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Book review: A Forest, Darkly by A.G. Slatter
Female rage is on the rise. We’re tired out and touched out and ready to tap out. I know I’m not alone amongst my friends in the occasional fantasy of retreating to an isolated cabin somewhere away from it all. In A.G. Slatter’s latest gothic folk horror novel, A Forest, Darkly, protagonist Mehab has done exactly this – she’s very satisfied living a solitary life in her veiled forest home. Except… it can maybe be a little lonely sometimes. And she does need a little bit of help getting things done, and some quiet company over the winter months doesn’t go astray (the scenes describing her creation of a companion…
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Review: Ghosted by Amy Hutton
Amy Hutton‘s previous two romcom novels, Sit, Stay, Love and Love from Scratch, are firm favourites of mine, so when I heard she was serving us up another swoony story, and this time with a spooky twist, I was onboard immediately. GHOSTED came out at the start of the month and I adored it – check out my review below the publisher’s synopsis. What is Amy Hutton’s Ghosted about? Banishing vengeful spirits from the mortal realm is Holly’s day job, but she’s never had to ghost anyone before – until Callum breaks her heart, making her wish she could exorcise her ex from her life. It’s been two years since…
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Book Review: The Set-Up Girl by Sasha Vey
I love a contemporary YA novel set in Australia – we have some incredible authors writing in this market and I’m always keeping my eye out for new ones to add to my must-read list. Given this, I was excited to receive an early copy of local author Sasha Vey’s debut YA novel The Set-Up Girl – from Allen & Unwin. No sooner had it arrived than my almost 12yr old snatched it up to read first (she loved it), and this week, in the lead up to the Canberra Writers Festival, it was finally my turn to sink into this gorgeous novel. Check out the synopsis, and then read…
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Review: The Paradise Heights Craft Store Stitch-Up by Kate Solly
I love crafting and I love books about women and their friendships, and I’m quite partial to a cosy mystery too, so picking up Kate Solly’s brand new novel, The Paradise Heights Craft Strore Stitch-Up was kind of a no brainer. This one was on my list this week of new books that I think will make perfect summer reads, and after whizzing through this one over a few of the lazy days between Christmas and New Year I stand by that! Check out the blurb from the publisher then scroll down for my thoughts below. What is Kate Solly’s The Paradise Heights Craft Store Stitch-Up about? Meet Fleck Parker:…
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Review: The Last Illusion of Paige White by Vanessa McCausland
One of my favourite things about attending book festivals and events is the opportunity to be exposed to a whole bunch of writers and books that I might not necessarily have picked up otherwise, for no other reason than the fact that there are just so many new books coming out all the time. Every time I attend an event I invariably end up with entire backlists of work by new-to-me authors added to my to be read list. This was the case a little while ago when saw Vanessa McCausland on a panel at the Northern Beaches Readers Festival – the discussion was so fun and interesting that when…
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Review: The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart by Holly Ringland
Holly Ringland’s novels have been on my tbr pretty much since they were first published and – as is often the case – they just hadn’t quite made it to the top yet. I decided The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding, with its Australia/Denmark connection would be perfect reading for our trip earlier in the year. Obviously that is a review for another post but suffice to say I was absolutely blown away and picked up The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart almost immediately when we arrived home. Have a quick look at the blurb for the book, then check out my review below. What is Holly Ringland’s The Lost…
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Review: The Silence Factory by Bridget Collins
I really tossed up whether to share my review of this one here, because I really like to focus on books that I want to rave about and, as you’ll see if you read on below, this one just missed the mark a bit for me. I decided that in the spirit of transparency, and maybe vulnerability, I wanted to try and articulate what it was that did and didn’t work for me. I also think there are plenty of elements in here that might appeal to other readers. I’d love to know if you read my review whether any of this resonates for you too! I’m going to pop…
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Book Review: Wallaby Lane by Maya Linnell
The arrival of a brand new novel from Maya Linnell is always an exciting event, and this year it was exactly what I needed to cheer me up the week we returned from our overseas holiday. I devoured this sweet slice of rural romance so quickly, and it hit the mark perfectly on all the things I love about Maya’s novels. As always, the publisher’s blurb is below and you can find my thoughts underneath that. What is Maya Linnell’s Wallaby Lane about? From interviewing local flower growers to receiving blue ribbons for her show baking, Lauren Bickford’s genuine love for her hometown is almost as strong as her ambition to become…
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Book Review :: Psykhe by Kate Forsyth
A new release from Kate Forsyth is always cause for celebration and I was super excited to get into her latest new release, Psykhe. I’ve been building my knowledge of Greek myth through feminist retellings that centre the women who have historically been side characters in these stories and, since Kate is one of my favourite storytellers, this release felt like an extra special treat. I’ve popped my thoughts below the synopsis. Synopsis of Psykhe by Kate Forsyth It is not wise to anger the gods … or to fall in love with one. Psykhe has always been different. Fair as Venus, the goddess of love, and with the hard-won…
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#LOVEOZYA Book Review: DARK HEIR by C.S. Pascat
I’ve been busting for the release of Dark Heir since the moment I finished Dark Rise. I did a reread of Dark Rise to be ready for the sequel, and honestly I don’t understand why more people aren’t talking about this series! It’s just so perfect! I don’t want to share more about Dark Heir here because of spoilers, but you can find out more here, and I have shared the synopsis of Dark Rise below – I recommend everyone pick this up ASAP and then come back and let me know so we can talk about it! Synopsis of Dark Rise by C.S. Pascat The ancient world of magic is no more. Its heroes are…
