Good Me Bad Me - Ali Land

Kindle Edition Publisher: Michael Joseph Published: 12/01/17 Pages: 352 Amazon Uk Link: Here GoodReads Link: Here Book given in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.

The Blurb

NEW NAME .
NEW FAMILY.
SHINY.
NEW.
ME.'

Annie's mother is a serial killer.

The only way she can make it stop is to hand her in to the police.

But out of sight is not out of mind.

As her mother's trial looms, the secrets of her past won't let Annie sleep, even with a new foster family and name - Milly.

A fresh start. Now, surely, she can be whoever she wants to be.

But Milly's mother is a serial killer. And blood is thicker than water.

Good me, bad me.

She is, after all, her mother's daughter...

My Thoughts

I have to be honest and say that I really struggled with my thoughts on this book.
There have been some pretty big claims by the marketing department which made me slightly cautious in reading this book in the first place. Things like EXTRAORDINARY, CONTROVERSIAL AND EXPLOSIVE along with the lazy comparisons to books like Gone Girl and The Girl on the train by the media make me extremely dubious about reading them as 9 times out of 10 they fail to live up to the hype.This was no exception to that rule.

I kind of enjoyed it, at no point did I want to give up, but it was just so predictable, long winded and uneventful for 90% of the book and then the obvious happened and that was it.

The story held a lot of promise which is why I wanted to read it but I found it hard to get to grips with the writing style and the direction the book went. The friendship Milly made with the girl from the estate was wasted and meant nothing. Was it to show how much Milly was like her Mum? Not really.

I can suspend reality when I read, after all thats what I read for, to escape the drudgery of real life but my biggest problem was her foster father Mike. Were we meant to believe that such a poor psychologist who clearly had family problems of his own to deal with, be allowed to foster one of his patients, who was the daughter of a Serial Killer? Wouldn't of thought so, and they certainly wouldnt let her back with his family after a suicide attempt.

Now having said all that this book isnt a bad book by any stretch of the imagination. I thought Milly was a good character and I felt sympathy for her throughout the book and I had the opposite emotional reaction to Pheobe. How I smiled at 90%.

Its an ok read, but most defiantly not EXTRAORDINARY, CONTROVERSIAL AND EXPLOSIVE.

Bad Little Girl - Frances Vick

Kindle Edition Publisher: Bookouture Published: 22/02/2017 Pages: 358 Amazon Uk Link: Here GoodReads Link: Here Book given in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.

The Blurb

‘I’m not safe – you have to help me…’

Little Lorna Bell is from a notorious family on a rundown estate. Everyone thinks she’s a nasty piece of work. The schoolchildren call her a thief. But Lorna’s hair is matted, her shoes pinch her feet and school teacher Claire Penny can’t help herself; some kids just need a bit more support, a bit more love, than the rest.

As the bond between teacher and pupil grows stronger, Claire sees Lorna’s bruises, and digs to uncover the disturbing tale behind them. Heartbroken, Claire knows she has to act. She must make Lorna safe.

Just when Claire thinks she has protected Lorna, a chance encounter brings enigmatic stranger Marianne Cairns into their lives. Marianne seems generous and kind but there is something about her story that doesn’t quite add up. Why does she feel so at home, and why is Lorna suddenly so unsettled?

Claire has risked everything to save Lorna. But what can save Claire from the shocking truth?

My Thoughts

Didnt do it for me Im afraid, Its not a bad book but its not a great book either. I found it very slow going, predictable and far fetched, Im not one to let that bother me normally but some of the decisions made by the characters really irritated me. The story took so long to get going that once it did I had lost any feelings, Good or bad that I may have had for the characters or storyline.

Im not really sure why we had so much of the life of Claire Penny and her mother at the beginning of the book it added very little to the story and made it drag on a bit, it didnt give me that need too read feeling and consequently became a chore rather than a pleasure.

Sweetpea - CJ Skuse

Kindle Edition Publisher: HQ Published: 20/04/2017 Pages: 384 Amazon Uk Link: Here GoodReads Link: Here Book given in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.

The Blurb

The last person who called me ‘Sweetpea’ ended up dead… I haven’t killed anyone for three years and I thought that when it happened again I’d feel bad. Like an alcholic taking a sip of whisky. But no. Nothing. I had a blissful night’s sleep. Didn’t wake up at all. And for once, no bad dream either. This morning I feel balanced. Almost sane, for once.

Rhiannon is your average girl next door, settled with her boyfriend and little dog…but she’s got a killer secret. Although her childhood was haunted by a famous crime, Rhinannon’s life is normal now that her celebrity has dwindled. By day her job as an editorial assistant is demeaning and unsatisfying. By evening she dutifully listens to her friend’s plans for marriage and babies whilst secretly making a list.

A kill list.

From the man on the Lidl checkout who always mishandles her apples, to the driver who cuts her off on her way to work, to the people who have got it coming, Rhiannon’s ready to get her revenge.

Because the girl everyone overlooks might be able to get away with murder…

My Thoughts

The story of Rhiannana is one that is Funny, inappropriate, tasteless, Crude and bloody fantastic. She is a Woman who loves her dog, her Sylvanian Families and dislikes her job, friends and pretty much everything else. Oh and shes a serial Killer.

The book is written in a diary format with Kill lists at the start of each day, think Bridget Jones but really really angry, readable and deeply dark and funny.

I did start to worry about my sanity when I agreed with every single one of kill lists. Your not going to like it if your tolerance for violence and bad language peaks with midsommer murders but I loved Rhiannana she was as mad as a box of frogs with a body count but we all make mistakes sometimes. Its a genuine can´t put down book and I was sad to have reached the last page.The ending for me was sad, and without ruining it for anyone I hope Rhiannana gets the future I want for her rather than the one she deserves.

I have read some fantastic books during the last year or so doing this Blog but this one is by far the best book I have ever read. May as well give it my book of the Year already. Although I was given the chance to read this for a honest review, When it is published I shall be buying a copy that will sit on my shelf with pride.

A massive 5 stars and highly recommended.

Blink - KL Slater

Kindle Edition Publisher: Bookouture Published: 16/02/2017 Pages: 326 Amazon Uk Link: Here GoodReads Link: Here Book given in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.

The Blurb

Three years ago, Toni’s five-year-old daughter Evie disappeared after leaving school. The police have never been able to find her. There were no witnesses, no CCTV, no trace.

But Toni believes her daughter is alive. And as she begins to silently piece together her memories, the full story of the past begins to reveal itself, and a devastating truth.

Toni’s mind is trapped in a world of silence, her only chance to save herself is to manage the impossible. She must find a way to make herself heard. She must find her daughter

My Thoughts

I really liked KL Slaters first Novel Safe With Me and have really been looking forward to reading this one.
I was not to be disappointed, Its a cracker of a read.KL Slater has a great skill of being able to write fantastically messed up leading characters, in fact all her characterizations are spot on for me. I wanted to shake Toni on many occasions and run away from a few other of the characters. The Chapters are written in alternating timelines and multiple perspectives that moves along at a good pace that leaves your mind flipping back and forth as to who did what to who, there are enough Red Herrings to stock the fish counter at Tescos.

Its a book so obviously you have to suspend belief and isn't that a big reason for reading? escaping the drudgery of real life for a few hours at a time? Or is that just me?

A great read and highly recommended.

Tell Me A Lie - C J Carver

Kindle Edition Publisher: Zaffre Published: 12/01/17 Pages: 496 Amazon Uk Link: Here GoodReads Link: Here Book given in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.

The Blurb

A family in England is massacred, the father left holding the shotgun.

PC Lucy Davies is convinced he's innocent

A sleeper agent in Moscow requests an urgent meeting with Dan Forrester, referencing their shared past.

His amnesia means he has no idea who he can trust.

An aging oligarch in Siberia gathers his henchmen to discuss an English accountant.

It's Dan's wife

My Thoughts

As a rule I try to read no more than 10% of a book each day, the main reason for this is real life and the need to live it and do all the things I have responsibilities for, Feeding and Clothing Children being just two of them.

Sometimes however a book comes along and changes all of that. Embracing all the Book reviewing cliches this book was a rip roaring, unputdownable roller coaster of a book. It has everything a thriller should have, although I did have some trouble remembering who was who at times but I put that down to my age.

The action takes place between Russia, Wales and London and are narrated by various characters, the plot has many layers that are slowly peeled back until we reach the reveal. The Characters are superbly written, Dan Forrester and Lucy Davies are great characters and I loved them both, they both have great back stories and personal lives.

Really enjoyed and highly recommended.

Watch Me - Angela Clarke

Kindle Edition Publisher: Avon Published: 12/01/17 Pages: 368 Amazon Uk Link: Here GoodReads Link: Here Book given in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.

The Blurb

The body of a 15-year-old is found hours after she sends a desperate message to her friends. It looks like suicide, until a second girl disappears.

This time, the message is sent directly to the Metropolitan Police – and an officer’s younger sister is missing.

DS Nasreen Cudmore and journalist Freddie Venton will stop at nothing to find her. But whoever’s behind the notes is playing a deadly game of hide and seek – and the clock is ticking.

YOU HAVE 24 HOURS TO SAVE THE GIRL’S LIFE.
MAKE THEM COUNT.

My Thoughts

Adventure two for Freddie Venton & Nasreen Cudmore and like the last it revolves around Social Media and Murder. This book could be read as a stand alone novel but there are a lot of references to the last book that might leave you wondering.

The subject matter for this book revolves around Revenge Porn or a rather light version of it. The story is fast moving, interesting and at times gripping. It also shows us the worst side of the Internet and what can happen if those cheeky nude shots you felt the need to take whilst using the bathroom somehow find their way onto the Internet.

The characters were mostly unlikable to me. Nasreen was all over the place and I had trouble working her out. One minute she was the Goody Two Shoes of the Police Force next she was a maverick Chuck Norris. However the story was so engrossing and strong it didn't really matter.

Book Of The Month

My Book of the month for January 2017 is the utterly fantastic Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough. There is a lot of hype surrounding the ending of this book with the hashtag #WTFthatending on Twitter and its fully deserved because the ending is totally unexpected and totally unique. My review is here