Book Review - The Regulars by Georgia Clark

The Regulars

by

Georgia Clark

Purchase here

Genre: Contemporary fiction 

Best friends Evie, Krista and Willow are just trying to make it through their mid-twenties in New York. They're regular girls with typical quarter life crises: making it up the corporate ladder, making sense of online dating, and making rent.

Until they come across Pretty, a magic tincture that makes them, well ...gorgeous. With a single drop, each young woman gets the gift of jaw-dropping beauty for one week, presenting them with unimaginable opportunities to make their biggest fantasies come true.

But there's a dark side to Pretty, too, and as the gloss fades for these modern-day Cinderellas, there's just one question left: what are they prepared to sacrifice?

Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for this ARC which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

This book is not what I was expecting at all! Evie, Krista and Willow are 3 friends, average looking, trying to get on in a tough New York City. Evie is a copywriter for Salty magazine, Krista dropped out of law school - much to her Father's disgust - to follow her dream of becoming an actor and Willow is a photographer, desperately trying to step out of her famous film directors Father's shadow.
Evie is currently single and is bi-sexual. She can't seem to meet the right person, male or female. Krista is single and Willow is in a relationship with Mark, although nine months into their relationship Willow has only just begun to call herself his girlfriend.
All 3 women are convinced if they were a little more beautiful, a little more successful and had bubbly personalities all their problems will be solved. Then one evening in a bar Krista has a drink with the stunning Penny - although Krista doesn't remember her being stunning when she knew her years ago. Penny hands her a tiny bottle of liquid called 'Pretty'. This small, innocuous looking bottle has far reaching consequences for all 3 women.
Is being 'Pretty' or just a 'Regular' the best way to be?

I had been given an exclusive chapter sampler at a Blogger evening with Simon and Schuster/Books and the City and I was desperate to read more. The book like I said is not at all what I was expecting. I found some of the language difficult to understand when the characters were talking about feminism and sexual preference, but it didn't really detract from the story.
The story reminded me a little of the film 'Death Becomes Her' in the way that people can never be happy with their lot.

A good read all in all. 

Book review - Last Seen Alive by Claire Douglas

Last Seen Alive

by

Claire Douglas

Pre-order here

Publication date: 13th July

Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Woman's Fiction

She can run

Libby Hall needs to hide, to escape from everything for a while. Which is why the house swap is a godsend. The chance for Libby and her husband Jamie to exchange their tiny Bath flat for a beautiful haven on the wild Cornish coast.

But she can't hide

But before they can begin to heal their fragile marriage, Libby makes some disturbing discoveries about the house. And soon the peace and isolation begin to feel threatening. How alone are they? Why does she feel watched?

Because someone knows her secret

What is Jamie hiding? Is Libby being paranoid? And why does the house bring back such terrible memories? Memories Libby's worked hard to bury. Memories of the night she last saw her best friend alive . . . and what he did.

Thank you to Michael Joseph/Penguin and Netgalley for this ARC, which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

A psychological thriller with a difference. Libby Hall is married to Jamie, they have a dog called Ziggy and Jamie has an over bearing Mother and a snooty sister. The Mother and Sister are very close to Jamie's ex Hannah. Libby feels that she is not good enough for Jamie in his family's eyes, but Jamie loves her, chose her and married her.

Things haven't been going great for Libby and Jamie recently. They have lost their much wanted baby and Jamie's business isn't going as well as it should. 

So when Libby returns home to their basement flat and finds a flyer offering them a house swap in Cornwall, they decide it is exactly what they need. Phillip Heywood and his wife Tara need a flat near to Bath's hospital as their daughter needs a heart operation and it would appear that Libby and James' flat fits the bill.

They drive down to Cornwall and are surprised and astounded to see the Heywood's property is a huge house set atop a cliff with steps leading to the beach. 

Then things start to happen that leave Libby feeling uneasy. She is wary of sharing her fears as Jamie's Mother is a firm believer in 'sharing' whilst Libby likes to keep her problems to herself. Libby has the feeling they are being watched and at a visit to a lighthouse she notices a man training his camera on Jamie, the same man later shoves into Jamie, which in turn knocks Libby over and leaves her rolling towards the cliff edge. The same man is then seen in the garden of the house watching them while they walk Ziggy on the beach.

After Jamie ends up seriously ill in hospital with food poisoning they decide to return to Bath. Philip Heywood has telephoned to say that their daughter has been discharged and they have returned to their home in London.

More and more strange events occur including items being delivered to the flat that they haven't ordered and a man knocking on the door asking for sex with Jamie!

Libby is totally unnerved, is someone from her past trying to scare her? Why would Philip and Tara Heywood have an issue with them? Could Jamie's ex Hannah be involved?

So many questions that nobody can answer and Libby is afraid. Jamie is the only person she has, but someone is clearly trying to make trouble.

I really enjoyed this book. It had many twists and turns and I must admit I reread some parts to get clear in  my head who was talking. The story is set now and in the past when Libby was travelling through Thailand.

Claire Douglas describes the characters well and I found myself loathing Jamie's sister Katie and his ex Hannah. Libby bats away their snide comments like a tennis pro!

I look forward to reading more from Claire Douglas.

Clare can be found on Twitter

Book Review - Practice Makes Perfect by Penny Parkes

Practice Makes Perfect

By

Penny Parkes

Purchase here

The Practice at Larkford has suddenly been thrust under the spotlight – and its nomination as a ‘NHS Model Surgery’ is causing the team major headaches. Dr Holly Graham should be basking in the glow of her new romance with fellow doctor, Taffy – but she is worried that the team is prioritising plaudits over patients, and her favourite resident, the irreverent and entertaining Elsie, is facing a difficult diagnosis. Add to that the chaos of family life and the strain is starting to show.

Dr Dishy Dan Carter’s obsession with work is masking unhappiness elsewhere – he can’t persuade girlfriend Julia to settle down. It’s only as Julia’s mother comes to stay that he realizes what she has been hiding for so long. Alice Walker joins the team like a breath of fresh air and her assistance dog Coco quickly wins everyone round – which is just as well, because Coco and Alice will soon need some help of their own. Can they pull together and become the Dream Team that the NHS obviously thinks they are?

Thank you to Simon and Schuster/Book and the City Digital Originals and Netgalley for this ARC which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

This is the second book by Penny Parkes based in the fictional village of Larkford, the first being Romantic Comedy of the Year award winning Out of Practice 

It was great to be back amongst the regulars again. Holly, Dan, Taffy and Julia are all GP's in the local surgery. Holly and Taffy live together along with Holly's twin boys from her marriage to Milo and Dan & Julia are also a couple. Julia is a TV star and a production company follow her around the surgery filming her consultations. Along with TV stardom to contend with the surgery has now been put forward as an example of how a modern surgery should be run. All four GP's are equal, there is no longer a Senior Partner, but is this workable? Not all is rosy behind the scenes, will this affect the surgery's future and that of it's staff?

Another delightful novel by Penny Parkes. I loved getting back in touch with the residents of Larkford to see what they were up to. There are some fantastic characters such as Elsie and the Major who make me chuckle. I hope that this is a book series that will continue.

Find Penny on Twitter

Book Review - The Girlfriend by Michelle Frances

The Girlfriend

By

Michelle Frances

Purchase here

A girl. A boy. His mother. And the lie she'll wish she'd never told.

The Girlfriend by Michelle Frances is a gripping and chilling debut psychological thriller, based on the fall-out following an unforgiveable lie. It looks at the potentially charged relationship between girlfriend, boyfriend and his mother, which most women can identify with, and locates it in an extreme but believable setting.

Laura has it all. A successful career, a long marriage to a rich husband, and a twenty-three year-old son, Daniel, who is kind, handsome, and talented. Then Daniel meets Cherry. Cherry is young, beautiful and smart but she hasn't had the same opportunities as Daniel. And she wants Laura's life.

Cherry comes to the family wide-eyed and wants to be welcomed with open arms, but Laura suspects she's not all that she seems.

When tragedy strikes, an unforgiveable lie is told. It is an act of desperation, but the fall-out will change their lives forever.

Wow! Straight away I was hooked. I began reading this book at about 5am after waking up during the hot and sticky weather and by 9am I was almost done. The book popped up as a recommendation for me and I am so pleased I bought it.

Being the Mum of a nearly 23 year old man who is my only child/son I could relate to Laura. Try as I might to get along with any potential future girlfriends, I know deep down I'll be suspicious of any woman my son brings home - sorry Glen!.

Laura's life is her son. Her husband has been having an affair for years and Laura lives for the times Daniel comes home from University. Laura has her own TV production company and a best friend Isabelle and along with Daniel that is it. They live an extremely comfortable life in South Kensington and have a swimming pool built underneath the house.

Cherry comes from a poor area in Croydon. Ashamed of her Mother - Wendy - a Checkout Manager in a supermarket. Cherry wants more, she did well at school and gained excellent grades in her A-Levels, but couldn't afford to go to University. She learnt French and other languages through language courses on the Internet to better herself. The internet became her friend and through that - along with a few embellishments to her CV - she landed a job as a trainee estate agent at a top agency in South Kensington. Now she was mixing with the right sort of people, now she could become something better than a Checkout Manager from Croydon. Then Daniel walked into her office and into her life looking for flats to buy.

Laura tries her hardest with Cherry. Laura had lost a baby girl in the past and hoped that Cherry may be a potential replacement daughter. She welcomes Cherry into the family, but after a disasterous holiday at the family villa in St Tropez Laura finds out that Cherry isn't trustworthy. Her first mistake was letting Cherry know she was on to her.

I really enjoyed this book. Michelle Frances describes the tension and the mood perfectly and her writing pushes you on devouring the book whole.

Highly recommended 5*

Book Review - The Honeymoon by Tina Seskis

The Honeymoon

by

Tina Seskis

Available to purchase here

There's trouble in paradise . . .

For as long as she can remember, Jemma has been planning the perfect honeymoon. A fortnight's retreat to a five-star resort in the Maldives, complete with luxury villas, personal butlers and absolute privacy.

It should be paradise. But it's turned into a nightmare.

Because the man Jemma married a week ago has just disappeared from the island without a trace. And now her perfect new life is vanishing just as quickly before her eyes.

After everything they've been through together, how can this be happening? Is there anyone on the island who Jemma can trust? And above all - where has her husband gone?

Thank you to Michael Joseph/Penguin and Netgalley for this ARC, which I have reviewed voluntarily and honestly.

The book begins with a woman sitting on a beach hoping to catch a glimpse of her husband in the sea. She sits there until the sun rises and then decides she needs to report him missing to the relevant authorities. The chapters move on and are set in the past and present. Jemma informs the resort's staff and another honeymooning couple Chrissy and Kenny.

The last thing Jemma said to her husband was 'I hate you' and the only thing missing from their villa is his mask and flippers. What has happened to Jemma's husband?

If I carry on, I will give two much away, so I won't!

To be honest I was getting a little bored with the book, but then it really picked up pace. I never in a million years would have guessed the ending and I was really pleased that I didn't. In the end the book entered very dark territory and made me think about these 'Honeymoon Paradise islands'. It must be almost overwhelming to be in the middle of nowhere, having to be romantic every minute. 

What if something did happen? - like in the book? I suspect you would feel very trapped and I wouldn't like that at all.

Book Review - Obsession by Amanda Robson

Obsession 

by 

Amanda Robson

Available to purchase here on Amazon

Two couples. A doctor’s surgery. A deadly obsession. Who’s telling the truth?

‘Who else would you go for, if you could? Give me a name, someone you quite like.’

He shrugs his shoulders. A jawline held tight.

‘I quite like Jenni. What about you?’

I don’t reply.

Carly and Rob, Jenni and Craig. Two couples, four friends. Betraying each other. Wanting each other.

All of them have access to prescription drugs through the medical practice where they work, and all of them are fighting their own demons.

But can any of them be trusted? And when the lies begin, can they ever be silenced?

I kept hearing about this book online and had read a few reviews so I purchased it on Kindle.

Carly and Rob  ------  Jenni and Craig

Carly is a practice nurse at the local surgery where Rob her husband is a GP. They have 3 children, but Carly's Mum - Heather does the bulk of the childcare. Carly's idea of childcare is to take the children to the local indoor play centre, push in earplugs and read the newspaper.

Rob is pretty easy going, he adores his curvaceous, flirty wife and loves his children dearly, Rob also has a close association with the church and finds much comfort in his faith.

Jenni is a member of Rob's church and her and her firefighter husband Craig met Rob and Carly at antenatal classes. The four of them are close friends and their children play together. 

Whilst on a camping holiday Carly asks Rob a question that many wives have asked their husbands, "If you could have any woman, who would it be?"

His answer is the catalyst to what happens next........

This book is surprising as I didn't like or identify with any of the characters. This doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the book, I did immensely. It is just very unusual not to like at least one of the main characters at some point through the book.

There is sex, drugs and murder and the ending was a surprise.

I would recommend this book if you enjoy psychological thrillers.

Book review - Let the Dead Speak by Jane Casey

Let the Dead Speak 

by 

Jane Casey

Available to purchase here

When an 18-year-old girl returns home to find her house covered in blood and her mother missing, Detective Maeve Kerrigan and the murder squad must navigate a web of lies to discover the truth… When eighteen-year-old Chloe Emery returns to her West London home she finds Kate, her mother, missing and the house covered in blood. There may not be a body, but everything else points to murder. Maeve Kerrigan is young, ambitious and determined to prove she’s up to her new role as detective sergeant. In the absence of a body, she and maverick detective Josh Derwent turn their attention to the neighbours. The ultra-religious Norrises are acting suspiciously; their teenage daughter definitely has something to hide. Then there’s William Turner, once accused of stabbing a schoolmate and the neighbourhood’s favourite criminal. Is he merely a scapegoat or is there more behind the charismatic façade? As the accusations fly, Maeve must piece together a patchwork of conflicting testimonies, none of which quite add up. Who is lying, who is not? The answer could lead them to the truth about Kate Emery, and save the life of someone else.

Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for this ARC, which I have reviewed voluntarily and honestly.

Chloe Emrey has been staying at her Father's house with him - Bill - his wife and her two sons Nolan and Nathan. However Chloe leaves early to return home to her Mother Kate. She is offered a lift from the station by her friend Bethany's Father - Oliver.
Chloe opens her front door and finds before her a scene of carnage. Blood splatters the walls and carpet. The police are called and DS Maeve Kerrigan arrives at the scene. There is one problem though, there is no body and Kate is now missing presumed dead.
A tale of religious fanactics and secrets emerges. Is Kate dead or alive? Does Chloe or Bethany really know what has happened?
DS Kerrigan and her team have to do a lot of digging to uncover the truth, but have they found the whole truth? Is someone involved not telling the police the whole story? Can the dead really speak and shed a light on what has happened?

I enjoy a really good thriller and this was no exception. The book is quite fast paced and at first glance there appears to be a lot of characters. Despite that all the characters have a definite purpose and the book is easy to follow. I had no idea "who dun it" and I really enjoyed the last chapter.

This is book 7 in the DS Maeve Kerrigan series. I have not read the others and this works well as a stand alone book.