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October 2026
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Reads & Raves
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We're new - wahoo! ~ October 2026 ~ Reads & Raves ~
Book Reviews
For Fiction Fans
Discover your next great read!
One minute or in-depth Book reviews with star ratings!
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Three sisters clash with two barren queens in a brutal dance for a single, bloodstained throne.
Medieval saga of The Tudor dynasty in all its greed and gore ...
A Good Year
Peter Mayle
Romance
Standalone
Our review: A shrewd British businessman inherits a French vineyard from his uncle. A love story begins and the man willingly journeys toward humorous self-reflection.
The perfect summer read.
Witty and keen observations.
Latest Reviews
Lion
Conn Iggulden
Historical
Series 1/2
Our review: From ultra-talented Conn Iggulden comes the first in his latest two book series. A historical epic set in ancient Greece and focusing on the Greco-Persian wars with attention to true events, and characters that cross the centuries divide.
Immersive Ancient Greece.
Damascus Station
David McCloskey
Spy Thriller
Standalone
Our review: Pacey, middle-of-the-road spy thriller with a central love story, but it’s a safe read if you’re new to this genre. Sam, a CIA officer, recruits a Syrian woman. Main character clichés abound, especially around the romance.
Great for newcomers to spy thrillers.
The Mad Women’s Ball
Victoria Mas
Historical, Drama
Standalone
Our review: Scenes, moods and thoughts are encased in a succinct and sophisticated narrative. Set in historical Paris and partly based on shocking events related to mental health. With a sprinkling of paranormal.
Thought-provoking whilst still lightly entertaining.
The Librarian Of Auschwitz
Antonio Iturbe
Historical Drama
Standalone
A poignant novel based on a true story and offering insight and a different perspective into the ‘family camp’ at Auschwitz. Antonio Iturbe is a gifted writer whose crisp, fresh prose maintains its pace to the very end.
Heart-breaking but heart-warming.
Rush Home Road
Lori Lansens
Literary
Standalone
Our review: Brilliantly written with mindful observations of characters’ experiences. An elderly woman is prompted to reflect on her challenging past when her neighbour’s little girl comes to live. Set in 1920’s & 1970’s Canada with aspects of the Underground Railroad woven in.
Character-centric with an interesting and rare storyline.
The Sunrise Sisterhood
Cathy Bramley
Drama
Standalone
Our review: Ideal for anyone who can relate to being a sister or an aunt of grown-up nieces. A lovingly written, summer drama that keeps moving forwards with humour and a happy ending.
Ideal for reading poolside.
The Exhibitionist
Charlotte Mendelson
Drama
Standalone
Our review: Despite the slow pace it’s worth a read for the writer’s very acute observations of family dynamics, flaws and motivations. Ray, the narcissistic father was all too real and I’m afraid I wanted to shake the other characters at times.
The Times Novel of the Year 2022
A good read if you’re interested in narcissists.
Summer Romance Novels - Standalone - latest reviews
The Mercury Travel Club
Helen Bridgett
Rom-Com
Series 1/3
Our review: A 50-something divorcee forms a new life for herself. Reminiscent of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
If you’ve ever had to stand up, brush yourself off and adopt a pragmatic approach then this book will resonate.
Funny and entirely relatable.
One Perfect French Summer
Lucy Coleman
Romance
Standalone
Our review: A woman travels to France on a working holiday. Dependable writer Lucy Coleman delivers an immersive and classic romance with the increasingly popular, older woman younger man, trope.
Perfect contemporary summer romance.
Aphrodite’s Island
Hilary Green
Historical/
Romance
Standalone
Set in Cyprus during WW2 and 1998 and linking a family’s intriguing history. Not too deep despite the WW2 subject matter and the storyline worked well to incorporate history and romance equally.
Enjoyable all-rounder for a wide audience.
Wild At Heart
K. Barnett
Contemporary /Romance
Standalone
Our review: A new divorcee sets out on her own self-esteem building adventure on a nature reserve in Kenya.
A delicious, slightly spicy enemies-to-lovers style summer romance that’s easy reading.
A romance story that bounds along.
Book to TV / Movie Novels - latest reviews
The Horse Whisperer
Nicholas Evans
Romance Novel
Standalone
Our review: After a tragic accident a young girl and her broken horse take the long road back to salvation with the help of an enigmatic horse expert. A love story and a story of love unfolds on the Montana landscape.
Soul warming.
Love & beauty throughout .
The Queen’s Gambit
Walter Tevis
Drama Novel
Standalone
Our review: Refreshing coming-of-age drama for a broad audience. Beautifully written and entirely reflective of 1950’s 1960’s America featuring a young girl’s determined but graceful mission to find her place in life.
The TV series follows the book quite closely.
You don’t need to know chess to enjoy!
About A Boy
Nick Hornby
Drama Novel
Standalone
Set in the early 90’s this funny and evocative read follows an unlikely friendship between a vacuous man and and odd-bod boy.
Humorous and witsome observations by a talented author who has a knack for taking the everyday obvious and moulding it into a laugh out loud narrative.
Book is better than the movie.
The Notebook
Nicholas Sparks
Romance Novel
Standalone
Set in North Carolina after WW2 a young man deals with heartbreak by spending time doing up a plantation house. A tandem storyline follows the same characters in their youth and their twilight years.
Written by seasoned author who never lets romance readers down.
It’s a tie: the book & movie are equally superb.
