If you follow me on Instagram, you will have probably seen me sharing the books that I've been reading this year, so far. I've also been keeping track of how I'm getting on with my Goodreads reading challenge in this Twitter thread.
SHOP THE POST
But if you haven't seen these posts or want to find out a bit more about some of the individual books, here is everything that I've read during the first three months of 2020, in chronological order;
The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary
Tiffy needs a cheap flat and fast. Leon works nights and needs cash. Their friends think they're crazy but it's the perfect solution: Leon occupies the one-bed flat while Tiffy is at work in the day. Then she has the run of the place the rest of the time. They share a flat and even a bed but have never met.
This was such a lovely book, particularly as I don't naturally gravitate towards stories like this. Each chapter is told alternatively from Tiffy and Leon's perspective, which adds to the story for me. It's also not just your typical romance book. It did end the exact way you would expect it to but I enjoyed it all the same.
4.5 out of 5 stars · Buy it now
Postscript by Cecelia Ahern
It's been seven years since Holly's husband died, six since she read his last letter. But when a group calling themselves the PS I Love You Club reach out to her for help, she finds herself drawn back into what she had tried to move on from.
Now this was a great sequel to the original PS I Love You book and even the movie adaptation. It was great to catch up with Holly and find out more about her life with and after Gerry. Add in the new characters from the PS I Love You Club and this was such a great read, even if I did predict exactly how all the stories would be tied up.
4.5 out of 5 stars · Buy it now
The Whisper Man by Alex North
Fifteen years ago a serial killer, known as 'The Whisper Man' abducted and murdered five young boys. Until finally he was caught. But now another boy has disappeared and another has heard whispers at his window.
This eerie and creepy story immediately had me hooked. It's incredibly well written and one abduction attempt, which involves fingers peeking through a letterbox attempting to coax a young boy to open the door, left me feeling so uneasy. Again, I did predict who the 'new' Whisper Man would be but this was easily one of the best crime thrillers that I've read in a while.
4.5 out of 5 stars · Buy it now
In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
When Dannie falls asleep she wakes up five years in the future in a different apartment, with a different engagement ring on, next to a man she's never met. But when she wakes up she is back in the present. She puts this out of her mind until four and half years later, when standing on the corner is the man from her dream.
This had me hooked from the very first page and immediately put me in the shoes of Dannie. Particularly as it was set in my favourite city in the world; New York. It was so much more than I expected it to be and truly tugged at my emotions. Plus, it didn't end as I thought it would, which is what made it my first 5 star read, when it comes to 2020's Goodreads reading challenge.
5 out of 5 stars · Buy it now
Conviction by Denise Mina
Anna, an avid true crime podcast fan, is listening to one when she recognises the name of one of the victims. With nothing to lose, after her husband has left her for her best friend and taken their children with him, she throws herself into investigating the case.
I already dedicated a full blog post to this book so I don't want to repeat myself too much. But, I could not put this down! It takes you from my hometown of Glasgow, to a castle in the Scottish highlands, to Saint Martin in France, London, Venice and beyond. It is propelled forward in a brilliant fashion, even if the ending isn't as strong as it could have been.
4 out of 5 stars · Buy it now
Over The Top by Jonathan Van Ness
Who gave Jonathan Van Ness permission to be the radiant human he is today? No one, honey. The truth is, it hasn't always been gorgeous for this beacon of positivity and joy.
I challenge you not to read this autobiography, by Queer Eye's JVN, in his voice! It’s honest, inspiring, heartbreaking and funny, all at once, with such a gorgeous (as Jonathan would say) message. There are glorious highs and tragic lows and it packs a real punch. Much more so than Tan France's autobiography, for me anyway. See my review of that book here.
4.5 out of 5 stars · Buy it now
Pretty Guilty Women by Gina LaManna
Four different women offer four very different confessions to the death of a man found in the midst of a rehearsal dinner at a luxurious resort, each insisting they acted alone. But who is truly guilty?
If you like Big Little Lies or Desperate Housewives, I've got a feeling that you'll enjoy this book. It was a quick, easy read with some really well formed characters. The interview transcripts throughout didn't quite work for me, neither did the twist at the end. I also guessed who the murdered man was almost immediately. However, saying that, it was definitely better than average and a book that I looked forward to picking up each evening.
3.5 out of 5 stars · Buy it now
Sleep by C.L. Taylor
To escape her past, Anna takes a job at a hotel on the remote Scottish island of Rum. But when seven guests join her, what started as a retreat from the world turns into a deadly nightmare. Seven strangers. Seven secrets. One deadly lie.
I loved that I couldn't anticipate what would happen next or what direction this book would go in. And despite there being a host of different guests holed up in the Bay View Inn, each character feels completely real. This was a great psychological thriller that had me fully in Anna's shoes and willing her on to survive. I simply could not put this down! And it was easily my second five star read, when it comes to this year's Goodreads reading challenge.
5 out of 5 stars · Buy it now
That's Not A Thing by Jacqueline Friedland
Meredith's engagement to Wesley ended in spectacular disaster, after he blamed her for the death of his parents and flew off to Europe without her. Meredith's life is now back on track, with her being engaged to a baby saving doctor. That is until Wesley is back in the States and she's bumping into him everywhere. But when he reveals that he has a progressive life limiting disease, what will she do with both men in her life at once?
This isn't your standard bit of chick lit set in NYC in the slightest and I found the development of each main character more than enough to keep me reading. This could have easily been a 5 star book for me but the ending was such an anti climax. Even though we can assume what happens to Wesley, it would have been nice to have a short epilogue to wrap up some of the character's storylines, other than Meredith's and Aaron's.
4 out of 5 stars · Buy it now
You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen
Shay lives in New York but doesn't have many friends, is in a dead end job and is just generally lonely, when she witnesses a woman of a similar age jump in front of a Subway train. After being truly affected by this death, she meets the glamorous Moore sisters at the memorial and thinks how nice it must be to have their life. But what they really want is hers.
Whilst this was really well written, the format in which it is set out didn't work for me. Knowing, mostly, what the Moore sisters were doing from the outset, meant that there were no surprises or even times to speculate what they were doing and why. I really liked and sympathised with Shay as a character but it was sometimes difficult to keep track of all the women in the Moore sisters' orbit.
3.5 out of 5 stars · Buy it now
This year I pledged to read 28 books for my Goodreads reading challenge, to coincide with me turning 28. So I'm really happy that I've already read 10 books so far.
What have you been reading recently? Have you read any of these books? And is anyone else doing the Goodreads reading challenge this year?
1