NetGalley Reviewer nix21230

Since you’ve been gone is the first book in an author collaboration project. It was written by writer goddess Lainey Davis - it’s safe to say this is going to be another success!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you to Lainey Davis for allowing me to be part of your secret ARC squad for this book! I am not 100% sure if I should post this review now or wait until closer to release day - 9 May 2024, but it's a FAB book, so here goes!! Since You've Bean Gone by Lainey Davis is the first in the Farm 2 Forking series of books, each written by a different author. The authors are: Lainey Davis, Liz Alden, Karen Grey, Erin Mallon and Ember Leigh. Bedd Fellows Farm, in the fictional town of Fork Lick, New Your is in trouble. The five Bedd siblings have inherited a heap of debt, along with Baa-bara the troublesome sheep, and they’re all too stubborn to accept the help they need to dig their way out of the compost pile. The foreclosure is handled by Lia, the ex of Ethan, the oldest Bedd and there are ...

HUGE APOLOGIES for the ridiculous slowness in publishing this review. Having finished the book 18 months or so ago (autumn 2022), I wanted to digest the content and try to come up with a fair summary - there is sooooo much thought-provoking stuff in this book - but writing the actual review continued to be put back on the "To do later..." pile of actions, sorry.  Lytle states that this is his attempt at summarising his experience and life lessons for the next generation of his family and that there are another two books in the works - these have not yet been published when I'm writing this (March 2024), but I do hope they reach an audience outside of his immediate family! The book discusses the potential impact of rapid technological advancements on human life in the next 30 years and Lytle argues that these advancements will fundamentally change what it means to be human. Advancements in automation and medicine will blur the line between human and machine - humans will i...

I'm testing a new approach to ensure i remember to log and review all books: Going forward, I’m going to prioritise sharing reviews on NetGalley and Goodreads - this means my blog and Instagram may not be updated as frequently.  == Find me on goodreads == #goodreads #netgalley    

Entertaining, heartwarming and inspirational. Following some amazing travelling in her early retirement, the now recently widowed Maggie is feeling a little lost and unclear what she should do with her time.  Enjoying an evening out with her daughter Hannah, at an old favourite place, all doesn't seem to be as she remembered it. It turns our the owners have returned to India and their son has taken over. However he is a tech geek and not a trained chef... Maggie realises that the kitchen is struggling and jumps in to rescue the evening.  Afterwards she's full of positive energy and she's taking charge trying to help the restaurant to survive - and to get back her own purpose in life. Full of inspiration, hope, community spirit and an annoying baddie... The Unretirement by Penny Mirren is currently set to be published 23 May 2024. #TheUnretirement #NetGalley

I read this as a stand-alone story without knowledge of the previous three books in the series and thoroughly enjoyed it! It is a cosy and uplifting story about young love getting a second chance, and about reevaluating life.  Matilda has just been dumped (via text message!!) and her old time rival has got his art accepted at a gallery in London (although a dubious one...). She escapes to the sleepy village of Padcock to attend a birthday party for her best friend's brother Jay - and to connect with to local very successful artists. Working through her emotions and taking hold the opportunities that come along, Matilda soon finds herself in a happier place and she's getting more confident. This was a captivating and inspiring slow-burn, small town, feel-good story. I was given an ARC via Netgalley of Matildas summer of new beginnings , written by Kirsty Ferry. It is currently due to be published on 9 April 2024, but you can preorder your copy now. #MATILDASSUMMEROFNEWBEGINNINGS...

Cornwall and more specifically a previously uninhabitable small island, close to Bryher in the Isles of Scilly, is the main place for this heart warming and feel good story. Lily, the overworked control freak who leaves London for some luxury relaxation booked by her PA, is not too happy when she realises that there is no mobile phone signal and no wifi... Sam, the rugged islander who is coping with his grief by building a luxury resort, forgot that he actually needs to interact with his guests... These two souls somehow connect, initially out of necessity, but later out of choice. Second Chance Summer by Phillipa Ashley is currently due to be published on 6 June 2024, just in time for peak tourist season.  #SecondChanceSummer #NetGalley

NOT a true story, even if it felt like it throughout. Amber is selected for one of the girl bands - Cloud9 - and her life takes a turn she never imagined.  Media is looking for stereotypes, and so are the producers - suddenly Amber doesn't recognise herself in the way she's portrayed, and her actual feelings are not in line with the narrative, neither are those of her fellow band member Gwen or boy band star Wes. They are all young, and their lives are decided (directed!) by those with money.  "I didn't like to perform. I liked to be loved." A fantastic debut novel!!! Thank you to Netgalley, Bonnier Books / Zaffre and Isabel Banta for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.  Honey by Isabel Banta is currently set to be published on 25 June 2024. #Honey #NetGalley

Don’t give up on your dreams to allow others to live theirs.  The author has developed plenty of characters and sub-plots, but I found the progress slightly slow in some parts and I wasn't able to connect with many of the characters. I must also admit that I was hoping for a different ending. The Goddesses of Kitchen Avenue by Barbara O'Neal is available now. You may find it under Barbara Samuel in some listings / second hand bookshops as it's been available for a few years. (ARC via Netgalley) 

Dangerous Times on Dressmakers' Alley is the first book in a new series and it's an amazing starter!!! Set in London's East End in 1923, we are treated to a captivating, strong storyline with great characters (especially Winnie Lady Diane and Susie) whilst at the same time learning about history in a very enjoyable and believable way. I am looking forward to the future books in the series.  Dangerous Times on Dressmakers' Alley by Rosie Clarke is currently scheduled to be published on 5 April 2024. #DangerousTimesonDressmakersAlley #NetGalley

Thoroughly well researched, with beautiful and elaborate writing, but rather slow moving. I suspect this would be perfect for those loving the Shelley's, their history and slow, descriptive prose, but this just wasn't my cup of tea. I received two ARCs - one via Netgalley and one directly from the publishers, History Through Fiction.