Inside & Out Book Tag

Inside flap / Back of the book summaries: Too much info? Or not enough (Discuss)

It depends, I sometimes think that some books don't give enough away so you go into reading the book pretty much blind, whereas other's give too much and you feel as though you know the whole story. But then there are some that give just the right amount and it kills you not knowing so you have to read the book right away.

New book: What form do you want it in? Be honest: audio book, e-book, paperback, or hardcover?

Paperbacks. I do love hardbacks but they are so heavy and as I do most of my reading to/ from work I need a light book. Having said that I also have a Kindle, which I love as it is so light and portable but nothing can ever beat an actual physical book.

Scribble while you read? Do you like to write in your books, taking notes, making comments, or do you keep your books clean clean clean? (Tell us why)

CLEAN! I couldn't write in books because if I ever went back to it I would just be thinking how ugly the book looks and concentrate on that more than the words on the page. I don't mind a creased spine but writing in a book could just tip me over the edge. I couldn't even do it in school when we had to write on the pages of plays etc, I had to make my notes on a separate piece of paper.

In your best voice, read for us your favourite first sentence from a book.

I probably have hundreds of favourite first lines that I couldn't even think of never mind actually choose one but I recently read Emily Harper's My Sort-of, Kind-of Hero and although it isn't from right at the start (it is 131 pages in) a paragraph made me fall in love with the book, it has so much real feeling in it and it made me all warm and fuzzy inside. I know it's cheating a little but I don't care...here is that paragraph!

Because love isn’t about saying all the right things, or giving the perfect gifts. Love is about sharing something special with someone else that no one else will ever understand or can be a part of. Love is about sticking with someone when in that moment everything inside of you wants to bolt, and knowing that even though the other person could feel the same way they aren’t going anywhere either. Because you made a commitment to each other and that promise means something, even when you want to pretend it doesn't. Love is being able to stay in on a Friday night with a pizza and movie and know that there isn’t anywhere else you would rather be. Love is wanting to strangle someone one minute and then the second anyone else says something bad about them you defend them to your last dying breath.

Does it matter to you whether the author is male or female when you’re deciding on a book? What if you’re unsure of the author’s gender?

Nope not at all, I have read brilliant books of the same genre's by both male and female authors. My favourite authors are a mixture of male and female. It is not about the gender of the person that writes the book it is about how they make that book speak to you.

Ever read ahead? Or have you ever read the last page way before you got there?

Yes I have, some purely for the reason that I wasn't enjoying the book and some for the complete opposite that I am enjoying the book so much I can't help myself! I have only ever read the last page though I don't read ahead anymore than that.

&

Organized bookshelves, or outrageous bookshelves?

Not organised but just piled or stacked rather than just thrown on a shelf, although since moving out I haven't got a bookshelf anymore so now they are just piled on one shelf which is now bending in the middle, whoops!

Under oath: have you ever bought a book based on the cover (alone)?

I haven't bought it based on the cover alone but that's what makes us pick up books isn't it?! If we see a pretty cover? I will always check the blurb before buying a book though. If I am not looking for a particular book I will always look at the ones that catch my eye with pretty or interesting covers. That's why they are so pretty after all isn't it?

Take it outside to read, or stay in?

Take it outside as I am usually on the bus when I read, but I do love getting into bed with a book at the end of the day.

My Sort-of, Kind-of Hero by Emily Harper

Etty Lawrence is a bestselling romance author. At least- she would be if she could just get someone to read her books. Apparently, Amazon doesn t consider the 500 books purchased by your mother to be bestseller material. When Etty s given some simple advice from a friend- write what you know- she takes it to heart. But she's never been in love before, and she doesn't really have time to fall in love and write a novel at the same time. So, she convinces her slightly unwilling lifelong friend, Travis, to let her follow him around and witness real love, first hand. A third person memoir, if you will. Travis is the perfect hero for her story: he's funny, smart, and good looking; only there's one problem. He says all the wrong things. Does any girl really want to talk about the NHL trades? And his jokes would make a kindergarten class roll their eyes. But the worst part is, Travis's dates laugh at his corny jokes; the jokes he told Etty first. They touch his sweater; the sweater Etty bought him. And the way these women swoon and gush over him...they obviously aren't leading lady material. Now Etty has to take this love thing into her own hands if she has any hope of writing a bestseller that people other than her mother will buy.

I would first like to thank Emily for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, this is the first of Emily's books that I have read and it definitely won't be the last. I instantly fell in love with her writing style and the way she makes the characters jump off the page.

I loved the whole concept of this book, it is a brilliant idea having the main character in a book actually writing a book of their own, this gives you an insight to the world of writing and the trouble that it brings with it, the knockbacks, finding the perfect story etc.

This is the perfect chic-lit book, there is nothing unrealistic about the story and although as you go through the story you can kind of guess the ending it still in a way keeps you guessing (due to the fact that Etty is trying to make Travis fall in love with somebody else), but in no way does this make the story less enjoyable.

I loved Etty right from the start, she is such a likeable character and so relatable. She is a fun, twenty seven year old that is just trying to further her almost none existent career as an author. I really liked that she worked in a comic book store, it is a new genre (which is quite popular at the moment), that we don't normally find in this type of book. I really liked the relationship Etty had with all of the other characters especially, it really showed a strong family bond that was heart-warming to see and the way Emily writes the interactions between everyone really puts you in the novel.

What I loved about this book is that it was a romance but in a different way to the norm, there is no 'boy-meets-girl', it is a romance that shouldn't really happen as Etty is essentially not supposed to fall in love with Travis.

This book is full of fun and laughs and I would definitely recommend. I finished this book in a day and giggled the whole way through, it is the perfect summer read and I cannot wait to read more of Emily's novels.

Finding Brynn by Sky Greene

Most of Brynn's friends and family tell her she is crazy to leave everything and everyone behind to move 1200 miles from home just to try something new. She feels like she is being adventurous and wants a change from her boring Midwestern life. The only thing she wishes she could bring with her to Denver is Ned, her boy-toy turned serious boyfriend that her parents know nothing about.

Once in Denver, Brynn finds being 'adventurous' isn't as fun or easy as she expected. She's suddenly on the bad side of one of her grad school professors, she's just about out of money, and when she thinks things can’t get worse, Mother Nature wreaks havoc on her car. At least she has Kim, her new best friend that she met at school, to talk to about almost anything.

Brynn didn't anticipate meeting any guy that intrigues her, but Dave sure peaks her interest. She wants to explore if she is imagining a spark, or if there really is something there. But Ned...the sex with him is too good to just throw away, and they're making the long distance thing work...sort of. Ned? Dave? Is any of this really what she wants?

What Brynn thinks is essential in life changes drastically when she gets the call that causes her to get on the first plane home. Only then does Brynn realize what is truly important to her and what she wants in life.



Thank you to Sky Greene for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book and found myself hooked on it from just a few pages in. I finished this book in a day as it was so easy to read and the story just flowed.

It is a classic feel good chic-lit book, with some tears thrown in! We learn a lot about Brynn and her life right at the very start so this made me connect with her straight way. What I loved most about this book was that it really deals with long distance relationships and the emotion and strain that they bring. Although I have never been in one I feel as if I know now exactly how it feels and the pressure it puts on the two people involved. It is dealt with in such a realistic way and makes you feel like you are in the story and experiencing it yourself. I was very close to tears when the relationship between Brynn and Ned comes to an end because I put myself in the story so much, it felt like I was going through the break up! It just draws you in and the brilliant way the scene is written by Sky makes it so emotional.

There are a lot of will they won’t they moments along the way, will she stay with Ned, will she give up school to see him more, will she end up with Dave? Although the book was an easy read it kept you guessing right up until the very end and did eventually have a happy ending, which by that point you aren't sure if a happy ending is what will come! The story is left open at the end so I have my fingers crossed that Sky writes a follow on book!

The book definitely fits it’s title as Brynn definitely does find herself during this book and in the end realises what she really wants and should be doing in life. Although she is an adult we see her grow up a lot more throughout the book and she learns not to be so naïve when it comes to some things, this is really great to see as you feel for her and want her to see what is in front of her, I found my self wanting to shout out to her a lot whilst reading this book!

I would definitely recommend this book to chic-lit lovers for a quick and easy read, it would be a great book to take on your summer holiday with you. I cannot wait to read another of Sky’s books and be well and truly sucked in! She is on my list if I ever want a feel good, quick read.

Prime Deception by Carys Jones

John Quinn, an investigative journalist on England’s biggest-selling and most notorious tabloid newspaper, is about to write the story of his life – a kiss-and-tell with one of the country’s most powerful men at its heart. But the story dies when Lorna Thomas, the kiss in his kiss-and-tell, kills herself on a quiet country road.

Unable to accept her twin’s suicide, Laurie Thomas follows in her sister’s footsteps to London and to the heart of government. And as she becomes more involved in Lorna’s world, she grows more convinced than ever that Lorna did not take her own life. But if Lorna didn’t kill herself, who did?

Thank you to Carys for sending me a copy of this book for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book, I loved how descriptive Carys was when describing Charles at the start of the book, we get a really good insight into his life and thoughts. The story starts in a very calm way which was interesting as I was expecting the story to jump straight in at the scene of Lorna’s crash, but I think starting the story this way makes it so much more intriguing. We learn right at the start that Charles doesn't like his job as the Deputy Prime Minister, is in a loveless marriage and has been having an affair with his much younger secretary.

Without saying too much as no matter what I say I will give something away, the book is about a young woman, Lorna, the Deputy Prime Minister’s secretary, who has killed herself by driving her car at speed into a tree, or so say the police. However, Lorna had a secret, could it be one that caused her death? Her twin sister Laurie is convinced that she was killed and takes matters into her own hands to try to find out exactly what happened. The whole time you are reading this book you can’t help but try to work it out for yourself what could have actually happened. You do find out what happened at the end and if it is murder, is the murderer somebody you expect? Read the book to find out!

We find out a lot about Lorna and Laurie through the life of Laurie and the problems that she faces following her sisters death. She is devastated by her sister’s death and her parents shut her out as she reminds them too much of Lorna. I really felt sorry for her and really wanted to help her out!

My favourite character is definitely Laurie, I love how she takes matters into her own hands and really shows how much her sister means to her, it is really nice and reminds me of my sister and that we would do the same in this kind of situation. I felt a strong dislike towards Charles’ wife Elaine, she doesn't love her husband, just clings onto him for his job and the stability and just drapes herself in designer clothes.

I would definitely recommend anybody that likes a book that has your brain working overtime! I found it very difficult to put this book down, it is a short story which you can get through in no time. This book went through so many emotions, shock, excitement and sadness being the main ones! If this book is anything to go by I am definitely going to read more by Carys as I adore her writing style and the life she put into this book! This could definitely be a bestseller!

The Day of Destiny by Lavinia Collins

As Guinevere’s affair with Lancelot becomes public, Mordred forces Arthur’s hand and she is put to the pyre. Saved at the last minute by Lancelot, she is taken from Camelot to Joyous Guard, but before long Arthur gathers his armies to lay siege to the castle and begin a war that will threaten everything.



I absolutely adored the first two book’s in the Guinevere series so I was so excited when Lavinia kindly provided me with a copy of the final installment of the series!

I don’t know what I can say about this series that I haven’t already said but each book just gets better and better! I love this brand new take on a classic story and the strong female lead character is a refreshing new twist. I have fallen in love with Guinevere and how she deals with everything that happens in what is truly a man’s world, she has a strong personality which makes her just as powerful as the men in the story. I love her take on everything and how she deals with war and the physical and psychological pain that comes with it. We also get to see how she can love two people at the same time, I really loved the way Lavinia dealt with this in her writing and showed the emotion that comes with it.

I enjoyed this series much more than the original Arthur legends. The way Lavinia writes gives the story such depth and you feel all of the pain that the characters suffer and feel as if you are in the story with them. It is made so much more realistic than the original story and I think that is what gets you so hooked on it. I have never read a book that breathes the amount of real life into history the way that this does.

I cannot wait to see what Lavinia brings to us next, I know I will be the first in the hypothetical queue to read it! You don’t have to be a history lover or even have ever heard of the Arthur legends to read this book, I would recommend this to anybody that wants to read something a little different, an old story with a strong female character! I would give this book and the whole series all of the stars in the world if I could!

You can read my review of the previous in the Guinevere series, The Warrior Queen and A Champions Duty, here.

Cupcakes At Carrington's by Alexandra Brown

Georgie Hart loves her job–running the luxury handbag concession at Carrington’s Department store in the pretty seaside town of Mulberry Bay, and treating herself (once too often!) to a red velvet cupcake with buttercream icing in Carrington’s café.

But Georgie is thrown into disarray when Carrington’s is plunged into a recession-busting makeover, cueing the arrival of femme fatale Maxine, who wields the axe in her immaculately-manicured hands.

It spells a recipe for disaster for Georgie and soon she is fighting not only for her job, but also for the attentions of her gorgeous boss, James. And when hot newcomer Tom arrives, who may or may not be the best thing since sliced bread, Georgie must decide where her loyalties really lie…

I had very high expectations before reading this book due to seeing how much people love this and all of the other Carrington's books. It was definitely worth the read and deserved all the build up it gets, it is such a great book full of fun and laughs. I adored it!

What drew me into this book in the first place was the title! I love nothing more than a good cake and everything that was served in the café sounded so delicious and made me crave some cake! Although the book is not centered around the café as such, it is run by Georgie’s best friend Sam so it is the place where a lot of the chats, scheming and occasional badmouthing take place and it is a very fitting title for the book.

The story really gives you an insight into working in a department store and shows you that it is not as glamorous as it may seem, we all know and love them but never see beyond the products they are selling and the staff scattered around waiting to assist. I have never read a novel with this concept before (I’m not even sure if there are others), so this made it so interesting and intriguing. Alexandra keeps the story of the store flowing by adding twists along the way, especially when Maxine is introduced, she is employed to save the store from the economic decline, whilst scaring everybody into thinking they are losing their jobs. A lot of chic-lit books although great are predictable when it comes to the ending and I often find myself guessing what will happen, but I couldn't do this with this book, it kept you interested right until the last page and I wasn't even thinking about the ending because you couldn't even begin to guess.

I loved Georgie, she was so relatable and I found myself wanting to be her best friend. It is such a real book dealing with debt and the recession which I think makes you fall in love with this book even more as it is not set in a fantasy land where there are no troubles, it has real life problems that everybody is dealing with. I also loved Eddie, he is the gay best friend that every girl wants, he is so funny and loves a gossip but is a loyal friend to Georgie.

I absolutely adored Cupcakes at Carrington’s, it was such a fun, sweet and easy to read story that I haven’t been able to put down. This is the first book by Alexandra Brown that I have read but after reading this I am definitely going to read the rest of the Carrington’s books, she has a lovely, funny and intriguing style to her writing and with ease can make the reader hooked.

If you love relatable characters, cupcakes and designer handbags then this book is for you. I am going to read the next one as soon as possible!

The Book Worm Blog Tag

Do you remember how you developed a love for reading?

I don't know if it ever actually developed I think I've just always had a love for reading whether I embraced it or not but it definitely got started when my mum started taking me and my sister to the local library every Saturday!

Where do you usually read?

It depends if I've been to work or not but of a weekend it's the sofa and of a weekday it's on the bus or in bed of a night.

Do you prefer to read one book at a time or several at once?

Just one, I actually have 3 half read at the moment but I am only actually reading one, I always tell myself I will go back to the ones I have started but I hardly ever do :(

What is your favourite genre?

Chic-lit! What else?!

Do you have a favourite book?

I have two favourite books because no matter how hard I try I can't choose one, they are One Day by David Nicholls and The Fault In Our Stars by John Green.

What is your least favourite book?

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (sorry!)

What is the longest book you have ever read?

I'm not really sure probably Harry Potter.

What was the last book you bought?

You're The One That I Want by Giovanna Fletcher.

Do you prefer library books or buying books?

Buying because then I get to keep them but I never have money to buy them haha but never go to libraries anymore..

What are you currently reading?

Paper Towns by John Green.

Where do you buy your books?

Waterstones or Amazon.

Do you ever pre-order books?

I have done once I think.

How many books do you buy a month?

None, I try not to buy any but they aren't monthly purchases.

How do you feel about second hand charity shop books?

I never go in but I always mean to as the ones near to my house always have a lot of books in the window.

Do you keep your read and to-be-read books together?

Yes.

Do you plan to read all the books you own?

I'm trying!

What do you do with books you own that you know won’t be re-read?

Nothing, I just keep them unless I need to clear space like I did when I moved house, then I gave them away.

Have you ever donated books?

Yes.

Have you ever been on a book buying ban?

Yes. I’m on one pretty much permanently. I get sent a lot of books to review so I don't always need to buy books and I have a lot that I have bought and been gifted in the past so I'm fine for a while!

Do you think you own too many books?

Nooooo but in reality I probably do!

Forever growing TBR....

Does anybody else do what I do, buy lots of books and then before any of them are read buy even more, then get more for Christmas and birthday's, then end up with a huge pile of books all of which are unread and seem to take forever to get through? I am currently in this situation. I have books on my shelf that are almost a year old and still haven't been touched but even though I know I don't need anymore I can't help myself!!

Does anybody have any tips to get rid of my massive TBR before buying more books because I definitely need some help! (not that I can guarantee I'll listen :P)

A Champion's Duty by Lavinia Collins

The second stunning title in this fabulous, ground-breaking retelling of an epic story.

Feeling increasing trapped in Camelot, Guinevere finds solace in Lancelot and their illicit affair blossoms. But gossip grows in Arthur's court and only by accepting the quest for the Holy Grail can Lancelot place himself above suspicion. But in his absence will Guinevere survive the increasing danger she finds herself in from all around her, and will Arthur's love be enough to save her from harm?


Due to how much I LOVED the first book 'The Warrior Queen' Lavinia kindly sent me a copy of the second in the series and wow, it is just as good if not better than the first.

I don't know what I can say about this book except declare my undying love for it! I had high expectations when starting this book and I wasn't disappointed! It can be read as a stand alone novel as part of the trilogy and if I were you I would read the first before reading this because you will learn to love the characters and the story and by the time you are finished you will be dying to read this book.

We learn more about Guinevere and Lancelot in this book which is what I have been hoping for as I loved her in the first novel and was intrigued by Lancelot and wanted to know more about him. The fact that the story is written from Guinevere's point of you is what makes this book so amazing, she is still a powerful woman and character and always leaves you wanting more. The story although a hugely familiar one is made so much more interesting by the fact that it is told by Guinevere, we get a whole new perspective on everything that happened and it keeps you interested until the very end.

I would recommend this book to anybody whether you are familiar with the story or not. Lavinia is such a talented writer and I cannot wait to see what comes next. Bring on part 3!

You can read my review of the first book in The Guinevere Trilogy, The Warrior Queen here.

The Glow by Helen Whapshott

What would you do if you saw a ghost? Would you ignore it hoping it would fade away, or would you go up to it and see if it needed your help? When twelve year old Megan Webb discovers she has been gifted with The Glow, so called because it gives off a light, like a candle in a dimly lit room attracting ghosts, spirits, and others who belong to the supernatural and paranormal world, she has to learn to come to terms with seeing the world in a whole new way. And if this wasn't enough to deal with during the delicate years between childhood and adolescence, her parents makes the shocking decision to move her away from everything and everyone she knows to live in a creepy hotel inherited by a late aunt. But it isn't just the hotel that is creepy, the whole town seems a little odd until she makes friends with a strange boy, a Witch, and a chain-smoking spirit guide who help her adjust. Life couldn't get any more complicated … could it?

A big thank you to Helen for sending me a review copy of this wonderful novel! I loved it!

I finished The Glow in pretty much a day, it is so easy to get sucked into the story and such an easy read, it was fast paced and kept you hanging on and wondering what might happen next. The whole paranormal concept of the book is something completely new to me, I have never read anything like this before but I was not disappointed. Although it has the paranormal plot it still includes a lot of the traditional YA topics which I loved as it made the book relatable not just full of things that us ‘blands’ (you will have to read the book to know what that means) don’t understand.

Although the main character Megan is a lot younger than me I still found her relatable and the feelings she has when starting a new school etc, all reminded me of my first day at school and other early teen emotions. The way she acts in all of the situations that she is put in makes her seem so much older than she is, I think that’s what makes her relatable to anybody not just teenagers of her age.

I don’t know how Helen has done it but although it is a fantasy, paranormal book it feels real and nothing seems too far-fetched or made up! It is a mixture of a normal girl’s life and a strange unexpected power. The whole concept makes the book so much more imaginative, appealing and engaging.

It is a perfect quick read and if you are looking for some YA with a twist from the norm I would definitely pick this up! I can’t wait for the next in the series!

The Divorced Not Dead Workshop by CeCe Osgood

Divorced five years and recently dumped by Theo, Dorsey Bing brainstorms about a dating workshop for divorced people. Too bad she’s an idea person with zero follow-through. That changes when her pal, Pilar, sets up the workshop, puts herself in charge and gets Dorsey to be her “gofer.” Dorsey’s widowed stepfather Ralph, and his bride-to-be, Audrey, ask Dorsey to join their wedding cruise to Cabo, which will be held on the same weekend. Dorsey and Pilar nip that problem by holding the workshop during the cruise. But do things ever work out as planned. No. No, they don’t. 

Everything goes topsy-turvy with a startling mishap, rebellious workshop attendees and the arrival of Audrey’s good-looking but wily nephew Finn. More trouble comes with the unexpected re-appearance of Theo. Will Dorsey and Theo revive their relationship or will she discover Finn isn’t who she thinks he is? Facing failure and heartbreak, Dorsey must tackle her biggest challenge if she’s to win the love, and life, she’s always desired.

Thank you to CeCe for sending me a copy of this book for review. I really liked this novel, it was quick and easy to read and gave me a good giggle along the way. 

What I loved about this book is that it isn't like a lot of books where woman want to find 'Mr Right', it is simply about having the courage to get back out there after a divorce.

The whole book has a completely new concept to others I have read, you may usually find divorced woman living alone just seeing out the days, going on a few dates and then maybe finding a new man in a simple yet typical way. That's what makes the book stand out from the rest, Dorsey and her 2 best friends realise they are just divorced and not dead, creating the idea of the workshop for other divorced people. The story then goes from there and builds up into a great novel. I loved getting to know the different characters of the people that attended the workshop and the stories they had to tell. The characters are so well written which I think is the reason you get so hooked, it's crazy how you far through the book you get without realising.

I loved how Dorsey and her story is revealed throughout the book and you don't just learn everything right at the start, she is so easily relatable and I'm sure things that happen to her along the way have happened to us all! The things that CeCe writes references to make Dorsey so much more real. At times you feel like you are in the story with her. She definitely had to be my favourite character. This book was so funny I actually laughed out loud in some parts.

I am deliberately being very vague in this review as I want everybody to pick up a copy of this book, it is a perfect quick summer read that will get you hooked and leave you wanting more. This is CeCe's first novel and if it is anything to go by I cannot wait to read the next one.