Top of the List

       My Map of You | Isabelle Broom

        Always With Love | Giovanna Fletcher

Courting Trouble | Kathy Lette

            The Rocks | Peter Nichols

I'm sure that none of you actually believe that I only have four books on my 'to be read' pile because that's definitely not the truth! I have a huge stack by my bed that constantly topples or threatens to fall over, as well as having a few scattered between home and uni. My TBR is literally never-ending, which most of you will probably identify with.

I thought it would be nice to share a few of the books that are right there at the top of the list and are next to be devoured. I'm currently reading I Am Malala which I'm really enjoying, so after that I'll be able to get stuck in..

What are you reading at the moment? I'm always on the look out for new titles to add to my list so send them over!

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

Reading List

As ever, the list of books sat beside my bed waiting to be read is getting longer and longer (these aren't all of them). I thought I would share with you some of my latest additions to the pile that I've picked up recently! Some I've bought, some I've been given by others. 

I honestly don't even know when I'll get time to read anything new as I've been working full time, blogging and travelling quite a lot - as well as having deadlines for reviews etc. Can I have a few more days in a week please?

Top to Bottom:

Courting Trouble.. by Kathy Lette

The Rocks.. by Peter Nichols

Hen Reunited.. by Lucy Diamond

The State We're In.. by Adele Parks

Carry You.. by Beth Thomas

What have you all been reading lately? Let me know below what you think and keep an eye out for new reviews coming soon!

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

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.

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

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

Coming up..

Just a little sneak peek of what's to come..

I bought these three books this week and I'm excited to get stuck in and read them. What I love about Canterbury is that all the charity shops has a great selection of recently published books - we even have a charity bookshop!

I picked up Love Letters by Katie Fforde and An Offer You Can't Refuse by Jill Mansell in town on Friday. I always liked to have a browse because there is always something new put out on the shelves. How to Fall in Love by Cecelia Ahern was bought today in Asda for just £4!! Ahern is one of my favourite authors of all time so I know I'll love this book too.

Reviews will be coming soon of these three and I'll be keeping an eye out for more books to add to my ever growing collection of chick lit.

xoxo
Orlagh