Faerie Misborn by Samaire Provost

The story revolves around a homeless teenager who has lost everything finding out of her faerie parentage. Holly is offered acceptance into a boarding school where she can be fed and have roof over her head when she meets Chance who has come to fetch her. 

However, the dream of school and safe life has its troubles as Holly is "misborn" which in faerie causes problems. This is where her parents were not married. Bullying follows her and people know more about her than she does. 

I love the idea of this book and did enjoy it. I feel it is more aimed at a younger reader but certainly a nice easy read for me. I would love to see how the rest of the series goes and see Holly find more.

It did however lack in some details that might have helped get me more involved. There was nothing really on her education other than classes were hard. I also felt that as a streetwise teenager who didn't trust much didn't seem to question going with Chance very much. Plus at the beginning she didn't know basic things to look after herself like bathing or brushing her hair but once at school seemed to have no problems or ask many questions 

The story revolves around a homeless teenager who has lost everything, and then finds out about her faerie parentage. Holly is accepted into a boarding school where she can be fed and have roof over her head when she meets Chance, who has come to fetch her. 

However, the dream of school and safe life has its troubles as Holly is "misborn", meaning her parents were not married, which in the faerie realm cause problems. Bullying follows her and people know more about her than she does. 

I love the idea of this book and did enjoy it. I feel it is more aimed at a younger audience, but it was a nice, easy read for me. I would love to see how the rest of the series goes and see Holly find out more things about herself. 

It did, however, lack in some details that might have helped get me more involved. There was nothing really on her education other than classes were hard. I also felt that, as a streetwise teenager who didn't trust much, she didn't seem to question going with Chance very much. Plus, at the beginning she didn't know basic things to look after herself like bathing or brushing her hair; but once at school, she seemed to have no problems or ask many questions about what had happened. I'm hoping some of this will grow in the subsequent books. 

I definitely recommend it for YA supernatural readers, and I’ll be looking out for the new books in the series to find out what happens next.

By Claire 

Who Did You Tell by Lesley Kara

Brilliantly Written.

This can be a difficult read emotionally as it focuses on main character Astrid. She is an alcoholic who is trying to rebuild her life and stay sober. It is very well written and has some very good descriptions of the struggles of someone with Alcoholism getting through the day. It also has the twists and turns of what has happened in Astrid's past that is still haunting her.

As she tries to rebuild her life she also meets Josh and they soon become a couple but she hasn’t shared her past with him. I found this was a side note to fill the story up a bit but there wasn’t as much substance or realism for me. I just didn’t see the relationship develop the way I would have expected from the rest of the storyline.

I did enjoy the plot and history coming back to haunt us fits so well in with the character. Some of the twists where expected but it doesn’t change it from being a great read. I didn’t want to put it down.

Due out 5th December! 

By Claire 

Rosie's Travelling Tea Shop by Rebecca Raisin

Definitely a Feel Good, Laugh and Smile Novel.

Oh my God am I so grateful this book was suggested to me. I needed a light hearted book that would make me smile and this book certainly done that. The writing was great and I just wanted to be on the road with Rosie and Aria and relax with tea and a book

The book is centred around Rosie, who at the beginning is an OCD Chef who needs to plan everything but who's life changes when her husband leaves her for another woman. She gets very drunk and buys a camper van and though unsure about it decides to leave her old life in London behind and travel around selling different blends of tea. This is really difficult for Rosie as she can't plan everything like she is use to but after meeting her complete opposite Aria she does start to see the positives as well and her life starts to become more freeing for it. Plus she finally gains a true friend.

Being heartbroken and out of her comfort zone of course we see 2 romantic interests for Rosie in the book. Which one will she pick? The safe guy she has only spoken to online or the guy who makes her tingle but she can't bring herself to trust. Are they both who they seem to be? Well to be honest whilst reading the Plot itself isn't really a mystery or big twists, at least not for me, but this book really isn't supposed to have.

The writing however did keep my laughing and smiling away as well as dreaming of getting away from it all. Plus I might be a tad bit biased on the basis that the author actually included Edinburgh Fringe Festival in the story which is very close to me.

Would recommend to anyone who wants a light hearted read with a little romance for an uncomplicated read. 

By Claire

Lake Child By Isabel Ashdown

Rocky Start but Worth It.

The confusion of the first couple of chapters caused me to think this book was going to be slog but by end of chapter 5 or 6 I was hooked and couldn't put it down. I finished this book in one sitting as I needed to know how it turned out and what had really happened with Eva.

Lake Child is about a girl, Eva, who has been in an accident and has woken with memory issues in her parents attic. With no clue what has happened, what's going on or why she is being shut up there with no one else allowed to visit except occasional enquiries from the police. 

There was lots of twists and turns in the story so even though I had guessed a few bits an pieces there was always something to hold my attention and make me need to continue reading. There was a few bits that where slow but mainly once I got through the first section I knew that the rest was going to be great and I was not disappointed. It was well worth it. 

I would definitely recommend to other readers but would warn there is some traumatic events in here as well as the ideas that may come while Eva is still gets some of her memory back. If disturbed and put off books with details of Sexual Violence then this may not be for you but events and any descriptions are to minimum with more of a focus on the mystery that the author creates surrounding what happened.

By Claire

Goes Without Saying by Luisa A Jones

Completely Relatable.

Luisa A Jones has done an amazing job writing in this book and made it completely realistic and relatable to me as a reader. There was funny sections as well as the hard emotional thoughts that can go through your head at the situations taking place that I loved as it got me hooked from the beginning.

Goes Without Saying is about a couple, Megan and Tom, who have been having problems in their marriage when Tom leaves a note and decides to go away for the break without speaking to his heavily pregnant wife. Nor does he tell her or their 2 daughters where he is away to. This is devastating thing to happen and not knowing if he is gone for good or wither she wants him to return Megan goes after him.

The book flips into the couples past which some do not like but for me it gave depth to the book on how things had changed with the couple. It also gave the story from both the couples perspectives so you could understand both Megan's anger and hurt but also Tom's struggles that caused him to need to get away.

The Characters both have flaws and this makes it all the more realistic and becomes thought provoking to my own life where after so many years a relationship that was once open and fun can change. Especially if we are not communicating. The issues are raised well by the author and there is still the good times in the book that make it a lovely and sometimes funny read rather than a dark depressing story that it could have been with the subject matter. First read by myself on this author and hopefully not my last.

By Claire

Jaffle Inc by Heide Goody and Iain Grant

Interesting concept.

With computer's, phones and technology in general taking over so much of our life I thought this to be very interesting story on what could all go wrong in the world. In that I was right.  

The book is about a world where our brains are all hooked up to an information centre and our extra processing is used to rule the world decisions and computers, such as traffic lights. Unless you can buy your way to another platform. As always the rich rule the world. 

Alice however accidentally gets the upgrade and learns what life is like where she can experience colours, tastes and love. 

I love seeing this. Alice is so pleased with the smallest things and really brings to light how we take small things for granted.

However, I have to admit the book really wasn't for me. I found it very hard to get into at the beginning. The writing was very robotic at that point which I'm assuming is to show Alice's thought process she was allowed at that time. I also felt was really slow therefore found was struggling with it.

It did improve as I read but it still didn't wow me or grab me the way I was expecting. This was just me personally I have read others by the authors and certainly wont be putting me off more.

By Claire 

Misery by Stephen King

Glad persevered.

I have put off putting up the review for a few days while I tried to get my thoughts straight. I am so sure read this years ago and that I loved the film too but I couldn't be certain. Therefore when buddy read were starting this I was so looking forward to it.

The beginning was so hard going, very repetitive especially with some of the metaphors that if I hear them again I may may choke someone. I really thought I was going to give up.

However as I got into the book it did get better and started to flow a bit better in my mind. There was quite few differences from the movie so if you have seen then it that certainly doesn't mean there won't be surprises.

I loved some of the gorier scenes and without spoiling it for those who haven't read the "lawnmower" section being a favourite of mine. 

There was definitely a creepy feeling to being locked up and at someone's mercy that made me want to get up and out even though that is something I struggle with.

Overall I did enjoy but I am taking a short break before reading a few others that are on the Stephen King buddy read list.

By Claire

The Memory Wood by Sam Lloyd

A standout. 

A chilling tale but has to be one of my favourite reads. It certainly seems like it will be a book I will remember. 

It centres around 13 year old Elissa who is kidnapped from a hotel parking lot and even though the police are alerted quite quickly by a witness there isn't much to go on.

Sam Lloyd has wrote it so the book is done from different perspectives. Those being Elissa, Elijah who finds her but wont tell the police shes there but seemingly wants to be her friend and from the main police investigator who is looking for Elissa. 

This can sometimes be confusing in books but feel was done very well and let's us to get to know the characters. It also helps keep the twists and turns going through out so we can keep trying to guess what's happening. 

I definitely will be recommending to any my book buddies who like mysterious thrillers.

By Claire 

The Clutter Free Home by Kathi Lipp

Exactly what I want - a clutter free home.

Like a lot of people I suffer from a house full of clutter and I want me and my house to be free of it. I have tried few self help books and websites but this is my first time looking at Kathi Lipp's clutter free information. 

Kathi Lipp has set up this book breaking it all down and seems to understand the importance of taking it slow, something I need reminding of very often. 

I like the sections that she has included for us to break down our own home after she talks us through that part of her own home and the checklists on items or areas we need to declutter. 

What I love though is the true life bits of her own that makes it feel real and not impossible to get ourselves clutter free.

However, alot of it is things I have read before and there wasn't much new for me that I hadn't heard in my struggle to get rid of my clutter. 

It has though got me motivated again to start my journey and I have my nice little breakdowns wrote down to get started. Therefore was still very useful for me.

By claire 

Ghosted by Jason Arnopp

Absolutely loved The Last Days of Jack Sparks so when I discovered that Jason Arnopp had written another book I was very excited to get my mitts on it.

This is another brilliant read. Jason is becoming a favourite of mine in the horror genre- which is my favourite sort! He is going to be the new horror household name in the world of books.

This book is mainly about our addiction to mobile phones and being online. The fear of missing out and the gratification that comes with being popular online. I loved the mystery of the book and Scott's disappearance. There's plenty of chilling moments and intriguing tibits that just kept me reading all night. Loved the ending! It's fresh and different. It's got a really important theme and makes you think.

I can't wait to read this author's next book.

By Laurel 

Crow's Cottage by John Bowen

I Need More More More!

I had heard such great things on the first Where the Dead Walk book but I hadn't read it so was even more curious when I saw the Crow's Cottage cover and blurb. I just couldn't help myself I had to give it a try. 

I am so glad I listened to it on Audible as narration was also amazing and just added to the story.

I often grew up watching shows similar to Where the Dead Walks with my mum. I wasn't huge believer but she was and I love the history behind so many of the locations and the ghost stories.

I think that's why I took to the book straight away. It follows the production team of the Ghost hunting TV show Where the Dead Walk including there new hostess Chloe who is excited to start new job. 

It's there investigation into paranormal activity at Crow's Cottage that leads the team back to 1988 to the story of a man who took his own life and a woman disappeared after a party there. 

That is also what gripped me to the story as it wasn't a typical ghost hunt that I was expecting. The show helps to solve a 30 year old mystery and it's developed between  the present and the flashes into the history. I didn't want to put it down. 

As I mentioned this is book 2 in the series but I hadnt read the first one and it works well on it's own. I have however just purchased the first one about 10 minutes after finishing it as author  Steve Bowan intrigued me so much and I wanted more. Here's hoping for another one soon. 

By Claire 

Son of a Jacobite by T.J. Lovat

History comes to life.

Growing up in Scotland I have heard, read or saw a lot on Culloden and our Jacobite history so was very curious to see what this book could add to that. T.J Lovat had aptly named it Son of a Jacobite as this book is pretty much the life of that one character. A boy, Thomas, born the day of Culloden while his father fought and died for the Jacobite cause. This gives it the underlying current only of Thomas losing his father, moving away and ultimately being lost on what to do with his life.

The book though is more about the relationships and thoughts Thomas has especially in his teenage years and twenties. I love that even though he grows up mainly in England he has a love still of his country and heritage. With that being said as he grows he is confused about this and his anger around losing his father. He travels around the world and you can see him struggle to find his own identity along with working out how the world works. He even joins the British Army later in the book as well which could be surprising giving his history the decision seems to work well as you read the book and get to know Thomas. Through it all you see him grow in his own beliefs. Not necessarily This religious beliefs  but in what is right and wrong.

 T.J Lovat does a great job at showing different sides to Islam, religion as a whole and the differences in how people react when with people of different faiths than their own.  The descriptions of all the places and people are also well done but the main focus is always on Thomas and his interactions with them.

I do feel that there are few bits in the book where I thought the story was starting to drag. However l also think a lot of the background information was useful in what was happening in those times and gave more meaning to what Thomas was both going through then but also with his thoughts and beliefs as the story went along.

It was great to read something different and there seems to be a hint near the end that there might be more to come from T.J Lovat, even If this is a standalone book, I can't wait to see what else he comes up with.

By Claire

Snowflakes at the Little Christmas Tree Farm by Jaimie Admans

Made my Day!

Ok so I wasn't feeling my best and thought a nice light hearted book was the way to go. I couldn't have made a better choice with Snowflakes at the Little Christmas Tree Farm. 

Who hasn't woke after a night of drinking and discovered they bought something online? Well I have, though I have never managed to buy a Christmas Tree Farm. Which is exactly what the main Character Leah does in the book.

Upset and needing a change she decides to go and make the most of it. The main problem seems to be that she doesnt know anything about Christmas Trees or farming them. It also turns out the place isnt in the best of condition.

Luckily Leah meets neighbour, Noel, who helps her find her feet and tells her what needs done on the farm to try and get it functional. Both have been hurt in the past but the friendship soon obiously blossoms. There is there are no real mystery in the book, with it being a rocky romance, however this is kind of the point isn't it?

Author, Jaimie Adman, however still makes it an interesting and heartfelt read. So much so that i read it in one sitting. I love the characters and that she has Leah fight to learn everything she can so she can have her dream. Where alot of people may have given in. 

I have already recommended to my Fellow Wine Lady last night and will continue to do so. Already admitted might be a little bias though as the farm is in Scotland, like myself. 

By Claire