My month in books April 2019

April was a good month for me reading wise 9 books! That is way above the norm for me. I am normally a 4/5 book a month kind of girl. Time is sometimes an issue, with being a full time mum. I made time this month. I hadn’t used Netgalley in a while so thought i would take a look. Oh boy! 5 books alone i read for Netgalley. I am restricting myself on there if you have used it then you know how addictive it can be! Here is a run down of all 9 books this month. Hard to pick a favourite as they were all equally as good in there own right and respective genres. If i had to pick a top 3 it would be Bridesmaids, Secret things and Highland flings and Forget Me Not. What books did you read last month? What was your favourite?

 

A random Act of Kindness Sophie Jenkins. 384 pages. Published 13th June 2019 Blurb:

Fern is too busy making sure other people feel good about themselves to give much thought to her own happiness. But somehow, without her noticing, life has run away from her.

Suddenly, Fern realises her vintage clothes business is struggling, and the casual relationship she’d always thought she was happy in doesn’t look so appealing.

But sometimes, karma really does come through. And when Fern goes out of her way to help 85-year-old Dinah, little does she realise their new friendship will change her life.

Dinah may have troubles in her past, but she’s lived and loved to the full. Can Dinah show Fern that even the smallest acts of kindness can make the world a better place?

If you liked Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine or How to Be Happy, you’ll love A Random Act of Kindness. Available to pre-order.

<a href="http://A Random Act of Kindness by Sophie Jenkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. I’m not keen on fashion and some of the descriptions were a little lost on me. But that didn’t matter. The whole story plot was easy to follow. It made giggle a lot. There are some absolutely lovely characters.I thought it was very touching heartfelt and very uplifting. It has left a smile on my face. Review

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Secret Things and Highland Flings. Tracy Corbett. Published 20th May 2019 Blurb:

When Lexi’s ex runs off to Spain with his PA, she’s left to clean up the financial mess he leaves behind. She’ll do anything to keep her beloved art gallery afloat, but then a surprise discovery makes things even more complicated…

On the surface, Olly seems to have it all: a carefree life, travelling the world. But he’s running from something in his past. And when his father dies, Olly’s life is turned upside down as he suddenly finds himself the Earl of Horsley and inherits his family’s crumbling estate in the Scottish Highlands.

When their worlds collide, Lexi and Olly are instantly drawn to one another. But can love ever work if they both have secrets to hide? Available to pre-order. <a href="http://Secret Things and Highland Flings by Tracy Corbett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Is there ever a good reason to lie? Sometimes it’s necessary to protect those you love. As with all of Tracy stories family is prominent. The fierce loyalty, love and compassion. A story of a young woman with a love of vintage clothing, art, baking and falling for untrustworthy men a weakness. You can’t help but love every character. Beautifully descriptive and such a lovely fun light read.

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Roar. Cecelia Ahern. 353 pages. Published 22nd August 2018. Blurb:

Have you ever imagined a different life?
Have you ever stood at a crossroads, undecided…Have you ever had a moment when you wanted to roar?

A story for every woman.
A story for every moment.

Whether you want to laugh
To be moved
To love
To feel less guilt
To cry
To be comforted
To ROAR
There is a story for you.  <a href="http://Roar by Cecelia Ahern
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

At first I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book let alone understand it. But it is really rather clever writing. The more you read the more the short stories resound with you. The use of woman in each story I didn’t like at first but thinking about it is I’ve gone along I realised it is women. It is all of us. How we view ourselves how we feel about ourselves and learning to stand up speak out not feel guilty and love ourselves. A pretty unique and powerful book.

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Forget Me Not. Claire Allan 352 pages. Published 30th May 2019. Blurb; It’s six in the morning during the hottest summer on record when Elizabeth O’Loughlin, out walking her dog, comes across Clare, a victim of a horrific knife attack, clinging onto life at the side of the road.

Clare dies minutes later, but not before whispering her haunting last words to Elizabeth.

When it becomes clear that Clare’s killer has more than one murder on his mind, Elizabeth has to take drastic action or face losing everything.

But what if she can’t stop a killer determined never to be forgotten? Available to pre-order.  <a href="http://Forget Me Not by Claire Allan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love a good psychological thriller and this ticked all the boxes. Ultimately a story of friendship, the desire to be liked, accepted and included. Touching on the relationship between mother and child and husband and wife. A tragic tale of one characters suicide and how those who loved her dealt with her loss. Lives changed in a bid to get justice for her. A twisty, gripping and enthralling read.

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Spring Comes To Emmerdale. Pamela Bell. 336 pages. Published 21st March 2019. Blurb; World War I wages on, and the families of Emmerdale are trying their best to move on from tragedy, while the effects of war still resonate throughout the village of Beckindale. Though grief and loss permeate, Maggie Sugden, Rose Haywood and the other inhabitants of the village are finding independence, the chance to make their own happiness – and even opening themselves up to find love. Featuring firm fan favourites like the Dingles, The Woolpack Pub and Emmerdale Farm itself, this will be a delight for any Emmerdale fan. <a href="http://Spring Comes to Emmerdale by Pamela Bell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A story of life after war. The heart grief and reluctance to accept change. Dot Colton having returned from Bradford and working in a munitions factory can’t wait to leave again. But after striking up new friendships and meeting a charming man with his help she realises that Beckindale is where she truly belongs. A wonderful nostalgic story. Told beautifully, in a gorgeous setting and with lovely characters.

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Bridesmaids. Zara Stoneley. 400 page. Published 26th April 2019. Blurb;

From the bestselling author of The Wedding Date!

Meet Rachel, the beautiful bride with BIG plans for the perfect day! The venue is a castle and the dress is designer.  It’s just a shame her husband is a rat.

Maddie and Sally have only one thing in common – they both love the same man!

Beth is a newly single mum with a mystery baby daddy.  Surely the father isn’t someone the girls all know?

And then there’s Jane, the glue holding them all together, but being dumped doesn’t make her the happiest bridesmaid…especially with gorgeous flatmate Freddie complicating things.

Will the bride say, ‘I Do!’?  Or will her bridesmaids save the day…and find love along the way. <a href="http://Bridesmaids by Zara Stoneley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had an absolute blast reading this book. From the first page I was laughing. I always love when an author writes characters you can see yourself in. And Jane was very much me I love her. This is definitely a book that will have you crying with laughter and will lift your spirits when you are feeling down in the dumps. A must read.

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Three Little Lies. Laura Marshall. 353 pages. Published 28th June 2018. Blurb;

Sasha North has gone missing.

Everyone says she’s run away, but I know better. We’ve been best friends since we were teenagers, since Sasha swept into the neighbourhood and brought colour to my life. Until a brutal attack changed both our lives forever.

I know what happened that night. I know who wants revenge.

And if Sasha has been taken, does that mean I’m next?  <a href="http://Three Little Lies by Laura Marshall
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Some are lying some aren’t who they seem and things aren’t what they appear to be. Having read and loved Friend request I couldn’t wait to get stuck into this. It didn’t grab me straight away and I felt it was a little bit sluggish to get going. However after the initial few chapters snippets started to rear there head and the need to read more was impulsive. The format was the same as friend request and it works well and the story was dark deceptive and well written. I would still recommend it.

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The Killing Type. Jane Corry. 50 pages. Published 17th May 2018. Blurb;

Susie and her sister have never been close. These days they barely speak. So when Danielle messages her out of the blue and begs to meet, Susie knows something must be wrong.

But what Danielle tells her seems crazy. Her husband, Simon, may be a bully, but surely he wouldn’t hurt her?

Then the accident happens. And Susie is forced to rethink everything.

Who is lying?
Who is telling the truth?
And who, really, is the killing type? <a href="http://The Killing Type by Jane Corry
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A quick short story with a little twist

Flash fiction or short stories are always good at grabbing you and giving you a taste of what the author writes about. I liked this but I would have liked it to have been a longer story. More back story more in depth.

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The Earl’s Runaway Governess. Catherine Tinley. 368 Pages. Published 21st March 2019. Blurb;

Who knew living with an Earl…

…would lead to such temptation?

Marianne Grant’s new identity as a governess is meant to keep her safe. But then she meets her new employer, Ash, Earl of Kingswood, and she immediately knows his handsome good looks are a danger of their own! Brusque on first meeting, Ash quickly shows his compassionate side. Yet Marianne doesn’t dare reveal the truth! Unless Ash really could be the safe haven she’s been looking for…   <a href="http://The Earl’s Runaway Governess by Catherine Tinley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Not a genre i would normal read. But i do like a bit of romance and historical fiction. Marianne is born to wealth and is a Lady by all accounts, but after losing her parents in a tragic accident her step brother Henry inherits the estate. As is the law in these times. However Henry is not a nice Gentleman and Marianne is forced to flee for her own safety. Starting again as someone new and as a Governess this is although she has experience from having her own Governess she is not comfortable with the lie she is having to live. Her new position is helped by the fact that the New Earl has inherited Ledbury house through his cousins early death and of which he has no experience in such matters. This although primarily a Regency Romance had a lot more depth to it. Marianne pushes the boundaries of the normal standings in society in this period of time, she is respected by certain men and her quick mind and opinions are valued. For a lady in society at this time it wasn’t expected or socially acceptable. I enjoyed it.

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