I have been on annual leave for the past two weeks, and yes it has been excellent. I spent a week with my parents who I had not seen for 21 months due to COVID, they were classed as vulnerable, my husband as highly vulnerable and I work in a residential home with vulnerable people. The risk of travelling over 300 miles and potentially pass on the virus was never worth the risk. Now as we are all have had the double vaccine, the odds have reduced, even though the rates are rising again in England.

Weather, well it has been amazing for us, but my goodness there has been some absolutely awful weather in other places around the world. I do hope that if you are dealing with extreme weather at the moment, that you and your loved ones are safe.

As regular visitors are aware, I do love my garden. Having a week at my parents meant I came back to a jungle, I cannot believe how quick the weeds grew while I was away! No photos until I get the weeding back under control, it is getting there and there are some lovely flowers. The veg has been a bit hit and miss this year, but with the weather being so erratic it isn’t really a wonder.

I suppose I ought to mention the books I have read over the past couple of weeks. I do need to do blog posts for almost all of these books, hopefully I can get caught up over the next few weeks. I seem to have changed a few of my #20booksofsummer picks as well, good job this challenge is flexible! 🙂

I read and reviewed Crossfire by R.D. Nixon for the Blog Tour, you can read my full review HERE. This was a grittier mystery and one that was full of intrigue. Set with different timelines it was an addictive and intriguing story. It is a procedural to a point and it does involve the police, this is however, a PI type of mystery that has the Investigating team of Clifford &Mackenzie. I do look forward to reading more in this series.

Primrose Park by Christie Barlow is the latest in the Love Heart Lane series. If you already now of this series then you already know you are going to love this book. If you have not yet read any of the book then… takes deep breath and composes oneself… you really should especially if you love contemporary fiction and romance. A fabulous story with, once again a wonderful sense of community, family and friendship.

I adore the Choices series, Ties Bind, Love Finds by Nia Lucas is the third book in the series. This is a series that is an urban fiction, contemporary fiction read. It does have some colourful language and imagery. The series is about Lorna, from her life as a teen, into her 20’s and now as a mother. Life has been challenging and while things seem to be holding steady, the author has other plans for Lorna. Told from Lorna’s perspective, well mainly from her. this is a no hold barred glimpse into her mindset, thoughts, dreams wishes and her life. A fabulous next book in the series.

I am so glad I have The Doll by Yrsa Sigurðardóttir on my kindle because that cover really creeps me out! This is a slower paced procedural set in Iceland. I wasn’t sure why the doll was so significant until later in the story. By then there is a rising body count, more questions than answers and it made for an addictive read. It one that does in it the noir niche and it is a niche I do enjoy.

This was a fun and lighter read, no such thing as perfect by Emma Hughes was a good book to just chill out and relax to. Laura gets an invite to trial a dating service called Cupid, as she is a journalist she hopes that she can combine her experience with a feature and hopefully save her job. This service is supposed to find your perfect match, but as the title suggest there is “no such thing as perfect”.

Oh if there was ever a book for me then this is one of them. The Fair Botanist by Sara Sheridan is definitely right up my street. It is a historical fiction, with some romance, and gardens, and intrigue and mystery and I adored everything about it. Oh and it is also based on fact. It has been getting some excellent reviews so do keep your eye for it.

Staying with a gardening theme with Janey Trelwnaey’s Year of Surprising Triumphs by Georgia Hill is set in Devon. Janey is a hardworking and socially awkward woman, comfier in dungarees and DM’s than dresses or heels. She works at Cheney House Garden Centre, loves her job and the people until a new manager takes over. Straight away there is an awkwardness between the two. Janey’s problems are only just beginning as she fids herself in the firing line. I adored this book because as much as there is heartache for Janey the author does bring a good balance. Definitely one for those who like a contemporary fiction and rom-com.

I read The Face at the Window by Ruby Speechley for the upcoming blog tour and it was the cover that caught my eye. Gemma is married to Nick, they have Thomas a 5 day old son. When a colleague offers to mind Thomas while Gemma is in the supermarket she doesn’t think anything will happen. Then it does! Told in different timelines you gradually start to understand the life of Gemma and Nick, that saying “you don’t know what goes on behind closed doors” is one that applies. This is a dark story that has consequences. One for those whi like fiction set in a family and relationship setting.

I got the chance to read an early copy of HOB by Amy Shepherd. There are some fabulous, quick, simple and tasty recipes that can all be cooked on the cooker, I mean, no one wants to be cooking up a massive meal in this heat. From breakfasts, snacks, drinks, menu planning, budgeting, desserts and more main meals this book has loads of ideas. I really enjoyed it and I do think I will buy a physical copy of this at some point.

I didn’t read the title of the next boo I was planning to read, I only glanced at my diary and saw the word “I Lie”, typed that into my kindle and Would I Lie to You by Aliya Ali-Afzal popped up. It wasn’t until I went to mark it off as being read that I realised it wasn’t a blog tour copy but an advance copy from NetGalley. The books do have similar titles 🙂

Anyway, what a brilliant book it was and I am so glad that I requested to review this debut book. Faizal is a Pakistani Muslim in an interracial marriage, three children and has just discovered her husband is facing redundancy. Nick thinks there is a good amount in the savings account, but keeping up with the elite mothers and all the activities, parties, fundraisers and such takes funds. Yes, the account is now empty and Faizal has to find a way to get the money before Nick finds out! Brilliant, story, addictive, and covered many different problems in relationships, friendships and trying to fit in. Definitely glad I read this earlier that I planned to.

There we go then. Ten books over two weeks, I think that’s pretty god going.

I would like to say big “Thank You” for the post sharing over the last couple of weeks while I have been taking a break.

Wishing you all a positive, happy and safe week ahead.

All the best

Yvonne xx

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx