A Few Older Book Reviews All In One Blog Post
I decided to compile some of my favourite older book reviews and plonk them here in one blog post, just because I felt like it. :)
So…
Build A Man by Talli Roland
“Slave to the rich and the rude, cosmetic surgery receptionist Serenity Holland longs for the day she’s a high-flying tabloid reporter. When she meets Jeremy Ritchie — the hang-dog man determined to be Britain’s Most Eligible Bachelor by making himself over from head to toe and everything in between – Serenity knows she’s got a story no editor could resist.
With London’s biggest tabloid on board and her very own column tracking Jeremy’s progress from dud to dude, Serenity is determined to be a success. But when Jeremy’s surgery goes drastically wrong and she’s ordered to cover all the car-crash goriness, Serenity must decide how far she really will go for her dream job.”
This was the first book by Talli Roland that I’ve read, so I didn’t know what to expect. I was very pleasantly surprised. Build A Man was touching, sweet and lovely, but most of all, this book made me snort with laughter.
Talli has a knack for adding humor when you don’t really expect it, making you actually laugh out loud. Her writing style is fast paced and witty, her books are easy to read. I’m working my way through them all now!
The Drowning of Arthur Braxton by Caroline Smailes
“An urban fairy tale.Arthur Braxton runs away from school. He hides out in an abandoned building, an old Edwardian bathhouse. He discovers a naked woman swimming in the pool. From this point on, nothing will ever be the same. The Drowning of Arthur Braxton is an unflinching account of the pain and trauma of adolescence and of how first love can transform the most unhappy of lives into something miraculous.”
I have read all of Caroline’s previous books so I thought I knew what to expect when I started reading Arthur. I was wrong, oh so wrong! This was so much more than I could have ever imagined! You are transported to a magical world that is, at times dark and despairing, at others so full of hope and happiness. Laurel is an amazing character, I actually loved her. Arthur and Delphina are so touching and genuine. I couldn’t wait to finish this book but at the same time, didn’t want it to end.
The Drowning of Arthur Braxton is by far the most breathtaking, heartbreaking book I have ever read. Caroline gets better and better!
In Search of Adam by Caroline Smailes
“Motherless, rootless and unprotected, Jude Williams’ childhood is fractured by the horror and experience of sexual abuse, forcing her to exist somewhere and nowhere in-between childhood and adulthood. Caught within the limitations of her own language and trapped within a family secret, Jude becomes the consequence of her mother’s tragedy. As she moves through the 1980s, Jude’s life is buffeted by choice and destiny and she collects experiences that layer her personal tragedy and plunge her into the darkest of worlds”
Utterly heartbreaking but so compelling. In Search of Adam was such a heavy book to read, but I never for one second wanted to put it down.
Caroline’s style of writing is different from anyone else I have read. She draws you into a world that is so real, you feel the emotions of each character as if they were a close friend. And Jude is a character who you really feel for. You cry, laugh, hurt and generally just want to make things better for her.
I loved this book, so so much even though I had to tell Caroline off for making me cry too hard!
Cupcakes At Carringtons by Alexandra Brown
“Georgie Hart had it all – as a top personal shopper in London, the heady world of Mulberry launch parties and Louis Vuitton goody bags meant she was living the dream. But all that extravagance took its toll on her bank balance and it was time to stop drinking champagne on beer money. Now Georgie runs the luxury bag concession at Carrington’s Department store in the pretty seaside town of Mulberry Bay and her lavish spending is confined to a red velvet cupcake with butter cream icing in Carrington’s cafe. But her plans for a quiet life are thwarted when Carrington’s goes into a recession-busting makeover and soon, with the arrival of Maxine, wielding the axe in her immaculately-manicured hands, Georgie is fighting not only for her job, but also for the attentions of her dishy boss, James. And when newcomer Tom arrives, who may or may not be the best thing since sliced bread, Georgie must decide where her loyalties really lie…”
Cupcakes at Carringtons is one of the best debut novels I have ever read!!
Full of heart, warmth, laughter and tears, this book introduces you to a world you never quite knew existed inside an upmarket department store, Carringtons sounds like the kind of place you could get lost in for hours and then you’d refuel in the cafe with a red velvet cupcake and a brew!
Georgie and her colleagues are the kind of friends every girl needs and I for one can’t wait to read more about them! Also left me craving Red Velvet cupcakes!
Dearest Rose by Rowan Coleman
“When Rose Pritchard turns up on the doorstep of a Cumbrian B&B it is her last resort. She and her seven-year-old daughter Maddie have left everything behind. And they have come to the village of Millthwaite in search of the person who once offered Rose hope.Almost immediately Rose wonders if she’s made a terrible mistake – if she’s chasing a dream – but she knows in her heart that she cannot go back. She’s been given a second chance – at life, and love – but will she have the courage to take it?”
I have read every single book Rowan Coleman has written and really enjoyed each one. But Dearest Rose is different. This book is deeper and much more emotional than anything else Rowan has done.
Rose is an incredibly strong woman, even though she doesn’t always know it, and her determination carries her through the story.
Every woman who has ever experienced heartbreak of any kind needs to read Dearest Rose, she will help you heal. She definitely helped me. Written with such truth, sensitivity and courage, this book will have you laughing, cheering, crying and smiling all within one chapter.
Utterly gripping, hopeful, sweet and sad. A must read!
A Cottage By The Sea by Carole Matthews
“A Cottage by the Sea begins with Grace and husband Harry’s journey to the cottage. We find out that Harry is not pleased to be spending his holiday in Wales and from Grace we learn the history of the girls’ friendships and where her relationship is with Harry. Safe and predictable in the past, Grace is questioning herself and the expectations of others and also comparing Harry now to how he used to be.Art and Ella are the artistic couple. Ella is an artist and Art a Band Manager. Ella wants to settle down but Art is often on tour and still has one-night stands.
As soon as Flick arrives with new partner Noah, tensions and attraction come into force.”
Carole Matthews is at it again with this delicious summer treat. Ella, Grace, Flick, Harry, Art and Noah (mmm, Noah!) provide the perfect level of drama, sweetness, sexual tension, friendship and giggles. Every woman knows a guy like Noah (or at least wishes she did). Ella’s story touched a nerve with me and made me cry. I loved how real all the couples were and how relevant their stories are. I would love to spend a fortnight in a place like Cwtch Cottage (maybe with a guy like Noah!)
Ok, that’s enough for one night… Hope you like them! :)
So…
Build A Man by Talli Roland
“Slave to the rich and the rude, cosmetic surgery receptionist Serenity Holland longs for the day she’s a high-flying tabloid reporter. When she meets Jeremy Ritchie — the hang-dog man determined to be Britain’s Most Eligible Bachelor by making himself over from head to toe and everything in between – Serenity knows she’s got a story no editor could resist.
With London’s biggest tabloid on board and her very own column tracking Jeremy’s progress from dud to dude, Serenity is determined to be a success. But when Jeremy’s surgery goes drastically wrong and she’s ordered to cover all the car-crash goriness, Serenity must decide how far she really will go for her dream job.”
This was the first book by Talli Roland that I’ve read, so I didn’t know what to expect. I was very pleasantly surprised. Build A Man was touching, sweet and lovely, but most of all, this book made me snort with laughter.
Talli has a knack for adding humor when you don’t really expect it, making you actually laugh out loud. Her writing style is fast paced and witty, her books are easy to read. I’m working my way through them all now!
The Drowning of Arthur Braxton by Caroline Smailes
“An urban fairy tale.Arthur Braxton runs away from school. He hides out in an abandoned building, an old Edwardian bathhouse. He discovers a naked woman swimming in the pool. From this point on, nothing will ever be the same. The Drowning of Arthur Braxton is an unflinching account of the pain and trauma of adolescence and of how first love can transform the most unhappy of lives into something miraculous.”
I have read all of Caroline’s previous books so I thought I knew what to expect when I started reading Arthur. I was wrong, oh so wrong! This was so much more than I could have ever imagined! You are transported to a magical world that is, at times dark and despairing, at others so full of hope and happiness. Laurel is an amazing character, I actually loved her. Arthur and Delphina are so touching and genuine. I couldn’t wait to finish this book but at the same time, didn’t want it to end.
The Drowning of Arthur Braxton is by far the most breathtaking, heartbreaking book I have ever read. Caroline gets better and better!
In Search of Adam by Caroline Smailes
“Motherless, rootless and unprotected, Jude Williams’ childhood is fractured by the horror and experience of sexual abuse, forcing her to exist somewhere and nowhere in-between childhood and adulthood. Caught within the limitations of her own language and trapped within a family secret, Jude becomes the consequence of her mother’s tragedy. As she moves through the 1980s, Jude’s life is buffeted by choice and destiny and she collects experiences that layer her personal tragedy and plunge her into the darkest of worlds”
Utterly heartbreaking but so compelling. In Search of Adam was such a heavy book to read, but I never for one second wanted to put it down.
Caroline’s style of writing is different from anyone else I have read. She draws you into a world that is so real, you feel the emotions of each character as if they were a close friend. And Jude is a character who you really feel for. You cry, laugh, hurt and generally just want to make things better for her.
I loved this book, so so much even though I had to tell Caroline off for making me cry too hard!
Cupcakes At Carringtons by Alexandra Brown
“Georgie Hart had it all – as a top personal shopper in London, the heady world of Mulberry launch parties and Louis Vuitton goody bags meant she was living the dream. But all that extravagance took its toll on her bank balance and it was time to stop drinking champagne on beer money. Now Georgie runs the luxury bag concession at Carrington’s Department store in the pretty seaside town of Mulberry Bay and her lavish spending is confined to a red velvet cupcake with butter cream icing in Carrington’s cafe. But her plans for a quiet life are thwarted when Carrington’s goes into a recession-busting makeover and soon, with the arrival of Maxine, wielding the axe in her immaculately-manicured hands, Georgie is fighting not only for her job, but also for the attentions of her dishy boss, James. And when newcomer Tom arrives, who may or may not be the best thing since sliced bread, Georgie must decide where her loyalties really lie…”
Cupcakes at Carringtons is one of the best debut novels I have ever read!!
Full of heart, warmth, laughter and tears, this book introduces you to a world you never quite knew existed inside an upmarket department store, Carringtons sounds like the kind of place you could get lost in for hours and then you’d refuel in the cafe with a red velvet cupcake and a brew!
Georgie and her colleagues are the kind of friends every girl needs and I for one can’t wait to read more about them! Also left me craving Red Velvet cupcakes!
Dearest Rose by Rowan Coleman
“When Rose Pritchard turns up on the doorstep of a Cumbrian B&B it is her last resort. She and her seven-year-old daughter Maddie have left everything behind. And they have come to the village of Millthwaite in search of the person who once offered Rose hope.Almost immediately Rose wonders if she’s made a terrible mistake – if she’s chasing a dream – but she knows in her heart that she cannot go back. She’s been given a second chance – at life, and love – but will she have the courage to take it?”
I have read every single book Rowan Coleman has written and really enjoyed each one. But Dearest Rose is different. This book is deeper and much more emotional than anything else Rowan has done.
Rose is an incredibly strong woman, even though she doesn’t always know it, and her determination carries her through the story.
Every woman who has ever experienced heartbreak of any kind needs to read Dearest Rose, she will help you heal. She definitely helped me. Written with such truth, sensitivity and courage, this book will have you laughing, cheering, crying and smiling all within one chapter.
Utterly gripping, hopeful, sweet and sad. A must read!
A Cottage By The Sea by Carole Matthews
“A Cottage by the Sea begins with Grace and husband Harry’s journey to the cottage. We find out that Harry is not pleased to be spending his holiday in Wales and from Grace we learn the history of the girls’ friendships and where her relationship is with Harry. Safe and predictable in the past, Grace is questioning herself and the expectations of others and also comparing Harry now to how he used to be.Art and Ella are the artistic couple. Ella is an artist and Art a Band Manager. Ella wants to settle down but Art is often on tour and still has one-night stands.
As soon as Flick arrives with new partner Noah, tensions and attraction come into force.”
Carole Matthews is at it again with this delicious summer treat. Ella, Grace, Flick, Harry, Art and Noah (mmm, Noah!) provide the perfect level of drama, sweetness, sexual tension, friendship and giggles. Every woman knows a guy like Noah (or at least wishes she did). Ella’s story touched a nerve with me and made me cry. I loved how real all the couples were and how relevant their stories are. I would love to spend a fortnight in a place like Cwtch Cottage (maybe with a guy like Noah!)
Ok, that’s enough for one night… Hope you like them! :)
Comments
Post a Comment