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ClareR (5991 KP) rated The Double Life of Daisy Hemmings in Books
Jan 24, 2023
I loved this twisty tale about identity and ambition.
The Double Life of Daisy Hemmings by Joanna Nadin begins in a small Cornish seaside town. Jason longs for more than working in his manipulative fathers pub, and wants to escape his life. When a group of wealthy young people arrive in the town, including the twins Daisy and Bea, he is drawn into their circle.
He spends more and more time with them, until the night that both Jason and Bea drown in an accident.
30 years later, writer James Tate is asked by Daisy Hemmings to ghost write her autobiography. James is a master of reinvention: he knew Daisy 30 years ago when she, her twin and their friends spent a summer together in a small Cornish village.
It’s made clear from the start that James is in fact Jason (so I’m giving nothing away), but the really interesting thing is how exactly he did it, how he managed to convince everyone that he’s someone completely different.
The characters in this are all really interesting and so well written: the twins and how completely different they are from one another; how their wealthy friends contrast starkly against Jason and his life. Whether they’re likeable or not, I really wanted to find out more about them.
I enjoyed the alternating timelines - how happenings in 1988 impacted on the present - I particularly liked how we’re introduced to the Jason/ James character right at the beginning. Their lives couldn’t be more different.
I’ve relished both of Joanna Nadin’s previous adult books (The Queen of Bloody Everything and The Talk of Pram Town), and after reading Daisy Hemmings, I’m looking forward to whatever comes next.
The Double Life of Daisy Hemmings by Joanna Nadin begins in a small Cornish seaside town. Jason longs for more than working in his manipulative fathers pub, and wants to escape his life. When a group of wealthy young people arrive in the town, including the twins Daisy and Bea, he is drawn into their circle.
He spends more and more time with them, until the night that both Jason and Bea drown in an accident.
30 years later, writer James Tate is asked by Daisy Hemmings to ghost write her autobiography. James is a master of reinvention: he knew Daisy 30 years ago when she, her twin and their friends spent a summer together in a small Cornish village.
It’s made clear from the start that James is in fact Jason (so I’m giving nothing away), but the really interesting thing is how exactly he did it, how he managed to convince everyone that he’s someone completely different.
The characters in this are all really interesting and so well written: the twins and how completely different they are from one another; how their wealthy friends contrast starkly against Jason and his life. Whether they’re likeable or not, I really wanted to find out more about them.
I enjoyed the alternating timelines - how happenings in 1988 impacted on the present - I particularly liked how we’re introduced to the Jason/ James character right at the beginning. Their lives couldn’t be more different.
I’ve relished both of Joanna Nadin’s previous adult books (The Queen of Bloody Everything and The Talk of Pram Town), and after reading Daisy Hemmings, I’m looking forward to whatever comes next.
Welcome Home to Murder
8.0
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From author Rosalie Spielman comes a heartfelt cozy mystery that proves sometimes coming home again...
Merissa (13319 KP) rated Hunter (The Silver #6) in Books
Mar 13, 2020
Hunter is the sixth book in the Silver series and this time, we head out of town, to a small farming community where Dray lives. He is slightly frustrated as he is 'one-of-a-kind' as far as he knows and there are somethings he just can't do if he wants to keep his secret - playing football being one example. That all changes when Gem and her parents move to town.
Yey!!! Gem gets her Happy Ever After! And she really couldn't have chosen a nicer guy. I love Dray, I really do. His commitment to his town, his friends, and his family are wonderful to read about. I love how his relationship with Gem moves quickly and yet also seems perfectly natural.
Things are hotting up for Jaze too though, which is making me long for the last book. I love how Ms. Alsop is able to tie all the different characters and locations together in such a seamless manner.
Although Jet will always be my favourite, there is something about this farm boy that has made him come a close second. Fantastic writing, smooth pacing, perfect characters - so, yep, I highly recommend this book!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Yey!!! Gem gets her Happy Ever After! And she really couldn't have chosen a nicer guy. I love Dray, I really do. His commitment to his town, his friends, and his family are wonderful to read about. I love how his relationship with Gem moves quickly and yet also seems perfectly natural.
Things are hotting up for Jaze too though, which is making me long for the last book. I love how Ms. Alsop is able to tie all the different characters and locations together in such a seamless manner.
Although Jet will always be my favourite, there is something about this farm boy that has made him come a close second. Fantastic writing, smooth pacing, perfect characters - so, yep, I highly recommend this book!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Erika (17789 KP) rated The Confession Killer in TV
Apr 4, 2020
When I began this series, I wasn't really paying attention to it. I looked at the screen at one point and thought to myself, man, that jail looks super familiar, like the jail on Jail Hill in the town I grew up in. I shrugged it off, continued my chores, then saw a shot of the downtown square... I realized it was the town I grew up in, Georgetown, TX. BTW - when you live in a small town in TX, you end up doing some strange stuff, like touring an abandoned jail.
So, after I realized the dude was held in Georgetown, by the Wilco SO (I have very strong, negative feelings about those idiots), I paid attention. Henry Lee Lucas confessed to a crazy amount of crimes, crimes that he couldn't have committed due to timing and location. I still don't agree that he killed Orange Socks (a famous murder in GT). This dude was delusional, and Wilco was completely in the wrong, at one point, they're looking at calendars and offering dates to the other LE agencies calling them. I feel like it's really awful they 'solved' these murders, and ultimately killers are still out there.
I liked the way it was put together, but, like many Netflix shows, required editing to cut out at least the last ep.
So, after I realized the dude was held in Georgetown, by the Wilco SO (I have very strong, negative feelings about those idiots), I paid attention. Henry Lee Lucas confessed to a crazy amount of crimes, crimes that he couldn't have committed due to timing and location. I still don't agree that he killed Orange Socks (a famous murder in GT). This dude was delusional, and Wilco was completely in the wrong, at one point, they're looking at calendars and offering dates to the other LE agencies calling them. I feel like it's really awful they 'solved' these murders, and ultimately killers are still out there.
I liked the way it was put together, but, like many Netflix shows, required editing to cut out at least the last ep.
The Scandal
10.0
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'Late one evening towards the end of March, a teenager picked up a double-barrelled shotgun, walked...
The Operator
8.7
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'What if you could listen in on any phone conversation in town? Irresistible!' Kathryn Stockett,...
Khaki Town
Book
Judy Nunn’s exciting new novel, a no.1 bestseller, is inspired by a true wartime story that has...
Angel's Halo (Angel's Halo MC, #1)
10.0
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Creswell Springs was a small little town in Trinity Count, California. Population 1,500—maybe....
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Left to Chance in Books
Jan 10, 2018
Great characters (3 more)
Strong portrayal of a small town
Some great funny moments
Lovely and powerful moments
Sweet, touching tale
After six years, Teddi Learner returns to her small hometown of Chance, Ohio to photograph the wedding of her best friend's husband, Miles. Miles is getting remarried after the death of his first wife, Celia. Celia and Miles and had one daughter together, Shayna, who is now twelve. Teddi and Shay had a somewhat superficial relationship after Celia's death--a yearly visit in Chicago, Skype calls, etc. But Shay's now nearly a teenager and she's personally asked Teddi to come to town--a place she's never set foot in since her beloved best friend passed away. When she arrives, she finds Chance has grown, and so has Shay, who is struggling with her father's remarriage and fitting in within her teen friend circle. Further, Teddi's memories of Celia are as strong as ever, and so are her feelings for Celia's brother, Beck, whom she was seeing when she fled town after (okay, pretty much during) Celia's funeral. Teddi has a new life now, photographing weddings all over the country for Hester Hotels. She left Chance behind and never looked back. But now that she's here, she can't help but notice all (and who) she left.
I enjoy picking up novels like this sometime because they let me indulge in my Lifetime / Hallmark movie side (I'm a sucker for those, especially at Christmas time). This book was an excellent diversion and while I certainly could predict some areas, it surprised me in others.
Nathan gives us some great characters, particularly Teddi and Shay. Teddi is complicated and a little annoying, at times, but she comes across as realistically human and flawed. Her love for Celia is incredibly strong and you can feel her loss and heartache come across the pages. The novel is a real testament to female friendship. At times you want to push or prod her a bit, but she's also stronger than she thinks. As for Shay, my heart often broke for the poor girl, struggling at the age of being between a girl and a teenager, with the added difficulty of having lost her mom.
Nathan also does a good job of portraying the eclectic cast of characters in small town Chance, with some good foils popping up for Teddi. Some of my particular favorite appearances included Teddi's cousin, Maggie, and childhood friend, Josie. Because it's a small place, Miles' wedding is the talk of the town, and we see how it brings up some bitterness and long held issues among some, including the immediate family.
Overall, I enjoyed this one. The hardest part was some melodrama in the plot and theme, which got to be a little too much at times. Some things seemed to be blown a bit out of proportion and there can be a lot of different plot threads going on at times. However, there are some really lovely and powerful moments and some incredibly funny ones--much of which stem from the strength of the characters. There's a bit of a picture perfect ending, but not the one I expected. This was a sweet, touching tale in many ways and exactly the read I needed at this point in time. 3.5+ stars.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley (thank you!) in return for an unbiased review.
I enjoy picking up novels like this sometime because they let me indulge in my Lifetime / Hallmark movie side (I'm a sucker for those, especially at Christmas time). This book was an excellent diversion and while I certainly could predict some areas, it surprised me in others.
Nathan gives us some great characters, particularly Teddi and Shay. Teddi is complicated and a little annoying, at times, but she comes across as realistically human and flawed. Her love for Celia is incredibly strong and you can feel her loss and heartache come across the pages. The novel is a real testament to female friendship. At times you want to push or prod her a bit, but she's also stronger than she thinks. As for Shay, my heart often broke for the poor girl, struggling at the age of being between a girl and a teenager, with the added difficulty of having lost her mom.
Nathan also does a good job of portraying the eclectic cast of characters in small town Chance, with some good foils popping up for Teddi. Some of my particular favorite appearances included Teddi's cousin, Maggie, and childhood friend, Josie. Because it's a small place, Miles' wedding is the talk of the town, and we see how it brings up some bitterness and long held issues among some, including the immediate family.
Overall, I enjoyed this one. The hardest part was some melodrama in the plot and theme, which got to be a little too much at times. Some things seemed to be blown a bit out of proportion and there can be a lot of different plot threads going on at times. However, there are some really lovely and powerful moments and some incredibly funny ones--much of which stem from the strength of the characters. There's a bit of a picture perfect ending, but not the one I expected. This was a sweet, touching tale in many ways and exactly the read I needed at this point in time. 3.5+ stars.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley (thank you!) in return for an unbiased review.