I've been meaning to read a book by Barbara Copperthwaite for quite some time, so I was thrilled when I got the opportunity to read "The Perfect FrienI've been meaning to read a book by Barbara Copperthwaite for quite some time, so I was thrilled when I got the opportunity to read "The Perfect Friend" (Available on July 5th!)
Alex is suffering from Anorexia, and no longer has a relationship with her husband or twins.
Carrie has been diagnosed with terminal Cancer.
They meet in a support group, and Alex feels almost maternal towards Carrie. She makes it her mission to make the rest of Carrie's life, all that it can be.
But, Alex is a self proclaimed liar. Does she have an ulterior motive or is she the "perfect friend"?
I have to admit that I was NOT fully invested in this story till about the 50% point.
Having read a LOT of thrillers this year, I am finding it challenging to decide on a fair rating for this book...
The first twist was also the twist in an earlier read this year.
The second twist was in a different book, also recently read.
I won't mention those books, here...so that other readers can be surprised when I was not.
If you have not read those same books, I believe that YOU will enjoy this book more than me, because YOU will have more jaw dropping moments than I did.
At the 50% point, the pace picked up and I began to enjoy the story more.
I did want to find out if either of these women could be considered a "perfect friend" and if the ending could surprise me. (some of it did!!)
For that reason, I am going to go with a 3.5 star rating (rounded up) as I think that readers who don't guess the first two reveals WILL find this book satisfying.
Thank You to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the ARC I received in exchange for my candid review!
Merged review:
I've been meaning to read a book by Barbara Copperthwaite for quite some time, so I was thrilled when I got the opportunity to read "The Perfect Friend" (Available on July 5th!)
Alex is suffering from Anorexia, and no longer has a relationship with her husband or twins.
Carrie has been diagnosed with terminal Cancer.
They meet in a support group, and Alex feels almost maternal towards Carrie. She makes it her mission to make the rest of Carrie's life, all that it can be.
But, Alex is a self proclaimed liar. Does she have an ulterior motive or is she the "perfect friend"?
I have to admit that I was NOT fully invested in this story till about the 50% point.
Having read a LOT of thrillers this year, I am finding it challenging to decide on a fair rating for this book...
The first twist was also the twist in an earlier read this year.
The second twist was in a different book, also recently read.
I won't mention those books, here...so that other readers can be surprised when I was not.
If you have not read those same books, I believe that YOU will enjoy this book more than me, because YOU will have more jaw dropping moments than I did.
At the 50% point, the pace picked up and I began to enjoy the story more.
I did want to find out if either of these women could be considered a "perfect friend" and if the ending could surprise me. (some of it did!!)
For that reason, I am going to go with a 3.5 star rating (rounded up) as I think that readers who don't guess the first two reveals WILL find this book satisfying.
Thank You to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the ARC I received in exchange for my candid review!...more
1922: Opaline, flees her childhood home to escape an arranged marriage to a man she has never met. She will first find refuge in Paris, where her3.5 ⭐️
1922: Opaline, flees her childhood home to escape an arranged marriage to a man she has never met. She will first find refuge in Paris, where her love of rare books will earn her an apprenticeship in a bookstore called “Shakespeare and Company”, the perfect training ground for a young woman who is convinced that Bronte’ wrote a second book, which is waiting to be discovered.
But, her happiness will be short lived and she will have to flee again to Dublin where she will be given an opportunity to run her own book store in a building with an extraordinary past…..for awhile.
Present Day: Martha is running from an abusive husband, and she will respond to an advert for a housekeeper, at #12, Ha’Penny Lane, placed by an eccentric former actress, who insists on being addressed as Madame Bowden. (I just adored her!)
Unexplainable things happen here but unexpectedly, it becomes the perfect refuge for Martha.
Henry is on a quest to find a book that was mentioned in a letter he found-a book that he needs to find for his PH.D research. IF he can find it hidden in a bookshop at 11 Ha’Penny Lane, he could make a name for himself and it could make his career.
He enters the shop but when he turns around, the shop has disappeared.
Buildings still stand at 10 Ha’Penny Lane and 12 Ha’Penny Lane but 11 Ha’Penny lane no longer exists. He seeks answers from Martha, the striking young woman at #12, and finds more than he bargained for.
Of course, Opaline’s story will be eventually be linked to the characters in the present day.
I am not a big fan of MAGICAL REALISM, but this time these elements of the book were actually my FAVORITE part!
The book is also labeled as HISTORICAL FICTION and it definitely reads as such-even the present day chapters read like they are taking place in the past-not the present-they lacked a contemporary feel.
Much was predictable with the exception of the magical realism elements, which is why this enchanting story earns 3.5 ⭐️ rounded down from me.
A buddy read with DeAnn-be sure to check out her amazing review!
AVAILABLE June 22, 2023
Thank You to One More Chapter for the invitation to read this one. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
Merged review:
3.5 ⭐️
1922: Opaline, flees her childhood home to escape an arranged marriage to a man she has never met. She will first find refuge in Paris, where her love of rare books will earn her an apprenticeship in a bookstore called “Shakespeare and Company”, the perfect training ground for a young woman who is convinced that Bronte’ wrote a second book, which is waiting to be discovered.
But, her happiness will be short lived and she will have to flee again to Dublin where she will be given an opportunity to run her own book store in a building with an extraordinary past…..for awhile.
Present Day: Martha is running from an abusive husband, and she will respond to an advert for a housekeeper, at #12, Ha’Penny Lane, placed by an eccentric former actress, who insists on being addressed as Madame Bowden. (I just adored her!)
Unexplainable things happen here but unexpectedly, it becomes the perfect refuge for Martha.
Henry is on a quest to find a book that was mentioned in a letter he found-a book that he needs to find for his PH.D research. IF he can find it hidden in a bookshop at 11 Ha’Penny Lane, he could make a name for himself and it could make his career.
He enters the shop but when he turns around, the shop has disappeared.
Buildings still stand at 10 Ha’Penny Lane and 12 Ha’Penny Lane but 11 Ha’Penny lane no longer exists. He seeks answers from Martha, the striking young woman at #12, and finds more than he bargained for.
Of course, Opaline’s story will be eventually be linked to the characters in the present day.
I am not a big fan of MAGICAL REALISM, but this time these elements of the book were actually my FAVORITE part!
The book is also labeled as HISTORICAL FICTION and it definitely reads as such-even the present day chapters read like they are taking place in the past-not the present-they lacked a contemporary feel.
Much was predictable with the exception of the magical realism elements, which is why this enchanting story earns 3.5 ⭐️ rounded down from me.
A buddy read with DeAnn-be sure to check out her amazing review!
AVAILABLE June 22, 2023
Thank You to One More Chapter for the invitation to read this one. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!...more
“Every New Beginning Comes From Some Other Beginnings End” from the song “Closing Time” by Semisonic.
“New Year’s Eve. Or in Scotland-Hogmanay- the las“Every New Beginning Comes From Some Other Beginnings End” from the song “Closing Time” by Semisonic.
“New Year’s Eve. Or in Scotland-Hogmanay- the last day of the year, and one of enthusiastic celebrations and long held traditions-as one year ends and the new one begins.”
But, this could be the last year that Hogmanay will be celebrated at Gino’s Trattoria, a family business that never quite recovered after Covid. Dario has until midnight to secure new funds or sell to an Investment group in America.
Ailish’s 30 year marriage ended at Gino’s two years ago, when she caught her husband in a compromising position with his secretary out back. Will she finally have the courage to return or will she continue to hide and allow him to ruin one of her favorite traditions?
Ailish’s daughter, Emmy suspects that her boyfriend, Cormac might not be any more loyal to her than her Dad was to her mom.
And, Emmy’s grandmother, Minnie Ryan will be bringing a gift to Gino’s that she has waited all year to deliver.
A LOT will change in 24 hours-and the story unfolds in two hour increments starting with 8 a.m-10 a.m, until we reach midnight where we will begin the countdown to the New Year…
Last Night at Villa Lucia by Simon McCleve Narrated wonderfully by Claire Corbett 8 hrs 37 min at 1.0 speed 5 hrs 45 mins at 1.5 speed
I MIGHT kill to livLast Night at Villa Lucia by Simon McCleve Narrated wonderfully by Claire Corbett 8 hrs 37 min at 1.0 speed 5 hrs 45 mins at 1.5 speed
I MIGHT kill to live at the Villa Lucia in Tuscany!
The infinity pool, the surrounding Olive Orchards, and the vineyards of plump black Sangiovese grapes-it sounded like heaven on earth.
But, Cerys is just trying to keep her bed and breakfast/yoga retreat afloat and stay ahead of any potential bad reviews that can ruin her livelihood. And, to stay ahead of her dependence on alcohol which she is turning to earlier and earlier in the day, to get her through the stress-while hiding her drinking from her teenaged daughter, Lowri.
Today, Harry, the Director of A &R at Kismet Records will be arriving with his wife, Zoe and their teenaged son, Charlie, and he isn’t known for his patience. But, that will be the least of her concerns.
The book opens with a body floating face down in the infinity pool-
Breathe in for five seconds, hold for seven, and breathe out for eight-Cerys reminds herself…
The story is then told from multiple, alternating POV’s as Detective Saachi pieces together WHAT happened at the Villa and WHO is responsible for the MURDER.
I suspected just about EVERYONE at point or another which always makes reading a book like this fun-and the story is PLAUSIBLE as well as SURPRISING and SUSPENSEFUL-which is another PLUS for me.
No wonder this UK author who burst onto the scene in 2020, has become an Amazon bestselling author with over 2 million books sold. His DI Ruth Hunter Snowdonia series (19 as of today) is currently in development as a TV series to be filmed in North Wales where the author currently lives. He also has another successful five book crime series set on Anglesey.
This is a STANDALONE and, I am really excited to have discovered Simon McCleave’s work! I paired the Audible with a written copy and enjoyed both.
Although the book contains references to Sexual Assault, Domestic Abuse, and Alcoholism, nothing is graphic in description.
AVAILABLE NOW!
Thank You to Storm Publishing for both the Kindle and Audiobook versions-provided through NetGalley and NetGalley shelf, respectively. These are my candid thoughts!...more
The Wedding People by Alison Espach Narrated by Helen Laser Expected Publication Date: July 30, 2024
Smart, Honest and Hopeful
Forty-ish Phoebe Stone arriThe Wedding People by Alison Espach Narrated by Helen Laser Expected Publication Date: July 30, 2024
Smart, Honest and Hopeful
Forty-ish Phoebe Stone arrives at the grand Cornwall Inn and checks into the most expensive room for one night. She is wearing her green dress and gold heels, so she looks the part of a wedding guest-but she isn’t there to celebrate the start of a new life-she is there to END hers.
Infertility, Infidelity, Depression, Divorce and now the death of her beloved cat.
That is what has led to this tragic decision.
Meanwhile, the 28 year old bride, Lila has planned the PERFECT six day wedding, booking the entire Cornwall Inn for her “once in a lifetime” event. So it “just won’t do” that there has been a mix-up which allowed one random guest to check-in-even if it was just for the first night.
And, it’s definitely UNACCEPTABLE when she meets Phoebe and learns of her intent. NOBODY will ruin her wedding!
A chance encounter, an unlikely alliance, an unexpected friendship.
Sometimes vulnerable people make the WRONG decisions. But, if you are lucky-you can still end up with the RIGHT outcome.
This is the kind of book that you will still be thinking about long after you finish-Especially if you are a woman of a certain age-or a certain stage of your life. And, even, if like me, you hate “sex themed” bachelorette activities, and don’t really even enjoy weddings!
Of course, there are some of these things to endure in this book, and my personal preference is to read about this “well intentioned” pre-wedding fun without resorting to the unnecessary use of the more vulgar sexual terms to drive your point home-the three “C” words. They didn’t seem to fit with the more reflective conversations that characterized the rest of this story. (- .5)
The ending wasn’t completely unexpected, though it is one that I hoped for, and the wisdom of the parting words shared between Phoebe and Lila, brought a tear to my eye, and is the reason I rounded up instead of down. I will remember the story.
I’m glad there wasn’t an epilogue and that the reader can envision what they think happens next…
4.5 stars ⭐️
I listened to the Audiobook, provided by MacMillan Audio through NetGalley, which was expertly narrated by Helen Laser who delivered a wide range of voices and accents to the diverse cast of characters! This has been optioned for film and I look forward to watching too.
When Zara, who was once the fifth member of the inseparable “GiMaking Assumptions Making Excuses Keeping Secrets
None of these things ever turn out well…
When Zara, who was once the fifth member of the inseparable “Girlfriends’ Club” resurfaces at a friend’s Funeral and drops a “bombshell”, Naomi’s life implodes.
Zara’s revelation shocks the group and immediately, their daily “WhatsApp” group chat falls silent.
All of a sudden, Naomi finds herself sitting at home instead of sipping Strawberry Mojitos with the girls who she has met up with on every second Wednesday for years.
Old wounds have been opened and loyalties have been questioned- and Naomi will be forced to confront the truth about her past.
Can the Girlfriends’ Club survive “the Fall-out” or will Naomi, Rowan, Kate and Abbie all go their separate ways for good?
Sophie Ranald is a NEW author to me, so I had no idea when I downloaded this book that it was book FOUR in the “Girlfriend Club Series”-Naomi’s turn to star.
It had a rough start with some ICK factor conversations, and I had trouble keeping the women straight but had I started at the beginning they would have been “old friends” by now!
Still, after a few chapters, I got my bearings and I DO think the book works fine as a stand-alone, although by the end of it, I decided that I WANTED to go back to read the earlier books in this series.
P.S. I Hate You is Abbie’s story Santa, Please Bring Me a Boyfriend is Rowan’s and Not In a Million Years is Kate’s book
These are likable and relatable ladies living in London and Sophie Ranald writes stories to CELEBRATE FRIENDSHIP as well as to touch on the highs and lows of dating, marriage and parenting.
I don’t know if they all feature a “moral dilemma” but this one definitely does, adding substance to the story-and it’s the first book in awhile that I could not wait to get back to reading any chance that I got, because it felt so REAL.
I enjoyed my time spent with the “Girlfriend Club” and look forward to reconnecting with these ladies when I go back and read the earlier novels!
NAOMI’s story- “The Fall-Out”-is AVAILABLE NOW!
Thank You to Storm Publishing for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. These are my candid thoughts!...more
Note: I read an ARC so hopefully it is edited by publication date but as of now-Chapter 35 of this book completely SPOILS the first-so if you haven’t read it AND you plan to-start there.
If you do, however, you WILL know where this one is headed and although you will feel like you are privy to the secrets of what is really happening, you also WON’T find this book as SHOCKING.
If you haven’t read the first, and don’t plan to-this will rate higher for you, than for me-as it will be more SURPRISING.
The synopsis of this book says MUCH TOO MUCH, and I am not even going to recap it. For the BEST experience with either book-go in blind!
Let’s just say that neither wife is as THRILLED with Paul’s dates as he is! And, these are definitely NOT love stories!
Expected publication date: August 16, 2024
Thank You to Bookouture for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. These are my candid thoughts! ...more
Ben and Harper Foster have that “Hallmark” kind TW: CANCER
Prologue: “I’m a Wife!!”
Chapter 1: “I’m Going to be a Widow”
OH what a difference a year makes!
Ben and Harper Foster have that “Hallmark” kind of romance-SAPPY sweet. “Name three things” one might say to the other at any random time-and while staring deeply into their partner’s eyes. The other will respond with three things they are grateful for at the moment-even while facing terminal CANCER.
So, it’s no surprise when Ben decides that he wants Harper to find new love BEFORE he passes away-so he will know that she will be alright. He is that selfless. Also, no surprise-Harper balking at the idea! But, Ben keeps pushing and even arranges for a journalist to write a story about it.
IS IT KISMET?
The NY Times reporter who shows up to interview the couple is none other than Liam Hale-the only other guy that Harper has ever fallen for. It was. “Insta Love” ten years ago, when Harper went to Brooklyn, hoping to pursue her Art-long before she met Ben. But, they only spent one week together before she went home to Chicago.
The story alternates between chapters titled “What Is” and “What Was”.
The book takes a turn towards “ MAGICAL REALISM” when a struggling Harper is guided by a close friend who reads her Tarot Cards and encourages her to soul search and think about what it is that Harper REALLY wants most. If she is honest, can she really manifest what she desires by repeating her wishes three times during the FULL MOON?
Reminding me of Dorothy, in the “Wizard of Oz”, when she had to click together her Ruby slippers and chant “There’s no place like home” Harper is desperate enough to give it a try. She carefully words her wish and….No Spoilers here!
The first half of the book was a bit too SAPPY for my taste. I thought that Harper’s relationship with Liam, felt more authentic than her marriage to Ben. But, I enjoyed the second half despite its FAIRY TALE vibes.
This was a buddy read with DeAnn which offered much for discussion! I think BOOK CLUBS would also find it entertaining and fun to talk about as well.
3.75 rounded ⬆️
Expected publication date: August 6, 2024
Thank You to Harper Muse for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. These are my candid thoughts!...more
The Photo by A J McDine Narrated by Tamsin Kennard
Lara, is a former photo journalist who gave up her career to become a wedding photographer, after sheThe Photo by A J McDine Narrated by Tamsin Kennard
Lara, is a former photo journalist who gave up her career to become a wedding photographer, after she suffered a personal tragedy which made her realize that stories like those she featured, added to the pain that the families of Victims were already suffering.
Ten years ago, her sister Isabelle, and her two twin nephews were killed, in what could only be assumed as a Murder-Suicide by Isabelle’s husband, Jason.
His body was never recovered.
His five year old daughter, Lily was left for dead by the murderer, but when the ambulance arrived, she was found to have a weak pulse. She is being raised by her grandmother and her Aunt Lara.
Lara would love to add “landscape photography” to her portfolio, and one day while going through photos she took on the beach, she spots a man in the background of one picture, which could only be her “brother in law”.
Lily, now fifteen, aspires to be an “influencer” so, without discussing it with her family, she posts a TIC TOC video, talking about the crime she lived through as a child and the new memories that have started to surface.
The timing could NOT be worse.
As disturbing things begin to happen, Lara begins to worry if Jason has returned to finish the job.
She teams up with both the DC from the case, Curtis Frampton and a former rival journalist, Johnny Nelson, in an attempt protect Lily, and locate her missing father.
This was a FAST PACED story which hooks you from the OPENING SCENE, told primarily from the first person POV of Lara, who is a smart, sympathetic protagonist.
AJ McDine’s prose is DELICIOUSLY descriptive, and it brings to life the characters, and their conversations as they go about their lives. I could easily envision what was happening as I listened to this story!
I enjoyed the narrator’s voice for the women, but all of the men sounded alike, so I really had to concentrate on who was with Lara when one of them was speaking with her.
ENTERTAINED from start to finish, and completely SURPRISED by the final twist- this is the kind of book which reminds me of why I love Goodreads so much.
This is the author’s seventh novel but US audiences were not familiar with this UK author until Bookouture brought her work to the US in April with her sixth novel, “The Baby”. It reached Amazon’s top 20 in the UK and the top 100 in the US. It’s great that readers around the World can share their favorite authors and books on one Global site.
Three positive reviews on the same day from GR friends, put THIS book and author on MY radar, and I decided that I just HAD TO READ IT NEXT!
Since this was an AUDIOBOOK listen, please excuse any errors with the spelling of character names as I wasn’t able to see the names in print.
McDine was a journalist and police press officer until she started writing Fiction. She lives in Kent in the UK with her husband, fellow thriller writer A J Wills, their two sons and three rescue cats.
AVAILABLE NOW! Highly recommended!
Thank You to Bookouture for the gifted Audiobook provided through the NetGalley Shelf. These are my candid opinions....more
Christmas at Glitter Peak Lodge Written by Kjerski Herland Johnsen Translated by Olivia Lasky
3.5 ⭐️
This is being marketed as a feel-good mystery set in Christmas at Glitter Peak Lodge Written by Kjerski Herland Johnsen Translated by Olivia Lasky
3.5 ⭐️
This is being marketed as a feel-good mystery set in the snowy mountains of Norway, at a cozy, historic family inn-structured as an advent calendar, 24 chapters, one read each day, beginning with Dec. 1 and ending with Dec. 24.
So, let’s discuss the story and the concept.
The Story:
After a traumatic climbing accident, well-known Alpinist Ingrid Berg has returned home with HOPE of a fresh start. She will be taking over the management of the Glitter Peak Lodge from her aging grandmother.
The Inn has been in her family for 130 years, despite many attempts at takeovers from larger hotel chains, and Ingrid is hoping to keep the family legacy alive, while finding new purpose in her own life.
But soon after Ingrid’s return, complications arise-everything from leaky pipes, to the early arrival of some guests, and the very last-minute cancellations from others.
A long-buried mystery also resurfaces, and Ingrid discovers that the challenges may be too great to bear alone-she may need the help of the whole village-and a bit of Christmas magic!
As her Nana Borghild always says: “Joy Shared is Joy Doubled, and Sorrow Shared is Sorrow Halved”.
The story itself wasn’t particularly riveting, instead it mostly paints a picture of the days leading up to Christmas beginning with “Kakelinne” (a term used to describe mild weather in December that in earlier times was blamed on all of the holiday baking.) ☺️ It mostly described the foods eaten, and the traditions enjoyed, and these things could have been revealed one chapter at a time, to more closely follow an Advent calendar but I didn’t really feel like that happened, with the Kindle copy.
It does look like the physical copy presents more that way because illustrations are included.
But, it was helpful to be reading this on a Kindle, as I was unfamiliar with MANY words, but a quick highlight would explain many of the words for me. I didn’t know until I finished the book that a glossary of terms, food descriptions and even some recipes would be provided after the story and after the acknowledgement page, and these may end up being missed by many readers! Hopefully, when the finished copy is published terms, and food descriptions will be listed at the START of the book with a mention that recipes will be included at the END of the story, as these are NECESSARY for those reading a physical copy.
An Advent Calendar counts the days of Advent beginning with the first Sunday of Advent, which varies from Nov 27 through December 3, but many reusable calendars made of paper or wood, begin on Dec. 1. Advent refers to a 4 week season of remembering and celebrating the arrival of Jesus on Earth. Advent calendars have become popular in recent years as calendars with flaps that open, a day at a time to reveal a picture appropriate for the season, or a small treat and many commercial Advent calendars are now themed.
While I was attracted to the CONCEPT of reading a chapter per day, I DON’T think the execution of this story succeeded in FEELING like an Advent Calendar. Vignettes that were connected or that built upon each other, might have worked better for this format. I would say that if this book interests you-I wouldn’t worry about only reading a chapter per day.
Where the story DID succeed is it provided ARMCHAIR TRAVEL for readers interested in Norway, who may never get the opportunity to visit in person, wrapped up in a “Hallmark like” Christmas story. ...more
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