Ginger and Me - Elissa Soave

Wendy is lonely but coping.
All nineteen-year-old Wendy wants is to drive the 255 bus around Uddingston with her regulars on board, remember to buy milk when it runs out and just to be okay. After her mum died, there’s nobody to remind her to eat and what to do each day.

And Wendy is ready to step out of her comfort zone.
Each week she shows her social worker the progress she’s made, like the coasters she bought to spruce up the place, even if she forgets to make tea. And she even joins a writers’ group to share the stories she writes, like the one about a bullied boy who goes to Mars.

But everything changes when Wendy meets Ginger.
A teenager with flaming orange hair, Ginger’s so brave she’s wearing a coat that isn’t even waterproof. For the first time, Wendy has a real best friend. But as they begin the summer of their lives, Wendy wonders if things were simpler before. And that’s before she realizes just how much trouble Ginger is about to get them in…

An unforgettable debut novel from the winner of the Primadonna Prize 2019 which will stay with you long after the last page.

My review:

A fantastic debut from Elissa Soave, telling us the story of two extremely vulnerable people in society and how in differing ways both have been let down by the people supposed to be taking care of them. A warning to all about how easy it can be to neglect those that appear to be doing ok but really are just very good at covering up the truth.

A heart breaking, and at times difficult read – the friendship between Ginger and Wendy is that of two lost souls needing someone, both taking what they need from the relationship at different times. Wendy is a bus driver, happy with the route and regulars she sees doing this. Underneath she is lonely, her Mum was a big part of her life and is no longer there to pointing her in the right direction. Wendy manages to convince people she is ok, when really she needs help. Fixating on things and people, Wendy doesn’t see where things could go wrong.

Ginger is young, and surrounded by people wanting to use her for their own benefit. She is streetwise, experienced far too much far too young. She has nothing really in common with Wendy so it is a strange friendship at first.

At the beginning we find Wendy being taken away by the police with concerns for her friends; the story is then the events leading up to this. Its done in a very clever way, we understand Wendy and her reasons for doing the things she does, we see that she doesn’t have as much support as she needs really, despite having her own social worker.

It’s a brilliantly written story that is sad at time, upsetting, dramatic but is offset with moments of humour that will make you smile.

Highly recommended!

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One Last Secret - Adele Parks (HQ)

 

One Last Secret - Adele Parks
Published 7 July 2022 - HQ

Everyone has secrets, don’t they?
One last client A week at a beautiful chateau in the south of France—it should be a straightforward final job for Dora. She’s a smart, stunning and discreet escort, and Daniel has paid for her services before. This time, all she has to do is to convince the assembled guests that she is his girlfriend. Dora is used to playing roles and being whatever men want her to be. It’s all about putting on a front. One last chance It will be a last, luxurious look at how the other half lives before Dora turns her back on the escort world and all its dangers. She has found someone she loves and trusts. With him, she can escape the life she’s trapped in. But when Dora arrives at the chateau, it quickly becomes obvious that nothing is what it seems…One last secret Dora finds herself face-to-face with a man she has never forgotten, the one man who really knows her. And as old secrets surface, it becomes terrifyingly apparent that one last secret could cost Dora her life…

From the Sunday Times number one bestseller Adele Parks comes a blisteringly provocative novel about power, sex, money and revenge.

My Review:

There are certain expectations I’ve come to have with each new book by Adele Parks; that it will bring drama and tension; that things will not always be just as they seem and that I will not be able to put it down as I will be so engrossed in the story. One Last Secret did not fail to meet these expectations.

By the end of the first page I was hooked. This is a book where the tension builds as we go, we grow to know Dora, understanding her situation and what makes her tick. As we progress into the story there is suspense, drama, twists and turns that will keep you guessing – well mostly. You may figure some parts of this story out but you’ll still find yourself surprised along the way.

Primarily told from Dora’s viewpoint (with a few exceptions) we get to be drawn into her world, maybe changing initial opinions of what she does when we finally find out more about her life. By looking at her past we also get the depth of character we really need to fully support her.

Taking on one last ‘job’ leads Dora into the path of danger, and it’s only a matter of time before events take a dark and sinister turn. Parks writes this wonderfully, creating an almost claustrophobic atmosphere, where Dora seems without options with time running out.

Engaging, dark and atmospheric, I think this is yet another hit from Adele Parks. I highly recommend One Last Secret. Thank you for HQ for the opportunity to read and review.

Available to purchase - HERE

Our Story - Miranda Dickinson

 An epic and modern love story for our times, this isn’t a will-they-won’t they story. It’s a why won’t they? Perfect for fans of Lucy Dillon and Rosie Walsh.

Otty has just landed her dream job. She's about to join the writing team of one of the most respected showrunners in TV. And then the night before her first day, she's evicted from her flat.

Joe has been working with Russell for years. He's the best writer on his team, but lately something has been off. He's trying to get his mojo back, but when his flatmate moves out without warning he has other things to worry about.

Otty moving into Joe's house seems like the most obvious solution to both their problems, but neither is prepared for what happens next. Paired together in the writing room, their obvious chemistry sparks from the page and they are the writing duo to beat. But their relationship off the page is an entirely different story, and neither of them can figure out why.

And suddenly the question isn't, will they, or won't they? It's why won't they?

An epic and modern love story for our times, we will all see ourselves reflected in Otty and Joe. We are our own biggest barriers and this novel explores what happens when we get out of our own way. And it is glorious

My Review:

This is Miranda Dickinson at her very best. What an absolute delight ‘Our Story’ is; well written, fun, dramatic and with charming, endearing characters. This is the kind of book that ‘played’ in mind like a film as I read, I could picture it up on the big screen… I just wonder who would play our brilliant Otty and Joe.

Their story is powerful but not in an over the top, hearts, and flowers predictable way. Both characters have faults and problems, both aren’t entirely truthful with the other, both learn as the story develops and seeing how it plays out is captivating. I wanted them to find what they were looking for whether that meant they could be in each other’s lives or not. I was hoping both would be happy and especially happy for the other character. I couldn’t put the book down; I was all in just because both characters got under my skin and meant so much to me. By the end I was gutted it was over and had a book hangover, I couldn’t touch another book for a couple of days.  

I was fascinated by the inner workings of the writers room of a popular TV show, it had a very fly on the wall sense about it, I could imagine this was how all our TV favourites come into fruition. I don’t want to go too much into the story or how it all ends, as I think it’s always best to find out for yourself, but I was entertained and unsure of how it would end all the way through.

Miranda Dickinson creates such gorgeous characters that you take to your heart. The story is well paced and written in a great style typical to the author. I love that it isn’t just a romance story, it’s about finding yourself and following your own dreams.

I want to read more, I wish I could follow Otty and Joe’s story…

I cannot recommend this highly enough. One of my absolute favourite reads of the year.

PURCHASE HERE

Just My Luck - Adele Parks

It's the stuff dreams are made of - a lottery win so big, it changes everything.

For fifteen years, Lexi and Jake have played the same six numbers with their friends, the Pearsons and the Heathcotes. Over dinner parties, fish & chip suppers and summer barbecues, they've discussed the important stuff - the kids, marriages, jobs and houses - and they've laughed off their disappointment when they failed to win anything more than a tenner.

But then, one Saturday night, the unthinkable happens. There's a rift in the group. Someone doesn't tell the truth. And soon after, six numbers come up which change everything forever.

Lexi and Jake have a ticket worth £18 million. And their friends are determined to claim a share of it.

Sunday Times bestseller Adele Parks returns with a riveting look at the dark side of wealth in this gripping take on friendship, money and betrayal, and good luck gone bad...

My Review:

They say, ‘be careful what you wish for’ and this book encapsulates that perfectly. This twisted tale of greed and betrayal will have you on the edge of your seat, highlighting the appalling lows that some people would stoop to because of greed.

You would thinking hitting the jackpot would bring you endless happiness and you wouldn’t have to worry about a thing ever again – how wrong this can be,

Full of backstabbing, this group of characters are willing to pay each other off, lie, cheat and steal to get their hands on what they believe is rightly theirs; years of friendship and loyalty goes out the window and leaves some wondering who they can actually trust anymore. I enjoyed how it made you think, asking yourself those moral questions that if you were in this position how you would cope.

I liked Lexi; she is calm, not wanting to be extravagant and mindful of others. She wants to use the money to help others, selfless and not at all greedy unlike those around her who get carried away very quickly. Jake seems to change for the worse instantly, flashing the cash and showing off.

There is so much to this story, I had some ideas of what could happen as I read through, but I wasn’t expecting the darker twists along the way, with some dramatic, emotional scenes.

As with all of Adele Parks’ books the writing keeps you engaged, it’s full of emotion with characters you feel strongly about. I think at times you get swept away with the lavish lifestyle that the money can create, so the inclusion of Toma and his story balances perfectly. He is suffering, handling loss and grief, desperate to find justice for his wife and child.

A surprisingly dark tale spun from what many may dream to be the best moment of their lives. I recommend this one completely. An Adele Parks fan, I never fail to enjoy her writing, this is her 20^th book in 20 years – an amazing achievement and testament to her storytelling skills. I look forward to what will come next.