totallytales's Reviews (1.9k)

A beautiful novel with an incredible sense of place & time, I was immediately transported to a post-war Britain from ruins of bombed-out homes to the smokey jazz clubs of Soho you feel like you are there, so vividly described London becomes a character in its own right.

I enjoyed the dual narrative running thought the novel. Lawrie & Evie are well-drawn characters, interesting characters by no means perfect but reasonably flawed, I soon found myself rooting for. Hare really captures the young love against all odds feeling between the pair.

I found it difficult to read in places the racial and social mistreatment suffered by immigrants who answered England's call for help after the war is heartbreaking.

It just missed out on 5⭐ because I found it was a bit slow at times and dragged a little.

Overall this vivid, atmospheric & thought-provoking debut is well-worth reading.

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

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I was immediately drawn into this novel by its friendly conversational tone. I found Abi's description of herself endearing and she automatically became a character I was rooting for. Right from the moment near the beginning when she wonders whether getting on the smallest plane she has ever seen in her life is such a grand idea after all.

It just missed out on 5⭐ because whilst I love the beginning & the ending, I felt it dragged in the middle.

Overall this wonderful unique novel finds it's way into your heart, it is a feel-good quirky - I laughed and I cried through this thought-provoking read. In end, it left me feeling uplifted.

Thank-you Readers First for sending me this in exchange for an open & honest review.

Inspiring, uplifting and heartwarmingly festive!

The story is beautifully crafted with fabulously relatable characters you are invested in from the start, heartwarming friendships (and not forget to mention the scrummy food descriptions that will have your mouth watering!!).

This is novel is about being your best self, not being defined by men and taking risks - with a huge dollop of magic, the perfect feel-good read to keep you warm in the winter!

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

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Set in Japan where several young European girls have disappeared, one is found dead with her body is displayed among flowers. Inspector Tanaka gets the case but he needs the help of hungry journalist Holly Blain, can they learn to trust each other and work together in time to find this twisted killer before he strikes again?

This novel is unique, interesting mystery. Ellis' illustrative writing was really engaging, though it was a slow starter it soon picked up the pace and had me racing to the end, a classic chilling who-done-it? with the twist of Japanese culture and procedure. The two protagonists are yin and yang to each other Blain will do anything to get her story on the front page whereas Tanaka wants to do things the right way - making them an unlikely but engaging duo, I can't wait to read more about them in the next book!

Thanks to Agora Books and Peyton for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.

Hilarious, sexy-romp with heart!

I adored the relationship Emily has with her best friend Chloe and the overall premise of this novel. Nothing in life goes smoothly but Chloe challenges her friend to stop hiding behind her computer screen and step into the real world of dating. Emily reluctantly agrees to the challenge of two weeks dating in real life where she experiences the good, the bad and the downright cringe-worthy. Some of the situations Emily found herself in were laugh-out-loud!

....will any Emily's dating adventures lead to real love?

It missed out on 5⭐ because Josh (the love interests) backstory seemed too far-fetched. That being said, I still adored this entertaining read! - It's the perfect reminder in this digital-age to switch off sometimes, to get out there and enjoy the real world.

Thanks to Olivia Spring for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.

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Maybe it was just me but I found it a bit messy? Don't get me wrong I loved the gothic elements and the gorgeous descriptions of the Victorian era but I felt there was something missing...

The cast of characters are unique and interesting, the descriptions of the era are beautiful. But I felt the structure was slightly miss-matched there was some fab idea but the implementation fell short for me. I was so gutted because the concept had so much potential.

Thanks to Titan Books for a copy in exchange for an open & honest review.⠀
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Light-hearted & fun festive read!



This novel is a delightful combination of humor, twists, and turns. The characters are so realistic and the descriptions are so vivid you feel like you are really there - Join Daisy and her unrequited love Eli on a road trip to find Ben and her lost twin.



The perfect tonic, that will leave you feeling warm and cosy.



Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.



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