sams_fireside's reviews
248 reviews

It Had to Be You by Beth Moran

emotional funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I loved Beth’s latest book, It Had to Be You. You can tell right from the beginning that the subject matter is very close to the author’s heart and firsthand experience. I laughed a lot while reading, but I also cringed at some of the squeamish parts. I’m not sure I’d be very good at delivering a baby - too much mess for me!

As well as some fun and romance, Beth included many difficult topics in the book, such as teenage pregnancies, parental abuse and single mums and dads. It was particularly interesting to read how a single teenage dad coped with being thrust into fatherhood, with no support from his partner. 

The book is a dual timeline story, flipping between present day and when our female protagonist, Libby, is sixteen and just about to sit her GCSEs. I enjoyed reading about her and her sister’s life growing up amongst the many foster kids who came through their home and how there were rules set in place to keep everyone comfortable and safe within the home.

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review It Had to Be You by Beth Moran.

The Riviera House Swap by Gillian Harvey

hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

If you’ve seen The Holiday with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet (my most favourite movie ever btw), then you’ll be familiar with what a house swap entails. It does exactly what it says on the tin - two people swap houses - anywhere in the world - for an agreed amount of time. This is exactly what The Riviera House Swap is. 

I read most of this in one day, when it was pouring with rain outside, on the east coast of England, when it’s supposed to be summer. Gillian whisked me away to the south of France and even though it was November there, I still imagined glorious summer days, eating buttery croissants and drinking rich sweet coffee in pavement cafes. 

The Riviera House Swap is set across two timelines, the present day and brief interludes when our protagonist, Nina, is seventeen and on a French exchange with her school. Nina is currently fed-up and forty and starts to wonder just what might have been.....

No spoilers here, but I really, really would like to know what happens to Nina next. Any chance of a sequel, Gillian?

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review The Riviera House Swap by Gillian Harvey.

Second Chances at the Board Game Café by Jennifer Page

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I seem to be on a roll for books that I’m loving. Second Chances at the Board Game Cafe was so lovely and cute, from beginning to end. All the characters were brilliant and the author highlights how even the most unusual and let’s face it, what a lot of people would consider boring, hobbies, can be fun and engaging if you find like-minded people to enjoy them with. Harry is brilliant, he loves trains and board games and dull coloured clothes, but when he meets the right people, he is far from boring. Taylor has had some difficult times in her life but always has the best interests of her son at heart and picks herself up, time after time. Her son loves trains and board games too, so when the three of them find each other, it’s a proper little meet-cute.

I love the idea of a cafe where you can go and meet other people who enjoy the same things as you, and while away a few hours. As I was writing this review I googled whether board game cafes were an actual thing, and guess what? They actually are. There is even one about half an hour from me. I’ll probably never go. Nevertheless, I love the idea. 

If you like cute, funny, romance-type books, grab a copy of Jennifer's new book. It’s the third in the series, but I didn’t know this and it really doesn’t matter if you haven’t read the others.

Thank you to Aria and Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review Second Chances at the Board Game Cafe by Jennifer Page.

Transcended by Ingrid J. Adams

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

OMG, this was amazing! I loved Descended, which was the first book in this series and I loved Transcended even more. I love how when you begin to read the book; it seems as though it is all about normal people, living normal, everyday lives. Then you realise that many of the characters have some sort of power, whether telepathy, empath or healing powers. Then, of course, there are the covens and the warlocks! I cannot begin to explain how invested I am in Cordelia, Indigo, and Robbie’s lives. 

Transcended is set in the 90s, on the northern beaches of Australia, and despite some devastating events, the sun always seems to be shining and the whole book is full of positivity and vibrance.

I am so happy that Ingrid reached out to me over a year ago to read her debut novel. She has fast become one of my favourite authors. 

If you enjoy a fantasy novel that isn’t too ‘out there’, then I urge you to read Descended and then Transcended. They are both amazing and I am so glad I spent the last week in the company of these wonderful characters in Ingrid’s latest release. I hope she’s writing quickly because I absolutely cannot wait for the next book in the series. 

Thank you to Ingrid J. Adams for the opportunity to read and review Transcended.

An Invitation to the Cottage by the Loch by Kennedy Kerr

emotional informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I love a book set in beautiful, scenic countryside, and so when the opportunity arose to read Kennedy Kerr’s recent novel, set in the Highlands of Scotland, I couldn’t turn it down. An Invitation to the Cottage by the Loch is slow to begin with, but as soon as I become familiar with the characters (some of who are loveable and some who grow on you), the story picked up speed and I soon became immersed in Deb’s new challenge at Loch Cameron and invested in her story.

The author deals with several challenging issues alongside the lightheartedness of planning a party and forming new friendships, and I enjoyed the contrast between the two. 

Although this is the fifth book in the Loch Cameron series, it’s the first I’ve read and I don’t think it matters that I haven’t read the others and can definitely be read as a standalone. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review An Invitation to the Cottage by the Loch by Kennedy Kerr.

A Wonderland Wish on Ever After Street by Jaimie Admans

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Jaimie blows it out of the park. Every. Single. Time. I adore her books, I love the ‘Ever After Street’ series, and I am constantly impressed by the ideas she comes up with for her books. Of course, A Wonderland Wish on Ever After Street is no exception, and for this book we see Cleo open The Wonderland Teapot, an Alice in Wonderland-themed teashop, complete with Wonderland-inspired cakes, and its very own Mad Hatter, aka Bram.

Jaime’s latest creation is full of romance, friendship, secrets and baking. The characters are fanciful, delightful and full of creativity. I wish Ever After Street was a real live place because if it were, I’d be there in an instant.

If you’ve read the other books in this series, then you’ll be familiar with the other characters, but you don’t need to read them in order. Each can totally be read as a standalone, but read them all. Go on, why wouldn’t you?

Imagine yourself all cosy and warm, wrapped up in a great big bear hug from the person you love most in the world. Well, that’s how Jaimie’s books make me feel. Put simply, a hug in a book.

Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review A Wonderland Wish on Ever Street by Jaimie Admans.

Compass Points by Jillian Witt

adventurous challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Over the last few months, I have been enjoying more and more fantasy books, usually listening to them as an audiobook. When the opportunity arose for me to listen to Compass Points on audio, I leapt at the chance. Slow to begin with as we are immersed into the world in which Rose lives, the story soon picks up as I become familiar with the characters and their purpose in the fae world. 

Compass Lake is the home of the four Compass Points, north, south, east and west. Each worships a different God and each has their own magic. I really enjoyed this one. Rose is one bad-ass-bitch who is determined not to take any shit from anyone. Even when Luc happens upon her in the market, looking for the weapons master, she tries her hardest to remain aloof and independent.

Hats off to Jillian Witt for a great debut novel with loveable characters, fascinating world-building and a truly great story. I loved listening to Kari Hollowell read this. She totally throws herself into each character and I quickly found I knew who was speaking, simply from the voice she was using. Arie, especially, was my favourite. I’m still not sure if he’s a demon, a familiar or simply a shape-shifter, but he has Rose’s back - always - and for that he was the character I was always rooting for. Book 2 in the series is out soon and I can’t wait to see how Rose and Luc’s story progresses.

Thank you to Jillian Witt and Literary Media Tours for the opportunity to listen to and review Compass Points.

Retribution for the Fallen by Madeline Vaughn

adventurous challenging dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I’ve been waiting to read this since Madeline announced when the last book in the Emily Fallon series was coming out! It’s definitely been worth the wait and we pick up exactly where we left Emily, Xander, Maverick and Uncle Paul in the second book - in the throes of trying to bring the head of the US Navy to justice. 

Once again, Madeline Vaughn has written a fast-paced story with an intriguing and thrilling plot. It gripped me from the start. There were loads of ‘WTF’ and ‘no-way’ moments and I was totally gobsmacked at how some things played out! No spoilers from me, but I really didn’t see what was going to happen and part of me thought a miracle might occur!

This definitely needs to be read as part of the series, so get out and there and buy all three now!

Once again, thank you to Madeline for including me in her ARC Street Team. I’m looking forward to the next book she writes.

Hard Times for the East End Library Girls by Patricia McBride

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

The second in the East End Library Girls series and a welcome return to Cordelia, Jane and Mavis. Since Cordelia arrived at the library, the three have become firm friends. This book continues where the first one left off and we follow the lives of the three women and how they are surviving the war. Houses are bombed, children are evacuated and soldiers are injured, but the three are resilient and manage to cope with whatever is thrown at them.

I loved catching up with these three again. Despite the harrowing circumstances of war, the book has a lovely warm feeling. I enjoy reading about life during the war, the difficulties with housing, finding food and not knowing from one day to the next what will happen. It makes us appreciate everything we have today. The library helped bring the community together and for those who were lonely, I can only imagine that this must have been a godsend. 

Although the second in the series, this could be read as a standalone. However, the first one is so good, grab them both and enjoy the adventures of the East End girls. I hope this isn't the last we hear from Cordelia, Jane and Mavis.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review Hard Times for the East End Library Girls by Patricia McBride.

The Fury by Alex Michaelides

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Although I have The Silent Patient on my bookshelf, it remains unread, and therefore this is my first venture into Alex Michaelides’ world.

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure about this one at the beginning. I don’t know how to describe the style of writing apart from that it’s narrated from the point of view of one of the characters. However, as I settled into the writing and read on, I understood more about what was happening and why it was being written such as it was, and I began to enjoy it - a lot.

The Fury is full of deception, lies and intrigue from beginning to end. I’m not sure I actually liked any of the characters very much, each having their own secrets and reasons for being who they want others to perceive them. Only an accomplished writer can portray their characters as such and hats off to Alex for achieving this.

I found the story to be full of twists and an ending I didn’t see coming. A Fury is a local Greek term for strong winds and storms and the fury in this case provided storms and an atmosphere in both plot and weather!

If you enjoy a story full of mystery, thrill and suspense, then I’d recommend that you read this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Michael Joseph at Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review The Fury by Alex Michaelides.