The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow

Blurb

"Mary, the bookish ugly duckling of Pride and Prejudice’s five Bennet sisters, emerges from the shadows and transforms into a desired woman with choices of her own.

What if Mary Bennet’s life took a different path from that laid out for her in Pride and Prejudice? What if the frustrated intellectual of the Bennet family, the marginalized middle daughter, the plain girl who takes refuge in her books, eventually found the fulfillment enjoyed by her prettier, more confident sisters? This is the plot of The Other Bennet Sister, a debut novel with exactly the affection and authority to satisfy Austen fans.

Ultimately, Mary’s journey is like that taken by every Austen heroine. She learns that she can only expect joy when she has accepted who she really is. She must throw off the false expectations and wrong ideas that have combined to obscure her true nature and prevented her from what makes her happy. Only when she undergoes this evolution does she have a chance at finding fulfillment; only then does she have the clarity to recognize her partner when he presents himself—and only at that moment is she genuinely worthy of love.

Mary’s destiny diverges from that of her sisters. It does not involve broad acres or landed gentry. But it does include a man; and, as in all Austen novels, Mary must decide whether he is the truly the one for her. In The Other Bennet Sister, Mary is a fully rounded character—complex, conflicted, and often uncertain; but also vulnerable, supremely sympathetic, and ultimately the protagonist of an uncommonly satisfying debut novel."

Published: March 31st 2020 by Henry Holt and Co.
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, many thanks to the author and publisher for this opportunity.

My Review

Pride and Prejudice is one of my favourite novels so I was intrigued and a little apprehensive to read a book which would add to the story for better or worse. However, this felt like a really valuable addition to the original adding more without taking anything away from the classic.

The story focuses on the quietest and least popular Bennet sister Mary from childhood to adulthood. I found it intriguing how the author depicted Mary's childhood and adolescence as an emotionally neglected child. Mrs Bennet is portrayed as being much more interested in her other daughters as they are all a lot prettier than Mary. This feels true to the original. Meanwhile Mr Bennet is only interested in Lizzie to Mary's disappointment. I really felt for her as she tried repeatedly to find ways to engage with Mr Bennet and be interesting to him, spending so much time in the library to try to be closer to him and felt her heartbreak when it didn't work. The only thing that felt a bit uncomfortable was that Mr Bennet who I really liked in Pride and Prejudice is almost shown to be cruel in this book which was a little disappointing.

Eventually the story moves forward past the contents of the original novel and this is where it really begins to stand strong in it's own right. Mary spends time in different households trying to find a place for herself in the world. I enjoyed seeing characters like Lizzie and Mr Darcy in their married life, and Jane with Mr Bingley. One of the most enjoyable sections of the story is spent with Mr and Mrs Collins. The author paints him in a much more sympathetic light than the original which I enjoyed.

Eventually Mary goes to stay with the lovely Mr and Mrs Gardner in London where she meets Mr Hayward. This is where Mary begins to find the love and respect that she has always craved and it was a pleasure to read about it and to see how grow into a more confident person.

I highly recommend this book for any fans of the original book as this adds a lot of depth and understanding to Mary's character. I give this 4 out of 5.

The Author

Janice Hadlow has worked at the BBC for 28 years, including more than 10 years as a top executive. She was educated at comprehensive school in Swanley, in north Kent, and graduated with a BA in history from King’s College London. She currently lives in Bath. A Royal Experiment was her first book.

The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri

Blurb

"In the midst of war, he found love
In the midst of darkness, he found courage
In the midst of tragedy, he found hope.
The Beekeeper of Aleppo: what will you find from his story?

Nuri is a beekeeper; his wife, Afra, an artist. They live a simple life, rich in family and friends, in the beautiful Syrian city of Aleppo - until the unthinkable happens. When all they care for is destroyed by war, they are forced to escape.

But what Afra has seen is so terrible she has gone blind, and so they must embark on a perilous journey through Turkey and Greece towards an uncertain future in Britain.

On the way, Nuri is sustained by the knowledge that waiting for them is Mustafa, his cousin and business partner, who has started an apiary and is teaching fellow refugees in Yorkshire to keep bees.

As Nuri and Afra travel through a broken world, they must confront not only the pain of their own unspeakable loss, but dangers that would overwhelm the bravest of souls. Above all - and perhaps this is the hardest thing they face - they must journey to find each other again.

Moving, powerful, compassionate and beautifully written, The Beekeeper of Aleppo is a testament to the triumph of the human spirit. Told with deceptive simplicity, it is the kind of book that reminds us of the power of storytelling."

Hardcover, 400 pages
Published May 2nd 2019 by Bonnier Zaffre
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

My Review

The author paints a rich picture of life in Aleppo before war destroys it and the lives of those within it. The story focuses on Nuri and Afra, a married couple who have suffered a terrible loss, which deeply impacts both of them in ways which only become clear towards the end of the book. They don't want to leave their home but are left with no choice when their lives are at risk. I found the story of their journey from Syria across Europe harrowing and heartbreaking, both for them and the people they meet along the way.

It's difficult for someone who lives in a safe country to imagine what it would take to make someone leave everything they have ever known and potentially everyone they have ever known. This book tells just a few of those heartbreaking stories.

This is a beautifully written story about the power of compassion and hope in the face of adversity. I've given this 5 out of 5.

The Author

Christy Lefteri was born in London in 1980 to Greek Cypriot parents who moved to London in 1974 during the Turkish invasion. She completed a degree in English and a Masters in creative writing at Brunel University. She taught English to foreign students and then became a secondary school teacher before leaving to pursue a PhD and to write. She is also studying to become a psychotherapist.

Aria's Travelling Book Shop by Rebecca Raisin

Blurb

"From the bestselling author of Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop comes another uplifting romance.

This summer will change everything!

Aria Summers knows what she wants.

A life on the road with best friend Rosie and her beloved camper-van-cum-book-shop, and definitely, definitely, no romance.

But when Aria finds herself falling – after one too many glasses of wine, from a karaoke stage – into the arms of Jonathan, a part of her comes back to life for the first time in years.

Since her beloved husband died Aria has sworn off love, unless it’s the kind you can find in the pages of a book. One love of her life is quite enough.

And so Aria tries to forget Jonathan and sets off for a summer to remember in France. But could this trip change Aria’s life forever…?"

Published April 8th 2020 by HQ Digital
With many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

My Review

Aria is a very lovable character and a woman after my own heart with her love of reading and an attitude of no book left behind! She travels around in her camper van bookshop with her friend Rosie in one van supplying her with no end of delicious sounding food and Rosie's partner Max in another, being a good guy and supportive friend. I enjoyed the descriptions of their nomadic lifestyle journeying from place to place, exploring and meeting new people. This story definitely made me wish I could go on holiday to France, explore old towns and eat a lot of croissants!

Although Aria gives the impression of being happy-go-lucky and perfectly content with her single lifestyle, she doesn't tell many people that she lost her husband TJ to cancer a few years ago. The author approaches Aria's grief with great sensitivity and the story explores whether she could be ready to find love again with the lovely Jonathan, while trying to come to terms with the past.

I really enjoyed this book, it's the perfect story to read on holiday in the sunshine. I hadn't read the previous book relating to this one, 'Rosie's Travelling Tea Shop' but didn't feel left behind by the story, although I'm sure it would have been better to have read that one first to know Rosie and Max's story as well.

This is such a lovely, heartwarming read, I've given it 4 out of 5 stars.

The Author

Ashes by Christopher de Vinck

Blurb

"A deeply touching novel about two young women whose differences, which once united them, will tear them apart forever, during Hitler’s Nazi occupation of Belgium and France. Based on true events.

For fans of All The Light We Cannot See and Tattooist of Auschwitz.

Belgium, July 1939: Simone Lyon is the daughter of a Belgium national hero, the famous General Joseph Lyon. Her best friend Hava Daniels, is the eldest daughter of a devout Jewish family. Despite growing up in different worlds, they are inseparable.

But when, in the spring of 1940, Nazi planes and tanks begin bombing Brussels, their resilience and strength are tested. Hava and Simone find themselves caught in the advancing onslaught and are forced to flee.

In an emotionally-charged race for survival, even the most harrowing horrors cannot break their bonds of love and friendship. The two teenage girls, will see their innocence fall, against the ugly backdrop of a war dictating that theirs was a friendship that should never have been."

Kindle Edition, 352 pages
Expected publication: May 26th 2020 by Harper Inspire
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

My Review

The story starts and we meet Simone Lyon the daughter of a Belgian national hero, who inspired his fellow soldiers to dig trenches which helped halt the Germans in the First World War. She lives a fairly privileged lifestyle and watches her father ride a white horse through the park of Brussels each week with people cheering him as he goes. When she volunteers for the day with the Red Cross she meets Hava and they instantly strike up a close friendship. The author captures the innocence of two 18 year old girls at the end of the 1930's, reading Gone With The Wind, dreaming of meeting Clark Gable, going for picnics and drawing lines up the back of their legs to pretend they're wearing stockings and trying to ignore the growing threat of war. I particularly enjoyed the glimpses into Hava's family life, with her father telling Simone Jewish stories and Hava's younger brother enlisting his sister to put on a play for Simone and their parents.

Their peace is shattered as the German army arrives and the author immerses you in the horror, fear and utter chaos of an invading army bombing a city and people trying to flee, but not sure where to go. It's terrifying and so hard to think of people going through this both then and in more recent history. The majority of the book follows Simone and Hava as they try to stay ahead of the advancing Germany army.

I couldn't put this book down, I was deeply involved in the story of Simone and Hava's friendship and the book left me heartbroken all over again by the pain and loss caused by World War II.

I highly recommend this book and give it 5 out of 5.

Rules for Being a Girl by Candace Bushnell and Katie Cutugno

Blurb

"It starts before you can even remember: You learn the rules for being a girl. . . .

Marin has always been good at navigating these unspoken guidelines. A star student and editor of the school paper, she dreams of getting into Brown University. Marin’s future seems bright―and her young, charismatic English teacher, Mr. Beckett, is always quick to admire her writing and talk books with her.

But when “Bex” takes things too far and comes on to Marin, she’s shocked and horrified. Had she somehow led him on? Was it her fault?

When Marin works up the courage to tell the administration what happened, no one believes her. She’s forced to face Bex in class every day. Except now, he has an ax to grind.

But Marin isn’t about to back down. She uses the school newspaper to fight back and she starts a feminist book club at school. She finds allies in the most unexpected people, like “slutty” Gray Kendall, who she’d always dismissed as just another lacrosse bro. As things heat up at school and in her personal life, Marin must figure out how to take back the power and write her own rules."

Hardcover, 304 pages
Published April 7th 2020 by Balzer + Bray
With thanks to the authors, publisher and NetGalley for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

My Review

The blurb above is an excellent summary of the essential parts of this story. What it doesn't tell you is how well the authors portray Marin's fear, frustration and the questions she asks herself of how this happened and how to avoid making it worse. How the authorities assume she is lying because she's young and the teacher in question happens to be young and attractive. The sense of powerlessness this gives her takes her out of her comfort zone and shapes her into a stronger person whose eyes have been opened to the world. The article she writes in the school newspaper called 'Rules for Being a Girl' affected me deeply and I wish I could quote it in full here as it is such a perceptive description of the contradictory expectations on women and how most people subconsciously subscribe to them. The article highlighted some aspects of life which I hadn't realised were problematic until I read it and seeing them side by side you realise the mixed messages which are being given to women of all ages. Here is a short quote:

"Don't be one of those girls who can't eat pizza. You're getting the milk shake too? Whoa. Have you gained weight? Don't get so skinny your curves disappear. Don't get so curvy you aren't skinny. Don't take up too much space. It's just about your health."

This is such a powerful story and exposes the wide variety of reactions that you see in social media when someone says something happened to them and the affect that those reactions have on that individual.

I can't recommend this enough as a feminist young adult book, I think every teenager in the country should read it. I hope these authors write together again! I gave it 5 out of 5.

The Authors

Candace Bushnell is the critically acclaimed, international best-selling author of Killing Monica, Sex and the City, Summer and the City, The Carrie Diaries, One Fifth Avenue, Lipstick Jungle, Trading Up, and Four Blondes. Sex and the City, published in 1996, was the basis for the HBO hit series and two subsequent blockbuster movies. Lipstick Jungle became a popular television series on NBC, as did The Carrie Diaries on the CW.

Katie Cotugno is the New York Times bestselling author of messy, complicated, feminist love stories. She studied Writing, Literature and Publishing at Emerson College and received her MFA in Fiction at Lesley University.

Katie is a Pushcart Prize nominee whose work has appeared in The Iowa Review, The Mississippi Review, and Argestes, among others.

The great loves of her life include child's pose, her little sister, and mozzarella and honey sandwiches. She lives in Boston with her husband, Tom, and her dog, Avon.

A Springtime Affair by Katie Fforde

Blurb

"It’s the season of new beginnings for Helena and Gilly.

Gilly runs her own B&B business from her much-loved family home, which she doesn’t want to part with – at any price.

But that's before she meets handsome estate agent Leo, and soon she begins to wonder whether selling up might not be such a bad idea after all.

Meanwhile Gilly's daughter Helena has a budding romance of her own. A talented weaver, she's becoming very close to her new landlord, Jago, who's offered to help her at an upcoming craft fair.

It’s what friends do, and they are just friends. Aren’t they?

With spring in full bloom, Helena and Gilly begin to ask themselves the same question:

Might their new loves lead to happily ever after?"

Hardcover, 448 pages
Published February 20th 2020 by Century
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

My Review

This is an enjoyable story about a warm relationship between mother and daughter, both finding new love.

Gilly is in her 50s and divorced with two grown-up children. She's happy with her life running a B&B until her son Martin makes her question whether she should give it up and sell her property so that she can give money to her children to help them along in life. Although she definitely isn't keen on living in a granny-annexe, understandably so when she's only in her 50's! She meets Leo who starts to sweep her off her feet, but she begins to question the reasons behind his appearance in her life. Meanwhile her accountant William is quietly in the background offering her sound advice and offering to take her gliding.

Helena is a strong independent woman on her late twenties making a career from weaving and is not interested in men, until she meets Jago. I enjoyed reading their relationship as it was mutually supportive until some questions about Jago's past arise. I have to confess I have no idea how to pronounce the name 'Jago' so I think I said it differently in my head every time I read it!

I found some parts of the relationships between the men and women in the story problematic, and while some were intentionally made so by the author I had misgivings that some of these tropes are still being used and some aspects of the attitudes held by the men were troublesome and weren't resolved by the end of the book.

This was an enjoyable, light hearted read, I give this book 2 out of 5.

The Author

Catherine Rose Gordon-Cumming was born 27 September 1952 in England, UK, the daughter of Shirley Barbara Laub and Michael Willoughby Gordon-Cumming. Her grandfather was Sir William Gordon-Cumming. Her sister is fellow writer Jane Gordon-Cumming. Katie married Desmond Fforde, cousin of the also writer Jasper Fforde. She has three children: Guy, Francis and Briony and didn't start writing until after the birth of her third child. She has previously worked both as a cleaning lady and in a health food cafe.

Published since 1995, her romance novels are set in modern-day England. Katie lives in Stroud, Gloucestershire, England with her husband, some of her three children and many pets. Recently her old hobbies of ironing and housework have given way to singing, Flamenco dancing and husky racing. She claims this keeps her fit. The writers she likes herself is also in the romantic genre, like Kate Saunders.

Author description taken from Goodreads.

The Lost Lights of St Kilda by Elisabeth Gifford

Blurb

"A sweeping, powerful novel set on the Scottish island of St Kilda, following the last community to live there before it was evacuated in 1930.

Summer 1927: When Fred Lawson takes a summer job on St Kilda, little does he realise that he has joined the last community to ever live on that beautiful, isolated island. Only three years later, St Kilda will be evacuated, the islanders near-dead from starvation. But for Fred, that summer - and the island woman, Chrissie, whom he falls in love with - becomes the very thing that sustains him in the years ahead.

1940: Fred has been captured behind enemy lines in France and finds himself in a prisoner-of-war camp. Beaten and exhausted, his thoughts return to the island of his youth and the woman he loved and lost. When Fred makes his daring escape, prompting a desperate journey across occupied territory, he is sustained by one thought only: finding his way back to her.

The Lost Lights of St Kilda is a sweeping love story that will cross oceans and decades. It is a moving and deeply vivid portrait of two lovers, a desolate island, and the extraordinary power of hope in the face of darkness."

Hardcover, 288 pages
Published March 5th 2020 by Corvus
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for sharing an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

My Review

This is a novel of two main halves; the story moves back and forth between Chrissie's time growing up on the island and Fred's point of view as a prisoner of war in 1940 trying to get home. Occasionally we also join Rachel Anne in Scotland in 1940 trying to understand her heritage of the island of St Kilda.

Elisabeth Gifford paints a vivid picture of life on St Kilda, the remains of a community that had lost more and more people to opportunities on the mainland, to a point where continuing to live on the island was no longer sustainable. I really valued this glimpse of another time and a completely different way of life and the descriptions of the starkly beautiful but unforgiving land and sea. The focus on their environment, community, the animals and the seasons was humbling and the story of their eventual evacuation and loss of all they had ever known was devastating.

The other half set in war torn Europe follows Fred's struggles to avoid the enemy while helped by many ordinary people acting in extraordinary ways to resist and save people in dangerous situations. He reminisces about his time on the island with Chrissie and begins to question what is worth fighting for.

I enjoyed the relationship between Fred and Chrissie but for me it was secondary to the story of the island community which touched me deeply. It's sad to think of an island and its people with thousands of years' of history and traditions now lost forever.

I gave this book 4 out of 5.

The Author

Family for Beginners by Sarah Morgan

Blurb

"Who says you can’t choose your family?
When Flora falls in love with Jack, suddenly she’s not only handling a very cranky teenager, but she’s also living in the shadow of Jack’s perfect, immortalised wife, Becca. Every summer, Becca and Jack would holiday with Becca’s oldest friends and Jack wants to continue the tradition, so now Flora must face a summer trying to live up to Becca’s memory, with not only Jack’s daughter looking on, but with Becca’s best friends judging her every move…

The more Flora tries to impress everyone, the more things go horribly wrong…but as the summer unfolds, Flora begins pushing her own boundaries, and finding herself in a way that she never thought she needed to.

And she soon learns that families come in all shapes and sizes."

Paperback, UK, 400 pages
Published April 2nd 2020 by HQ
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

My Review

I've been reading and loving Sarah Morgan's books for a while now, and while this is no exception I felt this book had some darker undertones than many of her other books. The prologue felt a little bit like the start of a thriller and the feeling of mystery surrounding Becca and her secrets had me intrigued from the start. It also handles the wide ways we deal with loss and grief, which Sarah Morgan depicts with grace and sensitivity.

Even with it's mysterious edges this book still radiates the author's usual warmth. I identified with Flora and her tendency to people please and fear of rejection. Her growth throughout the book was really heartwarming as was the way relationships developed with the other characters, including Izzy and Molly and the family friends was lovely.

This is a wonderfully uplifting book, valuing the importance of honesty and being yourself. I've given it 4 out of 5.

The Author

USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah Morgan writes romance and contemporary women's fiction and her trademark humour and warmth have gained her fans across the globe. Sarah lives near London, England, and when she isn't reading or writing she loves being outdoors.