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talesandcupsoftea's reviews
58 reviews
The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary
5.0
“Remind myself that there is no saving of people —people can only save themselves. The best you can do is help when they're ready.”
I think the best way I can describe how much I loved O'Leary's debut novel, is by the fact that I stayed up until 7am in the morning reading it!! It sounds like such a cliche but I genuinely couldn’t put it down. The short chapters and epistolary aspects meant a quick and easy read - allowing me to be truly engrossed in the characters and their stories.
After purchasing this book, I was slightly apprehensive to start reading. I had seen a lot of reviews and recommendations everywhere; I knew that it was going to be a good book, but just wasn’t sure that it was going to be 'my kind of book'. In reading the blurb and hearing certain aspects of the plot, I had (very wrongly!) assumed that it would just be a predictable love story.
Thankfully, I couldn't have been more wrong! Highlighted in the synopsis are themes of abusive relationships (gaslighting) and wrongful imprisonment, aspects that lent themselves to a thoroughly fleshed out storyline. Both characters in this split narrative novel were excellently well rounded, and had development outside of their relationship, which, in comparison to previous romance reads, was refreshing.
I especially loved the difference in the writing style of Tiffy and Leon’s chapters; a division of the way speech was reported gave me a really good insight into Leon’s brain, being a man of few words. Whilst Tiffy’s vivacity was expertly portrayed through rambling, she is definitely a girl who loves to talk (much like me!) and the contrast between the her and Leon of them couldn’t have been displayed better.
Every detail was well thought out, entertaining, and was tied up perfectly well at the end, there weren’t any throw away lines or jokes that didn’t meet a satisfying end - although I would like a sequel about the Bricklayer turned Designer, as, I expect, would Leon. When the banana crate revelation came right at the end, I was overjoyed, O'Leary's attention to detail was outstanding.
I honestly could not recommend this book enough if you are looking for a unique, swoon-worthy, and refreshing romance read. It was perfect, and I didn’t want it to end. I read it on my Kindle, but I’m such a big fan that I’m going to order a hard copy as well, as I desperately want to re-read it in the future.
I think the best way I can describe how much I loved O'Leary's debut novel, is by the fact that I stayed up until 7am in the morning reading it!! It sounds like such a cliche but I genuinely couldn’t put it down. The short chapters and epistolary aspects meant a quick and easy read - allowing me to be truly engrossed in the characters and their stories.
After purchasing this book, I was slightly apprehensive to start reading. I had seen a lot of reviews and recommendations everywhere; I knew that it was going to be a good book, but just wasn’t sure that it was going to be 'my kind of book'. In reading the blurb and hearing certain aspects of the plot, I had (very wrongly!) assumed that it would just be a predictable love story.
Thankfully, I couldn't have been more wrong! Highlighted in the synopsis are themes of abusive relationships (gaslighting) and wrongful imprisonment, aspects that lent themselves to a thoroughly fleshed out storyline. Both characters in this split narrative novel were excellently well rounded, and had development outside of their relationship, which, in comparison to previous romance reads, was refreshing.
I especially loved the difference in the writing style of Tiffy and Leon’s chapters; a division of the way speech was reported gave me a really good insight into Leon’s brain, being a man of few words. Whilst Tiffy’s vivacity was expertly portrayed through rambling, she is definitely a girl who loves to talk (much like me!) and the contrast between the her and Leon of them couldn’t have been displayed better.
Every detail was well thought out, entertaining, and was tied up perfectly well at the end, there weren’t any throw away lines or jokes that didn’t meet a satisfying end - although I would like a sequel about the Bricklayer turned Designer, as, I expect, would Leon. When the banana crate revelation came right at the end, I was overjoyed, O'Leary's attention to detail was outstanding.
I honestly could not recommend this book enough if you are looking for a unique, swoon-worthy, and refreshing romance read. It was perfect, and I didn’t want it to end. I read it on my Kindle, but I’m such a big fan that I’m going to order a hard copy as well, as I desperately want to re-read it in the future.
The Eighth Detective by Alex Pavesi
5.0
I typically love thrillers/murder mysteries, so I read a lot of them, the downside of this is that they often tend to get very same-y. As is with any genre there are common conventions or tropes that are kind of over-used. But Eight Detectives is completely original!!! I’m in awe of the author for coming up with such a unique and captivating concept and the whole time I was reading it (I raced through it in one day!) I was genuinely just so excited to be reading something so innovative!
The structure of this book involved 7 short stories, each contained and following the plot of a murder mystery, and each an example of one of ‘the rules’ of crime fiction, as outlined by Grant McCallister. I absolutely loved reading these short stories as they upheld the pace of the book brilliantly, there was not one moment when I thought the plot was lacking or any information that felt like a filler.
Some of the stories were pretty terrifying, and one in particular (I won’t spoil anything) was too scary for me at one point. I had to put it down and watch an episode of Friends before continuing hahaha. I’m desperate to read more books like this, because the way the whole book was brought together in the end had me absolutely gobsmacked, I can’t give it enough praise.
Eight Detectives is unlike anything else you’ll ever read, it’s brilliantly innovative but reminiscent of the best murder mysteries of years past. Simply put, it’s a must read.
The structure of this book involved 7 short stories, each contained and following the plot of a murder mystery, and each an example of one of ‘the rules’ of crime fiction, as outlined by Grant McCallister. I absolutely loved reading these short stories as they upheld the pace of the book brilliantly, there was not one moment when I thought the plot was lacking or any information that felt like a filler.
Some of the stories were pretty terrifying, and one in particular (I won’t spoil anything) was too scary for me at one point. I had to put it down and watch an episode of Friends before continuing hahaha. I’m desperate to read more books like this, because the way the whole book was brought together in the end had me absolutely gobsmacked, I can’t give it enough praise.
Eight Detectives is unlike anything else you’ll ever read, it’s brilliantly innovative but reminiscent of the best murder mysteries of years past. Simply put, it’s a must read.
Our Stop by Laura Jane Williams
4.0
This was one of those books that came along at the perfect time, it was such an easy read (listen) and gave me all the wonderful romantic feels. It wasn’t perfect, but I’d definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a good romance!
This book was wonderfully narrated by Carrie Hope Fletcher, and I’m a massive fan of her sooooo it
This was one of those books that came along at the perfect time, it was such an easy read (listen) and gave me all the wonderful romantic feels. It wasn’t perfect, but I’d definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a good romance!
This book was wonderfully narrated by Carrie Hope Fletcher, and I’m a massive fan of her sooooo it
Elizabeth Is Missing by Emma Healey
4.0
Honestly, this book broke my heart. The story is told from the POV of an elderly protagonist with a memory disorder (it’s never actually specified but she seems to display symptoms of some form of dementia.) I instantly fell in love with the protagonist Maud, and everytime she forgot or repeated something I actually wanted to cry.
Most of that comes from the fact my Grandma is unfortunately suffering with Alzheimer’s, so having an insight into the mind of someone with this was really quite upsetting. And I found it very easy to relate to the frustrations of her relatives which just made me even sadder!
The plot of Elizabeth is Missing follows Maud on her hunt for her friend Elizabeth, after all, she has a note in her pocket that tells her she’s missing...
Intertwined with this mystery is the story of Maud as a young girl in post-WW2, when her older sister went missing.
I probably enjoyed the younger storyline to the older one (mostly because the older one made me very sad) but the parallels between the two and the manifestation of her disorder meant that the two timelines were intertwined in a very interesting way.
Due to the fact there are two mystery storylines in the plot, you get two reveals at the end. I won’t give any spoilers but I have to admit I was disappointed with one of them, the other was quite shocking and unfortunately I wanted more info as it was only very briefly mentioned
In conclusion, this book made me oh so very sad for my Grandma, but also made me commit to calling her every day which can only be a good thing. It was both a heartwarming and heartbreaking story, and I’m very much looking forward to watching the BBC adaptation (although they seemed to have cast Maud as a lot grumpier than I imagined which makes me so sad) as it’s a great story with a thoroughly lovable protagonist.
Most of that comes from the fact my Grandma is unfortunately suffering with Alzheimer’s, so having an insight into the mind of someone with this was really quite upsetting. And I found it very easy to relate to the frustrations of her relatives which just made me even sadder!
The plot of Elizabeth is Missing follows Maud on her hunt for her friend Elizabeth, after all, she has a note in her pocket that tells her she’s missing...
Intertwined with this mystery is the story of Maud as a young girl in post-WW2, when her older sister went missing.
I probably enjoyed the younger storyline to the older one (mostly because the older one made me very sad) but the parallels between the two and the manifestation of her disorder meant that the two timelines were intertwined in a very interesting way.
Due to the fact there are two mystery storylines in the plot, you get two reveals at the end. I won’t give any spoilers but I have to admit I was disappointed with one of them, the other was quite shocking and unfortunately I wanted more info as it was only very briefly mentioned
In conclusion, this book made me oh so very sad for my Grandma, but also made me commit to calling her every day which can only be a good thing. It was both a heartwarming and heartbreaking story, and I’m very much looking forward to watching the BBC adaptation (although they seemed to have cast Maud as a lot grumpier than I imagined which makes me so sad) as it’s a great story with a thoroughly lovable protagonist.