totallytales's Reviews (1.9k)

Plot: Twelve lives, twelve months. Told from multiple perspectives over changing seasons. These interwoven tales give glimpses into the love, loss & resilience of a community.

I adored this debut, it is lyrical & thought-provoking! Reeves peels back the layers and shines a spotlight on the most intimate moments challenging people's lives. It is brimming with heartwarming and heartbreaking moments.

People: The characters have depth and diversity. They easily jump off the page and some will stay with you long after you leave their story, for me imparticular Mona & Wolfe. It was fascinating to see their stories encroach on one another in their subtle, surprising ways, to see how their community is more entwined than it first seems.

Pace: It's a slow-paced story of reflection, with hopefulness at its heart showcasing human resilience with sprinkles of humour throughout. This certainly won't be a book for everyone but if you like a peek into the lives of others and the freedom to imagine your own endings, pick this up you will love it.

Disclaimer: A huge thanks to Allen & Unwin UK & Anne Cater for sending me this title. All opinions are my own.

Pick up if you enjoyed: Elizabeth Strout & Jennifer Egan

Plot: Sybil is happy enough with her work and her love life, until her old adversary Helen returns, and her life as she knows it begins to unravel.

This story is marvelously different from others I've read. A keenly observed tale of love, betrayal & grief, sprinkled with haiku and ancient history.

People: Sybil is a charming, flawed, and funny character I'm sure we can all relate to. I was rooting for her from the outset. Brilliantly written, I was absorbed in Sybil's world and I am already missing her. She will stay with me for a long time to come I'm sure.

The rest of the cast are fabulously unique with their own little quirks and mannerisms. Helen in particular is such a well-drawn character I instantly took a dislike to her.

Pace: It's a slow-paced story but that is the beauty of this novel. It is subtle, witty & honest.

Disclaimer: A huge thanks to Sandstone Press for sending me this title. All opinions are my own.

Plot: Twenty-five years ago my brother was murdered in my family home. I was sent to a psychiatric unit for killing him. The truth is I didn't do it...
An intriguing tale, brimming with secrets and suspicions that will keep you engaged until the reveal (I was not expecting that!).

Chilling and heartbreaking in equal measure, the grief of the family left behind it packs an emotional punch as well.

It wasn't quite as chilling, heart racing as I was hoping it to be, but that is just me and my dark, twisty mind.

"She called me a liar, but I'm not making it up, I'm not!"

People: Cara is a great unreliable narrator, I was constantly torn between feeling sorry for her being wrongly accused to questioning whether she was really telling the truth.

Pace: This is a medium to a fast-paced novel, once you start reading you'll want to keep going until you know exactly what is really going on.

Disclaimer: A huge thanks to Orion Books for sending me this title. All opinions are my own.

Pick up if you enjoyed: C J Tudor & Alex North

Plot: Jerry a bodyguard from Essex, is making a name from himself in LA. He fixes the problems others can't or won't touch. But this time has he bitten off more than he can handle?
A brilliantly entertaining debut providing you are prepared to suspend some belief and hold on for the adrenaline-fueled ride. From its opening, the pedal is pressed to the floor and it doesn't let up until the end.

"We have a saying around here, love: if Jerry did it, then the geezer must have deserved it"

People: The whole cast of characters are well-drawn:

Jerry the perfect anti-hero reminiscent of a certain 'Jack Reacher', Ronson a total baddy with absolutely no redeeming features & Noah the fabulous sidekick.

Pace: This is a fast-paced novel packed with action & suspense. With an open ending, I certainly hope a book two is on the horizon.

Disclaimer: A huge thanks to Orion Fiction for sending me this title. All opinions are my own.

Pick up if you enjoyed: Martina Cole & Lee Child

Plot: When 12-year-old Malky & his younger brother Seb become owners of a "Dreaminator", they are thrust into worlds beyond their wildest imaginations...

I've loved Welford's other novels so I knew I was in for a treat with his latest release. It's a remarkable tale of brotherhood, friendship & the power of dreams. Full of heart, funny & inventive it will stay with you long after you have turned the last page.

"It's your dream, Dream-boy. No one else is in charge. Just like life."

People: Malky is a little lost, struggling to find his way - it was a joy to watch him grow over the course of the book, to build a better relationship with his brother & some of the other characters around him. As well as learning to stand up for himself & the people he cares about in the right way.

Susan's Grandmother was a brilliant character and deserves a special mention here she was always kind but she made sure Malky didn't get too big for his boots.

Pace: This is a fast-paced novel, with an absorbing premise it won't take you long to get lost in dreamland, I certainly did.

Pick up if you enjoy: Sophie Anderson & Ben Miller

Disclaimer: A huge thanks to Harper Collins Children's Books & Kaleidoscopic Tours for sending me this title. All opinions are my own.

Plot: It's easy to put someone in the friend's zone. But what happens if you change your mind?
A fabulous debut! Frank, keenly observed and funny - the mishaps Bea finds herself provided plenty of laughter, a tin of coconut milk & a certain date especially.

"I've never really thought of myself as a (deluded) optimist until now"

People: Bea is a flawed, genuine, and well-round character you can't help but root for!

Peter is quirky but adorable right from the start, we all need someone like him in our lives.

The rest of the cast is fleshed out easy to imagine, Bea's relationship with her bestie was true to life, reflective of the highs and lows that come with it.

Pace: This is a medium-paced novel, a light-hearted read that won't fail to bring a smile to your face. I can't wait to see what McCulloch brings us next.

Pick up if you enjoy: Emily Henry & Anna Bell.

Disclaimer: A huge thanks to Corgi & Anne Cater for sending me this title. All opinions are my own.

A good read.

The story was a little predictable but I enjoyed the way the pieces fit together...

If you are looking for a light-hearted, funny adventure look no further.

Plot: What secrets are hidden within the walls of a desolate farmhouse in a forgotten corner of Lapland?

A compelling read. The bad blood & gossip spread throughout this small town is used to increase tension, give an ominous sense of dread throughout. Told across two timelines I soon found myself suspicious of everyone, unable to guess what was really going on I was pleasantly surprised by the ending.

"There are no monsters only men."

People: The whole cast of characters have their flaws & tension between them was so palpable.

I was particularly drawn to Liv, Liam & Juha stories and found myself rooting for them.

Place: The Swedish landscape is so vividly portrayed it almost became a character in its own right. You can easily imagine the cold, harsh isolated setting as the secrets begin to unravel.

Pace: This is a slow-paced, dark and intense read. Brilliant from start to finish, a fabulous addition to the Nordic noir genre.

Disclaimer: A huge thanks to Atlantic Books & Anne Cater for sending me this title. All opinions are my own.

At a glance: Craven really is in a league of his own!! This is funny, fast & absolutely fan-fucking-tastic. Gets all the stars from me again!