This month I read some incredible proofs which I am so excited for their official release - I've already got a physical copy of You and Me on Vacation on my shelf but I'm contemplating buying physical copies of the others too! Without further ado, here's my top 5 five proofs for February!
Meet Me in Hawaii by Georgia Toffolo (*)
Rated: 3/5 🌟
RELEASED: OUT NOW
After reading Meet Me In London last summer I was keen to read the next instalment in Toff's chick-lit series which this time focused on Malie Pukui, who fled her life in Devon after a family tragedy to work as a surfing instructor in Hawaii. In the surf school, she helps those less disadvantaged than her particularly those who may have experienced loss as she has. The descriptions of her easy rapport with her clients is heartwarming and the setting of Hawaii lends itself perfectly to a summer romance, though I would have LOVED more insight into the places they visited and more world-building than simple it being a 'they went there, she said this'.
Much like the first instalment, this is a cheesy light-hearted beach read. Whilst in Hawaii she rescues Todd Masters, a philanthropist who helps young disadvantaged children, from a rip current. Todd is in Hawaii as his charitable foundation is working with the surf school to provide new opportunities for the children they care for. Surprise surprise, Malie fancies the pants off him and there's a blurring of the business meets personal line between the pair's interactions, especially after Todd finds himself in private surf lessons that he purchases at a charity auction.
There are some nice moments that reference the friends including Victoria which feature in the first book, but ultimately you don't have to have read that one to understand this one! I was surprised by the deeper themes that look at loss, death and remorse and was glad to find there wasn't a simple 'relationship + problem = problem goes away' formula to the story but instead an insightful look into self-discovery and healing. Despite these themes, it's still a pleasant and easy-read that looks at the building of trust between two lovers and there's plenty of fun moments. Surfing + sunsets + a 'will-they-won't-they' couple = perfection
The Girl on the Platform by Bryony Pearce (*)
Rated: 4/5 🌟
RELEASED: April 15 2021
Bridget, a tired and over-worked mother of a young baby, witnesses a girl being abducted from a train platform on her commute home from work. Looking through the window of a train, the events play out leaving Bridget helpless. She frantically tries to get help, however, the other passengers aboard the train didn't see anything. As she is suffering from post-natal depression, Bridget's account of the events is dismissed as a dream, but she's convinced by what she saw and starts her own investigation into the events.
Firstly, I am a huge fan of an unreliable narrator - see anything by Paula Hawkins - so I was hooked from the first chapter. I empathised greatly with Bridget's struggle to be taken seriously, and her frustration at those around her who failed to believe her. Her behaviour becomes unsettling and almost disturbing as she becomes obsessive over the child's disappearance. She's almost consumed by the responsibility she feels for the missing girl and risks losing her job, her family and loved ones to find out the truth of what really happened.
Her dedication was compelling, and I too wanted to find out what happened to the missing girl. Her experience of postnatal depression is insightful, with an in-depth look at the psychological aspects and the consequences of not taking her medication. Suspense and tension building is used cleverly, but ultimately the final 'twist' is hinted at far too many times to be that shocking. The plot and secrets she uncovers are intricate and there are some emotionally-charged moments that made me gasp out loud, but for me, the ending was too neat and definitive after the trials and tribulations Bridget encounters throughout the story.
The Summer Seekers by Sarah Morgan (*)
Rated: 3/5 🌟
RELEASED: May 27 2021
Told through the perspectives of three women, this story is one of adventure and shows that no matter your age, or your experience in life so far, it's never too late to make a change. Kathleen, Liza and Martha are the hilarious and courageous women in question, and despite their differences, they all show that the destination isn't the important part, it's the journey.
80-year-old Kathleen has recently fought off an intruder in her home with a skillet she used to cook bacon. Despite her daughters nagging, she refuses to go into a residential home and instead wants to set off on a once in a lifetime trip - driving along Route 66 without a care in the world. Her daughter Liza is a working mum, battling two teenage daughters and an unappreciative husband. As her mum sets on off this wild holiday, she too dreams of escaping the stresses of her family life to have a break of her own. Whilst Martha, a 20-something, is unemployed and recently divorced. Living with her parents has its shortcomings and she just can't find a career that she wants to pursue, or that would please her parents enough to get them off her back. After seeing Kathleen's advert for a driver and companion for her Route 66 trip, she jumps at the opportunity -despite not being a confident driver.
The Summer Seekers had me yearning to be in the back of a fancy car speeding down Route 66 with the wind in my hair, or sunning myself on a gorgeous patio in Cornwall and swimming in a lake alongside a famous musician. I would've liked there to be a larger sense of the trip itself with more descriptions of what the women get up to on their respective holidays, as despite the journey itself being a huge plot point, this is more an emotional journey of self-discovery. It does offer a unique perspective of re-evaluating your life and putting your own happiness first and is told in a charming and effective way. I loved the dynamic between Kathleen and Martha and their radiating energy, and the exploration of the relationship between Kathleen and Liza as the book continues is heartwarming - with just the right amount of tension, compassion and warmth to make it believable.
This is my first book from Sarah Morgan, but I will be looking at her others now after this fun and engaging read.
You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry (*)
Rated: 5/5 🌟
RELEASED: May 11 2021
Alex and Poppy met 12 summers ago at college, with little in common, they vow to go their separate ways. A year later, when forced to share a ride home from college together, an unlikely friendship forms and a sworn promise to have a vacation together every year. Their annual vacations are filled with laughter, tender moments and everything in between. There is effortless wit, some laugh-out-loud moments, but also a simmering love and tension between the pair that you find yourself rooting for.
Told through a series of flashbacks to holidays gone by, we see the story through Poppy's perspective in the present day, where whilst working as a travel writer she is thinking about her life and happiness. Each flashback fills in a little piece of the jigsaw and builds the foundation of her and Alex's friendship in a simmering slow burn. There is an excellent dynamic between the pair - Poppy is more adventurous, hyperactive and quick-witted, whereas Alex is more bookish, demure and dedicated. Their interactions are perfection, there's a good mix of tit-for-tat where they're on the same level and can be their true authentic selves with one another.
It has all the best elements from a classic rom-com rolled into one - you've got enemies to friends/maybe lovers, a flickering timeline with an incident that shaped their whole friendship dynamic that you just haven't discovered yet, and some saccharine cute moments (plus a balcony sex scene)- to be frank, it was the best. You've got some iconic tropes including 'there's only one bed', an incredible amount of pining, witty banter, SEXUAL TENSION APLENTY, and some will-they-won't-they moments, all of which just made me tear through it so much quicker.
This is a wonderful story, which Emily Henry relates to When Harry Met Sally (which sadly I've never seen, shock) but it really reminded me of the queen of friends to lovers rom-com aka Love, Rosie. It is a masterpiece of handling a relationship trope of the late 20s-early 30s variety, with enough uncertainty and angst to keep you interested. It is one of those romances that doesn't fall into the futile predictability category when it comes to plot or character dynamics. There are some definitive moments of emotional depth, some beautiful scenic descriptions and two main characters who I could probably read 1000 more books about. A huge chef's kiss to Emily Henry from me, I can't a) believe that the book was this good and b) that I got to read it early.
Talk Bookish to Me by Kate Bromley (*)
Rated: 4/5 🌟
RELEASED: May 27 2021
This is a cosy rom-com with an adorable ex-lovers to new-lovers trope. Kara and Ryan were together at college, and after a messy break-up, they went their separate ways. Unbeknown to them, the pair have links to the same couple about to get married, so after 10 years, Kara, now a novelist and bookstagrammer meets Ryan again and their feelings are reignited for a second time. A week of wedding festivities is the back-drop to a 'will they kill each other, or start making out?' scenario and I am HERE FOR IT.
I am a huge sucker for an exes/enemies to lover trope so as soon as I started this book I was hooked. There's simmering chemistry, snarky banter and a super cute bulldog to boot, plus the likeability of both Ryan and Kara really carries the story. The setting of their best friends wedding lends itself to drama and excitement, and a convenient 'come stay at my place' scenario reminded me SO much of The Proposal movie. As a bookstagrammer myself, I loved the nods to Kara taking pics and her dedication to the bookish world, and I really enjoyed the parallels to her novel (within this novel) and the experience of her and Ryan's relationship.
Kara is a fantastic main character - quirky, bookish, independent and fierce - and the palatable tension she has with Ryan is great, not to mention the angst, tension, grovelling and reunion which all combines together like a batch of fresh-baked brownies; warm, gooey and satisfying to curl up with under a blanket. There is a huge secret from Ryan that makes him a tiny bit unlikeable and since it's revealed around the middle of the book you do struggle to root for him but the man redeems himself! There is also a fantastic element of self-growth and acceptance from the duo, and not simply an unbelievable 'drop everything to be with each other' scenario.
Sweet, romantic but with enough feistiness and funny quips, this is perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Sophie Kinsella. A delight and a fabulous debut novel from Kate Bromley.
And there you have it! Are any of these going on your TBR list?
Kisses,
Chlo
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