Linda Huber- Deathwish-4*

Ashley and Leo have just moved into a house that Leo has been doing up as part of his business. Ashley’s Mother is in the annex adjoining them, which Ashley doesn’t feel comfortable with at all as her mother is constantly derogatory to her and has caused her major issues.. Next door Martine’s mother Vee has Huntington’s disease and is a lovely old lady despite requiring increasing amounts of assistance. When the subject of going to Switzerland on a one way trip for Vee is discussed, Ashley can’t help but wish it was her mother instead of Vee. Unknown to Ashley, Leo has entered into  business arrangement with Eleanor (Ashley’s mother) to the tune of £800k, part of the deal being that she lives in the annex. Family ties cause irritations for a lot of people and this will ring bells with many I am sure. Linda writes her characters brilliantly and it is easy to see them in your mind’s eye. A story that I could easily see as a TV drama. A comfortable read for the most part but then underlying themes develop into something more. The short insight that we are given at the beginning giving a taste of what is to come. A highly enjoyable read.I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased

The Fourth Friend- Joy Ellis  4.5* -

Carter was in a light aircraft with his 4 friends when it went down and he was the only survivor. Being back at work is taking his mind off things to an extent. An old case is reopened where a woman is missing and the chief’s niece is getting unwanted attention. I love Joy’s books. There are always great characters that you take to, an excellent plot and a few other smaller plot lines along the way. A little humour into the mix makes for a very well told rounded book that I would recommend to anyone. Nothing too gory, nothing to put you off your dinner, just a nice drama that comes to life through the pages. A highly enjoyable read.I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased

Living on a Rainbow- Calvin Wade 5**

H tells us of his life growing up. Always with his friend Andy by his side. The book starts with Andy sitting next to H on a viaduct with H deciding what to do with his life as he has just found out something about his wife that he wished he hadn’t. He then begins his story, telling of his childhood, his much adored father and of his first sexual encounters, all laced with a little humour. You can’t help but love Calvin’s characters and I am sure like me many will be reminded of those we have loved and lost. Written with such warmth that just occasionally a tear was brought to my eye. The depth to the characters oozes through the pages and you could imagine them as a friend or neighbour, so vivid are the pictures painted. If you, like me, have never listened to “I Giorni” then please do. Music flows through this book and some really stand out- this being one of them. Even if you don’t know what this piece “stands for” it is an evocative piece. Thank you Calvin for introducing me to it. “Those who care too much” really resonated with me and I had to smile at the “those who don’t give a s**t leading  the pull yourself together campaign”.  I cried at “Remember” and I laughed at “the blue ridge mountains”. I didn’t want this book to end. Calvin you have a wonderful , brilliant talent. I award very few books my own special 5** rating and this deserves it in spades. Thank you so much for a truly brilliant read.

Jennifer Brown’s Journey- Angie Langley 4*

Jennifer is a PA albeit a rather hapless one but with her positive can-do attitude she cuts it- and blags it when she can’t. Her husband is being rather off- and she soon finds out why and sets off on her journey to find herself again. This is a wonderfully happy uplifting book with a smile along the way. Situations we have all found ourselves in (or seen others do) looked at with a little humour. A delightful easy read, perfect to lift your spirits over a coffee or two.I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased

The Art of hiding- Amanda Prowse 5*

When a husband dies and his wife and family know nothing about the running of the house and business, things can become rather more difficult than they anticipated when the day after the funeral Nina is told they are bankrupt. Life changes dramatically and suddenly. Money doesn’t always bring happiness or self worth.. This is one of those books that grabs you from the start and makes you want to find out more. A lead character that you feel and root for in the turmoil of her life and the innocent and naive one she has led to this point, sheltered by a devoted husband. She has her boys to think of and realises things that wouldn’t have crossed her mind in her past life with Finn. She has talents of her own and enjoys company rather than hiding behind her insecurities. She is beholden to no-one and isn;t the waitress she realises that she was, standing on the periphery. This is beautifully written and  poignant , filling me with tears at one point with memories of my own as I am sure it will others.. Stunning, uplifting, wonderful. Love it.I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased

He made me (Booker and Cash)-  Oliver Tidy 4*

A woman walks into the coffee shop where Booker sits requesting Jo’s help. Her husband is being blackmailed but she knows little more. I love Booker and Cash. Together they are a wonderful team and come across the pages as people you would love to know and love to go and have a coffee or two with. A wonderfully comfortable read with colourful characters. Like putting on an old pair of slippers the sort of book you feel comfortable with and love. A really enjoyable read.

The Wrong Child- Patricia Kay 4*

Two girls born on the same night in the middle of a blizzard. Two single parents, two separate paths...until an innocuous blood test tells one of them that they can’t be the biological parent of their child as the groups don’t link.  Nature and nurture are very different things and although the parents can see “differences” in their child-so what, we aren’t all the same are we? Will Logan’s plan work? If it doesn’t- what then?  I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. The characters are well written and although at times there is one who is rather annoying it does bring the situation to life. We have all seen this sort of thing in the media but perhaps never think about the impact it has on others rather than just those involved. Some very wise words including: “People who refused to see the truth, who always blamed others for their unhappiness were doomed to a life of disappointment”. A well written story with a very interesting premise.

The Art of fear- Pamela Crane-4*  

Ari lost her sister when she was young. Her parents blamed her and she was put into care. Years later she joins a suicide help group and meets a friend in Tina who has sold by her parents in order for them to get money. The story is of their friendship which quickly develops as they have much in common. Stolen childhoods, parents they couldn’t trust and a life they should never have led. When Tina finds her father dead, they join forces to try and find the perpetrator. This is a very descriptive  and well researched book- in a good way. The characters breathe life from the pages with their harrowing stories and how they approach life and you can’t help but feel for them- the art of a good storyteller. I understand that part of this has come from a true story-wow.  An interesting highly enjoyable read.

I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased

Deadly partnership- Richard Gardner 4*

A good book is when you enjoy it all the way through. A great book is when you can‘t put it down because it has drawn you in so much you just have to know what happens. This one falls into that category. Paul has just retired and decides to move back with his sister Julie to raise funds from his house to help his son Gary whose business is on its knees from his lavish spending. When an intruder breaks in, their plans have to change rather swiftly. Paul also meets an old flame from his school days and a little romance is in the air.A twist that puts Paul in a spin and a past that comes in rather useful. Brilliantly written with excellent descriptions that pitch you into the heart of the action. A little humour, a little romance. Overall a lighthearted read with nothing to put you off your dinner, even if one or two characters are not still breathing.I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

Lie with me- Sabine Durrent 4.5 *

I won’t give a synopsis as this has been done so many times for this book. Although as others have said this book has  rather a slow start, it does give you a good background to the main characters especially Paul the key one. Having just finished this I can only think “Wow”. I really didn’t see that coming. A very cleverly thought out plot with characters that come to life and then….I won’t give anything away but prepare to be blown away. I had my suspicions as to the protagonist- and was wrong to a degree (they assisted). But for the start I would have given this 5* and I can see why it was “the gripping Richard and Judy bestseller”. The truth always outs… or does it?

The trouble with Henry and Zoe-Andy Jones 4.5*

Henry is about to marry April. The trouble is he has had a nagging feeling for a while and he is not sure if he should go through with it. Her parents are paying for a very grand wedding along with a new home for the couple. Should he proceed or disappoint them all? Zoe and Alex have been together for a while and Zoe feels in a bit of a rut and not feeling about Alex like she did- or should. Suddenly things change and life throws a curveball. This is a book about characters- ones you may relate to or have known in one way or another.About opportunities and forgetting the past and “what if’s”. Brilliantly described scenes and characters that you warm to . A wonderful , thoughtful easy read about picking yourself up and grabbing life whilst you can.

Long shot- Jack Steele- 4*

Joe Stone is part of the Strategic investigation unit committed to reducing crime in the Tower Hamlets area of London. A bomb has gone off at St Paul’s cathedral causing untold damage and killing and injuring many. Changes are afoot at SIU and the wider investigation of terrorism becomes part of their remit. Joe’s girlfriend Gemma has been missing for over a year whilst working as part of the border patrol. and he receives some news which surprises him.  A book with a good story and with the aside of something more personal to the main character. A fast moving thriller that has a cliffhanger almost at the end of every short, snappy  chapter that keeps the flow apace. This is the second book in the series and would happily stand alone but having read the first you are more in the picture to the background and why miss out on a really good read? I could see this as a TV drama as there is so much to keep the viewer/reader enthralled.  A little humour, background of the characters to give them depth and an excellent plot line. A very entertaining, highly recommended read.I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased

A Christmas wish- Erin Green 4*

Flora arrives in the village she thinks she was born in one Christmas eve after deciding it is one of those things she should do rather than get just drunk with her friends. She was found on a doorstep just a few days old and most of the village remember the event but have never known who her mother is.  One of those lovely comfortable reads that you can curl up with a coffee and enjoy. Characters that come to life through the pages and descriptions so you can see the scenes in your imagination. Although a Christmas title this is a book that could be read anytime as it’s only the start and end that are seasonally related. An uplifting thoroughly enjoyable read.I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

Seeking Eden- Beverley Harvey-4*  

Kate is fed up of living in London and loves the idea of living in Eden Hill. Once  there, an old flame contacts her and she a little more than she bargained for.  Lisa was married to a famous footballer but his drinking has driven them apart. Martin owns the local carpet shop but has aspirations of far more. A book that is not quite as light hearted as it first may appear. Some depth to the characters and plot that makes you think about life and the predicament of others. Self made or circumstantial? Lives inter-tangled, this is an enjoyable women’s fiction read with depth.I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.