Beneath an Irish Sky by Isobella Connor

Jack Stewert thought he’d put the past behind him. On the surface he has everything – success, money, a big house and he is never short of an attractive woman by his side, but a tragic road accident shatters his world.

Raised as an Irish traveller, Luke Kiernan hasn’t had it easy, and when he wakes up in a Dublin hospital to find the man he’s hated since childhood at his bedside he’s hungry for revenge.

Two very different worlds collide bringing new dangers exposing past deceits, and unearthing dark family secrets buried long ago. But from tragedy springs the promise of a fresh start with two women who are intent on helping Jack and Luke mend their lives.

This story reaches all of the emotional senses its part family saga, part mystery, part love story but unearthing all of the family skeletons over the preceding 20 years makes it part tragedy. Just as you think you’ve got it figured out where the story is going, you get a twist and it’s off down a different route.

Both the protagonist’s, Luke and Jack are lovable, believable and the story is written in such a way you really care about them both. You believe both sides of their very different perspectives, and if they would just tell each other, and piece it together it would save you so much emotional wringing, but where would that leave the reader?

Once engrossed into the story this book really is un-put-a-down-able. It made me laugh, cry, shout, hope, hold my breath and pray. I was sat on the edge of my seat praying that it would be ok, I needn’t have worried, because this is after all a Choclit novel and therefore a happy ever after ending is guaranteed and this novel does not disappoint. So much so I cried with joy! This is the most wonderful book and it deserves to win every single award around.

The Commuting Bookworm 29/07/2013

The Overlook by Michael Connelly

I was lucky enough to be sent this book published by Orian by my kind freinds at Newbooks magazine (http://www.newbooksmag.com/).

This is my first Michael Connelly read, and I was enthralled at the plot and twists that reminded me somewhat of a 1980’s US cop show. It flows well and the story is written in joined up writing, without bad language and it seems that the main protagonist Harry Bosch, is the most organised detective, as demonstrated when we are told about his habit of starting a new notebook for each case.  However, because of the references to a previous case in several parts of the story I did wonder if I was missing out by not having read the previous books in the series.  Without giving away any spoilers, I question if the references to the previous cases were totally necessary as they did not seem to have any relevance to the case in hand and the did make me question if it was worth continuing reading the book.

The last third of the book does have many twists and we are taken down dead end leads, but I did correctly work out who the guilty party was well before the last chapter’s got going, this I found disappointing that I was not kept on tender hooks for a little longer.  Connelly however is a bestselling author and this is well deserved. I would definitely read another, especially if I was going on a long train journey and wanted a book to keep me entertained for the whole journey.

Personal read 4*

Bookgroup read 3*

 

The Commuting Bookworm 09/06/13

Out of Sight Out of Mind by Evonne Wareham from my friends at Choclit

I confess that Evonne Wareham is one of my all-time favourite authors so therefore I admit to being biased. I knew the minute this landed on my door step from my friends at ChocLit I was going to totally enjoy. As always Wareham does not disappoint. The story subject and matter is very well researched and although out on the fringes of credible science she has us believing every word. It amazes me how she can really get inside the head of both of the protagonist’s.

The story itself, not wanting to give away any spoilers is a good old fashioned love story, but we have hot sexy scenes where as the reader you can feel the passion, the hard rock solid body of him and the slim sexy smooth skin of her and we can all be inspired beyond Monday to stay on our diets, oh just to have some of the body.

Wareham keeps us all guessing as to what is really going on until the last few chapters and you never quite know will they or won’t they?  However as always the book is un-put-a-down- able until the last page is turned and then you kick yourself for finishing it so quick because it ended and now what are you going to read that is anywhere near as good?

I loved this book, I loved the story and I loved the end. A perfect book to read anywhere, any when any how.

Personal Read 5*

Reading Group 5*

 

The Commuting Bookworm 06/09/13

What I did on My Holidays by Chrissie Manby

Hey everyone             Having the most fantastic time! The beach is amazing! I’m getting an incredible tan! I am absolutely definitely, categorically not hiding out in my bedroom… The Balearics are wonderful at this time of year, Wish you were there? I know I do Sophie xox

 
 When Callum dumps Sophie the night before they were meant to go to Majorca together, she has a choice. Completely forget about the holiday, or go  without him?

In a show of bravery and independence, Sophie says she’ll go to Majorca alone. But actually she hides in her London flat. And when her friends and family (not to mention Callum) seem impressed by her single girl courage, Sophie decides to go all out and create the ultimate ‘fake break,…..with hilarious results.

This is a light rom com that is great for reading over a weekend curled up in front of the fire with some junk food. It has some great moments, when you think you have worked out where things are going, only for a twist to take you down another route. I highly recommend and I am looking forward to reading one of Chrissie Manby’s other books.
The Commuting Bookworm 2013

The Greatest Love Story of all Time by Lucy Robinson

Its Frans 30^th birthday and things are good. She’s bluffed her way into a very posh job and her outlandishly handsome and talented boyfriend Michael is escorting her to the Ritz with a bulge in the shape of a ring box in his pocket.

But something has gone wrong. By the end of the evening Fran is howling in bed with a bottle of cheap brandy and one of Michaels old socks.

In her quest to figure out why her life has suddenly gone down the pan, Fran comes up with a failsafe plan: live like a badger, stalk a stranger called Nellie and cancel her beloved Gin Thursdays in favour for drinking gin every night. But then Frans friends force a very different plan on her and its nowhere near as fun. How could eight dates possibly make her feel better?

But eventually she agrees. And so begins the greatest love story of all time………

The blog on the back of this book, nowhere near covers the delectable delights, the LOL one liners that are in store for the reader. The emotional turmoil that most of us can relate to when we are dumped, but also with an alcoholic mother who is having a 20 year affair with a tory politician there is some real emotional depth. As a daughter of two alcoholic parents I totally get the angst that Fran goes through.

Without giving too much away, I guarantee a feel good ending that we expect from this kind of story. A lovely light, entertaining read that I would highly recommend.

The Commuting Bookworm 18/03/2013

The Brightest Star in the Sky by Marian Keyes

June the first, a bright summers evening, a Monday and into the busy bustling homes at 66 Star Street slips unseen, a mysterious visitor. As the couples, flatmates and repentant singletons on No 66 fall in and out of love, clutch at and drop secrets, laugh, cry and simply try to live, no one suspects the caller patiently in the wings. For soon: really soon, everything is going to change…….

This is my first Marian Keyes, and it took a while to get into it. Not because of her style but because I was trying to work out who or what the narrator is. However once I penetrated the story and I was in, there was no putting it down until the last page was turned.  This novel is like peeling an onion there are so many layers to it. If you have chunks of time to read blocks of pages in each reading sitting, this is a worthwhile read.

Having spoken to a friend who has read more Marian Keyes, this one is not representative of her others. This has wet my appetite and I will read another at some point in the future.

The Commuting Bookworm 2013

Lifesaving for Beginners by Ciara Geraghty

She has lots of friends, an ordinary job, and she never ever thinks about her past. This is Kats story. None of it is true.

Milo McIntyre loves his mam, the peanut butter and banana muffins at the funky Banana café, and the lifesaving class he does after school. He never thinks about his future, until the day it changes forever. This is Milo’s story, all of it is true.

And then there is the other story. The one with a twist of fate which somehow brings together a boy from Brighton and a woman in Dublin, and uncovers the truth once and for all.

This is the story that’s just about to begin……..

This really is a read with real depth. It also shows how society has changes in its opinions over the last 20 years. This is a family that faces crises and grows through it. A wonderful heart-warming, believable tale. Ciara Geraghty has been compared to Marian and I can quite understand why. A very enjoyable read and should not be overlooked for this year’s holiday reads selection.

The Commuting Bookworm 2013