Review: The Second Child by Caroline Bond

I really liked this. For me, it was a very different book from what I usually read, but I enjoyed this. The story was easy to follow and I liked that it switched between different viewpoints, as this added different dimensions to the plot.

The book opens with Sarah and Phil getting the results of a genetics test and finding out that their daughter, Lauren, is not actually their child. Obviously, both are confused as to what happened in the hospital fourteen years ago, and agree to finding their biological daughter and her family. This situation is made more complicated due to the fact that Lauren has Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome, and their entire lives have been about looking after her, believing that she was their daughter. As the two families collide and attempt to exist, the fallout effects everyone.

This was a nice story about a near-impossible situation. The only downfall would be the end. It ended suddenly, and without really resolving the situation. I would have liked to know what happened with the two families. Despite this, it was still a nice, fairly easy read.

Review: The Perfect Stranger by Megan Miranda

It’s hard to know where to begin with this book, because so much happened! I read the entire thing over two days - it was hard to put down because I HAD to know how it ended.

Leah moves to a new town with an old friend, Emmy, in order to start over. But one day, Emmy disappears into thin air and two people are attacked near their house - one of which looks really similar to Leah. The police investigation that follows comes to the conclusion that Emmy never really existed, and Leah must prove that she is not involved in the events.

This was such a good read with loads of twists - I certainly could not have predicted the ending, and it was incredibly well-written. It revealed just enough to keep you interested, but not enough for you to guess the twist. I’d highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a complex thriller.

Review: Sunflowers in February by Phyllida Shrimpton

When Lily wakes up one day and realises she has been hit by a car and died, she must figure out how to contact the people she knows in order to tell them that she hasn't moved on. She figures that the best way to do this is through her twin brother, Ben. But when Ben and Lily do finally get in contact, not everything goes as smoothly as it was meant to.

I have very mixed feelings about this book. I loved the storyline, and the question of life after death, but I found Lily to be incredibly annoying, and completely selfish. I loved the premise of this, and the story was really gripping; the cover is beautiful, and definitely appeals to me as a reader. I feel like I would have found Lily less annoying if I had read this when I was younger. Maybe I just don't have the patience for 15 year old girls anymore. Nevertheless, this book was a really good read, and I'd highly recommend it.