A.M. Jaxon has a way, the queen of the one liner and raunchy scenes. I don’t read a lot of romantic suspense, and this is what she delivers in a uniquA.M. Jaxon has a way, the queen of the one liner and raunchy scenes. I don’t read a lot of romantic suspense, and this is what she delivers in a unique way. Additionally to this edgy, racy and a bit of a spunky style, is the ‘Love Actually format’ (is this a thing? It is now) in which many characters come together intertwining their experience and relationships. If you have the tendency to lose track, the handy cast of characters list gives you the upper hand, a great inclusion. The only issue with combining a cast of characters’ stories is that you become a little greedy, wanting more from certain players, but this is part of the appeal. A cool addition is a curated playlist, which will add to the vibe - QR code included - no work required. If you enjoy local Aussie references, lively dialogue, down to earth colloquialisms and a fun, cheeky and a little bit of a naughty style, you’ll be at home with this series. This is an author who has fun with her writing, which is what resonated with me. If you’re looking for a refresh experience, you’ve landed in the right place.
With thanks to the author and publisher for my electronic copy to read and review...more
Another book I didn’t review straight away, always leaves my mind reaching for the finer details. Nanny and her charges go missing, her mother happensAnother book I didn’t review straight away, always leaves my mind reaching for the finer details. Nanny and her charges go missing, her mother happens to be an ex British police officer suffering from her own trauma caused by a job gone wrong. Her husband was awful, unsupportive after a terrible on the job incident.
This led to the estrangement from her beloved daughter, and the ex having much to do with this. This dreadful man, claims to be too busy caring for his newborn twins with his new family, cannot commit to looking for Lou, imparting the information begrudgingly with attitude his ex wife needs to know in looking for their daughter.
Lou is a great nanny, caring for children whose own parents couldn’t care less, drinking by the pool with friends, self absorbed in their own worlds. Rose is her mother, scrambling from another continent to be the one liaising with police, and the seasoned detective Mal Blackwood with an interesting backstory of his own.
Rose’s experience in domestic violence allows her to use her skills in finding her daughter, and I enjoyed seeing her feisty attitude in overcoming the estrangement the more desperate the situation becomes. It was clear Lou did not take the children which was alluded to in the blurb, I did enjoy this book, my first of this author. Recommended.
I listened to this book via the BorrowBox app and my public library. ...more
August and Noah have been married for ten years and it’s getting shaky. This is the story of wanting to end a marriage without the absolute certainty August and Noah have been married for ten years and it’s getting shaky. This is the story of wanting to end a marriage without the absolute certainty of this big decision. I felt literary fiction vibes, and the up and down nature of this huge decision. Opening at this perilous ten year mark, in the heat and sweat of Brisbane, it was easy to fall into the angsty feelings of someone wanting out, the writing was strong to draw me in. The author definitely has a uniqueness, and I’ll be curious to read Love and Other Puzzles . My problem is sometimes the current mood I am facing at the time of reading a book, and my personal experience sometimes creates a stumbling block, and this happened here. Which will not happen to other readers. This is a sweet book, perhaps just the wrong time for me.
With thanks to HarperCollins Australia for my copy to read and review....more
A book to relate to! I love when this happens. The same era (give or take) rushing off to mother’s group once a week, seeing some of the mum’s have itA book to relate to! I love when this happens. The same era (give or take) rushing off to mother’s group once a week, seeing some of the mum’s have it all together (pretending?), the tired ones, the scattered ones (me). Meeting once a week, taking turns to host. My nurse was brilliant, I do remember that.
This is a twisty, bumpy and bitey road. Privilege, loyalty, misplaced trust and the need to push on with tradition sees a group of new mum’s tread the oft walked path of continuing friendship past the allotted community group setting (I can’t remember how long the program went for).
I had a rich mum who used to throw the biggest parties, they didn’t stay married long. I had the quiet one, the new to Australia one, the working one and the stay at home one. And.. the one with the useless husband. This may be a digression, but it makes for such good reading when you know what it’s like for real. We also went away when disaster struck, the result of this best left unsaid.
The women all love each other, they see the differences and mostly accept them. They’re all messy and complicated which turns into turning a blind eye, blurring boundaries and at times misplaced loyalties. Complicitous when it comes to inappropriate men drew my ire, keeping an eye on the arrogant, entitled and Andrew Tate-esque dude made for an excellent and tense rhythm. Holly’s inclusion of a character and her alcohol use was spot on, too. This often isn’t done well at all in fiction.
Added to this lively bunch of families and the dynamics between them all was the local setting. This is a great book, Holly’s voice radiated, and what a lovely voice it is.
I listened to this via the Libby platform and my public library. ...more
Slow burn thriller fans will love this, unfortunately I couldn’t quite grasp onto it as fiercely as I’d hoped. The burn was a tad too slow for me, butSlow burn thriller fans will love this, unfortunately I couldn’t quite grasp onto it as fiercely as I’d hoped. The burn was a tad too slow for me, but the character focused slant worked for me. Each character drawn well, even though unlikeable, the reasons for this and their background drip fed by delving into each one worked well.
Everyone felt suspicious, this family landing in LA from Australia while the father tries hard turning his novel into a screenplay. It doesn’t come naturally to him, his main job was in accounting and oddly they didn’t seem to have any finances. I also felt the vibe being more Australian than LA. This is probably just me ...more
More than a coming of age story, this story is one of compassion and honesty. I enjoyed the glimpse into two young boys who were unafraid to be themseMore than a coming of age story, this story is one of compassion and honesty. I enjoyed the glimpse into two young boys who were unafraid to be themselves. Art is 12, and his little brother Hilary is 10. This unisex name of course causes problems at school, and Art is quick to stick up for his sibling. Both are quirky and smart young fellas’. Their maturity and mutual respect was unexpected - though possibly a little far reaching - they loved each other a lot. Central themes of family, the non traditional and coming to terms with what we have, and finding our place in the world. Art faces a humiliating act from a bully, the fall out from this will eventually teach him a thing or two and as the story progresses, he learns many more important life lessons. Secondary characters are written beautifully, with kindness and forgiveness at every stage. Resonating with me is Art’s transition from year 6 to starting year 7, this is a hard road to travel, yet it seems Art is able and confident to seek opportunities to try new things - and when to acknowledge when traditions will come to a natural end. We are at this stage in my own family, so more than once I was comparing and contrasting. Always a sign of a good read. A well written and rich story, one of those which adults will be able to draw from as well.
Thank you to Tracey @carpe_librum1 and the publisher for hosting a giveaway on her blog ...more
This was a compelling look into the legal world, and a woman's personal struggle after suffering an accident and the resulting amnesia she is experienThis was a compelling look into the legal world, and a woman's personal struggle after suffering an accident and the resulting amnesia she is experiencing.
She's lost ten years in her memory, taking her back to her first marriage, completely unaware of the resolution of that union, to where she is now currently. So different, so jarring.
So much has transpired, she's struggling with the massive life changes which include her messy family dynamic, friendships and employment.
I found portions to be neat, but all in all it was a compelling story where I was interested in following the protagonist to the end, hoping the best for her.
A well written debut, I can imagine more legal based stories to come.
Cults always fascinate me. I’ve read many fictional stories on this theme, as well as an excellent nonfiction title. The leader in this one, turn coatCults always fascinate me. I’ve read many fictional stories on this theme, as well as an excellent nonfiction title. The leader in this one, turn coat Acharya was all things creepy, venomous and simply evil. I found the book to be quite slow burn for the first half, finding myself wanting it to really pick up, but did feel more satisfied in the second half.
The strong feelings I had for the cult leader was the best part, my feelings building, the indignation and seeing the easy way the weak followers fell under her spell. It’s always clear the greed and power is what gets these people off, and this particular leader had revenge and payback on her radar for some poor people in her past. I did find it hard to push through at times, but the venom and malice component balanced this.
With my thanks to the all at Ultimo for my review copy....more
Quite a brilliant look into the mother daughter relationship, with a back drop of the heady art scene and the drama and unusual life in a commune settQuite a brilliant look into the mother daughter relationship, with a back drop of the heady art scene and the drama and unusual life in a commune setting. The work seems not to dive completely into the cultish world, thought it does show the effects of being on the fringes and the all encompassing feelings of love and obsession.
A mother deeply loving her daughter, while still neglecting her, focussing on the self, her art, her stalled career and failed romantic entanglement. I was sad witnessing a daughter fending for herself, stepping into the parental role while her mother was unable to snap herself out of the depths of despair, realising too late the mess made.
Beautifully written conjuring lush imagery while completely convincing the reader of the messy and fractured relationship. I didn't completely love either of the protagonists, but it wasn't necessary to form a bond with them to understand the act of defiance of the daughter, and the reaction of the mother, even if this was much too late for decisive and protective action.
A scene showing the daughter's strength and beauty in describing her shaved head touches on the author's skill and provocative writing, seeming to translate easily to the page.
This is a complex story stretching over time, a slow burn reflecting on moral ambiguity, power and control. I knew who I sided with and I'd not be surprised to learn that I'm in the minority.
Thank you to Ultimo Press for my review copy....more
Special delivery was just the book I needed, at just the time I needed it. Not only was it refreshing to read about Orange (I love when I can picture Special delivery was just the book I needed, at just the time I needed it. Not only was it refreshing to read about Orange (I love when I can picture local places!) this was sweet, romantic and real life refreshing. I don’t read a lot of romance (for no reason other than I own so much nonfiction, and thrillers seem to scream ‘me’ ‘me’), so this was a really sweet ride. Poppy - perfect character name - is single, and ok with it (for the most part). She doesn’t get rattled and she’s capable. Until she literally bumps into midwife James, who is all level broody, capable and sometimes plain right maddening. Moving back from Sydney Poppy lands back in her old town, running into some old friends, and one in particular causes her mum to keep a close eye on her. I sensed Poppy was really capable, so I didn’t completely get her reluctance to ‘disclose’ her single status to the women at Mother’s Group, but I still rated this 5. I really look forward to what comes next for this author!
I listened to this via the Libby app and my public library. ...more
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