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Giovanna Fletcher – Always with Love
After reading Billy and Me while I was in hospital, I was so glad that I’d already purchased the sequel so that I could read it straight away. I loved Sophie and Billy’s story and was desperate to know what happened next for their relationship.
After deciding at the end of Billy and Me that they’re going to spend some time living in Rosefont Hill away from the press intrusion and the distractions of Billy’s celebrity life, their lives are turned upside down yet again when Billy is offered a part in a film which would he simply can’t say no to (and not just because of his mother’s meddling!).
Sophie’s life was recently turned upside down by the death of her closest friend Molly, and she has the cafe to think about now that she owns it, so she can’t just drop her life and jet to LA to be by Billy’s side, but they’re both unsure about whether their relationship can withstand the distance.
And when Molly’s son Peter comes back from Australia, and when it seems like Billy is being tempted back into his party lifestyle, it seems like they might have been right.
I have to say, as much as I loved Sophie and Billy’s relationship in Billy and Me, I think my favourite relationship in this book is Sophie’s Mum Jane and her fiance Colin, as they prepare for their wedding. They’ve both lost their first partners, and the way that they’re healing each other of terrible grief just warmed my heart completely.
I won’t say too much more to spoil the story, although I will say I was delighted with the magicalness that was Jane and Colin’s wedding in the closing chapters of the book, it was as perfect as I thought it would be!
My favourite quote from this book came right at the end, and I read it a few times as I just loved it so much:
“Love makes the world a better place and I want the life I lead to be the one that’s driven always with love.”
I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves an enthralling romance, just make sure you’ve read Billy and Me first!
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Giovanna Fletcher – Billy and Me
I’ve been following Giovanna Fletcher on Twitter and Instagram for quite some time, but never got around to reading her books. But as I was still in hospital when I finished reading Me Before You, I decided to buy this on Kindle to keep me occupied.
And a good decision it turned out to be! I worried a little at the start as the writing style seemed a bit simplistic, but this improved throughout the book and I soon didn’t notice the writing style at all as I was completely enveloped by the story.
Many chick-lit books seem to focus on people trying to find their way into the limelight with a famous partner, but in Billy and Me, Sophie doesn’t even realise that the guy she’s fallen for is famous, and she most definitely doesn’t want to be the centre of attention.
Sophie has had a troubled past which led to her cutting herself off from the world, and she has trust issues that make it hard for her to open up completely to Billy. And when his next acting job requires him to get ‘up close and personal’ with his gorgeous ex, it seems that Sophie just can’t handle it, especially when Billy seems to have no consideration for her feelings.
I have to say, the flow of the book was great. I was swept up with the romance of Sophie and Billy’s relationship, and had no problems identifying with Sophie and feeling the huge range of emotions that she goes through.
One thing I didn’t expect though was the major plot twist towards the end of the book. To just drop something so huge on us (no spoilers here), without any prior warning was a major shock. I actually sat with tears rolling down my face as it unfolded, not wanting to read the inevitable, but unable to stop turning the pages.
Great job Giovanna, I’m so glad that I bought the sequel already so I don’t have to wait eagerly to find out what will happen next for Sophie!
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Finally Free!
If you’re family, or if you’re friends with me on Facebook, you’ll know that I’ve been in hospital for the last 3 and a bit weeks. I’d had stomach pains for a couple of weeks when it got so bad that I went to A&E.
I was convinced they were going to send me home with indigestion tablets and tell me off for wasting their time, but it turns out I had acute pancreatitis! After two weeks in hospital attached to numerous drips and doped up on morphine, I was well enough to have my gall bladder removed, and I then had to stay in hospital for another week for further tests.
I was so happy to be free, that I managed to get out of the house at the weekend to spend a couple of hours with Cameron’s Auntie Julie and Uncle David on Saturday, and a couple of hours with my Aunty Ann today. Definitely in need of the painkillers that I’m currently relying on, I can’t believe how tired and in pain I am right now!
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We’re Engaged!!
So I have exciting news for you, Cameron took me away for a few days at the beach in Scarborough, and while we were there, HE PROPOSED!
It was such a great weekend, obviously, and I still can’t stop smiling and looking at the gorgeous ring!!
I took absolutely loads of photos, but here’s a small selection for you 🙂
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JoJo Moyes – Me Before You
So I did something that I said I’d never do, I spent £5 on a kindle book, when I could have probably bought the paperback for less at the supermarket! But in my defence, I had been stuck in hospital for 2 weeks and I was bored out of my mind, as I refused to pay £8 a day to watch TV!
I loved this book so much that I read it in one day, I stayed up til half past midnight to finish it, even though I knew I’d be woken up at half five to have my blood pressure checked by one of the lovely nurses. I literally couldn’t put it down once I’d started reading, Moyes has definitely crafted a masterpiece.
I’d heard lots of people talking about the book and about how much they wanted to see the film, but I had absolutely no idea what the book was about before I read it, I just assumed it was the usual run of the mill chick-lit with a happily ever after ending, so boy was I surprised as I made my way through the book.
I laughed, I cried, I was shocked, I don’t think there’s any emotion that Moyes didn’t make me feel. I absolutely loved Louisa, such a relatable character who you could immediately imagine as your best friend. And the gorgeous Will, the way he is portrayed means you never feel sorry for him, you can see him as a normal human being, and sense the emotions he is feeling so deeply.
If you’re after a nice fluffy chick-lit book, don’t be fooled by the cover and think this is the book for you. It’s utterly heartbreaking, and no matter how much you think you can change the ending, you’re not going to be filled with the warmth of a happily-ever-after. I was left with tears rolling down my face trying to surpress the sobs that were threatening to erupt, even though I’d been given more than 300 pages to prepare for what was coming.
Some reviews on Goodreads seem to suggest that this book makes it seem like a disabled life is not worth living, but it’s doing quite the opposite. Moyes has tackled a very difficult situation, but one that is all too real for some families. It would be nice to think that all disabled people live their lives swimming with dolphins and getting involved in disability sports and everything is lovely and happy, but for some people, that’s just not the case. Kudos to Moyes for bringing this to page and screen in such a delicate and well balanced way.
I’m so so glad that I decided to buy this ebook, not only did it fill my day with such emotions and joy, but it’s stuck with me since. I can’t wait to read the follow up, After You, to catch up with Louisa and see how Will has changed her life.
On a related note, I went to see the film at the weekend, and it was simply perfect. Emilia Clarke, Sam Claflin and Matthew Lewis were all perfect casting, not to mention the extended cast around them. The film was very faithful to the book, obviously parts were missed out but having read an interview with Moyes who also wrote the screenplay, I can fully understand why. I’d definitely recommend the film to everyone, but READ THE BOOK FIRST!!!
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Maria V. Snyder – Magic Study
So while I was reading this book, I kinda broke my blog a little bit, so I haven’t been able to post this review, even though it’s been well over a month since I read it. So I do apologise if this review is lacking a bit. I’ve also been in hospital for the last 3 weeks, so I think I can get a reprieve in this instance!
The book follows on from Poison Study, which I loved, and this book was much the same. Yelena is travelling back to her homeland to meet her family and discover more about her roots, but she doesn’t entirely get the warm welcome she was expecting. In fact, she discovers facts about her brother that shock her to her core.
Valek is absent for much of the first part of the book, but thankfully he makes an appearance later on, much to my (and Yelena’s) delight. Although it’s not all plain sailing, as Valek isn’t exactly welcome in Yelena’s homeland, Sitia.
I wouldn’t say I enjoyed this book as much as Poison Study, it seemed to have lost some of the unique sense of excitement that I felt when reading that, but it was still a great read and I can’t wait to start on book 3!
390 pages. Published in: 2006Read in Paperbackon 17th April – 1st May 2016 -
Maria V. Snyder – Poison Study
If you’re following my reviews, you’ll have probably noticed that I haven’t read very much this year, I just haven’t found myself wanting to pick up a book and read very much.
But if I needed a book to renew my desire to read, Poison Study was perfect. My friend Abi bought it for me for Christmas, so I should have known it would be awesome, I literally couldn’t put it down.
I always used to think that a standard chick-lit book was my favourite genre, a nice bit of smushy romance and nothing too deep, but I was wrong, I love books with a bit of magic or otherworldliness about them to make them more interesting.
I don’t want to go into too much detail on the plot of this book so I don’t give away any spoilers, but I have to say I loved the main character, Yelena. A strong young woman who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to try and get it, who doesn’t need (or want) a man to save her, and who has a kick-ass attitude that you can’t help but love.
She was sentenced to death for killing a man, but on the day of her execution, she is given a last minute reprieve; the Commander needs a new food taster, and the rules dictate that this role be offered to the next prisoner sentenced to hang.
But it doesn’t feel like a reprieve for long, as Yelena is forced to drink a poison that will require her to drink an antidote every day for the rest of her life. Eliminating the chances of escape as only her tutor and keeper, Valek, has the antidote.
And speaking of Valek, he was such a well written character; enigmatic and mysterious and completely loveable despite his seemingly mean exterior. The one thing that confused me though was that either we are never told how old Valek is or I missed it, but for some reason when I pictured him in my head I pictured a pot-bellied old man. So *spoiler alert* when 19 year old Yelena starts to fall for Valek and the feelings seem to be mutual, I had to quickly re-draw my mental picture before my mental picture got weird!
The pacing of the book was absolutely perfect, fast enough to keep you on your toes and stop you from putting the book down to go to sleep, but slow enough that it didn’t feel rushed and you felt like every inch of the story was given the attention it deserved.
I am so, so happy to know that this book is the first in a set, and even happier to know that Abi also bought me the next two parts, so I can continue straight away and find out what is coming for Yelena. After the ending that I just devoured, I’m desperate to know what happens next.
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Kody Keplinger – The DUFF
I’ve had this book for ages and it’s been in my suitcase on at least 3 holidays, but I never actually got around to reading it. I guess I was a bit scared that it would be a bit too childish.
But after reading, I don’t think I had much to worry about. I mean, obviously it’s a book aimed at teenage girls, but it wasn’t as dumbed down as I thought it would be, and I found myself caught up in the story much more than I thought I would.
As the title says, the book is about a girl who considers herself ‘the duff’ of her group – the designated ugly fat friend. That is, she does after a boy rather kindly points it out to her. Bianca hates this guy with a passion, but as you can probably guess, she ends up falling for him.
But the book wasn’t all wishy-washy love, it also tackled some more difficult subjects like her parent’s divorce and her father’s alcoholism. This was a saving grace for the book as it stopped it being too girly and childish. Even the evolving love story between Bianca and Wesley had a lot of substance to it, not just a girl mooning over the hottest boy in school.
I had a couple of favourite quotes from the book, mostly coming after Bianca realises that although she considers herself to be ‘the duff’, her two best friends also consider themselves as ‘the duff’ of the group. It’s so true that as women, we seem to focus on our own flaws and see the best in other people, putting ourselves down and making ourselves feel inferior for no reason.
“Calling Vikki a slut or a whore was just like calling somebody the Duff. It was insulting and hurtful, and it was one of those titles that just fed off the inner fear every girl must have from time to time. Slut, bitch, prude, tease, ditz. They were all the same. Every girl felt like one of these sexist labels described her at some point.”
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Rowan Williams – Being Christian
It seems like a long time since I read this book now, I’ve been really busy with work and not had time to come on here and update my blog.
Since January, I have been attending classes at the vicarage to prepare to be Confirmed at Church, and this was a book that I read in the run-up to my confirmation just before Easter (Palm Sunday on 20th March).
Despite being written by a previous Archbishop of Canterbury, the book was written in a very straightforward way, easy to understand for those of us still getting to grips with our faith. The subtitle of the book is ‘Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer’, and throughout the book, Williams teaches us what each of these four things means as a Christian and how they relate to our faith.
Each chapter was written in a very concise way (the book was only 84 pages in total), so it’s not too daunting for a newbie, and for those of us a bit further along the journey, it was a great help along the way.
Being written by someone as knowledgeable as Rowan Williams, the book was filled with bits that made me stop and think, and places where I had to go back and re-read because a phrase resonated with me so much.
I especially appreciated the Eucharist chapter in the run-up to my Confirmation and my first Communion in the Church of England, and in fact some of my favourite quotes came from this chapter.
It’s hard to pick a favourite quote from such a good book, but this really stuck with me:
“One of the most transformingly surprising things about Holy Communion is that it obliges you to see the person next to you as wanted by God. God wants that person’s company as well as mine. How much simpler if God only wanted my company and that of those I had decided to invite. But God does not play that particular game. And the transforming effect of looking at other Christians as people whose company God wants, is – by the look of things – still sinking in for a lot of Christians, and taking rather a long time…”
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Day out at The Tetley
As we had half a day off work to go and see Chicago at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford, since Cameron bought me tickets for Christmas, we decided to take Cameron’s mum and Auntie Julie out for a nice lunch at The Tetley in Leeds. And delicious it was too, just as good as last time we went there!
Louise Douglas
(I've got no) Shelf Control…
Louise Douglas 