I actually wrote this book review and scheduled the post but the blog post has since disappeared into cyber land somewhere far away. I received this book for my Birthday back in March, it had been on my wish list for a while. I think it was a Booktube recommendation. Anyway... onto the review.


Pages: 295
Genre: Young adult/Romance/Contemporary

The Blurb: 
The summer before Ivy’s senior year is going to be golden; all bonfires, barbeques, and spending time with her best friends. For once, she will just get to be. No summer classes, none of Granddad’s intense expectations to live up to the family name. For generations, the Milbourn women have lead extraordinary lives—and died young and tragically. Granddad calls it a legacy, but Ivy considers it a curse. Why else would her mother have run off and abandoned her as a child?

But when her mother unexpectedly returns home with two young daughters in tow, all of the stories Ivy wove to protect her heart start to unravel. The very people she once trusted now speak in lies. And all of Ivy’s ambition and determination cannot defend her against the secrets of the Milbourn past….

My thoughts: 
This story follows the story of seventeen year old Ivy and how she came about living with her grandfather. Her grandfather has high expectations of Ivy but she really just wants a summer to have fun.. That is until her mother comes back into her life, Ivy hasn't seen or heard from her mother since she was just baby! Her mother also has another surprise.. Two other daughters. Ivy also meets Connor around the same time as her mother comes back but her best friend Alex doesn't approve of Connor. With so much story and very easy to read, I flew through this book. I loved Ivy's character, I felt quite connected to her. Bear in mind this book is a young adult read and aimed at a younger reader than myself but I still enjoyed this book! I personally feel this is perfect spring/summer read.

What have you been reading lately? 

Sarah xXx

 Pages: 144
Genre: Horror/Mystery/True stories

"This book is about ghosts – whatever they are. Every culture has believed in ghosts at one time or another: Buddha trained himself to overcome fear by sitting in a haunted cemetry. Spooky tales are not just a contemporary phenomenon – there are several ghosts mentioned in the Old Testament.
In the course of a person's lifetime, the chances of encountering a ghost are suprisingly high. Many of the stories within this book originated from the numerous letters and telephone calls Tom Slemen received at Radio Merseyside, where he presented a regular slot on the Billy Butler Show. The tremendous response from listeners is confirmation of a widespread fascination with the paranormal.

Take a spine-chilling journey along Liverpool's streets and meet Spring-Heeled Jack, that Harrington Street visions, Bernie with the broken neck, the Grey Lady of Grove Street and many other spooky characters and ghostly encounters!"

A collection of short, ghost and spooky stories centered around Liverpool. I really enjoyed this book, I flew through it, the stories are all short and some, if not all, gave me the chills! I can't wait to read 'Haunted Liverpool 2'! I also learned a lot about the history of Liverpool too which I found fascinating. One story that stood out to me in particular was about the ghost on a bus who gave a little girl a chocolate bar, which she ate! The parent turned around the the man (ghost) had disappeared, yet the chocolate bar was very much real! *shivers*

Do you like ghost stories? What books have you been reading lately? 

Sarah xXx

Pages: 320
Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller (fiction)

"You never know what's happening on the other side of the wall.

Your neighbour told you that she didn't want your six-month-old daughter at the dinner party. Nothing personal, she just couldn't stand her crying.

Your husband said it would be fine. After all, you only live next door. You'll have the baby monitor and you'll take it in turns to go back every half hour.

Your daughter was sleeping when you checked on her last. But now, as you race up the stairs in your deathly quiet house, your worst fears are realized. She's gone.

You've never had to call the police before. But now they're in your home, and who knows what they'll find there.

What would you be capable of, when pushed past your limit?"

I received this book for Christmas and what a lovely gift it was, too! It's been on my 'TBR' list for a while and I couldn't wait to get stuck into it. 
The couple next door follows the story of a young married couple who have a six month old daughter. One night they attend a dinner party with the neighbours while there baby sleeps next door.  They return only to find the baby gone. She is not in her crib. With lots of twists and turns, this book certainly kept me in suspense! What exactly has happened to there baby daughter Cora? And who is responsible? Will the police get to the bottom of it?
This book is written so simply and is very easy to read and follow. A fast paced story and certainly a page turner! I could easily have read this book in one sitting! I really liked it and rated it five stars on goodreads. 

What have you been reading lately? 

Sarah xXx

"The day after they moved in, Coraline went exploring....
In Coraline's family's new flat are twenty-one windows and fourteen doors. Thirteen of the doors open and close.
The fourteenth is locked, and on the other side is only a brick wall, until the day Coraline unlocks the door to find a passage to another flat in another house just like her own.
Only it's different.
At first, things seem marvelous in the other flat. The food is better. The toy box is filled with wind-up angels that flutter around the bedroom, books whose pictures writhe and crawl and shimmer, little dinosaur skulls that chatter their teeth. But there's another mother, and another father, and they want Coraline to stay with them and be their little girl. They want to change her and never let her go.
Other children are trapped there as well, lost souls behind the mirrors. Coraline is their only hope of rescue. She will have to fight with all her wits and all the tools she can find if she is to save the lost children, her ordinary life, and herself.
Critically acclaimed and award-winning author Neil Gaiman will delight readers with his first novel for all ages."

Genre: Children's/Fantasy/Fiction
Pages: 208

This is actually children's (middle grade) book but I really wanted to read this book followed by watching the movie. My friend Laura recommended this book to me as it's one of her favourite books and I am really glad I read it. I really liked it a lot. It didn't take too long to read because it is a children's book with a couple of illustrations here and there.
The story follows a little girl 'Coraline'. She has just moved into a really big, old house with her mum and dad. The house is converted into apartments and have other people living in them. One miserable wet day, Coraline goes exploring in the house and finds a little door. Behind the door is a brick wall. That is exactly how and where the creepiness begins...
A great book, full of little twists and turns. Creative, witty yet quite dark, too! I really enjoyed this book. I know that my middle son will also enjoy reading this book.
I rated this book 4.5 stars.

I also really liked the movie although it is different to the book. The extra's that have been added into the movie fit perfectly and I'm not sure if I prefer the movie to the book or verse visa. I liked both equally. 

I can't wait to read more Neil Gaiman books. I enjoy the way he tells stories.

Have you read Coraline? Or perhaps seen the movie?

Sarah xXx

Gosh, September was a busy month for me reading wise. I didn't exactly stick to my 'September TBR', I did however, manage to read a total of 6 books (and I'm still currently reading the 7th!) which is VERY good going for me. I don't think I've managed to read that many books in one month before! Wow. I'm quite impressed with myself to be honest. A couple of these books were fairly short though, but it still counts! I've stayed up waaayy too late reading but it's worth it. I wrote a blog post on how I make time to read, so if you're looking for some tips on how to read more, please do head over and give that post a read.

The first book I read was by Claire Mackintosh 'I See You' Which I reviewed here. It's a physiological thriller and let me just say. Wow. The twists in this book.. Oh my goodness! AMAZING! If you're looking for a good book, with a good plot and amazing twists, this is the book for you.   

Next up I read Black Heart Blue by Louisa Reid. Not gonna lie, I was not at all sure about this book because it's very young adult and of the contemporary genre. However, it turned out a fairly decent read, I rated it 4 stars on goodreads. It's about two sisters - Twins - Hephzibah and Rebecca. Sadly Rebecca dies. The father is indeed a father and is very strict. It's a haunting story, I found it a bit creepy in places. A beautifully written yet sad story but a good read. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a different kind of YA book to read! I read this book within a day. It's an easy book to read, not very long and hard to put down! I read a good chunk of this book on the bus (I was on the bus for a total of 85 minutes! I get a lot of reading done on public transport)


I was sent a copy of Cathy Glass' new book to review. 'Can I Let You Go?' By Cathy glass is a very touching story about a young lady who is twenty four years old but has the mind of an eight year old due to her mothers al;alcoholism whilst pregnant. Faye lives with her grandparents as her mother passed away when she was much younger. Faye is also pregnant but her grandparents can't cope with all her appointments and what not so Faye goes to into foster care and is fostered by Cathy. Nothing is known about the father and Faye can't keep her baby... or Can she? A beautifully written book, sad in places. Cathy is an amazing woman! And Faye is a very brave young lady with the decisions and choices she has to make. You can read my full review of 'Can I Let You Go?' here. 
I rated this book five stars and read this book within a couple of days! 


Runaway Girl by Casey Watson was another book I was sent to review. Another fostering memoir. Casey and her husband Mike foster a young polish girl named 'Adrianna'. There's more to Adrianna than meets the eye. A horrific story about a young girl who was brought to England under false hope. Like Cathy Glass, Casey and her husband are also truly wonderful people. 
A beautifully written book by Casey! I rated this book five stars and it took a couple of days to read!  

 I also read two holocaust books. One being a children's historical fiction 'number the stars by Louis Lowry'. Only 137 pages, this book didn't take me long to read at all., Probably around an hour in total. It's about a young girl and her family in Copenhagen in 1943 and how they help there Jewish friends escape the Nazis. It's a very easy book to read, it is a children's book so it's not harrowing or anything of the sorts. It's written quite well but I did find it's certainly aimed at children. 
Before that book I read 'Here There Is No Why' by Rachel Roth. This story is non-fiction and is war memoir. Rachels shares her experience and is very brave for doing so I might add! She tells us the story of how she ended up in a concentration camp. Her father had managed to escape the Nazis and after her horrific, harrowing experience in concentration camps, she does survive to tell her story. She learns that she lost her mother, siblings and extended family during these horrific times. She manages to trace her father after the war. It's a sad story to read but very brave and beautifully told. I rated this book five stars. 

 So those are the books I read during September and I am currently reading Hidden Chapters by Mary Grand (gifted an e-book copy to review) So look out for that review coming soon! 

What have you read lately? Or what's your favourite all time book?



Sarah xXx


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