Well hello to you my reader chums! Being a bookworm is a part of my personality. My love for books has never changed, it's simply evolved and over the past year, I've been trying to focus on reading as much as possible. There's always something new I want to read with so many books in the world!

I'm always up for reading new genres, however, my favourite genres include crime fiction, detective novels, murder mysteries, historical fiction and women's fiction. Recently, I've read some incredible books and wanted to share the books I'm loving at the minute.

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

I haven't read a Gillian Flynn book since Gone Girl a while back and when I started reading this, I remembered why I loved this author so much and her talent for crafting thriller novels. This novel follows reporter Camille Preaker after she's released from a psych hospital and given a troubling assignment, returning to her small hometown to cover the unsolved murder of a preteen girl and the disappearance of another.

Camille hasn't visited her hometown in a long time and hardly spoke to her neurotic mother and half-sister she barely knows. Visiting her hometown again, she finds herself unravelling a psychological puzzle of her own past and looking further into the people around her. This novel gripped me from the beginning and I couldn't put it down at times, with twists of new characters and various narratives happening all the time. I got an incline of what I thought would happen towards the end and to my surprise, I was correct. This novel was strange and thought-provoking and highlighted many scary issues happening in everyday life to young people.

True Crime Story by Joseph Knox

I was recommended this book when I visited Bath in Mrs B's Emporium as I love crime stories, including true crime and this book was just that. This novel follows the disappearance of Zoe Nolan, a nineteen-year-old Manchester University student who went to a party one night in her shared accommodation and was never seen again. Seven years after the disappearance, a writer called Evelyn Mitchell is intrigued by the mystery and begins to investigate.

This book features plenty of interviews with Zoe's friends and family and Mitchell begins piecing together what happens to Zoe. Through investigation, many secrets are revealed of Zoe's life and Evelyn turns to crime writer Joesph Knox to make sense of the case. I loved this book as I could really feel the tragedy on every page and how heart-wrenching the narrative was. The interview style made the book fast-paced and intriguing with every page. I began reading thinking the book would end one way and then it flips with more leads and revealed secrets.

The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean

My heart broke the entire time I read this book and I read it in two sittings. This novel is set on an isolated farm in the UK where a woman is trapped by her abuser for seven years. It is a very exact novel, following the everyday motions of 'Jane' and the ordeal she goes through with this man and what happens if she doesn't obey him. He films her every move and when she discovers she's pregnant, she begins planning her escape, protecting her and her baby.

It's hard to put into words this book's tragedy as it's based on the facts of trafficking victims and the ordeal they experience every single day. I vouched for her safety and escape through the book, pushing me to read on with hope. It's realistic, heart-breaking and honest, an account I can imagine of someone dealing with the abuse of a kidnapper.

The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell

I love a thriller, especially a missing person's case. This book follows a young mum, Tallulah in 2017 where she heads on a date, leaving her baby with her mother, Kim. When the early hours come around, Kim awaits her return but she never comes home. Kim phones Tallulahs's friends who say the last place she was seen was a party in the Dark Place. Two years later, Sophie moved into the boarding school her boyfriend has a new job and sees a note fixed to a tree, so she begins to investigate.

This book was one of the first I read this year and I loved every minute. With every missing person's novel, I wondered about the direction it would go. This included all themes of wealthy people, dysfunctional relationships and how being a teenager is one of the biggest struggles of them all. I liked the perspective change in this book and how I could understand many people's views of the story. It had one of those endings that got even more shocking as I kept reading.

The Maid by Nita Prose

Not all murder mystery books are heavy and dark, some have a lighter tone and The Maid is just that. Following Molly The Maid who works for the Regency Grand Hotel, sees everything as she cleans rooms every day. Her honest and diligent approach to life makes her a brilliant maid, but she isn't so great at understanding social cues. When a famous guest dies and she finds his body, a police investigation is called and she's stuck in the middle.

I adored this book in many ways because it's incredibly honest, to the point and somewhat like a diary entry as she recalls every day as a maid. The book has a comedic aspect to it at times and features many characters who aren't nice to Molly at all but through her experience and understanding more of what it's like to be an adult, she realises who has her back all along.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Which books have you been reading at the minute?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! There's no doubt in 2024, reading was at the top of my priority list and I've had the pleasure of reading some incredible books, from gripping thrillers to great biographies and murder mysteries. 

If you're looking for some new reads, here are my favourite books of the year and the best recommendations. 

The Maid by Nita Prose 

I love murder mysteries and 'who-done-it' novels in all forms, either really thick layered plots or humorous, lighter reads. The Maid is the second, a light, funny read about a murder mystery plot. Molly the Maid works in the Regency Grand Hotel and isn't like the regular person, struggling with social skills and the intentions of others. The plot follows the death of a famous, wealthy guest, Mr Black found in the hotel and the unwind of who did it.

I loved this book in many ways because it was honest and innocent, told through Molly's eyes and how she sees the world. It showed the importance of friendship, work life, the connections you make, and who always has your back.

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

Gillian Flynn is a brilliant author and I absolutely adore her novels; she has a skill for crafting insane thrillers. I've read two outstanding novels of her this year, Sharp Objects and Dark Places. Sharp Objects follows Camille returning to her hometown to cover a story about a missing girl, a place of her neurotic mother and half-sister she barely knows.

This is one of those books that I was hooked on from page one and didn't want to put down. The twists and narratives were constantly changing which added to the overall suspense.   

The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean

Some books can break my heart and this was one of those books, that I actually read in two sittings. Set on an isolated farm, the novel follows a woman trapped by her abuser for seven years and her desperation to get away. The book describes her daily motions as 'Jane' and how she has to obey this abuser and the horrific things which happen if she doesn't. When she falls pregnant, she has an even bigger push to escape.

My heart was in my mouth the whole time I read this book as I felt all the pain and emotion for this poor woman. I wanted nothing more for her to escape and live a better life. It paints a picture of the horrible instances of trafficking people and what can happen to them. The language was quite simple, yet the pace and heartbreak of the book are what kept me engaged.

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

Lucy Foley is my favourite crime thriller author as I adore every single one of her books, including The Hunting Party, The Guest List and The Paris Apartment. I was incredibly excited when The Midnight Feast came out and read quickly, lapping at the story. This novel follows the opening night of The Manor, with no expense spared, however, the night goes from bad to worse with old friends and enemies circulating among the guests. Then a body is discovered and the mystery begins.

I adored this book in so many ways. One thing Foley does incredibly well is crafting unique characters and personalities and cleverly winding their paths together. I liked the build-up of the plot, the introduction of everyone's stories and how they came together in the end, revealing the mystery.

Period Power by Maisie Hill

One of my biggest passions is holistic health and learning more about how my body works and how I can prioritise a healthy way of living to care for my menstrual cycle. Period Power is a practical blueprint for aligning daily life with the menstrual cycle, giving women an explanation of what happens to our hormones every month and how we can use them to our advantage.

This book changed my life and was incredibly fascinating in many ways. It's the first time I've ever felt seen as a woman and understood more of how my body works. I learned a lot about hormones, diet and what to expect at each phase of my cycle. Every woman and person with a uterus NEEDS to read this book.

Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent

This has got to be one of the darkest books I've ever read, yet I was completely addicted to it all the way through. This book follows Sally Diamond and her strange behaviour, and she can't understand why what she did was so strange. She always did what her father told her and when he died, she put him out with the rubbish, just like he told her.

This book is odd yet gripping.  It follows Sally's life post her father's death and unearths who she is, what happened to her and also a slight personal journey plot in how she changes after this event. It's incredibly dark, triggering and difficult to read but a mind-blowing novel.

How to Kill a Guy in Ten Ways by Eve Kellman

This has to be a novel I could happily read again as I loved it so much. It touches on some darker topics and what happens to women, however, it's a genus plot, crafted about a female serial killer who is getting revenge on all the men who have wronged women. The book follows Millie Masters who has a hotline called 'Message Men', where she picks up women or young teenagers who feel unsafe when they're out and about. It's a dark and cleverly written novel with a humorous touch, following the level of revenge someone will go to.

I loved reading this book and learning more about the main character and the good she was doing with her hotline, trying to protect all these women from scary situations. It's weird to say I enjoyed it so much as there was dark humour to how the serial killer plot line was crafted. I couldn't put it down and overall, would recommend it for something a little different.

Good Half Gone by Tarryn Fisher 

I'm a twin and with any books that have twins in the plotline, I love to give a read. I saw this book when book shopping in Canada and absolutely loved it. The novel follows Iris as she tells the tale of how she escaped the abduction of her twin sister as a teenager. With her twin Piper's abduction presumed a runaway, the cops say there's nothing else to investigate, yet Iris wants answers and spends her time figuring that out.

This gripped me well and the layers, twists and turns added to the curiosity, of discovering what happened to her sister. I loved how there was a switch in time to past and present, and the dedication Iris had to discover what happened. It's dark but has the heart of desperation to know the answers. I also loved how it shared the insight of being a twin and what that really means.

Marple - Twelve New Mysteries by Agatha Christie 

As you know, murder mysteries and crime thrillers are my thing and this book encapsulated them all. With 12 short stories from crime authors interpreting the Marple theme, I enjoyed reading the unique nature of each plot and how the author adapted a tale of Marple to their writing and imagination.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What's your favourite read this year?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! I'm a big fan of thrillers and murder mysteries. I love sitting there and trying to figure out who did it and seeing all the twists and turns which come with this type of novel. They always leave me in suspense and wanting more which is one of my favourite feelings when reading a book. I picked this book up on a whim as it sounded like my kind of thing and honestly, I absolutely loved it. 

If you're looking for a new murder mystery and wholesome read, here is my full review of  Murder at the House on The Hill by Victoria Walters.

Plotline 

The story follows Nancy Hunter and her grandma Jane who run the Dedley Endings Bookshop selling mystery novels in their quiet Cotswold village where nothing ever happens. However, when the esteemed Roth family, open their mansion to guests for the first time in thirty years for a party, things change. The celebrations are cut short when Lucy, recently married to Harry Roth is found dead.

The plot is about figuring out who the murderer was and why. Nancy and Jane decide to investigate and figure out what really happened before the murderer gets away with it.

Characters and relationships

The characters in this novel gave it a wholesome appeal and showed the true nature of what having good people around you is really about. The protagonist Nancy I was really drawn to. She is a bookworm like me and lived a very simple and happy life with all the people she cared about around her. The book really encapsulated what village life is all about. Nancy and Jane's bond was full of love and reminded me of what true love in the family is. I loved the bond between Nancy and Jonathan too, who was her best friend. You can tell they've had their differences but they love each other have friends unconditionally and always have each other's back.

The Roth family were an interesting kettle of fish. My favourite of them all had to be the brothers' Will and Harry as Harry seemed like a sweetheart and my heart really went out to him about his wife's death. Will on the other hand had this different, cheeky and honest vibe to him which I liked in a character as it also showed the difference between the two.

Overall thoughts

Overall, this book was a very typical and I suppose cheesy murder mystery plotline which I absolutely loved. You get some murder mystery books which are very serious, however, this one had more of a light-hearted spin with other themes within the plot including the development of different relationships, friendships and the growth of characters. However, the murder mystery element was very well-thought out and all came together at once, which I liked. The author had a way of throwing me off the track a few times, and I enjoyed the twists. Its setting was beautifully explained, the book had a personal narrative and I loved the emphasis on the love of books within the plotline.

Ending

The ending all came together pretty nicely and the answer to what happened actually made a lot of sense I couldn't wait to discover it. The last few pages weren't my favourite though and I felt it could have had one last high to end on.

Discover more book reviews here.

I hope you enjoyed this review. What's your favourite type of book?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! As many of you know, my favourite type of books are crime thrillers, especially murder mysteries or 'who-done-its'. One of my favourite crime thriller authors is Lucy Foley; I absolutely love her books, The Hunting Party, The Guest List and The Paris Apartment. Since reading all of those books, I've been eager for her to bring out a new novel - and couldn't wait to read The Midnight Feast.

Lucy Foley has an incredible writing style; I love how she builds up a story, develops the characters and structures her book - and how all the big pieces of the puzzle come together in the end. If you're looking for a new murder mystery book, here is my book review of The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley.

Synopsis

Set in the middle of the Dorset coastline in midsummer, it's the opening weekend of The Manor, a new countryside retreat, attracting only the richest guests. Although under the midsummer sunshine and a massive heatwave, old friends and enemies circulate among the guests. The evening just about begins when a body is found and the mystery of who was killed and who did it begins. The story starts with a secret fifteen years ago, one that has crashed into a party, ending in murder. 

Characters and relationships

One of my favourite things about Lucy Foley's books is how she crafts the characters so beautifully with great depth. This book is split into several main characters, Francesca, Bella, Eddie, Owen and DI Walker. 

Francesca is the rich and pretentious main character, opening this new countryside retreat on the site of what used to be her family home. I didn't like her at all as a character; she was mean, harsh to people around us and thought she was better than everyone else. I could gather that she's in this spiritual phase of her life, trying to promote that type of lifestyle, yet really, isn't that wonderful of a person and it's all a cascade. 

The character Bella, I didn't originally understand her purpose in the story as she sounded like an average woman, not similar to the rich and upper-class crowd at this countryside retreat. She's a mum with revenge in her path for something that has happened to her. The longer the book goes on, the more layers are unveiled as to why Bella returns and the past she brought back with her.

Eddie is sweet and a little bit of a lost character, growing up on his parent's farm next to the glorified Manor which is now being turned into the countryside retreat. He's only young and secretly working at the new retreat, keeping the secret from his parents, who are locals of the area. The locals have a big issue with the new estate and Eddie doesn't seem to mind too much as he wants to make money to start a new life, outside of his tiny village. Eddie had a cute and innocent persona like a young man, completely out of his depth. 

DI Walker, I thought initially was just the detective of the book, yet the more the book went on, his role became more prominent.

Overall thoughts

Overall, like any Lucy Foley book, this book didn't disappoint in any way. The fast-paced nature and short chapters added to the book's suspense and speed. I wasn't sure how this book would pan out but every page somehow got better and also darker and deeper. The layers of the story are GENIUS and I love how the book maps out beautifully from the past to the present, and how the two link so well.

I thoroughly enjoyed the character development in this novel and how it added to the overall plotline and its heavy secrets. I would 100% recommend this novel to everyone because of the perfectly crafted murder mystery, the intense level of revenge and hatred and the wonderfully paced book, which reveals information exactly at the right moment.

Ending

The ending was just as I wanted it to be, yet there were still plenty of surprises in it to enjoy! A great way to end a book that built up so much suspense.

I hope you enjoyed this book! What are you currently reading?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is a book that has been raved about everywhere and I've had on my to-be-read pile for a very long time. When I finally picked it up, I regretted not reading it sooner because, to be honest, it's one of the most incredible and gripping books I've ever read.

If you're looking to read it or find out more, here is my full review of the Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle.

Plotline

The plot focuses on the death of Evelyn Hardcastle and the reason why she is murdered at a party thrown by her parents. But, it's not a simple murder mystery plotline as Aiden Bishop has to relive seeing Evelyn's murder hundreds of times as he wakes up in the body of a different guest each day and seeing it through their eyes. The only thing to break the cycle is for Aiden to put all the pieces together and identify who the killer is. However, someone is out there stopping him from ever leaving Blackheath and preventing him from figuring out the murder.

Characters and relationships 

The characters in this book are pretty complex but I love that, as with every chapter the characters develop and you learn more about them, and it helps thickens the plot even more. As Aiden wakes up in a different host every day, you learn about the character he is in, the relationship they have with the previous hosts, and how it links in with Evelyn's murder.

It's cleverly thought out how the pace of the character development builds out and who forms a bond with who when the chapters go on. Aiden and Anna's relationship is the most important throughout the whole novel and you learn that as Aiden keeps swapping hosts.

Overall thoughts

Overall, I absolutely adored this book in every single way. After reading many roaring reviews and recommendations, I didn't think it could live up to the hype but, it was even better. 

It's one of those books that is intense but the intensity never ends; I was gripped with every page and the more the chapters went on, the more I needed to read. In a sense, I became addicted to figuring out what the big secret was to find out the murderer. It's a mystery book like no other with so many unexpected twists and turns - and once I thought I was on the route to getting the answer to figuring out the mystery, more spanners are thrown into the works.

The book had a combination of a historical setting, thrilling pace, and complex narrative. I loved how the story was built up gradually and the reveal of the information came at the right time and it was written with such intellect. If you love thrillers, murder mystery and books that will honestly blow your mind, this is a read you need to give a go. 

Ending

The ending was as powerful and intense as the rest of the novel and summed up the answer of who killed Evelyn to another level - in the sense, there were another curveball and revelation thrown into an unexpected answer. It ended the book on the high it started and with a thrill - and also, the last page gave an inspiring note to end on. 

I hope you enjoyed this book review. Have you read this book?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! I've fallen back in love with reading this year and have been prioritising reading as part of my routine, ensuring I get through my to-be-read pile. Backpacking really helped amplify that prioritisation as I read a lot when travelling to new destinations on buses, planes and trains.

I've had the pleasure of reading some incredible novels, some I've fallen in love with, some I've been rather curious about and a few I didn't like as much. Over the course of the year, I've collected a list of many books and here are my favourite books of 2023.

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

Lucy Foley is one of my favourite crime, murder-mystery thriller authors and her books are GENIUS. One of the first books I read this year and one of the best is The Guest List. It's a book that honestly blew my mind with the amount of twists and turns and the intelligent crafting which went into making such a solid novel. The Guest List I've raved about again and again as it sparked my curiosity throughout the entire plot. When it ended, I was gutted as it was so brilliant.

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley

Another brilliant novel by Lucy Foley is The Paris Apartment. Although I preferred the characters and overall storyline of The Guest List, The Paris Apartment was completely brilliant with the plot. Like The Guest List, it's a book with a clever plot with unexpected twists and turns, figuring out who the murderer was and what happened. I loved the setting of The Paris Apartment as it's all set in one building about one family and all of their secrets.

The No-Show by Beth O'Leary

Beth O'Leary is also one of my favourite authors as I've loved every one of her books. She has this beautiful way of crafting realistic and likeable characters with her romantic and fast-paced storylines. I particularly loved The No-Show because it focuses on three different women and their lives and how they're connected in one way. I loved getting to learn more about the characters and becoming invested in their lives.

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

Now a TV show on Apple TV, The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave is a thriller I absolutely adored. Following the disappearance of a father, his daughter and wife are left completely clueless about his whereabouts, and the novel follows them as they try and figure out what happened. As the book unfolds, more layers and secrets are involved - and I love how genius it all is.

Found by Erin Kinsley

I came across Found by Erin Kinsley unexpectedly and it surprised me about how great it was. I love how it was a thriller but flipped as the tragedy was solved before the story was answered if that makes sense. A child goes missing and he's found, however, he is silent and won't say what has happened to him. However, the plot unveils what happened to him, with the aim of helping other children from potential danger. 

A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins

Paula Hawkins is an iconic author and I hadn't read her novels for a few years until I picked this one up recently, A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins. The plot follows three women as they're all connected to a brutal crime, the death of Daniel Sutherland. It's a novel packed with secrets, resentment, lies and dark history and how all of their lives link in some way, providing the answer to the murder.

 Well hello to you my reader chums! As many of you know murder mystery books are my favourite, I love discovering a mystery unveiled throughout the book, especially in a crime fiction novel. I've read my fair share of murder mysteries and continue to pick them up as it's a genre that thrills me. 

A recent book I picked up was The Maid on a whim and I didn't expect such a random purchase to be such a fab choice. If you're looking for a new novel to read, here is my book review of The Maid by Nita Prose.

Plotline

This novel follows Molly Gray, a maid working in the luxury Regency Grand Hotel. She is a cleaning whizz, taking her duty seriously and loving every moment of her job. One day, she discovers a very famous guest, Mr Black, dead in his bed, in Suite 401 and a messy mystery begins to unravel. Molly becomes the heart of the investigation because if anyone knows the secrets beyond the dirt, it's the maid.

Characters and relationships

The characters in this book were everything, especially Molly Gray. Molly is the most honest character, her authentic self every day, even at times when she doesn't mean to be. She isn't like a normal 25-year-old as she's mainly grown up with her nan, doesn't have many friends and isn't on board with the social cues. I love this about her though because she's always unapologetically herself and tries her best in every way to be kind to others and work hard in her job.

Molly had the most precious relationship with her late nan and references her throughout the novel and all the things she's taught her which has shaped who she is today. It's apparent how much she misses her nan and how navigating life without her is a massive challenge.

Another character I loved was Mr Preston, one of the older men working in the hotel and a character that always looks out for Molly in every way as he understands she's too nice, and can't comprehend when many people are joking about her or causing her harm.

Giselle is another staple character and as Mr Black's wife, a big suspect in the case. However, what's most important about her is their connection with Molly and how she offers a sense of friendship.

Overall thoughts

Overall I loved this novel in every way. It's a murder mystery that wasn't too heavy, with a big heart to it and a lighter tone. I love how even though it wasn't terrifying or too much of a thriller, the book had its fast pace, honest appeal and twists and turns adding to the overall thriller element.

It's a book that shows the true power of the good and bad people in your life, how good work goes a long way and who will always stand by you.

Ending

The ending of this book was a hopeful one, and honestly, throughout, I wasn't sure if the book would get to that point. However, I can say, I finished the book feeling satisfied for Molly and the other characters.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What are you currently reading?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! There's no better feeling than being utterly obsessed with a book, so much so, that you can't wait to find out what happens - and that's how I felt about The Hunting Party. I'm a huge thriller fan because I love the build-up, the suspense and the twists and turns you wouldn't expect. It leaves me on the edge of my seat wanting more.

If you're searching for an incredible thriller, here is my full review of The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley.

Plotline

The story follows a group of old friends as they stay in a remote hunting lodge, deep in the Scottish wilderness over the New Year period, to ring in 2019. The group know each other from their school and university days and this includes several couples and a singleton. During their stay, one of them is found dead, and it's not an accident. There's a murderer amongst the friends, but who is it?

Characters and relationships

One of my favourite ways books are written is when the perspective changes between different characters as I find it paces the novel quicker and builds more suspense, and really helps me understand more about the characters. The book did exactly that, telling the perspective of a few of the friends including Katie, Miranda, Emma, and the two people who worked at the lodge, Heather and Doug.

My favourite character had to be Katie. The more I learnt about her and how she lived in the shadow of Miranda, the more I resonated with and liked how normal and lovely she seemed. Miranda on the other hand, I wasn't a fan of. She came across as a big bully, someone who liked to control the situation and be the centre of attention, causing drama. Not exactly, someone, you'd like to have around and although I learnt she did it because of her own insecurities, it still made me angry for the other characters.

Emma is an interesting character and to be honest, I didn't really get her. She seemed a bit too perfect and too nice throughout the course of the book and had a disliking towards Katie which was strange. Katie and Miranda had an odd relationship, Miranda made out as if Katie was her project, their entire life since school and now Katie didn't want to be in Miranda's full attention - and I loved that for her.

The two lodge workers were completely different. My heart went out to Heather because the way she told her story, I could feel the heartbreak she went through, to arrive in such a place and work in the middle of nowhere. Doug, as a character had a lot more depth than met the eye.

The other friends were an interesting bunch and an odd group.

Overall thoughts

Overall, I haven't felt this excited about a book in a very long time. There was something about the character development, how the short chapters were mapped out and the many twists and turns changing my opinion constantly, which hooked me in. It's probably one of the best murder mystery books I've read. I loved the descriptions of the setting and how much detail the author went into. I love how there was so much focus on the character's history and how they all knew each other. And, I loved how the layers of their history came together to create drama and unveil completely unexpected surprises.

Honestly, I'm obsessed with the book. It had everything a good thriller needs: the right level of suspense, paced out fast enough to hook you in, but slow enough to give things away at the right time. The change of character's perspective really moved the novel in a way which I loved and added depth.

It's a book I'd happily recommend to everyone!

Ending

The ending was as genius as the rest of the book. As I said, throughout the book, there were so many twists and turns and many potential suspects and victims, I didn't know what the ending will be. However, when it came to it, it's as if the novel came together and everything spoken about previously, just made sense.

I hope you enjoyed this book review. What's next on your TBR pile?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you, my reader chums! Last year, I read nearly 30 books, and I'm aiming to keep to the goal this year as I loved that I could dive into the world of that many stories. My favourite types of books are crime thrillers, murder mysteries and historical fiction, with the occasional romance or non-fiction thrown in.

If you're looking for book recommendations, here are the best books I've read this year. 

The Wrong Sister  by Claire Douglas

This book follows two sisters, Tasha and Alice. Tasha is married to her childhood sweetheart and lives in a suburb with their twins, and she has always felt in the shadow of her older sister. Alice has a different lifestyle, married to a wealthy entrepreneur with a high-flying career. She realised Tasha was struggling with money and losing her identity and offered a life swap for a week, where Tasha and her husband could stay at their holiday home whilst Alice and her husband watched their children. Things go wrong, and Tasha receives a phone call that Alice is in hospital and Alice's husband is dead after a break-in. They think it's a burglary gone wrong until a note lands in the letterbox.

I adored this book for many reasons. I loved learning about the complexities of the sisters' relationship, and how much they care and value each other despite their differences. However, the best part was the incredible number of twists and turns. At one point, I thought I solved the mystery, and then the author added more layers and characters, including the knowledge their younger sister went missing as a baby.  

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Help is a classic novel following the lives of three ordinary women. Skeeter has returned home from university, and her mother is insistent on her finding a husband. She would usually chat with Constantine, the woman who raised her, but she has disappeared, and nobody will tell her why. Skeeter has the idea to tell the stories of 'The Help' in a novel, and two brave women, Aibileen and Minnie, share their experiences alongside other maids to start a movement and change how everyone views each other. 

I wanted to read this book for a long time, especially as I saw the film many years ago. This novel was a 5/5 read and a book which moved me, inspired by the lives of these women, mistreated and segregated due to the colour of their skin. I loved learning about each character's journey, and the delivery of the tale was pure genius.

The Audacity by Katherine Ryan 

I'm a massive Katherine Ryan fan because I admire her confidence, defiance and bold persona. This book highlighted that energy, sharing her life story, journey and many life lessons that gave her the confidence and freedom to express her honest opinion today. I loved this book because it shared how to have that self-assurance, how we all deserve to love and celebrate ourselves and that not caring too much about what people think is the best way forward to be happy.

The Last Flight by Julia Clark

This novel shares the lives of two women with two completely different lives. Claire Cook seems to have a perfect life, married to a politician and living this fancy lifestyle, but life is not what it seems. Her husband has a temper, and his staff tracks Claire's every move. Claire has spent months planning to vanish, and luckily, at the airport, she meets Eva, and the two of them decide to trade plane tickets. However, when the flight Eva got on crashed, Claire had to assume Eva's identity and the secrets Eva had taken so long to hide.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book because it shared the vulnerability and rawness of two women in a difficult and hard-to-get-out-of situation and what they had to do to save themselves. It's a challenging read, but that adds to the book's addictive nature and hope that both characters end up okay. This book is fast-paced, with lots of loopholes I didn't expect.

So As Long As You Write: Women on Writing by Kerry Ryan

This book was an uplifting and highlight moment for women as it shares many fiction pieces from different women, explaining honest experiences and life events in short stories or poems. I loved reading the diversity of voices in this book, including the author who compiled all the pieces together, Kerry Ryan. Between the stories, there's also honest and actionable advice for budding writers and those looking to make it in the industry, which I found very helpful.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What's your favourite book of the year so far?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Don't you love when you read a book and become obsessed with what's going to happen? That's how I felt about this plot, Found. I'm a big fan of mystery books and crime fiction and this had a brilliant combination of both with twists and turns throughout it. 

If you're looking for a new crime thriller, here is my full book review of Found by Erin Kinsley.

Plotline

The plot follows a missing child story, however with a twist: he is found. 11-year old Evan goes missing without a trace and there's no answer from the police, plunging his parents to live their worst nightmare. A few months later, he is found, terrified and refusing to speak about what happened to him. His family soon realise he's not going to be the same Evan he was before the abduction and that his life may be altered forever. 

DI Naylor is aware that unless they find who abducted Evan, other children may be in danger and it's a race against time to find those responsible before the inevitable happens.

Characters and relationships

The characters in this book were incredibly diverse and I loved how their relationships shaped the honesty and humanity of the story. It really amplified the importance and love of a family unit and how you should never give up.

The parents, Claire and Matt are your typical couple and loving parents, with a great bond that breaks slowly with the news of Evan. It's sad to read they fall apart and lose sight of who they are and their love for each other. Evan is a character you don't learn much about until after the incident where he opens up and learns a new way of his life with his grandad. Evan and his grandad's bond has to be my favourite as it's so precious and shows how turning to nature and having a focus can do wonders for your mental health.

I especially loved how the book doesn't just focus on what the plotline is about and finding out the mystery but sheds light on the relationships of the police force. With the heavy plotline, learning about Naylor's love life and her every day really added a human element to the plot.

Overall thoughts

Overall, I absolutely adored this book and couldn't put it down. The novel had an amazing amount of layers adding twists and turns in every chapter. The author had this wonderful way of talking about the present in the case and then moving to the now of the characters, and describing it in a chronological way that read clearly, and beautifully. I loved how despite the heaviness and sadness of the novel, there was light and positivity throughout and an endless feeling of love.

My favourite thing was the family unit in the novel, the mum, dad, grandparents and Evan himself and the love they had for each other. It made the plot even more heartbreaking at times because the sadness of what the family went through, especially Evan is traumatic. 

Ending

I won't give away the ending like in all my reviews, however, it was a brilliant one. I love when a novel comes together and all the snippets of information described throughout add up - and that's exactly what happened in this book.

I hope you enjoyed this review. What are you reading at the minute?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Thrillers are my favourite type of novel. I love a book to suck me and keep me hooked with lots of twists and turns. Paula Hawkins is one of my favourite authors of this genre because I adored her books, The Girl on the Train and Into the Water. 

Whether you're a fan of thrillers like me or fancy a new novel to jump into, here is my full book review on Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins.

Plotline

The plot follows three women, all connected to one brutal crime. Three women who are determined to right the wrongs done to them, and all who have everything to hide. With hard life experiences, these women all have the potential to do terrible things, but only one of them could have killed Daniel Sutherland.

It's a plot with plenty of secrets, resentment, lies and dark history of each woman's life and I love how that's intertwined into the blot.

Characters and relationships

The plot has many main characters and focal people in the plot, including Carla, Laura, Irene, Miriam, Angela and Theo. The character descriptions and build-up in this book were written beautifully and thoughtfully, and it really added value to the plot. My favourite character has to be Irene because she was just a completely normal older woman and I liked how she friended Laura and their relationship evolved. Angela and Carla are sisters and honestly, their relationship saddened me as the plot panned out.

My least favourite characters were Miriam and Theo as the entire time I didn't get a great feeling from them and that was apparent in the plot.

Overall thoughts

Overall, I adored every part of this book. Paula Hawkins is one of my favourite authors and her books never fail to disappoint. This book had the perfect pace for a murder mystery, that balance of revealing information at the best time but enough suspense to make it an incredible thriller. I loved how the characters unveiled as the plot moved on and I learnt how they link to one another and the overall plot, which was genius.

I would 100% recommend this book to any thriller or murder mystery fans and those who love to dive in deep with a book straight away.

Ending

The ending was better than I expected as I never know if a brilliant book lives up to expectations. I thought this book was going to go one way and then it made a turn with a completely different ending.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What's your favourite book at the minute?

Thank you for reading <3