If I thought Raven Black was good. Which it was, this was even better (just). With a friendship blossoming into something more between Jimmy and Fran.If I thought Raven Black was good. Which it was, this was even better (just). With a friendship blossoming into something more between Jimmy and Fran. While a mystery surrounding a theatre and actor in Yorkshire. Another great read...more
This book is much more than meets the eye. A pretty cover with so much depth. The stories main focus is around the care system how lives are affected This book is much more than meets the eye. A pretty cover with so much depth. The stories main focus is around the care system how lives are affected positively and negatively by their upbringings.
The story focuses around Leah the daughter of parents who foster time after time. The main timings in the book are now and then with some in-between and a little after now. Unlike some books that jump a little this one flows well and adds to the mystery and depth of the story.
Leah is a favourite of mine with how she has coped through all of it and is a brilliant role model for her daughter Emilie. She sums her life up perfectly when she realises if life had turned out differently she would never have had Emilie in her life. The one thing she would not change, the one thing she would never class as a mistake. She earns a special place with me for this.
For much of the way through Theo had me guessing much more than George. I loved them both in their own way. Theo earns my love when he takes their name not Leah taking his. While George was likeable throughout but in the now more than most. Theo had me completely guessing with the outcome of what happened with the drink driving. I felt for all the characters.
My favourite Beth O'Leary novel I have read so far. Leena who lives in London crumbles in a presentation for her job meanwhile grandmother Eileen is sMy favourite Beth O'Leary novel I have read so far. Leena who lives in London crumbles in a presentation for her job meanwhile grandmother Eileen is struggling with the lack of male talent in her tiny Yorkshire village. They swap lives and friends for two months. Eileen taking on London and dating apps, Leena enjoying the quieter life but not without adventure just to me without the hustle of London. I love how Eileen gets London talking to each other and how Leena seems to be so much happier up in Yorkshire. The ghost of Carla is present throughout this book and another character to mention is Leena's mum who she finally bounds with after the death of Carla. 4.5 Stars...more
⁸There was nothing I did not love about this book. Okay Daryl was a pain until near the end to me he redeemed himself. Lexi has been mum to stepson Co⁸There was nothing I did not love about this book. Okay Daryl was a pain until near the end to me he redeemed himself. Lexi has been mum to stepson Connor for as long as she can remember. They get on so well it is an unbreakable bond. They would do anything for each other.
Daryl and Lexie are married but the relationship was over a long time ago and he went to work overseas. Daryl was not likeable to me until right at the end when they realised how much Connor meant to all of them.
Theo the womaniser until you realise he has been doing this because of being in love with his best friend. He was Daryls best friend first but Theos bond with Connor drew him closer to Lexi. Lexi and Theo to me are everything a relationship should be it is built on a relationship of trust, love and basically being best friends in the first place. I was rooting for the brilliant couple.
The setting was brilliant in rural Yorkshire and Halifax. A search and rescue taking in Manchester, Leeds and Halifax. I loved the choice of setting.
They are all great characters but Connor steals the show for me, he is so loveable, likeable and an alround lovely person. My heart breaks for him on more than one occasion.
Lisa Swifts best so far this book was much more than I was expecting.
One of a kind with a different but interesting setting. I remember Marsden and Standedge well from when I lived in Yorkshire. The characters are complOne of a kind with a different but interesting setting. I remember Marsden and Standedge well from when I lived in Yorkshire. The characters are complex and so is the story. Keeps me guessing from start to finish. 4.5 Stars...more
This book was not what I was expecting in a good way, it had much more to it than what I thought it was going to covering grief and trauma. The settinThis book was not what I was expecting in a good way, it had much more to it than what I thought it was going to covering grief and trauma. The settings within Yorkshire I love including my favourite UK city York and the lovely Yorkshire coastline including Whitby. Lovejoy, Nathan and Archie and likeable characters while I take a dislike to Rob from the start. I like all parts of the story and how it splits into poetry, crime etc. 4.5 Stars...more
An addictive writing style you could easily enjoy in one sitting or quickly between life getting in the way of reading. Eve to be honest isn't the mosAn addictive writing style you could easily enjoy in one sitting or quickly between life getting in the way of reading. Eve to be honest isn't the most likeable leading lady and her relationship with Jacques is a mysterious one too. However it works and Eve finally starts becoming more human around him. I enjoyed the scenes with the family of reindeer. The Daily Trumpet just adds to the entertainment factor the rubbish it prints and reprints. I wouldn't hesitate to read another book by Milly Johnson and love the mention of Yorkshire places such as Meadowhall. I love reading books about London and New York but it does make a different story in a good way to be a different setting such as Yorkshire....more
See It. Say it. Sorted. If only that could help the main character Maggie. If you think her present life is troubled she's certaintly had her fair shaSee It. Say it. Sorted. If only that could help the main character Maggie. If you think her present life is troubled she's certaintly had her fair share in the past. She isn't a completely bad person but she's troubled.
The story had a good pace and kept me interested throughout. I wondered right until the end where Sean had gone. That's before the detail of Ben was thrown in. I wasnt expecting what happened before the epilogue.
The end really tied together what had happened throughout the book which is a pleasant change from many novels....more
The blurb to this book made it sound so much better than I actually found it. I wanted to like it but i wanted it to end (it wasn't bad enough to not The blurb to this book made it sound so much better than I actually found it. I wanted to like it but i wanted it to end (it wasn't bad enough to not finish). The Story itself isn't bad (it was a little too obvious) but I find the characters quite annoying. Apart from Will but disaster strikes for him and he's gone too soon. I miss him from the moment he's gone. I didn't root for Guy and Amy at all after Will.
The Story starts in London and Will suffers pains in the chest on the tube (with a family history of heart attacks). He then takes his wife Amy and two children to his dream, not hers a old run down house in Yorkshire. Two different worlds a busy hectic life and a farm with not many facilities for miles. Amy is left to choose which life is best for her and the children
I liked the Children and Hamish (he made me keep reading). When I find a book too long i know it's not a favourite. Overall wasn't my favourite of Carole Matthews books. 2.5 stars....more
An easy read from two viewpoints of Holly and Alex. I love both of them as narrators and it's a nice change from a book to have the two viewpoints. ThAn easy read from two viewpoints of Holly and Alex. I love both of them as narrators and it's a nice change from a book to have the two viewpoints. The story is split between 1999 and 2010 between London and Yorkshire. It's a story of best friends to lovers and if they will ever be more than friends? Can the pair just be friends?
Alex is a teacher and he seems quite nice from the start. I'd like him as a teacher. It was quite frustrating when he was with Melissa and couldn't seem to see how Holly felt. He is also quite OCD and over thinks but is a nice person.
Holly it takes me a while to like but once I knew more of her past I loved her too. Her friends from the past were no friends at all, no means no and Ellie should have that drilled into her too. Alex was her only true friend. I was cheering when she split from the sleazy boss Richard, I did not take to him at all.
The ending was perfect it reminded me of Love Actually at the arrivals of Heathrow. ...more
After enjoying the little village school series I was pleased to discover this new series of A top of the dale novel.
This time the story follows Tom DAfter enjoying the little village school series I was pleased to discover this new series of A top of the dale novel.
This time the story follows Tom Dwyer who was in the last of the series with Elisabeth Stirling (I love that character). I like how Elisabeth is still mentioned even in this different school.
Tom is given his own drama in the sleepy little village where all the locals know each others business. He's a great lead to follow and I like how it's from a males perspective in this series.
It's the end of the set of books and to me it ended on a high. Excellent series of books which I enjoyed and would highly recommend. 4.5 Stars
The maiIt's the end of the set of books and to me it ended on a high. Excellent series of books which I enjoyed and would highly recommend. 4.5 Stars
The main points in this book were; the planned wedding of Ashley and Emmet. Emmet has to tell Ashley some truths and Ashley's troubled relationship with her parents. A new teacher called Thomas Dwyer and Elisabeth is excellent at defending him. Elisabeth and Ashley make a great team with their friendship both strong female characters with their own minds. My favourite scenes were the school trip to Whitby, that was so amazing.
I liked the school parts of this series best and loved reading about the growth of the pupils, many through the help of Elisabeth (I love this woman). I can't stay mad at Micheal for long but when him and Elisabeth have a difference in opinion I also seem to be rooting for her! I hope they end up with four boys.
Perfect ending even though it was a little predictable. I guessed Elisabeth was pregnant several chapters back. Still it's what I wanted to happen so no complaints from me. I love Elisabeth Stirling she became one of my favourite characters across all the books I've read, she's a modern woman and a great role model for the pupils and teachers alike. ...more
When you can't get to sleep turn to your book. I'm pleased to say in general this one kept my interest pretty well.
Meet Georgina who's so likeable andWhen you can't get to sleep turn to your book. I'm pleased to say in general this one kept my interest pretty well.
Meet Georgina who's so likeable and currently working in a crappy restaurant and has a crappy boyfriend. He's such a annoying character. She hasn't always been so unlucky Lucas was her first or so you are lead to believe until the end. The truth is much more sad but she fails to be a victim. I feel for her and how everyone seems to judge her about kids, jobs, marriage. Most of the people judging should look at there own lives before cristising over. This was so we'll written because it happens every day.
Lucas McCarthy from Dublin, I love any mention of that city and can't wait to visit. He's always loved her laugh and loved her, so why's he trying to hide it for much of the story.
Lucas and Georgina are meant to be and I was rooting for them all the way. The only downside was how long it took them to realise how they are meant to be.
Other highlights to the story include the mention of Notting Hill (another of my favourite places and films) and the location of Sheffield. As much as I enjoy reading about London it's a nice change for this type of book not to be set in London or New York in no parts.
Excellent book which I highly recommend. 4.5 stars...more
I found the story hard to get into, the middle was the best then it slowed again. There were way too many characters to keep up with, halfing the amouI found the story hard to get into, the middle was the best then it slowed again. There were way too many characters to keep up with, halfing the amount of characters would have improved the story for me. It didn't get in enough depth for each of them. Each chapter could have done with telling you who the chapter was about.
I enjoyed the story of Robyn the most as she's the one who I remember the most from the several in the book.
York is one of my favourite cities and I wish it had been mentioned more. I enjoyed the writers story on Manchester much more as you could connect with the city in it. As for York in this one it could have been set anywhere if not for one mention of the minister and shambles.
I hope other stories I read from Lucy Diamond i enjoy more than this one....more
Laurie and Rachel the childhood best friends who went there separate ways with families and work lives. Until one day when they are 35 they both need Laurie and Rachel the childhood best friends who went there separate ways with families and work lives. Until one day when they are 35 they both need each other once again. The pair end up house swapping.
Rachel living in Yorkshire with her family swaps to live in London. Thinking her marriage is in a mess while her daughter is messaging this guy.
Laurie the workaholic of London gets the taste of the countryside in Yorkshire while not wanting to be romantically involved. That's due to not being over Jay her ex back in London.
I liked Rachel from the start but Laurie was not so likeable. She grew on me when emailing Milly (her God daughter) and when she was with Jay. Jay should have featured a little more.
An easy read that gets more festive as you get into it....more
The Story starts strong and ends strong for me falling flat in the middle compared to the last book I really enjoyed.
The main story of this book is ofThe Story starts strong and ends strong for me falling flat in the middle compared to the last book I really enjoyed.
The main story of this book is of Ashley and Emmet who are meant to be. Just life throws many obstacles in there way. You want to scream at them that it's so obvious they are made for each other.
I still enjoyed Elisabeth and Micheal I could read About the pair of them all day. How she is with the children and staff is just brilliant. Micheal really does see everything in his job too.
It kind of ended for me so I'm interested to see how Book 5 plays out....more
The best one yet of the series with my favourite characters returning and more new characters being thrown in.
The series two main stories concerning tThe best one yet of the series with my favourite characters returning and more new characters being thrown in.
The series two main stories concerning the school are; the Wizard of Oz school production and a school inspector comes to check on the school with the merger going to be taking place with other local school Urebank. The new name will be Barton-With-Urebank Primary School.
While in Elisabeth Devine's private life her wedding to Dr Stirling is drawing closer. I love her character and she is a great role model for the children. She's such a strong character and I love how she gets called ''Modern Bloody Woman'' and she's proud of it. I also love how it shows her side of struggling to leave the school at the gate. Even on her wedding day she's thinking she can't leave the place not taking a Inspector's job. She's too good with children to take the Inspector's job. I love how she's one of the few characters who doesn't give up on the troubled Robbie. She finds something other people don't in children such as Robbie and hopefully will continue to do so.
A character transformation takes place in this book with Miss Sowerbutts who is believed to have suffered a stroke. She later finds out was a migraine but her experience with death starts to change her for the better. Will this last in the next book?
Off to the next book with Elisabeth Stirling and the rest of the village locals. How will the villagers take to the new vicar Reverend Sparshott. ...more
It's great to get another story with favourites; Elisabeth, Dr Stirling, Oscar, the caretaker, school secretary, Danny, James and many more.
The new sIt's great to get another story with favourites; Elisabeth, Dr Stirling, Oscar, the caretaker, school secretary, Danny, James and many more.
The new story features a merger with close by school Urebank with the headteacher Mr Richardson. I was hoping all the way through he wouldn't get the overall headteacher job. The secondary story is Danny having a grandma who does not seem very nice to me or maybe she is just misunderstood. Thirdly is the hot and cold romance of Elisabeth and Dr Stirling throwing in another woman being interested in the doctor and her ex husband. I was with Danny and James at the end just say yes.
A special mention to the character of Mrs Sloughwaite, she's so nosey and a gossip but brilliant in a robbery.
My only issue with the book is it describes what happened before a little too much. I look forward to the next book in the set once again. ...more
After a slow start, I'm pleased to say I persisted because by the end I really got into the characters and wanted to know what happened to t3.5 Stars
After a slow start, I'm pleased to say I persisted because by the end I really got into the characters and wanted to know what happened to them.
Elisabeth Devine was a headteacher of a good inner city school and comes to a failing countryside school which is under threat of closure. No one can understand why. One reason could be she likes a challenge and she really does have her work cut out. The other reason is much more personal and as that story develops I'm really interested in it. Anyways a woman who wears red shoes with sliver heels to her interview is capable of anything, isn't she? I also like how the relationship between her and Dr Stirling (Michael) develops.
Other characters I really enjoyed reading about were: Oscar, Danny and Les.
I can't wait to read the next book of the series. ...more
**spoiler alert** An easy to read book which doesn't take long to get going and I like that with a book. There are a little too many characters for me**spoiler alert** An easy to read book which doesn't take long to get going and I like that with a book. There are a little too many characters for me to get used to at first but once I know who they all are it helps to build a more in depth story. I'm not surprised Maya's highlight of her day is seeing train man (James) the morning commute is getting worse because not just an inferior train keeps turning up but the job is going downhill too. Things couldn't get much worse for Maya when Train Man has a girlfriend but when that changes and she doesn't know you are waiting to see how they meet again. Near the end James is doing something he loves when they meet again. I was cheering Maya on when she gave the best she could give to her boss (who is horrible and Lucy isn't much better). The end is sweet with James and Maya on the train facing forwards after their nightmare Christmas commute. ...more
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