Book Review: Little Liar by Clare Boyd

Title: Little Liar

Author: Clare Boyd

Genre: Thriller

Published: 1/2/18

Star Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Synopsis: 

The perfect family... or the perfect lie?

When a child’s scream pierces the night, Mira does what any good neighbour would do: she calls the police. She wants to make sure that Rosie, the little girl next door, is safe.

Opening her front door to the police the next morning, Gemma’s picture-perfect family is forced under scrutiny of social services.

As her flawless life begins to crumble around her, Gemma must fight to defend the family she loves and protect her daughter from the terrible secret she’s been keeping.

But who has Rosie been confiding in when Gemma’s back is turned? And why has she lied to the police?

When Rosie disappears without a trace, Gemma thinks she only has herself to blame. That is, until she finds a little pink diary containing a truth even more devastating than the lie… 

Spoiler-Free Review:

I really enjoyed Little Liar, it was tense and suspenseful throughout the story, and was well-written, with a decent pace and good characterisation. This one has been on my TBR for a long time and it did not disappoint. I will be looking out for more of Clare Boyd's books in the future.

Overall, the plot of Little Liar was very thrilling, gripping me from start to finish. However, there is one difference, this doesn't really have plot-twists, it's partly predictable, but even when it's not, it's more the suspense building towards the next event, rather than a sudden change in plot. However, the suspense is brilliant and keeps you hooked, everything just gets worse and worse, and the characters get into more and more problems. That being said, the ending wasn't great, I was a bit disappointed, as I knew exactly what I needed from it to wrap-up the story for me, and it just didn't deliver. I can't go any further, as this review is spoiler-free, but it didn't quite do it for me.
The characterisation was a highlight of this novel, Boyd created some characters which could be extremely unlikeable, and yet you were still invested in them, keeping your interest in the story even more. For instance, at times I was confused over what I even thought about Rosie's character, was I rooting for or against her, I honestly don't know? I was also left with so many questions about her when the book ended, and she felt somewhat unresolved. Gemma was creepy at times, but I liked the darker side to her, and Mira was just quirky and completely unlikeable, yet you still appreciate her point of view and still find her extremely interesting. 

Overall, I would recommend this book, if you're looking for a slow burning, steady and suspenseful thriller. The characterisation was very well done and the writing contributed to the gripping plot-line. I will be looking out for further Clare Boyd books. 


*Buy it now with FREE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING: http://www.bookdepository.com/?a_aid=ReadingRuby

*This book is released on February, 1st 2018 in the UK*

I received this E-Arc in exchange for an honest review and would like to say thank-you to Bookouture for providing me with an advanced-readers-copy of this book. 



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January E-Book Haul

Hello Everyone!

Today's post is going to be a bit shorter than usual, a book haul of all of the books I've been receiving lately!

However, I'm going to do this in two-parts, one is an E-Book haul of all of the E-Arcs I have been receiving from publishers and the second is going to be a physical book haul of all of the books I have been buying lately. I have been on a book-buying binge...it's a dangerous road.

Anyway, let's get into this:



Where We Went Wrong by Andi Holloway

Category: Thriller/Mystery
Publication Date: 24/12/17
Arc Received From: Red Adept

Synopsis:

Two families’ pasts unravel when the last person to see a missing girl alive is murdered and the victim’s crime-writing father becomes the prime suspect.

Second wife Harper Stone’s life is nothing like she imagined. A talented writer bound for the kind of greatness she inspires in her husband, Harper exchanges her lifelong dreams of becoming a bestselling author for the ready-made family of her nightmares.

With her eight-year-old stepson at the center of a missing person’s investigation, Harper struggles to balance the obligations of motherhood with her calling as an author, ultimately sacrificing her success in support of her husband, whose crime-writing career is fueled by their ordeal.

It’s only when he becomes the prime suspect in his son’s murder, years later, that she begins asking the difficult questions about his past, about their marriage, and about the disappearance of the little girl whose remains have never been found.

As Harper looks into the cold case where their problems began, she discovers people aren’t who they seem. Not the missing girl’s mother. Not Matthew, the last person to see the girl alive. Not her husband, whose obsession with the disappearance has caused an irreparable rift between them. Not even Harper herself, a woman trapped by obligation and circumstance.

In the throes of an investigation based in the past, solving Matthew’s murder means getting to the bottom of what happened all those years ago. Two families are destroyed by a single bad decision. The question is which decision, and whose was it?

The Echo Killing by Christi Daugherty

Category: Thriller/Mystery
Publication Date: 1/1/18
Arc Received From: HarperCollins

Synopsis:

Fifteen years ago her mother’s killer got away. Has he finally struck again?

MURDER SHOCKS PEACEFUL NEIGHBOURHOOD

A woman in her thirties. Found naked and stabbed on the kitchen floor. Discovered by her twelve-year-old daughter after school.

As top Savannah crime reporter Harper McClain stares at the horrific scene before her, one thought screams through her mind. This murder is identical to another murder she has witnessed. Her mother’s murder…

For fifteen years, Harper has been torn apart by the knowledge that her mother’s killer is walking free. And now, it seems he’s struck again. There are no fingerprints. No footprints. No DNA. Yet still, Harper is determined to discover the truth once and for all.

But that search will come at a cost…and it could be one she isn’t ready to pay.

Everless by Sara Holland

Category: Fantasy/Mystery/YA
Publication Date: 4/1/18
Arc Received From: Hachette Children's Group
Link to Full Review: Click HereSynopsis:

Time is a prison. She is the key. Packed with danger, temptation and desire - a perfect read for fans of The Red Queen.

In the land of Sempera, the rich control everything - even time. Ever since the age of alchemy and sorcery, hours, days and years have been extracted from blood and bound to iron coins. The rich live for centuries; the poor bleed themselves dry.

Jules and her father are behind on their rent and low on hours. To stop him from draining himself to clear their debts, Jules takes a job at Everless, the grand estate of the cruel Gerling family.

There, Jules encounters danger and temptation in the guise of the Gerling heir, Roan, who is soon to be married. But the web of secrets at Everless stretches beyond her desire, and the truths Jules must uncover will change her life for ever ... and possibly the future of time itself.

If I Die Before I Wake by Emily Koch

Category: Thriller/Mystery
Publication Date: 11/1/18
Arc Received From: RandomHouse

Synopsis:

HOW DO YOU SOLVE YOUR OWN MURDER?

Everyone believes Alex is in a coma, unlikely to ever wake up. As his family debate withdrawing life support, and his friends talk about how his girlfriend Bea needs to move on, he can only listen.

But Alex soon begins to suspect that the accident that put him here wasn’t really an accident. Even worse, the perpetrator is still out there and Alex is not the only one in danger.

As he goes over a series of clues from his past, Alex must use his remaining senses to solve the mystery of who tried to kill him, and try to protect those he loves, before they decide to let him go.

Bad Girls With Perfect Faces by Lynn Weingarten

Category: Thriller/Mystery/YA
Publication Date: 11/1/18
Arc Received From: Egmont Publishing

Synopsis:

No one is good enough for Xavier. Not according to Sasha, his best friend. There's nothing Sasha wouldn't do to protect Xavier from getting hurt, especially by his cheating ex Ivy, who's suddenly slithered back into the picture. Worried that Xavier is ready to forgive and forget, Sasha decides to do a little catfishing. She poses as a hot guy online, to prove cheaters never change.

But Sasha's plan goes wrong fast, and soon the lies lead down a path from which there's no return . . .

Keep Her Safe by Richard Parker

Category: Thriller/Mystery
Publication Date: 11/1/18
Arc Received From: Bookouture

Synopsis:

How far would you go to protect your child?

Maggie’s daughter Penny is her whole world… and she’d do anything to protect her. So when Maggie wakes one night to find a strange woman in her home, she runs to lock herself in her bedroom with her child. But Maggie knows why she’s come… 

Someone has been targeting mothers and offering them a choice: do as he says or their child disappears. This stranger in her home has until dawn to follow his orders… but Maggie too has the ‘choice’ to make. Can she put the pieces together to stop the cycle before her time is up?

Perfect Match by Zoe May

Category: Rom-Com/Woman's Fiction/Contemporary
Publication Date: 12/1/18
Arc Received From: HQ Digital

Synopsis:

Can you ever find true love online?

Sophia Jones is an expert in all things online dating: the best sites, how to write a decent bio, which questions to ask and the right type of photos to use. The only thing she’s not so great at? Picking the guys…

After sitting through yet another dreadful date with a man who isn’t quite what she expected, Sophia is just about ready to give up on the whole dating scene. But her flatmate, Kate, persuades her to give it one more chance, only this time she must create a profile describing her ‘perfect’ man.

Yes, he must look like Robert Pattinson and needs to own a multi-million pound business, but there are a couple of other deal breakers, too! So, when a guy comes along who ticks every box, surely there’s got to be a catch?

The Silent Girls by Dylan Young

Category: Thriller/Mystery

Publication Date: 19/1/18

Arc Received From: Bookouture

Synopsis:

‘Ambulance and police. Something’s happened. I don’t know what. But my little girl.’ A sob choked off the sentence… ‘It’s my daughter.’

When a young girl disappears from the edge of the local forest, the Gloucestershire police are convinced she’s been taken by the same killer who stabbed to death beautiful, young Emily Risman eighteen years ago. They’re desperate to finally have the evidence to put him away. To save another girl before it’s too late.

Only Detective Anna Gwynne thinks he isn’t the real killer.

Anna can’t find proof and as time is running out, she realises she needs to get inside the killer’s twisted mind. And she knows just who to ask. Hector Shaw, in prison for killing the six men who caused his own daughter’s death.

Can Anna get what she needs from Hector before another life is lost, or could he lead her down a path that puts her own life in grave danger?

Fear by Dirk Kurbjuweit

Category: Thriller/Mystery

Publication Date: 25/1/18

Arc Received From: Orion

Synopsis:

You'd die for your family. But would you kill for them?

****************

Family is everything.

So what if yours was being terrorised by a neighbour - a man who doesn't listen to reason, whose actions become more erratic and sinister with each passing day? And those you thought would help - the police, your lawyer - can't help you.

You become afraid to leave your family at home alone. But there's nothing more you can do to protect them.

Is there?

How to Fall in Love With A Man Who Lives in a Bush by Emmy Abrahamson

Category: Contemporary/Adult Fiction

Publication Date: 25/1/18

Arc Received From: HarperCollins

Synopsis:

Julia is looking for Mr Right, but Ben is more Mr Right-Now-He-Could-Do-With-a-Bath..

You may think you know what kind of novel this is, but you’d be wrong.

Yes, Julia is a single-girl cliché, living alone with her cat in Vienna and working in a language school. And yes, a series of disastrous dates has left her despairing of ever finding The One – until Ben sits next to her on a bench. He’s tall, dark, handsome…

…and also incredibly hairy, barefoot, a bit ripe-smelling and of no fixed abode.

You guessed it – they fall in love, as couples in novels do. But can Julia overlook the differences between them, abandon logic and choose with her heart?

29 Seconds by T.M. Logan

Category: Thriller/Mystery

Publication Date: 25/1/18

Arc Received From: Bonnier Zaffre

Synopsis:

Give me one name. One person. And I will make them disappear . . .

When Sarah rescues a young girl in trouble, she expects nothing in return. But her act of bravery puts a powerful and dangerous man in her debt. He lives by his own brutal code, and all debts must be repaid - in the only way he knows how.

He offers Sarah a way to solve a desperate situation with her intolerable boss. A once-in-a-lifetime deal that will make all her problems disappear.

No consequences. No comeback. No chance of being found out.

All it takes is a 29 second phone call.

Because everyone has a name to give. Don't they? 

Book Review: Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton

Title: Everything I Know About Love

Author: Dolly Alderton

Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir

Published: 1/2/18

Star Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐  1/2

Synopsis: 

A spot-on, wildly funny and sometimes heart-breaking book about growing up, growing older and navigating all kinds of love along the way

When it comes to the trials and triumphs of becoming a grown up, journalist and former Sunday Times dating columnist Dolly Alderton has seen and tried it all. In her memoir, she vividly recounts falling in love, wrestling with self-sabotage, finding a job, throwing a socially disastrous Rod-Stewart themed house party, getting drunk, getting dumped, realising that Ivan from the corner shop is the only man you've ever been able to rely on, and finding that that your mates are always there at the end of every messy night out. It's a book about bad dates, good friends and - above all else - about recognising that you and you alone are enough.

Glittering, with wit and insight, heart and humour, Dolly Alderton's powerful début weaves together personal stories, satirical observations, a series of lists, recipes, and other vignettes that will strike a chord of recognition with women of every age - while making you laugh until you fall over. Everything I know About Love is about the struggles of early adulthood in all its grubby, hopeful uncertainty. 

Spoiler-Free Review:

This review will be a little shorter than the average one, as there isn't much I can say about Everything I Know About Love as a non-fiction, without giving spoilers etc. 

The biggest highlight of this read for me, aside from the amazing, sometimes hilarious, heartwarming, smart messages and stories, was the writing, because damn can Dolly Alderton write. Everything I Know About Love is written perfectly eloquently, and could almost spark any kind of emotion from the reader, ranging from angst, to heartbreak, to humour. It was just amazing. 

In terms of the stories and messages throughout, this book covered so many reactions from me. There were parts were I was visibly sad, but more often than not, it was the humour I found within the story. So much of what Alderton has written was completely relatable and made you reflect on your own life and own stories, sometimes more serious aspects and sometimes more lighthearted, like remembering how MSN dominated your life when you were a young teen. My favourite parts of the book, however, were definitely the lists, of what Dolly knew about love at different ages and stages, which were scattered throughout the book!

Before reading Everything I Know About Love, I knew a little about Dolly Alderton, knowing her from her Sunday Times column and her podcast. However, I knew that I wanted to check this memoir out, as it sounded charming and smart. I was not disappointed and would highly recommend this if you're a fan of Dolly's or of memoirs/non-fiction with similar messages. 


*Buy it now with FREE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING:
 http://www.bookdepository.com/?a_aid=ReadingRuby

*This book is released on February, 1st 2018 in the UK*

I received this E-Arc in exchange for an honest review and would like to say thank-you to Penguin for providing me with an advanced-readers-copy of this book. 



*Affiliate link - I make a small profit off of this link

Book Review: 29 Seconds by T.M. Logan

Title: 29 Seconds

Author: T.M. Logan

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Published: 25/1/18

Star Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 

Synopsis: 

Give me one name. One person. And I will make them disappear

When Sarah rescues a young girl in trouble, she expects nothing in return. But her act of bravery puts a powerful and dangerous man in her debt. He lives by his own brutal code, and all debts must be repaid - in the only way he knows how.

He offers Sarah a way to solve a desperate situation with her intolerable boss. A once-in-a-lifetime deal that will make all her problems disappear.

No consequences. No comeback. No chance of being found out.

All it takes is a 29 second phone call.

Because everyone has a name to give. Don't they? 

Spoiler-Free Review:

*There is triggering content in this book*

29 Seconds was just 5 stars through and through. I was hooked, completely and utterly hooked on this book.

The characterisation in this book is excellent, Sarah is an extremely likeable character - I don't have a problem with unlikeable characters, sometimes they're more interesting - but I did find myself rooting for Sarah throughout, she definitely had my sympathies. Yet, the characterisation of others made you instantly despise them! Through this alone, Logan is shown to be an extremely talented writer!

In terms of plot in this story, it was like any other thriller that hooks me from beginning to end, fast-paced, enthralling with lots of twists and turns. Do you truly ever know what is going on? The tension lasts until the end in this true page-turner. The story-line is original, and it was carried out beautifully.

T.M. Logan is fast becoming a new favourite! I haven't actually read his debut, but I am definitely picking it up in 2018! 29 Seconds reminds me of Peter Swanson's novels, who is one of my favourite thriller authors - so if you like his books, you'll probably be a fan of T.M. Logan too. If you're looking for a new thriller, put this one on your TBR! It was excellent.


*Buy it now with FREE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING: http://www.bookdepository.com/?a_aid=ReadingRuby

*This book is released on January, 25th 2018 in the UK*

I received this E-Arc in exchange for an honest review and would like to say thank-you to Bonnie Zaffre for providing me with an advanced-readers-copy of this book. 



*Affiliate link - I make a small profit off of this link

Book Review: Fear by Dirk Kurbjuweit

Title: Fear

Author: Dirk Kurbjuweit

Genre: Thriller/Mystery

Published: 25/1/18

Star Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 

Synopsis: 

You'd die for your family. But would you kill for them?

****************

Family is everything.

So what if yours was being terrorised by a neighbour - a man who doesn't listen to reason, whose actions become more erratic and sinister with each passing day? And those you thought would help - the police, your lawyer - can't help you.

You become afraid to leave your family at home alone. But there's nothing more you can do to protect them.

Is there?

Spoiler-Free Review:

This is dubbed The Most Original Thriller of 2018! Original, yes. But, it's a difficult one to rate. It has some of the most mixed reviews I have seen for a novel, and I feel as though either way this is going to be an unpopular-opinion. 

When I first heard that Fear was being published, I was eager to read it straight away, after-all, the synopsis sounds absolutely fantastic. However, when I was reading it, I wasn't gripped as I have come to expect from thrillers. It was more of a slow-burning suspense for me, which was a bit disappointing.

Fear is a story of nightmare neighbours, suspense, intrigue and murder. It follows Randolph, who is an unhappy, married, father of two children and Dieter, his nightmare-neighbour next door. The storyline follows how Randolph met Dieter, including his first impressions of Dieter, safe to say they are not good. However, relations between the families actually begin pretty well, but quickly turn sour, leading Randolph down a dangerous and violent road.

Although this book isn't a speedy, page-turning thriller, I feel as though this book covers a whole host of other issues. Depending on your interests, this could turn you completely off of this book, or be a fantastic addition. Issues included: law, marriage, politics, gender etc. I quite liked much of this discussion, although it always did feel slightly off for what is described as a simple thriller. I feel as though these issues discussed were important in making the book discuss real-world issues, and also keep the running theme of the story dark. 

It's interesting that Fear is a translated novel, and I wonder if some of its brilliance was lost in the translation, as it could have been so good. I would recommend this story, because I feel as though it's another divisive one, and even with the understanding that there are better thrillers out there, this is still a great one! 


*Buy it now with FREE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING: http://www.bookdepository.com/?a_aid=ReadingRuby

*This book is released on January, 25th 2018 in the UK*

I received this E-Arc in exchange for an honest review and would like to say thank-you to Orion for providing me with an advanced-readers-copy of this book. 


*Affiliate link - I make a small profit off of this link

Book Review: The Vanishing by Sophia Tobin

Title: The Vanishing

Author: Sophia Tobin

Genre: Historical Fiction

Published: 25/1/18

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐  1/2

Synopsis: 

On top of the Yorkshire Moors, in an isolated spot carved out of a barren landscape, lies White Windows, a house of shadows and secrets. Here lives Marcus Twentyman, a hard-drinking but sensitive man, and his sister, the brisk widow, Hester.

When runaway Annaleigh first meets the Twentymans, their offer of employment and lodging seems a blessing. Only later does she discover the truth. But by then she is already in the middle of a web of darkness and intrigue, where murder seems the only possible means of escape…

Spoiler-Free Review:

The plot of The Vanishing drew me in immediately, it's gothic setting with comparisons to Jane Eyre, and Wuthering Heights, I was really interested in reviewing this one. Especially because I read very few historical fictions! Plus, the cover is absolutely beautiful!

In terms of the writing, Sophia Tobin has a beautifully, eloquent writing style - which hooked me and kept me hooked, for the most part. This is especially evident in the descriptions of the setting, which has so much depth - the vivid world-building is a definite plus of this book. The characterisation is also a highlight of this novel, with Annaleigh - who is both submissive and ambitious, and Twentyman - who is likeable and unlikeable, depending on how you perceive him. He seems charming on first glance, but under the shell is somewhat mysterious and dangerous. Overall, the interesting characters just make you more gripped to the story, trapped in the suspense throughout the book. That being said, the characters weren't entirely fleshed out and I would have liked a bit more depth to them. 

Obviously, as this is a spoiler-free review, I can't say much about the plot, but I found the storyline interesting and well-paced enough, particularly during the latter half of the book. 

I have never read anything from Sophia Tobin before, and don't often read historical fiction, so I didn't have the highest expectations for this book, but she has a lovely standard of writing and I'll look out for her name in the future. I'll also try to branch out more and read more historical fiction, which is one of my favourite genres, and yet I don't read it enough. 

Overall, I did enjoy this book and it reminded me that I should give more historical fiction a go. I enjoyed Sophia Tobin's writing and will be keeping an eye out for her books in the future. However, the characterisation wasn't quite developed enough for me in this story, and overall, it's mystery at times felt un-mysterious. Therefore, I'll rate this one 3.5 stars! Worth a read if you're looking for something new, and I would recommend if you like the genre. 

*Buy it now with FREE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING: http://www.bookdepository.com/?a_aid=ReadingRuby

*This book is released on January, 25th 2018 in the UK*

I received this E-Arc in exchange for an honest review and would like to say thank-you to Simon and Schuster for providing me with an advanced-readers-copy of this book. 



*Affiliate link - I make a small profit off of this link

How to Fall in Love with a Man Who Lives in a Bush by Emmy Abrahamson

Title: How to Fall in Love with a Man Who Lives in a Bush

Author: Emmy Abrahamson

Genre: Adult Fiction

Published: 25/1/18

Star Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Synopsis: 

Julia is looking for Mr Right, but Ben is more Mr Right-Now-He-Could-Do-With-a-Bath..

You may think you know what kind of novel this is, but you’d be wrong.

Yes, Julia is a single-girl cliché, living alone with her cat in Vienna and working in a language school. And yes, a series of disastrous dates has left her despairing of ever finding The One – until Ben sits next to her on a bench. He’s tall, dark, handsome…

…and also incredibly hairy, barefoot, a bit ripe-smelling and of no fixed abode.

You guessed it – they fall in love, as couples in novels do. But can Julia overlook the differences between them, abandon logic and choose with her heart?

Spoiler-Free Review:

I honestly don't know why I wanted to read this one. Reading the synopsis back it sounds so bizarre, but I like quirky books, and this was definitely that. Plus, that synopsis, however weird, also sounds so charming.

This book is actually based on the true-story of the author and how she met her own husband. Considering the way that Ben is described, often being the odour, it is fairly challenging to find the perfect romance in this story, but the author did manage to make you fall in love with the couple, which deserves praise on its own. Also, the underlying message about being non-judgemental is an important one! The book is definitely quirky, it isn't your average love story, but that's, perhaps, why it is so interesting.

The book was set in Vienna, and the authors' description of the city is beautiful! The characters were also written well, although there wasn't too much depth to them. But the way they were written made you warm to them throughout the story, and made you root for Ben and Julia's romance.

Overall, this is a charming, cute and quirky read. I honestly think that the synopsis sounded like so much fun, and while the book was interesting, I feel as though a lot of the fun could have been lost in translation, as this one just didn't quite live up to expectation. That being said, it was still a worthy read, which I enjoyed and I would recommend it to those who, like me, found the synopsis charming.


*Buy it now with FREE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING: http://www.bookdepository.com/?a_aid=ReadingRuby

*This book is released on January, 25th 2018 in the UK*

I received this E-Arc in exchange for an honest review and would like to say thank-you to HarperCollins for providing me with an advanced-readers-copy of this book. 



*Affiliate link - I make a small profit off of this link