Category Netgalley

One Perfect Summer by Lucy Coleman @emblabooks #NetGalley #romance #contemporaryfiction #bookreview

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I am delighted to share my review today of One Perfect Summer by Lucy Coleman. It has been a while since I have picked up a book by this author, she writes some fabulous books and her latest one is no exception.

My huge thanks to Embla Books who granted my request to read this title via NetGalley.

Summer doesn’t last forever, but can a perfect one change your life?

For successful estate agent Freya Henderson, life is all work and no play. But, when she crosses paths with carefree young surfer, Luke Stevenson, there’s no denying the attraction between them.

When Luke invites her to join him on a working holiday in France, it’s a real dilemma. Is it time to throw caution to the wind? Perhaps an enchanting summer fling with no strings attached would be a great way to de-stress and finally allow herself some fun.

As he takes her on a magical mystery tour of gorgeous locations among stunning châteaux, picturesque villages and sun-kissed vineyards, Freya can’t help feeling there’s something missing in her life… perhaps even a man like Luke.

But how well does she know him? Is he just looking for a summer adventure, or is he running away from something?

As the summer draws to a close, can Freya and Luke simply slip back into their old lives, or will they be left wondering ‘What if?’

Maybe this summer romance never has to end…

MY REVIEW

It has been far too long since I last picked up a book by this author. This one is a wonderful story with fabulous settings and some sumptuous foods.

Freya is in her 30s, but listening to her you would think she was a lot older. She is a partner in estate agents in Kent with her childhood friend. Together they have worked hard to get their business up and running and to make it successful. This means long hours and very little time for relaxation. Trying to relax, Freya starts to go to a gym where she meets Luke. He is a few years younger and seems so carefree, he could be mistaken for someone with no care in the world.

After getting to know each other, he finally asks how she would like to join him for two months on a working holiday in France. Being someone who is ordered, likes to have plans and wants to what she is doing the next moment, day, week or month ahead, Freay is unsure. Deciding that this could be a chance to take a much-needed break, Freya agrees. Things are sorted for her break and she joins Luke.

This was a wonderful story and one that took me around vineyards, farms, manors, markets and a quieter way of life. That doesn’t mean to say it was an amble around rural France, because Luke takes her around his friends’ properties. This is not the first time he has made this trip and it is a chance to catch up with his friends. They are all so welcoming of Luke and of Freya.

There is an undertone to this story and this is something that is consistent. What does Luke actually do, what is his past and why does he travel as he does? For Freya, it is her experiencing things that she is not in control of.

As they travel and work together they become close, while Freya struggles with the slight age difference and Luke is desperate to prove her wrong. Throughout the story, there is this tentative balance between friendship and something wanting to be more.

The story has a wonderful pace to it, the slower way of life but it still with plenty going on. I adored the different settings and the idyllic feel that the author managed to instil throughout the summer journey. Then the backdrop of the real world and being an adult with responsibilities for Freya. There are some good characters to meet and while they are not many they are wonderful and have a part to play in the story.

I adored this book and the story, it’s one of those stories that is heartwarming and was an absolute pleasure to read. If you are a fan of romance and contemporary fiction then this is one you should have a look at. I would definitely recommend it.

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

The Family Experiment by Johns Marrs @panmacmillan #NetGalley #dysotpian #thriller #bookreview

yvonnembee 4 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of The Family Experiment by John Marrs. I do like this author’s books and this one is a fabulous speculative fiction that I adored.

My huge thanks to Pan Macmillan for accepting my request to read this title via NetGalley.

The world’s population is soaring, creating overcrowded cities and an economic crisis. And in the UK, breaking point has arrived. A growing number of people can no longer afford to start families let alone raise them.

But for those desperate to experience parenthood, there is an alternative. For a monthly subscription fee, clients can create a virtual child from scratch who they can access via the metaverse and a VR headset. To launch this new initiative, the company behind Virtual Children has created a reality tv show. It will follow ten couples as they raise a Virtual Child from birth to the age of eighteen but in a condensed nine-month time period. The prize: the right to keep their virtual child or risk it all for the chance of a real baby . . .

Set in the same universe as John Marrs’s bestselling novel The One and The Marriage Act, The Family Experiment is a dark and twisted thriller about the ultimate ‘tamagotchi’ – a virtual baby.

MY REVIEW

Having read, some but not all of this author’s previous books, I was eager to read this one. He does do speculative and dystopian fiction well, making you stop and think. This one is no exception.

What if you wanted to become a parent but cannot afford to? How about a virtual child who lives in the metaverse, it will grow and learn, and it can be designed to have certain characteristics or features. Think about those games we had a few years ago where you had to keep a virtual pet alive, similar to this scenario, but this virtual child becomes more like real life than real life does.

The author has taken the concept of living in a virtual world to the next stage, not just popping in a headset and spending a few hours touring but feeling, and experiencing being a parent. The author uses a competition that selects various people who want to be parents to participate in a game show. They are allowed to experience parenthood over nine months. At the end of this, the child will be 18 years old. The winner will have a few options to choose as their prize.

This speculation as to how people could and maybe would behave is insightful and gives some unexpected challenges and ideas as to how the virtual child is seen. Are they real? Well, they learn, or the program allows them to learn and take on their mannerisms, emotions and reactions so it gives the idea that they are real. In the virtual universe, they feel real as well. It is only when the parent steps away back into the real world that the realisation that the real world does not have the same appeal as the virtual.

Before you think that this could not happen, how many of you disappear for a couple of hours into your phone and do not realise how much time has elapsed? What about the gamers who will go several hours without taking a break from their game? Not as far-fetched as you first thought, is it? Even simpler is how many of us have been absorbed by reading a book, same thing when you think about it!!!

The author takes this concept of virtual children to a very good place, one that shows the good and the bad and the possible. There is more to this, if you have read any books by the author then you will know there is another plot in play and this one was amazing! Nope, not saying anything about it.

What I will say though is that the author creates a scenario that plays to the vulnerabilities of people, especially those who want a child in a world where it is too expensive, where the NHS does not fund and gives the real world a bleak outlook for his characters. He does this well and it is not so much about the areas that the characters live in, but more about how they feel about themselves.

This is a brilliant book and the story spans several genres, speculative fiction, fiction, contemporary, thriller and there is a psychological feel throughout as the story focuses on people and their actions and reactions. Brilliant story and one I would definitely recommend.

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

The Silverwood Promise by James Logan @QuercusBooks #NetGalley #fantasy #fiction #bookreview

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Before I share my review today, I just wanted to say a massive thank you to all of you who shared my Blog Posts over the last couple of weeks while I was on Annual Leave. It has been nice to have a break but I am back and hoping to catch up with you all again. 🙂 xx

I am delighted to share my review of The Silverwood Promise by James Logan. This is the first book in The Last Legacy series and this book is a brilliant start to it.

My huge thanks to Quercus Books who granted my request to read this book via Netgalley.

Lukan Gardova is a cardsharp, academy dropout, and―thanks to a duel that ended badly―the disgraced heir to an ancient noble house. His days consist of cheap wine, rigged card games, and wondering how he might win back the life he threw away.

When Lukan discovers that his estranged father has been murdered in strange circumstances, he finds fresh purpose. Deprived of his chance to make amends for his mistakes, he vows to unravel the mystery behind his father’s death.

His search for answers leads him to Saphrona, fabled city of merchant princes, where anything can be bought if one has the coin. Lukan only seeks the truth, but instead he finds danger and secrets in every shadow.

For in Saphrona, everything has a price―and the price of truth is the deadliest of all.

MY REVIEW

Lukan is a disgrace to his family name, but when you realise his grandfather was similar as far as gambling goes is it any wonder Lukan is following in his footsteps? Well, there is more to Lukan than that, his mother died when he was 11 and he and his father have gradually grown apart. Lukan is sent to train but a duel that ends badly means Luan is further alienated from his family than ever.

When his father dies, Lukan discovers more than he realised and it leads him on an amazing adventure. His father left a note with three words. He travels to Saphrona to see if he can discover the answers that are held in the note. There he meets some interesting people, who come from different backgrounds and he finds himself mixing with the elite and the waifs.

This is a fab story that is a great start to this series, introducing Lukan and his background as well as the people he meets is great. he learns more about his father and I think he also learns more about himself.

The journey he makes is full of peril and danger and he navigates from one event to another. He seems to have the knack of falling into trouble as well as still seeming to get through things. But, then he does bring a lot on himself with his quick mouth, and constant backchat. It doesn’t endear him to others, but thank goodness the author decided that this was a trait for Lukan as it gets him into some serious trouble at times.

I really enjoyed the word building with this, the names and places are manageable and pronounceable, always helpful when you have to remember them! The imagery of the setting is also great, from opulent towers and palaces to basic rooms and inns. There is more to this book than is the beginning and I think there are some things that have a lot more to reveal, especially The Faceless, there are some indications as to who they are but nothing solid yet. this leaves me looking forward to the next books and following Lukan on the next part of his story.

If you are a fan of fantasy that has a mix of sorcery, corruption, deviousness and double-crossing then this is one you should have a look out for. It was a fabulous book to read and it didn’t take me long before I was hooked and read it over a couple of days. It is one I would definitely recommend.

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

Making Memories at the Cornish Cove by Kim Nash @KimTheBookworm @rararesources @BoldwoodBooks #NetGalley #fiction #romance #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I have been waiting an age to share my review for this book and today I finally can 🙂 here is my review of Making Memories at the Cornish Cove by Kim Nash. This is the 3rd book in the Cornish Cove series and her latest book is another wonderful addition.

My huge thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my copy from the publisher Boldwood Books.

It’s never too late…

After five husbands and five broken hearts, Lydia feels like she’s always been chasing something. But now she’s found her purpose, and having moved to Driftwood Bay to spend more time with her daughter Meredith, she’s happier than ever.

But there’s still life in these old bones yet! With her newfound sense of identity, she’s keen to re-explore the things that made her happy as a younger person. Lydia’s passion was dancing – she used to compete in her younger years, and there’s no place she’s more at home than on the dancefloor.

So when widower and antiques restorer Martin tells her about a big dance competition, she’s ready and raring to bring more joy into her life. But while making memories with Martin, the more she realises that both of their hearts need restoring too…

MY REVIEW

What another fabulous book in the Cornish Cove series this one is. Returning to some of the characters to catch up with things going on in their lives as well as learning more about them and newer characters is great.

This one focuses on Lydia, she is Meredith’s mum and they have reconnected after many years. There is a past that gradually emerges and it is a chance for pasts to be dealt with. Lydia is enjoying being in her 70s and she is a very capable lady who does not feel old and has plenty of things to look forward to. She is given the chance for some new opportunities and a chance to do something she thought she never would. She has been married before and she is deciding if she needs a relationship or if she is happy in her own company. Living in this community of Driftwood is a way of finding herself if you like.

Along with Lydia and Meredith, we have Clem and his Dad Martin, a new neighbour and the vocal and wonderful Vi. Everyone needs a Vi in their lives, and they probably know someone similar… I am saying nothing about who she occasionally reminds me of! I think this is wonderful about this author’s characters, they feel familiar and that is not just through reading the books in order, but that they do remind you of people you already know in everyday life. I think this is what makes this series so good and for me, it means the balance is right.

With new starts and fresh opportunities, things are going well, but there are some more serious aspects that the author brings in. This does leave a cloud over things and these are dealt with as any of us do in reality. We dwell and overthink and wonder about the what-ifs. Don’t think this means the book is down and moody because it never is, the author knows her characters too well to let them suffer in silence. They do live in a close-knit community after all.

There are some wonderful heartwarming moments in this book and I will admit to a tear or two at some scenes. This is a fabulous book and would work as a stand-alone, but reading in order helps with the continuing stories of what are becoming regulars. One for fans of heartwarming contemporary fiction and romance, with some very humorous moments and great characters. I would definitely recommend this book.

Check out the other stops on the Blog Tour…

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

The Intruders by Louise Jensen @HQstories #thriller #mystery #fiction #NetGalley #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today of The Intruders by Louise Jensen. This is a creepy story set in a manor house with dark secrets.

My huge thanks to HQ for granting my request to read this title via NetGalley.

It should be the perfect a manor house available rent free in exchange for a bit of housesitting. But when Cass and James dig deeper, they find the place has been abandoned since a robbery left almost all the inhabitants dead almost thirty years ago. But they’ve got to save for a deposit somehow, so they move in, and things quickly take a strange turn. Objects disappear and turn up in odd places, the clock always stops at the same time, and the house is oppressive yet strangely familiar. Could it just be bad memories, or are the house’s secrets a little closer to home?

MY REVIEW

If you are looking for a story that has you with a feeling of dread and is eerily atmospheric, then this is one you should take a look at.

Cass and James have been given the opportunity to be caretakers of a manor house. A chance for them to save money so they can get a place of their own. The manor house they move into was the site of a murder several years ago. I am not sure if it is somewhere I would consider living, older large houses are creepy at the best of times! The author uses this sense to great effect with things moving or a sense of someone watching.

Cass and James are a new couple and have been together for 6 months, they do have that instant connection and feel comfortable in each other’s company. They have similarities in the way things have happened in their lives and it is this sense that links them.

The author has created two characters that have troubled pasts, this is something that comes up often in stories. Cass is more vulnerable as she has been overly protected during her growing up and James is a little more savvy I feel. They are not opposites and they do muddle along quite nicely as a couple.

As the title and synopsis suggest, there is more to this story than a couple living in a house. The first half of the book deal introduces the house, some of the past and the present. The second half completely turns things on their head! This, I will admit, did throw me initially and it took me a little while to get things right in my head. When things settled though, this story took on a route that I didn’t expect at all. It becomes very dark, evil and even more unsettling as the author brings in a sensitive subject.

I really enjoyed this story and the sense of dread is something that the author uses to great effect. The feeling that there is a secret waiting to be told felt like the tip of the iceberg. Many things were waiting to be revealed and this added to the tenseness of the story.

This is a great story and one that fans of darker crime and mystery books would probably enjoy, I did and I would definitely recommend it.

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

The Four by Ellie Keel @HQstories #thriller #mystery #NetGalley #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today of The Four by Ellie Keel. This is a debut story for this author and it soon became addictive reading.

My huge thanks to HQ for accepting my request to read this title via NetGalley.

The Four by Ellie Keel

A dark academia suspense debut perfect for fans of The Secret History and If We Were Villains, The Four follows a group of scholarship students whose dreams become a reality when they are accepted into an exclusive boarding school, but they are soon bound by a dark secret that could save one of them… or destroy them all.

I don’t regret what we did. And I would do it all again.

Each of the four had, for their own reasons, been desperate to come to High Realms. Marta, Rose, Sami, and Lloyd beat out thousands of applicants for spots at one of the most exclusive private schools in the UK, whose alumni can be found at the highest levels of society. As the only scholarship students in the class of 1999, the four form a crucial comradery as they navigate the school’s web of rivalries, honor, loyalty, and revenge.

Because within the maze of red brick buildings, between the stables and the vast old library, a sinister undercurrent of violence is brewing. And when one of the four reveals a devastating secret, each of the friends must wonder what risks they will take to remain at High Realms.

What follows is a hauntingly atmospheric and compulsively page-turning academic noir that explores the secretive world of elite institutions and the complex and often dangerous bonds of friendship.

MY REVIEW

When four teens get the chance to attend a prestigious boarding school as part of a scholarship program, they are excited and apprehensive. They are joining other students, some of whom have been boarding the school for many years. The four are, Rose, Sami, Marta and Lloyd, they are naturally drawn to each other as they begin this new phase of their lives.

This story has some stereotyping, and the author uses it to good effect. The contrast between how those who live at boarding schools and those who have won scholarships starts to become a little more obvious as the story unfolds. There is very much an us and them type of environment, yet academically the four are just as, if not more so the ones who top the tables with grades.

The story takes a dark turn when an accident occurs. From this point, the four are more alone than they have ever been, but it also means they bond more and then learn more about each other. While they are trying to do what they feel is the right thing, others are still hounding them, marking them out and making them look over their shoulders constantly, although some of this could be down to a feeling of guilt as well.

The author does a great job of explaining the main four and also those whom they are in more contact with, so other teachers and students. The story is told from the perspective of Rose as she reflects on what happened and why. The story does merge fully but the journey from the beginning to the end is twisted, full of deception, friendship and loyalty.

This story deals with some dark themes and while it is a book that deals with teens, this is not a book I would suggest is aimed at teens. At times the author takes the plot a little too far, and I did think it started to become a little too much as keeping within the feel of realism, but not so much that it was wildly over the top.

This is full of drama, tension, teen angst, mystery, thriller, psychological and crime genres all rolled in together. It took a while for me to get into it, but after a few chapters I found I needed to know what was going to happen and soon found myself addicted. A good story and one that I would happily recommend.

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

Hacked: The Secret Behind Cyber-Attacks by Dr Jessica Barker @KoganPage #NetGalley #technology #nonfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for Hacked by Dr Jessica Barker. I was intrigued when I saw this one and for someone who doesn’t really understand technology that much, I found it interesting.

My huge thanks to the publisher Kogan Page for accepting my request to read this title via NetGalley.

Hacked by Dr Jessica Barker

When it comes to cyber attacks, everyone’s a potential victim. But you don’t have to be helpless against these threats.

Hacked offers the knowledge and strategies you need to protect yourself and your business. In this book, cybersecurity expert Jessica Barker uncovers how hackers are weaponizing cutting-edge tactics and technologies to target individuals and organizations, before showing how you can safeguard yourself against any potential attacks and how to react if you do become a target.

Featuring expert commentary from world-leading cybersecurity experts and ethical hackers, this book uncovers the fascinating stories of the most insidious and notorious cyber attacks, including how the Mirai malware almost took down the internet and how a supply chain attack infiltrated the US government and other global institutions.

From social engineering and data theft to ransomware and Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks, there are numerous strategies that hackers use to target our finances and data. Uncover their secrets and learn how to safeguard your data with Hacked.

MY REVIEW

I am the first to admit I don’t know a huge amount about computers or how they can be used for hacking. When I saw this book I decided to give it a go and see if I could increase my knowledge so that I could understand more. I am aware of having strong passwords, not opening links in emails, if something is too good to be true then it is, and never giving details of PINs. As I said all very basic.

THis book was ideal for me as it gave the information and the facts in a basic way. I wasn’t left scratching my head and wondering what this was all about and feeling lost. The author gives the facts in a way that makes sense. So, yes, this is definitely aimed at the lower end of the tech-head ladder.

The author takes the reader through various things such as phishing, trojans, ransomware, worms, malware, cyber-attacks and a lot more. When she started to give numbers that were in the billions of dollars and how large companies could be held to ransom it was shocking.

From the very first bug to the latest attacks, the author explains the most significant ones and tells how criminals were able to get into systems. With the emergence of Bitcoin, this is a way of keeping things hidden.

The author has a great way of explaining her findings and the data citing various papers and articles all the way. This was an an eye-opener for sure and one that I also actually, really enjoyed reading.

If you have an interest in technology and how it can be misused and you don’t really have a tech background or understanding then this is one you may find useful I certainly did. Interesting and quite addictive, one I would happily recommend.

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

Westport by James Comey @HoZ_Books #netgalley #crime #mystery #murder #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today of Westport by James Comey. This is the first time I have read a book by this author and it was one I enjoyed. I will be looking out for more.

My thanks to Head of Zeus for accepting my request to read this title via NetGalley.

She’s the lawyer. But now she’s the one on trial.

A red canoe sits abandoned on Seymour Rock, right where the Saugatuck River meets Long Island Sound. The elegantly dressed corpse of a woman lies inside…

Nora Carleton left New York to become lead counsel at Saugatuck Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund, where her life has become slower, more predictable. That is until her colleague and friend, Helen, is brutally murdered – and she becomes the prime suspect.

In the months leading up to Helen’s death, she and Nora were investigating someone within the company who was using insider information to undercut Saugatuck’s investments. Nora knows this is somehow linked to Helen’s murder – if only she can see how.

Calling in old colleagues from the US Attorney’s office, Mafia investigator Benny Dugan and attorney Carmen Garcia, Nora must find evidence to prove her innocence – or risk being put behind bars herself…

MY REVIEW

This book took me a few chapters to get into, but once in I was addicted. the body of a woman found in a canoe and all the evidence points to the perpetrator as being Nora Carleton. She didn’t do it, others around her don’t think she did but the police are looking at her as being the number one suspect.

Nora lives with her daughter and mother, she has joined a hedge fund company called Saugatuck Associates. She was friends with the victim, Helen, and Nora was aware that there was an investigation being run by Helen. Nora found Helen a nice woman, got on well and were friends.

Nora has friends in the best places, and she calls on them to help her. Benny works for the US attorney’s office and Carmen is an attorney. The three of them start to dig and delve into Saugatuck and the hierarchy that runs the show.

Saugatuck is an interesting company that the author has created and it adds an interesting twist. Truth and transparency are something the company preaches and expects its employees to do the same. Some do, some think they do and some don’t. Working out which falls into which category makes for some interesting reading. As they look into Helen they discover she was running a personal investigation and she has discovered many secrets.

It took me a while to get to grips initially, I think that was because I wasn’t sure where the story was going, to be honest though, if I had read the synopsis it would have helped! Also, I couldn’t quite get a feel for the story or the characters, however, after a few chapters things started to happen and my interest was definitely piqued. I should also mention this is a follow-on from a previous book!

This is a murder mystery and one the author has added twists and red herrings to many times. It keeps you on your toes. There are also some light-hearted moments and this helps to alleviate some of the tension for Nora. There are several characters for the author and reader to deal with, but actually, these are used really well. Brought up when needed for questioning or being referred to, this means these additional characters are always in context rather than popping up randomly.

The main characters are memorable and some have some unique traits, these worked well in the storyline and also gave some of that light-heartedness I mentioned.

This is a complex book as I sit now and write my review, but at the time it had a wonderful flow and I didn’t feel out of my depth. One for those who like crime, murder and mystery stories and one I would happily recommend.

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

Mrs Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford @MichaelJBooks #NetGalley #contemporaryfiction #romance #food #baking #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review of Mrs Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford. This is a charming story that encompasses Mrs Quinn’s love of baking and a chance for her to do something exciting.

My huge thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph for accepting my request to read this copy via NetGalley.

A huge-hearted, redemptive coming-of-old-age tale, a love story, and an ode to good food

Nothing could be more out of character, but after fifty-nine years of marriage, as her husband Bernard’s health declines, and her friends’ lives become focused on their grandchildren—which Jenny never had—Jenny decides she wants a little something for herself. So she secretly applies to be a contestant on the prime-time TV show Britain Bakes.

Whisked into an unfamiliar world of cameras and timed challenges, Jenny delights in a new-found independence. But that independence, and the stress of the competition, starts to unearth memories buried decades ago. Chocolate teacakes remind her of a furtive errand involving a wedding ring; sugared doughnuts call up a stranger’s kind act; a simple cottage loaf brings back the moment her life changed forever.

With her baking star rising, Jenny struggles to keep a lid on that first secret—a long-concealed deceit that threatens to shatter the very foundations of her marriage. It’s the only time in six decades that she’s kept something from Bernard. By putting herself in the limelight, has Jenny created a recipe for disaster?

MY REVIEW

This thoroughly enjoyable story gets your tastebuds tingling as you read it. Jenny Quin is 77 and decides that she wants to enter a TV baking show, she has watched it and finally wants to enter. She does this unbeknownst to her husband Bernard. so begins a secret that reveals more about her than she would have believed possible.

Jenny has always baked and the recipes she uses have been handed down over the generations, from an uncle’s favourite bake to an aunt’s or granny’s favourite pudding. They are all there in Jeeny’s book and each one comes with a memory.

As Jenny bakes the stories from her past are gradually revealed. While Jenny thinks of herself as just being Jenny, her family considers her a fabulous baker. Jenny’s decision to sign up for the show is so that she can say she has done something significant.

The story is a nice comfortable one with mentions of cakes, bakes, puds and tarts. Each one brings a memory and this is how you gradually get to know Jenny and her life before meeting Bernard. When she joins the show she meets other bakers and friendships are made. Gradually she comes out of her shell and it is lovely to read.

The story ambles away at a nice pace and there are some wonderful moments in it. There is a secret that comes out that does get resolved, for me that finished a little too quickly and I would have liked to have had a little more information and more story about this.

This is a charming story and one of family, friendship, memories and secrets. A good one for those who like a story with a heart and about a woman having the courage to do something that is unlike her. I liked this one a lot and I would happily recommend it.

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

Nuclear War by Annie Jacobsen @TransworldBooks #science #apocalypse #nonfiction #NetGalley #bookreview

yvonnembee 3 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of Nuclear War by Annie Jacobsen. This is a fascinating and very accessible non-fiction book that I adored.

My huge thanks to Transworld Publishers for accepting my request to read this title via NetGalley.

There is only one scenario other than an asteroid strike that could end the world as we know it in a matter of hours: nuclear war. And it could start in as little as 26 minutes and 40 seconds from now…

The first rule of nuclear war is that there are no rules.

Until now, no one outside official circles has known exactly what would happen if a rogue state launched a nuclear missile at the Pentagon. Second by second and minute by minute, these are the real-life protocols that choreograph the end of civilization as we know it.

If a single nuclear missile is launched, it could provoke dozens in return. Frantic calls over secure lines work to confirm the worst as armoured helicopters are scrambled outside. Decisions that affect hundreds of millions of lives need to be made within six minutes, based on partial information, in the knowledge that once launched, nothing is capable of halting the destruction.

Because the plans for General Nuclear War are among the most classified secrets held by the United States government, this book takes the reader up to the razor’s edge of what can legally be known. Based on dozens of new interviews with military and civilian experts who have built the weapons, been privy to the response plans, and taken responsibility for crucial decisions, this is the only account of what a nuclear exchange would look like.

Nuclear War is at once a compulsive non-fiction thriller and a powerful argument that we must rid ourselves of these world-ending weapons for ever.

MY REVIEW

This is a book that I wish I could say was a science fiction or a fantasy, dystopian genre, but it isn’t it is a nonfiction and it is brilliant if terrifying reading.

The author uses her knowledge and experience from her previous books to bring a scenario we all hope will never happen. What if a nuclear weapon was launched and what would happen? Because she uses an almost fictional approach it is so easy to follow and this is something that makes this factual book so readable to the point that it felt as if I was reading a fictional thriller.

The book gives various points of information about the basics of a nuclear weapon, the tests that have been done, and the various types of weapons that various other countries have got. There is a piece toward the end of the book that suggests that some countries have almost copied in a “follow the leader” way and that if a third world war was a nuclear one, then the fourth one would be fought with sticks and stones, this is a quote from Einstein.

The author takes the reader through the various stages of an attack, how long a missile would take, what defences could be used, what the US responses would be and how the various protocols that are in place would potentially work… or not!

The main part of this book goes through a minute-by-minute account of what would happen, from the US and other countries. Another scary point that is made is that the US President would have to make decisions within 6 minutes. It would take just under half an hour from launch to destruction. What can you do in less than half an hour?

Obviously, once a nuclear attack has happened it is not just strategic sites that are affected, it is the billions of people around the world that are caught amid this end-of-world scenario. Many will not be aware as they will be instantly incinerated, but others will have the terrible lingering aftermath of illness, disease and survival.

While this is in some ways quite a horrific book to read, it is, nevertheless so addictive and mindblowing. It is such an easy non-fiction book to read and understand, there is some science stuff as you would expect but the majority is manageable for a non-science-headed person like me!
It is a fabulous book and one I would definitely recommend.

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