Maddy's Book Blog

  Six Little Words by Sally Page   I loved the premise of this book, and having enjoyed several of Sally Page’s previous novels, I was really excited to dive in. Unfortunately, I struggled with the first 30% — it felt slow, turgid, and surprisingly hard to push through. But once it finally found its rhythm, the story picked up and I did start to enjoy it. The frustrating part is that the central idea is genuinely clever, and with a tighter edit this could have been a much stronger, more engaging read overall. When Kate spots an orange card in a café window with the words “to be or not to be,” she’s instantly intrigued. A trail of similarly cryptic messages leads her to a creative group preparing entries for a competition. Kate joins with the hope of making new friends and rekindling her long‑neglected love of painting — even if she has no intention of submitting anything herself. Bardy, an ex‑English teacher wrestling with the collapse of his marriage and a stubborn case...

  This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum   This was a new author for me, but the blurb instantly hooked me — the premise sounded so clever, and what unfolded was an absolutely fabulous story I couldn’t put down. It has everything: romance, murder, intrigue, and more than a few curveballs. The characters are brilliantly drawn, the settings are vivid and atmospheric, and the whole thing comes together as a wonderfully gripping read. Benny and Jo have been best friends forever, and together they run a hugely popular podcast about survival and near‑death experiences. Jo lives with narcolepsy, so her days have to be carefully structured, and her husband Xander acts as their business manager, with his sister also part of the team. Even Benny’s ex‑wife is involved, having been their lawyer. But when Jo attracts a stalker, things take a dark turn, leaving her too frightened to even leave the house. Then, one night, Jo and Xander vanish — and suddenly the whole world is se...

  The Time of My Life by Samantha Tonge   I hadn’t read Samantha Tonge’s books before, but the premise of this one instantly grabbed me — the idea of buying someone else’s life is such an intriguing hook. What surprised me, though, was just how much more the novel delivered. It’s full of twists and turns, emotional depth, and clever surprises, and I found myself so absorbed that it even made me late for work. Carrie is a young woman juggling a rental flat, two jobs just to make ends meet, and the company of her gorgeous cat, Boo. She’s fallen out with her two best friends, money is tight, and life feels overwhelming. So, when she spots an advert for a life for sale, it seems like the perfect solution. She decides to sell her own life and use the money to finally fulfil her dream of going to Greece. Eliza is the winning bidder, and she steps straight into Carrie’s world: her rented home, her evening job, her friends, most of her wardrobe — and even beloved Boo. But Eliza is...

  The Barefoot Bookshop on the Beach by Rebecca Raisin I love Rebecca Raisin’s books, and this one had me hooked from page one. She delivers another story filled with fabulous settings and wonderfully drawn characters — the kind you instantly want to spend time with. Reading it felt like sinking into a warm bath: comforting, escapist, and utterly enjoyable. I already can’t wait for the next one. Harper is utterly book‑mad. Not only does she work in a bookshop, she also runs a hugely successful book‑review podcast — the dream combination. But the first rule of podcasting should always be: make sure you’ve actually switched off the mic. When she finishes a book she’s convinced is AI‑generated, she says so out loud, believing the recording has ended. It hasn’t. The fallout is instant and brutal: she’s cancelled, fired from her day job, and her location is leaked online. A quick escape becomes essential. So, when she spots a job in a beachside bookshop — complete with a giant resid...

  The Old Girls' Island Getaway by Kate Galley This is my first Kate Galley book, but I’m really hoping it won’t be my last. It’s a fun, sun‑soaked romp set on the beautiful island of Corfu, full of humour, friendship, and escapism. Although it appears to be part of a series, it works perfectly well as a standalone, and I had no trouble diving straight in and enjoying the adventure. Dorothy is nearly ninety and employs Gina, at seventy‑one, as her carer — though their relationship quickly blossoms into a genuine, heart‑warming friendship. When Dorothy’s old friend Rupert invites them to stay at his beautiful villa in Corfu, they accept with delight. At the last minute, Dorothy’s teenage granddaughter joins them too, and in true teenage fashion proves to be quite a handful. Meanwhile, when film star Florence suddenly breaks up with her MP husband and a scandal looms, her manager — another of Rupert’s old friends — arranges for her to hide away at the villa as well. What follows ...

  Just One More Day by Shari Low I’ve read several of Shari Low’s books, and when Boldwood Books sent me the blurb for this one, I was instantly excited — and it absolutely didn’t disappoint. Her stories always feature different characters, yet they feel so real, relatable, and cleverly drawn, flaws and all. This was a quick, easy, and fun read, exactly the kind of story you can sink into and enjoy in a single sitting. Marge Drummond is dying, and she’s carrying a huge secret she longs to share with her daughter, Estelle — but the longer she’s put it off, the harder it has become to tell the truth. She turns to her friend Bernadette for help, hoping she can guide her through the confession she’s dreaded for years. Meanwhile, Amber Collins, once Estelle’s closest friend before a painful falling‑out, finds herself at the hospital at the very same time by sheer coincidence. Secrets and lies bind these three women — and several others — together, leading them towards a gripping and...

  The Last Page Café by Kate Storey This is my third Kate Storey book, and each one has centred around a library or book club — a theme I absolutely adore. I love any story about books, book clubs, or libraries, so this was right up my street. Kate’s writing always has such depth and her characterisation is wonderfully sharp, capturing people with all their quirks and flaws. I’ve really enjoyed every one of her novels, and I can’t wait for the next. When Erin inherited The Bookmark Café from her mother, she believed she was set for life in a job she adored. It provided enough for her and her son, Jack, and allowed her to employ Riley — a young girl who sees Erin as more of a mother than her own ever was. After the breakdown of her marriage, Erin has become wary of relationships, and the book club she runs at the café has a unique rule: they read the last page of every book first, a small ritual that helps Erin feel she’s protecting her heart. But when her landlord suddenly rais...