Book Review - Still Me by JoJo Moyes

Rumour has it, that 2019 only starts in February lol, so Happy 2019 to you all.

I've read a good few books over the last few months and one I enjoyed the most was Still Me, it's the 3rd part to Me before You and if you haven't heard of or read that one yet I suggest you read it soon. 

Also don't, I repeat Do Not watch the movie before reading the book, although Emilia Clarke has done absolute justice to the character Louisa Clark, it all makes so much more sense after reading the book.

The story begins at US customs, where Louisa bores the agent so much with her chattiness that he eventually lets her go because, well, her babbling is just too much for him and immediately we are reminded of the Louisa we met in the first book, awkward, talkative and well you will either love or hate her no inbetweeners.

She's on her way to meet Nathan, he's hooked her up with a fab new job as an "assistant" to New York's elite... Now if you remember anything about Lou, she doesn't really seem like the elite type and this juxtaposition of her character, the city and her new client makes for an interesting read.

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Without giving too much away, there's a few surprises in her family too which she has to adjust to.

In the 2nd book she met Sam and he seemed like a perfect fit for her, but their relationship takes a few unexpected turns in this one and it really becomes a big question mark in this book.

There's a few new characters here as well and for the most part their stories are also very interesting which is something I like about these books it doesn't revolve around Lou and her life.

There's undoubtedly many lessons in this book but reading it around this time of year the one that resonated most with me was to find the answers to "what makes me happy and what do I want to do with my life".

A little introspection never hurt anyone and I'd suggest this one to you especially if you find yourself asking these questions.

Book Review Just Between us by Rebecca Drake

You know in life you get some friends that are willing to sacrifice everything for you. Well that's exactly what Allison, Julie and Sarah were to Heather.

Although they hardly used the term besties but they would describe themselves as that if need be.

Their kids went to the same school, they lunched together and in each other they found the sisterhood that every woman yearns for.

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So what would they do if one of them finds herself in the most unbearable circumstances. They support her, they sacrifice and they hide the body... well not very well because it does get found.

First they have to get through the discovery, then the funeral and then the interrogation but can they? Is their sisterhood strong enough, Is there a weak link in their chain and will their friendship ever be the same?

A definite page turner, which will quickly have you switching up your favourite character as the story unfolds. Everything isn't as it seems and that's the best part about this novel.

Book Review - A House without windows by Nadia Hashimi

What do you do when you're literally caught red handed with your husband's still warm body not far away?
Now add to this the fact that you are an Afghan woman and your words are only half as valuable as a man's. Who cares if your husband was a darkness that blackened your home that left your kids trembling in fear and you with more battle scars than a soldier in war.

No, you killed your husband and now you must pay.... Well unless your ex pat fresh from the US lawyer can find a way for true justice to prevail.

Follow Zeba, caught for killing her husband, her mother Gulnaz said to be a sorceress of note, but even her jadu can't save her daughter and Yusuf the lawyer given the daunting task of defending her.

You also get to visit Chil Mathab the woman's prison she is sent to, where there are many like her
sentenced for crimes such as reporting their rapes, running away from arranged marriages to men old enough to be their grandfathers or someone just saying they are a criminal. Their stories and cries fill the halls of the prison. Can Zeba survive here, she keeps replaying that day over in a head. Will she be sent to the gallows or will she spend her eternity behind these walls? 

This book had me hooked from beginning to end. I was reminded of the freedoms I sometimes take for granted and how there are still many women in the world like Zeba who don't have those basic rights.

Review The Accidental Book Club – Jennifer Scott

I love reading, I will read anything and everything that comes my way. I try to read as often as possible and will only start a book if I know I can finish it.

I enjoy the way my mind conjures up scenes and characters and how my heart and mind gets involved with the story as if it’s as real as me.

This book was a great read especially at a time in my life where I wonder what kind of parent I would be, How would I bridge the generational gap and would I be a good mother?

The characters are as different as chalk and cheese but it’s a clear indication of how we need people in our lives, even if we are not the same as them.

Jean a widow who is finding it difficult to get over the loss of her darling husband Wayne is in for a shock to her system when she finds herself with an unexpected house guest. Being the trooper she is, she takes in in her stride, but when does too much become enough and will she be able to bite her tongue any longer?

Well at least she has the book club, oh the book club more like the weekly catch-up session for Jean’s not friends. Well throw in her new visitor in the mix and you have a book full of laughs, cries and even some life lessons.

It’s a definite 5/5 for me!