karteabooks's reviews
526 reviews

The Night of the Flood by Zoë Somerville

emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

 I was so lucky to meet this author at Tasting Notes Live in April 2022 and after hearing her talk about this book, I brought it at the event and devoured it in two days!  

Atmospheric, intriguing, deadly and heart breaking. This is a brilliant debut novel from this author, and I have pre-ordered her next novel, The Marsh House already. 
 
This book is based on a real event which happened in January 1953 when the North Sea Flood caused widespread damage as coastal areas were swamped by a deluge of water with waves over 20ft. A combination of a high spring tide and a severe European windstorm over the North Sea caused a storm tide. This was a catastrophic event which caused devastating damage to land, property, coastal defences and the human and animal populations. This is a great basis for the book, but there is also a love triangle, a failing family farm, a nearby US airbase that the locals suspect is more than just an airbase; the beginnings of the Cold War and the worries and ignorance of the 1950s.
 
The North Norfolk coast, where this book is set, holds fond memories for me, so this made this book that bit more special too, and as the story unfolded, I really felt like I was there alongside Verity, Jack, Arthur and Peter and as I read, at times I felt that I could actually feel the cold Winter wind blowing in from the sea, even now a couple of days after finishing the book, I am sure that I can still feel that cold easterly breeze, with the tang of the sea air and fish and chips wafting by too.
 
For me, this was an immersive plot, I loved the historical fiction too, as this was a real event, and I liked the way that the author interspersed that narrative with the trials and tribulations of families in the early 1950s in a small coastal town. Lots of twists and turns and a real page turner for me, particularly in the second part of the novel, after the flood. The ending was thought provoking, but it did tie things up too. As I mentioned above, I can’t wait for the author’s next book.

The No-Show by Beth O'Leary

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

 

I had heard so many good things about this book, so was really happy to be given the opportunity to read an advance copy of this from @netgalley. 

Three women who seemingly have nothing in common find that they're involved with the same man.
 
 Siobhan is a quick-tempered life coach with way too much on her plate. Miranda is a tree surgeon used to being treated as just one of the guys on the job. Jane is a soft-spoken volunteer for the local charity shop with zero sense of self-worth.
 
 These three women are strangers who have only one thing in common: They've all been stood up on the same day, the very worst day to be stood up--Valentine's Day. And, unbeknownst to them, they've all been stood up by the same man.
 
 Once they've each forgiven him for standing them up, they let him back into their lives and are in serious danger of falling in love with a man who seems to have not just one or two but three women on the go....
 
 Is there more to him than meets the eye? And will they each untangle the truth before they all get their hearts broken? 

This is described as a romcom, but I felt that it was more contemporary than that, yes there is some rom and com woven into the story but, I think it has so much more to it. No spoilers, but my first impressions of the book and what I expected it to be about, were completely blown out of the water and my predictions, were way off the mark! The saying, never judge a book by its cover was true for me with this book. In saying that, I am SO glad that my initial perceptions were changed as I read this multi layered book. It did take me a few days to read this book, but it for me it was an easy book to be able to just pick up time and time again and read on. There are several sensitive topics dealt with within this book, but they are all dealt with compassionately and empathically, it’s just something you may want to think about before picking this book up. 

A great read equally for the beach or curled up under a cosy blanket. 

Thank you to @netgalley and @quercusbooks for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. 

The Book Share by Phaedra Patrick

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

 

Another great book choice for @the_book_taster ‘s tasting notes book club. 

Liv Green loves losing herself in a good book. But her everyday reality is less romantic, cleaning houses for people who barely give her the time of day. So when she lands a job housekeeping for her personal hero and mega-bestselling author Essie Starling, she can’t believe her luck. 

When Essie dies unexpectedly, Liv is left with a life-changing last wish: to complete Essie’s final novel. To do so, change-averse Liv will have to step away from the fictious worlds in her head, and into Essie’s shoes. As she begins to write, she uncovers a surprising connection between the two women – and a secret that will change Liv’s life forever… 

What a brilliant, uplifting, life affirming book. The author wrote her characters to be believable and I loved that she gave Liv the chances in life that she really deserved and allowed her to flourish in her own way too. This was a really empathetic novel too, although I must admit that at times, I really wanted to take Jake to one side and have a quiet chat with him about what his priorities should actually be! 

This is an easy read, and I highly recommend this to you, I have seen that it has been likened to Evelyn Hugo too. When you do pick this up, make no plans and you will be completely drawn into Liv’s world of writing and books. 

I have previously read the Library of Lost and Found, but I will certainly be looking to read more of this author’s books soon. 

The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 

This was April’s book choice for the #curiousaboutchristie22 book challenge. This is another Hercule Poirot murder mystery and another book where the murder is committed on a train. The train, yet again, is travelling through another country as the murder happens. 

This is the sixth instalment of the Hercule Poirot series, but even though I have tried, I haven’t read them in any order at all. Having previously read Murder on the Orient Express and The ABC murders, I thought I ‘knew’ Poirot’s way of solving the conundrums that he faces when he ‘stumbles’ across each murder. Well, as this was one of his earlier inquiries, his way of working was different to what I have read already, and it was quite strange (to me) that he didn’t become involved until quite a way through the book (chapter 10). 

A mysterious woman, a legendary cursed jewel, and a night train to the French Riviera - ingredients for the perfect romance or the perfect crime? When the train stops, the jewel is missing, and the woman is found dead in her compartment. It's the perfect mystery, filled with passion, greed, deceit. And Hercule Poirot is the perfect detective to solve it… 

I loved the way that the plot unfolded, and the setting descriptions yet again, really gave the vibes of being in the midst of society in the late 1920s. However, as Poirot became involved, I felt that clues and suspicions were being hidden and that he wasn’t as open in this book with his theories as he is in later books. I think this is my opinion as I thought I knew who the murderer was, I was actually very confident through the book as to who it was, only in the last few pages to be completely thrown by the reveal… 

But, as I am beginning to learn, this is classic Christie and exactly why she wrote so many books, and exactly why so many people are still reading and re-reading her books nearly a century after she wrote her novels. I am really looking forward to reading next month’s book and hopefully finding time to squeeze in some more Agatha Christie novels really soon too 

Everyone Is Still Alive by Cathy Rentzenbrink

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

5.0

 

This was recommended to me by Jenna, @book_club_mumma as it’s her book in the @nbmagazine book blogger awards. 

What an amazing, insightful book. This book is a fiction debut for this author, and I am already looking forward to her next fiction book. 

Based around the residents of Magnolia Road, a suburban street in London, this page turning, tear-jerking, laugh-out-loud book bring home the stark and contrasting truths of parenting, marriages and ‘helpful’ neighbours. 

This book was so addictive and unputdownable! I was so invested in this book, not only the characters but Magnolia Road too. Even now, two days after finishing it I am still in Magnolia Road, helping Helen to try to keep Freddie happy and enjoying a catch up and a coffee after the school drop off. 

Another book that I urge you all to read if you haven’t already. 

The Keeper of Stories by Sally Page

lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

 

This book was so much more than I expected. This is another new to me author that I wish I had read before now. I loved the cover too! 

She can’t recall what started her collection. Maybe it was in a fragment of conversation overheard as she cleaned a sink? Before long (as she dusted a sitting room or defrosted a fridge) she noticed people were telling her their stories. Perhaps they always had done, but now it is different, now the stories are reaching out to her, and she gathers them to her…
 
 Cleaner Janice knows that it is in people’s stories that you really get to know them. From recently-widowed Fiona and her son Adam; to opera-singing Geordie; and the awful Mrs ‘YeahYeahYeah’ and her fox terrier, Decius, Janice has a unique insight into the community around her.
 
 When Janice starts cleaning for Mrs B – a shrewd and tricksy woman in her nineties – she finally meets someone who wants to hear her story. But Janice is clear: she is the keeper of stories; she doesn’t have a story to tell. At least, not one she can share.
 
 Mrs B is no fool and knows there is more to Janice than meets the eye. What is she hiding? After all, doesn’t everyone have a story to tell? 

This was a well written book, that drew me in from the start and I just had to keep reading it until I finished, the ending tied everything up very well, although maybe a little too well. Once I had finished though, I had to put my Kindle down and just sit for a while as I was so taken in by Janice, Mrs B and all of the other wonderful characters that I wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye. I loved the setting too, as I know Cambridge quite well, so it was lovely to be able to ‘see’ the characters in the various different locations. 

A great read equally for the beach or curled up under a cosy blanket. 

Thank you to @netgalley and @onemorechapter for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. 

Mothers and Daughters by Erica James

4.0

 

Another brilliant novel from Erica James, I used to always read her latest novel as soon as it was released, but I haven’t done that recently, but after spotting this on Netgalley, I just knew that I had to request it, and I am so pleased that I was approved. 

Since the sudden death of her husband, Naomi has steadily rebuilt the life they shared in the village of Tilsham by the sea.
 Her eldest daughter, Martha, is sensible and determined – just like her father was – and very much in control of where her life is going. If she could just get pregnant with her husband, life would be perfect.
 Willow, the youngest, was always more sunny and easy-going, yet drifted through life, much to her father’s frustration. But now, with charming new boyfriend, Rick, she has a very good reason to settle down.
 The three women are as close as can be. But there are things Naomi has kept from her daughters. Like the arrival of Ellis, a long-lost friend from way back, now bringing the fun and spark back into her life. And she’s certainly never told them that her marriage to their father wasn’t quite what it seemed… 

This is a page turning story about relationships, life and exactly what lengths mothers will go to protect their children. It was another unputdownable book, and I was really invested in the characters too, there was such a broad mix, from the hard-working Naomi to the rather displeasing Rick, whom it seemed was just there to irk everyone. The setting was idyllic too, a beautiful coastal village, with just enough going on, and a few ‘nosy’ neighbours too! 

A perfect book to read either curled up under a blanket with a nice cup of tea or lying on the beach with a cool drink to hand. 

Thank you to @netgalley and @hq for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. 

A Head Full of Everything: Inspiration for Teenagers With the World on Their Mind by Gavin Oattes

emotional funny informative inspiring reflective

 Book number 27 of 2022, and it is A Head Full of Everything by Gavin Oattes. This is a book of two firsts for me for 2022: my first non-fiction book and my first YA/Teens book too! 

This is an AD-PR product. 

Thanks to @tandemcollectiveuk for letting me join in with the readalong for this book. As a mum to not one, but two teenagers I jumped at the chance to read this book and to read someone else’s understanding of teenagers and how we can only but try to support them. 

This book covers so many different topics, all relating to teenagers and the author shares lots of his own life experiences in relation to the different challenges, choices and conundrums that teenagers must face, and rather scarily they are mostly alone when they must deal with them. I loved the writing style of this book, and I found it quite comedic and satirical at times, I guess this reflects the author’s earlier career as a stand-up comedian, that he shares with us in the book. I am hoping that this writing style appeals to the target audience too. 

I have tagged my fellow readalongers, please go and check out their fantastic posts too. 

Thank you to @tandemcollectiveuk, @thiiscapstone and @gavinoattes for a gifted copy of this book. 

Verity by Colleen Hoover

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

 

This was my first Colleen Hoover book, and it certainly won’t be my last! I have also just noticed that my past two books, also are not only named after women, but are both one-word titles! 

So, back to Verity, what a book! I love the page turning qualities of this book, and read it in just over a day, it’s a good thing that I am on holiday this week, as I really couldn’t put this intoxicating book down. 

I’ll try to write this review without too many spoilers, as I really want you to experience this twisty turning roller-coaster for yourself. ‘Verity’ is a successful author, who after a car accident, wants to find someone to finish writing her previously unpublished books. Tasked to do this job is Lowen, a struggling writer who lands completely on her feet with this job, just as she is served an eviction notice on her flat. She ‘moves’ into the Crawford family home, as Jeremy, Verity’s husband suggests it will be easier for her to be closer to Verity’s work. 

Thus ensues the whole basis of this book. From the discovery of a ‘hidden’ manuscript to the ‘outing’ of Verity’s true nature and ultimately why Lowen is really there… 

I didn’t realise, as this was my first book by this author, that this was her first thriller, she has written this like a seasoned thriller writer would. Again, no spoilers, but as much as I enjoyed the whole book, the last couple of chapters, well, just WOW, there are no words, as I was left completely speechless and even now, a day after finishing the book, I still have no words (for a good reason). 

Yes, there are mixed reviews about this book, but I urge you, if you haven’t already, to go and read this book. For so many, many reasons 

The Locked Room by Elly Griffiths

challenging mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

 

Dr Ruth Galloway and DCI Harry Nelson #14 and yet again I have been transported back to UNN and the Saltmarshes of North Norfolk. As always, I have enjoyed catching up with Ruth, Kate, Nelson, Judy, Cathbad and it was great to have Clough drop in too, just for old times sake. 

This is set at the beginning of the first Lockdown, and I admit that at first, I was a little apprehensive of reading about it, but it has been written so thoughtfully and considerately and from the characters points of view too. It was all very realistic and even though we all had our own experiences of Lockdown, it was great to read the characters understanding, emotions and feeling of helplessness that I think we all experienced in our varying different and unique ways. 

Of course, there were dead bodies, and of course there were old bones involved too – it wouldn’t be a Dr Ruth without them. Nelson and Bruno have a few special moments too, although in my opinion Nelson does seem to be mellowing slightly with age (although personally I don’t think that this is a bad thing). As with every instalment the Nelson/Ruth/Michelle/Kate dilemma rears its head, but this time due to unfortunate events, Nelson, Kate and Ruth are brought closer than they have even been and for longer too. Bruno and Flint got to spend time together too. 

As always, North Norfolk’s Serious Crime Unit tied everything up neatly and just as you think there will be a happy ending…GRR!! 

Already looking forward to #15.