Book review: Book Boyfriend by Lucy Vine [blog tour]

While it may not *officially* be summer yet, it's certainly been feeling like it has been these past few weeks – and nothing quite beats a fun romcom this time of year. Whether reading on the beach, in a park, in the garden, or you just have as many doors and windows open to imagine being outside somewhere instead of reading on your sofa... romance fiction from Books and the City (part of Simon & Schuster in the UK) always hits just the right spot. And with Book Boyfriend by Lucy Vine, they have another winning holiday read on their hands!

Book review: Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz

I've been obsessed with Anthony Horowitz's books for 25 years and they just keeps getting better and better. The previous instalments in this series – Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders – introduced us to Susan Ryeland; a books editor turned sleuth as she discovers that the detective stories she's editing reveal clues to real-life murder cases. Horowitz masterfully writes both a golden age whodunnit and contemporary murder mystery and deftly connects the characters – and clues – between the two. In Marble Hall Murders he has managed to work his magic once again. And it's an absolute sensation. 

Book review: Homegrown Magic by Jamie Pacton and Rebecca Podos

Cosy fantasy is the latest genre taking the bookish world by storm, and I'm absolutely loving it. It takes mundane every-day activities, such as baking and jam making, and sets them amidst fantastical worlds, showing that even the most volatile of places need home-made baked goods and a coffee shop where people (and creatures) can wind down. My love for the genre started with Travis Baldree's Legends and Lattes and intensified last year with the enchanting The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst. Homegrown Magic by Jamie Pacton and Rebecca Podos is another charming addition to the genre. 

Book review: Bookish by Lucy Mangan

I've heard lots of people recommend Bookworm by Lucy Mangan – in which she recounts her childhood through the lens of the books that she read along the way – in recent months, and it has rapidly made its way up my towering to-be-read list. So how serendipitous that the second book (which can be read as a standalone) is out today. I was fortunate to read an advance copy of Bookish and, needless to say, I absolutely adored it. It is perceptive, funny, moving, and highly relatable – and it made me even more eager to read Bookworm ASAP!

Book review: Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett

The Emily Wilde series are wildly (pun intended) popular adult fantasy books. They're cosy, they're fantastical, and they have some of the most stunning cover designs in the industry today. And the latest addition to the series is by far the best one yet.  

Book review: Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young [blog tour]

I absolutely adore the acoustic version of Out of the Woods by Taylor Swift. So when I saw the title of this book by Hannah Bonam-Young, and realised it's also about a romantic relationship that's on the rocks, my interest was instantly piqued...

Book review: The House of Frost and Feathers by Lauren Wiesebron [blog tour]

I love retellings of fairytales, folklore, and myths. In recent years there's been a particular abundance of feminist takes on classic Greek tales and while they're certainly some of the most well-known and fascinating myths, it started to feel a little bit same-y. There's only so many ways to put a new spin on the same characters' origin story. So I was very excited when I first heard about The House of Frost and Feathers, which is steeped in Slavic folkore and loosely based on the to me previously unknown story of the witch Baba Yaga. 

Book review: Murder on the Marlow Belle (The Marlow Murder Club #4) by Robert Thorogood

The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood is one of the book series I recommend the most to friends and family (in fact: I chose it for my secret Santa last year!). They are fantastic murder mysteries and the main group of characters are also super hilarious; a winning combination. And, in the latest instalment, Thorogood adds a theatrical group into the mix. Needless to say, lots of drama ensues and not just on stage...

Book review: The Official Agatha Christie Puzzle Book [blog tour]

The cover image for this post showing my book shelves may be a slight indication that I adore Agatha Christie's stories. In recent years, this has translated into hunting down titles I don't yet own in charity shops (and splurging on the gorgeous new hardbacks as they come out) alongside devouring contemporary authors writing similarly gripping whodunnits, such as Anthony Horowitz, Janice Hallett, Robert Thorogood, and Richard Osman. But – of course – nothing can quite beat a "Christie" and I love the gorgeously designed merchandise that is being released: including a brand-new puzzle book. 

Book review: The Christmas Express by Isla Gordon

I cannot believe I've been reading this author for 10 years almost to the day (even if her books were published under a different name at the time 👀), but I'm so happy that she's still writing festive rom coms as they've always been some of my absolute favourites! And her latest one takes place in Canada, the most magical place in the world. 🍁