Recently I shared the books I read over lockdown with you all. It was the first time I really touched on book blogging but I really enjoyed writing it and the feedback was great. I’ve decided to share with you the great books I read over the summer.
It’s been a real mixed bag this time around and one I couldn’t finish! I wonder which one it might be??
The great books I read this summer
The Family holiday – Elizabeth Noble
I wanted something light and with that lovely summer feel about it as the first read this summer. I can’t say I got it with this book.
That is not a negative by the way, just that this book pulled at so many emotions. So much so I may have to write a separate post for it.
Just know that I loved it. It took me a while to read though, the thrillers certainly keep me on the edge of my seat and make me fly through books much quicker.
The Shadow man – Terri Brown
I was excited for this book, Terri is someone I actually know so I have watched her writing journey and was excited to be able to add this book to my Birthday wish list.
This book is something I would not normally have considered but now I have branched out a little on Genre’s I was more open to it. A good way of judging how much I enjoyed a book, is how quickly I devoured it. This book I read in just a few days.
There was so much going on and the book flowed perfectly. The story took me to places I hadn’t really imagined when I started and the twists… WOW! I saw it going one way but I was SO wrong and for that reason I loved this book.
It did keep me up at night slightly as it was really scary at times. It is not what I am used to when reading a book but I really enjoyed the spooky, dark side of this book.
Here to Stay -Mark Edwards
It wasn’t until I read this book that I realised I don’t think I have ever read a book by a male author before! I’m not sure how I have managed that at the ripe old age of 37 but there you go.
I suppose that boils down to the female lead books that have always been my go to before being written by women. I wasn’t sure how I would get on if I am honest.
What actually happened was I very quickly forgot. I just loved the protagonist in this book so much that despite him obviously being male I just didn’t notice it. Normally I love a book because I feel a connection to a female lead who I see a bit of myself in. But I was just as, if not more invested in Elliot and his relationship with Gemma.
This book was dark, frustrating, and sinister but throughout it had a love story at his core. Elliot would do anything for his new bride Gemma, including moving her parents in. It became very clear very quickly that things were not all they seemed.
The book though kept me gripped throughout. I had no idea how this would end or if it would be a happy ending I’d wanted for him from the start. What I do know though, is I could have re-read this book straight away! I’ve never wanted to delve back in to a book so quickly.
Blood Orange – Harriet Tyce
This book was recommended highly all over the blogging world, Goodreads and several friends raved about it.
It was a book where I couldn’t really like any of the characters. That did not stop it from being a brilliant read though.
Despite not liking Alison for her heavy drinking, poor parenting and affair with her not very nice work colleague. I was still very much rooting for her to succeed. Although I had no idea how that success would happen. This book kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through and I could never of anticipated how it would end. It was a brilliant ending that pulled the whole story together perfectly.
Plenty of twists and turns if you can look past some really unpleasant characters.
The Room Mates – Rachel Sargeant
We have a non finisher alert! This book was trying to be so many things but achieving none of them.
We had 4 characters who all seemed very similar, so much so I couldn’t quite keep up with who was who and what flash back referred to which character.
It was alluding to past trauma but it just wasn’t clear enough to who that happened, it seemed to have little direction and felt like it didn’t know what it wanted to be.
A book has to be strong, it has to be clear what is happening. I read over 100 pages and have NO clue if anything of any interest happened in it. Or was even building to anything.
It was so bad I have not picked up a book since I put it down. So thanks for that Room mates! It is so poor I am not even going to add an amazon link to it!
Summer reading
Working in a school means that summer is perfect for reading. It means plenty of opportunity to read a little more frequently.
I’ve really enjoyed the selection above and despite reading the best part of 5 books, my TBR pile is ever growing. But I’m looking forward to getting started on some more wonderful reads.
What have you been reading this Summer? I’d love some recommendations for Snuggle season.
The shadow man sounds up my street, hopefully not too scary to keep me up at night!
I haven’t heard of any of these books (where have I been?). I’ve been re-reading all my beloved Mary Wesley novels and have just started a novel on the misconceptions around Anne Boleyn – brilliantly engrossing so far! x
I loved The Family Holiday and most of Elizabeth Noble books These are the kind of books I enjoy reading
Interesting selection, I haven’t come across any of those authors. I love a summer book binge but didn’t get one this year as no lounging by the pool.
Ooh I’ve never seen these books before. Blood orange sounds right up my street 🙂
I haven’t read Here to Stay yet but I’ve loved everything else I’ve read by Mark Edwards. If you enjoyed Here to Stay you should definitely check out the Magpies trilogy – super creepy stuff!
Sounds lovely the collection, I would choose The Family Holiday..
It was a lovely heartfelt read x
LOVE this post…I am always looking for new reads, so this saves me having to trawl the book shops x
You have managed to read a few books over the summer. I have been rubbish when it comes to reading this year! Thank you for sharing these recommendations!
Lauren | http://www.bournemouthgirl.com
Here To Stay sounds like a good read! Thanks for sharing this and your recommendations. I’d love to see more bookish content from you!
I haven’t read any of them but oh man, i will be looking into them! They sure sound great!
I am looking for some new books to read while I go away so will be looking at these a bit more
Blood Orange sounds so unique and interesting! It’s really intriguing to me that you don’t really like any of the characters and I feel like that would make for a riveting story. Thanks for sharing!
I been hearing good things about Blood Orange and I think I will have to go get a copy to see if it is as good as everyone is saying.
I really enjoyed it x
I read Blood Orange a few months ago during lockdown and I loved it, considering I don’t really read thriller books, this one had me hooked! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
The Shadow Man sounds just like my sort of book!
What a huge range of books it seems like you have been reading across the summer. I have to admit Here to Stay sounds like something I might read, I seem to read more male than female authors.
I have been in a serious reading rut lately and in need of some good recommendations. Adding these to my list. Thanks!
You read some really interesting books and you have me thinking if I have ever read a book written by a man
Some great books, I already had blood orange on my list, but may have to add some of the others.
Thanks for sharing
Here to Stay and Blood Orange sound like great books! So glad you had a great summer of reading 🙂
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
Here To Stay would be my first choice and then Blood Orange. I love gritty thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seat. Shame about Room Mates though.
I’ve struggled with reading this year. My library aren’t getting new books at the minute so it’s hard
I am always buying, not even sure where the library is! How bad is that, although I am still fairly new to the area! I usually buy mine from charity shops but of course they’ve been shut so I had to buy online, more expensive but during lockdown I was saving so much I deserved a treat 😉
These sound like great books. I haven’t read any of these before but there’s a couple I like the sound of.
Love reading and I need more books to add to my list so will be following your suggestions here. Just added The Family Holiday as I love summer themed books and this is right up my alley
I’ve not read any of these myself yet. I do wish I had more time to read. I’m managing to encourage my daughters to though which is great.
Thanks for sharing snippets of the books you’ve read. I think The Family Holiday would be great to add to my reading list this month. I have to find out if they have a Kindle version. That would be super if they did.
I’ve been reading a lot of review books over the summer and am hoping to get to read some stuff I’ve actually bought soon, haha! I really enjoyed Murder Ahoy by Fiona Leitch!
My kids are back at their swimming clubs, so I now have my reading time back. I cannot wait to get started
Oooh I like the sound of Blood Orange – I’ll add it to my TBR!
Tash // A Girl with a View
Thanks for the recommendations. Some books or me to seek out this Autumn. I do like the look of the Family Holiday. If you definitely decide to do a review post I would be interested in reading it.
Interesting selection, I haven’t done much reading this summer having two small children and all this stay in rules really limited my own time.
These all sound soooo good! Thank you for sharing!
Oh these all sound amazing! OMG me too I don’t think I have ever read a book by a Male, well I might have to fix that and get Shadow Man sounds really interesting plus its fall and Halloween is around the corner that’s a perfect book to read lol…
Thanks for sharing love!!
Oh yes, it would be perfect for Halloween x
So many amazing reads! I love the sound of The Shadow Man and it must have been interesting to see the writing process 🙂
You managed to get through so many books! Well done! I could never concentrate that much and I also re-discovered my Xbox during lockdown, so that was any hope of reading out the window completely lol.
I have been meaning to read The Room Mates though. I’ll have to check it out.
Ooh you’ve had some really good reads over the last few months. I love you’ve even had one where you’re enjoying the book despite not liking the main character, that’s normally enough to put me off. I, for one, am very excited to see you diving into book blogging and look forward to more!
Lindsey | https://aramblingreviewer.com/
The Shadow man sounds like a brilliant read, adding that to my TBR list.
How I missed reading books when I used to have plenty of time. Glad you enjoyed most of the books you’ve read!
I love a good book recommendation and I haven’t read any of these. I will bookmark this!
It’s important to recognize when a book just isn’t working for us and being willing to walk away. After all, it’s not like you’re reading them for a school assignment or anything like that – you’re reading them for fun. It’s no fun if you have to force yourself to keep working your way through it. Kudos for knowing when to walk away!
I read Here To Stay this summer too and really enjoyed it. I’ve read a few of his books, love a good thriller!
Sounds like a great selection. I like the sound of The Family Holiday, it looks like a good feel-good story you can get lost in
It really was, I hope you enjoy x
Ooh thanks so much for sharing these as I have been looking for some reading inspiration lately as I’ve finished a few books and want something good. The family holiday sounds like a good one
Laura x
I love the sound of The Family Holiday and Here to Stay. Bookmarking for later.
The kids are back swimming now and I had every intention of reading whilst they swam, but its too dark in the car as we are not allowed pool side 🙁