Shelley's Book Nook

☆☆☆1/2 ebook, 266 pages Expected publication: April 28th 2020 by Amazon Publishing UK About the Book: It’s an opportunity she can’t refuse. The woman before her tried...Freya Miller needs a miracle. In the fallout of her husband’s betrayal, she’s about to lose her family home, and with it the security she craves for her five-year-old daughter, Skye. Adrift and alone, she’s on the verge of despair until a chance meeting with the charismatic Dr Marsden changes everything. He’s seeking a new tenant for a shockingly affordable flat in a fashionable area of London. Adder House sounds too good to be true… But Freya really can’t afford to be cynical, and Dr Marsden is adamant she and Skye will be a perfect fit with the other residents. But Adder House has secrets. Even behind a locked front door, Freya feels as if she’s being watched: objects moving, unfamiliar smells, the blinking light of a concealed camera… and it’s not long before she begins to suspect that her dream home is hiding a...

Who Did You Tell? by Lesley Kara My rating: 4 of 5 stars What an absolutely wonderful read this was. I knew from the first chapter this was going to be a good one and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. This is a book that had me surprised at times. The novel moves quickly and I became addicted to the characters you truly become part of their world, feeling their feelings and seeing things through their eyes, especially the main character, Astrid. I really liked the way each chapter told the story and I loved that it was easy to follow with concise chapters. It’s full of secrets and lies but you won’t be able to quite put your finger on it all until the final pages where a big twist throws the reader. I was shocked at the deception that I’d totally missed. There are times when you read a book that after a few chapters you have a fair idea what the twist is but this book threw me for a loop. This is a book which I can honestly say you won’t want to put down. Great characters and a super...

The Secrets of Love Story Bridge by Phaedra Patrick My rating: 4 of 5 stars Imagine being told you’ll never feel sunshine on your skin ever again. That’s what life is like without her. And every minute and hour of each day, I feel like it’s my fault she’s no longer here. -Book by author Phaedra Patrick ✔ -Book has bridges in it✔ -Book has beautiful cover✔ -Book has adorable kid ✔ -Book has goofy romantic characters✔ -Book has HEA ending✔ This book checked all the boxes for me. Phaedra Patrick is very good at creating characters that are three dimensional. Even a prickly person is going to have some redeeming qualities tucked inside. The result is characters that ring true and characters that you can care about. It is a simply told story that has more depth that you might expect. There are humorous moments, but it is not a comic novel. I bought this book because I enjoyed The Library of Lost and Found and The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by the same author. I was not disappoin...

Little Disasters by Sarah Vaughan My rating: 4 of 5 stars There is little that’s more lonely than being at home with a distraught baby and an unravelling mind. I really enjoyed this little gem. Even though I had figured out part of the "who" it was still an incredible read. I love that it focused on such an important issue, post-partum depression. It is a beautifully written story that sucks you into the lives of women who are really smart, strong and interesting. You get to see how the secrets we keep (sometimes even from ourselves), sneak into relationships. The harm comes when assumptions are made to try to understand the intent and motivations of people we tend to think we know well. There is enough action, and good writing to keep the reader firmly interested in the outcome for all of the fascinating characters in the story. I really liked this one...Sarah Vaughan has done it again. View all my reviews

Redhead by the Side of the Road by Anne Tyler My rating: 5 of 5 stars One day your hotshot Fortnite and such will be old-fashioned too. Actually, one day we won’t even have video games. We won’t even have computers. They’ll all have been hacked and we’ll go back to snail mail and bricks-and-mortar shopping, and the world will start running at a manageable speed again. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. The main character was quirky and kind of an oddball yet relatable. His daily issues were ones that many struggle with, like family expectations, goals and relationships. The others in his life were likable, even the occasionally annoying characters. Ann Tyler is one of my favourite authors and she never disappoints. View all my reviews

The Garden Of Lost Memories by Ruby Hummingbird My rating: 5 of 5 stars Wonderful writing, realistic characters, interesting story line, heartwarming, sad, funny, this novel has it all. The author does a fantastic job of bringing the main characters, Billy and Elsie, to life. A completely addictive novel that will make you ask yourself so many questions about what makes a family and who our neighbours are. View all my reviews

The Wife and the Widow by Christian White My rating: 5 of 5 stars Guilt, fear, grief, they’re all like moss. If you slow down long enough it’ll start to grow, and it won’t stop until you’re covered. Christian White has written a chilling, intriguing, intense and captivating novel. The author describes his dramatic cast of characters as complex, complicated, strange, and suspect. The story is narrated by both the Widow and the Wife, in such a different way. There are deep dark secrets and terrible lies that leaves you questioning everything and everyone. There are twists and turns, and this novel had me sitting at the edge of my seat. I highly recommend this unique thriller. View all my reviews

The Wiregrass by Pam Webber My rating: 4 of 5 stars Life is about choices, and you can choose to be angry and unhappy all the time or you can choose to be happy...always choose happy, no matter what. When I first started reading The Wiregrass I didn't think I was going to like it but then I started to get into it I couldn't stop reading. Pam Webber's writing is so poignant, real and beautiful. The story itself was gut wrenching and fraught with hard times, hard labor and much love. I found Nettie and her cussins to be such wonderful characters and this book an enjoyable reading experience. I would recommend this book to be read by anyone and everyone. View all my reviews

If It Bleeds by Stephen King My rating: 4 of 5 stars 4.5 Stars I was a little worried reading this as I was becoming afraid that King had lost his touch - but this is a very good book of stories. I was hooked from the first page. Interesting plots and good characters. And, to top it off, halfway thru he gives us Holly. (from Bill the Hodges series). I love Holly - add her to more books, in fact I'd read a series all about her alone. She is such an amazingly strong woman and is a joy to read about. Highly recommend! View all my reviews

Pressing Flowers by Katie Blanchard My rating: 4 of 5 stars You may not always make the right decision, on your path back to a healthy state of mind, you might not even make the popular one, but if you know in your heart that it will set you back if you chose to do it, then you made the correct one for you. This novel is a tough one to read in that it covers the gamut of nearly every human emotion. I enjoyed the writing, the story-line & the characters. The characters were achingly real, the dialogue authentic, the emotions raw, and the plot had just the right twist to remain plausible with the rest of the story. And evn though the subject matter was gut wrenching, there was a bit of humour as well. I look forward to enjoying more of Ms. Blanchard's work. View all my reviews

What Lies Between Us by John Marrs My rating: 5 of 5 stars 4.5 Stars Oh wow. I read this is one sitting and am still pondering what the heck did I just read!? I admit I pretty much had this figured out by page 100 BUT! The writing was so riveting and sucked me right in...that is a testament to John Marrs incredible talent. If I hadn't figured out what was going on so early I would have given this five stars. What the heck took me so long to read a John Marrs book again, I absolutely loved The One. I can't wait to see what this amazing writer has in store for us next. View all my reviews

Rust & Stardust by T. Greenwood My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is an extraordinary tale that grips and holds you with each turned page, an absolutely incredible, engrossing story that I could not put down once I started. Its characters are brought to life in such an authentic way, and the author has done a phenomenal job of researching every detail that goes into this story...I felt like I knew these characters. The way the story reaches its conclusion is so unexpected, I did not see that ending coming at all. This is one of the best novels I've read this year, maybe ever. I can't wait to see what Tammy Greenwood does next, she never ceases to amaze me. View all my reviews

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides My rating: 4 of 5 stars While most of the book is a meandering journey through potential craziness, the end was a heart-pounding rush leading up to a gentle settling of sorts. Don’t expect too much action and thrills from this one as it is a slow burning suspense. But don’t discount its ability to test what you believe right along with all the characters. Remember, perspective is everything, especially in our minds. Who is guilty and who is not? A seductively, beautiful writing style makes this a great read, highly recommend. View all my reviews

After The Accident by Kerry Wilkinson My rating: 3 of 5 stars I am a Kerry Wilkinson fan...this one, though, didn't really hit the mark for me. It centers around a family vacation and weird things start happening, causing suspicion in those around them. It's told via interviews and I thought that was a creative way to go. While this was an interesting mystery, and there were surprises at the end, I couldn't get into these characters the way I like to when reading a mystery book. I don't know if there were just too many characters and the book wasn't long enough to delve deeply into each of them, but I didn't feel like I understood their motivations for the things they end up doing (or choosing not to do). I think if I had gotten a deeper view into each character's mindset, I would have enjoyed the story more. I am still confused if this is fiction or not. View all my reviews

A Spark of Light: A Novel by Jodi Picoult My rating: 4 of 5 stars She had had two hearts, and now she did not. She had been a mother, and now she was not. A Spark of Light tackles the very tough subject of abortion. The story is one that doesn’t take sides but instead tries to shed light all around in a suspenseful setting. I also enjoyed the story tacking a different tact of from current to past. The Epilogue does a nice job of tying up the story at the end with many touching and surprising twists. An amazing heart wrenching story of multiple characters that stay with you long after you finished. Picoult is a genius. View all my reviews

Watching You by Lisa Jewell My rating: 4 of 5 stars 3.5 Stars What do you do with an unattainable crush once it’s yours to keep? What does it become? Should there perhaps be a word to describe it? Because that’s the thing with getting what you want: all that yearning and dreaming and fantasising leaves a great big hole that can only be filled with more yearning and dreaming and fantasising. I really enjoyed some aspects of this book. The writing style flowed easily with a barrage of well developed characters. Unlike other books, the characters were so uniquely portrayed it wasn't hard to remember each one-where it takes half the book to distinguish one from another. The emotions & settings were so true to life, so visceral, so real that you are completely drawn into the book with it's colourful characters. The plot is compelling and overall, it had some excellent qualities which can't be discounted. View all my reviews

Spare Change by Bette Lee Crosby My rating: 5 of 5 stars Bette Lee Crosby is a wonderful storyteller, she writes in the vein of Fannie Flagg. Spare Change is the first of five in the Wyattsville series. This book is a real page turner that leaves you with lots to think about. Ms. Crosby takes on the fascinating issues of gossip, death, murder and what it really means to be a community and a family. I loved all the characters in this book, good and bad. I enjoyed reading and learning about the south. There's nothing more interesting than reading about small town people who are looking for where they all fit in. I have already downloaded the other four books! Jubilee's Journey by Bette Lee Crosby My rating: 5 of 5 stars 4.5 Stars Another great read from Bette Lee Crosby. I am new to this writer and the Wyattsville series. Ms. Crosby is fast becoming a favourite author. Although vastly different from what I normally read this story still involves what I love about ...

The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel My rating: 5 of 5 stars I had no words of comfort, no real belief that someday our loss would no longer feel like a gaping wound or that our daughters were better off. The dead were gone and the world could be a nasty, festering place. And somehow, our daughters had gotten tangled in its ugliness. That was the only truth I knew. This book is dark. It will make you uncomfortable. It’s supposed to. That’s the only way to truly show how monsters work. It’s disturbing, dark, and even beautifully written at times, but literally one that will stop your heart and rip your soul out. I hadn’t had more than that single sip of beer last night, but my whole body throbbed like I was nursing the world’s worst hangover. Even my skin ached. Maybe it was grief, oozing out through my pores. My body had suffered when Junie came into the world. It seemed only fitting that it suffered when she left. This book was so well done, but so hard to read at the same time. ...

The Love Story of Missy Carmichael by Beth Morrey My rating: 5 of 5 stars Baby steps. Old lady steps. Even if I wasn’t quite sure where I was going. This was such a charming book full of kindness, and people you’d like to know. I just loved this story and became so invested in all the beautifully drawn characters. I couldn’t put it down and read it in one sitting. It was so refreshing to have a "feel good" plot during this scary time. This novel was superbly written, bringing a glimpse into Missy's joy and pain. The characters are wonderful and the whole world lends itself to a quiet, thoughtful read, tissues at the ready. As Missy copes with the ups and downs of life, she discovers the secrets that makes living worthwhile...loving ourselves and each other. Extending a hand outside our comfort zone. Serving, even at cost of rejection. Well done Beth Morrey! View all my reviews

The Secret Mother by Shalini Boland My rating: 4 of 5 stars Who am I now? Not a wife? Not a mother? I have no ambition, no place or real purpose. I screw my eyes shut tighter and slide down further underneath the duvet. I Love Shalini Boland's books and this one was another hit. I love how her writing leaves you wondering what you would do in a situation like the ones she writes about so well. Even though I had the plot and the twist figured out pretty early on I really enjoyed reading what was happening to Tessa and what she was doing about it. I thought this was an entertaining but also tragically sad story. It contained such insightful commentary about society and our values and our relationships. The judgments and self-righteous criticisms we often make about other people when we have no idea what their circumstances or situation might be ... really uncharitable and hypocritical as well. I highly recommend this book. View all my reviews

Lockdown by Peter May My rating: 4 of 5 stars The mystery in this book played on multiple levels. The relationships and the bones, the cast of characters and the locations were all described in enough detail to add to the story but not so much as to detract from the plot. This is the first Peter May book I have ever read. I don't know why he wasn't on my radar before now. And the only reason I picked up this one was because of covid-19 and there is also a virus in this plot. For those who love gritty, somewhat nasty murder mysteries with weird killers, and an exotic setting in one of the world's most famous cities, this thriller-murder mystery will satisfy. I highly recommend it. View all my reviews

Small Mercies by Richard Anderson My rating: 5 of 5 stars From the first line I knew I was captivated by a talented and accomplished writer. The characters and setting are so vivid. As you read, you will feel that you too are involved in this struggle. I enjoyed reading this book so much. The vivid descriptions of outback life and farming made the book come alive for me. The story-line could be based on real people’s lives and I found it to be so intriguing and authentic. The relationship between Dimple and Ruthie was so beautiful and palpable but also tension filled. The writing was poetic and the message behind the story was a powerful one. View all my reviews

Hurry Home by Roz Nay My rating: 4 of 5 stars Gripping, disturbing, emotional and heart wrenching. Hurry home is an outstanding story about dark and disturbing secrets. This is a subtle story, where little is actually spelled out, but much is inferred. The author does a masterful job of slowly revealing the background and secrets of the sisters. Tragic subject matter but the author did a great job with the main characters point of view. Short chapters and wonderful writing kept me reading and looking forward to what was next. Roz Nay has another winner here. View all my reviews