‘You never know what’s happening on the other side of the wall’
The Couple Next Door is a book I frequently saw mention of on Social Media. Published last August, I spotted it on the shelves of many book stores so I was intrigued as to what it was all about.
Read on to find out my thoughts….
‘There are sins or (let us call them as the world calls them) evil memories which are hidden away by man in the darkest places of the heart but they abide there and wait.’
James Joyce, Ulysses, 1922
Now I’m going to honest here and, even though I am Irish, I have never read James Joyce.
The appeal for me with this novel is that The Joyce Girl is primarily about his daughter Lucia. It is also set in Paris in the 1920’s/1930’s, an era, which by now some of you will have realised, I just adore.
When I received my copy from Natalie of Impress Books I was delighted. I knew immediately that the hardest part would be to write a good enough review to justify this absolute genius debut from Annabel Abbs.
‘Who knows if the tales people told me are true or false? I suspect some of them are complete fabrications, others are exaggeration – but perhaps some of them are real.
You can decide.’
There are certain books that land through my letterbox that result in a funny dance and a scream of joy!! Cartes Postales from Greece is one such book.
Written by the wonderful Victoria Hislop, Cartes Postales from Greece will be published on the 22nd of September by Headline Review, in Hardback, Ebook and Audiobook.
I was honoured and overjoyed to receive my copy from Caitlin Raynor, Deputy Communications Director with Headline Review, in return for my very honest review.
Set against the tense background of Northern Ireland’s Troubles, The Accidental Wife by Orla McAlinden follows the twists and turns of the McCann family over seven decades.
Today my review is of ‘Beneath The Surface’ is the second in the Inspector Tom Reynolds Mystery series written by Irish author Jo Spain.
“A person is like a candle,” he said.
“The wick is the body, the flame is the soul, bringing light into the world.”
A tale of love, loss and life after death, Out of the Darkness is.the debut novel from Katy Hogan. First published in 2015 by Illumine Publishing, I was very lucky to receive my copy from the author in the past few weeks.
This is a very special book with a very special message about dealing with grief….what you interpret and take from it will be a very personal experience.
‘Love will always light the way, until we meet again some day…’
Please continue reading to hear my thoughts…
A satirical black comedy about love, motherhood and the human condition
The Good Enough Mother was brought to my attention by fellow book blogger Joanne Robertson. Joanne’s enthusiasm for the novel jumped out of every sentence in her review When I was contacted by Anoushka Beazley enquiring would I like a copy to review myself?? Why of course I said YES!!!
The Good Enough Mother was published in July 2016 by Larchwood Press.
Read on to see my thoughts!!
Firstly let me state that I’m a huge fan of Jessie Burton’s writing.
I treated myself to her previous novel, The Miniaturist, on a trip to The National Gallery in Dublin. I felt it was a fitting location to purchase it and what a read!!
When the opportunity came up from TripFiction to read The Muse I was more than willing to accept.
Published by Picador I received my copy from Tripfiction in exchange for my honest review.
‘It is only when we matter, when we are seen and truly loved, that we know what it means to fully live.’
Every so often a book comes on your lap that just draws you right in.
Jacques by Tanya Ravenswater is one of those books. Published by Twenty7, an imprint of Bonnier Zaffre, Jacques is a beautifully written, coming-of-age novel about a young French boy.
I loved this book and hope you will too. I received my copy from Bonnier Zaffre and NetGalley in return for my review. I do hope you read it and please let me know what you think.
Breaking Dead is the debut novel from Corrie Jackson. Published by Twenty7, an imprint of Bonnier Zaffre Publishing, Breaking Dead was released in Kindle Edition before the Summer. It is now due to be released in paperback format early in September.
I received my copy from NetGalley and Bonnier Zaffre in exchange for my honest review. I do hope you enjoy!!