Fireflies in Winter by Eleanor Shearer

 

Nova Scotia, 1796. Cora, an orphan newly arrived from Jamaica, has never felt cold like this. In the depths of winter, everyone in her community huddles together in their homes to keep warm. So when she sees a shadow slipping through the trees, Cora thinks her eyes are deceiving her. Until she creeps out into the moonlight and finds the tracks in the snow.

Agnes is in hiding. On the run from her former life, she has learned what it takes to survive alone in the wilderness. But she can afford no mistakes. When she first spies the young woman in the woods, she is afraid. Yet Cora is fearless, and their paths are destined to cross.

Deep among the cedars, Cora and Agnes find a fragile place of safety. But when Agnes's past closes in, they are confronted with the dangerous price of freedom--and of love....

With evocative prose and immersive storytelling, Fireflies in Winter is a powerful novel about love--love for the wilderness in all its unforgiving beauty, and love between two women who risk everything to be together.

Fireflies in Winter is the first book I have read by Eleanor Shearer and this one was certainly a learning curve for me as I had no prior knowledge of The Maroons who were sent from Jamaica to Nova Scotia, I had to google this to get a general insight into this because the book did't so much educate me on this it prompted more of an intrigue which made me want to gather more insight.

The storyline sure is a story of resilience and survival in a dangerous and unsettled place which was felt through the pages with thanks to the author's descriptive writing style. Our main characters Cora and Agnes really are strong women but they had no choice if they wanted to survive and live a life of freedom. We also meet Thursday who I loved from our first meeting and he was the only character I found myself really drawn to and had trust in too.

This book isn't full of dramatic twists and turns, it is a gentle paced read too but for the story it is trying to tell this works well. I did find it took me quite a while to feel invested in the storyline however I do wonder if this was more so because of my lack of knowledge of the history that this book is cantered around so maybe those who have existing knowledge may find it a different reading experience. 

Dear Debbie Freida McFadden

 

Sometimes, enough is enough...

Debbie Mullen is losing it. For years, she has compiled all of her best advice into her column, Dear Debbie, where the wives of New England come for sympathy and neighborly advice. Through her work, Debbie has heard from countless women who are ignored, belittled, or even abused by their husbands. And Debbie does her best to guide them in the right direction.

Or at least, she did.

These days, Debbie's life seems to be spiraling out of control. She just lost her job. Something strange is happening with her teenage daughters. And her husband is keeping secrets, according to the tracking app she installed on his phone. Now, Debbie's done being the bigger person. She's done being reasonable and practical. It's time to take her own advice.

And now it's time for payback against all the people in her life who deserve it the most.

One thing I can always guarantee when it comes to a Freida McFadden book is that it will be quick paced and I will be completely blindsided and that was certainly the case when I sat down to read her new release Dear Debbie this morning and finished it in one greedy sitting!

I have never read another authors books whose storyline feels so unbelievably predictable only to be thrown a complete curve ball and a twist that I never see coming which bumps a 3 star read right up to a 4!

Debbie is certainly a bad ass character who will do whatever it takes to defend and protect her family in the most extreme ways, it became apparent quite early on that she is a character not to be messed with. The chapters alternate between Debbie, her husband Cooper and her friend Harley so we get to know these characters too and the brain starts looking for clues already trying to work out who we trust and whose motives we should be suspicious of.

This book is great for anyone who loves an unpredictable thriller that has revenge, long held secrets and deception at the heart of the book.

A Cottage in the Country by Katie Fforde

 

She's found her dream home but can she make her dreams a reality?

Hattie finds other people their dream homes for a living.

Surely she, of all people, has the connections and the knowledge to find her own forever home? Instead, she baffles those closest to her by choosing to pack up and move every few months from one housesitting job to the next.

Of course, that's because she knows where she wants to live. It's a beautiful house owned by a lovely old woman who'd simply love for Hattie to have it.

But nothing is ever that simple.

There's Clive who refuses to listen to his great-aunt's wishes about her house. There's Luke, Hattie's oldest friend, who just wants to see her happy. And there's Hattie herself. It might take a difficult client, an awkward teenager and a couple of dogs to help her see what really makes a house a home.

Katie Fforde has delivered another cosy wholesome read and has introduced us to Hattie who truly has a heart of gold. As well as matching people with their dream homes, thanks to her gift she also finds herself playing cupid too but all the way through this book I was just eager for Hattie to find her own love and happy place. Her nephew Xander was a lovely addition to the story and seeing him thrive and grow as a character in his new soundings was really lovely to watch. 

The couple of not so nice characters in this book helps the book to have a little more depth and not be too sickly sweet and finding that kindness always overcomes evil is always something I love.

As with many cosy romances the outcome was predictable and yet I still found myself wrapped up in the storyline. I thoroughly enjoyed A Cottage in the Country and would definitely recommend it for those who enjoy a comforting wholesome read.

My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney

 

Eden Fox, an artist on the brink of her big break, sets off for a run before her first exhibition. When she returns to the home she recently moved into – Spyglass, an enchanting old house in the pretty seaside village of Hope Falls – nothing is as it should be. Her key doesn’t fit. A woman, eerily similar to her, answers the door. And her husband insists that this stranger is his wife.

One house. One husband. Two women. Someone is lying.

Six months earlier, a reclusive Londoner named Birdy, reeling from a life-changing diagnosis, inherits Spyglass. This unexpected gift from a long-lost grandmother brings her to Hope Falls. But then Birdy stumbles upon a shadowy London clinic that claims to be able to predict a person’s date of death, including her own. Secrets start to unravel and, as the line between truth and lies blurs, Birdy feels compelled to right some old wrongs.

Wow wow wow!

This is my first book by Alice Feeney but I am now desperate to pick up another after finishing My Husband's Wife as she weaved an intricate web of twists and turns that completely blindsided me.

This book had me hooked from the very first chapter when Eden arrives home and everything has changed, my mind started working ten to the dozen trying to come up with a rational solution for how on earth there could be what seems like two Edens and coming up with nothing but then the storyline starts weaving off again and more questions keep arising and I was mind boggled by it all but equally so intrigued to get to the bottom of this twisted turn of events.

The chapters alternate between many characters points of views but this works really well for this book because you see things through their eyes and start building pictures of people and events and soon you are suspicious of everyone.

So much happens and it is a fast paced book with what felt like no safe space to put it down and anytime I did stop I found myself drawn back to it before long with my mind working overtime.

Just when you think its all wrapped up your head is then thrown into another spin! 

If you love completely unpredictable gripping reads with a sinister undertone that will put your head in a spin trying to solve the unsolvable then this book won't disappoint. This is my first 5 star of the year.

Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane by Holly Hepbu

 

Maura has everything she ever wanted from life – a quirky cottage in Edinburgh’s picturesque Dean Village, a thriving career as a potter and a contented relationship with her childhood sweetheart, Jamie. Never mind that the cottage is damp, her pots aren’t selling and Jamie prefers a night down the pub with his rugby mates to an evening in with her.

But everyone wishes things were just a tiny bit better, right?

When Maura reunites with Fraser Bell at a Hogmanay party, she’s instantly transported back to her school days. And when he proposes she makes ceramic ghosts to complement his city ghost tour business, she’s tempted. At first, everything goes smoothly but it’s not long before their new partnership causes problems that ripple through every aspect of Maura’s life. The ghosts go viral, so she has more orders than she can fulfil and Jamie is not thrilled that she’s spending all her time in her studio. But when Edinburgh Castle shows an interest in Maura’s work, things begin to spiral out of control.

Can Maura really have it all or will she regret wishing for more?

I have long been a fan of Holly Hepburn's books but always prefer to read them in on greedy sitting rather than the instalment releases and this book was no exception. I was enveloped into the idyllic setting of Edinburgh which the author managed to portray the beautiful surroundings and history of some of the areas. The idea of our main characters being a pottery maker and a ghost tour operator is something quite new to my reading experience and I loved this new take on a storyline. The creativity and timings of pottery making were really explored in this book which I was actually quite intrigued by. We are also taken along on the Ghost walks, so if you like a spooky telling you will enjoy these parts.

Both Maura and Fraser were characters I instantly warmed to, they had such lovable natures and both were true homebodies who love and cherish their hometowns. Ok so the romance may be rather predictable however I had no complaints with this as I was along for the journey and was rooting for these two from start to finish especially when there were some rather unforgivable romance situations that occurred within the storyline.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it is definitely one I would recommend for those who love a cutesy romance with a picturesque setting.

Available to purchase HERE

Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

 

For as long as she can remember, Evangeline Fox has believed in happily ever after. Until she learns that the love of her life is about to marry another, and her dreams are shattered.

Desperate to stop the wedding, and heal her wounded heart, Evangeline strikes a deal with the charismatic, but wicked, Prince of Hearts. In exchange for his help, he asks for three kisses, to be given at the time and place of his choosing.

But after Evangeline's first promised kiss, she learns that bargaining with an immortal is a dangerous game - and that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than she pledged. He has plans for Evangeline, plans that will either end in the greatest happily ever after, or the most exquisite tragedy . . .

I have been wanting to read this series for so long but they have been waiting on my shelves for me as I was advised to read the Caraval series first. I can see why people advise this because alongside our main character Evangeline in this book we also have a Fate named Jacks who is a character in the Caraval series which is where the Fates are a big part of the storyline so by reading that series first you have some background knowledge on the trickery the fates can play.

But one thing I can say after finishing the first book in this series, Once Upon a Broken Heart is I much preferred this one to the Caraval series of books. I think this is helped because Evangeline has an instantly likeable characteristics so you do have a care and interest in her well being and you don't want to see her wrongfully accused of wrongdoings. 

World building is certainly something this author does well in both series of her books she has such a wild imagination and then to have such a talented ability of bringing these creative worlds to life so vividly in the readers mind is remarkable. This is fantasy reading but with so much dark magic woven through what feels like a sweet storyline of a girl who just wants to find love.

This book was fast paced and eventful and I was whisked away in the storyline so much so I read the whole thing in a matter of hours BUT hello! That ending, I honestly thought there had been a misprint or someone had taken the last pages from my book!

So a word of warning do not buy this book without having the next one ready to go because you will instantly want to reach for book 2 in the series the minute you finish.

Available to purchase here

A Neighbours Guide to Murder by Louise Candlish

Her secrets will be the death of you…

When Pixie moves into Columbia Mansions, divorced Gwen is quick to take the younger woman under her wing. But as Pixie becomes entangled with her charismatic landlord Alec, the lines of friendship begin to blur.

With rumours of illicit goings-on swirling, Gwen soon realises Pixie isn’t the only one with something to hide. How well does she really know the neighbours she considers her friends?

As scandal erupts, old grudges resurface, leading to a crime that will destroy the peace of Columbia Mansions forever.

 

I have just finished reading A Neighbours Guide to Murder by Louise Candlish, an author whose books I have always thoroughly enjoyed. We meet the residents of Columbia Mansions, Gwen lives next door to Alec and when he takes in a new tenant a young beautiful woman called Pixie, Gwen sparks up a nurturing friendship with her but before long she starts to have suspicions about the goings on behind closed doors and worries about Pixie.

When Pixie confides in Gwen about her situation with Alec there then spirals a tornado of events that soon puts Gwen in an impossible situation.

This storyline starts off as a slow burn and took me a while to slot into but I persevered and I am pleased I did because the pace picked up and I found myself so engrossed in the story and also becoming as mind boggled as our main character Gwen, not knowing who to trust or who was telling the truth. This was certainly an unpredictable read, at times I felt like everything had been solved and had come to light but then the storyline would completely spin and show another side which left me with more questions rather than answers.

There is so much going on at the end of this book too so the author keeps you on your toes right until the very last chapter. My heart really went out to Gwen because you could really see she had such a loving, kind and caring nature but she never seemed to have anyone around her to match her character, it kind of felt like through her whole life she was in the wrong place at the wrong time, with the wrong people.

I was really invested in this storyline and although it may not be my favourite by this author it is still definitely one I would recommend if you're looking for an unpredictable thriller.

Available to purchase here