If I Could Turn Back Time by Nicola Doherty

Synopsis

A fabulous high-concept read for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Lindsey Kelk and Mhairi McFarlane

If you love Lindsey Kelk and Mhairi McFarlane's YOU HAD ME AT HELLO, you'll love this book...

What if you found The One, then lost him again?

Or not so much lost him as became the neurotic, needy girlfriend from hell. The girl who tried to make him choose between her and his job, and got seriously paranoid about his relationship with his female best friend...

Zoë Kennedy knows she doesn't deserve another chance with David Fitzgerald. But if there's the tiniest possibility of making things right, she'll snatch it. Even if it means breaking the laws of physics to do so...

Review

I love the premise of this book, Time travel has always interested me, ever since I watched 'Back to the Furture'. I have read Nicola Doherty's first novel 'Out of Office Girl' last year and really enjoyed it so couldn't wait to get stuck into this one.

Zoe wishes that she could be back together with her ex, David. Instead of him calling her, and saying the break up was a mistake, she wakes up about 6 months previous. Zoe soon realises this would be perfect way to correct all the mistakes she made the first time around. A great concept, I am sure we've all wondered 'What if' at some point in our life.

I loved Zoe, but it was easy to see that she and David weren't a match made in heaven. I actually liked David, he's not the normal boyfriend you see in these books where you end up disliking him but it was clear that he didn't really know Zoe, especially as she was being very conservative and pretending not to be jealous of his best friend Jenny, who was a complete cow!

The one thing I would like, is the ending to be more expanded on, I don't usually mind open ended books with hints that all the protagonists dreams are about to come true, but with this book I would have liked a little more closure!

Overall this book is great, it was great seeing Zoe, not only perfecting her relationship with David, but trying to use her knowledge of the future to help people, and further her career. Definitely one to buy!

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Published by: Headline
Gratefully received from the Publisher for review.

Tease by Amanda Maciel

Synopsis

Emma Putnam is dead, and it's all Sara Wharton's fault.

At least, that's what everyone seems to think when Sara, along with her best friend and three other classmates, has been criminally charged for the bullying and harassment that led to Emma's shocking suicide. But Sara is sure she hasn't done anything wrong, because Emma brought it on herself. Sara is adamant that she was the victim - not Emma.

Inspired by a true story, TEASE is a thought-provoking must-read that will haunt you long after the last page.

Review

This book's synopsis instantly had me interested, and had I not had to go to work, I am sure this would have been finished in one sitting. 

The perspective of this book is unique, in that you aren't reading from the victim's point of view, or even a sympathetic witness. The protagonist of the book is one of the bully's being taken to court over her actions, after Emma kills herself because of the bullying committed by Sara (whose viewpoint you are reading), Brielle and others.

The book flits between two time periods, the month or so before Emma's suicide and the current time when Sara is about to go to court.

Sara shows very little remorse throughout the book, which is hard to accept, I almost automatically assumed that any bully would hear about a suicide that was down in part to them and immediately feel some remorse at how they treated that person. Sara seems selfish at first, annoyed at how Emma's suicide mean people are being cruel to her in the street and always watching her (the irony Sara notes in the book is that people are bullying her over being bullied, and the irony I see is that she isn't sorry for treating Emma badly, but doesn't like people treating her badly, I guess both are true). However, you can see how she grows in the lead up to, and after the trial. 

Due to the flitting between times, you can see why Sara behaves how she does, and the mentality behind calling her names. You are also shown how, in my opinion, she was manipulated a lot by her best friend, Brielle, who I didn't like at all.

Overall I thought this book was very good and I will be looking out for more books by Amanda!

The Best Thing That Never Happened to Me by Laura Tait and Jimmy Rice

Synopsis

One boy + one girl = two sides to this love story...

Everyone remembers their first love.

Holly has learnt that life isn't about seizing the moment. She might have harboured dreams about travelling the world as a teenager, but she let go of those – just as she let go of Alex.

But what if the feelings never really went away?

Alex wants to make every moment of his new job count. It’s a fresh start in a new city, and he knows that moving to London has nothing to do with Holly. Well, probably.

How do you know if it was meant to be… or never meant to happen at all?

Review

Initially, when I saw the synopsis I really wanted to read this book, but I was a bit weary, as other books I have read by two authors, I haven't particularly enjoyed. How wrong was I? Very! 'The best thing that never happened to me' is one of those books that just made me smile pretty much the entire time.

This book is told through the eyes of the lead characters, Holly and Alex. I love books that show different viewpoints, and this one does them really well. It is great to read a man and woman's view of the same event. There are also flashbacks to the past, which adds to the characters history.

Both Holly and Alex are so delightful, especially Alex, it was great to see him at work in the school, trying to make a difference. The supporting characters were also great, I loved how the relationship between Holly and Richard was written. I also adored Kev, who starts off as annoying at first but who really develops the further you get into the book.

At times this book was laugh out loud funny, I certainly got at least one strange look from my boyfriend! The end kept me guessing all the way to the last few pages. It is just simply, a fantastic read! 

Released on 10th April 2014 (ebook) 3rd July 2014 (paperback)
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Published by: Random House UK
Gratefully received from the Publisher for review.

Keep Your Friends Close by Paula Day

Synopsis
Natty and Sean Wainwright are happily married. Rock solid in fact. So when Natty’s oldest friend, Eve Dalladay, appears – just as their daughter collapses on a school trip in France – Natty has no qualms about leaving Eve with Sean to help out at home.

Two weeks later and Natty finds Eve has slotted into family life too well. Natty’s husband has fallen in love with Eve. He’s sorry, he tells her, but their marriage is over. 

With no option but to put a brave face on things for the sake of the children, Natty embarks on building a new life for herself.

And then she receives the note. 
Eve has done this before, more than once, and with fatal consequences...

Review
After reading 'The Accident' by C. L. Taylor and a few other thrillers of similar style, I have really gotten into that genre, and when I saw this on Netgalley, I jumped at the chance to read this, the blurb sounded really interesting!

A lot of books I seem to be reading at the moment seem to come from different viewpoints, this one does to, and it is great to see each of the characters in more depth, I especially enjoyed reading Eve, her twisted mind was fascinating. 

Alice and Felicity, Natty and Sean's daughters were great, and while I didn't particularly like Sean at first, I really warmed to him in the end. 

As for Natty herself, I had mixed feelings for, she has a really stupid side to her when she gets angry, where, and while I understand her reasons I can't bring myself to like her. On the other hand, because of what happens, I do feel for her. However, this book was fantastic to read, and disliking Natty at times didn't distract from my enjoyment of the book at all!

Another great thing about this book was I was never sure which way the book was going to turn and the final twist was shocking to say the least, I don't think I would ever have seen that coming!

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Published By:Random House UK, Transworld Publishers
Gratefully recieved from the publisher for review.

The Accident by C. L. Taylor

Synopsis

A gripping debut about the deadly secrets your children can keep …

Sue Jackson has the perfect family but when her teenage daughter Charlotte deliberately steps in front of a bus and ends up in a coma she is forced to face a very dark reality.

Retracing her daughter’s steps she finds a horrifying entry in Charlotte’s diary and is forced to head deep into Charlotte’s private world. In her hunt for evidence, Sue begins to mistrust everyone close to her daughter and she’s forced to look further, into the depths of her own past.

Sue will do anything to protect her daughter. But what if she is the reason that Charlotte is in danger?

Review
Where do I start with this book? The synopsis really interested me, and once I started it, I literally could not put this down. The writing instantly grips you, you get sucked into the mystery. This book reminded me of 'Before I go to Sleep' by S J Watson, another book which I love, I hope 'The Accident' gets as much recognition as that one.

The story focuses on Sue's search to answer the question of why Charlotte felt so bad that she stepped out in front of a bus. The writing is absolutely superb, all the characters were great, especially Sue, you really get how she is feeling, and the rationale behind her thoughts. 

Intertwined with this, are the journal entries from Sue 20 years ago, which talks about her relationship with James, and helps you understand why Sue is reacting the way she is to her current crisis. Due to this, I found myself constantly questioning if some of Sue's thoughts were just paranoia due to her past, or if she is understanding everything perfectly, when those around her don't. C L Taylor keeps you guessing, and I love it. 

This book is just, simply amazing. One of my absolute favourites of all time. OK, I'll stop gushing now, just go buy it!!

Released on 10th April 2014
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Published by: HarperCollins UK, Avon
Gratefully received from the Publisher for review.