Coming Home to the Windmill by the Sea by Caroline Young

                                           

Ebook:  312 pages      

Genre: Contemporary Fiction                                           

Publisher:   September 25th 2024 by Storm Publishing

Source:  NetGalley - My Kindle

First Sentence: Beth and Megan sat on the headland above Aberffraw, on the island of Anglesey, in North Wales, where they always watched the sun go down in the summer.

Review Quote: ‘A captivating read… beautifully written… you could imagine being there… a real lesson on the ability to forgive.’ Reader review,

My Opinion: 

This title is the third in a trilogy, which I was drawn to read because of the Anglesey setting. Having not read the previous two first I was concerned it might not stand alone. However I need not have worried as it did and is a delightful read hinging around the importance of friendship and family in our lives.

Beth and Megan were best friends back in 1999 and living on Anglesey but around this time their lives took very different directions when Beth left the island. Thanks to the breakdown of their friendship it was to be over twenty years before they were to meet again. Can the mistakes of the past be forgiven and will they be able to rekindle their friendship?

With well written realistic characters and wonderful descriptions of Anglesey this heart warming story is one I recommend.

Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review 'Coming Home to the Windmill' 

Précis Courtesy of NetGalley:

From the windswept beaches of Anglesey, an unforgettable story of love, forgiveness and the rediscovery of hope.

When her father dies unexpectedly, Beth Macintosh leaves her high-powered career in London and rushes home to the island of Anglesey to be by her mother’s side. Stepping into the converted windmill she once called home, Beth is flooded with memories of her childhood spent on the island, before she left at eighteen to pursue her big-city dreams.

Crossing paths with Megan Williams is inevitable. Beth hasn’t spoken to her former best friend for fifteen years, not since the betrayal that shattered their friendship and set the women on different paths. While Beth spread her wings, painful secrets kept Megan tethered to the island and a life of isolation, supported only by her brother Ioan, who yearns for the love he once felt for Beth.

Confused about the feelings her memories of the island stir, Beth searches for solace on the beaches she and Megan loved as girls. But when the two friends meet again, and Megan confesses the truth about what drove them apart all those years ago, a fragile new bond begins to grow between the women. As Beth rediscovers the stark beauty of her childhood home, Megan opens her heart to the possibility of a renewed friendship, and hope of a brighter future. Can the two former friends overcome the pain of the past and come together to find the happiness they both deserve?

An uplifting and emotional novel about second chances and the healing power of love and friendship, set on the island of Anglesey. Perfect for fans of Susanne O’Leary, Amanda Prowse, Liz Eeles and Sheila O’Flanagan.

Author Profile:                    

Caroline Young has always written stories and found inspiration in the world around her, be it a bustling city or a windswept beach. She has worked for many years as a writer of non-fiction books for children, which allows for few adjectives or creative expression, so she keeps these things for her fiction. As the mother of three grown-up daughters, she now has the time to focus on her own writing, and tell the stories she wants to tell. Caroline has a degree in English from Cambridge University where she was exposed to wonderful writers from every age, and she aims to relate just some of their ideas and language to her life and writing. Caroline's idea of paradise is a bright day with a bracing wind and the sea, waiting for her to dive into it (even in January!). She hopes to write stories that the reader can lose themselves in, which take them somewhere different and fill them with joy in the beauty of the natural world, and all the amazing people in it.

            

Amazon Author Page.     Goodreads Profile.   Caroline Young - Storm Publishing

Photos and Biographical information Courtesy of the above links.

The Other Mrs Eden by Becky Alexander

 

                                           

 Ebook:    282 pages      

Genre: Domestic Drama, Contemporary Thriller, Fiction                                           

Publisher:   September 11th 2024 by Storm Publishing

Source:  NetGalley - My Kindle

First Sentence: 'She's a total bitch. Good luck.' I watched the woman march down the path towards the road, banging the gate behind her.

Review Quote: ‘Fascinating… a gripping story.’ Harriet Tyce, bestselling author of Blood Orange

My Opinion: 

Not the thriller I was expecting, but more of a domestic drama and the title disappointed me. It just does not make a good fit. The characters are not particularly likeable either but I am sure this was the authors intention. I kept reading though despite these minor irritations and am glad I did so.

The female protagonists are Kim, the would be actress who gets a job as PA to Jemima Eden a famous actress. Life is not as it seems on the surface for Jemima and her husband George as Kim discovers as she becomes more and more entrenched in the couples life.

The suspense kept me interested and the ending is a good and for me unexpected twist. Fans of domestic drama will enjoy this quick read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

I never imagined I'd be living in Jemima Eden's world. As her new assistant I'm suddenly part of a life I've only ever dreamed of. After years of barely scraping by, juggling temp jobs and failed auditions, it feels like my chance to finally be someone.

Author Profile:

 Photo Courtesy of Goodreads              

Becky Alexander is a non-fiction book editor by day and writes dark, twisty thrillers by night. Being more inclined to hiding behind a screen, Becky has always been fascinated by the psychology of actors - just why do they put themselves in the spotlight and face all that competition and rejection? To find out, Becky started acting classes and has recently taken part in her first play - which was as terrifying as expected. 

Becky is a Curtis Brown novel writing course alumni (course led by Charlotte Mendelson). Her first novel, Someone Like You, is about ambitious, driven women and what they will do to get success. Any resemblance to living people is purely intentional...                                               

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Amazon Author Page.    Goodreads Author Profile

The Summer Reunion by Leah Mercer

                                         

 Ebook:    262 pages      

Genre: Contemporary Psychological Thriller, Fiction                                           

Publisher:   September 6th 2024 by Bookouture

Source:  NetGalley - My Kindle

First Sentence: She crouched in the dark, the only sound the trickle of water as it flowed into the cramped cellar.

Review Quote: 'Had me hook, line and sinker from the very first page!… I always love Leah Mercer's books, but this is my new favourite!… The twists are incredible… Wow!’ Goodreads reviewer

Setting: France

My Opinion: 

Leah Mercer, who also publishes as Talli Roland is an author I have been following since 2010 when she published her first novel.  I have said this before, but her writing seems to go from strength to strength. Once again she has wowed me with her latest addictive thriller. 

In 'The Summer Reunion' a group of friends gather for a holiday at a villa in France, where they had last met up twenty years previously, when they were fresh from attending university together.  Now with careers, partners and families they plan to recreate that time of their lives and the fun they had together.  It doesn't work out as expected as straight away lies and secrets start to surface. Apparently things were not quite as their memories led them to believe.

I have always enjoyed reading the work of Leah Mercer over the years and followed the development of her style with interest. Her recent psychological thrillers have all kept me riveted to the stories, so along with her earlier ones recommended for fans of the genre.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

Six friends on holiday. A secret worth dying for.

In a gorgeous French stone villa, a group of friends reunite for a weekend of reminiscing and laughter. But as glasses of wine are poured, they find they aren’t alone. 

Standing at the door is a man the friends thought they’d never see again. With a ferocious storm raging and roads closed, they have no choice but to let him in. Instantly the dream weekend takes a dark turn.

Because someone invited him here.

Because someone has been living a lie.

And someone wants revenge.

But when the truth is revealed, will anyone make it out alive?

Previous Reviews:
The Playgroup.      

The Mother Next Door

Author Profile:                

                                                                                                                                    

                                           Courtesy of Goodreads

Leah, who was born in Halifax, Canada, can't remember a time when she didn't love writing. From creating fake newspapers to writing letters to the editor, scribbling something was always on the agenda. Even the rejections she received after completing her first novel at age 13 didn't dent her enthusiasm.

So it makes sense, then, that she pursued a career in anything but writing. Public relations, teaching, recruitment, editing medical journals -- even a stint painting houses -- until she finally succumbed once more to the lure of the blank page. 

When she's not being jumped on by her young son or burning supper while thinking of plot-lines, Leah can be found furiously tapping away on her laptop, trying not to check Twitter or Facebook. 

Leah also writes romantic comedies under the name Talli Roland. 

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Author -Official Website  Facebook Profile   Leah Mercer - Twitter Profile

Instagram Profile

Your Little Lies by Sue Fortin

                                          

Ebook: 338 pages      

Genre:  Contemporary Psychological Thriller                                    

Publisher:  September 6, 2024 by Storm Publishing

Source: NetGalley

First Sentence: They say you should never meet your hero in real life, that you'll be disappointed should everything you thought about them turn out to be an illusion.

Review Quote:  ‘Wow!!! This book was so good! Right from the start I was drawn in and stayed that way until the end. THIS is what domestic suspense is about!!’ Reader Review,

My Opinion:  

So glad I decided to add this title to my NetGalley Bookshelf. It is always a risk to select an unknown to me author, when I have so many books I want to read from authors I know.  Now I have another author to follow.

A dual time line thriller 'Your Little Lies' is centred around the female protagonist Hannah. She has just moved with her family to their dream home. It is a shock when she recognises a neighbour as someone from a past life she has kept secret from her partner.  The storyline jumps between what is happening in the present and events of ten years ago. So many twists and turns, although I did work out some of what was happening correctly, but there were still many surprises!

An addictive read that I raced through and would definitely recommend to fans of domestic thrillers. 

With thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review 'Your Little Lies'

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

Jasper puts his arm around my shoulder and kisses the top of my head. ‘Happy new home, darling.’ A shiver runs through me. Will I be happy here? Will I finally be safe?

When Hannah and Jasper move to Silverbanks, a luxury gated neighbourhood, it’s a dream come true. This house, with its floor-to-ceiling glass doors, direct access to the sandy beach, and close-knit, caring community, will be the perfect place to raise their precious daughter, Pia.

And then Hannah meets her next-door neighbour. The flicker of recognition in his eyes only lasts for a second, but it’s enough. Suddenly, her safe haven has become the most dangerous place she could be. Unless she does something about it…

Author Profile:                

                                                        

                                       Photo Courtesy of Goodreads Profile

Bio from Author Website:

Suzanne writes historical fiction, predominantly dual timeline and set in France. Her books feature courageous women in extraordinary circumstances with love and family at the heart of all the stories.

​Suzanne was a bookworm as a child and this naturally progressed to wanting to write her own stories. It wasn’t until she was on maternity leave with her fourth child, that she thought it was now or never and finally managed to write a complete novel. Having joined the Romantic Novelists’ Association under their New Writers’ Scheme, writing then as Sue Fortin, she sent her manuscript off for a critique.

After another year of working on the novel, Suzanne self-published United States of Love – a contemporary romance. This was then picked up by a traditional publisher, HarperCollins and under their imprint HarperImpulse (now One More Chapter) this book was republished. Writing as Sue Fortin, another seven books in the romantic suspense genre were published with HarperCollins.

More recently, Sue has moved to writing historical fiction and publishes under the name of Suzanne Fortin, with her debut in this genre, The Forgotten Life of Arthur Pettinger released in early 2021 with Head of Zeus imprint, Aria Fiction.

​A self-confessed Francophile, Suzanne has a home in the Morbihan region of France and visits as often as she can with her husband and family. The region has been a huge inspiration for Suzanne’s books and is often the backdrop to her writing.

​Suzanne was born in Hertfordshire but had a nomadic childhood, moving often with her family, before eventually settling in West Sussex.

​Married with four children and two grandchildren – when not behind the keyboard, Suzanne likes to spend her time with them, enjoying both the coast and the South Downs, between which they are nestled.

​A keen amateur photographer, Suzanne’s favourite place to hang out on social media is Instagram.

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Sue Fortin - Official Website.     Goodreads Profile.      Amazon Profile

Facebook Profile.     Instagram Profile.    Twitter Profile