The Greatest Love Story Ever Told by Suzy K. Quinn - #bookreview #blogtour

 

I've always hated school playgrounds. They are noisy, terrifying places whre lunchbox items, such as unwanted sandwiches or empty Ribena cartons, can fly at you from all angles. Sometimes, even whole lunchboxes come your way.

As I crossed the Great Oakley Primary School playground this morning, my hands were already positioned to protect my face. Everywhere was chaos. To my left, two boys engaged in an angry ballet spin, apparently trying to tear each other's shirts off. To my right, a group of children attempted a dangerous cheerleading pyramid, shrieking as they tumbled onto the hard tarmac.

Chaos...

***

Michael Lamb is not a manly man. So when he has to research tough, nine-year-old Callum Duffy for university research, he has certain, negative expectations.

Young Callum is the epitome of boy culture with his football boots, shaved head and love of chair kicking. So Michael fully expects his research to revolve around violence, aggression and toxic masculinity in low-income families.

Little does Michael know, he is about to hear a love story. The greatest love story ever told. And when Michael sees the world through Callum's eyes, he finally learns what real, courageous love is all about.

***

O my! This is a wonderful book. If I had not been reading to a deadline for this blog tour, I would have slowed down my reading so that I did not have to finish it so quickly. I would have loved to have kept reading this just a little bit longer.

It is a life affirming and very touching story about the relationship between Michael, a university researcher, and Callum, a nine year old school boy whom Michael expects will fulfil his preconceived ideas about toxic masculinity in lower income families. 

Whilst, on the face of it, the story is about Callum's relationship with a girl called Angel Rain, the connection which develops between Michael and Callum was something very special to read. In fact, this was one of those books which I kept thinking about when life made me put down my book and get on with other things. 

Not only were Michael and Callum fantastic but the secondary characters were equally enthralling. Callum's family, in particular, were well drawn and I loved each and every one of them.

The book is both humourous and poignant. The author is a skilled storyteller and this was well written. Whilst there are points of sadness, it was not depressing and the book left me with a feeling of hope and optimism.

At the end of the book, the author explains that she self-published this novel after several rejections from mainstream publishers. I was really shocked by this as it is such a super book and is well worth reading, and will easily make it into my top reads of the year.

I am delighted to learn that Callum's family feature in other publications by this author. The Bad Mother's Series follow Callum's aunt Juliette as she manoeuvres her way through single parenthood. If this book is anything to judge by I cannot wait to get started on this series.

ISBN: 978 1999866358

Publisher:  Devoted Books Ltd

Formats: e-book and paperback (currently available on Kindle Unlimited)

No. of Pages:  372 (paperback)

About the Author:

Suzy K Quinn writes edgy romantic comedy and has sold over 1 million books worldwide. She is a bestseller in the UK, US and Germany and has plans for total world domination with literary love bombs in the near future. So watch this space. Then go read one of her books.

Suzy lives in Wivenhoe, Essex, with her husband Demi and two daughters. She is a twin, an incompetent parent of two and now fully decaffeinated. Her twin sister, Cate Quinn, is also a bestseller author.

Suzy loves her readers and is ALWAYS happy to chat on social media. You can find her @suzykquinn on most social media channels. Throw her an emoji ball, she is friendly.

(book, photo & all info courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)

The Notekeeper by Hannah Treave - #BookReview #BlogTour

 

The lights of the runway dazzled up ahead. It was as though the twinkling blue and white lights had been arranged especially for her - a reminder that she had made the right choice. As the twin engines roared into life, she took a deep breath. The rumble of power beneath her would carry her thousands of miles away. This was it. No going back.

As the aircraft accelerated, she fixed her gaze on the lights. They flashed past so quickly they looked like one great line rather than individual dots. And then they were up, the plane soaring into the Australian night sky with all the grace and elegance of a leaping ballet dancer. She let out a loud gasp, the realisation of what she had done hitting her with such force she disturbed the sleeping passenger beside her.

***

In order to love again, first she’ll need to learn how to live again...

Following a tragedy, Zoe flees Australia and makes a life for herself in the UK. Two years later, working as a care nurse in Bath and knowing just how much comfort last words can bring, Zoe has taken it upon herself to become a notekeeper - writing down the final thoughts of her patients and delivering them to their loved ones.

Zoe’s new boss, Ben, isn’t happy about her getting so involved in the patients’ lives. Even as they clash, they both begin to realize that facing one’s past is the only way to move on. But life is never straightforward, especially for Zoe. In finally opening up her heart after all these years, is she about to have it broken all over again?

***

I enjoyed reading this book very much and becoming aquainted with the cast of characters.

The main character, Zoe, is multi-faceted and her journey to healing is a heartfelt and moving one. Running away from grief, and working as a nurse in a hospice she is constantly reminded of her own loss. However, this is not a depressing book but is thoughtful and sensitive, although many readers may do well to have a handkerchief tucked into their sleeve. 

The author handles the subject matter carefully and skillfully. The main theme in the book is that of dying and bereavement but ultimately it is an uplifting and hopeful novel. There were many joyous moments in the book, with the other characters playing a vital, and meaningful role. I particularly liked Miles, Zoe's colleage and fellow Australian. He brought humour and fun to the story.

Written in a light and accessible style this is a book that can be read in a two or three sittings. I certainly found myself being lured back to it when I had to put it down and I definitely read past my bedtime.

I will read other books by this author. This is the first book published under the pseudonym of Hannah Treave but she has released several books under the name of Fiona Ford, of which I soon hope to become acquainted. 

ISBN:978 1804361290

Publisher: Canelo

Formats: e-book, audio, paperback

No. of Pages: 352 (paperback)

Triggers: Death of a child, dying, grief, bereavement, cancer.

About the Author:

Hannah Treave is the pseudonym for Fiona Ford, an experienced freelance journalist and prolific novelist. She has written for the national press for many years (far too many to count) and is the author of the bestselling Liberty Girls series published by Penguin Random House. She lives in Berkshire with her husband and two cats and when she's not writing can be found in the gym desperately trying to exercise her way out of diet that is filled with just a little bit too much cake.

(ARC courtesy of Love Book Tours)

(author photo courtesy of Blake Friedmann)

(author bio courtesy of Amazon)