totallytales's Reviews (1.9k)

Esme is picking up the pieces of her broken heart, having escaped are cheating, emotionally abusive and controlling fiancee Warren. Living with her Grandmother slowly she begins to find herself again and feels like things might finally be starting to look up, until the unthinkable happens and her Grandmother dies suddenly. A grieving Esme falls back into Warren's arms but soon releases he was full of empty promises and hasn't changed at all. Esme's Grandmother was planning to surprise with a Christmas holiday to Lapland, Warren sees it a a reward for leaving him in the first place so refuses to go. Will Esme decide to honour her Grandmother and go without me?

I have conflicting emotions about this novel, there were parts I loved and some parts I really didn't. Esme is weak-willed throughout most of the novel, obviously that is the point. But the copious excuses she makes for Warren's absurd behaviour are a bit ridiculous and long drawn out, especially after the intervention of her Grandmother and her parents. It was also hard to believe a character like this would suddenly become brave enough to take a trip to Lapland alone.

Having said that I loved the rest of the story, deciding to visit Lapland Esme gets in touch with three other people travelling alone, the characters she meets are hilarious, with depth and of course one of them its truly handsome. The idyllic land of Christmas wishes provides the perfect escape and together they enjoying, wondering Christmas markets, seeing Santa (you are never too old) and of course seeing the Northern Lights. They are having a fabulous time, until Warren turns up to take Esme home... Will she be strong enough to resist him this time with the help of her new found friends? Can she learn from previous heartbreak?

Thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.

Emmy dreams of being a fearless Lady War Correspondent. To do her bit in the war effort she applies for a job with the Evening Chronicle unfortunately there was a terrible mix up and she has in fact accepted a job to type up letters and advice for a problem page. The agony Aunt Mrs Bird refuses to answer most of the letters sent in as they are full of unpleasantness; Emmy resolves to make the best of it and help these poor women herself after all there can't be any harm in responding can there?

I utterly adored this light-hearted historical novel. The characters are infectious in with their make the best of it spirit, they all funny, sweet but not without their flaws. The premise is unique and engaging. Full of humour but far from glossing over the grief, loss and horrors of WWII Pearce tackles them perfectly through the letters sent to Mrs Bird and the well intentioned advice sent back my Emmy. This hugely enjoyable book is the perfect tonic for these long winter nights, sure to give to that warm fuzzy feeling! I can't to read more of Emmy adventures.

Molly runs Hope Farm giving homes to anti-social sheep, alpacas with attitude, definitely-not-miniature pigs and offers alternative education to kids who haven't blossomed in mainstream schools. A distractingly handsome Shelby Dacre turns up hoping to enrol his wayward son, Lucas. Molly isn't fazed and immediately accepts him as a student but soon she realises Lucas is more of a handful than she predicted, has she made terrible mistake or can everyone find a second chance at Hope Farm?

This novel is irresistibly quirky, funny and absolutely jam packed with heart! Join Molly and the cast of dysfunctional but lovable characters on the farm that gives them purpose, joy and a sense of community. The antics the animals get up will have you giggling in no time. When the farm is threatened with closure Molly needs all the help she can get making sure that it doesn't happen. Molly has a full on life and doesn't have time for to fall in love but her heart has other ideas... curl up with a cuppa and treat yourself to Matthews at her very best, this is feel-good fiction at it's finest I didn't want it to end!

Thanks to NetGalley & Little Brown Book Group UK for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.

Jasper is an extraordinary boy. His neighbour has been murdered, he know's because he did it... didn't he? he remembers a knife and blood but he can't remember what actually happened. He is determined to remember but it's not as simple as it sounds because he sees sounds as colour (synaesthesia) and he can't recognise faces (prosopagnosia).

This novel is a fascinating insight into a seeing world of technicolour is a wonderment, Jasper identifies everything from peoples voices, ticking clocks and days of the week in colour. Harris' incredible descriptions of this really bring it to life for the reader; among my favourites are 'marmalade orange with pithy yellow spikes' for the sound of a car engine being turned on. I was turning pages long into the night trying to figure out the clues and they were gradually revealed by Jasper himself or to him by his dad, the neighbours and the police. There were a few twists I didn't see coming and the ending is perfect. This is a debut not to be missed, reminiscent of Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time If you are looking for something original, intriguing and colourful - this is perfect for you!

Lucy loves knitting, reading and is good friends with her 79 year old neighbour Brenda, she is content with her life though she wishes sometimes she could be more assertive - for instance one of the things she would do is tell her rather handsome neighbour her name isn't Lisa and of course she will look after his cat but would it kill him to say please?

Free spirited Brenda has got dementia and her final wish is to ensure her beloved friend Lucy is happy, confident and in the arms of her true love. Brenda has a plan to encourage Lucy in the right direction involving a very special locket, that handsome next door neighbour and a gorgeous black cat...but is Lucy ready to experience all the things life has to offer?

This novel is a delightful read! The characters are lovable with all their little quirks. There are moments to make you laugh-out-loud and others that will break your heart. The plot is slightly predictable but the message at it's core is beautiful, the friendship between Lucy and Brenda smashes ages barriers and the lengths each of them with go to ensure the other is okay is truly heart-warming. Throw in an adorable stray cat, a gorgeous neighbour (straight of the cover of a Mills and Boon book) and you have a charming read, perfect for a lazy weekend.

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

Jog On is an unfiltered, insightful account of how running helps Bella battle her crippling anxiety and depression. There is no sugaring coating the details in these pages, from the depths of despair, the euphoric runners high and everything else in between all her accounts are detailed with refreshing honesty. Sprinkled with humour, Bella incorporates a wealth of others inspirational experiences, interesting research results and tips for absolute beginners. Full of hope and motivation to get those running shoes on!

Thanks to NetGalley & Harper Collins UK for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.

The twin Sisters were once close, until boarding school changed them, changed everything. Now one lies dead with multiple stab wounds; the other locked in the infirmary accused of her murder with a large lump on her head and a foggy memory... sure she had a fight with her Sister but that doesn't mean she would kill the only family she had left - would she? how could she?

This novel is gripping from the start, I read the first two pages in a bookshop whilst waiting for a friend.... but I couldn't put it down, I was hooked - so naturally I had to buy it! I loved the structure of this novel, it combines present day, with police interviews and the past. Drip feeding the reader the lead up to the crime revealing the who, how, what and whys along the way. Maintaining the intrigue though out, Campbell keeps the twists coming right until the very last pages. This is a must read for fans of Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies.