Some of these books were sent for the purpose of review – these will be clearly marked. This post also contains affiliate links.
Once again I ended up in a bit of a lull when it comes to reading then sped through a few books – it is always the way! You can read previous reading challenge updates here.
Moonflower Murders by Anthony Horowitz – 3/5 (ARC sent for review)
As someone who has been a fan of Anthony Horowitz for many years, ever since I was a child, I had high hopes for this. I was, however, left a little flat and that’s why I gave it 3 out of 5 stars.
I enjoyed the storyline immensely and really struggled with who the culprit could be and I enjoyed the ‘book within a book’ although I felt at times it was a little laboured and went on a little too long. I couldn’t help drawing comparisons between the fictional detective Atticus Pund in the book within a book and another fictional detective in Hercule Poirot although it was explained that Conway, the author of the Atticus Pund novel, was a Christie fan.
I did enjoy this read although not as much as the author’s other work as at times the storyline just dragged on a little too long where it would have benefited by being a bit shorter. You can buy the book on Amazon here {affiliate link}.
The Bellhop Only Stalks Once by Cat Hickey – 4/5 (ARC sent for review)
You can read my full review here but I will just say this totally wasn’t what I expected but in a good way. This was a bit of a slow burner but once it got to the action, it kept me enthralled. You can buy the book on Amazon here {affiliate link}.
Murder Ahoy! by Fiona Leitch – 5/5 (ARC sent for review)
You can read my full review here. All I will say is that this book was completely ME and I loved every second. It was dramatic, it was fun and it was unexpected – just what I like! You can buy the book on Amazon here {affiliate link}.
The Never Have I Ever Club by Mary Jayne Baker – 4/5 (ARC sent for review)
The title grabbed me straight away and I had to know what it was about!
With plenty of humour and fun within the book, this was a quick and easy read that I really enjoyed. I especially loved the character of Will – I thought he seemed like the perfect gent – although it did annoy me sometimes at just how much he sacrificed to keep other people happy.
Ash seemed misunderstood to me. Yes, he had made some bad decisions but at the end of the book, you see that it didn’t really matter after all when the main characters all come to a particular realisation. Aunt Fliss was one of my favourite characters, she sounded so wonderful and a great person for Robyn to have in her life – in stark contrast to her quite frankly annoying and overbearing mother.
I especially loved the idea of the Never Have I Ever Club – it brought together a variety of characters that otherwise wouldn’t spend time with each other and gave them the opportunity to try something they never had before. I’ll certainly be reading more from this author if they are all like this. You can buy the book on Amazon here {affiliate link}.
Within The Shadows by T.L. Mahrt – 4/5 (ARC sent for review)
You can read my full review here. This isn’t a genre I would usually read but I really enjoyed this and the book works very well as a standalone or the sequel of the series that it is. I definitely need to read book three! You can buy the book on Amazon here {affiliate link}.
So these are my reads for the past few weeks. Shockingly they are all review copies and I haven’t had a chance to pick up a book off my shelf for a little while now! I have got a few more reviews coming up in the next few weeks but I am hoping to scale back on reviews for a little while in order to catch up with some of the unread books that I have bought!
If you like to read reading round-ups, check out Lorna’s reading roundup for July and August.
Oh no what a shame about the Anthony Horowitz book, I was about to say I’m going to have to see if I can get it on audible but perhaps I need to give it a miss.
I have been looking to add more books into my reading list and these titles look interesting. Going to start first with The Never Have I Ever Club by Mary Jayne Baker. The cover image has already grabbed my attention.
I want to read the never have I ever book as I have heard many people talk about it and I am super curious.
My wife is a big book reader and have read lots this year for obvious reasons, theres a couple here i think she would like so i will forward it on to her, great review.
The never have I ever club sounds like my kind of book. I didn’t read much while we were moving and with all of the house stuff so I’m trying to get back into the mood with it x
It’s a shame The Moonflower Murders dragged a bit. I think The Never Have I Ever Club sounds more like the sort of book for me. I do like an easy, humorous read.
There are some really good books here, I love book reviews as it saves me doing all the hard work and I can just pick a book based on your review thanks x
I am looking for a fun and easy book to read right now, and I think that the never have I ever club one ticks all the boxes. I like easy, feel good reads that can help you de-stress after a long and busy day.
Such a fab selection of books. I’ve saved a couple in my Amazon list for my next book purchase.
I love the look of the moonflower murder . Definitely sounds like my kind of read
You’ve read so much recently, I don’t know how you fit them all in! Love the sound of some of these.
ahhh this reminds me I need to get on my reading goal again as I’ve been so slow at it this year. I tend to binge read over winter but will have to see what is on my list and get it out so I at least have the option x
I haven’t read any of these yet, nor, to be honest had I heard of them. Never Have I Ever immediately grabbed my attention and I will be grabbing myself a copy very, very soon.
I haven’t read any of these!! There’s a couple that have grabbed my attention, will add them to my reading list 🙂