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  • Mandy Swiftson

    Mandy Swiftson

    Author

    I am a married lady, on the higher side of 45, I have lived in Nottingham England (Robin Hood Land)...
TS
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
For this go around about a family of dysfunctional PI's, Rae is obsessed with getting a wrongfully convicted man out of jail, Izzy is trying to find a missing butler, and doorknobs are disappearing from the Spellman's house. As usually, the family relationships provide the laughs and the plot with any mystery being secondary. And, as always, the book is very funny and hard to put down.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-review-spellmans-strike-again-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
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ClareR (5542 KP) rated The Road Trip in Books

Aug 4, 2021  
The Road Trip
The Road Trip
Beth O'Leary | 2021 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I loved this book. The Road Trip has a different feel to it compared to Beth O’Leary’s previous two novels, and whatever direction she’ll take next, I’m going along for the ride (see what I did there!🤭)

I just love the way that O’Leary writes characters: in this book they’re funny, flawed and feel like genuine, real people. There are those with mental health problems, dysfunctional families and strong sibling relationships.

We see the contrast of the carefree student on holiday, and the way that real life has a habit of sticking its oar in - and not always in a good way.

The road trip element was hilarious though. Deliciously awkward, thanks to Addie, Dylan and Dylan’s friend Marcus, with the devil-may-care attitude of Addie’s sister, Debs. And than there’s Rodney (I’l leave him right here - I don’t want to spoil THIS character for you!).

This book is a little darker in places in comparison to her other books, but I absolutely loved every page. I can’t wait to see what’s next from Beth O’Leary. Oh, and you should definitely read this book!!

Many thanks to Quercus for my copy via NetGalley.
  
Hello Beautiful
Hello Beautiful
Ann Napolitano | 2023 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Between finishing reading Hello Beautiful and writing this review, this book has exploded. Oprah has taken it under her wing and shown it as the wonderful piece of work that it is to her followers. So, it has already been read by a lot of people - and rightly so. I loved it. Books about families and family relationships, whether they’re a difficult or loving relationship, are one of my most favourite things.

There are most certainly echoes of Little Women, but if you’ve never read it, it won’t make much difference to your enjoyment. You might want to try Little Women at some point though!

William Waters grows up in a very dysfunctional family, and is drawn into the Padavano family when he marries Julia - it’s a family he comes to love.

With themes of mental illness, family loyalties, love in all of its forms and loss, it’s a big read for only around 400 pages. The story just sped by, and I was bereft when I turned the last page.

I loved the world of William Waters and the Padavano sisters.

Highly recommended.