Goodbye For Now has been on my TBR for a while. I’ve visited the battlefields of Northern France and Belgium and had a keen interest in the history of WWI ever since. Goodbye For Now spans the entire first world war, and tells the story of two brothers with different experiences. Joe, a conscientious objector and George who wants to fight for his country, don’t always see eye-to-eye but are similar in their determination, bravery, and in that they both stand up for what they believe in. 
It was interesting to read about the experiences of those at home as well as those on the front line and I felt the book was very well researched in both aspects and interesting throughout. The story of the brothers is compelling and heartbreaking and told with real a honesty. I’d highly recommend this book to anyone interested in WWI fiction.
Genre: WWI / historical fiction

Rating 5⭐️

Libby Cartwright is a fashion blogger social media influencer (dream job anyone?). A victim of her own success, she soon finds herself in need of a good accountant. Little does Libby know, Charlie soon becomes a good friend who supports her in more than just her accounts.

There’s no doubt about it, Maxine Morrey writes a good chicklit and #NoFilter is #NoException to the rule. Morrey keeps her lively writing style going throughout the novel but also managed to slot in some wonderfully emotional, heartfelt and sometimes philosophical scenes too.

No filter is the perfect cosy read for autumn. 

Genre: chicklit / romcom

Rating: 5/5⭐️

Noah, a 79 year-old man living in New York has planned a trip to his birthplace in France, Nice. At the eleventh hour, he’s called upon to look after his great-nephew, Michael, who’s mother has been imprisoned and whose father has died. With little choice, Noah has no alternative but to take his outspoken, cussing eleven-year-old relative with him. From different walks of life, the two characters start off like chalk and cheese, but soon discover unusual similarities and interests and begin to learn from each other. The story is a gentle one, covering the pair’s unlikely relationship and slowly blossoming bond as they try to uncover a mystery surrounding Noah’s mother. 
The setting was fantastic. Having been to Nice I could picture everything the writer described, from the flight in to the market and promenade. It truly is a beautiful city and was captured well. The characters were well drawn out and their contrasting views was often entertaining. It was wonderful how the uncovering of their family history helped to build a bridge between the pair. 

I did find some of the background information a bit heavy at times, particularly in the first ten percent or so but after that, it was more well entwined in the story and interesting for the most part. It’s quite a slow paced book, which reflects Noah’s character and the the fragility of the relationship with his nephew and I think the ending suited the story well. 

Genre: General fiction

rating: 4*

So Lucky tells the story of three women. Ruby and Beth, through 1st person accounts, and Lauren, through the eyes of others (which is quite apt).
Ruby is consumed with shame. Ashamed of her body and her skills as a mother, she’s pushed almost everyone in her life away. Whilst not a very likeable character, her personal growth is gripping, and as she goes through a series of personal developments, she becomes a woman to root for.

Beth it’s trying her best. To others, she has it all; a fantastic husband, a career as a wedding planner and a gorgeous baby boy. Having just given birth, she’s put her maternity leave on hold to plan the wedding if the year. Social media princess, Lauren will wed entrepreneur, Gavin. What she didn’t expect was the strain this decision would put on her marriage, which is crumbling behind the scenes. With a mother-in-law you want to strangle added in the mix, Beth understandably acts out.

I enjoyed how the women, who didn’t know one another, all cane together through the mutual connection which was the wedding. There are some very current issues tackled in the book and despite being a ‘light read’ there is a little bit of grit too. I enjoyed this one, even though some parts made me feel a little uncomfortable. I loved the modern day ‘girl power’ message and the theme of women coming together to be stronger plus the other ‘on point’ themes addressed in the book. My only criticism is that I didn’t quite get Michael’s behaviour and don’t feel like there was enough closure of this thread. 

Genre: women’s contemporary fiction

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Snowed in and cut off from civilisation, a group of hotel guests find themselves in darkness. One-by-one, the guests are picked off. At first, the mystery deaths look like an accident, but it soon transpires that there’s more to them than meets the eye.
The plot will feel familiar, especially to any Agatha Christie fans, or anyone who has played Cluedo or attended a murder mystery event. But fans of this ‘locked-in’ style murder-mystery, will also know it’s almost impossible to spot the killer and the twists and turns will keep up second guessing our suspicions – this is what keeps us turning the pages.

I loved the scene setting and character introductions in the first few chapters, it felt very atmospheric and really drew me in. The whole book was very well done and whilst it felt quite different to the author’s other books, was still as engaging. 
Genre: thriller / murder-mystery 

Stars: 4.5⭐️

The Mister is a sweet, fairytale romance, which tells the story of a blossoming relationship between a lord and his ‘daily’ in modern times. The hero has all the right swoon-worthy ingredients and the heroine is a 2019 damsel in distress. The chemistry is great, as you’d expect from E L James and there is quite an interesting. subplot coving a serious real-world issue.

Some occurrences in the book felt a bit repetitive and less was made of the serious theme in the middle of the book than I’d have liked so for me, a shift in balance would have made this a little bit more gripping as the middle lulled a little. There were also a few hmmm or eye roll moments.
However, it’s a bit of fun and an easy read if you fancy some frivolous entertainment and the pace picks up quite well towards the end. If you like romance I’d give it a whirl.

Genre: romance (some graphic scenes / mild erotica)

Rating: 3.5⭐️