The Little Library Project

There's something about reading a Christmas book in the middle of the year that just feels... a little different. But that's what I did guys. For you.  One Christmas Morning is a gorgeous treat of a book that will have you crying, gasping and smiling.  Wrapped up in the launch of her new business, Eva is in the Cornish countryside for Christmas with her husband and some of her closest friends. But after 3 years of throwing herself into the business, she's a world apart and there is so much that hangs in the balance. Her very own Ghost of Christmas Present is there for her though, showing her what she's missing out on. But is it too late? I have no doubt that this book is going to be a hit this Christmas. Everyone is guilty of upending that work/life balance occasionally and this book really does bring home the message that there is so much more to life. 

I’m going to precede  all of this by saying I LOVED The Night Circus. It pretty much became my entire personality for a while because I loved it so much and I received my copy of The Starless Sea as soon as it came out in 2019. I picked it up to read it as soon as my grubby little hands could get hold of it.   But I DNF’d it.   About 40 pages in, I couldn’t work out what the hell was going on and I put it straight back down. And I was gutted because everything about the plot screamed LOVE ME to me.   I didn’t get rid of my copy; it’s a gorgeous book and I knew that at some point, it would be the right time for me to read it. It has sat on my shelf for so long. It’s moved around countless houses. It has changed post codes.   And last week, I thought – it might be time.   Again, 40 pages in, I didn’t have a clue what was going on. But I haven’t DNF’d a book yet this year and I wasn’t about to start. So I continued.   About 150 pages...

  When I say that Kindle Unlimited has changed my life, it is NOT an exaggeration. It has opened up a world of books that I had no idea existed and I just cannot believe what I have been missing out on.   It’s only been a few months but I have read a ridiculous amount of books from there already. And the one that sticks out for me the most? The Words.   I think I found this one on TikTok – I’d never her of Ashley Jade and this certainly wouldn’t have been a book I picked up without recommendation because this kind of cover is not the one for me.   But within a few pages I was so hooked.   I have no shame in admitting that if I was to admit to a weakness – it is tortured musician. My best friend will willingly regale anyone with stories of my ill-fated romances with guitarists, bassists or singers. So this book SPOKE to me.   Told in two person POV, The Words follows Lennon and Phoenix; from their days in high school, through to four years later, when Lennon...

  Whilst you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover, I definitely picked this one up purely because of its gorgeous dust-jacket. I knew nothing about it other than the fact it looks dark.   Was I prepared for a dark-academia mystery/thriller? Definitely not. Do I regret it? Not one bit.   Ann is working at The Cloisters, part of The Met in New York and is assigned to work with an esteemed curator who is looking to publish evidence that Tarot has always been, and can be used for fortune telling.   Given the authors background, its no surprise that there were quite a few references that went over my head, but with a love of Tarot, I enjoyed it all the same.   The drive of the characters for not just finding the answers, but being recognised for them was extremely well thought out and I thoroughly enjoyed the intensity of the final few chapters.     If you have an interest in Tarot or divination, I’d highly recommend this book. It’ll ins...

  Tessa Bailey is a bit of a Queen when it comes to smutty rom-com and I was so excited to read Secretly Yours. I’ve read a few of her more recent books and I must say, they always deliver.   This one had grumpy/sunshine down to perfection and I’m excited for Unfortunately Yours when it comes out later this year.   Hallie is a gardener who leave chaos in her wake; whether it’s running to her own personal and uncoordinated work schedule, or stealing cheese from an unwelcome wine tasting business. Harbouring a crush on Julian; the heir to the local vineyard since school, she devises a plan that allows her to see him again when he comes back to town to write his novel.   With no memory of Hallie whatsoever, Julian is forever asking why on earth this unorganised and flakey woman has been sent to disrupt his highly scheduled and very precise life.   There were a couple of plot points that I found to be unbelievable but it didn’t ruin the story for me. Everyone needs ...

Ahead of reading Happy Place, I wanted to catch up on Emily Henry’s back catalogue and the last one for me to read was You and Me on Vacation. Thanks to Waterstones Double Points last bank holiday – I grabbed a copy to add to my collection and I couldn’t resist jumping int it as soon as I could.   12 years ago, Poppy and Alex met in their first years at University and made a promise to go on vacation together every year. But two years ago their trip to Croatia took a turn and since then, they haven’t spoke beyond the customary “Happy Birthday” texts.   But Poppy is in a slump. Reaching her end goal as a travel writer for an exclusive magazine, her adventures aren’t quite ticking the boxes they used to. She decides to reach out to Alex to see if they could reinstate their summer vacation and get back to her roots.   Having read Henry’s books in pretty much, a reverse order – it was interesting to see her writing style go back to the beginnings. I adored Book Lovers and Bea...

  I’ve known of T.J Klune’s books for while but had yet to read any. When I saw his latest release, Under The Whispering Door available for discount on Kindle, I picked it up without hesitation and took it along with me for our holiday in Cornwall.   Wallace isn’t a great person. He’s not a bad person; he has never killed anyone but he could definitely have been a better person to others. When he’s collected from his own funeral by a Reaper, he finds himself as Charon’s Crossing, very much confused and upset that his life is over so quickly.   I’ve seen this book listed as Cosy-Fantasy but I’m not quite sure that it fits.   For me, personally; I’m quite sensitive about death. It scares me, makes me feel anxious and I have been known to have sleepless nights laid awake panicking that I don’t have enough time to do everything I want to do with my life.   What is done very well in this book, is provide a different view point and of course, a differe...

  When I bought this book a couple of months ago, I hadn't realised that it was a book that had sat on my TBR list for a few years. That's when you know a book is going to be right for you! As part of my effort to work my way through my physical TBR, I picked it up for the bank holiday and immediately got lost in the history of P T Barnum and his museum of curiosities.  Unlike the masses, I wasn't quite as hooked on The Greatest Showman when it came out; whilst I appreciate the film and everything it encompassed, it was a classic case of Hollywood putting a positive spin on an otherwise dark history.  The Mermaid tells the story of a mermaid who choses to join Barnums exhibition so she can fund her dreams to see the world.  Adding a fantasy element to the Fiji Mermaid hoax that Barnum was the ringleader of, the story approaches a number of subjects tactfully. Firstly, the Mermaid, Amelia, is not always allowed the freedom she signed up for and the religious zealots o...

  I have no shame in admitting that I have been in constant pursuit of the ACOTAR-vibe since reading the series back in October. It was such an immersive series that I couldn't help but be lowkey obsessed and I've struggled to find anything that gives me similar feels since.  Thankfully, with my trusted Kindle Unlimited subscription, I've been able to sample a fair few series since and whilst they've been great - they haven't quite hit the mark.  Well, The Mist King series definitely comes pretty damn close. Fae - CHECK Series - CHECK 400+ page reads - CHECK Fated Mates - CHECK Smut - CHECK War - CHECK It's all there.  For me personally, the characters aren't written quite as well as I'd like. I want to hate some, I want to love some, but they lack the depth to really become invested in them.  But the twists and turns in the plot definitely make up for it.  I'd highly recommend this to fans of fantasy romance. There is a fourth (and final) book due o...

  If there's one thing I'm a sucker for, it's a Beauty and the Beast retelling and this, was stunning. The fairytale has always been my favourite and everytime I see a new version I'm guaranteed to add it to my To Be Read or buy it straight away. I can't help myself.  Told from the Beasts perspective, the insight into what brought him to the point where Isabeau (Belle) is introduced into his life.  Firstly, we learn about the years following the curse when he is learning about his new self.  "I did not know if I was a beast who dreamed of being a man, or a man who dreamed he was a beast" The isolation and introspection that he goes through in those years is wonderfully written. The whole book is extremely poetic in it's writing but this part especially was stunning.  There is no dialogue in the first few chapters, allowing the reader to truly feel that alone with just The Beasts thoughts.  I don't believe it's possible for anyone to not know th...

The Illusions is a brilliant tale set at the turn of the 20th century, when magical illusions were still famed in their novelty and moving pictures were finding their feet. A great magician is retiring and naming his successor, but as the show is threatened by a rival performer, an unlikely troop of magicians and inventors work together to fulfil the legacy. I found this book a challenge - whilst the story was clearly told for each of the characters clearly, the story took a while to develop. I loved Eadie's character, and Cecily was a force to be reckoned with in the end but I felt like more could have been developed in the feminist element of the story. Overall, it was a great premise for a story and it was told well - but it was a little slower paced than I tend to steer towards.

It was so refreshing to read a thriller that didn't follow the standard Whodunnit format! Whilst Black Thorn has the staple elements that every murder mystery needs, the premise of the book - a shiny new housing estate that's evacuated created plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing as to who the true culprit was. It was an easy to read book with a diverse range of characters that allowed the author to touch on a few societal issues and it was all handled extremely tactfully. A brilliant read that I'm sure will be a success.

  Since reading The Night Circus and Caraval books years ago, I'm been on the hunt for another Circus based story to get into and this one absolutely delivered. The First Bright Thing is set in the roaring twenties, when the world is settling back down after the devastating First World War and Rin is travelling America with her troop of performers. But this circus is different; instead of tricks and illusions, each performer has their own special gift - Their Spark.  But Rin is hiding from her past; a rival Ringmaster is desperate to join forces despite having a very different agenda.  This story was definitely darker than other Circus based books that I've read but held something special as the characters dipped in and out of not only social issues, but politics too. I have a feeling this book is going to be very popular and I'll definitely be seeking it out for my collection on publication day!

I think I've found my new favourite Tessa Bailey.  I really enjoyed It Happened One Summer and Hook Like and Sinker so when this one was on offer - I ust had to add it to my basket. But I definitely didn't expect to love it!  Taylor is taking her brother on vacation - they've gone all out on a beach house in Cape Cod but when they turn up, they made a gruesome discovery. A Bounty Hunter-come-Private Detective rocks up on his motorbike and the fun starts.  I won't lie - I think Myles is the reason I enjoyed this one so much. Long hair, tattoos and 2 wheels? Sign me up. Fox and Brendan were hot, but they didn't quite push the right buttons for me. And what I enjoyed most is that the murder mystery element of the story was just as good as the rest of it. I was definitely a little hesitant because, it takes a different type of skill, but Bailey aced it. 

Whilst I admittedly haven't yet read the original Peter Pan story - I love the idea of it so when this new release became available to request on NetGalley, I couldn't help myself.  Lou has a Grown. Her little sister has an invisible friend but with their mother planning Lou's betrothal, the sisters are fighting with the expectations of society whilst navigating their life without their father and what they want from their own lives.  Jay is Number Two. He's been by Peter's side for as long as he can remember but their leader has been captured by Blackbeard and the magic of the island is in trouble.  Faced with a the prospecting of marrying the bland son of a family friend, Lou panics and finds herself in a land of savage children with no idea how to get back.  Combining the dark retelling with the Hook origin story was perfect. I found it slow to get into but once Lou reached the island, it definitely stepped up a notch. And whilst I struggled with this book, the e...

Naturally - the minute I saw this available for an ARC, I couldn't push that request button quick enough and I was so excited to have been approved. After falling in love with Viv and her merry band of friends in Legends and Lattes, I think everyone has been eagerly awaiting this next instalment and it definitely lived up to the hype. Bookshops & Bonedust take us twenty years before, Viv is injured and finds herself in recovery from a severe leg injury which has put her out of action in the sleep port of Murk. She finds herself in the company of Fern, the proprietor of a run down bookshop that has a flair for choosing the right books for the right people. Once again, this story is beautifully paced, showcasing fun and unsuspecting friendships whilst the underlying plot is there, providing challenges and suspense. I can't wait to see how this series develops.

I was SO excited to have the opportunity to read Morgan Is My Name. I've long been a fan of all things Arthurian and this first instalment of the trilogy was a brilliant first step back in time and hearing Morgans story.  With so much speculation as to the truth behind the myth of King Arthur, creative license can really be used and what I loved most about Morgan Is My Name is that it wasn't excessive; there are no dragons (yet?) but there is plenty of sorcery, betrayal and feeling to make this an impressive historical fiction.  Plenty of mentions of Tintagel and the surrounding areas of Cornwall add weight to the story, and towards the end we are entering the world of the much-debated Camelot.  Underneath it all - the feminist message is clear (let's face it... I love a feminist message), and I can't wait to see how the story develops, not just for Morgan herself but Alys and Tressa too.  Morgan Is My Name has earned a place of pride on my bookshelf already and the ...

  No one could ever accuse me of playing it safe with books.  Intrigued by the gorgeous cover and the promise of an adventure set amongst the backdrop of the French Revolution - Scarlet was an intense and ambitious crossover of history and fantasy.  When young Eleanor is likened to a member of French aristocracy, she is employed into service as part of a scheme to release an infamous member of the royal family from imprisonment.  This is a heavily plot driven story which very little weight behind the characters BUT as it promises to be the first in a trilogy, this may be something that develops as the saga continues.  Did I enjoy it? I did. at once I had some Les Mis flashbacks as the Parisian sewer system made an appearance but other than that - the story had some really great twists and turns throughout. I could only spot one plot hole but again, I feel this is going to be developed as the series goes on so I'm not too concerned about it.  If you like you...

In the words of one of my favourite book characters... Jesus H Roosevelt Christ. I'd read one of Simone's previous works with A Merry Little Meet Cute but nothing could have prepared me for the level of smut that I found in this book.  I loved it.  And I know this is going to sound like that cliche go to line ("But I watch it for the plot") but I genuinely did enjoy the story in this as well as the extremely graphic scenes. Tyler is a priest, with a vow of celibacy and a promise to his congregation that he's one of the "good" priests, he's lead very literally to temptation, and distraction, by a new parishioner. Unable to deny their mutual attraction to each other, Tyler is forced to confront his feelings and decide who he wants to commit his life to... God, or her? I'm relatively new to the smut genre of books but this ticked a fair few boxes. As always, read the content warnings before you turn a page though.   

  After the masterpiece that was Fairy Tale, I knew The Colorado Kid wasn't going to match up. But it pains me to say that I think I went from one end of the spectrum to the other within days.  I will be clear - I am very aware that the reason I didn't enjoy The Colorado Kid is the exact premise of the book - no one likes an unfinished story. Which is exactly what this is and is intended to me.  Two old-school local reporters are sat discussing unsolved mysteries of their local town with their new colleague and the case of The Colorado Kid is recounted - creating more questions than there are answers.  I've read King's other two Hard Case Crime books (Joyland and Later) and I thoroughly enjoyed them so I was gutted this didn't hit the mark. I'd love to see this developed into a full-length thriller at some point because I think the story would be absolutely crazy but for now, I'll have to sit with this as my lowest rated Stephen King book to date.