Hello! It’s been a busy few weeks again but I finally have a bit of free time to write my book review!
I recently finished “Right Here Waiting For You” by the lovely Rebecca Pugh and I loved it SO MUCH. I thought it needed a proper review. I had high hopes for this book after loving Rebecca’s other novels and I certainly wasn’t dissapointed! The book made me laugh out loud and it was the perfect chick lit read!
In this novel we meet two main characters: Magda and Sophia who at first seem like completely opposite people. Magda is a very hilarious, confident and outgoing woman despite her unhappy marriage and is living far away from her hometown. Sophia is a sweet Single Mother with a heart of gold who may not have everything she ever dreamed of but is a doting Mother to her little girl Esther. I thought both characters were very likeable and after being introduced to them I knew I was going to enjoy their story.
Early on in the book we learn that the two women are in fact old childhood friends but something has happened which has caused the friendship to come to an end, from then I was hooked and needed to try and piece together what had happened – got to love a bit of drama!! I love how in many of Rebecca’s novels the key relationship is between two friends – she really highlights the importance of friendship and this book certainly showed how no matter what happens a strong friendship can always survive.
I loved how the novel alternated between both girl’s points of view. That is ALWAYS a winner for me as I love hearing different sides of the story. We also had flashbacks to the past when Magda and Sophia were friends at high school. This helped to piece together what had happened to cause the breakdown of their friendship, although it still took me by surprise when we eventually found out!
There were also many other stories running in this novel, including Sophia’s friendship with single dad Michael. I adored their friendship from the word go – Michael was the sweetest 🙂 As well as this Sophia is battling with her emotions to decide on the best thing to do when another face from the past comes back into their lives.
Meanwhile, Magda was struggling to adapt to her new surroundings whilst visiting her hometown and trying to rebuild a relationship with her Dad. A few times I had to hold back the tears. At the same time Magda realises where she really belongs and I am SO glad that she made the decision!! It was so lovely to see so many relationships rebuilt in this book – it was just so heartwarming to read!
My thoughts on finishing this book was that I adored it! It was so lovely how everything pieced together nicely and I enjoyed reading Magda and Sophia’s stories develop throughout the book, it was lovely to get to know the characters through their points of view. I rated this book a firm 5 Stars – I only wish that there was more of it! Rebecca really puts her heart and soul into these stories, you can really enter the minds of her characters and go on a journey with them. Right Here Waiting for You was a lovely book to read and I enjoyed every page!
I would without a shadow of a doubt recommend that you read this book and Rebecca’s previous books as well: Return to Bluebell Hill, A Home in Sunset Bay and Down on Daffodil Lane.
Thanks for reading!!
Lou x
Audrey who was battling with a few mental illnesses. I’ve read a few books about depression and mental illness before but none of them were quite as good as this one. Sophie Kinsella went into so much detail – whilst also maintaining sensitivity – and you could completely put yourself into Audrey’s shoes. I would honestly recommend this book to anyone who hasn’t read it: it’s both emotional and funny and such an amazing story overall.
different. The main relationship of this novel was between two sisters: Mia and Laurie and showed the importance of family & friendships. Rebecca has the ability to transport you to the place with her writing and I could picture Sunset Bay as if I lived there myself – it was so beautiful & I actually missed it when I finished! If you haven’t already, you definitely need to read one of Rebecca’s books – they are so lovely!!
yes I cried like a baby at the end. Most people I know have read this book, and if you haven’t then I won’t spoil it but it is honestly the most amazing, well written and beautiful story and i’m so glad I read it. I loved the character Lou and as well as the same name, she reminded me of myself in many ways! I was so worried it wouldn’t live up to the hype but it really did and it has definitely become one of my all time favourite books! I also really enjoyed the film, Emilia Clarke & Sam Claflin were the perfect choices to play Will & Lou 🙂
of different characters telling the story from their own points of view. This book was like that but this one was extra special. It kept me guessing the whole way through – i just knew the characters had to be linked & I was so gobsmacked when I figured it out! I have read quite a few Jill Mansell books and I still have quite a few to read, but this has been my favourite so far and is definitely going to take some beating! It was funny & emotional and such a lovely story that I just didn’t want to end.
authors for a long time and i’ve loved all of her other books so I knew that i’d love this one too – I just didn’t realise quite how much! The book was focused on three triplets with three very different lives, but with also one thing/person in common! This book was so sad & heartbreaking – but also so so so lovely & possibly one of my favourite books by Paige. It kept me guessing and after being a little confused at the start, it all began to make sense & fell into place and I was literally sat staring into space trying to take in what I had just read! I couldn’t put this book down at times and I was gutted when I finished it!
leave my hands until i’d finished it two days later. I hadn’t read a Cecilia Ahern book in a while but I honestly adored every single page of this book so much. It was a beautifully written story which was also very emotional and heartwarming and showed you exactly what the title suggests it would: how to fall in love, and how to learn to enjoy life again when you’re feeling at your lowest. The growing bond between the two characters Christine and Adam was so lovely to hear & it also had a happy ending which was the icing on the cake!
final part of the Young Adult Jessie Jefferson trilogy & although I’m sad it’s come to an end – I enjoyed it so much! I think my favourite thing about this book was the developing relationship between my Johnny Jefferson (who just happens to be my favourite bookish character ever!) and his daughter Jessie. We really saw them both open up and I loved the over-protective side of Johnny. I felt for Jessie so much: at just 16 years old she had been through so much & was also finding the life of L.A difficult to get used to. I would highly recommend this series if you haven’t already read them!
and it was such an enjoyable read. The book followed the Tarrant family who visited Shell Cottage every summer for their Family holiday. This year however was different due to various secrets, lies and the tragic death of the head of the family, Alex. The book was definitely a page turner that had me on the edge of my seat/sun lounger and eager to find out what was going to happen next. It was both emotional & funny and I really enjoyed it. I have lots of Lucy Diamond books on my tbr list for 2017 and I can’t wait to read them!!
really, really enjoyed this screen play/story. I avoided any spoilers and reviews and went into it with a complete open mind. I won’t spoil it at all because I know a few people who haven’t read it yet but I will just say that it is a very clever and clearly well – thought out story which I really enjoyed and kept me wondering what was going to happen. I loved being back in the world of Hogwarts and it definitely inspired me to re-read the whole Harry Potter series next year – I even have new editions to read!!
of this story was a teacher/pupil relationship scandal and it flicked back and forth from the past to the present and through the points of view of Jessica and Matthew/Will. I was constantly torn throughout this book as to whos “side” I was on and expected to hate Matthew, but I really didn’t. Rebecca Done wrote this book in so much detail & really showed how much the two characters loved each other! I really hope there’s a sequel to this book because I was practically screaming at the end and I just need to know what happened next!!!
The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella: I love Sophie Kinsella books and she’s probably one of my all time favourite authors so I was really looking forward to reading this one. I’d heard good reviews about The Undomestic Goddess, and Sophie had recently been posting a lot about it on her Facebook page 🙂 Overall it was a very enjoyable book; very funny and also very interesting. The main character Samantha, a lawyer, made a huge mistake that costs her the dream career that’s she’s always wanted. Fleeing from her mistake; she ends up in a quiet little town and accidentally finds herself in a job as a housekeeper – even though she doesn’t quite know how to use any electrical appliances! Sophie Kinsella has a very humorous way of writing and I found myself chuckling away. I found Samantha a very likeable character too!
This Secret We’re Keeping by Rebecca Done: Oh. My. GOSH. This book hit me with all the emotions and I LOVED it. I’d bought this book a few months back and knew i’d love it as soon as I read the blurb. This book was about a pupil-teacher relationship between Jessica and her maths teacher Matthew. 17 years later, they meet again and although they both have completely different lives and circumstances; they can’t deny the attraction between themselves. The book told the story from both characters’ points of view, both past and present. I was torn because I knew the relationship was wrong; but I couldn’t help but love them both together! I expected to really dislike Matthew but I really liked him. Previous to reading this book; i’d read a review stating how i’d struggle to pick a side, and this was definitely true. Rebecca Done really put a lot of detail into this book and you could just feel the love and attraction between the two characters. I really didn’t want this book to end, and I could have cried when it did – on a cliffhanger!!! I need more! I need to find out what happened!!!
Any Way You Want Me by Lucy Diamond: Lucy Diamond is another author who’s books I always enjoy. This book was also enjoyable; a love story but a little bit different as well. The only thing I didn’t like about this book was the main character, Sadie. I just thought she was really selfish! She felt unhappy in her relationship, so ultimately ended up flirting with other men online, and ended up having an affair! I know it’s a book, and makes a good storyline/drama etc etc. but it just made me a little bit angry – especially sleeping with someone else whilst her two young children were in the house, and that she got quite angry with her sister’s husband for doing the same as she was!!
Always with Love by Giovanna Fletcher: I was smiling so much after I finished this book. I adore Giovanna Fletcher, and her books are always incredible. I read the prequel to Always with Love – “Billy and Me” a couple of years back and I really really enjoyed that so when I heard there was a follow up – I was sooooo excited. The main character Sophie May is a lovely, likeable person and her partner Billy, well, i just looooooove Billy Buskin! The love between the pair just oozes out of the book – it’s so beautifully written and there’s so much detail and passion in Giovanna’s writing. In this book, Billy has to move back to Los Angeles to star in a new film – meaning a big separation between himself and Sophie ultimately causing problems. As well as the long distance relationship between Sophie and Billy, the story also included Sophie’s family expanding as her Mum remarries. The wedding almost reduced me to tears – it was so beautiful and emotional.
After You by JoJo Moyes: I was a little worried that this book wouldn’t live up to how much I freaking adored Me Before You. Although it was lacking in Will Traynor (:-() it was still an amazing book, and the storyline was really unexpected and lovely at the same time. I loved catching up with Lou – she’s probably one of my favourite book characters and she reminds me of myself a little too: a little clumsy/ditsy and always putting other people before ourselves. Plus she has a pretty good name too! 😉
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by JK Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany: I can’t go into much detail about this book without going into spoilers and I definitely don’t want to do that. I went into this book with a complete open mind (even though i’d read good and bad reviews) and spoiler free and i’m so so glad! I really, really enjoyed this story and I thought that the whole idea was a really clever storyline which kept me guessing the whole way through. I loved being transported back into the magical world of Harry Potter and Hogwarts; a world which I grew up loving!
The Desperate Brides Diet Club by Alison Sherlock: I’m not entirely sure what to say.. I hate to give a bad review on books because of the author’s time and efforts put into writing it. But I have to say that I read this book and didn’t feel anything through it the whole way through – no attachment to the characters or likeness to the storyline at all. It followed a group of women and a man who join a weight watcher’s group to try and lose weight and feel a little bit better about themselves. I was a little bit disappointed because i’ve read books similar to this before and enjoyed them. I think some of the wording bothered me – especially the over use of the word “fat” 😦 In the end i rated this book 1.5* – it had some good ideas but just didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green: I finally read this book!! Forever late to the party! I was a bit unsure about the book because although John Green is a very popular author, i’ve never been able to get into his other books. If i’m honest I put off reading TFIOS because I thought it was going to be too sad, which it was, but it was also such a lovely story and so, so, so beautifully written. I felt so attached to the characters and although I already knew what would happen, it was still so heartbreaking. If you’ve not read this book before, it’s a teenage love story with a heartbreaking twist and it follows Hazel Grace and Augustus who meet at a cancer support group. What follows is a combination of beautiful and exciting moments including a trip to Amsterdam to meet their hero, but ends in heartbreak in the most upsetting way! Despite the upset, it really is an amazing story and one that you won’t forget. Plus there is a memorable quote on every page!
Just a Girl Standing in Front of a Boy by Lucy-Anne Holmes: “Hilarious, Romantic, Honest” – 3 perfect words for this novel!
The Bridesmaid Pact – Julia Williams: As a chick lit fanatic, this was the perfect book for me! Weddings, drama, friendship, tears, laughter, arguments and DISNEY! I’ve read a few “weddingy” (is that a word?) books before and enjoyed them; so I was looking forward to this one! This book told the story from four girl’s points of view (which is always a winner for me!) and I loved the four characters; Dorry (my fave!), Sarah, Beth and Caz. It also went back in time and showed you the different weddings, and explained things that weren’t always clear at first – you really get to know the character’s lives and personalities and Julia Williams didn’t miss out a single detail!
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart: This book has been so hyped up – I just had to read it! I can see what all the fuss was about though; it was such an intriguing book! I sort of guessed what had happened part way through when a subtle hint was dropped but it still had me shocked and staring into space for about ten minutes afterwards processing it all! Some people say that the writing style is a bit strange, as it is slightly different to the norm, but I didn’t think it was too bad and I enjoyed reading it!
Down on Daffodil Lane by Rebecca Pugh: Can we just take a second to appreciate how BEAUTIFUL this cover is?! I love it!! I have adored Becca’s previous books so much, and this one was no different. Rebecca is so lovely and she writes so so beautifully – she really has a way of describing her characters and the setting in so much detail that you can picture them as if you were there!
All About the Hype by Paige Toon: Ahhhhhhhhhhh. I love Paige Toon. She created the perfection that is Johnny Jefferson and I will forever be grateful for her for bringing him into my life! This book was the third and final *cries hysterically* novel in the Jessie Jefferson trilogy and I enjoyed it so much, i’m just sad that it had to come to an end.
Summer at Shell Cottage by Lucy Diamond: This, in my opinion, was the perfect holiday read. And that’s exactly where I read it: on a sun lounger in Portugal in the glorious heat! This book had everything a holiday novel should have: a family, a glorious location, and lots of drama and unexpected twists!
Summer Nights at the Moonlight Hotel: I’ve visited some beautiful locations this month through my books, and the Moonlight Hotel was definitely one of them. Admittedly, I didn’t think we saw as much of it as the title of the book suggests but it was described so well, both before and after Joe’s refurbishment that I absolutely fell in love with the place!
Cinder by Marissa Meyer: Pretty much everyone has read and loved this book, so I was so excited to get started! I have to admit though I was a little disappointed with Cinder 😦 Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed bits of it and I’ll probably read the other’s at some point too, but I just felt like there was something missing and not a lot really happened – like I was expecting a big event or a climax or something? I didn’t feel a particular attachment to the characters – I was expecting to love Kai and although he was probably my favourite character, I just wasn’t overly fussed.
The Baby by Lisa Drakeford: I picked this book up from the library because I needed a light hearted read to get me out of a bit of a reading slump – and it really did the trick! This book followed five friends who were all affected by one mad night when Nicola – one of the main characters unexpectedly gave birth on Olivia’s bathroom floor. The book was structured so each of the five got to tell their own story and I liked how we got to know each of them individually and in the end I liked all of them, whereas at the start I wasn’t overly keen on one of them in particular! I liked the fact that this book was quite easy-going and lighthearted, but at the same time it covered a lot of contemporary issues; teenage pregnancy, bullying, friendships, domestic abuse and relationships to name a few! It was fab to read, and I finished it in two sittings! Plus, isn’t the cover just the cutest?!
Shopaholic to the Rescue by Sophie Kinsella: I love a good old catch up with Becky B!! She’s probably one of my favourite book characters – she never fails to make me laugh! In this book, Becky and co. were off to Las Vegas to track down her Dad and Tarkie who had both gone missing. Not only this, she had to repair a broken friendship with Suze, and take care of (absolutely adorable!!) Minnie and her extremely flustered Mom! The book was eventful, and I enjoyed it as always, but I have to admit I haven’t enjoyed this one as much as the others! 😦 Becky seemed to have lost her crazy side, and seemed a lot more serious than usual. I know she was going through a bad time – but she didn’t even want to shop anymore!!!??!!! She just wasn’t the same old Becky which I was a little disappointed in 😦
How to Fall in Love by Cecilia Ahern: “i was unhappy with me. You made me like me again. You helped me live my life again” (ANDDDDD CRY!!!)
Three Amazing Things About You by Jill Mansell: This was such a lovely book, and so clever! It followed three girls – Hallie, Flo and Tasha and their families and it came across as though there was no real link between them. I had an inkling that there would be a connection while I was reading it, but I was so surprised by what it was!! It was so sad in places, but so beautiful and heartwarming too!! I’ve read a fair few of Jill Mansell’s books (although I seem to discover more and more all the time!!) and this was probably one of my favourites! I loved the characters Tasha and Rory & I could relate to Tasha quite well!
Fractured by Dani Atkins: I hadn’t heard of this book until I picked it up in the library. The blurb made it sound so interesting and I just sort of *needed* to read it – I started it as soon as I got home. This book was about Rachel who was involved in a serious accident where she lost her best friend – or did she? The book switched to a different time frame/alternative outcome & it appeared that some of the events hadn’t actually happened. I did really enjoy this book & I found it so hard to put down, butttttt I will admit that the change in time frame confused me a little, and even when I finished, I was still super confused and needed some questions answering as to what actually happened! It’s hard to explain without causing too many spoilers!
The One We Fell In Love With by Paige Toon: I was SO excited to read this because as everyone knows I love Paige Toon – she’s my favourite author and I adore her books so much. This one was no exception; in fact it’s probably one of my favourites, tied with Johnny Be Good & Chasing Daisy. What I loved the most about this book is that it was a little bit different to her others, but it was still the same Paige Toon we know and love!
3) Favourite Childhood Books? I’ve always loved reading. When I was younger I loved traditional tales – the 3 Little Pigs/ Billy Goats Gruff/The Enormous Turnip etc. (It’s great working in a Pre-School and getting to read them as often as I want! When I was a bit older, I loved Harry Potter, and Jacqueline Wilson was a big favourite of mine too!
4) Favourite Book Character? Tough one! I have a little (huge) crush on Sam Claflin & find myself attached to characters I know he’s playing/has played so Finnick Odair (Catching Fire/Mockingjay), Alex Stewart (Love, Rosie/Where Rainbows End) and Will Traynor (Me Before You) are top of my list! I also love Louisa Clark (Me Before You), Becky Bloomwood (Shopaholics Series) and Johnny Jefferson (Johnny Be Good/Baby Be Mine) to name a few! I find myself getting attached to a character in almost every book I read!
9) Are there any books/authors that you think need more credit/recognition? I don’t think Paige Toon get’s enough recognition – i’m amazed at how many people haven’t read her books :-O Honestly, if you’re a chick lit lover you’ll love her books and much as I do! They’re so lovely and well written, and they all cleverly link in a way 🙂
10) All time favourite book? Ok so I was super late to the party and I only read this book like, last month!! Butttt, Me Before You by Jojo Moyes is honestly one of the most heartwarming and lovely stories I’ve ever read! It made me smile, laugh, and cry & I got so attached to Lou & Will, i didn’t want it to end! So i’d probably say it’s one of the best books i’ve ever read. Just missing out on my top spot are Chasing Daisy – Paige Toon, Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets – JK Rowling & Finding Audrey – Sophie Kinsella.
Me Before You by JoJo Moyes: I adored this book! Honestly, it was perfect – i can’t fault it! I was a little worried that it wouldn’t live up to the hype, as apparently everyone has read this book!! But I loved it so much, right from the very beginning. This book broke my heart, it made me laugh, it made me smile, and it made me cry so much! I sort of knew what was coming, but nothing could have prepared me for the ending – I sobbed like a baby! This book really made me think, and in a way it makes you appreciate life a little bit more!
Beautiful Broken Things by Sara Barnard: I loved this book too! I found it very intriguing & I was always eager to find out what was going to happen next. It was another book that explored different issues, not something that have affected me personally but something that really made me think about when I was reading it! I seemed to get through this book quite quickly, it was quite fast paced, but a lot happened and it was a very enjoyable read.
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