This is quite a beautiful story about two sisters who didn’t know the other one exists and they discover each other after their dad dies in a plane crash. They have to overcome their anger at their dad for this huge betrayal and lie to work out if they have a place for each other in their lives. The story is sprinkled with culture throughout and what I found to be a really interesting and fresh storyline. The fact that it’s written in verse instead of as normal makes this a super easy read which could be done quickly and makes you become absorbed in the story very easily. I’m not sure if I read it “properly” because it flowed really well as just a quick paced story to me rather than verses but maybe other people will be able to appreciate the beauty in the writing style (I don’t really have the mind for those things).
Both sisters have such well thought out unique back stories and personality that it’s easy to tell who’s voice is who’s even after they are not separated by chapters.
The only things I didn’t like: I was just really angry with the dad for doing what he did and the fact he split his time with the daughters unevenly - one getting him for only 3 months, whilst the other gets him for 9 months out of the year. There were reasons for this but it was really unforgivable in my eyes. How we this is one of the main plot lines so I totally understood it - and the fact it made me want to cry out in anger just shows what good writing this is.
Secondly there is Spanish sprinkled throughout the story but with no translation. Sometimes it was obvious because of the next sentence what was being said, however other times it was really unclear and I was having to translate quite a lot on my phone which drew me out from the story and broke the spell of it. I would have rather the sentences been translated every one be made really clear what was being said.
But definitely a book I recommend picking up!

TW: plane crash, death of a family, sexual assault

I so desperately wanted this book to be a 5 star because I was absolutely loving it. The plot -Korede, the eldest sister of two, helping her younger sister Ayoola when the Ayoola somehow keeps killing her boyfriends. Always in self defence apparently. But this lastest time sits more heavily on Korede then all the rest when she goes to help dispose of the body. Even worse Ayoola moves on to a new man, someone important to Korede, and now Korede isn’t sure where her loyalties need to lie.
The writing style - quick, blunt, straight to the point. Each chapter like a mini 3-5 page story in itself without any cliffhangers. Makes this an extremely enjoyable and fast-paced read. I basically read it in three sittings.
The background characters - adding little bits here and there that really brought the story together however always remaining in the back, making sure the sisters story was always the centre and at the forefront.
Sadly though, the ending just ruined it for me. Not enough to give lower then three stars but what started out being a 5 star quickly dropped. Korede has no back bone. She is walked over the entire book - mostly by Ayoola, and then by people manipulated by Ayoola. There were so many times she should have spoken up but didn’t. And even worse it was mainly to protect Ayoola who DID NOT DESERVE IT. She was a horrible character - completely selfish and undeserving of the love that was offered onto her. And in the end - without giving too much away - I just feel Korede made the complete wrong choice.
So unfortunately a disappointing read. Weirdly though I would recommend it. Some people may feel differently about the sister relationship than I do so definitely one I feel everyone needs to check out themselves.
TW: domestic and parental abuse, crime scene/murder scene, blood, stabbing

Took me a while to read only because when I started I just was not in the mood for it. But I could tell it was a good book which I was enjoying so instead of DNF’ing it, I put it to one side which I’m super happy I did. When I picked it back up again this month I fell straight back into the world, got sucked into the story and finished the book pretty quickly.
I think it’s a super interesting take on a murder mystery - the main character being a women in the late 1800’s trying to become a doctor. The way women were tested by society back then makes my blood boil, and at times I was so angry for the characters in the book I had to take some breathers.
I totally didn’t see who did it coming so it was a twist right up until the end.
I think it’s probably a really accurate if not also sad view of what that time was like for any women who was not a high bred girl who followed the rules so that also made it really Interesting to read.
Overall I really enjoyed it and now want to read the second book!

I was gifted an arc of cock and bull for an honest review although I have waited til now to post as I didn’t want to detract away from release day sales with a negative review.
Unfortunately this book felt like a chore to read for me and took me way longer to finish then the typical easy-going light and fluffy romance that this book is portrayed to be.
My biggest issue with this book is that I think there are some really really harmful portrayals of the main character Phoebe. She is portrayed, in my opinion to be very weak, completely dependant on the comfort of the love interest - Clooney - and accepts some really damaging behaviour from him. He is a character with lots of secrets, yet every time Phoebe tries to get close to him, or asks any personal questions he snaps at her, gets angry and storms off. Then 9 times out of 10 Phoebe convinced herself its her fault and instantly forgives him the second he meekly apologises. There was multiple parts of the story I highlighted on my kindle as being really unhealthy relationship points and it’s just not what I enjoy reading about. I also don’t think it sets good examples to the more vulnerable people who may be reading these books.
Positives to the books are that the plot line is quite good - Phoebe and her sister Ella move to Ireland to try and sell the pub their Great Aunt Breda left them in her will. When they get there, they discover it’s an absolute tip so set about fixing it up.
It had some funny moments and a few good semi-steamy scenes between Clooney and Phoebe but the rest of the relationship was just not healthy and not a portrayal I wanted to see.
I would be interested to know if anyone else has read it and what their opinions are?
TW: gambling addiction, unfaithfulness, discussion of miscarriage, deaths and ghosts

I read this book for the @megsbookstack August Read-athon “book with yellow cover or spine” prompt and I am so glad I did!
It was really really wonderful. Completely lovely and wholesome. It follows Jamie - a Jewish 17 year old boy - and Maya- a Muslim 17 year old girl - as they spend their summer canvassing the neighbourhood in their Georgia state towns for an upcoming special election.
Mixed into this story is the importance of voting, the importance of finding your voice and learning how you can fight the wrongs - even if you’re not at an age to vote - and learning how to stand up for what you think is right.
It deals with a very real life situation (as this book is inspired by true events) of when a senate representative puts forward an incredibly racist bill which is specifically designed to target Muslim women and their headwear.
Whilst covering some really important and serious topics there is also humour, love, and uniquely special moments. What I loved most are the characters in this story. They are so thought out and the story is really character focused. It was a joy to read about maya and Jamie, learn their quirks, and fall a little in love with them as they did with each other.
This book is culturally sound, written by both a Jewish and Muslim author and it was really nice to learn a bit about each of the cultures.
Certainly a book I’d recommend for anyone who wants a lighthearted summer read that still serves a purpose and packs a punch!!
TW: islamophobia and antisemitism discussion and actions

Quite an obvious romance. Instantly knew who was the “gonna end up with” guy and who was the “in it to trick you” guy.
A cute opposites attract/enemies to lovers.
Ticks most of the boxes but not necessarily a book I’d recommend or would read again.
Felt a little bit rushed - could have been longer

Quite a weird read.
I think it’s made out to be more then it is.
It is essentially a whingey man complaining about how life is unfair after he spent his young adult life being completely unfair to women. Ever heard of karma pal?
It was kind of interesting - this basically is a snapshot from an autobiography, it includes a couple of chapters but not the full story.
However it’s probably not a book I’d recommend and I’m not really interested in hearing the rest of the story either
I’ve certainly never read anything like it but I also think it’s quite misleading. The first page leads you to believe there’s something sinister going on, but really it’s just a man who treats women badly

So this was August’s #botm for @romancethequebookclub
As a plus-size/large/fat (which to me is a descriptor word that does not have to be mean) girl I was really hoping this book with a plus-size heroine would be so much more than it was.
The premise is the same as the show “The Bachelor” except in the book it’s called “Main Squeeze”. After one drunken night-time rant on her semi-popular fashion blog, about the lack of diverse and realistic people on the show, our heroine Bea gets invited to be the next seasons “main squeeze” and have 25 men compete to find her true love.
The premise was okay. I thought it was an interesting take on a rom-com making it a bit of a different story. The book is also structured really well with loads of email chains/online articles/fan group chats as they watch the show, which makes the story move along really well and quickly. And ultimately the story was entertaining, I found myself skimming through the whole 400pg book in about three days which is quite fast for me.
However, there were a lot of issues.
The main thing for me, is the inconsistency and flaw’s with Bea’s character. When you are first introduced to her, she becomes this amazingly confident plus-size girl with a great fashion blog but then as she starts doing the show all she has is self-loathing, self-doubt, and genuinely believes no one who is attractive could love her and it must all be fake. She also sits back and just accepts a lot of shit from the shows producers when she should have stood up and defended herself or at least just been a bit argumentative abouts things she doesn’t want to do. Also, Bea’s mentaility is actually incredibly damaging - she essentially doesn’t love herself one bit but all of that gets swept under the rug/“fixed” because someone falls in love with her. NO. That is not how the world works.
Quite frankly Bea needed a good dose of genuine therapy, not to head onto a show like The Main Squeeze.
Overall a pretty dissappointing read, with lack-lustre characters, damaging mentalities, and zero chemistry between the heroine and most of the 25 men featured

I was so excited when I saw that Sue had another book coming out that I emailed her and asked if it was possible to get an advanced copy and share my honest review to my bookstagram. I was even happier when she said yes! #gifted
For anyone who doesn’t know, Sue Black is one of the WORLD leading forensic anthropologists - studier of human remains to aid the judiciary system, specifically bones.
This is her second book - the first, All that Remains, is an autobiography of sorts, sprinkled with some true cases and anatomical facts.
#writteninbone is more educational and anatomical as it takes you through each main group of bones in the body from skull to toes, and allows the reader to see what information a forensic anthropologist could take from every bone. The book is heavily sprinkled with fascinating real life crime and cases that Sue has worked on, allowing the reader to really see how even the tiniest mark on the tiniest bone could be helpful.
Whilst this book is more anatomically based, I believe it would be great for anyone with an interest in anatomy, forensics, true crime or even murder mystery’s because despite its slight educational content, the book has a unique factor: the voice of Sue Black that runs throughout.
She has such a respect for the dead, and even manages to make the book funny - at times I was literally laughing out loud.
If nothing else this book shows what an incredible women Sue is, and it’s a book I will be recommending for years to come.
Thanks to Sue and @doubledaybooks for the opportunity to read it early

I really enjoyed this book! Set in Finland with bitterly cold winters it has a spooky, cold, winter feel to it that made you want to curl up with your hot chocolate and devour it all in one. Featuring teenager Lumikki who has made it a habit to stay out of other peoples business, when she is thrust full force into the middle of a mystery featuring blood covered money and members from her school. It is slight murder mystery, but more just a detective story with the detective being a 17 year old, trying to fit all the pieces of the crime together. Whilst most of the answers are obvious, there’s a bigger picture at play that spreads across all three books and for that one I have not the slightest idea what’s happening but I’m really interested to find out. This book certainly serves as a good introduction to the character and story and with a few questions left unanswered at the end I’m really looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Translated from the original Finnish, the story is a mixture of flashbacks to try and show why Lumikki operates the way she does - as she’s quite a unique 17 year old - and present crime solving scenes. The story flows really well, and even has aspects of fairytales amongst it - which becomes a prevalent theme.
Lumikki is a kick-ass heroine i can easily get behind, and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series. Quite a short book so makes for a quick easy read too!