Book Review ‘Do No Harm’ by Jack Jordan

THE BLURB:

My son has been taken. And I’ve been given a choice…
Kill a patient on the operating table. Or never see him again.

The man lies on the table in front of me.
As a surgeon, it’s my job to save him.
As a mother, I know I must kill him.
You might think that I’m a monster.
But there really is only one choice.
I must get away with murder.
Or I will never see my son again.

I’VE SAVED MANY LIVES.
WOULD YOU TRUST ME WITH YOURS?

MY REVIEW:

I love a buddy read on thrillers. Huge thanks to Kate for being my bookworm buddy for this one.
Firstly, the cover is IMMENSE. Clean, dramatic, eye catching and pretty much gives you a warning to watch your heart rate while reading it!
This book first came on my radar after seeing author Louise Beech post on Twitter about a ‘edge-of-your-seat, nail-biting, buttock-clenching thriller.’
Was she right!
This was one of the most stressful thriller I’ve ever read!
Wow, did my heart have to work hard! It CONSUMED me. Even when not reading it, I was thinking about it- the characters, the theories, predictions and everything in between.
Anna was a great character, and really personified the charisma and superiority of heart surgeons! Her relationship with her son was so strong, and dictated her decisions throughout.
The epitome of a heart-stopping thriller. This book will be HUGE. It’s my new go-to recommendation for 2022 thrillers.

5 out of 5 stars!

Book Review: ‘Patience’ by Victoria Scott

THE BLURB:

If you were offered a chance to cure your child’s disease, would you take it?
‘A thought-provoking, compelling and entertaining read. I could barely put the book down until its equally heart-wrenching and heart-warming ending. A wonderful, smart and funny book – I know readers will absolutely love it’ Louise Fein, bestselling author of People Like Us

The Willows have been through a lot. Louise has devoted her life to caring for her disabled youngest daughter. Pete works abroad, almost never seeing his loved ones. And their eldest, Eliza, is burdened by all the secrets she’s trying to keep from her overloaded family.

Meanwhile, Patience observes the world while trapped in her own body. She laughs, she cries, she has opinions and knows what she wants. But those who love her most – and make every decision about her life – will never know.

Or will they? When the Willows are offered the opportunity for Patience to take part in a new gene therapy trial to cure her Rett syndrome, they face an impossible dilemma. Are the very real risks worth the chance of the reward, no matter how small?

‘An extraordinary novel about love and hope and family and what happens in the space between the words. I adored it’ Kirsten Hesketh, author of Another Us.

MY REVIEW:

Okay, heads up. I am a huge Take That fan, and I have cerebral palsy. So this book sounded perfect for me!
I loved it, the different perspectives of the various family members really helped me gain an understanding of Patience and the impact of her condition on her relatives.
I had not heard of Rett’s Syndrome before reading this book, and upon it’s introduction, I immediately looked it up online. The premise of the story centres around Patience, and the dispute about her care among her family. Her chapters are heartfelt, traumatic and so moving to read. She is unable to communicate her needs and feelings to those around her, and I admit this was agony for the reader to share the pain with her whilst others decided her fate.
The personality of Patience shines through, as does her love of Take That. I do wish there were more references to the band though, I can’t lie! I felt for Patience as she is put through repeats of the Progress Tour DVD, that’s my least favourite tour!
On a serious note, Scott deals with the subject matter beautifully, weaving a little humour to lighten the intensity throughout.
I loved this, and Patience will stay with me for a while yet. Wonderful.

5 out of 5 stars!

Book Review: ‘The New Wife’ by Sue Watson

Review of the audiobook narrated by Tamsin Kennard.
I absolutely loved this book, listened to it at any available opportunity, even got up earlier for work so I could squeeze in another half an hour!
I did like the protagonist on the whole, and she was excellently portrayed by the narrator. The other characters were a little annoying for me at times, but their personalities were central to the book.
I didn’t guess the suspect, but then I was supsicious of everyone at some point!
I loved the narrator, she had an excellent speaking voice that was so natural and easy to listen to, and she made it a really enjoyable listen.
I did end the book rather upset, after hearing the after effects of grief described by Lauren’s family. The loss felt by her sister echoed some of my feelings surrounding my own sister’s death, and this was portrayed very accurately. It was an unexpected ending to a very gripping thriller.

5 out of 5 stars!

Book Review: ‘Survivor’s Guilt’ by Michael Wood

Matilda Drake book 8.

The Blurb:

A TEAM TORN APART

Nine months ago DCI Matilda Darke survived a bullet to the head. The brutal attack claimed dozens of lives, including those she loved most, and the nightmares still plague her every waking thought.

A MEMORY SHE’D RATHER FORGET

Now, she’s ready to get back on the job. But a new terror awaits. A woman is found murdered and her wounds look eerily similar to several cold cases. Desperate to find a lead, DCI Darke and her team must face a terrifying truth: a serial killer is on the loose in Sheffield.

A THREAT CLOSE TO HOME

Matilda has led countless murder investigations before but the lingering emotional scars from her ordeal and the uneasiness within her once-tight team have left tensions high. As the body count rises, Matilda realises that this might just be where it all ends.

The brand new instalment in the DCI Matilda Darke series will leave you on the edge of your seat. Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Kathy Reichs and Peter James.

My Review:

What a great introduction for me to the Matilda Drake series. This is number 8 in the series, but my first foray. Any background to Drake is explained, so can be read as a standalone, but I definitely feel it would have enhanced by enjoyment if I had read the series from the start. I would definitely like to go back and read these, if this book is anything to go by!
I loved Matilda, she is a superb character to have a series around!
The plot was extremely gripping, making me gasp out loud several times, and I was hooked for the majority of the book. Even in the ‘quieter’ pages, it wasn’t for long, and I was soon brought back in, until it didn’t let up until the end.
Wood is a new author for me, but I can’t wait to read his next book. He is a fantastic author and I highly recommend this one!

4 out of 5 stars!

Book Review: ‘The Maid’ by Nina Prose

THE BLURB:

Molly Gray is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and misreads the intentions of others. Her gran used to interpret the world for her, codifying it into simple rules that Molly could live by.

Since Gran died a few months ago, twenty-five-year-old Molly has been navigating life’s complexities all by herself. No matter—she throws herself with gusto into her work as a hotel maid. Her unique character, along with her obsessive love of cleaning and proper etiquette, make her an ideal fit for the job. She delights in donning her crisp uniform each morning, stocking her cart with miniature soaps and bottles, and returning guest rooms at the Regency Grand Hotel to a state of perfection.

But Molly’s orderly life is upended the day she enters the suite of the infamous and wealthy Charles Black, only to find it in a state of disarray and Mr. Black himself dead in his bed. Before she knows what’s happening, Molly’s unusual demeanor has the police targeting her as their lead suspect. She quickly finds herself caught in a web of deception, one she has no idea how to untangle. Fortunately for Molly, friends she never knew she had unite with her in a search for clues to what really happened to Mr. Black—but will they be able to find the real killer before it’s too late?

A Clue-like, locked-room mystery and a heartwarming journey of the spirit, The Maid explores what it means to be the same as everyone else and yet entirely different—and reveals that all mysteries can be solved through connection to the human heart.

MY REVIEW:

Absolutely superb.
I loved this book, and I’m going to even say this may be one of my favourite reads of the year.
Molly. Who doesn’t love Molly? She was a wonderful character and I cheered her on with every page. I loved her and would like to be friends with her! Her personality shined through the book, and I laughed with her, but had so many sympathy pangs for her too.
The story around Mr Black was the very definition of unputdownable, and I raced through the book. I was actually sad to see it end.
It is books like these that make me thankful of my love for books, and my enjoyment of receiving ARC’s.
I cannot wait to read more from Nita Prose. I am astounded this is her debut novel.

5 out of 5 stars!

BOOK REVIEW: ‘LETHAL GAME’ by Charlie Gallagher

Book Review: ‘Lethal Game’ by Charlie Gallagher

THE BLURB:He knows your name. Where you live. How to find your family.If you don’t play the game, the people you love will die. If you lose the game, you will.When DI Joel Norris and DS Lucy Rose are called to investigate the death of a young woman, found brutally murdered on a quiet country lane, they can have no way of knowing what lies ahead.This killer makes his own rules, using his victims like chess pieces in a life-sized match of strategy and escape, with the highest stakes imaginable.Norris and Rose are now pawns in the killer’s twisted contest.Can they beat him at his own game before the next round begins and more innocent lives are taken?

MY REVIEW:

I really enjoyed this book! My first outing with Charlie Gallagher, and this has definitely whetted my appetite with his books. Great characters, who I supported from the start. Not reading the earlier book in the series did not hamper my enjoyment of this one, and it was easy to follow the background stories that I had missed. The plot of the ‘game’ was excellent, and so unique! One of the things I love about thrillers is wondering where the authors get their plot ideas from, and this did give me the same thoughts. There’s not many thrillers that can hold my attention in the entirety of the novel, and this did falter a little, but not for long! Within a couple of chapters, the author grabbed me straight back into the story. I can’t wait to read more of Gallagher’s work.

4 out of 5 stars

BLOG TOUR ‘ON A NIGHT LIKE THIS’ BY LINDSEY KELK

Today is my stop on the #BlogTour for this amazing book!

THE BLURB:

Don’t miss the unforgettable new romcom from the Sunday Times bestselling author – the most feel-good Christmas book of 2021, available to pre-order now!

Within days of wishing she could change her life, Fran Cooper is acting assistant to a celebrity, on a yacht in the Mediterranean, and en route to a tiny Italian island and the glittering Crystal Ball, along with the world’s rich and famous.

And while not everything in her new role goes precisely to plan, when she – quite literally – bumps into a handsome American called Evan, a man able to keep his cool in the face of chaos, the magic really begins.

Evan makes her a promise: no last names, no life stories, just one unforgettable night. Wearing a designer dress and drinking champagne, Fran is a million miles away from ordinary life.

And that’s the problem: Evan belongs at the Crystal Ball and Fran is a gatecrasher. They may be soulmates, but their homes are an ocean apart, and their lives a world apart. They’ll never meet again – unless, on a night like this, everything can change forever…

MY REVIEW:

What a wonderful read, right when I needed it.
Just wrap me up in a duvet with a hot drink, and then come back when I’ve finished!
This was a gorgeous book, that made me laugh out loud (I love Kelk’s sense of humour and this shone through) and gave me all the feels I wanted!
Fran was a fantastic character, one I would love to be friends with, and she was the perfect one for the scenarios she found herself in.
A modern take on ‘Cinderella’ and I adored it. Kelk has crafted a belter.

5 OUT OF 5 STARS!

BLOG TOUR: ‘JUST HAVEN’T MET YOU YET’ BY SOPHIE COUSENS

Today is my stop on the #BlogTour of ‘Just Haven’t Met You Yet’ by Sophie Cousens! A tale of humour, love, fate and everything in between!

THE BLURB:

Tell me the story of how you two met…Laura has built a career out of finding epic true-life stories for her column on love and relationships.When she picks up the wrong suitcase at the airport, Laura wonders if this could be her very own meet-cute moment.From piano sheet-music to a battered copy of her favourite book, Laura finds in the bag evidence of everything she could hope for in a partner.If Laura’s job has taught her anything it’s that when it comes to love, you can’t let opportunity pass you by. Now Laura is determined to track down the owner of the suitcase, and her own happy ending.But what if fate has other ideas?

MY REVIEW:

Thank you to Rachel at Penguin Random House Cornerstone for my physical copy! Okay, this could be a long review as my head is brimming with things I want to say, so please bear with me.Firstly, I loved the title. Didn’t twig until my fiance and sister pointed out the song title of a particular singer… and now I don’t know how I missed it, as I sing it in my head whenever I read the title cover!I loved the premise- the line ‘so tell me how you both met?’ gets asked to me and my fiance a lot but it is one of my favourite stories to tell. Along with the ‘grand gesture’ of his proposal!Anyway, I digress.The beginning of the book starts around the phrase “cheer up, it might never happen”, and this is literally the worst phrase ever to me. People who say that can’t have had any trauma or bereavement in their lives, and how do they know it hasn’t already happened for that person? I lost my sister last year, and I swear if anyone says that to me, they will get the Ginger Tornado (me) unleashed. So I definitely gave Laura a virtual pat on the back for her response.The characters were wonderful, and I have to say my personal favourite is Gerry. I honestly think we all need a Gerry in our lives. His outlook was remarkable, and as someone with a permanent disability, the way he talked about his struggles really spoke something to me. I feel like writing his quotes out and displaying them all round my house as a reminder to myself to stay positive. Love him.The loss Laura has had to deal with was heart breaking to read, and Cousens definitely stayed true to reality in her portrayal of grief.The funny moments to balance the sadness were hilarious (the cows come to mind first LOL) and I laughed out loud frequently.Jersey was the perfect setting for the story, and Cousens’ ability to describe it’s beauty and character was extremely special.While it was a little predictable, I didn’t care. It was just what I needed for my light but at times sad, bedtime read. Loved it.

5 out of 5 stars!

Book Review: ‘Wish You Were Here’ by Jodi Picoult

THE BLURB:

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author comes a deeply moving novel about the resilience of the human spirit in a moment of crisis.

Diana O’Toole is perfectly on track. She will be married by thirty, done having kids by thirty-five, and move out to the New York City suburbs, all while climbing the professional ladder in the cutthroat art auction world. She’s not engaged just yet, but she knows her boyfriend, Finn, a surgical resident, is about to propose on their romantic getaway to the Galápagos—days before her thirtieth birthday. Right on time.

But then a virus that felt worlds away has appeared in the city, and on the eve of their departure, Finn breaks the news: It’s all hands on deck at the hospital. He has to stay behind. You should still go, he assures her, since it would be a shame for all of their nonrefundable trip to go to waste. And so, reluctantly, she goes.

Almost immediately, Diana’s dream vacation goes awry. The whole island is now under quarantine, and she is stranded until the borders reopen. Completely isolated, she must venture beyond her comfort zone. Slowly, she carves out a connection with a local family when a teenager with a secret opens up to Diana, despite her father’s suspicion of outsiders.

Diana finds herself examining her relationships, her choices, and herself—and wondering if when she goes home, she too will have evolved into someone completely different.

MY REVIEW:

Wow.
Please pardon the Covid-related pun, but this was simply breathtaking.
I am a HUGE fan of Jodi Picoult, she is my most well read author, and I have only ever DNF’d two of her previous novels. Her ability to craft a novel around some of the most controversial topics the world has to offer continues to astound me. When I heard this was a book about Covid, I was apprehensive, expecting to read about face masks and hand washing. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
This review is difficult to write, purely because I doubt I can do it justice. Picoult has written a novel that is moving, powerful, and painfully brutal about living in a pandemic hand how it has changed the world.
The beauty surely comes from the setting, the Galapagos islands were described so articulately, I felt as if I was there. The urge to Google never left me throughout the book, but I am fascinated by the revelations Picoult weaved through the plot.
And now we come onto the plot. Gripping, tender and ‘gasp out loud’ moments that threw me off kilter. I loved Diana, and her story is one that will resonate with me for many months to come, of that I am certain. I adored it and the book hangover had already arrived by the time I was reading the epilogue.
I have found my new favourite Jodi Picoult novel.

5 out of 5 stars

Book Review: ‘The Lighthouse Witches’ by C.J. Cooke

THE BLURB:

Two sisters go missing on a remote Scottish island. Twenty years later, one is found–but she’s still the same age as when she disappeared. The secrets of witches have reached across the centuries in this chilling Gothic thriller from the author of the acclaimed The Nesting.

When single mother Liv is commissioned to paint a mural in a 100-year-old lighthouse on a remote Scottish island, it’s an opportunity to start over with her three daughters–Luna, Sapphire, and Clover. When two of her daughters go missing, she’s frantic. She learns that the cave beneath the lighthouse was once a prison for women accused of witchcraft. The locals warn her about wildlings, supernatural beings who mimic human children, created by witches for revenge. Liv is told wildlings are dangerous and must be killed.

Twenty-two years later, Luna has been searching for her missing sisters and mother. When she receives a call about her youngest sister, Clover, she’s initially ecstatic. Clover is the sister she remembers–except she’s still seven years old, the age she was when she vanished. Luna is worried Clover is a wildling. Luna has few memories of her time on the island, but she’ll have to return to find the truth of what happened to her family. But she doesn’t realize just how much the truth will change her.

MY REVIEW:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4185277089

This was a fantastic audiobook!
I had heard lots of great reviews and I was so excited to dive in!
The start hooked me straight away and I loved the suspense and intrigue, with little plot developments along the way to keep me there.
I cared about the characters, in both timelines and I think that is a huge challenge for an author!
The only negative I have was that as the book was tying up the ends, I still felt some areas were not explained and I wanted more of a ‘wow’ ending, as having finished this audio a few days ago, I’m struggling to remember some of it.

4 OUT OF 5 STARS!