Review: How to Kill Your Best Friend by Lexie Elliot

Meh - I’m quite conflicted about this book, to be honest.

A group of friends have gathered to mourn the unexpected death of one of their own. But finding themselves trapped together for longer than expected on a remote island, they all begin to question each other - and themselves. Everyone has secrets - but what really happened here? And what is going to happen next?

This was just okay - the plot was interesting enough, but several parts felt quite rushed or were just very out of place. Adam and Georgia’s conversation where he ‘figures out’ that Georgie had thoughts of killing Lissa - seriously? That felt completely random. I think it was meant to be a ‘shocking twist’ but it just felt jarring and not in tune with the rest of the story. Similarly the ‘twist’ at the end - Georgie figures it out and that’s that, is it? Again, it just felt quite rushed.

This was okay, but it wasn’t brilliant.

        

Review: The Girl in the Mirror by Rose Carlyle

 

Wow! This book was SO good! Really, really good. I read the entire thing in one sitting, which probably tells you everything you need to know about it, to be honest.

Iris and Summer are identical twins, and have always been together. But grown-up, Iris is jealous of Summer's perfect life, perfect husband, perfect children. While sailing together in the Indian Ocean one day, there may be an opportunity for her to change her fate and gain access to the Carmichael fortune. But can she go through with it? And how far will she go?

This was FULL of twists and turns. Just when I thought I had the ending figured out, with a handful of pages left to go, Carlyle threw in that final twist that actually had me gasping out loud, and I NEVER do that. Ever. Even the final couple of pages had me thinking "is it, or isn't it?"

Really well written, and highly gripping. Would definitely recommend!

Review: Songbirds by Christy Lefteri

Wow. Just wow. This book was so beautiful, and so well-written that I read most of it in one sitting. I just couldn’t put it down.

Nisha is a Sri Lankan woman working as a maid in Cyprus, for Petra and her young daughter Aliki. She is good at her job, and adores the family. One day she goes missing - no note, no warning, and taking nothing with her. But Petra knows that something is wrong, and together with Nisha’s lover Yiannis, she is determined to figure out what’s happened to her.

This was a heart-breaking story, but one that is so important as it’s real life for millions of foreign domestic workers in Cyprus and many other countries around the world. Since these women are not citizens and are considered disposable, no one is particularly concerned when they disappear, even if the circumstances are suspicious. Lefteri has such a unique way of writing, and I really enjoy her books.

Review: Such A Quiet Place by Megan Miranda

This was a really compelling read - so much so that I read most of it in one sitting.

Ruby Fletcher killed Fiona and Brandon Truett. It was obvious; she’s never fitted in at Hollow’s Edge. But now, freed by mistrial, she’s come back. And she’s never been one to quietly blend in. Clearly, everyone has something to hide about what really happened that night. But who is telling the truth? And how far are they willing to go to keep it hidden?

Definitely a page-turner, that’s for sure! Kept me guessing till right to the end too, which is nice because I find that sometimes I figure out what’s happening quite early on in the story. This book raises lots of questions about community, and how far people would be willing to go in order to protect each other.

Overall, a really interesting read that gripped me right until the end. I’d highly recommend this book!

        

Review: London’s Number One Dog-Walking Agency by Kate MacDougall

This was a genuinely lovely book which was a pleasure to read! 

Kate is in her late twenties and wants more from her life of office work and chores. So on a whim, she quits her job and starts a dog-walking business, much to the disappointment of her mother. But the business takes off, and Kate tells us her story through the many dogs that she meets over the years.

I loved that this story was told through the dogs, and that the focus was always on them. We also get to meet some of the dog-walkers that Kate employs, and this adds a nice touch to the story too. 

The reason I gave this 4 stars instead of 5 was because even though this was a lovely story, nothing really ‘happened’ in it. There was no big event or issue. Even the recession was over and done with in a few pages and the business picked up again fairly quickly.

Overall, this was a lovely story to read, and I would highly recommend.

        

Review: Trust Me by T.M Logan

This was a solid thriller that I really enjoyed. I loved the premise and there were enough twists and turns to keep it interesting. 

On the train home, Ellen agrees to watch a baby while her mother makes a phone call, only to see the woman disappear off the train and into the crowd moments later, leaving her with the child. The message is clear: don’t trust anyone. But what will she do? Take the child and run? Or do the right thing and turn her in?

I gave this 4 stars instead of 5 because the reveal came slightly too slowly for my liking, and I did guess who the culprit was about 15 pages before it was revealed. I would also say that I didn’t completely understand the motivations of all of the characters; at least two could have been cut completely. But other than that, this was a solid book, with a solid plot and interesting characters. Would definitely highly recommend! 

Review: The Favour by Laura Vaughan

Wow, this book is so boring! I’ve had to DNF at just over 100 pages because it’s just a group of privileged, spoiled students wandering around Italy talking about Art. For 100 pages. 

The main character is horrendous - an entitled child who looks down on everyone around her and makes up stories in order to fit in with the other entitled children, who spend much of the time whining about the problems they have. I was willing to accept the Italian Art trip as the beginning of the story, but I’m almost halfway through and they’re still there, wandering around, talking nonsense and whining.

Whatever the big twist was going to be, it needed to happen way sooner because I just don’t care enough about Art or paintings or museums or day drinking to keep reading. The tutors of this trip are also quite dodgy - sleeping with their students?! That’s crossing a line.

        

Review: Saving Missy by Beth Morrey

This was so heart-warming! This was a wonderful book, full of real characters and real situations that so many people will be able to relate to.

Missy is 79 and spends her time alone, since she is estranged from her daughter and her son lives abroad. One day, on her normal walk round the park, she meets two very different women who draw her into their lives, and in the process, manage to change hers forever...

I really enjoyed the inter-chapters which flicked back in time to Missy meeting her husband. It was nice seeing the relationship between them, since we don't see it in the present-day. I was also surprised by the twist involving her husband - I don't know if it was supposed to be a twist or not, but I certainly did not see it coming.

I really enjoyed the relationship between Missy and Bobby - it was so pure and heartwarming, and so important for Missy to experience something like that later in life.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book - it was delightful and I would highly recommend.