Format I read it in: Uncorrected Proof / Netgalley
Rating:★★★★
“The Book of Guilt” was the first book I read from Catherine Chidgey. I know for certain it will not be my last by any means. The story is about the triplets William, Vincent and Lawrence, always dressed in yellow, red and green. They live in the Captain Scott Home for Boys and Mother Morning, Mother Afternoon and Mother Night look after them.
There used to be more children in the home, but now they are the only ones left.
They are often poorly and the mothers give them medications and injections. The doctor also comes often to check on their health. Every morning, when they wake up, their dreams are recorded in the Book of Dreams. They take lessons from the mothers from the Book of Knowledge. And if they are naughty, it’s all reported in the Book of Guilt.
One day, they overhear the locals talk about them in the village, and learn something that turns their lives upside down. All of a sudden, they start questioning everything they’ve known.
The more I was reading, the deeper the rabbit hole was starting to get. We find things out through the boys, and the book highlights on some intriguing psychological and sociological topics – on the border of what is deemed morally and ethically wrong if done for the right reasons.
“But sometimes we love those who are not kind to us.”
It’s certainly a book that opens the floor up for discussions.
Somehow, I know it will be a hit with book clubs. I also personally enjoyed the relationship between the triplets and how their personalities came together and at times clashed. I quite enjoyed this book and will be looking for the next one that Catherine writes!
About the Author:
Catherine Chidgey is a novelist and short story writer whose work has been published to international acclaim. In a Fishbone Church won Best First Book at the New Zealand Book Awards and at the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize in her region. In the UK it won the Betty Trask Award and was longlisted for the Orange Prize. Golden Deeds was Time Out’s book of the year, a Notable Book of the Year in The New York Times and a Best Book in the LA Times.
I enjoyed “Much Ado About Hating You”, but I found it very frustrating at the same time. It’s a lovely fast-paced office romance and what you see is what you get, but as soon as I dive a bit deeper into the details, I cannot help but find many flaws.
Aidan Scott is an English Professor, who also secretly writes steamy romances on a writing app. Micah Mila is a financial auditor that is tasked to review the local university’s English department and find ways to cut costs. She also enjoys reading steamy Shakespearean fanfic.
When Aidan and Micah meet, there is hostility. She’s there to cut costs, which in Aidan’s world means – she’s there to try and take away his job, which he very much loves. Both characters have huge egos, and what starts as bickering and general hostility, quickly turns into competition and them becoming sworn enemies for life.
But the twist is – their hate turns into tension. And their connection on the writing app is about to get deeper. As time goes on, they are starting to push the boundaries of what they should and shouldn’t be doing, and lust gets the better of them.
As for the story, unfortunately, it didn’t connect with me.
I found the characters slightly childish and immature. Their office encounters are completely unprofessional, and their writing app conversations cringey and over the top. The only bit I did like was the suspense in the real world and the tension between them. And also maybe Aidan’s relationship with his father and how that progressed throughout the book.
I have to be honest and say that the book had a lot of typos and grammatical errors, and what I believe to be one plot hole, that also diminished my reading experience. I think I noticed around 6 typos in the book, which I will flag to the publisher, so they can hopefully rectify in the next edition.
All in all, “Much Ado About Hating You” is a fast-paced romance that will appeal to some of the romance lovers. It wasn’t my cup of tea, but hopefully the synopsis will pique your curiosity. I really do hope you enjoy it more than I did.
About the Author:
Sarah Echavarre Smith is a copywriter turned author who wants to make the world a lovelier place, one kissing story at a time. Her love of romance began when she was eight and she discovered her auntie’s stash of romance novels. She’s been hooked ever since. When she’s not writing, you can find her hiking, eating chocolate, and perfecting her lumpia recipe. She lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband and her adorable cat, Salem.
Format I read it in: Uncorrected Proof / Netgalley
Rating:★★★
Lythlet and her only friend Desil are shackled to a life of debt and poverty that she fears they will never escape. Desperate for money, they sign up as arena combatants who fight sun-cursed beasts in the seedy underworld of the city.
Match-master Dothilos is initially enamored of Desil’s brawling reputation, but after seeing Lythlet lead the pair to triumph with her quick cunning, he takes her under his wing, scorning Desil. Ambition takes root in Lythlet’s heart as a life of fame and wealth unfolds in her imagination.
But Lythlet isn’t the only one out for coin and glory, and she soon finds herself playing an entirely different game—a game of politics and deception. As the cost of her ambition grows, she will have to decide if sacrificing her honor, and only friendship, is worth the chance to shape her own fortune.
A whirlwind of blood-pounding battles as characters grapple with their choices in the face of wealth and financial security, The Serpent Called Mercy’s heart is the underlying, steadfast friendship between its protagonists.
My Thoughts:
“The Serpent Called Mercy” was a mesmerising read, particularly because it introduced me to a culture I wasn’t familiar with before. But equally, it failed to entertain and intrigue me, leaving me a bit disappointed and stuck in the in-between. There were a lot of aspects I really enjoyed, but it saddens me that I know I will not remember the contents of this book in years to come.
Lythlet is a very interesting character. Strong and brave, but unable to prosper and move forward due to a huge debt she owes. When an opportunity arises for her and her best friend, Desil, who’s a brawler, to fight for money, they go for it.
I envisioned the arena fights as something from “The Gladiator” and “Hunger Games”, even “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”, unlike the comparison the publisher did with “The Witcher” and “Squid Games”. “The Witcher” comparison, I can kind of understand, because they are fighting mythical monsters . But it has nothing to do with “Squid Games”, apart the fact that if you lose in the arena, you die. But as we are talking about fighting in arenas with mythical montsters from Malaysian-Chinese mythology, that should be considered as common sense. Each battle is a new challenge that Lythlet and Desil have to tackle and I quite enjoyed the first few battles. After a while, they start to become a bit repetitive.
Aside from the arena action, there was a lot going on outside of the arena as well.
Lythlet’s parents are struggling with their own debts, her father has a new promising job, and the complicated relationship Lythlet starts to develop with Master Dothilos – the arena matchmaker. The action was there, but something about the story just didn’t grip me. It felt almost seen before, and the ending was quite predictable, and for me, without any big reveals or wow moments. The only wow moment that I can recall was Desil’s secret. And after this reveal, Lythlet’s reaction was even more disappointing. Maybe it was needed for her character development, but it was very rushed and didn’t make sense to me.
“The Serpent Called Mercy” is a wonderful story about facing adversity and refusing to become what society expects of you. There are amazing messages of bravery, strength, standing up for yourself and others and being kind and merciful. It was simply not a story that clicked with me, and although I found it forgettable, I would still recommend it to the fantasy fans out there.
Favourite Quotes:
“Hope in times of happiness isn’t hope – it’s expectation. It’s only when things are at their bleakest that you find hope unadulterated.”
“The best stories are those rooted in truth, embellished only for entertainment’s sake.”
“What a blessing it is that there remain children more scared of ghosts than of the world around them.”
“Master Dothilos. You know me better than to think I’ll believe that. Men frequently make threats they wildly intend, only claiming they never meant a word of it when it rebounds on them.”
“I refuse to live and die on your terms as your cur. I will not choose apathy over justice, wealth over duty, wrath over mercy.”
“If I want to run fast, I ought to run alone.”
About the Author:
Roanne Lau is a speculative fiction author whose works are informed by her Chinese heritage and her experiences living in Malaysia, Australia, Taiwan, and Japan. She was selected for the Pitch Wars mentorship program in 2021. Her debut novel The Serpent Called Mercy sold at auction in North America, the United Kingdom, and the Commonwealth—but the accomplishment she remains proudest of is being a finalist in a Lord of the Rings trivia competition when she was nine.
Have you ever imagined running away from your life?
Well Birdy Finch didn’t just imagine it. She did it. Which might’ve been an error. And the life she’s run into? Her best friend, Heather’s.
The only problem is, she hasn’t told Heather. Actually there are a few other problems…
Can Birdy carry off a summer at a luxury Scottish hotel pretending to be her best friend (who incidentally is a world-class wine expert)?
And can she stop herself from falling for the first man she’s ever actually liked (but who thinks she’s someone else)?
My Thoughts:
“The Summer Job” was such a wonderful read. It pleasantly surprised me. I am really hoping that someday it gets made into a movie!
Birdy decides to do something utterly reckless. She accepts a summer job at the highland Scottish hotel as a wine expert. The catch is – she is pretending to be her best friend, Heather. And although Heather made it perfectly clear she will not be accepting this job, so she can spend more time enjoying Europe with the man she just met, she has no clue Birdy is doing this.
Birdy is useless when it comes to wine knowledge, but she’s going with the “fake it ‘till you make it” attitude. What doesn’t help is that this hotel is actually at a loss and desperate for a good Sommelier to save their summer and their business. Basically, “Heather, the Sommelier” is their best hope, and instead, they get noobie Birdy.
At first, I was astonished by the audacity of Birdy’s decision, even though I can understand why she did it. She needed a place to live and Heather was not going to accept it anyway, so what’s there to lose (apart from obviously, Heather’s reputation and her reputation and dignity). I was not okay with her pretending to be someone else, but she would never have been accepted otherwise. Once I judged Birdy for this for a small amount of time, I decided to move on and enjoy the story, as it promises to be quite interesting.
As the time went by, I started to root for Birdy, and I felt her pain of carrying that secret with her.
Especially when she started catching feelings for the handsome chef, James. Without revealing anything else, I will just say this book is such a pleasurable read. It has a weird sense of nostalgia in it, to the summer days when we would do summer jobs and all the adventures and memories those summer sunsets would bring. If you’ve ever watched “High School Musical 2”, you might know what feelings I am talking about. The hotel staff felt like a large family and the way they cared about each other was heartwarming. A funny and feel-good romance story – one of those gems that are good for the soul. I warmly recommend it.
About the Author:
Lizzy Dent (miss)spent her early twenties working in Scotland in hospitality, in a hotel not unlike the one in this novel. She somehow ended up in a glamourous job travelling the world creating content for various TV companies, including MTV, Channel 4, Cartoon Network, the BBC and ITV. After publishing three young adult novels, she decided to write a novel that reflected the real women she knew, who don’t always know where they’re going in life, but who always have fun doing it. The Summer Job is that novel.
Glitz, glamour, and a deadly game at 30,000 feet…THE HIGHER YOU FLY…
In the dazzling lights of Thailand, socialite Lila Wilde is ready for the best night of her life. When her fame-hungry DJ boyfriend proposes in an exclusive nightclub, Lila impulsively invites a mix of celebrities and strangers to continue the celebrations back at her luxurious villa — only a short flight away over the lush Thai jungle.
THE HARDER YOU FALL.
The mood on Lila’s private jet is electric, pulsing with music, champagne, and the promise of an unforgettable afterparty. But as the plane cuts through the night sky, excitement turns to tension. And when the lights suddenly go out, a sinister new game begins. Trapped at 30,000 feet, secrets unravel, trust shatters, and the party turns truly deadly.
Fasten your seatbelt — this is a ride you won’t forget.
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed “The Private Jet” way more than I anticipated. What I thought was going to be a plane crash mystery, turned out to be a full season of “Survivor” with a dark twist. Incredibly thrilling and excitingly fast-paced.
The story starts when rich Lila Wilde and her boyfriend Bryce go on a holiday. On this holiday, during a wild party, Lila invites everyone to her private jet to continue the party. What no one expects to happen is for the plane to crash in the middle of the jungle.
The character building and development is incredible. Especially with Lila, whilst she discovers people’s true nature and herself having to do some gruesome things to survive. It was amazing to see how the team dynamic changes and what people are willing to do to survive. It reminded me of the Hunger Games a little bit. Everyone that survives a plane crash very soon shifts into a survival mode, and very soon they realise that the jungle is a dangerous place to be stuck in, but not the only enemy. Suddenly, it no longer matters who has the most wealth, but who is the strongest in the group.
I couldn’t help but wonder what I might do if I were in Lila’s situation. It’s quite scary to think it’s a possibility, especially in this day and age where we are used to the comfort of the modern world. After the first half of the book, I couldn’t put it down. It gripped me and kept pleasantly surprising me. The ending was satisfying, and I love the idea of the book asking the reader a question. This book would make a perfect choice for a book club, I am already anxious to speak to someone about it. The most satisfying part is that one character that receives their karma back. Chef’s kiss. Would I recommend it? Absolutely! It’s too good a thriller not to. Definitely worth your time.
About the Author:
Sarah Goodwin is a novelist who grew up in rural Hertfordshire and now lives in Cornwall, where she continues to be inspired by the perils of both nature and mankind alike.
Sarah graduated in 2014 with an MA in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University. After writing several historical novels, she decided to return to her roots and write instead about the wild, the darkness and survival, inspiring the ‘Stranded’ which would become her first professionally published novel.
Since 2021 she has gone on to write many more thrillers for Avon, most recently her fifth novel ‘The Yacht’ with a sixth coming in Summer 2024.
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