3.5 stars

Re-read for the fifth time May 2020

"She has no idea, the effect she can have."

I love this book. I love everything about it. Katniss is the type of character you need to read about it, a strong female protagonist who is able to look after herself and those around her. The love she holds for others burns bright and fierce and threatens to consume everything around it.

Katniss's gradual feelings towards Peeta really captures me in this book. Peeta's generosity and kindness makes every reader fall in love with him. He is prepared to give up everything to allow Katniss to return home to her mother and sister.

It is a book that shows devotion to family and friends and a refusal to give up despite pressure from higher powers and fear of consequences. A character that shows strength, love, compassion, weakness and ferocity.

Reread for third time: November 7-12 2016

Video review for this trilogy here: https://bit.ly/3g8AbtO

Alexander spots Tatiana in the middle of Leningrad as Germany declares war on Russia eating ice-cream and enjoying a calm, peaceful moment in the middle of the drama. From that moment, he is hooked. Tatiana spots Alexander and she falls in love. As Leningrad falls under siege, and Alexander desperately helps This is one of my all ti keep Tania and her family alive, their love is kept secret. This is an epic love story when either could die at anytime and both show remarkable feats of strength and love that pull them through and always finding each other.

This is my favourite book in the entire world and every time I read it I fall in love with Tatiana and Alexander's relationship all over again. This book is full of angst,and declarations of love and the fight for survival - it's a yo-yo of emotions. But there is amazing character development with Tatiana who starts off a naive, young 17-year-old eating ice-cream instead f buying supplies who is told again and again by her family how weak and small she is and she ends up being the one to get their rations every morning in a bombed-out city, starving half to death herself so the others around her can eat and eventually ending up the strongest of them all, and carrying them on her shoulders.Yet she still remains innocent and hopeful, knowing Alexander will come back to her.

A lot of effort went into this book from the way of Russian life in the Soviet Union, to the moments during the war and the description of how Tania and Alexander liv their lives as soldier and nurse. It does lag a bit in the middle but I don't mind it so much because I really feel like they deserved to have that lag and just be with each other. There are moments of peace when Alexander and Tatiana can be with each other and I'm happy to just read pages of them loving each other after seeing them struggle through the siege.

The ending of this book kills me every Time and I want to pick up Tatiana and Alexander straight away now. Emotions ALL OVER THE PLACE.
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The romance between Tatiana and Alexander is one of the most heartfelt, emotional and heartbreaking stories I have ever read. I can never get enough of it and I find myself reading it again and again and again.

I couldn't recommend this book enough to anyone who like a good romance or historical novel. The backdrop of the war and the struggles Tatia goes through with Dasha and her family, all the while silently loving Shura is beautiful.

Read it!!Read it now!

4.5 stars
Video review (spoiler free): https://bit.ly/3dV4kLo

I received this book from Harper Collins Ireland in exchange for an honest review.

CW: Sexual assault, violence towards women, domestic abuse

DI Maeve Kerrigan has another case on her hands and this one comes to her in pieces, literally. When discovering the gruesome murder of a young woman whose body was cut up and left in the Thames, the case leads Maeve to the Chiron Club - a private member's club only eligible for elite males. As Maeve digs deeper, she discovers more horrifying facts about the club and its member, while also ignoring a danger that is creeping closer to home.

I really enjoyed this crime detective novel and it's defintiely one of my favourites I have ever read. I felt like the whole case was spread out across the pages really well and just seemed very realistic and organised, and really well planned out by the author.

This book is actually the ninth book in the Maeve Kerrigan series but I haven't read any of the others. And I still found this book really enjoyable and didn't feel lost with any of the characters. It was obvious that there was something in the past between Maeve and Josh, and slowly throughout the book new readers discovered what that was and it was done expertly in ways that fans of the series wouldn't be bored of a rehash of things from the past. This book can definitely be read as a standalone though because I really enjoyed it, I am trying to decide if I want to read the books that came before this one or just carry on from here.

I really liked Maeve as a character. She's the type of police officer you want helping to solve any crime that you were the victim of. She's through and smart, yet is very kind as well. The one thing that did raise my eyebrows a bit was when she was able to go undercover as one of the hired girls when she was presumably in her thirties, and the girls were suppose to be young and insanely beautiful. We don't get a lot of descriptions of Maeve's looks but presumably of things said to her in different points, she is very attractive. I didn't really like that Maeve had a bit of a frenemy thing going on with Wendy - the other young, attractive female on the force (I'm not including Liz in this one as she was heavily pregnant). When Wendy appeared on the page, she always did something really dumb that doesn't make me feel great about people like her being on the force.

The case was just really good and I loved how bit by bit all these secrets about the Chiron Club came out. It was a very satisfying case to read be investigated, and when all the horrible men in it got their comeuppance.

There is a side plot in this book that does involve domestic abuse. I feel like it was very obvious from the start what was going to happen with this one, but I also feel like this was in the book as well to give a guide to readers about how easy it is to fall into an abusive relationship - physically and/or emotionally - and not quite realise. And it can happen to anyone - even people to see it happen to others on a regular basis.

Video review (spoiler free): https://bit.ly/3bRSu2Z

Full written review to come.

I received this book from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Full video review (spoiler free): https://bit.ly/2LFU5OS

Grace Marchant is a soldier whose job it is to find and arrest corrupt Mageborn (people born with magical powers) and deliver them to the crown for justice. When Grace's job ends up in her losing a valued member of the team, it puts her in contact with Bastien, the Lord of Thorns - a member of the Royal Family with his own powers, and also the heir to the throne. As a murder investigation spirals out of control, Grace ends up having to team up with Bastien, and also protect him from danger all around while they both figure out how to try and save their city from terrible forces of evil.

One of the things I really enjoyed about this book is the age of the characters - who all seem to be in the early to mid-twenties. It was really refreshing to read a book with relatable characters who weren't also dealing with teen acne and hormones but also strong in their own right, with relative life experience already behind them and no hovering parental figures in the way (not to mention healthy sexual appetites and relations).

The city this story is set in was also built up very well by the author and it had all the things you would normally see in a typical fantasy - the palace itself, the highborn area, an armoury/soldiers' quarters and then the market place, plus taverns of varying repute and the slums. And also a lot of secret passageways.

There was a decent amount of chemistry between Bastien and Grace which I enjoyed, though personally I would have preferred more of a slow burn as when the story really began to get going with the mageborn murder investigation, the romance seemed to very suddenly take control. While I liked the interactions between Grace and Bastien, I also wanted a juicy murder mystery and I feel like this element of the story was lost completely which was disappointing.

Bastien, as a character - while a delicious mix between The Darkling and Prince Cardan of Elfhame, seemed to be a confusing juxtaposition of many different things. While he was thought to be strong and dangerous, and extremely powerful, we kept seeing him in moments where he seemed very weak and Grace is charged with protecting him - yet at times, it's proven he has crazy magic powers and really adept fighting ability. I couldn't figure it out, and I disliked feeling like he was a bit pathetic at times because what I was seeing was different than what we had been told. But also on the flip side of that, I liked the gender swap that was the female character being the main protector.

The magic system is quite intricate in this book, and when it's combined with the history of the gods, it can get a little bit confusing and I'm hoping the second book will make me feel more comfortable with the lore and provide me a true understanding of the gods and all their relations with each other, and how some of the reveals in Mageborn actually work.

This book is a really good stepping stone for people who may read mostly romance or contemporary, and who want to start reading more fantasy without diving head deep into a super long tome.

I received this book from Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review.

Video review (spoiler free): https://bit.ly/3g39Ygi

Amber Reynolds is in a coma. She can't remember what happened to her but she soon realises she didn't end up in hospital by accident. In flashbacks, Amber slowly begins to remember the days leading up to her accident and begins to suspect everyone around her. The only problem is, Amber is prone to lying. So what happened to her, and who's really to blame?

This book has trigger warnings for OCD, anxiety, sexual assault. **

This book was definitely the definition of a thriller for me. I was so tense reading this book - I could feel my whole body on edge, my heart was racing at times. There were a few moments i actually felt the urge to throw the book across the room because of what was happening or what was being implied and I couldn't handle it but at the same time, I needed to keep reading! This is a book that will leave you gasping, shaking, yelling at the pages and feeling utterly baffled at the same time, and I love it.

I went into this book only knowing three things - the main character was in a coma, she believed her husband no longer loved her and that she sometimes lied. Within a few chapters of the book, I began to soften towards Amber. There were a lot of things seemingly going on in her life that made me feel for her and i wanted things to work out for her. But then a while later, I reminded myself with one of the facts - Amber was prone to lying so how could I, as the reader, believe anything she was saying? Suddenly, Amber changed and became an unlikable character to me and I loved this transition. There were moments I felt for her and other moments when I just had no idea what was happening or who I could believe. I felt completely lost but in a great way, and in a way I come to expect great thrillers to make me feel.

I didn't like the fact that Edward actually full on raped Amber when he thought she was still in the coma. I feel like the actual rape didn't have to happen and the author could have stopped at the whole 'sticking his fingers up her' which would have been traumatic enough. My stomach just turned at that whole scene and I just think it was unnecessary and only there for shock factor. It also didn't seem like, at the end of the book, Amber had any PTSD over the sexual assaults she went through and realistically, I feel like after being assaulted on several occasions and raped, she would have some issues she would need to work through. The end of the book did that little round up thing that I didn't really like. One of those and this person is here now, and this person is doing this now, and it just reminds me of movie and TV show finale endings and it kind of irritates me in books. The very, very ending did leave me a bit shocked but also slightly dissatisfied as it had me like, "What now?".

Eventually some things begin to add up, and I eventually guessed some of what was going to happen but it didn't take away any enjoyment of the book for me. It was a really great read.

4.5 stars

I received a free copy of this book from Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review.

Video review (spoiler free): https://bit.ly/2XfhxYx

It’s 1756 and Tully Truegood is languishing in prison, accused of murder. In Tully’s own words, she writes down her story so those reading can understand her actions. From ignored daughter to famed and beloved courtesan, the reader follows Tully through the high and lows of your young life until eventually arriving to how she ended up behind bars.

This is an absolute fantastic book that had me hooked from the first chapter. I flew through this story and found it hard to put down at times (in fact, the day I finished it I had to get off the train for work with only about three pages to go and it was infuriating).

Tully is one of those characters you can fall in love with. She is young and honest, and her voice sounds exactly like this. I don’t think there was much badness in her at all, and I really just wanted to take her in my arms and protect her from all the evil in the world.

At first Tully’s proper voice in the book threw me off but I gradually got used to her way of speech and the book eventually settled down into the story and flowed really well. The chapters were short which made them easy to fly through and devour. I read fifteen chapters in my first sitting!

Tully is a very sensual and sexual person, from the time she is quite young and she enjoys and relishes in sex and sex with people she cares about. She owns her body in a way that’s really empowering and admirable. I loved her descriptions of a a lot of sexual scenes she both witnesses and takes part in because she gives different names to body parts (Venus mound and pleasure garden instead of vagina, and pleasure pole instead of penis for example) and while this could come across silly and moronic in other books, it doesn’t in this one because you know everything Tully is describing it out of awe and pleasure, and it’s Tully being Tully.

There was a magical ad supernatural twist to this story I was;t expecting but I grew to love it. It really fell into place and became an integral part of the plot and one, as a reader, I would anticipate and wish more of.

I really enjoyed the romance int his book. At first, I was afraid it would take over but Tully proved to be her own person and took control of her own story and I loved that.

This was a fantastic book with both a great historical setting as well as an a amazing female protagonist that you could respect, admire and just want to be friends with. Highly recommend. P.S This book is perfect for fans of TV show Harlots!

I received a free copy of this book from O'Brien Press in exchange for an honest review.

Video review (spoiler free): https://bit.ly/2XfoEjW

Mollie Carbery is 14 years old living in Dublin,Ireland in 1912 and when she realises her sister has a secret, she's like a dog with a bone. When Phylis tells Mollie she has joined the Irish suffragette movement, Mollie and her best friend Nora join in. But how can the two be proper suffragettes when they still have school, parents and annoying brothers to deal with?

I really enjoyed this, as I knew I would. Mollie is vivacious, intelligent and a lot of fun and I really warmed to her quickly. I think she's someone a lot of people could relate to - she's cheeky but chatty and has a lot of love for her siblings and parents while also complaining about them. The book is told through a series of (long) letters Mollie sends to her penpal Frances and she really manages to capture the mood of a young girl with an exciting secret. The writing definitely seems like something a 14-year-old would write to her friends.

I enjoyed some of the historical facts in this book too from the different suffragette speeches and how the Irish suffragette movement clashed with some of the men wanting Home Rule as well. I know very little about the Irish suffragette movement, and I had never even realised it until I began to read this and now I'm definitely eager to check out some books about the movement!

I gave this four stars instead of five because at times I just wanted a bit more, though I'm not sure exactly what. It seemed to take me too long to get through the sections, and i wasn't really sure what it was leading up to. There could have been more action near the end, but I guess it wasn't that kind of book. For the most part, I enjoyed the book and its characters and writing plus I learned some things along the way!

THIS BOOK!!!

Video review (spoiler free): https://bit.ly/3bPQLLL

Rosemary is a human who has grown up on Mars and she is about to join a tunnelling ship whose job it is to literally punch holes through space. Rosemary has led a sheltered life and is suddenly crewmates with all kinds of species with different cultures, religions and opinions. But Rosemary has a secret, as do some of the others, and when the ship takes a special assignment to a new part of the Galatic Commons, some of them start to come out.

I’ve heard so much hype and love about this book that there was part of me that was really putting off reading it for a long time. But I’m so, so glad I finally picked it up! This book is just so full of loveliness with characters that burrow right into your soul and heart and stay there. I love the different characters who have different ways of life and thinking and how Rosemary and the others all learn how to accept each other’s differences and also embrace them and help them live in harmony. The crew is one big happy, slightly dysfunctional (feather) family and it’s just nice, so nice. Think of shows like The Gilmore Girls and Hart of Dixie where there’s a cast of great, lovable characters and there’s drama but nothing extremely depressing or disheartening and that’s what you have with this book. I seriously just want Sissix to come to life, just so she can be my friend.