Reading

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!

Book Review: Am I Having Fun Now? by Suzi Ruffell

Posted on by Libby Price

A couple of years ago a friend recommended the podcast ‘Like Minded Friends’ with Tom Allen and Suzi Ruffell – saying it was a really lovely calming podcast, listening to two friends chat away. I started listening – and have been a fan ever since. The podcast started way back in October 2015 (before the whole world and his – or her – wife had a podcast) and whilst Tom and Suzi are both gay, and lots of listeners are members of the LGBTQ+ community – it is also for allies, which I would consider myself to be.

Suzi had mentioned on the pod about the book she was writing – and way back before it’s release I requested an advance review copy from Net Galley. I didn’t hear anything back – and was busy reading other books – so didn’t really worry, but then randomly, a couple of months after publication, I was sent a copy.

Here is the blurb:

“Does peaking in high school ruin you for life?
Was Miley Cyrus right, is it all about the climb (when it comes to building a career?)
And what – scientifically – is the best way to mend a broken heart?
Comedian Suzi Ruffell is considering life’s big questions.In this brutally honest, funny, and often moving memoir, Suzi winningly tells her life story, and asks a host of experts to answer the tricky questions it prompts along the way. Diamond life advice comes from the likes of Elizabeth Day, Dolly Alderton, Charlene Douglas, Laura Bates, Dr Kirren Schnack, and more.From masking anxiety with musical theatre and struggling to find her groove at school, on stage, and in her love life, to (eventually) coming out, falling in love, and becoming a parent, Suzi lays her life bare with trademark wit, verve and style. Am I Having Fun Now? is riveting, relatable and revealing. Studded with brilliant, cutting observations on feminism, being working class in the world of arts and comedy, LGBTQ+ equality and the up- and downsides of ambition, it’s perfect reading for fans of books by Fern Brady, Sarah Pascoe, Elizabeth Day and Tom Allen.”

I feel like I ‘know’ Suzi – listening to her chat to Tom every week – and so really enjoyed hearing more of her story – although I did feel familiar with lots of the other protagonists – Anne Ruffell, Alice etc #clang

Whilst the book tells Suzi’s life story to date – it does it by looking at big important life questions, it’s not a chronological autobiography (although does roughly follow Suzi’s life timeline). At the end of each chapter Suzi talks to a specific ‘expert’ about the topic covered – this gave it it a bit more ‘weight’ and thought than some celebrity memoirs.

As you would expect from a book written by a stand up comedian – some of it is really funny – but it is also thought provoking and interesting too.

A big thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for my review copy – albeit not advanced!

Book Review: Still Falling For You by Holly Miller

Posted on by Libby Price

Having enjoyed previous books by Holly Miller (although not for a few years, so I think I may have missed some of her back catalogue) I was delighted to be granted an advance review copy of her new book – out in February 2026. Here is the blurb:

“THEY SAY TRUE LOVE LASTS FOREVER. BUT WHAT IF IT REALLY COULD?
Josh is 18. Rachel is 18.
From the first night they meet as freshers, Rachel and Josh know they are meant to be. An electric connection quickly blossoms into plans to spend the rest of their lives together.
Josh is 29. Rachel is 29.
Inexplicably, none of the men in Josh’s family has lived past the age of thirty. As the fateful birthday approaches, Josh is wracked with fears: of his own death, and of leaving Rachel alone in this world.
So when a genius scientist offers him a radical new treatment – which might just save Josh’s future with Rachel – how can he possibly say no?
Josh is 29. Rachel is 31.
Rachel wanted nothing more than to grow old with her soulmate, surrounded by the family they longed for. Now, faced with the impossibility of that dream, she has a heartbreaking choice to make. Does the pursuit of happiness mean more to her than true love?”

OOh- this is good – and with an interesting premise that I really liked, and was beautifully explored and well written – but I don’t feel I can say too much without there being spoilers – and we all know I loathe a book review with spoilers in it!!

Rachel and Josh are just a few years older than me (at the start of the book anyway!) and so their reference points at Uni and getting married are similar to mine. The timeline starts in the late 80s – and goes through present day into the near future. Whilst a lot of the book looks at the relationship between Josh and Rachel – wider family and friends and those relationships are also explored – and how such relationships evolve over time.

You have to have an element of suspending disbelief over the ‘radical new treatment’ referred to in the blurb – but it does prompt lots of things to think about.

The book is thought provoking and emotional and makes you consider your own mortality and ageing. Overall I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for my ARC. You can pre order Still Falling For You now ready for it’s release early next year.

Book Review: This Book Made Me Think Of You by Libby Page

Posted on by Libby Price

Having enjoyed previous books by Libby Page, I was delighted to be granted an advance review copy of her next book, due out in January 2026 (but available for pre order now if you like the sound of it!) Here’s the blurb:

“Twelve stories. Twelve months. Once chance to heal her heart . . .
When Tilly Nightingale receives a call telling her there’s a birthday gift from her fiancé waiting for her at her local bookshop, it couldn’t come as more of a shock. Partly because she can’t remember the last time she read a book for pleasure. Mainly because Joe died five months ago . . .The gift is simple – twelve carefully-chosen books from Joe, one for each month, to help her turn the page on her first year without him.
Tilly sets out on a series of reading-inspired adventures that take her around the world. But as she begins to vlog her journey, her story becomes more than her own. With help from Alfie, the bookshop owner, her budding new following and her friends and family, can Tilly’s year of books show her how to love again?”

This book is so lovely – and quite emotional – you really feel for what Tilly / Matilda is going through having lost her husband, Joe, a few months before. Whilst he wasn’t a book lover – he fully appreciated that Tilly was and set up this wonderful plan to give her a new book each month. The start of each chapter also has the book shop’s recommendation for the coming month too (and I loved that there were a mixture of books I had and hadn’t already read).

The thought that Joe has put into each month is really lovely – and you see how Tilly grows and changes over the year. There are flashbacks to Tilly’s life with Joe – and her relationships with family and friends (old and new) are also evolving. Clearly grief is an important issue throughout the book – and at times it was incredibly moving (quite embarrassingly I ended up snotty sobbing at the end whilst my daughter and her friend enjoyed splashing around at an Aqua Park!)

Whilst the book is primarily set in London – there are trips to Bali, Italy, Paris and New York – and each setting is described beautifully. Escaping metaphorically into the pages of a book, as well as escaping physically to other parts of the world are cleverly compared and contrasted.

The book also describes the importance of a physical book shop – and the difficulties they have to survive in an era of online purchasing. To be honest I think it’s the same for many independent shops on our high street nowadays – so let’s try and support them whenever we can!

One premise of the storyline is clearly a love for books. I love it when people recommend books to me – or send me book post – it’s so thoughtful (although when I sent a friend a book I thought she’d like, she didn’t see the gift note, and thought she’d been drunk shopping on the internet!!!)

Overall it’s another triumph for Libby Page – she writes such beautiful, emotive books – I’d definitely recommend pre ordering (maybe from your local bookshop) for when this is out in January 2026.

A big thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for my ARC.

Book Review: One of Us by Elizabeth Day

Posted on by Libby Price

I always enjoy Elizabeth Day’s books, both fiction and non fiction, and when I saw she’d written a sequel to The Party, I was delighted to be granted an advance review copy from Net Galley. Here’s the blurb:

“In this compulsive story of betrayal, old bonds and buried scandals, one British establishment family comes face to face with the consequences of privilege and the true cost of power.
Martin and Ben were friends for decades ― best friends, Martin would have said ― before the terrible events at Ben’s 40th birthday party tore them apart. So when Martin receives a surprise invitation back into the inner sanctum of the dazzling Fitzmaurice family after seven years of silence, he can’t resist the chance to get his revenge.
Ben has risen through the ranks of power, and is now touted as the next Prime Minister. But Martin can’t help but notice certain flies in the ointment… Ben’s wife, Serena, for instance, whose privileged existence is beginning to feel like a gilded cage. Or their daughter, Cosima, an environmental activist fighting against everything her parents once stood for. Or the disgraced MP Richard Take, determined to make his big comeback. And then there’s Fliss, the Fitzmaurice black sheep, whose untimely death sparks more suspicion than closure. Through their intertwined stories, we see a family – and a nation – unravelling under the weight of its secrets.
With everyone watching, the stage is set for a reckoning. It’s time for Martin and Ben to confront what love truly means when everything―family, power, and loyalty―is on the line.”

Having said in the opening sentence that I was excited this was a sequel to The Party, I’d then forgotten about this before starting it – and so I hadn’t read back the synopsis of the initial book in the series – and I actually think this would stand alone as a book – as the relevant elements of the back story are explained in summary as and when required – but equally it was interesting to revisit old ‘friends’.

The book is told from multiple points of view – and I quite like that, as it keeps momentum – and you see different ‘takes’ on the same situation.

There were lots of unlikeable characters in the book – and seeing how their unpleasantness interacted and unfolded was interesting! I fundamentally liked both Martin and Cosima – although they could have done with a good talking to sometimes.

Whilst the main threads of family, power and loyalty are fairly timeless – this did feel like a book of the moment with regards to politics, sexual politics and environmental issues all thrown in.

I always feel that a lot of care and attention has been made in both the writing – and editing – of Elizabeth’s books – it’s incredibly unusual to find a typo / grammar / continuity error – and I was not disappointed.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed ‘One Of Us’ and would definitely recommend you pre order before it’s release in late September 2025.

A big thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for my ARC.

Book Review: A Month In The Country by J L Carr

Posted on by Libby Price

I have mentioned my love of ‘The Rest Is Entertainment’ podcast before, and recently read one of Marina’s book recommendations, and now it’s Richard’s turn. He recommended A Month In The Country when specifically short novels were being discussed – but has reiterated his love of the book subsequently. Here’s the blurb (although I have to say I didn’t read it – as ‘recommended by Richard Osnam’ was enough for me!):

“One summer, just after the Great War, Tom Birkin, a demobbed soldier, arrives in the village of Oxgodby. He has been invited to uncover and restore a medieval wall painting in the local church. At the same time, Charles Moon – a fellow damaged survivor of the war – has been asked to locate the grave of a village ancestor. As these two outsiders go about their work of recovery, they form a bond, but they also stir up long dormant passions within the village. What Berkin discovers here will stay with him for the rest of his life . . .”

This book is lovely – Richard was not wrong! It is written beautifully and is really evocative of the location and situations Birkin and Moon find themselves in They’ve clearly both had an awful time during the First World War and are now pursuing interesting new careers. Whilst quite serious in places – there were also really funny moments too. It felt like a comfortable, Sunday night escapist drama – with beautiful prose thrown in.

The supporting cast of characters in Oxgodby are fabulous – particular favourites are the Station Master’s family who really take Tom under their wing. The vicar’s wife is also intriguing.

I also like the fact that as Mr Osman said himself, if you recommend a short book and someone else doesn’t like it – it’s not the end of the world. (As I’ve definitely said before, some friends I don’t think will ever forgive me for my The Goldfinch recommendation…………..)

Book Review: The Accidental Soldier by Owain Mulligan

Posted on by Libby Price

I have mentioned before my love of the podcast The Rest Is Entertainment with Marina Hyde and Richard Osman. I enjoy their recommendations of entertainment delights that may not have previously hit my radar. In this instance, it was a book called The Accidental Soldier by Owain Mulligan – here’s some more information about it:

Book Description
A searingly honest and darkly funny account of what it was really like being in the British Army in Iraq (including all the bits they probably hoped you’d never find out).

About the Author
Born in London in 1982, Owain Mulligan grew up in the UK and Germany, read history at Oxford, followed by about eleven minutes as north London’s worst teacher before mobilisation with the Territorial Army for a tour of Iraq in 2006. He then spent 3 years in government service, before rejoining the Army in 2010 for 18 months’ language training and two tours of Afghanistan attached to UK Special Forces. He completed an MBA in 2014 and has spent the last 10 years as a management consultant. He lives in London with his wife and two children, who make Iraq and Afghanistan seem like an afternoon at the bowls.

Review
This book is absolutely incredible. It made me laugh more than any book in so many years. I found the writing just so unbelievably brilliant and hilarious and affecting. I realised it was brilliant within three or four pages. I am crazy about it as you can see! ― Marina Hyde

I loved it . . . relentlessly funny and really well written ― John Oliver

Authentic and compulsive ― Richard E. Grant

A fascinating insight into the often farcical chaos and catastrophe of war. Reads like a non-fiction Catch-22. Compelling, enlightening and bleakly funny. A jaw-dropping read. ― Matt Haig

An instant classic – a deeply funny and mordant book about war. ― Richard Curtis

In a time of global conflict, The Accidental Soldier catapults you into the heart of active duty. Terrifying, exhilarating, life-shattering and profoundly sobering, Mulligan takes you through the clumsy brutality and “raging bin-fire” of war, witnessing the quiet heroism of its foot soldiers. This book is a fitting and vital memorial to all those lost. I could not put it down. — Abi Morgan

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from the start. It’s really well written – and in a self deprecating and amusing style from the off. The descriptions of life in Iraq are brilliant – and the camaraderie between the soldiers is great. A family member was also involved in similar tours – although not quite as front line – but it really brought it to life for me, and reminded me of things I’d forgotten (like complete radio silence when there had been a death, so that the family of the victim could be notified before it was accidentally revealed by someone else).

I loved the insights into regular Army vs Territorial Army life (in the acronyms beloved of the British Armed Services, the author was known as a STAB – Stupid Territorial Army B*stard!) and the way the showing / sharing of emotions were shown between the soldiers.

It was witty and warm – but equally very moving at times, and eloquently portrayed some of the frustrations of the people on the ground with the decision makers higher up the ranks.

I don’t often read non fiction – but am delighted Marina pointed me in the direction of this fabulous book.

Book Review: Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley

Posted on by Libby Price

I saw ‘Deep Cuts’ recommended as a debut novel of the year in Red Magazine – so was delighted to be granted an advance review copy by NetGalley. Here’s the blurb:

“The first time Joe plays Percy one of his songs in his college room in 2000, she instantly realises three things:
One, she is watching a star in the making.
Two, she can shape his music into something extraordinary.
Three, she will always be on the sidelines.
She swallows her jealousy and throws herself into collaboration, transforming Joe’s songs into indie hits with her blistering critiques.
But there’s an undercurrent to the music they’re making – something undeniably electric, hurtling towards love. And then, almost inevitably, towards heartbreak.
As Joe steps into the spotlight, can Percy bear to watch on in silence?
And can he exist there without her?
Deep Cuts is an irresistible novel about passion and obsession, love and longing and, above all, our need to be heard.“

The book starts with Percy and Joe at college. I wouldn’t say it’s immediately obvious when this is – until the musical references start (and 9/11 happens during the timeline of the book). I have to say it made me feel a bit uneducated about the late 90s early 2000s music scene – I knew some of the bands references – such a No Doubt – and whilst I could name you their commercially successful tracks like ‘Don’t Speak’ or ‘Just A Girl’ – the book focussed on more obscure tracks. This happened for many of the referenced artists – and perhaps someone a bit more nerdy about music than me, and maybe slightly younger, would have enjoyed that, I was spent wondering if they were real tracks or made up specifically for the book.

Each time you revisit Percy and Joe, or Percy and not Joe, you’re left wondering if they will get together. Both have other partners throughout the book too – but you always feel like they’re ‘the one that got away’ for each other.

You really feel Percy growing up over the course of the book – getting older, if not necessarily wiser – and the different US locations are well described, and fit well with Percy’s various circumstances.

I’d read a review that said Deep Cuts was ideal for fans of Daisy Jones and the Six – and I can see the reference point music wise, similar it’s been likened to ‘One Day’ – and with the main characters meeting up over a long timeline – I can also see that comparison (albeit Percy and Joe aren’t meeting on the same day each year).

Overall I enjoyed the book – but I wonder if I am slightly too old to LOVE it. I also wonder if I had super high expectations as it had been described as THE debut novel of 2025. A good read, particularly if you’re a music fan – and out tomorrow (13 March 2025) if you like the sound of it.

Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for my ARC.

Book Review: Wives Like Us by Plum Sykes

Posted on by Libby Price

“No one knows better than Ian Palmer – Executive Butler – that social position is everything in the rose-strewn Cotswolds.
So when his boss, Tata Hawkins, flounces out of her (new-build) manor house after a row with husband Bryan, Ian is alarmed: for one thing, if Tata is on the social slide downwards, that means he is too; for another, he’s lost his home and has nowhere to store his prized collection of vintage Gucci loafers; even worse, a vacuum among the Country Princess set has opened up for a new Queen Bee.
With the old-money Pennybacker-Hoare sisters plotting to rid ‘their’ county of Tata and her ilk, a bikini influencer on the prowl for a husband just like Mr. Hawkins, a glamorous American divorcee threatening to steal Tata’s crown, and the heiress-next-door threatening to steal Ian, the Cotswolds are in chaos.
Can Ian restore Tata’s country crown and reinstate her to the comforts of the Manor?”

I’ve not read any of Plum Sykes’s previous books – but I liked the sound of this on Net Galley and was granted an advance review copy as Net Galley said it was to be published in June 2025 – however it would appear that it’s actually already out! (I suspect it might be a geographical issue and I’ve read a version destined for another territory??)

The book has real ‘Rivals’ vibes (one of THE TV shows of 2024, based upon the classic 1980s novel by Jilly Cooper) although this is set in current times in the Cotswolds rather than 40 years ago. Initially there are a lot of different characters and I found it a little bit confusing as to who was connected to whom – but after a while I got into the swing of it.

I really liked Ian from the start, he reminded me of Gary the bag man in the TV show VEEP, always one step ahead of knowing what his client needs. Tata was a bit of a drama queen – but not dislikeable.

I have kids who move in horsey circles, and some of the descriptions of that set were perfectly written – and similarly the private school sports activities! (Although my experiences are over the border in Worcestershire rather than Gloucestershire)

There was lots of name dropping and label dropping – and the storyline doesn’t have a huge amount of substance but this is a fun and fluffy, escapist read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it for all of those reasons. A huge thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for my review copy – be it advanced or not!

Book Review: The Island Getaway by Lucy Diamond

Posted on by Libby Price

Having thoroughly enjoyed previous books by Lucy Diamond, I was delighted to be granted an advance review copy of her new book – The Island Getaway, which is published in January 2025. Here’s the blurb:

“The Island Getaway is a big-hearted novel from the queen of bestselling fiction, celebrating second chances, true love and the life-affirming joy of unlikely friendships.
The dream holiday just got complicated . . .
On the sun-drenched island of Kefalonia, the new arrivals at The Ionian Escape hotel are hoping for a break from everyday life. But some of them are bringing a lot of baggage . . .
Disgraced TV star Miranda Vallance feels like the worst person in the world. Her sister won’t speak to her and her job’s on the line. She’s desperate to put things right but how?
Eighty-two-year-old Evelyn Chambers has come to the Greek Islands to fulfil a promise to the love of her life. If she can steel herself to go through with it, that is . . .
And when celebrity chef Frank Neale checks in, rumours swirl around the hotel. But is it his wife, Leonora, who has more of a reason to escape to Greece?“

I started reading this having just returned from Greece – and it was wonderful to escape back to the sunshine! There’s a mix of characters all with back stories and all of whom are really different and written beautifully. I imagined Miranda to look exactly like Hannah Waddingham for some reason, whilst Evelyn was pure Iris Apfel!

The stories all intertwine – with flashbacks to the 1980s that you realise must be connected – but it takes a while to unravel the connections.

It covers a huge cross section of topics – from first love, sibling rivalry, later life relationships, coercive control – but all wrapped up in a stunning location.

It was a beautiful escapist read – which made me smile and cry!

A big thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for my ARC – I’d recommend pre ordering for a sunshine escape in the depths of January gloom.