Gemma

As soon as I read the blurb I just knew that I had to read this book. I was definitely intrigued by the premise of the novel and loved the uniqueness of it.

Although she goes by many names and different personalities, Lisa is ultimately a single mum and a scammer. She spends her time researching people on the internet and committing acts of fraud. As you delve deeper into the novel you get to see snippets of her early childhood and realise the horror, abuse and trauma she has been through. Her main mission in life is to protect her only son and provide for him. I loved how these flashbacks into Lisa's life ran alongside the main storyline, making her appear more likeable by unearthing a much more vulnerable side to her personality.

However, the tables are soon turned when Lisa is facing her own intentity fraud. Someone is clearly out to get her by placing her at the scene of a murder. With the police knocking on her door, Lisa fears that it is only a matter of time until her arrest. She needs to find the evidence that she is being targeted for this crime and is an innocent bystander. As the time ticks away, Lisa finds herself in a cat and mouse chase to clear her name.

This book was quite the page-turner I was hoping it would be. Like Lisa, I doubted the integrity of all of the characters not knowing who to believe or who Lisa could trust. I had no idea what the outcome would be which kept me hooked and turning the pages with increased speed. I have to say I loved the ending and was both surprised and relieved all at the same time. Although this was a complex plot it was easy to follow and a very compelling read. A modern day intelligent thriller which kept me guessing till the very end.

Spellboda is a YA book about a boy named Trevor who discovers that he has a special gift and can hear/talk to animals. A Spellboda only discovers their gift once they are ready and when an animal is in danger and needs help.

Trevor has a turbulent relationship with his father after his mother's death. He is isolated at school as he refuses to talk to anyone, including his father, causing further friction at home. The school agree for Trevor to do some volunteering work at the local bird sanctuary to try and help his mental health. Trevor loves being with the birds of prey and it is here that he discovers his gift. A family of Peregrine Falcons have been stolen, leaving one of the fledglings behind. Using his special gift it is down to Trevor to try and recover the other Falcons and help release the fledgling back into the wild.

This was such an enjoyable read. I loved reading about Trevor, a boy with selective mutism, who had the weight of the world on his shoulders; a father who was so caught up in his own grief that he could not be the parent Trevor needed him to be. But with the distraction of a mystery to solve and a budding friendship between Trevor and Midge, Trevor's whole world opens up making it meaningful again.

As an adult I got totally caught up in the story. I think this book would be suitable for the younger range of YA, 12-13 year olds who are confident readers. However, for older readers this would be a nice cosy read that can be enjoyed by all.

The author does hint that the ending is just the beginning, so I am really looking forward to finding out what adventure Trevor and Mitch will embark on next time.
Many thanks to J C Clarke for providing me with fond memories of my own childhood reading, although Spellboda trumps anything I read in my teens.

Poppy is a golden retriever. She is off on holiday with her human family to Devon; a place full of new smells, delicious food and days out to the beach. However, this year Poppy finds herself having to confront a host of differing emotions as she navigates the spooky woods, comes face to face with the ocean, tries to make friends with some farmyard favourites and come to terms with having to share her family with an unwanted puppy!

Poppy Loves Devon is a charming story for middle grade readers, especially for those who adore animals. It is a cosy read that explores different emotions through different scenarios. There is the opportunity to empathise with the characters and I'm sure many readers will recognise the conflicts of emotions that the characters go through.

Each chapter has a gorgeous illustration which really captures the characters. I love the detailed pencil sketches and really looked forward to finding the next one. This is the second book in the Crazy Cream Adventures but can be read as a standalone.

I look forward to reading about Poppy's next adventure.

he Boy Whose Wishes Came True is a gorgeous story of Archie Crumb by author Helen Rutter.

Archie is an eleven year old who lives alone with his mother. His mother has become very sad since Archie's father left home, remarried and now has another child. She spends most of her days upstairs in bed, crying. Although Archie visits his dad every other weekend and adores his baby sister he doesn't feel like he belongs to this new blended family. And home is not really home anymore with his mother locked in her room and Archie having to fend for himself.

Archie tries his best to keep going but he wishes he could find something that he is good at; everyone around him seems to have a special talent. Then one day Archie bumps into his football hero who grants Archie nine wishes. This comical part of the novel find Archie in a few predicaments as his wishes don't always turn out like he had hoped.

This was such a heartwarming read. Archie's life is far from perfect but with the support from his one true friend Mouse, Archie discovers that in order to achieve you must believe. I got caught up in the character of Archie Crumb and felt everyone of his emotions as he journeyed on through the book. A must read for children aged 8+. Expect laughs, perhaps a few tears (only if you are soft like me) but above all a truly memorising book about a realistic and likeable character who faces many challenges in his young life with grit and determination.

I adored this book, a 5 star read from me.

This MG book was such a delight to read.

Fleur who lives with her mother and grandmother discovers that she can not only hear what animals are saying but that they can also understand her. This shocking revelation is one she keeps to herself as since Celeste, the new girl joined the school, her best friends Ruby and Anais have no time for her.
With the help of SIr Barcley, her grandmother's parrot, Fleur finds herself on an adventure to find Dame Genevieve, discover the truth behind her grandmother's mysterious behaviour and go head to head with Celeste the bully.

This book had plenty of humour and magical happenings which balanced the more serious themes of bullying and grief. I loved the fact that Fleur was a seemingly ‘normal' girl living a ‘normal' 10 year old life when suddenly she finds herself with magical powers which she has to learn to comprehend and control, This, for me, was the hook to the plot and story-line and I can imagine readers really relating to Fleur and wishing they too had her special magical powers. Her relationship with both her mum and grandmother brought warmth and mystery to the novel. There were a few twists and turns along the way which added to both my enjoyment and anticipation as to what was to follow. I adored the ending however, it felt like there was more to discover. I only hope that this is the beginning of a sequel as I believe there are a lot more adventures for Fleur and Sir Barclay to encounter together, as well as developing the story-line surrounding her father.

The Silent Brother is a dark, gritty novel, poignant yet utterly addictive.

From the opening chapters you get a real feel of Tommy's life: a life of poverty, abuse and neglect. And if that doesn't emotionally pull you in to the story, the tragedy of Tommy losing his brother, leaving him alone to face the wrath of his alcoholic mother and step father is heart wrenching. Tommy is a fighter and although his upbringing is a tough one he is determined not to follow in his mother's footsteps. But getting out is hard and getting out alive, even harder still.

This was a book that I raced through. The writing is raw and emotive, the characters totally life-like. I loved the characters of Annie and the owners of the corner-shop who brought an element of hope and kindness to the story offsetting some of the horrors and darkness to the story-line. This is not a book for the faint-hearted but outlines the struggles of getting out of a poverty-stricken abusive environment where alcohol, violence and drugs dominant. A mesmerising heartbreaking read, powerfully written with a no-holds-barred approach. One that will stay with me for a long time to come.

This is definitely my kind of book.

From the very beginning you know you are in for a thrilling read; Hannah running and scrambling away from the guest house, terror-stricken and fighting for survival. Then chapter one takes you back to six days earlier. Here you meet Hannah, a desperate soul on self destruction mode. Having broken up with her boyfriend and needing time away, Hannah decides to go on the holiday that she and Ben had booked prior to their breakup.

Hannah is joined by six other guests; a father and son, a couple and their teenage daughter and a musician intending to use the break away to write songs. However, on arrival things do not seem as they should. Strange noises are heard in the night, food is disappearing, and a strange gardener appears but is reluctant to talk. As the guests start to explore and begin to get to know each other they start to wonder whether it is a coincidence that they are all here together or if there was a predetermined guest list that has brought them here. And then the guests start to disappear and some are found dead.

I loved the pace of the novel and the cliff hangers at the end of each chapter which kept me reading long after I should have gone to bed. The setting, an old house full of hidden doors and nooks and crannies was both spooky and fascinating. The weather added to the atmosphere of the novel and I couldn't help but imagine myself right there with the other guests. The concept of being trapped in a strange house not knowing who you could trust, as surely, one of you is the killer kept me hooked. I questioned each character's motives and was on tender-hooks the whole time. As the story unfolded and connections were made I grew to love the story even more. This is definitely a book I will be shouting about and recommending.

Smorgasbowls are a balanced meal in a bowl which means they can be adapted to suit the dietary needs of your whole family. As a vegetarian married to a meat-eater and mum to a fussy eater, mealtimes can be a struggle. Having to cook separate meals can be really time consuming especially during the working week. Creating smorgasbowls for the whole family means that you can cook (rice, chicken, vegetables etc) paired with cold ingredients (fruit, tinned sweetcorn etc), lay them out and everyone can put what they want in their own bowl. In my experience this helps the fussy eaters be more in control of their own meal and encourages them to try new foods in a manageable way.

The book takes you through the principles of this way of eating, outlining the building blocks to creating smorgasbowls to produce balanced meals, as well as sharing lots of ideas for recipes. Each recipe is accompanied by a large, bright photograph. There are handy tips spread throughout the book, giving you lots of information so that you are confident and secure in this style of cooking.

Ingredients can be added as to taste requirements and after reading and trying out a few of the recipes I have started to create my own smorgasbowls. The options are endless as long as you follow the four pillars to ensure a balanced meal is achieved. I honestly believe that this way of cooking gives us as a family an easy weekday meal where the whole family is happy. And saves us time, especially if you are using leftovers and ingredients that come straight from the fridge/store cupboard.

Highly recommend smorgasbowls, they have added a touch of creativity to our mealtimes, saves us time with less washing up. A definite winner.

This is a heart-warming story of one man trying to make sense of the world around him.

Joe-Nathan lives a simple life with his mum Janet. He works at the local Compass Store, which he loves, as everything has a place and is clearly ordered. His mum packs his lunch everyday, they go to the pub every Friday night and order a takeaway on a Saturday evening.

In order to prepare Joe for an independent life, Janet writes down a set of guidelines in a pale-blue notebook. The book, divided into sections based on the different rooms in the house, covers everything from how the clean the furniture to recipes. As Joe learns how to become independent, he also discovers what it means to step out of his comfort zone and develop meaningful relationships.

I just adored Joe-Nathan and his mum Janet. A woman who has dedicated her life to her son, even though she craves a life of travel and freedom. This book has a host of loveable characters and a few villains as well for good measure. It champions those who may feel like an outcast or who approach life in a different way. Joe is clearly the hero of this story, and I couldn't put this book down wanting to find out what Joe would do next.

Helen Fisher's tackles the issues in the story sensitivity, adding humour and endearment. I felt drawn into the story and that Fisher's heart and soul were pouring from the pages. It's such a brilliant book to lose yourself in. If you love books like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and Saving Missy, then this is a must-read.

I highly recommend this beautifully written book that will tug on your heartstrings, make you laugh, and cry simultaneously and have you thinking about the characters in the book long after you have turned the final page.

The Treasure Hunters by Lisa Thompson, illustrated by Gemma Correll, is a fantastic adventure story for children 8+.

Vincent is a boy who keeps himself to himself. He hasn't made many friends at his secondary school as he worries that his dyspraxia will make him stand out and cause unnecessary attention. His real love is his video games which he admits he is quite good at. Vincent lives in the shadow of his big brother, who is good at sports and goes out regularly with his dad on big adventures. When the opportunity arises at school to take part in The Wilderness Warrior Challenge, Vincent has no intention of signing up. Unfortunately, for Vincent, the pupils will be selected by the teachers and his name has been put forward.

So Vincent finds himself trekking through the wilderness with only three other camp mates. The aim to reach the finish line and return home, trying to ignore the taunts of the other school groups who are taking part. With their lack of experience and enthusiasm, the four find themselves in the deep end and longing to finish the race. However, one teammate has another agenda. She has no intention of aiming for the finish line but takes them off course as she has heard there is buried treasure somewhere on Fortune Mountain. Risking their safety, the four find themselves caught up in a treasure hunt.

This was such an enjoyable read. It took me back to my own childhood watching The Goonies for the first time. Booby traps, danger, baddies; this book had it all. Complete with a host of characters that transformed along the way. The book touches on family dynamics, dyspraxia, friendship, survival, self-belief and kindness. I adored it and couldn't put it down. Highly recommend.

This is a book of hope, belief and determination to achieve your goals. From the moment Robbie meets Fred and learns about the Celtic legend Patsy Gallacher his whole world opens up. I loved reading about Gallacher and the relationship that blooms between Robbie and Fred. The different length chapters add to the pace and anticipation of what will happen next. The illustrations are perfectly placed working in harmony with the novel.

Being a softy I did shed a few tears as the novel progressed as I become emotionally involved with the characters and the storyline, This is not just a book for football fans it is a beautifully written book, a feel good novel, that leaves you full of cheer.

Miss Cat: The Case of the Curious Canary by Jean-Luc Fromental and Joëlle Jolivet is a gorgeous graphic novel and is the first book in this exciting new series.

Miss Cat runs a detective agency and is approached by Mixus Maximus, asking for help in finding Harry his beloved canary, who has been kidnapped. Miss Cat sets out straightaway, looking for clues into Harry's disappearance. Along the way, she meets a few other strange characters and reveals the answers in solving this mystery.

Graphic novels are so popular in our school, especially with reluctant readers. The illustrations in this book are fun, bright, as well as dark and mysterious, adding to the charm of this book. I could spend hours pouring over the pages. I love how each page is unique with a different layout and mixture of text.

The storyline is easy to follow with a surprise twist. I was thrilled to discover that the mystery was more complex than I was anticipating, giving it substance but still in a way accessible to young readers.

I can definitely see this being a popular book in school. It is the perfect size, slightly larger than a regular novel but smaller than a picture book to hold. It is broken down into chapters, making it easier to read in sections, perfect for those that may be overwhelmed by reading longer texts. Suitable for ages 7-10.

I am very much looking forward to reading the other books in the series.

The Beastly Baron of Beaux Bottom, written by Jeremy Hullah and illustrated by Zsuzsa, is a hilarious tale of one man whose day goes from bad to worse.

The Beastly Baron of Beaux Bottom is a lazy, mean man. He's ill-tempered, overweight, and spends his day doing nothing of any significance.

One day, he takes his mother's advice and joins the major for a ride in the countryside. Well, he doesn't join in with the ride, rather goes for a walk in the woods. Here, he meets the warty witch where things take a turn for the worse.

This fun cautionary tale is perfect for children aged 6-9. The host of characters the Baron meets on his travels are very entertaining. My personal favourite - the Greedy Goat.

The cute illustrations are scattered throughout the book and the bottom of each page is decorated with a beautiful garden floor. I love the text type changes within the book to highlight significant parts of the story. This all adds to the charm of the book and the storyline.

I very much enjoyed reading this book and would look forward to reading further adventures that the Baron finds himself on, especially those featuring the witch and the goat.

The Coming Darkness is the debut novel by Greg Mosse. A dystopian novel which is both extremely believable and utterly terrifying.

Paris, 2037. global warming and pathogenic viruses are rampant causing curfews and blackouts. Alexandre Lamarque of the French external security service is hunting for eco-terrorists. His target is set on destabilising the controls placed on global governments that protect human life from climate change. One wrong move and the world could be plunged into darkness.

As Lamarque travels from Paris to North Africa, he is drawn into an ominous sequence of events: a theft from a Norwegian genetics lab; a string of violent child murders; his mother's desperate illness; a chaotic coup in North Africa, and the extraction under fire of its charismatic leader.

Experience has taught Alex there is no one he can trust – not his secretive lover Mariam, not even his mentor, Professor Fayard – the man at the centre of a deadly web of government control. Lamarque rapidly finds himself in a heart-thumping race against time, the one man with the ability to prevent chaos and destruction taking over. Perhaps the world's only hope of preventing The Coming Darkness...

Mosse wrote this during 2020's lockdown and it certainly shows in his writing. Although, there is a lot of futurist references, such as the advanced technological comms-watches, holoscreens and use of mirco-chips in humans, it definitely feels very believable. There was a lot going on in this book, with a host of characters and different themes running parallel, making for a meaty read.

A complex, chilling thriller which would suit fans of I Am Pilgrim or those who enjoy espionage novels.

The Judas Tree by Amanda Jennings is a disturbing tale of how childhood experiences can hugely impact one's life forever.

Following a miscarriage, Harmony and Will's relationship has hit rock bottom. Although, they still love one another there are too many secrets that are threatening to surface. Will's relationship with his own father was very turbulent and he spent most of his early childhood at a boarding school. After years of trying to leave the past behind, an old school friend resurfaces causing the past to be dredged up again. Intrigued by Will's old school friend and secretly attracted to him, Harmony cannot help but be drawn to this charming man. Perhaps he can shed some light on Will's past which will in turn may help to get their relationship back on track. But in order to play with fire someone will get burnt.

The Judas Tree was a page-turner, with self-destructive characters who I felt drawn to. There was a lot of serious issues weaved within the story which was well written and emotive. The ending was shocking but the definitely the right one. I felt it balanced the story perfectly. Fear, hope and survival are paramount to this story along with redemption. A great read especially for all those who love domestic and psychological thrillers.

This is a highly addictive psychology thriller.

Erin and Will are happily married with a young child. Their lives are perfect. That is until Erin starts to feel a strange sensation around her husband. She realises she feels afraid of him. As things escalate, they decide that in order to save their marriage, they must seek professional help. But with accusations being thrown around and the past being dug up, will they be able to save their marriage and get to the truth behind what has been happening?

In true Heidi Perks style The Last Resort keeps you guessing right until the end. It is a page-turner where I found myself trying to guess all the possible different outcomes. I loved the way the chapters alternated between the months leading up to the accident and the present day. As well as hearing from the viewpoints of Erin, Maggie (the therapist), and the police investigating the hit and run.

The storyline was very intriguing, with two stories running parallel. A thoroughly enjoyable read with great pace and tension, making this a fantastic psychology thriller.

I absolutely loved this book.

Eric's best friend Finn has sadly passed away, but when he starts to receive messages from Finn, Eric is convinced that this is Finn's biggest prank yet, and the clues will lead him to Finn.

This cleverly written novel had me glued from the very beginning, with some laugh out loud moments and a few shed tears as well. Eric, who likes to follow rules and plans, finds himself completely lost without his best friend. Following Finn's instructions leads Eric on a massive adventure, experiencing things that he never dreamed of doing. And in turn, allowing Eric to grieve, except the truth, discover himself and look forward to his own future.

Although sad at times, this book was an uplifting read about the power of friendship, enjoying and embracing life, as well as acknowledging different emotions and not being afraid of them.

I wholeheartedly adored this book and know it will remain with me for a long time. Highly recommend for readers aged 9-99.

Sharp Scratch is an intriguing thriller, dark and mysterious. Each chapter is headed by a fictional test question. Each question is linked to the chapter. I loved this! It added a unique feel to the novel and gave you a glimmer as to the content of the chapter you were about to read. I also loved the era the book was set in and loved having references to the music and food, taking me back to my childhood.

There were quirky characters, most unlikeable, which definitely made it hard for me to predict who the murderer was and what their motive was. I was clueless right up until the end

Emery is born with a heart condition, which means her heart could stop at any time. The first time it happens, she is only 5 years old. Throughout her life, Emery's heart stops suddenly, and whilst she is waiting to be brought back to life, she meets Nick. Some may say, a guardian angel helping people transition between death and the afterlife. During these meetings, Emery starts to get to know Nick and feelings develop between the two of them. Once she returns to her life, Emery longs for time with Nick again. But in order for that to happen, she needs to die.

This was such an intriguing and thought-provoking novel. I loved reading about the life of Emery, from her childhood right up until her final death. I found it really interesting how Nick consumed her thoughts and ultimately influenced, although subconsciously, her decisions to let others in and to fall in love.

Meet Me When My Heart Stops is a character driven novel with a complex family situation. I found this novel tugged at my heartstrings as I know from first hand what it is like to have a child with health issues. I know the strain it can cause on a family, and I really felt for her parents who had conflicting thoughts on what was best for her. I could empathise with Emery, who didn't want to be wrapped up in cotton wool but lead a ‘normal' life. As a parent, letting go is the hardest part, and I completely understood her Dad's fears and decisions he made.

This novel was definitely close to home for me and therefore provoked a lot of emotions. I loved the characters, especially her supportive sister, Amber and best friends, Bonnie and Colin. It was beautifully written and the plot was carefully thought out. After I turned the last page, I was fully content with the outcome. An excellent read.

Sharp Glass by Sarah Hilary has a unique storyline. One woman trapped alone in a cellar whilst her captor remains upstairs in the remote house with no chance of escape and miles from anywhere. The last thing she remembers is standing outside the empty house.

This is basically a story of two people's dialogue and memories as they try to solve the mystery of a murdered teenager. A girl one of them knew from her birth, the other after her death. This is a story about obsession, hidden secrets, and trauma.

It was difficult to know who to trust as both characters were unreliable in their own state of mind. With an interesting twist part way, it was like a cat-and-mouse game of captor and victim where the roles reversed several times. A real gut-wrenching psychological thriller.

Sharp Glass has an interesting premise, and at times, I was glued to the pages wondering who the killer was or how the story would pan out. However, on occasions, I did find it quite repetitive and not as fast-paced as I had initially hoped for.

Overall, Sharp Glass is an intriguing read, full of surprises and some dark disturbing moments. There are trigger warnings of suicide and sexual abuse.

Just finished this book and would highly recommend it! Found it difficult to put it down, wanting desperately to find out what happened to Cathy and Naomi!
I loved the fact that it flitted between the Cathy with Lee and the Cathy after Lee! It just made me want to read on and on.
An English author with her first novel - a book you just have to read!

A lovely written book. Strong characters and interesting storyline. A well rounded book with a satisfying ending.

The Other Tenant by Lesley Kara is an intriguing psychological thriller that kept me guessing until the very end.

I loved the premise of this novel. To be a ‘Property Guardian' sounded like a really cool idea, especially if it meant living in a really unusual building. However, I don't think I would be as brave as the characters who took tenancy in these empty buildings. The thought of living in an old girls' school or a church would petrify me! Marlow, however, seeks these buildings for rent. The more unique, the better. However, when she finds a room in her old Victorian school, she is hesitant to move in. Could she really live in the same building where her best friend tragically died all those years ago?

When Marlow arrives, she immediately realises she has made a huge mistake. The past keeps coming back to haunt her, and there is something sinister going on. One of the tenants has gone missing, and she suspects the other nine guardians are not being honest with her when she delves into the missing woman's disappearance. But knowing who to trust is problematic, and someone is determined for her not to discover the truth.

I galloped through this book, not wanting to put it down. There was a gothic feel to the book with the description of the buildings, which I loved. This, in turn, then added an eerie presence to the storyline, creating moments when I was on the edge of my seat waiting for something to jump out on the characters. I loved the fact that the other guardians had an air of mystery surrounding them and you didn't know who Marlow could trust. As the pages turned, more information was slowly revealed about these characters, and the storyline opened up, adding more confusion as to what had happened to Hayley and why. I really enjoyed and appreciated this aspect of the novel.

A thrilling read which I would highly recommend.

Vita and the Birds by Polly Crosby is one of my favourites reads this year. Set in the East Anglian coast, this historical fiction novel features strong female protagonists and a family secret waiting to be unravelled.

1938: Lady Vita Goldsborough is heavily controlled by her older brother Aubrey. When she meets local artist Dodie Blakeney, she begins to discover what true happiness is. But freedom will come at a cost.
1997: Following the death of her mother, Eve Blakeney returns to her grandmother's seaside retreat to take some timeout, grieve, as well as clear out the house. However, when she stumbles upon a bundle of letters, Eve finds herself delving into her grandmother's past, revealing information about her family that she never knew.

I loved the dual timeline, which Crosby skillfully uses to draw in the reader, revealing snippets of plot and characterisation, then leaving you on a cliffhanger as she switches characters and time frame. There was an element of Gothic fiction to this novel mostly from the presence of The Cathedral of the Marshes. This building, featured in both timelines, acted almost as another character with its own hidden secrets and revelations.

The mystery of the missing children was another hook that lingered throughout the novel which intrigued me. I couldn't wait for all the pieces of the puzzle to come to light, racing through the book unable to put it down. There were lots of shocks and surprises along the way, making it hard for me to predict the outcome. As I turned the final page I felt a sense of satisfaction but also sadness that Eve's and Vita's story had come to an end. A beautifully written novel, both poignant and beguiling.

Well what can I say about this book? It is intriguing, annoying, ridiculous and just plain weird. Never have I come across a book like this before but strangely I did enjoy elements and I know it will be a book I will remember for a long time.

Nine year old Rose discovers that she has a special gift, when eating food she can taste the emotions of the chef or the person who has prepared it. The emotions of others consume her whilst eating and affect her enjoyment of food. Her brother also starts to behave strangely and this causes disruptions within her family life. There are a lot of negative emotions weaved through the book and some shocking revelations around her brother's behaviour. You truly have to read it to understand the ridiculousness of the plot. It's a bit like Marmite, you will either love it or loath it.