Blog Tour: Relativity by Antonia Hayes

Relativity by Antonia Hayes

Published: 19th January 2017 (Paperback)

Publisher: Corsair

Pages: 358

Available in Hardback, Paperback and on Kindle

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Rating: 5/5

Blurb
Ethan is an exceptionally gifted young boy, obsessed with physics and astronomy.
His single mother Claire is fiercely protective of her brilliant, vulnerable son. But she can't shield him forever from learning the truth about what happened to him when he was a baby; why Mark had to leave them all those years ago.
Now age twelve, Ethan is increasingly curious about his past, especially his father's absence in his life. When he intercepts a letter to Claire from Mark, he opens a lifetime of feelings that, like gravity, will pull the three together again.
Relativity is a tender and triumphant story about unbreakable bonds, irreversible acts, and testing the limits of love and forgiveness.

Review

Relativity by Antonia Hayes is the story of Ethan, a twelve year old boy who is trying to make sense of the world using the laws of psychics and astronomy. He lives with just his mother Claire and wants to know more about his absent father, who Claire is reluctant to talk about. One day Ethan finds a letter from his father Mark and behind Claire’s back he goes to meet his father. As the three become drawn back together they begin to realise that some things can’t be changed or forgiven and that one small event from the past will have a lasting impact on their future together.

I found this a beautifully written novel full of raw emotions. It’s clear to see how much Claire loves Ethan and is determined to do her best for him, no matter the cost. When Mark turns up you can feel the conflict in her actions as she tries to resist the man she once adored, the same man who shattered her whole life in just a few minutes.

Ethan, loves his mother but knows without his dad he’s different from the other kids. He’s extreme knowledge of physics set him apart from the other and he longs for his dad to return to so he can be a normal kid again. It was hard to read about Ethan’s struggles at school, kids are cruel and always seem to pick on those most vulnerable.

Mark seems to have lived a life full of regret and when these three are reunited I was longing for them to find their happy ever after and just a happy family, but fate doesn’t always give us what we want.

I did find this quite a heavy read with all the emotions flying around and the incredible amount of science talk which is mentioned. The one thing I think which lightened the whole story for me was the introduction of Alison. I just loved her sense of humour and the way she was with Ethan, just two kids being together having fun and mad cap plans.

Relativity is a book which did bring tears to my eyes as there are some powerfully emotive scenes which has made this a book which has stayed with me after I’ve finished reading. It’s a book a highly recommend if you’re looking for a beautiful and emotional story.

Thank you to Corsair for inviting me on the blog tour and for sending me a review copy.

Blog Tour: A Boy Made of Blocks by Keith Stuart

A Boy Made of Blocks by Keith Stuart

Published: December 29th 2016

Publisher: Sphere

Pages: 387

Available in Hardback, Paperback and on Kindle

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Rating:5/5

Blurb

MEET THIRTY SOMETHING DAD, ALEX… He loves his wife Jody, but has forgotten how to show it. He loves his son Sam, but doesn't understand him. Something has to change. And he needs to start with himself.

MEET EIGHT-YEAR-OLD SAM… To him the world is a puzzle he can't solve on his own.

When Sam starts to play Minecraft, it opens up a place where Alex and Sam begin to rediscover both themselves and each other… When life starts to tear one family apart, can they put themselves back together, one piece at a time?

Review

A Boy Made of Blocks by Keith Stuart is an incredibly uplifting novel about learning to see the world around us from a different perspective. It’s a novel which will make you laugh and cry and embrace life in any way you can.

 Alex and Jody have an eight year old son Sam who has recently being diagnosed as autistic. It has been an uphill battle to get this diagnosis and after have caused a strain between Jody and Alex. Alex unable to deal with his son’s random outbursts has hidden himself away using his job as an excuse. Left on her own to try and support Sam as best she can Jody has finally had enough and told Alex he has to leave.

Alex heads to best friend Dan’s house, who without question lets him in and allows Alex to wallow in his own selfish self-pity. It isn’t until Alex loses his job that he finally begins to realise he has to change and has to find a way to connect with Sam. Surprisingly this connection comes in the form of the game Minecraft. As Sam begins to play the game, he finds a world he can relate to and when Alex joins him playing he begins to communicate and form a bond with his son.

As Alex begins to understand more how his son sees the world the also begins to see his own life differently and slowly Alex begins to find his own place in the world that he has been searching for, for almost twenty years.

Alex was not a character I warmed to initially. He seemed quite selfish, if he didn’t want to deal with something he just walked away and let others get on with it, blaming the fact he didn’t understand autism as a get out cause. He seemed like he was lost in his own world, reliving the past over and over and he needed to find something to connect himself to the present and to his family. It wasn’t until a third of the way through the book where Alex becomes more aware of other people’s needs and then as he began to see things more from Sam’s point of view he became quite a nice guy.

A Boy Made of Blocks is a story of family trying to put themselves back together after a breakdown, rather like the Minecraft game, slowly piece by piece they begin to connect together again. It’s a story of learning to trust, to trust each other, to follow our instincts and trust that everything will turn out okay in the end. Most of all it’s a book about accepting who we are and celebrating each and every milestone and achievement no matter how small or difficult, because after all like the book says “Life’s an adventure, not a walk – that’s why it’s difficult”.

Keith Stuart has written an engaging and heartfelt novel which I enjoyed very much. He has truly captured the relationship between Alex and Sam and it was a pleasure to follow along on their journey of self-discovery.

Thank you to Sphere for inviting me on the blog tour and providing me with a review copy.

Blog Tour Review: The Dry by Jane Harper

The Dry by Jane Harper

Published: 12th January 2017

Publisher: Little Brow,

Available in Hardback and on Kindle

Pre-Order from Amazon now
Rating: 5/5

Blurb

I just can't understand how someone like him could do something like that.

Amid the worst drought to ravage Australia in a century, it hasn't rained in small country town Kiewarra for two years. Tensions in the community become unbearable when three members of the Hadler family are brutally murdered. Everyone thinks Luke Hadler, who committed suicide after slaughtering his wife and six-year-old son, is guilty.
Policeman Aaron Falk returns to the town of his youth for the funeral of his childhood best friend, and is unwillingly drawn into the investigation. As questions mount and suspicion spreads through the town, Falk is forced to confront the community that rejected him twenty years earlier. Because Falk and Luke Hadler shared a secret, one which Luke's death threatens to unearth. And as Falk probes deeper into the killings, secrets from his past and why he left home bubble to the surface as he questions the truth of his friend's crime.

Review

The Dry by Jane Harper is Little Brown’s lead debut of 2017, quite a statement but one it most definitely is worthy of, the book is nothing short of epic. It’s one of those rare book’s that so completely absorbs you that the only thing that matters is reading the whole thing.

Set in the small county town of Kiewarra, The Dry follows the story of a town on edge after suffering from a two year drought.  Devastation hits the community when the Hadler family are found brutality murdered in their own home.  Tensions run high and the town are convinced Luke Hadler committed suicide after he murdered his wife and young son Billy.

Returning to Kiewarra after twenty years away Aaron Falk comes face to face with the secrets of his past he attends the funeral of his childhood best friend Luke. Aaron was driven out of town as a child after his friend Ellie Deacon was found drown in the river. He’s counting down the hours until he can leave again until Gerry Hadler asks him to check over Luke’s accounts to see if Luke really did snap like the town believe.

As Falk begins to examine the death of his friend, secrets from his past begin to emerge, for Falk and Luke shared a secret. A secret which twenty years ago drove Falk out of town, a secret which has begun to cause trouble again and a secret which could explain why Luke is now dead.

I found The Dry to be a truly fantastic read, everything about it works so well. The setting, the characters, and the plot they all worked seamlessly to create a truly absorbing and at times harrowing read.  The dry arid landscape of Kiewarra perfectly matches the tension and unrest of its habitants as they battle to keep their town alive despite the drought killing off crops and animals, making the lives of the farming folk hard and unforgiving. At times it really felt like I was there in the town breathing the hot dry air and feeling the unease grow.

Harper has created many complex characters, each with their own secrets to hide or burdens to carry and this made them fascinating to read about. I loved the way Harper has included flashbacks to the teenage lives of Aaron, Luke and Ellie so we can really get a picture of who they were. I so wanted Luke to not be responsible for something as horrific as killing his own wife. As despite being fairly self-centred as a child he seemed like he was a valued member of the community.

I loved the way that as Falk uncovers more and more details about the last few hours of the Hadler’s lives various members of the community are under the spotlight as possible killers adding more and more twists to this intense novel. The final twist revealing who the killer was left me in shock as it was a total curveball from what I was expecting, brilliantly done. Finding out what really happened to Ellie all those years ago did leave deeply saddened that she was so close to freedom.

The Dry is a perfectly written novel and one which has been a joy to read. I’m overwhelmed this is Jane Harper’s debut as it’s so good, definitely one of the must-reads of 2017 and I can’t wait to see what this lady writes next.

Thank you to Little Brown for sending me a copy to review and for inviting me on this blog tour.

Christmas at Lilac Cottage by Holly Martin

Christmas at Lilac Cottage by Holly Martin

Published: 20th October 2016

Publisher: Zaffre (Paperback) Bookouture (Ebook)

Pages:362

Available in Paperback and on Kindle

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Rating: 5/5

Blurb

Penny Meadows loves her cosy cottage with its stunning views over the snow-topped town of White Cliff Bay, but not even the roaring log fire can keep her personal life from feeling frozen.

That is until dashing Henry and his daughter Daisy arrive at the cottage for the festive season. And between decking the halls and baking delicious mince pies, Penny realises there is more to Henry than meets the eye.

With sleigh bells ringing and fairy lights twinkling, the ice-sculpting competition and Christmas Eve ball are in full swing. Will Penny be able to melt the ice and allow love into her heart? And will she finally have the perfect Christmas she's been dreaming of?

Review

Christmas at Lilac Cottage is the first book in Holly Martin’s new White Cliff Bay series and it’s a book which just oozes Christmas from cover to cover. Especially the cover itself at its covered in super sparkly snowflakes which make you just want to dive in and read.

Penny Meadows is an ice sculptor who lives alone in Lilac Cottage up on the hills above White Cliff Bay and that is how she would like it to stay. But sadly Penny needs some extra income so has agreed to rent out her annexe to Henry and Daisy. Being single and suffering from heartbreak Penny is not looking forward to a couple sharing her home. So imagine the surprise she gets when she realises Daisy is actually Henry’s daughter! Despite Henry’s initial gruff exterior Penny finds herself more and more intrigued by this handsome man. With Daisy trying her best to set the two up, can Penny find a way to let love into her frozen heart.

I love Holly’s writing and her Christmas novels are some of my favourites, this one is just perfect for anyone who wants to overdose in Christmas cheer.  As with most of Holly’s characters I found Penny someone I instantly liked but was intrigued as to why she shut herself off from the rest of town so much, what could have happened to such a sweet girl to make her so isolated. Henry and Daisy are also great characters and have a lovely father/daughter relationship between them which was just lovely to read about.

White Cliff Bay is a place which Holly has brought to life perfectly, it’s a charming little town which just oozes Christmas spirit and the community really throw themselves into all things Christmas with ice carving competitions, Christmas Balls, ice-skating, it’s like a Christmas wonderland and somewhere I would just adore being over the Christmas period.

This book had everything I want in a Christmas novel, a beautiful setting, a romance which is both naughty and nice, adorable characters, a few moments of danger or uncertainty and most of all I want to laugh. With Christmas at Lilac Cottage Holly Martin has completely nailed all these aspects and written a truly wonderful book. I can see this being a favourite of my Christmas reads for many years to come.

Thank you to the publishers for sending me a copy to review.

The Christmas Cake Cafe by Sue Watson

 

The Christmas Cake Café by Sue Watson

Published: October 12th 2016

Publisher: Bookouture

Pages: 258

Available in Paperback and on Kindle

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Rating: 5/5

Blurb

As the Prosecco chills and Bing Crosby croons, Jen Barker just knows that her long-term boyfriend is about to propose.  But instead of a diamond ring nestled in her champagne flute, Jen finds cold flat rejection.  Her once perfect life and dreams of a husband and family seem even further from reach.

A working holiday to the Swiss Alps with her younger sister Jody might not be the Christmas Jen had it mind, but it offers her the chance to recharge her batteries and recover from heartbreak.

When Jen meets handsome ski instructor Jon Zutter her hopes for a happy-ever-after seem within her grasp again. Jon is kind and gorgeous and as they bond over Sachetorte at the picturesque Cake Café, Jen thinks he might just be her perfect man. But a relationship with him comes with a catch – and there are some things even cake can’t fix.

As the snow falls and Christmas approaches, could this be the place that restores Jen Barker’s faith in love?

Review

Sue Watson is one of my favourite authors when it comes to Christmas novels, they are always full of fun and put me in an extra festive mood, her latest book The Christmas Cake Café could be my favourite so far.

Jen Baker has spent years planning and dreaming of the perfect Christmas and this year is the year its finally going to be perfect as she is sure that boyfriend Tim is just about to propose…instead he ends their ten year relationship and shatters poor Jens heart. Fast forward eight months and Jen is dreading being alone for Christmas, so when half-sister Jody offers her the chance to go to Switzerland for three months and work at a ski-resort she reluctantly agrees. After a bumpy start where Jen faces lost luggage and Jody’s drunk friends things start to pick up and Jen finds herself falling in love and not just with the gorgeous scenery and delicious pastries but with handsome German Jon.

Jen was a character I could identify with straight away, she’s a planner and just longs for every moment to be perfect and instead life seems to pass her by and she always ends up disappointed. She’s never felt she was really good enough after her father left her and her mother when she was ten years old to start a new family. I loved how Jen opened up more as the story progressed. Throughout the book she is often put in some awkward positions such as being the only member of the café to wear a cow onesie to work or to go on a sight-seeing trip wearing a see through dress. However as she begins to lighten up and laugh at these embossing situations and just go with it she has a lot more fun and begins to realise living in the moment is much more fun, something I found very inspiring.

I loved the way the romance developed between Jen and Jon, it was romantic but comical at the same time as things never quite went to plan. The part where Jen meets Ella for the first time was probably my favourite part of the book…awkward.

I found this didn’t take me long to read at all as with all Sue Watson books there is never a dull moment and the drama just keeps coming. The characters are all brilliant and there wasn’t one I disliked, well maybe Tim but luckily he’s not in the book for long.

This probably isn’t the most festive of Sue Watson’s books but it was definitely the funniest in my opinion. It’s a book which made me laugh all the way through and definitely one to pick up if you-re feeling a little down, I guarantee you will laugh.  I loved everything about this book and can’t wait to read what Sue brings us next.

Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for this copy to review.

The Christmas Promise by Sue Moorcroft

The Christmas Promise by Sue Moorcroft

Published: December 1st 2016

Publisher: Avon

Pages: 325

Available in Paperback and on Kindle

Order now from Amazon

Rating: 4/5

Blurb

For Ava Bliss, it’s going to be a Christmas to remember …

On a snowy December evening, Sam Jermyn steps into the life of bespoke hat maker Ava. Sparks fly, and not necessarily the good ones.

Times are tough for Ava – she’s struggling to make ends meet, her ex-boyfriend is a bully, and worst of all, it’s nearly Christmas.

So when Sam commissions Ava to make a hat for someone special, she makes a promise that will change her life. She just doesn’t know it yet…

Review

The Christmas Promise is the first book by Sue Moorcroft that I’ve read and is one which I really enjoyed.

Ava Blissham is having a rough time and with Christmas just round the corner she feels it’s only going to get worse.  When friend Izz drags her out for her work Christmas party Ava bumps into her ex Harvey who tries to blackmail her by saying if she doesn’t go back out with her he’ll spread illicit photos of her all over the internet. Upset Ava rushes homes but is followed by Izz’s boss Sam who wants to make sure she’s ok. Sam takes Ava home where she shows him her hat studio and he asks her is she will make a special hat for his mother who has recently been diagnosed with cancer. Desperate for some money Ava agrees, it’s only when she meets Sam’s mother and realises that she’s under the impression her and Sam are dating. Which makes it more complicated when Harvey comes to the same conclusion.

This book deals with the effects of cyber bullying, financial hardship and tragically a cancer diagnosis which added a great deal of emotion and poignancy to be the story. Sam’s relationship with his ill mother brilliantly portrayed. He shows her he cares but doesn’t smoother her and make her feel “ill”.  Ava was a great character who I instantly liked, I wished she just forget about the whole “not dating” thing after Harvey and give lovely Sam a chance. I loved the wide mix of supporting characters in this book too from Ava best friend Izz, to Tod and Lindsay to the gem that is Auntie Val as they all added a little something to the story.

Some of my favourite scenes included when Ava first meets Sam’s mum, the charity fundraiser and the Christmas Day scenes all were very touching and they were moments when I did shed a few tears. Despite this being a serious book with real issues there are some light hearted and comical moments, the fancy dress party being ones of my favourites.

Harvey was an utterly horrible character and the plot to take revenge on him for his nastiness was genius and quite funny and I loved how it brought many of the sub character’s all together to help Ava and Ruby, a WAG who needed a little help with her media presence.

What I loved most about this book was that it was more than just a romance told at Christmas. It was a book which dealt with real issues, poverty, bullying and cancer may not be the cheeriest of topics but they are things which we are dealing with in today’s world and that made it a great read for me. This is a book which highlights that Christmas isn’t about how much money you spend on gifts and celebrations it’s about spending time with those we really care about and embracing life and making those special moments count because those are the things which are most important.

I’ve loved reading my first book by Sue Moorcroft and can’t wait to get started on my next. It’s the perfect book to read right now as we begin the final count down to the big day. Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for tis copy to review.

Blog Tour Review: Brides and Bouquets at Cederwood Lodge by Rebecca Raisin

Brides & Bouquets at Cedarwood Lodge by Rebecca Raisin

Published: 24th November 2016

Publisher: HQ Digital

Pages: 102

Available on Kindle

Order now from Amazon

Rating: 4/5

Blurb

Christmas has come to Cedarwood Lodge in the second part of the feel-good romance serial from best selling author, Rebecca Raisin!

Dreaming of a happily ever after at Cedarwood Lodge is Clio Winters’ current focus, especially with a winter wonderland wedding expo planned. But with brides coming from far and wide the heat is on for Clio to fulfil everyone’s dream of a Christmas wedding!

It seems like Clio’s new business might be off to a rocky start and surrounded by love struck brides she can’t help but hope for a little Christmas romance of her own…

Cedarwood Lodge is a delectable romance told in three parts – following Clio Winters journey back to her hometown of Evergreen. This is Part Two.

Review

Brides and Bouquets is the second book in Rebecca Raisin’s Cedarwood Lodge series set in the lovely town of Evergreen. This time its heading towards Christmas and Clio is upping her marketing of Cedarwood Lodge by holding a Bridal Expo so it’s all hands on deck as Clio and the team prepare for this wedding extravaganza which will hopefully put Cedarwood on the map as a luxury wedding destination.

I’m a huge Rebecca Raisin fan and have adored all of her previous books and this one is another winner for me. It leads perfectly on from the first book in the series, so I highly recommend you read Confetti and Celebrations first. Along with Micah and Isla, Clio has now been joined by New York best friend Amory and her boyfriend Cruz who despite having a few relationship problems jump straight in to help Clio succeed.

This is a story where there is always something happening and despite being fairly short Rebecca has manage to cram a great deal of drama including a number of mishaps and misunderstanding which may lead to the expo not being held. It’s not a book which lacks detail either, the Lodge and the town of Evergreen are described perfectly so I can really imagine the place when I’m reading and I would my own stay at Cedarwood Lodge is sounds absolutely heavenly.

I loved the way previous romances are simmering away and I cannot wait for book three to find out if Clio will open her and let love in. I’m also dying to know what Clio’s mum’s big secret is, spreading that over the series has been agony as I have no clue, so hurry up book three.

If you’re a Rebecca Raisin fan then this is definitely one to add to your Christmas reading.