Death in Bacton Wood (DS Ashley Knight #3) by Ross Greenwood

Summary

When a mud-splattered man staggers from Bacton Wood with a terrifying tale about being buried alive, DS Ashley Knight and her team are called in to investigate. Soon, another victim is found, and more men are missing – all with connections to the well-known Vialli family.

The Major Investigation Team find themselves attempting to untangle a case that stretches from Eastern Europe through to North Norfolk. Along with rookie detective, the whip-smart Hector Fade, Ashley is in a race against time trying to help a family who seem determined to take matters into their own hands. And when Ashley suspects there is a department rat, the stakes get even higher.

As the evidence continues to point in different directions, and as new victims are uncovered thick and fast, Ashley and Hector begin to fear they have finally met their match in a killer too ruthless and clever to be caught.

My Review

Death in Bacton Wood was a gripping read. It starts off when Ashley is called to see to a man who stumbled out of the woods and was hit by a car. The man is convinced he is buried alive but no one knows who he is. This crime thriller will have you on the edge of your seat.

The plot was so intriguing and I couldn’t tell what was going to happen. Some people in the book were suspicious and I loved finding out their backgrounds and how they are related to the case. I love the police team, and their banter between each other. I also like the consistency of reading about the same team as I know they are an excellent team. Their personalities drew me in and it is nice to have the familiar characters.

I was hooked on this instalment and I loved how unique the plot was. The writing style is always so gripping and I liked the past chapters within the present day. I was curious about how the past chapters linked with the present day. The book was definitely a page turner and made me think constantly. I highly recommend this book and the series. It was be read as a standalone but it is nice to read them together to get to know the police team. Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood Books for sending me a copy of this book. Check it out on Amazon and Goodreads.

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The Lodge by Chris Coppel

Summary

Ever wondered what it would be like if hunted animals were able to fight back?

The Lodge unveils the mystery of a hunting lodge in the remote hills of the Scottish Highlands during the Christmas holidays. After the report of an accidental death at the lodge, Andrew, a young constable from the nearest town, drives up through a growing blizzard.

Snowbound, Andrew and the guests take cover at the lodge as the terrifying ordeal unfolds. These animals have souls. Souls that won’t rest until they’ve had revenge…

But will the hunters become the hunted?

My Review

The Lodge is a story which takes place in the Scottish highlands during winter. Andrew, a young constable, is called to the scene of an accidental death in the lodge. The weather takes a turn for the worst leaving Andrew stranded at the lodge which he discovers is a hunting lodge. Strange things start happening in the lodge and everyone starts to question what is really happening.

This book is not for the squeamish, it was an imaginative horror book with a lot of suspense. I really enjoyed learning about the characters with snippets of their past and how it led them into the people they are now. I found Andrew an interesting character and by the end, he was definitely intriguing. I also loved the epilogue!!

The writing in this book was so creative and the topic was modern. The atmosphere created felt so real and I could feel for the characters while reading. I liked how the horror aspect didn’t hit until these strange things started happening and I couldn’t guess what was causing these things to happen. This book definitely kept me on the edge of my seat and I’m glad I didn’t read it at night time! Thank you to Black Tide Book Tours for sending me a copy of this book. Check it out on Amazon and Goodreads.

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Nowhere to Hide by Keri Beevis

Summary

Duncan Stone is one of the country’s most eligible and handsome bachelors, and he wants to take me, Callie Parker, on a date. At first I am surprised and flattered, the envy of my friends. Then when our whirlwind romance escalates and he asks me to move in with him, it’s like a dream come true. But as I get to really know my new boyfriend, my fairytale turns into a nightmare. Duncan is no Prince Charming. He is the Devil. Isolated from my friends and family, watched day and night, a prisoner in my own life, I know if I am going to survive, I need to escape. When a chance encounter with an old friend throws me a lifeline, I realise this is my live or die moment, and I find a hiding place deep in the Norfolk countryside. I’m supposed to feel safe here, so why do I hear footsteps outside my hideaway late at night, and sense that someone is watching me? Is it paranoia, or has Duncan managed to find me?
Or perhaps the danger is closer to home than I realise.

My Review

Nowhere to Hide was a gripping read. I loved the build up during the first half of the book, it made me feel connected to Callie (the main character). There was parts of the book that made me feel genuinely scared and made me wonder how the characters were going to get themselves out of the situation. 

Callie is in a relationship with a famous bachelor, Duncan. Their whirlwind romance has Callie leaving her friends and family as her dreams come true. This fairytale doesn’t last long as Duncan turns into a monster. Callie is given a lifeline and she takes it, but can she really escape Duncan?

Callie was a strong and determined character and I found her to be a likeable person. The domestic violence was heartbreaking to read about and it was uncomfortable at time, this really solidifies how strong Callie is. The second half of the book picks up the pace and leaves me on the edge of my seat while finishing it. There was a sub plot which happens alongside the main plot and connected everything. The main plot had many twists and I couldn’t ever imagine what was going to happen. 

This book was a well written psychological thriller and it had an element of realism which gave the character the like-ability. This author never fails to impress me with her amazing writing and gripping plots. Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood Books for sending me a copy of this book. Check it out on amazon and Goodreads. 

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The Mistress by Valerie Keogh

Summary

She wants what you have…

Hannah Parker is a woman who always gets what she wants.

When her current husband discovers she has been lying to him – again – she knows it’s time to move on and find someone who can give her the life she desires… The life she knows she deserves…

But who will be the lucky man?

When her eye catches a glimpse of an old flame in a photograph, she’s sure it’s a sign. Mark Shepherd has always been in her thoughts – they’d been happy once, he’d adored her, but she’d made a mistake and let him get away. She won’t make the same mistake again….

Hannah is older now and wiser. She knows what men want and she knows how to keep them happy.

So what if Mark is happily married with a family of his own?

All good things must come to an end…

My Review

This Mistress was a gripping read and the topic was interesting. I thought the book had clever elements and it was a slow burn. I enjoyed collecting the information for myself and trying to work out how the book was going to end. I also found the characters were interesting.

I found myself feeling bad for Hannah towards the end as she spoke about her life story and how she struggled with her attachments to male figures in her life. Susan was a character who I didn’t initially like but she grew on me and she developed as a strong character and proved everyone wrong.

The book was written in a way which went on a different path to the other cheating husband troupe. It was refreshing to read something so unique in a genre that is overpopulated. At times, the chapters would end on a cliffhanger but I realised they were a thought the character had rather than an actual situation that happened, this kept me hooked and wanting to read on. It also made me think of intrusive thoughts and how people could act on them easily.

At the start, I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy this book due to the cheating husband group but it was quite reflective and the ending was shocking. Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood Books for sending me a copy of this book. Check it out on Amazon and Goodreads.

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Next of Kin (Next #1) by Hannah Bonam-Young

Summary

Two bickering strangers trying to foster their younger siblings team up to create a stable home, but the chemistry between them threatens to undo their plans.

When people-pleasing Chloe learns that her birth mother has unexpectedly had another baby, she doesn’t hesitate to become a next-of-kin guardian. But when she fails to pass Child Protective Services’ financial evaluation, she is faced with a see her baby sister placed in foster care or participate in CPS’s new initiative, where two prospective guardians join households to qualify.

Enter Warren, a surly mechanic’s apprentice attempting to get custody of his deaf fifteen-year-old brother. From the moment Warren drives up thirty minutes late, blasting music out of his car, Chloe is convinced that this is a very bad idea. The two immediately clash but eventually agree to live together for the sake of their younger siblings.

As their lives intertwine, and Chloe adjusts to caring for her newborn sister, she begins to see a new, softer side of Warren. In fact, they’re far more similar than she could have imagined. What started as forced begins to feel natural—and far less lonely. Chemistry soon intensifies beyond what either of them can stand, but is their mutual attraction worth risking everything they’ve fought for?

My Review

Next of Kin was a cute and heartwarming read. The themes in this book were very unique and it’s something I’ve never really read about. I was intrigued to see how the story was going to pan out and I thought it was a good romance book. The main characters were loveable and their relationship was very cute! I loved their troupes. 

Chloe learns her birth mother has recently had a baby but she doesn’t hesitate to become a next of kin guardian. Chloe fails to meet the financial evaluation part of the Child Protection Services’ process and if she wants to keep the baby, she needs to take part in the new initiative to support families. It involves two families merging to meet requirements, this is where we meet Warren. Warren has a 15 year old brother who is also deaf. Chloe is initially hesitant of this initiative but she starts seeing a soft side to Warren. 

I liked the characters Chloe and Warren, I thought their relationship was sweet, although at times I did find it rushed. Chloe made me laugh at times and she was a determined character, she would do anything for her new sister to protect her from how she was brought up. Warren was similar to Chloe at times, in regards to his brother. He had his best interests at heart and I could tell how much family meant to him. I loved the diversity of the characters and their backgrounds. I feel like I learnt a lot while reading this book and I recommend this book to all romance lovers. I am very interested to learn more about some of the side characters in the next book. Thank you to Bedford Square Publishers and NetGalley for sending me a copy of this book. Check it out on amazon and Goodreads. 

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A Spell of Good Things by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀

Summary

Eniola is tall for his age, a boy who looks like a man. Because his father has lost his job, Eniola spends his days running errands for the local tailor, collecting newspapers, begging when he must, dreaming of a big future.

Wuraola is a golden girl, the perfect child of a wealthy family. Now an exhausted young doctor in her first year of practice, she is beloved by Kunle, the volatile son of an ascendant politician.

When a local politician takes an interest in Eniola and sudden violence shatters a family party, Wuraola and Eniola’s lives become intertwined. In her breathtaking second novel, Ayobami Adebayo shines her light on Nigeria, on the gaping divide between the haves and the have-nots, and the shared humanity that lives in between.

My Review

A Spell of Good Things was a powerful book which will stay with me for a long time. The characters were written so well and I loved reading their stories. I was so interested in learning about Nigeria and the unequal distribution of wealth and poor infrastructure. 

This book follow the journey of two main characters, Eniola and Wuraola. Eniola spends his days running errands for the tailor after his father lost his job so he is unable to attend school. He has big dreams and he is very ambitious. Wuraola is from a wealthy family and she is a doctor. The story is about how their stories intertwine after a local politician takes an interest in Eniola. 

This book was written wonderfully and I was fully immersed in the story. The author has such a way of story telling and made these characters come to life. The ending was impactful and memorable. I highly recommend this book! Thank you to Canongate Books for sending me a copy of this book. Check it out on Amazon and Goodreads.

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When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein

Summary

A steamy, opposites-attract romance with undeniable chemistry between a grumpy retired footballer and his fabulous and very sunshine-y ghostwriter.

When grumpy ex-footballer Alfie Harding gets badgered into selling his memoirs, he knows he’s never going to be able to write them. He hates revealing a single thing about himself, is allergic to most emotions, and can’t imagine doing a good job of putting pen to paper.

And so in walks curvy, cheery, cute as heck ghostwriter Mabel Willicker, who knows just how to sunshine and sass her way into getting every little detail out of Alfie. They banter and bicker their way to writing his life story, both of them sure they’ll never be anything other than at odds.

But after their business arrangement is mistaken for a budding romance, the pair have to pretend to be an item for a public who’s ravenous for more of this Cinderella story. Or at least, it feels like it’s pretend―until each slow burn step in their fake relationship sparks a heat neither can control. Now they just have to is this sizzling chemistry just for show? Or something so real it might just give them their fairytale ending?

My Review

When Grumpy Met Sunshine was such a cute read, it was heartwarming and funny book. The characters were to die for and I soon fell in love with them. They were well suited and I loved their dynamic. 

Alfie and Mabel were such an adorable pair and I loved their troupes! Alfie was such a grump character but I loved how he warmed up to Mabel. While reading about Alfie, I could see how he was misunderstood in his past and I liked how Mabel could look past it. Mabel was so cute and I loved reading her babbling, it made her character feel realistic. They are definitely up there with my favourite book couples. 

I loved how this book was written, in between each chapter there was different social media extracts which I found was unique. The plot was kept at a fast pace and everything was relevant to the story. Reading the relationship felt natural as it wasn’t rushed and the characters had time to get to know each other. 

Overall I thought this was a great book and I really enjoyed reading it. The main characters are so loveable and it is definitely a must read for romance lovers! Thank you to Chloe from Pan Macmillian for sending me a copy. Check it out on Amazon and Goodreads. 

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Fate & Furies (The Legends of Thezmarr #3) by Helen Scheuerer

Summary

With darkness cursing the world around her, Althea Zoltaire is desperate for vengeance. But as she hunts Wilder Hawthorne across the kingdoms, brutal secrets begin to unravel.

Not knowing what – or who – to trust, Thea and her companions find themselves entwined with a destiny far greater than one man. Together, they must navigate the haunting revelations that could shatter the very foundations of the midrealms.

Yet it’s not only the world at stake, but Thea’s heart too. As everything teeters on the verge of destruction, her fate collides once more with Wilder’s.

Will their reunion ignite the fiery passion between them amidst the ashes of betrayal? Or will it end in a heartbreaking, deadly showdown?

In a journey fraught with danger, where the lines between enemies and allies blur, Thea must decide where her loyalties lie, and who will stand at her side against the looming evil.

My Review

Fate & Furies was a captivating read and I was so excited to get back into this series again. The last book left on a cliffhanger and I was eager to know what happened. This instalment is set a year after the last book and it starts with Althea focused on hunting down Wilder after he fled the scene of a battle which made everyone believe he has deserted the Warswords in their fight against the enemy. Althea is determined to find him and bring him to justice. 

Althea doesn’t know who to trust but it was reassuring to see Cal and Kipp by her side and they know her better than anyone. I love these characters will all my heart and I feel like I have got to know them well through the pages. I really enjoyed this book and the journey they went on together. Althea learnt a lot about herself and her family in this book which was amazing for her character development. I was also pleased to be introduced to new characters as they deicide on their next steps as a team. 

This series is such an incredible read and in my opinion it is the definition of a romanctasy series. It has all the best elements of a romance within an incredible fantasy world. I will always say that this series is not hard to follow and is such an easy read. I highly recommend this series to everyone. I am excited to see where the next book takes us. Thank you to Helen for sending me this copy of your book. Check it out on amazon and goodreads. 

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The Stranger in Her House by John Marrs

Summary

A stranger has infiltrated your family…and now he’s taking over.

Paul’s just here to help, or so he claims—sent by a charity for vulnerable people to do odd jobs for elderly widow Gwen. But for Gwen’s daughter Connie, there’s just something about Paul that rings alarm bells from day one. He’s a little too kind, a little too involved…Worse still, Gwen seems to have fallen under his spell.

The last thing Connie wants is a stranger meddling in the safe routine she’s built around Gwen. She loves being the one Gwen turns to for cooking, cleaning and company. But the more Paul visits, the more Gwen is relying on him. By the time he conveniently finds himself between homes and has no choice but to move in, Connie is certain he’s trying to push her out completely.

It’s her word against his, though, and as her attempts to unmask him become ever more desperate she’s not the only one left wondering if she’s lost her grip on reality. But when events start spiralling rapidly out of her control, should Connie wage all-out war on Paul and risk losing Gwen forever—or has that been his plan all along?

My Review

The Stranger in Her House was an addictive read. I was hooked from the start and I couldn’t put it down. The twists in the book were insane and I had no idea what to expect. This was my first John Marrs book and I’m so excited to read more! 

I became suspicious of some characters very quickly. Of course, Paul made me so angry and I’ve never felt more irritated by a character before and it was amazing how the author wrote him to make the reader feel that way. Connie was a strange character and her story was quite something. The twists in the story led me think many different ways about these two characters. 

I love how the chapters are short and it makes the book feel concise. Every piece of information in the book is relevant and I like how even the small thing made a big impact. Also, I love how the book ended, it was so satisfying to read. I thought the book was planned and written incredibly well. I highly recommend this book for all the thriller girlies, you will love this one! Thank you to Tandem Collective and Insta Book Tours for sending me a copy of this book. Check it out on Amazon and Goodreads. 

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The Ex Wife by Sally Rigby & Amanda Ashby

Summary

My life was perfect until she came along. Norah.

Younger, prettier and about to marry my own ex-husband, they are a walking cliché.

I hate her. I hate them both.

She’s taken everything from me – my husband, my life, my home – but I refuse to allow her to take Cassie, my beautiful daughter. That’s a step too far.

Now I’ve discovered that Norah plans to have a baby of her own and that causes me no end of problems. She could destroy everything and reveal my deepest, darkest secrets.

That can never be allowed to happen.

No matter what it costs…

My Review

The Ex Wife was a thrilling read, I was hooked from the start and I was so eager to work out what had happened. There were so many twists in the story and some were really shocking. Normally a book written about an ex wife can be predictable but this was told in a unique way which was so good. 

Alice is under arrest and awaiting trial after supposedly killing Norah, the finance of her ex husband. All the evidence points at her being guilty and nobody believes her innocence. Alice has been keeping her open secrets from the family and nothing will every be the same after it is revealed. 

I thought I had guessed the secret Alice was hiding but it wasn’t even close. Most of the characters were unlikable in the book so it made me question everything while reading. The build up to the reveal of this information was so exciting and the pace increased. I couldn’t stop reading the ending until I had finished it. I really enjoyed this book and I recommend it. Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sending me a copy of this book. Check it out on amazon and Goodreads. 

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