Like your books dark? Get your hands on Behind Closed Doors…

Everyone knows a couple like Jack and Grace.

He has looks and wealth, she has charm and elegance. You might not want to like them, but you do. Though, you’d like to get to know Grace better.

But it’s difficult, because you realise Jack and Grace are never apart.

Some might call this true love. Others might ask why Grace never answers the phone. Or how she can never meet for coffee, even though she doesn’t work. How she can cook such elaborate meals but remain so slim. And why there are bars on one of the bedroom windows.

Sometimes, the perfect marriage is the perfect lie… 

Behind Closed Doors was the second book of 2016 I read and when I’d finished back on the 6^th January I made a very bold statement – but one that I’m standing by...

B A Paris’s Behind Closed Doors is my book of the year. Yep. I called it -  just six days into the year.

Behind Closed Doors is terrifyingly brilliant - be warned about reading before bed though, it causes an unsettled sleep!

A sharp and gripping, intense debut thriller, expect the unexpected… I can't recommend this enough (in fact two friends have already taken this on holiday with them. Though I did warn it isn't a light pool read…) 

If you like dark books then without a doubt, this is one for you. 

Denise's Debut...

If You Could See Me Now by Denise Welch

Harper was once a famous actress - but she gave it all up to get married and start a family.

But her husband turned into a bully and a control freak and while Harper has complied too his demands for years, something then happens to make her question everything…

 

You know a book is pretty brilliant when you get really emotionally involved with the characters. I was routing for Harper from page one – and I despised her husband Aaron.

The characters are completely believable and are really brought to life by Denise – it’s obvious she has drawn from her own life experiences.

I don’t want to say too much as I hate spoilers, but trust me, this is fast paced and exhilarating – you’ll be hooked from the first line.

 If You Could See Me Now is an outstanding debut novel from Denise – I can’t wait to see what she has up her sleeve next.

Something for the weekend?

Two very different but equally brilliant books are published today so if you’re after something to read ahead of the weekend, I can’t recommend these two enough…

First up – 

Tainted Love by my absolute FAVOURITE crime writer, Kimberley Chambers.

Nobody can hurt you like the ones you love… Blood is thicker than water, love is stronger than hate – and that’s the problem. When your brother has betrayed you, there’s no coming back.
Vinny and Michael have always protected each other and provided for the family. Together they were formidable but business always stopped at the front door. Now someone has changed the rules – women and children are fair game and one of the Butlers is going to end up six feet under.
Little Vinny is battling not to follow in his father’s footsteps. Sweet Sammi-Lou has just vowed ‘til death do us part, but it’s only a matter of time before the truth comes out about the murder he committed.
Dark secrets are spiralling out of control and have the power to destroy them all for good. Is this the final nail in the Butler family coffin?

Three Butlers. Two weddings. One funeral…

Sounds gripping, right? Believe me – it is. This is the fourth book in the Butler series but you can still delve into this without reading the previous three as you do get a recap of what’s happened within the novel.

The characters in this are brilliant and there are so many twists and turns you’ll be left seriously dizzy.

It’s completely explosive so if you fancy an East end, gangland read, you won’t be disappointed.

And secondly -  

Another Love by the wonderful Amanda Prowse

In the early years, she was happy.

Romilly had worked hard for her stunning, modern house in one of Bristol's most fashionable suburbs. She adored her gorgeous, gap-toothed daughter and her kind and handsome husband. Sure, life was sometimes exhausting - but nothing that a large glass of wine at the end of the day couldn't fix.

But then, as deep-buried insecurities surfaced, everything started to unravel. A glass of wine became a bottle; one bottle became two. Once, Romilly's family were everything to her. Now, after years of hiding the drinking, she must finally admit that she has found another love...

Amanda Prowse is a beautiful writer and deals with some really gritty and uncomfortable issues, effortlessly. This is completely unputdownable read which had me turning the pages at a serious pace.  

Happy Reading!

January Reads

I’ve read some absolute corkers in January - here are my faves…  

 You know those books you read that are so brilliant that when you finish you just want to tell everyone that they must read it IMMEDIATELY? Dani Atkins Our Song is that book. Though as I finished at 2am in the morning I refrained from messaging all my bookie friends straight away and waited for a more sociable hour to hit…

Our Song brings you the story of Ally and Charlotte, whose paths have intersected over the years.

Charlotte married Ally's ex and first true love, David. And fate is about to bring them together one last, dramatic time and change their lives forever…  

With utterly breath-taking plot twists that leave you shouting: ‘What the….?’ (even at 2am) Our Song is so gripping that you won’t be able to turn the pages fast enough but at the same time won’t want it to end… Please read immediately. 

 The first book I laid my hands on in 2016 was Unforgettable by Charlie Maclean.

With a Sliding Doors/The Versions of Us style (The Versions of Us was one of my favourite books of 2015) a chance encounter throws together Alex, an unhappy lawyer, and Julia, a headstrong actress.

Then the book splits and alternates between the couple’s passionate love affair and Alex’s downbeat life without her. One moment. Two lives. One decision…

I love books that take the characters on different paths and this is a stunning debut from Charlie Maclean - and a perfect read for fans of One Day. 

If you haven’t read a Liane Moriarty novel then you really don’t know what you’re missing out on.. 

Three Wishes is funny whilst tackling some serious issues. Lyn, Cat, and Gemma Kettle are beautiful 33-year-old triplets and laughter, drama, and mayhem seem to follow them.

But apart, each is dealing with her own share of ups and downs…

Lyn has organized her life into one big checklist, Cat has just learned a startling secret about her marriage, and Gemma, who bolts every time a relationship hits the six-month mark, holds out hope for lasting love.

The trio have to deal with sibling rivalry and secrets, revelations and relationships, unfaithful husbands and unthinkable decisions…

Fast paced and exhilarating, you’ll be hooked from the opening line. 

Last but certainly not least… Lucy Diamond with The Secret of Happiness which looks at stepsisters Rachel and Becca.

They live far apart and have little in common. Rachel is successful with an impressive career, a big house, happily married with three children. Becca lurches from one dead-end job to another, shares a tiny flat and has given up on love.

The two of them have lost touch, but when Rachel doesn't come home one night, Becca is called in to help. Once there, she quickly realizes that her stepsister's life is not so perfect after all: Rachel's husband has moved out, her children are rebelling and her glamorous career has taken a nosedive. Worst of all nobody seems to have a clue where she might be…

As Becca begins to untangle Rachel's secrets, she is forced to confront some uncomfortable truths about her own life, and the future seems uncertain. But as they both discover, sometimes happiness can be found in the most unexpected places . . .

I’m a big fan of Lucy’s and she doesn’t disappoint with this lovely story where she writes about family life brilliantly.

Happy reading!