Review: The Switch by Beth O'Leary

Eileen is sick of being 79.

Leena's tired of life in her twenties.

Maybe it's time they swapped places...

When overachiever Leena Cotton is ordered to take a two-month sabbatical after blowing a big presentation at work, she escapes to her grandmother Eileen's house for some overdue rest. Eileen is newly single and about to turn eighty. She'd like a second chance at love, but her tiny Yorkshire village doesn't offer many eligible gentlemen.

Once Leena learns of Eileen's romantic predicament, she proposes a solution: a two-month swap. Eileen can live in London and look for love. Meanwhile Leena will look after everything in rural Yorkshire. But with gossiping neighbours and difficult family dynamics to navigate up north, and trendy London flatmates and online dating to contend with in the city, stepping into one another's shoes proves more difficult than either of them expected.

Leena learns that a long-distance relationship isn't as romantic as she hoped it would be, and then there is the annoyingly perfect - and distractingly handsome - school teacher, who keeps showing up to outdo her efforts to impress the local villagers. Back in London, Eileen is a huge hit with her new neighbours, but is her perfect match nearer home than she first thought?

Review: I'm just going to come out and say it, this book was great. It ticked all of my boxes, I read it all in a day and I just feel lucky that I got to enjoy this book today. I love the premise behind this one, getting out of a rut, away from certain stressful situations and living out things you always wanted to do. I so resonated with the beginning of this book with a kind of burn out situation and I am glad that this is finally getting written about in books as more and more of us begin to go through this in our own lives. 

Another topic dealt with so well in this book that so many other authors are afraid to touch on is seniors having a life and having a good time. Si many times older characters in books are written off as just being there for comedy value, emotional value or just there as a sage advice giver and yes they can be that but I am so please that Eileen has her own voice in this book and her own life which she lives to the fullest. I thought Eileen was a great character. I am so used to writing about enjoying how characters grow and change over the course of a novel as they get older, but this was also the case for Eileen. She was able to grow and she was able to meet new people. strive for her dreams and also...have sex. It was awesome getting to know her and reading about her journey. 

Leena is the character we meet first in this novel and I really identified with her. I loved her initial unwillingness to live outside of her comfort zone and also fear of certain things in her life. I could definitely feel that fear coming off the pages and couple really relate to that as well. She also goes on a journey in the novel and it it through her side of the storyline that we get issues like mental health and domestic violence explored and exposed. I thought these issues were dealt with in a really thoughtful way, Obviously use care when picking up this book if either of these issues are triggering for you. 

I also loved the way this book was structured. I always love a dual narrative and I think that structure is even better when the characters are related or even closely linked and in this case with have Eileen who is grandmother to Leena so they are naturally very close. I also really loved the juxtaposition in the settings in this novel. Having grown up in Yorkshire and the worked in London I could really visualise the differences that these two characters were facing and it really did make me yearn for that Yorkshire countryside, especially the description of the dusting of snow on the walls coming away from the airport!

Of course there is some romance in this novel and some real feel-good humour as well. There are some very tender sex scenes but there is also a bit of an enemies to lover slow burn situation that you really don't know whether it will develop into something or not, no spoilers of course! I laughed out loud several times, especially at some of the Yorkshire humour and some of the technological mishaps that take place. I really did enjoy this book and I highly recommend it. I think we all need to spend some time with Leena and Eileen right now!

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US (Out August 18th in US)

Review: Two Steps Forward by Graeme Simsion and Anne Buist

A smart and funny story from the author of The Rosie Project - two misfits walk 2,000 km along the Camino to find themselves and, perhaps, each other. A novel of second chances and reinvention from Graeme Simsion, and his wife Anne Buist. Optioned for film.

Zoe, a sometime artist, is from California. Martin, an engineer, is from Yorkshire. Both have ended up in picturesque Cluny, in central France. Both are struggling to come to terms with their recent past - for Zoe, the death of her husband; for Martin, a messy divorce.

Looking to make a new start, each sets out alone to walk two thousand kilometres from Cluny to Santiago de Compostela, in northwestern Spain, in the footsteps of pilgrims who have walked the Camino (the Way) for centuries. The Camino changes you, it's said. It's a chance to find a new version of yourself, and a new beginning. But can these two very different people find themselves? Will they find each other? 

In this smart, funny and romantic journey, Martin's and Zoe's stories are told in alternating chapters by husband-and-wife team Graeme Simsion and Anne Buist.Two Steps Forward is a novel about renewal - physical, psychological and spiritual. It's about the challenge of walking a long distance and of working out where you are going. And it's about what you decide to keep, what you choose to leave behind and what you rediscover along the way.

Optioned by Fox Searchlight for Ellen DeGeneres to produce through A Very Good Production

Review: This book brings to mind a cross between Wild and When Harry Met Sally. The fact that this is written by two authors, two authors who are married really intrigued me to begin with, and the fact that this is already well on the way to becoming a film also makes me see it in a different light. Altogether this was a very different reading experience but a pleasurable one nonetheless!

This is dual narrative and I actually bought this one and listened to it on audiobook which meant that the dual narrative was even more pronounced. I am such a fan of dual narrative and it works really well with this story, especially since it was written by two different authors. I think the fact that is is dual narrative means that you get to know the characters a little deeper and you feel more sympathy/empathy with them sooner into the book as well. 

I learned a lot about the Camino in this book and it has definitely piqued my interest in the areas. The great thing about the setting is that it is new to both of these characters as well since we have someone from Yorkshire (like me, woo!) and someone from California. As the blurb suggests, there are lots of challenges along the way and i think because, we the reader, are seeing this through fresh eyes, we feel those challenges more deeply as well. 

The characters are both at a slightly later stage in life to me but I still found them easy to identify with and championed them throughout the walk. I could relate to what they were going through not because I've been through it but because they are well-developed likable characters who were easy to get along with. You don't have to have read anything by these authors before to enjoy this story, nor do you have to have an knowledge of The Camino.This book was unique, enjoyable and challenging in parts and I can't wait to see what becomes of it in the future!

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US (out May 1st in the US)

Review: The Trouble with Henry & Zoe by Andy Jones

Henry and Zoe have more in common than they realise. For a start, they both have pasts they'd rather leave behind.

After jilting his childhood sweetheart on the eve of their wedding in the small town where they both grew up, Henry runs away to London, planning to reinvent himself and start afresh.

Zoe has her own healing to do and so she plans to leave London, travel the world, and figure out just what it is she wants out of life. She doesn't know where she's going, but she is determined to go there alone.

If Henry and Zoe had met one year ago, perhaps things could have worked out differently. But that's not the way it works; they meet seven months after their worlds have been turned upside down. And four months before Zoe is due to climb on a plane... 

Review: just like Andy Jones's last novel, this is one of those books that hooks you in right from the start. This books came with me everywhere on holiday so I could read a little bit here and there, whenever I had the chance and thank goodness I read the ending on a plane journey with someone else because I had to talk about it. Just be warned, you will want someone to talk to after you read the ending of this book. The thing that struck me the most about this book was how real it felt to me. Henry and Zoe felt like they could've been my Friends and the things like were happening to them do really happene to people like us in real life! 

To begin with, I wasn't sure how much I was going to warm to these 2 lovely characters, I wasn't sure if I would find them a little self-absorbed but I think they were so well written they just becaus absorbed into my friendship group in my head and I wanted to know what was goin on with them and how things were going to turn out for them! I think I preferred Henry as a character because I liked his laid-back attitude. Zoe is very determined though, which I really liked about her, she knows what she wants and decides to go for it after a big change in her life. 

I definitely became emotionally involved in this book and the structure of the story meant that you got a little glimpse of one character before switching back to the other. I love books that are structured like this and it made it ideal for dipping in and out of on holiday. I mentioned the fact that the beginning is really effective at capturing the audience but that ending.... Wow, I feel like I want to know so much more about these guys and yet it was just so perfect and exactly the ending that I wanted, 

This is a really great read and definitely something you should be adding to your TBR pile. I think that this would suit most audiences becaus you've go both the male and the female protagonists so there really is something for everyone here. The writing is witty and you'll be emotionally involved as well as invested in these strong characters. I really enjoyed this read! 

Review: Our Song by Dani Atkins

The stunning new emotional drama from ebook phenomenon Dani Atkins, author of Fractured - perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes and Dorothy Koomson.

This is the story of Ally and Charlotte, whose paths have intersected over the years though they've never really been close friends. Charlotte married Ally's ex and first true love, David. Fate is about to bring them together one last, dramatic time and change their lives forever. 

Full of Dani's signature warmth and emotion, this is a gripping and emotional family drama. With breath-taking plot twists, Dani explores themes of serendipity, friendship and love. She fully engages the reader in the dilemmas faced by her characters. What would you do if your husband was the love of somebody else's life? And when faced with an agonising decision, could you put the past behind you and do the right thing?

Review: I put off reading this book for a little while because I was told it was going to make me cry. I haven't been in the mood for a weepy recently but eventually I decided that the best tactic to take was probably going to be to download the audiobook. So i listened to this audiobook as part of a readathon and so I absolutely flew through ti but this allowed me to immerse myself in the story and really get to know these four main characters. Let me tell you-I loved this book so much more that I thought I would!

I think the thing I liked most about the book was the structure. I really like the fact that we meet these two women and have no idea how they are connected to the men we meet at the beginning of the novel or any idea how they are connected to one another. As the story develops, we learn more about each one through her moder day life and also through flashbacks. I love the fact that this is actually a bit of a mystery-figuring out how everything all ties up and how it is going to end up!

I really like the fact that this is centred on two women. I like the fact that they hold the power. Although they are there because of a man or two men, they still hold the power in the book and I really respect thw writer for that. I think that, had this been more male-centric, I wouldn't have warmed to the story line or the characters as much. Speaking or storyline, this is one is seriously dramatic. There are twists and turns left right and centre and of course real moments where tissues will be needed. Because you get so invested in these two women, it is bound to be emotional and so this definitely comes with a tissue warning.

Despite the fact that this book is emotional, this was a really good read. I didn't cry as much as I thought I would. I think this was because the book is also heart warming and also affirms the role of the strong woman in this kind of a novel. I really recommend this book, although set aside plenty of reading time-you're going to want to stick with this one!

Review: The Best Thing that Never Happened to Me by Laura Tait & Jimmy Rice

One boy + one girl = two sides to this love story...

Everyone remembers their first love.

Holly has learnt that life isn't about seizing the moment. She might have harboured dreams about travelling the world as a teenager, but she let go of those – just as she let go of Alex.

But what if the feelings never really went away?

Alex wants to make every moment of his new job count. It’s a fresh start in a new city, and he knows that moving to London has nothing to do with Holly. Well, probably.

How do you know if it was meant to be… or never meant to happen at all?

Review: how did it take me so long to read this book? I totally read Laura Tait and Jimmy Rice's books in the wrong order but if you end up doing that I can now confirm it doesn't matter. It was my love for The Night That Changed Everything (read it now) that gave me the shove to read this one. I actually downloaded the audiobook which mean that Holly and Alex's voices were distinct from each other and I'm really glad I shelled out for this one because that aspect made it and even more fun read. I found myself reading this is any opportunity I got, sitting in the car when I got home from work so that I could hear the end of the chapter! 

I think out of the two main characters, I preferred Alexk over Holly, I know you shouldn't pick favourites and before you say anything, it's not just because he is a fellow teacher who went from teaching up north to teaching in a challenging London school (is he actually me?!) but I really liked the way he handled his life. He went for things and really made the most of what he had, whether that was a challenging class or a challenging room mate. He is a little naive when it comes to certain aspects of his life, including he friendship with Holly but I loved that about him. Best freind Kevin provides some pure comedy moments and I had some laugh out loud times in my car when he was involved. I really liked Holly too, I just felt frustrated by the choices that she made in life, as I'm sure I was meant to as a reader, she evoked real emotion in me which means she was incredible well-written as a character! 

I loved the dual narrative of this book and also that fact that we have flashbacks so we get to hear from both characters and find out what has gone before in their friendship as well as where it stands now. It was a total Ross and Rachel type of relationship where you are willing things to happen between them and then Italians and Stray cats get involved (that was in Freinds not in the book but the thing they are hit with are essentially the same thing!) and you actually feel yourself getting more and more tense with each moment that passes. If you are a real romantic, you will love every moment of this love story not love story and if you are more of a cynic then you will love the missed opportunities too. Definitely definitely pick up both of these books now and read them in any order you like, I guarantee you'll have fun! 

Review: Me and Mr Jones by Lucy Diamond

Meet the women in love with three very different brothers . . .

Izzy’s determined to escape her troubled past with a new start by the sea – but flirtatious Charlie Jones is causing complications.

Alicia’s been happily married to loyal Hugh for years but secretly craves excitement. Maybe it’s time to spice things up?

Emma’s relationship with David was once fun and romantic but trying for a baby has taken its toll. Then temptation comes along . . .

As the future of the family’s B&B becomes uncertain, Izzy, Alicia and Emma are thrown together unexpectedly. It seems that keeping up with the Joneses is harder than anyone thought . . .

Review: How did it take me so long to read this book? This just shows why we shouldn't judge books by their covers (or their titles!) because this book did not feature any nasty Mr Jones at all, it was a great read! I loved the structure of this book, each section about a different Mr Jones and the women involved with them, some romantically and some not so there was a great deal of variety throughout the book, something which kept me reading on and wanting to find out more.

I think Izzy was my favourite character to read about, I could really relate to her story and her situation and i found her storyline had the most going on in it, even if some of it was a little deep and serious sometimes-its true to life! I also really enjoyed here ending (not giving anything away obviously) but i enjoyed the journey that she went on over the course of the book!

I enjoyed the other sotyrlines in the novel and I thought that all of them were  were realistic and true to life. I really felt for Emma and their issues with trying for a baby and though that Alicia really found herself over the course of this novel. The fact that the novel was structure in this way meant that it was fast paced and this was a very quick read for me, so quick in fact, this may be a novel which i re-read in the future!

In terms of setting, this novel was set across different English cities and the countryside and I enjoyed that variety of areas being described. This book had an epilogue, which I always love, and everybody got the ending that I was hoping for-always nice too! As I have already said, this novel is definitely worth a re-read because it was so entertaining, funny, heartwarming and just a genuinely good read! I would read anything else by Lucy Diamond again-she is definitely an auto-buy author for me!

Blog Tour: Janina Matthewson on Writing Of Things Gone Astray

I am very lucky to be part of another fabulous blog Tour today. Of Things Gone Astray is a new novel by Jania Matthewson and I am privileged to have the author on the blog today talking about how she wrote the novel and what the drive was behind what she wrote. Sure to delight fans of Andrew Kaufman, Of Things Gone Astray sees Mrs Featherby waking up to discover the entire front wall of her house is missing; Delia goes to the park to sit under her favourite oak tree, to find that it is no longer there; Robert goes to work one morning to find that his building and all traces of his colleagues have vanished whilst Marcus, a pianist, opens his piano to find all of the keys have disappeared.

And in the meantime, Jake, who lost his mother a year or so beforehand and continues to struggle with life after her departure, well, he doesn’t seem to have really lost anything at all but he does start discovering things - and so the lives of these characters cast in this world begin to interweave splendidly.

Without further ado I'll hand you over to the lovely author...

Writing Of Things Gone Astray

Two years ago I was working front of house at the Edinburgh Fringe. This was a mistake. My brother was in a show, and my mum had come over for the month so we were all there. When I wasn’t shepherding audiences through tightly packed waiting areas and cleaning stages that had coke spilled over them in one show and glitter thrown in the next, my mum would take me to cafes and buy me coffee while I wrote the first draft of something I was calling True and Lost.

I returned to London, to a series of sublets and temp jobs, to large scale insecurity, to the complete absence of any support network. I’d only been in London for a year and I hadn’t really found my place.

It was a book written in snatched moments, in borrowed bedrooms, on a promise that I was sure would be snatched from me at any moment. The third, fourth and twentieth drafts were written in the conservatory of a house I was staying in for a couple of weeks that ending up turning into a year and a half, and the final version was done in my mother’s garden in Christchurch last December.

As I was writing about people losing things, losing important things, and figuring out how to put themselvesback together I was reestablishing myself. This particular creative process was a two year period of gathering my thoughts, finding my feet, and learning how to breathe again.

It was also the beginning of me finally taking active and purposeful steps to choose how to live, to do what I really wanted to do, which is a terrifying thing to do because what if it all goes wrong? And even if it all goes right, what if you get comfortable with it going right only to have it all turn around and start going wrong again?

You have to be so earnest when you’re tying to be successful at something you actually really do want to do, so the further along you get the harder it’s going to be to laugh it all off when you fall flat on your face.

Every time I sent in a new draft to my publisher I was sure he’d reply with a quick polite, “so sorry but I’ve changed my mind.” Even after I told him this and he assured me it was a stupid thing to think. Even now, days away from publication, there’s a niggling fear that I’ll get a call saying “look, we’ve read it again, and we were wrong, so very wrong.”

The process of writing Of Things Gone Astray was an exercise in putting myself back together but it was also about realising that there is no way to really do that. Not completely, not perfectly. So for me it’s about learning to live with the imperfect me I’ve somehow managed to cobble together.

Of Things Gone Astray was released yesterday and is available in hardback and ebook. 

About the author

Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, Janina Matthewson moved to London following the earthquake, an event which features as a pivotal part of her novel.

A trained actress, Janina has also written for the stage and screen. Her first play, Human and If was performed at The Tea House Theatre in London, directed by Sue Curnow. Her short film, The Other Side, was shown as part of the Rialto Channel’s 48 Hours project in New Zealand. She currently works for Sky, where she spends her days writing reviews.

Thanks so much to Jania for joining us on the blog today! 

Review: Fractured by Dani Atkins

Rachel’s life is perfect. A handsome boyfriend, great friends and the prospect of starting at university in a few weeks means she’s never been happier. But in a single heartbeat her world falls apart forever.

Five years later, Rachel is still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy that changed everything. Returning to her hometown for the first time in years, she finds herself consumed by thoughts of the life that could have been. But when a sudden fall lands her in hospital, Rachel awakes to discover that the life she had dreamed about just might be real after all.

Unable to trust her own memories, Rachel begins to be drawn further into this new world where the man she lost is alive and well but where she is engaged to be married to someone else . . .

FRACTURED is a heart-warming tale of love and second chances which will leave you wondering whether two very different storylines can ever lead to the same happy ending.

Review: This Book was not what I expected at all. I was thinking the alternate lives Rachel lived would be split like a bit from here, a bit from there and eventually they would both come together but I really didn't think she would be aware of the two lives she was living-what an interesting twist of this traditional kind of storyline! This book comes with a warning though-the ending will break you! 

I have to admit, I thought this book got off to a bit of a slow start. That's not entirely true, the very start of this book is action packed, this is where everything happens that's going to lead into the rest of the book, but I felt from that point onwards, nothing really happened apart from Rachel continuously hitting her head and getting into scrapes becaus of it. Towards the end though, this really picks up and I did find myself doing the classic 'shout at the book' move as this drew to a close! 

I thought Rachel was a bit of a weak person, the character was written really well, this has nothing to do with that, but I feel her personality was just to be a kind of follower and not necessarily a leader striving to make the most out of life. When she is faced with the dilemma of having her life she Thoth she knew completely disappear I don't think she tries particularly hard to get people to believe her, she just accepts that she won't. The supporting cast are interesting but again, none of them particularly strong characters. The men in her life seem to lead her to the truth in this novel, something with k find a little bit male-centric and the whole idea coming from a particarchical society, but I still liked these characters nevertheless. 

I think you can definitely tell that this is a debut novel, there are a few plot holes in the middle, but the idea behind it is superb and the ending and beginning are action-packed. This isn't your classic women's fiction and I really like that that as the case. Once things began to hot up towards the end of the novel, I couldn't put this book down and so for that reason it's definitely something I would recommend you read! 

Review: Who Is Tom Ditto? By Danny Wallace

We join the action just as our ‘hero’ Tom, (early thirties, reads the ‘news’ on the radio) finds out that his girlfriend has NOT left him.

Tom,

I have not left you. But I am gone.
Please carry on as normal.
Love always,

Hayley
Has Hayley gone or hasn’t she? Is she coming back? If she has gone, but is coming back, when is she coming back? And what is he supposed to bloody do in the meantime? 

And what if she’s never coming back??

Trying to work out what’s happening to his confusing life, Tom tries to track Hayley down. In doing so, he stumbles across a strange and eccentric group of people with an irregular and highly-addictive hobby. 

Next, he’s being followed, but he’s not sure by whom. And then he also almost loses his job at the radio station in the now infamous ‘Jam Nazi’ episode, which of course, you know about.

Above all, Tom is trying to work out who everyone is. 

Because who is Hayley? Who is this new girl following him around the supermarket?

And who, for that matter, is TOM DITTO?

Review: wow, this book totally surprised me! I haven't actually read any Danny Wallace before but I know a lot of people who have enjoyed his previous books and reading the synopsis of this one had me intrigued. I actually listened to the audiobook version of this and I found myself finding excuses to listen left right and centre... I found this novel to be funny, thought provoking and completely compelling. It is such an original idea for a novel and made me question the way I make the decisions that I make in every day life. 

In terms of the characters, I can't say I liked Tom all that much. I found his need to please and his need to constantly wiggins and evaluate his life, have other evaluate it for him to be really irritating. I do like the way his character leads the way through the novel though. I really liked some of the females in this novel, finding Pia to be completely charming and I admired her zest for life and compulsive decisions, she's the kind of oerson you win was your best friend. The person with the theory behind the premise for this novel, has a strong voice in this book too and I thought it was an interesting choice to bring his thoughts into the novel in their own chapters, I can't say I took much from these chapters, but I understand why the author chose to write them in. 

Overall this is an extremely funny novel, one scene in particular had me crying with laughter in the car at a very busy roundabout, I'm surprised nobody pulled me over to be honest. I've been retelling that scene to people over and over ever since because I just think it is genius. This book would make a fab TV show or film and I think that just about anybody could pick up this book and take something away from it, male or female, young or old this is definitely something you should add to your reading pile because it is fast paced, funny and entertaining without trying too hard to be any of these things, just fab! 

Review: A Gift to Remember by Melissa Hill

Discover the magic of Melissa Hill this Christmas... Darcy Archer works in a small bookstore on Manhattan's Upper West Side. A dreamer who secretly wishes for true love similar to that in her beloved novels, Darcy refuses to settle for anything less than being swept off her feet by the perfect man.

One day, when cycling to work, Darcy accidentally crashes into a sharply dressed man walking his dog. He is knocked unconscious and rushed to the hospital, but his dog gets left behind. Wracked with guilt over the accident, Darcy resolves to care for the dog and reunite him with his owner. But the dog is not the only thing that's been left behind and when she finds a small beautifully wrapped package - suspiciously shaped like a book - she becomes curious. She decides to try and figure out all she can about this man, and make the delivery herself. Darcy gradually becomes drawn into his life; one that she soon discovers is filled with books, travel, adventure and all the wonderful things she's ever dreamt about. It doesn't take long before Darcy builds up a picture of this man's lovely life, and feeling an immediate kinship towards him, tries to make things right.

It might be a challenge but doesn't she owe it to him to try? But does fantasy match reality? And what happens when he finally wakes up?

Review: wow, I literally devoured this book. It was just the right amount of light-hearted loveliness that I needed at the time and I actually could not stop listening to it! I actually downloaded this book on audiobook because I was moving house and I could listen to this whilst unpacking boxes. I was hooked into this book right from the word go, I think this was becaus main character Darcy worked in a bookshop and loved books so I could wait to see what bookish tales she was going to tell us and what adventures her books would take her on next! This book had a good amount of mystery involved, but not so much that you didn't know what was going on the whole time. The mystery kept you wanting to turn pages and find out how everything was going to come together in the end. 

I loved the character if Darcy. She was such an optimistic person, something which is a rarity nowadays and she wanted to please everyone and make everything right. It was exciting waiting to see where this desire to please was going to take her next and indeed much of the storyline revolves around her trying to make a situation right. She didn't expect anything or assume anything and I think I was willing things to go right for her because of this! Aiden is the main make character in this book and a lot of the mystery in the storyline revolves around him. For this reason we really don't know a lot about him and so it is hard to form an opinion of him as a character. This isn't necessarily a bad thing but it does make him a little unrelatable. Despite the fact that there are chapter narrated by him, designed for us to get to know him, we find out details about his life but not really about his character or his personality. I really liked the structure of this book, the way these chapters were dropped in every now and then though! 

This book has it all, a great mix of characters, an interesting storyline and a great New York setting. I actually preserver red the beginning of this book to the ending. I think this is because I liked the thrill of the mystery and not knowing and so when everything was tied up neatly at the end, I had a reached a natural stopping point anyway! Although this book is set predominantly at Christmas, it's definitely something that will entertain you and pick you up at any time of year! I'm definitely going to go away and read some of of the fabulous Melissa Hill novels that are sitting on my shelf now! 

Review: Written in The Stars by Ali Harris

Have you ever wondered 'What if…?' What if you'd taken that other job, gone on a date with that other guy, moved to a different city. Would an alternative life path have led to a happier ending?

Now imagine if you could have taken both paths…

When Bea Bishop slips while walking down the aisle on her wedding day, she is momentarily knocked unconscious. Her world splits and her parallel lives take her on two very different journeys. In one existence, Bea flees back down the aisle and out of the church. In the other she glides blissfully towards Adam, her intended.

But which story will lead to her happy ever after? And will she end up in the same place?

One decision + two different paths = how many happy endings?

Review: first of all let me just say that I LOVE the cover of this book, and it's just reflect the delicious content! I really enjoyed this book, Ali Harris's writing is just awesome and I always feel like the books it written for me when I read her words... This book has a really interesting storyline focusing on something we've always thought and that's what if. It answers the questions for the main character, what is she had or hadn't made one crucial decision in her life and the conseque new for both decisions. It can be a little confusing if reading this on ebook because the story flips between one of her consequences and then jumps quickly over the the other side. When reading in paperback it's much clearer which bit is which. I like the structure despite the initial conclusion and the whole thing is tied together with Facebook status updates which I think is really nice and also reflects the main characters personality! 

I'm really not sure about Bea as a character, I did flip between liking her and not, I think that this may be because I agreed more with one of her decisions than the other and so felt resentful to the Bea that made the wrong decision is my opinion! This is totally subjective of course and many readers will approve either Bea or side with the opposite one to me-that's the beauty of reading a book differently to someone else! There are some other really interesting characters in this book and I really enjoyed the mix of personalities. I loved Beas mum and she really ties the whole story together. Her friends seemed a little more flakey (a bit like her father) but all add depth and interest. 

This books deals with some interesting issues such as absent parents, women's career choices and mental health issues and I think they were all dealt with incredibly well and with sensitivity. Although it is a story of one woman over all, these issues add real interest and reflect something different in the choice of subject matter for this author which is fab to see as well. Overall this is a light hearted book but one that will make you think about the decisions that you make and have made, I like a book that makes me think and so I would say this should definitely be on your summer reading list. Another lovely novel from the fabulous Ali Harris.