(Including 2026 New Book Releases!)

JANUARY 2026

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall

At the story’s outset, Beth’s first love, Gabriel, comes to live in his family home in Dorset. Gabriel is a famous author and Beth is a farmer’s wife. And the book begins, shockingly, with a dead body. A dead farmer. As soon as Gabriel arrives in town there’s this sense of foreboding in such a cleverly painted sad, rural landscape. Even though Beth and Frank have already gone through the unspeakable tragedy and grief of losing their only son, it’s obvious something more is on its way.

This is a story of first love, grief, loss, guilt and redemption. There’s a murder, romance, motherly love and a court room scene. Brilliant. Just brilliant. Highly recommended. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Child in Time, by Ian McEwan

I nearly gave up in the middle because of all the talk about government policies on education (which I didn’t feel was directly relevant at the time) but I’m so glad I didn’t!! The last chapter was worth all the toil. Gorgeous. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Bee Sting, by Paul Murray

This was AMAZING. Long story but worth it. Such brilliant dialogue and storytelling and the family dynamics were spot on. All the virtues and vices of humanity in an epic human saga. Loved it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Listening to Anna Kerenina, by Leo Tolstoy

I’m enjoying the nuanced detail of the introduction of each character. Lovely descriptions and the story definitely gets more interesting after she meets Count Vronsky.

February 2026

How to Disappear, by Gillian McAllister

I’ve been listening to the Honest Author’s Podcast, and am slowly working my way through Gillian’s backlist. I really enjoyed this one. Great depth of character and really believable plot in unbelievable circumstances. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Man Who Didn’t Call, By Rosie Walsh

LOVED this book. The compelling dilemma of the protagonist meeting Mr. Right, and then disappearing after seven perfect days, pulls you right in. It isn’s a simple answer, and it brings in both character’s backstory which is very clever and hardworking. Loved the ending, which the author said recently in an instagram post was her fourth attempt (having had to delete 120,000 words in the interim) which really makes me respect it a whole lot more!

Sophie, Standing There, By Meg Mason (August 2026)

I LOVE this woman’s words. I would read her shopping list and I’m sure she would surprise me with it. Unpredictable plot with a main character that is so well drawn she could be your best friend. Just brilliant. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Last Time I Saw Her Alive, By Kate Riordan (July 2026)

This is book has a dark, atmospheric and gorgeously haunting vibe. It’s a psychological thriller set in the main character’s childhood village in the Cotswolds. There is a double death set thirty years apart but eerily familiar. As Rain travels back to her family home, the truth is revealed bit by bit, until the danger comes spectacularly close to Rain’s own life. Nail-bitingly good, but also so the setting is so richly, you could actually be there. Brilliant. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Still Listening to Anna Kerenina, by Leo Tolstoy

Very interesting storyline. I’m surprised at how engaging the plot is. I assumed it would be a slow-burn of a story simply because of the length. I’m about a third of the way through and it’s such a joy to listen to.

Upcoming Reviews!…

The Death of Us, by Abigail Dean (March 2026)

Half Lives, by Krystle Zara Appiah (June 2026)

Dandelion is Dead, by Rosie Storey (June 2026)

What happens when a husband with an untethered mental illness can’t handle the pressure of bringing up a young family and decides to take things into his own hands? Devastation, that’s what!

Oh, my, what a stunning story this is. We begin with the catastrophic car crash and then follow Rachel as she struggles to put her life back together. No longer a mother, or a wife, what is she to do? How will she carry on? Her husband, Tom’s failed attempt of murder is not as clear-cut as it sounds. Through flashbacks told from Rachel’s point of view, we begin to understand how his unravelling began, and how difficult the whole thing started.

I really enjoyed this book, for its quiet exploration on life, how to navigate loved ones through turmoil, and getting over catastrophes in life. Out on April 10th, it’s one not to be missed.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

With deceit in the air from the get-go and two  deaths in quick succession, this page turner dives right into the action. The writing is compelling, and although there is a huge number of cast members, it isn’t difficult to get into this fast-paced thriller. Plenty of reversals and red herrings all round, until the devastating conclusion of an ill-fated film set is played out. All loose ends tied up nicely, and excellent thought given to back story and character motivation. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

An absolute riot of a book. If you can get past the extremely unlikely behaviour of the woman of the house once she hires a housemaid, you will be in for a real treat. Nothing is left unexplained. What a clever, compelling, character-lead tale.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved it. Honest, raw, moving and funny. I could flip to the beginning and start again and I wouldn’t get bored. It’s brilliant. (*Clicks off this page to search for interviews about this brilliant author* ☺️)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is an emotional, dark and nuanced tale about deception, abuse, and despair. It’s a story of a woman called Sloane, whose marriage has broken down, during one of the most challenging ordeals of her life – her daughter, Daisy, has an illness that means she’s vulnerable and in and out of hospital lots. It’s a story of the mystery that develops around mother and daughter, as soon as they get new neighbours. This is a character-driver psychological suspense – one of the best types of suspense in my opinion, and as nail-biting as the drama was I really appreciated the quieter moments of reflection on marriage, love, friendship and parenthood. Wonderfully done! It was my first Katie Sise read, but won’t be my last.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

FYI, I’m a huge fan of Liane, and would read her shopping list if I had the chance. In this narrative she uses a huge cast of characters to tell individual stories, that come together using one thread (the fact that they were all present when the lady on the plane predicted everyone’s deaths). I was thoroughly invested in the moment and wanted to know if each of them lived. Favourites of Moriarty novels are, ‘What Alice Forgot,’ ‘My Husband’s Secret’ and ‘The Hypnotist’s Love Story’. All are five star reads for me. Unfortunately, this one gets four stars because, although I enjoyed the discussion and reflections of life and death and some of the story threads were highly entertaining – like the newly-wed bride who the ‘death-lady’ predicted would be killed by her husband!- I think I would’ve enjoyed it better if we didn’t have as many characters to follow, and instead took a deeper-dive into fewer character’s lives and psyche.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Marian Keyes is a class-act in herself. Her writing, her humanness, her charisma as a person is evident. She’s honest, kind and down-to-Earth, lovely as an author and as a teacher which I recently found out after completing her writing class via Curtis Brown recently. I also got on really well with the women taking her class, and that says a lot about what kind of readers she attracts!

Marian writes about characters who I wouldn’t usually relate to (Rachel is a drug addict in rehab in both the above books) but she writes in such a way, as the characters become relatable. Grown-ups was a brilliant family drama, super-relatable and charming. Marian doesn’t shy away from big, dark topics and telling it how it is; her novels have a lot of heart and wisdom. Character-driven, humorous and intelligent. I’m slowly making my way through her backlist. Some may see her as a chick-lit author, but she writes important books extremely well. Marian Keyes novels are not to be missed!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My, oh my, what a book! I was first attracted to this story by the cover. It’s a painting by the stunningly talented artist, Valeria Duca. It does not disappoint, people. Being a sister of three myself, I was instantly besotted by the compelling family drama (and past trauma) that connects these three, and enjoyed reading about this family as though it was a real family, the characters of the sisters jumping off the page as though alive. Full of action and angst, this is a book not to be missed. All in all, it was clever, complicated and compelling. A family drama involving sisters at its messiest. As an aside, it was weirdly confusing due to reading it at the same time as Coco Mellors’ Blue Sisters which is our May Book Club read. There are lots of similarities, and lots of sisters! Both books are fabulous.

Also, check out my Monthly Book Club page for more book recommendations, and reviews! And consider joining us once a month (usually last Monday of the month for our Book Club). Contact me for more info, or join our private Facebook Group here.