Month: December 2025

Book Review: All Grown Up by Daisy Buchanan

Posted on by Libby Price

A few years ago I read a previous book by Daisy Buchanan called Insatiable which I thoroughly enjoyed, and when Net Galley had a new book by the same author, I was pleased to be granted an advance review copy (it’s out in June 2026 but can be pre ordered now).

Here’s the blurb:

“After thirty long years, Louisa’s daughters can finally look after themselves … or so she thinks.
Because suddenly, they’re back – apparently for good. Meg’s second-guessing her marriage. Jo’s career hangs in the balance. Amy has inexplicably quit university. None of them empty the dishwasher.
Louisa knows it’s time for some life lessons. She adores her girls, but if she’s ever going to get her (sex) life back, they’ll have to grow up – and go.
But maybe they’re not the only ones with lessons to learn… And Louisa might just discover that her daughters have something to teach her about being an adult too.“

I have to say I didn’t look closely at the cover of the book – so it was when I started reading it that I realised the names were familiar – and then when it became evident that the sister called Beth had died (not a spoiler, I promise!), I thought it must be connected to the famous Louise May Alcott book Little Women. Seemingly it’s a reimagining in modern day Manchester – but I’m not familiar enough with the classic book’s storylines to know just how close it is, but I suspect big fans of the OG Little Women will find even more Easter Eggs within in than I did.

Louisa is almost my age – it’s her 49th birthday at the start of the book – and so that made it easy to empathise with her in many ways. Also one of her daughters has a baby during the book – and my first Grandson was born as I was reading it – so that was a lovely thing to experience at the same time, and share the emotions of. And children not emptying the dishwasher unless they are asked to is top of my pet peeves according to my husband!

I really enjoyed the book and getting to know all of the March family and their friends and neighbours. It was a lovely read told from their different points of view. Sometimes the girls in particular were frustrating – but at the end of the day, they are all there for each other – just like in real life.

I did keep expecting there to be some graphic sex scenes (based purely on the previous book by the same author that I’d read, and that wasn’t the reason I’d requested the ARC, honestly!) and whilst there was a little bit, it felt much tamer – but completely appropriate to the storyline.

I thoroughly enjoyed it – and would recommend you pre order it ready for June. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for my ARC.

Book Review: The Truth About You and Me by Emma Cooper

Posted on by Libby Price

Having very much enjoyed previous books by Emma Cooper, I was delighted to be granted an advance review copy of her new book The Truth About You & Me. I actually read it before the publication date in November 2025 – but have been slow in reviewing it, sorry, but that does mean you can buy it instantly (and I recommend you do!)

Here’s the blurb:

“When two strangers find themselves locked in a cinema overnight, it could be the start of a perfect meet cute… but as Maggie is about to discover, real life is so much more complicated than fiction…
Every Friday, Maggie attends the last showing at her local indie cinema. Then one night, bookseller Jack goes to the same screening. These two strangers are about to fall in love – there’s just one complication: Jack knows nothing about Maggie. Maggie knows everything about Jack.
Over a series of Fridays, Maggie and Jack get to know each other, but the closer they grow, the bigger the secrets that could tear them in two. Because Maggie has a unique gift: with just the lightest touch, she knows exactly what someone is thinking. That’s how she knows how Jack’s picture-perfect life has fallen apart. And that she isn’t the total stranger he thinks she is.
Will she risk everything to tell him the truth – or is true love something that only happens in the movies?”

I really enjoyed this book. The ‘different’ side of it – with Maggie being able to know what people are thinking just by touching them – is woven into the story in clever ways. I’m not a huge ‘supernatural’ fan – but this felt really real and not far fetched.

I also really liked both Maggie and Jack as people. I’m not saying you have to like the protagonists to enjoy a book – in fact sometimes I thoroughly enjoy disliking someone – but in this case, I loved them both – and the surrounding cast of characters of their friends and family.

The book twists and turns and the storyline makes you want to carry on reading to see where everyone will end up.

I thoroughly enjoyed this rom-com of a book (meant in a good way – just like the rom-com films that Maggie and Jack discuss) and would thoroughly recommend it as a feel good read. It made me laugh and cry – which is always the sign of a good book.

A big thank you to Net Galley and Boldwood Books (I didn’t realise that Emma Cooper is now one of their authors, as I have a friend who is one of the publishing Directors there, but that has not coloured my judgement, as I loved this book anyway!)

Book Review: Private Lives by Emily Edwards

Posted on by Libby Price

I thoroughly enjoyed Emily Edwards’s previous book The Herd – so when I saw she had a new book out I was delighted to be granted an advance review copy. It actually came out in June 2025 (I’m just behind in my reading and subsequent reviewing) but at least that means if you like the sound of it you can order it immediately! Here’s the blurb:

“I thought I was inviting a friend over for a cup of tea. I had no idea I was opening the door to my worst nightmare.
The moment my husband saw her, it started. The look on his face. The silence that followed, before she hurriedly left. Signs that told me more than words ever could.
Then came the whispers. The whole town watching. Judging.
But it’s not what you think it is. It’s worse.
Because it’s not just my family with everything to lose here. And it’s only a matter of time before one of us does something we’ll regret. . . the question is, who’s going to get hurt first?
Some secrets end a marriage. Some ruin a reputation. Some bring a whole town crashing down.“

This book is EXCELLENT! Like The Herd it’s set in a comfortable middle class area – and all of the judgement that comes with that. The blurb doesn’t give much away – and I think you need to read it blind so the twists and turns come to you throughout. (This is not just an excuse for me not to write a detailed review, no, absolutely not at all!!!)

The lives of the families who are ‘friends’ and are intertwined with the local community are central to the story – and the characters are a real mix – some are likeable, some aren’t – but some change during the book. It’s so easy to see how it could unfold in real life – and I suspect most people can identify a friend or acquaintance who could take each role.

I’ve seen other reviews say this would be great for a book club to dissect – and I can completely agree with that – there’s a lot to discuss.

I would definitely recommend this as a real page turner to everyone. A huge thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for my ARC.

Book Review: They Had It Coming by Nikki Smith

Posted on by Libby Price

I’ve enjoyed previous books by Nikki Smith – set in exotic locations around the world – and when I saw her new novel was out and set in Bali, I requested and was granted an advance review copy (although it was out back in July 2025, so you can order it now if you like the sound of it). Here’s the blurb:

“Escape to Bali in this gripping new sunlounger thriller, for fans of Lucy Clarke and Ruth Ware.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer . . .
Nate and Layla, Jude and Sophie. They’ve been a four for as long as they can remember: fancy dinners, dancing ’til dawn . . . Even living and working together.
So when Nate and Layla suddenly quit their lives and move to Bali, with its white sands and exotic beach clubs, Jude and Sophie are their first visitors. Anything to escape their life in London.
But as the two couples reunite, cracks begin to show.
Which is hardly surprising; they’ve been lying to each other for years.
And now, it’s time for revenge.”

I have to say it took me a weirdly long time to get into the book – I kept forgetting which of the characters were couples, and which two had moved to Bali and which two still lived in London. I know that sounds odd – and I’m sure is completely my issue – but everyone seemed interchangeable – it was bizarre!

I didn’t particularly like any of the characters either – so all in all, I’m not really selling this well to you?!?

It was clearly evident that each of the characters was keeping secrets from the others – both their other halves and their friends – or should that be frenemies?!

The descriptions of Bali – and the touristy / non touristy bits was interesting (and made me crave some sunshine!)

The storyline was interesting and you wanted to see how it developed – but then there was this huge change towards the end and a part of the story was so different to the rest it was as if two books had been spliced together with seemingly no initial connection. All in all – a bit weird.

Whether this just got me at the wrong time – but it just wasn’t the book for me – sorry!

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for my ARC.

Book Review: A Cornish Legacy by Fern Britton

Posted on by Libby Price

Having enjoyed books by Fern Britton before, I realised I hadn’t read one of hers for ages – so I was delighted to be granted an advance review copy of A Cornish Legacy. However I was a bit slack with my TBR pile – so I’ve ended up reading it post publication (but at least that means you can purchase it immediately if you like the sound of it!) Here’s the blurb:

“Escape to Cornwall this summer with the new emotional and uplifting novel from Sunday Times #1 bestselling author Fern Britton.
Set by the wild Atlantic coast of Cornwall comes a story about finding home in the most unlikely places.
When Cordelia Jago learns she’s been left the crumbling manor house Wilder Hoo, perched high on the Cornish coast, she wonders if it’s one last cruel joke from beyond the grave.
Having already lost her marriage, her best friend and her career, she’s at rock-bottom. Now she’s inherited a house she hates, full of unhappy memories.
But as she fights with its echoing rooms and whispering shadows, the house begins to exert a pull on her. The wild Cornish landscape, the stark beauty of seagrass and yellow gorse against the deep blue sea, begin to awaken a connection she thought she’d buried forever.
Could she turn around this monstrous wreck of a house – and, along the way, let go of the secrets of the past and heal her heart too?“

Not only was I slack with reading this, I’ve then been even more slack in writing a review! The blurb gives you all of the background, and as you’d expect from a Fern Britton novel – it really evokes Cornwall, and is comforting like a big hug. I thoroughly enjoyed it and being transported to Wilder Hoo.

The dual timeline of the current experience of Delia inheriting the house – but then the back story of how she got there – are both well explored. The supporting cast of friends and family are well written and interesting.

A really lovely, escapist, simple read – perfect for my pre bed reading.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC. If you like the sound of it you can buy it right now!