Maddy's Book Blog

  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...

  My Mother's Lie by Anna E. Collins   I hadn’t read Anna E. Collins before, but the premise of My Mother’s Lie immediately caught my attention. While there are moments you might see coming, there are plenty you absolutely won’t — and that unpredictability makes the story all the more gripping. It’s a cleverly crafted tale, filled with believable, well‑drawn characters, and it’s left me eager to explore more of Collins’ work in the future. Frankie Lavigne has always believed she and her mother, Estelle, were inseparable. They lived on the same property, worked side by side at the Starview Academy, and shared a bond Frankie thought was unbreakable. Estelle had even built a brief burst of fame on a one‑hit wonder inspired by Frankie’s childhood abduction — a story the whole town knew and rallied around. When Estelle dies, hundreds turn out to mourn her, leaving Frankie overwhelmed by the outpouring of love. But among the sympathy cards is one message that shakes her to the ...

  A Cottage in the Country by Katie Fforde I was so excited to get my hands on another Katie Fforde book. Whenever I pick one up, I know I’m in for a feel‑good story filled with believable characters, gentle humour, and wonderfully down‑to‑earth plotlines. This one was no exception — it had that comforting, uplifting charm I’ve come to expect from her writing. Hattie has her dream job — finding the perfect homes for other people and matching them with the places they’ve always longed for. The only snag is that her own dream cottage is currently lived in by a close friend. Thankfully, Luke, her oldest and most loyal companion, is always there to lend a hand and look out for her. But when Hattie’s sister suddenly leaves her teenage son in her care, and Hattie is forced to move out of her rental, life becomes far more complicated than she ever expected. Add in Hattie’s uncanny visions, and you’ve got a charming, feel‑good story that’s impossible to put down. What makes this sto...

  The Barbecue at No. 9 (Kindle Edition) by Jennie Godfrey I hadn’t read anything by Jennie Godfrey before, but when this book landed in my hands the premise immediately caught my attention. I wasn’t entirely sure at first, yet as the story unfolded, I found myself increasingly drawn in. Before I knew it, I was completely absorbed and raced through it far quicker than I expected. In 1985, the Gordon family decide to host a barbecue to celebrate Live Aid, inviting everyone from Delmont Close along with a scattering of relatives and friends. But behind the cheerful gathering, each household on the close is carrying its own secrets — and secrets have a way of surfacing at the worst possible moment. As the day unfolds, every revelation ripples through the community, intertwining the neighbours’ lives in unexpected ways and building into a compelling, surprise‑filled story. What truly elevates the novel is the way Jennie Godfrey brings each character to life with such clarity...