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The High Places
Book
Winner of the International Dylan Thomas Prize 2017 'The judges recognised the mastery of form...
Fiction
A Simple Favor
5.3
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Book
It starts with a simple favor—an ordinary kindness mothers do for one another. When glamorous...
Little Darlings
8.1
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Book
THE TWINS ARE CRYING. THE TWINS ARE HUNGRY. LAUREN IS CRYING. LAUREN IS EXHAUSTED. Behind...
Cold Hearted
9.0
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Book
This was supposed to be her happily ever after... It’s a familiar tale: A kind and beautiful...
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Collective in Books
Nov 18, 2021
Camille Gardner lost her daughter five years ago and is still angry and grieving. After a public incident, she joins a Facebook group for grieving mothers. From there, Camille is drawn into the dark web and a collective of women who seek revenge on those who killed their children. Unsure if this group is real or not, Camille finds herself pulled into the group, unsure if its members are survivors or murderers. And finding out the truth may lead to her own demise.
This was such a dark thriller--it pulled me in immediately. It's twisted and a little crazy in its plot, but it's so mesmerizing and keeps you guessing the entire time. Camille's grief and anger seeps through the pages, and the themes of loss and motherhood are prominent throughout the story. It's such a tense tale, as you keep reading and wondering, along with Camille, about the collective and its intentions. The book makes you question yourself and how far would you go to protect or avenge your family.
Overall, this is a twisty and dark thriller with an original and emotional plot. 4+ stars.
I received a copy of this book from William Morrow and Custom House and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
This was such a dark thriller--it pulled me in immediately. It's twisted and a little crazy in its plot, but it's so mesmerizing and keeps you guessing the entire time. Camille's grief and anger seeps through the pages, and the themes of loss and motherhood are prominent throughout the story. It's such a tense tale, as you keep reading and wondering, along with Camille, about the collective and its intentions. The book makes you question yourself and how far would you go to protect or avenge your family.
Overall, this is a twisty and dark thriller with an original and emotional plot. 4+ stars.
I received a copy of this book from William Morrow and Custom House and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
Laura Doe (1350 KP) rated If We’re Not Married By Thirty in Books
May 2, 2022
A book that’s not hard to guess the ending, but did have some parts where I doubted that what I thought would happen would.
This is the second book that I have read by Anna Bell and her humour is poured into her books and her characters are just so loveable!
This book is definitely based around something that I think most people my age have done, which is make a pact with a friend about if you’re not both married or in a relationship by a certain age, then you will both get together. I think everyone makes the same pact thinking that it’s years and years away so it will never happen, and soon life creeps up on you and before you know it you’ve reached that age!
I loved the characters in this book and rooted for Lydia every step of the way. Although the book was predictable, it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed it. Although the best characters were definitely the two mothers.
After enjoying two of Anna Bell’s books, I will definitely be looking at buying more that she has written. They are just good old rom-com chick lits, perfect for when you just need a bit of a giggle.
This is the second book that I have read by Anna Bell and her humour is poured into her books and her characters are just so loveable!
This book is definitely based around something that I think most people my age have done, which is make a pact with a friend about if you’re not both married or in a relationship by a certain age, then you will both get together. I think everyone makes the same pact thinking that it’s years and years away so it will never happen, and soon life creeps up on you and before you know it you’ve reached that age!
I loved the characters in this book and rooted for Lydia every step of the way. Although the book was predictable, it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed it. Although the best characters were definitely the two mothers.
After enjoying two of Anna Bell’s books, I will definitely be looking at buying more that she has written. They are just good old rom-com chick lits, perfect for when you just need a bit of a giggle.
ClareR (5674 KP) rated The Wren, The Wren in Books
Jul 20, 2024
This is a beautiful story of 3 generations of women, all affected by the same man: poet Phil McDaragh. They have very different relationships with him. Carmel is his daughter and when he leaves the family, it’s up to Carmel and her sister to care for their mother with terminal cancer. Carmel loves her father, but is conflicted with their abandonment And how what he writes in his poems is at odds with the way he treated them.
Carmel’s daughter Nell, a Trinity College graduate, discovers just how difficult life is without her mothers help when she strikes out on her own. She meets a man who is abusive towards her.
This is a story that highlights multi-generational family trauma, and probably why both Carmel and Nell have such poor relationships with men. Running alongside this, is the love these women have for one another.
I get that not everyone will like this novel, but I’ve read two of Enright’s novels now and really enjoyed both of them. I read this as a part of the Women’s Prize shortlist, and whilst I realise they can’t all win, The Wren, The Wren really did deserve to be on that list.
Recommended.
Carmel’s daughter Nell, a Trinity College graduate, discovers just how difficult life is without her mothers help when she strikes out on her own. She meets a man who is abusive towards her.
This is a story that highlights multi-generational family trauma, and probably why both Carmel and Nell have such poor relationships with men. Running alongside this, is the love these women have for one another.
I get that not everyone will like this novel, but I’ve read two of Enright’s novels now and really enjoyed both of them. I read this as a part of the Women’s Prize shortlist, and whilst I realise they can’t all win, The Wren, The Wren really did deserve to be on that list.
Recommended.
LucyB (47 KP) rated Big Little Lies in Books
Jul 23, 2017
Magnificently clever, darkly humorous, thought-provoking read.
Sigh. I do so love it when I finish a book and wish it wasn't finished! Big Little Lies is absolutely one of the best books I've read for a while, and absolutely had me hooked from start to finish.
The story focuses on three main characters: bolshy Madeleine, mousy Jane and beautiful Celeste - who share a common bond; they have children starting the same kindergarten class. However, things go swiftly wrong when Jane's child Ziggy is accused of trying to strangle another child - a situation that soon escalates with alarming consequences.
The book captures playground politics to perfection (I'm wagering the author MUST have kids of her own), but goes far beyond exploring the behaviour of over-zealous school mums. It also examines the insanity of bullying, how quickly situations can spiral out of control, and the horror of domestic abuse. In spite of handling some weighty issues, it also manages to be quite darkly amusing and highly wry.
The characters are likeable, engaging and relateable (I'd guess most mothers reading this book would instinctively 'gravitate' towards one of the three protagonists). And the ending? I won't spoil it - but put it like this, I certainly didn't see it coming.
Love love love this book. Definitely one to read, folks!
The story focuses on three main characters: bolshy Madeleine, mousy Jane and beautiful Celeste - who share a common bond; they have children starting the same kindergarten class. However, things go swiftly wrong when Jane's child Ziggy is accused of trying to strangle another child - a situation that soon escalates with alarming consequences.
The book captures playground politics to perfection (I'm wagering the author MUST have kids of her own), but goes far beyond exploring the behaviour of over-zealous school mums. It also examines the insanity of bullying, how quickly situations can spiral out of control, and the horror of domestic abuse. In spite of handling some weighty issues, it also manages to be quite darkly amusing and highly wry.
The characters are likeable, engaging and relateable (I'd guess most mothers reading this book would instinctively 'gravitate' towards one of the three protagonists). And the ending? I won't spoil it - but put it like this, I certainly didn't see it coming.
Love love love this book. Definitely one to read, folks!
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Save Me in Books
May 10, 2018
Rose McKenna is a mom of two. One day while she is volunteering as Lunch Mom, there is a loud explosion and the entire cafeteria is engulfed in fire. Her daughter, Melly, has gone to the bathroom, but she also has two students in front of her, who are going to need her help as well. What is she to do, and does she sacrifice the life of one to save another.
In Save Me, Rose has a lot of tough decisions to make. She has encountered a lot in her life and this cafeteria explosion, just adds to the mountains of secrets she has bottled inside of her. In a quest to find out how this explosion happened and be an advocate for her daughter, she is taking on a journey, no mother could ever expect.
I really enjoyed this book, mainly because as a mother I can relate. I felt a bit for Rose, being scolded by other parents because of the actions she took, and having to deal with a daughter who is being bullied in a town they just moved to. I felt that Rose could have shared a lot more with her husband during the course of her actions.
This is a thrilling novel, that had me near tears at a few different points. I would recommend this book to all mothers.
In Save Me, Rose has a lot of tough decisions to make. She has encountered a lot in her life and this cafeteria explosion, just adds to the mountains of secrets she has bottled inside of her. In a quest to find out how this explosion happened and be an advocate for her daughter, she is taking on a journey, no mother could ever expect.
I really enjoyed this book, mainly because as a mother I can relate. I felt a bit for Rose, being scolded by other parents because of the actions she took, and having to deal with a daughter who is being bullied in a town they just moved to. I felt that Rose could have shared a lot more with her husband during the course of her actions.
This is a thrilling novel, that had me near tears at a few different points. I would recommend this book to all mothers.