Book review - Sandcastles by Lily Lawson

This writer can write!

If you are familiar with my blog and reviews, you'll know that I have reviewed Lily Lawson before and that I've always enjoyed her writing. Having read both her Red / Orange collection of poems and a Christmas story (Santa's Early Christmas), I knew that Sandcastles would be a juxtaposition to my previous reading of her work and I was excited for this. 

I, myself, do not consider myself a poet as all my poems seem to rhyme and I end up feeling like Julia Donaldson! Therefore, I have admiration for someone who can so seamlessly switch between the two. Lawson herself (when asked) said this to me:

By default I am a poet, but I have written stories and non-fiction alongside for most of my life too. Every day I sit down to write never knowing what will come out until it does. Sometimes I use prompts (I have favourites I use regularly). It is my belief that my poetry comes from my soul, my fiction comes from my head and my non-fiction is a response to what is going on in the world. I enjoy writing all of it but if I had to choose poetry would always win. 

I like Lawson's explanation of her 'methods' as such. So, let's delve into some fiction 'from her head'...

Firstly, I want to say that I enjoyed all the stories in the collection and found it to be a good mix of humour and pulling on heartstrings mixed in with some that left me wondering! I have pulled out my favourites from each U section here:

Unexpected 

- The Dating Game: The Dating Game made me laugh. The boldness of the character and the unexpected turns it took. Sharp, witty and good use of dialogue versus thoughts.

Unconditional 

- Surprise Discovery: The story Surprise Discovery is one of the longer ones in the collection and it's thought-provoking and left me with goose bumps (not for the first time in the book, may I add).

- Storm Chasers: This story is another one that pulls on the emotions. Great descriptions and excellent characters.

Unending 

- It's in the Cards: Lawson writes with such heart and love. This story is beautiful. Enough said.

- A Shock to the System: Great pun on the last night. This tale made me chuckle!

Unexplained 

- Bridge Echoes: This one will make you wonder and the 'Unexplained' makes sense. I loved the inclusion of the newspaper. 

- The Stranger on the Bridge: Ooooh...this story made me want to know more. Tantalisingly good and really made me think. I think I have worked out what, but I could be wrong!

My overall thoughts are that Sandcastles is just as good as Lawson's poems because she writes from the heart, in my opinion. These stories don't feel contrived or over-planned. They feel realistic, touching and like there's something behind most of them. I always enjoy when writing moves me - to goose bumps or tears, and Lawson is very capable of making me get right to the edge of my emotions and evoking each reaction. 

I have already, personally recommended Sandcastles and hope that further readers come her way after reading.

I wish Lily Lawson continued success with her work and I am glad that I purchased this collection. 

Book review - The Garden Party by B P Walter

A strong four-star read!

My review does not contain spoilers.

I devoured this book in four days! Reading only in the morning for a while and then the evening.

This was my first read of a B.P Walter novel (although I have The Dinner Guest and Notes on a Murder) waiting for me on my Kindle and I am excited to read them even more so now!

 

Often, after I finish a book, I read other reviews to (a) see if my opinions compare, (b) support other book bloggers, (c) ensure my review on retail/review sites is unique and personalised.

Whilst I will have an ‘even better if’ opinion, I avoid leaving hugely negative reviews and instead like to post reviews for books that I recommend. Recently, a NetGalley read was dire, so I simply left my one-star review there and haven’t posted it to my blog.

Why am I putting this as part of this book review? Well, let me explain…

As I said in my opening, I sped through this book and couldn’t wait to read more. I enjoyed it! I had just finished an awful book and, in contrast, The Garden Party was the light to the shade of that book. It was an easy read, and I knew who each character was, what was happening and was thoroughly comfortable with Walter’s style.

If you sense a ‘but’ coming, you are right. Here it is: BUT, there are a few things that I would say would make it even better if. For example, if a TV company picked up the rights to it then the changes that I am about to list would be welcomed on my part. Whereas changes to books when transferred to screen often bug me.

1.      The prologue (I can’t explain why - I said no spoilers) but I would just remove it all together. The first chapter is strong and gripped me anyway.

2.     The ending. Other reviews that I have read say what I felt – it feels a little rushed. I don’t mean this in a truly negative way though as I was SO enjoying the book that I would have willingly read on and on and on. I wanted to see more of what was going to happen rather than be told or have it implied. Therefore, I WOULD want to see this on screen playing out, extending the ending.

Often, I am disappointed when I finish a good book – a bit like saying goodbye to family/friends after a lovely day/time etc. Here, I ‘turned’ the page and was like ‘Oh!’ as it ended so abruptly! Some people would say the inference of what follows is there. I agree. I just didn’t want it to end and was disappointed that it did!

3.      I can’t explain this point fully or I will create a spoiler so all I will say is that although I guessed ‘who’ does something you do get to read ‘why’ they do it. So, in that sense, it works, but I do think if it would be more powerful if you didn’t guess (I imagine most readers will). I expected a twist and to be wrong…yet there wasn’t one and I wasn’t wrong either.

Now, on to what I really liked about it!

As I said at the beginning of this review, I really enjoyed The Garden Party overall. I think the front cover is beautiful – with the red wine playing homage to Walter’s red and white themed covers and the green making it feel like the perfect summer read. I am glad that I read this one whilst I had more spare time as I know I would’ve been annoyed waiting to get back to it as it had me keen to read on!

There were some unexpected scenes that I thought were sensitively written. At other points of the book, I would say it’s ‘nearer the mark’ in its explicitness, but, again, I think Walter has delivered these scenes with good effect.

Personally, I really felt for the character of Harris and, without going into detail, I think that this was a strength of the book – the way the characters are shown and developed. All characters – minor or major – are distinctive and memorable to the point where I could pick who I would cast as them if this were to be on TV.

Moreover, I liked how the three sections detail the ‘crimes’ of certain characters and thought this to be a unique way to present the novel. Due to this, it does mean the time frame jumps about but the helpful time frame notes at the start of each chapter allows you to know where you are. I didn’t get muddled at all.

Walter’s description is appropriate – not too much, not too little. Just the right balance to allow me to picture the scenery, the scene itself and the characters within in. For me, the dialogue is also effective and pitched well to match the characters you are introduced to.

So, if you like a ‘dark’ (Cooper, C) and enjoyable read, with some brutal family reveals that tug on the heartstrings, then I recommend you giving it a read as there’s no doubt that Walter’s style is one that many readers will enjoy.

 

 

I'm back...

 Where I have been...

Well, 'Hi there' I didn't intend on disappearing for almost a month! I have still been reading (I have even typed a couple of reviews) and, of course, there have been adventures!

In July and into August, I prioritised my reading/reviewing - especially for the electronic ARCs from NetGalley. Then I went away for a few days...and since I have been super busy/back to work. Plus, I think a break is healthy.

I know I am always curious when people I follow don't post - albeit on socials or YouTube. Hopefully you were curious too!

However, I actually DID post a review on NetGalley for a book that I didn't enjoy...so in wanting to keep here for books I do recommend, didn't post it here.

Then, I finished a book and typed the review ready but wanted to check it a different day - have a bit of space from it - before posting...and only just got the chance (as I said, I have been busy!) and the review is now coming tomorrow.

Anyway, I hope you are ready for more reviews...a return to blog posts and maybe even some Sunday Snippets!

Book review (ARC) - Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

 This is Beautiful...and Ugly for all the right reasons!

I have long been a fan of Alice Feeney, first reading her novel Sometimes I Lie whilst I was studying for my Creative Writing MA. Since, I have read other novels of hers, but I have only reviewed Daisy Darker as I wasn’t blogging about reading back when I read the others. I think they deserved belated reviews because, since reading an ARC of Beautiful Ugly, I have confirmed my view that she is an outstanding author.

 

I was lucky to be provided with an ARC of Beautiful Ugly, I would particularly like to thank Chloe (from Pan Macmillan) and NetGalley.

 

Here is my review – it does not contain specific spoilers.

 

READ ME…the stunning front cover says, and I did not need any persuading! 

Marooned on my own reading island for the hours that I spent reading this novel, I could not have been any happier. Feeney always delivers and there’s something so comfortable about her style that envelops me the moment I start a novel of hers. Her descriptions are second to none and I marvelled at the way that she described so many things as the book played out its opening scenes.

I was intrigued from the get-go and (although the synopsis hints at what the book is about) I remained open minded. This open view continued until I had nearly finished reading…only around the 80% mark did I try to join up any dots. And, at this point, despite me wondering a few things, I just couldn’t work out what was really going on and any theories I did have were entirely wrong: GREAT!

Why? I when an author can fool me, providing me with twist upon twist (upon twist in this case) that I truly didn’t expect…especially when I am still marvelling over how clever Feeney was with Daisy Darker! I think it’s accurate to say that she has gone one better with this and I, for one, didn’t think that would be possible!

The main character that you read is Grady, the struggling author who moves to the island of Amberly with his dog, Columbo. Following Feeney on Twitter, I pictured her dog (Boots) every time I read Columbo and thought he was a great addition to the novel. Without spoiling anything, there was a particular section where I even read faster BECAUSE of Columbo and another where I was quite concerned. How powerful when a book evokes such a reaction from a reader...

The island itself is shown on a detailed map at the start of the book and it’s a great addition to help you place everything. Then, without repeating myself, there are the descriptions that Feeney provides: wow! I honestly thought I was there…all my senses were awakened and interacting with what I was reading.

Usually, I have a love/hate relationship with such places – they scare me with their isolation yet fascinate me for the same reason! The Isle of Amberly actually had me wanting to visit it…well for most of the book until the scare/fascinate ratio tipped from 50/50 to 99/1! But, again, I said no spoilers!

There is another, main, perspective that you read (and one more included nearer the end) as well as another one that puzzled me and I want it to puzzle you, so I won’t explain! I like how the inclusion of this other, main, perspective filled gaps of the story whilst still leaving me thinking it hadn’t filled in anything at all – clever! It’s very well done, and it adds to the mystery of what happened whilst helping the two timelines to meet, like sea meets shore, but only at the appropriate point of the book.

As I said, I couldn’t have been more wrong about what had happened…if there were clues, I missed them. I was fooled. So much so, this is the second book of Feeney’s that’s been added to my ‘need to read again’ pile! There’s also something I want to look at to see if Feeney has done something in this that appears in the book (that’s hard to explain but once you read, you will know).

On another note, I really liked Grady (I felt sorry for him) and enjoyed reading the majority of the book following his time on Amberly with Columbo. I also like how distinctive all the other characters in the book are too – another example of how marvellously Feeney describes things. This book really came alive in my head.

It’s fair to say that I am not a fan of creepy, usually, but I was brave with this, and the darker moments pulled me in further, like I needed to read to get to safety. How wonderful when a novel encapsulates you in such a way...

I didn’t want the book to end, but what an ending it was. I am still thinking about it, but I can’t explain why - no spoilers here!

After, I read Feeney’s inspiration behind the book and was fascinated and would love to know more. You can see how some of it came from her own experiences and what a great way to channel these.

p.s There’s also something REALLY clever in this novel about the Isle of Amberly that I didn’t even notice and I guarantee you won’t too…so YOU will just have to READ THIS BOOK to see what I mean 😊

p.p.s I haven’t ever put a p.s or a p.p.s in a review before but this one NEEDS these to ensure the p.s addition sticks in your mind.

 

Book review - I Died On A Tuesday - Jane Corry

 I was really rooting for her...

My review contains slight spoilers using the synopsis from Amazon:

THERE’S THE STORY EVERYONE BELIEVES . . .

The victim: Eighteen-year-old Janie leaving home for a new life.
The criminal: World-famous rockstar, Robbie, who harbours a shocking secret.
The protector: Witness support officer, Vanessa, desperate to right the wrongs of her past.

They tried to bury that fateful day. Now it’s back to haunt them.

. . . AND THEN THERE’S THE TRUTH.

I Died on a Tuesday: The gripping new thriller from the Sunday Times bestselling author eBook : Corry, Jane: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

I want to start by saying that I enjoyed this book, I read most of it in a morning and was REALLY rooting for one of the characters. But, I wasn't rooting for The Victim! I was more touched by the life of The Protector... And, it also wasn't what I expected as the three stories of the one version of the truth wasn't quite what you get... However, I shall too explain why you should read it further down...

Firstly, I will go into details about the tag: One day. Three Stories. Who do you believe?

There IS a day in question, but rather than a day, it's a fleeting moment of time that changes two lives, forever. Not a day. Then there are the two different perspectives that provide information about this day...neither are reliable (something I like) but actually they agree, they don't disagree until one is challenged. So, it wasn't about who I believed...besides, the third person - also connected - wasn't there at the event to provide information about it first hand.

I think this tag needs changing. It WAS what made the book catch my eye and therefore didn't deliver what I had it expected it to. In my case, I still enjoyed it but some readers may feel cheated by this and I strive to be honest in my reviews.

Also, I feel that me rooting more for Vanessa than Janie seems odd...perhaps this was because the Janie sections were so short whereas I was invested in Vanessa's past, present and future. Her part of the book alone has me hoping that this is turned into a TV show - perhaps even for what could happen beyond the book!

I did, however, like the fact that Janie 'speaks' to the reader and this reminded me of a character in The Red House (Roz Watkins - see my previous review) and I think the use of italics helped her sections to stand out from the other characters.

I have to say that I love a murder mystery and this isn't that, but I am glad I read it as there are mysteries aplenty along with twists and 'things' that all tie up by the end. I'll just say 'things' to not over-spoil!

My least favourite character was The Criminal. I didn't care if Robbie went down or not and I suppose, in this sense, I was partly rooting for Janie and believing her version of events. However, as Robbie's story continued I also was invested in his outcome after more information is known. It could come down to morals and how you would react in such a situation and if fear (and something that I won't say - spoiler avoidance) are involved...

I didn't like the prison sections - I have to say that they were well-written and informative, I just was so into the Vanessa sections that I wanted to get back to those!

I also wasn't too sure about the addition of The Judge sections, but I can see why they were needed.

Overall, it was thought-provoking story with several issues raised in the book that really makes you think. I hadn't read this author before, but I will again.

I think Corry has created characters with layers, created her scenes and locations with appropriate detail and created a tale that, as I said before, would transfer very well to screen.

If you like books where the life and story of a character interests you, then this book is for YOU!

ARC Book review - You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego

                        Another book that will transfer well to screen...

 

My review, on this occasion, contains slight spoilers…

Having written my own piece about a ‘Murder Mystery’ weekend event that goes wrong, I was drawn to this for that reason alongside the concept of a ‘And Then There Were None’ style tale set on an island (just like Agatha Christie did). Only here, the characters attend as part of a writer’s retreat. As a big fan of locked room style novels, the concept of the island was a big plus for me. I am also an escape room fan and there were some great scenes along these lines too.

The mysteriousness of the visit in Christie’s novel is similar to the mystery of who has really invited the authors to the island. It is, J.R. Alastor. Despite being a well-published author, nobody knows his real name, yet…

In this novel, Mila (an events organiser) gets a message from the mystery man asking her to help host a murder mystery event on his island. He wants to invite peers - six other authors who have all been successful within the crime/mystery/thriller genre.

Mila accepts the job for a specific reason, but things quickly descend into chaos.

I really enjoyed the Cluedo concept and can appreciate how much thought must have gone into laying all the false trails and breadcrumbs that readers will, undoubtedly, follow. The use of foreboding/foreshadowing gives you a hint of what’s coming, however, I fell for the numerous red herrings and did not solve the case successfully. A stunning debut by Pliego and something I would enjoy watching on television.

There are multiple perspectives shown and (something I really appreciated) the serial killer has a voice too – clever!

My only issue with this was the disruptions to the Kindle version as there were some pieces of text that were not where they should be/font sizes different to others and – as this book has some interesting features – it was sometimes hard to tell what was there in error/what was meant to be there.

With thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the chance to read this.

Book review (ARC) - Every Last Suspect by Nicola Moriarty

 Not quite what I expected...right until the end!

My review does not contain spoilers...

This book has a unique concept of the murder victim speaking to the reader both at the start and throughout. This, for me, was one of its strengths. I also liked how there were the three suspects and how each one had their own section. However, I wasn't as keen on the amount of other characters that were shown and I did get a bit confused.

Overall, I enjoyed the book but felt it more 'chick lit' and relationship based than I prefer - although I can see that in the book needs this to tell its story. If this is your thing - murder mystery mixed with chic lit etc then it's for you!

The ending wasn't what I expected and I did feel slightly let down. I would read this author again, I just don't think this was quite what I had hoped for. 

With thanks to Net Galley/Penguin for the chance to read it though.