We started off the week going to the Children’s Centre with my mum. We then went to the library on Tuesday and then didn’t do anything exciting until Friday when we went to The Romney Rythe and Dymchurch Railway. The weekend has been quiet as I haven’t been well again. Luckily it isn’t Covid so that’s something!
Hope you have all had a great week. Here’s to next week!
“book”, “read”, “book review”, “book blog”,”recommended”, “easy read”, “don’t miss out”, “fiction”, “entertaining”, “book meme”, “weekly wrap up”, “sunday salon”, “what books do you recommend”, “what books are popular on social media”, “what book should I read next”, “romance”, “thriller”
“From the New York Times bestselling author of The Wife Upstairs comes a deliciously wicked gothic suspense, set on an isolated Pacific island with a dark history, for fans of Lucy Foley and Ruth Ware.
When Lux McAllister and her boyfriend, Nico, are hired to sail two women to a remote island in the South Pacific, it seems like the opportunity of a lifetime. Stuck in a dead-end job in Hawaii, and longing to travel the world after a family tragedy, Lux is eager to climb on board The Susannah and set out on an adventure. She’s also quick to bond with their passengers, college best friends Brittany and Amma. The two women say they want to travel off the beaten path. But like Lux, they may have other reasons to be seeking an escape.
Shimmering on the horizon after days at sea, Meroe Island is every bit the paradise the foursome expects, despite a mysterious history of shipwrecks, cannibalism, and even rumors of murder. But what they don’t expect is to discover another boat already anchored off Meroe’s sandy beaches. The owners of the Azure Sky, Jake and Eliza, are a true golden couple: gorgeous, laidback, and if their sleek catamaran and well-stocked bar are any indication, rich. Now a party of six, the new friends settle in to experience life on an exotic island, and the serenity of being completely off the grid. Lux hasn’t felt like she truly belonged anywhere in years, yet here on Meroe, with these fellow free spirits, she finally has a sense of peace.
But with the arrival of a skeevy stranger sailing alone in pursuit of a darker kind of good time, the balance of the group is disrupted. Soon, cracks begin to emerge: it seems that Brittany and Amma haven’t been completely honest with Lux about their pasts––and perhaps not even with each other. And though Jake and Eliza seem like the perfect pair, the rocky history of their relationship begins to resurface, and their reasons for sailing to Meroe might not be as innocent as they first appeared.
When it becomes clear that the group is even more cut off from civilization than they initially thought, it starts to feel like the island itself is closing in on them. And when one person goes missing, and another turns up dead, Lux begins to wonder if any of them are going to make it off the island alive.”
It’s Time Travel Thursday! This is where I take a look back at what I was reading this time last year (or the year before or the year before that…) and compare it to what I am reading now.
“Bridget Jones’s Diary turns 25 this year. Winner of the 1997 British Book of the Year, and named by the Guardian as one of the ten books which best defines the 20th Century, the book has gone on to become a multi-million copy selling international phenomenon, spawning three blockbuster movies, a whole new literary genre, a lexicon of ‘smug marrieds’, ‘singletons’, ‘emotional f***wittage’ and ‘mummy pants’, and the familiar cry of ‘I am Bridget Jones’.
This special bumper anniversary compendium also features an introduction and commentary from Helen Fielding, and over 100 pages of rare material taken from 25 years of her writing, including:
* Extracts from Helen’s early journalism * A selection of the original Independent newspaper columns. * Bridget Jones interviews Colin Firth * Later columns on #MeToo, Brexit, and Bridget’s lockdown life * A selection of hilarious restaurant reviews featuring the real life inspirations for Jude, Shazzer, Auntie Una, Mum and Daniel Cleaver”
“When it comes to love, its feta late than never . . .
Freya Butterly has always dreamed of being a Head Chef but despite running every service at the Mediterranean restaurant, she still doesn’t get the recognition she deserves. Craving adventure and a real taste of the Mediterranean, Freya takes matters into her own hands, ditching both her job and unsupportive boyfriend, she packs her bags for sunny Cyprus in pursuit of the prestigious Golden Spoon culinary award.
As one of the seven competitors, Freya is determined to clinch the trophy and rediscover her passion for food, but what she doesn’t expect to discover is Xanthos. As gorgeous as he is charming – he’s quite the dish. Freya is instantly attracted to him, but this trip was about Cypriot cuisine, not cypriot sausage (ahem, romance) and she knows she must not let Xanthos distract her from the competition.
But if she walks away, will Freya spend the rest of her life wondering What If?“
This is my current library book. I am making slow progress, but only because of my Blog Tour Books having to be read first. I am still enjoying it and look forward to picking it up each evening.
“Emily Stearn is young, headstrong, logical – and believes that someone has murdered her Uncle Sebastian.
Whilst going through his belongings, after his sudden death, Emily discovers an encrypted journal. With the help of Al Andrews, a maths graduate she befriends after meeting in the local cafe, she deciphers the material.
It reveals that Sebastian, a Cambridge history professor, was a spy. Code name WHISPER.
His one mission came in 1981 when British Intelligence believed that he was the only agent capable of getting close to Colonel Igor Kalenkov. A disciple of the 13th Directorate – the Soviet killing and kidnapping department – Kalenkov was closely-guarded, and was planning an attack on the British Royal Family at the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana to sow division in the West.
Sebastian did not wish to assassinate Kalenkov himself, but he arranged to lure the Russian into a trap for a sniper to take him out at Moscow’s international history convention.
But not all goes according to plan.
As the journal surrenders its chilling secrets 40 years on, Emily believes that the Russians must have assassinated her uncle. . But does a grainy CCTV image point to a murderer closer to home?
Emily is determined to uncover the truth, no matter what the cost.”
I have just started this author’s request book and am excited to see what happens.
“Set in a Tokyo flat over the course of one night, Aki and Hiro spend one last night together before going their separate ways. Each believes the other to be a murderer and is determined to extract a confession before the night is over. Who has been killed and why? Which one is the killer? In an intense battle of wills over the course of a night, the true nature of the pair’s relationship and the chain of events leading up to this night are gradually revealed in this gripping psychological thriller that keeps the reader in suspense to the very end.
The thriller–buried in a literary whodunit–explores the mysteries of romantic love, memory and attaining self-knowledge. Like the best Japanese crime writing, it is an unflinching foray into the darker recesses of the soul, quietly suspenseful and elegantly constructed.”
I am on the Blog Tour for this book on 29 June so keep your eyes peeled for my review on here, Amazon, Goodreads, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!
As you can see it is quite a difference. I enjoyed reading Bridget Jones a while ago and when I saw this with extra bits I decided to re-read it and see what the new bits were like. I do still have a rom com on the go this time, but I am also reading a couple of Thrillers.
What were you reading this time last year or the year before (or the year before!)? Add your links in the comments below!
Welcome to my Sunday post hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer! Quite a few posts again this week. I wanted to do some one word review posts to see how they went, plus I had quite a few book reviews to go up!
“book”, “read”, “book review”, “book blog”,”recommended”, “easy read”, “don’t miss out”, “fiction”, “entertaining”, “romance”, “mystery”, “what should I read next”, “what books do you recommend”, “which books are popular at the moment”, “what is everyone reading”
It’s First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday! Hosted by Socrates Book Reviews this is where you share the first paragraph of one of the books that you are currently reading. Each week I will choose a book of the week (which will be one of the books that I am currently reading) and that book will take part in this book blog meme:
This week my book of the week is Secrets of the Mummy Concierge by Tiffany Norris
“It’s 9am on a Monday and I’m chatting to a client about vaginas. Or, to be more specific, her vagina. And if it will ever be the same again… Before you start guessing, no, I’m not a doctor, midwife or sex therapist. I’m something completely unique: A Mummy Concierge.”
I am currently 80% of the way through and am loving it!
Book Description From Goodreads:
“‘Tiffany’s rolodex would be the envy of many Hollywood producers’ Grazia
Create a unique baby name that no one has ever used before… tick Organise a delivery room photoshoot with hair and make-up for mum-to-be… tick Arrange a toddler birthday party with no maximum budget… tick
All in a day’s work for the Mummy Concierge.
Tiffany Norris is the one and only concierge for parenthood in the UK today. Acting as a baby’s personal assistant, on-call therapist and social director, Tiffany strives to be the ultimate parent protector, peacekeeper and negotiator when it comes to bringing a new tiny human into the world. Where demands go way beyond late-night food cravings and into the luxurious world of the super-rich, Tiffany is on hand to help with all kinds of seemingly impossible requests.
From opulent nurseries and stylists for new-borns to 3am calls worrying about just not being enough, Tiffany also shares her own story of motherhood and post-natal depression. Secrets of the Mummy Concierge reminds us all that being a new parent is one of the hardest jobs on earth.
And luckily, The Mummy Concierge is here to help.”
Do you use the Kindle app on your phone or iPad for reading e-books? (submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver’s Reviews)
I do use my Kindle App on my phone for reading e-books. When I was travelling by train into work I found it easier to read on my phone than on anything else. I didn’t want to take a whole load of things into work and as I already had my phone on me it just made sense. Now that I am a full time mum at home, I still find it easier to read from my phone as I always know where my phone is. Since the start of the pandemic I also put the Library App Libby on my phone, so I am literally a walking library!
It’s First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday! Hosted by Socrates Book Reviews this is where you share the first paragraph of one of the books that you are currently reading. Each week I will choose a book of the week (which will be one of the books that I am currently reading) and that book will take part in this book blog meme:
This week my book of the week is Spring at Blueberry Bay by Holly Martin:
“Bella Roussel looked up at the tangerine sky as the sen set into the sea over Hope Island. She could look at that view a thousand times and never get bored. It never failed to make her smile either.”
Book Description From Goodreads:
“Welcome to beautiful Hope Island where the sea sparkles, the daffodils are blooming and a blossoming romance is just around the corner…
Bella has always had a sunny outlook and caring nature, despite recently falling on hard times. When she finds a handsome homeless man on her doorstep, her kind heart tells her she must help him. So, she invites Isaac into her cottage and into her life in ways she could never have imagined…
But Isaac is not what he seems. He’s keeping a huge secret from Bella, yet he never expected to fall for this open, generous and charming woman.
Bella can’t ignore the chemistry between her and Isaac, but she’s had her trust badly broken in her past. Will she run when she learns the truth about Isaac, or will he be the one man who can help Bella believe in love again?
A gorgeously romantic and heartwarming story to completely lose yourself in. Perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan, Jane Costello and Miranda Dickinson.“
This is my latest library book. I wanted to choose a seasonal read and this one came up. I am only 7% of the way through, but I am enjoying it!
Welcome to my Book Of The Week post! Each week I will highlight one of the books that I am currently reading and use that book to participate in blog memes such as First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, Thursday Quotables, First Line Friday and Friday 56.
This week I have chosen Spring at Blueberry Bay by Holly Martin
Book Description From Goodreads:
“Welcome to beautiful Hope Island where the sea sparkles, the daffodils are blooming and a blossoming romance is just around the corner…
Bella has always had a sunny outlook and caring nature, despite recently falling on hard times. When she finds a handsome homeless man on her doorstep, her kind heart tells her she must help him. So, she invites Isaac into her cottage and into her life in ways she could never have imagined…
But Isaac is not what he seems. He’s keeping a huge secret from Bella, yet he never expected to fall for this open, generous and charming woman.
Bella can’t ignore the chemistry between her and Isaac, but she’s had her trust badly broken in her past. Will she run when she learns the truth about Isaac, or will he be the one man who can help Bella believe in love again?
A gorgeously romantic and heartwarming story to completely lose yourself in. Perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan, Jane Costello and Miranda Dickinson.
Read what everyone is saying about Holly Martin: ‘I am in love. I am in love. I am in love. Holly, you are a writing goddess.‘ Book in Wonderland
‘This story had everything that I utterly adore… absolutely gorgeous in every single way possible.‘ Becca’s Books
Like getting a huge hug from your best friend, after you haven’t seen them for a while…a fabulously sweet and cosy romance.’ Rachel’s Random Reads
‘Warm and heart-lifting and pretty perfect. If you are after a feel good book then look no further…one I recommend putting in your suitcase for your holiday read!’ Escapades of a Bookworm
‘This story has everything you look for in a contemporary romance story. It is funny, engaging and warm. The characters are quirky, honest, and lovable.’ What’s Better Than Books
‘A lovely relaxing book full of wit and romance, this a book which will leave you feeling uplifted and with a smile on your face.’ Shelley Back Books
‘Holly Martin writes about life and love with such big-hearted warmth and flair.’ Belinda Jones
‘Romantic and written with the fabulous humour that makes Holly’s books such a delight… utterly gorgeous, funny, and swoonsome.‘ Rachael Lucas
‘The characters seem to jump out of the pages and into your head and heart.’ Fiona’s Book Reviews“
I chose this library book because I wanted to read a book set in Spring. This one caught my interest with the lovely cover and enticing blurb!
Feel free to read my book of the week alongside me and to add links to your posts in my comments box!
“book”, “read”, “book blog”, “don’t miss out”, “fiction”, “what should I read next”, “reading slump”, “entertaining”, “book of the week”, “book meme”, “chick lit”, “romance”
Welcome to my Library Loot post hosted by The Captive Reader and Real Life Reading. This week is a Toddler edition because the library books that I want are on hold!
Peppa Loves Doctors and Nurses
Book Description From Goodreads:
“Peppa loves doctors and nurses! In this adorable 8×8 storybook with a poster, she learns just what these heroes do. Based on the hit TV show, as seen on Nick Jr!
Doctor Brown Bear and Nurse Fox visit Peppa’s playgroup. They show the children how to be healthy, eat well, and wash their hands! This wonderful storybook comes with a special hand washing poster. The poster can be hung up by kitchen or bathroom sinks, or wherever you choose!”
Astromouse by Steve Smallman
Book Description From Goodreads:
“When Pip the mouse learns that the moon is made of stinky cheese, he has a big idea—he’s going to be an Astromouse! Pip makes himself a rocket out of an old funnel and some cardboard, and prepares for take-off. But blasting to the moon is harder than he thought and things don’t go quite to plan.
A heartwarming story about the big dreams of a little mouse, this picture book is sure to delight and entertain.
Beautifully illustrated, QEB’s Storytime series introduces young children to the pleasures of reading and sharing stories. Featuring charming animal and human characters, the books explore important social and emotional themes like friendship, gratitude, perseverance, and overcoming fears. A Next Steps page at the back provides guidance for parents and teachers.”
We shall see if he takes to either of them. He personally picked Peppa Pig. I am not a fan of the television programme so he doesn’t get to watch it!
Welcome to my Library Loot post hosted by The Captive Reader and Real Life Reading After a long wait this book has finally become available!
The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
Book Description From Goodreads:
“A wedding. A trip to Spain. The most infuriating man. And three days of pretending. Or in other words, a plan that will never work.
Catalina Martín, finally, not single. Her family is happy to announce that she will bring her American boyfriend to her sister’s wedding. Everyone is invited to come and witness the most magical event of the year.
That would certainly be tomorrow’s headline in the local newspaper of the small Spanish town I came from. Or the epitaph on my tombstone, seeing the turn my life had taken in the span of a phone call.
Four weeks wasn’t a lot of time to find someone willing to cross the Atlantic–from NYC and all the way to Spain–for a wedding. Let alone, someone eager to play along my charade. But that didn’t mean I was desperate enough to bring the 6’4 blue eyed pain in my ass standing before me.
Aaron Blackford. The man whose main occupation was making my blood boil had just offered himself to be my date. Right after inserting his nose in my business, calling me delusional, and calling himself my best option. See? Outrageous. Aggravating. Blood boiling. And much to my total despair, also right. Which left me with a surly and extra large dilemma in my hands. Was it worth the suffering to bring my colleague and bane of my existence as my fake boyfriend to my sister’s wedding? Or was I better off coming clean and facing the consequences of my panic induced lie?
Like my abuela would say, que dios nos pille confesados.
The Spanish Love Deception is an enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating romantic comedy. Perfect for those looking for a steamy slow-burn romance with the sweetest Happily Ever After.“
I am very excited to start reading this! It has unfortunately become available right in the middle of a couple of Blog Tours so this will slow down my reading, but it just means that I will be able to spread the joy!
My Toddler got a couple of books at the library on Monday. Here is that post:
Budget Tales Book Blog 