REVIEW: The Summer House by Keri Beevis

The Summer House by Keri Beevis

Genre: Psychological thriller, Suspense

Read: 7th March 2023

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 6th March 2023

★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)

DESCRIPTION:

Mead House was once our childhood home.

Despite my fears, I always knew we would have to return to face the demons of our past.

Back to the place where it happened, to where, as carefree teenagers, we lost our elder sister in the most brutal of circumstances.

As executors of our grandmother’s will, my twin brother, Ollie, and I needed to empty the house for resale.

What I didn’t expect to discover was my sister’s secret journal that contained her most private thoughts and shocking dark secrets.

Now I am questioning everything that I saw that night. Did I get it wrong, who I saw?

Did my evidence send an innocent man, my then boyfriend's brother, to jail for the last 17 years?

I know I have no choice. If I want to find answers, I will have to go back to that fateful night my sister died. When she made her last visit to the summer house.

MY THOUGHTS:

One sister murdered....One brother jailed...One love betrayed...

A dark and compelling tale that is as complex as it is enticing. THE SUMMER HOUSE has a tangled web of secrets mingled with a brimming anger for revenge...and an abundance of twists sure to keep you turning the pages. The structure whose initial purpose was relaxation and leisure had become something of a den of lust, obsession and, ultimately, murder. With all the clues peppered throughout, the hints dropped, the nuances alluded to...can you guess whodunnit? It took me a couple of guesses before I settled on a suspect but Keri Beevis makes you work for it, let me tell you!

Twins Lana and Ollie Hamilton return to the house in which they grew up after the death of their grandmother. Mead House, situated in Norfolk, had been their grandmother's home since shortly after her marriage to their grandfather and then became their home after the death of their parents when they were children. It had been a place of sanctuary where memories made...until a day one summer seventeen years ago that changed their lives forever.

Lana and Ollie's 19 year old sister Camille was brutally murdered in the summer house on the Mead House estate and, though it had once been a happy place, it was left to rack and ruin after the murder, overgrown with weeds and the lights turned out leaving it forever in darkness. Nana Kitty, having once loved the summer house and the rose garden that surrounded it, left it to nature to bury it along with the memories of what had died there.

Now Lana has returned to Mead House with Ollie in her wake, bringing with him a perky new fiance who looks as though she has never done a day's work in her life and spends most of time sunbathing by the pool...when she's not in it...often with a margarita. The twins plan to clear out the house as quickly as possible and sell the house, along with all its memories. 

While clearing out Camille's bedroom, which has remained virtually in tact since her death seventeen years before, Lana discovers a hidden diary of her sister's beneath the floorboards. Having already read the one kept in the bedside drawer, Lana wonders what secrets this journal holds that it needed to be hidden. What secrets did Camille have that she didn't want to risk anyone finding out? But whatever startling secrets Lana did discover, they also raised yet even further questions...leading Lana to wonder if the man she had seen, Camille's boyfriend Sebastian, from her bedroom window on the night of her sister's death was really guilty of her murder, despite having been serving a prison sentence for that very crime for the past seventeen years. Had the person Camille been seeing in her secret trysts, who is only identified by a lone initial, really been the one responsible for the murder?

Lana and Ollie's return to town has also stirred up the long buried emotions of Sebastian's younger brother Xavier who, having grown up together, had once been best friends with the Hamilton twins. A friendship that had turned into something more romantic between Xav and Lana. But when she provided evidence that helped put his brother away, Xav was left betrayed and devastated. And now Lana is back and all those old feelings have been brought back to the surface. And it isn't long before he finds himself embroiled in something he had no desire to be caught up in. But when Lana's life is threatened more than once, Xav can't ignore that someone really wants to keep some secrets buried. And if that's the case...does that mean someone else was responsible for Camille's murder 17 years ago?

As Lana, Ollie and Xav team up to try and unlock the mystery surrounding the murder, time is running out before the murderer will strike again. And there are some secrets that must never come to light.

THE SUMMER HOUSE begins as a slow burn but it is compelling enough to keep you intrigued and turning the pages as you try to uncover the truth. I love the multiple third person POV which helps throw plenty of red herrings our way as we try to wade through them all to get to the truth. I love the relationship between Lana and Xav and seeing how feelings are rediscovered, but also Lana and Ollie's troubled relationship finding common ground once again. There are, of course, the usual token irritating characters to help throw us off the scent...are do they have a more sinister purpose?

I had hoped to see a few more flashbacks once the journal was discovered but given the nature of its dark obsessive content, maybe the overall gist that Beevis gave us through Lana was more fitting. But the flashbacks came hard and fast around the 60% mark, leaving us to question their significance. 

I enjoyed this book far more than the last one "The Sleepover" but maybe not quite as much as "Every Little Breath" (my thrilling introduction to Beevis) which I totally loved. But it does come a close second. I'm not normally a fan of slow burns but then it is all in the delivery...and Beevis certainly delivered.

Overall, THE SUMMER HOUSE is a dark and enticing but wholly addictive psychological thriller that you will not want to put down until you reach the satisfactory end.

I would like to thank #KeriBeevis, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheSummerHouse in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Keri Beevis is the internationally bestselling author of Dying To Tell, Deep Dark Secrets and Trust No One. Dying To Tell reached no. 1 in the Amazon chart in Australia and was a top 25 hit in the UK, while Deep Dark Secrets was the bestselling Bloodhound Books title of 2020. Every Little Breath, was released in April 2021 and The Sleepover (her first with Boldwood Books) was published in October 2022.

Keri lives in Norfolk, England, with her two naughty kitties, Ellie and Lola, and a plentiful supply of red wine (her writing fuel). She loves Hitchcock movies, exploring creepy places, and gets extremely competitive in local pub quizzes. She is also a self-confessed klutz.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: The Sleepwalker by L.C. George

The Sleepwalker by L.C. George

Genre: Psychological thriller, Domestic thriller, Suspense

Read: 5th March 2023

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 26th February 2023

★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)

DESCRIPTION:

Our dreams can be forgotten. But our nightmares will haunt us forever.

Sam Fulford is living a perfectly normal life, except for one little thing: a strange sleep condition that causes him to roam in the night and occasionally become violent.

So when Sam wakes one devastating morning to discover his wife dead beside him and his baby daughter missing, his whole world implodes. Did he accidentally kill his wife during a night time episode? If so, where is his baby?

Just as Sam begins to accept the possibility that he is guilty, he finds a photograph that makes him realise someone else may be involved, that he may be innocent and might yet find his missing daughter.

But there’s a complication. Sam has a dark secret that he just can't allow to surface. And it’s soon made clear to him that if he presses on with his quest to find out what happened that terrible night, his secret will be revealed to the world.

Leaving Sam wondering whether it might be better to confess to a crime he’s not even certain he committed. Faced with an unimaginable dilemma, Sam begins to wonder: would it be better for everyone if he was guilty?

Filled with shocking secrets and a sinister twist, The Sleepwalker is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep you guessing to the very end.

MY THOUGHTS:

"Our dreams can be forgotten. But our nightmares will haunt us forever."

This thriller is so good I can't believe it is a debut! And despite knowing the direction it was taking from the beginning, I thoroughly enjoyed the fast pace and short snappy chapters coupled with the multiple narratives from both the past and the present. Conjuring up a wealth of secrets buried deep within parasomniac nightmares, Laura George has penned a disturbing thriller that really leaves you wondering just what he is hiding.

Sam Fulford has the perfect life...now. After a disastrous relationship from which he barely escaped unscathed, he found love with Tessa, they married and after years of trying to conceive, the couple are finally blissfully pregnant. There is just one thing that threatens their blissful happiness and perfect lives. Sam has a sleep condition that is so unusual and unique, known as parasomnia, in which he will often sleepwalk, have bizarre conversations, experience vivid nightmares or terrors and even becoming violent and striking out both physically and verbally. All while he is asleep. Sam is completely oblivious to his behaviour during these times though he is well aware that it happens. And it has become something of a problem for Tessa.

Tessa loves Sam with her whole being. She loves being married to him and that they have created this new life together. She knows he will be a fantastic dad to their child. But she can't help but be just a little bit afraid of him. Not of him, as such, but of the person he becomes during a parasomniac episode. If the experience unnerves him, it terrifies her. On occasion, Sam has already lashed out and struck her in his sleep, remembering nothing when he awakes to find her cradling her abdomen and trembling with fear in a panic attack. Now she fears him harming their unborn child. This fear creates a growing distance between them which is only exacerbated once their baby is born and Tessa will stop at nothing to protect her child. Even if it means staying up all night to ensure Sam does not harm their baby during one of his episodes.

And then one morning, Sam's entire world implodes when he wakes to discover Tessa dead beside him and baby Cora missing. Against all odds, Sam worries he may have struck out and harmed Tessa in his sleep, having no knowledge of what happened when he woke. But that doesn't explain three month old Cora's disappearance. And yet there is no sign of a struggle or a break in. So who killed Tessa and what has happened to baby Cora?

Naturally, the police's first instinct is to work on the assumption that the husband did it...after all, that's what usually happens in cases like these, isn't it? But try as he might, Sam professes his innocence all the while at the back of his mind wondering if he really did have something to do with it. But then, where is Cora? Desperate for answers, Sam even suggests to police that he try hypnotherapy to see if they can unlock the doors to that night, jogging any memory of what may have happened. And yet despite not wanting to believe he had anything to do with Tessa's death, Sam harbours a secret that could change everything should it be discovered. And it leaves him questioning if he really is guilty...

And then, just when all hope seems lost, he finds a photo which propels him back into a past he has no wish to revisit...a photo which may hold a vital clue to prove his innocence and explain everything...

Wow! THE SLEEPWALKER is an addictive read from beginning to end with short snappy chapters that kept the pace moving, ending on a cliffhanger and making the reader want to read "just one more chapter". It is a chilling tale that is disturbing and compelling cleverly plotted with complex issues surrounding sleep disorders, trauma, mental health issues, grief and abuse - to name a few. It is a thriller that certainly packs a punch that leaves you, on some level, feeling deeply troubled. The scenes of parasomnia were incredibly chilling and disturbing at best.

There are a handful of characters to this spine-tingling thriller - some of whom you love to hate - which kind of narrows down the suspect pool. The narrators are unreliable and the tension is palpable throughout. And yet despite knowing the direction in which the story is going and correctly figuring out a major plot twist from the beginning, it didn't affect my enjoyment in any way. The story is so cleverly crafted that you are immediately drawn into the tangled web with no way out until the jaw-dropping end. And just when you thought you had it all figured out, the author throws in yet another unexpected twist that even a thriller connoisseur like me didn't see coming and I'm left with...what the heck? Seriously? I'm still not sure how I feel about the ending as it's not how I would have liked it to end. But nevertheless, it was a very clever twist. Well done, Laura George. I can't wait to see what you offer up to us next time.

Overall, a brilliant debut with a killer twist that even I didn't see coming!

I would like to thank #LCGeorge, #Netgalley, #InkubatorBooks and #ZoolooTours for an ARC of #TheSleepwalker in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

After spending her working life searching unsuccessfully for a fulfilling career, Laura George found her passion for writing psychological thrillers whilst on maternity leave with her first child. She took a leap of faith and didn’t return to work, instead running with her dream of continuing to write.

Now a mum of two, she lives with her children, husband and springer spaniel, Dougie on the beautiful Devonshire coastline. In the little spare time she gets, she loves nothing more than writing twisty thriller novels for the reader to untangle.

She spends most of her days with her children, in soft plays, on the beach or jumping in puddles, grateful that no one can see inside the corners of her mind as she conjures up the next dark character and plots their fate.

Social media links:

Facebook | Goodreads

REVIEW: The Children Left Behind by Lizzie Page

 

The Children Left Behind (Shilling Grange Children's Home #4) by Lizzie Page

Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas

Read: 4th March 2023

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 3rd March 2023

★★ 2 stars

DESCRIPTION:

England, 1951. In the aftermath of World War Two, Clara’s orphanage is all these children have left. Can she keep them safe and help them to heal? A heart-warming and emotional story of love and loss.

Clara Newton has dedicated her life to taking care of orphans who have nobody in the world but her. From affectionate Gladys, who desperately misses her older brothers, to traumatised Florrie who longs for her father and refuses to eat, Clara loves each of the children like they are her own.

But even though she has opened her heart to so many little ones, when brown-eyed war hero Ivor asks her to marry him, Clara is afraid to take a chance on love. Would married life prevent her from dedicating herself completely to her orphans?

Clara is soon distracted from the troubles of her heart when her beloved orphanage comes under attack. Someone throws stones through the window, and a threatening message is chalked near the door. Why would anyone want to frighten innocent children? And as the attacks get worse, can Clara keep the orphans safe?

Desperate to protect the little ones in her care, Clara takes the children on a day out. Away from the orphanage, Clara hopes that she and the children will be able to put their worries behind them. But when a terrible accident happens, will they all make it out alive? And will it be too late for Clara to tell Ivor how she really feels?

An utterly tear-jerking, heart-warming and unforgettable historical novel, set in the aftermath of World War Two. Perfect for fans of Before We Were Yours, Diney Costeloe and The Orphan Sisters.

(PREVIOUSLY TITLED: An Orphan’s Hope) 

MY THOUGHTS:

I have followed this saga from the beginning. And I so loved it...in the beginning. Children have come and gone, though some remain, and I was really looking forward to this fourth installment. But...I simply couldn't finish it.

Over the course of three books we have followed, not only the children and the comings and goings of all the child officers, but also the blossoming and then defunct relationship between Clara and Ivor. It was clear from the very beginning that they were attracted to each other but for whatever reasons, things got in the way and they went their separate ways. 

But still Clara moons over Ivor. She watches for his light to go on or off in his workshop across the street. And she continually berates and second guesses herself about whether he really is interested in her but when push comes to shove she just becomes haughty and slams the door of her heart to him for whatever reason. She did it in the first book, then the second and then hope blooms by the third but instead Ivor returns from his wanderings with a baby daughter in tow and of course Clara jumps to every other conclusion without actually asking him about it. And he's as stubborn as they come, not to mention moody, that any approach seems like one's head would be bitten off. So why bother? I guess Clara felt much the same.

So then we come to book four, and hope against all hope, they are finally going away for a weekend together by the seaside. And despite running late due to yet another child officer turning up unannounced, they actually make it somewhat late to the said seaside. And what romantic things do they have planned? A visit to a boys reform school?? Really? OK, so Clara did appreciate the thought that Ivor put into surprising her with the visit but it's not exactly high on one's list of priorities for a romantic weekend away, is it? So what ensued then? Romance? Candlelit dinners for two? Dancing the night away? Or secluding themselves away in their room for the duration? Well, some of that maybe but then comes a visit to a supposedly quiet beach which turned out to be anything but with squealing children and sand being kicked in one's faces and then...what? A surprise proposition that leaves Clara speechless (for once)...and thus ruins the rest of the said romantic weekend away, therefore both hurriedly returning back to Lavensham not speaking to one another, continuing the silence once they return.

Here we go again! Come on, this is book four! By now, these two grown adults should have gotten their acts together already and quite frankly I was tired of their faffing about and thus had no patience for it. Added to that, baby Patricia was the devil incarnate and Florrie was a moody teen both of which I had no patience for. Gladys gave me a headache with her constant chatter. Little Peg was still there and she is the only one that endeared herself to me. And Clara and Ivor? I want to bash their heads together.

Sorry but after so much preamble getting there, I would have thought (and liked) to see them actually do something constructive and stop this ridiculous dance they have going. Both are moody and unlikeable and I had no patience to put up with any more.

I'm sorry, I was really looking forward to the continuing saga but Clara and Ivor have ruined it for me. I found the whole thing tedious and frustrating. I give it 2 stars because I have enjoyed the series thus far despite rating any book I don't finish with only 1.

I hate leaving negative reviews because I know each book is an author's painstaking hard work and I really do appreciate that. It's just the storyline I couldn't continue with that ruined it for me, otherwise it would be another wonderful read as the others have been.

I would like to thank #LizziePage, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheChildrenLeftBehind in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Lizzie Page is the pseudonym of Sam Lierens and a mum of three.

Sam was born in February 1971, in Essex, England. After studying politics at Warwick University, she worked as an English teacher in Paris and then for five years, in Tokyo. She then went to live in London, and had various uninspiring jobs there.

Sam did an MA in creative writing at Goldsmiths and returned to live in Essex a few years ago and have worked in marketing, teaching, assisting, etc ever since.

She loves reading ALL the books, and always loved reading the adventures of women in the past so it seemed natural to her to write historical fiction.

She claims her partner Steve, three children and cockapoo all conspire to stop her writing. 

Sam lives with her family and dog by the sea in South East England.She enjoys traveling and she's had lots of different jobs from waitressing and teaching to admin and bingo-calling - but being a writer is her absolute favourite.

Social Media links:

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

PUBLISHER:

Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Bookouture by following them on these social media accounts.

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

SPOTLIGHT: The Children Left Behind by Lizzie Page

The Children Left Behind (Shilling Grange Children's Home #4) by Lizzie Page

Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas

Read: 4th March 2023

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 3rd March 2023

DESCRIPTION:

England, 1951. In the aftermath of World War Two, Clara’s orphanage is all these children have left. Can she keep them safe and help them to heal? A heart-warming and emotional story of love and loss.

Clara Newton has dedicated her life to taking care of orphans who have nobody in the world but her. From affectionate Gladys, who desperately misses her older brothers, to traumatised Florrie who longs for her father and refuses to eat, Clara loves each of the children like they are her own.

But even though she has opened her heart to so many little ones, when brown-eyed war hero Ivor asks her to marry him, Clara is afraid to take a chance on love. Would married life prevent her from dedicating herself completely to her orphans?

Clara is soon distracted from the troubles of her heart when her beloved orphanage comes under attack. Someone throws stones through the window, and a threatening message is chalked near the door. Why would anyone want to frighten innocent children? And as the attacks get worse, can Clara keep the orphans safe?

Desperate to protect the little ones in her care, Clara takes the children on a day out. Away from the orphanage, Clara hopes that she and the children will be able to put their worries behind them. But when a terrible accident happens, will they all make it out alive? And will it be too late for Clara to tell Ivor how she really feels?

An utterly tear-jerking, heart-warming and unforgettable historical novel, set in the aftermath of World War Two. Perfect for fans of Before We Were Yours, Diney Costeloe and The Orphan Sisters.

(PREVIOUSLY TITLED: An Orphan’s Hope) 

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Lizzie Page is the pseudonym of Sam Lierens and a mum of three.

Sam was born in February 1971, in Essex, England. After studying politics at Warwick University, she worked as an English teacher in Paris and then for five years, in Tokyo. She then went to live in London, and had various uninspiring jobs there.

Sam did an MA in creative writing at Goldsmiths and returned to live in Essex a few years ago and have worked in marketing, teaching, assisting, etc ever since.

She loves reading ALL the books, and always loved reading the adventures of women in the past so it seemed natural to her to write historical fiction.

She claims her partner Steve, three children and cockapoo all conspire to stop her writing. 

Sam lives with her family and dog by the sea in South East England.She enjoys traveling and she's had lots of different jobs from waitressing and teaching to admin and bingo-calling - but being a writer is her absolute favourite.

Social Media links:

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

PUBLISHER:

Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Bookouture by following them on these social media accounts.

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

REVIEW: The Holiday Home by Daniel Hurst

The Holiday Home by Daniel Hurst

Genre: Domestic thriller, Suspense

Read: 2nd March 2023

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Amazon

Published: 1st March 2023

★★★★ 4 stars

DESCRIPTION:

The perfect holiday or the perfect nightmare…

I sit sipping champagne in the warm water, bubbles frothing around me as I admire the breathtaking view of gorgeous blue skies and mountains. I can’t believe I’m here, at this stunning holiday home. It’s to die for…

My best friend and her husband have invited me and my family to their lakeside property for the weekend, to experience their luxury lifestyle. I’m not envious of their wealth, although I know my husband Ryan is. All I want is to escape from our recent troubles and get my marriage back on track.

Then I overhear Ryan having a whispered conversation late one evening, and he says something that sends a shiver down my spine. In this beautiful paradise my whole world is turned upside down.

Just when I think things can’t get any worse, I discover a second secret. The truth is even more shocking than I imagine, and now I have no idea who to trust.

This was meant to be the perfect holiday, but someone isn’t going to survive it…

A twist-filled psychological thriller that will keep your heart pounding until the very last page. If you love Behind Closed Doors, Gone Girl and The Housemaid, you’ll be gripped by The Holiday Home.

MY THOUGHTS:

The perfect holiday...or the perfect nightmare...?

There's no place like a holiday home, especially a beautiful log cabin nestled away in the Scottish Highlands with only the birds for company and the stunning views of the loch from every window. A spa (hot tub) on the deck and a roaring woodfire to nestle in front of on those cold rainy days or nights. 

Sounds perfect, doesn't it? And that's exactly what Nicola thought when she first laid eyes on it as and hubby Ryan began their weekend escape with her best friend, her hubby and each couples' respective children.

Nicola and Ryan live a modest life where they just about get along without all the extras. Unlike Nicola's best friend Kim who married well and whose husband is able to keep her in the lap of luxury to which she has become accustomed. Hence the stylish holiday home in the Scottish Highlands purchased probably in excess of seven figures. And so when they invite them on a weekend escape to the said holiday home, how could Nicola and Ryan resist? Each have their own reasons for wanting to be there...or not. But there is already mounting tension between the men, as Lewis keeps goading Ryan whilst Ryan matches him with wit and humour.

When Nicola catches Ryan staring at sexy Kim in her bikini, she begins to wonder if he finds her friend more attractive thus leading to her second guessing herself. I was a bit over the "fat shaming" Nicola was doling out to herself. It made her seem a little shallow that it was even important. But I bet I'd need a magnifying glass to spot the rolls of fat she claims to have.

But soon Nicola will realise that she has far more to worry about than how many pounds more she carries next to Kim. And pretty soon, things will explode in a way no one saw coming (except maybe the reader) leading the characters on a merry dance that was a tad predictable, but still enjoyable.

And before the weekend is over, secrets and lies will be uncovered leaving one of them dead and another running for their lives. 

Who will survive?

THE HOLIDAY HOME is one of those books that you can't say too much about as some of the reveals come early ramping up the tension in what becomes a pressure cooker of walls closing in on them from which all of them want to escape.

Since I discovered him just fourteen months ago, Daniel Hurst has become one of my favourite authors that I auto-request without even reading the description because I know whatever he delivers will be worth it. There is no such thing as a bad book by Daniel Hurst (I say that about Shalini Boland too but it's true in this case also) as I know every book will be entertaining from start to finish. And up until now I would have said every book was a thrill ride but I found THE HOLIDAY HOME, as enjoyable as it was, was lacking in the usual thrilling elements and twists that have become Hurst's own unique trademark. It's true I guessed all the twists long before they were revealed...except the final one, which I felt cheapened the main character and made her just as bad.

I do love Daniel Hurst's domestic thrillers and I always look forward to the next one as his unique style is just exceptional. As he is such a prolific writer I doubt we will have long to wait for his next offering...and I can't wait!

I would like to thank #DanielHurst, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheHolidayHome in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Daniel Hurst was born in the northwest of England, a part of the world famous for its comedians, pasties and terrible weather.

He has been employed in several glamorous roles in his lifetime, including bartending, shelf stacking and procurement administration, all while based in some of the most exotic places on the planet, like Bolton, Preston and South London.

Daniel writes psychological thrillers and loves to tell tales about unusual things happening to normal people. He has written all his life, making the progression from handing scribbled stories to his parents as a boy to writing full length novels in his thirties. He lives in the North West of England and when he isn’t writing, he is usually watching a game of football in a pub where his wife can’t find him.

Since following his lifelong passion for writing in 2020, he has amassed a loyal and devoted set of readers, and regularly has several books in the top 100 of the Psychological Thriller Charts on Amazon. His title The Passenger became the #1 selling psychological thriller in the UK in October 2021. The Doctor's Wife is his first publication with Bookouture.

A prolific writer, Daniel likes to keep readers on their toes by self publishing even more books in between those released through his publisher.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: A Wartime Reunion at Goodwill House by Fenella J. Miller

A Wartime Reunion at Goodwill House (Goodwill House #5) by Fenella J Miller

Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas, WW2

Read: 27th February 2023

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 1st March 2023

★★★★★ 5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

September 1940

With harvest approaching, land girl Daphne is busier than ever as she ploughs the fields and tends to the animals with her friends Sal and Charlie. All three girls enjoy the relative peace of Goodwill House…but war is never far away.

When a German plane crash lands in the grounds of Goodwill House, everyone is shocked, especially when the two German pilots are declared missing. Where could they be hiding?

Tensions are high, and Daphne is dealt yet another shock, when she meets Corporal Robert Andrews – the man she was once engaged to marry! Goodwill House is the last place she expected to be reunited with Bob and although he looks dashing in his uniform, Daphne doesn’t think she can ever forgive him for breaking her heart.

With the war getting closer every day, can these two to finally be reunited for good or will their love be forever lost...?

MY THOUGHTS:

Parted by trouble...they will meet again...

We return to Goodwill House for the fifth book in this easy to read saga series set just off the Kentish coast. It picks up directly where the fourth one ended, though as with all of them, it can easily be read a standalone. Each story is a new one as the main focus of the book with an underlying theme that runs throughout should you read the books from the very beginning. I do recommend this but as I said, you don't have to to be able to follow the story with ease.

I loved the first book in this series and enjoyed the subsequent ones following though I admit I preferred the direction the series was taking by the fourth book with the Land Girls being billeted at Goodwill House and (as with that one) I thoroughly enjoyed A WARTIME REUNION AT GOODWILL HOUSE even more than the first three which also included something of a different theme.

We pick up the action in September 1940 when the Blitz is just beginning as the Germans rain down their deluge after deluge of bombs, hoping to break the British spirit.

We are thrust right into the action with a stray German bomber crashing into the potato fields of Goodwill House, and thus bursting into flames. Lady Joanna Harcourt saw two airmen scramble from their burning wreck before the ensuing explosions but a sweep of the fields and outbuildings could find no trace of the Germans. The Home Guard therefore ruled they had perished in the explosion.

Corporal Bob Andrews was heading up a skeleton ground crew at the nearby defunct RAF Manston airfield when he saw the plane's descent to its subsequent crash and made his way to Goodwill House with his crew. But when the bomber's remaining explosives on board erupted, their vehicle ended upturned in a ditch and the crew scrambling for their lives. 

Land girls Daphne, Sal and Charlie have remained billeted at Goodwill House and working at nearby Fiddlers Farm for Mr Pickering. Daphne joined the Land Army and had herself placed in Kent when she heard her fiance who had suddenly jilted her a week before their wedding was working at the RAF base there. Having never come across him in her time there, she realised that maybe he had moved on and was no longer stationed at Manston.

Until she saw that familiar mop of red hair so like her own climbing out of the upturned RAF vehicle in the ditch outside Goodwill House. And before she knew it, she had fled into the bushes before the men could see who it was that had pulled them to safety.

It goes without saying that Bob and Daphne undergo many run-ins, while Daphne would prefer nothing more than to stay clear out of Bob's way. Whatever his reasons for breaking her heart, it's too late. She cannot bear to be around him and does everything possible to avoid him.

And then the Lady Harcourts receive the most disheartening news and with Peter's help, Joanna enlists her solicitor Mr Broome to get to the bottom of it before it's too late. This sends her to London and to its outskirts and is sure to rock her to the core. But at least it gives her the opportunity to catch up with her daughter Sarah, whom we have not seen since the first book, who has just completed her first year of medical training to become a doctor.

As always, life goes on in Ramsgate for Goodwill House and those in its surrounds, despite the war threatening their lives and those of their loved ones. Time marches on and so does the war. And with it, the women of Goodwill House only become stronger.

I thoroughly enjoyed A WARTIME REUNION AT GOODWILL HOUSE. It is a little different than the others, I feel, though with the same heartwarming feel throughout. I have enjoyed getting to know each of the characters with my favourite being the irascible dowager old Lady Elizabeth Harcourt, Joanna's mother in law. When she turned up in the first book, I was horrified that she would be a thorn in everyone's side but she has proved to be such fun.

I was hooked to this story and devoured it in a day, though it's taken me another day to actually review it. How dare real life get in the way??!! lol I cannot wait for book six to see what awaits those at Goodwill House.

There is one thing that really irritates me with this series, as the author continues to use it throughout, and that is the constant use of the expression "gone for a Burton" regarding men who have perished in the service for their country. Instead of saying the driver succumbed to his injuries, she says "Jim went for a Burton". It is a silly expression in my opinion and it annoys me no end as it is not used just once or twice...but constantly throughout when referencing men dying for their country. Please stop using it...it sounds so crass. It sounds more like they are nipping out for a burger or fish and chips. It makes me cringe every time I read it and is probably the reason I rate the books down a star. 

However, this time, despite the constant use of the ridiculous expression I am giving it a well deserved 5 stars because it really is one of the best of the series so far. I cannot wait to see what the sixth book has in store for us!

I would like to thank #FenellaJMiller, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #AWartimeReunionAtGoodwillHouse in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Fenella Jane Miller was born in the Isle of Man and is the bestselling writer of eighteen historical sagas. She also has apassion for Regency romantic adventures and has published over fifty to greatacclaim. Her father was a Yorkshireman and her mother the daughter of a Rajah. She has worked as a nanny, cleaner, field worker,hotelier,chef, secondary and primary teacher and is now a full time writer.

She has over twenty five Regency romantic adventures published plus one Jane Austen re-telling and one YA romantic fantasy.

Fenella lives in a small village in Essex with her British Shorthair cat.

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REVIEW: The Mother Next Door by Leah Mercer

 

The Mother Next Door by Leah Mercer

Genre: Domestic thriller, Suspense

Read: 26th February 2023

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Published: 27th February 2023

★★★★ 3.5 stars (rounded up)

DESCRIPTION:

I glance over at Lou’s house as I pull onto my drive, surprised that it is still in darkness. Lou and the kids should have been home from school long ago. I should be preparing a delicious meal for my children as they tell me about their day. But Lou’s car is nowhere to be seen…

The night is drawing in and Lou has still not returned. I try not to panic, but deep down I know something is wrong. Lou is the most dependable friend. Our children are at the same school. We always help each other out, and she cares for my two like only a mother can.

As a storm rages outside and local news reports tell everyone to stay indoors, a feeling of deep dread starts to swell. Then the call comes. The police have found Lou’s car, with my children’s schoolbags still inside along with Lou’s phone. But they are nowhere to be seen.

Clutching my husband’s hands, willing our children to be found safe and sound, I try to silence the voice inside my head. I’ve not been honest. I’m being punished for what happened all those years ago.

And then I get Lou’s message and I know that if I want to see my children again, I need to tell the truth to everyone I love.

What I don’t yet know is that Lou has been keeping her own dark secret. And once the storm passes, nothing will ever be the same again.

A gripping and addictive psychological suspense about dark obsession, intense motherly love and how far we will go to protect those we love the most. Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty, Adele Parks and Sally Hepworth.

MY THOUGHTS:

You trust her with your children...but now they're gone...

I love stories where the secrets of the past and collide with the present and in THE MOTHER NEXT DOOR, three women discover that you can't always escape your past and that the secrets you bury often don't want to stay buried.

The story unfolds through the multiple narratives of the three women - Fiona, Alison and Jasmine - and Fiona's daughter Tabitha. Each of the first four chapters throw the reader headlong into the deep end as we try to unravel exactly what is going on and why.

Fiona is returning home after a busy day, relaxed in the knowledge that her neighbour and best friend Lou has collected her twins, Tabitha and Tim, from school. But when she arrives home and no one is home, she isn't immediately concerned. After all, she trusts Lou with her life...and her children are her life. She knows no harm will come to them in Lou's safe care.

But then time goes by and by 7pm the children still haven't arrived home and Fiona starts to get a little worried. A quick call to the school earlier confirmed that Lou had indeed picked up her children. Surely Lou could have phoned or messaged her if they got held up by now.

But Fiona isn't the only one who has entrusted Lou with her children. A couple of other mothers, who happen to be old frenemies/adversaries from school, have given their trust over to Lou with their daughters. Without any of them even knowing. And it seems that Lou is "besties" with each of them, having inveigled her way into their lives and somehow become indispensable to each of them in turn. After all, why else would she have collected each of their children from school that afternoon, unbeknownst to one another?

A storm is brewing and the police are called when Lou's car is found abandoned on the shoulder of the motorway with her mobile phone and the children's belongings inside. But where were Lou and the children? The parents are desperate to find out what's happened to their children and why Lou suddenly decided to take them. But someone knows why.

With her own children safely with their father, what plans does Lou have for Tabitha, Tim, Gabby and Juniper? 

And then...the women each receive a text message from Lou telling them she has their children and urging them to confess... What is the secret that binds Fiona, Alison and Jasmine?

THE MOTHER NEXT DOOR started off with a bang that kept me glued to the pages, eager to find out where it all lead. But it wasn't long before it became obvious to me where it was heading and there endeth the suspense factor. I mean, if it wasn't one outcome it was the other. You didn't need to be Hercule Poirot to figure this one out...and believe me, I had it pieced together long before the halfway point. But that never ruins a good story for me. 

But in this case, I found the story a little average. It wasn't gripping enough and I didn't much like any of the characters. In fact, I loathed Jasmine (which wasn't difficult as she was so incredibly vain and shallow) and Juniper wasn't much better. Alison was a little flaky considering how far she had come since "the event" and Fiona? Blaming herself for something that one could clearly see wasn't her fault felt a little martyrish to me.

Although much of the story was predictable, I still guessed the twist because it just seemed like the obvious outcome to me. Maybe I'm just a domestic thriller nerd that nothing much surprises me in this genre...lol But don't be disheartened, this is still a, entertaining reach for much of the story. And I did enjoy it. It's just with a few more twists and tweaks, I think it could have been better. I'd read more by this author though because I can see the potential for some great thrillers.

Overall, an entertaining read that had me intrigued but it wasn't mind-blowing.

I would like to thank #LeahMercer, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheMotherNextDoor in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Leah Mercer was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on the east coast of Canada. By the age of thirteen, she’d finished her first novel and received very encouraging rejections from publishers.

Leah put writing on hold to focus on athletics, achieving provincial records and becoming a Canadian university champion in the 4 × 400-metre relay. After getting her BA, she turned to writing again, earning a masters in journalism. A few years later she left Canada and settled in London, where she now lives with her husband and their young son.

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