The Flatshare - Beth O'Leary

Available to order here 

Goodreads Blurb:
Tiffy’s been dumped by her cheating boyfriend and urgently needs a new flat. But earning minimum wage at a quirky publishing house means that her choices are limited in London.Leon, a palliative care nurse, is more concerned with other people’s welfare than his own. Along with working night shifts looking after the terminally ill, his sole focus is on raising money to fight his brother’s unfair imprisonment.

Leon has a flat that he only uses 9 to 5. Tiffy works 9 to 5 and needs a place to sleep. The solution to their problems? To share a bed of course... As Leon and Tiffy’s unusual arrangement becomes a reality, they start to connect through Post-It notes left for each other around the flat.

My Review:

The Flatshare was far more than I expected. I imagined it would be your typical, run of the mill rom com (which isn't a bad thing for me) but I was pleasantly surprised at how this book gave me a little bit more drama/comedy.   

The whole premise of the book is wonderfully bonkers; but it works. The shared bed situation is unique and the way our protagonists forge a relationship is brilliant. Notes between the two move the story on well and add some real funny, quirky moments. Starting off quite innocently with messages about bins, food etc its interesting to see how they develop a level of intimacy the longer the notes continue - talking about themselves, their lives and their feelings.  I think the balance between using the notes and not to tell the story was just right. 

The story moved along at a good pace - with some unexpected plot points - I was really surprised by some developments. (I don't want to ruin it for anyone but I like how we were not given the whole picture from the start).
 

I loved Tiffy - who appears to be loud, proud and confident. You definitely know there is a soft, vulnerable side, something you cannot quite fathom and you see how Tiffy has certain realisations regarding her past. Leon is different - quietly confident, self assured and wanting the best for those he cares for. Hardworking and loyal - I was rooting for him all the way.  His back story, being told slowly throughout the book is indicative to why he chose the caring profession and why he has a strong connection to Tiffy. I also love the quirky/fun 'best friend' character in these types of book and was not disappointed by the varied characters we meet in this story. 

I assumed this would be a light hearted, simple but lovely read but it is emotional and thought provoking - far more than the romantic comedy books we all love. Touching on some serious issues that will resonate with many readers; the serious moments were cleverly balanced with comedy that had me laughing out loud

Having heard and seen so much about this book I was so pleased I got to read this now. I highly recommend. An e-copy of this book was kindly provided to me by the publisher, Quercus, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Comfy Rating:👍👍👍👍👍

Somewhere Beyond The Sea - Miranda Dickinson

Available here on Amazon 

Miranda Dickinson's Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a romantic tale full of love, stars, living your own life and accepting the magic that can be found all around.

Seren MacArthur is living a life she never intended. Desperately trying to save the Cornish seaside business her late father built – while grieving for his loss. Seren has pushed her own dreams to one side and the pressures soon take a toll. One morning she discovers a half-finished sea glass star on her favourite beach, and cannot resist completing it.  One simple action starts a whole chain of events that will change everything.

Jack Dixon is desperate – wanting work to ensure he can give his young daughter Nessie the life she deserves. Recently widowed and made homeless, Jack has managed to somehow kept their heads above water. Creating seaglass stars with Nessie soon becomes something truly special for them both and the duo discover the magic they need to see a positive future.

Seren and Jack are both searching for something that is missing in their lives, but when they meet in real life, it’s on the opposing sides of a battle. Both have a definite reason to fight –but only one can win. With so much at stake, will they ever find what they are really looking for?
Miranda Dickinson (@wurdsmyth) has given us an incredibly heart-warming tale that transports you to the idyllic, St Ives. A location that adds some extra magic to this wonderful book, written with such description you feel like you are right there (and you definitively wish you were!) We are introduced to the hardworking and creative Seren, a young woman passionately, yet quietly, grieving the loss of her father; and Jack - a single father focused on giving his energetic daughter and with doing whatever it takes to provide her with all the love, attention, and security she needs. 
The characters and their stories of loss broke my heart in such a real way. I identify with both characters - the grief of losing a father and the heartbreak of being left a young widow (although my reality is we had no children and we were very much in love - so not quite the same as Jack). Without my Dad, I feel like a small girl wandering alone without the security and protection I always felt from him and this made everything Seren felt and did more important, I felt like I was with her in every heartbeat, every thought.

Nessie is fantastic; her character providing fun, comedic moments as well as melting your heart with her honest, innocent views on life. The relationship she has with her father is simply gorgeous, the love they have for each other is almost tangible and reflects what I imagine the relationship between Seren and her Dad was like when she was that age. Also, a very real reminder of the love I lost and deeply miss – as I am sure many other readers will feel too. 
I loved how the story was told through the dual narrative, having it unfold equally from both perspectives and understanding the motives behind each character’s actions.  I find the alternating chapters a treat, quite short and fast paced, it makes it difficult to put down as you desperately want to know each character next move. (It’s difficult enough as it’s such a beautiful book anyway). 

Although this is a love story, a real head over heels tale of falling for someone when it’s least expected, it isn’t all the story is. It is a beautiful reminder of how delicate and fragile we are (like the sea-glass), how deeply we can feel and how although we may be broken, we can still sparkle and shine – especially when you find something, or someone, to feel passionate about. It’s also about how we must, at times, look beyond what we need for ourselves and think about what those around us need more.

Somewhere Beyond The Sea is beautifully written, with characters you love and themes that you will easily identify with. It’s something special and you will not want to put it down. It’s not often something resonates SO deeply and personally. It’s a must read, you’ll be enchanted. 

Comfy Rating: 👍👍👍👍👍

The Perfectly Imperfect Woman - Milly Johnson

Available here on Amazon

I am a huge advocate of visiting and using your local library. My earliest memory is being taken to the library and thumbing through the children's books - taking great delight in selecting which I would take home with me. This excitement has never lessened and now as an adult, I love being able to take home more than I could when I was a child. I can never come away with just a couple. 
'The Perfectly Imperfect Woman' by the marvelous Milly Johnson (follow her on twitter @millyjohnson) is what my library classes as a '7 Day - Chart Topper'  meaning you can take it out but must return it within 7 days and you cannot renew it. Its like some kind of exciting reading challenge I guess. I needn't of worried - it took me less than 24 hours to read this wonderful tale...

Marnie Salt has had a difficult life, mostly due to things beyond her control. After years of continually being made to feel unloved and always at fault she has often made bad choices that seem to end in bigger problems. The lack of love within Marnie’s life is apparent from the outset, adopted by a woman who never shows her love or attention but blames her for everything that goes wrong. We are given glimpses into Marnies’ beginnings but jump to her as a successful,if not lonely, woman. Marnie has worked hard and has a great career, she is successful and has aspirations about continuing to do well but it’s evident she has not had the same success in her personal life. Friends that have abandoned her, failed relationships with the totally wrong types of men leaves Marnie spending many a weekend alone and getting far too drunk. This is how she meets Lillian - an old lady causing a storm on a cheesecake chat room. Marnie, in a drunken stupor, bares her soul to Lillian, divulging her innermost thoughts and feelings. This is the beginning of an amazing friendship that is bound to change both their lives. After a crisis, Marnie needs an escape and Lillian is more than happy to provide this. Marnie is welcomed into Lillian’s life and village -Wychwell- with open arms just not by all that live there. Village folk are suspicious and Marnie in turn feels that maybe this is just another place she doesn’t belong and through the events that suddenly transpire, that it may be time to leave and look for another escape. Marnie soon comes to realise that Wychwell has taken her for its own and knows in her heart of hearts that she must to do what is best for the village, her new friends but most importantly for herself. She discovers that it’s fine to be imperfect, to have the cracks and bits missing that make us unique individuals. Marnies story resonates so to look at yourself and embrace who you are and know that what you consider to be flaws, loved ones will look past and see you for exactly who you are. The people that truly love you will see always see the true you. A magical tale of friendship, self-belief, community and true love.  I am a huge Milly Johnson fan and yet again I was taken to a little place that I just wished I could be part of. I was mesmerised by Marnie, Lillian and the village. I swooned at Herv and adored Emilie too - I found myself to be surprised and even heartbroken at some of the little twists in the story (that doesn't happen often). I thought I could predict what would happen, and yes for some things I was right - but there was definite curve-balls to keep me on my toes. I always look forward to reading Milly's books and hope in the future we can learn more about the people and the goings on in Wychwell but also pay a visit to lovely Marnie and see what happened after 'The End.' Comfy Rating: 👍👍👍👍👍