BLOG TOUR: The Last Will and Testament of Daphne Le Marche by Kate Forster

I would like to thank the publishers for an arc copy of this book via netgalley in return for an honest review as part of the blog tour.

The Last Will and Testament if Daphne Le Marche begins when Daphne is eighty years old and on her death bed.  Focusing on Daphne's life, the book takes us to Paris in 1956, where an eighteen year old Daphne steps off a bus into the bright and bustling city of Paris, armed with a suitcase full of her own homemade cosmetics, knowing and hoping that she is destined for more than what life has already given her.  Now, in 2016, Daphne, the creator of one of the most iconic scents in the world and owner of her own cosmetics company has dies and has left her business to her two Granddaughters.  But, not even they could have guessed the secrets that their Grandmother was hiding and what is to come their way next.  The Last Will and Testament of Daphne Le Marche takes us on an trip to London and France, spanning decades, that is full of secrets, heartbreak, scandal and teaches us that their is nothing more important than family.

Surprisingly, this is the first book that I have read by Kate Forster, but it definitely won't be the last! I'm not sure how this author managed to stay under my radar for so long but now that I have found her, I am looking forward to discovering her back catalogue.

I thought that this book would be a lighthearted, chick-lit book, but I couldn't have been more wrong.  This book is so much more than that and has taught me not to judge a book by its cover.  I was so pleasantly surprised at what was contained inside the pages of this book.  The story had such an air of mystery  and scandal to it, which really sucks the reader in and spits them back out again.  There are so many twists and turns in this book, which is hard to find in books of any genre, that the reader is kept entertained and on the edge of their seat throughout.  I read this book in one sitting, a feat that I have not been able to achieve before now.

I just adored Daphne and everything about her.  More books should have strong independent main females characters like her.  Her character was so wise and stopped at nothing to achieve her dream.  Yes, she did have her own fair share of scandal, but she really is a role model in that she knew what was important to her and she let nothing and noone stand in her way.  I also loved her Granddaughters.  The way that they were able to pull together and find strength when the going got tough is very insightful, even with all that they are faced with in the aftermath of Daphne's death.

The Last Will and Testament of Daphne Le Marche is a beautifully written, spellbinding tale or how one woman chased her dream.  Brilliantly written, showing that the author has a serious talent for storytelling that I just want to shout about from the rooftops.  Easily one of the best books that I have ever had the pleasure of reading.  An utter delight from start to finish!

5 stars

BLOG TOUR: The Ex Factor by Eva Woods

I would like to thank the publishers for an arc copy of this book via netgalley in return for an honest review as part of the blog tour.

When Marnie returns home to London after spending two years travelling to different parts of South America, she's single and looking for love.  To Marnie's surprise she soon finds out that she isn't the only one.  After the breakup of her friends various relationships, Helen, Ani and Rosa are all single too.  With the four women now in their thirties, they decide that there is no time like the present to find love.  Rather than follow the latest craze and join an internet dating website, the girls decide to set each other up with one if their own exes.  We follow the girls on their quest for love, dating each others exes and having fun along the way.

After reading a few heavy crime novels, this was exactly the light hearted read that I needed.  The Ex Factor had me in fits of laughter throughout and I found that I had the book read in no time.  The pages seemed to turn themselves and one more chapter was never enough.  The Ex Factor is a total breath of fresh air and I love that it doesn't take itself too seriously.

The thing that I loved the most about this book is that it switches between the point of views of each of the four characters.  I love a book that is told in this way because I feel that it allows the reader to get to know the characters better than if the story is told from one characters viewpoint.  As far as main characters go, Marnie, Helen, Rosa and Ani are some of the best developed characters that I have read in this genre to date.  Each came with a brilliantly developed back story.  From the very beginning of this book, I felt as though I knew each of the girls for years and that they are close personal friends of mine.  Each character is so different and their individual personalities really shine through to make this book the gem that it is.

The cover is bold and beautiful and signifies the perfect summer read, which is exactly what this book is.  The Ex Factor has a cover that would definitely attract my attention for the shelves in the bookshop.

The Ex Factor is a fantastic read that takes a look at dating in the modern world, with lots of twists and turns thrown in along the way, taking the characters and the reader on one hell of a journey.  Full of witty comments and funny scenes that will have the reader laughing out loud from the word go, The Ex Factor is a superb read from start to finish.  If you are looking for the perfect read to accompany you to the beach or to cuddle up on the sofa with, then look no further than The Ex Factor.  Eva Woods has written one cracker of a story and she must be applauded for her ability to make people laugh.  I loved every moment that I spent with this book.  I really can't recommend The Ex Factor enough, who doesn't need to lose themselves in a hilarious and highly entertaining book for a few hours.  You won't regret reading it.

4 stars

The Things I Should Have Told You by Carmel Harrington

I would like to thank the publishers, Harper Collins, for an arc copy of this book in return for a honest review.

Olly Guinness hasn't had it easy lately, his thirteen year old daughter nearly dies from alcohol poising just weeks before he tragically loses his beloved father, Pops, to Cancer.  Olly realises that he has lost control of his life, he had no job, due to  being made redundant a year previously and he and his wife, Mae, are growing further and further apart with every passing day.  But Pops wasn't going to leave his family without giving them one last surprise.  When the Guinness family return home from Pops' funeral, there is a camper van waiting for them in the driveway.  They soon learn that Pops is sending them on an eight week trip around Europe, in Nomad, their new campervan.  After a few false starts, we follow Olly, Mae and their to children, Evie and Jamie as they take the trip of a lifetime around Europe.  What follows is a heartwarming and heartbreaking story of how one family learned how to enjoy every moment and to 'leave nothing unsaid'.

This was the book that I was most anticipating this year, and I am more than a little bit delighted to say that it exceeded my expectations in every way possible.  I am a huge fan of Carmel's books and I feel that The Things I Should Have Told You is her best so far.  This is beautifully written book, that I loved from start to finish.  I loved the idea of this book, and ordinary family, not without their fair share of problems, setting off on the adventure of a lifetime, guided by Pops, who is sadly no longer with them.

I adored that the first chapter of the book is told from Pops point of view.  This gives us a little insight into Pops life and I think that it really helped to set the story.  From chapter two onwards, each chapter is told from the point of view of one of the four members of the Guinness family.  I love that the story is written like this, because it allowed me to get to know each character better and it allows us to follow the family's adventure from the point of view of both the adults and the children.

The biggest appeal in this book is without a doubt the characters.  Olly, Mae, Evie, Jamie and Pops are some of the most relatable characters that I have ever had the pleasure of reading.  There are so many people in Ireland, and indeed all over the world, who can relate to what the family are going through.  There are not many people left in the world today, who hasn't been affected by Cancer in one way or another.  For many, who have lost a loved one to this horrible disease, they will be able to relate to what Olly and the rest of his family are going through.  Likewise, there are many people who can relate to Olly being made redundant and Mae having to work twice as hard just to make ends meet, while Olly becomes a stay at home dad and pushes his family away, due to shame and frustration.  It is Evie who I can relate to the most.  Having been bullied myself when I was younger, I found that I was really able to relate to Evie and what she is going through at the beginning of the book.  Carmel was able to get the feelings of the characters in relation to these issues across, while still dealing with that in a sensitive light, and for that she must be applauded.

The Things I Should Have Told You made me cry tears of sadness and of joy, sometimes simultaneously.  It is heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measures.  It was such a pleasure to join the Guinness family on their trip through France, Germany, Austria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia and Italy.  I cherished how the letters from Pops lead the family through their journey and his gorgeous letters left me with a huge lump in my throat on more than one occasion.  One of the best things about being a reader is that you get to travel to many different places with many different people, without ever leaving your home and I can honestly say that the time I have spent with the Guinness family is one of the best adventures that I have ever been on.

The Things I Should Have Told You was everything I wanted it to be and more.  It's funny, smart and insightful.  Beautifully written and it is evident that Carmel has put her heart and soul into writing this gem of a book.  I could have easily have devoured this book in one sitting, but I am so glad that I chose to savour this book over the course of a few days.  Everytime I closed the book, I imagined that the Guinnesses were happily involved in whatever activity I left them at, and that made me smile.  This book has the most beautiful ending that I never would have seen coming.  The Things I Should Have Told You left me with a huge smile on my face and when I closed the cover or the final time, a little bit of my heart remained between the pages.

5 stars

The Drowning Child by Alex Barclay

I would like to thank the publishers, Harper Collins, for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

The town of Tate, Oregon is a town in mourning.  Special Agent Ren Bryce has been called in to investigate the disappearance of twelve year old Caleb Vier.  Already having lost two young boys in the months previous, in two very different circumstances, the town and it's residents are finding it hard to come to terms with the death of the children and now the disappearance of another.  Three boys have suffered in three very different ways, but as Ren digs deeper she finds that maybe, just maybe, the three incidents could be related.  But in order to get the truth, Ren has to dig deep into the town's secrets and the secrets of those living there. Will she be able to solve the mystery before any more victims are claimed?

This is the first book that I have read by Alex Barclay but it won't be the last.  Upon finishing this book, I wanted to head straight the nearest book shop and stock up on Alex's other books.  To say that I loved this book is an understatement.  I was sucked into the story from the very first page and found that the pages seemed to be turning themselves.  I couldn't get enough of this story and the characters it contains.  I kept finding myself saying 'one more chapter', but I could never just leave it at that, I had to keep reading and one very very late night later, I had finished the book and I was absolutely blown away by it.

If you asked me this time last year, I would have said that I'm not into Crime Fiction, but when I read books like this one and I discover brilliant authors like Alex Barclay it's very hard not to become a fan of the genre.  The Drowning Child is a fast paced book that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish, with a few nail biting senarios thrown in.  Unpredictable until the very end, with lots of twists and turns thrown in along the way. 

As this is the first book that I have read by Alex, I have not met Ren's character before, but by the end of the book I wanted to be her friend.  I loved her character and I am really looking forward to picking up some more books in this series and getting stuck in.

The story itself flows beautifully. It was straight and to the point and I loved it for that.  With so many books in this genre being slow starters, I loved that The Drowning Child got straight into the story.  This the most unpredictable story that I have read in this genre to date and I wouldn't have seen the ending coming in a million years.  The story is very cleverly executed and I loved how it changed from character to character.  The thing I loved most about it is that we were able to see Ren's thoughts.  I'm not sure if this is the way the other books in this series are written, but I thought it was a brilliant touch and really added to the story, especially as it allowed us to see what was happening at times without the author having to spell it out to the reader.  Because of this we learned how a character reacted to what was happening through Ren's thoughts.

Even though this is the sixth book with Ren in it, it can be read as a standalone also.  It is very easy to follow and will be highly enjoyable whether you have read the series or you are just picking up on the story here like I did.

The Drowning Child is a fast paced book that will keep you on the edge of your seat.  Brilliantly written, equally chilling and stunning and has the ability to make your blood run cold at times.  I can't recommend it enough.

Review: My Husband's Wife by Amanda Prowse

To Rosie, being a wife and mother is a dream come true.  Rosie never met her own mother, as she disappeared out of her life when Rosie was only a few hours old.  Now, she is married to the love of her life and she has two gorgeous little girls, her life is pretty much perfect.  But Rosie soon learns how quickly a perfect life can fall apart, when she returns home one night and her husband tells her that he is leaving her for another, much richer, much more glamorous woman.  Rosie is distraught, her whole life is falling apart, but she knows that she has to keep going for the sake of her two daughters.  But when Phil, Rosie's husband, wants to spend more and more time with the girls, Rosie realises that she is very close to losing her children as well as her husband.  Rosie doesn't know it yet, but the worst is yet to come for her, as she fights her husband and his new girlfriend for custody of her children and her friends, her world as she knows it shatters and Rosie is left with some very tough choices to make.

It's not often that a book with so much heart and emotion comes along and leaves me absolutely speechless, but My Husband's Wife did.  From start to finish, I went through so many emotions with these characters.  I cried with them, I laughed with them and I got very very angry for them.  I am such a huge fan of Amanda's books and I have read all of them and each one is better than the last, but for me, hands down, this is her best book to date.  I actually found that it was quite different from her other books and I can't really put my finger on why.  If there is one author that will make you stop and make you be thankful for all that you have it's Amanda Prowse.  She shows how ordinary lives can be turned around by exrtaordinary circumstances.

To me, everything about Rosie was real.  I felt that I wasn't reading a book, I was sitting there with Rosie going through the ups and downs with her.  Every character in this book was so well written and developed beautifully.  I adored how Rosie's daughters, Naomi and Leona, were written.  They had such an innocent air about them, that every child has at their age.  The relationships in this book were so excellently penned, that the chemistry and the friendships between the characters seemed to just ooze off the page.

It's not very often that a storyteller as talented as Amanda Prowse comes along and it is easy to see why she is favourite author of so many people, myself included.  She just keeps on getting better and better.  I adored My Husband's Wife from start to finish, it's so real and heartfelt and filled to the brim with raw emotions.  I can't recommend this book enough.

5 stars

Review: The House on Sunset Lake by Tasmina Perry

I would like to thank the publishers for sending me an arc copy of this book in return for an honest review.

The Blurb:

Casa D'Or, the mysterious plantation house on Sunset Lake, has been home to the Wyatt family for over fifty years. Jennifer Wyatt returns there from university full of hope, as summer by the lake stretches ahead of her. Yet by the time it is over her heart will be broken, her family in tatters, her dreams long gone.

Twenty years later, Casa D'Or stands neglected, a victim of tragic events. Jennifer has closed the door on her past. Then Jim, the man she met and fell in love with that magical summer, comes back into her life, with a plan to return Casa D'Or to its former glory. Their reunion will stir up old ghosts for both of them, and reveal the dark secrets the house still holds close...

For me, this book got off to a very slow start and I found it to be a very slow burner.  I struggled through the first one hundred pages and if I'm being totally honest, I very nearly gave up on this book, which is something that I absolutely hate doing.  In the end though, I decided to stick with it and once I had gotten past the halfway mark, I really started to enjoy this book.  I found that this went from a book that I found hard to pick up to a book that I couldn't put down for a minute as the twists and turns came thick and fast towards the end.

Tasmina Perry is a fantastic author and I am a huge fan of her books.  That being said, one of my favourite things about her writing is how well she is able to describe the setting and the lives of the characters and that really rang through in this book.  She set the scene so perfectly that it became very easy to see the setting and the character in my minds eye whilst reading this book.  The characters are all very well developed and are very likeable from the word go.  Each character added a special sparkle to the story.  The story, although slow to start, flowed beautifully and adored how the story switched between time frames, starting in 2015 and taking us back to 1994 in some parts of the book.

I really like how The House on Sunset Lake ended and with all the twists and turns thrown in along the way, it was an ending that I definitely didn't see coming.  I am very glad that I decided to stick with this book and read it until the end because if I hadn't I would have missed out a great story.  I did think that some of the twists came out of the blue and without warning, but all in all this is a great read.  The House on Sunset Lake will keep you on the edge on your seat until you reach the nail biting finish. 

3 stars

Late Summer in the Vineyard by Jo Thomas

I would like to thank the publishers for an arc copy of this book in return for an honest review via Bookbridgr.

Emmy is stunned when she returns home from work on afternoon to find that the house that she hares with her elderly father is being robbed, and to make matters worse her father is sitting by and allowing it to happen.  But soon, Emmy finds herself to be more shocked when she realises that they are not being robbed and that the strange man looking around her home is a Bailiff who has come to see what he can get from the house due to the mortgage not being paid over the last few months.  However, Emmy is lucky and manages to buy herself some time to come up with the money, but it costs her the office collection for a present for two co-workers who have gotten engaged.  When her boss finds out what has happened to the money, coupled with the fact that Emmy's sales are below dismal, Emmy knows that not only will she lose her home, she's about to lose her job as well! But, Emmy finds that she is saved by the bell when her boss has no other option than to send Emmy on a twelve week working holiday to a vineyard in France.  Could this be the answer to Emmy's prayers, and with romance in the air, Emmy goes on the adventure of a lifetime to save her job, her home and maybe find herself in the process.

Late Summer in the Vineyard is just the perfect summer read.  There wasn't a thing about this book that I didn't like.  It contains just the right amount of humour, as well as touching on some more serious elements also.  All in all, Late Summer in the Vineyard is a bright, summery, feel good book, that has the ability to make the sun shine on a dull cloudy day.

I adored the characters in this book. Each one of them brought something special to the story, especially Emmy and Isaac.  I loved how each character came with a very well thought out back story, that not only gives the readers a great insight into the lives of the characters, but also gives the reader the chance to really get to know each character very well.

To my dismay, this is the first book that I have read by Jo Thomas.  I own both The Olive Branch and The Oyster Catcher, but I haven't gotten around to reading either so far.  All that has changed after reading this gem of a book, as both books have now been moved to the top of my to-be-read pile and I can't wait to  lose myself in both.

On top of Late Summer in the Vineyard being a cracking story, it also has one of the most beautifully eye-catching summery covers, which will no doubt catch the attention of many readers, with the beautiful colours that just jump straight off the shelf.

To say that I this book is my cup of tea is a huge understatement.  I loved everything about this book and I more than enjoyed the time that I spent with Emmy and the gang.  Jo Thomas has the power to transport you to a French Vineyard and take you on the adventure of a lifetime.  Late Summer in the Vineyard is beautifully written, full of surprises and utterly heartwarming.  I can't recommend it enough.

4 stars