traceyroberts's reviews
636 reviews

Nothing kicks off the festive reading season quite like a new Karen Swan novel.  I was utterly entralled with "All I Want For Christmas" and didn't want the story to end.

The backdrop for this festive treat is Copenhagen which I thought made the perfect Christmas destination. The main character, Darcy is currently finishing her art history PhD when best friend, Freja signs her up to an online dating app.  Darcy reluctantly agrees to just three dates but looking for love is not her main focus when she is asked to research an unknown painting found hidden in the back of a well known masterpiece.

What I love about all of Karen Swan's novels is they are so much more than a romance story. There are layers of intrigue and mystery to unravel which makes for a satisfying read.   I really enjoyed the chemistry between Darcy and Max.  You could feel the sizzle of tension as they try to keep a professional relationship. 

Overall this was great storytelling which kept me turning the pages.  My thanks to Pan Macmillan for inviting me to read this book. 

I've loved previous novels by this author but this one didn't work for me.  It had a strong opening when GP Enya is flagged down on the road whilst driving home in a severe storm.  She saves a young lad who has been involved in a hit and run. However the incident has a profound effect on her life and is the catalyst for her to make drastic changes to her life.

I think I would have loved this book if Enya was more of a likeable character but she was not.  I really struggled to find any empathy for her and found her a little annoying.   I did like the character of Margaret though.  She brought a little humour to an otherwise depressing read.

Overall this book is well written and I did enjoy the folklore aspects of the story.

My thanks to to Harper Collins UK, Harper Fiction and Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy for review

This was the perfect spooky read to kick off the season of the witch .  I've been a fan of C J Cooke since reading A Haunting in the Artic last year.  Also I love books featuring witches, especially when they are based on real history as this book is.  I quite enjoyed reading the authors note about the research that went into bringing this story to life.

The plot unfolds over two separate timelines, modern day Glasgow and Orkney in 1594.   I enjoyed both story lines equally and trying to work out what links the witch trials to the events centuries later.  How does the book of witching play a part? 

I found the witch trial harrowing to read but also compelling at the same time.   Alison Balfour was a real person who was executed on charges of witchcraft.  It angers me at the way these trials were conducted and the tortures used to extract a confession.

This book was a haunting and atmospheric read that had me hooked from start to finish.  It's the perfect tale to read during the dark nights ahead.   Thank you to Harper Collins UK and Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC. 

I was so blessed to receive an electronic copy of this new release edition.  The final chapter is sealed so you have to try and solve the clues to find out whodunit. 

I love to try and solve the mystery before I reach the end of a book but this one was so cleverly plotted I didn't get it right.  Agatha Christie is the Queen of crime and this is an absolute masterpiece.  

Thank you Harper Fiction and Netgalley for providing the ARC 

Samantha Tonge is a completely new author to me so when Boldwood Books offered me the opportunity to read "The Promise of Tomorrow" ahead of release I almost declined... But there was something about the cover that drew me to read the blurb and then I was intrigued.

Ten year old Elena’s mother has been in a life threatening accident that the doctors don't expect her to survive.  Understandably young Elena is distraught and so she sneaks out the house to the woods.  There she meets a stranger and makes them a promise which will in turn save her mother's life. But while keeping her mother safe, young Elena puts her own life at stake.

The premise of this book really drew me in and after reading the prologue I was hooked.  The story then jumps to twenty years later and Elena is almost thirty, has a successful career and is doing well with her life. However the promise she made as a child looms over her, especially now her 30th birthday is drawing ever closer.  This plot definitely kept me turning the pages to find out more. 

I loved the characters of Elena and Rory and I enjoyed the friends to lovers vibe.  While most of the story is told from Elena’s POV, Rory gets his say too and I enjoyed his journal entries.  The two main characters are supported by some loveable side characters which gave me the whole found family feels.  

Overall I found this to be a heartwarming and uplifting romance story with a mystical and unexpected twist.  I enjoyed this authors writing style and I am keen to explore more of her novels.