totallytales's Reviews (1.9k)

This novel was quite an enjoyable summer read. Get swept away on a road trip with Reagan, Lilah, and Matt and indulge yourself in a story of love, friendship, loss, and learning as these characters try to navigate adolescence.

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

Read if you enjoyed:
[bc:The Names They Gave Us|30038906|The Names They Gave Us|Emery Lord|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1474998295s/30038906.jpg|50443138] [bc:Billy and Me|25663643|Billy and Me (Billy and Me, #1)|Giovanna Fletcher|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1438357158s/25663643.jpg|21929129] [bc:The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson|18114638|The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson (Jessie Jefferson #1)|Paige Toon|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1383081247s/18114638.jpg|25441913]

Martin's story is set in the fictional but the utterly charming location of Sandcastle Bay. Her cast of characters encompasses village life excellently with no one able to have a private life, the gossip mill running wild and well-meaning meddlers in the mix. Join the endearingly clumsy, accident-prone Melody in her quest to capture Jamie's heart you won't regret it. Brimming with laugh-out-loud disaster moments and a side helping of heart-wrenchingly poignant moments this is the perfect summer read. It is the second book in but each book focuses on a different character so you don't need to read them from the beginning (I have read the first - yet but its now on the list!).

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

This novel is gripping from the start! The more Joe investigates the further the fall from grace for his seemingly perfect parents, the twists are unpredictable and saw me reading long into the night. I also loved that the book wasn't entirely focused on the investigation you got to experience Joe's personal struggles as he tried to balance finding out the truth as well as keeping himself and his daughters safe. Shamefully this is the first Robotham book I've read but it certainly won't be the last.

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

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]

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 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]