ARC REVIEW: COSTANZA | RACHEL BLACKMORE

Costanza by Rachel Blackmore
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Continuing on with my current obsession with historical fiction, I saw the cover for Costanza and was immediately drawn to it. Then I read the blurb and I was enthralled. What's one more ARC review to add to the already-massive pile?!

Set in 17th century Rome, Costanza is based on the real story of Costanza Piccolomini, who's been long-forgotten by history. She was a strong-willed feminist icon, a sinner, a temptress, and Costanza tells her story...

ARC REVIEW: A GOOD PLACE TO HIDE A BODY | LAURA MARSHALL

A Good Place to Hide a Body by Laura Marshall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wasn't looking for tips or anything, but I did do a bombastic side-eye when A Good Place to Hide a Body cropped up in my NetGalley recommendations. Unfortunately, far from being a manual it's actually Laura Marshall's fifth novel. Less-unfortunately it's a brilliant thriller that I finished within six hours. 

A Good Place to Hide a Body follows Penny and her family as they navigate their way through a life-altering, infuriating scenario at the hands of a stranger named Cooper who'll remind absolutely all of you of your very worst ex.

ARC REVIEW: TEDDY | EMILY DUNLAY

Teddy by Emily Dunlay
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The premise of Teddy drew me in, then the cover sealed the deal. A book that promised 1960s glamour, travel, and a peek into the rich world of an American girl in decadent Europe was not one I wanted to miss.

BEAUTY EMPTIES | JUNE 2024

I'm very aware that this supposed lifestyle blog has turned solely into book reviews, so to break it up a bit I'm taking it back to basics and throwing back to the blogging of yore. What screams 2014 Blogspot more than a monthly roundup of accumulated beauty empties?

With no further ado, here's June's...

ARC REVIEW: THE SUSPECT | ROB RINDER

The Suspect by Rob Rinder
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The Suspect is the second novel from Rob Rinder - yes, Judge Rinder - and seeing as I love that man I was thrilled when I was approved to read ahead of publication.

Last year’s The Trial introduced us to junior barrister Adam Green, and The Suspect follows him as he realises the case before him is not as straightforward as it seems; the nation’s sweetheart morning TV presenter dies live on screen, a celebrity chef is the prime suspect for her murder, and a web of deceit and lies is uncovered in the quest for the truth.

ARC REVIEW: ONLY HERE, ONLY NOW | TOM NEWLANDS

Only Here, Only Now by Tom Newlands
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cora Mowat is a 14-year-old girl growing up in Fife, dreaming of making something of her life in the hustle and bustle of Glasgow. Living with her disabled mum, navigating her way with boys, and battling with undiagnosed ADHD, Cora is the epicentre of a novel that I dare say has all the makings of becoming a modern classic.

ARC REVIEW: THE KING'S WITCHES | KATE FOSTER

The King's Witches by Kate Foster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another ARC review here, this time it's The King’s Witches by Kate Foster. I requested this one as I’m feeling the historical fiction lately, plus there’s witches, plus the cover is beautiful.