Book Review: The Promise by Lucy Diamond

I have read a few novels by Lucy Diamond, and recently finished her latest one titled The Promise. I quite liked this one, and although it wasn't my favourite book of Lucy's, I would still recommend it, especially for those that enjoy family dramas.

Zoe Sheppard is a recent widower after her husband Patrick, aged just 42 years old passes away one night. She is now the sole carer for  their three children, Ethan, Gabe and Beatrice.

Patrick was well loved and had a business that was thriving, but Zoe is still coming to terms with his death. One day, her brother-in-law Dan offers his support. Dan feels guilty for not stepping in sooner, and before long, he  comes up with a plan to help pick up the pieces and bring some happiness and normality back to Zoe and the kids.

He offers to drive the children to school and activities, and even tries to help with Patrick's family real estate business, fixing damaged properties and helping tenants. However, when he does, he uncovers some secrets that Patrick had, and Dan is shocked that his brother wasn't the man he thought he was. Dan is then faced with the tough decision of whether to tell Zoe what he has found out, or whether he should keep it to himself. 

This was a nice family drama that unfolded at a good pace. I enjoyed the characters, especially the children and Dan too. 

The Promise is available now through Pan Macmillan Australia, RRP $32.99

Book Review: Something Like This by Karly Lane 

 

 

Tilly Hollis resides in the township of Ben Tirran, which is nestled in the New England mountains in New South Wales. She works hard in order to fulfill her dream career - opening an equine therapy program. Her husband David shared her dream but sadly he passed away a few years earlier, leaving Tilly to make a crack at it on her own.

Jason Weaver was in the army in the Middle East, but after an explosion that left him with the loss of part of his leg, he makes the choice to head to Ben Tirran as a builder in an attempt to adjust back to the civilian world.

One day Jason enters the cafe where Tilly works, and the two feel an instant connection. And when they discover that they are neighbours, it brings them even closer. Jason offers to help set up the area for the Guy Fawkes brumbies, the horses that Tilly is using in the therapy program.

As their relationship progresses, they both address certain issues that they are faced with, and try to accept that the past cannot be changed. Topics of grief and loneliness are touched upon in a sensitive way in this rural romance novel, and the characters show strength, courage and endurance. 

It was interesting to read about the Guy Fawkes brumbies; this breed of wild horse are descendants of the horses used in World War One, and have a very interesting history. Karly's passion for these beautiful animals is clearly evident in Something Like This.

Available now through Allen & Unwin Australia, RRP $29.99 

 Book Review: I Follow You by Peter James

Bestselling author Peter James is known for his crime and thriller books, which are one of my favourite genres, so I was looking forward to reading his latest novel, I Follow You, which was released back in September.

I finally got around to reading it this week, and I thought that this was a great thriller. 

Marcus Valentine is in his mid-forties, married, and the father of three children. He is one of the most respected and trusted gynae-oncologists at the General Hospital in Jersey. 

On his way to work one morning, Marcus has a lapse of concentration which results in him almost running down a female jogger at a pedestrian crossing. As the startled jogger brushes herself  off and continues on her way, Marcus is transfixed by her.

The jogger bears an uncanny resemblance to a girl named Lynette that Marcus was infatuated with in his teens. His first unrequited love, and someone he has never been able to forget. He becomes obsessed with following the jogger her and tracking her down.

Georgie is a personal trainer and is enjoying life with her fiance, with lots of exciting opportunities going on. Thanks to a running app that allows followers to track running times and locations, Marcus tracks Georgie down and it isn't long before things spiral out of control! He becomes obsessed with her and his obsession threatens to destroy both of their worlds.

I would definitely recommend I Follow You if you are a fan of thrillers. It is available through Pan Macmillan Australia, RRP $32.99

Book Review: Flying The Nest by Rachael Johns 

 

 

 

Back when I first started this blog, I remember that one of my first ever giveaways was a Rac
hael Johns novel. I have continued to enjoy her stories since, and her latest, Flying The Nest, is released today!

The story centres around a woman named Ashling Wood, who is married to Adrian and has two children, 15 year-old Saxon, and 10 year-old Payton. 
She has been with Adrian for years, and has experienced the highs and lows of life with him by her side.
So when he confronts Ashling one day with the shocking news that he wants to separate, Ashling is devastated.
He suggests that they try 'nest parenting' - keeping Saxon and Payton in the family home, while he and Ashling rotate living with them week on/week off. 
Ashling turns to her best friend Hayley for advice, who also happens to be Andrew's twin sister.
Hayley offers her to move in on the weeks that she isn't with the kids, and while Ashling appreciates her friend's generosity, she just wants to try and get her family back to how they used to be.
When Hayley's boyfriend Wei suggests Ashling spend some time in the seaside town of Ragged Point to renovate an old cottage that once belonged to his grandfather, she thinks that it will be the ideal distraction while Adrian comes to his senses.
She gets stuck into fixing up the place, and meets some of the lovely locals, including Jedda, who runs the cafe, and fisherman Dan Emerson.
Ashling finds that she is really starting to enjoy the peaceful surrounds of Rugged Point, and with each visit, she feels as though she is becoming more at home.
But the home-stay weeks with the kids are dysfunctional, and the hope of salvaging her marriage to Adrian is becoming even more slim.
Ashling is torn between what she wants for her future, and what she wants for her family. 
She has to figure out what is right, but will it come at a cost?

Flying The Nest is an easy and entertaining book. The story flows really well, and has a great cast of characters (including an adorable canine named Charlie!) 
Themes of parenting, divorce, addictions and grief are featured throughout the story and explored well.
As I was given the opportunity to read this before its release date, it was ideal read to enjoy while being in lock down; it allowed my mind to escape to the coast, if only for a while!

Flying The Nest is available through HQ, Harper Collins Australia from today.

Book Review: Breathless by Jennifer Niven 

 

I have read All The Bright Places by the same author a couple of years ago, and was interested to read her latest YA novel titled Breathless. I finished it recently and thought that it was a pretty decent novel, and knowing that the author based it off some of her own life experiences made it even more enjoyable.

 The story is told from the perspective of 18 year-old Claudine Henry.

She has plans to spend the summer holidays enjoying a road trip with her best friend Saz before they leave for college. Her plans also involve getting to know her crush Wyatt Jones a bit better.

But a week before graduation, her dad makes a devastating and life-changing announcement that he is leaving Claudine and her mother, and the world as she knows it will never be the same. She feels betrayed and heartbroken.

Her mother decides to spend the summer with Claudine on a remote Georgia island, and Claudine is disappointed that she won't get to go on the road trip after all.
When they arrive on the island, Claudine feels even more alone when she realises that there is no phone service, so no way to stay in touch with Saz or Wyatt.

But lucky for her, she meets Jeremiah, who is a free-spirited, charming and handsome young guy, and it isn't long before they feel a real connection. As the days go by, the two get to know each other and they start dating, even though they know that they are both leaving the island after the summer ends.

What follows is an exploration of love, sex, and discovery, as well as forgiveness and acceptance.
By the end of the novel, the reader sees a real change in Claudine as she discovers herself and as she works towards making her dreams come true.

Breathless is available now through Penguin Books Australia.

 

Book Review: Punching The Air by Ibi Zoboi & Yusef Salaam 

 
Punching The Air is a young adult novel co-written by Yusef Salaam, who at the age of 15 was tried and convicted for a crime he was innocent of, the famed 'Central Park Five' case.
This story is inspired by his experience.

Amal Shahid is just 16 years old and has a promising future ahead of him when one night a simple case of him being at the wrong place at the wrong time sees him convicted of a crime.
He is alleged to have punched a young white male, leaving him in a coma.
Amal is found guilty and sent to juvenile detention. 
He is filled with anger and despair, but finds comfort in writing poetry and art.
He also has the support of his family and friends to help get him through.
Amal means 'hope' in Arabic, and he is aptly named, as he remains hopeful that even though this was not the life he had planned, he can change it. 


This is a really important story with a powerful message.
It is beautifully written.
Punching The Air explores a lot of topics including racism and the American judicial system.
The story is written in verse, interwoven with lovely illustrations, with not many words on each page, making it a quick read.
But the words that are used are compelling and packed with emotion.

I would definitely recommend this book, not only to young adults, but older readers as well. 

Punching The Air is available now through Harper Collins Australia RRP $19.99 

Book Review: Honeybee by Craig Silvey 

When I'm fortunate enough to experience the pure magic of reading a novel like Honeybee, it's a bit of a struggle to write a review.
Not because I don't want to, but for fear of not being able to do it justice.  I mean, what can you say when days after you've finished reading a story, your mind is still within those pages, reliving the brilliance of what you've read?

This book is really something else. Exquisitely written with not a single word wasted. I devoured it and I will treasure it.

The story begins late one night when 14 year-old Sam Watson approaches an overpass. 
An old man named Vic is on the other side of the bridge, smoking a cigarette. He is there to end his life.
Unbeknownst to Vic, Sam is also contemplating the same fate.

The two spot each other, and a conversation begins.
Whether its curiosity or a cry for help that gets them talking remains to be seen.
Before long, a connection is formed, and an unlikely friendship develops. 
On that night, an unspoken commitment is made by each other to save the other.
As the story progresses, we find out what bought Sam and Vic to the bridge that evening.

These two people are so different from each other, yet their suffering and hurt is equivalent. 
This is what unites them and forms the basis of their support for one another.
I don't want to give much more away as Honeybee is one story you need to experience for yourself.

I am so grateful to Craig Silvey for writing this stunning novel. What an extraordinarily talented writer.
I know that I will revisit Honeybee many times. It is now one of my favourite novels.
I adored the characters. 
Sam, Vic, Edie, Aggie and Fella Bitzgerald/Peter. Each of them really grabbed me.
These characters are real, flawed, and empathetic. They are giving of both time and of themselves. 
In particular, Sam and Vic made their way into my heart. I adored their friendship, and I loved how each strived to give what the other was seeking. The determination to save the other was admirable.
I laughed at some parts, I cried multiple times, and I paused and shook my head with wonderment at many lines. How such a beautiful story can be created from one mind is a wonder.

Read Honeybee. If you don't like to read, listen to it or have someone read it to you. Or at least buy it and give it to someone you know who reads. This book needs to be read. 
It is a story of hope, a story of love, and a story of understanding and accepting. 
Thank you again Craig Silvey for this fabulous novel.

Honeybee is available through Allen & Unwin from 29th September, RRP $32.99
For further information on this title, head here.