Category Archives: Book Reviews

Deadly Cure by Mari Cheshire Book Review

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Deadly Cure is Grey’s Anatomy gone very wrong, and that is why this bumper of a book is to be devoured. Who doesn’t love a good friends turn frenemies story? Using her medical knowledge, Dr Mari Cheshire has written a book which takes medicine and rivalry, added in a dollop of a love story, and turned it all into a brilliant book that is impossible to put down. I loved this book and I read it as quickly as I could. I loved the characters. This thriller is pacy and fun. A dazzling and unique debut.

Deadly Cure Mahi Cheshire

THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH: FIRST, DO NO HARM…

Dr Rea Dharmasena is devastated when she loses out on her dream research job to her med-school rival and best friend, Dr Julia Stone.

To add insult to injury, Julia used Rea’s own cutting-edge research to get it.

But just as Rea finds it in her to forgive the betrayal, Julia, after a life-changing medical discovery, is found dead.

Despite finding herself caught up in a murder investigation and a complicated new romance, Rea is finally happy; she has the dream job she’s always wanted.

But at what cost?

Perfect for fans of The Silent Patient and The Holiday, this is a heart-stopping thriller of betrayal, secrets and ruthless ambition that will leave you breathless.

CARIADS’ CHOICE: MARCH 2022 BOOK REVIEWS

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Milly Johnson’s My One True North reviewed by Carol Thomas

My One True North is a story about loss and grief on more than one level. There are predictable elements but this didn’t detract from my interest in the characters’ individual journeys.

There are many touching moments: The support group emanated a sense of care and community; Pete – the male lead – and his brother’s relationship was realistic and their love for their dad was warm and honest; I greatly enjoyed scenes at the pub where Pete and Laurie got to know each other. And I welcomed glimpses of characters from previous novels.

I hoped for a bit more to be made of the ending, especially as it had been clear where the final stage would be set from early on. It didn’t feel as wrapped up as Milly Johnson’s other stories, however, it was an enjoyable read, with likeable main characters, that tackled the difficult subject of loss well.

 

Helen Yendall’s A Wartime Secret reviewed by Imogen Martin

Maggie is an East End girl with a dangerous secret at a time of war: her beloved mother is German.

When the bank Maggie works for is relocated to a grand house in the Cotswolds, she is apprehensive about leaving. Her sister Violet has been sent to the country as an evacuee, her mother interned, and Maggie is left managing her overbearing father. Nevertheless, she is determined to do her bit for the war effort. But will Maggie be able to reach her sister? And can she find out where her mother has gone?

The novel has the style of a saga: a range of vivid characters including friends and enemies for Maggie, plots and sub-plots to be unravelled, and an underlying love story. Apparently, the move of the bank to the country is based on fact. This book is filled with authentic detail from the first page and is an addictive read. A fantastic debut novel.

 

Audrey Cowie’s Lost in Translation reviewed by Jessie Cahalin

A clever twist on the romantic comedy genre. It was wonderful to meet Charlotte and follow her new life in Switzerland with her husband and children. I adored the way the character found her voice and her identity and slowly changed. This story had me hooked from the outset because I feared the worse and wanted Charlotte to triumph. Perfect escape to Switzerland for me, and I read it very quickly. The writing style is fun and engaging – so entertaining to get inside of Charlotte’s head and hear what she thinks. There are some fantastic moments in this novel. This is an uplifting feel-good book with a satisfying ending. I loved it!

 

David Whyte’s Essentials reviewed by Morton S Gray

I have been a fan of David Whyte’s poetry ever since I saw him perform live at Ledbury Poetry Festival. It is interesting that he made such a big impact on me on that long ago evening that whenever I read his work I can hear his voice reciting the words.

The cover of this volume of poems is so tactile that I love just holding it and I savoured every page after buying a copy for both myself and one for my friend.

One of my favourite poems, ‘What to Remember when Waking’ features as an extract on the back cover and I have read and reread it so many times. The book contains many more of my other favourites, including ‘Start Close In’, ‘The Journey’, ‘Sweet Darkness’, ‘Marmeen” and ‘The House of Belonging’.

This is a lovely book and makes a wonderful gift. In my opinion, everyone should have a copy!

 

 

 

 

Rebel Skies by Ann Sei Lin Book Review

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rebel skies by Ann sei linn 

Origami comes to life in this stunning teen fantasy novel. With excellent world building and a superb grasp of tension and pace, Rebel Skies grabs you by the throat and does not let go. Rebel Skies is beautifully written and leaves you in completely awe. Ann Sei Linn has an incredible imagination and we are all lucky that she is sharing it with us. Even better, this book is the first in a trilogy. I cannot wait for the others. Adults can love this book too.
The characters are great and there are many funny moments on top of the awesome and exciting world-building. I don’t give stars with reviews but if I did I would give Rebel Skies five stars.

 

A beautifully written and pacy teen fantasy adventure, set in a world of flying ships, sky cities and powerful paper spirits. Inspired by Asian cultures and exploring themes of empire, slavery and freedom.

Kurara has never known any other life than being a servant on board the Midori, but when her party trick of making paper come to life turns out to be a power treasured across the empire, she joins a skyship and its motley crew to become a Crafter. Taught by the gruff but wise Himura, Kurara learns to hunt shikigami – wild paper spirits who are sought after by the Princess.

But are these creatures just powerful slaves, or are they beings with their own souls? And can a teenage girl be the one to help them find their voice – and change the course of an empire?

Out May 5th.

Breakneck Point by T.Orr Munro

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Breakneck Point has a stunning opening when CSI Ally Dymond refuses to compromise on her beliefs and exposes corruption when she is on the stand. She pays dearly for it as it costs her a place on the major investigations team. She is left working crimes that are beneath her considerable talents in North Devon. A single mother to a rebelling daughter, it is fair to say she has a lot on her hands. Yet there is a crime that does not add up and she refuses to let it go.

From the first page Breakneck Point grabs you and refuses to let go. T.Orr Munro is a fantastic writer and the pacing, the story, the characters, everything is just perfect. The villain is so hatable and written so well.  I love a good crime thriller and T.Orr Munro is a new standout star in the vein of Lisa Gardner, Patricia Cornwell and Steve Cavanagh, basically all of my other favourite crime writers.

I would love to see  CSI Ally Dymond get her own TV show. Fingers crossed. I cannot wait for the next in this series because this better be a series. T.Orr Munro’s talents demand more books, and so will her many fans.

 

A brand new crime series for fans of Val McDermid, Jane Casey, Cara Hunter and Mare of Easttown

CSI Ally Dymond’s commitment to justice has cost her a place on the major investigations team. After exposing corruption in the ranks, she’s stuck working petty crimes on the sleepy North Devon coast.

Then the body of nineteen-year-old Janie Warren turns up in the seaside town of Bidecombe, and Ally’s expert skills are suddenly back in demand.

But when the evidence she discovers contradicts the lead detective’s theory, no one wants to listen to the CSI who landed their colleagues in prison.

Time is running out to catch a killer no one is looking for – no one except Ally. What she doesn’t know is that he’s watching, from her side of the crime scene tape, waiting for the moment to strike.

 

Out on 14th April 2022. Pre order here. 

 

Duckling by Eve Ainsworth Book Review

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I loved the synopsis of Duckling and I could not wait to dive into Eve Ainsworth’s adult fiction debut. This book is so heart-warming and exquisite. In fact, it might be the most heart-warming book I have ever read. Sure it has sadness too, but doesn’t everything? I love a coming-of-age book and that is exactly what Duckling is.
It is impossible to not love the character of Lucy, or Duckling as she is called by her father. She is insular and a loner. Letting life pass her by on a council estate, until a neighbour asks her to take care of their child. An adventure happens and the ride is a beautiful one indeed. I also love how Duckling has a working-class setting, something that is so rare. We need more of that.
I loved the prose, the characters and the story. Honestly, Duckling is one of my books of the year already. Eve Ainsworth is a writer of note and she is only getting started. Duckling is a magnificent must read.

duckling by eve ainsworth book review.

Duckling’s a nickname Lucy has never been able to shake off.
And, if she’s honest, maybe it suits her.
She just isn’t the type to socialise with other people.
You might say she’s reluctant to leave her nest.

Lucy’s life is small, but safe. She’s got a good routine. But all that’s about to change…

When Lucy’s neighbour asks her to look after her little girl for a couple of hours – and then doesn’t come back – Lucy is suddenly responsible for someone other than herself.

It takes courage to let the outside world in, and Lucy’s about to learn there’s much more to life – but only if she’s brave enough to spread her wings…

Duckling is available here.

Regrets of The Dying By Georgina Scull Book Review

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I took a breathe before I started reading this book. The concept is brilliant but I had a few near-death experiences not along ago, which is probably why it resonated so much with me. I read this book in a day, unable to put it down. It has twenty-one stories looking at all aspects of life and has ten tips to live a less regretful life.
I could not be more happy that I read this book. There are some heart-breaking moments but, ultimately, this book is about the joy of life. Georgina Scull is a fantastic writer and she pours herself onto the page. Each subject is treated delicately with care and respect. Regrets of The Dying is a life-affirming book which shows us what is important in life. I loved it and I cannot recommend it enough.This is a beautiful book full of hope.

A powerful, moving and hopeful book exploring what people regret most when they are dying and how this can help us lead a better life.

If you were told you were going to die tomorrow, what would you regret?

Ten years ago, without time to think or prepare, Georgina Scull ruptured internally. The doctors told her she could have died and, as Georgina recovered, she began to consider the life she had led and what she would have left behind.

Paralysed by a fear of wasting what seemed like precious time but also fully ready to learn how to spend her second chance, Georgina set out to meet others who had faced their own mortality or had the end in sight.

The people she met taught her what it feels like to know you’re running out of time, what tends to stays with you, what you should let go of, what everyone wishes they’d done differently and what it means to have a life well-lived.

Regrets of the Dying is a powerful and hopeful meditation on life and what really matters in the end.

JANE CABLE REVIEWS TWO STUNNING WORLD WAR TWO DUAL TIMELINE ROMANCES

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I love a World War Two dual timeline novel. In fact I love them so much I’ve written one with my Eva Glyn hat on and it will be out this summer. However this article is not about me, it’s about two excellent writers who have created very different books in the genre, both out this week.

 

The Sweetheart Locket by Jen Gilroy

I love Jen Gilroy’s contemporary romances but this is her first foray into a dual timeline and I enjoyed it just as much. It was refreshing to have a modern main character who isn’t British and it brought an interesting take to the way the story was told, for example Willow’s lack of assumed knowledge about her grandmother’s World War Two story.

Her grandmother, Maggie, wasn’t British either but a Canadian who decided to stay in England to help fight the Nazi threat rather than go home, and this added an extra layer too. Her initial sense of isolation meant that she forged strong bonds and the stories of her closest friends’ wars were skilfully wound through her own, making the novel all the more compelling.

Although there are romances running through each timeline, other important relationships are explored. Willow’s difficult one with her mother Millie added depth to the story and for me it was one of the most important to be resolved, and there was a beautiful echo in Millie’s relationship with Maggie too.

The choices that the women (and men) of each generation have to make are vivid yet relatable and once I had settled into the book I found it very hard to put down.

The Sweetheart Locket is published by Orion Dash on 17th March

 

The Postcard from Italy by Angela Petch

From the moment the airman wakes and remembers nothing of who he is, I was hooked on his story and spent many happy hours wondering how on earth it could be resolved. I like that in a book; I like to be kept guessing, and wishing for the happiness of characters an author is clever enough to make me care about.

I also revelled in being lost in Italy, both in the 1940s and in the present day. Angela Petch has a fantastic knowledge of the country and that means both her settings and her research are impeccable. The wonderful descriptions of the landscape, the people, the food… it drew me in in a way that meant I could feel the sun on my back and a visit to Puglia is now definitely on my bucket list.

Every character is perfectly crafted, even those with little more than walk on parts, such as the village priest who dances the night away at a wedding. Little by little you come to know them as their stories unfold, their misunderstandings play out and ultimately the mystery of exactly how the airmen fits into both his past – and the future – is resolved.

The Postcard from Italy is published by Bookouture on 16th March

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E Smith: reviewed by Nadia Tariq

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The Unsinkable Greta James is a deep burning, methodically written tale of family, ambitions and relationships, particularly of the child-parent kind. With such universal themes, Greta is guaranteed to strike a chord with every reader. I was particularly drawn to the  eponymous character, a successful indie musician in her mid thirties, who is at a turning point. Although she leads a life completely alien to us all, the author manages to build up the layers and then slowly peel them back to reveal a character with whom we can happily relate.

Following the recent and sudden death of her mother, Greta finds herself on a cruise ship among the stunning environs of Alaska, forced into the awkward companionship of her father – who is less than a fan of her life choices. The author handles this, and indeed all of the relationships in the novel, with a beautifully nuanced and sympathetic touch. For me, and I’ve no doubt for many, it was a hard relate. Throw in a love interest or two to keep the interest fresh, and the result is a definite hit.

The dialogue in this novel – and it is dialogue heavy – hits particularly hard. The fraught exchanges between father and daughter had me close to tears at points; and yet, despite the drama and the grief, I would not describe this as a sad story. It ends with hope.

Five stars all round for this quiet, unassuming belter of a novel.

Jennifer E Smith is a veteran author of young adult novels, and The Unsinkable Greta James is her first novel for adults, published by Quercus in the UK and out now in hardback form.