Book Review: Tell No Lies by Lisa Hartley - Blog Tour

Title: Tell No Lies

Author: Lisa Hartley

Genre: Crime Fiction, Mystery/Thriller

Published: 19/2/18

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2

Synopsis: 

A tortured body is found in a basement. Drug dealing and people smuggling is on the rise. Then police start going missing.

There seems to be no connection between the crimes, but Detective Caelan Small senses something isn’t right.

Plunged into a new investigation, lives are on the line. And in the web of gangs, brothels and nerve-shattering undercover work, Caelan must get to the truth – or be killed trying.

And then there’s Nicky...

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This post is part of the 'Tell No Lies' blog tour - taking place from 27th of February to the 11th of March. Check out all of the other reviews and spotlights below for this awesome new release:

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When I first read the synopsis for 'Tell No Lies', I was so excited, it really sounds like an incredibly intriguing Crime fiction. However, I do feel like this read was slightly spoiled for me, which was entirely my fault, but because this is the second in a series of novels, and I have not read the first, the references to the first book were confusing and didn't give enough information for me to count this as a stand-alone novel! Therefore, if you're looking for a new series, I would recommend, but make sure to pick up the first Detective Caelan book first.

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Spoiler-Free Review:

This was a very typical Crime fiction novel, told from a detective point-of-view, which I find is a love it or hate it viewpoint I find in readers! I, myself, enjoy crime fiction and don't mind a detective story, as long as it's thrilling, and page-turning - and 'Tell No Lies' did not disappoint!

Told in the viewpoint of detective Caelan Small, with a gritty London setting, this story revolves around an interesting police case, involving intense drug-dealing, murder and human trafficking, among others. Long story short, and to avoid spoilers, Caelan's instincts tell her that crimes she sees are linked in some way, but finds it hard to convince others of her theories. As the novel unfolds we see Caelan's though process, trying to find the links and trying to find proof. Although Caelan has a team of co-workers, they aren't the closest and don't work incredibly closely together either, often a lot of the investigating and storyline, invovled Caelan independently!

Overall, the plot was mysterious and was thrilling! I was interested in finishing the book, and finding out who the 'villain' was! The plot-twists were intriguing and interesting, although not incredibly shocking, including the final reveal, which I did see coming, it wasn't the best, most surprising end and didn't blow me away - however, I do read an awful lot of thrillers and so I do find it hard to surprise myself now. If you read the odd thriller or don't need to be blown away then this won't be a problem for you. I still enjoyed the ending, the story was wrapped up well and I thought the plot-twists throughout were smart! Lisa Hartley writes well, and I found her writing incredibly easy to get into.

Therefore, if you like detective characters and viewpoints, and typical, twisty, mysterious crime fiction, then give Lisa Hartley a go! I'll definitely be picking up the third book in this series, and really do wish I'd read the first one!

*Buy it now: 

Tell No Lies (Detective Caelan Small Book 2)

*This book is released on February, 19th 2018 in the UK*

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



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Book Review: Feel Free by Zadie Smith

Title: Feel Free

Author: Zadie Smith

Genre: Non-Fiction

Published: 8/2/18

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2

Synopsis: 

The one and only Zadie Smith, prize-winning, bestselling author of Swing Time and White Teeth, is back with a second unmissable collection of essays No subject is too fringe or too mainstream for the unstoppable Zadie Smith. From social media to the environment, from Jay-Z to Karl Ove Knausgaard, she has boundless curiosity and the boundless wit to match. In Feel Free, pop culture, high culture, social change and political debate all get the Zadie Smith treatment, dissected with razor-sharp intellect, set brilliantly against the context of the utterly contemporary, and considered with a deep humanity and compassion. This electrifying new collection showcases its author as a true literary powerhouse, demonstrating once again her credentials as an essential voice of her generation.

Spoiler-Free Review:

It's hard to review a collection of essays - there's not much you can really say without sharing the essays themselves. I'll do my best to capture what I think about the collection as a whole, rather than referring to specific pieces, as this is spoiler-free and pre-release. 

Firstly, Zadie Smith's writing is very good, she writes beautifully, captivating the readers' attention and making you want to read this whole book in one sitting. However, I think that this is a collection of essays, and that you could read them in different ways, for instance, reading one essay per day, over a longer period of time, reading one of five sections of the book or reading the whole book in one day. I read this on and off, and ended up reading around one section per sitting. 

I really enjoyed reading this collection of essays, I'm a fan of sets of poems, anthologies and essay collections as I enjoy picking these kinds of books from my bookshelf and reading small excerpts, dipping in and out. My favourites were the essays focused on politics or media, because I found these the most interesting and engaging - probably as these are topics I enjoy reading about, whereas I didn't enjoy the essays which discussed and commented on art etc. Some of these were interesting but the majority felt like a page-filler. 

I would recommend this collection of essays for those who like dipping in and out of these kinds of reads, and would recommend reading this in parts. I will look out for Zadie Smith's books in the future!

Let me know your favourite essays and why down below! I'm interested in what you all think.  

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

*This book is released on February, 8th 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. 



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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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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. 



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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. 



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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?

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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. 


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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. 



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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. 



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Book Review: The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn

Title: The Woman in the Window

Author: A.J. Finn

Genre: Thriller/Mystery

Published: 25/1/18

Star Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Synopsis: 

What did she see?

It’s been ten long months since Anna Fox last left her home. Ten months during which she has haunted the rooms of her old New York house like a ghost, lost in her memories, too terrified to step outside.

Anna’s lifeline to the real world is her window, where she sits day after day, watching her neighbours. When the Russells move in, Anna is instantly drawn to them. A picture-perfect family of three, they are an echo of the life that was once hers.

But one evening, a frenzied scream rips across the silence, and Anna witnesses something no one was supposed to see. Now she must do everything she can to uncover the truth about what really happened. But even if she does, will anyone believe her? And can she even trust herself?

Spoiler-Free Review:

I was so excited to read this one! As soon as I read the synopsis, I was already hooked, a thriller with an interesting plot-line, an unreliable narrator and a Hitchcockian/Rear-Window vibe.

This story follows Anna, an agoraphobiac (something which adds a strong psychological element to the story for me), who hasn't left her own apartment in ten months, however she lives a life outside of her apartment through observing her neighbours through her apartment window. This leads to Anna witnessing an attack in her new neighbour's apartment, but when she reports what she has witnessed, no one will believe her, not even the police. Anna begins to think her medication could have messed with her head and questions whether she can trust what she saw, or whether there is a reason that others refuse to believe her!

I liked Anna as a character, although the whole, unreliable narrator thing is very overdone in thrillers these days, Finn did this very well, and I enjoyed the confusion over whether we could trust anything that the main character was saying or thinking. I also liked the fact that Anna was a child-psychologist, with a psychological disorder. I thought her character was very interesting, and developed throughout the book. 

In terms of the writing, I was pleasantly surprised, the book was well-paced in my opinion, it started out slow and then quickly became a complete page-turner! A.J. Finn also has some talent which makes you question EVERYONE, anyone could be involved, and although some twists were predictable, the final result was one that I was not expecting, at all!

Overall, I would highly recommend this book for both thriller-addicts like me, and also for those looking for their introduction to a decent, gripping thriller. I can't wait to see what you all think, and to read more of A.J. Finn's stuff in the future. 

Please let me know what you thought of this one, I'm so interested if it hooked everyone like it did me!

*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. 



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