The Last Secret of the Deverills - Santa Montefiore

It is 1939 and peace has flourished since the Great War ended. But much has changed for the Deverill family and now a new generation is waiting in the wings.
Martha Wallace came to Dublin from her home in America to find her birth mother. But instead she has lost her heart to the impossibly charming JP Deverill. Then she discovers that her mother comes from the same place as JP, and her fate seems sealed.

Bridie Doyle, now Countess di Marcantonio and mistress of Castle Deverill, is determined to make the castle she used to work in her home. But her flamboyant husband Cesare has other ideas. And as his eye strays away from his wife, those close to the couple start to wonder if he really is who he says he is.

Kitty Deverill has come to terms with her life with her husband Robert, and their two children. But then Jack O’Leary, the love of her life, returns to Ballinakelly. And this time his heart belongs elsewhere…

What I thought:

This is the third book in the Deverill Chronicles, and after loving books one and two, I couldn't wait to be swept away back to Ballinakelly, Ireland, for book three.


It's now 1939 and this captivating, historical drama, centered around Castle Deverill and the lives of Kitty, Bridie, Celia and co. continues. We say a sad farewell to some favourite characters but also welcome a new generation who have to deal with the devastating consequences of their elders' secrets and lies, both past and present. The outbreak of war brings a distraction from torment for some but tragedy for others.

A tale of forbidden love, brutal murders, bitterness and regret, but also of forgiveness, this book ticked all the boxes for me. It took me to another time and place, far away from real life, where it made me gasp, smile and with a wipe of my eye, left me heaving a sigh of total contentment.

Although the final book in this trilogy, it can be read alone, but honestly, you really should read all three and you'll enjoy a truly wonderful fictional journey.

The Ludlow Ladies Society - Ann O'Loughlin

From the bestselling author of The Ballroom Café and The Judge's Wife comes a new story of friendship, resilience and compassion, and how women support each other through the most difficult times.
Connie Carter has lost everyone and everything dear to her. Leaving her home in New York, she moves to a run-down Irish mansion, hoping to heal her shattered heart and in search of answers: how could her husband do the terrible things he did? And why did he plough all their money into the dilapidated Ludlow Hall before he died, without ever telling her?
At first Connie tries to avoid the villagers, until she meets local women Eve and Hetty who introduce her to the Ludlow Ladies’ Society, a crafts group in need of a permanent home. Connie soon discovers Eve is also struggling with pain and the loss of having her beloved Ludlow Hall repossessed by the bank and sold off. Now, seeing the American Connie living there, the hurt of losing everything is renewed. Can these women ever be friends? Can they ever understand or forgive?
As the Ludlow Ladies create memory quilts to remember those they have loved and lost, the secrets of the past finally begin to surface. But can Connie, Eve and Hetty stitch their lives back together?

What I thought:

Ann O'Loughlin's last book, The Judge's Wife, was one of my favourite books last year, so I was absolutely delighted to receive a copy of her new release, The Ludlow Ladies Society. I didn't know if I would be disappointed after her last amazing book, but I needn't have worried - The Ludlow Ladies Society is a stunning read. 

First of all, don't be fooled into thinking this book is just about the gossip from a ladies' sewing group - it is SO much more. Enriched with friendship and loyalty, it also tells of raw grief and sadness, a little shocking and uncomfortable at times, but so very compelling.

It was quite difficult for Eve Brannigan to see someone else take ownership of Ludlow Hall. She had often affectionately been called "Mrs Ludlow" and the women in her sewing group called themselves The Ludlow Ladies Society. Before her husband's suicide, their meetings were held at the Hall, but since the bailiffs moved in and she moved out, the group had struggled to find anywhere suitable for the ladies to sew their patchwork quilts.

Connie Carter, a dance teacher, seeks solitude to come to terms with her overwhelming grief. Unknowing to her, her late husband had bought Ludlow Hall, so she decides to leave everything behind in New York and she moves to the Hall in Rosdaniel, Co. Wicklow. She has no idea about the history of Ludlow Hall or of the Ludlow Ladies Society, and her arrival causes quite a stir in the village.

The Ludlow Ladies agree to make a memory quilt for an exhibition in the Town Hall. The winners will go forward to exhibit at a special event to be visited by the First Lady, Michelle Obama. It soon becomes clear that not everyone's memories are happy ones and some shocking secrets are unearthed.

 I adored the endearing characters of the Ludlow Ladies Society. It's a book that is equally heartwarming and heartbreaking and delivers a shockingly, unexpected twist. A truly beautiful book to read.

The Summer of Impossible Things - Rowan Coleman

If you could change the past, would you?
****This summer, get ready to believe in Impossible Things with the brand new book from international bestseller, Rowan Coleman. ****
How far would you go to save the person you love?
Luna is about to do everything she can to save her mother's life.
Even if it means sacrificing her own.

What I thought:

I would never normally choose to read a book about time  travel. It usually brings to mind Doctor Who and the like, and not something I would really be interested in, but this story is nothing whatsoever like that. It's just a delight, the time travel just adds another layer to this fabulous read.

It's 2007 and after many years of crippling depression, Luna and Pia's mum tragically takes her own life. It's only when they watch a video that she left for them, that they discover the shocking secret she was unable to share with her family while she was still alive.

It was 1977 in Brooklyn, when their parents met and fell in love. Henry, their father, was with a film crew filming Saturday Night Fever and when his work there was done and he returned home to England, she left everything behind and came back with him.

The girls return to Brooklyn to finalise the sale of their mother's childhood home, and it's then that the magic begins to happen. Slipping back to 1977, Luna comes face to face with her mother, then a teenager, and she sees a chance to change the past and maybe even save her mother's life.

This is a wonderful story. The word, magical, keeps coming to mind, probably because that's just how it felt. The time travel aspect just sort of fits. At the end of the day, it's a story, a story of love and sorrow and of impossible, magical happenings. A delight to read.

 

Dead To Me - Lesley Pearse

Spring 1935. Two girls meet by chance on Hampstead Heath. To an outsider, they could not appear more different. Verity is well-mannered and smartly dressed, living with her parents in a beautiful house close to the heath. Ruby is dishevelled and grubby, used to a life of squalor where she is forced to steal to survive. Yet there's an instant affinity between them, and when their fortunes are shockingly reversed, it is the strength of their friendship that keeps them resilient to the challenges and hardships they face.
As Britain prepares for war, Ruby finds herself in Devon with the world at her feet and enjoying her first taste of romance. Meanwhile, hundreds of miles away, Verity is forced to leave behind everything she has ever known and a shadow from the past threatens her chances of a new beginning. But through it all, the girls are always there for each other. Until the day Verity does the one thing that will break Ruby's heart.
In a country torn apart by fighting, will Verity and Ruby survive long enough to find a way back to each other? Or do some betrayals go with you to the grave . . .?

What I thought:

If you love drama, then you're in for a treat with this book.

From the moment they first met, Ruby and Verity formed a special bond. With nothing in common but a desire to befriend each other, neither girl could have possibly imagined how each of their lives would be turned upside down. The story follows the girls as they face the challenges that lay ahead.

Ruby has a really sad life but she's given a lifeline when she's taken in by a widowed carer, Wilby and she begins her new life in Babbacombe, Devon. On the other hand, Verity seemingly has it all, until one day when it is all taken away and she begins her new life living with her grumpy maiden aunt and her mother who refuses to accept her new position.

Through it all, the girls stay in touch, as chapter after chapter brings love and heartache, secrets and sorrow, lies and deceit. Then when the country goes to war, bombs are a constant threat, but it's hurt and betrayal that ultimately threatens their friendship.

Dead To Me is a truly gripping read, but it's also a tale of true friendship. I absolutely loved it.

Seas of Snow - Kerensa Jennings

1950s England. Five-year-old Gracie Scott lives with her Mam and next door to her best friend Billy. An only child, she has never known her Da. When her Uncle Joe moves in, his physical abuse of Gracie’s mother starts almost immediately. But when his attentions wander to Gracie, an even more sinister pattern of behaviour begins.

As Gracie grows older, she finds solace and liberation in books, poetry and her enduring friendship with Billy. Together they escape into the poetic fairy-tale worlds of their imaginations.

But will fairy tales be enough to save Gracie from Uncle Joe’s psychopathic behaviour – and how far will it go?

What I thought:

Gracie Scott and her Ma are haunted by a beast,  a beautiful beast.  Beautiful on the outside that is, but inside he is pure evil - always has been and always will be.

Gracie doesn't have any friends at school. For some reason, other girls seem to get pleasure from taunting and bullying her, but it doesn't really matter because she spends all her spare time with her best friend, Billy. Billy Harper lives next door to Gracie and her Ma, and they are always playing together, playing at princesses and dragons or any other make-believe game that Billy has invented for them to play. Then one day Gracie's Uncle Joe comes to stay and her life will never be the same again.

Joe is vile. It's as though he doesn't have a choice of right and wrong, his thoughts are just pure evil. His actions are rarely on impulse, but meticulously planned over long periods of time and they are shocking, in fact truly horrific.

Gracie innocently wonders what she has done wrong for her life to be so tormented, but then she discovers poetry and that helps her escape the demons that haunt her daily life.

This story had me gripped. It is gut-wrenchingly uncomfortable to read at times but laced with beautiful poetry and utterly compelling. I was so frustrated with Gracie's mum, but Billy was just so lovely. He's the kind of boy you would want for your daughter, kind, loyal and always there for her. As they grow older and Billy starts work, he saves hard, planning to take Gracie and move far away. Will the real - life Prince Charming be able to rescue his princess from the terrible fate that Joe had planned for her for so long?

When family secrets are revealed  and Billy makes a shocking discovery, I couldn't stop turning the pages. It was just so good. It was dark, brutal and intense, but what a read! Highly recommended.

See What I Have Done - Sarah Schmidt

When her father and step-mother are found brutally murdered on a summer morning in 1892, Lizzie Borden - thirty-two years old and still living at home - immediately becomes a suspect. But after a notorious trial, she is found innocent, and no one is ever convicted of the crime.
Meanwhile, others in the claustrophobic Borden household have their own motives and their own stories to tell: Lizzie's unmarried older sister, a put-upon Irish housemaid, and a boy hired by Lizzie's uncle to take care of a problem.
This unforgettable debut makes you question the truth behind one of the great unsolved mysteries, as well as exploring power, violence and the harsh realities of being a woman in late nineteenth century America.

What I thought:

I had heard so much about "The Pear" and I couldn't wait to find out for myself just what everyone was raving about. It's based on true events that happened back in August 1892, when Andrew and Abby Borden were brutally murdered in their own home. Their daughter, Emma, and maid, Bridget, were both at home when the pair were hacked to death with an axe. Although Lizzie was arrested and tried for the murders, she was later released and the mystery of their killer remains unsolved. This book is the author's version of events.

The story is told by the four main characters, Lizzie, her sister Emma, Bridget the Irish maid, and Benjamin, a very troubled young man. They each recount the events as they saw them. The Borden household was devoid of warmth and affection, even the bond between the sisters was bound by Lizzie's control over Emma. Benjamin was a very sad character. His whole being breathed hatred, propelled by hurt and a childhood baptism of cruelty. Then there was Uncle John, whose very presence gave me the creeps. The book envelops an odd clutch of characters, creepy and at times quite wicked. Only Bridget, the maid, bore any semblance to normality. Sadly, these characters actually existed!

What really sets this book apart is the author's ability to recreate the whole aura of that moment in time. The stench, ignorance of personal hygiene, the tick tick of the clock, all adding to the atmosphere. My stomach heaved at each mention of the rancid mutton broth and then there were the pigeons - a shocking moment!

This book is gruesome and it's horrific. The fact that it's actually based on true events makes it all the more shocking. I think it's a book people will keep talking about. It's horrible, but it's awesome too, and makes for a really superb read - if you dare, read "The Pear"!

Larchfield - Polly Clark

It's early summer when a young poet, Dora Fielding, moves to Helensburgh on the west coast of Scotland and her hopes are first challenged. Newly married, pregnant, she's excited by the prospect of a life that combines family and creativity. She thinks she knows what being a person, a wife, a mother, means. She is soon shown that she is wrong. As the battle begins for her very sense of self, Dora comes to find the realities of small town life suffocating, and, eventually, terrifying; until she finds a way to escape reality altogether.

Another poet, she discovers, lived in Helensburgh once. Wystan H. Auden, brilliant and awkward at 24, with his first book of poetry published, should be embarking on success and society in London. Instead, in 1930, fleeing a broken engagement, he takes a teaching post at Larchfield School for boys where he is mocked for his Englishness and suspected - rightly - of homosexuality. Yet in this repressed limbo Wystan will fall in love for the first time, even as he fights his deepest fears.
The need for human connection compels these two vulnerable outsiders to find each other and make a reality of their own that will save them both. Echoing the depths of Possession, the elegance of The Stranger's Child and the ingenuity of Longbourn, Larchfield is a beautiful and haunting novel about heroism - the unusual bravery that allows unusual people to go on living; to transcend banality and suffering with the power of their imagination.

What I thought:

This isn't a book that I would normally choose to buy. I absolutely love the cover, but poetry? I don't think I've read a poem since A Child's Garden of Verse, when I was about six years old. From then on, my relationship with poetry just went downhill, but that cover just pulled me in and I decided to give the book a go.

It's 1930 and a time for great change for Wystan Auden. His first book of poetry has been accepted for publication but instead of celebrating and enjoying a busy social life in London, he finds himself heading off to Helensburgh on the west coast of Scotland to take up the position of schoolmaster at Larchfield, a boarding school for boys. His fiancee recently broke off their engagement, probably, (and quite rightly,) suspecting he was homosexual, which was at that time, (I think) illegal in this country. Sadly, right now, he cannot imagine a future where he will fit.

First of all, it's not about poetry and you certainly don't have to love poetry to love this book. The story is of two totally different people who both happen to be poets. The chapters alternate between Wystan's story and Dora's story.

Treated mostly with disdain by both staff and pupils, Wystan finds an ally in the Headmaster's wife, Daphne Perkins, who spends most of her time "dying" in an upper room. They form a special relationship, sharing both gossip and her medication.

I had real affection for Wystan. His awkwardness and compassion for pupils won me over.

Present day, and Dora, a poet, newly married and expecting her first child, leaves her professional city life behind and excitedly moves to Helensburgh. Her new home, Paradise, was once a mansion but has now been divided into two flats, Paradise Upper and Paradise Lower. Dora and her husband Kit live in the lower flat and above live Mel and Terrence Divine. Terrence is an elder in the church and Mo runs the Sunday School, both highly respected within the local community.

Beatrice, is born unexpectedly early, and looking after such a tiny baby is a full-time job for Dora. Alone and vulnerable, all she gets from her upstairs neighbours is hostility and she soon finds herself isolated, shunned by her local community.

I didn't initially warm to Dora, but I really feared for her as her life began to fall apart, both physically and mentally.

Two completely different people, different times, but both vulnerable, tormented and struggling to survive themselves.

There is so much to this story, so many "gaspy" moments. Moving and tender, shocking and even uncomfortable at times, but all adding to the overall enjoyment of this utterly compelling read.

I loved this book. I mean I REALLY loved this book. It's different and it's unforgettable and it's highly recommended by me.

 

The Idea of You - Amanda Prowse

With her fortieth birthday approaching, Lucy Carpenter thinks she finally has it all: a wonderful new husband, Jonah, a successful career and the chance of a precious baby of her own. Life couldn’t be more perfect.
But becoming parents proves much harder to achieve than Lucy and Jonah imagined, and when Jonah’s teenage daughter Camille comes to stay with them, she becomes a constant reminder of what Lucy doesn’t have. Jonah’s love and support are unquestioning, but Lucy’s struggles with work and her own failing dreams begin to take their toll. With Camille’s presence straining the bonds of Lucy’s marriage even further, Lucy suddenly feels herself close to losing everything…
This heart-wrenchingly poignant family drama from bestselling author Amanda Prowse asks the question: in today’s hectic world, what does it mean to be a mother?

What I thought:

Amanda Prowse is one of those authors whose new book goes straight to the top of my wish list. I've always found her books to be emotional, heartbreaking, yet surprisingly uplifting. They're usually about real women, if you know what I mean, and they tend to stay in my thoughts long after I've turned that last page.

The Idea of You is all about Lucy Carpenter. Lucy, at thirty nine, was beginning to think she was running out of time to settle down and have a family of her own. A successful career and plush apartment were no consolation and she watched with envy as all her friends had children, spending her time thinking of ways she could achieve her dream of finally becoming a mother. Then she meets Jonah and at last she feels she has everything - well almost. This is when Lucy's real heartache begins, as she sets off on a road that is strewn with despair, seeing her hopes of being a mother constantly dashed. Then, just at a time when she needs that little bit of extra love and support, her teenage step-daughter comes to stay.

Losing a baby early in pregnancy is something I'm lucky enough never to have experienced, but Lucy's plight really brought it home to me just what an incredibly private kind of grief it can be, lonely even, at times. Lucy tried to put on a brave face, but inside she was screaming. Her pain was so raw.

Then there was the book! I don't want to spoil what can only be described as an exceptional reading experience, but segments from the book she was reading and the letters she wrote, took this story of heartache to another level.

I did think that Lucy's thoughts about the relationship between her husband and his daughter were very honest. I felt so sorry for her when she was trying so hard to forge a place for herself in this relationship and at the same time going through such personal trauma.

This book isn't just a story, it is a piece of the author's heart. It isn't just about Lucy's battle to become a mother, it is so much more. The Idea of You is about relationships and families, love and heartache and hidden secrets. Prepare yourself for a journey rich in emotion. This is a book you won't forget, another winner from Amanda Prowse's library of bestsellers.

The Stranger In My Home

Alison is lucky and she knows it. She has the life she always craved, including a happy home with Jeff and their brilliant, vivacious teenage daughter, Katherine - the absolute centre of Alison's world.
Then a knock at the door ends life as they know it.
Fifteen years ago, someone else took Alison's baby from the hospital. And now Alison is facing the unthinkable.
The daughter she brought home doesn't belong to her.
When you have everything you dreamed of, there is everything to lose.

What I thought:

"I thought she was my daughter. I was wrong." That line alone was enough to make me want to read this book. It sounded to me like an absolute nightmare and I just had to know more.

Alison had a pretty bleak upbringing, sad, oppressed and limited, but she was determined to make a better life for herself. When she marries and has a daughter of her own, she devotes her life to ensuring she has every opportunity to thrive. Katherine, now fifteen, has grown up nurtured and adored. Her parents have provided everything and more for her and she has become a star pupil in both academics and sport.

Alison is happy and content with her life. She knows she 's lucky and along with her husband Jeff, she is so proud of her popular, successful daughter. Then a visitor calls with the news that Katherine isn't their daughter after all. There was a mistake at the hospital and they brought the wrong daughter home. Alison's world crumbles around her.

I felt so sorry for Alison. After surviving such a hard, loveless childhood, she had done everything she possibly could for her daughter, only to have it all snatched away from under her nose. I admired her strength and determination, both as a teenager and then again as an adult when her life was turned upside down.

I loved this book. It had me hooked from the start, a truly thrilling read. Don't be mistaken though, it's not just about finding out that your fifteen-year-old daughter isn't your daughter after all, it is so very much more. For Alison and Jeff, it's the nightmare that just keeps on giving. For the reader, it's a jaw-droppingly good book. Highly recommended.

A Song For Tomorrow - Alice Peterson

Tom fell in love with Alice the moment he saw her. He realises that being with her will not be easy, but she is a force of nature, a burst of sunlight in his otherwise ordinary world.

Some people might look at Alice and think she has everything, but Alice knows she is not like other women. Her life is complicated, unpredictable, difficult. Alice does not like pity. All she wants to do, has ever wanted to do, is sing.

Alice has been told not to follow her dreams. So has Tom. But when fate has already dealt a tough hand, it’s time to stop listening to everyone else and only follow their hearts.

What I thought:

I have previously read and thoroughly enjoyed several books by Alice Peterson, so as soon as I heard there was a new book about to hit the shelves, I was first in the queue.

The story is about Alice Martineau, a beautiful young girl who was born with cystic fibrosis.  Unable to keep up with the hectic schedule needed to make it in the modelling industry, she decides to throw in the towel and concentrate instead on doing what she has always dreamed of doing - singing. Not an easy option to take, especially when just breathing is a major problem for her, in fact, technically she shouldn't even be alive. When she was born her parents were told that she'd possibly live for about ten years, but now in her early twenties she soldiers on, living life to the full, her motto: sing, dance, love, laugh, take risks, never give up, and above all make every second count. Fighting constant infections, the hospital ward is almost a second home to Alice; nurses and doctors a second family. Feeling ill is normal, but summoning up more strength and determination to carry on is also normal for Alice. Her very being is a constant battle.

Sadly, symptoms of her illness made her a target for bullies at school, but she forged a great friendship with a few fellow sufferers with whom they could all share their experiences  .....and fears.

Then Alice meets Tom. It's love at first sight for him, but he has already stared death in the face and when he learns of Alice's condition he has a tough decision to make.

But there is hope. Hope and a chance for Alice to live a virtually normal, happy life and for their love to thrive. Will she get that chance?

Although the majority of the characters in this book are fictional, the actual story of Alice and her struggle to make it as a successful singer is true. So knowing that Alice was an actual "real" person, as soon as I'd finished the book. I googled her, and there she was, in a documentary for me to download and exactly as I had pictured her. Beautiful! Truly exceptional!

This was such an emotional read. Not just a soppy love story, but an uplifting life story. The story of a hugely inspirational young lady, who against all odds, strives to achieve her life goal.

I think the author captured Alice's spirit, and what could easily have been a tale of pity is an incredible story of courage and determination. It left me feeling very humbled and full of admiration. Alice's family must be so very proud of her and her achievements. I thought I knew about cystic fibrosis, but really I  had no idea, so hopefully this book will raise awareness of this debilitating condition.

Once again Alice Peterson has delivered an emotional, compelling and truly captivating story.  In my opinion, it's her best yet!

The Liberation - Kate Furnivall

The Liberation is set in Italy in 1945 as British and American troops attempt to bring order to the devastated country and Italy’s population fights to survive. Caterina Lombardi is desperate – her father is dead, her mother has disappeared and her brother is being drawn towards danger. One morning, among the ruins of the bombed Naples streets, Caterina is forced to go to extreme lengths to protect her own life and in doing so forges a future in which she must clear her father's name. An Allied Army officer accuses him of treason and Caterina discovers a plot against her family. Who can she trust and who is the real enemy now? And will the secrets of the past be her downfall?

This epic novel is an unforgettably powerful story of love, loss and the long shadow of war.

What I thought:

This is the first book that I've read by this author. The cover looked so inviting and I just love a good historical romance, though I have to say, now I've read it, I wouldn't really call it a romance. It's more of an adventure, a big, epic, thrilling adventure, with a little romance subtly woven in. It is a truly wonderful read.

The story is set in Italy, in Sorrento, Naples and Capri, once so rich and opulent, now practically in ruins, its people struggling to survive. Where orphaned children are left to scavenge like animals in the streets and where family loyalty and honour is everything.

Caterina Lombardi provides for her family by crafting beautiful wooden musical boxes and selling them. A skill taught to her by her father, who before he was killed when a bomb hit his workshop, was a master craftsman, renowned for making exceptional pieces of wooden furniture. Abandoned years ago by her mother, Caterina was now left to look after her younger brother and blind grandfather.

When her father's integrity is put into question after a visit from an Army Intelligence Officer, whose job it is to recover the country's stolen treasures, Caterina is quick to defend him. She embarks on a mission to clear her father's name, but in doing so she puts her life and that of her family at risk.

Caterina is quite a woman! Gutsy, feisty, proud and courageous, she soon proves that she can hold her own. I loved her character.

This is quite a thick book, but it is absolutely packed with action. Rich in intrigue and suspense, secrets and lies, deceit, kidnap and murder, I was hooked from the start. I had no idea at all of what the outcome would be. Each chapter brought yet more mystery and even more tension and suspense. It was totally captivating.

A gripping read, highly recommended.