Six Weeks of Summer Reads: Week Six

 

I love shouting about books I've loved, and what better excuse is there to jump up and down waving a book you think everyone should read than the summer?

 

 I've been sharing one fab read a week over the course of the summer holidays. They haven't necessarily bene your typical beach reads, simply books I've adored recently and want to share with anyone who will listen.

 

As I'm always on the look out for more books to add to the TBR pile, I'd love to hear your recommendations too! Share the book love either on my blog posts or get in touch on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #sixweeksofsummerreads :)

 

 

 

 

Amazon UK | Amazon US

 

My friends think I'm insane, I'm stalking men all over town and I'm on a deadline.

Most people have heard of The Rules of Engagement, the book that promises to teaches to find the man of your dreams in ten easy steps. Cat has decided that, while a lot has changed since the eighties, it might be entertaining to follow it to the letter.

But when you're looking for love - actively chasing it down, actually - a lot can go wrong...

 

 

 

 

I Followed The Rules is a slightly older book (published in 2015) but I only read it earlier this year as I've been catching up on Joanna Bolouri's books after reading - and adoring - The Most Wonderful Time of The Year at the end of 2016. I love Joanna Bolouri's style of writing and her books - and her heroines - are laugh-out-loud funny. I know when I pick up one of her books I'm in for a good time and a chuckle. I Followed The Rules was no exception; it's funny, swear-tastic (I love a good dose of the swears) and uplifting.

 

Have you read I Followed The Rules? What did you think?

Six Weeks of Summer Reads: Week Five

 

I love shouting about books I've loved, and what better excuse is there to jump up and down waving a book you think everyone should read than the summer?

 

 I'm sharing one fab read a week over the course of the summer holidays. They won't necessarily be your typical beach reads, simply books I've adored recently and want to share with anyone who will listen.

 

And as I'm always on the look out for more books to add to the TBR pile, I'd love to hear your recommendations too! Share the book love either on my blog posts or get in touch on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #sixweeksofsummerreads :)

 

 

 

 

 

Amazon UK | Amazon US

 

Stella Carey exists in a world of night. Married to an ex-soldier, she leaves the house every evening as Vincent locks himself away, along with the scars and the secrets he carries.

During her nursing shifts, Stella writes letters for her patients to their loved ones - some full of humour, love and practical advice, others steeped in regret or pain – and promises to post these messages after their deaths.

Until one night Stella writes the letter that could give her patient one last chance at redemption, if she delivers it in time…

 

 

 

 

I'd had We Are All Made of Stars on my TBR pile for quite a while, but I'm so glad I finally got round to reading it as it was a fantastic book full of heart. The concept is pretty heart breaking, with the letters being delivered after Stella's patients have died, and I feared it would leave me feeling quite dark and morose, but Rowan's writing is so warm and uplifting. Yes, it's poignant in parts, but I wasn't overwhelmed with sadness and I loved reading the letters left behind by for loved ones.

 

Have you read We Are All Made of Stars? What did you think?

Six Weeks of Summer Reads Week Four

 

I love shouting about books I've loved, and what better excuse is there to jump up and down waving a book you think everyone should read than the summer?

 

 I'm sharing one fab read a week over the course of the summer holidays. They won't necessarily be your typical beach reads, simply books I've adored recently and want to share with anyone who will listen.

 

And as I'm always on the look out for more books to add to the TBR pile, I'd love to hear your recommendations too! Share the book love either on my blog posts or get in touch on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #sixweeksofsummerreads :)

 

 

 

 

Amazon UK | Amazon US

 

Brighton Beach, 1993

Teenagers Nell and Jude find the body of a young woman and when no one comes to claim her, she becomes known as the Brighton Mermaid. Nell is still struggling to move on when, three weeks later, Jude disappears.

Twenty-five years on, Nell is forced to quit her job to find out who the Brighton Mermaid really was – and what happened to her best friend that summer.

But as Nell edges closer to the truth, dangerous things start to happen. Someone seems to be watching her every move, and soon she starts to wonder who in her life she can actually trust…

 

 

 

 

Dorothy Koomson is one of my favourite writers, so I couldn't wait to read her latest release, The Brighton Mermaid. Dorothy has a real knack of drawing me into her characters' lives, of keeping me hooked on their stories, and this book was no exception. I didn't want to stop reading, desperate to find out who the woman was Nell and Jude found on the beach and what happened to Nell afterwards (I made many silent accusations in my head as I read along, pointing the finger wildly!)

 

The Brighton Mermaid is a brilliant read, with Dorothy's usual engaging style and a mystery spanning twenty-five years.

 

Have you read The Brighton Mermaid? What did you think?

The Single Mums' Picnic Club: Fun Facts

Gather round for a quick peek behind the scenes of my latest book, The Single Mums' Picnic Club. I'll be sharing a few facts behind the setting, how characters were named and who didn't make the cut....

Katie thought she had the perfect family life by the sea – until her husband left her for another woman, abandoning her and their two children! She knows it’s finally time to move on but she’s unsure where to begin…

Frankie is shocked when gorgeous dog-walker Alex asks her on a date! As a single mum with her own business she struggles to put herself first, but maybe she’s ready to follow her heart?

George is used to raising her son on her own – but now he’s at nursery, her life feels empty. So when she meets Katie and Frankie at the beach, she realises that her talent for rustling up delicious picnics could be the perfect distraction!

But of course, life isn’t always a beach and as secrets begin to surface the three women’s lives are about to be turned upside-down…

Amazon UK | Amazon US | Kobo | iBooks

Six Weeks of Summer Reads: Week Three

 

I love shouting about books I've loved, and what better excuse is there to jump up and down waving a book you think everyone should read than the summer?

 

Over the course of the summer holidays, I'm going to be sharing one fab read a week. They won't necessarily be your typical beach reads, simply books I've adored recently and want to share with anyone who will listen.

 

And as I'm always on the look out for more books to add to the TBR pile, I'd love to hear your recommendations too! Share the book love either on my blog posts or get in touch on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #sixweeksofsummerreads :)

 

 

 

 

 

Amazon UK | Amazon US

 

Summer 1924: On the eve of a glittering Society party, by the lake of a grand English country house, a young poet takes his life. The only witnesses, sisters Hannah and Emmeline Hartford, will never speak to each other again.

Winter 1999: Grace Bradley, 98, one-time housemaid of Riverton Manor, is visited by a young director making a film about the poet's suicide. Ghosts awaken and memories, long-consigned to the dark reaches of Grace's mind, begin to sneak back through the cracks. A shocking secret threatens to emerge; something history has forgotten but Grace never could.

 

 

 

 

Although The House at Riverton was published back in 2007, I only read it a few weeks ago. It was my first Kate Morton book but it definitely won't be my last (I already have another - The Forgotten Garden - waiting on my TBR list).

 

The book is a duel timeline novel, taking place over the 1920s and the late 90s, which is a format I think works really well, especially when there is an old mystery to uncover. I loved Kate Morton's style and found myself really sinking into the story.

 

It's a descriptive book that draws you into the time period and I could picture the house and the family and staff vividly. I don't usually go for overly descriptive books as I find it slows the plot down, but I was happy to allow the writing to paint a full picture for me and I didn't feel as though the book suffered for it. It's quite a hefty book and I did take my time reading it, but I enjoyed every single page and was sad when it ended.

 

Have you read The House at Riverton? What did you think?

Six Weeks of Summer Reads: Week Two

 

I love shouting about books I've loved, and what better excuse is there to jump up and down waving a book you think everyone should read than the summer?

 

Over the course of the summer holidays, I'm going to be sharing one fab read a week. They won't necessarily be your typical beach reads, simply books I've adored recently and want to share with anyone who will listen.

 

And as I'm always on the look out for more books to add to the TBR pile, I'd love to hear your recommendations too! Share the book love either on my blog posts or get in touch on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #sixweeksofsummerreads :)

 

 

 

 

 

Amazon UK | Amazon US

 

To give them hope she must tell their story.

It's 1946. The war is over, and Juliet Ashton has writer's block. But when she receives a letter from Dawsey Adams of Guernsey – a total stranger living halfway across the Channel, who has come across her name written in a second hand book – she enters into a correspondence with him, and in time with all the members of the extraordinary Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

Through their letters, the society tell Juliet about life on the island, their love of books – and the long shadow cast by their time living under German occupation. Drawn into their irresistible world, Juliet sets sail for the island, changing her life forever.

 

 

 

 

Like my summer reads recommendation last week, there has been a lot of hype about The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society over the past few months as the book was adapted for the big screen. As I'm a bit of a history nerd, I was curious about the occupation of Guernsey during the war as this wasn't something I'd read about before, and hearing so many wonderful things about the book really piqued my interest.

 

I have to admit that I didn't think this book and I were going to gel. I love books that are told through letters but I wasn't drawn into Juliet's correspondence. I was really struggling and thinking about giving up (it happens. Not all books and readers get along. It doesn't mean it's a bad book, just not for you) but then suddenly I was gripped and found myself devouring the notes between Juliet, her editor and the members of the literary group, and I was bereft when it ended. I'd gone from wanting to pop the book - unfinished - in the bag destined for the charity shop to hugging it to my chest and wishing there was more.

 

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society is full of heart and humour. My copy is going nowhere near the charity shop; it belongs on my shelf.

 

Have you read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society? What did you think?

A Quick July Catch Up

July has whizzed by in a blur of sun cream, ice lollies and the whir of electric fans as we've struggled in the heatwave. I now think fondly of my jumpers and winter coat and I'm dreaming of the day I can slip them onto my shivering body. Here's what I've been busy with over the past few weeks...

The school summer holidays have arrived and I'm looking forward to the family trips we have planned (but no so much the back-to-school shopping. Urgh) and catching up on some reading while I haven't got a deadline to work towards. I have started Book 10 and have sent the proposal to my editor, so I'm waiting for feedback before I plough on. I will share more when I have news!

 

 

I'm finally reading The Summer of Impossible Things by Rowan Coleman. I wanted to read it last year, but I made myself wait for the paperback (as I prefer them to bulky hardbacks).

 

This month, I've also read:

 

You Sent Me a Letter by Lucy Dawson

Forgive Me Not by Samantha Tonge &

This is Going To Hurt by Adam Kay

 

 

 

 

Obviously, part of July was taken up by watching the World Cup but I've also been watching the new series of Unforgotten (which I LOVE) and I've caught up with the first series of The Bletchley Circle, which I somehow missed. I've got the second series to catch up on and then I'm ready for the new series which has just started.

 

Film-wise, we watched The Incredibles (a family favourite) at home before we went to watch the much-anticipated sequel. We all loved The Incredibles 2 and can't wait until it's out on DVD!

 

 

 

 

 

Luna, bullet journaling, reading and the HarperCollins summer party :)

 

 

So, that's how I've spent this sweltering July - let us know what you've been up to and if you have any book recommendations in the comments below!