totallytales's Reviews (1.9k)

This novel follows Emily as she embarks on stepping into the shoes of the seemingly perfect Rose but "is the grass always greener?", can anyone really have it all? We gain flashbacks of Rose's life throughout the novel and these glimpses reveal something is amiss. Expertly creating an increasing sense of foreboding for Emily and the trouble she has found herself wrapped up in, Allan had me hooked from the first page and some of those twists I did not see coming! Brimming with secrets, jealousy, and lies - look no further for your binge-worthy summer psychological thriller.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.

The storyline catches you completely unaware, from the first page until the last it is an emotional rollercoaster of love and heartache. The characters are relatable and vividly written they will stay with you long after the last page. It definitely deserves its comparisons to fault in our stars. Like the cover says 'if It doesn't break your heart, it isn't love...' ~ I loved it!!!



Thanks to Netgalley and the Little Brown Book Group for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.

Join the vibrant quirky Violet on her quest of self-discovery as she leaves her stable but unfulfilling lifestyle to take on a running an inherited pier. The charming Swallow Beach soon casts her under its spell. Join her in this novel packed with laughter, lust, and love. Though of course, it's not all plain sailing and there are moments of frustration, tears, and heartbreak. French writes her best book yet with this truly engaging story with real heart and the full spectrum of emotions. A perfect summer read, pick it up you won't regret it!

Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.

[bc:The Piano Man Project|25394456|The Piano Man Project|Kat French|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1436801087s/25394456.jpg|45146081] [bc:The Cottage on Sunshine Beach|39719642|The Cottage on Sunshine Beach|Holly Martin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1522879866s/39719642.jpg|61392176] [bc:Daisy's Vintage Cornish Camper Van|37796255|Daisy's Vintage Cornish Camper Van|Ali McNamara|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1527958672s/37796255.jpg|59461052]

I loved the cover, I loved the concept but something just didn't work for me and I was gutted. Vicki is an unreliable protagonist, she has epilepsy, her seizures, and medication mean at times she can't remember what happened... so how can she be sure she is innocent? From there the story is split between two characters experiences which I felt were rather disjointed as the connection between the vastly different stories was unclear for the majority of the novel. That being said my curiosity was piked enough to see me reading until the link was revealed and I was intrigued to see what become of them both in the final chapters. There are plenty of twists and turns throughout and this novel it had all the hallmarks of a brilliant thriller - revenge, a missing ex, an unreliable lead but its execution wasn't flawless.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Books UK for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.

Read of you enjoyed:
[bc:The Killing Type: A short story from the bestselling author of My Husband’s Wife|38719858|The Killing Type A short story from the bestselling author of My Husband’s Wife|Jane Corry|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1527340856s/38719858.jpg|60300451] [bc:It's Always the Husband|35854402|It's Always the Husband|Michele Campbell|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1523887170s/35854402.jpg|52153878] [bc:Her Name Was Rose|36589624|Her Name Was Rose|Claire Allan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1524986555s/36589624.jpg|58337710]

This family saga is an epic spanning 80 decades! The way Evans portrays the idyllic setting and the immense pull it has over the entire family is utterly captivating. Reading the revelations of the secrets and lies fracturing this family was interesting but ultimately not gripping. Every time I got attached to the story of a particular character that section ended and inevitably with this kind of story you find some characters more likable than others - so sadly at times I found myself reading just to finish it. Overall it's not a bad novel it just wasn't the epic page-turner I was expecting.

Read if you enjoyed:
[bc:Little Fires Everywhere|35061545|Little Fires Everywhere|Celeste Ng|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1493895017s/35061545.jpg|52959357] [bc:Happily Ever After|12506550|Happily Ever After|Harriet Evans|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1385940979s/12506550.jpg|17492126] [bc:Players|13023404|Players|Karen Swan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1394282379s/13023404.jpg|10837163]

This novella (only 160 pages!) is a light-hearted and amusing little read. But the thing I wish I'd known before I picked this book is it's the middle of a trilogy of novellas. So it's like watching your favorite romantic comedy 30 minutes after it started and not watching the last 30 minutes, you miss out on the build-up and the happy-ever-after! - just frustrating and for me at least not in a good way.

This novella features Imogen the bride-to-be is certainly having an unforgettable experience but for all the wrong reasons, join the laughing-crying-chocolate extravaganza to see if they can overcome all the mishaps or is it destined to be the worst wedding ever? But it revolves around Millie and Zach's increasingly undeniable chemistry will they finally hook-up or is it like Imogen's wedding doomed... We'll have to wait and see, installment three is out around Christmastime.

Thanks to Netgalley and Canelo for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.

The premise of this book is totally unique; can Steven really bring his struggling family back together by finding his Uncles bones? Is it as simple as writing to a notorious killer asking for help? Or does Arnold Avery have other ideas as he responds to Stevens letters? The novel is split between Steven and Arnold's experiences giving us intriguing insight into their innermost thoughts throughout their letter exchange. Bauer's remarkable ability to portray so convincingly and seamlessly both characters is captivating and disturbing in equal parts you'll be hooked. Coupled with the vivid descriptions of the beautiful, eerie and dangerous Exmoor and Dartmoor landscapes the tension slowly builds towards the dramatic conclusion. Definitely worth a read!

Read if you enjoyed:
[bc:Fall From Grace|22738051|Fall From Grace (David Raker #5)|Tim Weaver|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1405626293s/22738051.jpg|42277395] [bc:Emma in the Night|33574211|Emma in the Night|Wendy Walker|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1484434383s/33574211.jpg|54325849] [bc:Blood Harvest|7455508|Blood Harvest|Sharon J. Bolton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1312043081s/7455508.jpg|10495658]

This novel is an engaging account of the lives of four female characters of varying ages. Set in the picturesque and seemingly idyllic Primrose Square we soon find out that all is not as it seems and each resident is hiding various secrets and heartache. The characters within these pages are all relatable and as their stories entwine the force and healing power of a kind-hearted community becomes a pillar of hope for these women creating a feel-good theme. Although I felt the mysteries were a bit long drawn out at times, overall it is an enjoyable read and you'll find yourself rooting for the residents to overcome their dilemmas - can they give each other strength and support to come out the other side?

Thanks to Netgalley and Zaffre for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.

Read if you enjoyed:
[bc:On a Beautiful Day|36247260|On a Beautiful Day|Lucy Diamond|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1513028073s/36247260.jpg|57893416] [bc:This Could Change Everything|35129210|This Could Change Everything|Jill Mansell|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1510212106s/35129210.jpg|56449732] [bc:The Teashop on the Corner|22032626|The Teashop on the Corner|Milly Johnson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1399048060s/22032626.jpg|41353240]

I absolutely love the David Raker series! As soon as I read that tagline I was eagerly awaiting its release. We join Raker enjoying a family Christmas Devon when he receives a phone call saying his Wife has just walked into Charing Cross police station. His wife died 8 years ago so it can't be her can it? This woman looks, talks and acts like his wife and know intimate details of their marriage that no one apart from his wife could know. This woman tells the police Raker had a breakdown and that's why he can't remember, this is backed up by a respected Doctor. One of them is lying! Is she really his Wife? Is Raker delusional? Or is she lying?

This concept is utterly brilliant and ballsy. Weaver takes his loved and trusted character and makes us question everything we know about him, everything Raker knows about himself... it's unputdownable from the start can Raker prove his innocence to the police, us and most importantly himself? The twists and turns throughout the novel keep us guessing until the end. This intense and thrilling ride is not to be missed for anyone who likes a mystery.

Read if you enjoyed:
[bc:I Am Missing|35114668|I Am Missing (David Raker, #8)|Tim Weaver|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1533131937s/35114668.jpg|56426546] [bc:Her Name Was Rose|36589624|Her Name Was Rose|Claire Allan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1524986555s/36589624.jpg|58337710] [bc:Let Me Lie|35376281|Let Me Lie|Clare Mackintosh|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1508947755s/35376281.jpg|56734623]