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totallytales's Reviews (1.9k)
An original, emotional rollercoaster of a read!
Anna & Adam are such relatable characters you'll instantly be rooting for them and their happy ever after. They take you on a journey that will have you laughing one minute & floods of tears the next (definitely have some tissues at the ready for this one!).
I loved the way this was written in short chapters that always ended with a mini cliffhanger so you couldn't put it down and you had to read the next bit. I honestly didn't put it down until I had turned the last page.
This is so much more than a love story, I don't want to say too much and spoil it but I can say this is one all-consuming heart-wrenching read you do not want to miss!
A huge thanks to HQ Stories for gifting me a copy in return for an open & honest review.
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Anna & Adam are such relatable characters you'll instantly be rooting for them and their happy ever after. They take you on a journey that will have you laughing one minute & floods of tears the next (definitely have some tissues at the ready for this one!).
I loved the way this was written in short chapters that always ended with a mini cliffhanger so you couldn't put it down and you had to read the next bit. I honestly didn't put it down until I had turned the last page.
This is so much more than a love story, I don't want to say too much and spoil it but I can say this is one all-consuming heart-wrenching read you do not want to miss!
A huge thanks to HQ Stories for gifting me a copy in return for an open & honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
An original, emotional rollercoaster of a read!
Kerry & Noah are such relatable characters you'll instantly be rooting for them and their happy ever after. They take you on a journey that will have you laughing one minute & floods of tears the next (definitely have a lot of tissues at the ready for this one!).
Gayle has written a beautifully poignant tale that pulls you in from page one and addresses a multitude of contemporary issues race, class & marriage with sensitivity. It is touching, absolutely heart-wrenching and so thought-provoking and powerful it will stay with you long after you have turned the last page.
Buy it. Read it. Love it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kerry & Noah are such relatable characters you'll instantly be rooting for them and their happy ever after. They take you on a journey that will have you laughing one minute & floods of tears the next (definitely have a lot of tissues at the ready for this one!).
Gayle has written a beautifully poignant tale that pulls you in from page one and addresses a multitude of contemporary issues race, class & marriage with sensitivity. It is touching, absolutely heart-wrenching and so thought-provoking and powerful it will stay with you long after you have turned the last page.
Buy it. Read it. Love it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fresh, funny, and honest!
I loved that motherhood is the central plot, it isn't a secondary narrative swept under the rug. It's given the platform to be explored with all the different choices considered or experienced by Olive, Bea, Isla, and Cecily.
The quotes inserted at the end of each chapter around the subject of choosing not to have children really puts the spotlight on expectations, preconceived ideas, enforced opinions, and pressure most of society put on women.
It just missed out on 5⭐ because I personally struggled with the idea that as such close friends they could be so self-absorbed and not be really there for each other. Obviously it serves to highlight the different paths and changing priorities. Maybe that is exactly what happens and I'm just yet to experience it?
Overall a thought-provokingly engaging read that explores an incredibly important life choice in a refreshingly honest and open way.
A huge thanks to Harper Collins UK & NetGalley Review for gifting me a copy in return for an open & honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I loved that motherhood is the central plot, it isn't a secondary narrative swept under the rug. It's given the platform to be explored with all the different choices considered or experienced by Olive, Bea, Isla, and Cecily.
The quotes inserted at the end of each chapter around the subject of choosing not to have children really puts the spotlight on expectations, preconceived ideas, enforced opinions, and pressure most of society put on women.
It just missed out on 5⭐ because I personally struggled with the idea that as such close friends they could be so self-absorbed and not be really there for each other. Obviously it serves to highlight the different paths and changing priorities. Maybe that is exactly what happens and I'm just yet to experience it?
Overall a thought-provokingly engaging read that explores an incredibly important life choice in a refreshingly honest and open way.
A huge thanks to Harper Collins UK & NetGalley Review for gifting me a copy in return for an open & honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Well, what can I say? I was blown away! Carter once again perfectly combines twisted tales and compelling characters like no one else. This is an original edge-of-your-seat thriller, so terrifying it gave me chills from the very first chapter!
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The short, sharp chapters are constantly adding to the tension and are so addictive I found myself saying 'just one more'. Meanwhile the tension rack ups, as along with Hunter and Garcia, I raced to find this terrifying killer. Along the way I felt my skin crawl, my heart pound, and my jaw drop.
I couldn't put it down, but I also didn't want to arrive at the end too quickly (ever get that feeling with a book?). Nevertheless I, of course, couldn't stop reading and now I'm up way past my bedtime waiting for my heartbeat to return to normal! ⠀
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I whole-heartedly recommend it - This is a compulsive, gruesome read you will not want to miss! If you haven't yet come across Robert Hunter then definitely treat yourself to the whole series! (You certainly don't have to, to enjoy Written In Blood, but the only person missing out is you).
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A huge thanks to Harriett at Simon & Schuster for gifting me a copy in return for an open & honest review. ⠀⠀
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The short, sharp chapters are constantly adding to the tension and are so addictive I found myself saying 'just one more'. Meanwhile the tension rack ups, as along with Hunter and Garcia, I raced to find this terrifying killer. Along the way I felt my skin crawl, my heart pound, and my jaw drop.
I couldn't put it down, but I also didn't want to arrive at the end too quickly (ever get that feeling with a book?). Nevertheless I, of course, couldn't stop reading and now I'm up way past my bedtime waiting for my heartbeat to return to normal! ⠀
⠀
I whole-heartedly recommend it - This is a compulsive, gruesome read you will not want to miss! If you haven't yet come across Robert Hunter then definitely treat yourself to the whole series! (You certainly don't have to, to enjoy Written In Blood, but the only person missing out is you).
⠀
A huge thanks to Harriett at Simon & Schuster for gifting me a copy in return for an open & honest review. ⠀⠀
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A dark, twisted tale, brimming with suspense.
What an opening - We are thrown right into the action with a murder! Right from the first line 'Death smells like macaroons' I was hooked.
The story unfolds from three different perspectives Lily, Grace & Flo and as we learn more about these characters we learn nothing is what it seems, there are lots of deeper, darker secrets uncovered slowly as you read each chapter and I found it really difficult to put down - I had to find out exactly what was going on!
It narrowly missed out on 5⭐ because I was left a little bit frustrated by the ending.
Overall, a fabulous debut with haunting characters that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page.
A huge thanks to Anne Cater & Darkstroke Books for gifting me a copy in return for an open & honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
What an opening - We are thrown right into the action with a murder! Right from the first line 'Death smells like macaroons' I was hooked.
The story unfolds from three different perspectives Lily, Grace & Flo and as we learn more about these characters we learn nothing is what it seems, there are lots of deeper, darker secrets uncovered slowly as you read each chapter and I found it really difficult to put down - I had to find out exactly what was going on!
It narrowly missed out on 5⭐ because I was left a little bit frustrated by the ending.
Overall, a fabulous debut with haunting characters that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page.
A huge thanks to Anne Cater & Darkstroke Books for gifting me a copy in return for an open & honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hilarious, oh so relatable & heart-stealing!
I naturally abandoned all plans and curled up to devour this novel and I'm over the moon to report it was everything I hoped it would be and much more.
I was rooting for Ros from the start she is smart, funny, chaotic, and real. Her misadventures will have you crying with laugher and cringing. It is definitely not all plain sailing... but life never is, is it? Is Patrick the one who got away or he is better left in the past?
The whole cast of characters is full of depth, fabulously relevant and diverse. From their skin colour, sexual orientation, to the over 60's couple still enjoying a sex life (I will never look at sushi the same way again!). It is real and representative.
The sprinkles of 90's nostalgia throughout are icing on the cake... who remembers groovy chick?
I have so much love for this book. It warms your soul, it's authentic and brimming laugh-out-loud moments. I shall most certainly be grabbing a real copy for my shelves, this is one I'll want to read again.
Kelk at her very best! - Don't. Miss. It.
A huge thanks to Harper Collins UK & NetGalley for gifting me a copy in return for an open & honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I naturally abandoned all plans and curled up to devour this novel and I'm over the moon to report it was everything I hoped it would be and much more.
I was rooting for Ros from the start she is smart, funny, chaotic, and real. Her misadventures will have you crying with laugher and cringing. It is definitely not all plain sailing... but life never is, is it? Is Patrick the one who got away or he is better left in the past?
The whole cast of characters is full of depth, fabulously relevant and diverse. From their skin colour, sexual orientation, to the over 60's couple still enjoying a sex life (I will never look at sushi the same way again!). It is real and representative.
The sprinkles of 90's nostalgia throughout are icing on the cake... who remembers groovy chick?
I have so much love for this book. It warms your soul, it's authentic and brimming laugh-out-loud moments. I shall most certainly be grabbing a real copy for my shelves, this is one I'll want to read again.
Kelk at her very best! - Don't. Miss. It.
A huge thanks to Harper Collins UK & NetGalley for gifting me a copy in return for an open & honest review.
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Gripping, gritty, and darkly funny!
A funeral director's & a private detective firm run by the formidable Skelf women, what is not to love?
I was really looking forward to this novel as I hugely enjoyed A Dark Matter (the first in the series). I'm thrilled to report this installment is every bit as superb!
The three Skelf's are flawed, funny, and brave characters you are rooting for from the start. Each with their own compelling storylines.
The mix of emotion, reflection, tension, and mystery is captivating. I was fully invested trying to work out how all the pieces fit together but this fast-paced novel kept me guessing until the end.
I wouldn't call it a cosy crime, the stories are far too dark for that but there is a definite warmth to Johnstone's writing. Which I absolutely love! This is a must-read for all crime fiction fans. I for one am eagerly awaiting book three.
A huge thanks to Anne Cater & Orenda Books for gifting me a copy in return for an open & honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A funeral director's & a private detective firm run by the formidable Skelf women, what is not to love?
I was really looking forward to this novel as I hugely enjoyed A Dark Matter (the first in the series). I'm thrilled to report this installment is every bit as superb!
The three Skelf's are flawed, funny, and brave characters you are rooting for from the start. Each with their own compelling storylines.
The mix of emotion, reflection, tension, and mystery is captivating. I was fully invested trying to work out how all the pieces fit together but this fast-paced novel kept me guessing until the end.
I wouldn't call it a cosy crime, the stories are far too dark for that but there is a definite warmth to Johnstone's writing. Which I absolutely love! This is a must-read for all crime fiction fans. I for one am eagerly awaiting book three.
A huge thanks to Anne Cater & Orenda Books for gifting me a copy in return for an open & honest review.
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