Here's what I've been reading in February:
The Silent Wife by Kerry Fisher* - Lara and Maggie are both second wives. Lara is married to Massimo and they have a young son, Sandro. Sandro, just wants his dad to praise him but finds him overbearing at times. Lara has a controlled life - it's very ordered and she doesn't like to lose control.
Easy going Maggie and her son from a previously relationship live with Massimo's brother Nico and her stepdaughter, Francesca. Both women find their mother-in-law hard work. Nothing is ever right or good enough for her boys. Maggie's mum is down to earth and says it like it is..
Maggie finds something in the attic which sheds a different light on Nico's perfect first wife, Caitlin.. The story is told in alternating chapters through Lara's and Maggie's eyes and it makes compelling reading. I loved it.
Sister Sister by Sue Fortin - sisters Clare and Alice were separated when they were young children when their dad took Alice off to America. Clare, a partner in a law firm has looked for her sister throughout the years and felt like a part of her was missing despite having a loving mother, husband and children.
When their father dies Alice makes contact again with her mum and returns home. Clare doesn't however feel a sisterly connection to her at all. In fact, she feels uncomfortable around her when everyone else seems to be totally smitten.
Alice manipulates the situation and Clare feels shut out. Her husband, Luke also seems to be taking Alice's side and when things start to slide she feels out of control.. She heads to America to try and find out more about her sister and whilst there finds out a lot more than she bargained for...
An absolute edge of the seat read which I devoured in two sittings. I loved it.
The Damselfly by SJI Holliday - this is the third book in the Banktoun trilogy (but it could be read as a stand-alone novel). Katie Taylor can't wait to leave Banktoun and her small town life behind and really start living. She wins some money on a scratchcard and believes this is the way out for her and Neil, her boyfriend but it's not to be for Katie as DS Davie Gray and DC Louise Jennings are summoned to investigate her death.
Polly McAllister the new guidance teacher speaks to those pupils who may be able to help piece together Katie's last movements. A teacher also makes a startling revelation...
A Facebook group is set up and those on it decide to take matters into their own hands and mete out a punishment to someone they believe is involved. Wrongly, I may add! A fast paced and twisty story...with an ending I didn't see coming! Highly recommend.
Sealskin by Su Bristow** - Donald, a fisherman lives with his widowed mother Bridie in a croft on the West Coast of Scotland. One night he makes a terrible mistake and their lives change forever. The story is based on the legend of the selkies, seals who transform themselves into beautiful young women.
Bridie names her Mairhi and welcomes her into their home and lives. Villagers are suspicious but the children love her childlike and simple ways. Donald's aunt forms an unlikely bond with her and Bridie keeps her best interests at heart.
An absolute gem of a book. It's totally absorbing, easy to read and by far one of my favourites this year so far.
The Unseeing by Anna Mazzola - the story is set in London 1837 and the moment you start reading you are right there in Victorian London. The novel is based on a true story.
Sarah Gale, a seamstress and mother is sentenced to hang for aiding and abetting James Greenacre with the murder of Hannah Brown on the eve of her wedding.
Sarah is sent straight to prison, a dark and terrifying place to await her fate. She pleaded for mercy and Edmund Fleetwood is appointed to investigate the case. He feels that Sarah is hiding something and he plans to find out what and why. The story has a twist which I didn't see coming! I absolutely loved this stunning debut which is totally absorbing. It has extracts from real newspapers which give the story a sense of time and place. Highly recommend.
My final read this month is a quick read. One False Move by Dreda Say Mitchell - Hayley is determined to turn her live around. She never wants to go back inside and be separated from her young daughter. She finds a job collecting cash and one night gets mugged.
Her employers are not at all understanding and with no place to turn gets back in touch with her criminal ex. He says he'll help her only if she comes back to work for him but she wants nothing to do with that life anymore. A fast paced short read which I enjoyed.
What have you been reading this month?
*copy from netgalley
**copy from the publisher, Orenda Books
Bridie names her Mairhi and welcomes her into their home and lives. Villagers are suspicious but the children love her childlike and simple ways. Donald's aunt forms an unlikely bond with her and Bridie keeps her best interests at heart.
An absolute gem of a book. It's totally absorbing, easy to read and by far one of my favourites this year so far.
The Unseeing by Anna Mazzola - the story is set in London 1837 and the moment you start reading you are right there in Victorian London. The novel is based on a true story.
Sarah Gale, a seamstress and mother is sentenced to hang for aiding and abetting James Greenacre with the murder of Hannah Brown on the eve of her wedding.
Sarah is sent straight to prison, a dark and terrifying place to await her fate. She pleaded for mercy and Edmund Fleetwood is appointed to investigate the case. He feels that Sarah is hiding something and he plans to find out what and why. The story has a twist which I didn't see coming! I absolutely loved this stunning debut which is totally absorbing. It has extracts from real newspapers which give the story a sense of time and place. Highly recommend.
My final read this month is a quick read. One False Move by Dreda Say Mitchell - Hayley is determined to turn her live around. She never wants to go back inside and be separated from her young daughter. She finds a job collecting cash and one night gets mugged.
Her employers are not at all understanding and with no place to turn gets back in touch with her criminal ex. He says he'll help her only if she comes back to work for him but she wants nothing to do with that life anymore. A fast paced short read which I enjoyed.
What have you been reading this month?
*copy from netgalley
**copy from the publisher, Orenda Books
Hat's off to you for reading so many books in one month! I like to read in bed, but it can easily take me two months to finish a book! I'm always looking for book recommendations - I've put a few of the above on my reading list...x
ReplyDeleteI'm doing the good reads challenge again though 80 books instead of 100! I read on the bus to and from work which helps! Oh hope you enjoy them! x
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