emma_therabbithole's reviews
162 reviews

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister

4.5

I loved Wrong Time Wrong Place and so I was eager to read Gillian McAllistair’s new novel, Famous Last Words.

Camilla, on the day she returns to work following maternity leave, wakes to find her husband missing and a strange, incomplete note left behind. At work, she is shocked when the police arrive to inform her of her husband’s involvement in an ongoing hostage situation - only he is the one holding people hostage….

A twisty, well constructed read which I really enjoyed. I did guess the outcome and some of the twists ahead of time, but I enjoyed the journey nonetheless! A safe bet if you love a thriller!

In Memory of Us by Jacqueline Roy

4.5

A pacy fascinating read which focuses on twins Selina and Zora. With a split narrative Zora and Selina tell their story. Selina, in present day is suffering with dementia and her memory is fragmented, meeting up with a face from the past leads to a delving back into her memories, trying to fit the pieces together.
In Memory of Us really took me by surprise, the writing is brilliant, it’s compelling intricate. Memory and identity is the focus, how memory  is fluid and unreliable. How it can change in perspective. How identity is formed of so much more than who we are. A brilliant read for book clubs.

The Eights by Joanna Miller

3.75

Told from the perspective of four young women in the post WWI years who become the first women to graduate from Oxford with degrees. It took me a fair while to become fully invested in this story, but what evolved was a beautifully written story of female friendship at a time of historical importance for the feminist cause. It's not a racing drama, but instead something very subtle and wonderfully historically detailed. 

Polo by Jilly Cooper

4.25

Another great read from Jilly Cooper and I especially loved the involvement of Rupert and Taggie. Focusing on Perdita Macleod, a young and mostly unlikeable young  woman with a talent for riding and polo. As always I was initially jarred by the new characters but very soon fell in with them and lost myself in all the bed hopping and various goings on! 

Another Woman's Husband by Gill Paul

5.0

After reading Scandalous Women I was very keen to read another Gill Paul novel, and so decided to listen to Another Woman’s Husband. A dual timeline story focusing on Wallis Simpson and her friend Mary Kirk, and Rachel in 1997 who arrives on the scene of Princess Diana’s accident in Paris. Wonderfully read by Laura Aikman (who I’ll forgive for almost ruining Christmas in Gavin and Stacey 😂) I found myself completely absorbed and I’ll be diving straight into another Gill Paul pronto!

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao

4.0

I started listening to this on a whim and before I knew it I was two hours in! It’s not my normal genre, but I was intrigued by the premise. A pawn shop in another world that is accessed by those who need it through a ramen restaurant, which trades in choices made. When Keishen walks through the door he meets Hana, the young woman who has just taken over the shop from her father. Beautifully written it held my interest throughout and I was rooting for the main characters. Fantasy, drama and romance / highly recommended.

Scandalous Women by Gill Paul

4.5

I love historical fiction when it imagines the life of those who have lived, and this was brilliant. Based on the lives of Jackie Collins and Jacqueline Susann (with some artistic license!) it looks at what it was to be a woman writing books that were somewhat racy. As a huge fan of Valley of the Dolls (a book I’m determined to re read this year as it’s been some time since I read it last) I devoured this book. Easy to read, it emulates the books it talks about in many ways. Drug addiction, sexism and misogyny are among the themes covered. Read for a book club and we all heartily enjoyed it!

I Haven't Been Entirely Honest with You by Miranda Hart

4.0

Listening on audio it has taken me quite a while to find time to listen to this, but thankfully it’s one that is quite easy to dip in and out of!

I think Miranda Hart is fabulous, and I found this, while not exactly what I was expecting, to be what I needed.

It’s a very personal story of Miranda’s own journey to loving a more mindful and healthy life following a debilitating battle with Lyme Disease. While not a sufferer of that disease, and living a completely different life, there were things that I related to and will take away from. 

I recall there being some controversy when this was released regarding the health advice, but I think it’s entirely unfair. She isn’t telling the reader what to do. She is saying this is what helped her, what she learned on her journey. It’s not relevant to every one nor is it intended to be. As a Mum of two my experiences are different, but it doesn’t mean that her experience and journey is any less valid. 

And so I listened and took from it what I wanted and needed and it felt refreshing, friendly and I do feel I learned somethings that I can apply to my own situation.

The Paris Dancer by Nicola Rayner

4.5

A beautifully written dual timeline story which focuses on Mim in 2012, who, following the death of her great aunt, journeys to New York to sort out her apartment. In doing so, she discovers her journal which tells the story her family’s history in wartime Paris. Wonderfully woven together, for me it was a slow burn to begin with, but once it captured my attention, I couldn’t bear to put it down.

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

5.0

Delivered everything it promised, a fast paced, twisty read that had me hooked!