Some of these books were sent for the purpose of review – these will be clearly marked. This post also contains affiliate links.
I am now woefully behind on sharing my recent reads so I wanted to try and catch up and share with you what I have been reading lately! So here goes…
Ant & Dec: One Upon A Tyne by Andy Milligan and Ant & Dec – 5/5
I had heard so much about this book and I have to say, the rave reviews were well deserved. I have been alive throughout the whole of the duo’s career and can say I have watched them grow from the kids at Byker Grove to popstars to television presenters.
It was fascinating reading about their experiences and I loved the snippets from their friends such as Cat Deeley, Stephen Mulhern and Simon Cowell, among others. A really great read. You can buy the book here {affiliate link}.
The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse – 3/5 (ARC sent via Netgalley for review)
An intense read. I found the main character very unlikeable and it seemed like she was always trying to find fault with people. I got a really bad vibe about her boyfriend even if that was unfounded.
I feel that the storyline dragged on too long in places whereas other places it went way too fast. I understood why the first victim had been attacked but the other victims – whilst I understood why they were eventually killed, surely they all knew the dangerous game they were playing? Not victim blaming but if you know someone has already killed 3 times, why would you even stick around??
I did not see the perpetrator coming right until the last minute when the main character worked it out. It was an interesting way to go as none of the clues had been pointing their way, in my opinion.
The epilogue did frustrate me because – is there going to be a second book? This sure makes it feel this way. But if not, why is it there as now I want to know who that is! You can buy the book here {affiliate link}.
Who Do You Trust? by Kirsty Ferguson – 3/5 (ARC sent via Netgalley for review)
This book kept me gripped but also left me frustrated in equal measure. I loved the idea of everyone lying to the main character and her trying to work out who to trust. The action kept me gripped as she tried to work out exactly who was trying to scare her and as she tried to navigate herself through her life after a big event rocked her world.
I find it hard to believe, however, that literally everyone in someone’s life (except perhaps her Dad!) happened to be so vile. Her mum seemed to be okay and then something cropped up that showed she wasn’t as sweet and innocent as she seemed. Dana’s own husband, sister, best friend and new friends were incredibly vile to her even after what she had been through and so was the figure from her past that cropped up, absolutely despicable.
I actually had an inkling to the ending regarding which characters were involved but I didn’t expect such a dark ending and I was left wanting more. It seemed an unsatisfying conclusion for a book that had me gripped, despite some of the implausible things I found in the plot.
I will definitely check out more from the author but I am not sure this would be one I’d pick up again. You can buy the book here {affiliate link}.
Our House Is On Fire: Scenes of a Family and a Planet in Crisis by Greta Thunberg, Svante Thunberg, Malena Emman and Beata Emman – 4/5 (Sent for review)
You can read my full review here. I thought it was an interesting and thought-provoking read however Greta’s mother infuriated me with how much she talked about her life and her fame and all about here when it was to be about Greta and the environment. You can buy the book here {affiliate link}.
The Dinner Guest by B.P Walter – 5/5 (ARC sent via Netgalley for review)
This book kept me guessing throughout. I had an inkling as to who the culprit could be but this book took you on a real journey among some really unlikeable and detestable characters and others like Charlie’s ex boyfriend and also his godmother who I really liked and who I would have loved to see more of.
This book serves as a reminder that secrets will come out at some point and your past sins can come back to haunt you.
A book that I couldn’t put down. Will definitely be reading more from the author. You can buy the book here {affiliate link}.
Some really good books this time around but some that left me a little flat and a little disappointed. What have you been reading lately?
I have been reading more and more since the start of spring. I didn’t hear about any of these books before but I would like to get my hands on the Dinner Guest. It sounds like my type of novel.
I’m just finshing the bookish life of Nina Hill which I am loving, and next up I have a few books I picked up at the library. I’ve just joined back up and I was shocked that they had loads of super new books so that’s going to save me plenty of money x
It was really interesting to hear your thoughts on The Sanatorium – I hate books where I just don’t get on with the main character, but had heard good things about that book previously!
I have the Sanaturiom but haven’t got around to reading it yet. I am in a book club that ha just read The Dinner Guest, I skipped this one, as really busy, but they all seemed to love it
I haven’t read much over the last few Months. I really need to get back into it . Love the look of some of these books
I’ve not read any of those, you have good variety there. I’m reading much more this year, I’m on book 30. Mich X
I really like the sound of The Dinner Guest, I’m into my murder mysteries. But I’m really struggling to get into reading at the moment, I need to re-train my brain!