Girls With Sharp Sticks - Suzanne Young

Description

Westworld meets The Handmaid’s Tale in this start to a thrilling, subversive near future series from New York Times bestselling author Suzanne Young about a girls-only private high school that is far more than it appears to be.

Some of the prettiest flowers have the sharpest thorns.

The Girls of Innovations Academy are beautiful and well-behaved—it says so on their report cards. Under the watchful gaze of their Guardian, they receive a well-rounded education that promises to make them better. Obedient girls, free from arrogance or defiance. Free from troublesome opinions or individual interests.

But the girls’ carefully controlled existence may not be quite as it appears. As Mena and her friends uncover the dark secrets of what’s actually happening there—and who they really are—the girls of Innovations Academy will learn to fight back.

Bringing the trademark plot twists and high-octane drama that made The Program a bestselling and award-winning series, Suzanne Young launches a new series that confronts some of today’s most pressing ethical questions.

Review

I was intrigued by the Westworld meets The Handmaid's Tale comparison in the book blurb and I was not disappointed. It's difficult to say more than that without spoilers. 

Mena is the narrator of the story and we meet her as a student of the Innovations Academy, a finishing school maybe with a difference, think Stepford Wives. She enjoys the school and most of all her friends the other students. Except one of them is behaving a little strangely. 

Mena has a vice for candy and this leads her to break the rules on a field trip. Whilst purchasing some candy she meets a young man - only briefly, but they form a friendship. It seems he may know more about the Academy than Mena does. His questions make her start to question why she is at the Academy and why her parents are too busy to talk with her and answer her questions. Instead every time she rings home she gets Eva - their live in personal assistant.

I found this book intriguing and disturbing and a lot deeper than it first appears. This is a YA novel and I found it to be scary in places so probably for the upper end of the age range. As the story unfolded I began to want to understand more about what was happening at the Academy, but I also began to fear for Mena and her friends.....

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars.  My thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of the book for review.

The Last Dance - Aimee Brown

I am delighted to be here today as part of the Book Tour for Aimee Brown's newest book The Last Dance.

About the book

Can you truly forgive and forget?

Ambri and Henry have been best friends forever. They've been through the highs and lows of life with each other by their sides. The worst? When Henry's wife, and Ambri's sister, died. Together, they can face it all. Until one night destroys everything.

Two years after he stepped out of it Henry walks back into Ambri's life and she's more than a little shocked. But as old friends fall into even older habits they need to decide whether they can forget the past and embrace their future.

Perfect for fans of Nicholas Sparks, Jodi Picoult and Anna Bell.

Review

A lot of people think that romance novels are formulaic - which I guess they can be. However, they need to read this book, as Aimee just invented a whole new equation for that formula in the romcom genre!

This is a funny and poignant novel. So much fun in Ambri's character and the interactions with her friends Ben and Claire. Yet the sadness of  her sister dying and now her best friend Henry leaving her. I just loved how Aimee flips back and forth between the story from not only Ambri's viewpoint but also Henry's. It's not often we get to read what the guy is thinking through everything that is happening. I was really hanging onto every word wondering where this was all going to end up, especially as I really liked Ambri's boyfriend Noah too.

I enjoyed this book so much, the characters felt so real. I fell in love with Ambri (and her Dad) - I kind of feel like I could hang out with her and it would be so much fun. She's such a down to earth character and this just added to my feeling of an authenticity to the story.

When I finished the book I hadn't realised at first that it had ended! I sat there just looking again and again for the next page, I couldn't believe it was over! These people will stay with me for a long time. 

I can totally see this being made into a film - I'm giving it 5 out of 5 stars and my thanks go to Netgalley and the Head of Zeus for my ARC to review and inviting me to be a part of the blog tour.

About the author

Aimee Brown is a writer of romantic comedies set in Portland, Oregon, and an avid reader. She spends much of her time writing, raising three teenagers, binge-watching shows on Netflix and obsessively cleaning and redecorating her house. She’s fluent in sarcasm and has been known to utter profanities like she’s competing for a medal. Aimee grew up in Oregon, but is now a transplant living in cold Montana with her husband of twenty years, three teenage children, and far too many pets. She is a lot older than she looks and yes, that is a tattoo across her chest. (In the Portlandia spirit, yes, I lived many years in PDX and I do indeed have a bird tattooed on me (2!)) Aimee is very active on social media. You can find her at any of the networks below. Stop by and say hello!

Follow Aimee:  

Facebook: @authoraimeebrown

Twitter: @AimeeBWrites

Buy links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2RwEKAx

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2JyVngz

iBooks: https://apple.co/2Jwhrbx

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2JwJgR2

Follow Aria

Website: www.ariafiction.com

Twitter: @aria_fiction

Facebook: @ariafiction

Instagram: @ariafiction

The Last Mrs Parrish - Liv Constantine

Description

A REESE WITHERSPOON BOOK CLUB PICK!

Addictive, dark, thrilling and full of twists! You won’t want to miss this mesmerising debut from a fresh new voice in psychological suspense.

Perfect for fans of B. A. Paris, Shari Lapena and Liane Moriarty

How far would you go to make all your dreams come true?

Amber Patterson is tired of being a nobody: an invisible woman who melts into the background. She deserves more. She deserves a life of wealth, luxury and leisure.

Daphne Parrish is the golden girl of Bishops Harbor, Connecticut. With her model looks, her picture-perfect mansion and her millionaire husband, Jackson, she has everything Amber wants.

Amber’s envy could eat her alive—if she didn't have a plan. Before long, she has become Daphne’s closest friend, and is catching the eye of Jackson. But a skeleton from her past could destroy everything, and if discovered, Amber’s well-laid plan may end in disaster…

Review

This book had slipped down my TBR list - the thing with a kindle it isn't the same as having a pile of books and knowing you need to read them - as you add books others just slide off your radar. I just wish I hadn't taken so long to get around to reading this book as it was absolutely gripping.

The book does have quite a bit of scene setting at the beginning and I was starting to wonder why it was billed as a physiological thriller. Well just wait until you get to the second half of the book - that's when it really all kicks off and the white knuckle ride begins. This really is a case of a book of two halves.

The premise of the book seems simple enough and is laid out in the blurb, Amber is out to become the next Mrs Parrish and has a plan to make sure it happens. Whether or not she does I will leave you to find out, but don't rule out this book as a cut and dried plot. So many twists and turns - I just loved it.

I'm giving this book four out of five stars because of some niggles. I didn't realise until I finished the book and read the credits that the book is written by two sister authors, their names combined into Liv. On the whole I never noticed anything too glaring whilst reading, but now wonder if there was at least one continuity error because of this.

My thanks to netgalley and harpercollins for my copy to review.

A View to a Kilt - Wendy Holden

Description

Forget about Cool Britannia and Gallic Chic. Scotland is having a fashion moment...

'Effing marvellous' JILLY COOPER. 
'Funny and smart' INDIA KNIGHT. 
'Total bliss' DAILY MAIL.

London's most glamorous glossy magazine is in trouble. Advertising revenues are non existent, and if editor Laura Lake can't pick them up, she's out of a job.

According to those in the know, Scotland is having a fashion moment. Haggis tempura is on Michelin-starred menus, smart spas are offering porridge facials, and a chain of eco-hotels is offering celebrity bagpipe lessons. So Laura's off to a baronial estate in the Scottish Highlands to get a slice of this ultra-high-end market.

It's supposed to be gorgeous, glitzy and glamorous. But intrigue follows Laura like night follows day. And at Glenravish Castle – a shooting lodge fit for a billionaire – Laura finds herself hunting for a scoop that won't just save her job, it could save her life...

Review

This is the first book I have read by the author and I didn't realise that it is the third in a series featuring Laura Lake. It certainly didn't hinder my reading of this book and I was able to read it as a standalone book.

I was attracted to reading this book because of the magazine setting and it didn't disappoint. Laura has a new CEO - think Miranda Priestley meets Ugly Betty - she wants it all and she wants it now. So Laura goes off to Scotland in pursuit of the latest fashion Scotland style and to lure advertisers for her magazine. 

The book is very tongue in cheek throughout with the names of the various characters and places in Scotland making me continually smirk. There's also the champagne detector which was used very cleverly and the fabulous virtual assistant Fiona who manages to take control at the estate agency with fantastic panache.

I loved Laura's friend Lulu who is so rich she has a pink helicopter and I loved the fact that it had a Vivienne Westwood orb on the roof!!! The helicopter is also expertly piloted by her female butler Vlad who has an unusual way to uncork champagne down to her army training. 

Just when I thought the book was going to be a just a little fluffy read an actual mystery started which I hadn't expected. Like all cliffhangers it switched back and forth between two characters and I was racing to get back to what was going to happen next. 

A delicious read for when you just want a completely relaxing novel and a good chuckle. I am giving this book 5 out of 5 stars and my thanks to Netgalley and Head of Zeus for my ARC to review.

Louis & Louise - Julie Cohen

Description

ONE LIFE. LIVED TWICE.

Louis and Louise are the same person born in two different lives. They are separated only by the sex announced by the doctor and a final 'e'.

They have the same best friends, the same red hair, the same dream of being a writer, the same excellent whistle. They both suffer one catastrophic night, with life-changing consequences.

Thirteen years later, they are both coming home.

Review

This is the story of one person from their birth. However the twist is that it is told in two timelines - one where they are born Louis and one where they are born Louise.

I wanted to read this book as I was intrigued to see it spelt out how different a life would be whether you were born a boy or a girl. I don't want to spoil how things turn out for each of the genders, but in general I found that apart from some obvious of the time stereotypes imposed on them, their lives worked out pretty well all in all. I did think that there are from a woman's perspective so many other ways in which you can be discriminated against in life - even today, that weren't touched upon. This in fact led me to think the book was written by a man - as I just began the book without a thought to the gender of the author.

I'll admit to getting a little confused at times about which person we were reading about. It was usually just before the storyline switched - it only last a moment as I had to mentally switch to the other storyline.

What I wasn't prepared for was the absolutely beautiful writing - it felt like a warm hug wrapped around you. I also had a couple of misty eyed tissue moments at some of the key relationship moments. I really wanted to finish the book and did so in a day, but at the same time I didn't want this voice to end - I really liked it and want to read more by this author.

There are comparisons of this book mechanism with Sliding Doors -  I can see that but really this is a much deeper experience and one you shouldn't miss. 

I'm giving this book 5 out of  5 stars. My thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. 

Sweet Pea - C J Skuse

Description

Shortlisted for the CrimeFest Last Laugh Award 2018

‘If you like your thrillers darkly comic and outrageous this ticks all the boxes’ The Sun

The last person who called me ‘Sweetpea’ ended up dead…

I haven’t killed anyone for three years and I thought that when it happened again I’d feel bad. Like an alcoholic taking a sip of whisky. But no. Nothing. I had a blissful night’s sleep. Didn’t wake up at all. And for once, no bad dream either. This morning I feel balanced. Almost sane, for once.

Rhiannon is your average girl next door, settled with her boyfriend and little dog…but she’s got a killer secret.

Although her childhood was haunted by a famous crime, Rhinannon’s life is normal now that her celebrity has dwindled. By day her job as an editorial assistant is demeaning and unsatisfying. By evening she dutifully listens to her friend’s plans for marriage and babies whilst secretly making a list.

A kill list.

From the man on the Lidl checkout who always mishandles her apples, to the driver who cuts her off on her way to work, to the people who have got it coming, Rhiannon’s ready to get her revenge.

Because the girl everyone overlooks might be able to get away with murder…

Review

If you are in the UK you may have seen or heard of a TV programme called Fleabag - well this book reminded me very much of the main character in that show - although I doubt Fleabag is a killer! The book also has the same narration, breaking the fourth wall as it is known in TV, by talking to the reader.

This is a dark book. At the beginning I was pretty scared what was going to happen to Rhinannon as she was out late one night on her own. That was until I realised she can look after herself, in fact more than look after herself. That was my first shock, and yet the chattering dialogue of the book made me forget it until something happened again and again and left me with my mouth hanging open each time.

There is not much to endear you to Rhiannon, and yet the little lists of who she would like to kill, did on occasion resonant with me. I laughed out loud, gasped out loud - a shocking book but oh so good with it. At times I began to think maybe I shouldn't be finding this amusing - was I becoming like Rhinannon? This book has taken me longer than usual to read because every page is dense with words - mainly the outpouring of Rhinannon's mind. You can't skim read it because you will miss the essence of it and some gems of humour too.

Don't read this book if you are not broad minded - there are some graphic descriptions of all manner of things including her sex life and there is also bad language.

It's certainly original. I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. My thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

A Different Class - Joanne Harris

Description

After thirty years at St Oswald’s Grammar in North Yorkshire, Latin master Roy Straitley has seen all kinds of boys come and go. Each class has its clowns, its rebels, its underdogs, its ‘Brodie’ boys who, whilst of course he doesn’t have favourites, hold a special place in an old teacher’s heart. But every so often there’s a boy who doesn’t fit the mould. A troublemaker. A boy with hidden shadows inside.

With insolvency and academic failure looming, a new broom has arrived at the venerable school, bringing Powerpoint, sharp suits and even sixth form girls to the dusty corridors. But while Straitley does his sardonic best to resist this march to the future, a shadow from his past is stirring. A boy who even twenty years on haunts his teacher’s dreams. A boy capable of bad things.

Review

I've had this on my TBR pile for ages - initially drawn to it by the author as I loved her earlier work.

This is in a different vein to the books I've read by her before. There is a book before this one set in the same school but I hadn't read it and it doesn't seem to matter to the story if you haven't. 

Set in 2005 with flipping to 1981 Latin master Roy Straitley annoyed me at first. He will not read emails, instead he has them printed and put in his pigeon hole in the staff room until they are removed in favour of workstations. I encountered some of this in the past but it was earlier than this - maybe that is what riled me.  The next thing was that Mr Straitley loves to have a little fun using Latin which as someone who never took Latin was lost on me. I did look some of it up, but it got that it was too long winded to do so.

The book has a narration set in 1981 by a pupil - but we don't know their identity. I guessed and was wrong! I began to lose my grip on who was who as for most of the book the boys in the school are referred to by their given names, but then when the pupils narrate they use nicknames. It all just got a bit confusing.

However, a bit like lines or detention I was not going to let the book beat me and I stuck with it. I was glad I did, because when it all began to come together it was really a great tense thriller. Getting to this part had felt a little protracted though.

I'm giving this book 3 out of 5 stars. My thanks to Netgalley for an ARC to review.