traceyroberts's reviews
636 reviews

One Midnight With You is the brand new novel by Shari Low and takes place during the build up to New Year/Hogmanay celebrations.

I love this author's writing style and her talent for building a heartwarming and uplifting story while touching the deeper, darker emotions such as grief, jealousy and loss.  In this novel there are quite a few characters to keep track of but it didn't take me long to get to know them all and their stories.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review.  

The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean is a tense thriller that made for uncomfortable reading... Yet I couldn't help but keep reading to find out what happens.   

The Life Impossible is a strange and mystical read from author Matt Haig.  I loved The Midnight Library so I've been really looking forward to this one.  My thanks to Netgalley and Canongate Books for providing me with an ARC for review purposes. 

Grace is a retired maths teacher.  She is also widowed and her life is filled with sadness and regret.  Then out of the blue Grace inherits a house from an old friend she hasn't seen for years.    With her curiosity piqued, Grace books a one way ticket to Ibiza to investigate her new house.  She is completely unaware that the island will change her in the most profound way. 

I love the authors writing style and I found myself easily swept away to the magical island of Ibiza.   The plot is reflective and thought provoking and has definitely left a lasting impact. 

The story didn't hold my attention and no desire to pick it back up again 

Didn't like the writing style

The House of the Witch by Clare Marchant is a dual timeline novel set in Norfolk.  One timeline is set in the present day where Adrianna is escaping to the countryside for a break from the stress of her job and city life.  The other is set in 1646 featuring the witch hunts in East Anglia at that time. 

Both timelines were equally compelling and I quickly became emotionally invested in the strong characters of Adrianna and Ursula. These two women linked by a cottage, showed strength and resilience in order to face their adversaries.  

This was my first time reading a Clare Marchant novel but it will not be the last.  I really enjoyed the authors writing style and attention to historical details.  My thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with a digital review copy. 

Gilgamesh by Emily H Wilson is Book 2 of The Sumerian Trilogy.  I read the first book, Inanna last year and have been looking forward to reading this one and it didn't disappoint.

The story is carefully woven from threads of ancient myths, archaeological records and a little bit of imagination to create a rich and vivid narrative. We hear from multiple POVs Marduk, Gilgamesh, Inanna, Ereshkigal, Ninshubar and Ninlil.  I found these characters captivating and well drawn. 

I would definitely recommend this book to lovers of myth retellings that are looking for something a little different. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Titan Books for providing me with a copy to read and review. 

I've just finished reading The Clique, which is the debut novel by Rhiannon Barnsley.  Thank you to One More Chapter for inviting me to read this and providing me with an ARC.

The book opens with a commotion in the offices of prestigious law firm, Carrey & Watson.  High flying lawyer, Sara O'Neil has just fallen from the roof (careless), but was it suicide or was she pushed?  Sara's friend and colleague Cassandra Harlow begins a mission to find out the truth. 

This strong opening definitely had me hooked from the very first page.  The plot is interesting and I enjoyed getting to see the drama inside the world of corporate law.  I loved the intrigue of the secret society of women known as 'Inside'.  Where members are promised to receive help reaching the top of their professions. To balance out the inequalities in the workplace.  But what must they give in return for being fast tracked?  It's all very dark and mysterious.  

My only niggle was the ending.  I felt there were just too many twists that it felt a tad unrealistic.  That being said it was a fun and fast paced read.  I would definitely read this author again and I'm looking forward to seeing how they grow on their literary journey. 

The Story Spinner is an immersive story from the master of time slip, Barbara Erskine. Thank you to Harper Collins UK for granting me an ARC for review. 

Cadi is a writer/poet who is writing poems based on the Welsh tales in the Mabinogion.  When she begins to study the tale of a Welsh princess by the name of Elen and Roman General Macsen, the story takes on a life of its own in the most unexpected way.  

The story of Elen is a subject that is close to my heart and I think Barbara Erskine has done a fantastic job in tacking her story.  I appreciate the incredible amount of research that has gone into weaving together all the threads of this complicated character and creating an engrossing cohesive novel.  

I also enjoyed the drama that was unfolding in the present day parts of this novel.  This is a book that has a little something for everyone.