Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh

Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 3 days

Pages - 618

Publisher - Piatkus

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

He wants to save her. She wants to hide.

She's damaged. He's determined.

Fate brought them together. Love binds them.

Johnny Kavanagh is the definition of popular. He is an all-star rugby player with loads of friends, which means he should be enjoying the many perks of his life. But what people don't know is that he has been dealing with a painful injury that could halt the magnificent trajectory of his career. This means he has no time for distractions or mistakes. Especially not a girlfriend.

Shannon Lynch has been bullied all her life. She is shy and would rather hide herself away to make it through school. But when she arrives at Tommen College for a fresh start, she meets the notorious Johnny Kavanagh on her first day in a not-so-romantic way. What follows is a complicated friendship that turns into undeniable chemistry. It seems that Shannon won't be able to hold onto the anonymous status she once hoped for. But maybe that's alright?

Johnny won't give up on Shannon. No matter what it might cost them both.


My Review

This is my first time reading this author, I kept seeing this series all over Booktok and Bookstagram so I had serious FOMO (fear of missing out). We know it is Shannon and Johnny romancey, she starts at his school, she is fifteen, moved to the private school as a last resort. Johnny is the catch, rubgy star, seventeen and attraction hits them both. That was the jist of what I had heard and knew but I absolutely was not prepared for what all it was. Folk saying oh get your tissues ready so I was thinking girl loves boy, boy ends up loving girl but inevitable heartache/break of some description, guys!!!!!

Chapter one gives you a heads up of the darkness and deep hard hitting issues, Shannon is tiny for her age, she has been horrifically bullied, like so so bad pretty much her whole life. That is essentially chapter one and this getting to the new school is the last chance for her. The dark themes are woven through and for folks who get triggered this book really hits some dark topics and authentically so. Like I said if the author has not experienced this first hand then she has done intense deep research because ooft.

The book absolutely covers the attraction of the two teens and how drastically different their lives and circumstances are. Domestic violence, domestic abuse, beatings, bullying, intimidation, failure to thrive, lack of protection at home are hugely central themes and really knocked me a bit reading it. Depending on your own history, experiences and survival stories will absolutely impact how deep this book can affect you. Ooft it was emotive for me and called a lot of stuff up from a long buried past, honestly either Walsh has survived it herself or has done impressive research!

Shannon is a wee scone, she is kind, sweet, unassuming, grateful - you just want to protect her - I recognise that wee lassie. Then you have the bullying humiliation she has endured and she is still the sweetest wee soul. Johnny is different, like so far on the opposite end of the scale, money, looks, head hunted, impressive physique, talent, respected. When him and the boys chat they are very much seventeen and very active. Johnny tends to be more experienced with older women and they talk quite crass as a lot of teen boys do so if you are offended by certain types of "locker room" chat again just a heads up.

Someone said have the next book ready for when you finish this and I appreciate the heads up because my response was NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, WHAT?!?!?!? that being said I did need to pick up a lighter read and genre switch because this book is very dark at times and harder hitting if you have any personal experience. Absolutely need to be reading book two asap because gurl needs to know!!! 4.5/5

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Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult

Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out over 5 days

Pages - 402

Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

Number One bestselling author Jodi Picoult returns with her compulsive new novel - about the lengths we go to for those who have left us behind; about the staying power of love; and about how three broken souls might have just the right pieces to mend each other.
Jenna Metcalf was with her mother the night she disappeared in tragic and mysterious circumstances, but she remembers nothing.

Over ten years have passed, and still Jenna reads and rereads her mother's journals, hoping to find some clue hidden there, in the meticulous recording of her scientific research with elephants.

Desperate for answers, Jenna uses all her savings to recruit the aid of a private detective - and a psychic.

Jenna knows her mother loved her. She knows she would not leave her. And she will not rest until she finds out what happened that night. In her most gripping mystery since House Rules, Jodi Picoult brings us a powerful story of a young girl's determination to uncover the truth, however shocking and life-changing it might be.


My Review

Another Jodi Picoult with an animal theme/focus, remember like with the wolves? But this time it is elephants and I know not everyone likes that but I do. So the book goes between present day, Jenna wants help to finally find out what happened to her mum Alice. Alice disappeared when Jenna was just a baby, now a teen she hires a psychic, Serenity and an ex cop now PI. Serenity was once famous before scandal reduced her to being the one thing she hated "a swamp with" charging to read peoples fortune by cold reading. The unlikely trio work together to try and find out what happened to Alice all those years ago.

The book flips between characters and when we hear from Alice, Jenna's mum that is where we meet the elephants. She studied them in the wild before meeting Jenna's dad and joining him at his elephant sanctuary.

I love anything with ghosts so the whole psychic thing I was absolutely YES and as the book goes on we find out what happened and why she is so disgraced. Same with the Cop turned PI. The elephants, oh the elephants. There is talk of death/harm and the things these beautiful beings go through and their behaviours, health and care. This won't be for everyone but I love learning about stuff and I love animals so it was a win win for me. At the end of the book she also adds links to check out, you can help out and learn more. There is even a live camera from a sanctuary, three free webcams you can watch elephants, support these fantastic causes and learn about the harm/Ivory trade and what you can do to help.

A few themes that some may find triggering and I can't cover them all without spoilers which we don't do. Elephants well fare and harm, loss, murder, mental health, love, lies, secrets, ghosts/medium, 4/5 for me. I do enjoy Picoults books so this is no surprise that I enjoyed this one but I think it could be a marmite for some.

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Bad Blood by Angela Marsons

Bad Blood by Angela Marsons
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out over 4 days

Pages - 368

Publisher - Bookouture

Source - Bought (ebook and treebook)

Blurb from Goodreads

The victim is lying under the trees, arms lifted above his head, unnaturally still. His muscles are slack. His eyes are empty. There are no signs of life. But he is not quite dead…

When Detective Kim Stone races to the crime scene, there is no body waiting for the paramedics are desperately trying to save the victim’s life. But there is something very strange about the way the man was found, his arms raised above his head, his legs spread apart. When he dies on the way to the hospital, Kim is certain she’s on the hunt for a killer… but all evidence at the scene has been destroyed.

The dead man, Eric Gould , seems ordinary, until the team dig into his past. As a teenager, he was locked away for attacking his girlfriend, and Kim suspects he was hurting his fiancé now. Was someone trying to stop history repeating?

Then another man is found on the verge of death, his bones broken to force him into an unnatural shape. The team realise the killer is sending a message – the victims’ bodies are spelling out their sins. As boys, they were both part of a group of six who bragged about their terrible crimes. But they were children then, and when she sees the grief on the faces of their loved ones now, Kim swears to find answers.

Is someone finally getting revenge… or do they think these men are still dangerous? The killer is threatening to strike again, and the only way Kim can crack the case is by tracking down the rest of the six first.

But then a revelation about what one of her team is suffering makes Kim understand why people take the law into their own hands. Do these victims deserve what’s coming to them? Or is there even more to fear from their brutal killer?

Unputdownable from start to finish, Bad Blood is a brilliantly gripping crime thriller with a reveal you’ll never see coming. Fans of Karin Slaughter, Robert Dugoni and Val McDermid will love the latest compulsive read from multi-million-copy bestseller Angela Marsons.

Can be read as a standalone.


My Review

Guys this is book nineteen in the series and normally I would say you can read as a standalone or start here BUT I would absolutely advise reading the others. One because it is a great series but if you don't want to go back that far at least read book eighteen first as there is a central storyline in this one that I feel hits more with the context/background of the previous book. A victim has been found under a tree, no signs of life, Stone is called down. A shock turn of events has no body waiting for Stone and the start of some nasty bodies popping up. From the previous book we see Stacey struggling with her stalker, trying to deal with it alone as she hasn't told anyone what is happening. With a team as small and tight as Stone's nothing remains a secret for too long and Stacey's secret has huge impact on all of the team.

I do love the Stone series, the team is such a great bunch and I love how Bryant is the Ying to Stones Yang. The investigation into the almost dead victims, why would someone do this and what are they trying to say with each body/victim. We see Stone go tonto when she discovers what has been happening to Stacey and the impact it now has not only on Stacey but the team and an investigation.

Kim is like the maw of the group and Bryant the dad I would say we see this more in this book. The usual police investigation parts with relationships, danger and shady individuals. Despite this being book nineteen Stone manages to keep the writing and plots fresh and pulling you in from the opening chapter, 4/5.

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The Ripper of Whitechapel by Yvette Fielding

The Ripper of Whitechapel by Yvette Fielding
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 3 days

Pages - 256

Publisher -

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

When the ghosts of two young children start to haunt a local school, trainee ghost hunters Eve, Clovis and Tom are invited to help investigate the case. But before long they realise there is more to this haunting than they first realised. Could it be that the ghost children are victims of Jack the Ripper? And is the evil Ripper of Whitechapel about to unleash a new campaign of terror from beyond the grave?


My Review

A thin book and my first by this author however I believe it is part of a series, yes it is book two of a series. I don't think I missed out having not read book one as it does bring you up to speed with the characters and a wee bit of back story. Basically two children's ghosts are at the local school, trio Eve, Clovis and Tom are in training, ghost hunting with Eve's uncle who is a pro at it. They not only find the children but something far more darker and terrible, dun dun dun, the ghost of Jak the Ripper who Rufus (Eve's uncle) has encountered before.

Rufus is connected to an organisation that deals with the supernatural and a different plane of reality which I loved. It kind of reminded me of the people in the Mayfair witches who kept a history of the witches and ghosts. The two worlds and how easy it is for things to cross over, the different types of ghosts and of course Jack the Ripper is always going to be a big pull. He has always had mystery, horror and fear surrounding him and now he is a ghost with the ability to hurt humans, freaky for sure.

The only think I would say, the characters are young, it is a young adult book but some of their behaviours are really quite young, the parental/family issues especially for one of the characters. Then they are quite mature in other aspects but then very young in others. Give me anything with ghosts and I will be delighted, add a baddy like Jack in, sold. It jumped around a little but I did love any of the ghost stuff so for me it is a 3/5. This is my first time reading this author, I would absolutely read her other books!

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No one Keeps a Secret by Denise Brown Blog Tour

Today is my turn on the blog tour for book "No One Keeps A Secret" by author Denise Brown, out to buy now.

No One Keeps a Secret by Denise Brown
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 4 days

Pages - 288

Publisher - Hashtag Press

Source - ARC

Blurb from Goodreads

When three teens track down a missing chihuahua to an abandoned theme park, they stumble upon a chilling discovery: a corpse, strangled by his own camera strap. The victim was meant to be 400 miles away in London, where he'd promised a lot of people a lot of money. But every one of them has a solid alibi. As Haigh, Cherry, and Sunrise get pulled into the murder investigation, they uncover mafia connections, a still-operating ghost train, and gossiping grannies, revealing their quiet village is far more dangerous than they ever imagined.


My Review

Young adult, mystery, the main characters are Haigh and Cherry, teens, told in first person point of view. Haigh's mum is dating Oz, a not very nice guy at all, the duo Haigh and Cherry become a trio when they meet Sunrise. The three end up meeting whilst chasing down a temperamental bitey chihuahua and bond over the trauma of finding a dead body, that of Oz and things go from there. Haigh has ADHD so we see snippets of that in different situations whilst trying to investigate what happened and be "the man of the house".

So there is a fair bit to unpeel in this, friendship, teen attraction, murder, investigation like the kids are on the case a bit like maybe the secret seven or something. It is super busy and sometimes, some of the elements like the ADHD could have been much more in depth. I think people will be happy to see more representation absolutely but whilst we get glimpses and moments of how Haigh lives with it they are fleeting. Also the characters are sixteen but come across so much younger at times as teens can be. So it was a bit mixed for me with the younger characters and a lot of questionable small town folk but we do love dark/shady characters.

The adults/secrets part I did like and wanted to know all of what Oz's chat was, I feel so much was touched on or hinted at but then didn't give us as much as I would have liked. If they book was chunkier and we got more backstory and depth I think I would have liked it a lot more. They do say a good author leaves you wanting more. I do feel some things came a bit left of field and I love when an author shocks you and or pulls the rug but, I don't know instead of ooooh I was a bit more oh, wait hang on, gasp. If that makes sense? I liked it, I liked I was questioning what was coming, who is a dodgy biscuit, are they just dodgy or actually bad/involved. Small village, secrets, murder, teen protagonists, kid working through some big developments/shocks with his friends and living with ADHD. It was different,this was my first time reading her, I would read her again.

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Wee additional giveaway (Facebook)

So I have been saying for a wee bit we would get another giveaway up on our blog side page, click here and it is the pinned post. And yes my tables are beaten up and need touched up but they were my mums then my da's and being unblemished/marked would I think take away from their character. They are creaky and imperfect :D so they have character.

You know we do BDWBS (Blind Date with a Book) for workies? Folk are always asking after them so we have done a giveaway for one. Winner gets to pick 1 of the 2 listed. One is historical fiction and one is paranormal fiction. The winner picks ONE of the two available. Each BDWB has x1 book, x1 bookmark and some kind of sweetie. If you look at both it tells you at the bottom it has either a hot drink, a facemask or a scented tealight candle.

I know I know my wrapping on this one isn't the best but I do find it difficult wrapping the ones with Yankee Candle tealights in them.

So just head over and comment which blind date you would pick, make sure you have liked the page so you don't miss the announcement and share the competition is always appreciated. Thanks for the support.

Ever After by Amanda Prowse

Happy publication day to Amanda Prowse, Ever After is OUT NOW.

Ever After by Amanda Prowse
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1.5 days

Pages - 416

Publisher - Lake Union

Source - ARC

Blurb from Goodreads

If you’re given another chance at love, shouldn’t you take it?

Enya’s life has become small. Her husband’s death has left her bereft, and though she’s only in her early fifties, she’s happiest looking after her son, Aiden, his childhood sweetheart, Holly, and her beloved cat, Pickle.

So the spark she feels for the stranger who bumps into her car in the airport car park is a complete shock. But Enya can’t stop thinking about him.

Then, when Aiden makes a life-changing decision, Enya suddenly finds her close-knit community thrown into chaos. Her best friend, Jenny, isn’t speaking to her, Aiden’s future hangs in the balance, Holly is devastated, and the stranger from the car park is suddenly in her life.

Torn between family, love and loyalty, Enya faces a stay safely where she is, or take a leap into the unknown? Because maybe her happily-ever-after could have one more chapter yet…



My Review

Enya is still in the throws of grief, her husband died a few years ago but still she is getting by with life as it is. Her bestie Jenny lives practically next door and often nips in, day or middle of the night for a cuppa and gab. They are going into business together, their kids are growing up, in love and living with each other, despite her loss her life is content and she still sees her husbands "ghost" so she isn't lonely. She also has her wee cat Pickle and despite job upheaval everything seems to be going well. UNTIL.........she is at the airport dropping Aiden (her son) off when someone hits her car, a handsome man, the first to capture her attention since the lose of her husband. That moment changes things for Enya more than she could ever know!

Strap in guys, if you haven't read Prowse before you are in for a treat, if you have, grab your comfies and settle in! Aiden is Enya's pride and joy, her bestie's daughter and him have been destined to be together and done just that. When Aiden gets home from his trip he has made a decision that rips apart their cozy little community and Enya finds herself between a rock and a hard place.

This book captures so much of the everyday issues, love, grief, friendships, family and with Enya she has so much going on and trying to put out all the fires caused by one decision. I felt for her at times, other times I wanted to shake her GURL WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!? She made me feel for her, want to hug her, questioning why she would do/say XYZ. I think one of the talents Prowse has is making her characters quite real to life, even the ones making wild choices and behaviours. Life is like that sometimes, people behave selfishly, erratically, some are so good and kind that you wouldn't believe it unless you met them.

There are so many themes explored, friendships, fractured friendships, grief, how to react when you are loyal to so many people but they are on opposing sides. Feeling attraction after losing your other half and trying to navigate one crisis and or surprise after another. It is a bit chaos, sad, funny and a very good look at how much a mother can and does sacrifice for her loved ones, 4/5 for me this time.

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