Nicki's book blog

  'Five Things I Love About You by Clare Swatman- women's fiction  Miranda has been having dreams about someone she nearly knocked over- that's a whole other story. Nearly every night she dreams of this man she thinks is called Jay and learns a little more about him. Her two close friends think she's nuts but go along with it. When she loses her job and has nothing to stay put for, she decides she is going to Newcastle to find Jay as he has a Geordie accent. Good plan right? When there she meets Matt who offers to show her around the area and she tells of her search for Jay and he is willing to help, however Miranda is falling for Matt. Will she find Jay and which one is the love of her life really? This is a wonderful read and I'm smiling writing this. It's a wonderful, slightly batty, premise, but we all get those spontaneous thoughts now and then, and hey go for it! It's uplifting, and inspirational and one that made me think about my own life in a very g...

  One Love by Matt Cain- general fiction One of my books of the year. Stunning doesn’t do this justice.  Danny and Guy have known each other for twenty years since they first met at university in Manchester. Danny was already out by this stage and supported by his mother. Guy however was terrified, knowing his parents wouldn't accept who their son is and so looked to Danny for support. Danny has always loved Guy from the first time they met but is scared of spoiling their friendship by risking anything more. Alternate chapters are when they are at university and in 2022 when they are visiting Manchester together for Pride when Danny is determined he will tell Guy how he has really felt all these years. Oh boy! This is a tender, beautiful read with the care and attention only Matt can give such a wonderful story. I wanted to hug both Matt and Guy for different reasons. Anyone who knows not having parental support in life will understand some of the pain Guy goes through, and Da...

  Murder on Line One by Jeremy Vine- crime  What a gem of a read , a treasure of a story. Jeremy has a huge talent for writing which I found in his previous book however this one is a different genre completely. This time it's a crime/mystery/thriller and couldn't be any further away from “ The Diver and the Lover”.  This is adorable and I devoured it. The character of Edward is one I couldn't help but love and just wanted to give him a big hug and tell him he was supported and loved. (think “A Man called Ove” & “ The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window” type character. ) Edward lost his son a while back in a hit and run and he sometimes finds himself thinking Matty is still around. Edward was a radio presenter on a popular evening radio show but taking so much time off he was let go. As he finds this out from his boss whilst walking on the seafront, they are hit by an abnormal wave and Edward rescues her. He takes on a new job at a garden centre and so...

  The Best Days of Our Lives by Helen Rolfe- women’s fiction Two sisters fell out many years ago over a wedding dress they made that became famous. Their daughters met by chance and have been firm friends ever since. Mallory has recently received life shattering news, and wants to tell the rest of the family when they meet up and plans for her mother to finally meet up again with her sister, hoping that bygones can be bygones. Mallory is the glue around all these people and she wants to put her ducks in a row before it's too late. Oh boy. This begins with Mallory's news which puts a whole different tone on the meet up. It's cleverly and expertly written that I couldn't help but want to give Mallory the biggest hug. It's also lighthearted at times, reflecting life and the ups and downs many face and how sometimes it's the little things that matter but when the news is devastating it puts things in perspective (“don’t sweat the small stuff”). I loved Mallory and h...

  The Boyfriend by John Nicholl- psychological thriller/crime Oh wow! A book once started I didn't want to put down. DS Ray Lewis is disappointed. Mark Shady accused of rape has got off scott free, not for the first time. He has a reputation of wining and dining and impressing women and getting them under his control to do whatever he wants. Anna is the latest victim and is dreadfully upset. Lewis goes to see her and finds out more than was revealed in court. He later finds out that the daughter of his friend, also in the police, is currently dating Shady.  Lewis would like to put Shady in his place but knows he can't. He's an old school dependable copper not in the best of health and not doing much about it despite his DI Laura doing her best to tell him. Will Shady ever be brought to justice? OMG. I was hooked and gripped and every other adjective. This is superbly written and takes the reader right into the heart of the story. I really liked Ray, the sort of chap you wa...

  Cutting Ties by Andrew Barrett- crime (DS Regan Carter book three) Regan is recovering from her attack and the loss of her partner Gypsy. Her home is a crime scene so she has gone to live with her mother for a while- not her idea of heaven. Bradshaw, a known criminal, is plotting and scheming to a deadly end. When her ex husband leaves her more than a clue, Regan knows she has to finish this, one way or another.  Andy’s books are always a fast paced gritty read and this one is a belter. It’s part of a series and is best read in order to understand the background. Regan is a strong no nonsense protagonist, determined to see justice even if she has to go to the wire where rules are concerned but being careful not to cross it. One of the strap lines is “ caught between a mother's betrayal and a killer's ambition” which sums this up perfectly- Regan is walking a tightrope but with her own vulnerabilities. A cleverly thought out, superb read where I couldn't turn the pages f...

  The Norfolk Theatre Murders by Judi Daykin- Crime A woman goes missing and is subsequently found dead under the stage of the theatre she worked at. Carole was popular and it appears no-one has a motive for murdering her, but someone must have and to put her hidden away begs the question why?. Her husband has dementia and tells the police that a monk turned up the night Carole died and trashed the house. Meanwhile there is a homeless tent village slowly being set up in the graveyard next to the theatre who may have seen more than they realise if only they would cooperate. Detective Sara Hirst is perplexed but someone, somewhere knows more.  Although one of a series (no7) this happily stands alone, I haven’t read all of the others- yet! It's a great story, very well written as ever by Judi and kept me wanting to turn the pages with lots of twists and turns, just how I like it. I liked Sara and her compassion whilst wanting to serve justice and also Nafisha doing her best for ...