Book Review: No Sister of Mine by Vivien Brown

Thank you so much to One More Chapter, Netgalley and the author herself, Vivien Brown, for the advanced reading copy of No Sister of Mine, which was published on 17 January 2020. You can order your copy here (other booksellers are available!)

The Blurb

Two sisters, both emerging into womanhood … But they couldn’t be more different.

While Eve is the mature and sensible one, Sarah is headstrong and desperate for a taste of real life.

When Eve brings a new face home for the holidays, Sarah does something that will change both of their lives forever. Something that Eve can never forget – or forgive. 

But life won’t keep them apart forever and decades later, one of them will have to choose whether to put the past behind her, or to hold on to hate forever…

This is an enthralling novel of searing domestic suspense and family secrets, perfect for readers of Sally Hepworth, Liane Moriarty, and Adele Parks.

My Review

Sibling rivalry abound in this unputdownable tale of two sisters who rip their family apart. I found the book utterly compelling.  Everyone has their faults and makes mistakes, some which have far-reaching consequences all round. I became emotionally invested in the girls' lives, although they both had their moments where they were not particularly likeable, there were times when I felt nothing but sympathy for them. 

These characters are so well-written, along with Josh, who too has his faults and makes mistakes. The story spans over 20 years, alternating points of view between Eve and Sarah. I felt Eve's fear, and Sarah's desperation, and lived their lives with them as they grew from awkward teenagers into even more awkward adults.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

About the Author

Vivien Brown lives in Uxbridge, Middlesex, with her husband and two cats. For most of her life she has immersed herself in words - as an avid reader, writer, poet, library outreach worker, storyteller, gifter of Bookstart packs to babies and toddlers, creative writing tutor and crossword fanatic. She enjoys dipping into dictionaries and exploring the meaning of words, and watching and/or taking part in TV quiz shows. In the evenings she loves nothing more than losing herself in a good book, a compelling TV drama or her regular supply of women's magazines - which all help to provide inspiration and ideas for her own fiction. After publishing around 150 short stories in popular UK women's magazines, 2 ebook novels, a guide to solving cryptic crosswords, and 250 articles in the professional childcare/nursery press on working and reading with young children (all written as Vivien Hampshire), she now writes full-length dramatic and relationship-based novels for Harper Impulse. Vivien is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association (RNA) and a Council member and fellow of the Society of Women Writers and Journalists (SWWJ).

Blog Tour: The Unlikely Life of Maisie Meadows by Jenni Keer

I'm delighted to be taking part in the blog tour for Jenni Keer's lovely new novel, The Unlikely Life of Maisie Meadows, which you can buy here. Thank you to Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the opportunity to review.

The Blurb

When Maisie Meadows finds herself single and jobless on New Year’s Day, she resolves that this will be the year she focuses on bringing her scattered family back together. Romance is all very well, but it’s the people you grew up with that matter the most. 

But a new job working at an auction house puts her in the path of Theo, a gorgeous but unattainable man who she can’t help but be distracted by. As their bond begins to grow, Maisie finds herself struggling to fulfil the promise she made to herself – but the universe has other ideas, and it’s not long before the Meadows family are thrown back together in the most unlikely of circumstances… 

Can dealing with other people’s treasures help Maisie to let go of the past, and teach her who she ought to treasure the most? 

My Review

Here we have a lovely lot up for your perusal  - a delightful tale set in an auction house where the quirky characters are just as colourful as the items up for sale.

The main character, Maisie, is just out of a job and a relationship. With her life turned upside down, the organised Maisie tries to bring some order by determining to bring her chaotic and fractured family back together. She starts working at the Gildersleeves Auction House, where she meets a delightful array of people, including Theo, whose mismatched clothes and untidiness is at complete odds with Maisie's self-disciplined way of life.

It's an exceptionally well-written story, with some real laugh-out-loud moments (eccentric naked old man!) intertwined with some moments of poignancy (I did have something in my eye when I got to know Arthur).  Plus there's also an element of mystery, involving a magical tea-set...

It's a great, thoroughly enjoyable read!

About the Author

Jenni Keer is a history graduate who embarked on a career in contract flooring before settling in the middle of the Suffolk countryside with her antique furniture restorer husband. She has valiantly attempted to master the ancient art of housework but with four teenage boys in the house it remains a mystery. Instead, she spends her time at the keyboard writing women's fiction to combat the testosterone-fuelled atmosphere with her number one fan #Blindcat by her side. Much younger in her head than she is on paper, she adores any excuse for fancy-dress and is part of a disco formation dance team. 

The Hopes and Dreams of Lucy Baker was published in January 2019.

The Unlikely Life of Maisie Meadows is out in July 2019.

Social Media Links –

FB Jenni Keer Writer

Twitter @JenniKeer

Instagram jennikeer

Website - https://jennikeer.co.uk/

Book Review: Second Time Around by Colette Caddle

After a freak accident and eight weeks in a coma, Suzie Connors’ family are elated when their adored mother finally wakes up absolutely fine. Except she’s not.

Blissfully unaware of her children’s shock at having to deal with the changes in their mum, Suzie has had a wake-up call and intends to live life to the full, with or without their approval. Then her youngest daughter, Sharon, is faced with some major issues of her own and the one person she would have turned to – her mother – is no longer there for her.

An emotional story about family, second chances and what happens when, in the blink of an eye, life changes forever …

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for my copy of this book.

It's quite a well-known fact that head injury can result in personality changes, and this affects not only the injured person but also those closest to them. The effect of the change in Suzie's behaviour causes shock and upset to her family and friends in different ways. 

Colette describes the horror and torment suffered by a family when a loved one is in hospital very well. That feeling of being in limbo, of not knowing if your loved one will die, or to what extent they will be affected. It is exhausting, both physically and mentally. Then when Suzie does wake up, the torment isn't over by any means as they all have to learn to adjust to the 'new' Suzie.

The story is told from multiple points of view, which shows how each person is affected by Suzie's injury to great effect. 

Suzie has lost her ability to filter her thoughts and what comes out of her mouth, often to quite humorous effect. She is struggling with her memory - who should she trust to tell her the truth about her past? 

Jess feels she has to carry the responsibility of looking after her mother; but she has problems of her own when her love life and work life collide. 

Jess's sister, Sharon, has it tough - her husband cannot connect with their son, Bobby, and now Suzie, who always adored her grandson, makes her thoughts on Sharon's mollycoddling perfectly clear. So clear that Bobby thinks his granny doesn't like him - a heartbreaking thing for any child. But deep down Sharon knows there's more to Bobby's behaviour than naughtiness - she just needs to admit it. Caddle's writing deals with this with a great deal of empathy.

Suzie's son, Noel, has the struggle of uni exams to cope with as well as his mother's erratic behaviour. He can't even confide in his best friend Cal, who is bewildered by Noel's distance.

Cal is my favourite character - he brings a lot of sense to everyone around him, not least Jess and Bobby.

As for the worst character - it has to be a toss-up between Suzie's sister Mandy, a conniving, jealous woman - no one else can believe it when she claims to be a loving sister, helping Suzie; and Jess's lover/boss Louis, who just makes my skin crawl!

Second Time Around is a heart-warming read about second chances, family and friendship. I loved it.

You can buy Second Time Around here (other retailers are available...).

Book Review: The One We Fell In Love With by Paige Toon

Phoebe is caught between a rock and a hard place. Settle down and get married, or return to the French Alps to pursue her passion?

Eliza is in love with someone who is no longer hers. In fact, he probably never was… And her dream of becoming a successful musician seems to be vanishing before her eyes.

Rose is out of a job and out of a boyfriend. To make matters worse, she’s been forced to move back in with her mother…

But these very different girls have one thing in common. Angus. The one they fell in love with…

Thank you so much to the author and Simon & Schuster UK for the very lovely proof copy. I am privileged!

Oh swoon! Get your tissues ready, and be prepared to howl with anguish/laughter/anger/laughter.

Sibling rivalry is rampant in the Thomson family. Triplets who are only identical in looks, and in their taste in men - one man in particular. In every other way they are dramatically different. No one can say no to Phoebe, nor do they want to; Rose is sometimes 'prickly' but practical, and Eliza is the rock chick who hasn't found her place yet. I think she is my favourite, as she seems so often to be on the outside of her sisters, who are very close.

And they are all in love with Angus (so am I!).

The story does flit between timelines, which I did find a little hard to keep up with, but that was probably because sometimes I had to read a couple of chapters at a time, so I lost the thread a little. It was still great to read, and when I was able to read it in bigger chunks, I was totally immersed in the story and the characters.

I have to confess I kind of guessed what was happening later in the book, but only cos I am such a drama queen myself, and I'm always looking for what could happen. It was written with a good deal of sympathy, and I really felt for poor Angus. Toby is adorable too, even if his method of transport is a skateboard! Watching as the characters learn more about themselves and reconcile their differences, is fascinating.

It's another fabulous story from Paige Toon, who is now one of my favourite authors.

You can buy the book here (other retailers are available!).