Book Review · Books

No Life For A Lady by Hannah Dolby [BOOK REVIEW]

No Life For A Lady by Hannah Dolby [BOOK REVIEW]

No Life for a Lady by Hannah Dolby transported me into the 1890’s, and our strong heroine Violet made that journey quite memorable!

No Life For A Lady by Hannah Dolby [BOOK REVIEW]

Pages: 400

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Head of Zeus

Format I read it in: Special Edition Uncorrected Proof

Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis:

Violet Hamilton is a woman who knows her own mind. Which, in 1896, can make things a little complicated…

At 28, Violet’s father is beginning to worry she will never find a husband. But every suitor he presents, Violet finds a new and inventive means of rebuffing.

Because Violet does not want to marry. She wants to work, and make her own way in the world. But more than anything, she wants to find her mother Lily, who disappeared from Hastings Pier 10 years earlier.

Finding the missing is no job for a lady, but when Violet hires a seaside detective to help, she sets off a chain of events that will put more than just her reputation at risk.

Can Violet solve the mystery of Lily Hamilton’s vanishing before it’s too late?

Thoughts:

I am beyond thankful to Tandem Collective, Head of Zeus and Hannah Dolby, for letting me join this special readalong. I was lucky to receive an exclusive interactive readalong edition copy, full with QR codes, challenges and topics to discuss whilst reading the book. The format of the book was very interactive and although it distracted me a bit, I enjoyed finding out about this period in history. What people wore, what was popular at the time, how the streets and towns used to look like, what were people’s main professions, and most importantly, what were the women’s roles in society at this point in time.

First of all, Violet is an amazing character. She knows exactly what she wants(to find her mum) and also what she doesn’t want (to marry). She hires a detective to search for her mum, and she’s also quite busy rejecting men left, right and centre – much to the annoyance of her father. 

The more clues are being discovered, the more unsure Violet is about the investigation and the detective. She starts interacting with Mr. Blackthorn in the hopes that he would be a better detective for this case, but Mr. Blackthorn is set to give up that career path. 

The book highlights the era so well, the way women are treated in society and the audacity that men have.

No respect towards women (with exceptions), yet all they seem to care about is reputation. The part that hurt and angered me the most is the lack of freedom, and no freedom of choice. To be rejected for books in a library, to be denied education and a career, if you so wish to have… Yet they are able to get away with murder. In an environment like this, where all the odds are stacked against her, Violet was a breath of fresh air. I loved that she would stop at nothing to achieve the things she wants.Her determination, dedication and sense of humour made this book so enjoyable. The pace of the book started slowly at first, but then it picked up, and by the end I couldn’t stop turning the pages.

About The Author:

No Life For A Lady by Hannah Dolby [BOOK REVIEW]

Hannah’s first job was in the circus and she has aimed to keep life as interesting since. She trained as a journalist in Hastings and has worked in PR for many years, promoting museums, galleries, palaces, gardens and even Dolly the sheep.

Hannah completed the Curtis Brown selective three-month novel writing course, and she won runner-up in the Comedy Women in Print Awards for this novel with the prize of a place on an MA in Comedy Writing at the University of Falmouth.

She lives in London and her debut novel, No Life for a Lady, will be published in Spring 2023.

Twitter – @LadyDolby

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Book Review · Books

Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher [BOOK REVIEW]

Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher [BOOK REVIEW]

How could I say no to another Colleen Hoover book, this time written together with Tarryn Fisher? Never Never! My review is below, and I’ve also included the first chapter of the book, if you want to give it a go.

I am so excited to be able to share an exclusive contect with you – the first chapter of Never Never! Dive into the romance and mystery of Charlie and Silas’s relationship, and tell me what you think 🙂 If you scroll down, you can read the full synopsis of Never Never, and here are the links for the First Chapter in Word and PDF formats.

First Chapter – Word Format | First Chapter – PDF Format

Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher [BOOK REVIEW]

Pages: 358

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Romance

Publisher: HQ Stories

Format I read it in: Paperback

Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis

Charlie Wynwood and Silas Nash have been best friends since they could walk. They’ve been in love since the age of fourteen. But as of this morning… they are complete strangers. Their first kiss, their first fight, the moment they fell in love… every memory has vanished. Now Charlie and Silas must work together to uncover the truth about what happened to them and why. But the more they learn about the couple they used to be… the more they question why they were ever together to begin with.

Forgetting is terrifying but remembering may be worse…

The Number One Sunday Times bestselling author of It Ends with Us joins forces with the New York Times bestselling author of The Wives for a gripping, twisty, romantic mystery unlike any other.

My Thoughts:

I loved reading this book. I had the pleasure to read it alongside some amazing people and we shared our thoughts on Instagram and Discord. Reading it was easy. In fact, not reading more than the daily chapters was the real struggle. The book intrigued me so much and I couldn’t stop flipping the pages.

The initial mystery of Silas and Charlie’s memories turned into a big chase against the clock, with family, friends, tarot ladies and even the police getting involved. The ending was slightly underwhelming – it had its flaws, but I can’t help but admire it because it just kept me on the edge and I couldn’t stop reading it. I have been bored to death from so many books, that I now appreciate the page-turners way too much! 

My favourite parts where the little moments when Charlie and Silas would get to know each other again through their letters, their rooms, their tattoos… There was something very intimate about seeing them read their own love letters for “the first time”. It was also an amazing experience to see them realise that they don’t actually like some of the things they pretended they did, and not to be afraid to show it this time around.

“I may not remember anything about her, but I would bet her smile was my favorite part of her”

In terms of the epilogue (and I won’t reveal too much), I actually liked what they showed. It’s almost as saying – this is not just our story, it happens to all soulmates in the world, and I thought that was cute.

About The Authors:

Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher [BOOK REVIEW]

Colleen Hoover is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty two novels and novellas. Hoover’s novels fall into the New Adult and Young Adult contemporary romance categories, as well as psychological thriller. 

Website: https://www.colleenhoover.com/

Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher [BOOK REVIEW]

Tarryn Fisher is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of twelve novels. Born a sun hater, she currently makes her home in Seattle, Washington with her children, husband, and psychotic husky. Tarryn writes about villains.

Website: http://www.tarrynfisher.com/

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Book Review · Books

Verity by Colleen Hoover [BOOK REVIEW]

Verity by Colleen Hoover [BOOK REVIEW]

I have finally made it! By reading Verity, I joined the club of people who read and enjoyed a Colleen Hoover book! 

Verity by Colleen Hoover [BOOK REVIEW]

Pages: 321

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Romance

Publisher: Sphere

Format I read it in: Paperback

Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis:

Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish.

Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity’s notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn’t expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity’s recollection of what really happened the day her daughter died.

Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen’s feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife’s words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her.

Thoughts:

Just a side note, there isn’t any special reason why I waited this long to read a book by Colleen Hoover. I just didn’t have her books on my physical TBR and read the ones I did. I’m also not the type of person to jump on a bandwagon, so I wasn’t too bothered to pick up popular books if I didn’t already own them. Anyways, here we are, with me having read Verity! My colleague and good friend recommended it to me, and I had to give it a go. What an incredible book Verity ended up being! I finished it in two days and would have finished it in one sitting had I not had work and real life stuff too. 

From the first chapter where Lowen’s story starts to the very last chapter that gives more questions than answers. This book was unpredictable. I loved the plot. I went in blind, and was so excited about Lowen’s deal. Then, once she moved into the house, I was excited to read about every little thing that was going on. Jeremy was an interesting character for me. I had a lot of admiration for him, for everything he went through, but then I also felt some sinister vibes off him. And then we have Verity. A woman who has a passive role in this book, but she is the main character. Despite not having a voice, she ends up being the loudest one. 

The house has a weird vibe, from Verity’s writing office, to the nurses. Even the child is traumatised, bless him. And rightly so, as he’s been through so much! We then also have the romance that is starting to bloom between Jeremy and Lowen. And it’s so odd, because I was rooting for their love story, but his wife was still in that house. If anything, this shows how amazing Colleen’s writing is, especially when it comes to taboo topics or situations that don’t fit the normal mould of what’s morally acceptable.

Sinister, but amazing!

My favourite quote is the one below. As soon as I read it, it rang so true to me. And it reminded me of the first sentence of Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. The same kind of reflection moment hit me, which I know made Verity that more special in my heart:

“Some families are lucky enough to never experience a single tragedy. But then there are those families that seem to have tragedies waiting on the back burner. What can go wrong, goes wrong. And then it gets worse.”

The whole character setup was a paradise for a psychology lover like me. I loved getting inside everyone’s head, trying to figure out what people are thinking and what they’ll do next. I also enjoyed the book within a book part incredibly much – the part where we read Verity’s diary. Verity is a book that will definitely keep you on your toes. A lot of clues and other people’s version of the same events are likely to make you trust no one. In the end, you will have to make your own conclusion on who to believe and who is telling the truth.

It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a book this much, and an ending that made me re-evaluate every opinion I had throughout the book. It’s the kind of book you want to talk about, so it’s no wonder it has become the sensation it is now. This is for sure just the start of my Colleen Hoover journey – what book should I be reading next? And for those of you who have read Verity – what do you believe more? The diary or the letter?

About The Author:

Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher [First Chapter]

Colleen Hoover is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty two novels and novellas. Hoover’s novels fall into the New Adult and Young Adult contemporary romance categories, as well as psychological thriller. 

Website: https://www.colleenhoover.com/

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Book Review · Books

Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher [First Chapter]

I have something new and exciting for you today! If you are a Colleen Hoover or a Tarryn Fisher fan, you will know that their tandem book “Never Never” is being published on the 28th February!

I am so excited to be able to share an exclusive contect with you – the first chapter of Never Never! Dive into the romance and mystery of Charlie and Silas’s relationship, and tell me what you think 🙂 If you scroll down, you can read the full synopsis of Never Never, and here are the links for the First Chapter in Word and PDF formats.

First Chapter – Word Format | First Chapter – PDF Format

Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher [First Chapter]

Synopsis

Charlie Wynwood and Silas Nash have been best friends since they could walk. They’ve been in love since the age of fourteen. But as of this morning… they are complete strangers. Their first kiss, their first fight, the moment they fell in love… every memory has vanished. Now Charlie and Silas must work together to uncover the truth about what happened to them and why. But the more they learn about the couple they used to be… the more they question why they were ever together to begin with.

Forgetting is terrifying but remembering may be worse…

The Number One Sunday Times bestselling author of It Ends with Us joins forces with the New York Times bestselling author of The Wives for a gripping, twisty, romantic mystery unlike any other.

About The Authors:

Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher [First Chapter]

Colleen Hoover is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty two novels and novellas. Hoover’s novels fall into the New Adult and Young Adult contemporary romance categories, as well as psychological thriller. 

Website: https://www.colleenhoover.com/

Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher [First Chapter]

Tarryn Fisher is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of twelve novels. Born a sun hater, she currently makes her home in Seattle, Washington with her children, husband, and psychotic husky. Tarryn writes about villains.

Website: http://www.tarrynfisher.com/

Social Media:
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Book Review · Books

Some Mistakes Were Made by Kristin Dwyer [BOOK REVIEW]

Some Mistakes Were Made by Kristin Dwyer [BOOK REVIEW]

I am so privileged to have an advanced reader’s edition of “Some Mistakes Were Made” by Kristin Dwyer. Huge thank you to the team at Harper 360 YA.

About The Book:

Some Mistakes Were Made by Kristin Dwyer [BOOK REVIEW]


Pages: 374

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Young Adult

Publisher: Harper 360 YA

Format I read it in: Paperback, Uncorrected Proof

Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis:

Ellis and Easton have been inseparable since childhood. Everything they do, they do it together. And Easton’s family also takes Ellis into their home due to her personal circumstances. But one rash decision changes everything, and Ellis is forced to move halfway across the country. It’s been a year now and Ellis hasn’t spoken to Easton. And maybe it’s better that way – allowing the heart some time to heal. But when Easton’s mum invites her back home for a visit, Ellis is quickly surrounded by the anger, sadness and betrayal she felt a year ago. And also with the boy she never stopped loving!

My Thoughts:

I was bawling my eyes out whilst reading “Some Mistakes Were Made”. Easton and Ellis really captured my heart. I could feel all their teenage angst, anger, sadness, love and the pain of a broken heart, especially when that happens to be your first love.

“Easton is a habit I can’t break. A feeling I can’t let go of. A truth I only admit in my weakest moments.”

This book reminded me of feelings I felt years ago, and took me back to a time when I could feel exactly how they were feeling, and for that, I shall cherish this book!

“And I have to be careful because memories are like rain. A harmless drop here and there falling against my mind, then suddenly, I’m standing beneath a flood.”

Ellis and Easton have this intense chemistry between them, and when they are not together, the love transforms into great pain and suffering for both of them. How Kristin Dwyer managed to capture all those vibes into the pages of this book I will never know, but I am here for it.

Ellis was also a very powerful character.

Reading about her story and her family, I had so much love for her. Making choices like those is difficult, and dealing with things she dealt with was not easy at all. I unfortunately, may have had the misfortune in my life to find similarities there. I am glad she had Easton to be there for here, even though for only a moment. And not only Easton, but his brothers too. They are, honest to God, angels in every sense of the way. I love how they accept Ellis into their family and never stop caring for her!

“Old people say all the time that they wished they’d travelled when they were young. Let’s go on an adventure. Let’s see the world and meet interesting people and eat weird food and live a life that’s bigger than this house and a lake and your parents and my parents.”

When I picked this book up, I was expecting teenage romance. And I got so much more! Little did I know, this book would make me feel so many things and bring me back my high school memories in such a vivid way. Be ready for a story that features love, suffering, resilience, family, teen angst and a better hope for the future! I cannot recommend it enough!

About The Author:

Some Mistakes Were Made by Kristin Dwyer [BOOK REVIEW]

Kristin Dwyer grew up under the California sun and still prays every day for a cloudy sky. When she’s not writing books about people kissing, she and her spouse can be found encouraging their four overly opinionated misfits to get into trouble. Kristin is a part-time hair model and wants you to know she is full-time TSA PRECHECK, and one time a credible news outlet asked for her opinion on K-pop (it was the best day of her life). Please do not talk to her about your fandom, she will try to join.
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