Book Review: Spring Clean for the Peach Queen by Sasha Wasley

 Spring Clean for the Peach Queen

by

Sasha Wasley

Publisher: Pantera Press

Publication date: 30th March 2020

Genre: Contemporary Fiction 

Pages: 471

Source: Own purchase

 

Review: Spring Clean for the Peach Queen

I read this as part of the Dymocks Reading Challenge 2024 and I'm so pleased the challenge made me pick this book up and read it.

 

It's been twelve years since Lottie Bentz, the last reigning Peach Queen, has been to her home town of Bonnievale. Bonnievale is known for its wonderful peach orchards.

 

After a major scandal, a tanked career and a dead boyfriend, Lottie returns home. She is ready to give it all away; the thousands of followers, the acting dream, the make-up and the lies. She is spring cleaning her life, Marie Kondo style.

 

I loved this moving story! Lottie is easy to like as we never see the old selfish, superficial Charlize (Lottie's professional name). She is trying her best to turn over a new leaf.

It's very surprising to see who in the town supports her, happy to leave her past in the past, and those who don't.

 

Love interest Angus is gruff and distant. He had been through some hard times of his own and was currently working the orchard and caring for his mum who was slipping into dementia.

It was fun watching the bright and sunny Lottie get under his skin.

 

If you like heartfelt contemporary fiction about love, redemption and community with a sweet touch of romance Spring Clean for the Peach Queen will not disappoint. 

 

Spring Clean for the Peach Queen is a story about community, country towns, working together and finding your true self. A wonderful read filled with heart and humour.

 

My rating 4.5 / 5 🍑🍑🍑🍑½ 

 

STAY TUNED I HAVE A GIVEAWAY COMING SOON!!!!!

 

Book Review: Wallaby Lane by Maya Linnell

 Wallaby Lane

by

Maya Linnell

Publisher: Allen & Unwin Australia

Publication date: 4th June 2024

Genre: Rural Romance

Pages: 400

RRP: $32.99AU (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Wallaby Lane

Wallaby Lane is Maya Linnell's sixth novel, however it is the first one I have read. And yes, the others are all sitting on my shelf waiting to be read.

 

Lauren Bickford is working at the local radio station, bullied at work and belittled by her mother, she is losing confidence in the work she loves.

 

Jack Crossley has returned to Penwarra to keep an eye on his sister and niece. He has taken a post at the local police station.

 

Maya Linnell calls on her knowledge and experience of local country communities and the spirit that keeps these communities alive to pen a story that is wholesome, heartwarming and engaging.

 

In Wallaby Lane, Maya includes her love of animals and the humour they can invoke with Gary the Galah and the local goats. I also enjoyed the inclusion of the animal rescue centre and the important work they do caring for and rehoming injured animals. Maya also includes many areas centric to small communities, such as bored youths acting up and the damage caused by local gossip. 

 

The fledgling romance between Jack and Lauren is wonderfully balanced with lots of baking, a community cookbook and the Penwarra 100th anniversary show.

 

Just one tiny complaint, for me, there were probably too many roadblocks to Lauren and Jack's relationship. They both had old demons to come to terms with and at times instead of supporting each other they opened a wider rift. I loved that I still got the HEA and the warm fuzzies that romance reads deliver.

 

My rating 4 / 5 🩷🩷🩷🩷

Book Review: The Surprise Party by Julia Crouch

 The Surprise Party

by

Julia Crouch

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication date: 28th June 2024

Genre: Psychological thriller

Pages: 343

Source: eCopy courtesy of the publisher 

 

Review: The Surprise Party

Eve and her husband Will are returning to the place they spent their honeymoon 29 years ago. A holiday in a secluded fishing village on the Crete coast is just what Eve hopes will rekindle their marriage. But first she has a confession to make! A long held secret she needs to divulge.

 

Poppy is also holidaying in the village. She is angry over her mother's lies and has recently broken up with her cheating boyfriend. Poppy is on a mission and she has it all planned. 

 

Eve's whole family arrives the next day for a surprise party for Eve's 50th birthday. Both Eve and Poppy now need to reassess their plans. When the morning after Eve's surprise party dawns, one guest will be dead.

This book had me hooked right from the gripping prologue where someone is in a life or death situation. This was such a great teaser because I then had to race through the book to see who it was and also how it ended.

A lot of the characters were messed up and honestly I thought the murderer could have been any one of them.

Lots of suspects, accusations, outbursts, unlikeable characters and great twists made The Surprise Party hard to put down. This is a read-in-one-sitting book!

I finished The Surprise Party eager for a follow up book.

My rating 4 / 5 🍷🍷🍷🍷

 

 

Book Review: All the Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

 All the Colours of the Dark

by

Chris Whitaker

Publisher: Hachette Australia

Imprint: Orion

Publication date: 25th June 2024

Genre: Crime/ Mystery/ Thriller

Pages: 580

RRP: $32.99AU (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Good Reading

 

Review: All the Colours of the Dark

When Teenager Joseph 'Patch' Macauley is kidnapped his best friend Saint Brown makes it her mission to find him. Long after the authorities have given up Saint relentlessly looks for clues.

 

All the Colours of the Dark is a compelling crime read. I loved the short chapters that kept the story moving along at a fast pace and the 500+ pages flew by in no time.

 

The story starts with the abduction of a young teen and soon turns into a fast-paced mystery thriller that had me totally captivated.

 

A small town setting, flawed nuanced characters, lyrical prose and perfect imagery make All the Colours of the Dark an immersive and emotional read that spans almost three decades.

 

All the Colours of the Dark is an epic love story that will change the lives of two people forever, steering them towards an unknown destiny filled with heartache and despair. 

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Review: Among the Grey Gums by Paula J. Beavan

 Among the Grey Gums

by

Paula J. Beavan

Secrets, corruption and bushrangers.

 

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

Publication date: 5th June 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 400

RRP: $32.99AU (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Review: Among the Grey Gums

Among the Grey Gums is my first read by Paula J. Beavan and I absolutely loved it! I do have Paula's debut novel on my shelf and I can't wait to read it.

 

I loved Lucy's character! She was forthright, courageous and strong.

 

1842 Hunter Valley, Lucy is a woman in a man's world, fighting to survive and make a living in a harsh environment. Everyone that knew her respected her but it was still a dangerous place for a woman, she had to not only be tough but smart too.

 

Constable Samuel Donovan was the perfect hero, respectful and compassionate. He had been sent to the Hunter Valley to investigate the local magistrate and why there had been no progress on capturing a gang of bushrangers. The Constable ends up helping Lucy try to clear her brother-in-law's name when he is accused of murder.

Among the Grey Gums is a riveting historical fiction. I love that Paula J. Beavan writes strong, feisty female characters. Lucy is doing what is considered to be a man's job, and doing it well. I liked the descriptions of the bullock teams, how they all had names and the whole process of yoking the team up, travelling through the harsh countryside and sleeping under the stars.

There is a perfect division of good and bad characters which balanced the story out nicely.

A very subtle romance thread added a heartwarming touch to this story of murder, corruption and manipulation.

I'm excited to read Daughter of the Hunter Valley, where we are introduced to another strong and resilient female character.

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Review: Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

 Bookshops & Bonedust

by

Travis Baldree

High fantasy. First loves. Second-hand books.

 

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Imprint: Tor

Publication date: 7th November 2023

Series: Legends & Lattes #0

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 352

Source: Own purchase

 

Review: Bookshops & Bonedust

Bookshops & Bonedust is a prequel to Legends & Lattes.

I totally enjoyed this cosy fantasy set in a small seaside village.

 

Viv finds herself recuperating from a battle injury in the small seaside town of Murk. All Viv wants to do is get back with her unit and capture the elusive necromancer Varine.

 

Aside from two fight scenes Bookshops & Bonedust is as cosy as they come. Every character is endearing from the potty-mouthed bookshop owner to her pet gryphet named Potroast. Bookshops & Bonedust is filled with plenty of good clean humour and heart.

 

Many reviewers have stated the first book was better but not having read Legends & Lattes I can't compare. I loved Bookshops & Bonedust for what it was, light-hearted and fun. It's a story about friendship and a bit of a journey for Viv to think through what she truly wants from life.

 

I loved the characters' passion for books and a good scone.

You know you've read a great book when you close it wanting to read more from this author.

 

If you've never read fantasy before, Bookshops & Bonedust would be a great place to start.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Book Review: Yes, Chef by Waitlyn Andrews

 Yes, Chef

by

Waitlyn Andrews

Publisher: Self Published

Publication date: 3rd August 2023

Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Romance 

Pages: 340

Price: $7.76AU (kindle)

Source: eCopy from the author

 

Review: Yes, Chef

Claire moves to Paris to heal from past traumas and to find her own way in the culinary world.

She is currently working at Teaks restaurant where they are cooking their way towards a Michelin star. Claire's ultimate dream is to be on a team that is awarded the star. She has sworn off work romances at all costs, she doesn't want distractions or messy break-ups. That is until in comes James Sullivan, the new head chef. 

 

I loved everything about this book! It is a light-hearted, funny, sweet, closed-door, slow-burn romance.  

A sweet female lead who couldn't hate anyone even if  she tried and a broody male lead with grumpy meets sunshine vibes, enemies to friends to lovers and dating the boss all thrown into one.

 

I enjoyed the culinary vibe, the food, wine and behind the scenes running of a restaurant. The definition chapter headings were a fun addition and I loved looking out for the use of the word in each chapter.

 

Yes, Chef is the perfect read if you are after something light, fun and positive. It's a real feel-good read.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐