after reading this. Heartbreaking, haunting and raw, it is exquisitely written, richly observed and perfectly paced, the short chapters kept me turning the pages and I devoured the book in one sitting. An electric and emotional coming-of-age story,  it also explores a number of issues including friendship, family, class struggles and sexual assault. It is as mysterious as it is heartfelt, the tension keeping me on the edge of the seat as I overflowed with rage or devastation. I felt every emotion alongside these girls and felt wrecked when it was all over.

I was about the same age as these girls in 1994 and I loved the nostalgia of this story. Liz Allan perfectly captures the feeling of the era and made me feel like I’d stepped back in time to the 90s. I loved all of the small details that made it feel authentic, especially the music references. They were wonderfully written, real and easy to root for, taking me back to the uncertainty of my teenage years. The story moves between the present (1994) and flashbacks to when they were still a foursome and their friendship with Lily was intact, the truth about why Lily left their band slowly unfolding piece by piece.

An outstanding debut from an author who is one to watch, this is a must-read.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

Thanks to Sceptre and Negtalley for my copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dr Liz Allan is an Australian writer and teacher living and working in the United Kingdom. Her debut novel, IN BLOOM, will be published in the USA in January 2026 and in the UK March 2026.

Liz has a PhD in Creative Writing and a Masters in Teaching from The University of Adelaide. She will be the Elisabeth Maynard Writer in Residence at Frensham School, NSW Australia, April-June 2026.

Her short story, Solastalgia, won the Newcastle Short Story Award 2025 and her short story, Our Voices, Fierce won the Rachel Funari Prize for fiction in 2018. Her stories have been shortlisted and longlisted for numerous other awards. 

Liz is represented by Angelique Tran Van Sang at Felicity Bryan Associates in the UK, and Alison Lewis at Francis Goldin Literary Agency in the US.

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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2026

BOOK REVIEW: Dead in the Water by John Marrs

Published January 20th, 2026 by Thomas & Mercer
Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Thriller

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

From the multi-million copy bestselling author comes a chilling tale about life flashing before your eyes―including terrifying scenes you don’t remember.

When Damon survives a near-drowning, his life flashes before his eyes. Every memory is crystal clear―except one. A dead boy. A face he can’t place. A moment he doesn’t remember living. At first he tells himself it’s a trick of the mind. But everything else he saw was real. So why not this?

With his waking life stalked by the disturbing scene, confusion quickly turns to obsession. Desperate for answers, Damon digs into his fractured past, and becomes convinced that the only way to remember…is to die again. And again. And again. When he meets a perfect stranger who’s all too willing to help, the stage is set for his dice with death.

But if this is what it takes to uncover the truth, maybe some memories are better left buried…

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MY REVIEW:

John Marrs has been one of my favourite thriller authors ever since I read The One in 2018. I’ve read almost all of his books and each one is a riveting rollercoaster ride that keeps me on the edge of my seat. His latest offering, Dead in the Water, continues his perfect run, showcasing why he’s a thriller author I’ll always recommend.

When Damon survives almost drowning his life flashes before his eyes. One of the things he sees is a dead boy he doesn’t recognise but for some reason he thinks he killed him. He tells himself it was just a trick of the mind. But as he struggles to move past his near-death experience, he is haunted by what he saw. He doesn’t know if what he’s seeing is real or a fabrication of his imagination, and he worries he’s going mad. 

Damon begins to delve into his fractured past, sure that it is the only way to find out the truth. But the only way he can get there is to die again. So he enlists the help of a stranger who is willing to help. But is the stranger telling the truth about their motives? As he dies again and again, long-buried memories begin to resurface. But as more of those memories haunt him, Damon begins to wonder if some things are better left buried after all…

I love dark, twisty, nerve-shredding thrillers that you can’t put down. And John Marrs delivers again with this bingeable book. Starting out with a trademark chilling prologue that sets the scene for what is to come, John had me in his thrall from start to finish and I devoured it in under a day. The writing is razor sharp, the plot expertly choreographed and intricately woven, the twists surprising, and the characters richly drawn and fun to read. Damon is a likeable protagonist who is easy to root for, but there’s a sense of unreliability because of his hidden memories that adds to the suspense. I loved seeing the return of one of my favourite characters from one of John’s previous books. Don’t worry, I don’t give spoilers. But I will say that readers of his backlist are in for a real treat.

Thriller lovers, order this one now because it’s going to be one of your 2026 highlights. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

Thank you to John Marrs and Netgalley for sending me a copy of the audiobook, and to Tandem for my physical copy in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

John Marrs is an author and former journalist based in London and Northamptonshire. After spending his career interviewing celebrities from the worlds of television, film and music for numerous national newspapers and magazines, he is now a full-time author. His books include No1 bestseller and Netflix series The One, The Passengers, award winning What Lies Between Us and The Good Samaritan.

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