fiction review
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What starts as the story of a lonely, set-in-her-ways woman rebuilding her life becomes a touching exploration of friendship, belonging, and second chances. Britt-Marie may be stubborn, blunt, and obsessed with routine, but beneath her prickly exterior is a character impossible not to root for as she discovers that life can still hold surprises, even…
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*Advanced Reader Copy* Returning to The Book Club Murders felt like catching up with old friends. The familiar cast, another compelling mystery, and Maggie Allswell’s cosy writing style made this a thoroughly enjoyable read. While I found this instalment a little more predictable than the first, it was still an entertaining mystery that kept the…
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Atmosphere is a breathtaking blend of ambition, love, and resilience set against the backdrop of NASA’s 1980s Space Shuttle programme. Taylor Jenkins Reid creates a story that feels both intimate and epic, with a protagonist I couldn’t help but root for. Richly researched, emotionally powerful, and impossible to put down, this is a novel that…
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One of the strongest themes throughout the novel is Olive’s internal struggle between logic and vulnerability. As a scientist, she relies on data, evidence, and hypotheses to understand the world around her. However, as her feelings develop, she discovers that emotions cannot be measured or calculated quite so easily, forcing her to embrace a level…
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A fast-paced space heist set in the first city on the Moon, Artemis combines science-fiction, crime, humour, and conspiracy into an entertaining adventure. While it didn’t quite reach the heights of Project Hail Mary for me, Jazz Bashara’s witty narration and the unique lunar setting made this a fun and engaging read from beginning to…
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A beautifully layered novel exploring how one small decision can ripple through an entire lifetime. Thought-provoking, emotional, and quietly devastating, The Names examines identity, family, and the lasting impact of choice through three intertwining timelines.
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What follows is an unexpected story of connection, as Phoebe forms surprising friendships that slowly help her rediscover a reason to live and imagine a different future for herself. The wedding setting creates a striking contrast against Phoebe’s emotional state, with celebration and chaos unfolding alongside grief, loneliness, and quiet humour that lingers in the…
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At its heart, Remarkably Bright Creatures is a story about loss, loneliness, and the quiet ways healing can begin. Through the unlikely friendship between Tova, an aquarium cleaner, and Marcellus the octopus, the novel gently explores how connection can appear in the most unexpected places.
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A dazzling, scandal-filled journey through the golden age of Hollywood, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is far more than a story about fame and glamour. Beneath the designer gowns, red carpets, and dramatic headlines lies a deeply emotional tale of love, sacrifice, ambition, and identity. Evelyn Hugo is the kind of character who completely…
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In a palace where a single misstep can mean death, Maomao’s sharp mind and sharper tongue set her apart. What begins as survival soon becomes something far more dangerous as secrets unravel, poisons linger, and court intrigue tightens its grip.
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Truth, like light, can blind those unprepared to face it. Yet without it, we stumble endlessly in the dark—mistaking shadows for certainty.