Review: The Staycation by Cressida McLaughlin

Having read a book that was quite dark, I knew that my next choice need to be something light and romantic. I saw this book in the shops and loved its summery, bright cover – perfect for the lovely sunny weather we’ve been having.

Hester Monday works for a luxury travel agent and is an expert at putting together incredible intineraries for her clients. There’s only one problem: Hester has never visited any of these amazing destinations herself. A crippling fear of flying has alway stopped her. Her latest client, Jake, has an unusual request. He was injured when saving a woman from being struck by a car and is stuck in a hotel room. His request of Hester is that she creates the illusion of travel for him, putting together mini-staycations based on her memories of all the wonderful places she’s visited. Hester goes along with this plan, but as she grows closer to Jake, it becomes harder to reveal the truth: she’s actually never visited any of the places she’s describing to him.

I read this book in a day: it was sweet, romantic and had such a warm and pleasant story that I enjoyed every minute. The mini staycations were a real joy to read about and provided a perfect piece of escapism. The love story between Jake and Hester was believable and charming, and I really enjoyed seeing how it developed. If you’re into rom-coms, then this book is well worth a read (although it will leave you desperate to book a holiday by the end).

Review: The Girls Are All So Nice Here by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn

This was February’s pick in my book subscription box – a book with an intriguing title, and once again something that I probably wouldn’t have picked up for myself, but that I was keen to read once it arrived.

Ambrosia is living her life with her husband, happy with their current situation, when the invitation to her University reunion arrives. She doesn’t want to go, but her husband sees it and convinces her to attend. For Amb however, her University days don’t hold the best memories, darkened by the horrific events of her first year, and the role that she played in bringing about the tragedy that occurred.

Amb returns and meets up again with Sully, the girl that she was obsessed with in her first year. Sully still has a hypnotic hold over Amb, but as the reunion progresses, it becomes clear that something more sinister is at play, and the two girls are about to pay for what they did all those years ago.

The story is told across two timelines: then and now, which helps to keep the plot moving forward and the reader uncovers the truth bit by bit in this story. However, what starts as an interesting premise, actually becomes a story that I found to be fairly predictable. I worked out most of the twists before they occurred and the storyline just didn’t feel like it was fresh or exciting. Amb’s obsession with Sully seemed a little forced at times, and although obvious, it didn’t seem to have much grounding in anything: it was hard to see her motivation.

It wasn’t a story that I felt like not finishing, but it also didn’t grip me in the way I expected that it might. If you like dark psychological thrillers and books about young people then you would probably enjoy this, but it wasn’t the kind of book that I enjoy unfortunately.

Review: Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett

I’ve been reading my way through Terry Pratchett’s witches books from his Discworld series, and I’ve absolutely loved the blend of humour and fantasy. Carpe Jugulum is the final of the witches books, and I was looking forward to reading this book.

The kingdom of Lancre is celebrating the birth of a new baby: King Verence and his wife (and former witch) Magrat have invited people from far and wide to celebrate their daughter’s naming. Amongst those who have arrived is Priest Mightily Oats, but also the Magpyrs – a vampire family who have a thoroughly modern approach to vampirism, which makes them even more dangerous. The only hope for Lancre comes from the witches: Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Agnes Nitt. But with Granny Weatherwax missing, Nanny Ogg hypnotised by the Vamypres and Agnes internally battling with her alter-ego Perdita, it seems as though there is not much hope of defeating the Count and his family.

I loved this book: it was action-packed right from the start, and also contained so many laugh-out-loud moments. Nanny Ogg was a particular favourite for me, with her innuendo-filled jokes, she provided plenty of light relief within the story. As with the other witches books, this story is at its best when it satirises other stories, including Gothic vampire stories and traditions. A brilliant book, and one I enjoyed from beginning to end.

Review: The Hatmakers by Tamzin Merchant

This is a book that I have borrowed from my ten year old’s bookshelf because I was so intrigued by her description of the storyline and also the beautiful cover, that I knew I wanted to read it. I always think you don’t have to be a child to enjoy middle grade and young adult stories.

Cordelia is a hatmaker, living in an alternate London where Makers use magic to create magical garments. When she receives news that her father has died in a shipwreck, Cordelia is convinced that he can’t really be dead and is determined to find him. However, her family also have an important job to do: making a hat of Peace that will ensure the King is able to negotiate with France rather than going to war. Cordelia finds that villains lurk in unexpected places, and she will need to team up with a Bootmaker in order to prevent war.

I absolutely loved this book: it was just the right blend of magical fantasy and adventure. The magical elements added to the intrigue and mystery of the story; the adventure plot was well-paced and featured plenty of action; including highwaymen and pirates (of a sort!). This is honestly one of those stories that anyone of any age can enjoy, and I raced my way through it. The good news is that there’s a sequel, The Mapmakers, which I’m now really looking forward to reading.

Review: Hard Times by Charles Dickens

I’ve been really enjoying reading some books from different genres lately, as well as picking up some classics. I’ve read and enjoyed quite a few of Dickens’ novels, but Hard Times is one I’d not read before. I decided that now would be a good time to pick it up, and I’m glad I did.

Hard Times starts by focusing on Mr Gradgrind, his family and his educational theory, which is focused on one thing: facts. He ensures that at his school facts are taught first and foremost, and instructs his children using this philosophy. As he is about to expel Sissy Jupe, the daughter of a circus performer, he finds out that her father has abandoned her, and takes her in to look after her alongside his other children, including his oldest daughter Louisa. Assisting him in this is his friend Mr Bounderby, a man who has apparently risen up to become a successful business owner from having absolutely nothing.

Years later, Bounderby proposes to Louisa, and she accepts, following the principal of her education and weighing up facts first rather than feelings. When Bounderby sacks Stephen Blackpool unfairly, Louisa takes pity on him and offers him help. Unfortunately Louisa’s older brother, Tom, decides to exploit his vulnerability and has him framed for a burglary that Tom is actually responsible for.

Whilst this is going on, Bounderby suspects Louisa of having an affair with a friend of Tom’s and even though this proves to be untrue, he issues her an ultimatum about their marriage. Louisa returns to her family home but also sets out to find Stephen Blackpool and prove his innocence.

I really enjoyed this story; it was actually quite fast paced and kept me gripped throughout. Setting a story in a northern town is unusual for Dickens but the descriptions are effective at creating a gloomy atmosphere of an industrial Victorian town. The characters were enjoyable to read about, and I particularly enjoyed Dickens’ satire of self-made men with Bounderby’s hyperbolic descriptions of his difficult childhood. For me, one of the only negatives was the speech written in dialect, which I found at times difficult to read and a bit of a distraction from what was an otherwise excellent story. I also quite enjoyed the way Dickens chose to end the book, with various paths and possibilities presented to the reader.

Overall this was a classic Dickens novel that I would highly recommend to anyone: well worth a read and I can’t believe it took me so long to pick it up.

Review: Maskerade by Terry Pratchett

Until 2019 I’d never read any Terry Pratchett books. I then read 4 in that year, having been recommended the witches books from his discworld series. I’ve had Maskerade on my kindle for a while now, and over the last few weeks I really wanted to break away from my usual crime books and read something really different.

Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax feel that they really need a third witch, now that Magrat is married and has a new life. Agnes Nitt seems to be the ideal choice, but she has changed her name to Perdita and run off to pursue a life on the stage in tue opera. To Agnes, this life seems ideal, except just having a good singing voice doesn’t quite seem to be enough. Added to this is the small matter of the opera ghost who seems to be making trouble for everyone. When 2 people end up murdered by the ghost, everyone is determined to figure out who the ghost is and to force him out of the opera.

This was such an enjoyable read. Pratchett’s books are a real delight to read because they don’t take themselves too seriously: this is fantasy at it’s most lighthearted. There are real laugh aloud moments, Pratchett pokes fun at both the fantasy genre and the world of theatre (including more than a couple of references to one very popular long-running stage musical!), and there’s also moments of satire. I honestly didn’t want to stop reading once I’d started.

As for favourite parts of the book? I love the descriptions of Greebo the cat when he becomes human; they’re both funny and vivid. I also really enjoy the moment when Agnes descends into the cellars of the opera house and we’re presented with two viewpoints: those of incredibly practical Agnes, and those of her dreamy and romantic alter-ego Perdita. Of course, Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg are brilliant to read about as they are in every book they appear in.

I’m so enjoying discovering these stories for the first time, and can’t wait to move onto my next one (I’ve already got Carpe Jugulum lined up).

Review: The Unheard by Nicci French

The Unheard was January’s choice for the book box I subscribe to, and it certainly looked like an intriguing story to try. I’ve never read any of Nicci French’s books before so once again it was a chance for me to try something new.

Tess is a single mother, doing her best to look out for her daughter Poppy following a fairly amiable divorce. When Poppy returns from a weekend with her father, Tess becomes worried when one of her drawings shows a woman being pushed from a tall tower. In addition, Poppy’s behaviour becomes strange, she becomes more violent and uses swear words that Tess knows she won’t have heard at home. Tess begins to fear that there may be a sinister reason behind Poppy’s behaviour, especially when a young woman is found murdered, having been pushed from the top of a tower block.

Tess grows increasingly more paranoid, distrusting everyone around her. The police don’t want to hear her concerns, but Tess becomes more and more convinced that Poppy’s behaviour is connected to the murder. And then Tess begins to worry that Poppy herself may be in danger…

This was an incredibly fast paced book, with loads of twists and turns which I couldn’t predict. I found myself second guessing everything, and even distrusting Tess’s narrative at times, which only made me enjoy the book even more. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with plenty of dramatic twists and a range of suspects, then this book is a great choice: I didn’t want to put it down!