Book Review: The Lost Letters of Rose Carey by Julie Bennett

 The Lost Letters of Rose Carey

by

Julie Bennett

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication date: 1st May 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 368

RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: uncorrected proof from publisher

 

Review: The Lost Letters of Rose Carey

The Lost Letters of Rose Carey was inspired by the life of vaudeville star, swimmer and actress Annette Kellerman.

 

Narrated through the dual timeline of Rose in 1923 and Emma in 2024. 

 

In 1923 Rose is going through a hard time financially and she needs to reinvent herself. She has an amazing new act that will put her in the spotlight again. However tragedy strikes and she starts to question everyone close to her not knowing who she can trust.

I absolutely loved Rose's story! She was such a strong inspirational woman. Many of Annette Kellerman's achievements are mentioned throughout the story which had me looking for more information on the internet. Her life was fascinating and beautifully portrayed through the character of Rose.

In 2024, Emma and her wife Lauren are struggling with failed IVF attempts and the pressure it is putting on their marriage. Emma finds some old film canisters and letters and is soon pulled into researching the life of Rose Carey. I wasn't so captivated with Emma's story and couldn't see the parallels between her and Rose's lives.

I would have been quite happy to read a whole book on Rose Carey alone.

The Lost Letters of Rose Carey is a fascinating story of love and betrayal. The book moves along at a fast pace through passion, heartache, mystery and unexpected twists.

I loved the final connection to women and fitness. To love, celebrate and look  after their bodies.

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Julie Bennett's debut novel:

THE UNDERSTUDY

 

Book Review: Family Trust by Peter Wilson

 Family Trust

by

Peter Wilson

A trust fund to die for...

Publisher: Self Published

Publication date: 26th April 2024

Genre: Crime / Thriller

Pages: 222

RRP: $4.58AU (Kindle Ebook) 

Source: Courtesy of the author

 

Review: Family Trust

Family Trust by Peter Wilson is a highly entertaining and engaging crime thriller with themes of wealth and corruption. Wilson takes his readers into the murky world of money, privilege and power.

 

The story is told through multiple timelines covering three generations.

In the 1960's financial lawyer Henry Taylor was employed to set up a trust fund owned by good friends William Harris and Edward Griffon, two of the wealthiest men in Australia.

 

Present time is Harris & Griffon's grandchildren, Mel, David & Rachel. They have all had tumultuous childhoods and Mel believes someone is trying to kill her.

Family Trust is a story about greed, wealth and betrayal. I didn't know who or what to believe as twist after twist is revealed. I found the majority of characters to be very unlikeable as greed takes over from good manners and honesty.

 

Det Senior Constable Kirsty Campbell is introduced to the story as she investigates the murder of a male sex worker with strong links to the Harris family. I would love to see Kirsty Campbell as the main character in a series of her own.

Wilson adds moments of  humour amongst the tension and mayhem.

 

Fans of crime fiction will love this story of money, murder and manipulation. It will have you second guessing all the way through.

 

my rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

 

Available now in eBook on Amazon.

Book Review: The One That Got Away by Karly Lane

 The One That Got Away

by

Karly Lane

Twenty years ago, Alex ran. As far and as fast as she could.

But to return is her only escape.....

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 30th April 2024

Genre: Contemporary fiction / rural romance

Pages: 339

RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: The One That Got Away

Karly Lane's stories just keep getting better and better!

 

With The One That Got Away Karly Lane has delivered another heartfelt, small town, romance story that is sure to garner rave reviews. 

Alex leaves the small coastal town of Rockne Heads. a fictional town on the NSW North Coast, vowing never to return. However when she decides to buy and settle in the English countryside she must return to Australia, and Rocky, to go through her father's belongings and sell the family home.

Sullivan (Sully) has lived in Rockne Heads all his life. He has taken over the family fishing business and built it up to the successful company it is today.

He never expected to see Alex Kelly again after she left Rocky without even a goodbye. When he bumps into her on the street all the emotions are back and he is not going to let her go again without a fight.

I loved everything about this second chance romance story. There is a deep mystery running through the story about something that happened when the characters were teens. An event that tore the whole town apart and turned them against one of their own.

Lots of flashbacks slowly fill the reader in, keeping me totally glued to the pages.

This is a slow burn romance with just enough angst to keep me wondering if our main characters will end up together. 

Karly has included some heavy topics around teenagers and the mistakes they make. 

In The One That Got Away Karly Lane astutely explores the complexity of small town living.

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Other books I've reviewed by Karly Lane:

FOOL ME ONCE

FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE 

MR RIGHT NOW

ONCE BURNT,TWICE SHY 

SOMETHING LIKE THIS

A STONE'S THROW AWAY 

TAKE ME HOME

TIME AFTER TIME 

THE WRONG CALLAHAN

 

 

Book Review: The Lost Lover by Karen Swan

The Lost Lover

by

Karen Swan

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Publication date: 30th April 2024

Series The Wild Isle #3 

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 420

RRP: $34.99 (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: The Lost Lover

Could my heart be any more shattered!! 💔

 

If you are following this series you will know each book follows one of the young women on the isle of St Kilda the year before they are evacuated.

Through extremely clever plotting Karen Swan has written three (so far) completely different stories involving the same characters and timeline but through a different point of view.

The Lost Lover, Flora's story, is another epic installment of The Wild Isle series, superbly written and heartbreaking.

We know from previous books Flora's life is set. She has a rich fiancé and when she leaves the island they will be married. 

The Lost Lover starts a year earlier than the previous books and we find out how Flora and James met and fell in love. It is not as plain sailing for Flora as we were led to believe.

There was so much in this book the previous books didn't reveal and I was captivated all over again by the harshness and the beauty of St Kilda.

There are brief mentions of events in previous books however Swan is careful not to simply rehash the first two books. The Lost Lover goes further and details Flora's life off the island where her extraordinary beauty sees he welcomed into Paris high society.

The Lost Lover ends on one of Karen Swan's notorious cliff hangers making me eager for book 4.

The Wild Isle series would have to be one of the best Historical Fiction series I have read!

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Other Karen Swan books I have read:

CHRISTMAS BY CANDLELIGHT

THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

THE CHRISTMAS PARTY 

THE CHRISTMAS POSTCARDS 

TOGETHER FOR CHRISTMAS

THE GREEK ESCAPE 

THE HIDDEN BEACH

MIDNIGHT IN THE SNOW 

THE SECRET PATH

THE SPANISH PROMISE 

THE LAST SUMMER  The Wild Isle #1

THE STOLEN HOURS The Wild Isle #2

 

 

 

Book Review: The Mistress of Dara Island by Averil Kenny

The Mistress of Dara Island

by

Averil Kenny

A tropical paradise is her birthright ... but will its dark secrets destroy her dreams?

 

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 3rd April 2024

Genre: Historical / Mystery

Pages: 368

RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

Review: The Mistress of Dara Island

The Mistress of Dara Island is an enchanting story of power, money and long held secrets, set on a fictitious island off the coast of far north Queensland.

 

Tahlia (Tally) is the only child of Nerissa the owner of Dara Island and one day the land that she loves will pass to her. However the exclusive resort is currently run by her rich and powerful father, and he wants Tally to have nothing to do with it.

 

The willful and determined Tally was not scared to stand-up to her cruel and militant father. He banishes her from the island but she vows to return and claim her birthright.

 

Set in the 1960's Averil Kenny richly evokes the beauty and seclusion of the island with a luxury resort on one side and the other filled with treacherous peaks covered in jungle. 

I loved the wonderfully portrayed characters in this story and many of the chapters ended on little cliff-hangers that kept me eagerly reading.

What starts as a story about a willful girl and her love of the island soon morphs into a suspenseful mystery with plenty of jaw-dropping twists.

The Mistress of Dara Island is the perfect holiday read!

My rating 5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Another fabulous book I have read by Averil Kenny:

THOSE HAMILTON SISTERS

 

 

 

Book Review: Sunrise Over Mercy Court by Fiona McCallum

 Sunrise Over Mercy Court

by

Fiona McCallum

Just when they thought they were done....

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

Publication date: 5th April 2023 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Pages: 496

RRP: $32.99AU now in B format $22.99AU

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Sunrise Over Mercy Court

I have read a few of Fiona McCallum's novels and I have really enjoyed them. However, Sunrise Over Mercy Court was a miss for me.

 

Elsie and Howard have been together for almost 60 years and at 78 they are tired of the aches and pains, bored with life and low on finances. They plan on getting all their affairs in order then end their life, peacefully together, before their 79th birthday.

 

Sunrise Over Mercy Court was quite depressing and I couldn't at all connect with Elsie and Howard. Their talk of methods of suicide were so ludicrous it was funny. Then I felt bad for thinking it was funny because it is a serious topic.

I really don't like the use of drugs to add humour in a story, even if they are light recreational drugs. 

8 year old neighbour Milly was a breath of fresh air, wise beyond her years, and also the magic elixir that made all Elsie & Howard's aches and pains magically disappear.

 

My rating 2 / 5 ⭐⭐

I don't know who I could possibly recommend this book to. However here are some of Fiona's books I do recommend!

TRICK OF THE LIGHT

THE LONG ROAD HOME

HER TIME TO SHINE 

A LIFE OF HER OWN

 

 

 

 

Book Review: The Wartime Vet by Ellie Curzon

 The Wartime Vet

by

Ellie Curzon

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication date: 4th April 2024

Series: A Village at War #3 

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 331

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: The Wartime Vet

The Wartime Vet is a cozy mystery/historical fiction set in 1942 country England during WWII.

 

Laura moves from her job as a small animal vet to the country town of Bramble Heath where she is employed to care for the local farm animals; the sheep and cows that will provide food for the nation.

 

I loved that Laura was strong and determined, the 1940's were a hard time for women to be taken seriously in jobs that were usually undertaken by men. When she believes that someone is sabotaging the farms she does not falter at going over her curmudgeonly bosses head to notify a higher authority. 

 

Ellie Curzon includes the invaluable work of the Land Girls Army and how they had to overcome sexism and suspicion.

I could easily imagine the small country town of Bramble Heath with children evacuated from the city running around on the farms. However these idyllic little towns didn't escape the air raid-sirens and the danger of enemy bombs.

 

The Wartime Vet is a cozy mystery novel with a light romance thread running through the story. It also explores heavier themes of PTSD, disrespect for servicemen with mental health problems, traitors, the land girls army and how women had to fight for the same recognition given to men.

 

My only complaint is that it became quite repetitive at times, going over and over things that had already been explained.  

 

My rating 3.5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐½ 

 

 

Book Review: Last Chance in Paris by Lynda Marron

 Last Chance in Paris

by

Lynda Marron

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 3rd April 2024

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Pages: 280

RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher 

 

Review: Last Chance in Paris

Last Chance in Paris is a poignant and heartfelt story of past regrets and new beginnings.

Told through multiple points of view, Marron’s lyrical prose and unique writing style build empathy for her large cast of characters. The reader is introduced to people who are broken and looking to time in Paris, the city of love, to find purpose again and a desire to move forward and find meaning again.

Last Chance in Paris is a story of love; new love, fragile love, old love and unrequited-love. A chance for reconciliations and new beginnings.
A young couple hoping to save their marriage, a widow mourning a lost love and ready to uncover a long-held secret, an old man filled with regret looking for forgiveness and two young refugees just scraping by on the streets of Paris. Each of the characters' lives intertwined and touched each other in deep and often unnoticed ways, over one weekend in Paris.

Last Chance in Paris is a beautiful showcasing of the city of Paris as the characters visit landmarks and restaurants.

Heartfelt but not heartbreaking, Lynda Marron always gives the impression that her characters are slowly moving forward. I became totally invested in the lives of the characters. This is a book you will think about long after you’ve turned the last page.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Book Review: Shock Waves by Fleur McDonald

Shock Waves

by

Fleur McDonald

When a bomb blast rips apart a quiet country town Detective Dave Burrows kicks into action.

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 3rd April 2024

Series: Detective Dave Burrows

Genre: Crime / Thriller / Suspense

Pages: 352

RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Shock Waves

Shock Waves opens with gripping suspense right from the first page when a bomb is set off in a quiet country town. I was pulled straight into the mystery and I loved that Fleur McDonald didn't divulge too many clues making it nigh on impossible to guess the final reveal.

Fleur highlights many issues that are faced by farmers today and the bureaucracy they must all deal with via laws that have no leeway for compassion, driving some farmers over the edge.

Dave's greatest struggles in this novel are his own personal demons. The plot not only deals with the issues of farming and the bomb investigation but also Dave's psychological problems over not seeing his young daughters. We also see the heartfelt interactions between Dave and his boss, Bob Holden, as Bob struggles with ongoing medical treatment and letting go of his working career.

Shock Waves is another brilliantly written novel that champions farmers and remote communities whilst also giving readers a great dose of drama and suspense.

If you've read the later Dave Burrows novels we see a strong, resilient Dave sure of himself and happily married to Kim but he wasn't always like that. In Shock Waves we learn more about the young Dave, heartbroken after his marriage breakdown, he wears his heart on his sleeve.

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Reviews for other Fleur McDonald books I've read:

DECEPTION CREEK

INTO THE NIGHT

RED DUST 

RED DIRT COUNTRY

RISING DUST 

THE SHEARER'S WIFE 

SOMETHING TO HIDE

VOICES IN THE DARK

WITHOUT A DOUBT 

 

 

 

Book Review: Those Girls by Pamela Rushby

Those Girls

by

Pamela Rushby

Publisher: Walker Books

Publication date: 3rd April 2024

Genre: Young Adult / Historical Fiction

Pages: 336

RRP: $19.99AU (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of publisher

 

Review: Those Girls

In Those Girls, Pamela Rushby writes about a little known area of women's involvement in the second world war.

As men leave the country to join the fighting a void is left in the area of food production. This is where the Australian Women's Land Army (AWLA) was formed and many young women left their homes to make their contribution to the war effort, working on farms picking and packing fruit, digging potatoes and milking cows. The back breaking and relentless work was vividly described as the girls work hard and support each other making firm friendships along the way.

Those Girls is an easy, engaging read. Descriptions of the farms and working conditions are well portrayed as the girls endure harsh summers and bitterly cold winters. Rushby gives a wonderful insight into the lives of these girls (mainly aged 14 -18 years). Even with working long hours the girls find some time to socialise and have some fun, go dancing, meet American soldiers and even fall in love.

Snippets into the girls' lives before the Land Army work and the lives of their families at home waiting on news of their missing sons is well researched and written to target the young adult audience of 14+ years.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher recommended age 14+ years

Alludes to consensual sex

unplanned pregnancy

unwanted advances

 

Book Review: Body of Lies by Sarah Bailey

 Body of Lies

by

Sarah Bailey

A MISSING CORPSE. A SHOCKING CRIME. 

FAMILY SECRETS TOO CLOSE TO HOME.

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 27th February 2024

Series: Gemma Woodstock #4

Genre: Crime / Mystery / Thriller

Pages: 480

RRP: $34.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Body of Lies

Body of Lies opens about 18 months after Where the Dead Go and Gemma is on maternity leave. She is currently living back in her hometown of Smithson with partner Mac, son Ben and baby Scarlett.

 

When a woman dies in a car accident and her body is stolen from the hospital morgue and the next day a newborn baby is found abandoned on a walking track Gemma is convinced these two cases are related and asks if she can return to work to work on the case. Gemma has to juggle motherhood and working, along with rivalry in the workforce.

 

Body of Lies is another shrewdly plotted police procedural. The action never stops which keeps the pace up throughout the book.

It was nice to see Gemma in a good place psychologically in this novel. She had grown up a lot but still had trouble distancing herself from the victims which caused her much distress.

 

Body of Lies is another highly entertaining novel from Sarah Bailey with plenty of jaw-dropping twists and a light exploration of some ethical issues.

I found it a fitting finale to the series.

 

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Other Sarah Bailey novels reviewed:

THE DARK LAKE

INTO THE NIGHT 

WHERE THE DEAD GO

 

 

 

Book Review: Where the Dead Go by Sarah Bailey

 Where the Dead Go

by

Sarah Bailey

A MISSING GIRL. HER MURDERED BOYFRIEND. A COP ON THE EDGE.

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 4th August 2019

Series: Gemma Woodstock #3

Genre: Crime / Mystery

Pages: 464

RRP: $22.99AU (B format paperback)

Source: Uncorrected proof from publisher

 

Review: Where the Dead Go

As Into the Night wasn't a big hit with me I was eager to read the next Detective Sergeant Gemma Woodstock novel. Can Sarah Bailey recreate the atmosphere and suspense from The Dark Lake? Well that was a resounding Yes! I could not put this book down! I read it in two days picking it up every spare minute I had.

 

Where the Dead Go hooked me right from the prologue. A young teen out late at night after a fight with her boyfriend disappears without a trace.

 

In Into the Night Gemma was living in Melbourne and we find out she has since been living in Sydney with a new love interest, Mac. She is visiting her hometown of Smithson when a report of a murder and a missing teen, in a small town just north of Byron Bay, comes through. Gemma is keen to take the case and get away for a while.

 

Gemma is still full of self-doubt and crippling anxiety and has flash-backs of another missing teen case that didn't end well.

I love how Sarah Bailey portrayed the small seaside town of Fairhaven where everyone knew each other but there was still the underlying feeling that people were being evasive and secretive. I was quick to think many of the characters were a bit suspect and that Gemma shouldn't trust anyone.

 

Where the Dead Go was well plotted with plenty of drama that kept me turning the pages. 

The story ends with a bombshell from Gemma which I am sure will be played out in the next book. 

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

 

THE DARK LAKE REVIEW

INTO THE NIGHT REVIEW

 

Book Review: Into the Night by Sarah Bailey

 Into the Night

by

Sarah Bailey

A BRAZEN MURDER WITH HUNDREDS OF WITNESSES - A CASE WHERE NO ONE CAN BE TRUSTED 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 23rd May 2018

Series: Gemma Woodstock #2

Genre: Crime / Mystery

Pages: 420

RRP: $22.99AU (B format paperback)  

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Into the Night

Into the Night by Sarah Bailey is her second novel featuring Detective Sergeant Gemma Woodstock.

Gemma is a hot mess all the way through this novel. She is very hard to like.

"..... there's a blandness about my appearance - I'm easily forgettable."

" I am too hard. Too empty. Too remote. Too selfish." 

She's always so down on herself, spending her free time with random hook-ups and too much booze. 

Gemma is leading the case of the murder of a homeless man but is soon moved when a high profile actor is murdered on set and this case takes precedence.

 

There are themes of the vulnerability of homeless people and sexual harassment in the workplace but neither is fully explored.

 

For me Into the Night was not a thrilling page-turner however it is a shrewdly crafted police procedural. Some well placed red herrings kept me second guessing throughout the story.

 

The city of Melbourne is superbly portrayed showcasing its buildings, sounds, colours and the eclectic busyness of the city streets.

 

I couldn't get my head around Gemma's work partner DS Nick Fleet. He is rude and obnoxious and Gemma really needed to dress him down. There is a scene with Gemma and Nick that comes out of the blue, there is no lead up to this incident and it seemed so unrealistic.

 

The story does end with some action packed drama but it was a slow slog getting there.

 

My rating 3/ 5 ⭐⭐⭐

 

#MountTBRChallenge

 

THE DARK LAKE REVIEW

 

 

 

Book Review: Devil's Lair by Sarah Barrie

 Devil's Lair

by

Sarah Barrie

A lonely widow, a sinister act, a darkness rising from the past.

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

Publication date: 17th June 2019

Series: Calico Mountain #2

Genre: Crime / Thriller

Pages: 448

RRP: $29.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Devil's Lair  

I just found out whilst posting my review that this is book 2 in a series! I can confidently say it reads well as a standalone. 

Devil's Lair opens with a ritualistic cult-like killing and I initially thought the story might be too dark for me however it soon settles into a compelling mystery with dark elements, allusions to paranormal activity and some nice creepy stalking. There are more killings but they are spread throughout the book and by this time I was hooked on the mystery.

Devil's Lair is a taut, gothic small town thriller and the perfect setting of a Tasmanian winter adds to the atmosphere of seclusion. I enjoyed the light romance thread that ran through the novel. It gave me some relief from the spine-tingling drama that had me on the edge of my seat.

Sarah Barrie pulled me into the world of gothic Tasmania and when the jaw-dropping twists started revealing themselves I was totally addicted.

 

If you enjoyed The Dry and The Dark Lake you will love Devil's Lair

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you haven't read Sarah Barrie before I highly recommend her Lexi Winter series.

UNFORGIVEN: https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogspot.com/2022/01/book-review-giveaway-unforgiven-by.html

RETRIBUTION: https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogspot.com/2023/02/book-review-retribution-by-sarah-barrie.html

VENDETTA: https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogspot.com/2023/11/book-review-vendetta-by-sarah-barrie.html 

 

#tbrchallenge

Book Review: Clamour and Mischief by Narrelle M. Harris

 Clamour and Mischief

Edited by

Narrelle M. Harris

Publisher: Clan Destine Press

Publication date: 1st December 2022

Genre: Anthology / Fantasy

Pages: 248

RRP: $36.95AU (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Clamour and Mischief

Clamour and Mischief is an anthology of short stories with the connecting theme of birds, or more precisely corvids (birds from the crow family).

 

I do love anthologies as the stories are short, giving instant satisfaction, and can be picked up and put down without fear of losing the plot line. 

 

Corvids have been used prolifically in novels. Just read any fantasy where ravens are the harbingers of bad news and death, even transforming into demons.

 

Clamour and Mischief includes 16 short stories with very diverse themes such as doom, death, superstition, manipulation, myth and kindness. Something for every reader's taste.

 

Two of my favourite stories were The Jackdaw Maiden by Katya de Becerra and Kupara and Tekoteko by Lee Murray. 

The Jackdaw Maiden is an atmospheric tale of a young princess who was born with feathers and blamed for all the village ills, she befriends the birds and goes on to save the life of her sister.

Kupara and Tekoteko is a story of kindness and friendship set in New Zealand. Tekoteko oversees the village and asks Kupara (the raven) to help him do acts of kindness, to relieve the suffering of people living around them, as Teketeko is carved from wood and cannot move.

 

I hadn't previously come across any of the 16 authors featured in the anthology however I now have a few names I will be researching past works.

 

Some of the stories in this anthology were a bit too gruesome for me but the thing with anthologies is if one story doesn't suit you can move onto the next as it just might be the discovery of a new author you love.

 

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (averaged over 16 stories)

Book Review: Would You Ask My Husband That? by Kathleen Whyman

 Would You Ask My Husband That?

by

Kathleen Whyman

She's Wearing the pants in the family ...... and washing everyone else's too.

 

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 27th February 2024

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Pages: 400

RRP: $32.99AU (paperback)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Would You Ask My Husband That?

Would You Ask My Husband That? is a humorous and sharp look at the load a working mother and wife carries. 

 

Sarah works full-time and does all the childcare arrangements, cooking, cleaning and household chores. When her husband, Will is let go sacked, Sarah gets his Directors job. This means longer hours and more travel, just like Will used to do. How hard can it be with Will home full time on 'gardening leave' to look after  the children and do the housework.

 

Would You Ask My Husband That? is hilarious!  Whyman has created a 2000's woman and married her to a 70's male. Surely men aren't still like Will!

 

A host of unlikable and selfish characters had me cringing at times. However the story was highly engaging and loads of fun. I couldn't put it down! I raced to the end to find out when Sarah would finally see she was being undermined at every turn. 

 

Even though the plot is very predictable, the insanely funny situations the characters find themselves in (usually of their own making) make the book an easy read. Don't take any of it too seriously and you will enjoy this tale of corporate climbing and people that want it all whilst others clean up around them.

 

I loved the Friday Fizz Club, so funny! Where was that when I was a SAHM!

 

4 stars from me. Would be 5 stars if it wasn't so predictable.

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Book Review: The Accident by Fiona Lowe

The Accident

by

Fiona Lowe

She thought their life was perfect.  She was wrong.

 

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

Publication date: 6th March 2024

Genre: Contemporary fiction

Pages: 480

RRP: $32.99AU (paperback)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: The Accident

Trying my best at a spoiler free review here as it's best to go into this story with a limited idea of what unfolds. 

 

I was pulled into the story right from the prologue. The Accident opens with a tragic car accident but the reader is left in the dark as to who is in the accident and the details.

What ensues is a heart-wrenching and thought-provoking story rich in female-centric and emotive issues such as; posthumous IVF, women's choice to have, or not to have children, the many ways childless women are judged and child neglect.

 

Freya & Ryan and Hannah & Jamie are the best of friends however when one of them dies those left behind start questioning their own lives and each other. Lies and secrets surface and all their lives are irrevocably changed.

 

The Accident is a page-turning and thought-provoking story. Fiona Lowe thrusts her characters into moral dilemmas. The plot had me on a roller-coaster of emotions, tears, anger, a what would I do moment and delight. 

 

The Accident is a taut and absorbing mystery that is sure to be a huge hit with Fiona Lowe's fans and also with readers who enjoy Liane Moriarty and Sally Hepworth. 

 

My rating 4 /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Book Review: The Beacon by P. A. Thomas

 The Beacon

by

P. A. Thomas

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 30th January 2024

Genre: Crime / Mystery

Pages: 416

RRP: $ 32.99AU (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: The Beacon

Jack Harris, son of media giant Malcolm Harris, is sent from his high profile Melbourne office of Harris Media to their lowest regional newspaper, The Beacon, at Byron Bay. His father wants him to learn the business from the ground up but Jack thinks it may be punishment for questioning some of his father's actions.

 

Jack is eager for some journalistic work but when he arrives his mentor, Patrick O'Shaughnessy, is nowhere to be seen. Jack soon meets the colourful Caitlin O'Shaughnessy, Patrick's daughter. 

Patrick's body is found days later looking very much like the victim of a shark attack. Some things about the death don't add up for Jack so he and Caitlin decide to do some investigating of their own and soon find there are a few people that Patrick had managed to get on the wrong side of via his journalistic reporting.

 

The Beacon is such an entertaining page-turner. Set in the beach-side town of Byron Bay. P. A. Thomas cleverly portrays Byron's beauty and its flaws. Showcasing Bryon's eclectic and diverse cast of residents and their relationship with the missing reporter.

Thomas includes lots of fun banter, a main protagonist who can be a bit naive at times and a compelling mystery that kept me intrigued with plenty of twists and numerous antagonists. I was eager to see how the story would end.

 

Jack is the type of character you will find hard to let go of. He's honest, funny and a bit naive at times. He gets himself in and out of plenty of sticky situations. I closed the book hoping we would be seeing more of Jack Harris in the future. 

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ plus an extra ⭐ because there was a character named Veronica 💖