This is my first book by Patrick Ness, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I had read quite a few ravishing reviews though so I was really curious to discover more. Here are my thoughts:

Title: Release

Author: Patrick Ness

Published: May 4th by Walker Books

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Inspired by Mrs Dalloway and Judy Blume's Forever, Release is one day in the life of Adam Thorn, 17. It's a big day. Things go wrong. It's intense, and all the while, weirdness approaches...

Adam Thorn is having what will turn out to be the most unsettling, difficult day of his life, with relationships fracturing, a harrowing incident at work, and a showdown between this gay teen and his preacher father that changes everything. It's a day of confrontation, running, sex, love, heartbreak, and maybe, just maybe, hope. He won't come out of it unchanged. And all the while, lurking at the edges of the story, something extraordinary and unsettling is on a collision course. 

Review: My first thought after finishing this book was wow... what has just happened? A few days after finishing Release, I am still thinking about it non-stop. It has the perfect touch of weirdness to make it absolutely brilliant. And although the whole story happens in the time frame of a single day, so many things happen that you feel like you've been with these characters way longer.

Although I haven't read Mrs Dalloway nor Forever, if this story is inspired by these books, then I need to change this fast. The more I read about Adam Thorn the more I wanted to read about him. It was fascinating to be in his head in such an eventful day, you could really feel his struggles with his religious family and also his broken heart. At the end of the day you felt like he had taken a little piece of your heart with him.

Adam Thorn wasn't the only interesting character though. His friend Angela was like a breath of fresh air. The perfect brighter yin to his darker yang. I really enjoyed the scenes they had together and how they really got each other. 

As I said, I'm still not sure what happened with the more magical plot... but it somehow perfectly worked with the main storyline and I was certainly very curious about the queen and her loyal follower. 

All in all, a fascinating read. 

Rating: 4,5 stars

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

Today I am delighted to welcome author A.F. Brady to the blog for my stop on the blog tour for The Blind. This psychological thriller was published last week and today the author has stopped by for a Q&A:

Hello! A little bit about me: I’m a 35-year-old New Yorker, and I work as a psychotherapist in my own private practice. I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Brown University and two master’s degrees from Teachers College at Columbia University in psychological counseling. The Blind is my first novel, and I am hard at work on my second. I live in New York with my husband, our son and our dog.

The Blind is your debut novel and the first reviews are saying that it is not only a very compelling story but also very twisted and dark, where did your inspiration for it come from?

The inspiration behind The Blind came from my years working in various mental health facilities throughout New York. The financial collapse in 2008 was disastrous for mental health care, the facility I was working at was suffering from extreme setbacks. It felt very difficult to maintain high levels of mental well-being during such trying times, and I felt like we must be crazy to work there, and think we could make a difference without enough clinicians, without enough time, and without enough financial support. From these thoughts, a story about a psychologist suffering from her own mental dysfunction was born. It was important for me to show a wider audience that no one has it all together, and we are all some combination of well and unwell.

You are a Mental Health Counsellor, how has your own job and experience influenced the main character, psychiatrist Sam James?

Aside from my experiences serving as the original inspiration for the character of Sam James, my years of working with patients helped to lend authenticity and clinical insight to the book. Although none of the patients featured in The Blind are real, many of the issues they’re suffering with are based in real problems I encountered in my career, so these are the issues that Sam is seen working with in her career as well. 

What do you expect your readers to feel while reading The Blind?

I expect the readers will experience a host of emotions while reading. Fear, confusion, disappointment, sadness, excitement, satisfaction and joy. It’s a bit of a roller-coaster ride Sam is going on, and I hope the reader will jump in the seat next to her. I think people will be able to identify with her flaws and her struggles. 

Lately, I have the impression that psychological thrillers are everywhere. What do you think makes The Blind stand apart from the crowd?

They are everywhere, and I think it’s because readers really like them! The Blind is different because it’s written by a psychotherapist, and the book is informed so much by reality. 

Finally, can you tell us a bit on what we can expect from your next?

A small teaser into the next book: It’s another psychological suspense, and it follows a cutthroat Manhattan defense attorney named Peter Caine. He is in the middle of some huge transitions, and the reader will follow as he tries to make the change from a cold and uncaring brute, to a sympathetic family man. Only when he is accused of murder will we find out if people really do have the capacity to change their nature. 

About the book:

Title: The Blind

Author: A.F. Brady

Published: October 5th 2017 by HQ

Amazon | Amazon UK

C.L. Taylor, the the Top Ten Sunday Times bestselling author of psychological thriller The Escape, is releasing her first Young Adult story. Is The Treatment as good as her previous books? Here are my thoughts on it:

Title: The Treatment

Author: C.L. Taylor

Published: October 19th 2017 by HQ Young Adult

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: You have to help me. We’re not being reformed. We’re being brainwashed.

All sixteen year old Drew Finch wants is to be left alone. She's not interested in spending time with her mum and stepdad and when her disruptive fifteen year old brother Mason is expelled from school for the third time and sent to a residential reform academy she's almost relieved.

Everything changes when she's followed home from school by the mysterious Dr Cobey, who claims to have a message from Mason. There is something sinister about the ‘treatment’ he is undergoing. The school is changing people.

Determined to help her brother, Drew must infiltrate the Academy and unearth its deepest, darkest secrets.

Before it’s too late. 

Review: I am a big fan of C.L. Taylor's psychological thrillers. I have to admit though that when she said she was working on a YA book this time I got a bit worried. What if her clever and absorbing style didn't translate well to the new genre? But people, worry no more. The Treatment is an amazing YA novel. Actually it is an amazing novel. Full Stop. Perfect for both new and old fans of Taylor's.

The story is told from Drew's point of view, a sixteen-year-old girl. After a cry for help from her brother, who is in a reform academy for problematic teenagers, she decides to go to the academy herself, but what awaits there for her is like nothing she could have imagined. Teenagers are not being reformed at all... but brainwashed. From the moment she realizes what it going on, it's a race against time. She needs to do something, quick. 

The pace of the story is certainly fast, you don't even have time to breath while you follow Drew in this new dangerous environment. She is a clever girl though and soon comes up with different plans to escape. But, as you can imagine, they don't make it easy for her...

The Treatment is not only an action-filled thriller though, but also a really clever and thought-provoking read. C.L. Taylor presents us with a near future that could very much be real, which makes it even more terrifying. Think how "well" a brainwashed society would work... I am pretty sure this story will leave no one indifferent. 

Not only that, C.L. Taylor has quite a few surprises in store for us. I was definitely gripped with this story and I found Drew and the rest of characters really interesting and engaging. I was fascinated by all the thoughts Drew had during her stay in the academy.

I have read a lot of YA lately and The Treatment is definitely one my top reads. But I'm sure too that its gripping and twisted plot will also appeal the adult audience.

Rating: 5 stars

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

The Lemon Tree Café was first released as a serialised enovel, but I always wait for the whole paperback to come up because one, I need to read it all at once, and two, how beautiful and colourful are Cathy Bramley's covers? Here are my thoughts on this one:

Title: The Lemon Tree Café 

Author: Cathy Bramley

Published: August 24th 2017 by Corgi

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: The Lemon Tree Cafe was originally published as a four-part serial. This is the complete story in one package.

When Rosie Featherstone finds herself unexpectedly jobless, the offer to help her beloved Italian grandmother out at the Lemon Tree Cafe – a little slice of Italy nestled in the rolling hills of Derbyshire – feels like the perfect way to keep busy.

Surrounded by the rich scent of espresso, delicious biscotti and juicy village gossip, Rosie soon finds herself falling for her new way of life. But she is haunted by a terrible secret, one that even the appearance of a handsome new face can't quite help her move on from. 

Then disaster looms and the cafe’s fortunes are threatened... and Rosie discovers that her nonna has been hiding a dark past of her own. With surprises, betrayal and more than one secret brewing, can she find a way to save the Lemon Tree Cafe and help both herself and Nonna achieve the happy endings they deserve?

Review: A new book by Cathy Bramley is always a highlight in my year. I love her uplifting and inspiring stories and I can already tell you that I absolutely loved The Lemon Tree Café. Especially it is not the first time that we read about Rosie Featherstone, she was a friend of the lovely Veritiy in The Plumberry School of Comfort Food. So I was very.  excited to find out more about her and her story.

Rosie is a hardworking and business driven strong woman who has focused on her career and forgot about relationships for many years. So when she starts helping her nonna in the café, she discovers a completely new rhythm of life. The small and cosy café couldn't be more different that her latest workplace. Soon though, she becomes attuned to it and doesn't miss her old life any more. I especially enjoyed seeing how Rosie adapted to this new challenge and used her strength in the café. 

The star of the story though is her nonna. At seventy five she stills runs the café single-handly and is as stubborn as sweet. I was really intrigued with her past. We know she came to England when she had her daughter but nothing else. I kept trying to guess how her story would unfold but I was surprised at every turn! 

Rosie though is not the only familiar character in this story. A lovely family moves to the village too and makes Rosie's life definitely more interesting. I have to say that in The Lemon Tree Café we get to meet such a lovely and fun bunch of characters! I loved how everyone was so supportive of each other and the whole small village atmosphere. 

The Lemon Tree Café is a charming and heart-warming story that will make you laugh but that will surprise you too. Definitely the perfect read for a crispy weekend, to be enjoyed with a good Italian coffee and a big piece of lemon cake. 

Rating: 5 stars

October has come already and has caught me quite by surprise! A few days late this month, but I wanted to share the new releases I am excited about because there are a few that have SO SO excited. Here they are: 

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Illustrated Edition - October 3rd

An extraordinary creative achievement by an extraordinary talent, Jim Kay's inspired reimagining of J.K. Rowling's classic series has captured a devoted following worldwide. This stunning new fully illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban brings more breathtaking scenes and unforgettable characters - including Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Professor Trelawney. With paint, pencil and pixels, Kay conjures the wizarding world as we have never seen it before. Fizzing with magic and brimming with humour, this full-colour edition will captivate fans and new readers alike as Harry, now in his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, faces Dementors, death omens and - of course - danger.

Why so excited: I am absolutely loving this illustrated editions and I cannot wait for the next one. I have ordered my copy and waiting for it! Jim Cay is creating such beautiful and magical images that I feel like I am discovering this beloved world all over again. 

Order it now!

Moonlight Over Manhattan by Sarah Morgan - October 5th

She'll risk everything for her own Christmas miracle…

Determined to conquer a lifetime of shyness, Harriet Knight challenges herself to do one thing a day in December that scares her, including celebrating Christmas without her family. But when dog-walker Harriet meets her newest client, exuberant spaniel Madi, she adds an extra challenge to her list – dealing with Madi's temporary dog-sitter, gruff doctor Ethan Black, and their very unexpected chemistry.

Ethan thought he was used to chaos, until he met Madi – how can one tiny dog cause such mayhem? To Ethan, the solution is simple – he will pay Harriet to share his New York apartment and provide 24-hour care. But there's nothing simple about how Harriet makes him feel.

Ethan's kisses make Harriet shine brighter than the stars over moonlit Manhattan. But when his dog-sitting duties are over, and Harriet returns to her own home, will she dare to take the biggest challenge of all – letting Ethan know he has her heart for life, not just for Christmas?

Why so excited: Well, it is a Christmas book by Sarah Morgan, the queen of Christmas, what else can I tell you? Ah yes! It's set in NYC! Who wouldn't be excited with this?

Order it now!

The Dollmaker of Krakow by R.M. Romero - October 5th

A timeless fantasy set in the Second World War that weaves together magic, folklore and history, perfect for fans of The Book Thief, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and Goodnight Mister Tom. 

One night a little doll named Karolina comes to life in a toyshop in Krakow, Poland, in 1939 and changes the life of the gruff, broken-hearted Dollmaker. And when the darkness of the Nazi occupation sweeps over the city, Karolina and the Dollmaker must bravely use their magic to save their Jewish friends from a terrible danger, no matter what the risks. This powerful story is about finding friendship in the darkest of places and the importance of love in times of great pain.

Why so excited: I received this one already and I cannot even start to describe how beautiful this book is. I am really curious to find out more about this story but it certainly sounds like my kind of book. 

Order it now!

Coming Home to the Comfort Food Café by Debbie Johnson - October 8th

Welcome to the cosy Comfort Food Café, where there's kindness in every cup of hot chocolate and the menu is sprinkled with love and happiness…

Moving to the little village of Budbury, Zoe hopes the crisp Dorset sea breeze and gentle pace of life will be a fresh start for her and her goddaughter, Martha.

Luckily for them both, the friendly community at the café provide listening ears, sage advice, shoulders to cry on, and some truly excellent carrot cake. And when Martha's enigmatic, absent father suddenly turns up, confusing not only Martha but Zoe too, the love and support of their new-found friends is the best present they could ask for.

Have Zoe and Martha truly found their home at the Comfort Food Café?

Why so excited: I fell in love with the Comfor Food Café and its characters last year already so I am over the moon to have the opportunity to revisit this magical place during the most magical season of the year. 

Order it now!

The Treatment by C.L. Taylor - October 19th

“You have to help me. We’re not being reformed. We’re being brainwashed.”

All sixteen year old Drew Finch wants is to be left alone. She's not interested in spending time with her mum and stepdad and when her disruptive fifteen year old brother Mason is expelled from school for the third time and sent to a residential reform academy she's almost relieved.

Everything changes when she's followed home from school by the mysterious Dr Cobey, who claims to have a message from Mason. There is something sinister about the ‘treatment’ he is undergoing. The school is changing people.

Determined to help her brother, Drew must infiltrate the Academy and unearth its deepest, darkest secrets.

Before it’s too late.

Why so excited: this is C.L. Taylor's first YA story and it is SO good. I have loved all her previous books but this one is one of the most addictive, tense and clever books I have read in a while. Review coming very soon!

Order it now!

Christmas in St Ives by Miranda Dickinson - October 19th

A wonderfully festive ebook short that will get you excited for the Christmas season, by the author of the bestselling Fairytale of New York.

'This is Miranda at her sparkliest best. Christmas In St Ives is Christmassy perfection; brimming with romance, warmth and magic. But it’s not just a novella, it’s a tantalizing prequel to Somewhere Beyond The Sea and I can’t wait to read that!' Cathy Bramley, author of The Lemon Tree Cafe.

Heartbroken Cerrie Austin is doing her best to hold it together in the run up to Christmas. Not easy when her cheating ex works in the same school and everyone’s eyes are on her. The last thing she needs is a new teacher meddling in her beloved nativity play, even if he is charming, handsome and a talented musician. The Christmas performance is her pride and joy, and she won’t be undermined.

Seren McArthur has recently returned to her Cornish hometown and is enjoying being close to her family and her oldest friends again. St Ives is at its most magical at Christmas, with fairy lights and tinsel in every shop window, tempting locals and holidaymakers alike as they pick up gifts. But an exciting opportunity is just around the corner: will she stay or will she go? 

Meanwhile, the St Ives Christmas celebrations are in crisis: plans for a giant lantern parade through the starlit streets have ground to a halt. As the snow starts to fall, can Cerrie, Seren and their friends Kieran and Aggie rally around in time to save the big day? 

Christmas in St Ives is a charming novella that introduces you to the characters from Miranda Dickinson’s upcoming novel, Somewhere Beyond the Sea. Available for preorder now!

Why so excited: I love Miranda Dickinson's books and this year she is releasing this festive novella as a prequel before we get a new full novel next year and I couldn't be any happier! I cannot wait to discover this new set of characters.

Order it now!