Daughters of Castle Deverill - Santa Montefiore

It is 1925 and the war is long over. But much has been lost and life will never truly be the same again.
Castle Deverill, cherished home to the Deverill family in the west of Ireland for hundreds of years, has burned to the ground. But young and flighty Celia Deverill is determined to restore the sad ruin to its former glory. Celia married well and has the wealth, after all, to keep it in the family and she cannot bear to see it stand neglected.
But dark shadows are gathering once more, as the financial markets start to shake. And everything that felt so certain is thrown once again into doubt.
A compelling story of family and history, from the author of the top ten bestseller Songs of Love and War.

What I thought:

Wow, wow and wow again!! I read Songs of Love and War and was totally blown away by it, so I was absolutely thrilled to discover that it was the first part of a trilogy and I immediately pre-ordered part two. As soon as Daughters of Castle Deverill appeared on my kindle, I literally dived in. I never dreamt that part two could be anywhere near as good as part one, but I couldn't have been more wrong.

Daughters of Castle Deverill began just where Songs of Love and War left off and it took this epic drama to another level. The characters I fell in love with in the first book all grew in personality and there were several new additions, an eclectic bunch that I would never in my wildest dreams have thought had a place in this story, but they just added to the wow factor that this book delivers. The part played by "The Shrubs" in this book ( sorry, but I don't want to spoil this treat for you by telling you what they are), was a touch of genius. I loved them in part one and totally adored them in part two.

The story continues, it's 1925 and a new owner moves into the castle, but after a massive refurbishment there is a shocking discovery. Kitty, Bridie and Celia, upon whom the story is largely based, all face life-changing decisions in one way or another, unsavoury characters rear their ugly heads and along with the revelation of long hidden secrets, this book embodies the great television drama serial it will one day surely become.

There is only one negative comment I can possibly make, and that is that I have to wait until next year for part three. Both books could easily be read as stand-alone novels, though I highly recommend you read Songs of Love and War first, purely because it is so good and will add to your enjoyment of Daughters of Castle Deverill.

The Judge's Wife - Ann O'Loughlin

Can a love last forever?

When Emma returns to Dublin to put her estranged father’s affairs in order, she begins to piece together the story of his life and that of Grace, the mother she never knew. She knows her father as the judge – as stern and distant at home as he was in the courtroom. But as she goes through his personal effects, Emma begins to find clues about her mother that shock her profoundly.
A tale of enduring love and scandal that begins in 1950s Dublin and unravels across decades and continents, digging up long-buried family secrets along the way, The Judge’s Wife asks whether love really can last forever.

What I thought:

I really couldn't wait to read this book. Although I hadn't read anything by this author before, there was something about The Judge's Wife that instantly caught my eye and I wasn't disappointed. I'm not normally a very fast reader but I literally devoured this.  

The book follows Emma, who returns home after her father's death and discovers the real truth about her childhood. "Oh yes," I hear you say, "I've read that before!" "Oh no," I reply, "You haven't read anything like this before!" The story is told both in the present, which is the 1980s and in the past, which is the 1950s. Initially, I found myself getting lost, not knowing which period I was reading about, but I was soon back on track and this in no way detracted from the enjoyment of this novel - it really is superb, totally and utterly compelling. The storyline is very thought provoking and I found it quite disturbing at times, but it was still unputdownable. I assume it's fictional but based on what could and probably did happen to many unfortunate individuals. There is so much to tell about this enthralling tale of love and deception but I don't want to spoil the shock and surprise you get as you go from page to page.

Although very sad, the story is also uplifting and was an absolute pleasure to read. I thoroughly recommend this book and look forward to reading more by this author.

Songs af Love And War - Santa Montefiore

Their lives were mapped out ahead of them. But love and war will change everything…
Castle Deverill, nestled in the rolling Irish hills, is home to three very different women: flame-haired Kitty Deverill, her best friend and daughter of the castle’s cook, Bridie Doyle, and her flamboyant English cousin, Celia Deverill.
When war breaks out, the lives of all three are changed forever.
Wrenched apart by betrayal, their world turned to ash, the girls’ friendship seems all but lost as they are swept to different parts of the globe.  Yet, they have one thing in common: a fierce and unwavering longing for Castle Deverill and all the memories contained within it.

What I thought:

As much as I really do love chick-lit, it is this kind of book that made me really fall in love with reading. Songs of Love and War swept me away to a time and place that I could only ever dream about . Set in 1910 in an Irish castle, it truly is an epic saga, the kind of story that would sit comfortably as a serialised television drama.

The story follows Kitty Deverill, Anglo-Irish daughter of the Castle, Bridie Doyle, Irish daughter of the Castle's cook and Celia Deverill, Kitty's English cousin as they grow up together. Celia joins the girls every year when her family come over from England to spend the summer at the Castle. Bridie's home life is devoid of any of the privileges enjoyed by Kitty, but this doesn't stop them becoming best friends.  When the Irish rebel against the English as they battle for independence, the safety of the Deverill family is threatened and amid love, secrets and lies the girls are parted, their lives changed forever.

The characters within the book are all bursting with personality. Kitty is fiery, determined and fiercely proud of her Irish heritage with Bridie equally strong-willed. Kitty is shown little affection by Maud, her mother, but she shares a special relationship with her grandmother, Adeline, who drinks a special blend of tea that I found particularly amusing. The addition of "The Shrubs", (you have to read the book to understand), was just the cherry on the cake for me. They are adorable.

Nail-biting tension, love, loss, betrayal and heartache all make this a real page-turner. I fell in love with these characters and although I was sad to come to the end of the book, I was thrilled to learn that this is part one of a trilogy and Daughters of Castle Deverill is released in July 2016.

My Map Of You - Isabelle Broom

Holly Wright has had a difficult few years. After her mother's death, she's become expert at keeping people at a distance - including her boyfriend, Rupert.
But when Holly receives an unexpected letter explaining that an aunt she never met has left her a house on the Greek island of Zakynthos, the walls she has built begin to crumble. Arriving on the island, Holly meets the handsome Aidan and slowly begins to uncover the truth about the secret which tore her family apart.
But is the island where Holly really belongs? Or will her real life catch up with her first?

What I thought:

Oh my goodness, what a book! The relaxed, laid back atmosphere, dusty scorched earth and bright sunshine bounce off the pages of this stunning novel. Although I've never been to Zakynthos, the setting for this book, I have visited several other Greek resorts and the author has certainly captured the whole essence of this beautiful country.

Holly has few pleasant memories of her childhood days. Her mother died when she was in college and she knows nothing of any other family. Then she receives a letter informing her that she's inherited a house in Zakynthos from an aunt. She leaves her boyfriend, Rupert in London and goes over to Zakynthos for a couple of weeks to arrange the sale of the property. Once there, she sets out to find out as much as she can about her aunt but soon finds herself attracted to Aiden, the neighbour next door. When she discovers a hand drawn map that charters the adventures of her young mother and aunt, she sets out to retrace their travels and in doing so, embarks on a journey of self discovery and uncovers some surprising things about her family. Meanwhile, Rupert misses her and surprises her with a visit, really putting the cat amongst the pigeons.

I thought Rupert was a selfish, uncaring piece of work at first, but I soon warmed to him when I saw the vulnerable, thoughtful side of his personality. Then there's Aiden, well there's nothing not to love about him - a hunk who rescues puppies! All the characters, along with the mouth-watering food and deafening chirping of the cicadas paint a colourful backdrop for this heart-warming tale.

Although I had a vague idea of how the story might develop, I was still surprised a few times along the way. I loved the ending - very original and unexpected and leaving me quite tearful.

I read this on my kindle and although I would never be without it, some books are just so good that I have to own it in paperback as well, and this is one of those. This book is certainly up there with my favourite reads and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

In Her Wake - Amanda Jennings

A tragic family event reveals devastating news that rips apart Bella's comfortable existence. Embarking on a personal journey to uncover the truth, she faces a series of traumatic discoveries that take her to the ruggedly beautiful Cornish coast, where hidden truths, past betrayals and a 25-year-old mystery threaten not just her identity, but her life.Chilling, complex and profoundly moving, In Her Wake is a gripping psychological thriller that questions the nature of family - and reminds us that sometimes the most shocking crimes are committed closest to home.

What I thought:

I had heard quite a lot about this book, so I was excited to dive into it at last.

Returning home for her mother's funeral, Bella is given a letter, the contents of which turns her whole world upside down. Back home she can't shake off the need to know more, so telling no-one her intentions, she heads off for St Ives in Cornwall, on a mission to discover the truth about her family. Bella poses as a journalist and embarks on an adventure, the likes of which she could never have imagined - or had she? What follows is what I can only call the tale with the twist that keeps on twisting - a real page turner.

What really set this book apart for me was the author's ability to set the scene and place me right there in the moment. The mere mention of the salty air and I have no problem imagining that I am at the coast, probably because I've been there so many times, however I had never been to Dawn's house, yet I could smell that tomato soup and hear that old TV crackling. I was particularly touched by Elaine's desperation and her harrowing experience of anguish and grief.

I found Dawn an unusual character, outwardly abrupt and abrasive, yet driven by love and devotion. The whole cast came together to spin a complex tale of suspense, peppered with a mix of emotions that will take you on a thrilling journey.

This was an excellent read and I look forward to reading more by this author.

THESE DAYS OF OURS - JULIET ASHTON

A novel about love. Raw important love. Small, beautiful love. And what happens when the person you love cannot be yours… Perfect for fans of Rowan Coleman, Jane Green and David Nicholls.

Kate and Becca are cousins and best friends. They have grown up together and shared all the most important milestones in their lives: childhood birthday parties, eighteenth birthdays, and now a wedding day as they each marry their childhood sweethearts, Charlie and Julian.

Kate has always loved Charlie - they were meant to be. Then she discovers that life never turns out quite how you expect it to. And love doesn't always follow the journey it should.

But best friends are forever, and true love will find a way, won't it…?

What I thought about it:

Kate and Becca are cousins and best friends and their story is told through family gatherings, when we catch up with how their lives have moved on since the last time they all met. Although very close, the pair have totally different personalities, life goals and values.

I loved Kate and in particular the relationship she had with her father and how she championed his dream to help an orphanage in China. Charlie is lovely, a really good bloke, and after a glimpse into his bleak childhood, he won my heart. When I'm really loving a good book, the characters come to life and I find myself talking to them and boy was I cursing Becca!

The author has a lovely writing style that had me re-reading several sentences just because they were beautiful.

This is a wonderful multi-layered love story. When I say multi-layered, I mean it isn't just about the love between a man and a woman, but it's just as much about that special kind of love we share with friends and then with family. With plenty of surprises hidden within the pages, it tells of love and loss, devotion and betrayal. Unpredictable, touching, sometimes funny, sometimes sad, I found it an absolute delight to read.