This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel @Laurie_Frankel @Bookywookydooda

‘This is Claude

He’s five years old, the youngest of five brothers, and loves peanut butter.

He also loves wearing a dress, growing his hair long, and dreams of being a princess.’ 

This is How It Always Is is a novel by American writer Laurie Frankel. Published by Headline Review in February 2017, this is a novel that will rip at your heartstrings, so be prepared!!

I was so so lucky to receive an advance copy of This Is How It Always Is from Caitlin Raynor of Headline publishing and feel very honoured to have been given the opportunity to read such a very special book.

Please continue reading for my full thoughts…

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#Bookreview ~ Commonwealth by Ann Patchett @BloomsburyBooks

‘A powerful tale of a family’s far-reaching bonds of love and responsibility – and a meditation on inspiration, interpretation and the ownership of stories.’

Commonwealth is the first novel I have read by Ann Patchett and I loved it. The story-line, the era, the characters all lending to a fascinating insight into the aftermath of a decision made, an action that could not be withdrawn.

Published in September 2016 by Bloomsbury, Commonwealth is a book I had been looking forward to reading over Christmas.

Read on for my thoughts…..

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#bookreview ~ Walking Wounded by Anna Franklin Osborne @HomeOsborne

‘He awoke with a shock as an icy rivulet of water finally penetrated the gap between his collar and his neck and trickled down inside his sodden greatcoat’ ~ 1918, Mons, Belgium, 5 a.m.

Walking Wounded is a stunning debut novel from Anna Franklin Osborne. Spanning the period from the Armistice of the First World War to the exodus of the Ten Pound Poms to Australia in the 1950s, this book packs a punch in just 188 pages.

Published in 2016 by GooseWing Publications, Walking Wounded is a novel inspired by the lives of Anna Franklin Osborne’s grandparents and other relatives who were part of that Longest Day on the D-Day beaches of Normandy.

Read on for my full thoughts……

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#bookreview ~ Lyrebird by Cecelia Ahern @Cecelia_Ahern

‘She will change your life forever’

Lyrebird is the latest bestselling novel from Irish Writer Cecelia Ahern.

Published by Harper Collins in November 2016, I was very lucky to receive a complimentary copy in my goodie bag at the Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Awards in Dublin. Having never read a book by Cecelia Ahern, I decided to keep Lyrebird as the perfect book to snuggle up with on the sofa over Christmas.

I was quite intrigued by the byline, describing Lyrebird as ‘a story of the wild heart in us all and the quiet that lies underneath the world’s noise‘

Please continue reading for my thoughts….

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#bookreview ~ The Watcher by Ross Armstrong @Rarmstrongbooks

‘She’s watching you.

But who’s watching her?’

The Watcher is the debut novel from RADA trained and screen actor Ross Armstrong. Described as a ‘fast-paced, disturbing psychological thriller exploring middle class guilt, gentrification, and the madness of modern metropolitan living.’

Published on 29th December 2016, I was very lucky to receive an advanced copy from the lovely people at HQ Stories (Harper Collins)

A wonderfully different book, please read on for my thoughts…

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#Bookreview ~ Out of Bounds by Val McDermid @valmcdermid

Karen Pirie finds herself irresistibly drawn to another mystery that she has no business investigating…

What have I been doing??

Why did I not read Val McDermid books before?

Out of Bounds is the latest novel from Val McDermid, published early this year by Little, Brown Book Group.

Having heard only all positive reviews, here was a book I was so looking forward to getting my teeth into and it certainly did not disappoint….

Please continue reading for my thoughts….

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#blogtour #bookreview Saving Sophie by Sam Carrington @sam_carrington1 @kaishajayneh

 ‘A teenage girl is missing. Is your daughter involved, or is she next?’

Saving Sophie is the debut novel from Sam Carrington.

Just recently published in both ebook and paperback format by Avon books, I was delighted to be asked to hop on the tour bus by Kaisha Holloway aka The Writing Garnet

Please continue reading for my thoughts on Saving Sophie…

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