The Stoning

By: Peter Papathanasiou ISBN: 978-1-925760-79-8 Transit Lounge (2021) “The Stoning” by Peter Papathanasiou plays with your expectations of a crime novel, even as it uses many familiar tropes. I loved this; it’s a novel with layers that asks readers to take a hard look at some uncomfortable things. In Cobb, a tiny town in Victoria … Continue reading The Stoning →

The Keeper of Night

By: Kylie Lee Baker ISBN: 978-1-8672-3934-5 Young Adult HQ (2021) Wow. It’s not often a debut novel blows me away like this. “The Keeper of Night” is fantastic; a fabulous brew of Western ideas, Japanese myths and legends, and original ideas. It’s hard to put down. Ren Scarborough is a Reaper; she collects the souls … Continue reading The Keeper of Night →

Outback Secrets

By: Rachael Johns ISBN: 978-1-8672-2023-7 Mira (2021) Rachael Johns has become one of those writers I look out for; I’ve enjoyed all of her recent books. Most are a good exploration of some aspect of contemporary relationships. “Outback Secrets” is rather more a classic romance, so perhaps less thought provoking than some of her novels, … Continue reading Outback Secrets →

The Art of Keeping Secrets

By: Rachael Johns ISBN: 9781489280930 HarperCollins publishers (2020) This novel really blew me away. I’d read and enjoyed Rachael Johns’ before, but I’d have described the books I read as light and diverting romances; they didn’t stay with me, although I enjoyed them. “The Art of Keeping Secrets” is completely different – I couldn’t put … Continue reading The Art of Keeping Secrets →

Shopping for a CEO’s Honeymoon

By: Julia Kent ISBN: Can’t locate Publisher: Self published “Shopping for a CEO’s Honeymoon” is the latest in Julia Kent’s long running romantic comedy series. Like the best movie rom coms, it’s on the short side, warm, funny, well constructed, a little bit fantasy and a little bit grounded. This is the 14th in the … Continue reading Shopping for a CEO’s Honeymoon →

The Unworthy Duke

By: Charlotte Anne ISBN: 978-1-8672-3472-2 Mira (2021) “The Unworthy Duke” is a fun Regency romance, written with a light touch and modern sensibility that will delight readers. Calum Callaghan, scarred physically and mentally after his service in the Navy fighting Napoleon, is managing to live a spectacularly reclusive life in the middle of London. He’s … Continue reading The Unworthy Duke →

We Were Never Here

By: Andrea Bartz ISBN: 978-0-241-55765-5 Penguin Fiction (2021) “We Were Never Here” by Andrea Bartz is an involving domestic thriller; there are not too many surprises for anyone who reads a lot in the genre, but a tight plot and taut pacing makes it hard to put down. Kristen and Emily have been best friends … Continue reading We Were Never Here →

Self/less

By: AVIVA ISBN: 978-1-76098-489-2 Pan Macmillan (2021) “Self/less” by AVIVA is an interesting novel well suited to the young adult audience it’s aimed at. Although not particularly original, it’s entertaining and well told. Teddy is 17, and a privileged citizen of Metropolis. A walled city which protects its’ inhabitants from the deadlands outside, Metropolis is … Continue reading Self/less →