Scan barcode
kba76's reviews
3043 reviews
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Weddings are meant to be happy occasions, recognising the love a couple has for one another and a time for optimism about your future. But many weddings are a ridiculous waste of money. They turn people into caricatures of themselves. And many weddings are not happy. Many weddings turn into a confinement, or they are ended by people who aren’t brave enough to admit there’s an issue.
The Wedding People explores relationships and our expectations through the very specific setting of the novel.
Still reeling from the betrayal of her husband having an affair with a friend during lockdown, Phoebe decides she’s had enough. Determined to end her life she books herself for one night into a luxury hotel.
Unfortunately the whole hotel has been booked for a week to celebrate the wedding of Lyla and Gary. Lyla is horrified when Phoebe reveals her plan and, for no other reason than Phoebe has been honest with her, she books the room for the week and asks Phoebe to become part of the wedding group.
It took a while to get into the book. Our bride to be is, in many ways, awful. As the novel progresses we see a softer side to her. Phoebe is a woman being made anew, taking steps to learn who she is and what makes her happy.
From start to finish it was evident that many of the relationships in the book were not good ones. But then we are shown some aspects we’re not expecting and there are glimmers of hope.
A tough read in many ways, and not for anyone who’s having doubts about their relationship!
The Wedding People explores relationships and our expectations through the very specific setting of the novel.
Still reeling from the betrayal of her husband having an affair with a friend during lockdown, Phoebe decides she’s had enough. Determined to end her life she books herself for one night into a luxury hotel.
Unfortunately the whole hotel has been booked for a week to celebrate the wedding of Lyla and Gary. Lyla is horrified when Phoebe reveals her plan and, for no other reason than Phoebe has been honest with her, she books the room for the week and asks Phoebe to become part of the wedding group.
It took a while to get into the book. Our bride to be is, in many ways, awful. As the novel progresses we see a softer side to her. Phoebe is a woman being made anew, taking steps to learn who she is and what makes her happy.
From start to finish it was evident that many of the relationships in the book were not good ones. But then we are shown some aspects we’re not expecting and there are glimmers of hope.
A tough read in many ways, and not for anyone who’s having doubts about their relationship!
Death at Morning House by Maureen Johnson
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I confess to getting very excited when I saw that Maureen Johnson was putting out a new book, featuring a mysterious house and secrets. Having just finished Death at Morning House I can say I'm very happy to have bought it and am hoping we haven't seen the last of these characters.
Our main character, Marlowe, is self-deprecating and rather tainted by unfortunate events that seem to happen around her. One of the first things we see her do is ask out her co-worker on a date, try to make it romantic by buying a candle that smells of her date's favourite smell...only to have it malfunction, explode and burn the house down! Some memorable date, and definitely part of the reason that Marlowe is more than happy to take the opportunity to leave home and head off to the mysterious Morning House in order to help out an old teacher.
Interspersed with Marlowe's story about her arrival at Morning House are extracts set in the past focusing on the Ralston family who originally owned the home. Tinged by tragedy, ghoulish visitors cannot wait to visit the house where, on one sunny summer day, two members of the family died. The remaining family members did not live happy lives, and everyone is keen to discover exactly what happened on that day.
Unfortunately, someone in the present is keen to stop people getting to the bottom of the mysteries of the House. They'll stop at nothing - including murder - to keep things quiet...and we follow Marlowe as she tries to work out what's going on before it's too late.
Our main character, Marlowe, is self-deprecating and rather tainted by unfortunate events that seem to happen around her. One of the first things we see her do is ask out her co-worker on a date, try to make it romantic by buying a candle that smells of her date's favourite smell...only to have it malfunction, explode and burn the house down! Some memorable date, and definitely part of the reason that Marlowe is more than happy to take the opportunity to leave home and head off to the mysterious Morning House in order to help out an old teacher.
Interspersed with Marlowe's story about her arrival at Morning House are extracts set in the past focusing on the Ralston family who originally owned the home. Tinged by tragedy, ghoulish visitors cannot wait to visit the house where, on one sunny summer day, two members of the family died. The remaining family members did not live happy lives, and everyone is keen to discover exactly what happened on that day.
Unfortunately, someone in the present is keen to stop people getting to the bottom of the mysteries of the House. They'll stop at nothing - including murder - to keep things quiet...and we follow Marlowe as she tries to work out what's going on before it's too late.
That Peckham Boy: Growing Up, Getting Out and Giving Back by Kenny Imafidon
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
A troubling read, and one that made me so angry for what some have to face.
Our main character writes about his life growing up in Peckham. Older brother to someone who admires him, and son to a Nigerian mother who is determined to uphold standards, Kenny is a character that you can’t help but admire. Personable and intelligent, Kenny has a strong sense of pride for his background but is also keen not to be shaped by his home situation.
From early on he leads a double life. Talented student but also someone prepared to do what is necessary to make a bit of extra cash. Dealing drugs but trying hard to make something of himself it is clear that Kenny is not quite the same as his peers. However, when he is arrested by the police for the murder of a young boy on his estate and charged under the Joint Enterprise law, its hard to see how he’ll break free from the expectations that others seem to have of him.
Our main character writes about his life growing up in Peckham. Older brother to someone who admires him, and son to a Nigerian mother who is determined to uphold standards, Kenny is a character that you can’t help but admire. Personable and intelligent, Kenny has a strong sense of pride for his background but is also keen not to be shaped by his home situation.
From early on he leads a double life. Talented student but also someone prepared to do what is necessary to make a bit of extra cash. Dealing drugs but trying hard to make something of himself it is clear that Kenny is not quite the same as his peers. However, when he is arrested by the police for the murder of a young boy on his estate and charged under the Joint Enterprise law, its hard to see how he’ll break free from the expectations that others seem to have of him.
The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Hard to pinpoint exactly why this didn’t work for me, but a large part of it was the main character. He describes himself as average. He is very average, though he tries to make himself seem more interesting than he is. I just didn’t particularly care about him or what had happened to him.
When the book opens our adult narrator is remembering his teenage years and the friendships he forged at that time. He sets himself up as someone to trust, someone who we can believe as he recalls his early years. Unfortunately, memory is a funny thing and what one person recalls may not be exactly what another does. And that blurring of recall definitely seems to be a feature in this story.
An ordinary man, divorced, is bequeathed a diary from an old school friend and it prompts him to try to make sense of the events that took place around the time his friend committed suicide. This is done through incredibly boring email exchanges with his ex-girlfriend who got together with his friend after they split up. His ex-wife questions why he feels the need to look back at events so far in the past, and we never really get a satisfactory answer. Perhaps there isn’t one.
There is a bit of a twist which he/we come to see at the end, but it all felt a little too late. Vivian, his ex, says he never got it and probably never would. I think that just about sums up my reading experience!
When the book opens our adult narrator is remembering his teenage years and the friendships he forged at that time. He sets himself up as someone to trust, someone who we can believe as he recalls his early years. Unfortunately, memory is a funny thing and what one person recalls may not be exactly what another does. And that blurring of recall definitely seems to be a feature in this story.
An ordinary man, divorced, is bequeathed a diary from an old school friend and it prompts him to try to make sense of the events that took place around the time his friend committed suicide. This is done through incredibly boring email exchanges with his ex-girlfriend who got together with his friend after they split up. His ex-wife questions why he feels the need to look back at events so far in the past, and we never really get a satisfactory answer. Perhaps there isn’t one.
There is a bit of a twist which he/we come to see at the end, but it all felt a little too late. Vivian, his ex, says he never got it and probably never would. I think that just about sums up my reading experience!
Leave the Girls Behind by Jacqueline Bublitz
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Leave the Girls Behind is a strange read. An intriguing idea, and a fascinating character, but things felt so disjointed that it felt harder work to read than it really should have. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this before publication.
Our main character Ruth works in a downtown New York bar. She is obsessed with a small Connecticut town that seems to have its share of horror, with a number of young girls from the area having gone missing. Ruth appears to talk with the ghosts of the dead, and she has alerts sent to her phone if a child is missing in the area.
Before we know it, Ruth is fabricating reasons to speak with a trio of women who appear to have links to the man who abducted and killed one of the girls. She won’t reveal what she knows, and can’t help but think they are each hiding something.
There is a reason Ruth is so determined to get answers. We start to realise what it is before Ruth chooses to reveal the truth to us, but it felt like a rather unrealistic situation.
Our main character Ruth works in a downtown New York bar. She is obsessed with a small Connecticut town that seems to have its share of horror, with a number of young girls from the area having gone missing. Ruth appears to talk with the ghosts of the dead, and she has alerts sent to her phone if a child is missing in the area.
Before we know it, Ruth is fabricating reasons to speak with a trio of women who appear to have links to the man who abducted and killed one of the girls. She won’t reveal what she knows, and can’t help but think they are each hiding something.
There is a reason Ruth is so determined to get answers. We start to realise what it is before Ruth chooses to reveal the truth to us, but it felt like a rather unrealistic situation.
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A fascinating read, exploring the impact of war in Afghanistan. Evocative and definitely a book that will stick with me.
Our story focuses initially on Mariam, a young girl who is desperate to be accepted by her father who had her out of wedlock. He is ashamed of her, and when her mother commits suicide it’s the perfect opportunity for Mariam, at only fifteen, to be married off to Rasheed. She moves to Kabul and there is forced to become wife to a man who knows no love, who expects to be obeyed and who is desperate for a son. Her story is a sad one, and it’s hard not to feel admiration for the fortitude she shows in dealing with her hand in life.
Not far from Mariam lives a young couple who have a daughter, Laila. Blessed with the opportunity to get educated Laila wants nothing more than to marry her childhood friend, Tariq. When the Taliban comes to Afghanistan conflict becomes their life.
Showing the devastating impact of war on our characters hits hard. The descriptions of how Kabul changes and the way their lives are altered is tough reading, but very necessary.
Through an unlikely set of circumstances Laila is taken into Marian’s home and given the opportunity to also marry Rasheed. For her own reasons, she accepts. The dynamic between the two woman was fascinating, and the way their friendship develops was a real positive.
Hossein takes us through a range of events, all the time showing us the impact on our cast of characters. At times I was angry. At times I was sad. Throughout there was a strong sense of hope that I imagine is the only thing you can hold onto in such times.
Our story focuses initially on Mariam, a young girl who is desperate to be accepted by her father who had her out of wedlock. He is ashamed of her, and when her mother commits suicide it’s the perfect opportunity for Mariam, at only fifteen, to be married off to Rasheed. She moves to Kabul and there is forced to become wife to a man who knows no love, who expects to be obeyed and who is desperate for a son. Her story is a sad one, and it’s hard not to feel admiration for the fortitude she shows in dealing with her hand in life.
Not far from Mariam lives a young couple who have a daughter, Laila. Blessed with the opportunity to get educated Laila wants nothing more than to marry her childhood friend, Tariq. When the Taliban comes to Afghanistan conflict becomes their life.
Showing the devastating impact of war on our characters hits hard. The descriptions of how Kabul changes and the way their lives are altered is tough reading, but very necessary.
Through an unlikely set of circumstances Laila is taken into Marian’s home and given the opportunity to also marry Rasheed. For her own reasons, she accepts. The dynamic between the two woman was fascinating, and the way their friendship develops was a real positive.
Hossein takes us through a range of events, all the time showing us the impact on our cast of characters. At times I was angry. At times I was sad. Throughout there was a strong sense of hope that I imagine is the only thing you can hold onto in such times.
The Fury by Alex Michaelides
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Celebrated actress Lana Farrar has a close-knit group of friends, and she has always enjoyed spending time on the remote Greek island she bought with her first husband. Every year she invites her friends to spend time with her on the island. We think we know where this is going, but this trip is something different.
Through the eyes of our narrator Elliot Chase we come to know the characters of our story. We gain insight into their motivations and desires. We see their flaws, and we know that the story is going to be marred by a murder.
Not everything is as it seems here. Cleverly structured, and with a definite nod to Agatha Christie, this is a great read.
Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review it before publication.
Through the eyes of our narrator Elliot Chase we come to know the characters of our story. We gain insight into their motivations and desires. We see their flaws, and we know that the story is going to be marred by a murder.
Not everything is as it seems here. Cleverly structured, and with a definite nod to Agatha Christie, this is a great read.
Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review it before publication.
See You In September by Charity Norman
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
When she waves goodbye to her parents at Heathrow Airport nobody would imagine that it would be years before they see one another again.
Casey heads off to New Zealand with her boyfriend for a short trip before she returns to university for her final year studying Law. We only find out in snippets that Cassy dislikes the life set out for her, and it doesn’t really come as a surprise when she and her boyfriend are arguing over their future plans. Tired and fed-up, Cassy is overwhelmed by the kindness shown to her by the group of strangers that picked her up. Drawn to the love and affection shown her, it doesn’t take long for Cassy to be alienated from her past life.
We are given details about the steps taken by cult leaders to recruit new members in between the details given about Casey’s experience. It’s easy for us to see how she is swept up by the pronouncements of the group’s charismatic leader Justin.
Alongside Cassy’s story we see the impact her becoming entrenched in the group’s way of life has on the family she left behind.
Incredibly frustrating for those left behind. Cassy does get the opportunity to step away from this world and this offers her the chance to see some of the issues with the life proposed by Justin. She welcomes some of the changes brought about by the demise of Justin, but the ending simply highlights how callously he manipulated those involved.
Casey heads off to New Zealand with her boyfriend for a short trip before she returns to university for her final year studying Law. We only find out in snippets that Cassy dislikes the life set out for her, and it doesn’t really come as a surprise when she and her boyfriend are arguing over their future plans. Tired and fed-up, Cassy is overwhelmed by the kindness shown to her by the group of strangers that picked her up. Drawn to the love and affection shown her, it doesn’t take long for Cassy to be alienated from her past life.
We are given details about the steps taken by cult leaders to recruit new members in between the details given about Casey’s experience. It’s easy for us to see how she is swept up by the pronouncements of the group’s charismatic leader Justin.
Alongside Cassy’s story we see the impact her becoming entrenched in the group’s way of life has on the family she left behind.
Incredibly frustrating for those left behind. Cassy does get the opportunity to step away from this world and this offers her the chance to see some of the issues with the life proposed by Justin. She welcomes some of the changes brought about by the demise of Justin, but the ending simply highlights how callously he manipulated those involved.
Fair Rosaline by Natasha Solomons
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Even if you've never studied 'Romeo and Juliet' you will know the plot. The love story between these two characters is always referenced, and yet we forget that before the events of Shakespeare's play Romeo seemed to be in love with Juliet's cousin, Rosaline.
Fair Rosaline focuses on the character of Rosaline, a bold young woman and one who is not averse to taking risks. She has, since childhood, been loved by Tybalt but when we first meet her she is having to bury her beloved mother. Her father then makes the decision that she is to enter a nunnery, so Rosaline is in an emotionally vulnerable state that leaves her open to someone taking advantage.
In this book we see a very different side to Romeo Montague. A serial flatterer, determined to take the maidenhood of many a young woman and then find a way to remove the problem before moving onto his next conquest. We see Rosaline fall for his charms and almost reach the point of marriage, until she is visited by a pregnant maid who also fell for Romeo only to be cruelly abandoned once she has served her purpose.
Rosaline then takes it upon herself to do what she can to help Juliet making the same mistake. Unfortunately, there are some things she cannot change.
The story doesn't deviate that much, but it was certainly fun to see another side to the characters that we feel we know so well.
Fair Rosaline focuses on the character of Rosaline, a bold young woman and one who is not averse to taking risks. She has, since childhood, been loved by Tybalt but when we first meet her she is having to bury her beloved mother. Her father then makes the decision that she is to enter a nunnery, so Rosaline is in an emotionally vulnerable state that leaves her open to someone taking advantage.
In this book we see a very different side to Romeo Montague. A serial flatterer, determined to take the maidenhood of many a young woman and then find a way to remove the problem before moving onto his next conquest. We see Rosaline fall for his charms and almost reach the point of marriage, until she is visited by a pregnant maid who also fell for Romeo only to be cruelly abandoned once she has served her purpose.
Rosaline then takes it upon herself to do what she can to help Juliet making the same mistake. Unfortunately, there are some things she cannot change.
The story doesn't deviate that much, but it was certainly fun to see another side to the characters that we feel we know so well.
Blood Like Mine by Stuart Neville
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A haunting story, where the horror is tangible, and Blood Like Mine will, I’m sure, be a hit. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review it before publication.
The book opens with Rebecca Carter having a near miss with an elk. For reasons we’re not told, she needs to get away from the scene and hope that nobody remembers her, her daughter or their van. My brain was picturing a number of scenarios here, but it came nowhere near what was actually happening.
We then quickly switch our attention to FBI agent Marc Donner, an agent on the trail of what he believes to be a prolific serial killer. He is going on little other than gut instinct, but there have been a number of male bodies found with their throats slit and their spinal cords removed. Donner is convinced that this woman and her daughter may be the key to solving this crime.
Quite early on we’re given the insight into what’s happening. In some ways this made what followed even more chilling. Nobody wins in this, and that final scene suggests an unstoppable horror has been unleashed.
The book opens with Rebecca Carter having a near miss with an elk. For reasons we’re not told, she needs to get away from the scene and hope that nobody remembers her, her daughter or their van. My brain was picturing a number of scenarios here, but it came nowhere near what was actually happening.
We then quickly switch our attention to FBI agent Marc Donner, an agent on the trail of what he believes to be a prolific serial killer. He is going on little other than gut instinct, but there have been a number of male bodies found with their throats slit and their spinal cords removed. Donner is convinced that this woman and her daughter may be the key to solving this crime.
Quite early on we’re given the insight into what’s happening. In some ways this made what followed even more chilling. Nobody wins in this, and that final scene suggests an unstoppable horror has been unleashed.