Need a funny book? Then read on…

18.1.16


Strictly Between Us by Jane Fallon (Michael Joseph)

Tamsin and Michelle have been inseparable since childhood. Even now they spend all their time together, along with Patrick, Michelle's handsome husband. Except Tamsin's brilliant assistant Bea (without whom Tamsin's life would fall apart) has heard a nasty rumour that Patrick is playing away. Determined to uncover the truth, Tamsin devises a honey-trap to test his resolve, using Bea as bait. But she never counted on Bea having her own agenda ...Struggling to untangle the web of deceit, Patrick seems to be constantly one step ahead. Can Tamsin reveal the truth to Michelle without ruining everyone's life along the way?

Hands up if you're a fan of Getting Rid of Matthew? That was the first Jane Fallon book I ever read and I've loved her work ever since. 


Strictly Between Us is hilarious. It will leave you cringing and laughing at the same time. A nice easy read if you haven't read any of Jane Fallon's work before, once you've finished this you'll be ordering her back catalogue. Trust me. 

A fan of Girl on the Train? You'll LOVE this…

16.1.16




The Widow by Fiona Barton (Bantam Press) 

We've all seen him: the man - the monster - staring from the front page of every newspaper, accused of a terrible crime.
But what about her: the woman who grips his arm on the courtroom stairs – the wife who stands by him?
Jean Taylor’s life was blissfully ordinary. Nice house, nice husband. Glen was all she’d ever wanted: her Prince Charming. 
Until he became that man accused, that monster on the front page. Jean was married to a man everyone thought capable of unimaginable evil.
But now Glen is dead and she’s alone for the first time, free to tell her story on her own terms.
Jean Taylor is going to tell us what she knows...

Predicted to be one of the biggest books of 2016, The Widow is 'for fans of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train.' But in my humble opinion, I think The Widow is better than both of them put together. 

Not that they weren't good reads I hasten to add. I thought Gone Girl was great - but the ending was flat. And as for The Girl on the Train, whilst it was good, I just didn't get what all the fuss and hype was about… 

The Widow however had me hooked from the first page until the last and I wasn't disappointed.  I read it in one sitting last Saturday as I couldn't get enough. I thought I'd worked the plot out about half way through - how wrong I was. Because just when you think you've worked out what's going on, it's all change again and you absolutely don't see the ending coming.  


A gripping psychological thriller, though unsettling, The Widow is a fantastic debut from Fiona Barton. 


My Five Best Books from 2015

10.1.16




2015, you saucy little bugger. You came, you saw, you conquered. 

When I wasn't drinking Prosecco, eating pizza, gallivanting off to Vegas to do a lot of boozing, gambling and little things like get hitched and buying a house, I was curled up on the sofa doing one of my favourite things in the world: reading. 

As you probably know, I gorge on books. I read insatiably. 'I am simply a ‘book drunkard.’ Books have the same irresistible temptation for me that liquor has for its devotee. I cannot withstand them,' said L.M. Montgomery, a person who knows where a good book can take you. 

Thus, I made my way through a great many books in the year that was 2015. And here are 
five books from that if you haven't read already, you need to in 2016... 

1) The one that you won't be able to stop telling your friends/mum/fellow commuters/colleagues/anyone that will listen about…

The Versions of Us by Laura Barnett 


There was a lot of hype ahead of the release of The Versions of Us and it really didn't disappoint. I love books that have a Sliding Doors theme - where one split second could change everything - and this had that ingredient. It was hailed as the new One Day but in my humble opinion it was much better. 
It's just really clever and beautifully written. In fact, writing this is making me want to re-read!

2) The one that you will LOL a lot at...

Always the Bridesmaid by Lindsey Kelk 


It's no secret I am a HUGE Lindsey Kelk fan and Always the Bridesmaid is her Best. Book. Yet. Very, very funny. 

3) The one that will make you cry...

We Are All Made of Stars by Rowan Coleman 


Get a box of tissues and dive in. Immediately. It's really special. 

4) The one that will leave you shouting: OMG! That. Did. Not. Just. Happen…

The Day we Disappeared by Lucy Robinson


Not many plots keep you guessing until the last five pages. This one does. One surprise after another. You won't want to put it down.Oh and it gets 'Very Pretty Cover' award too. Always a bonus. 

5) The one that you won't be able to help but love… 

The World According to Danny Dyer: Life Lessons from the East End 


Oh you may scoff at this final entry but don't mock it until you've given it a go. I read this right at the end of last year as it was a Christmas gift and it really cheered up that awful lull post Xmas pre-New Year. 
Danny Dyer is just brilliant and as you read you can almost here him talking to you like an audio book! 

Every chapter had me laughing out loud. I mean, who doesn't want to hear DD's views on politics and current affairs?! 

What were your 2015 faves?