Category Archives: Book Review

Review Card & Book Review – The Swim By Janet Hoggarth

Everything is about to change for Cordelia Franks – she just doesn’t know it yet.

When Cordelia decides to train to swim the English Channel, she understands why no one believes she can do it. After a lifetime of never finishing anything, she doesn’t really believe she can either. But she’s determined to try.

As she strides into the Channel with hours stretching ahead of her, Cordelia swims against every milestone in her life so far. Every failed relationship, every friendship let go, every exam failed, every tricky job she quit. A life lived never giving it her all. Until now.

With every stroke, with every mile, Cordelia knows that this is finally her moment. Because if she keeps this promise to herself, if she doesn’t give up, nothing will ever be the same again.

And waiting in France is an unimagined future and someone who does believe in her…

About The Author

My Review

This is a reflective, slow-burn novel that uses the backdrop of a Channel crossing to explore one woman’s life in deeply personal detail. As Cordelia Franks swims for over eight hours, her thoughts drift through childhood trauma, controlling family dynamics, school struggles, illness, and recovery. The narrative structure—anchored in a physically grueling present while unraveling an emotionally complex past—makes for a thoughtful and layered read.

Janet Hoggarth does a commendable job weaving in vivid detail about the Channel swim, from jellyfish stings to dodging shipping lanes, grounding Cordelia’s internal journey in physical reality. While the book may take a bit to gain momentum, its emotional payoff is worth the investment.

Side characters like Desi and David bring warmth and heart, balancing heavier themes such as eating disorders and bullying. This isn’t a light read, but it’s ultimately an insightful one—about endurance, both in water and in life.

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Review Card & Book Review- Michael Without Apology By Catherine Ryan Hyde

Michael Woodbine was seven years old when a near-fatal fireworks accident scarred him and led to his placement in foster care. Now a college freshman, he is still trying to hide the effects of his trauma from his classmates, his adoptive family, and himself.

When Michael signs up for a film class, he meets Robert Dunning, a teacher who wears his own scars unapologetically. Robert encourages Michael to make a documentary that explores body image and self-perception. Michael places an ad seeking people who feel unattractive and rejected by society—and is surprised to learn that this is essentially everyone. Although some participants are recovering from injuries or surgeries, others are dealing with more everyday factors like aging or the changes to a body from giving birth.

As he collects these stories—and finally tells his own—Michael feels more connected to the world than he ever has before. But he knows his journey of self-acceptance has one more obstacle: his crushing doubts about why his birth parents wouldn’t fight to keep him.

About The Author

My Review

The story follows 19-year-old Michael, a college freshman still grappling with the emotional and physical scars from a devastating childhood accident. Removed from his home and placed in foster care after a firework incident nearly killed him, Michael has spent years hiding his body and burying his pain. But a chance encounter with a new professor—who wears his own scars without apology—begins to shift Michael’s perspective.

When Michael decides to center his student film on how people view their flaws and insecurities, it becomes a powerful catalyst for transformation—not just for himself, but for those around him. Hyde skillfully balances moments of vulnerability and humor, crafting a narrative that’s both uplifting and thought-provoking. While the plot unfolds in a quiet, introspective way, it’s Michael’s emotional journey that leaves the strongest impact. His growth is authentic, his voice sincere, and his story universally resonant. The novel reminds readers that scars—visible or hidden—don’t define us, and learning to accept them is an act of bravery. Touching and inspiring, the novel offers a powerful message about finding worth beyond appearances.

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Review Card & Book Review – So That Happened By Christy McKellen

Two strangers. One Bed…

After three months of travelling, all entrepreneur Connor Preston wants to do is return to his holiday home in the South of France, sink into his own bed and shut the world out temporarily. The last thing he expects is to find a stark-naked woman already there….

Forced by her business partner to take a break in her sumptuous French farmhouse, workaholic Josie Marchpane wasn’t anticipating company either. So imagine her shock when six foot four inches of pure muscle with a disturbingly sexy smile stranger and apparent co-owner of the house walks in and tells her to leave!

Knowing she has every right to be there, Josie stands her ground, she’s not about to give up without a fight. Because Josie plays to win. The problem? Connor does, too. And with only one bed between them, things are about to get interesting….

About The Author

My Review

This is a light, tropey romance perfect for fans of forced proximity and enemies-to-lovers setups. Set in a dreamy French farmhouse, it’s an easy, feel-good read with some fun banter and situational chaos. Josie and Connor are both strong-willed and thrown together in a way that promises tension and sparks. Josie and Connor, both headstrong and thrown into close quarters, deliver moments of fun and friction, though their chemistry doesn’t always feel fully convincing. While the story includes spicy scenes, they lack some emotional depth and intensity. While the premise is fun, the writing can feel a bit childish at times, and the chemistry between the leads isn’t always convincing. The spicy scenes are present but could use more emotional heat. Still, it’s a pleasant romantic escape with classic rom-com charm.

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Review Card & Book Review- Closest Kept By Kitty Johnson

Best friends Lily and Inga do everything together—they even meet their future loves at the same bar. After one serendipitous night, it seems like it’s going to be Lily and Alex and Inga and Matt forever.

But life gets more complicated. A job offer moves Inga and Matt from Norwich to London. Lily, who craves stability after a traumatic childhood, is already struggling with the change when Inga confides in her a secret that could tear the group apart for good. At the same time, Lily’s friendship with Matt deepens, and she wonders if she was always meant to be with him instead of Alex.

As the two couples try to hold on to their dreams and one another, Lily’s life is further upended by the reappearance of her long-lost sister—and all the terrible truths she brings home. Lily needs her chosen family more than ever, but in order to heal the rifts, she must find the courage to be honest with herself and reveal the secrets she’s kept hidden from her loved ones for too long.

About The Author

My Review

This is a poignant and introspective novel that delves into the lasting effects of childhood trauma and the complexity of familial bonds. Centered around Lily, a woman who seems to have built a stable, promising life, the story is upended by the unexpected return of her estranged younger sister after years of silence. This reappearance forces Lily to confront painful memories and unresolved emotions, challenging her sense of identity and future.

While some of the heavier themes—like alcoholism, child neglect, and drug abuse—are handled with a lighter touch than they perhaps deserve, the emotional heart of Lily’s journey remains engaging and authentic. This story focus on sisterhood, personal growth, and the often messy road to healing. Readers who appreciate character-driven stories with emotional depth and a hopeful undertone will find much to admire here, especially those familiar with Johnson’s previous work.

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Review Card & Book Review- This Thing Called Love By Debbie Howells

Two people’s lives are about to collide… but will they find love?

Far away, on a beautiful Mediterranean island, a little girl writes a letter to the Universe, with one wish – for something to change so that her father, Luke, can be happy again.

Little does she know, there are two strangers in search of Luke already. Bee, who has just found out a deep secret about her past. And Alex, who dreams of his mother finding some of her memories again, and who believes Luke might be the key.

As Bee’s and Alex’s lives are drawn together – in entirely unexpected ways – will they only find what they’re looking for? Or could the Universe also have a love story planned for two people who might just be soulmates, if only their paths could cross…

About The Author

My Review

This is a heartwarming, feel-good story that blends romance, friendship, music, and family. The novel follows Bee, who travels to Majorca searching for the father she’s never met, and Alex, a devoted son caring for his mother with early onset dementia. In Majorca, music becomes a healing force. Alex reconnects with his mother’s past as a rock band singer, sparking a spontaneous band reunion that culminates in a magical one-night performance. Both characters are at personal crossroads, and their journeys intertwine in unexpected and uplifting ways. The story is filled with laughter, emotional growth, and a celebration of love in all its forms. Through touching moments and uplifting turns, the book explores how faith, connection, and a little bit of music can transform lives.

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Review Card & Book Review- One More Day Of Us By Shari Low

Would you give up your dreams for love? ❤️

1990: In a hot, humid Hong Kong summer, three young singers are loving life, performing to packed crowds every night in a swanky hotel bar. Twenty-three-year-old Scottish songbird, Moira Chiles is living the dream alongside Carina Lloyd and Lisa Dixon. They work hard, play hard, and always stick together… until one day Moira has to make a choice that changes everything.

Fast forward to…

2025: In a wet, chilly, Glasgow summer, Moira has just retired after singing in Glasgow pubs and Caribbean cruise ships for three decades. Now she’s ready for a new adventure – one that takes her to Hong Kong to revisit a world she left behind. Moira hasn’t seen Carina or Lisa for over thirty years, but will an invitation to join her on a holiday of a lifetime rekindle the friendships that changed her life? Or will stepping back in time expose secrets that could break their hearts?

About The Author

My Review

This is a heartfelt, nostalgic story that explores the bonds of friendship, the weight of the past, and the power of connection across generations. When Moira invites her longtime friends Carina and Lisa to reunite in Hong Kong, only Carina shows up—alongside Lisa’s daughter, Stevie. Lisa has passed away, and Stevie, unaware of her mother’s adventurous past as a singer in Hong Kong, is about to discover a side of her mom she never knew.

As the women share stories and memories, Stevie begins to understand the strength of her mother’s friendships and the dreams she once pursued. The novel is filled with warmth, emotional depth, and beautifully drawn characters. It’s a celebration of lasting friendships, lost dreams, and the comfort of finding new connections even in the face of grief. Uplifting and poignant, it’s a reminder that those we love live on in the memories we share.

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Review Card & Book Review- The Sister Switch By Charlotte Butterfield

Two sisters. One Bet.

And a lifetime of secrets uncovered…

Morning TV’s favourite twin sisters, Alice and Edie, may share the screen, but that’s where their similarities end. Their viewpoints are far from identical, and whilst their on-air clashes keep viewers hooked, off-camera, their relationship is far from picture-perfect.

After a heated argument on live television threatens their jobs, the fiery duo make a bet: neither could last a week in the other’s shoes. Determined to prove each other wrong, they secretly swap lives — without telling a soul.

What starts as a battle of wills quickly spirals into chaos, as each sister discovers that the other’s life is far more complicated than it seems. Between dodging awkward work situations, marital issues, and meddling in each other’s families, Alice and Edie’s rivalry turns from a competitive bet into an opportunity to help change each other’s lives for the better.

But will their relationship survive?

About The Author

My Review

This is a warm, funny, and sharply observed novel about two very different sisters—uptight, organized Alice and chaotic, free-spirited Edie—who swap lives. The result is both entertaining and heartfelt, as each woman is forced to re-evaluate her choices, roles, and relationships.

The strength of the book lies in its well-developed characters. Alice and Edie are believable, flawed, and relatable, with a bond that shines through their differences. The story handles family dysfunction with realism and humor, offering a refreshing take on sisterhood and motherhood. While the central premise of the switch stretches believability—especially with partners and children involved—the emotional journey makes it worthwhile.

Fast-paced and filled with both wit and heart, this is a smart, engaging read perfect for fans of character-driven fiction.

My Rating

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