The Dartmoor Bookworm

For three days I moved this book between the coffee table and my bedside table. I didn't open it or read it, I just kept moving it, downstairs then upstairs and back. The thing is, when you read a good book you never know whether the next book will be as good, and if it's not then there's always the disappointment, the loss and the grief you feel. I didn't want to read this in case it wasn't as good as Can you See me? the book I read previously. When I did start to read it, it was at night in bed. I told myself that I'd just read the first couple of chapters. At just after midnight and seventy odd pages in, I had to stop and go to sleep, but even then I didn't want to put it down, I needed to know what happened, who each character was and how they were linked. To say this story gripped me is an understatement. I read the whole book in three nights. The story is based around a large (very large) house in Chelsea, that is owned by Henry and Martina and...

Some books grip you, others don't. Some take me for ever to read and some I can plough through in a couple of evenings. This book I put in my amazon wish list and I published it on the Acts of Kindness UK group on Facebook, if you haven't seen it go and have a look, there's lots of loveliness out there in a world of such uncertainty at the moment. I received it in the post from someone I know (but not very well) and it was lovely to receive it. The story is written from the perspective of Tally (Natalia) an 11 year old with Autism who is about to start secondary school. It includes diary entries written by Libby Scott who is also autistic and sheds a real light into what it is like living with the condition. The story goes through the every day life of an autistic child, the things they face, the emotions and anxiety that goes through their heads constantly. This is put across as Tally' experiences, that no one likes her, that she's different from everyone e...

Blurb: When Sarah forgets to check on her best friend’s little boy, distraction turns to disaster. And she’s faced with a dilemma. Tell the truth, lose a friend. Tell a lie, keep her close. In a split second, Sarah seals her fate. But accidents have aftershocks, and lies have consequences.  And when it’s someone else’s child, the rumours are quick to multiply. Everyone’s talking about what happened. And sooner or later, the truth will have to come spilling out… We all make mistakes, right?  Bt this one could ruin the perfect friendship. I asked for a preview copy of this book from Netgalley. I'm not really sure why I asked for it. I cannot stand playground politics and this is the main theme of the story. The characters are all members of the PTA and all communicate via the group WhatsApp. These kind of things really bug me - I just can't see the point, however, to bring it into a story plot line I can see would grip a huge number of people. The stor...

For the last two years I have treated myself to the Sherbet Lane Advent Calendar. I don't open it as an advent calendar but save it until i'm ready to open it all in one go. It's like my very own little Christmas gift to myself. I wait until I'm alone and sit down and open all 24 little parcels. If you love stationery they are well worth the money and the anticipation as you wait to see what's in them.

Another beautiful stationery box from Claire @ Sherbet Lane

When I requested this book from Netgalley, it sounded ideal, a book about books, what more could a book loving girl ask for, and yet, there is a tell tale sign with me about how much I enjoy a book. The time it takes for me to write a review is the first giveaway. I can devour a book in an evening if it's really good, others take a few days, a week maybe, some when I'm three or four weeks in, you can tell I'm struggling and this one, however idyllic it sounded, is just one of those. I started reading it with great expectations.  I love historical, war stories and as this is set at the end of World War 2, I thought I'd love, but I just can't get into it. There is nothing in the first part of the story that inspires to read on. The story itself is very slow, the characters come across as quite dull and boring, and even though I'm a quarter of the way through it doesn't grab me like a book should, I can't even tell you what has happened because noth...

I was sent a free copy of this book by NetGalley in return for an honest review. This book tells the story of Poppy, a nanny working for a well off family who one days speaks her mind and finds herself out on the street. She is rescued by Drew, (Rich, good looking, older)  who offers immediate help and a whirlwind romance quickly materialises. Within weeks they are married and on returning to England , Drew buys a home in the country for them.  The house is big and beautiful but there is something about it that doesn’t sit right with Poppy.  Her one and only friend, Gina, comes to stay and helps Poppy make the house feel a bit more like home and Gina is amazed to discover that Poppy and Drew made a promise never to discuss the past (before they met). After a weekend with Drew’s friends, secrets start to unfold and the past eventually catches up with  both of them.  The book floats between the here and now throughout, looking back at Poppy’s past and gi...