What I read in January
I read 3 books in January and enjoyed them all. Technically I started one book late December and finished early Jan and I’m counting it as a 2021 read.
Just explaining the little Santa in the pic!
An Almost Perfect Holiday by Lucy Diamond
The plot: It is summer and Lorna and her husband have all 3 of their holiday rentals booked. Em has planned her first family getaway with her new boyfriend George. However drama between their children quickly finds them. Maggie is hoping that a relaxing break will bring her and her teenage daughter closer. She has no idea what her daughter is planning. Olivia is at breaking point and escapes to try find herself again. She has never confronted her past and the heavy secret she has been carrying and wonders if now is the time.
What I thought: Another enjoyable read by Lucy Diamond. Each of the characters is just longing for a vacation and some time to recharge and each land up having surprising holidays with some lessons along the way. I thought it was a lovely summer read.
My Goodreads rating: 3 stars
A friend of the family by Lisa Jewell
The Plot: Tony, Sean and Ned are brothers who are all going through challenges of their own. Tony has gone through a divorce and has a girlfriend he doesn’t think he loves. Sean is a writer who has published a book but is now suffering writers block at the same time as finding the woman of his dreams. Ned has returned from Australia without his girlfriend and with expectations that he can pick up his life where he left off. One day their mother takes in a lodger who quickly becomes part of their family life. Gervase is a hit with their parents and their partners but Tony, Sean and Ned wonder if he is up to something.
What I thought: This book was very different to the more recent ones by Lisa Jewell. I’m a huge fan of her books and it is interesting how her writing style has changed over the years. While I prefer her recent thrillers more, this is a heartwarming story of 3 brothers and a stranger who is able to see what others cannot.
My Goodreads rating: 3 stars
Haven’t they grown by Sophie Hannah
The plot: Beth and her best friend Flora haven’t spoken or seen each other in 12 years. One day, on the way to dropping her son off at a soccer match, Beth drives past Flora’s house. She parks outside and watches Flora and her children get out the car. Flora has aged in the 12 years but her children look exactly the same - as they did at 3 and 5. They haven’t aged a day. There is no sign of Georgina their youngest daughter who was a few months old when Beth saw the family 12 years prior. Convinced, something is wrong and her friends needs her help, Beth starts investigating and learns some frightening truths.
What I thought: This books started off so brilliantly - had me hooked from the start. Beth is a great character who is determined to find out the truth and goes to great lengths to investigate what has happened to her ex best friend. Unfortunately some parts of the book are a little drawn out. The reason for the two friends fallout 12 years before - took a while to be revealed. Some parts were unfortunately a little far fetched in my opinion - I don’t want to give spoilers away. I started the book wanting answers and enjoyed the twists and turns but best rating I could give was 3 stars.
My Goodreads rating: 3 stars.
Linking up with Steph https://www.lifeaccordingtosteph.com/ and Jana http://janasays.com/ with Show Us Your Books.
xx