BOOK REVIEW: Freefall by Jessica Barry

Surviving the plane crash is only the beginning for Allison.
The life that she's built herself- her perfect fiance, their world of luxury- has disappeared in the blink of an eye. Now she must run, not only to escape the dark secrets in her past, but to outwit the man who is stalking her every move.
On the other side of the country, Allison's mother is desperate for news of her daughter, who is missing, presumed dead. Maggie refuses to accept that she could have lost her only child and she sets out to discover the truth.
Mother and daughter must fight- for survival and to find their way through a dark web of lies and back to one another, before it's too late...

Publisher: Vintage

Pages: 351

Freefall is Vintage's lead debut thriller for 2019 and I think it's going to be be big! I flew through it in just over a day, it has the feel of a good thriller/adventure story. A relentless pace is set from the beginning and it is packed full of twists and turns.
Allison has survived a plane crash which is pretty terrifying on its own but we soon learn that she is still in grave danger. She knows that someone is after her with the objective to killer her, she must get to a place of safety if she is to survive.
Allison's mother, Maggie has not spoken to her daughter for two years when she hears of the crash. She will not believe that Allison is dead and starts investigating herself.
She is stunned to learn about the person her daughter has become, she is a stranger. Determined to get to the truth, Maggie continues delving into matters, unwittingly putting herself and Allison in danger.
Jessica Barry has written a fantastic debut. The chapters alternate between Allison and Maggie and we build up a picture of what happened in their past to lead them to be estranged. Both women hit their lowest points in this book which was interesting as the author showed them dealing with it in very different ways.
Barry is looking closely at the bond between  mother and daughter; Maggie and Allison's relationship has totally broken down  but that link is still there holding them together.
Freefall keeps you guessing, it was a very satisfying feeling when it all slotted into place. The clues are all there and Jessical Barry ties it all together beautifully at the end.
I want to say that this felt like a good, traditional thriller and I do not mean that in a derogatory way. I felt as though it had all of the perfect elements without trying to hard or relying on a shock-factor and so on.
Freefall is a brilliant debut from Jessica Barry and I hope that she writes many more.

Many thanks to Vintage for sending me a copy of the book to review, Freefall is available now!  

BOOK REVIEW: Himself by Jess Kidd

1950. A teenage girl is brutally murdered in a forest. But somehow, her baby survives.
1976. A mysterious and charming young man returns to the remote coastal village of Mulderrig, seeking answers about the mother who, it was said, had abandoned him on the steps of a Dublin orphanage.
With the help of its oldest and most eccentric inhabitants, he will force the village to give up its ghosts. Nothing, not even the dead, can stay buried forever.

Publisher: Canongate

Pages: 358

Simon of Savidge Reads talked about Jess Kidd and I was intrigued, her books sounded fantastic and as usual, Simon was spot on!

I read her latest novel, Things in Jars first which was fantastic, I'll be posting my review closer to its release date in April. Once I had finished that one, I knew that I needed to devour Jess Kidd's back catalogue so I thought the best place to start was with her debut novel from 2016, Himself. It is is hard to believe that Himself if a debut, it is beautifully written and highly accomplished. Jess Kidd's talent is obvious from the very first page.

The book flits between 1950 when a young girl is brutally murdered in the Irish village of Mulderrig leaving her baby behind and 1976 when that baby in the form of orphan Mahoney, returns to the village in search of the truth. It is not going to be easy though, superstition surrounds his mother's disappearance and the villagers do not want to talk, especially those who know too much. However, Mahoney is determined and with the help of a few inhabitants, dead and alive he slowly uncovers clues as to his mother's fate. Mahoney can see dead people and Mulderrig is full of them, ghosts if you like, although Mahoney sees them differently:

That just like any other dead person, his mind, if you can call it a mind, has ceased to exist. For the dead don't change or grow. They're just echoes of the stories of their own lives sung back in the wrong order: arsewards. They're the pattern on closed eyelids after you turn away from a bright object. They're twice exposed film. They're not really here, so cause and effect means nothing to them.

I loved the supernatural element of the book and the way in which Jess Kidd plays with it; sometimes it provides tragedy and other times much humour. Himself is beautifully written. I thoroughly enjoyed the way Jess Kidd uses language. She elevates the ordinary to the extraordinary and it is a joy to read:

Words are capable of flying. They dart through the windows, over fences, between bar stools and across courtyards. They travel rapidly from mouth to ear, from ear to mouth. And as they go, they pick up speed and weight and substance and gravity. Until they land with a scud, take seed and grow as fast as the unruliest of beanstalks. 

I find her writing has a real rhythm that leaves me wanting more at the end of each chapter. There are so many fantastic characters within the book but the one that stood out for me was Mrs Cauley. She takes Mahoney under her wing and sets out to help him find the truth. Sitting in her bed, surrounded by piles of books and papers, she is a cross between Miss Havisham and an overly theatrical Miss Marple. She is kind, caring and clever with some excellent one-liners:

As much as I revel in your visits lets make this snappy, I've a Dubonet and a bed bath on the agenda this afternoon.

I cannot find fault in this hugely entertaining tale. Despite being set in the 70's, it has a distinctly gothic feel, full of mystery and the supernatural. I cannot wait to read another book by this author, I can highly recommend Jess Kidd's excellent work.

BOOK REVIEW: Maybe This Time by Jill Mansell

Mimi isn't looking for love when she spends a weekend in Goosebrook, the Cotswolds village her dad has moved to. And her first encounter with Cal, who lives there too, is nothing like a scene in a romantic movie- although she cannot help noticing how charismatic he is. But Cal's in no position to be any more than a friend, and Mimi heads back to her busy London life.
When they meet again four years later, it's still not to be. Cal is focusing on his family, and Mimi on her career. The Cal dives into a potentially perfect new romance whilst Mimi's busy fixing other people's relationships. It seems as if something, or someone else always gets in their way. Will it ever be the right time for both of them?

Publisher: Headline

Pages: 424

I knew that I was in for a treat with Jill Mansell's latest book, Maybe This Time. Mimi goes to visit her dad and his partner Marcus in the beautiful Cotswold village of Goosebrook. On her first visit she meets Cal who she instantly likes but she quickly becomes aware that he is not available. When Mimi returns from London four years later, Cal is still there and still very attractive but he has just begun a new relationship and Mimi's career is keeping her busy and taking her on a different path. Mimi and Cal have great chemistry but there always seems to be obstacles between them. Once all of the distractions have disappeared, will Cal and Mimi finally get their act together or are they just not meant to be?
Mimi is a fantastic creation, she fits effortlessly into life at Goosebrook and it is clear to see that she is one of life's good people. I loved the interaction between her and Cal, the dialogue they share is natural and I was so hopeful that they would get together.
The setting of Goosebrook is a great feature of the book. It is your typical, slightly eccentric English country village. Its inhabitants are very close to each other and it was lovely to see Mimi being taken under their wing and quickly becoming a valued member of their tight-knit community.
My favourite character in the book is CJ, he is the highly successful author Mimi works for at one point. He says it like it is and is a bit of a drama queen. I thoroughly enjoyed this part of the book as it contained such a lot of humour but also because you see Mimi realise how capable she is and her confidence is given a well needed boost.
I think Jill Mansell has a great knack of creating highly memorable romantic moments in her books. She slowly builds up the chemistry between the characters and then it suddenly hits you.
Maybe This Time is warm and witty. It has a fabulous romantic feel and I can highly recommend this highly entertaining book.

BOOK REVIEW: Tin Man by Sarah Winman

It begins with a painting won in a raffle: fifteen sunflowers, hung on the wall by a woman who believes that men and boys are capable of beautiful things.
And there are two boys, Ellis and Michael, who are inseparable. And the boys become men, and then Annie walks into their lives, and it changes nothing and everything.
Tin Man sees Sarah Winman follow the acclaimed When God Was a Rabbit and A Year of Marvellous Ways with a love letter to human kindness, and friendship, loss and living.

Publisher: Tinder Press

Pages: 195

I was a big fan of Sarah Winman’s first book, When God Was a Rabbit, I have somehow missed her second which I need to catch up on but it has been impossible to miss Tin Man as everyone is talking about it and it does have that beautifully distinctive yellow cover.

Tin Man is about Ellis and Michael, they meet as teenagers and this book charts their relationship; the times where they were nearly the same person and the times where they couldn’t be further apart.

I don’t want to give the plot away so this review will be short but I urge you to read this book. Sarah Winman writes beautifully about love and loss; grief in it’s different forms and the true power of love and acceptance. Winman’s descriptions are simple but vivid, I feel she uses language sparingly but this is incredibly powerful.  I felt like there were no wasted words if that makes any sense!

Michael and Ellis are two characters what will stay with me for a long time; their relationship is moving and poignant, this is a book that will truly move you and make you think.

Book Review: Here Come the Girls by Milly Johnson + GIVE AWAY!!

Ven, Roz, Olive and Frankie have been friends since school. They daydreamed of glorious futures, full of riches, romances and fabulous jobs. The world was to be their oyster. 

Twenty-five years later, Olive cleans other people's houses to support  her lazy, out-of-work husband and his ailing mother. Roz cannot show her kind, caring partner Manus any love because her philandering ex has left her trust in shreds. And she and Frankie have fallen out big time. 

But Ven is determined to reunite her friends and realize the dream they had of taking a cruise by the time they hit forty. Before they know it, the four of them are far from home, on the high seas But can blue skies, hot sun  and sixteen days of luxury and indulgence distract from the tension and loneliness that await their return?

I always enjoy Milly Johnson's books but I think this one is my clear favourite. I have just got back off my sixth cruise and I think that they are the perfect holiday so I was excited when I realised that Milly's new book was set in the luxurious world of cruising.
Once again we have a fantastic story and lovely characters to get to know. Ven, Roz, Frankie and Olive have been friends since school, where they made the pact to go on a cruise for Ven's fortieth birthday. A lot has happened since that summer day at school though. None of them have the life that they had imagined for themselves when they were fifteen. Ven is recently divorced from her cheating husband who dealt a double blow by talking half of her inheritance in the divorce settlement. Roz can't seem to escape her past; Manus is a lovely man but she cannot forget how she was treated by her ex all of those years ago. Olive is having to clean other people's toilets for a living as well as being a general dogsbody for her lazy husband and mother-in-law. Frankie is the black sheep of the group, Roz won't talk to her so she is not too pleased when she realises that they are stuck on a ship together for sixteen days.
The book is set out just like a cruise itinerary, we know if the ladies are at sea or in a port and what the dress code will be for dinner that night. Here Come the Girls has a lovely pace and I found it a really relaxing read as it was as though I was on holiday with them.
Ultimately this book is about friendship, these women would do anything for each other. They are not afraid to tell it like it is and this makes for very entertaining reading.
Milly Johnson has talked of her love of cruising and it is so clear to see in the book. She has all the little details spot on, from the luxurious surroundings, to the brightly coloured cocktails and the excitement that a formal night brings. If you have been on a cruise then it is lovely to be able to identify with the experiences that the ladies have on-board. If you haven't been on a cruise then you may be in trouble as this book will make you want to book one as soon as possible.
Ven, Roz, Frankie and Olive know that the holiday has to come to an end, they all know that they have got to make changes to their lives on their return as why shouldn't they be as happy as their fifteen year old selves had imagined?
Here Come the Girls is a fantastic read with a delicious twist towards the end, it felt like pure escapism. It would be a great book to take away with you, or as I found, one to banish the holiday blues.

Many thanks to Milly Johnson and Simon and Schuster for sending me a review copy, the book is out now.

I also have one copy of the book to give away to a lucky UK resident, the very lovely Milly Johnson has also offered to sent the winner a book bag and bookmark. Simply leave a comment below, you must include your email address to be entered into the competition so that I can contact the winner. This will remain open until midnight on Wednesday May 25th, good luck!!!


If you are feeling lucky then head over to Milly's blog as she has a fabulous competition to win a bottle of the Icewine which features in Here Comes the Girls. You can't go wrong with a bottle of bubbly so just click here to find out more! 

Book Review: The Perfect Hero by Victoria Connelly

The circus has come to town...Die-hard romantic, Kay Ashton, uses her inheritance to open a B&B in the seaside town of Lyme Regis and is dumbstruck when the cast and crew of a new production of Persuasion descend, needing a place to stay. Kay can't believe her luck- especially when she realises that heartthrob actor Oli Wade Owen will be sleeping under her very own roof! 

Meanwhile, co-star Gemma Reilly is worried that her acting isn't up to scratch, despite landing a plum role. She finds a sympathetic ear in shy producer, Adam Craig, who is as baffled by the film world as she is. Kay thinks that the two are meant for each other and can't resist a spot of matchmaking. Then Oli turns his trademark charm on Kay, it seems that she has found her real-life hero. But do heroes really exist?

I read Victoria Connelly's first book, A Weekend With Mr Darcy and thought it was great. Although The Perfect Hero is not a sequel, it does still have a heavy Jane Austen influence on the form of her book Persuasion. Unfortunately Persuasion is the only Austen book I haven't read (this is soon to be remedied) but for review purposes I can say that this wasn't a bad thing as I don't think I missed anything in The Perfect Hero.
Kay is a very likable character, she hasn't had a great life so when she unexpectedly comes into some money, she knows she has to grasp the opportunity with both hands. She has always wanted to live by the sea and Lyme Regis has a particular pull due to it featuring in Jane Austen's Persuasion. Kay is a true Austen fan and her real passion is illustrating Austen's books. She knows that her illustrations are good but she hasn't found the courage to send them to any publishers yet.
Kay buys the B&B in Lyme Regis and hasn't even finished decorating when the cast of Persuasion check in. They are filming on location and Kay finds herself surrounded by film stars that she had previously admired from afar. Oli Wade Owen has Kay completely star struck and she soon has a full on crush. Oli is happy to turn the charm on but he isn't all he seems.
Gemma Reilly is playing the lead role of Anne Elliot but she is painfully shy. She has been pushed into acting by her famous mother but her heart really isn't in it. Gemma gets on well with Kay but is confused as to why she is trying to match her up with producer Adam when it is clear that he has had a crush on Kay from the very start.
I really enjoyed The Perfect Hero, it is very reminiscent of Austen, with the gossip, intrigue, mysterious male leads and misunderstandings in love. Victoria Connelly's writing is extremely witty and I love her enthusiasm for Austen and her ability to recognise and represent a true Austen fan,
I would highly recommend both of Victoria Connelly's books. I found The Perfect Hero to be very entertaining and it has finally made me put Persuasion at the top of my TBR pile.

Many thanks to Charlotte at Avon for sending me a copy of the book to review, The Perfect Hero is out today.

Book Review: To Marry a Prince by Sophie Page

Bella Greenwood isn't a fairytale girl. If pushed, she'd probably tell you that her perfect wedding would involve a handful of close friends and family. But as she's never met anyone she'd like to marry, it's a moot point.

Until, in a midnight garden, Bella is helped out of an embarrassing situation by a tall, dark, handsome man with laughing eyes. And suddenly her life changes for ever, because the man is the world's most eligible bachelor: Prince Richard, heir to the throne.

Richard sweeps her off her feet, and before she knows it they're engaged, which is when Bella's problems really begin. Suddenly she's public property and as if it isn't enough to have her every move watched- while also learning to curtsy and negotiating the etiquette of how to address her future mother-in-law- she soon finds herself embroiled in bridesmaid politics, a right royal hen night, and a wedding dress controversy that causes a national scandal...

Can this ordinary girl survive the preparations for her very own royal wedding?

To Marry a Prince is a great book to get you in the mood for the upcoming Royal Wedding. Sophie Page has Bella and Richard as the main characters but they are clearly representing Prince William and Kate Middleton.
You don't have to be a devout royalist to enjoy this book. I am not a huge fan of the royal family but I still enjoyed this modern, romantic, fairytale.
I'm not sure how Sophie Page did her research but I felt that she painted a very honest and realistic picture of what it is like to grow up in the royal family. Prince Richard is a lovely character but you can feel the immense pressure he is under and the scrutiny that he endures from the public and his own family. Bella is  very normal and extremely independent and headstrong. She makes allowances for Richard but she is in no way a pushover.
I read To Marry a Prince very quickly and I found the writing to be very addictive. It is like getting a sneak peek behind the scenes at Buckingham Palace, you almost forget that it is a work of fiction.
Sophie Page has written a highly entertaining and relevant book. If you allow yourself to be taken off in the fairytale world of royal palaces and tiaras then you will enjoy this one.

Many thanks to Arrow for sending me this book to review, it is out now!

Book Review: Dirty Tricks by Jo Carnegie

Fashion Queen Saffron is leaving the London party scene for the country, to write her bonkbusting novel. It means six months without gorgeous boyfriend Tom... but at least his supermodel twin brother will be there to keep her company!

Good girl Harriet, meanwhile, has swapped country life for the bright lights of London, and finds herself working with quite possibly the sexiest man she has ever met. But what dangerous secrets lurk behind those twinkling blue eyes of his?

New lives, new temptations. Have both girls bitten off more than they can chew?

I read Jo Carnegie's other book Country Pursuits and really enjoyed it so I was looking forward to this one when it arrived. Corgi appear to have given the author's front cover a different feel and I personally think it's an improvement, I would definitely pick it up in a shop.
Saffron and Harriet are both extremely likable characters and it's a great idea to have one in the country and one in the city, I really enjoyed reading about what they were getting up to. Both women are effectively trying out new lives; Saffron is pursuing her writing career and Harriet is pursuing romance. There are a fair few supporting characters in this book and I think that is one of the main reasons that I enjoyed it so much. Harriet's father, Sir Ambrose has been left to fend for himself at the stately home whilst his wife is off travelling. He provides many comical moments and almost plays his daughter at her own game of trying something new in life.
There is a lot of romance in Dirty Tricks, Saffron has steady boyfriend Tom and the surprising arrival of his supermodel  brother Rex. Meanwhile Harriet has fallen for her new boss who has more secrets than she ever could imagine. Throughout the book we get snippets from the bonkbuster that Saffron is writing; they are very entertaining but you soon realise that Harriet and Saffron are having a few romps of their own.
This book has been perfect for sitting in the sunshine with over the past two days. Jo Carnegie's writing is incredibly warm and inviting, I would highly recommend Dirty Tricks.

Many thanks to Corgi for sending me a copy to review, Dirty Tricks is out now!

Book Review: Hollywood Sinners by Victoria Fox

Marriage to Hollywood heartthrob Cole Steel secured Lana a glittering place on the red carpet. But running from a wicked past, she has trapped herself in a gilded cage- the price of freedom...her soul!
Kate's career is fading as quickly as her looks...what could be worse than discovering her husband's latest mistress is Hollywood's hottest starlet? Her only option- the most shocking revenge?
Chloe's innocent beauty has captured a million hearts, but no-one's warned her of the dangerous, dark temptation of rock star Nate- will lust destroy her?
Las Vegas King Robert St Louis and Sin City's richest heiress's fairytale wedding is tabloid gold...But scandal circles like a vulture- dirty secrets are about to be exposed!
From the deepest desires come the deadliest deeds... and these four couples are about to pay for their sins...

The back of Hollywood Sinners explains that Victoria Fox is putting the bonk back into bonkbusters! She certainly is, the only way I can describe this book is as a full on romp and I loved every page of it!
I have read a couple of Jackie Collins books in the past and I think that Victoria Fox hits exactly the same level with her first book.
Hollywood Sinners has everything; power, sex, greed, lust, love, incest, glamour, wealth, fame- I could go on and on. The book is 589 pages long but I just didn't want to put it down and flew through it. The pace is terrific as we move from one character to the next.
As you would expect from a bonkbuster, some of the characters are larger than life but they all fit together perfectly. I think that Victoria Fox shows that fame is a business with a very high price to pay. The character of Lana Fox knows this. To the outside world she has everything, the movie star husband, the L.A. mansion, immense wealth and a successful career. But what would happen if people knew what went on behind closed doors? What if people knew that the door between her and Cole's separate bedrooms had remained firmly shut?
There is a lot of sex in this book but it is very tongue-in-cheek. I know that some people have a low opinion of this type of book but I have to hold my hands up and say that I think they are brilliant. Hollywood Sinners is pure escapism and I think that there are times when you need that from a book. I think that this book would make a great holiday read and don't be put off by the size as I guarantee that you will fly through the pages.

Many thanks to Mira for sending me a copy of the book, it is published on April 15th.

Book Review: RSVP by Helen Warner

Anna's world is rocked when she receives an invitation to her ex Toby's wedding. Toby was The Love of Her Life, The One That Got Away. Will attending his Big Day finally give her the sense of closure she needs?

Clare is Anna's best friend, the person who was there for her when she and Toby split all those years ago. But little does Clare know that Toby's wedding day will change her own life forever. 

Ella is a femme fatale. She loves men and leaves them without a backward glance. But the one who's never fallen in love with her charms is Toby. As he prepared to get hitched, is it too late for a last-ditch attempt to win his heart?

Rachel is the blushing bride-to-be. This should be the happiest day of her life. So how come she feels nothing but a terrible sense of foreboding?

RSVP is one of those books that you don't want to end. Anna and Toby split up over 10 years ago but she still can't handle it when she receives an invitation to his wedding to Rachel. However, best friend Clare persuades her to go as she thinks it will finally give her closure. Closure is not at all what Anna gets from the wedding. All the feelings she has been trying to hide are reignited and she and the rest of the congregation are left to believe that Toby feels the same way.
Each chapter revolves around one of the characters and jumps back and forth between the past and the present. It is the characters that make this book, I took to all of them. Surprisingly, Ella was probably my favourite character, in the beginning she is definitely cast as the villain but by the end of the book I really liked her and the way she had changed.
RSVP explores how one bad decision can change the whole course of a person's life. I think the idea of a wedding is a brilliant device in a book as it allows you to bring lots of characters together at once, all looking each other up and down and judging what has become of their lives since they last saw them.
This book was an extremely enjoyable read, once I had started it, I couldn't put it down. It is Helen Warner's first book but I sincerely hope that she writes many more.

Book Review: You Don't Have to Say You Love Me by Sarra Manning

Sweet, bookish Neve Slater always plays by the rules. And the rule is that fat girls like her don't get guys like gorgeous William, heir to Neve's heart since university. But William's been in LA for three years, and Neve's been slimming down and reinventing herself so that when he returns, he'll fall head over heels in love with the new her.

So she's not that interested in other men, Until her sister points out that if Neve wants William to think she's an experienced love-goddess and not the awkward girl he left behind, then she'd better get some, well, experience.

What Neve needs is someone to show her the ropes, someone like Max. Wicked, shallow, sexy Max. And since he's such a man-slut, and so not Neve's type, she certainly won't fall for him. Because William is the man for her...right?

This book is quite long at 555 pages but it wasn't a problem as I enjoyed each one.
Neve is holding out for William who she met at Oxford University, he has been in LA for the last 3 years and their only contact has been emails and long, long, handwritten letters. However, Neve is convinced that William is 'The One' and so she is doing everything to be ready for his return. William is in for a shock though as Neve is half the woman she was; Neve's weight and her quest to lose it is a huge part of her life. At first I found this aspect of the character a little off-putting but as I learnt more about Neve and the negative impact her weight has had on her life, I began to like and understand her a lot more.
Neve lives in a house converted into flats, she has the top floor, her little sister Celia the bottom floor and then her brother Douglas and his nasty wife Celia have other one. Charlotte is a pretty nasty piece of work; she made Neve's life hell by bullying her about her size at school and she still manages to intimidate her now. Neve's sister Celia is a lovely character, she works for a fashion magazine and she introduces Neve to Max, one of the editors. Max is very much a ladies man and Celia warns her big sister to keep her distance. But it is Max who os the persistent one, following Neve home, trying to charm his way into her pants.
Realising that Max is not going to give up, Neve decides that he could be a good relationship practice before William returns. Ground rules are set; no holding hands, no sex and it will all be over once William is back on British soil. So much to everyone's surprise, Max and Neve embark on a pretend relationship, they have dates, share the same bed but there are no strings attached. Well there shouldn't be but once Neve realises that their time together is coming to an end she begins to wonder if William really is 'The One' and what will life be like without Max?
Sarra Manning has written an excellent book. Neve has bit of the Bridget Jones factor about her in that she is a woman that many female readers will completely identify with. She has aspirations, insecurities, fears and needs; she just didn't bet on Max becoming one of them.
You Don't Have to Tell Me That You Love Me is an absorbing, sexy read. Max and Neve are really well formed characters and I was a bit sad when I got to the last page. This really is a great book and I shall look out for others by Sarra Manning in the future.

Many thanks to Corgi / Transworld for sending me a copy of this book to review, it is available now!

Book Review: Wedlock by Wendy Moore

Precocious and indulged, Mary Eleanor Bowes was the richest heiress in eighteenth century Britain. Scandalous rumours were quick to spread when she fell under the spell of handsome Irish solider, Andrew Robinson Stoney. When Mary heard that her gallant hero was mortally wounded in a duel fought to defend her honour, she felt she could hardly refuse his dying wish to marry her.
Yet within hours of the ceremony, Stoney seemed to be in the grip of a miraculous recovery and Mary found herself trapped in an appallingly brutal marriage. She was terrorised by violence, humiliation, deception and kidnap but the life of Mary Eleanor Bowes is a remarkable tale of triumph in the face of overwhelming betrayal.

Wedlock has to be the best non-fiction book that I have read in a long while. I had to keep reminding myself that Mary Eleanor Bowes was not a fictional character but she had really lived through these horrendous events. Wendy Moore's book reads very much like a work of fiction, it is very detailed and the way she recounts Mary's life story from beginning to end has you gripped.
Mary Eleanor Bowes endured both physica; and mental abuse at the hands of the man she married. Andrew Robinson Stoney was a vile and sadistic man who would do anything for his own gain. Whilst there are many instances where the reader pities Mary during the book, Wendy Moore does not shy away from highlighting her many faults. Mary's unloving attitude to her eldest son cannot be explained nor can we ignore the consequences of her promiscuous behaviour before marriage. I think that Wendy Moore delivers a more credible book by presenting Mary warts and all. It is as if she is giving the reader all of the information she can in order for them to make their own minds up.
Moore highlights the lowly position of women during Mary's era. Mary came to the marriage with far more money, respectability and status but as soon as she had taken her vows she was powerless to the whims of her detestable new husband. What really struck me as I read the book was how many other Mary Eleanor Bowes were there and has the predicament of domestic abuse really changed that much. We know of Mary's treatment through diaries, letters and legal documents but how many other women suffered in the same way as her but did not divulge the mistreatment in any way.
I admit that I gave up turning back to the notes section each time that something was cited as I felt as though it took away the flow of the story for me. Wendy Moore has written a fascinating account of one woman's unbearably unhappy and harmful marriage. Even though dealing with Georgian England, the issue that Moore raises are unfortunately still relevant in this century.

Book Review: The Ice Cream Girls by Dorothy Koomson

The lovely people at Waterstones sent me a copy of The Ice Cream Girls by Dorothy Koomson. I read it over the weekend as it is a very difficult book to put down. I don't want to give too much of the excellent plot away so I am going to give you the blurb:

As teenagers, Poppy Carlisle and Serena Gorringe were the only witnesses to a tragic event. The two teenagers were dubbed 'The Ice Cream Girls' by the press and dealt with by the courts.
Years later, having led very different lives, Poppy is keen to set the record straight about what really happened, while Serena wants no one in her present to find out about her past. But some secrets will not stay buried and if theirs is revealed, everything will become a living hell all over again...

I think that many people would look at the cover of The Ice Cream Girls and assume that it is a feel good chick lit novel, however, Dorothy Koomson actually delivers a page-turning psychological thriller.
The book alternates between narratives from Poppy and Serena and this allows the reader to get to know the two characters very well. I found them to be completely believable as I was caught up in their past and present lives.
There are so many twists and turns in this book, Dorothy Koomson deals with extremely shocking subject matter in a sensitive and honest way. You are kept guessing right up until the very end and the final chapter was a complete shock to me.
The Ice Cream Girls looks at how the decisions we make affect our lives and those around us. However different their lives have been, Poppy and Serena are linked by their joint experiences and the decisions they were forced to make. They may not be friends but they have a bond that will always tie them together.
This is the second Dorothy Koomson book that I have read and I know that I will be looking out for her other ones from now on. The Ice Cream Girls has brilliant characters and a story that engages you the whole way through, I would highly recommend this book.

Waterstones are holding a live web chat with Dorothy Koomson today between 1 and 3pm, if you would like to ask the author anything then click on the link below to take part:

Live Web Chat with Dorothy Koomson hosted by Waterstones

Book Review: A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff

My lovely sister lent me this book after telling me how much she had enjoyed it which I was pleased about as I had bought it her as a birthday present!

Isabel Wolff introduces us to the character of Phoebe Swift, she used to be an auctioneer at Sotheby's but she has finally realised her dream of opening her very own vintage clothes shop. Phoebe's new venture is going extremely well yet she is still haunted by the recent loss of her best friend Emma and this is impacting on her whole life. When she goes to pick up a collection of clothes she meets an elderly lady called Therese who has her own sad story to share. Phoebe cannot ignore the similarities between her and Therese's stories and even though they are incredibly sad, they also show her that she has to move on with her life and not shut herself away from love any longer.

This book is full of detail about vintage clothing which adds a really interesting element. Phoebe Swift has a real passion for clothing from the past as she loves to imagine the stories and previous lives of the garments in her shop. However, it is the past that is almost holding pack Phoebe's future until her chance meeting with Therese.

A Vintage Affair was a good read which I very much enjoyed. Isabel Wolff's writing is witty and entertaining yet there are many poignant moments in the book that I had not been expecting. It does deal with fashion and beautiful clothing but ultimately this books is about friendship, trust and love and the ways in which we have to open our hearts to them.

Book Review: Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor

I have finished Forever Amber, all 972 pages of it! It is the lengthiest book that I have read in a long while and I loved every page of it.

Written by Kathleen Winsor and published in 1944, Forever Amber was considered extremely racy and was banned in 14 US states, however it remains a classic and has gone on to sell over three million copies.

Winsor tells the story of Amber St. Clare, she is 16 and pregnant when she finds herself penniless and abandoned on the unfamiliar streets of London. It is the time of the Restoration, Charles II is in power and London is going through many changes. Amber finds herself alone in the city after following the dashing Lord Bruce Carlton, leaving behind the quiet village life that she had known. Lord Carlton is a constant figure throughout the book, the only man who Amber loves but will never be able to possess fully. Amber has to use her feminine charms and beauty to rise from her sorry state and secure her own future. We follow her through Civil war, the bubonic plague and the great fire of London as she pursues the title of Charles II's favourite mistress and therefore security and wealth.

Kathleen Winsor was American and she had never visited London when she set out to write this great book. She undertook painstaking research over six years in order to recreate the atmosphere of Restoration England. Her thorough research is evident on nearly every page and this is the main reason that I loved the book. I felt as though I had learnt so much and her obvious enthusiasm for the time period is infectious.

Amber St. Clare is a thrilling character, there were chapters where I greatly admired her and others where I would happily have given her a good shake. Amber does everything she can to secure wealth and respectability, however, it is meaningless to Lord Carlton who will never make an honest woman of her due to Amber's lowly position of birth. As a character she embodies the fragile position that women held at the time compared to men. Amber is very cunning and clever yet time after time she suffers set backs due to being female.

The book must have been extremely shocking at the time of publication yet it would be considered mild by today's standards. There are no graphic sex scenes in the book but the behaviour of the characters as they plot and scheme is still shocking to the modern reader.

The descriptions of the Great Fire of London and the Plague are spectacular. Kathleen Winsor captures the terror, pain and sheer stench of death as she describes the impact on the country through the eyes of Amber and those around her.

Forever Amber will now always remain on my book shelf as a firm favourite. I was worried that I would lose interest due to it being so long but I simply could not put it down and I was very disappointed to reach the final page.

Book Review: Who's That Girl? by Alexandra Potter

What would you do if you could meet yourself aged twenty-one again? What advice would you give and what events from your life would you want to change? Who's That Girl? explores exactly that, Charlotte Merryweather bumps into her younger self and sets out to make some changes, however she begins to wonder if her present, thirty-one year old self is as happy with life as she should be. Charlotte runs her own successful PR agency, she is house hunting with Miles, her sensible and dependable boyfriend and life seems good. Yet when she is face to face with her 21 year old past she has to question as to what happened to the care-free, fun loving woman she used to be?

Alexandra Potter is a new author for me but she is a very welcome discovery. The book revolves around such a clever idea and it does leave you wondering what you would say to your twenty-one year old self if given the chance. I loved the parts of the book between the present Charlotte and the old one, you get to see how much she has changed and how her present day situation is so different from the one she thought she wanted.

Alexandra Potter brings a lot of humour to this book. I found it to be fast paced and entertaining; I shall be looking out for her other books in the future.

Book Review: Blacklands by Belinda Bauer

This is one of the most disturbing books that I have read in a long while. Blacklands is Belinda Bauer's first novel and follows the relationship created between Steven Lamb and Arnold Avery who is a convicted paedophile and serial killer.

Steven's Uncle Billy was killed by Avery before Steven was even born, sadness and uncertainty has hung over Steven's family ever since. His Nan still waits for Uncle Billy's return as Avery has never revealed the whereabouts of the young boy's remains.

Steven is convinced that his family will be happy if they can lay Billy to rest so in his spare time he goes digging on the treacherous moors in search of his uncle's body. Frustration and desperation leads him to send Arnold Avery a letter and so the game begins.

Belinda Bauer really takes the reader into the mind and thoughts of Avery which obviously makes for pretty disturbing reading. What really shone through for me though is the devastation caused to the family by their loss and the power wielded by the killer even when he has been locked away.

Steven Lamb is a wonderful character and I think that you get a real sense of the responsibility that he feels. It is a massive burden that he carries with him as he sets out to bring some happiness to his downtrodden family.

The subject matter of this book is disturbing but the idea and the way that Belinda Bauer explores it is fascinating. I was gripped all the way through and although you cannot describe Blacklands as a nice book, I wouldn't be put off as it is definitely worth a read.

Book Review: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

I really wanted to read something festive and finally read some Dickens, so A Christmas Carol was perfect for both! It was first published on 19th December, 1843 and as we all know it has remained popular with both film and musical adaptations being made of this classic Christmas story. Dickens was inspired by his own childhood experiences and his sympathy for the poor, especially young children.
The story begins on Christmas Eve where we meet one of literature's great characters, Ebenezer Scrooge, a man whose only desire is to make money even though he doesn't seem to gain any pleasure or comfort from it. We learn that it is seven years since Scrooge's business partner, Jacob Marley died, he now runs the business alone with very little care or concern for his few staff.
Returning home for Christmas, Scrooge is confronted by the ghost of Jacob Marley fettered in heavy chains. Marley warns Scrooge that he too will bear these heavy chains in eternity unless he mends his ways. Before disappearing, he tells Scrooge to expect visits from three other spirits.
The Ghost of Christmas Past arrives first and takes Scrooge back to his childhood, which highlights how much he has changed. The Ghost of Christmas Present is next and his visit takes Scrooge to the home of his nephew Fred and also to the home of his employee Bob Cratchit and family. It is clear for Ebenezer Scrooge to see how happy they all are in spite of having hardly any wealth or material possessions. Finally we meet The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come who presents Scrooge with some horrible visions of the future where Scrooge has died but is hardly missed.
The three ghostly visits greatly affect Scrooge and it appears that he has learnt a valuable lesson. He is far more generous with this time and affection with regards to his nephew and he takes more notice of his employee Bob Cratchit and provides care for Bob's crippled son, Tiny Tim.
A Christmas Carol really does capture what Christmas is all about, Dickens makes you take stock of who or what you have in your life and reminds you to be thankful for it. Whether you read the book or watch one of the film versions, the message carried in Dickens' Tale is just perfect for this time of year.

Book Review: The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

I must be one of the very few people who had not read this book. When it first came out I was really put off by all of the hype surrounding it plus I hate books that jump back and forth which this one obviously would. However, the release of the film caught my interest and I decided to give the book a go. I am so, so glad that I did because I think that The Time Traveler's Wife is simply stunning.
It is the love story of Claire Abshire and Henry DeTamble. They met when Claire was six and Henry thirty-six and then they married when Claire was twenty-two and Henry was thirty. Confusing? The concept took a little bit of getting used to but the idea is that Henry suffers from a genetic condition which causes him to involuntarily travel back and forth in time.
Audrey Niffenegger has created a basic love story with extraordinary circumstances. I loved the realness of Claire and Henry's relationship; Claire admits that she sometimes quite enjoys the time to herself that she gets when Henry disappears, even though it is always a huge relief when he returns. Henry and Claire are beautifully constructed characters and we are told the story from both of their perspectives which adds another dimension to the book.
As the reader, I very quickly accepted Henry and the condition he has. I felt like this was mirrored in the character of Claire, she meets Henry when she is only six years old and so the way he is, is almost normal to her as she has not really known anything different. I did think that when other characters in the book were made aware of Henry's condition they accepted it very quickly. I am not sure in real life if I would believe in something like that without wanting to ask hundreds of questions first.
Audrey Niffenegger explores relationships, love, loss, loyalty, absence and loneliness through her story of Claire and Henry. I could not put this book down and the ending had me in tears mainly because I just did not want the book to finish. I think that this is a beautiful book and I only wish that I had read it sooner. I will not be waiting so long to read the author's new book Her Fearful Symmetry which has been getting rave reviews. I'm not sure now that I have finished the book of The Time Traveler's Wife whether I will watch the film adaptation or not. I'm a little worried that it will be no where near as good as the book. If you, like me are one of the few who haven't read this yet then I urge you to get a copy, I loved it!