Book-Mad-Mum

If Only I Could Tell You by Hannah Beckerman My rating: 4 of 5 stars What happened on that morning in 1988 when ten year old Jess caught her 15 year old sister Lilly coming out of the spare bedroom? It was enough to fuel a rift between the two sisters which went on for decades. When their mother Audrey becomes desperately ill, she moves in Jess and her grand daughter Mia due and vows to reunite the two sisters and their own daughter, Phoebe and Mia who have only met a handful of times. I had read about a twist in the middle of the book, so was prepared for it, and I was completely convinced that I’d guessed what it was, but how wrong was I, and when I read it, I was floored by it! The book tells you the family’s back story and then slowly, the truth is out there – for the last few pages I had tears rolling down my cheeks so have tissues at the ready for a beautifully told story. I received an Advance copy of this book from Net Galley in return for a ...

Too Close by Natalie Daniels My rating: 4 of 5 stars Connie is in a Psychiatric hospital and she has no idea why, she has committed a terrible crime which has earnt her the nickname Yummy Monster. At the beginning of the book, we learn about Connie's new friendship with Ness. The two women met at a park where their children were playing and realising that they were also neighbours, their friendship grew with their families more or less merging and they became inseparable. But when Ness’s marriage ends in a bitter divorce, she is suddenly at Connie’s house all the time. It’s all too much, and Connie snaps. Forensic Psychiatrist Emma Robinson is challenged with deciding whether or not Connie is sane enough to stand trial but she sees the softer, vulnerable side to the monster. I loved this book - I really wanted to hate Connie but as her story unfolded I was drawn in and soon I felt sorry for this woman who was pushed to the edge. A wonderful debut...

Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak My rating: 4 of 5 stars It’s Christmas, and for the first time in years the entire Birch family will be under one roof, but for a very specific reason. Elder daughter Olivia, a doctor has been treating victims of an epidemic in Liberia and upon returning home for the festive period, the entire family must now spend a week in quarantine. The decision is made to leave their London pad and spend the festive season in their run-down country pile, Weyfield Hall in Norfolk. Cut off from civilisation and forced to spend time with each other, they soon discover their differences. Younger sibling Phoebe is obsessed with her recent engagement to George and life for her becomes mood boards and seating plans. The two sisters seem miles apart in personalities and interests. Dad Andrew is a restaurant critic who longs for his former career as a war correspondent, but he is harbouring a dark secret that he hopes to keep from the...