prettylittlewriter

Synopsis

‘When Daphne Bridgerton enters society to find herself a husband, no one seems to fit her mould. They’re either too old, too ugly or too persistent. Until she meets her Eldest brother’s best friend, The Duke of Hastings.

Simon has never wanted to marry, and most certainly never wants to have children. His past with his evil Father has solidified that. But when he meets Daphne Bridgerton, with a plan for a fake betrothal in action, marriage doesn’t seem to be that terrible of an idea. But when his beliefs have been so strong since a young boy, can Daphne really change that?’

Okay so I’m obsessed with the Netflix adaptation of Bridgerton, and my obsession borderlines unhealthy (I’ve bought special edition books/bookmarks/candles etc and I really need to stop!). So of course, I had to start reading the series, to see just how different the novels are from the TV show.

There were some great scenes within the book that would have been lovely in the show, including my favourite interaction between Hyacinth & Simon at the promenade, where he teases her and gallantly offers to place his shirt on the ground so she doesn’t have to walk through puddles (adorable).

The sex scenes were also brilliant, and although we got a lot of it in the show, it was definitely more graphic within the novel.

Simon is a brilliant character, he certain knows how to give Daphne what she desires (even when she doesn't known it!) and I enjoyed delving into his past a lot more than what the TV show does (his Father really was an arsehole).

Daphne on the other hand, I found to be petulant and very childish at points, and I felt like Simon should definitely have left her to it! (Daphne in the TV show, I adore).

There was also a rather questionable scene, that was definitely changed slightly for the better in the TV show, but it is still NOT acceptable under any circumstances, no matter whether it is a male or female doing it. I have seen a lot of people that really have hated this book due to this scene, but I’ve personally skipped over it and haven’t rated it as low as others because I still enjoyed the rest of the novel.

I do think this novel is slightly more dumbed down (speech-wise between the characters especially) than other regency era novels I’ve read, and I found myself skimming through some parts of the novel to get to the most interesting bits.

Overall, I did enjoy the read and I will continue to read the series, but I definitely enjoy the TV show more, so I’m very happy with what Shondaland has created!

3.5/5 stars

The sisters must unlock the truth to set themselves free - and find each other again.’

This book had me hooked from the start. With a dark secret between the sisters, and a dual timeline keeping us guessing what each of them know, I was desperate to unravel the mystery and it kept me up till the early hours reading most nights!

Most of the characters I did find unlikeable in some way (bar Lauren, she is very sincere and kind). Kat & Flora seemed very cruel in some ways, as you will discover when you read the novel, and this made me not care about them as much as I did Lauren, however, as we learn more about their lives through their chapters, I did warm to them more.

Their Father, Charlie, is a ladies man, with each daughter being to a different woman (I'm never a fan of a man-whore!), however, he does show how much he loves each daughter individually throughout the story and you see he is a devoted Father.

My favourite character was probably Bertha the Grey African Parrot, and I do wish she’d had a little bit more of a role within the story (she was very entertaining!).

Angie was probably my least favourite character from the beginning, but by the end of the novel, she does have a little bit of redemption.

There are quite a few secrets that are gradually unearthed, in which some of them I did guess, and it kept you wondering just what else the characters could be hiding (especially Charlie, his secrets seemed never-ending).

There are many emotional moments within the novel, with Lauren suffering from Anxiety/PTSD from an incident that happened in 1999, and between each sister when they discuss their own personal lives. It made me long to dive into the book and give each girl a cuddle! The reveal of the main secret is also quite a sad and emotional moment, which although I had guessed what had happened, it still made me tear up.

Eve Chase has created an encapsulating and enthralling story with a brilliant ensemble cast, and if you’re looking to dive in to a family drama/mystery novel, then I highly recommend this!

4/5 stars

Thank you so much Louise for sending me a copy of your book to read and review!

Synopsis

This is the first novel that I’ve read by Louise, and I wasn’t disappointed! A thrilling and encapsulating read, with some absolutely brilliant twists and turns!

The character of Nadine is so well written, with so many intricate details that I found myself unsure whether I could believe her side of the story. When she receives a call from her daughter saying she had killed someone, I was even questioning whether she had imagined the entire phone call! However, this phone call triggers a sequence of events that send Nadine spiralling into dangerous territory, including committing crimes. I often found myself questioning Nadine’s brother Gavin also, with something feeling very sketchy about him.

I was absolutely hooked throughout, unable to put the book down even if it was midnight and I had work the next day!

I was also unable to keep my mouth from gaping open at the twists within this book; each one had me thoroughly impressed with Louise’s writing, and left me questioning my sanity in places.

Overall, I was really impressed with this novel, and I now want to read Louise’s previous novels!

4/5 stars

 Hello everyone! 

As we say goodbye to another year that has been incredibly difficult for a lot of people, I thought I'd share a roundup of the top 12 books that I've read that helped me get through 2021!

I've put them in no particular order below, as I never really like to compare if I've enjoyed them all and given them all 5 stars, however, I will say, that the book that I still constantly think about and recommend to EVERYONE is The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward. So I'd say that is definitely my favourite of the year!

1. The Inheritance by Gabriel Bergmoser

A very sexy enemies to lovers dark fantasy romance!

3. The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling

A feel good easy read! It felt like Gilmore Girls collided with Practical Magic, set in a quaint and autumnal town, with a little bit of spice!

4. The Whistling by Rebecca Netley

5. Afterlove by Tanya Byrne

Teen slasher set in an elite boarding school; a murder mystery filled with passion, drama and a whole lot of murder.

7. Near the Bone by Christina Henry

8. Five Minds by Guy Morpuss

9. The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward

10. The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

11. The Crowns of Croswald 1&2 by D.E. Night

12. The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse

 I'm going to start by saying this is my new favourite book series.

I read the first novel, The Crowns of Croswald by D. E. Night back in March when the lovely Netgalley and Stories Untold Press gifted me an eARC. 
I was lucky enough to be gifted the second in the series also, The Girl With the Whispering Shadow, and yet again, I am thoroughly impressed.
The age range they give for this book is 13-17 years old, however, I honestly don't think you can give a maximum age limit on art, because no matter your age, you can be young at heart, and enjoy these things just as much as a child (if not more as you can appreciate the work that goes into it).

Initially when I started this novel, I told myself I knew how it was going to pan out. I knew Ted was going to be evil, blah blah; truth is, I knew nothing!

I loved that you had chapters from Olivia's point of view, something I personally have never seen before. She was a sassy little thing, and combine that with my love for cats anyway, I just adored her character.

Lauren was a character I found annoying, and I believe that is exactly how Catriona wanted to portray her, she was a child after all, and being kept away from the outside world with no human connection other than Ted, was bound to make her highly emotional.

Ted I completely misread. At first, I believed he was going to be one of these terrible men that kidnap young girls, killing them and moving on to the next.  
He was so completely and magnificently complex, and everything that happened to him as a child was completely horrifying and hardening. 

There were so many twists within this book that I honestly couldn't keep up. Every time there was a huge revelation, a few chapters later there was another! I was on the edge of my seat constantly, and I didn't want it to end.

It's also important to mention that some of the things within the novel may be triggering, there are parts which relate to child abuse and mental health problems, but each of these things were an integral part of the story that made it the incredible book that it is.

I won't say any more, as I do not want to share any spoilers, but I want to ask every single one of you that sees this, PLEASE READ THIS BOOK.

You will not regret it.

This book is also being adapted for film, so I am incredibly excited to see what comes of that! 

5 OUT OF 5 STARS!