Recently I Read...Spring 2016 (Part 2)

Carrying on with my snapshot reviews, here are some more of the books I read during my crazily busy spring.

Dead Ends - Erin Lange
A story of friendship between wild, popular Dane and compliant Billy D.  The boys have different backgrounds and different dreams, yet their relationship blooms regardless.  The dialogue and banter is so realistic, Erin Lange nailed it.  I loved that this book had a main character with Down's Syndrome too - more inclusive books like this, please!

Seven Ways We Lie - Riley Redgate
Seven characters, each with flaws, tell this story and Redgate manages to balance the multiple narrators well.  We learn early on that someone is having a student/teacher affair, but who?  Can anything remain a secret in the tightly entwined community of Paloma High School?  Diverse, well crafted characters, some likeable and some not, had me turning the pages and I was thrilled to see a pansexual character in this original YA novel.

Flirty Dancing - Jenny McLachlan
A sweet romantic story of overweight Bea who enters a dance competition with a popular boy.  This reminded me of the teen romances I read in my own youth and I loved it for that, plus the plotline of the dance competition really worked for me.  It's contemporary, swoony and highly readable.  Fans of Stephanie Perkins (or Grease!) might well fall in love with this first instalment of the Ladybirds series.

Between You and Me - Lisa Hall
Marketed as a book with a twist, I found myself constantly questioning when it was going to be revealed.  The story of Sal and Charlie's abusive marriage is told by dual narrative which gives insight into both characters.  I felt I understood Sal more (maybe due to being more sympathetic) than Charlie by the end.  I did guess the twist, although may not have had it not been for the hype around it, but this interesting debut has taken the psychological thriller sector by storm and is now available in paperback as well as ereader format.


The It-Girl - Katy Birchall
Laugh out loud funny YA novel about a girl who suddenly finds herself in the spotlight when her dad starts dating a celebrity.  I loved Anna's lists, her friendships, the fast-paced writing and especially the way Anna's relationship with her step-mum and step-sister develops throughout the novel.  I really enjoyed this and wish I'd read it sooner.  It reminded me of Geek Girl, which is a series I love.  Can't wait to read book 2!

Recently I Read...will continue!

Behind Closed Doors - B.A Paris

The Blurb

Everyone knows a couple like Jack and Grace.

He has looks and wealth, she has charm and elegance. You might not want to like them, but you do.You’d like to get to know Grace better.But it’s difficult, because you realise Jack and Grace are never apart.Some might call this true love. Others might ask why Grace never answers the phone. Or how she can never meet for coffee, even though she doesn’t work. How she can cook such elaborate meals but remain so slim. And why there are bars on one of their bedroom windows.

Sometimes the perfect marriage is the perfect lie.

The Review

Wow. 

Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow.

I haven't read a thriller in a while.  Although I enjoy reading a book that gets my heart racing with nerves, I prefer a psychological slant rather than blood, guts and gore.  There are plenty of those out there, especially with the rise in popularity of 'domestic noir', but few really hit the spot for me.  Behind Closed Doors was all about mind games, both between the couple in the book and between author and reader, and that's what made it such a gripping, intense read.

This book was so much better than the blurb suggests and I'll tell you why. 

Firstly, although it's obviously marketed as a thriller, the early scenes where Jack and Grace get together are so full of love, kindness and empathy that it's difficult to believe just how depraved things are going to get.  B.A Paris lulled me into a false sense of security and then horrified me with what followed. 

Secondly, the blurb makes out that there are people doubting the perfect marriage Grace and Jack portray.  The truth is, people believe what they want to believe.  With their gorgeous country house, Jack's respectable job and patiently awaiting the arrival of Grace's sister Millie's moving in date, they seem to have it all.  But behind closed doors their relationship is far from enviable.  Away from the public eye Jack is anything but nice.  The realisation that this scenario could quite plausibly be happening in houses all over the country was genuinely terrifying.

As the story progresses and both Grace and Millie's lives are increasingly in danger, I could feel the fear creeping inside me.  The terror of what could happen loomed large and I squirmed uncomfortably as I reached the final pages.  However, nothing matched the tingle that ran down my spine as I read the powerful final line.

Behind Closed Doors is an outstandingly good read. 

I'll say it once more, just to drive the point home.

Wow.

Behind Closed Doors is published by Mira UK on February 11th 2016, available for preorder now.

With thank to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

My Favourite Reads of 2015

It's time for the annual Books with Bunny end of year round up!  My favourite books of 2013 and 2014 were pretty diverse and full of some fabulous reads, but 2015 was another brilliant year of reading for me!  Here are my highlights (click on the links below each cover for a full review)...

 

How I Lost You - Jenny Blackhurst

 

"Startling, shocking and unashamedly dark, this is a thriller that will leave you with an uncomfortable feeling for weeks, but somehow, despite that, I'm absolutely gagging for more..."

 

 

Skating at Somerset House - Nikki Moore

New Year at the Ritz - Nikki Moore

Valentine's on Primrose Hill - Nikki Moore

Cocktails in Chelsea - Nikki Moore

Strawberries at Wimbledon - Nikki Moore

Picnics in Hyde Park - Nikki Moore

 

"An absolute winner full of charm and the type of romance I adore- a love story between two ordinary people."

 

 

Letters to the Lost - Iona Grey

 

"Every once in a while a book comes along which blows your mind and breaks your heart.  Letters to the Lost is one of those books."

 

 

 

Somewhere Only We Know - Erin Lawless

 

"I cried during the opening chapters and I wept at the end.  This book was devastatingly brilliant, and the warmth of Alex and Nadia's relationship radiated off every page.  It's the kind of book that makes you want to tell those you love just how special they are to you and to wrap them in a bear hug and never, ever let go."

 

 

All I Know Now - Carrie Hope Fletcher

 

"Whatever your age, whatever your outlook, whatever your dreams...you can learn from this book.  It encourages introspection and self awareness, and is a perfect way to help you reassess what is important to you.  Not to anyone else, YOU."

 

Wellies and Westies (A Christmas Tail) - Cressida McLaughlin

 

"Cressida McLaughlin has an easy-to-read writing style and a chatty and engaging voice, which reminded me of Sophie Kinsella.  I can absolutely see why she's so highly regarded within the genre."

 

All of the Above - James Dawson

 

"I read All of the Above in two sittings, and if I could have cancelled everything else in my life to be able to read it in one, I would have.  It was that good."

 

 

Only Ever Yours - Louise O' Neill

 

"From the nasty, vicious backbiting of the first chapters through to the disturbing bitter end, Only Ever Yours had me hooked. 

It's one of the best books I've ever read, and I've read a lot."

 

Access All Areas - Charlotte Phillips

 

"Perfection in the form of contemporary romance."

 

 

 

Counting Stars - Keris Stainton

 

"This book took me back to the heady days soon after leaving home where freedom is both liberating and downright scary.  It's a challenging time and Counting Stars portrays that perfectly."

 

 

Every Time a Bell Rings - Carmel Harrington

 

"Belle and Jim's story is heartfelt and beautiful, gorgeously written in a way that tugged hard on my heartstrings.  Don't be fooled by the Christmassy exterior -  Every Time a Bell Rings is a novel that can help you reassess your place in the world at any time of year."

 

 

 

The Art of Being Normal - Lisa Williamson

 

 "I know I'll be coming back to it again, and my copy is proudly stood on the shelf of 'keepers' - books I want to reread and recommend and lend to anyone who'll listen.  Brilliant."

 

 

I Call Myself a Feminist - ed. Victoria Pepe, Rachel Holmes, Amy Annette, Alice Stride and Martha Mosse

 

"Powerful, relevant and extremely accessible, I Call Myself a Feminist should be essential reading.  It's empowering. It's enlightening.  It's thought provoking.  It's downright brilliant."

 

The Quality of Silence- Rosamund Lupton

The Blurb

On 24th November Yasmin and her deaf daughter Ruby arrive in Alaska.

Within hours they are driving alone across a frozen wilderness

Where nothing grows

Where no one lives

Where tears freeze

And night will last for another fifty-four days.

They are looking for Ruby's father.

Travelling deeper into a silent land.

They still cannot find him.

And someone is watching them in the dark.

The Review

I, along with what felt like half the country, was blown away by Rosamund Lupton's debut novel Sister back in 2010.  Lupton writes with such a strong, striking voice that when I was approached to review her most recent release The Quality of Silence, I jumped at the chance.

Ruby and her Mum Yasmin are desperately searching for Ruby's father who they've been told is dead, but they believe to be alive.  Leaving the safety of the UK to search the desolate Alaskan landscape, they are suddenly vulnerable in a strange, unfamiliar place.  I definitely found the setting unsettling- the barren land, the lack of people, the unforgiving climate- I was left with chills in every sense.

I loved that protagonist Ruby is a young girl, because even in contemporary fiction there are relatively few authors who choose to take this route.  That in itself was refreshing.  That Ruby is deaf is another brave choice for Lupton- but it opens up a whole new world of sensory descriptions which add to the dream-like quality of this book.  She's a strong-minded individual and so perceptive- I liked her immediately.

The writing is, as I expected, gorgeous.  Every word seems to have been selected with great care, and I'd suggest Lupton might be shifting further towards the literary fiction genre with The Quality of Silence.  There's still the key elements of thriller/mystery, the central issue of trust and well-crafted relationships that were evident in Sister (I haven't read Afterwards so can't comment on that), but this book has a less commercial feel and possibly a more niche readership.

This probably wouldn't be a book I'd have normally chosen to read, especially not in the height of summer- I'm quite surprised this wasn't released closer to Christmas!-but I appreciate the skill and craftsmanship of The Quality of Silence.  It was a slow burning start, but once Ruby and Yasmin reached Alaska I was drawn into this mysterious foreign land and wanted to know the outcome. 

Gut-wrenching, heart-warming, and bone-chilling. 


The Quality of Silence is out now in hardback and ebook formats.

Many thanks to the publisher Little, Brown for providing me with a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

Ann Troup talks about the inspirations behind The Lost Child

I'm pleased to be able to welcome author Ann Troup to Books with Bunny today! I've noticed her recent release The Lost Child catching the eye of bloggers and couldn't wait to find out a bit more about what inspired the story.

 

Over to Ann...

First of all I’d like to thank Kate for inviting me onto her blog today, it’s always such a privilege to be asked to talk all things books.

So, I thought I would let you in on a few of the ‘true’ stories that inspired some of the scenes in The Lost Child.

In chapter one we are introduced to Elaine, who has an accident with her mother’s ashes and inadvertently allows them to blow into the face of unsuspecting teenager, Brodie. This incident is based on something that did indeed happen to me. Some years ago my lovely mother in law died and as she had loved the countryside my husband, his uncle and aunt and I decided that we would scatter her ashes in her favourite spot.  Off we went up into the Quantock hills with Phil resting peacefully in her urn. Once a suitable spot had been selected my husband, with great ceremony and gravity, began to scatter her ashes – it was a lovely moment, very solemn and dignified. Until the wind got up…within moments I was covered from head to foot with the remains of my mother in law. She was everywhere, billowing around like a sandstorm and landing wherever she could. She was a lovely woman, liked to laugh and was always a free spirit and very sociable. However I’m not sure that she ever anticipated that she would end up being carried around in my coat pockets! I can only imagine how much of my mother in law found their way all over Somerset and Devon, but she would have loved the experience and would have found the whole thing hilarious. I still have that coat, and still suspect bits of her remain, suffice it to say it’s not a garment that I wear anymore…

Hallow’s End doesn’t exist in real life, however Meadowfoot and Hallow’s Cottage do, though I have changed the names. I was lucky enough to come from a large family and as a child still had a few Great Aunts still with me. Two of these had been ‘in service’ for all of their working lives, both with the same family in a small stately home near to the town where I grew up. Aunt Alice was a housekeeper and retired to a nice, modern little bungalow, but Aunty Babs retired to the most beautiful little cottage. I spent many a happy hour in that cottage and it’s abundant garden. Those memories were the model for the two cottages which feature in The Lost Child, and I am sure there are elements of Aunty Babs in Miriam’s kindly character. Aunt Alice however was not the model for Esther – Alice was equally terrifying, but nowhere near as mean.

Finally the setting of Hallow’s Court is very real though again the name has been changed. Some years ago I was fortunate enough to work for an organisation that was based in an old stately home. The owner had rented it out for years, and at one time it had been used as a school. Not many people get the chance to roam freely in a house that has 138 rooms and which is a real slice of history. Whilst I was there I would frequently get lost just trying to find my way back from the cavernous kitchens. On one occasion, when staying overnight I took the wrong staircase and ended up in the cellars – let’s just say it was quite an experience and I have rarely been so scared in my life! It took me two hours to find my way out and I was glad to never make the same mistake again. My favourite parts of the house were the roof tops, only the Georgians and the Victorians could have made such a mundane part of a building such exciting terrain. On quiet days, I would take my lunch up there and sit amongst the chimney pots indulging my childhood memories of Mary Poppins and The Water babies. They don’t build houses like that anymore, and I’m not surprised – the heating bill alone was in excess of £30,000 a year. But it was bliss, and an experience I will always treasure.

The Lost Child is out now, published by Carina.

 

 

Ann Troup author bio

Ann lives in Devon in a small house just a pebble’s throw from the beach. She shares her home with her husband and a small white dog, both occasionally allow her to be inattentive to them so that she can write. Her many skills include an unparalleled ability to consume coffee and the gift of being able to kill houseplants by merely admiring them. In addition to that she is a great proponent of the Miss Havisham method of housekeeping, which includes regarding cobwebs and dust as nature’s ornaments.  

BWB adds- Ann forgets to mention that she has an extraordinary talent in paper crafting.  You can enter to win one of her creations, a gorgeous scene from Pride and Prejudice presented in a globe (with working lamp light!) here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waiting on Wednesday...The Girls- Lisa Jewell

I love Lisa Jewell.  She writes the most vivid characters out there who always capture my heart.  Add to that a magical way with words that few authors can rival, and that is why, this week The Girls is my choice for Waiting on Wednesday, the weekly meme thought up by Breaking the Spine.

 

 I've loved watching Lisa's writing develop over many years now, and this sounds like a darker, more psychological novel than her previous releases.  I can't wait to read it!

 

The Blurb

Dark secrets, a devastating mystery and the games people play: the gripping new novel from the bestselling author of The House We Grew Up In and The Third Wife.

You live on a picturesque communal garden square, an oasis in urban London where your children run free, in and out of other people’s houses.

You’ve known your neighbours for years and you trust them. Implicitly.

You think your children are safe.

But are they really?

Midsummer night: a thirteen-year-old girl is found unconscious in a dark corner of the garden square. What really happened to her? And who is responsible?

Utterly believable characters, a gripping story and a dark secret buried at its core: this is Lisa Jewell at her heart-stopping best. 

The Girls is released on 2nd July 2015, published by Century.  Ebook and hardback preorders are now being taken.

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How I Lost You- Jenny Blackhurst

The Blurb

They told her she killed her son. She served her time. But what if they lied?

I have no memory of what happened but I was told I killed my son. And you believe what your loved ones, your doctor and the police tell you, don't you?

My name is Emma Cartwright. Three years ago I was Susan Webster, and I murdered my twelve-week-old son Dylan. I was sent to Oakdale Psychiatric Institute for my crime, and four weeks ago I was released early on parole with a new identity, address and a chance to rebuild my tattered life.

This morning, I received an envelope addressed to Susan Webster. Inside it was a photograph of a toddler called Dylan. Now I am questioning everything I believe because if I have no memory of the event, how can I truly believe he's dead?

If there was the smallest chance your son was alive, what would you do to get him back?

The Review

I really don't know where to start with this one, and I'm not sure I can convey exactly how this book made me feel, but I'll give it a go.

The early chapters are upsetting, as we are introduced to Emma, or Susan as she was previously known.  As a reader, I was instantly thrown into doubt about how trustworthy a narrator she was, but I empathised with her plight none-the-less, I think any mother will feel a sharp yank on their heartstrings as she tries to deal with the loss of her son Dylan. 

Without spoiling the plot too much, she is questioning her life after receiving a photograph of a child who may or may not be her son.  How I Lost You is the story of her journey to find out the truth, whatever that might be, and it's a dark and twisted road that leads to the epic climax.

There are times when this book lulls you into a false sense of security, there are some sections which are slow and gentle and then BAM!  out of nowhere comes a blow which leaves your blood running cold. 

I'd gone to bed to read 'just one last chapter' (not a rare occurrence, I admit) when I was about half way through, but I was too scared to go to sleep for fear of nightmares!  The result was I was up until gone 1am when I had to be up at 6am the next day...

Startling, shocking and unashamedly dark, this is a thriller that will leave you with an uncomfortable feeling for weeks, but somehow, despite that, I'm absolutely gagging for more...

How I Lost You is out today, published by Headline.

With thanks to Georgina for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

The Girl on the Train- Paula Hawkins

The Blurb

Rachel catches the same commuter train every morning. She knows it will wait at the same signal each time, overlooking a row of back gardens. She’s even started to feel like she knows the people who live in one of the houses. ‘Jess and Jason’, she calls them. Their life – as she sees it – is perfect. If only Rachel could be that happy.

And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough.

Now everything’s changed. Now Rachel has a chance to become a part of the lives she’s only watched from afar.

Now they’ll see; she’s much more than just the girl on the train…

The Review

Well, this book was so much more than I expected!  There's been a lot of buzz surrounding this book on twitter and in the blogging community, and I have enjoyed psychological thrillers more and more over the past few years, but I hadn't expected to be reeled in hook, line and sinker by Paula Hawkins' debut novel.

The novel is told through a tri-narrative- examining events in a suburban neighbourhood through the eyes of Rachel, Anna and Megan.  Rachel (the 'girl on the train') is a fascinating character, the alcohol-dependant unreliable witness who leaves you doubting.  I couldn't tell if I empathised with her situation or whether she was harbouring dark secrets, and that was what appealed to me about her.  As a reader I felt as voyeuristic as Rachel herself, peering into parts of life which should remain private.  Anna (the new wife to Rachel's ex husband) I found harder to warm to.  Although I felt pity for her and the situation she found herself in, she came across as a bit of a mopey old grump.  Megan is perhaps the most elusive of the three, and as the plot unfolds her past unravels.

Community, technology, trust and relationships are all examined in this novel laden in mystery, and my heart was pounding in my chest at certain points throughout.  The book cleverly leaves you doubting yourself and the first two-thirds of the book in particular were superb at creating a tense atmosphere.

The Girl on the Train is a thoroughly unsettling read which leaves you wondering how well you really know your community, your friends and your family.  A gripping, well-executed debut, I can't wait to see what Paula Hawkins comes up with next.

The Girl on the Train is out today, published by Transworld.

With thanks to the publisher who provided me with a galley copy in return for an honest review.

The End of the Year Round Up 2014

Christmas might be over but there's some final wrapping up to do at Books with Bunny...

I've had a rollercoaster year health-wise as some of you know, and as 2014 drew to a close I found myself with answers as to why I've been feeling rubbish for so long.  After a hospital admission, an ECG, X-Rays, a flexi-scope, a colonoscopy and biopsies taken, I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease just before Christmas- where the digestive tract becomes inflamed.  Crohn's manifests itself in lots of different and unpleasant ways, and not everyone with IBD (the umbrella term which covers both Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis) has the same symptoms and signs- mine are abdominal pain, diarrhoea (sometimes with blood/mucus), achy joints, extreme fatigue and feeling feverish.  It is a disease which has no cure, but it can go into long term remission.  That's my main goal for 2015-to get it under control so there's less chance of me needing harsh treatments or surgery.  I'm currently taking a high dose of steroids to try and reduce the inflammation that's spread through my colon, awaiting a very sci-fi sounding capsule test which will see if there's inflammation elsewhere and  have numerous appointments at the hospital with specialists to assess the best medication for me.

With all this going on, my blog has naturally had to take a back seat for a while.

I'm not going to get the chance to catch up with writing the reviews I missed out on when I was at my most poorly, so, just for a sense of finality, here are the other books I've read this year that I haven't had chance to review.  I'm planning on 2015 being a new slate in many, many ways, so it's time to wrap 2014 up!

I read and enjoyed-

The Wrong Knickers- Bryony Gordon
Geek Girl 2- Holly Smale
Beautiful Bastard- Christina Lauren
Beautiful Stranger- Christina Lauren
Beautiful Player- Christina Lauren
The Christmas Bake Off- Abby Clements
The Little Stranger- Sarah Waters
The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes- Anna McPartlin (review coming in January, as it is released in paperback on New Years Day)
The Girl on the Train- Paula Hawkins (review coming on January 15th 2015, as this one isn't actually released yet)

I read and wasn't so keen on-

All I Want for Christmas- Claudia Carroll

I was nowhere near my target of 250 books read in 2014, but I enjoyed my reading, blogging and the wonderful friendships I made and built on with other bloggers, authors and publicists throughout the year. 

Here's to 2015!

Before You Die- Samantha Hayes

 

The Blurb

It has taken nearly two years for the Warwickshire village of Radcote to put a spate of teenage suicides behind it.

Then a young man is killed in a freak motorbike accident, and a suicide note is found among his belongings. A second homeless boy takes his own life, this time on the railway tracks.

Is history about to repeat itself?

DI Lorraine Fisher has just arrived for a relaxing summer break with her sister. Soon she finds herself caught up in the resulting police enquiry. And when her nephew disappears she knows she must act quickly.

Are the recent deaths suicide - or murder?

And is the nightmare beginning again?

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The Review

 

I read Samantha Hayes acclaimed bestseller Until You're Mine last year and really enjoyed the gripping, psychological nature of it.  Her latest offering Before You Die is in very much the same vein, a dark, thought provoking story of country life and community where you are never quite sure what to believe.

At times I felt the plot moved a bit too slowly for my liking and I wanted more drama, although I am aware that any psychological thriller worth its salt needs to pace itself.  The characters, and there were quite a few main players, all had interesting qualities which enriched the parts of the book where there was less plot development.  I particularly enjoyed learning more about DI Lorraine Fisher, one of the characters from Hayes' previous book, and hope there will be more of her to come. 

I had guessed the twist prior to the end, but probably not until 2/3rds of the way through, and even having a hunch about how things would pan out didn't spoil my enjoyment.  Hayes write in a manner that causes you to second guess yourself all the time, suspecting everyone!  When a plot is well woven, it doesn't always need to surprise you to take your breath away. 

Before You Die isn't always an easy read, and at times explicitly gruesome.  If you enjoyed TV dramas Broadchurch and Prey, or books such as Elizabeth Haynes' bestsellers, I'm sure you'll be enraptured by Before You Die.  High quality suspense which made my heart pound and my mouth go dry.

Before You Die is out now.

With thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy in return for an honest review.

Blackout- Emily Barr and Quick Reads launch day

Quick Reads are short books designed for adults who don't have time to read full length novels, or who have a fear of reading long books.  At around 100 pages each, Quick Reads are well developed, stand alone stories by best selling authors.  There are Quick Reads in many different genres so there really is something for everyone!  And at just £1 per book, they are a great way to try something different.

I was absolutely thrilled when Quick Reads sent me Blackout to review. I'd not read anything by Emily Barr since Cuban Heels, and I couldn't wait to try this one.

The blurb said...

You wake up in a strange room, with no idea how you got there.

You are abroad, in a city you have never visited before.

You have no money, no passport, no phone.

And there is no sign of your baby.

What do you do?

Without giving too much away (which is especially hard when reviewing a short book!) this psychological thriller had me gripped.  It had twists and turns and I never knew what to believe.  In some ways I do wish it had been a full length novel, purely because in just over an hour I had finished it.  There was definitely a sense of disappointment that it was over, it was exactly the kind of book I enjoy, full of intrigue and suspense. 

I'd recommend Blackout to anyone, but if you have read and enjoyed books by Paula Daly or enjoyed TV shows such as Broadchurch, this may well be something you'll love.

Find out more about Quick Reads at their website, and watching this beautiful video about books.  It totally encapsulates how I feel about reading.

Blackout is out now.

9/10

With thanks to Quick Reads for sending me a copy of this book to review in return for my honest opinion.

Until You're Mine- Samantha Hayes

Blurb
You have something that someone else wants.
At any cost ...
Claudia seems to have the perfect life.
She's heavily pregnant with a much wanted baby, she has a loving husband, and a beautiful home.
And then Zoe steps into her life. Zoe has come to help Claudia when her baby arrives.
But there's something about Zoe that Claudia doesn't like. Or trust.
And when she finds Zoe in her bedroom, Claudia's anxiety turns to real fear ...

Review
I do love a gripping psychological thriller and Until You're Mine is certainly that!  A discomfiting read which made my skin crawl, I was completely sucked into the story.  The characters were all irritating and had flawed aspects to their personalities, yet I was somehow compelled to keep reading. Claudia was portrayed as the typical neurotic Mum-to-be and I found her a frustrating character, although as a mother I did empathise with her fears about Zoe's erratic and unexplainable behaviour. 

Samantha Hayes writes in a way that makes you doubt yourself all the time, leaving you unsure of who to trust.  By telling the story from three different points of view (Claudia, Zoe and Lorraine, a detective) the reader is able to see the plot develop but Hayes never gives too much away.  I was engrossed right up to the final page and really didn't want it to end. 

Fans of Gone Girl and The Husband's Secret might well enjoy this one- I know I'll definitely be looking out for more books by this author.

Until You're Mine is out now.

8/10

Just What Kind of Mother Are You?- Paula Daly

There seems to be a real surge in psychological thrillers at the moment, particularly those in relation to motherhood.  Just What Kind of Mother Are You?  is a gripping book which will keep you guessing.

The plot follows Lisa, a busy Mum, struggling to balance all her commitments.  The juggling act is always a challenge, but this time there are serious consequences to her taking her eye off the ball- her best friend's daughter goes missing.  Riddled with guilt, Lisa is determined to do all she can to find the child...

I really enjoyed Just What Kind of Mother Are You? , it is a fabulously enticing read that had me desperate to turn the pages and uncover the facts.  It sped by at a tremendous pace and I was halfway before I knew it.  Paula Daly does a fantastic job at keeping you guessing-there are so many twists and turns and as a reader I was never sure who to trust.  The pain and horror of being responsible for a child going missing is portrayed eloquently and as someone who works with children I found this quite an upsetting read, imagining how awful it must be to bear the burden of responsibility for someone else's child disappearing.

Well written and with an interesting plot, I would recommend this book to fans of Gillian Flynn and Liane Moriarty.

Just What Kind of Mother Are You?  is out now.

8.5/10

With thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

The Husband's Secret- Liane Moriarty

 

The Husband's Secret has been one of the runaway success stories of the summer.  Being chosen as a Richard and Judy Bookclub choice gave the book plenty of exposure and the attractive cover seemed to be staring out at me from every bookshelf in bookshops, supermarkets and libraries.

I am part of a small book group and The Husband's Secret was our October choice.  I had been planning to read it anyway, and when I won a copy from the lovely Anne at the Random Things Through my Letterbox blog I took it as fate!

The book explores curiosity, guilt and secrets.  When Cecelia finds an letter from her husband in a box of paperwork, addressed to her with the instruction 'to be opened only in the event of my death', she is torn.  Should she open it when her husband is very much alive?  Or should she put it back and pretend it has never been found? 

The Husband's Secret very cleverly entwines the stories of Australian families within a small town and the characters are well crafted and believable.  It is very much a book focusing on relationships and how the actions of one person can impact on a wider circle.  I was definitely gripped by the plot and wanted to keep turning the pages to discover how the story would end.  I can't say too much more without giving away the whole story, and that would definitely spoil it for any of you that haven't read it, but I will say this- buy this book!

Our book group described it as 'intriguing' and 'thought-provoking', giving it an average rating of 8/10 . All six members said they would recommend it to a friend.

The Husband's Secret is out now, published by Penguin.

8/10

Black Chalk- Christopher J. Yates *Plus author top 5 places to write!*

But it was never supposed to be that sort of game...

 

 

Black Chalk is a gripping tale of campus life, peer pressure and how a harmless game can escalate to become all-encompassing.  Six Oxford students become involved in Game Soc- one of the many societies designed to distract students from their studies.  However, what started as a game full of childish dares and minor humiliations soon transpires to be much more than that, with tragic consequences... Set over a fourteen year period, Black Chalk is a chilling representation of egocentric desires and dogged resolution to triumph.

 

Black Chalk has a really interesting premise.  The idea that we can so easily relinquish control, especially when battling to be a 'winner', really resonated, and whilst there were times when Black Chalk did seem far-fetched, the dark and ominous foreboding that I felt as a reader had me hooked.  There were plenty of twists and turns and Yates's writing style is succinct yet illuminating, which allowed me to visualise both the characters and settings throughout.

 

I found the earlier sections of the book the most interesting, particularly the tasks the students were required to complete early on.  Amusing and cringeworthy, they set the scene and allude to what later comes. 

 

If you are a fan of dark, psychological thrillers, Black Chalk is well worth a read.  I can also imagine it working well as a dramatisation serialised for TV.  Yates has created a dense and impactive work that draws the reader in as the game spirals out of control . 

 

Black Chalk is out now, published by Harvill Secker.

 

7.5/10

 

With thanks to Fiona for providing me with a review copy of this book in return for an honest review, and to Christopher J. Yates for his support and co-operation, including providing Books with Bunny with the exclusive piece published below.  Here's Christopher...

 

I noticed that Kate very recently posted about her favourite places to read and I thought it might be fun to respond with my favourite places to write.

 

1) On holiday

This might seem odd, after all, I’m supposed to be on holiday enjoying myself. However, the mind doesn’t stop ticking just because the water’s warm and the beer is cold, for example. In fact, I wrote a lot of my first book on my honeymoon in Argentina. My wife quite took to the idea of taking a siesta every afternoon and while she did, I tapped away as the lunchtime refreshment tangoed its way down through my brain.

2) In the dog park

I live near Tompkins Square Park in New York and it has an excellent dog park. My cocker spaniel Mabel is considerably antisocial but when the weather is good I force her to mingle snootily with the other dogs (she thinks she’s better than them) while I scribble away in a notebook. I’m English, but I love to hear the chatter of Americans around me while I write. The different tones, the different ideas, the different words…

3) On the subway

Again, I love being a secret foreign scribbler. The New York subway flashes around you with kaleidoscopic life. Ideas bubble up. Even if I’m setting a scene in an Oxford garden, the subway energises me.

4) In the bar

It’s been said many times by many writers, even the heaviest drinkers – alcohol and writing DO NOT MIX (by which it’s actually meant, being drunk and writing do not mix). However, one pint, two pints at most, sometimes a bar can be a very pleasant place to lay down a few words. You write five hundred of them, you look at them the next day, you delete the last 92 words. (1.647 pints is the precise point at which alcohol ceases to become useful.)

5) At my desk

OK, not my favourite place to write but by far the most productive. This is the engine room. 95 per cent of my first book was written at my desk (in a corner of my bedroom, next to a school playground, accompanied by the screams of young children). I might enjoy the other locations more, but realistically, unfortunately, this is where the hard graft is done. And at least if I’m at home, I’m never far from the kettle.

 

One Step Too Far- Tina Seskis

I was drawn to One Step Too Far as I loved the sound of the plot.  Emily, an identical twin, leaves her husband and son, escaping her dysfunctional family by fleeing to London.  As she takes on a new identity as Cat, her life changes beyond all recognition.  Living in a rundown shared house in Finchley Park, Cat meets Angel who is also running from her past. Angel takes Cat under her wing and soon Cat's life spirals out of control.  Trying to escape her past and create a new persona, she finds that you can run, but you can't hide.

I did enjoy One Step Too Far and can see why it is one of the books that people are talking about this summer.  It was unsettling to read, especially as flashbacks throughout provided more information about why Emily and her family may have behaved the way they did.  I found this to be well written and a gripping read that held my interest, and I cared enough about Emily/Cat to want to know the outcome of her story.  One Step Too Far is a psychological thriller that might appeal to fans of other books in this genre such as Gone Girl and Before I Go to Sleep.

8/10
With thanks to Kirk Parolles for providing me with a review copy of One Step Too Far.  You can find out more about Tina Seskis on her website.

Unseen-Karin Slaughter review-published today on MojoMums!

I applied to be a reviewer for the fantastic website Mojomums a couple of months back, and was delighted when Liz from the site contacted me saying that she had a book for me to review.  The book in question was Unseen by Karin Slaughter.  I'd not read any of this author's previous back catalogue although I am very familiar with the name from the online book forums and other book bloggers.  She seems to have lots of fans so I was looking forward to trying something new.

Find out exactly what I thought by heading over to the Mojomums website and  read my review.

Gone Girl-Gillian Flynn

I am part of a really amazing book group.  We have been meeting since the end of last year when my friend Jess put a status on facebook saying 'Is there anyone out there who would be interested in a book group?'  I jumped at the chance.  There are seven of us in the group, all female, all of a similar age, all Christians and with a similar outlook on life.  We have never had a meeting when we are all there.  Infact there is one member of the group I haven't ever met-we never seem to make the same meetings!  Anyway, I digress.  I just wanted to give you a bit of background as to what lead me to read Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.

Gone Girl was my choice for book group read.  I had seen it everywhere-number one in the bestseller lists, people reading it on the bus, people talking about it on the online book communities...I wanted to see whether it was worth the fuss.

Riddled with suspense and a plot with so many twists that a corkscrew rollercoaster would be envious, Gone Girl is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep you doubting yourself.  It is hard to talk about the plot too much without spoilers, so I'll keep it brief.

Amy Elliott Dunne is a daughter, wife and well-known public figure, the inspiration for the bestselling Amazing Amy books.  On their fifth wedding anniversary, her husband Nick arrives home to find their house ransacked and Amy gone. 

Gone Girl records the year after Amy's disappearance, slowly drip feeding the reader information that will influence their suspicions.  The plot has many twists and turns, and this ensures the reader remains engaged.  It really is a page turner (what do you call a page turner on an ereader?  A button presser?), another read that is similar in style to Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes.

Did I feel it was worth the fuss?  Well, it is certainly a readable, accessible book that has an incredibly detailed and elaborate plot.  I found it quite a draining read-the subject matter was dark and warped which made it both thrilling and exhausting at the same time.  There has been much debate online about the ending, whilst I wasn't overly happy with it, it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment.

If you like thrillers and suspense, then I am sure you'll enjoy Gone Girl.  Do persevere if you find it hard to get into initially-once it gets going it really speeds up!  Gone Girl is to be made into a film with rumours that Ben Affleck is keen to play Nick- I think Bradley Cooper would make a better Nick to be honest, but it isn't up to me!  Either way, I'll probably be interested enough to see the film adaptation as long as the casting is reasonable.  It is written in a style that will lend itself well to the big screen, so I hope that it won't be a disappointment.

8/10 (which was the average score at book group too, and everyone said they would recommend it)

Kiss Me First-Lottie Moggach

Lottie Moggach, daughter of author Deborah Moggach of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel fame, really is an exciting prospect.  Her debut novel Kiss Me First is original and fresh, with an unsettling and thought provoking plot.

Leila lives in a poky London flat where she is detached from society.  She spends most of her time on a philosophy debating website called 'Red Pill', the one place where she feels she is respected and valued.  Through the website Leila is put in touch with Tess.  Tess wants to commit suicide, but doesn't want her family and friends to be hurt by her actions.  Leila learns all she can about Tess, the important and the seemingly insignificant details, before Tess disappears and Leila assumes her identity.  Kiss Me First is a disturbing yet compelling read that is beautifully written- a fantastic debut novel.

The characters are built up in a way that means you are never entirely sure of either their motives or sanity. I felt uneasy throughout yet it was such a gripping novel that I couldn't stop reading!  The only downfall for me was that the ending seemed just a bit too abrupt.  Overall I would definitely recommend you try Kiss Me First- psychological suspense in a style similar to the bestselling Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes.

Kiss Me First is out now, published by Picador. 

9/10

With thanks to Picador for providing me with a review copy of Kiss Me First.

You can find out more about Lottie Moggach on her facebook page which can be found here.