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443 reviews
How To Read A Killer's Mind by Tam Barnett
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.
Ever since Dr Emy Rose's brother Sam, 21, was kidnapped and murdered by serial killer Frank Elkins, her mother has suffered from traumatic mutism and hasn't spoken a word. That was ten years ago.
At the weekends, Emy who gets a first person POV, and her mother go searching for Sam's grave. In her work time, psychologist Emy is trying everything to get Frank Elkins to talk and reveal Sam's and his other victims' whereabouts. She has managed to get a project off the ground that allows her to interview serial killers in a facility called Beeswell, together with her colleagues and friends Chi and Robbie.
The inmates, beside Frank Elkins, are Joe Okorie who killed eight women, suffers from a personality disorder and is in love with Emy. He gets a third person POV. Then there is Tim Shenton, an intelligent psychopathic paedophile who is charged with raping and murdering his little nephew. He doesn't fit the criteria of Emy's study because he hasn't confessed and there is no body to be found, but Justice Secretary Harrington has ulterior motives that require him to confess before a trial, so in he comes.
Can Emy, with the help of her colleagues and journalist Leon, get some results for the victims' families, including her own, before Beeswell is shut down forever? And how far will she go in this psychological tug-of-war to achieve them?
There are some very unlikeable characters in this book, and many unpredictable twists and turns. The story takes a bit to get going but I would say this is better than Tam Barnett's first novel "How to Get Away with Murder". I stayed up all night to finish this. It's a fast read with gobsmacking twists I did not see coming! Recommended if you love a twisty thriller with unhinged psychopaths or sociopaths at every corner. If you love Katy Brent, you'll love Tam Barnett!
"If you can convince someone that you and they are on the same team, have the same goals, or the same purpose, it makes them far easier to manipulate and influence."
(Robert Cialdini's unity principle, also neatly explaining The Traitors here)
Ever since Dr Emy Rose's brother Sam, 21, was kidnapped and murdered by serial killer Frank Elkins, her mother has suffered from traumatic mutism and hasn't spoken a word. That was ten years ago.
At the weekends, Emy who gets a first person POV, and her mother go searching for Sam's grave. In her work time, psychologist Emy is trying everything to get Frank Elkins to talk and reveal Sam's and his other victims' whereabouts. She has managed to get a project off the ground that allows her to interview serial killers in a facility called Beeswell, together with her colleagues and friends Chi and Robbie.
The inmates, beside Frank Elkins, are Joe Okorie who killed eight women, suffers from a personality disorder and is in love with Emy. He gets a third person POV. Then there is Tim Shenton, an intelligent psychopathic paedophile who is charged with raping and murdering his little nephew. He doesn't fit the criteria of Emy's study because he hasn't confessed and there is no body to be found, but Justice Secretary Harrington has ulterior motives that require him to confess before a trial, so in he comes.
Can Emy, with the help of her colleagues and journalist Leon, get some results for the victims' families, including her own, before Beeswell is shut down forever? And how far will she go in this psychological tug-of-war to achieve them?
There are some very unlikeable characters in this book, and many unpredictable twists and turns. The story takes a bit to get going but I would say this is better than Tam Barnett's first novel "How to Get Away with Murder". I stayed up all night to finish this. It's a fast read with gobsmacking twists I did not see coming! Recommended if you love a twisty thriller with unhinged psychopaths or sociopaths at every corner. If you love Katy Brent, you'll love Tam Barnett!
"If you can convince someone that you and they are on the same team, have the same goals, or the same purpose, it makes them far easier to manipulate and influence."
(Robert Cialdini's unity principle, also neatly explaining The Traitors here)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
When You're Gone by Brooke Harris
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
God, this was depressing. In the past we have a mother and daughter being abused relentlessly and in the present we have a pregnant woman knowing her baby won't live. Cheers. Emotional and heartbreaking and way too intense. Loved The Secret Life of Beatrice Alright, but this wasn't for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
One Night at the Château: Escape to Provence with the Stunningly Feel-Good and Romantic New Story from the Bestselling Author! by Veronica Henry
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for this ARC.
Lismay and Piers bought Château Villette in Provence in 1985 after they discovered they couldn't have children. It was a somewhat spontaneous decision but they brought the château up to date and ran it like a B&B for 40 years.
Now Piers needs to get a hip operation and for some reason it has to be in London so they ask their goddaughter Connie to help out. Connie is 50, her husband has left her for an older model, her job has folded and she needs to sell the house, so she grasps the opportunity for a few months in the French sun with both hands, especially as she hopes to see Rémy Gaspard again who she had a fling with when she was younger and visiting.
There are quite a few flashbacks to 1985 which were interesting and gave Lismay and Piers more depth, but they took me out of Connie's story every time. Also, Piers and Lismay's complicated financial plan made no sense to me, nor did their business plan of "one night at the château". Daily handovers are a lot more labour intensive and expensive (so many sheets and towels to wash!) but apparently these two didn't have money problems, what with Piers earning well, and after selling their house being able to buy a small "bolthole" in London as well as renovating the château.
I loved the description of the French setting, with mouthwatering food and wine across the seasons. It's a lovely escapist story about bringing back to life not just a building but also the people connected with it. I loved all the characters, especially Lilou and new friend Fiona. The third-act break-up was annoying but it was the only conflict in an otherwise cosy and heartwarming story, full of people of all generations, helping each other out. The clean romance was not overpowering in this tale of friendship and second chances. Recommended.
Lismay and Piers bought Château Villette in Provence in 1985 after they discovered they couldn't have children. It was a somewhat spontaneous decision but they brought the château up to date and ran it like a B&B for 40 years.
Now Piers needs to get a hip operation and for some reason it has to be in London so they ask their goddaughter Connie to help out. Connie is 50, her husband has left her for an older model, her job has folded and she needs to sell the house, so she grasps the opportunity for a few months in the French sun with both hands, especially as she hopes to see Rémy Gaspard again who she had a fling with when she was younger and visiting.
There are quite a few flashbacks to 1985 which were interesting and gave Lismay and Piers more depth, but they took me out of Connie's story every time. Also, Piers and Lismay's complicated financial plan made no sense to me, nor did their business plan of "one night at the château". Daily handovers are a lot more labour intensive and expensive (so many sheets and towels to wash!) but apparently these two didn't have money problems, what with Piers earning well, and after selling their house being able to buy a small "bolthole" in London as well as renovating the château.
I loved the description of the French setting, with mouthwatering food and wine across the seasons. It's a lovely escapist story about bringing back to life not just a building but also the people connected with it. I loved all the characters, especially Lilou and new friend Fiona. The third-act break-up was annoying but it was the only conflict in an otherwise cosy and heartwarming story, full of people of all generations, helping each other out. The clean romance was not overpowering in this tale of friendship and second chances. Recommended.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, and Alcohol
They Had It Coming by Nikki Smith
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin General UK for this ARC.
So much is going on in this book that I made copious notes which had lots of question marks because this isn't just a simple story of Jude and Sophie visiting mates Nate and Layla in Bali on an extended holiday after a burglary before going back to London. Soon, there is trouble in paradise, and chaotic lives collide. Can they trust anyone?
Every one of those characters is hiding at least one, often more secrets, everyone is lying to the others, and the secrets are hinted at for such a long time before they are exposed that I was just jotting down keywords like "fire", "what was behind bathroom door?", "what happened at wedding?" and "lost job why?".
I was captivated by this book and finished it late at night but I'm sitting here now thinking how far-fetched it is that all these things happened to just those four people in the past. It's extremely well-written and full of twists and turns, but you have to suspend disbelief at all the coincidences and how bad the lads turn out to be. Also, the pacing is a bit off, with everything happening at once at the end.
We get four third person POVs interspersed with a mystery POV telling us a story in instalments that happened in 2007, and it takes the longest time to make the connection to the present. I can't say I saw any of the twists coming the way they did - beware of all the men in this story! Sure, Layla has a problem with alcohol and Sophie is a petty thief, but that's small fry against the other characters.
Also, if you're thinking of making a new life in Bali because it's so cheap and you can work anywhere as a "digital nomad" (#blessed), this book will hopefully disabuse you of that notion, as it makes quite clear how detrimental it is for the country and the Balinese people.
This is fantastic as a fast-paced beach read about some privileged people with issues. You have to pay real attention though about who is who and what their secrets are. If you like dark twisty thrillers, this tale of deceit and revenge is for you, but observe the content warnings as there are many.
So much is going on in this book that I made copious notes which had lots of question marks because this isn't just a simple story of Jude and Sophie visiting mates Nate and Layla in Bali on an extended holiday after a burglary before going back to London. Soon, there is trouble in paradise, and chaotic lives collide. Can they trust anyone?
Every one of those characters is hiding at least one, often more secrets, everyone is lying to the others, and the secrets are hinted at for such a long time before they are exposed that I was just jotting down keywords like "fire", "what was behind bathroom door?", "what happened at wedding?" and "lost job why?".
I was captivated by this book and finished it late at night but I'm sitting here now thinking how far-fetched it is that all these things happened to just those four people in the past. It's extremely well-written and full of twists and turns, but you have to suspend disbelief at all the coincidences and how bad the lads turn out to be. Also, the pacing is a bit off, with everything happening at once at the end.
We get four third person POVs interspersed with a mystery POV telling us a story in instalments that happened in 2007, and it takes the longest time to make the connection to the present. I can't say I saw any of the twists coming the way they did - beware of all the men in this story! Sure, Layla has a problem with alcohol and Sophie is a petty thief, but that's small fry against the other characters.
Also, if you're thinking of making a new life in Bali because it's so cheap and you can work anywhere as a "digital nomad" (#blessed), this book will hopefully disabuse you of that notion, as it makes quite clear how detrimental it is for the country and the Balinese people.
This is fantastic as a fast-paced beach read about some privileged people with issues. You have to pay real attention though about who is who and what their secrets are. If you like dark twisty thrillers, this tale of deceit and revenge is for you, but observe the content warnings as there are many.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Under One Sky by Zoe Folbigg
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.
The three main characters are Hector from Mexico, Cecilie from Norway and Kate from England. Hector meets Cecilie in 2013 in a Depeche Mode fan forum and they grow close but Hector still marries girlfriend Pilar in 2018, without changing his relationship with Cecilie. Kate is a put upon mother of three whose husband George is unfaithful. It is at first not clear how she fits into the story, and when it does it makes no sense as there seems to be too much of an age gap between her and Hector to have worked as a relationship in her youth.
This was originally published under the title The Distance and I wish I'd realised that instead of thinking this is the author's latest. The original came out in 2018 and I'm pretty certain I read it then and wasn't too taken with it.
It hasn't got any better, I'm afraid. The writing style is still confusing with several timelines, POVs and flashbacks, there is still off-putting bad language in it, and I've never felt so lost in a book, what with an entire character being completely superfluous to the story between Hector and Cecilie.
Also, people don't really inject words from their mother tongue into English all the time, it's very clichéd. Hector and Cecilie's online chats feel pretty awkward, with Hector's "Siiiiiii" to everything. Also, why is Cecilie's family constantly calling Hector "The Mexican"? That feels condescending and racist.
If infidelity is a trigger warning for you, avoid this book as just about every character is involved in it. There is also a casual mention of "I had a relationship with my teacher when I was 17 and he was 34" which gave me the ick.
I wasn't invested in the characters who had absolutely nothing in common with each other. The plot was boring and I didn't like all the infidelity. Not one of the very different lifestyles resonated with me and I particularly struggled with the plot in Mexico.
If you re-release a book after seven years, maybe check out the plot and writing style again instead of just slapping on a nice new cover. Some of the language in the book, especially the Mexican part, is unacceptable.
The three main characters are Hector from Mexico, Cecilie from Norway and Kate from England. Hector meets Cecilie in 2013 in a Depeche Mode fan forum and they grow close but Hector still marries girlfriend Pilar in 2018, without changing his relationship with Cecilie. Kate is a put upon mother of three whose husband George is unfaithful. It is at first not clear how she fits into the story, and when it does it makes no sense as there seems to be too much of an age gap between her and Hector to have worked as a relationship in her youth.
This was originally published under the title The Distance and I wish I'd realised that instead of thinking this is the author's latest. The original came out in 2018 and I'm pretty certain I read it then and wasn't too taken with it.
It hasn't got any better, I'm afraid. The writing style is still confusing with several timelines, POVs and flashbacks, there is still off-putting bad language in it, and I've never felt so lost in a book, what with an entire character being completely superfluous to the story between Hector and Cecilie.
Also, people don't really inject words from their mother tongue into English all the time, it's very clichéd. Hector and Cecilie's online chats feel pretty awkward, with Hector's "Siiiiiii" to everything. Also, why is Cecilie's family constantly calling Hector "The Mexican"? That feels condescending and racist.
If infidelity is a trigger warning for you, avoid this book as just about every character is involved in it. There is also a casual mention of "I had a relationship with my teacher when I was 17 and he was 34" which gave me the ick.
I wasn't invested in the characters who had absolutely nothing in common with each other. The plot was boring and I didn't like all the infidelity. Not one of the very different lifestyles resonated with me and I particularly struggled with the plot in Mexico.
If you re-release a book after seven years, maybe check out the plot and writing style again instead of just slapping on a nice new cover. Some of the language in the book, especially the Mexican part, is unacceptable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Infidelity
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Medical content, and Gaslighting
Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book UK for this ARC.
Jane and Dan have been married for 19 years and brought up two children, Sissy and Josh. They have booked an anniversary meal in the super exclusive La Fin du Monde Restaurant in the Californian mountains, where, over the lobster, Jane calmly informs Dan that she wants a divorce.
Before Dan even gets the chance to react, the place is stormed by eco-activists with a personal grudge who take everyone hostage. The strange thing is that six years ago Jane had a not very successful book published about activists holding up a restaurant (well, tea room), and suddenly life seems to be imitating art. To say that this is an unexpected development is an understatement - especially when Dan and Jane figure out who one of the activists is. Jane thinks she knows the ending to her book and therefore this situation, but does she?
Told in dual, third person POV, this is as much a detailed analysis of a nearly 20 year old marriage and the parenting of teenagers as it is about eco-activism, crypto currency and arrogant chefs in over-hyped restaurants for the rich. It almost reads like a satire - a theatre play of this would be a hoot. It's a quirky, hilarious drama with many twists and turns where the world seems to be ending personally and on a larger scale, signified by the name of the restaurant and the position on the edge of a cliff.
Granted, it drags a bit in the middle when we are waiting for Otto, and Jane and Dan pass the time by having petty arguments, plus cop Kip doesn't get much of a look-in, but altogether this is an engaging read that will keep you on your toes. I liked sweet, clueless podiatrist Dan from the beginning, and Jane grew on me too. And a hurray at being really good at frisbee!
Jane and Dan have been married for 19 years and brought up two children, Sissy and Josh. They have booked an anniversary meal in the super exclusive La Fin du Monde Restaurant in the Californian mountains, where, over the lobster, Jane calmly informs Dan that she wants a divorce.
Before Dan even gets the chance to react, the place is stormed by eco-activists with a personal grudge who take everyone hostage. The strange thing is that six years ago Jane had a not very successful book published about activists holding up a restaurant (well, tea room), and suddenly life seems to be imitating art. To say that this is an unexpected development is an understatement - especially when Dan and Jane figure out who one of the activists is. Jane thinks she knows the ending to her book and therefore this situation, but does she?
Told in dual, third person POV, this is as much a detailed analysis of a nearly 20 year old marriage and the parenting of teenagers as it is about eco-activism, crypto currency and arrogant chefs in over-hyped restaurants for the rich. It almost reads like a satire - a theatre play of this would be a hoot. It's a quirky, hilarious drama with many twists and turns where the world seems to be ending personally and on a larger scale, signified by the name of the restaurant and the position on the edge of a cliff.
Granted, it drags a bit in the middle when we are waiting for Otto, and Jane and Dan pass the time by having petty arguments, plus cop Kip doesn't get much of a look-in, but altogether this is an engaging read that will keep you on your toes. I liked sweet, clueless podiatrist Dan from the beginning, and Jane grew on me too. And a hurray at being really good at frisbee!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Medical content, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Best Summer Ever by Heidi Swain
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for this ARC.
Daisy, 28, is returning to her hometown of Wynmouth, Norfolk after having left her materialistic boyfriend Laurence. Her parents live and work on the Wynbrook Manor Estate for owner Algy who has always been somewhat of a grandfather to Daisy.
Daisy takes a job in the pub working for Sam from the previous book The Secret Seaside Escape while she mulls over what she really wants to do. Her parents aren't too happy about her turning up without Laurence, and they don't like it at first when she falls in insta-love with Josh, an American tourist. But is Josh all he seems?
I liked the community that always help each other out, with Sam, Tess, Nick and Penny always on hand. Daisy starts out as a petulant child and is treated as thus by her exasperated parents, but they have no right to interfere in her relationship with Laurence. Algy and Josh are lovely but could be less secretive.
This is a good description of a warm summer with a lot of swimming and outdoor eating, picking fruit and tending flowers. All this doesn't distract from the fact though that this is a fairly formulaic and predictable story - cosy but forgettable. It's feel-good, clean and light-hearted - regular readers of Heidi Swain will appreciate knowing exactly what they are going to get.
Daisy, 28, is returning to her hometown of Wynmouth, Norfolk after having left her materialistic boyfriend Laurence. Her parents live and work on the Wynbrook Manor Estate for owner Algy who has always been somewhat of a grandfather to Daisy.
Daisy takes a job in the pub working for Sam from the previous book The Secret Seaside Escape while she mulls over what she really wants to do. Her parents aren't too happy about her turning up without Laurence, and they don't like it at first when she falls in insta-love with Josh, an American tourist. But is Josh all he seems?
I liked the community that always help each other out, with Sam, Tess, Nick and Penny always on hand. Daisy starts out as a petulant child and is treated as thus by her exasperated parents, but they have no right to interfere in her relationship with Laurence. Algy and Josh are lovely but could be less secretive.
This is a good description of a warm summer with a lot of swimming and outdoor eating, picking fruit and tending flowers. All this doesn't distract from the fact though that this is a fairly formulaic and predictable story - cosy but forgettable. It's feel-good, clean and light-hearted - regular readers of Heidi Swain will appreciate knowing exactly what they are going to get.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Medical content, and Abandonment
How to Slay on Holiday by Sarah Bonner
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.
Chloe Wilson, 29, has organised a group holiday on Mykonos, Greece in a luxury villa for the entire Wilson - Cooper clan. She has planned husband Scott Cooper's murder by contract killer for months, and this trip is to convince the family that it can't have been her.
However, everything goes wrong. Scott does end up dead, but a week early, and rumours fly about who it could have been. There are parents, siblings and spouses, so there is plenty of scope for family rivalries, secrets and lies. We get three alternating POVs - Chloe, Scott's sister Tori and villa concierge Grace who might not be who she says she is.
I had high hopes for this as I loved the author's previous book How To Slay At Work. Unfortunately my hopes weren't realised. The story dragged terribly in the middle, only to then rush the ending, but even the epilogue didn't explain some things like Tori's knowledge of Chloe's murderous plans or what really happened on that roof all those years ago.
I liked the twists and the dark humour but it took me forever to read this as it didn't hold my attention sufficiently. My biggest gripe is that there were so few murders. Almost everyone, men and women alike, were so unlikeable, criminal and toxic, yet only one was universally disliked enough to give so many people motives for his murder? A good serial killer would have decimated that clan by half and made the world a better place.
Chloe Wilson, 29, has organised a group holiday on Mykonos, Greece in a luxury villa for the entire Wilson - Cooper clan. She has planned husband Scott Cooper's murder by contract killer for months, and this trip is to convince the family that it can't have been her.
However, everything goes wrong. Scott does end up dead, but a week early, and rumours fly about who it could have been. There are parents, siblings and spouses, so there is plenty of scope for family rivalries, secrets and lies. We get three alternating POVs - Chloe, Scott's sister Tori and villa concierge Grace who might not be who she says she is.
I had high hopes for this as I loved the author's previous book How To Slay At Work. Unfortunately my hopes weren't realised. The story dragged terribly in the middle, only to then rush the ending, but even the epilogue didn't explain some things like Tori's knowledge of Chloe's murderous plans or what really happened on that roof all those years ago.
I liked the twists and the dark humour but it took me forever to read this as it didn't hold my attention sufficiently. My biggest gripe is that there were so few murders. Almost everyone, men and women alike, were so unlikeable, criminal and toxic, yet only one was universally disliked enough to give so many people motives for his murder? A good serial killer would have decimated that clan by half and made the world a better place.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Hook, Line and Single: A BRAND NEW hilarious, uplifting romantic comedy from Phoebe MacLeod for 2025 by Phoebe MacLeod
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.
Ruby co-owns a bookshop in Margate, Kent with gay friend Jono. She hasn't dated for 7 years, when she had a bad break-up from her college boyfriend Olly. Her flatmate and best friend Sam however is keen to find the one, so after trying to find a man in church but basically encountering a puritanical sect straight out of "Everyone Else Burns", she books both of them on a Mediterranean cruise. However, unbeknownst to Ruby, it is a "Single and mingle" cruise with nightly dating events that are almost impossible to escape due to coordinator Barry being relentlessly cheerful and believing in love, pushing people together.
So when she meets Cameron, a firearms enquiry officer with Kent Police, who is equally reluctant about the enforced dating games, he suggests to pair up and fake date to get Barry off their back. They become good friends and end up spending whole days together, with a day out in Barcelona not quite going to plan and forcing them to make alternative sleeping arrangements.
As travel escapism goes, this isn't the best as there are barely any descriptions of the places they see. There are tropes galore though, from friends to lovers to fake dating, forced proximity and one bed only.
Cameron is a nice guy but the problem I have with him is that he is basically a blank canvas we know hardly anything about. His job is about guns and their licences and his hobby is clay pigeon shooting. That is just a bit too much gun talk for my personal taste.
The romance is extremely slow-burn, which can be forgiven, but the very late revelation about why Ruby has sworn off all men came out of the blue and should maybe have been addressed sooner. I liked the scenes on the ship and the nudist beach scenes, though Ruby came across as a prude, also when she woke up next to Cameron and his morning glory, as if she'd never encountered this before.
As far as side characters go, there is a quirky mixture on and off the ship, with cat Samson possibly the cutest of the lot. Sam wasn't a good friend though and literally begged to be thrown overboard for her almost immediate abandonment of Ruby for a guy on the ship. Not cool. Sister Emerald on the other hand needs her own book!
Altogether, this is a light-hearted and funny story about friendship, second chances and self-discovery that can be read quickly.
Ruby co-owns a bookshop in Margate, Kent with gay friend Jono. She hasn't dated for 7 years, when she had a bad break-up from her college boyfriend Olly. Her flatmate and best friend Sam however is keen to find the one, so after trying to find a man in church but basically encountering a puritanical sect straight out of "Everyone Else Burns", she books both of them on a Mediterranean cruise. However, unbeknownst to Ruby, it is a "Single and mingle" cruise with nightly dating events that are almost impossible to escape due to coordinator Barry being relentlessly cheerful and believing in love, pushing people together.
So when she meets Cameron, a firearms enquiry officer with Kent Police, who is equally reluctant about the enforced dating games, he suggests to pair up and fake date to get Barry off their back. They become good friends and end up spending whole days together, with a day out in Barcelona not quite going to plan and forcing them to make alternative sleeping arrangements.
As travel escapism goes, this isn't the best as there are barely any descriptions of the places they see. There are tropes galore though, from friends to lovers to fake dating, forced proximity and one bed only.
Cameron is a nice guy but the problem I have with him is that he is basically a blank canvas we know hardly anything about. His job is about guns and their licences and his hobby is clay pigeon shooting. That is just a bit too much gun talk for my personal taste.
The romance is extremely slow-burn, which can be forgiven, but the very late revelation about why Ruby has sworn off all men came out of the blue and should maybe have been addressed sooner. I liked the scenes on the ship and the nudist beach scenes, though Ruby came across as a prude, also when she woke up next to Cameron and his morning glory, as if she'd never encountered this before.
As far as side characters go, there is a quirky mixture on and off the ship, with cat Samson possibly the cutest of the lot. Sam wasn't a good friend though and literally begged to be thrown overboard for her almost immediate abandonment of Ruby for a guy on the ship. Not cool. Sister Emerald on the other hand needs her own book!
Altogether, this is a light-hearted and funny story about friendship, second chances and self-discovery that can be read quickly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
If You Could See Me Now by Samantha Tonge
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.
Violet Vaughan, 32, is a literary agent who works at Thoth Publishing, London. She is happily shacked up with Lenny, or so she thinks. On Valentine's Day of all days he confesses to be in love with Beatrice, a rival literary agent.
This betrayal sends Violet over the edge into a mental health crisis. She feels the fact that everyone leaves her is down to her not being worthy enough, not slim enough, not fashionable enough. So when her new flatmate Bella turns out to work in a spa and to be full of beauty tips, she overhauls her lifestyle completely with her help. But is Bella all that she seems or does she have secrets?
Soon, Violet's friends get concerned about her transformation into this thin, groomed woman who has less and less time for them. There is her book club with octogenarians Kath, Nora and Pauline, her boss Felicity, her colleagues Irfan, Farah and Hugo and debut author Casey who she falls for.
This beautiful story about complex characters is told over two timelines, now and 2001 when Violet was 7, and both her beloved Uncle Kevin died in the 9/11 atrocity and then her childhood friend Flint left, plus classmate Alice relentlessly bullied her and called her a Shrinking Violet.
First, I didn't like Violet too much, she seemed shallow, constantly posting filtered photos of herself on social media, but the more we learned about her deep-seated childhood trauma and how it had manifested itself, the more I understood and felt for her. Also, she is a big book lover and therefore obviously a good person! This is more about friendship and self-discovery than romance, and it's all the better for it.
Altogether, this is an intelligent, heartbreaking and powerful read with some unexpected twists, a beautiful cover and great characters, incorporating mental health issues including eating disorders with knowledge and skill.
This is not the story you thought you were getting at the start of the book - it's better! This won't be my last book by this smart author. Even the title is clever. Make sure you have tissues ready for the ending!
Violet Vaughan, 32, is a literary agent who works at Thoth Publishing, London. She is happily shacked up with Lenny, or so she thinks. On Valentine's Day of all days he confesses to be in love with Beatrice, a rival literary agent.
This betrayal sends Violet over the edge into a mental health crisis. She feels the fact that everyone leaves her is down to her not being worthy enough, not slim enough, not fashionable enough. So when her new flatmate Bella turns out to work in a spa and to be full of beauty tips, she overhauls her lifestyle completely with her help. But is Bella all that she seems or does she have secrets?
Soon, Violet's friends get concerned about her transformation into this thin, groomed woman who has less and less time for them. There is her book club with octogenarians Kath, Nora and Pauline, her boss Felicity, her colleagues Irfan, Farah and Hugo and debut author Casey who she falls for.
This beautiful story about complex characters is told over two timelines, now and 2001 when Violet was 7, and both her beloved Uncle Kevin died in the 9/11 atrocity and then her childhood friend Flint left, plus classmate Alice relentlessly bullied her and called her a Shrinking Violet.
First, I didn't like Violet too much, she seemed shallow, constantly posting filtered photos of herself on social media, but the more we learned about her deep-seated childhood trauma and how it had manifested itself, the more I understood and felt for her. Also, she is a big book lover and therefore obviously a good person! This is more about friendship and self-discovery than romance, and it's all the better for it.
Altogether, this is an intelligent, heartbreaking and powerful read with some unexpected twists, a beautiful cover and great characters, incorporating mental health issues including eating disorders with knowledge and skill.
This is not the story you thought you were getting at the start of the book - it's better! This won't be my last book by this smart author. Even the title is clever. Make sure you have tissues ready for the ending!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Mental illness, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol