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Book Review – Dream for a Second by Jes Smyth

Having read Jes Smyth’s debut novel, Time for Once (which is up for multiple Indieverse awards, I was excited to read the next book in the series. So, thank you to Jes for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review. We were also honoured to have her on as a guest on our podcast a while ago, which you can listen to via Spotify here.

Dream for a Second introduces us to Lena, who is barely staying afloat in life. After her fiancé suddenly dies in Florida during a scuba diving trip, she becomes lost and unsure of what to do in life. 13 months later and she is still drifting through life like a ghost. But after a call from her ex-fiancé’s father, she is forced back into the world. So, first stop, she goes to visit her sister, Shay, in her fiancé’s vintage Volkswagen van, named Douglas. But, an hour from Shay’s and Douglas breaks down. Enter Palmer, brother to the mechanic, Gregor, friend of Shay, he jumps into the tow truck and rescues Lena and Douglas.

Speaking LITerally Podcast has been nominated for an award!!!

No you didn’t misread that, after almost 3 years of hard work we are proud to announce that Speaking LITerally is up for Best Book Media award at the Indieverse Awards 2024.

Book Review – Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

I read the first book in this duology, One Dark Window last year as part of my “trying to clear a bit of my FairyLoot backlog” and it was one of those books which, after reading it, made me think “Why didnt I read this earlier” this was a really good fantasy, set in a world where power is granted through cards. Each card grants the bearer a different ability, from good looks to strength. But, only a set number of these cards were created, and they all have consequences if used too much.

So, when I saw Netgalley had the next in the series, I jumped at the chance. So, thanks to Netgalley for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review – A taste of Italian Sunshine by Leonie Mack

Anyone who knows me will know that I am a big foodie and that I love Italy and all things Italian. So present me with a romance based in Italy, and I will devour every last morsel, and that is exactly what I did. Thanks to Netgalley for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

A taste of sunshine sees the main protagonist, Jenn, a city girl flown across the seas to the picturesque vineyards of Veneto, Italy, to make a deal with some of the local winemakers. An expert in her role of wine procurement specialist, she thinks this will be a breeze, but she couldn’t be more wrong.

Book Review – Graveyard Shift by Maria Lewis

It’s review time again, you lucky people. And it was another arc, so thanks to Netgalley for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This time, we fly across the other side of the world to Melborne, Australia, where we meet Tinsel Monroe, a horror loving radio dj who presents the aptly named late night show, The Graveyard shift. All things are going smoothly for her until one day, someone is murdered live on air.

Book Review – The Cage by Danielle Bannister

I was browsing Netgalley one day and decided I was in the mood for a bit of a dark smutty read. What I got was a whole lot more than that.

Our main character, Amanda Jackson, has had a string of toxic relationships, so she is used to bad men. But all she wants is an apartment and when she finds one in a luxury apartment block for much lower than its worth, she wonders if its too good to be true but still goes along to the viewing.

Connor, the owner of said apartment, has no problem finding his intended target. All it takes is a small classified ad to rent the property, and the offers come flooding in. But, he has to choose wisely, as the apartment is not what it seems. it’s a cage. He works in the pet business, but no animals are exchanged with him. His job is to find, break and train women to become the perfect pet for his client but Amanda may just be his biggest challenge yet, which could also make her the perfect match for a client he has been wanting to bag for a long time.

Book Review – All Hallows by Christopher Golden

I actually read this in October for Halloween, but as you may have noticed, 2023 was a bad year for reviews for me, so I’m now trying to catch up with those I needed to review and I thought I woulf start with this one. So, thanks to netgalley for gifting me a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

All Hallows seems to have been a top trending horror read for Halloween last year, and for more reasons than just the title.

Book Review- A Summer Surprise at the Little Blue Boathouse by Christie Barlow

If you have been following me for a while you will know I have been a Christie Barlow fan for quite a few years so I was excited to read the next in the series, A Summer Surprise at the Little Blue Boathouse. The Love Heart Lane series is so fun, light-hearted, and uplifting it’s always a pleasure to read one, and this one is no exception.

This time, we follow Bea Fernsby, who arrives at the village of Heartcross for a 2 week holiday after discovering how fiance has cheated on her….and not for the first time but certainly now for the last time. After overhearing, they are short on staff at the boat rental shop she offers to help out whilst she’s there.

This job means that she has a purpose for staying a little longer and also comes with the added benefit of accommodation in the form of an adorable blue river boat. However, after an almost accident involving a visiting child and the realisation this part of the water has no lifeguard service, she takes it upon herself to help improve water safety in HeartCross. And of course it wouldn’t be Love Heart Lane without a Love interest whom in this case is another newcomer, Nolan who sails into town for the festival, and like Bea only intends to stay there for a short break.

Book Review- The Silence Project by Carole Hailey

I won’t deny it, I am so far behind with my book reviews that I won’t do them all but this one stood out as a book I needed to review.

Thanks to Netgalley UK for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Silence Project is written from the point of view of Emilia Morris. On her 12^th birthday her mother, Rachel decided to move into a tent at the bottom of the garden. She also commits to never speak a word ever again. As word spreads about the silent woman who listens and doesn’t speak, other women come to join her and before long a community is built up. But, only 8 years later many of these followers decide to silence themselves forever in an event which shakes the world and pushes Emilia into the spotlight as the surviving daughter.

Speaking LITerally Podcast – Episode 27

Another episode of your favourite bookish podcast is LIVE. This month we welcome the lovely Jenn Bouchard on the show.

Author of First Course we talk all things foodie and romance as well as her upcoming new book Palms on the Cape.

Don’t forget you can listen to our episodes anywhere you listen to your podcasts, but here is the podcast Spotify link.

As always we also discuss the upcoming book releases as well as your monthly dose of bookish news.

So go and have a listen and let us know what you think, we would love to hear from you.

You can follow our Instagram account here.

Much love 💘