Little Girl Gone by Alexandra Burt

Synopsis

A baby goes missing. But does her mother want her back?

Estelle knows she holds the key to what happened that night – but what she doesn’t know is whether she was responsible…

When Estelle’s baby daughter is taken from her cot, she doesn’t report her missing. Days later, Estelle is found in a wrecked car, with a wound to her head and no memory.

Review

Over the last couple of years, I have read many thrillers, and I am so glad I did, otherwise gems like this book would have passed me by. I chose this book by pure chance, as I wasn’t sure what type of book I fancied picking up from my (figurative) pile of books to be read, but once I did, I couldn’t put my kindle down, I was captured from beginning to end.

The book is utterly gripping, I was constantly coming up with new theories as to what might have happened, more so than other books of this genre, and other than a correct medical diagnosis, every single thought I came up with was disproven, sometimes only paragraphs later, this book certainly kept me on my toes. 

The book takes place in both present day and flashbacks to the past, telling us how Estelle and Jack met, and then everything that led up to Mia’s disappearance and Estelle’s car crash. There was one time for me that it wasn’t really obvious that it was the past but it was only that once, the rest of the book it was completely obvious which time period we were in. 

Despite Estelle’s mistakes and the suspicion put upon her I couldn’t help  but like her. She was incredibly bright and I really felt for the trouble she was going through. Jack, her husband was supportive at first, but towards the end was more and more absent, which didn’t help her one bit. I am very surprised he didn’t realise something more than the initial diagnosis was the issue, but from an outsider looking in it’s probably easier to see that. I do feel that he really cared about her though.

This book was just brilliant, that got more and more intriguing ass it went on, with a finale that was wonderfully twisted. You won’t want to put it down, eager to find out what happened to Mia.

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

The Broken Hearts Book Club by Lynsey James

Synopsis

Secrets never stay buried for long...
Lucy Harper has always been good at one thing: running from her past. But when her beloved Nana Lily passes away she has no choice except to return to the one place in the world she most wants to avoid...

Luna Bay hasn't changed much in the eight years she has spent in London. The little Yorkshire village is still just as beautiful, but the new pub landlord is a gorgeous addition to the scenery!
Lucy only intended to stay for a day, yet when she discovers that Nana Lily has not only left her a cottage but also 'The Broken Hearts Book Club', Lucy is intrigued. Her Nana never have mentioned the club and Lucy can't wait to get started, but walking into her first meeting she is more aware than ever that her past is finally catching up with her.
One way or another, Lucy must finally face the secrets she's kept buried for so long - or spend the rest of her life on the run...

Review

Oh my, where do I even begin with how much I loved this book? The cover that is basically every pintrested wedding invite combined into the picture of perfection, or the utterly charming tale which I couldn’t help but fall in love with from the first chapter. 

The writing invites you in and you don’t want to leave. It covers a range of emotions incredibly well, I expected this book to pull on the heart strings a bit and it did. Not only through the loss that the members of the book club but through getting to know Lucy and how she feels guilty about the past and how that effects her life today. That doesn’t mean there isn’t light-hearted moments in the book, usually provided whenever Lucy gets together with her flatmate from London, George and her old friend from school Elle.

I really really loved Lucy. I really felt for her and her isolation due to the guilt she feels. She is so kind and caring, and although sometimes things don't go to plan, I feel that she has the best intentions at heart and it’s clear to see, especially with the reaction from most of the book club when things don’t go to plan. They’re upset, but not angry at Lucy, despite how bad she feels. Denise was my favourite book club member, it was great how brave she was when Lucy suggested a sky dive, and she was always friendly to Lucy, which is just what Lucy needed.

Now onto Jake, who was handsome and had a great chemistry with Lucy. He had a grumpy demeanour at times (maybe it was Lucy’s constant nagging to go the the book club!!), but soon softened and continued to be the hero you want in a book.

Obviously not everything goes smoothly, but I think Lucy handles the conflict well, and I really smiled towards the end at how much she seemed to have changed for the better, becoming more sure of herself. 

This is everything you can want in a book. Charming with touching notes as you get to know the residents of Luna Bay, you start to love the place and never want to leave. 

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

The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

Synopsis

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is smart, cynical, loyal - and well aware that she's not the hot one in her group of friends. But when high-school jock and all round moron Wesley Rush tells her she's a DUFF - a Designated, Ugly Fat Friend - Bianca does not the see funny side. She may not be a beauty but she'd never stoop so low as to go anywhere near the likes of Wesley ... Or would she? Bianca is about to find out that attraction defies looks and that sometimes your sworn enemies can become your best friends ...

With a wry and tell-it-like-it-is voice, The Duff is a witty and poignant story of a teenager struggling with the rules of high school attraction, along with the breaking down of her relationships with family and friends. It is a novel about what it means to be sexy, in a world where we feel we have to be perfect!

Review

The book is incredibly easy to read, and addictive too. I was unsure how I would feel about it, as while I had heard good things about it, I was worried I would feel too ‘old’ for it, as occasionally with YA books, I don’t easily connect with the characters or understand their actions, 

However my fears were unfounded and I could barely put this down. The writing draws you in, and I think it captured the characters and situations very well. While I expected most of this book to be a light hearted read (more like the movie - which is completely different to the book), however it actually was a lot deeper than I thought it would be as the story not only deals with the insecurities we all face, especially as a teenager but also Bianca has problems at home where her mother is barely there, and she’s on tenterhooks as she’s worried about her father relapsing from his sobriety as he was an alcoholic before Bianca was born.

Initially I was weary about Bianca, she seemed far too cynical and grumpy at the start (even before the DUFF incedent), but she grew on me fast and it mattered less and less. It was the way it was often tinged with humour that made me like her, and made me grow. She was obviously unhappy with things at home, and chose to bottle it all up and hence that leads to beginning a friends (or in this case enemies) with benefits arrangement with the person whom originally enlightened her to her ‘DUFF’ status, Wesley.

Wesley was instantly likeable, despite his cruelty calling Bianca ‘DUFF’ and his man-whore status. He is a bit of the stereotype bad boy at school that everyone fancies, and he knows it, but secretly he’s messed up inside with issues. That didn’t stop me liking him though. Bianca hates the way Wesley calls her Duffy after their first meeting, and despite him asking several times if it bothers her she says no, and I found myself just wishing she would just tell him! I’m sure he only meant it affectionately (Simon and I have a nickname for each other which is pretty offensive if we knew we didn’t mean it affectionately) and would have stopped had he known, he never meant to offend her.

I thought this book was really good. Funny with more depth than I was expecting, not your standard teen high school based novel. I cannot wait to read the companion book.

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Published by: Hodder Children's Books
Gratefully received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

My Favourite Reads of 2015

I tried to do a top ten for 2015, but I just couldn’t narrow it down, it’s been a great year for books, so who can blame me? Just a note, I am indecisive so these books are in no particular order. 

1. One Wish in Manhattan by Mandy Baggott
This book was one of the first Christmas books I read this year, and I started well! Magical, heart warming, funny and simply a great read all around! 

2. Our Song by Dani Atkins
Never read any of Dani Atkins’ books before, but have heard only good things about them, and if this book is anything to go by, I’ve been missing out! Make sure to grab some tissues though, 2 boxes should cover it!

3. A Very Big House in the Country by Claire Sandy
Loved Claire Sandy’s previous book ‘What would Mary Berry Do?’ and this one is just as good. Full of secrets, but with Claire’s stand out humour you are compelled to read more and more. 

4. The Happy Ever Afterlife of Rosie Potter (RIP) by Kate Winter
A unique premise, this book had me laughing from the first paragraph, despite the situation Rosie is in. It tugs on the heartstrings too. Perfection in a book. 

5. The Vintage Guide to Love and Romance by Kirsty Greenwood
This book was a whole load of fun from start to end, and Jess had a penchant for Pear Cider, so instantly felt a connection! 

6. The Cake Shop In The Garden by Carole Matthews
Oh my goodness, this book was so much more emotional than I expected, I truly cared for Fay and my jaw dropped when the twist was revealed. 

7. The Sun In Her Eyes by Paige Toon
Whats a yearly list of my favourite books without a book by Paige Toon on it. Plus this one has wine in it, so a win win all round. 

8. The Winter Wedding by Abby Clements 
Loved this book, planning a wedding myself I could relate, but really the star was lead character Hazel. This book was just adorable. 

9. What a Girl Wants / A Girl’s Best Friend by Lindsey Kelk
 I love Lindsey Kelk’s book and as soon as I read what a girl wants I had to continue onto the third book ASAP. Addictive reading, I absolutely adored these books. 

10. Piano Man Project by Kate French 
This book was perhaps the biggest surprise this year. Absolutely loved this book, Hal especially.

11. The Day We Disappeared by Lucy Robinson 
Oh my. This book left me speechless, absolutely fantastic, couldn’t stop turning the pages. 

12. Asking For it by Louise O’Neill 
This book was seriously good, a dark subject, but an important read for everyone. Didn’t like the ending, but I think that’s the point. Thought provoking.

13. A Wedding At Christmas by Chrissie Manby

Adore this series beyond belief, and it just keeps getting better. I loved every second of this book, and was a great read around the Christmas period.

What were your favourite reads of 2015?

Snowdrops at the Star and Sixpence by Holly Hepburn

Synopsis

When sisters Nessie and Sam inherit a little pub in a beautiful country village they jump at the chance to escape their messy lives and start afresh. But when they arrive at the Star and Sixpence, it's not quite what they imagined - it's pretty much derelict, ruined by debts, and it's going to be a huge job to get it up and running again.

It's just before Christmas but they are determined to relaunch on New Year's Eve, to bring the new year in with a bang. But with nosy neighbours, miserable locals and no money to contend with, it's not going to be easy.

And when the sisters' past comes back to haunt them, they start to think that the fresh start they needed is very far away indeed…

Curl up with Snowdrops at the Star and Sixpence - the perfect novella for those winter nights. 

Review

Firstly this cover is beyond pretty, infant it starred yesterday in my top 5 Christmas Books and Covers yesterday, and who can blame me, it’s so beautiful and wintery and reminds me of a classic very traditional christmas card. 

Set in a small village, it has both the sense of community that you get in such a village, but also some of the inner-community politics that make you want to roll your eyes at the ridiculousness of it all. It is exactly true to life and makes you chuckle to yourself, if ever you’ve lived in a small community. 

The two sisters inherit their late father’s pub. This grabbed my interest me as the small town I live in has a few pubs, but there is one in particular I think is just perfection and how I would envisage my pub, should I ever run one. It even has a few bookshelves that have a selection of books that I may have borrowed from once or twice, but have also donated to on a few occasions as well! So I love the atmosphere and sense of community in this place, and if you say ‘pub’ to me this is the place my mind goes to, with warm feelings, not just due to the amazing cider they serve there. So while Nessie and Sam were overwhelmed with all the stuff they had to do given the deadline placed on them by the village busybody, I was willing them on, knowing that they could really make a success of it, especially with all of their hard work.

Nessie is instantly the character I connected with more, Sam was a bit too harsh at first, especially with her handling of the paintings, however towards the end I warmed up to her, but am eagerly anticipating the following novellas to hopefully expand the mystery surrounding Sam. 

This novella is nothing short of adorable. It is the perfect antidote to the dark nights when you want something quick to read making you smile, laugh and overall have a thoroughly good time reading it.

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Published by: Simon and Schuster UK
Gratefully received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

How To Stuff Up Christmas by Rosie Blake

Synopsis

Tis the season to be jolly. Unless you've found an intimate picture of another woman on your fiance's phone...

Eve is heartbroken after discovering her fiance is cheating on her. Being surrounded by the joys of Christmas is more than Eve can bear, so she chooses to avoid the festivities by spending Christmas alone on a houseboat in Pangbourne. Eve gets gets an unexpected seasonal surprise when handsome local vet Greg comes to her rescue one day, and continues to visit Eve's boat on a mission to transform her from Kitchen Disaster Zone to Culinary Queen.

But where does Greg keep disappearing to? What does Eve's best friend Daisy know that she isn't telling? And why is there an angry goose stalking Eve's boat? 

Review

I’ve never read Rosie Blake’s debut novel, though as ever it’s in my TBR pile, that doesn’t mean I was any less excited to read the book though, as I’d heard good things about ‘How To Get A (Love) Life’, and of course, being the fickle person I am, I absolutely adored the cover. Beautifully Simple but ultimately festive with Glittery text, lovely! The start of this book really captured my attention, and it’s a lovely tale that makes you laugh and feel good at the same time.

Eve was loveable, but at the same time, she sometimes annoyed me. I can’t quite put my finger on why though. I think it was her clear dependence on Liam to the extent where the only meal she can seem to cook safely is pot noodle. However, her mishaps in the kitchen were funny at how hopeless she was, the book does include recipes that go along with the book, from the aforementioned pot noodle, to Mulled Wine when Greg teaches her how to make it.

Most of the time though I liked Eve, so it didn’t make me like the book any less.

Some chapters were narrated by Greg, and while I enjoyed a lot of these, some felt like they were just re-treading the exact same scene we’d read with Eve as the protagonist, without adding anything much to it. I would have loved this book to be a little longer and to have delved more often into his life outside of his meetings with Grace. Also I think this would have made the book go deeper into the mystery surrounding him which I would have really liked to read more about.

The other characters were fantastic, including over the top Minnie and other people in the class (or watching in the case of Gerald), marmite the dog and Eve's friends, her bestie Daisy and vain friend Ro Ro (real name Rachel - the nickname made me weep, but it seems appropriate due to how annoying and snobby she comes across)

This book overall was funny, and heart warming. Whether it was the angry geese or Eve’s hapless cooking you were laughing, and then thinking on the next page about what you think Eve should do, or just glowing in some of the touching scenes between Eve and Greg. This is a good book, I would just like maybe a bit more of an epilogue and maybe some more getting to know the lovely Greg. However definitely worth a read in the festive period.

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Published by: Corvus
Gratefully received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Sunday Catchup - Weeks 8 & 9

I haven't done one of these in a while, as one week, I was really busy with work and couldn't read a thing, and then last week I was visiting relatives in Wales, so didn't have a chance to update the blog for week 8, so have combined them here.

Read This Week:

Asking For It - Louise O''Neill

It's the beginning of the summer in a small town in Ireland. Emma O'Donovan is eighteen years old, beautiful, happy, confident.

One night, there's a party. Everyone is there. All eyes are on Emma.

The next morning, she wakes on the front porch of her house. She can't remember what happened, she doesn't know how she got there. 

She doesn't know why she's in pain. 

But everyone else does. Photographs taken at the party show, in explicit detail, what happened to Emma that night. 

But sometimes people don't want to believe what is right in front of them, especially when the truth concerns the town's heroes . . .

This book is fantastically written. I really enjoyed it and I think it's an important book for everyone to read. 

The Winter Wedding - Abby Clements

Hazel never set out to be a wedding planner. She was just helping her stressed sister Lila with cakes and décor for her big day. But when Lila and Ollie's summer ceremony is a runaway success, with guests raving about the food and styling at the pretty venue, word about Hazel's expertise soon spreads. 

But Hazel's clients expect the very best - she's promised lawyers Gemma and Eliot a snow-covered castle in the Scottish Highlands, and laidback couple Josh and Sarah a bohemian beach wedding in a Caribbean paradise. But as weather, in-laws and wilful brides conspire against her, can Hazel get two very different couples to walk up two very different aisles to say 'I do'? And will she find her own happy ending if she does?

I LOVED this book, picked me up from a reading slump, you can read my review here

Currently Reading:

How to Stuff Up Christmas - Rosie Blake

'Tis the season to be jolly. Unless you've found an intimate picture of another woman on your fiance's phone...

Eve is heartbroken after discovering her fiance is cheating on her. Being surrounded by the joys of Christmas is more than Eve can bear, so she chooses to avoid the festivities by spending Christmas alone on a houseboat in Pangbourne. Eve gets gets an unexpected seasonal surprise when handsome local vet Greg comes to her rescue one day, and continues to visit Eve's boat on a mission to transform her from Kitchen Disaster Zone to Culinary Queen.

But where does Greg keep disappearing to? What does Eve's best friend Daisy know that she isn't telling? And why is there an angry goose stalking Eve's boat? 

I'm still working my way through this slowly but surely, I am enjoying it so I don't know whats taking me so long!

Mistletoe Mansion - Samantha Tonge

Kimmy Jones has three loves: cupcakes, gossip magazines and dreaming of getting fit just by owning celeb workouts.

When Kimmy’s Sensible Boyfriend told her he didn’t approve of her longing for the high life or her dream of starting a cupcake company Kimmy thought she could compromise – after all, she did return those five-inch Paris Hilton heels! But asking her to trade in cake-making for a job sorting potatoes is a step too far.

So, newly single - and newly homeless – Kimmy needs a dusting of Christmas luck. And, masquerading as a professional house sitter, her new temporary home is the stunning Mistletoe Mansion. Soon she’s best buds with glamorous next door golf WAG Melissa, and orders are pouring in for her fabulous Merry Berry cupcakes! The only thorn in her side is handsome handyman Luke, a distraction she definitely doesn’t need. And talking of distractions, something very odd is going on at night…

Kimmy is finally living the life she’s always wanted. But will her glimpse into the glittering lifestyle of the rich and famous be as glamorous as she’s always imagined…?

I've just started this one and am looking forward to reading the rest.

The Winter Wedding by Abby Clements

Synopsis

Hazel never set out to be a wedding planner. She was just helping her stressed sister Lila with cakes and décor for her big day. But when Lila and Ollie's summer ceremony is a runaway success, with guests raving about the food and styling at the pretty venue, word about Hazel's expertise soon spreads.

But Hazel's clients expect the very best - she's promised lawyers Gemma and Eliot a snow-covered castle in the Scottish Highlands, and laidback couple Josh and Sarah a bohemian beach wedding in a Caribbean paradise. But as weather, in-laws and wilful brides conspire against her, can Hazel get two very different couples to walk up two very different aisles to say 'I do'? And will she find her own happy ending if she does?

Review

Christmas is in full swing in my household, and I couldn’t wait to read Abby Clements’ new book, especially after enjoying her book that was released earlier this year, ‘The Heavenly Italian Ice Cream Shop’. The cover is gorgeous, wintery with the glowing lights and snow giving it that festive touch.

Once inside the book you are given a prologue of Hazel and Lila from childhood to the current day. It is poetic and beautiful, explaining their relationship and the connection that Hazel feels to her twin, Lila, which is why she is taking Lila moving out harder than normal. The writing is inviting, and I know I’m not the only one who has read this in very few sittings and it is easy to see why. 

Hazel has such a wonderful sounding job of being a set designer for television, well at least that’s the goal. She’s been recently promised a promotion to her dream job, and she sounds so talented at it, really Creative and organised, which lends itself perfectly to organising her sisters wedding. It sounds like she does an amazing job, and I just thought to myself ‘God, I wish I had a Hazel to sort my wedding’. The set pieces she builds in miniature also sounds fascinating and adorable. 

I loved Amber, at first I thought she was going to be a villainous character and create a lot of issues for the lovely Hazel, but actually she was the exact opposite. Kind and friendly, she was perfect for Hazel’s new flatmate and I enjoyed their scenes together, it was just part of the charm to this book. I would like to find more about Amber, there was one thread of her story I either missed the ending of or was left open and I find myself wondering what happened there.

The men in the book were mostly adorable. Whether it was the Hazel’s best friend at work, Josh who doted on his girlfriend, Sarah, or her sister’s husband-to-be Ollie, they are just the dream men who seemed perfectly romantic. 

When Lila broke the news about her engagement to Hazel, it made me smile, she had the same colour haribo stand-in ring that I did (though I confess, I ate mine after wearing it for about two minutes, how Lila lasted overnight is beyond me, who can resist haribo?!) and it was a similar proposal over a nice meal. Actually I think Lila’s may have been more traditionally romantic, Simon technically never asked me to marry him, more poked the ring towards me (it was wrapped around a haribo heart) and said ‘so will you?’, thank goodness for the ring, otherwise I’d have thought he was asking if I’d pay for the meal. I had to ask ‘Really?’, ‘Are you Joking?’ a few times before I believed it was happening (12 years plus, I thought a proposal was never coming). Though that is exactly how Simon is, and I love him all the more for it.

This book is incredibly addictive, I’d been struggling to choose what to read, and I’m so glad I chose this one. While it’s not as festive as I thought it would be (ok, this is purely based on the glowy lights and snowy cover) until towards the end of the book, it doesn’t matter as  everything throughout it fills your heart with warmth, which still gets you in the christmas spirit, with the warm glow you feel when listening to classic christmas songs sung by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and the like. Definitely one to add to your shelves as soon as you can, preferably moved to the top of your TBR, because you will be missing out if you don’t read this soon!

Order on Amazon now!

Published by: Simon and Schuster UK
Gratefully received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The Mince Pie Mix-Up by Jennifer Joyce

Synopsis

‘I wish I could live your life. I’d happily swap lives with you.’

’Tis the season to be jolly but for Calvin and Judy the usual festive bickering has already begun! Judy’s convinced that her husband has it easy – no glittery wrapping paper, no playground gossip and absolutely no Christmas baking.

Calvin wishes he could trade in his obnoxious boss and dull nine-to-five job to spend more time kicking back with his kids – how hard can Judy’s life really be?

But after a magical mince pie mix-up, one thing’s for certain – by Christmas Day, life for Judy and Calvin will never be the same again. Perhaps the grass isn’t always greener after all…

Review

The premise of this book sounded really interesting, along the same lines of the films ‘Freaky Friday’ and ‘The Change Up’, among others. Most people will be familiar with this premise, but I have never seen one with opposite genders switching, so this gave the story it’s own twist.

The book is seemingly written with ease, it’s comfort reading at it’s best. It’s a light hearted read, that you’ll want to devour faster than the plate of mince pies or chocolate chip panettone you have. You are instantly transported into the chaos the is the Neil’s family household. Judy is chaotically baking mince pies, while trying to get the children ready, and she still needs to walk the dog. Not helping things is her husband, Calvin, who is being his usual helpless self. You immediately feel sympathetic towards Judy, as we’ve all been overloaded with things, be it family responsibilities or jobs at work, we’ve all experienced ‘those days’, but with Judy it just seems as per the norm, and you can see why she’s prickly with Calvin, they get into an argument, and so the swap begins.

The book has a great sense of humour, the slip ups that occur, whether it be Judy wearing her dressing gown while she is in Calvin’s body to the odd things they say to people, especially their children. Underneath all the humour though is a touching, heart-warming tale. Calvin really improves as a person, and you can see him gradually understanding why Judy was as stressed as she was.

Wonderfully festive, this book was a short, easy read that made me smile and laugh from beginning to end.

Order on Amazon Now


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

Sunday Catchup - Week 6

Read This Week:

The Mince Pie Mix-Up - Jennifer Joyce

‘I wish I could live your life. I’d happily swap lives with you.’

’Tis the season to be jolly but for Calvin and Judy the usual festive bickering has already begun! Judy’s convinced that her husband has it easy – no glittery wrapping paper, no playground gossip and absolutely no Christmas baking.

Calvin wishes he could trade in his obnoxious boss and dull nine-to-five job to spend more time kicking back with his kids – how hard can Judy’s life really be?

But after a magical mince pie mix-up, one thing’s for certain – by Christmas Day, life for Judy and Calvin will never be the same again. Perhaps the grass isn’t always greener after all…

This was a really fun read, that I barely put down, and when I did, it was only so I could scoff a mince pie :D 

Snowdrops at the Star and Sixpence

When sisters Nessie and Sam inherit a little pub in a beautiful country village they jump at the chance to escape their messy lives and start afresh. But when they arrive at the Star and Sixpence, it's not quite what they imagined - it's pretty much derelict, ruined by debts, and it's going to be a huge job to get it up and running again.

It's just before Christmas but they are determined to relaunch on New Year's Eve, to bring the new year in with a bang. But with nosy neighbours, miserable locals and no money to contend with, it's not going to be easy.

And when the sisters' past comes back to haunt them, they start to think that the fresh start they needed is very far away indeed…

Curl up with Snowdrops at the Star and Sixpence - the perfect novella for those winter nights. 

I adored this book, cannot wait till the other novellas in the series, I'm dying to learn more about Nessie and Sam's past.

Currently Reading:

How to Stuff Up Christmas - Rosie Blake

'Tis the season to be jolly. Unless you've found an intimate picture of another woman on your fiance's phone...

Eve is heartbroken after discovering her fiance is cheating on her. Being surrounded by the joys of Christmas is more than Eve can bear, so she chooses to avoid the festivities by spending Christmas alone on a houseboat in Pangbourne. Eve gets gets an unexpected seasonal surprise when handsome local vet Greg comes to her rescue one day, and continues to visit Eve's boat on a mission to transform her from Kitchen Disaster Zone to Culinary Queen.

But where does Greg keep disappearing to? What does Eve's best friend Daisy know that she isn't telling? And why is there an angry goose stalking Eve's boat? 

Started this book yesterday, only managed a couple of chapters, but am hoping to crack on with it today!

Next Week's Reading:

The Darkest Secret - Alex Marwood

Apologies for the general email, but I desperately need your help.

My goddaughter, Coco Jackson, disappeared from her family's holiday home in Bournemouth on the night of Sunday/Monday August 29/30th, the bank holiday weekend just gone. Coco is three years old.

When identical twin Coco goes missing during a family celebration, there is a media frenzy. Her parents are rich and influential, as are the friends they were with at their holiday home by the sea.

But what really happened to Coco?

Over two intense weekends - the first when Coco goes missing and the second fifteen years later at the funeral of her father - the darkest of secrets will gradually be revealed...

Taut, emotive and utterly compelling, an unputdownable 'ripped from the headlines' novel that you will want to talk about with everyone you know.

I've been wanting to read a thriller over the last week, and fancied this one, sounds intriguing!