Breathless... By Jennifer Niven

One of my favourite books of all time is All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. I have never read a book that left me in pieces and yet whole at the same time. Once I finished ATBP I told everyone I know to read it, I signed up for GERM newsletters, I spend hours listening to the song All The Bright Places by Haley Jonay who wrote it based on the book. I even contemplated getting a Finch and Violet tattoo (I'm kind of still considering it). When I followed Jennifer on social media and saw that she loves Harry Styles as much as me, I was destined to buy and read every book she would ever write. So here I am, I've finished Breathless and have become an ever bigger fan. 

Blurb:
Before: With graduation on the horizon, budding writer Claudine Henry is making plans: college in the fall, become a famous author, and maybe--finally--have sex. She doesn't even need to be in love. Then her dad drops a bombshell: he's leaving Claude's mother. Suddenly, Claude's entire world feels like a lie, and her future anything but under control.

After: Claude's mom whisks them away to the last place Claude could imagine nursing a broken heart: a remote, mosquito-infested island off the coast of Georgia. But then Jeremiah Crew happens. Miah is a local trail guide with a passion for photography--and a past he doesn't like to talk about. He's brash and enigmatic, and even more infuriatingly, he's the only one who seems to see Claude for who she wants to be. So when Claude decides to sleep with Miah, she tells herself it's just sex, nothing more. There's not enough time to fall in love, especially if it means putting her already broken heart at risk.

My thoughts:
To be completely honest I don't really know where to begin. I loved All The Bright Places and I thought I would enjoy Breathless, however I didn't think it would impress me as much as it did. 

The story is mostly based on a small island off the coast of Georgia, just turned 18 year old Claudine Henry moves to an island for the summer with her mum after her dad drops the bombshell that he no longer wants a family. Cue the heartbreak and confusion. Claudine would rather be literally anywhere else but preferably on the road trip she had planned with her best friend Saz. 

Not long into her stay Claude makes friends with a few island workers and becomes interested specifically in Jeremiah Crew, who is also eighteen and screams bad boy. Claude and Miah embark on a summer romance, typical in that they both know there is an expiration date, non-typical in that it completely changes the both of them forever. The connection they have is one that stays with you and has you wistfully dreaming to be a teenager again and falling in love for the first time. Of course things aren't simple and don't come easily, both have major issues they have to deal with personally before being in a healthy, functioning relationship. But isn't that always part of the charm, when you find someone who is as broken as you are?

Claude talks a lot about the concept of 'virginity' and what it means to have sex for the first time. I think how Jennifer wrote about having a sexual relationship for the first time and the pressures of that (particularly for girls) brilliantly. I would have loved to read this story as a young adult and be presented with an alternative idea of virginity, rather than it being something you give to someone and taking a piece away from yourself. Obviously first time sexual experiences are different for everyone and mean different things to people but to have a young protagonist talking about it so openly with her peers and her partner was refreshing. 

One thing I related to throughout was Claude's struggle to deal with her parent's impending divorce. Although my parents' divorce didn't happen in the way Claude's did and I have a great relationship with both parents, I still felt a comradeship with her and understood the protection she felt towards her mum at different parts of the story. The feeling of partnership they had with each other in their heartbreak was familiar. 

I've seen some mixed reviews on Goodreads for Breathless and I'm not sure if they read the same book I did because I adored it. I thoroughly recommend for everyone to read it if they enjoy themes such as coming of age, feminism, family and sex. 

While I'm off planning my move to an island off Georgia's coast you can buy Breathless here and learn about Jennifer's other stories here. 

Blog Tour: One Summer in Italy (A Review)

Blurb:

When Sofia Bianchi’s father Aldo dies, it makes her stop and look at things afresh. Having been his carer for so many years, she knows it’s time for her to live her own life – and to fulfill some promises she made to Aldo in his final days.

So there’s nothing for it but to escape to Italy’s Umbrian mountains where, tucked away in a sleepy Italian village, lie plenty of family secrets waiting to be discovered. There, Sofia also finds Amy who is desperately trying to find her way in life after discovering her dad isn’t her biological father.

Sofia sets about helping Amy through this difficult time, but it’s the handsome Levi who proves to be the biggest distraction for Sofia, as her new life starts to take off…


My thoughts:

It's been a while since I've been a part of any blog tours but when Sabah at Avon reached out about this one, I knew I had to take part. I had read The Wedding Proposal by Sue a few years back and really loved it, so this was the perfect excuse to dive back in. 

One Summer in Italy did not disappoint. I did start this book with quite high expectations and I was hooked straight away - Sue writes the characters so well and you really do feel like they could be walking in the street beside you. 

Sofia's story appears quite simple from the beginning - going to Italy to honour her father - but it soon becomes more complex when other characters are brought in. When Sofia befriends Amy, she becomes protective of the attention she receives and I think we all know someone like Amy - a typical teenager who is kind hearted if not a little naive to the ways of the world. 

I did become quite fond of Levi, so gentle and loving yet strong and masculine. I find sometimes it can be difficult to feel as attached to the male interest as the female protagonist but I found myself being won round by Levi and rooting for him!

Sue really makes you feel like you have traveled it Italy with Sofia, I almost felt like I was sitting next to her. If you need a summer beach read, a pick-me-up or just want to jump into someone else's life for a while, this is the one for you. 

Special thanks to Avon UK for sending me a review copy. You can buy One Summer in Italy here, follow Sue on Twitter and pop over to say hello!

Talking As Fast As I Can... Lauren Graham

Anyone who knows me knows that I am obsessed with Gilmore Girls, like weirdly know scenes inside out kind of obsessed. Having watched it for the first time at 22 I found myself relating more to Lorelai and belly laughing at her one-liners and many, many mishaps. I even have a video saved on my phone of Lorelai falling on a table in Luke's diner after being so embarrassed at kissing Luke - you can't hear the scene in it though, all you can hear is my cackle laugh and snort. So you can imagine how happy I was when Lauren Graham released a memoir - I snapped it right up!

The blurb:

In Talking As Fast As I Can, Lauren Graham hits pause for a moment and looks back on her life, sharing laugh-out-loud stories about growing up, starting out as an actress, and, years later, sitting in her trailer on the Parenthood set and asking herself, "Did you, um, make it?"

 She opens up about the challenges of being single in Hollywood ("Strangers were worried about me; that's how long I was single!"), the time she was asked to audition her butt for a role, and her experience being a judge onProject Runway ("It's like I had a fashion-induced blackout").

In "What It Was Like, Part One," Graham sits down for an epic Gilmore Girls marathon and reflects on being cast as the fast-talking Lorelai Gilmore. The essay "What It Was Like, Part Two" reveals how it felt to pick up the role again nine years later, and what doing so has meant to her.

Some more things you will learn about Lauren: She once tried to go vegan just to bond with Ellen DeGeneres, she's aware that meeting guys at awards shows has its pitfalls ("If you're meeting someone for the first time after three hours of hair, makeup, and styling, you've already set the bar too high"), and she's a card-carrying REI shopper ("My bungee cords now earn points!").

My thoughts:
I always thought that Lorelai's humour and wit came from great writers of the show but I think it might have come from Lauren - she is hilarious. Like, laughing out loud at 1am kind of funny. 

There was a lot about Lauren that I didn't know as she is quite a private person in comparison to other lead actresses, especially in the age of social media, and I felt that she shared a lot more than I was expecting. It's clear from the beginning that Lauren has had a very colourful life and it's no surprise really that she has ended up being the smart, successful woman she is now. 

Obviously as a Gilmore Girls fan some of my favourite chapters were the ones which she focused on that period of her life, both the original and A Year in the Life. I loved that the relationships we saw onscreen were clearly similar off screen - Lauren speaks highly of all her co-stars both in Gilmore Girls and Parenthood (which she also starred in for five years). I also found it interesting to learn about the struggles Lauren faced as a young actress, as I think most people assume it is always a glamorous job, when in fact it is mostly the complete opposite. 

Overall, I found this a really fun read and definitely learned quite a bit along the way. It also made me go back to Netflix and flick through my favourite Gilmore Girls episodes. No shame here.

You can buy Talking As Fast As I Can here, and be sure to follow Lauren Graham on Twitter for some good laughs. 

Blog Tour: No Turning Back (A review)

The blurb:

She only wanted to save her daughter. 

She didn't mean to kill anyone...did she?

When radio presenter Anna Graves and her daughter are attacked on the beach by a crazed teenager, Anna reacts instinctively to protect her baby.

But her life falls apart when the school boy dies from his injuries. The police believe Anna's story, until the autopsy reveals something more sinister...

The evidence seems to connect Anna to a decades-old serial murder case. Is she really as innocent and she claims? And is killing ever justified, if it saves a child's life?

My thoughts:

I had no idea what to expect of No Turning Back when it arrived in the post. This is the first book of Tracy Buchanan's that I've read (I know, I'm terrible) and so I didn't really have much to go on, besides the blurb and the reassurance that Buchanan is a great writer. I think this actually worked in my favour, to be honest, as I was able to go in open minded with zero preconceived ideas.

The incident with Anna and the young boy who is killed, Elliot, happens within the first couple of chapters and instantly had me gripped and unable to wait for more. I was hooked straight away, tearing through this book in one sitting - I couldn't put it down!

In the beginning, I didn't really know what to think of Anna, her mental state and general well-being. As I delved further into the story I did find myself questioning her and her motives, not fully trusting her. I did have to keep reminding myself, however, that she had a traumatic experience and that isn't something you get over quickly, if ever.

I really enjoyed the little snippets from the 'Ophelia Killer' case throughout - I was so intrigued and couldn't wait to find out who it was and how the death of Elliot could be connected. I had so many different theories that it seemed to change with every chapter, I'm pretty sure I suspected everyone at some point even though I had absolutely no clue of what was happening and what was coming next. Having said that, I was gobsmacked when all was revealed - the plot twist (well, the last one) is so very clever and well thought out!

I won't go into too much detail as I don't want to give anything away and I think it is more enjoyable to read without any preconceptions. Tracy Buchanan has written a fantastic, thrilling psychological thriller here, keeping readers gripped from the onset - I would not hesitate in recommending this book (I've already thrust it in my sister's face) and I'm now going onto Amazon to purchase her other stories! 

Special thanks to Avon for sending me a review copy. You can buy No Turning Back here, follow Tracy on Twitter and say hello!

The Bookshop on Rosemary Lane... by Ellen Berry

The blurb:

Take a trip to the Yorkshire village of Burley Bridge, where a very special little cookbook shop has just opened its doors...

IN THE BEGINNING
Kitty Cartwright has always solved her problems in the kitchen. Her cookbooks are her life, and there isn't an issue that 'Cooking with Aspic' can't fix. Her only wish is that she had a book entitled 'Rustling Up Dinner When Your Husband Has Left You'

FORTY YEARS LATER

On Rosemary Lane, Della Cartwright plans to open a very special little bookshop. Not knowing what to do with hundreds of cookbooks her mother left her, she now wants to share their recipes with the world - and no amount of aspic will stand in her way.

But with her family convince it's a hare-brained scheme, Della starts to wonder if she's made a terrible decision. One thing's for sure: she's about to find out...

My thoughts:

This story follows Della and her love of cookbooks, hundreds of which she inherited from her mother who recently passed away. She decides that she wants to do something with them, give them a new home, hence the opening of The Bookshop on Rosemary Lane..

To be honest, I found this story a little hard to get into - I think it was just a bit slow of start for me. Saying that though, after a few chapters I really started to enjoy Della's story and I loved getting to know her while on this journey.

Della is kind, strong, talented and really likeable, you will be rooting for her to succeed, even when things aren't going well for her she always keeps going and tries to see the positives. Her husband Mark, however, is grumpy and discouraging - not a person who should be with someone as bright and cheerful as Della. I found Della easy to relate to, mostly through her love of food but to me, it was like getting to know someone who lives down the road..

I absolutely loved the idea of a bookshop only for cookbooks, if a shop like that existed near me I'm pretty sure my friends would never see me again! The quirkiness of the shop and how it comes about really intrigued me, keeping me hooked until the end.. Ellen Berry's descriptions throughout are mouthwatering - don't read this story on an empty stomach!

I'm excited for the next instalments in the Rosemary Lane series, if this first chapter is anything to go by. The Bookshop on Rosemary Lane is definitely a delicious read! You can buy The Bookshop on Rosemary Lane here, and follow Ellen Berry (aka Fiona Gibson) on Twitter.

Escape to the Riviera... by Jules Wake

I've been in a bit of a reading slump these past few weeks and I've finally come out the other end.. Go me! I've heard a lot about Escape to the Riviera on social media and so when I saw it available on Netgalley, I just had to request it. Having read it, I'm now adding Jules Wake to my 'automatic buy' list of authors. I'm currently sat in bed at 2.30am drafting this review having literally just finished it - that's how much I enjoyed this story!

Here's what the blurb says:

Carrie Hayes has a job she enjoys and a perfectly nice boyfriend. She's sorted. Isn't she?

But Carrie's life wasn't always like this. As a young, wild drama student, she married fellow actor, Richard Maddox, after a whirlwind romance. Life back then was full of possibilities, but when Hollywood beckoned Richard, Carrie was left behind.

Now an A-list superstar, Richard's life couldn't be more different to Carrie's, so when their paths cross in glamorous St. Tropez, she can't help by wonder what might have been.

But with lovely, sensible Alan in tow , Carrie knows that she needs to do the right thing. The only problem is, Carrie and Richard never quite got found to getting a divorce...

Here's what I thought:

I think the fact that I stayed up until 2am two nights in a row to finish this story will give you an idea of how much I thoroughly enjoyed it.. I haven't read anything by Jules before this so I wasn't really sure what to expect, all I knew was that the description sounded interesting and it sounded right up my street!

The story centres around Carrie, her sister Angela and niece Jade, on a trip to the Riviera. Not only that, but Carrie's husband Richard is filming his new Hollywood movie in St. Tropez, so Carrie sees that as the perfect opportunity to track Richard down after eight years (!) and finally get the divorce they never got around to. In typical chick lit style, thinks don't go to plan and Richard will only go through with the divorce if Carrie agrees to spend time with him over the next two weeks.

As a reader, I was constantly intrigued and really excited to turn the next page - I honestly couldn't put this one down, which I haven't had in a little while..

The relationship between Carrie, Angela and Jade was one of my favourite aspects of the story. Individually, I didn't looove Angela and Jade, but linked together along with Carrie, the dynamic of their relationship shines through and adds a lot of depth and reality to the whole story. Being a sister and an aunt gives me a great understanding of the ups and downs they face, I think.

I adored the banter and relationship between Carrie and Richard and really found myself rooting for them to make it as a couple, which might be why I devoured this ebook so quickly! Jules has written a fantastic story here with real, lovable, and relatable characters - which, in my opinion, is a great sign of a fabulous page-turner!

You can buy Escape to the Riviera here. And make sure to follow Jules on Twitter!

The Lovely Bones... by Alice Sebold

This is one of those books that has been on my shelf for years - literally years. I bought this when the movie with Saoirse Ronan and its been on my to-read list ever since! Recently, as I said on here, I've been wanting to expand on the genres that I've been reading and after reading Sister by Rosamund Lupton (review here) I gave The Lovely Bones a go!

Here's what the blurb says:

'My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973. My murderer was a man from our neighbourhood'.

Watching from her place in heaven, Susie Salmon sees her suburban family devastated by her death, isolated even from one another as they each try to cope with their terrible loss alone. Over the years, her friends and siblings group up, fall in love, do all the things she never had the chance to do herself. But life is not quite finished with Susie yet...

Here's what I thought:

Having already seen the movie adaptation of this story, there weren't really any major surprises for me. However, that doesn't mean that I enjoyed it any less - if anything, I liked being more inside Susie's head than the film allows.

One of my favourite parts about the book is that you get to know Susie's family a whole lot more. I really liked how her dad and sister, Lindsay, were characterised, I felt connected to them and completely empathised with their grief - which in my eyes, shows how great Sebold's writing is. Having the opportunity to live with them through their struggles, there was a lot more understanding for their actions and why they did the things they did.

Like most book-to-movie adaptions, a lot of details get lost or overlooked, which is why I enjoyed this book so much. Obviously, I already knew the outcome and the person who killed Susie, but throughout the development of this story you learn so much more about George Harvey than a film can show. The fact that there were multiple murders of young girls prior to Susie was lost on me while watching the movie, and it really is harrowing to think that there are people out there who do get away with such acts.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book but having already known the plot outcomes etc, there is a limit to the amount of surprise and excitement levels. I would, and have, recommend this story to other whether you have seen the movie or not! A well-written, heart-stopping read..

You can purchase The Lovely Bones here!

Thanks for reading, 

Orlagh

xoxo

The One We Fell In Love With.. by Paige Toon

Its that time again - Paige Toon has recently released her newest book and I've finally got my hands on it. It arrived at my house yesterday afternoon and here I am writing my review less than 24 hours later! Anyone who has followed this blog for a while will know that I love all of Paige's stories and wait eagerly every May for a new release - The One We Fell in Love With did not disappoint..

What the blurb says:

PHEOBE is caught between a rock and a hard place. Settle down and get married, or return to the French Alps to pursue her passion?

ELIZA is in love with someone who is no longer hers. In fact, he probably never was... And her dream of becoming a successful musician seems to be vanishing before her eyes.

ROSE is out of a job and out of a boyfriend. To make matters worse, she's been forced to move back in with her mother...

But these very different girls have one thing in common. ANGUS. The one they fell in love with...


What I thought:

I've always really enjoyed reading Paige's books and this one is no exception. My favourites of hers are mostly the earlier of her collection but this one has really jumped up to top three!

One thing the blurb doesn't mention is that Pheobe, Eliza and Rose are identical triplets, and Angus is the boy who moved in next door when they were teenagers. The story is set when they're adults but there are a few flash backs so the reader can gain a bit of perspective and understanding..

As one of four sisters, I love reading stories that show that dynamic and Paige has done it really honestly. I can't ever imagine being so connected to another person the way a twin/triplet would be but even just being a sister, I understand the bond and connection that these girls feel toward each other. I really liked the fact that they fought, argued, probably even hate each other at moments, but you always know that they love each other and will be there for one another - exactly like real sisters!

Angus is a lovely character and maybe one of my favourite guys in Paige's extensive collection. He's a real honest guy and only wants to do best by everyone in his life. Usually when there is a love triangle (or in this case, square) in a book I'm reading, the guy can be quite cocky and really play up knowing that there is more than one woman swooning over him - but Angus was sort of oblivious, and when knowing, was respectful and kind. I really found myself rooting for him to be happy!

Now, the real grittiness.. Throughout the promotion of The One We Fell in Love With and on Paige's Twitter, Facebook etc, I kept seeing people talking about IT. When things like that happen I'm usually rolling my eyes a little bit because 'how can something be that much of  a surprise?' I know, quite cynical of me. But with this story I was really eating my words, I was SHOCKED. Never has Paige got me with a twist the way she did this time. I was literally on my last chapter before bed, then it happened and I knew there was no way I was going to sleep any time soon. I ended up staying awake until 3am finishing it - that's how impossible to put down this story is!

As you can probably tell from all the gushing, I really loved The One We Fell in Love With. I enjoy all of Paige's stories but this is the first in a few that has really left me gobsmacked and wanting to go straight back in a read it all over again! I'll be handing it straight over to my sister for her turn and she loves this collection as much as I do..

Have you read The One We Fell in Love With? If so, let me know what you thought! You can buy it here. Make sure to follow Paige on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also subscribe to her newsletter The Hidden Paige, for previews and competitions!

Thanks for reading, 

Orlagh

xoxo

Sister... by Rosamund Lupton

From reading the other reviews I've posted on here, it may be easy to see that my go-to genre of reading is chick lit. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a certain type of book that you love but recently, I've wanted to branch out a little bit.

Crime and thriller TV shows/movies have always been interesting to me (I love shows like NCIS, SVU, Criminal Minds etc) so I thought I would give some books in this genre a go.. I chose Sister because I had heard so much about it when it was first released and I really wanted to read it. Then a month or so back I was browsing Amazon and it popped up so I put it in my basket!

Here's what the blurb says:

Their bond was unbreakable. The truth was unimaginable. 

When Beatrice gets a frantic call in the middle of Sunday lunch to say that her younger sister Tess is missing, she boards the first flight home to London. But as she learns about the circumstances surrounding Tess's disappearance, she is stunned to discover how little she actually knows of her sister's life - and unprepared for the terrifying truths she must now face.

The police, Beatrice's fiance and even their mother accept they have lost Tess, but Beatrice refuses to give up on her. So she embarks on a dangerous journey to discover the truth, no matter the cost. 

Here's what I thought:

As an introduction to the genre, I can't wait to get stuck in and try out some more titles. The story of sisters Beatrice (Bee) and Tess gripped me right from the beginning, mostly because of Lupton's fabulous writing and ability to draw in readers, partly because I'm one of four sister (and have both older and younger). Having a relationship with my sisters as Tess and Bee did, it really impacted me and hit me hard, having to think about how I would deal with the situation.

I really loved that Bee, who told the story in first person, detailed everything in chronological order, as she was writing to her sister telling her how she discovered what happened to her and how she dealt with it along the way. I felt like I went on the journey with them both and struggled with their issues alongside them. It got to the point where I was in a groove and going steadily along with the story and then, BAM, plot twist - out of nowhere! That's the best way for me to stay hooked on a book.

For me, what made this story stand out was the sisterly bond and the determination of Bee to find out what happened to Tess, I'm looking forward to reading more crime books and more from Rosamund Lupton.

You can buy Sister here and don't forget to follow Rosamund on Twitter. Check out her other pieces of work too on her website!

If you guys have any recommendations I would love to hear them! Get in touch or leave a comment,

Thanks for reading,

Orlagh

xoxo

Me Before You... by Jojo Moyes

Hello my loves, I've been super busy lately but I have a new review for you (yay!) so I hope you enjoy! Me Before You is one of those books that I've been hearing about a lot of over the past while and with the publishing of its sequel, Me After You, and the imminent release of a film by the same title - I thought it was about time I gave it a go. I had absolutely no clue what the story was about until I looked it up on Amazon to order, I then read the description and thought I would actually really enjoy it.

Here's what the blurb says:

Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.

What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.

Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now, and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that. 

What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time. 

Here's what I thought:

Sob. Sob. Sob. By the time I finished this book I was an absolute mess. I had three hundred tissues surrounding me and the worst Panda eyes you can imagine! I had no idea what to expect with this story as I hadn't heard much beforehand (only that it was a must read), so the big dramas really snuck up on me. What an experience!

The story of Lou and Will is beautifully written, and as a first time read of Jojo Moyes I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel, After You.Lou is the typical quirky twenty-something that you meet in a lot of chick lit, but that doesn't stop you from falling for her happy-go-lucky personality! She's the best friend that you have always wanted (maybe that's just me).

Lou is exactly what Will needs in his life right now, after his accident he has lost the will to get up and live each day - all he wants is to wallow in self-pity and remember the life he used to have, instead of adapting to the new life he has. Enter Lou, and Will's daily life is changed. For the better.

I love the relationship between Lou and Will in this story, they are polar opposites yet somehow they balance each other and are always finding new ways to get under each other's skins, which adds continous depth to their relationship.

However, as you can tell from my introduction, Me Before You is not all sweetness and light. There are some real, deep issues that impact a whole lot of lives and some parts of this book won't be for everyone. I really enjoyed every aspect of this story, even the not-so-happy parts that ended with me in floods of tears, I only hope After You will live up to the greatness of Me Before You.

You can buy Me Before You here, and the sequel, After You, here. Don't forget to check out Jojo Moyes' other books on her website and be sure to follow her on Twitter too!

Thanks for reading,

Orlagh

xoxo

The Piano Man Project.. by Kat French

This is the first book that I have reviewed after having access to an advanced copy thanks to NetGalley. It's so great that sites like this exist for bloggers and avid readers like me who are just starting to build a base for reviewing and writing about books.

I'm so glad that The Piano Man Project was my first book because I loved it so much. I'd never read anything by Kat French before so I didn't know what to expect from her but I am definitely a fan now and I've already added her other novels to my reading list.

Here's what the blurb says:

Honeysuckle Jones has a problem, and her best friends Nell and Tash are on a mission to help her solve it. She needs a man – a caring, intelligent, funny man. But most importantly, a man who’s good with his hands…

Luckily Honey’s new neighbour – moody, antisocial ex-chef Hal – fails on almost every count. Even though the chemistry between them is electric, he’s obviously wrong for her in every way.

But when Honey discovers the devastating reason for his moods she decides to give him another chance. And discovers that the best songs aren’t always in tune…

Here's what I thought:

From the very beginning I felt connected to the characters in this book, Honey and her two friends, Tash and Nell are so relateable and they have the kind of conversations I have with my girlfriends - everything from family to their sex lives (or lack of). Two of my favourite characters are definitely Mimi and Lucille, 90-year-old twins who work with Honey in her charity shop.

Honey's love interest, Hal, is an interesting one. Hal is definitely one of the most unconventional males I've ever come across in all the chick lit stories I've read - BUT he's totally attractive! I'm such a sucker for a bad boy, so give me sulky and mean Hal and I'm hooked. The perfect project for Honey and someone to balance out her sweetness.

Aside from the fact this book is centred around Honey finding a man - someone "good with their hands" - Honey, the twins, Tash and Nell are fighting to save the care home Mimi and Lucille live in, as well as the charity shop Honey works in. Its all on the brink of closure if they don't come up with a solution to stop the owners from selling. My favourite thing about The Piano Man Project is that it isn't fully centred around the romance aspect of the novel, there's so much more to it and they're just as important - which I love!

Also, having never read a novel by Kat French before I wasn't sure about what to expect... I really loved Kat's style of writing, as well as the way and pace in which she delivers her story and characters. Each character developed in some way throughout the story which I thing is a credit to Kat. Amazing!

I would wholeheartedly recommend this story to anyone who loves a bit of romance, humour, and friendship. This story will make you want to fight for each character the way that they fight for each other!

The Piano Man Project is out JULY 30TH! You can buy it here. You can also follow author Kat French on Twitter (tweet her, she's lovely).

Thanks for reading lovelies,

Orlagh

xoxo

A Girl Like You... by Gemma Burgess

This book isn't newly released but it definitely deserves a review spot up on my blog! Gemma Burgess is such a talented writer and A Girl Like you is without a doubt in my top 5 favourite books of all time.

Here's what the blurb says:

I've discovered the secret to successful singledom. I'm acting like a man. And it's working.

After breaking up with her boyfriend of, well, forever, Abigail Wood must learn how to be single from scratch. Her dating skills are abysmal, and she ricochets from disaster to disaster – until Robert, one of London's most notorious lotharios, agrees to coach her. With his advice, she learns to navigate the bastard-infested waters of the bar scene and practices the art of being bulletproof.

The new Abigail is cocky, calm, composed… but what happens when she meets her match?

Here's what I thought:

LOVE LOVE LOVE! I can't praise this novel enough. Gemma really brings her characters to life in this story and you honestly feel like you could be reading a story about your best friends. Amazing!

The story focuses on Abigail and her many dating disasters. Robert is Abigail's new flatmate and one of London's most eligible bachelors who is full of advice for Abigail on what to do and what not to do when it comes to dating - some of which she listens to, most of which she shouldn't. One of my favourite things about this story is how differently men and women view dating - it's interesting to read what Abigail and Robert think about situations and how different their opinions are.

The best part of this story is Abigail and Roberts friendship, it is absolutely hilarious. It really is one of my favourite relationships in any book that I've ever read. Its relatable, endearing and very, very funny! From hungover mornings eating crumpets to new years eve pub crawls - you will love these two. Most significantly, both characters develop massively throughout the book which I think is always important, no matter what the genre or setting.

Abigail and Robert's circle is completed by her sister Sophie, Sophie's fiancée and Robert's best mate, Luke, as well as Plum and Henry, Abigail's friends from university. The six of them share dating stories, good and bad, that will make you laugh and cry the whole way through!

I really couldn't recommend this book enough and I think Gemma Burgess has done an amazing job with Abigail's story. LOVE LOVE LOVE!

You can purchase A Girl Like You here. Make sure and follow Gemma on Twitter and check out her other books here (which I also recommend, I've read them all too).

Thanks for reading,

Orlagh

xoxo

The Sun In Her Eyes.. by Paige Toon

I've reviewed a few of Paige's books on here before and since she has released her new novel, The Sun In Her Eyes, I thought it was only appropriate for me to review it. Paige Toon is one of only a few authors that I will pre-order their new books and sit patiently waiting on the post man for.

Here's what the blurb says:

Blinding sunshine... A bend in the road... What became of the little girl with the sun in her eyes?
Amber was three when a car crash stole her mother's life. She doesn't remember the accident, but a stranger at the scene has been unable to forget. Now, almost thirty years later, she's trying to track Amber down.

Amber, meanwhile, is married to Ned and living on the other side of the world in London. When her father has a stroke, she flies straight home to Australia to be with him. Away from her husband, Amber finds comfort in her oldest friends, but her feelings for Ethan, the gorgeous, green-eyed man she once fell for, have never been platonic.

As Ethan and Amber grow closer, married life in London feels very far away. Then Amber receives a letter that changes everything.


Here's what I thought: 

Well its no surprise really that I loved this book by Paige as I love all of the stuff that she writes. One of my favourite things about Paige's stories is that the characters are usually based in more than one city and love to travel - as someone who loves to travel and especially loves Australia (where most of The Sun In Her Eyes is based) I love the idea that I could be living the life of a Paige Toon novel.

Amber's story is one that I think everyone will be able to relate to in some way as the story is so diverse and has so many different dimensions to it, Whether its her relationship with her dad, her husband or her friends - most people will understand the struggles.

The mystery behind what Amber's mother told the stranger before she died is one that you forget a little bit about until half way through which is when Amber receives a letter. When they both finally meet and Amber learns what her mother said is moment of true unexpectedness - you really aren't prepared for what it is. So many theories are thrown about that when you do find out, you realise that you never even considered that possibility.

Amber's relationship with both Ned and Ethan kept me hooked the whole way through. Having a love triangle is common in chick lit novels but Paige found a way to make this one unique and stand out so that the reader wouldn't be bored. Not knowing who or where Amber would end up is what made me devour this story in one sitting.

And in true Paige Toon fashion there was a character that we've met before - Josh from Pictures of Lily! Paige always incorporates a previous character into her new stories, sometimes in minor roles, sometimes as prominent characters.

You guys can check out The Sun In Her Eyes here. Make sure to follow Paige on Twitter and learn about her other books on her website.

Thanks for reading, 

Orlagh

xoxo

Thirteen Weddings.. by Paige Toon

Paige Toon is definitely one of my ALL TIME favourite authors - the excitement that overcomes me when I receive her newest releases in the post is embarrassing. I even read The Longest Holiday in one 6 hour sitting. Yeah, they're that good. I can't quite put my finger on what it is that's so special about Paige to me but I think its because her writing is so beautiful, and her characters live lives that I would die to have (Meg Stiles, anyone?). I actually finished Thirteen Weddings a while ago but immediately lent it to my sister and only got it back recently - I like to skim read again before reviewing.

I could literally babble on and on and on and on (!!!) all day about my love for Paige's novels but today its all about Bronte and Thirteen Weddings.

Here's what the blurb says:

Last year, Bronte left Sydney for a wedding in England, where she met newly single Alex. After a night of passion they parted ways, and Bronte returned to Australia.

 Now working on a picture desk for a magazine in London, Bronte is about to meet her new colleague, who turns out to be all too familiar. Although awkward at first, as Alex is now engaged to the girl he was on a break from when they met, they soon become friends.

 But as the two get closer, and the wedding day looms, it is clear that Alex and Bronte have unfinished business...

Here's what I thought:

From the outset when Bronte meets Alex and the beginning of their story unfolds, I was instantly rooting for Alex and Bronte to make it. However, a year later when Bronte comes across Alex again and their lives are completely different to the first night they met - Bronte decides its time to let go and move on. Give up. Bronte begins working part time as a wedding photographer and meets a certain Australian singer, Lachie, who brings out Alex's jealousy - making him question his choices.

Bronte wants nothing from either men but, in typical Paige fashion, things don't go to plan and nothing in life is as simple as you might hope. With lots of laughs, and a few tears, Thirteen Weddings is Paige at her absolute best. She writes warm, witty characters and has an easy, laid-back writing style that is easy to fall in step with.

Not only is this story based around the love of a couple (or multiple), there is also the theme of friendship running throughout. A minor story is of Bronte's friend who battles with alcoholism, showcasing the different emotions and trauma that Bronte feels as a helpless bystander. There is also the mysterious story surrounding Bronte's family permanently looming in the background and only towards the end when you find it out do you understand why it is so ironic that Bronte, who hates churches, loves being a wedding photographer. A nice little twist to spice things up without taking away from the main story of Bronte, Alex and Lachie.

As a whole, I thoroughly enjoyed this newest release of Paige - another fantastic novel to add to an ever growing list of captivating from one of chick lits finest writers of the moment. A must read for everyone who adores Paige as much as I do.

You can buy Thirteen Weddings here as well as at most good bookstores. Check out Paige's website to learn about her other novels and follow her on Twitter.

Thursday's Favourite: The Love of Her Life.. by Harriet Evans

There's so many books out there that I've read which I think deserve to be reviewed and shared. So, from now on I will be posting up a review of a book, every Thursday, which I've read and that isn't necessarily seen as 'newly released'. And today marks the first.

If you asked me to list my all time favourite books this would be up there for sure. I read this a few years ago and really think it deserves a review.

Here's what the blurb says:

Like every woman, Kate thought she'd never meet the love of her life... Until she did. But are the destined to be together?

Kate Miller has lived in New York for three long years. Now, with her father ill, its time to come home and face everything she left behind...

Her friends: Zoe and Francesca, bound to her forever as a result of one day when life changed for them all. Her family: her adored father and his much younger wife. The job: she abandoned on a glossy woman's magazine. And, the man she thought was the love of her life, whose heart she has broken.

What really happened before Kate left London? And can she pick up the pieces and allow herself to love again?


Here's what I thought:

I'm not going to lie, it took me a few chapters to really get into Kate's story. It was a bit frustrating because all you are given is little snippets and hints - which meant it was a bit slow and you weren't really understanding the information you were being given. Like, why was she so distant and uncomfortable around her supposed "best friend"? BUT all these questions get answered so in the end I loved it.

Towards the half-way mark, there comes a massive twist and you learn of the event which took place and made Kate flee London. Everything suddenly becomes clear and makes so much more sense - I even found myself reading back through some passages and enjoying them so much more because I fully understood everything and why Kate and co. were acting the way they did.

The reason that this is one of my favourites is because it brought out such strong emotions in me. I laughed, I cried, I got angry and exasperated, and at some points I just wanted to scream. I was there the whole way through with Kate, and felt the pain and love alongside her.

This story is not a casual, forget it after you read, story - it will stay with you for a very long time. It's what Harriet Evans is best at. There's love, romance and laughter, but there's always a twist - and that's what I love. You never know what's coming next.

You can buy The Love of Her Life here or at any good bookshop. You should follow Harriet on Twitter and check out her website to learn about her other books.

The Kite Runner.. by Khaled Hosseini

This is a book that has been on my reading list for a long long time. I'd been recommended it countless times and so I finally took the time out to read it..

Here's what the blurb says:

1970's Afghanistan: Twelve-year-old Amir is desperate to win the local kite-fighting tournament and his loyal friend Hassan promises to help him. But neither of the boys can foresee what will happen to Hassan that afternoon, an event that is to shatter their lives. After the Russians invade and the family are forced to flee to America, Amir realises that one day he must return to Afghanistan under Taliban rule to find the one thing that his new world cannot grant him: redemption. 

Here's what I thought:

Firstly, I think I should tell you that before picking up this book I had absolutely NO IDEA what it was truly about. I had heard that it was amazing and that it was one of those stories that stayed with you forever. I didn't even know why it was called 'The Kite Runner' until a few chapters in when I had one of those 'ahhhh' moments.

The incident that takes place and which haunts Amir for years is definitely not what I had expected in any shape or form. Its brutal, hard-hitting and, for the boys, life changing. Something that cannot be easily pushed aside or forgotten.

When Amir began his return to Afghanistan I thought that it would be quite a basic ending, although thrilling, however I was completely wrong and there was still more twists and turns to come - right up until the very end chapter.

Everyone who recommended this book and told me about it was 100% right - it is still pushing to the front of my mind frequently and I doubt I will ever forget what happened to Amir and Hassan. Khaled Hosseini writes this book brilliantly, I was gripped the whole way through and was empathising with the characters from the very beginning.

A must read for everyone.

You can buy The Kite Runner here and check out Hosseini's website to learn about his other novels.

Things I Want My Daughters to Know..

This is one of my ALL TIME favourite books - I've probably read it about 10 times. I'm not even kidding...

Here's what the blurb says:

How could you say goodbye to those you love most in the world?

Barbara must say a final farewell to her four daughters. But how can she find the words? And how can she leave them when they each have so much growing up still to do?

Take Lisa, in her thirties but terrified of commitment - or brittle, unhappily married Jennifer. Amanda, the traveler, is always a little apart from her sisters and Hannah faces adult life without a mother at her side. 

Barbara's answer is to write each daughter a letter, finally expressing the hopes, fears, dreams and secrets she couldn't always voice. These words will touch the girls in different - sometimes shocking - ways, unlocking emotions and passions to set them on their own journey of discovery through life. 

Here's what I thought:

This book really has a character for everyone - no matter who you are, you'll be able to connect with at least one character.

Lisa - Barbara's eldest - is smart and sassy with a gentle heart and a great love for her mum and sisters. Then there's Jennifer - stoney and cold - is facing more internal battles of her own that even Barbara isn't aware of. Jen really just needs a bit of TLC but is the kind of person who doesn't know how to ask for the help of others.

Amanda - the wanderlust middle child - is always away travelling as a way to avoid her problems at home and her struggle to find a place within her family. Barbara's illness is Amanda's biggest problem that she wants to avoid. Lastly, Hannah - only 15 - is scared about the fact that she wont have a mother present for the landmarks in her life that are still yet to come. Hannah is also worried about her dad, Mark.

The novel surrounds the struggles of the girls and Mark after the death of their beloved matriach - and although Barbara has already passed away when the novel begins, she is a prominent figure from the onset and throughout...

This story speaks to me on a really personal level and there's never been a time that I've read it and not cried my eyes out. Anyone that has a close relationship with their mother and/or sisters will relate to this novel in someway.

Elizabeth Noble writes in the most beautiful way and has such a magical way of connecting with her audience. And as it says on the back of of my novel: "Elizabeth Noble. So good you have to share her."

You can buy Things I Want My Daughters to Know here and check out Elizabeth's website and other novels here. 

Thanks for reading,
xoxo, Orlagh

You're The One That I Want..

Giovanna Fletcher is such a talent. With her second novel newly released, Gi is fast making a mark on the literary world - and it's well deserved! Giovanna's debut Billy and Me is just as great as You're The One That I Want.

Here's what the blurb says:

Maddy, dressed in white, stands at the back of the church. At the end of the aisle is Rob - the man she's about to marry. Next to Rob is Ben - best man and the best friend any two people ever had. 

And that's the problem.

Because if it wasn't Rob waiting for her at the altar, there's a strong chance it would be Ben. Loyal and sensitive, Ben has always kept his feelings to himself, but if he turned round and told Maddy she was making a mistake, would she listen? And would he be right?

Best friends since childhood, Maddy, Ben and Rob thought their bond was unbreakable. But love changes everything. Maddy has a choice to make but will she choose wisely? Her heart, and the hearts of the two best men she knows, depend on it...

Here's what I thought:

Straight away, Maddy is the kind of character that you like which is great because in 'love triangle' sort of novels sometimes it can backfire and you end up hating the person with a choice to make. But that never happens with Maddy! I love how this isn't a typical childhood sweetheart story and that there is a little change in the dynamic.

The friendship between Maddy, Rob and Ben is what really makes this story POP! Together and individually the love that they all have for each other is brilliant - especially the bond between Ben and Rob. Its that love and respect for their friendship that makes Ben hide his feelings for Maddy so long, even though it was Ben who loved her first.

The decision made at the end is for the best, I think - even though I was rooting for the opposite side ;) the way this novel ends is light and bright, and with the addition of new characters in the epilogue, there's hope for the future.. And what's better than hope?

You can purchase You're The One That I Want here and be sure to check out Giovanna's debut novel Billy and Me. You can also follow Giovanna on Twitter and Tumblr.

An Offer You Can't Refuse..

Jill Mansell is one of my favourite writers and so when I came across one of her novels I hadn't got around to reading in a local charity shop, I just had to snap it up! Is it just me that thinks there's something really nice about reading a book you know someone else has already experienced before you? I love it!

Here's what the blurb says:

Ten years ago Lola Malone was offered £10,000, and what seventeen-year-old wouldn't be happy with that?

But there was a catch. The person doing the offering was her boyfriend Dougie's mother, and it was on condition that Lola broke up with her beloved son. Lola was outraged. Nothing - nothing! - could tear her and Dougie apart. Until she discovered a terrible secret, and sudden;y she had no choice but to take the money and run.

Now a twist of fate has brought Lola and Dougie together again, and her feelings for him are as strong as ever. But she broke Dougie's heart - and he's about to discover that she was paid to do it. She can never tell him the truth, so can she get him back? Well, Lola likes to think she's irresistible. But even she's got her work cut out this time...

My thoughts:

This is the kind of story that I'm instantly drawn to and it did not disappoint. Right from the beginning you get the opportunity to click with Lola, the main character, and you're instantly on her side the whole way through.

After being reunited with Dougie 10 years after breaking his heart (in the weirdest situation, might I add) Lola is instantly determined to have him back in her life, but after learning of Lola deceptiveness Dougie can't get away fast enough. In walks Sally, Dougie's older sister, who befriends Lola and even becomes a neighbour - and even embarks on her own little love story.

Throughout the novel, Lola makes herself look a bit silly as she continues to pursue Dougie and he continues to knock her back. The thing is though, you never feel embarrassed for Lola when she's embarrassing herself - its more of a "that's exactly what I would've done" kind of thought.

Another focus of the novel is Lola being reunited with someone else. A lovely twist and its really heart-warming seeing pieces of Lola's life that she never understood fit back into place. And I like that Lola and Dougie aren't the only people in the book experiencing love troubles - its nice that Mansell includes the secondary characters just as much as the main ones.

My favourite part of the story is that Lola never, ever reveals her secret as to why she took the money from Dougie's mother. To anyone. Not even Dougie himself. The reason she did it was totally understandable and going through with it really showed her strength of character - it would've been so easy to tell everyone why she took it but she stuck to her guns. I love that and I think it says so much about Jill Mansell as a writer that she can allow Lola to keep it to herself but still have everything fall into place.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and like all Jill's other books, I couldn't put it down when I started and wanted to pick it back up when I'd finished.

You can purchase An Offer You Can't Refuse here and be sure to have a look at Jill's other novels.

xoxo
Orlagh