Tag: Squadpod

Categories
book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2024 Squadpod Squadpod Book Club

SQUADPOD BOOK CLUB: The King’s Witches by Kate Foster

Published June 6th, 2024 by Mantle
Historical Fiction, Religious Fiction

Welcome to my review for the SquadPod Book Club pick for June. Thank you Chloe and Mantle for the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

‘A masterpiece . . . I literally didn’t look up from the first page to the last’ — Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Appeal

‘Enthralling, compelling and at times chilling . . . An utterly timely tale’ — D. V. Bishop, award-winning author of Ritual of Fire

The King’s Witches by Kate Foster is a gripping and beautiful historical novel that gives an unforgettable voice to the women at the heart of the real-life witch trials in sixteenth-century Scotland.

Women whisper secrets to each other; it is how we survive.

1589. Princess Anna of Denmark is betrothed to King James VI of Scotland. Before they can wed, Anna must pass the trial period: one year of marriage to prove herself worthy of being Scotland’s new Queen. Determined to fulfil her duties to King and country, Anna resolves to be the perfect royal bride. Until she meets Lord Henry . . .

By her side is Kirsten Sorenson, her loyal and pious lady-in-waiting. But, whilst tending to Anna’s every need, Kirsten has her own secret motives for the royal marriage to succeed . . .

Meanwhile, in North Berwick, young housemaid Jura practises the healing charms taught to her by her mother. When she realises she is no longer safe, she escapes to Edinburgh, only to find herself caught up in the witchcraft mania that has gripped not just the capital, but the new queen . . .

Will Anna, Kirsten and Jura be able to save each other and, in doing so, save themselves?

********

MY REVIEW:

“Women whisper secrets to each other; it’s how we survive.”

The King’s Witches is a bewitching story of duty, love, secrets, suspicion, fear and courage. A story of women – both cunning and ordinary – set against a backdrop of the real-life witch trials in Scotland during the sixteenth century, this was the SquadPod Book Club pick this month. It is told by three women: Princess Anna of Denmark, Kirsten Sorenson, Anna’s lady-in-waiting, and Jura Craig, a Scottish housemaid and healer. Princess Anna is betrothed to King James VI of Scotland but must pass a year-long trial period before they can marry. She is determined to be the perfect royal bride and prove herself worthy of being Queen of Scotland. So, along with Kirsten she sets sail for Scotland and her new life, unaware that Kirsten harbours her own secret reasons for wanting to join her and for the royal marriage to succeed. Meanwhile, Jura is using the healing charms she was taught by her mother to help others. But as King James’ obsession with witchcraft grows, she finds herself caught up in the hysteria that is gripping all of Scotland.

“But a new plague is upon us. A plague of fear; a disease of ideologies.”

Kate Foster has once again crafted a compelling and evocative historical novel that is rich in time and place. Her meticulous research is evident in the historic details on every page while vivid imagery brings the sixteenth century to life in glorious technicolour. She immerses us amidst the witch hunts and trials, showing how the accusations were used as a way to eliminate troublesome women. She expertly uses the trials as a backdrop to amplify the female voices that were being silenced. The themes explored feel as relevant today as they did then and I was enrapt.

“And that is the trouble with accusations, is it not? That if one person says something against another, and the accuser is more powerful than the accused, what hope is there?” 

The narrators are three fascinating, strong and bold women whose lives interlace in unexpected ways. They come from different walks of life yet so much of who they were and what they faced felt similar to each other. I enjoyed watching as they fought against societal conventions to gain some sense of power for themselves. I quickly felt a connection with Princess Anna and Jura, but it took me a bit longer to warm up to Kirsten, something I think was because she felt more mysterious and secretive than Anna or Jura. And though they are women very much of their time, they felt as relatable today.

“I think that when women are accused of wickedness, someone usually means them harm.”

Spellbinding, poignant and surprising, The King’s Witches is a must for all those who love historical fiction. And don’t miss the fascinating author’s note at the end where Ms. Foster discusses the characters and how she crafted the book’s in detail.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

********

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Kate Foster has been a national newspaper journalist for over twenty years. Growing up in Edinburgh, she became fascinated by its history and often uses it as inspiration for her stories. The Maiden won the Bloody Scotland Pitch Perfect 2020 prize for new writers. She lives in Edinburgh with her two children.

********

BUY THE BOOK:

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

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Categories
book reviews

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK: Escape to the Tuscan Vineyard by Carrie Walker

Published May 23rd, 2024 by Aria
Romance Novel, Travel Literature, Holiday Ficiton, Humorous Fiction

Welcome to my review for this charming summer romcom. Thank you to Aria for my proof copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Pack your bags and uncork the laughter in this delightful romantic escapade!

After getting her heart broken in her early twenties, Abi Mason vowed to live by a simple (but non-negotiable) rule: no second dates. Who needs a boyfriend, or anything else for that matter, when you have a career to think about?

But life has other plans: with some unexpected time on her hands, Abi finds herself on holiday in Tuscany. Among sun-dappled vineyards and olive groves, Abi meets dashing American Tony, and it seems the universe is conspiring to force her out of her comfort zone…

If Abi can break her own rules, could this unexpected Italian fling lead her to a happiness she never dared to dream of?

Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Lindsey Kelk, this effervescent tale will whisk you away on a hilarious and heartwarming adventure you won’t want to end!

********

MY REVIEW:

One of my favourite things about reading is armchair travel and when the SquadPod were offered the chance to read Escape to the Tuscan Vineyard I jumped at the chance to be transported back to the place I fell in love with while on honeymoon last year.

Ever since the loss of her husband when they were young Abi Mason has protected herself from further heartache by keeping busy and with a firm no second date rule. Her career comes first and she has no time for romance. 
When she gets an unexpected break in her schedule her best friend convinces her that it’s finally time to visit her in Tuscany, where she meets Tony, a charming American who tempts Abi to break her own rules. Could Abi have found what she didn’t know she was looking for?

Upbeat, funny, and moving, this sizzling romcom was the perfect summer read. Carrie Walker’s evocative imagery transported me to the gorgeous vistas of Tuscany, and I could see the lush green hills, feel the scorching sun on my skin, and taste the cold, crisp wine. It feels like the ideal place to fall in love. But Abi doesn’t give in so easily, and I enjoyed the will-they-or-won’t-they aspect of the story. 

Abi is a great protagonist who was easy to relate to and root for. My heart ached for her and all she’d been through, Walker expertly conveying the devastation of losing the person you thought you’d be with forever, and the fear of going through that kind of loss again. But like her best friend, Holly, I was cheering her on and willing her to open up her heart to love once again. And with Tony on the scene how was she going to resist? Tony is a dreamy love-interest. The chemistry between him and Abi was clear from the start and it was impossible not to be rooting for them to get together. 

So if you’re looking for a charming and escapist summer romance, then this book is for you. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

********

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Carrie Walker is a Brummie born romcom lover with a lifelong passion for travel. She has lived in a ski resort, by a beach, in the country and the city, and travelled solo through Asia, South America and Europe.

Her own love life was more com than rom until she met her husband a few years ago and settled down with him and her dog Ziggy in a pub-filled village in Essex.

Longlisted for Helen Lederer’s Comedy Women in Print prize in 2021, writing has long been Carrie’s side hustle, penning columns and features for newspapers and magazines, while working in many other jobs. She has been the CEO of a global disability movement, a board director of a brand agency, the editor of a newspaper, a radio presenter, a football mascot, dressed up as a carrot for the BBC and now she is writing books. Escape to the Swiss Chalet is her debut novel.

********

BUY THE BOOK:

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

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Categories
book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2024 Squadpod Squadpod Featured Books Squadpod Recommends

SQUADPOD BLOG BLAST: Under Her Roof by A. A. Chaudhuri

Published June 13th, 2024 by Hera
Thriller, Psychological Fiction, Suspense

Happy Publication Day to A. A. Chaudhuri and welcome to my stop on the SquadPod Collective Book Blast for Under Her Roof. Thank you to Hera for my proof copy in exchange for an honest review.

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

‘Intense, intricate and packed with intrigue…a thrilling and addictive read.’ B.A. Paris

It seems too good to be true…

When struggling writer Sebastian finds a room to let in a palatial Hampstead residence he cannot believe his luck. The rent is ridiculously cheap and he immediately feels a connection with his beautiful widowed landlady, Adriana.

It is.

Things take a dark turn when he finds out what happened to the last lodger. Could this be why the house is a fortress of security, and why Adriana seems so fragile? Adriana doesn’t want to talk about the death and sadness that seem to follow her wherever she goes and Sebastian has secrets of his own.

Now someone is watching their every move and there is nowhere to hide.

This house of light becomes a dark nightmare as the threat ramps up – what does the watcher want? And how far will they go to get it?

A gripping, twisty thriller perfect for fans of B.A. Paris, Shari Lapena and Lucy Foley. If you were hooked by Netflix series You or The Watcher then you will love this.

********

MY REVIEW:

When struggling writer, Seb, finds a cheap room for rent in a luxurious Hampstead house he worries it is too good to be true. His misgivings aren’t eased by the house’s fortress-like security or the dark circumstances of her last lodger’s tragic ending, but when he meets the mysterious widowed landlady, Adriana, he is put at ease and struck by an instant connection with her. But, what neither of them know is that there is someone watching their every move. What does this watcher want? And do the dark secrets they are both hiding have anything to do with it? 

Intense, cryptic and suspenseful, Under Her Roof is another jaw-dropping thriller from A. A. Chaudhuri. Sizzling with dark secrets, suspicion and intrigue, I couldn’t put this down and devoured the book quickly. Chaudhuri is a must-read author for me and she gets better with every book. Expertly written and cleverly plotted, this was impossible to predict. My mind raced with theories and suspicions, but I couldn’t see how the many different threads of the story would connect until Chaudhuri skillfully intertwined them, delivering shocking twists that changed everything I thought I knew. Looking back, I can see the breadcrumbs she’d subtly sprinkled throughout the story, but I couldn’t see the full picture until she revealed it. Brava, Ms. Chaudhuri.

The story is told by multiple narrators in multiple timelines and all of the characters are richly drawn, complex and fractured. Adriana and Seb are two of the narrators and while both of them are likeable, we have no idea if they are reliable as they admit they are hiding dark secrets they are terrified of being revealed. No one in this story is completely innocent and an air of suspicion surrounds all of them and the tension radiates from the pages, keeping you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The story’s other narrators’ identities are a mystery that isn’t revealed until the dramatic finale. One of these is the ‘villain’ of the story. The mysterious person watching Adriana and Seb under the cover of looking out for her. This is a dark, sinister and dangerous character who will go to any lengths to ‘help’ Adriana and while there were a number of suspects I had in mind, my mind was blown when their true identity was revealed. 

Dark, devious, twisty and unpredictable, Under Her Roof is a high-octane psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the last page. Once again Ms. Chaudhuri has shown why she is one of the best thriller writers you will read. Highly recommended. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

********

MEET THE AUTHOR:

A.A. Chaudhuri is a former City lawyer turned thriller writer, born and raised in Portsmouth, but who now lives in Surrey with her family. Once a highly ranked British junior tennis player, competing in the national championships and a member of the national squad, she went on to tour the women’s professional satellite circuit as a teenager and achieved a world ranking of 650.

THE SCRIBE and THE ABDUCTION, published by LUME BOOKS in July and December 2019, are her first crime book series, plunging readers into London’s glamorous legal world and featuring series’ heroine, Maddy Kramer, fiction’s first female City lawyer amateur sleuth, who teams up with charismatic DCI Jake Carver to solve a gruesome series of murders and a puzzling abduction. THE SCRIBE and THE ABDUCTION were published as audio books by Isis Audio on 1st January and 1st March 2021, both read by David Thorpe.

She has also contributed an original short story THE ENCOUNTER to crime anthology GIVEN IN EVIDENCE published by LUME BOOKS in May 2020, has written many articles and short stories for The Crime Writers’ Association.

Her first psychological thriller with HERA BOOKS, SHE’S MINE, was published in e-book, paperback and audio in August 2021, the second, THE LOYAL FRIEND, was published in all three formats in June 2022 and published in the USA by Canelo US on 20th June 2023. Her third, THE FINAL PARTY, was published on May 25th 2023. It will be released in audiobook on 1st February 2024.

Her fourth psychological thriller – UNDER HER ROOF – will be released on 13th June 2024.

Besides being an avid reader, she enjoys fitness, films, anything Italian and a good margarita!

All of Alex’s books have achieved bestseller status on Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon Australia and Amazon Canada.

********

BUY THE BOOK:

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

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Categories
book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2024 Squadpod Squadpod Featured Books Squadpod Reviews

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK: Hera by Jennifer Saint

Published May 23rd, 2024 by Wildfire
Greek Mythology, Historical Fiction, Fairy Tale, Literary Fiction

Thank you Wildfire Books for sending me a proof copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The enthralling tale of a powerful Greek goddess maligned in both myth and ancient history, as told by Sunday Times bestselling author Jennifer Saint.

‘An exceptional achievement’ ELODIE HARPER
‘A very special novel’ COSTANZA CASATI
‘The essential mythological book of the decade’ NIKITA GILL

When Hera, immortal goddess and daughter of the ancient Titan Cronus, helps her brother Zeus to overthrow their tyrannical father, she dreams of ruling at his side.

As they establish their reign on Mount Olympus, Hera suspects that Zeus might be just as ruthless and cruel as the father they betrayed.

She was always born to rule, but must she lose herself in perpetuating this cycle of violence and cruelty? Or can she find a way to forge a better world?

Often portrayed as the jealous wife or the wicked stepmother, this retelling captures the many sides of Hera, vengeful when she needs to be but also compassionate and most importantly, an all-powerful queen to the gods.

********

MY REVIEW:

“Zeus thinks he has the upper hand. He’s made her the goddess of marriage, thinking she’s nothing more than a dutiful wife.
But he never imagines the mistake he’s made in making her his enemy and inviting her so close.”

Jennifer Saint’s latest novel sees her tackle the myth of Hera, Queen of Heaven and the Goddess of Marriage. Beautifully written and evocative, I was immediately drawn into the world of this complex immortal goddess.

Hera. Daughter of the  tyrannical Titan ruler, Cronus, she helps her brother, Zeus, overthrow their father and establish a new reign on Mount Olympus ruling by his side. But Zeus quickly betrays her, offering thrones to their brothers. She faces further humiliation when he forces her to become his bride and makes her the patron of women, marriage and childbirth. Hera swears vengeance, plotting quietly while playing the dutiful wife and queen. But she can’t stay quiet for long, and soon she and Zeus are caught in a perpetual cycle of violence, betrayal and revenge that has far-reaching repercussions. 

Hera is a complicated goddess who isn’t easy to like. She’s beautiful, regal, formidable and fierce, but also vengeful, scheming, vindictive, vicious and cruel. But interwoven with all of that is a traumatised, broken woman who is deeply unhappy. There is a caring side of her, and I liked seeing those glimmers of compassion that she had at times. But I could understand that it was hard for her to be that way as a woman who had never been shown how to be caring, maternal or loving; someone trapped in a toxic marriage; and someone who has faced a battle for survival and power from the day she was conceived. 

One of the things I liked about this book is that Ms. Saint never shied away from Hera’s flaws, excuse her abhorrent behaviour, or tried to make her likeable and sympathetic. She faces her faults head-on, instead giving us an anti-hero who we can understand on a deeper level by the end of the book, even if we don’t like her. I’ll admit, I struggled with the idea that Hera’s actions had a feminist motivation as I found her to be self-focused and motivated by power, wrath and revenge. And she often took out her rage at Zeus’ behaviour out on the women he often forced himself on. But I could understand that Hera is a product of trauma who has never developed a sisterhood with other women or been taught how to be caring and maternal. This is a woman who has known only fighting to survive from the time she was born and is trapped in a toxic marriage that she can’t find her way out of. I had sympathy for that even if I didn’t like her actions. 

One of my favourite aspects of this book is how Ms. Saint humanised the monsters of Greek mythology. I found myself grieving alongside Hera as Typhon and his children were slain and saw so-called heroes such as Hercules in a different light. The monsters were simply existing and yet they were hunted down and brutally killed in the name of glory. I shared Hera’s revulsion at this, and will definitely see those usually demonised in these myths through another lens from now on.

A feisty and glorious novel, this is a must-read for fans of Greek mythology. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

********

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Jennifer Saint grew up reading Greek mythology and was always drawn to the untold stories hidden within the myths. She read Classical Studies at King’s College, London where she is now a Visiting Research Fellow in the Classics Department. After thirteen years as a high school English teacher, she wrote Ariadne which was an instant Sunday Times bestseller. It was shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year in 2021 and was  a Waterstones Book of the Month. Her second novel, Elektra, and third novel Atalanta, were number one Sunday Times bestsellers. Her latest mesmerising mythological retelling, Hera, will be published in the UK on 23rd May and in the US on 23rd July.

********

BUY THE BOOK:

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

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Categories
book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOKS: Mary I: Queen of Sorrows by Alison Weir

Published May 9th, 2024 by Headline
Historical Ficiton, Biographical Fiction, Historical Biographical Fiction

Welcome to my review for this compelling and riveting historical novel that I read with the SquadPod this month. Thank you to Headline for the copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

‘A must for Tudor fans everywhere’ Tracy Borman

‘Thrilling, captivating . . . unforgettable’ Kate Williams

‘A gripping story that’s underpinned by a wealth of research . . . this is Alison Weir at her best’ Nicola Tallis

Sunday Times bestselling novelist Alison Weir returns with the spellbinding story of Mary I.

A DESTINY REWRITTEN. A ROYAL HEART DIVIDED.

Adored only child of Henry VIII and his Queen, Katherine of Aragon, Princess Mary is raised in the golden splendour of her father’s court. But the King wants a son and heir.

With her parents’ marriage, and England, in crisis, Mary’s perfect world begins to fall apart. Exiled from the court and her beloved mother, she seeks solace in her faith, praying for her father to bring her home. But when the King does promise to restore her to favour, his love comes with a condition.

The choice Mary faces will haunt her for years to come – in her allegiances, her marriage and her own fight for the crown. Can she become the queen she was born to be?

MARY I. HER STORY.

Alison Weir’s new Tudor novel is the tale, full of drama and tragedy, of how a princess with such promise, loved by all who knew her, became the infamous Bloody Mary.

********

MY REVIEW:

A DESTINY REWRITTEN. A ROYAL HEART DIVIDED.

I’m a huge history buff and have always been a fan of the Tudor era so I was very excited when the SquadPod were offered the chance to read this as one of our featured books. 

The book opens in 1525 when Mary is nine-years-old and follows her life all the way up until her death in 1588. Known infamously as ‘Bloody Mary’, Mary is a controversial figure among historians, but the last few years has seen a surge of research into her life and there has been an effort to rehabilitate her reputation. This prompted Alison Weir to revisit her past research and write a new book about one of England’s most famous queens. 

Before reading this book I thought I knew a lot about Queen Mary I and this period of history. But I soon realised there were things I didn’t know such as the close bond that she and Elizabeth shared for many years, the health issues that plagued her most of her life, or that she was the first woman to rule England. And I realised that what I did know about her was so much more complex under the surface. Most interesting for me was learning why she turned to religion so ardently. Mary’s life was not a happy one. She was embroiled in royal politics from an early age, separated from her mother at 15, declared illegitimate at 17, and made lady-in-waiting to her infant half-sister, Elizabeth, that same year. Among all of this turmoil, heartache and uncertainty, Mary found solace in her Catholic faith. She was horrified when her father broke with Rome and declared Britain a Protestant country and became increasingly zealous, even risking martyrdom to attend mass when it was illegal. But the biggest reminder of her zealousness is her religious persecution of the Protestants when she was Queen. She lives on in infamy as the monarch who sent 280 people to the stake during her short, five year reign and it earned her the nickname ‘Bloody Mary’. 

Compelling, powerful and riveting, this novel is a reminder that fact is so much more interesting than fiction. It also reminded me that one of the reasons I love history so much is that it is made up of the most spectacular and fascinating stories. Meticulously researched and expertly written, Ms. Weir brings history to life, transporting me back 600 years. I felt like I was in the room with them and could see it all vividly unfolding in front of me like I was watching it on a TV screen. Ms. Weir has been careful to write a balanced account of Mary’s life that highlights her accomplishments as well as her failures. But, for me, the good doesn’t outweigh the bad, and I didn’t find her to be a sympathetic character, even though she was fascinating, I am glad to understand her a little more. 

Mary I Queen of Sorrows is a gripping and unmissable novel that history fans won’t want to miss. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

********

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Dr Alison Weir is the biggest-selling female historian (and the fifth best-selling historian) in the United Kingdom since records began in 1997. She has published thirty-two titles and sold more than 3 million books – over a million in the UK and 2.2 million in the USA. She is now working on two concurrent series of books: the Tudor Rose trilogy of novels about Elizabeth of York, Henry VIII and Mary I, and England’s Medieval Queens, a quartet of historical works of non-fiction.

********

BUY THE BOOK:

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

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxx

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

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOKS: The Comeback by Ella Berman

Published April 11th, 2024 by Aria
Psychological Fiction, Thriller, Literary Fiction, Legal Thriller, Political Thriller

Welcome to my review for this courageous and compelling thriller. This was one of our recent SquadPod Featured Books. Thank you to Aria for the gifted proof in exchange for an honest review.

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

They say she owes him everything.
Now she wants to burn it all to the ground.

Grace Turner was one movie away from Hollywood’s A-List. So no one understood why, at the height of her career and on the eve of her first Golden Globe nomination, she disappeared.

Now, one year later, Grace is back in Los Angeles and ready to reclaim her life on her own terms.

When Grace is asked to present a lifetime achievement award to director Able Yorke – the man who controlled her every move for eight years – she knows there’s only one way she’ll be free of the secret that’s already taken so much from her.

The Comeback is a moving and provocative story of justice – a true page-turner about a young woman finding the strength and power of her voice, from the author of Reese’s Book Club pick Before We Were Innocent.

‘Beautifully written and compulsively readable.At its core, this book is about redemption, grace, and pain.’ – Jenna Bush Hager

********

MY REVIEW:

“Maybe their turn for winning is over, Grace. Maybe it’s our turn now.”

An empowering, courageous and thought-provoking story that reveals the darkness that lurks beneath the glamour and glitz of Hollywood, The Comeback is a story that demands to be read. The story is told by Grace, a young Hollywood starlet who was on the cusp of making the A-List when she suddenly disappeared. Now, after a year of isolation at her parents’ home in Anaheim, Grace has returned to L.A. and is slowly rebuilding her life on her own terms.  From the start there’s a sense of a secret hidden under the surface. A secret she doesn’t want to face. But she may not have a choice because just as she’s getting her life back on track she is asked to present a lifetime achievement award to her director Able Yorke. It seems perfect: the young actress honouring the man who discovered her and then mentored her for eight years. Suddenly Grace’s past demons are refusing to stay hidden and she must finally confront the things she’s been running from for so long. 

The #MeToo movement highlighting Hollywood’s culture of sexual abuse and rape is now well known, but this story was originally conceived a few months before it in early 2017 and published in the US in 2020. Since then we have heard countless stories of the horrendous abuse actors and actresses were subjected to by those in authority, including the recent documentary ‘Quiet on Set’ which focused on the terrible treatment of Hollywood’s child stars. Grace’s story of coercive control, isolation, fear, and abuse, parallels many of the stories we are now familiar with. But that doesn’t make it any less potent or heartrending. With beautiful, bleak and bold writing, Ella Berman has crafted an achingly authentic story that gets under your skin, exposing the steep price many have had to pay for fame and fortune while making us look at Hollywood and celebrity gossip through a new lens.

“The most vicious demons have always been my own, and I’ve never learned how to protect myself from them. I have tried to move quietly through the world, figuring that if I could just forget what happened, then I could move on, but maybe it doesn’t work like that.”

This story wouldn’t work without a well written central character and Bermann has got the ‘everyday girl plucked from obscurity’ down to a tee.  Fractured, flawed, vulnerable, and real, she is haunted by the trauma she’s been subjected to for eight years while everyone has told her how lucky she is. Her actions aren’t always right, but they are understandable, particularly as she confronts what she’s been through after burying it deep inside for so long. The other characters are equally as well-written and compelling and I liked how Berman illustrates the dysfunctional and transactional nature of the relationships in Grace’s life, highlighting the difficulty of maintaining healthy relationships when you work in Hollywood, and the problems that arise when trying to support someone through hardships such as addiction, trauma, and mental health issues. 

The other character who is vital to get right is the villain of the story and I felt like Berman skillfully captured Able York. Able is charismatic, charming, seductive, shrewd, and cunning. This man gave me chills. He cleverly calculates his moves and is a total slimeball underneath the ‘nice guy’ persona he portrays. He knows just how to isolate and intimidate his victims and you can understand how Grace fell for his act, especially when so young and naive. 

Melancholy, consuming, brutal and vivid, The Comeback is a timely story of bravery, strength, and the power of finding your voice. Highly recommended.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

********

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Ella Berman grew up in both London and Los Angeles and worked at Sony Music before starting the clothing brand London Loves LA. She lives in London with her husband, James, and their dog, Rocky. The Comeback is her first novel.

********

BUY THE BOOK:

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

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Categories
book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2024 Squadpod Squadpod Featured Books

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK: The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by Samuel Burr

Published May 9th, 2024 by Orion
Cozy Mystery, Literary Fiction, Puzzles, Coming-of-Age Story, Domestic Fiction, Gay Fiction

Today I’m my review for this charming and uplifting debut that was one of our SquadPod Featured Books this month. Thank you to Orion for the gifted proof copy in exchange for an honest review.

Tune in on the SquadPod Instagram account tonight at 7.30pm to here me chat with Samuel about the book.

********

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

‘Utterly beautiful. I adored it’ JOANNA CANNON

‘Hugely uplifting and wonderful’AJ PEARCE

‘A ripping yarn full of warmth and wonder’BETH MORREY

Sometimes finding your place in the world is the greatest puzzle of all…

Clayton Stumper is an enigma.

He might be twenty-five years old, but he dresses like your grandad and drinks sherry like your aunt.

Abandoned at birth on the steps of the Fellowship of Puzzlemakers, he was raised by the sharpest minds in the British Isles and finds himself amongst the last survivors of a fading institution.

When the esteemed crossword compiler, Pippa Allsbrook, passes away, she bestows her final puzzle to him: a promise to reveal the mystery of his parentage and prepare him for his future.

Yet as Clay begins to unpick the clues, he uncovers something even the Fellowship have never been able to solve – and it’s a secret that will change everything…

********

MY REVIEW:

Sometimes, finding your place in the world is the greatest puzzle of all.

Sometimes you only have to look at a book and know you’re going to love it. The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers was everything I’d hoped for and more. Cryptic, quirky and uplifting, this magnificent debut is an absolute gem. An ode to friendship, community, love and finding your place in the world, this hit the sweet spot where you want to devour it whole but also never want it to end. 

Clayton Stumper is not your average 25-year-old. He was abandoned at birth and found in a hatbox on the steps of The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by its founder, Pippa, and has been raised there ever since. But when Pippa passes away she leaves behind one final puzzle to be solved: the mystery of Clayton’s parentage. Can Clayton follow the clues to finally solve the puzzle that has eluded even the brightest minds of the country?

Debut novelist Samuel Burr has set the bar sky-high with this phenomenal debut and I will be buying anything he writes from now on. It is cleverly written, shrewdly plotted and steadily paced, keeping the reader guessing with misdirection and surprising revelations. The story moves smoothly between dual timelines and narrators, following Clayton on his journey of self-discovery in the present, while the past details the Fellowship’s conception and events leading up to the day Clayton was discovered on their doorstep. But what I loved most about this book was how Burr intricately weaves puzzles into every aspect of the story, including making it so the reader can play along and try to solve the clues alongside the characters. But, don’t worry if you don’t like puzzles, because you can also flip to the answers at the back. I’m a puzzle fan and enjoyed trying to solve the clues, but I did use the answer sheet for some of them, too. 

Burr has created an eclectic cast of wonderful and fascinating characters who fit together like puzzle pieces despite coming from different boxes. I enjoyed their friendships that slowly blossomed into a found family. Clayton and Pippa were excellent protagonists who were both likeable, relatable, easy to root for, and had compelling backstories. I loved seeing Clayton slowly emerge from his self-imposed cocoon like a butterfly as he followed Pippa’s clues and enjoyed looking for ones that might be hidden in the flashbacks. Pippa was a nurturing, caring and supportive character, and I loved how she brought everybody together by creating a place where they could do what they love without judgement. It reminded me of finding my people in the book community, and when Pippa and the Puzzlers spoke about how puzzling makes them feel, it was as if I was speaking about my love of reading.

Charming, warm, joyful, and addictive, The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers is feel-good fiction at its finest. Add this to your TBR now!

Rating: 🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩

********

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Samuel studied at Westminster Film School and now works as an author and freelance TV executive. He has developed and produced popular-factual shows including Channel 4’s Genderquake and The Greatest Shows on Earth, BBC Two’s Eight Go Rallying and The Secret Life of Cleaners, and the BAFTA-nominated Secret Life of 4-Year-Olds.

A documentary he shot inside a retirement village when he was eighteen years old launched his career in television and inspired his debut novel, The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers. Samuel’s writing was shortlisted for Penguin’s WriteNow scheme and in 2021 he graduated from the Faber Academy.

In his spare time, Samuel volunteers for the elderly charity Age UK. He lives in London with his partner Tom and their cat Muriel.

He has always been old at heart.

********

BUY THE BOOK:

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

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxx

Categories
book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Squadpod Squadpod Book Club

SQUADPOD BOOK CLUB REVIEW: Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth

Published April 25th, 2024 by Pan Macmillan
Thriller, Mystery, Crime Fiction, Women Sleuths, Literary Fiction

Welcome to my review for the unnerving and addictive Darling Girls, which is the SquadPod Book Club pick for April. Thanks to Chloe at Pan MacMillan for the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A thrilling page-turner about sisterhood, secrets, love and murder by Sally Hepworth, the New York Times bestselling author of The Soulmate and The Mother-in-Law.

It’s not just secrets buried at Wild Meadows.

For as long as they can remember, Jessica, Norah and Alicia have been told how lucky they are. Rescued from their own family tragedies, they were raised by a loving foster mother on an idyllic farming estate and given an elusive second chance for a happy family life.

But the girls’ childhood wasn’t quite the fairy tale everyone thinks it was. And when a body is discovered under the home they grew up in, the three foster sisters find themselves thrust into the spotlight as key witnesses.

It’s time for them to return home as adults. The only question is are they innocent victims or the prime suspects for murder?

With darkly comic timing and insidiously twisting plots, Sally Hepworth’s novels are guaranteed to keep you turning the pages . . .

********

MY REVIEW:

“These days everyone is familiar with Wild Meadows. The media love the juxtaposition of the whimsical country estate and the atrocities that happened there.”

This month’s SquadPod Book Club pick – and this month’s 12 months, 12 countries challenge – transports us to Australia for a compelling and suspenseful story of found family, trauma, secrets and murder.

Jessica, Norah and Alicia are sisters not by blood, but by a bond forged by their shared experience living as foster sisters at Wild Meadows. They have spent their lives being told how lucky they were to be rescued from their tragic situations and raised by a loving foster mother. But nothing was as it seemed and there are more than secrets buried at Wild Meadows. And when a body is discovered buried beneath their former home, the sisters are drawn back into their murky past and the secrets they have long tried to forget…

“It was almost as if the clock had wound back twenty-five years. They were all young girls, begging to be believed. Except this time they weren’t children. This time they were going to demand to be heard.” 

Darling Girls was my introduction to Sally Hepworth. And what an introduction! The bright cover of this book hides the dark, sinister and unnerving story between its covers. Hepworth explores topics such as abuse, trauma, and unhinged psyches, permeating the story with heartrending moments alongside the heart-stopping tension and shocking twists that keep you on your toes until the very last page. I was in her thrall. Unable to shake the story from my mind and when I wasn’t reading it I was thinking about it. I needed answers. I needed to know what secrets were buried at Wild Meadows. And I was sure I had it all figured out, only for my jaw to hit the floor as Hepworth sucker-punched me at the eleventh hour for a truly spectacular finale. 

“Disturbing vignettes from her childhood circled in her brain—swimming pools and basements, birthday parties and horses. And fear, of course. Lots and lots of fear.”

The story is narrated by the sisters, who each have rich backstories. They came to live at Wild Meadows due to tragic family circumstances, only to find that what was supposed to be a new beginning in a home filled with love was the beginning of a nightmare. Their foster mother, Miss Fairchild, is a sadistic and cruel monster who made my blood boil and my heart broke as I read of their torment under her so-called care. Miss Fairchild is one of the best villains of this kind that I’ve read, perfectly at odds with what a loving mother is supposed to be and sending chills down my spine when she was on the page. The sisters are each very different but share a close bond that I loved. And while they are flawed in their own ways, they are sympathetically written. But the mystery of the body buried under the house lingers ominously over every page, and while I was rooting for them, I was also aware that they were hiding something. I had various predictions over the course of the book, and, I’ll be honest, I was disappointed that it wasn’t Miss Fairchild they had done in and buried under the house.

Dark, menacing and affecting, I’d highly recommend this addictive thriller. Now I need to buy this author’s backlist ASAP.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

TW: Child neglect, abuse, trauma, drug addiction

********

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Sally Hepworth is the New York Times bestselling author of nine novels, most recently Darling Girls. She is also the author of Uncharted Waters, published by Amazon Original stories in 2022. Several of Sally’s novels have been optioned for TV and film.  

Sally’s novels are available around the globe in English and have been translated into over 20 languages. She has sold over one million books worldwide.

Sally lives in Melbourne, Australia with her family.

********

BUY THE BOOK:

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

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

Categories
book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Squadpod Squadpod Reviews

SQUADPOD REIVEWS: Prima Facie by Suzie Miller

Published March 14th, 2024 by Hutchinson Heinmann
Literary Fiction, Political Fiction, Contemporary Fiction

Prima Facie is one of our SquadPod Featured Books. Thank you Hutchinson Heinmann for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

********

SYNOPSIS:

‘Bold, fearless and heartbreaking’ Elle Magazine

‘It has been an absolute joy to return to Tessa’s story . . . My hope is that it will reach the widest number of people . . . I’ve personally enjoyed delving into her story again’ Jodie Comer

‘Bold, fearless, heartbreakingly timeless. Written with skill, humour, despair and hope, Prima Facie is a deeply rewarding, absolute must read’ Chris Whitaker

‘Enthralling and sharp-witted . . . Highly recommended’ Karin Slaughter

‘Miller’s star shines as brightly as a novelist as it does as a playwright. Prima Facie the novel gives us what novels do: the intimacy of interior life. A great read’ Anna Funder

From the Olivier award-winning playwright of Prima Facie Suzie Miller comes her first novel, where power, patriarchy and morality diverge.

‘This is not life. This is law.’

Tessa Ensler is a brilliant barrister who’s forged her career in criminal defence through sheer determination. Since her days at Cambridge, she’s carefully disguised her working class roots in a male-dominated world where who you know is just as important as what you know. Driven by her belief in the right to a fair trial and a taste for victory, there’s nothing Tessa loves more than the thrill of getting her clients acquitted.

It seems like Tessa has it made when she is approached for a new job and nominated for the most prestigious award in her field. But when a date with a charismatic colleague goes horribly wrong, Tessa finds that the rules she’s always played by might not protect her, forcing her to question everything she’s ever believed in . . .

AS SEEN IN ROISIN KATE KELLY, SUNDAY TIMES, ROUND-UP OF BEST BOOKS COMING IN 2024

********

MY REVIEW:

“It’s not emotional for me, it’s simply the game of law.”

Fearless, impassioned, bold, and affecting, Prima Facie is a piercing novel that explores patriarchy, power, justice and fem. Debut novelist Suzie Miller draws back the curtain on the mysterious world of the law and criminal defence, exposing the flaws of a system ruled by men, and influenced by who you know.

The story is told by Tessa, a successful criminal defence barrister who is passionate about the law and justice. But everything changes the night she is assaulted by a colleague after a date. Tessa discovers that the rules might not help her find justice after all, forcing her to reconsider everything she holds true…

“Am I going to let him get away with it? That’s not who I am. Is this what I think should happen to women? That they should stay silent? No…What about justice? What about believing in the law to get it right?”

Told in multiple timelines we start by getting to know our protagonist, Tessa, who has worked her way up from her working class roots to read law at Cambridge and established herself as a brilliant barrister through sheer grit. She’s caught between these two worlds and never quite feels like she fits into either of them. Fierce, strong and steadfast, Tessa is a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom, and you can feel her passion and belief in the system she loves leaping from the pages. Then, that terrible night causes a seismic shift and you can feel her coming undone; her heart cleaved in two and filled with despair as her whole world unravels. But what stands out even more is the fire it ignites inside her and I was rooting for her at every step as she fought against the odds in the hope of finding justice.

“I don’t want to be a victim. I want to be a survivor.”

From the first pages of this book, you feel yourself in the hands of a master storyteller, and the level of literary fiction, drama, and psychological suspense is perfectly balanced, creating an unforgettable novel that is emotionally wrought, heart-pounding, tense, and enraging. Miller starts the book with a dedication that reads, “For all the women who compromise the ‘one in three’” and, as one of those women, I was deeply touched by how she keeps us at the forefront of the readers’ consciousness throughout. Complex, layered, raw, and emotionally resonant, Miller raises thought-provoking questions and moral dilemmas while also reminding us that anyone can become a victim of sexual assault and the flawed and broken legal system, even someone who has dedicated years to defending it.

Though I have a physical copy, I listened to this one on audiobook after it was recommended to me by a few people and I am so glad that I did. Jodie Cromer is a compelling and evocative narrator. She brings the story and characters to life and I was totally invested at every step. The veins of anger and devastation that were threaded through her voice during the aftermath of the assault were particularly powerful and will stay with me long after reading.

UCourageous, challenging, compelling and outstanding, Prima Facie is a story that demands to be read. Highly recommended.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

TW: Sexual assault, rape

********

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Suzie Miller is an Australian-British playwright, librettist and screenwriter. Her plays include Prima Facie, which was premiered in Australia in 2019, and had its UK premiere in the West End in 2022.

*******

BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Amazon*
*These links are affiliate links

********

Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxxx

Categories
book reviews Squadpod Squadpod Reviews

SQUADPOD REVIEWS: Island in the Sun by Katie Fforde

Published February 15th, 2024 by Century
Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance, Adventure Fiction

I’m finally sharing my review for the charming and uplifting Island in the Sun, which was a SquadPod Book Feature in February. Thank you EdPR and Century for the proof copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

********

SYNOPSIS:

A tale of friendship, courage and romance, the latest novel from bestselling author Katie Fforde is here.

‘The queen of uplifting, feel good romance’ AJ PEARCE
‘Top-drawer romantic escapism’ DAILY MAIL
‘Warm, brilliant and full of love’ HEAT
___________

When Cass is asked by her father to take on an unusual photography project in the Caribbean Island of Dominica, she really can’t see a reason to say no.

But the remote island has just been hit be a severe hurricane, leaving destruction in its wake. Cass is travelling with Ranulph who is searching for the rare stone carvings her father wants her to photograph.

Their hunt leads Cass down a path of bravery and self-discovery, and she soon falls for Ranulph, who has been by her side every step of the way.

But does he feel the same way about her?

********

MY REVIEW:

Twenty-five-year-old Cass is about to enjoy her last summer of freedom before embarking on her teacher training course when her father, a famous wildlife photographer, asks her for a favour. He wants Cass to go to the Caribbean island of Dominica to take a fragile and faded hand-drawn map to help his friend’s son, Bastian, find a rare petroglyph and photograph it. Ranulph, a well-travelled journalist, offers to accompany Cass. She knows she mustn’t fall in love with him but can’t shake her growing feelings for her handsome travel companion even though she knows he can’t possibly feel the same way. Can he?

Uplifting, feel-good fiction and a dose of pure escapism, Island in the Sun was the ideal read to pick up on a cold, rainy March day in England. Katie Fjorde transports us to the sun-drenched shores of Dominica, a mountainous island populated by natural hot springs and rainforests where the Atlantic and the Caribbean meet, for a story filled with friendship, love, adventure and self-discovery.

Cass is a likeable yet sometimes frustrating protagonist and there were moments I wanted to give her a good shake. She’s the youngest in a family of high achievers and has always struggled to voice what she really wants in life rather than allowing her father to decide her path. Throughout the book we see her confidence slowly grow in all areas of her life, but I think her lack of confidence regarding her relationship with Ranulph made it hard to feel invested in their will they/won’t they romance at times. The escapades surrounding the petroglyph provided something a bit different for a romance novel that I really enjoyed. I found myself caught up in the race against the clock to find and document the petroglyph so that Bastian could finish his research paper and submit it for the prize that meant much-needed money for the island. I was rooting for him at every step, particularly as Austin, the loathsome villain of the story, meddled at every step to try and win the prize for himself. I hated this man! He is brilliantly written and my blood would boil every time he was on the page, Fforde expertly using him to raise the tension and keep the reader on guessing.

The island itself plays a key role in this story and Cass’s visit in the wake of a devastating hurricane included a lot of helping the community as they tried to recover from the destruction. Fforde gives the reader a real sense of the way of life on the island and how it feels to see your home torn apart in this way, the hard reality of life after a natural disaster, and the fear that lingers in its wake. But despite all of this the beauty of Dominica and its people shines through and I could understand why Cass fell in love with this place. The people who populated Dominica were some of my favourite characters, with Bastian and Delphine finding a special place in my heart. They played a big part in helping Cass to find her confidence and inner strength, and I found their spirits infectious and inspiring, especially in the face of such hardship.

Charming, fun, adventurous and immersive, Island in the Sun is another winner from Ms. Fforde.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

********

MEET THE AUTHOR:

From Amazon:

Dear readers, thank you for visiting my Amazon Page.

I live in the beautiful Cotswold countryside with my family, and I’m a country girl at heart.

I first started writing when my mother gave me a writing kit for Christmas, and once I started I just couldn’t stop. Living Dangerously was my first novel and since then, I haven’t looked back.

Ideas for books are everywhere, and I’m constantly inspired by the people and places around me. From watching TV (yes, it is research) to overhearing conversations, I love how my writing gives me the chance to taste other people’s lives and try all the jobs I’ve never had.

Each of my books explores a different profession or background and my research has helped me bring these to life. I’ve been a porter in an auction house, tried my hand at pottery, refurbished furniture, delved behind the scenes of a dating website, and I’ve even been on a Ray Mears survival course.

I love being a writer; to me there isn’t a more satisfying and pleasing thing to do. I particularly enjoy writing love stories. I believe falling in love is the best thing in the world, and I want all my characters to experience it, and my readers to share their stories.

********

BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Bookshop.org* | Amazon*

*these are affiliate links

********

Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxxx

*These links are affiliate links