This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens Book Review

I love Netgalley.

I'm not sure how often I've said that on my blog but it's true.

That site has provided me with so many beautifully written books to read over the time that I've been signed up to it. Novels that I perhaps wouldn't have even thought to buy for myself. 

And sometimes you come across a story that just captures both your heart and imagination, and that is what happened when I had the privilege of reading This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens (thank you Netgalley and Random House UK).

When Minnie meets Quinn at a NYE party, it’s clear that they’ve got nothing in common – except for the strange fact of their being born in the same place at the same time on New Year’s Eve. A crazy coincidence, but not a reason to pursue a friendship, and definitely not an excuse for Quinn to hope for something more.

He is a privileged party boy who believes the world is his for the taking. She is a hard-working realist, whose lack of confidence tends to hold her back.

Opposites don’t really attract…it’s not like this is a rom-com, right?

The clock strikes midnight, their moment passes, and another year begins. But if Quinn and Minnie are from different worlds, why do they keep bumping into each other? And why is it that each frustrating interaction somehow seems to push their lives in the right direction? Could it be that instead of clashing, their different outlooks might complement each other?

Perhaps now is the time for them to finally come together...

Let me start by saying this is a book that I will definitely be re-reading and if that isn't positive enough, you can continue to read the rest of my review.

The Weekend Away by Sarah Alderson Blog Tour

When you think of a weekend away I bet you're thinking perhaps a child free time to relax and unwind (I know I would) but that's not quite what you get when you delve into Sarah Alderson's latest novel ...

Orla and Kate have been best friends forever. Together they’ve faced it all – be it Orla’s struggles as a new mother or Kate’s messy divorce. And whatever else happens in their lives, they can always look forward to their annual weekend away.

This year, they’re off to Lisbon: the perfect flat, the perfect view, the perfect itinerary. And what better way to kick things off in style than with the perfect night out?

But when Orla wakes up the next morning, Kate is gone. Brushed off by the police and with only a fuzzy memory of the night’s events, Orla is her friend’s only hope. As she frantically retraces their steps, Orla makes a series of shattering discoveries that threaten everything she holds dear. Because while Lisbon holds the secret of what happened that night, the truth may lie closer to home…

When Orla goes away with her best friend for the weekend she's struggling. She's recently had a baby, who she doesn't want to be away from but after not letting herself let loose for quite some time she's also excited to spend some time with her closest friend.

Read With Me 2020 #30

Hey there book lovers.

Welcome to this weeks Read With Me.

Thanks as always to everybody who took the time to join in last week, whether that be linking, commenting or simply reading the posts.

I joined in with a reading challenge last week called Reading Rush.

I'd not heard of it before, the idea of it is to pick 7 books and read those 7 books in a week, essentially one a day.

Now when I here challenge, I accept and excel, which means I did read all seven books. Here's the books I read:

My Sunday Photo 2020 #30

The Life We Almost Had by Amelia Henley Blog Tour

Sometimes you read a book and it just sticks with you.

Leaving you with a massive bookish hangover.

The Life We Almost Had by Amelia Henley was one of those such books, emotional would be an understatement.

Anna wasn’t looking for love when Adam swept her off her feet but there was no denying their connection, and she believed they would be together forever.

Years later, cracks have appeared in their relationship. Anna is questioning whether their love can really be eternal when a cruel twist of fate delivers a crushing blow, and Anna and Adam are completely lost to one another. Now, Anna needs Adam more than ever, but the way back to him has life-changing consequences.

Is a second chance at first love really worth the sacrifice? Anna needs to decide and time is running out…

This is not your typical romance.

How to Disappear by Gillian McAllister Blog Tour

Fans of Gillian McAllister rejoice, for this fantastic author is back with their latest novel, How to Disappear.

I was lucky enough to get my hands on a copy and now I'm part of the blog tour, here to share with you an insight into this thrilling story and my thoughts on it (hint it's going to be another bestseller).

This is a psychological thriller like no other.

Lauren's daughter Zara witnessed a terrible crime. But speaking up comes with a price, and when Zara's identity is revealed online, it puts a target on her back. The only choice is to disappear. To keep Zara safe, Lauren will give up everything and everyone she loves, even her husband.

Ever thought about the people around you?

Read With Me 2020 #29

Hello everyone.

Welcome to another week's Read With Me.

Thank you to all who linked up last week. I'm loving how there is such a mixture of old and new books being read!

The summer holidays have officially begun.

My Sunday Photo 2020 #29

The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow Book Review

Alix E. Harrow is fast becoming one of my favourite authors.

Having read The Ten Thousand Doors of January earlier in the year, I was beyond excited to read her latest offering The Once and Future Witches.

I won't lie, the size of the book immediately intimidated me. My initial thoughts were that it was going to take me a while to read this one. But I needn't of worried because the story had me hooked and I finished the novel in under two days.

The blurb might give you a hint as to why I found this tale so fascinating:

In 1893, there's no such thing as witches. There used to be, in the wild, dark days before the burnings began, but now witching is nothing but tidy charms and nursery rhymes. If the modern woman wants any measure of power, she must find it at the ballot box.

But when the Eastwood sisters--James Juniper, Agnes Amaranth, and Beatrice Belladonna--join the suffragists of New Salem, they begin to pursue the forgotten words and ways that might turn the women's movement into the witch's movement. Stalked by shadows and sickness, hunted by forces who will not suffer a witch to vote-and perhaps not even to live-the sisters will need to delve into the oldest magics, draw new alliances, and heal the bond between them if they want to survive.

There's no such thing as witches. But there will be. 

I will admit, I was first drawn to this book because of the beauty of its cover and I can say that I was so right to judge this book by its cover. The story held within its binding is just as stunning.

This isn't just a story about witches.

Blood Moon by Lucy Cuthew Book Review

Periods.

Lets say that word again, periods.

Such a taboo subject even in this day and age. Why is that? 

I remember when I was younger, it was a seemingly tricky conversation to navigate round with my mum. Something I didn't want to repeat with my own children.

Having four girls it was inevitable that we'd have to discuss what they are, why they happen etc. I've always been open and honest about it. From a young age the girls knew that mummy got blood quite regularly. They've seen me changing and are fully aware of what to expect even when they are not expecting it!

Lucy Cuthew has managed to create a rather stunning debut that does a brilliant job breaking down that unneeded taboo around periods.

Because let us be open, it is only blood!

BLOOD MOON is a YA novel about the viral shaming of a teenage girl. During her seminal sexual experience with the quiet and lovely Benjamin, physics-lover and astronomy fan Frankie gets her period – but the next day a gruesome meme goes viral, turning an innocent, intimate afternoon into something sordid, mortifying and damaging.

This book is unique.

Not just because of its subject matter but also for how it is presented.

Rewind by Carolyn O'Doherty Book Review

I get quite a lot of books to review.

Now this isn't something I'm complaining about, oh no if anything send me more. 

However I have to apologise because the one problem I do have is that I can't always read them quick enough to get all reviews written up and live when the book is being released.

And Rewind was one of those books.

Actually in this instance it was my eldest daughter who didn't read the book in a timely fashion (maybe because she tends to read more than one book at any given time).

But better late than never right ....

Sixteen year old Alex Manning has a rare gift: she's a spinner who can freeze and even rewind time. Hated and feared, spinners are housed in Centers, where they are carefully monitored and madicated. They are let outside for only one purpose: to use their gift to help solve crimes. When Alex is secretly offered an experimental treatment to prolong her life, she suddenly sees a future for herself - no spinner has lived past twenty. But the drug also brings with it an ability that would terrify the world and put other spinners in danger. Do the benefits outweigh the risk?

Over the my daughter to share her thoughts on the book with you all:

Read With Me 2020 #28

Hello there everyone.

Welcome to this weeks Read With Me.

Thirteen days into July and I've managed to read a book pretty much every day of this month so far. There seems to be a lot more of a variety of books available recently.

My Sunday Photo 2020 #28

Aria's Travelling Book Shop Book Review

I am a sucker for a good romance, even more so when the title of the novel happens to mention the word 'book'. So when I happened to receive Rebecca Raisin's latest story in the post (yay book mail) Aria's Travelling Book Shop, I just had a good feeling about this tale.

Aria Summers knows what she wants.

A life on the road with best friend Rosie and her beloved camper-van-cum-book-shop, and definitely, definitely, no romance.

But when Aria finds herself falling – after one too many glasses of wine, from a karaoke stage – into the arms of Jonathan, a part of her comes back to life for the first time in years.

Since her beloved husband died Aria has sworn off love, unless it’s the kind you can find in the pages of a book. One love of her life is quite enough.

And so Aria tries to forget Jonathan and sets off for a summer to remember in France. But could this trip change Aria’s life forever…?

This novel coincides with one of Rebecca's other stories, Rosie's Travelling Tea Shop. You don't need to read that book in order to understand enjoy this one. However I will be going back to read that one as soon as I can.

The Love Square by Laura Jane Williams Blog Tour

Books are like magic.

They have a way of transporting you to a different place, allowing you to escape reality for a little while.

Any genre will do it but I think that sometimes you just need a good old romance to lift your mood and that's just what you'll get with Laura Jane William's latest novel The Love Square.

Penny Bridge has always been unlucky in love.

So she can’t believe it when she meets a remarkable new man.

Followed by another.

And then another…

And all of them want to date her.

Penny has to choose between three. But are any of them The One?

Love a good romance?

Read With Me 2020 #27

Hello guys.

Welcome to this weeks Read With Me, the first one of July I might add!

I hope you're all well.

Question for you this week. Have you ever read a book after seeing lots of glowing reviews for it only to be rather disappointed in it yourself?

My Sunday Photo 2020 #27

Older and Wider by Jenny Eclair Book Review

Menopause.

A time in a woman's life that she may fear, dread and eventually come to despise.

Now you may be thinking why am I talking about it, I'm only in my thirties. Well.... 

Firstly, yes women are more known to hit this stage in life nearer their fifties, however you can be pre-menopausal years before that (and I believe I'm heading that way already). 

And secondly when I saw Jenny Eclair's latest novel Older and Wider being talked about over on Twitter, honestly I couldn't resist reading it if only for the humour factor.

A Survivor's Guide to the Menopause

If you are looking for medical advise, this isn't the book for you.

But if you are searching for some light relief, a little of bit of light at the end of the tunnel then this is guaranteed to lift your mood.

The Rules by Tracy Darnton Book Review

The YA genre is one that is becoming increasingly popular with both children and adults. I for one am a huge fan of these types of books and always find myself recommending them to others. So I was extremely happy when I got wind of Little Tiger's expanding collection of YA books. 

On a slightly different note ... Is it bad that before receiving The Rules I hadn't read a book written by Tracy Darnton? I can tell you now that this is something that I will be rectifying ASAP.

Amber’s an expert when it comes to staying hidden – she’s been trained her whole life for it. But what happens when the person you’re hiding from taught you everything you know?

When a letter from her dad arrives, Amber knows she’s got to move – and fast. He’s managed to find her and she knows he’ll stop at nothing to draw her back into the extreme survivalist way of life he believes in.

All of a sudden the Rules she’s spent so long trying to escape are the ones keeping her safe. But for how long?

The Rules follow teenage girl Amber.