BOOK REVIEW: The Art of Baking Blind by Sarah Vaughan

There are many reasons to bake: to feed; to create; to impress; to nourish; to define ourselves; and sometimes, it has to be said, to perfect. But often we bake to fulfil a hunger that would be better filled by a simple gesture from a dear one. We bake to love and be loved.
In 1966, Kathleen Eaden, cookery writer and wife of a supermarket magnate, published The Art of Baking, her guide to nurturing a family by creating the most exquisite pastries, biscuits and cakes.
Now, five amateur bakers are competing to become the new Mrs Eaden. There's Jenny, facing an empty nest, now her family has flown; Claire, who has sacrificed her dreams for her daughter, Mike, trying to parent his two kids after his wife's death, Vicki who has dropped everything to be at home with her baby boy; and Karen, perfect Karen, who knows what it's like to have nothing and is determined her facade shouldn't slip.
As unlikely alliances are forged and secrets rise to the surface, making the choicest choux bun seems the least of the contestant's problems. For they will learn- as Mrs Eaden did before them- that while perfection is possible in the kitchen, it's very much harder in life. 

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Pages: 417

The Art of Baking Blind by Sarah Vaughan is such a good book! With The Great British Bake Off on our TVs again, the publication of the paperback version today is perfectly timed,

The book follows five amateur bakers, Jenny, Mike, Karen, Vicki and Claire as they compete in a competition to become the new Mrs Eaden. Kathleen Eaden, a famous cookery writer published The Art of Baking which became a classic (think Mary Berry or Delia Smith) All five contestants hold Mrs Eaden in high regard so the competition is high.
Each competitor has their own back story plus the book goes back in time to show Kathleen Eaden's life when she was writing her famous book. So there is a lot going on but Sarah Vaughan brings it all together expertly, creating a plot that will keep you enthralled from the very beginning.
I felt that I identified with several of the main characters and the one thing they all have in common is their love of baking. I really loved how Vaughan showed how and why baking had become such a big part of their lives. Baking is one of my hobbies and I think that the author cleverly showed how emotive it is as a past-time. I love trying new recipes and getting them right but the main reason I enjoy baking is that I like to be able to share it with other people. I love it when my daughter asks for a particular cake that I make as I know that I have created something that she enjoys and will remember from her childhood.
The Art of Baking Blind appealed to me on so many different levels. It was warm, witty and insightful. I felt like it was a very comforting read that resonated with me, I highly recommend that you read it,

Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with a review copy via NetGalley.  

Book Review: Before I Go by CoLleen Oakley

Her time is running out.
How can Daisy ensure that Jack will live happily ever after?
On the eve of what was supposed to be a triumphant 'Cancerversay' with her husband Jack to celebrate three years of good health, Daisy suffers a devastating blow: her doctor tells her that the cancer is back, but this time it's terminal.
Death is a frightening prospect- but not because she's afraid for herself. Terrified of what will happen to her brilliant but charmingly helpless husband when she's no longer there to take care of him, she stumbles on the solution: she has to find him another wife.
With a singular determination, Daisy searches for Jack's perfect match. But as the thought of her husband with another woman becomes all too real, Daisy is forced to decide what's more important in the short amount of time she has left, her husband's happiness or her own?

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Pages: 320

This book is heartbreaking but such an interesting read. I have read a few books where the main character is dying from Cancer but I think this one is the most honest.
Daisy is due to celebrate being clear of cancer for three years when her oncologist delivers the awful news that her cancer has returned and it is terminal. Her life expectancy has been reduced to months and there is nothing she can do. Daisy focuses on her husband Jack and what will happen to him once she has gone. She decides that she needs to find him a new wife so that he won't be on his own. But is she really strong enough to find her own replacement and what if Jack ends up loving someone more than her?
I really like Daisy and she goes through so, so much in this book. As you would expect, her emotions are all over the place; anger, sadness, relief, jealousy are just a few that are explored. There were times that I wanted to shout at her to just enjoy the time that she has left instead of looking for Jack's new wife. But then I had to think how I would react in that situation, knowing you only have a few months left to cram in as much as you can.
I couldn't dislike Jack as he was sc
arily like my own husband. I think it's a shame in a way that we only get the one chapter from Jack's perspective as it would have been interesting to read more about his reactions to Daisy's behaviour and illness.
Colleen Oakley doesn't hold back too much on the physical effects of Daisy's cancer and it's obvious that this book has been meticulously researched. She does not bog you down with detail but instead shows you the procedures and medications that Daisy has to endure and how they affect her.
This book is obviously incredibly sad but I have to say that I was very impressed by the level of humour that the author included in the book. The funny moments mainly occurred between Daisy and Jack but they were entirely believable and much needed.
Before I Go is a book that will make you think about how you would behave in such a situation. But more importantly it makes you take stock of how lucky you are and how that can be taken away so quickly.
Colleen Oakley has written a very interesting, highly emotive debut novel and I was very impressed.

Many thanks to Allen & Unwin for sending me a review copy, Before I Go is out now! 

BOOK REVIEW: The Two Of Us by Andy Jones

This is not a love story.
It is a story about falling in love...
and what happens next...
Fisher and Ivy have been an item for a whole nineteen days. And they just know they are meant to be together. The fact that they know little else about each other is a minor detail. Over the course of twelve months, in which their lives will change forever, Fisher and Ivy discover that falling in love is one thing but staying there is an entirely different story. 

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Pages: 451

I do not read a lot of books by male authors so I wasn't sure what to expect from The Two of Us by Andy Jones but I really did think it was good.
The whole book is told from Fisher's perspective and I liked him straight away. His heart is in the right place and he just wants to do the best for those he loves. What's not to like?
I liked Ivy in the main but even by the end of the
book I didn't necessarily feel as though I knew her that well. There were a few points where she seemed quite selfish but this could just be because we don't get her side of the story. The two of them together though are brilliant and extremely realistic. Their relationship, for one reason or another becomes very serious very quickly and I liked how Andy Jones demonstrated that by showing them go through a very intense set of emotions and feelings.
There were some chapters of the book that I found a little slow but the ending more than made up for these. The last few chapters of this book were like a master class in how it should be done. There were so many ups and downs packed in and so much emotion. I felt that Andy Jones dealt with it all beautifully.
I used to read a lot more by male authors (Tony Parsons and Mike Gayle in particular) but then I found it really hard to find a male author who I could still identify with. I think I may have found him again in Andy Jones, I hope this author goes on to write more books as he clearly has more to offer.

Many thanks to Clare at Simon and Schuster for sending me a copy of the book to review, it is out now! 

Book Review: Three Amazing Things About You by Jill Mansell

Hallie has a secret. She's in love. He's perfect for her in every way, but he's seriously out of bounds. And her friends aren't going to help her because what they do know is that Hallie doesn't have long to live. Time is running out.
Flo has a dilemaa, She really likes Zander. But his scary sister won't be even faintly amused if she thinks Zander and Flo are becoming frriends- let alone anything more.
Tasha has a problem. Her new boyfriend is the adventurous type and she's afraid one of his adventures will go badly wrong.
Three Amazing Things About You begins as Hallie goes on a journey. A donor has been found and she's about to be given new lungs. But whose?

Publisher: Headline Review

Pages: 382

Publication Date: TODAY! 

Three Amazing Things About You is Jill Mansell's latest fantastic book. I read it in just over a day and it reminded me how much I enjoy this author's writing.
Hallie is the central character, she is only 26 but she has cystic fibrosis so she is very aware that her time is limited. She has very strong feelings for Luke but she can't act upon them as while Luke is a good friend he is also her GP. Hallie keeps her feelings a secret but how will she take it if he meets someone else?
Flo is another lovely character and she becomes more and more important as the book develops. Her attraction to Zander is a shock to her but she completely underestimated his nightmare sister who will do everything she can to wreck their happiness.
Tasha meets Rory in a very entertaining way but she can't believe how quickly she falls in love. He's a complete adrenalin junkie and his friends question whether she is too sedate for him. When their relationship is put under a huge pressure, Tash shows to everyone just how much she loves Rory and will do all she can to be by his side.
These separate characters come in to each other's lives at several points without interacting; they may just be in the same place or mention a shared acquaintance. I think this really helped explore the idea of fate, how much of our destiny do we actually control?
I think that one of the things Jill Mansell does best is the interaction between her characters. Her dialogue is effortless which makes them more believable.
Cystic fibrosis is a big issue to approach and I felt that it was handled really well. I know somebody who has cystic fibrosis and I really did feel that it was clear to see that Jill Mansell had done her research. I was very impressed with how this book will raise awareness about cystic fibrosis and organ donation.
Three Amazing Things About You had me in tears at the end. It is an excellent book and I would highly recommend it.

Many thanks to NetGalley for a review copy of this book. 

Book Review: Unravelling Oliver by Liz Nugent

Oliver Ryan is a handsome and charismatic success story. He lives a life of enviable privilege and ease with his wife, Alice. Enviable until, one evening after dinner, Oliver attacks Alice so viciously that he beats her into a coma.
Oliver is stunned by his own actions. In the aftermath, as everyone tries to make sense of this astonishing act of savagery, he tells his story. So do those whose paths he has crossed over five decades.
What unfolds is both tragic and monstrous, a story of shame, envy, breath taking deception and masterful manipulation.
Only Oliver knows what he had to do to get the life he craved and to which he felt entitled. But even he is in for a shock when the past finally catches up with him. 

Publisher: Penguin

Pages: 231

Unravelling Oliver was a particularly interesting read. Oliver Ryan is a shocking character and I know that I will be thinking about this book for a long time. The opening line of the book immediately grabs you and draws you into the story:

I expected more of a reaction the first time I hit her.

At this point we don't know Oliver or Alice so you have no idea what has happened or why. The rest of the book explores Oliver's character an why he h
as physically assaulted his wife.
Each chapter is told from a different character's perspective, the only character we don't hear from is Alice. I loved this style of narration as it slowly built up a picture of Oliver and the monstrous acts he had committed throughout his life. I didn't feel that I came to any real conclusions about Oliver, he clearly suffered a loveless childhood but I didn't necessarily feel that this warranted his treatment of others, especially Alice.
Liz Nugent tells her story beautifully, it felt like quite a traditional story. She subtly built it up layer by layer; it felt effortless and it was very easy to immerse yourself in the tale.
Unravelling Oliver is an accomplished debut novel, Liz Nugent's writing is beautiful and captivating and I hope there will be more.

Many thanks to Penguin for sending me a copy of this book to review. 

Book Review: It's Raining Men by Milly Johnson

Best friends from work, May, Lara and Clare are desperate for some time away. They have each had a rough time lately and need some serious R&R. So they set off to a luxurious spa for ten glorious days, but when they arrive at their destination, it seems it is not the place they thought it was. In fact, they appear to have come to an entirely different village...
Here in Ren Dullem nothing is quite what it seems; the lovely cobbled streets and picturesque cottages hide a secret that the villagers have been keeping hidden for years.  Why is everyone so unfriendly and suspicious? Why does the landlord of their holiday rental seem so rude? And why are there so few women in the village?
Despite the strange atmosphere, the three friends are determined to make the best of it. But will this be the break they all need? Or will the odd little village with all its secrets bring them all to breaking point?

I started this book with the intention of taking it on holiday with me but I couldn't as I had finished it before I had even packed my case! I always know that I am in for a treat with Milly Johnson but this is my favourite of her books so far.
May, Lara and Clare find themselves in the small coastal village of Ren Dullem by accident when their booking at a luxury spa goes terribly wrong. Desperate for a holiday, the three friends decide to stay and make the most of it, yet they get much more than they bargained for.
This strange village could be beautiful yet it is the unfriendliest place these three women have ever visited. And what is with the lack of women, there are hardly any and May, Lara and Clare get stared at wherever they go. Their landlord Gene Hathersage and his brother are rather attractive but one seems to permanently be in a bad mood and the other has a vile fiancee who the whole village is terrified of.
I enjoyed this book so much. It had a slightly magical and mysterious edge to it and once I had started, I just couldn't stop reading.
I liked all three of the female characters and I enjoyed the separate story-lines that Milly Johnson had created, there is plenty going on to keep you interested.
The village of Ren Dullem is almost a character as well; I was intrigued as to what was going on and the secrets being kept by the inhabitants. I loved the ending and the little extra surprises included.
It's Raining Men is a funny, warm and entertaining read. Milly Johnson at her best.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 5/5

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Pages: 480

Many thanks to Simon and Schuster for sending me a copy of this book to review, it is out now!

Book Review: Playing Along by Rory Samantha Green

Two lives. Two Continents. One Song...
Then: George Bryce was an awkward, English schoolboy fantasising about being in a band.
Now: George is front man of Thesis, an overnight Indie scene sensation. Intense, creative and self-effacing, his childhood dreams have all been fulfilled- so why does George still feel so lost?
Then: Lexi Jacobs was a confident Californian high school cheerleader, planning her future marriage and a meaningful career.
Now: Lexi is searching for substance in a life full of mishaps. Cautious, bemused and rapidly losing the control she used to rely on., none of her teenage dreams have delivered and she's left wondering "What's next?"
Follow George and Lexi as they navigate their days thousands of miles apart. Fly with them from London to LA and back again, as George copes with the dynamics of his tight knit band and loose knit family, while Lexi juggles her eccentric new boss, bored best friend and smother mother.
Even though there's an ocean between them and their worlds couldn't be further apart, George and Lexi are pulled together through music, and their paths appear determined to cross.
The question is- when?

Playing Along by Rory Samantha Green was such a refreshing read that I had real trouble putting it down.
The book doesn't contain chapters but instead shifts between George and Lexi's perspectives in short bursts. I really enjoyed this style as it felt extremely personal so I got to know the two main characters very quickly.
I liked Lexi and I thought that her character brought a lot of humour to the story. But it was the character of George that made this book so good. I loved the way in which the author explored the many sides of him. There's the rock star who lo
ves being on stage and meeting the fans but behind all of that is an incredibly vulnerable person who is chasing acceptance and respect from his own parents.
I was willing Lexi and George to get together as you get the feeling that they would be perfect for each other. I don't know if Rory Samantha Green knows someone in the music business but I felt that she painted a very realistic picture of life within a world-famous band.
Playing Along will capture your attention and emotions from beginning to end, you will fall in love with George but more than anything you will want George and Lexi to be find each other.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 4.75/5

Pages: 290

Publisher: Write To Be You Press

Many thanks for the review copy of this book, Playing Along is available to buy now!

BOOK TOUR: The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty

I was really excited when I was asked to taken part in the book tour for Liane Moriarty's new book, The Husband's Secret. I received a copy of the book which has a ridiculously beautiful cover plus a letter which looked like this:

How long did I wait to open the letter? Hmmmmm, about 30 seconds! It's such a good idea though as it made me see
how I would react if in the same position as one of the book's characters. I won't tell you what was in the letter though as I know some people taking part in the tour have far better will-power than me and still haven't opened them! Anyway, let me tell you a little bit about the book and share my review, The Husband's Secret is going to be a big hit, it is a fantastic read!

Imagine your husband wrote you a letter, to be opened after his death. Imagine too, that the letter contains his deepest, darkest secret- something so terrible it would haunt not just the life you built together, but the lives of others too. Imagine then, that you stumble across that letter while your husband is still very much alive...
Cecilia Fitzpatrick achieved it all- she's an incredibly successful businesswoman, a pillar of her small community and a devoted wife and mother. Her life is as orderly and spotless as her home. But that letter is about to change everything and not just for her: Rachel and Tess barely know Cecilia- or each other- but they too are about to feel the earth-shattering repercussions of her husband's devastating secret.
You have to read this book! It is my favourite book of 2013 and I just didn't want it to end. I very much enjoyed Liane Moriarty's previous book What Alice Forgot but I believe that The Husband's Secret is even better and I am so excited as to what this author will do in the future.
Cecilia Fitzpatrick is a loving wife and a mother of beautiful daughters. However, her whole world comes crashing down when she finds a letter from her husband to be read upon his death. But John-Paul is not dead, he is just away on a business trip. There are many references to Pandora's Box in the book and it is a perfect comparison. The letter written by John-Paul acts as a devastating catalyst, it sets off a series of events that will change their lives and those around them forever.
The Husband's Secret is a seriously gripping read as you are constantly asking yourself what would you do, what would you say, how would you react? All of the characters in this book have secrets, some more serious than others; Liane Moriarty looks at why we keep secrets, what our limits are and the consequences of secrets being discovered. Cecilia Fitzpatrick is a particularly interesting character, she is a woman very much in control at the beginning of the book but when she discovers her husband's secret, her life seems to unravel layer by layer and you get a real sense of the burden she feels knowing the truth and the responsibility placed in her hands.
It's hard to review the book without giving the plot away but I urge you to read The Husband's Secret, it is a fascinating book with an intricate plot and it will leave you with so much to think about.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 5/5

Pages: 416

Publisher: Penguin

Many thanks to Penguin for inviting me to take part in this blog tour, here's a little video about this book, it is out now!

Book Review: The Heart Whisperer by Ella Griffin

On her thirty-third birthday, Claire Dillon decides that it's finally time to grow up. She will give herself twelve months to try to sort her life out. Her mother was thirty-three when she drowned. The accident happened on Claire's seventh birthday and deep down, Claire feels it was her fault. Her mum had everything to live for but Claire's life is a mess...
All her relationships have just fizzled out over the years. Her acting career is going nowhere and thirty-three in acting years, is somewhere between forty-five and extinct. Nothing in her life works. Her locks stick, her pipes howl, her computer has no letter 'p'. Her beloved car, Mossy, which used to belong to her mother, has one wiper and no reverse gear. If it weren't for the kindness of her oldest and her best friend, the gorgeous, charming and once-very-famous Ray Devine, she wouldn't even have a place to live. So she gives herself a year to turn her life around...

I very much enjoyed Ella Griffin's first book Postcards From the Heart so I was really pleased to receive her latest book, The Heart Whisperer.
The book follows Claire who has just turned thirty-three. She doesn't feel like she has much to celebrate, an out-of-work actress, no relationship, a clapped out car and living on the charity of her best friend. So Claire decides to turn her life around in the next 12 months. Her birthday is particularly poignant as Claire's mother drowned in a tragic accident on Claire's seventh birthday. Claire idolised her mother; a successful doctor with a marriage and two children, she had everything to live for.
Claire's brother Nick practically raised her when their mother died but now they barley speak plus Nick is having problems in his own marriage which is a little inconvenient as he has just landed a TV spot as a relationship counsellor.
Throughout all of this Claire relies on her best friend Ray Devine who used to be in a very famous band. Ray is living off the royalties nowadays and looking after Claire but maybe he is doing too much for her; he needs her to stand on her own too feet and this may require him pushing her away.
I really enjoyed The Heart Whisperer and Claire's character in particular. She brings a lot of humour to the book but also a lot of humility and poignant moments. Her relationship with Ray is really interesting and was one of my favourite parts of the book.
I really tried but I couldn't take to the character of Nick. You appreciate

by the end of the book just how much he did for Claire and the things he protected her from but there was something about him that didn't click for me.
 Marian Keyes has been quoted as saying that 'Ella Griffin can make you laugh and then cry in the turn of a page' and I think that is the perfect quote to describe this author. The Heart Whisperer is an entertaining read with many comical moments but it really pulls at the heartstrings too.
Ella Griffin is definitely an author to keep an eye on and I hope she has many more books to offer in the future.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 4/5

Pages: 368

Publisher: Orion

Many thanks to the publishers who sent me a copy of this book to review, The Heart Whisperer is available now.

Book Review: The Vintage Teacup Club by Vanessa Greene

At a car boot sale in Sussex, three very different women meet and fall for the same vintage tea set. They decide to share it- and form a friendship that changes their lives...
Jenny can't wait to marry Dan. Then after years of silence, she hears from the woman who could shatter her dreams.
Maggie has put her broken heart behind her and is gearing up for the biggest event of her career- until she's forced to confront the past once more.
Alison seems to have it all: married to her childhood sweetheart, with two gorgeous daughters. But as tensions mount, she is pushed to breaking point.
Dealing with friendship and families, relationships and careers, highs and lows, The Vintage Teacup Club is heart-warming story-telling at its very best. 

My very lovely friend Kim from Still Reading sent me The Vintage Teacup Club as she enjoyed it so much and I am glad she did as I loved it!
It's a great idea to use a vintage tea set to tie the three characters together. Jenny, Maggie and Alison meet at a car boot sale where they all approach the same buyer of a tea set. Instead of someone missing out, the ladies decide to share it and a new friendship group is borne.
Vanessa Greene writes with great warmth and understanding as she delves into these three women's lives. Each is at a different stage in their relationship and I loved how they all helped each other out and gave advice from different view-points.
Each chapter is written from one of the character's perspectives so we learn a lot about the issues they are facing plus the developing friendship between all three.
Vanessa Greene has written a heart-warming story with a good pace. I could imagine the book being made into a feel-good film, maybe something along the lines of The Calendar Girls. This is the first book I have read by Vanessa Greene, I really hope she writes more soon as I enjoyed this one.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 4.75/5

Pages: 416

Publisher: Sphere

Book Review: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Who are you?
What have we done to each other?
These are the questions Nick Dunne finds himself asking on the morning of his fifth wedding anniversary, when his wife Amy suddenly disappears. The police suspect Nick. Amy's friends reveal that she was afraid of him. He swears it isn't true. A police examination of his computer shows strange searches. He says they weren't made by him. And then are the persistent calls on his mobile phone. So what did happen to Nick's beautiful wife?

There has been so much hype about this book and I am pleased that I have finally got round to reading it. I think the hype is very much deserved and I am extremely excited about the movie being made, especially as Gillian Flynn is on board to write the screen-play.
Gone Girl is about Nick and Amy. Amy disappears on their fifth wedding anniversary. The police suspect Nick and soon the evidence is mounting up; her friends say Amy was frightened of Nick; his Internet search history is highly suspicious and why does he have a secret disposable mobile phone?
Gillian Flynn has written such a clever book, it becomes clear that Amy and Nick are unreliable narrators. I felt like I had just worked everything out when it all changed again and I was just left with more questions. I don't think I have ever read a book with so many twists and turns, the ending completely blew me away.
Gone Girl examined so many different ideas; how well we really know those we love, relationships within a family and how our childhood shapes us plus the lengths people will go to in order to keep a secret.
I found the first third of the book really difficult to get into but it soon became more and more intriguing. I began to enjoy the unreliable narration as it was such a challenge to work out what was real or not.
Gone Girl is a fantastic read, it is dark, gripping and leaves you with a lot to think about.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 4.75/5

Publisher: Phoenix

Pages: 496

Book Review: The Son-in-Law by Charity Norman

On a sharp winter's morning, a man turns his back on prison. Joseph Scott has served his term. He's almost lost everything: his career as a teacher, his wife, the future he'd envisaged. All he has left are his three children but he is not allowed anywhere near them.
This is the story of Joseph, who killed his wife, Zoe. Of their three children who witnessed the event. Of Zoe's parents, Hannah and Frederick, who are bringing up the children and can't forgive or understand Joseph.
They slowly adjust to life without Zoe, until the day Joseph is released from prison...

Charity Norman just gets better. I very much enjoyed her first book, After the Fall but I think that The Son-in-Law is her best yet.
Joseph Scott leaves prison, the only thing he has been thinking about, focusing on, is seeing his three children, Scarlett, Theo and Ben. But does he have the right to see them? Will they want to see him? The last time they saw him they witnessed Joseph kill their mother, Ben was in Zoe's arms as she fell to the floor.
We follow the family as Joseph tries to re-stablish contact. The readers discovers the events leading up to Zoe's death. How Zoe's parents, Hannah and Freddie have cared for the children. How their lives will never be the same again and the way this impacts on their individual futures.
Each chapter is told from the perspective of either Joseph, Hannah or Scarlett so we always get their different view point of the same events. Each character in this book is conflicted and broken, they all loved Zoe and would do anything to have her back but they all know that is not possible.
Scarlett and her brothers are incredibly angry at their father and maybe a little frightened but he is still their Dad. They want to see him but they feel disloyal to Hannah and Frederick who have cared for them and loved them so well.
Hannah and Frederick will never forgive Joseph for taking their daughter and they are prepared to fight him all the way but they also have to remove their feelings and emotions and only consider what is best for the children. But how can they hand over their precious grandchildren to the very man who killed their daughter?
Charity Norman has written a really intricate story that explores the many ties that hold a family together.. The ending had me in tears as it is so clear that everyone wants the children to
be happy and so sacrifices have to be made.
The Son-in-Law is a fantastic read. I think that Charity Norman's book gives you a lot to think about which is one of the best things about reading. The writing style is engaging and you will be gripped from the very beginning. I am already looking forward to Charity Norman's next book.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 5/5

Pages: 304

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Many thanks to the lovely Sam at Allen and Unwin for sending me a copy of this book to review, The Son-in-Law is out now!

Book Review: Someday I'll Find You by Richard Madeley

James Blackwell is handsome, sexy, with an element of mystery about him. He's a fighter pilot- every girl's dream. At least that is what Diana Arnold thinks when her brother John first introduces them. They marry in haste, one summer morning in 1940, and Diana is still wearing her wedding dress when her new husband and John are summoned back to base to fly their next, terrifying mission.
Then fate delivers what is the first of its cruel twists; James, that very day is show down over Northern France. Diana is left a widow- and pregnant with their child.
Ten years later, living in the South of France with her new husband and a daughter who will never know her real father. Diana is content and flourishing in the Provençal sunshine. Until one morning, sipping her coffee in the town square, she hears something that makes her blood run cold: the voice of someone who will set out to torment her and blackmail her, and from whom there can only be one means of escape...

Someday I'll Find You is a brilliant fictional debut from Richard Madeley. I don't read many books by male authors but I am a big fan of Richard and Judy so I was intrigued.
Diana Arnold is drawn to James Blackwell when they are introduced by her brother who is in the same flying squadron. They have a whirlwind romance and marry in the summer of 1940. However, fate intervenes  and James is shot down on their wedding night. Diana finds herself a pregnant widow, one of many women in that situation at the time. Ten years later, Diana is living in the South of France with her new husband. One morning in the village square she hears the voice of James Blackwell, but he died more than a decade ago, if not then where has he been all this time?
I was completely riveted by the story as it unfolded. Richard Madeley jumps back between the past and the present. We learn about how Diana and James met and Diana's life after the war. James really is a horrible character; Richard Madeley has created such an interesting villain. Diana's initial excitement at hearing his voice again soon turns to disbelief  as to how she could ever have married and lo
ved such a man.
I enjoyed Madeley's writing style, his chapters are short and snappy and I read this book over a couple of days, really struggling to put it down on several occasions.
Someday I'll Find You is a refreshing take on a classic World War II love story; Richard Madeley questions how you would feel if your loved ones did come back from the dead, especially if you don't really know the true person.
I will definitely read Richard Madeley's books in the future, he has a real knack for story-telling and I highly recommend this book.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 5/5

Pages: 416

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Many thanks to Simon & Schuster for sending me a copy of the book to review, it is out now!

Book Review: Kept By Elle Field

'Did she really just say that? I am fifteen again, except the reality is I am experiencing full paternal horror , aged twenty-five. I want to die.' Life hasn't quite worked out how Arielle Lockley imagined it would. Becoming the next Coco Chanel was always her childhood dream, but she's spent the last four years living a dizzying whirl of glitzy parties, luxurious holidays and daily shopping sprees- all paid for by boyfriend  Piers- and not doing anything to make her Coco dreams happen. When the recession hits, it's not just the economy that takes a tumble, and Arielle finds herself living back with her parents, on bad terns with Piers, and having a CV that's as welcome as a pair of knock-off Jimmy Choos. And maybe it's the location, but she's also finding unwelcome thoughts of her childhood sweetheart popping into her head... what's a girl to do? Can Arielle figure out what it is she now wants to do with her life and move on, or will she be doomed to spend the rest of her life dwelling over her worst mistakes, stuck listening to her parents embarrassing dinner table talk each night?

Kept is a brilliant debut novel from Elle Field. Arielle literally is a kept woman; she meets Piers who is happy to fund her life with his large earnings; Arielle is determined that the situation is a temporary one. But soon four years have gone by and Arielle's ambitions have not been met but she does have a well stocked wardrobe. Piers is under a huge amount of stress because of the recession so Arielle suddenly finds herself back at home with her parents, no achievements to speak of and a seriously out-of-date CV.
Kept is a classic tale of a young woman finding her way in life. Arielle has to be honest about what she wants to do with her life, there is only so much shopping she can do at the end of the day.
Whilst it is a classic plot, I found Elle Field's writing to be witty and stylish. Arielle's love life alone is enough to keep you reading the book but also I really took to this character and I was willing her to get her life and her future together.
Kept will appeal to readers of chick-lit and I felt that it had a similar feel to some of Marian Keye's ealry books. I think that Elle Field is one to watch out for and I would definitely read her next book.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 4.5/5

Book Review: Reflected in You by Sylvia Day

Gideon Cross. As beautiful and flawless on the outside as he was damaged and tormented on the inside. He was a bright, scorching flame that singed me with the darkest pleasures. I couldn't stay away. I didn't want to. He was my addiction...my every desire... mine.
My past was as violent as his, and I was just as broken. We'd never work. It was too hard, too painful... except when it was perfect. Those moments when the driving hunger and desperate love were the most exquisite insanity.
We were bound by our need. And our passion would take us beyond our limits to the sweetest, sharpest edge of obsession. 

Gideon and Eva's story continues in Reflected In You. Eva's past come backs to haunt them both and Gideon offers Eva a few glimpses of his devastating history. They are still deeply in love and unable to keep their hands off each other. Gideon will do anything not to lose Eva but even she perhaps is unaware as to how far he will go.
I found Gideon infuriating in this book; it feels like he expects a lot from Eva but isn't prepared to give as much back. Sylvia Day alludes to his past experiences but there were times when it felt as though he purposely antagonised Eva, spent ages apologising only to go and do it all over again.
Eva and Gideon are bad news for each other in so many ways but they are also each others' saviour. This interests me most in the book; they are almost wary of each other yet can't bear to be apart.
Toward the end of the book we learn a little about Gideon's past. I did kind of wonder why it has taken him so long to share it with Eva when she has been so honest from the beginning.
I think and hope we will discover more about Gideon in the next book. I will definitely continue with this series; the relationship between Gideon and Eva is fascinating and leaves you wanting more.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 3.75/5

Pages: 357

Publisher: Penguin

Many thanks to Penguin for sending me a copy of the book to review, it is out now! 

Book Review: The Silent Wife by A.S.A Harrison

Todd and Jodie have been together for more than twenty years. They are both aware their world is in  crisis, though neither is willing to admit it.
Todd is living a dual existence, while Jodie is living in denial. But she also likes to settle scores. When it becomes clear their affluent Chicago lifestyle could disintegrate at any moment, Jodie knows everything is at stake. It's only now she will discover how much she's truly capable of...

The Silent Wife is being talked about a lot and after reading it, I can see why.
The beginning feels a little slow but once I had got into the book I could see how clever the beginning was. A.S.A. Harrison paints Todd and Jodie's domestic life in great detail. As we learn of Todd's infidelity you can understand why he has strayed yet also why he doesn't want to lose everything he already has.
Jodie is a fascinating character, she is very cold and calculated and although we learn a lot about her, I can't say that I grew to like her in any way. We learn of Jodie's past through the transcriptions of her therapy sessions. I don't this necessarily explains Jodie's behaviour though. I was left wondering if Jodie really was in control of her actions.
I loved the atmosphere that A.S.A Harrison creates in the book. There is an impending sense that something awful is going to happen, I couldn't stop reading as I needed to know how events would unfold.
The Silent Wife swaps between the perspectives of Jodie and Todd. Todd's narration felt a little more helpless though. His behaviour is inexcusable but as a reader I saw him as being quite vulnerable. He is going about his daily life with no idea as to what Jodie is thinking and working herself up to; you almost want to warn him to watch his back.
The Silent Wife is such an interesting read, I felt that it really explored the nature of relationships; the roles we fulfil and what we are capable of when hurt by those we love. I think that A.S.A Harrison has written a strong, psychological thriller. It's a great legacy but also a great shame that this will be her only book.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 4/5

Pages: 384

Publisher: Headline

Many thanks to the lovely Ben at Headline Review for sending me a copy of this book, The Silent Wife is out now.

Guest Review: Pedigree Mum by Fiona Gibson

I have a lovely guest review for you today from my dear friend Kim. Kim lives in Hong Kong, we met through blogging and have been pen pals for the last few years, I am very excited as Kim is coming to the UK in August so we shall finally get to meet. She is a very lovely lady and has taken the time to review Pedigree Mum by Fiona Gibson, you can check out some of Kim's other review over at her blog, Still Reading. 

When Kerry Tambini upped sticks with her family to a new home on the coast, she couldn't have been happier. Then husband Rob made the biggest mistake of his life...
Stranded with her children in snooty Shorling, Kerry has plenty on her plate. So how can she say no to the kids' pleas for a dog when they're missing their father so dreadfully? Will adopting a wayward hound lead Kerry to a new love- or has she bitten off more than she can chew?
As she steps back into the dating world Kerry must juggle her family, her neurotic dog and try to fit in with the local pedigree mums, making her a true heroine of our time.

Kerry Tambini and her husband, Rob, get an offer to live by the sea in a small village called Shorling. After an idyllic family day out there they decide to leave the hustle and bustle of London behind and move with their two children to the coast. Then Rob makes the biggest mistake of his life and the whole family dynamic is changed.

Kerry soon realises how hard it is to bring up her children single-handedly in a village full of competitive, un-friendly mum’s. She feels heartbroken for her struggling children who are missing their father enormously, so, after months of them begging for a dog and in an attempt to cheer them up, she finally decides to adopt one.

Enter, Buddy!

The children and Kerry instantly fall in love with Buddy and his wayward ways and very soon he begins to fill part of the gap they all have in their lives. Then, just as things start to settle a little, Kerry finds she has a couple of admirers in Shorling but she struggles to feel romantic towards anyone after being so badly let down by Rob.

Firstly, let me say thank you to Dot at Dot Scribbles for sending me this book to review. This is the first Fiona Gibson book I have read and it was so enjoyable, I devoured it in a couple of days.

Underneath the funny and cringe-worthy happenings in each of these character’s lives, there are some serious issues being dealt with in the story which, on the whole, I think Fiona Gibson handles with honesty and humour. My only tiny comment would be that I feel Rob is treated very unsympathetically throughout the book and although he makes a huge mistake, I did feel a little bit sorry for him. Apart from that, I found this book to be entertaining and well worth setting aside some time to read. It is ideal for a holiday read.

Publisher: Avon

Pages: 400

Many thanks to Becke at Avon for sending this  book for review, Pedigree Mum is available now. 

Book Review: Follow Me Down by Tanya Byrne

First love. Last lie.
When Adamma Okomma has to leave her glossy high school in New York for a dusty English boarding school, she thinks it's the end of the world- or the end of her social life at least.
Then she meets the wicked-witted Scarlett Chiltern, who shows her all of Crofton College's darkest corners, and Adamma realises that there's much more to her new school than tartan skirts and hockey sticks.
She and Scarlett become inseparable, but when they fall for the same guy, the battle lines are fairly drawn.
Adamma gets the guy but loses her best friend. Then, when Scarlett runs away, Adamma finds herself caught up in something far more sinister than a messy love triangle. Adamma always knew that Scarlett had her secrets, but some secrets are too big to keep and this one will change all of their lives forever. 

I was blown away by Tanya Byrne's debut novel, Heart Shaped Bruise so I had mixed emotions when this one arrived. On the one hand I was extremely excited as I know what this author is capable of and on the other hand I was a little nervous in case it didn't live up to my expectations. But it turns out that I was more than right to be excited, Follow Me Down is brilliant and I enjoyed it just as much as Heart Shaped Bruise.
Adamma Okomma is the central character; the daughter of a Nigerian diplomat, she leaves her private high school in New York to begin at Crofton College, an English boarding school in the middle of nowhere. Initially Adamma thinks she is going to be bored senseless but then she meets Scarlett Chiltern who introduces her to Crofton's secrets; the parties, the secret ways out and the boys. It all goes wrong when Scarlett and Adamma fall for the same guy; is Adamma really prepared to lose her best friend for a guy that Scarlett has a huge hold over? Scarlett then goes missing, something she has done many times before. Whilst other people around her aren't concerned, Adamma sets out to find her best friend, she knows something is wrong. They may not be best friends anymore ut Adamma is one of only two people who truly understand Scarlett Chiltern.
The book is completely narrated by Adamma but flits between events before and after Scarlett's disappearance and the aftermath. This is such a clever narrative device; you are just beginning to discover something in one time frame when it jumps to a different one. It keeps you turning the pages as you are desperate to find out what happens.
I loved the contrast between Adamma and Scarlett; they are both from this exclusive and elite world yet they are entirely different. Scarlett in some ways is a bad influence but she also helps Adamma to grow. She can be very cruel to Adamma at times but I just thinks this serves to make Adamma stronger; she is far more mature and confident by the end of the book compared to when we first meet her.
Throughout Follow Me Down we are continually guessing as to what happened to Scarlett and the identity of the guy that both girls fall for. Both of these points are only revealed at the very end and I found myself thinking back through the book looking for the clues that had been so cleverly hidden. It is definitely a book that would deserve a second read as I am certain that you would discover even more when re-reading.
Tanya Byrne is such a good YA author, she is not afraid to tackle serious issues. I soFollow Me Down. 
metimes find with YA that an author will simply tackle an issue but not supply much of a plot. However, Tanya Byrne delivers both; her writing has real substance and I think her fans will be delighted with

Dot Scribbles Rating: 5/5

Pages: 368

Publisher: Headline

Many thanks to the lovely Sam from Headline for sending me a review copy, Follow Me Down is out now!

Book Review: The Husband Diet by Nancy Barone

What if the thing you really need to lose is him?
Erica Cantelli's life feels more suffocating than a size four dress.
On the surface she's maintaining the image of successful career woman, perfect wife and a doting mother with two young children.
In reality she's running out of hours in the day; 6 dress sizes bigger than she wants to be; ad the only man who shows her any affection is her gay best friend.
In fact, fantasising about how to kill her increasingly disinterested husband is just about all that keeps Erica sane. That and a whole different type of fantasising about the incredibly handsome new school principal, Julian Foxham.
When her husband jokes about trading her in for two size tens, Erica knows something has to change. But is another diet really the answer? Or is getting rid of him the fastest path to happiness? Now if she could only stop thinking about the gorgeous Mr Foxham, maybe she could make up her mind...
For any woman who's ever felt under-appreciated, or thought about giving up on their dreams, Erica is a laugh-out-loud funny breath of fresh air. 

The Husband Diet by Nancy Barone is an entertaining read. Erica has made sacrifices for her husband and two children so when her husband tells her that she is too fat and that he no longer finds her attractive, what should she do? Lose the weight and save her marriage or get rid of her husband in one of the many ways she has been fantasising about? Add into this problem, the handsome Julian Foxham, who has no problem with her size and who Erica can't get out of her head.
The Husband Diet is extremely light-hearted but it does not lack substance. Nancy Barone questions how far we will go to make others happy even if those actions, make you, yourself unhappy. Erica wants to save her marriage but she does not want to become a completely different person.
I enjoyed the characters that the author created and the writing style. My only criticism was that I felt as though some events were rushed. There were a few situations where I felt as though something was suddenly happening and there had not been much setting of the scene so I had to go back and read again to get my bearings.
Overall, Nancy Barone's book is very enjoyable. It will appear to readers who want a strong but realistic female character, the one who would pick the double chocolate cake over the fruit salad.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 3.75/5

Many thanks to the lovely Oliver at Bookouture, The Husband Diet is available on 31st May.

Check out the Bookouture website, they are doing very interesting things in digital publishing and have some really exciting titles coming out!

Book Review: The Sea Sisters by Lucy Clarke

Katie and Mia couldn't be more different. They might share the fullness of their lips, and the arch of an eyebrow but that's about where the similarities end. Katie, the eldest, is the sensible one, with  flourishing career and a stable, smart and loving fiance. Mia on the other hand is flyaway, with no ties and no responsibilities, no one to think about except herself.Katie had hoped the death of their mother would bring the two of them closer together and bridge the differences that had become more apparent as they got older. Persuading Mia to move to London with her, Katie tries to shoehorn Mia into her life, find her a job she can hold for more than two weeks and maybe even someone to settle down with.
Mia hates London. She misses the freedom of their home in Cornwall, the endless blue sea meeting somewhere in the middle. As their relationship looks set to reach breaking point Mia decides to go travelling. Katie mainly feels relief.
Then, one devastating night, Katie's told the news that Mia is dead- and it was suicide. When Mia's things arrive back from the other side of the world, Katie clings to the travel journal she finds in Mia's backpack. Although they've barely spoken since Mia left, Katie refuses to believe that she would take her own life. Heartbroken that they never made their peace, Katie decides to leave London, and using the journal as a guide, follows in Mia's footsteps to get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding her sister's death.

Wow, The Sea Sisters is a stunning debut by Lucy Clarke. I was completely absorbed by the story and I felt as though I knew the characters so well by the end of the book.
The Sea Sisters is told in alternating narratives by Katie and Mia so we often get both sisters views on the same situations which is a fantastic way of exploring their complex relationship.
Lucy Clarke examines the bond and relationship between sisters. I have an older sister myself so I very much identified with the feelings of Mia and Katie. Underlying everything is their love for each other but there are so many other emotions involved, some that they aren't even aware of themselves.
Lucy Clarke creates great suspense in this book, the reader is left wondering right until the very end as to whether Mia took her own life. We find out about events at the same time as Katie, just as Katie can't stop reading Mia's journal; we can't stop reading this book.
The Sea Sisters is an excellent debut. Lucy Clarke's writing is deep, thoughtful and moving; I highly recommend this book.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 5/5

Pages: 388

Publisher: Harper  Collins

Many thanks to Harper Collins for sending me a copy of this book to review, it is out now.