June Books

Here's what I've been reading in June:

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell* - I couldn't put this book down and raced through it. It's very easy reading and a great (but sad) story. Ellie, Lauren & Paul Mack's youngest daughter goes out to the library to study for her exams and disappears... Ten years pass but Lauren never gives up hope of finding Ellie who was the light of her life. Her life has fractured in this time with her marriage having broken down and she's never needed her other kids as much as she needs Ellie.

She randomly meets a handsome stranger called Floyd who sweeps her off her feet. Lauren has an unexpected whirlwind romance and meets his daughter, Poppy who looks exactly like Ellie. She starts to question who they really are and why they've come into her life so unexpectedly.. I found the book hard to put down, it made me cry buckets and it was so heartbreaking but hopeful too. It's one of my favourite books this year.

Mariah's Marriage by Anne Stenhouse - Anne is part of our Authors & Book Bloggers in Scotland on Facebook and I've had the pleasure of meeting her a couple of times.

The story totally drew me in. Mariah teaches the alphabet to a group of urchins. Like her father Jerome she believes everyone should be allowed an education. She meets Tobias Longreach quite by accident when he saves her from a runaway pig.  He's totally captivated by Mariah and sets out to make her his countess. Sir Lucas Wellwood has other ideas as he wants his sister to marry Tobias so he can clear his debts.  It's a richly drawn historical story which I loved.

The Woman in the Wood by Lesley Pearse* - I absolutely adore Lesley's storytelling and I simply loved this one. With interesting characters and storylines which were harrowing at times.

Twins Maisy and Duncan are sent to live with their grandmother at the family home, Nightingales when their mother is admitted to an asylum. At first they are scared and lonely, missing their mother and all that they know. They soon discover that they love the countryside and playing in the nearby forest.

They spy on the local "witch" who lives in a cottage deep in the forest. They quickly come to realise that Grace's bark is worse than her bite and Duncan forms a friendship of sorts with her. One day Duncan goes missing...and when young boys bodies are found Maisy feels the police aren't doing enough to find her brother. Maisy with Grace's help investigates... As ever very unputdownable.

The idea of you by Amanda Prowse* - this is my first Amanda Prowse book and it definitely won't be my last. I absolutely loved "the idea of you". 

Lucy is finally happy with her life. She loves her work and has a fabulous husband Jonah (who adores her). She met him at a friend's baby's christening and they just clicked. She loves him with all her heart and can't wait for the day when they have a baby of their own.

Things don't work out as planned and Lucy has a couple of miscarriages which are devastating for her. All she has ever wanted has been her own child to love and care for.

Jonah's teenage daughter, Camille is coming to stay for the summer and Lucy finds her prickly and difficult to get to know. Camille is offhand with her and always has a barbed word at every turn. No matter what Lucy does she can't seem to bond with her.

The story has a twist which I didn't see coming which in turn is connected with the present day.  An absolute joy of a read (with a little heartache too). I just loved it.

Nailing Jess by Triona Scully** - I took part in the Blog Tour yesterday for #NailingJess. See my review HERE.

Exquisite by Sarah Stovell** - this was an amazing read which I couldn't put down. I'm taking part in the blog tour on 5 July - so read my review then. 

The Betrayed by Casey Kelleher* - this is the first book I've read by Casey and I absolutely loved it! I thought it had great characters and storylines and I raced through it in a couple of days..

Jimmy Byrne, is one of the biggest faces in London and a self-made man. His mother Joanie has always been there for him. He's the love of her life and she will do anything for him. She's not happy when he decides to marry shy and quiet Colleen (as is his partner Alex). They both try to get him to change his mind. Something happens on Colleen's wedding night which changes her life and peace of mind forever but by now she's in too deep...

A fast paced story which I just devoured with interesting (and sometimes loveable characters). Nancy, Jimmy's daughter is a chip off the old block. Her brother Daniel is quieter and more like their mother. When her beloved father is murdered in cold blood Nancy vows to make whoever killed him pay. When the story ends we know who the murderer is but not why.. So now I can't wait for book #2!

What have you been reading this month?

*copy from Netgalley
**copy from the publisher