Wilde about the girl – Louise Pentland | Book Review

Synopsis – Robin Wilde is acing life! After the year from hell, she’s pulled herself out of The Emptiness. Her love life is ticking along nicely and single motherhood is actually quite fun. When s thrilling opportunity at work arises, Robin is excited to step up and show everyone, including herself, what she’s made of.

But not everything is running smoothly. Her best friend Lacey is struggling to conceive, and her daughter Lyla is sharing some horrible attitudes she’s picking up at school. Is dear Auntie Kate hiding loneliness under her bubbly, loving manner? And can Robin definitely trust the people around her in her new role?

But Robin and her girls – together – can handle any crisis. Can’t they?

My thoughts – I enjoyed this book more than the first (Wilde like me) in the series, the book had a much better pace and flowed nicely. I feel like Louise’s writing style has changed a lot since the first book (for the better) and I found myself gripped and wanting to read more constantly. It’s the book that got me out of yet again, another reading slump, and for that I am very grateful!

I felt like I connected with the characters more in this book. I was rooting for them in this book more than the first. They went through some real struggles in this book, and every struggle felt really well portrayed. Just to note though, the book mentions fertility issues and miscarriage, so stay away from the book if these trigger you.

I love seeing Robin’s relationships with those around her develop further as she really delves into school life. I love how the book also includes familial relationships and friendships as well as relationships, as it makes the book more real which makes it easier to connect with the characters and their stories.

The Land Girl – Allie Burns | Blog Tour

Synopsis – War changes everything… Emily has always lived a life of privilege. That is until the drums of World War One came beating. Her family may be dramatically affected but it also offers her the freedom that she craves. Away from the tight control of her mother she grabs every opportunity that the war is giving to women like her, including love.

Working as a land girl Emily finds a new lease of life but when the war is over, and life returns to normal, she has to learn what to give up and what she must fight for.

Will life ever be the same again?

My thoughts – I really enjoyed this book, probably more than I expected I would. I’m not a huge historical fiction reader, as so many stories are set in a world so foreign and unimaginable for me that I struggle to get into the, and the writing styles are so different. However, this one, was so different. It had a really good world building, and the descriptions were so real. With every word I read I was able to build up this picture of what was happening so clearly.

I really connected with the characters. I felt for Emily while reading the book, she had to endure so many struggles, but this was the reality for so many young women during WW1. I can’t comment too much upon historical accuracy, as I’m no expert in this area of history, but it felt very real and well researched when I was reading it.

I felt that the character building was really good too. There wasn’t much telling us about their personalities, but you built up this picture from the dialogues and how they acted around each other. A technique teachers love to talk about – show me, don’t tell me. There was a lot of characters in the book, and I know that it was necessary and is real life, but at times it was a little confusing as there were so many of them.

They went through so much heartache, and at times I felt that this pain was brushed off a little at times, maybe this was because it wasn’t a continuous flow of time, and instead jumped around going from different months, but this did work at times.

I enjoyed reading the letters from one of the characters to Emily, but I would have liked to have seen Emily’s replies to these letters, as this would have formed a better dialogue between the two characters,and would have helped up to understand Emily better and get tot familiarise ourselves wit their relationship.

I’m considering going looking for other books Allie has written and reading those as well, as this was such a beautifully written book, that had a good flow to it and an even better story line.

About the author:

Allie lives in Kent with her family and two tortoises. When she’s not writing for business or penning her women’s historical fiction, Allie enjoys swimming and yoga. She has an MA in Professional Writing from Falmouth University and The Lido Girls is her debut novel. She is currently working on a second interwar years novel, which is due for publication in the summer of 2018.

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Still me – Jojo Moyes | Book Review

Goodreads Synopsis – Louisa Clark arrives in New York ready to start a new life, confident that she can embrace this new adventure and keep her relationship with Ambulance Sam alive across several thousand miles. She steps into the world of the superrich, working for Leonard Gopnik, and his much younger second wife, Agnes. Lou is determined to get the most out of the experience and throws herself into her new job and New York life. As she begins to mix in New York high society, Lou meets Joshua Ryan, a man who brings with him a whisper of her past. Before long, Lou finds herself torn between Fifth Avenue where she works and the treasure-filled vintage clothing store where she actually feels at home. And when matters come to a head, she has to ask herself: Who is Louisa Clark? And how do you reconcile a heart that lives in two places? Funny, romantic, and poignant, till me follows Lou as she navigates how to stay true to herself, while pushing to live boldly in her brave new world.

My thoughts – I really enjoyed Me before you, and wasn’t too thrilled with book 2 (after you) so I didn’t have high hopes for this book, but still really wanted to read it. And it did not disappoint. I definitely enjoyed this book more than after you. I was hooked from the start, not wanting to put it down at all. I really liked the story line, and so desperately wanted everything to work out for Lou.

I have loved Lou for a while now, and I just love the way that Jojo has portrayed her throughout the series. She’s such a lovable character who you can’t help but feel sorry for throughout everything. She’s had a real tough time, and you constantly want the best for her, just like you do a friend.

I really like Jojo’s writing. She just has this natural style that makes your imagination go crazy, imagining everything that happens, picturing it exactly in your mind as you read. I love how you feel all the emotions whilst reading. Excitement, hope, sadness, this book really has it all. If you haven’t already I highly recommend meeting Louisa Clark – a lovable, hilarious, bee tights wearing character, who you can’t help but love.

***Spoilers***

I am so glad that Lou got her happy ending – but I so desperately want more. What happened after? How did they both react? Do they stay together? Does it all work out? What happens to Dean Martin and Mrs De Wit? How is Lou’s family? I have so many questions, that I would love to be answered in another book. Fingers crossed!!

Laura vs Lorna – Cyndi Hilston

* Goodreads synopsis – Ever since a tragic accident took the lives of her parents, grief-stricken and lonely Lorna Ashford has buried herself by destroying everything left behind — objects, memories, relationships, and even her faith. In the backdrop of 1940s Cleveland, Ohio, Lorna sets out to begin anew after her brother leaves to fight in World War II. Living in a new house, she takes up painting and strikes up an unlikely friendship with the eccentric widower next door. But something is off about neighbor Tristan Blake, who lives in a house stuck in the past — his wife’s blackened out eyes stare out of picture frames, and dead flowers linger in her vases. Lorna can’t figure him out, as Tristan is both closed off, yet offers to help her at every turn. As Lorna’s life seems to be coming together, another tragedy threatens to undo all that she has worked to rebuild. Tristan becomes her rock. But with Tristan’s mysterious past, will Lorna be able to paint a masterpiece of love to become Laura again, or will everything she’s worked to create with Tristan be nothing more than a messy splatter of paint on a canvas?

My thoughts – I found this book a little tricky to get into, I just didn’t connect with the characters, which made it difficult to want to read the book. I kept going, as the synopsis intrigued me, and I wanted to find out what happened. I think it needed a bit more character building at the start and something more dramatic at the start of the book.

Whilst reading I didn’t feel like it was a book set in the 40’s, I think there needed to be more references to what was happened get at the time, and we needed more about her brother for us to really feel something. That being said, I did feel for Lorna when her brother died, as she had already been through a lot.

I think many people will love this book, but it just wasn’t for me. Maybe it’s because of the characters, maybe it’s because of my personal situation?

The chaos of longing – K.Y. Robinson

* synopsis –This book discusses sensitive subjects, such as racism, sexism and sexual trauma as stated at the start of the book. This book is a collection of poems discussing sensitive topics and sharing how someone may feel when they are experiencing these feelings and times.

My thoughts – It was a difficult read at times as this is the reality for some, that for me, is very difficult to imagine as I am lucky enough to have never experienced any of these feelings. I really liked the authors use of language and their writing style and would like to read more poems by Robinson. There were some poems that I preferred to others, and some that I personally didn’t connect with, but this happens with most poets and poetry books. It is a very personal and honest collection of poems that are aimed at an acquired audience.

Jennifer Brown’s Journey – Angie Langley

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Synopsis – When Jennifer’s life gets turned around by a cheating partner she pursues the search for happiness. She goes between jobs searching for the dream position.

My thoughts – I enjoyed reading this book and it was an easy read, perfect book to read on a sunny beach. I liked that it ended on such a cliffhanger as it makes you want to read the next book to find out what she decided to do and leaves you wanting more. I was really looking forward to reading this book and it lived up to my expectations.

For many Jennifer Brown’s life will be very familiar, not really enjoying your job and a not so reliable parter. This may make the book relatable and enjoyable for many women out there.

I liked Jennifer, she was a very self-driven person, constantly striving for what she wanted and her happiness. Changing her life when her current situation didn’t quite suit her and what she wanted. The characters felt real and their struggles were often relatable and familiar to situations I have experienced or have seen.

God is a woman – Michael Tavon

* Synopsis – Price’s difficult and challenging upbringing has led him to become an alcoholic and filling the loneliness with one night stands. The novelists old flame comes back into his life and saves him, literally. Will their relationship success, or crumble once again.

My thoughts – This isn’t a book I would usually go for, but I did enjoy reading it, although it defiantly wasn’t my normal type of book. The book showed how much influence a woman can have on a man, when he opens up and shares his burdens, and how life changing love and romance can be and that every day is worth living, you never know what’s around the corner!
For many the book will be very relatable – loss of parents, suicidal thoughts, alcoholism and a struggling romance, although it may be a little triggering for some readers. It was also very real, nothing was perfect, and not everything was awful, it was the perfect balance of the two, which made it very lifelike. Which made it a refreshing read as so many books are about ‘the perfect life’ or the complete opposite!
There are quite a few twists in the plot, which are sort of predictable/inevitable for the characters, but it reflects what is for many, their life and supports the life likeness of the story. I liked that it kept me guessing what would happen next, not really knowing where the story would go.

Spoilers! I liked the character Iris and how she supports Price by being firm with him, knowing that she will be able to help him. I felt sorry for her at times, as she catches her fiancée cheating on her and then Price gets Iris’ fiancées sister pregnant, it can’t have been an easy situation to be in.

Wilde like me – Louise Pentland

Louise Pentland's debut novel tells a story of Robin Wilde, single mother and assistant make-up artist. You follow a year of Robin's life, where she encounters many difficulties that will be all to familiar for some readers of this engaging novel. Robin struggles with fitting in with other school mums and feels 'the emptiness' that many will also feel. All Robin needs is some courage and creativity, but does she have what it takes?

I loved this book, I was really hoping that Robin would succeed and find happiness whilst I was reading the book, not wanting to put it down so I could find out sooner. I feel like it is a very relatable book for some, either because they are a single parent, or that they struggle to fit in with other parents at school, which for some will be as much of a struggle as it is for Robin. I loved Louise's writing style as she tells the heartwarming story of Robin and her struggles, it was an easy read and would be perfect to sit relaxing in the sun with. I really liked the happiness Robin gained from her family, showing that you don't need a man to cement your happiness, and showing that you should appreciate what you have. You could really sense Louise's personality coming through her novel, sensing her playful and serious sides as the tone of the book changed between chapters. You really get to know Robin and by the end of a book, you feel as though she is a friend whose just told you about her highs and lows of her year, with many of these being very relatable for so many readers.

1984 – George Orwell

I decided to read this book after watching Eve Bennett's video of what she read in June (link below). The title really intrigued me so I decided to look into it and see if it was a book that might interest me. I read the blurb and it sounded like a really interesting book, although I don't often read classics.
I did at times find it a little confusing as George used 'newspeak' which is a language used in the world it it set in, but these words were often explained to help the reader follow the story. However, I do think this was useful as the book often referred the new language, and I think George using some words in his book helped us to see and understand what the Language was better.
I don't think you particularly get to know and love the characters in the book very well, which is something that I really enjoy in a book. Also there's not any lengthy descriptions, which I know not everyone likes, is something I really enjoy, as it helps me to really imagine what is happening.
As parts were complicated, I do think that it's the kind of book that needs to be read more than once to fully understand and appreciate it. I would recommend this book as it is a good read, but I found that it wasn't the kind of book that you can curl up in bed and relax with.

STOP READING IF YOU DONT WANT SPOLIERS!!

I didn't really like the ending, I feel like it was a quite confusing last chapter and I think it could have ended better. However, overall I really enjoyed the book, it's not the kind of book I would usually read, but it has made me want to read more classics and explore literature more.
I am left with questions about the book, such as what happened to the shopkeeper Mr Charrington, we get a hint that he is the thought police, but we never really know, and the same with O'Brien.
I also didn't like the essay in the middle of the book, I found that it ruined the flow of the book, and I just skipped past it after realising that it could be left. I don't think that it particularly added anything to the book, however, some people may enjoy this section, as it adds some insight into the brotherhood.

Eve's video: https://youtu.be/8TBK2MYtn5k