The Midwife's Confession, Diane Chamberlain

When Noelle ends her life her best friends in the world Emerson and Tara are astounded. Noelle was a strong independent Woman who has had a successful career in midwifery. They start on a journey to uncover the truth. A journey they begin to wish they had not started. They uncover a letter Noelle has written to a lady called Anna 

Dear Anna,

What I have to tell you is difficult to write, but I know it will be far more difficult for you to hear, and I'm so sorry...

The details of this letter and the discoveries that follow change the lives of Tara and Emerson forever but it is too late to go back.

I loved this book, the characters were all so likeable, even Noelle who you really want to dislike for some of the things she has done. I love the way this story unfolds; the secrets Noelle has kept are of epic proportion; and date back many years. I can't imagine ever being in Tara and Emerson's shoes, finding out that someone that you feel you know and love is not the person you thought they were. This book is a must read Diane Chamberlain is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. Not one of her books has disappointed me yet.

Book Review, Before I Go to Sleep, S.J Watson

Wow this book is amazing, I know I say that about every book I read, but I have read some great books. My great friend Ruth recommended I read this, and I am so glad I did it is riveting; I read it in a week. And it takes me ages to read a book.

Every day when Christine wakes up she has no recollection of where she is, and whom the man is laying next to her in bed. When she looks in the mirror she discovers to her horror she is 20 years older. Her husband patiently explains she was in a road accident 20 years ago and has not retained her memory since that day, and wakes up exactly the same every day. Not a single memory of the last 20 years.

When Ben leaves for work she gets a call from Dr. Nash who explains he is her doctor and tells her to read her journal, which she has hidden in the bottom of her wardrobe. It reveals alarming facts that are helping Christine rebuild her memory piece by piece. 

The most alarming discovery is that in huge writing over the front of her journal she has written Don't Trust Ben! She needs to discover why, and piece together all the fragments of memory to discover exactly what her past is.

This book is fantastic; I could not put it down. I loved its unpredictability it was like a dark version of 50 first dates. It is gripping all the way through; I couldn't wait to see what memories or discoveries Christie would stumble upon in her groundhog day life. It all culminates into a great ending. I would definitely recommend this as a must read.

Book Review, Summer's Child by Diane Chamberlain

Twenty years ago an 11-year-old Daria Cato was walking on the beach when she discovered a horse shell, she looked under the shell and made an astonishing discovery. A newborn baby girl. A baby girl who would change Daria’s and the lives of many other people in Kill Devil Hills, a town on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

With the help of the local priest, Daria's parents adopt the baby and name her Shelly. When they sadly pass away Daria takes on the role of bring up Shelly, whilst her sister Chloe takes a calling as a Nun. Twenty years later Shelly contacts Rory Taylor. Rory is a friend from Daria's childhood, who is now a television producer of a reality show. The show solves lifetime mysteries, Shelly hopes Rory can help her find out who her birth parents are. 

Daria and Chloe are dead against Rory dragging up the past and do everything in their power to dissuade him from unearthing the truth. However the more Rory digs the more confusing the tale becomes. Piece by piece the tale unravels in a way that no one could predict.

I loved this book, I love reading Diane Chamberlains books, I have probably said this before but they are all so different, and so gripping. This tale had such highs and lows, I came to love Shelly and her sunny disposition, but totally understood Daria and her unwillingness to drag up the past. As I neared the end of this book I just could not put it down, it was so well written in a way that made me want to keep reading until I could read no longer and fell asleep. Yet another great tale by an amazing author, who is fast becoming one of my favourites.

Book Review, Up For The Cup

When I was given Up For The Cup by Simon Bartram by the lovely people from the Mumsnet Book Club, I was over the moon. Hoorah, my first book club review. I eagerly awaited Joe to come home from School to read the book with me. But as soon as he saw the book, which I was sure he would love. He stated, " It's not really my type of book, " I am sorry, I just don't get this. I love reading and would read almost any book. The problem is he likes football but is not a die-hard fan.

Then I realised what I needed was a die-hard footy fan, who would love the book rather than forcing Joe to read it. So I enlisted Finlay the footy mad fan, he lives and breathes football I realised he was the perfect choice for this mission. 

 

Diane Chamberlain, The Shadow Wife

 The Shadow Wife is the reissue of  the book Cypress Point

Joelle D’Angelo’s best friend, Mara is left with brain damage after she suffers an aneurysm, giving birth to her son. Devastated by this, Joelle turns to her colleague, and Mara’s husband, Liam for support. What starts out as supportive relationship between friends, gradually becomes something more than just support and friendship. As a result Joelle is left expecting a baby and alone in the world.

Torn by guilt of her feelings for Liam, Joelle sets out determined to find help for Mara, no matter how unconventional the source. Her search leads her to a mansion in Monterey, California, and into the life of a woman shrouded in mystery.

Cecelia Ahern, One Hundred Names.

Journalist Kitty Logan is at the lowest point of her career after being successfully sued by a PE teacher, she falsely accused of abusing two of his pupils. As a result she has ruined her life as well her professional reputation and is on the brink of losing her home. She has also lost her boyfriend and is the brunt of a terrible hate campaign.

The only support she has is from her employer, good friend, and mentor Constance, who is dying from cancer. When Kitty asks Constance what the one story is that she regrets not writing, Constance ask her to retrieve an envelope from her filing cabinet and bring it to her. By the time Kitty has returned Constance has passed away. Kitty opens the envelope and finds a list of 100 names printed on a piece of paper with no indication as to how the names are connected or indeed who these people are and how she can find them. 

Victoria Hislop, The Island

The story starts when Alexis Fielding decides to travel to Crete to find out about her Mothers Past, her mother Sophia has never spoken of it and she is dying to know why. All she has told her is that she grew up in a small fishing village in Crete.

Sophia gives Alexis a letter to give to an old friend Fotini instructing her to tell Alexis all. Arriving in Plaka, Alexis is stunned to see that it lies a stone's throw from the tiny, deserted island of Spinalonga - Greece's former leper colony.

Fotini tell Alexis the tale of her Great Grandmother Elini and her daughters, Anna and Maria, a tragic, touching tale connecting them to the island of Spinalonga. Leprosy may be one of the world's oldest known diseases, but it is also one of its most misunderstood.