totallytales's Reviews (1.9k)

Intense! - written with compasion, humour & insight. Its powerful and honest. Every girl should read a copy

It's a slow-burner but definitely worth sticking with!

There are a lot of characters to get to grips with in this gorgeous little village. But once you have settled who is who and how they relate you can enjoy this warm, fun & engaging read.

You'll soon get wrapped up in their lives and have your fingers-crossed they all get their happy endings. Ash was the standout character for me instantly lovable, funny and oh so nervous when he isn't on the radio!

I love Jill Mansell so had high expectations and whilst I enjoyed this novel, i didn't think it was as brilliant as her others so 4

I loved the premise and the writing is beautiful but I found the story lacking...

The insight into the Maud's mind as it is grasped by Alzheimer's is outstanding. The back and forth been now and the past the parallels between her sister missing then and Elizabeth missing now, Maud's confusion even her more lucid moments make the perfect portrayal of what I imagine happens to a person with the disease.

But after a while the constant confusion is rather samey and the ending is completely predictable. It is certainly a brave, interesting, touching and topical subject to tackle.

I do wonder if I would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't read Three Things About Elsie by Joanna Cannon? They are very similar in theme so I knew I would be drawing comparisons from the beginning, I feel like Three Things About Elsie is more gripping and engaging you as a reader experience her whole life, not just the diminished later stages. Making it a story about passing friends, bereavement and ageing. Whereas Elizabeth is Missing is a snapshot of the lesser person Alzheimer's is making Maud.

Leon only uses his flat during the day to sleep in (he works nights and spends the weekends with his girlfriend), he needs extra cash so decides to rent his flat out for the time he doesn't use it. Tiffy works during the day (so wouldn't be using the flat then) and is in desperate need of a cheap place to stay ...its the perfect solution isn't it? Join Tiffy and Leon as they begin their sharing a flat and bed sharing agreement, despite never having set eyes on each other.

This novel is written from both Tiffy and Leon's view points with them sharing alternate chapters throughout. I loved reading both sides of this quirky unique story, the characters are likeable, relatable and funny. O'Leary pulls you in with her fresh, fun concept and will have you turning the pages long after you should have turned the lights out. This is a well rounded and uplifting story, with some brilliantly poignant, a few darker and many laugh-out-loud moments. I haven’t been as touched by a book since Me Before You.... it’s laugh-out-loud and all kinds of crying (sad and happy tears were shed in the reading of this novel!). If you pick up one book this year make sure this is it!

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

Best crime thriller of the year!

This complex case is played out extraordinarily! With the clues being teased throughout this novel, so intricately planned into the plot and expertly brought together in the mind-blowing finale, Craven is either a writing genius or a criminal mastermind?!

I absolutely love Poe and Tilly's characters this dynamic duo will slip off the pages straight into your heart. Perfectly in-tune despite being polar opposites, Poe a gruff and sarcastic whereas Tilly is a socially awkward genius. It's so refreshing to read characters with no romantic intentions but a fiercely protective bond, they would literally do anything for each other. Keaton is the perfect unnerving psychopath, I had an uneasy feeling about him from the start.

Fast-paced, dark, twisted, mind-blowing and oh so clever! Not-to-be-missed - I implore you to go and grab yourself a copy now, I promise you won't regret it! I'll be counting down the 230 days until I can get my hands on the next Poe and Tilly instalment.

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

One of the world's most vertical cities is plunged into chaos if people can't trust elevators how will they cope?

This claustrophobic scenario is brimming with suspense and intrigue. The tension is palpable in opening chapters, you just know something terrible is going to happen and are instantly fearing for the characters.

The short chapters help ensure it stays fast-paced and only helps to racks up the tension, as you try a work out who this ruthless killer is, as the death toll increases. Pact with twists and turns that finale is breathtakingly shocking. Even if you guess the killer (on this occasion I did) the unveiling of his deadly plans motives are jaw-dropping.

A terrifying premise with all the with so much possibility to be a reality it makes you think twice before you step in the elevator. Barclay is a master at his craft. If you are looking for an intense thrill, look no further you have found it!

Thanks to HQ Stories & Netgalley for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.

I guess I'm just disappointed because it was chalked up to be a historical melodrama but it didn't all end nicely wrapped up in a bow. I still have so many unanswered questions and I feel cheated.

I feel like the author got bogged down writing about topics that were far too easily swept under the carpet, especially considering how taboo they would have been for the time period in which the book is set in.

And she forgot she was writing about a miniaturist, who still remains a mystery to me?!

...Maybe it was far too cryptic for me and I missed the point? Lots of others loved it and it was made into a BBC series.