I heart Christmas by Lindsey Kelk

I thought I would do a review of Lindsey Kelk's latest book as I wanted to share with those of you who have not yet had the pleasure of meeting Angela Clark from the I Heart series.

Lindsey has created a character in Angela who is just like one of your friends. Angela doesn't always make the best decisions, she doesn't always look her best and but she always wants the best for her friends and family. Angela has to be one of my favourite fictional book characters. I love that she gets drunk, swears and gets irrate over silly things. Of talking to her best friend Jenny Lopez (no not that one!) ...(from page 13) "'Of course I'll come, you daft cow,' I replied, lifting up her legs and dropping onto the sofa. Clearly I was going to have to go along, if only to make sure she didn't accidentally fall on someone's penis en route. 'I just don't want you to rush into anything that's permanent. Life changing.' 'Like running away to New York without knowing a single soul and ending up married to the one and only decent man left in the Tri-State area and landing your dream job?' She pursed her lips and raised her eyes to the ceiling. Ooh, the sneaky cow would use my own silver-lining fuck-ups against me".

This latest offering from the I Heart series is set in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Angela is beginning to have suspicions that her colleague and good friend Delia is up to something at work, throw in her parents who she tries her best to avoid want to come and visit for Christmas and her arch  nemesis rearing her glamourous head and it's shaping up to be a rather chaotic time for Angela.

Without giving much more away, you like me will instantly fall for Angela's sarcastic, rude and dry humour. She tells it like it is but she does have a lot of love for her nearest and dearest.

To really make the most of this book I would suggest starting with I Heart New York, the first book in the series to understand the back story to this book. 

I always heart reading Lindsey's books. The characters are instantly loveable and full of humour and realism. I really can't say much more other that I Heart This Book! xXx

Love Detective by Alexandra Potter

 

I picked up this copy by Alexandra Potter in my local Sainbury's. I always seem to find a good read here and this one did not disappoint.

I don't want to give too much away in this review, but I will say I really enjoyed it. I read it within a few days as I kept on picking it up to keep finding out what was going to happen next.

The story centre's around Ruby, who is ironically an author of romance fiction, and after some personal issues decides to head to India for a holiday. Her holiday soon turns into more than just relaxing in the Indian sunshine as she embarks on a journey across the continent.

I liked the character Ruby as she is like the girl next door, bumbling through life. I could relate to her sense of panic near the beginning of the story after she arrives in India and starts on her journey to look for someone. As always there is a love interest, but the will they, won't they aspect kept me reading on in the hope of an happy ending.

The narrative flows well, which kept me turning each page. Alexandra captured the atmosphere of India well. Even though I have never visited the country, I could easily envisage the settings throughout the book, which helped suck me into the storyline. There was a good balance of drama, romance and humour throughout the story.

This book is highly recommendable for those who love a good romantic novel set in vibrant locations.

You can purchase a copy of Love Detective here on Amazon.

Fractured by Dani Atkins

 

I was passing through W H Smiths in Brighton recently, and they had on display Fracture as book of the week. I read the blurb and thought it would give it a go as it looked promising.

I started to read it on the train on my way home that day and I completed it the following day.
I think that surmises what a great read it was by debut author Dani Atkins.

I don't want to give too much away, as I don't want to spoil it for anyone thinking of giving it a read, but it involves around main character Rachel and the aftermath of an event in her teens, that changes the rest of her live, with positive and not so positive repercussions.
The story is dark in places, but I feel that helps develop the plot and give a sense of realism. It's not all fluffy and light, but there are humour and hope throughout and a romantic theme carries the story from beginning to end.
The ending was gripping and left me feeling like I had gone on a journey with Rachel and there was a definite sense of closure for her at the end.

I would definitely recommend this if you are after something that is not all sweetness and light, but it is certainly a page turner.


You can buy a copy of the book here Fractured at Amazon.co.uk
You can find out more about Dani Atkins here Facebook Dani Atkins