Now when I first looked at today’s prompt I wasn’t sure it was one that I would get on board with. Initially I was like what will I say to this one and the more I thought about it I was like I can take part.
Six for Sunday is a weekly meme created by https://alittlebutalot.com each week a prompt is given and then you choose books accordingly.
This weeks prompt is Bookish Hates…
Unwarranted book hype….now if a book deserves the hype I’m there for it but sometimes the hype really isn’t warranted. I’m a huge fan of publishers and I know they have a job to do but sometimes the hype puts me off a book. Although one book that had a massive amount of hype where it did warrant it was Daisy Jones & the Six. So I fully appreciate it does work.
Folding corners of books… I’m a bookmark kind of girl I don’t like any forms of creases or bends to my beloved books. I will admit it I start a book off the cuff I have used train tickets and receipts as bookmarks but I detest folding corners of pages.
Bending book spines….. I know sometimes they bend no matter what you do to keep them pristine, but when people purposefully bend them. That’s a huge bug bear of mine.
Blogger Bashing….Book bloggers read, review and rave about books because we love them. We do it for love of books, stories, authors and publishers. Obviously we get books from time to time but on the whole we do this in our free time because we want to. So when bloggers get attached or moaned at it does upset us.
Spoiler reviews…. I know in some instances you may want to say loads but don’t. I hate reading reviews where everything is ruined especially if it’s a book you’re lining up to read next.
I rarely do it but I hate picking up a book and do not finishing it. Especially when on paper it’s right up my street.
Well those are my answers to today’s prompt. I’m intrigued to what you would say? Happy Sunday, back to the book.
Here we are at another Saturday and the final one of January. January is always the longest month of the year and it’s felt even longer this year without the working aspect.
I’m missing the routine of work and classes alongside the occasional night out. I can guarantee there will be a lot of nights out when life permits. Anyway we are all doing what we can to get through this crazy the best way we can and the safest at that.
Running and reading have been my tonics of late. I must admit the blog has been a bit hit and miss this week but I’m getting back organised so that shouldn’t happen again.
Following my epic 10 miler I really wasn’t sure how much resting I would need but fear not on Monday I was back out there.
I decided to go on my original route and I must admit the hilly part was nowhere near as knackering as it used to be. Which shows how far I’ve come in my training/fitness.
On Wednesday I decided it was high time to start mixing up my training. In doing so I did some hill work and some sprinting and I must say I felt good in doing so.
I had hoped to have got out either yesterday or this morning but the weather has been rotten and yesterday I definitely needed an extra stretch. So it looks like there will be some more stretching today and then I will reassess. Part of me wants to get out tomorrow and end January really well, where the other part of me thinks start fresh for my most favourite month of the year February.
This week I’ve read:
I haven’t had a bad reading month but I definitely hope to up it a notch.
What’s been on the blog this week:
On Sunday I treated you guys to two posts up first was the blog tour review of The Burning Girls and you can read that here shortly followed by the Six For Sunday prompt Books excited for in 2021 and you can read that here.
On Monday I shared my second Monday Motivation post and you can read it here.
On Tuesday I posted my 21 in 2021 post am I crazy for adding only books I’ve not yet read – you can read that here.
On Thursday I posted my review of Mr Right Across the Street and you can read it here.
I’m ashamed that there were a few blank days but I also don’t want to just post for the sake of posting. I’m hoping to spend a bit more of today organising blog posts before delving into another book. In saying that I do hope to get a bit further along with my audiobook as I’ve got to give it back to the library in a few days.
I received this beauty today….I’m itching to get stuck in but I also know I still have January and February reads to read.
Blurb: Mia Abbott’s move to Manchester was supposed to give her time and space from all the disastrous romantic choices she’s made in her past. But then the hot guy who lives opposite – the one who works out every day at exactly 10 a.m., not that Mia has noticed thank-you-very-much – starts leaving notes in his window…for her.
Bar owner Luke Doyle has his own issues to deal with but as he shows Mia the sights of her new city he also shows her what real romance looks like for the first time. And when he cooks up a signature cocktail in her honour, she realises that the man behind the bar is even more enticing than any of his creations. And once she’s had a taste she knows it will never be enough!
Review: Following two thrilling Thrillers I was itching for something lighter to read. I’m a massive fan of Kathryn Freeman and ashamedly it’s been a while since I’ve devoured one of her novels. I remember first hearing about this one and I instantly requested it on Netgalley and forgot about it. Until I had the email to say I had been approved. I must admit I had hoped to have read this before publication but sometimes life really does get in the way.
This is a rom-com that will bulldoze you from start to finish. From the minute I met Mia I adored her – we are extremely different people but we do share a few similarities when it comes to how we see ourselves.
Mia has moved to Manchester for a change of scenery and in some ways to find herself – struggling following a bad break up. I really enjoyed seeing Mia embrace leaving her comfort zone and I loved how real she is – not a materialistic girl one who wears what she likes for her. In getting out of her comfort zone she also embraces some unlikely friendships – but haven’t we all in a night club toilet but for Mia it’s a big deal.
She’s sworn off men for a while – focusing on herself that’s until bartender Luke Doyle catches her eye. The initial meet and banter over beers over cocktails had me hooked and eager for more. Luke’s not used to having his advances swotted back and he’s intrigued by Mia from the start. I loved watching this story play out.
I’m a big fan of the cross generation friendship of the older and the younger generation. I really enjoyed getting to know Stan and Naomi and how they shaped Mia’s new life as much as she did theres.
I loved how different Luke and Mia were to start with and I loved the slow reveal of both of their backstories. I wasn’t expecting certain aspects of Luke’s story but from the off I knew there was more to the charming bartender. This is a story that gives you hope for that of real life and actually communicating with a potential partner. I adored watching the pairs friendship blossom – I have to mention the cinema, that made my heart swell for all that we’re missing right now.
An eclectic arrangement of characters, a sense of community, friendship and most importantly family. I loved the aspects of family and I loved seeing friendship groups change and adjust for a number of reasons.
Rather than swiping right and left sometimes the most simplistic forms of communication are the most effective.
Mr Right Across The Street is a truly gorgeous, light-hearted read with a number of simple messages about love, life and getting out of your comfort zone.
I’ve seen lots of posts with 21 books for the year 2021 and I’ve been compiling a list and trying to get this up and posted. I’ve had to change a few as I wanted them to be ones I haven’t already read. Mad I know but as I upped my GoodReads for this year I’ll do anything that adds to hitting that target. I’ve read 8 books already and I’ve loved each of them for different reasons. So I’m definitely hoping to get to all of these.
The Start of Something By Miranda Dickinson.
Lives Like Mine By Eva Verde
Home By Penny Parkes
Lindsey Kelk On a Night Like This
I had to revise my list a tad to only include 2021 releases. There’s a few I don’t have covers for but I can’t wait to get to these.
Are there any you’re itching to read? Just today I was included on a blog tour for one of these and I’m beyond over the moon.
Happy Monday, I very nearly didn’t pen this post but I must say I do like writing these type of posts. As I’ve mentioned time and again I’ve never really been one to dread Monday’s at the moment they lack in routine somewhat.
Which is why I like Running on a Monday as it gives me a focus and an energetic start to my week. Exercise really does make such a difference to both your physical and mental health and I’m loving it.
Following Saturday’s 10 miles I wasn’t sure if I would or wouldn’t get out today, that and the brief snow we had yesterday. I must admit if I hadn’t had decent running trainers I would have had to turn back today. Today wasn’t about speed – I changed to my old route that I haven’t liked as much although this morning I embraced the hills. It felt different my progress is obviously taking an effect. I did run 5 miles I wasn’t sure what I would run today.
Today I also received some gorgeous book post…
If you tuned in yesterday you would see that Concrete Rose is one of my books I’m excited for this year. Today it came through my letterbox – as yet I haven’t managed to open my current book but once I’ve finished my ebook I’m hoping to dive into this one.
What are you doing for you today? Each and everyday we should all take a bit of time to do something just for us. Today I’ve ran which always feels me with joy – I’ve done a few things round the house and I’ve been toying with what to post on here. I’m hoping to get back to reading this below. It’s also National Irish Coffee day so I’m hoping to make a Baileys coffee later on especially as I’ve had a pretty good day with a scale victory also. It’s been a while since I raved about National Irish Coffee day and I hope to go back to Waxy’s for one in the future you can read that post here if you’re interested in doing so.
Following the Thrillers this is a welcome change and it’s brought many smiles to my face.
This may become a regular feature here on Hayley Reviews and you can read last weeks post here.
I would love to know how your Monday is going? Spread kindness in whatever way you can. Let’s build each other up this week.
As promised one for the evening crowd. I had debated about posting this earlier or even having prepped it, but yesterday was a weird day for a number of reasons and following my epic run I spent a lot of time chilling. It’s been a bit of a lazy one today with a lot of Football and some reading. I had hoped to have read a little more but I did get to roughly where I wanted to be – I’ve a bit of a headache right now and I’m watching the Football.
Today’s Six for Sunday prompt is Books you’re excited for in 2021. I will never tire of gushing over Six for Sunday’s.
Six for Sunday is a weekly meme created by https://alittlebutalot.com each week a prompt is given and then you choose books accordingly.
The Start of Something By Miranda Dickinson – I’m a huge fan of Miranda’s writing and I love the sound of this one. There’s no cover for this one just yet.
Blurb: Two lonely people. One note in the window. And what happens when they reach out…
Lachlan Wallace is stuck at home after a car accident stalled his army career. With months of physiotherapy still to endure and only his rescue dog and cat for company, he’s taken to gazing out of the window, watching the world spin on without him. And then he notices a vase of flowers on the windowsill of the apartment opposite his. Drawn to their hope and colour, he decides to reach out and sticks a message in his window…
Bethan Gwynne is a stranger in a new town. Bringing up her son Noah by herself, she is slowly rebuilding her life, but loneliness is one obstacle she has yet to overcome. She’s intrigued by a glimpse of her neighbour in the apartment across from hers – and then, one evening, she sees a message in his window just for her:
WHAT ARE THOSE FLOWERS CALLED?
And so begins a love story of two people reaching out, daring to trust a stranger…
Concrete Rose By Angie Thomas – I loved On the Come Up and following that I purchased The Hate U Give but seeing as Concrete Rose is the prequel I have ordered that to read first.
Blurb: With his King Lord dad in prison and his mom working two jobs, seventeen-year-old Maverick Carter helps the only way he knows how: slinging drugs. Life’s not perfect, but he’s got everything under control. Until he finds out he’s a father…
Suddenly it’s not so easy to deal drugs and finish school with a baby dependent on him for everything. So when he’s offered the chance to go straight, he takes it. But when King Lord blood runs through your veins, you don’t get to just walk away.
The Players By Darren O’Sullivan – I’m such a fangirl of Darren and I’ve loved everything he’s written so far. The release date on this one changed but I’m pretty sure it’s on pre-order.
Blurb: A stranger has you cornered. They call themselves The Host. You are forced to play their game. In it one person can live and the other must die.
You are the next player. You have a choice to make.
Someone I used to know By Paige Toon – I’m fangirling once again this woman gets me every single time.
Blurb: So much can change in half a lifetime…
Then
At fifteen, George is the foster brother Leah never asked for. As the angry, troubled boy struggles to come to terms with his circumstances, Leah finds herself getting drawn closer to him.
Theo’s wealthy family have mysteriously pulled him out of boarding school and he’s now enrolled at the local state school with Leah and George. When their worlds collide that summer, the three teenagers form a bond they believe will be unbreakable. But life doesn’t always go to plan…
Now
Shocking news brings Leah back to Yorkshire, baby daughter in tow. But Emilie’s father Theo isn’t with them, and George has unexpectedly returned. After half a lifetime, have they healed the scars of their pasts? Will coming back home set their hearts in a different direction?
Malibu Rising By Taylor Jenkins Reid – I loved Daisy Jones & The Six and when this one came up on Netgalley I requested thinking I would be turned down in chuffed to say I was accepted 🙂 I cannot wait to read this.
Blurb: A lifetime holding it together. One party will bring it crashing down.
Malibu: August, 1983. It’s the day of Nina Riva’s annual end-of-summer party, and anticipation is at a fever pitch. Everyone wants to be around the famous Rivas: Nina, the talented surfer and supermodel; brothers Jay and Hud, one a championship surfer, the other a renowned photographer; and their adored baby sister, Kit. Together, the siblings are a source of fascination in Malibu and the world over-especially as the offspring of the legendary singer, Mick Riva.
By midnight the party will be completely out of control. By morning, the Riva mansion will have gone up in flames.
But before that first spark in the early hours before dawn, the alcohol will flow, the music will play, and the loves and secrets that shaped this family’s generations will all come bubbling to the surface.
Malibu Rising is a story about one unforgettable night in the life of a family: the night they each have to choose what they will keep from the people who made them . . . and what they will leave behind.
Last Night By Mhari McFarlane – Another go to author and another Netgalley that I was so glad to receive.
Blurb: Two best friends.
One missed chance.
And a night that changes everything.
Eve, Justin, Susie and Ed have been friends since they were eighteen. Now in their 30s, the four are still as close as ever, Thursday pub quiz night is still sacred, and Eve is still secretly in love with Ed.
Maybe Eve should have moved on by now, but she can’t stop thinking about what could have been. And she knows Ed sometimes thinks about it too.
Then one night, in an instant, all their lives change forever. And, as Eve learns she didn’t know her friends as well as she thought, she also discovers she isn’t the only person keeping secrets…
I wasn’t sure I would get to take part today but I’m glad that I did. I’m not sure I will next week as I don’t know if I’ll have many ideas for the next prompt which is Bookish Hates.
Blurb: 500 years ago: eight martyrs were burnt to death 30 years ago: two teenagers vanished without trace Two months ago: the vicar committed suicide
Welcome to Chapel Croft.
For Rev Jack Brooks and teenage daughter Flo it’s supposed to be a fresh start. New job, new home. But, as Jack knows, the past isn’t easily forgotten.
And in a close-knit community where the residents seem as proud as they are haunted by Chapel Croft’s history, Jack must tread carefully. Ancient superstitions as well as a mistrust of outsiders will be hard to overcome.
Yet right away Jack has more frightening concerns. Why is Flo plagued by visions of burning girls? Who’s sending them sinister, threatening messages? And why did no one mention that the last vicar killed himself?
Chapel Croft’s secrets lie deep and dark as the tomb. Jack wouldn’t touch them if not for Flo – anything to protect Flo.
But the past is catching up with Chapel Croft – and with Jack. For old ghosts with scores to settle will never rest .
Review: So I’m going to start by saying I’ve had The Chalk Man on my TBR for a while and if it’s anything like The Burning Girls I will be hooked from beginning to end. So it’s safe to say it needs to jump further up my TBR pile. Now I’m not a slow reader but I’m also not one to read cover to cover in a day – well not mostly. I devoured The Burning Girls in two days reading 65% on the first sitting and the final 35% seemed to take a while as the twists and turns kept on coming. I found myself swiping the pages eagerly and going oh and omg a lot. This would have been an amusing one to have read on public transport as onlookers would have been loving my facial expressions.
I’m not religious myself but I’ve always had an interest for history and I loved how there were so many stories amongst this tale. C J Tudor has a gorgeous writing style that drip feeds you information and has you eager to read more. I loved how short the chapters were and how each chapter left you wanting to know more.
Now there’s a lot I want to say and also a hell of a lot that I can’t say. We’ll start with Jack from the off it was apparent there was a lot more to her back story, and I honestly wasn’t expecting it to go the way it did. Quite early on she had her work cut out as this close knit town was hiding a number of secrets and from the off she was plunged into the action almost instantly on arrival.
I liked Jack and Flo from the off. I could see why Flo was upset as a teen we never want to be separated from our friends. In saying that she’s a smart girl although she made some questionable choices. The Burning Girls sure does cover an eclectic bunch of characters and I would love to delve into them more but I also don’t want to ruin the story.
The chapters cover Jack, the history of The Burning Girls giving us context on the back stories of the history of Chapel Croft and that of a man. The man himself is a truly interesting case and I won’t say anymore than that, as I pegged him completely wrong the reveals that came nearer the end had me sighing of relief and yet also feeling extreme sadness.
The Burning Girls is a captivating, horrific, terrifying thriller. That will have you on the edge of your seat eager for more. Alongside all of that there’s a number of murders and a who done it to uncover. This is my first introduction to C J Tudor but it definitely won’t be my last. There are a number of care warnings of abuse amongst other horrific acts but the author has done so in context and with grace. This spine chilling tale is a must read if you like a good thriller with so much more to it.
Thank you to Michael J Books for including me on this blog tour. I loved every spine tingling second of this read. Be sure to check out the other reviews on the blog tour.
Happy Saturday! Can you believe this is the 30th Weekly Update on Hayley Reviews.
I’ve really come to love these posts. In saying that it also shows how quickly or slowly each week is panning out. The last update felt a bit strange especially with my lack of running updates and days without a blog post.
So on Monday I got back out and ran – as a friend said to me – you don’t do anything by half’s. Following a week of no running I ran 10k on Monday and got my second fastest time.
I would then usually run on a Wednesday but I was still a tad sore plus the weather was quite simply disgusting. So I got back out on Thursday and ran another 5 miles.
This morning I got myself up bright and early and ran an epic run. Today is my longest so far in 10 miles it’s safe to say I’m a bit worse for wear now but feeling so good for it too.
I’m over the moon that I managed it. Two coffees a glass of water and a few biscoff biscuits as well as my much needed bath & hair wash.
This week I read:
I’ve been blown away by these books. The Burning Girls is the only one where the review isn’t up yet as I’m on the blog tour tomorrow.
What’s been on the blog this week:
On Sunday I shared another gorgeous Six for Sunday post which was Books I wish I had read in 2020 and you can read that post here.
On Monday I had initially had an idea for a post but following my run my thought process changed. Which is where Monday Motivation and smiles came from and you can read it here.
On Tuesday I shared my thoughts on the Jack Reacher Novella Small Wars and you can read it here.
On Wednesday I had a gorgeous cover reveal to share and you can read that post here.
Thursday was publication day for C L Taylor’s The Island and today I shared my review on this fabulous novel. You can read it here.
On Friday I was part of the #Intothewoods blog tour and you can read my post here. Friday evening saw the return of NCIS although I’m annoyed it wasn’t a double whammy as there are so many questions.
So as you can see it’s been quite a week I will be chilling for the rest of the weekend, reading organising blog stuff and it’s Saturday so my guilty pleasure is back – The Masked Singer. Although the one I was eager to know was unmasked last week.
Following the Thrillers I’ve started reading…
It’s been a while since I’ve read a Kathryn Freeman although I’m only around 10% in but it’s so fun.
Do get in touch if there is anything else you would love to see here at Hayley Reviews. Until next time. Have a good week and stay safe.
Blurb: If you go into the woods, you’re in for a dark surprise.
Thirty years ago, three girls followed a stranger into the woods. Only two returned. The surviving pair have never been able to remember what happened or what the fate of the third girl was. Local rumours talk of hippies and drugs and mystic rituals, but no one has learned the truth.
This story is just what Rowan Blake needs. He’s in debt, his journalistic career is in tatters – as well as his damaged body – and he’s retreated to the Lake District to write. Yet even Rowan isn’t prepared for the evil he is about to unearth, for the secrets that have been buried in that wood for far too long…
Today I am pleased to be a part of this blog tour for Into The Woods and I’ll be sharing an extract with you.
About the Author: David Mark spent more than fifteen years as a journalist, including seven years as a crime reporter with the Yorkshire Post. His writing is heavily influenced by the court cases he covered: the defeatist and jaded police officers; the competent and incompetent investigators; the inertia of the justice system and the sheer raw grief of those touched by savagery and tragedy.
He writes the McAvoy series, historical novels and psychological suspense thrillers. Dark Winter was selected for the Harrogate New Blood panel (where he was reader in residence) and was a Richard & Judy pick and a Sunday Times bestseller.
It was supposed to be the perfect holiday: a week-long trip for six teenage friends on a remote tropical island.
But when their guide dies of a stroke leaving them stranded, the trip of a lifetime turns into a nightmare.
Because someone on the island knows each of the group’s worst fears. And one by one, they’re becoming a reality.
Seven days in paradise. A deadly secret.
Who will make it off the island alive?
Review: This is the book I wish I had discovered as a teen. If that had happened I would have wholeheartedly got into Thrillers at a much younger age. The Island is a claustrophobic, enlightening and all consuming read. I had to tell myself to go to bed otherwise I would have been bleary eyed and fit for nothing the next day.
C L Taylor is an impressive writer with an inquisitive mind. I own The Treatment but I must admit it lies on my Kindle unread although after being all consumed by The Island I’m desperate to push it further up my ever expanding TBR.
This dual narrative is in the voice of Danny and Jessie and the interesting thing was Jessie was in first person and Danny’s was in third person. Although as the story builds up momentum it definitely does work. There was another element that I wasn’t expecting but that added to the story paramount. Every single chapter had me on the edge of my seat and I didn’t see it coming at all.
I love how Cally has covered some hard hitting subjects in a young adult novel – especially following the pandemic. The aspects of grief really called to me and I think if I had read this as a teen it would have enlightened and opened my eyes. As an adult I still wholeheartedly understand it and get it but she’s really shown how each and every one of us are completely different in how we react to situations and grief triggers.
If you want to go on a thrilling rollercoaster ride, featuring an Island a dysfunctional yet great bunch of teens and a mystery that plays out to you like a slow dripping tap then look no further. I loved The Island so much, if I had read this on a holiday it would have definitely been a one sitting read – although I’m glad I got to spend a little more time with the gang.
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