Title: One Winter Morning

Author: Isabelle Broom

Published: October 17th 2019 by Penguin

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Genie isn't feeling very festive this December.

The frosty mornings and twinkling fairy lights only remind her it's been a whole year since she lost her adoptive mother, who took her in as a baby and raised her as her own.

She's never felt more alone - until she discovers her birth mot

And where to find her: New Zealand, half the world away.

Travelling there could be her one chance to meet the woman who gave her up.

But will she find the answers she has been looking for? Or something she could never have expected?

Review: A new Isabelle Broom book has become a highlight in my reading year and with One Winter Morning she completely surpassed all my (high!) expectations. This is a beautiful touching story set in a stunning location that stole my heart. 

I found the characters in this story very interesting and I loved getting to know them. The story unfolds quite slowly so you don't really know how they are connected until you are totally immersed in their world. I think it worked very well here as it made it easier for me to connect with them and understand what they were going through. 

I especially enjoyed reading about New Zealand. Locals Tui and Kit were the perfect guides for Genie in this foreign land and they made such a great job that not only she felt in love with the beautiful nature but so did I. New Zealand has just climbed to the top of my dream holiday destinations. 

I think the development of the main character Genie was perfect. At the beginning of the book she was quite lost but she found her inner strength and took a chance at life again. A very inspiring woman. I think I will be revisiting her story quite soon to enjoy all the little things that happen to her in more detail. 

One Winter Morning is the perfect story to escape to this winter. There's plenty of sunshine and adventures waiting for you in New Zealand!

Rating: 5 stars

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book via NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

'Funny, charming, odd-in-the-best-way and gorgeously uplifting! A delight from start to finish' Marian Keyes

Today is my stop in the Blog Tour for Nina Stibbe's latest book, Reasons to be Cheerful and I am sharing my review for this fun and enjoyable story:

Title: Reasons to be Cheerful

Author: Nina Stibbe

Published: March 28th 2019 by Viking

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: 'When people in the village heard I was about to start working in the city they tried to unsettle me with tales of woe. The sun, blotted out by the tall buildings, couldn't shine and the rain was poisoned by the toxic fumes that poured from the sock factories. My skin would be covered in pimples from the hell of it all'

So begins a young woman's journey to adulthood. Lizzie Vogel leaves her alcoholic, novel-writing mother and heads for Leicester to work for a racist, barely competent dentist obsessed with joining the freemasons.

Soon Lizzie is heading reluctantly, if at top speed, into the murky depths of adult life: where her driving instructor becomes her best friend; her first boyfriend prefers birdwatching to sex and where independence for a teenage girl might just be another word for loneliness.

In Reasons to Be Cheerful Nina Stibbe shows her extraordinary gift for illuminating the vital details which make us human. She is that rare writer who makes us laugh whilst reminding us of the joy, and the pain, of being alive.

Review: Reasons to be Cheerful is a fun and touching novel about growing up in the 80s in England. The story focuses on Lizzie, who has found her first job as a dentist assistant and has left her family home to move to a big city. She is not quite convinced that this has been the best decision though and although she tries to embrace her new adult life, she feels lonely.

It was very interesting to read about Lizzie and how she tried to make new friends and start a new relationship, although she did not have the best rate of success in those fronts, some of the situations she found herself in were sometimes so ridiculous that they were actually pretty funny. Actually, the cast of characters in this novel was definitely highly entertaining, which provided plenty of fun moments but also some touching and even sad ones. These gave a good balance to the story.

I actually didn't know this is the third book on a series when I started reading it but it turned out that it can be read perfectly well as a standalone as the author gives enough background for you to understand what's going. But now I am curious to know more about these characters and how they got here, especially about Lizzie's mum, as her story sounds like quite an eventful one.

Rating: 4 stars

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

Graeme Simsion's new book, The Rosie Result, is the triumphant final instalment of the internationally bestselling series that began with The Rosie Project.

Title: The Rosie Result (Don Tillman #3) 

Author: Graeme Simsion

Published: April 4th 2019 by Penguin 

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: 'The phone call signalling an escalation in the Hudson Adjustment Problem came at 10:18 a.m. on a Friday morning . . .'

Meet Don Tillman, the genetics professor with a scientific approach to everything. But he's facing a set of human dilemmas tougher than the trickiest of equations.

Right now he is in professional hot water after a lecture goes viral; his wife of 4,380 days, Rosie, is about to lose the research job she loves; and - the most serious problem of all - their eleven-year-old son, Hudson, is struggling at school. He's a smart kid, but socially awkward-not fitting in.

Fortunately, Don's had a lifetime's experience of not fitting in. And he's going to share the solutions with Hudson. He'll need the help of old friends and new, lock horns with the education system, and face some big questions about himself. As well as opening the world's best cocktail bar.

Big-hearted, hilarious and exuberantly life-affirming, The Rosie Result is a story of overcoming life's obstacles with a little love and a lot of overthinking.

Review: it's been a few years since I read The Rosie Project and The Rosie Effect but as soon as I picked The Rosie Result, I felt right at home, surrounded by old friends. I really enjoyed the previous two books and this one is the perfect ending to a highly entertaining, fun and touching series. 

The Rosie Result takes place several years after the last book, and Don and Rosie's son, Hudson, is eleven. At the beginning of the book, they decide to move back to Australia from New York. The main reason is Rosie's new and important new job. But after a few months in Melbourne, nothing is working out as they had planned, so Don needs to take action, can he actually find one solution for all their problems?

I always enjoy reading about Don and how he analyzes his problems to the last detail and tries to find the most logical solution. He shows once again, what a big heart he has and I loved discovering his dad side in this story. He has evolved incredibly as a character since we first met him and I am pretty fond of him and everything he has achieved. Actually, the same goes for Rosie, as she has been a key character in this series. I love how they interact with each other, how they stand together when facing problems, and what a strong and clever woman she is. 

Their son Hudson plays a big role in the book too and I had a great time getting to know him. He really taught Don, Rosie and all of us a few lessons. The story handles complex issues about autism, like what it means to be "labelled" as autistic, how others react to this, and it includes several characters with different views and opinions about this, which I found very interesting. It also touches on other serious issues like the challenges of working mothers and the anti-doctors and anti-vaccination views. A lot of food for thought and a lot to learn. 

The Rosie Result is a joy to read, funny, life-affirming and inspiring. I am going to miss Don Tillman, his family and his friends. 

Rating: 5 stars

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book via NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

One Day in December, Josie Silver's debut novel, is vert special love story about what happens after you meet, or rather, don't meet the one. A story that completely captivated me, and here is why:

Title: One Day in December 

Author: Josie Silver

Published: October 18th 2018 by Penguin

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Laurie is pretty sure love at first sight doesn't exist anywhere but the movies. But then, through a misted-up bus window one snowy December day, she sees a man who she knows instantly is the one. Their eyes meet, there's a moment of pure magic...and then her bus drives away.

Certain they're fated to find each other again, Laurie spends a year scanning every bus stop and cafe in London for him. But she doesn't find him, not when it matters anyway. Instead they "reunite" at a Christmas party, when her best friend Sarah giddily introduces her new boyfriend to Laurie. It's Jack, the man from the bus. It would be.

What follows for Laurie, Sarah and Jack is ten years of friendship, heartbreak, missed opportunities, roads not taken, and destinies reconsidered. One Day in December is a joyous, heartwarming and immensely moving love story to escape into and a reminder that fate takes inexplicable turns along the route to happiness. 

Review: One Day in December is the kind of story I absolutely love. It's warm and hopeful but also hard and complex, just as real life. It spans over ten years and it follows the lives of two very close friends, Laurie and Sarah. When we meet them, they are roommates, both fresh out of university and looking for that special person that might or might not be the one. 

The story is told from Laurie's point of view and it starts with her falling in love at first sight with a stranger one day in December. It's almost a year later when she finally meets him, Jack, and he becomes a huge part of both hers and Sarah's lives, just not as Laurie had hoped. Since that first scene, I felt a huge connection to Laurie and I was completely invested in their story and with every scene and every passing year, I really had no idea where the story was going to take us.

What I enjoyed the most is seeing these friends grow up. I think Josie Silver made a fantastic job with these characters. They evolved, made mistakes, got stuck, fought for what mattered, challenged themselves, made some really bad decisions and some really good ones... just as any of us has done in the last ten years, and by the end of the book, I really felt like they were really close friends of mine. 

I have no doubt that One Day in December will resonate with many readers and its story will steal your hearts, as it did with me. I will definitely be going back to it for a re-read, to enjoy every detail again, very soon. It is one of the books that have touched me the most this past year. 

Rating: 5 stars

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book via NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

On her latest book, Isabelle Broom takes on an amazing tour around Sri Lanka. There are monkeys aplenty, wild elephants and stunning views all around. Are you ready for your next adventure? This is why you should read this amazing book:

Title: One Thousand Stars and You

Author: Isabelle Broom

Published: August 23rd 2018 by Michael Joseph

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: One spark will light up both their lives

Alice is settling down. It might not be the adventurous life she once imagined, but more than anything she wants to make everyone happy - her steady boyfriend, her over-protective mother - even if it means a little part of her will always feel stifled.

Max is shaking things up. After a devastating injury, he is determined to prove himself. To find the man beyond the disability, to escape his smothering family and go on an adventure.

A trip to Sri Lanka is Alice's last hurrah - her chance to throw herself into the heat, chaos and colour of a place thousands of miles from home.

It's also the moment she meets Max.

Alice doesn't know it yet, but her whole life is about to change.

Max doesn't know it yet, but he's the one who's going to change it.

Review: Isabelle Broom is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors. Her stories are getting better and better with each new book and she always takes us readers to the most wonderful places. In her latest book, she takes us on a stunning tour of Sri Lanka. 

Full of magical moments, heart-melting romance and intense emotions, One Thousand Stars and You is unmissable. I fell completely in love with this story and its characters and I am now 100 % obsessed with Sri Lanka. I even cooked a Sri Lankan Chicken Curry this weekend and made Chicken Kottu Roti with the leftovers. I cannot wait to go there myself and try the real thing. 

Also, don't you just loved it when you get to a scene in a story and then boom! The title makes so much sense and is so perfect? This happened here and I loved it, so much. 

Alice is such and interesting and intriguing character. I really couldn't wait to discover all her secrets. I enjoyed it so much reading about her friendship with her two child-hood friends and how they interacted with each other. And then we had Max. He stole a tiny be of my heart and kept it to himself. 

This is one of those reads that makes you remember what is important in life and that there's always the possibility of an adventure around the corner if you are willing to turn the corner. Definitely a story that I will be re-reading soon to enjoy all the little details again. 

In his long-awaited return, John Green, the acclaimed, award-winning author of Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars, shares Aza’s story with shattering, unflinching clarity in this brilliant novel of love, resilience, and the power of lifelong friendship. 

Title: Turtles All the Way Down

Author: John Green

Published: October 10th 2017 by Penguin

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Blurb: Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Russell Pickett’s son, Davis.

Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts. 

Review: Let me start by saying Turtles All the Way Down is a brilliant book. Given that John Green is a really famous writer and that his last book was a smashing success, expectations for this one were really high, to say the least. So I went into it with quite an open mind but I instantly realised we were in for a very special ride. 

In this story, we get to meet Aza, her mum and her circle of friends, especially her best friend, Daisy. Aza is a highly interesting character. She suffers OCD and as you read about her and her ever-tightening spiral of thoughts, you really understand what she is going through and how it is affecting her life. I really think that John Green paints a really clear picture of what suffering a mental illness feels like (for the person suffering and for the people around them), which I am sure will open many eyes. 

Once again, teenagers in this story are very mature and really intelligent, discussing complex concepts and wondering about the universe and the meaning of life. I've read already a few reviews that say that this makes them less real or relatable but for me it's quite the contrary. I enjoyed immensely reading about them and learning about their struggles, their fascinations and dreams and I think many young readers will relate easily with these characters. 

On first sight, the plot for this story is not really complex, two girls trying to gather clues about a famous disappearance. But everything that happens around it, the characters, their conversations, their interactions, their struggles, their inner worlds... is what makes this book so special.

For me, this book is a winner and a must-read. It's definitely different from John Green's previous books but so so good. I am sure this book will touch many readers.

Rating: 5 stars

New book review today for the gorgeous The Place We Met by Isabelle Broom. Heartbreak, humour and romance set in Italy's beautiful and dramatic Lake Como. Under dazzling New Year's Eve fireworks, two women hope for new beginnings... 

Title: The Place We Met

Author: Isabelle Broom

Published: November 30th 2017 by Michael Joseph

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Taggie is only a few months into her job as a tour guide in Lake Como. She's rushed off her feet, but distraction is what she needs to forget why she left England. 

Lucy arrives at Lake Como with her perfect new boyfriend, Pete. Falling fast in love, she's sure that life is about to start for her, it feels so right with him.

But as New Year's Eve approaches and the women meet by chance, it becomes clear this isn't the perfect place of new beginnings. While Lucy is willing to do anything to keep hold of Pete, the past Taggie so desperately wanted to escape is catching up with her...

Review: Isabelle Broom is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors. Her stories are getting better and better with each new book and she always takes us readers to the most wonderful places. This time we head to Lake Como to discover a magical setting and two heartfelt, compelling and really interesting stories.

On one hand we have brave and stubborn Taggie, who has left London and moved to Como to try to heal her broken heart. On the other hand, we have Lucy who is quite at the beginning of a relationship. She has surprised her boyfriend with a trip to Como to share her love for this lake with her special person. 

I was really curious about both story lines and it was really difficult (quite impossible, actually) to put this book down. Both stories were full of secrets and quite unexpected surprises and I just wanted to know everything that was going on. This was such a clever and touching book. I completely fell in love with it.

Once again, Isabelle Brooms brings us a magical and evocative story that really tugs at your heartstrings. And its characters will stay with me for a long time. I actually finished this book a few days ago and I haven't stopped missing them. It's safe to say that The Place We Met will be on my top reads of the year.

Definitely one not to miss these holidays, pick a copy and get lost in gorgeous lake Como.

Rating: 5 stars

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

Today's review is for Graeme Simsion's latest book, The Life of Adam Sharp. You probable heard about The Rosie Project a few years ago. I loved that book and its sequel, so I couldn't not pick his new work. Here are my thoughts:

Title: The Best of Adam Sharp

Author: Graeme Simsion

Published: February 9th 2017 by Penguin

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Can you define your life by a single song?

Adam Sharp - former pianist in a hip Melbourne bar, now a respectable IT consultant in Norwich - can. And it's 'You're Going to Lose that Girl' . . .

On the cusp of fifty and a happy introvert, Adam is content. He's the music expert at his local pub-quiz and he and his partner Claire rumble along. Life may not be rock n' roll, but neither is it easy listening. Yet something has always felt off-key.

And that's his nostalgia for what might have been, his blazing affair - more than twenty years ago, on the other side of the world - with Angelina Brown, a smart and sexy, strong-willed actress who taught him for the first time, as he played piano and she sang, what it meant to find - and then lose - love. How different might his life be if he hadn't let her walk away?

Then, out of nowhere, Angelina gets in touch. Adam has sung about second chances, but does he have the courage to believe in them?

Review: I really enjoyed both The Rosie Project and The Rosie Effect so I was very curious to see what that author would write next. The first I noticed about this story is that it is quite different to his previous books. It is less humorous, drier and less touching. The characters in this one are difficult to like and they usually take quite questionable decisions. It doesn't mean that it is not a good story, but I have to say that I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted.

First of all we have Adam, almost fifty with quite an easy even if a bit boring life. That is until he gets un email from his first love, Australian actress Angelina Brown. She stole his heart more than 20 years ago and they haven't been in touch since then. During the first part of the book, we get to know what happened back then and also how they interact now via email. There's a certain mystery surrounding their story so I was really curious to find more about them as a couple. This is definitely the part I enjoyed the most.

When they finally meet again, the story takes quite an unexpected turn that I am not sure worked that well. They were not their better self when they were together and I found the relationship between Angelina and her current husband plain weird. I then realized that I didn't like Adam and I even liked Angelina less, so I didn't care about what would happen to them next. But I guess, like in life, you cannot like everybody.

All in all, this is quite an interesting story that reflects on what could have been and long lost loves but also on how we don't appreciate what we have until it's too late. I was expecting something a bit more fun but it turned out to have quite a serious tone, which was OK as it was well written and engaging. But it won't be for sure a story that will stay with me. 

Rating: 3 stars

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book via NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

Isabelle Broom has a new book out and this time she is whisking us away to the magical town of Mojacar, in Spain. Are you ready? Today I'm sharing my thoughts on this story:

Title: Then. Now. Always.

Author: Isabelle Broom

Published: April 20th 2017 by Michael Joseph

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Hannah can't believe it when she's offered a trip to sunny Spain with her best friend and dreamy boss . . . what's the catch?

Twenty-eight year old Hannah is ready for an adventure. She and her colleagues are in Spain for a month to film a documentary, and it's a dream come true. Not least because Hannah will get to spend long summer days with Theo, her boss (and crush). If only Tom (Hannah's best friend and cameramen) and Claudette (the presenter) would stop getting in the way...

Then things become even more complicated when Nancy, Hannah's half-sister arrives. What on earth is she doing here?

For once in her life, can't Hannah just have one perfect summer, free of any drama?

Review: Isabelle Broom is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Her stories are always surrounded by a special magic and her characters are always interesting, charming and full of surprises. In her latest story, we meet Hannah, a young woman with a stable but quite boring job researching for documentaries and with a huge crush on her boss. Her life is a bit lacking in the love and the adventures departments so when she is offered to join the team on a field trip to the south of Spain, to the very same place she discovered and fell in love with during her teen years, she is ready for the adventure of a lifetime. Especially as it will give her many chances to get to know her gorgeous Greek boss.

Once we land in Almería, we soon start feeling excited ourselves for the stay in Mojácar. This little town on the south coast of Spain is a hidden gem full of stories, sunshine, beautiful views and a bit of magic. I had never heard about it before reading this story, but as usual, Isabelle Broom has convinced me to visit asap. I especially liked how it brought the best of people out, especially with Hannah. We got to know a braver more confident Hannah as she connected with the place again.

Mojácar was full of surprises for everyone, and as the story progressed, I couldn't stop reading to know more. The unexpected arrival of Hannah's half-sister threw a bit Hannah off, but I soon realized there was something really amiss between these two. I was really curious to find out how their relationship evolved and if Hannah would be able to share her special bit of paradise with her. 

As you can image, there's also love in the story. But I have to say that this part is the one that surprised me the most. The story didn't go at all as I would have thought and it surprised my in a very positive way. The ending of the story was really fitting with the whole atmosphere of the book and it literally left me with goosebumps. It's been a few days already since I finished Then. Now. Always. and it hasn't left my mind yet. 

A truly special and magical story that will bring lots of sunshine to your life. I highly recommend you pick this book this summer and enjoy the south of Spain as you have never done so before. 

Rating: 5 stars

Today I review Historical Fiction Tale, Before the Rains: a romantic, heart-wrenching tale of love against the odds from the Number One Sunday Times bestselling author Dinah Jefferies. 

Title: Before the Rains

Author: Dinah Jefferies

Published: February 23rd 2017 by Penguin

Amazon | Amazon UK

Rating: 5 stars

I would like to thank the publishers for sending me a digital copy via NetGalley. This is my honest opinion. 

After loving Isabelle Broom's debut, A Map of You, earlier this year, I was really looking forward to getting my hands on her second book. Even more when she said it was set in Prague, a beautiful city that I loved visiting. Here's what I thought about it:

Title: A Year and a Day

Author: Isabelle Broom

Published: November 17th 2016 by Penguin

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Welcome to a city where wishes are everywhere

For Megan, a winter escape to Prague with her friend Ollie is a chance to find some inspiration for her upcoming photography exhibition. But she's determined to keep their friendship from becoming anything more. Because if Megan lets Ollie find out about her past, she risks losing everything - and she won't let that happen again . . .

For Hope, the trip is a surprise treat from Charlie, her new partner. But she's struggling to enjoy the beauty of the city when she knows how angry her daughter is back home. And that it's all her fault . . 

For Sophie, the city has always been a magical place. This time she can't stop counting down the moments until her boyfriend Robin joins her. But in historic Prague you can never escape the past . . .

Three different women.

Three intertwining love stories.

One unforgettable, timeless city.

Review: What a treat! After loving Isabelle Broom's debut, My Map of You, I was really looking forward to her second book and after finishing it, I can truly say A Year and a Day is a magical and evocative story. Set in the beautiful city of Prague, this book tells the story of three different couples that find themselves in the same hotel. My favourite couple was Megan and Ollie. They are actually only friends but it's quite clear from the begining that Ollie has other intentions. I really enjoyed reading about them and their back stories, and they had so much fun together.

Then we've got Hope and Charlie. She has just left her husband for him and their are still getting used to each other and their quirks. I really liked Hope, she was like a mummy bear, always worrying and taking care of the younger girls. I think her story was really inspiring, especially as she started to realise that her own happiness should be her priority and everyone else's. And finally, we've got Sophie and Robin. At the beginning of the story, Sophie is alone, waiting for Robin to get to Prague. I found her a bit needy and annoying, always missing him and thinking about him. I felt like she couldn't function without him. But then as I got to know her better, I started to warm to her and she really got me by the end of the story.

And then, there's an addition character in the story: the city of Prague. I had the pleasure of visiting it a few years ago during winter too and found it a really interesting and beautiful place but Isabelle Broom makes it a magical place (I need to revisit pronto). I loved reading her descriptions of the cobled streets, the statues on the bridge, the clock in the main square and all the secrets places we discover during the story. I think that reading about Megan's pictures (she's a photografer) and her instant connection with the city added a new dimension to these description. I could totally picture her photos, the light and the feelings they evoked.

Isabelle Broom has done it again with A Year and a Day, an unforgetable story that will surprise you and will make you fall in love with the magical city of Prague. Definitely one not to miss these holidays, pick a copy and get lost in the colourful Christmas Markets of Prague! 

Rating: 5 stars

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

The first guest in my Historical Fiction Week is the Number One Bestselling Author of The Tea Planter's Wife, Dinah Jefferies. She has recently published her third novel, The Silk Merchant's Daughter (available in paperback July 14th), and today she has stopped by to talk about her books and her love for historical fiction:

1) Hello Dinah and welcome to Alba in Bookland. First of all could you tell us a bit about yourself? 

Thank you so much for inviting me. Well I live in Gloucestershire now with my husband and Norfolk terrier, and close to family, but I do love popping down to London to see my publishers. I was born in the East and only moved to England when I was nine, and my early experience influences the books I now write. I enjoy travel and have really loved going to Sri Lanka, Vietnam and India to research my books.

2) You have recently released your third book, The Silk Merchant's Daughter, which is about a "métisse" and her struggles with identity and belonging in French Indochina in 1952. What sparked this idea? 

My late mother-in law was born in India of a mixed race mother and her tales provided the seed from which this novel and The Tea Planter’s Wife grew. 

3) You were born in Malaysia, where your debut novel was set, and have lived in several countries and lived quite an eventful life since then. How do your own personal experiences influence your writing? 

While I am not mixed race, I certainly felt like I didn’t belong when we first came to live in England. So the issues of identity and belonging are within me. I lost my son when he was fourteen, so the knowledge and understanding of that awful experience also informs much of my writing. I’m sure personal experience usually influences a writer, one way or another. For me it is the deeper experiences of my life that influence the novels, so living in Andalusia for five years has not touched my writing. At least, not yet.

4) Each of your novels is set in a different country in a different time. How do you research your settings? 

Firstly I read about the country’s history so that I can choose a time period that will work for the kind of story I want to write. Then I read travel books and eventually memoirs if I can lay my hands on any. When I’ve done all that I visit the country. To research The Silk Merchant’s Daughter I went to modern day Hanoi which is vastly different to Hanoi in in 1952, so I sought out old photographs while I was there and found books I’d never have uncovered in England and they helped me re-create the period.

5) Which one did you find the most difficult to recreate in your novels?

None of them were difficult because I love conjuring up the past and imagining a setting as it once was. It’s the plotting that’s difficult. And it’s not just the setting that matters, it’s the mind-set of the period too and the way people would have been with one another. You have to take so much into account.

6) Your second novel, The Tea Planter's Wife, was picked by Richard & Judy for their autumn book club 2015 and became a huge success. What did that mean for you? 

When the book became a Sunday Times Number 1, it meant I got very very busy and had to learn how to say no. But more than that it was a truly thrilling time and that sort of success gives you the confidence and impetus to go on. No matter how many novels you’ve already written, it’s still a very up and down business and books don’t get born without a fair old amount of anguish.

7) What made you start writing historical fiction? 

It was all to do with the story that I wanted to use for The Separation, my first book. I decided that the heart of the book would be a mother’s search for her lost children and that would be more exciting if it took place at a time of war, and with no mobile phones! As I’d known Malaysia when it was still known as Malaya, and when it was in a declared state of Emergency, I chose that.

8) What do you think makes a historical fiction novel stand out?

That’s hard. What makes any book stand out? I suppose with historical fiction the period detail must be truly authentic, but really the human stories I write could take place at any time and are universal. So the characters still have to resonate with a modern audience. Reading is an act of empathy and you either empathise with certain characters or you don’t. The period gives you the chance to be more original or unique than if the books were contemporary.

9) Could you recommend us a novel that has stayed with you?

The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters. When I read her books I feel as if I’m inside the characters’ heads. I think that’s important and it’s what I attempt to.

10) And finally, are you working on a new project? 

Always! That’s a writer’s life. As one book is published you’re finishing off the early drafts of the next. The book I’m working on now, my fourth, is set in India and will be published in 2017. I’ve been asked to speak at the Galle Literature festival in Sri Lanka next January which is so exciting and very handy because I’m going back to Ceylon for book five and I can’t wait.

About the book:

Today I am really excited to finally share with you my review for My Map of You. I was lucky enough to get a review copy of this book at the beginning of the year and I couldn't resist reading it straight away. And guess what? I completely fell in love with this story. It's such a special book and I can't wait for all of you to get it this Thursday when it's finally out. 

Title: My Map of You

Author: Isabelle Broom

Published: April 21st 2016 by Penguin

Amazon | Amazon UK

But when Holly receives an unexpected letter explaining that an aunt she never met has left her a house on the Greek island of Zakynthos, the walls she has built begin to crumble. Arriving on the island, Holly meets the handsome Aidan and slowly begins to uncover the truth about the secret which tore her family apart.

But is the island where Holly really belongs? Or will her real life catch up with her first?

First of all I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Review: On her debut novel, Isabelle Broom takes us to the incredibly beautiful Greek island of Zakynthos. Only for this setting, you need to pick this book. And then, once you've picked it, you will discover one of the most well crafted stories you have ever read. Consider yourself warned, once you start reading, you won't be able to stop until you know everything.

In My Map of You we meet Holly, who at first sight has a great life. Nice job, charming boyfriend, fun friends. Everything would be perfect if she actually enjoyed any of it. After a very difficult past, Holly thinks getting close to anyone is overrated. But when a letter from Greece arrives, she must face some truths. She is now the owner of a house in the island of Zakynthos who belonged to an aunt she knew nothing about. So it's time to travel there and discover the secrets that await.

Through Holly's eyes we soon discover that we have landed in paradise. Seriously, I've always wanted to visit Greece and its islands but now I need to visit it, especially Zakynthos. With every bit that Holly discovered, I felt a little bit more in love with it. Plus, Holly found the perfect guide to discover this island and its idyllic beaches, gorgeous Aidan. He had his own secrets and reasons for living in this island, but his easy-going and affable nature made it impossible not to fall in love with him.

Zakynthos held more secrets than both Holly and I were expecting, Isabelle Broon managed to surprise me with unexpected twits and truths that held me glued to the pages of My Map of You for hours. I felt like I was part of the adventure too, trying to unravel the truth about Holly's past and her family's. Between chapters, there were old letters from her mother to her aunt that hinted to a big secret and I just wanted to know more, so much more!

You know when sometimes a book takes your breath away and you are left thinking about it for days, unable to focus on anything else? Well, My Map of You is one of those books.

Another thing that stole my heart in this story were all the secondary characters, they all had their own spark and added so much to Holly's story. I especially enjoyed the Greek characters. They all helped Holly and welcomed her as an old friend. They were key to make this journey magical.

My Map of You is brilliant. It delivered so much more than I was expecting, I seriously cannot recommend this book enough. A must read and a firm contender to debut of the year for me. Pick your copy and get lost in turquoise waters and family secrets.

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1952, French Indochina. Since her mother's death, eighteen-year-old half-French, half-Vietnamese Nicole has been living in the shadow of her beautiful older sister, Sylvie. When Sylvie is handed control of the family silk business, Nicole is given an abandoned silk shop in the Vietnamese quarter of Hanoi. But the area is teeming with militant rebels who want to end French rule, by any means possible. For the first time, Nicole is awakened to the corruption of colonial rule - and her own family's involvement shocks her to the core... 

Tran, a notorious Vietnamese insurgent, seems to offer the perfect escape from her troubles, while Mark, a charming American trader, is the man she's always dreamed of. But who can she trust in this world where no one is what they seem? 

The Silk Merchant's Daughter is a captivating tale of dark secrets, sisterly rivalry and love against the odds, enchantingly set in colonial era Vietnam.

First of all I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Review: The Silk Merchant's Daughter is my first book by Dinah Jefferies and it won't be the last for sure. What an amazing and captivating story it is. I love the kind of books that transport you to another place, to another time (one you have no idea about) and make you part of it. And this is one of these reads. In fact, one thing I love about historical fiction is learning about the past, our past, and with this story I learned a lot.

The book is set in Hanoi, Vietnam, in the early 50s and focuses on Nicole and her struggles with identity and belonging. With a French father and a (late) Vietnamese mother, Nicole has inherited her mother's looks so she is often called "métisse", something that makes her feel uncomfortable and out of place. Her older sister though has their father's looks and seems to be the preferred daughter. Nicole's self doubts only increase as the story unfolds and Vietnam becomes a very dangerous place. The French government is loosing its power as the nationalist Vietminh gain power and support. And soon, Nicole finds herself having to decide which side she is going to support.

Between all this turmoil, there's also space for romance. Early in the story, Nicole meets a dashing American that makes her heart flutter. But he seems to have many secrets and a special connection with her sister. So when an enthusiastic and persuasive young Vietnamese enters her life, she must decide, once more, which life she is going to choose. An extremely difficult decision when you no longer knows who's your friend and who's your enemy. The story surprised me more than once and I certainly had no idea how it was going to unfold. Something that kept me glued to its pages for hours.

Something that Dinah Jefferies perfectly accomplishes with this novel is transporting you to Vietnam in those difficult years. She has a way with words that make you feel part of the place she is describing. Her attention to detail is incredible, with generous descriptions of the surroundings, the buildings, the food and the smells, even the touch. I felt like I could almost touch the silk rolls and hear the old buildings cracking under my feet.

The Silk Merchant's Daughter is a story with many layers. There's war but also love, betrayal but also forgiveness, doubts but also certainties. It captures perfectly what it means being part of two completely different cultures but not belonging to either. It's something that has made me think a lot and I'm sure this story will stay with me for a long time. A novel I highly recommend.

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Blurb: Oliver Ryan is a handsome and charismatic success story. He lives in the suburbs with his wife, Alice, who illustrates his award-winning children's books and gives him her unstinting devotion. Their life together is one of enviable privilege and ease - enviable until, one evening after supper, Oliver attacks Alice and beats her into a coma.

In the aftermath, as everyone tries to make sense of his astonishing act of savagery, Oliver tells his story. So do those whose paths he has crossed over five decades. What unfolds is a story of shame, envy, breath-taking deception and masterful manipulation.

Only Oliver knows the lengths to which he has had to go to get the life to which he felt entitled. But even he is in for a shock when the past catches up with him.

Review: This past year I have had the pleasure of reading several amazing thrillers, like The Lie, The Girl on the Train or Evil Games to name some of my favourites, and I am glad to say that Unravelling Oliver will be added to this list. The story focuses on Oliver Ryan, a successful children books author. When we meet him, he has just beaten his wife into a coma even if he isn't sure why or how that happened. From that moment we start unravelling his story (I actually found the title genius, as it is exactly what the story does).

We travel to his childhood, to his teen years, to his university years and to France, where he spent a summer when he was young that marked this life forever. Little by little, we start scratching the surface of this intriguing character. While reading these little bits of information about his life, we enter his world, his mind, and it's difficult to let go. For a few days, even after finishing it, Oliver was all I could think about. It was like witnessing the birth of a monster. I was in his mind but he was in mind too. I tried to guess how he would respond to certain situations and tried to understand the understandable. But it turned out to be impossible. 

It was a read so difficult to put down. Cleverly written and engaging. If you enjoy a complex and tense thriller then you can't miss Unravelling Oliver. There is not a lot of action but it makes you held your breath more than once. And the mystery in the story makes you want to keep reading non-stop until you know all of Oliver's secrets. Once I finished it, I couldn't stop thinking and talking about Oliver and his secrets to everyone around me. They are certainly a book and a character that I will remember for a long time. 

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