My 2024 Goodreads Reading Challenge: July - August

The Song Of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. Despite their differences, Achilles befriends the shamed prince. And as they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine, their bond blossoms into something deeper. But then Achilles must go to war in Troy and fulfil his destiny. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus goes with him, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they hold dear.

I've never been drawn to historical fiction but this did keep my interest, even if it felt a bit drawn out. Yes, we see these two boys grow into young men and there are some tender moments. However, once the war started I found it a bit of a struggle. I couldn't empathise with Achilles' hubris and had a feeling it would end the way that it did. While I did like the chapters told from Patroclus' POV after he has been killed, it wasn't the epic love story that I was expecting. There wasn't much chemistry between them and Achilles continues to put himself first time after time.

Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald

Finlay's studying for his nursing degree at Glasgow University, against all the odds. But coming straight from care means he has no support network. How can he write essays, find paid work and NOT fall for the beautiful boy at uni, when he's struggling to even feed himself? Banjo's trying to settle in with his new foster family and finish high school. But he can't forget all that has happened and his anger and fear keep boiling over. How can he hold on to the one good person in his life, when his outbursts keep threatening his already uncertain future?

This is an impactful coming of age story which tackles tough subject matter such as growing up in the care system, transitioning into an adult and everything that comes with it, chronic illness, abuse, addiction and masculinity. It's as equally heartwarming as it is heartbreaking at times. And as a Glaswegian I always enjoy seeing stories set in around my hometown and even though I'm not always a fan of Scots, it worked well for Banjo's dialogue. I also really appreciated the alternating POVs, as well as the flashbacks that are scattered throughout. This truly is a beautiful debut and story of perseverance.

The Housemaid Is Watching by Freida McFadden

I used to clean other people's houses, now, I can't believe this home is actually mine. Even still, I'm wary of our new neighbour Mrs Lowell. When she invites us over for dinner her maid opens the door. I know exactly what it's like to be in her shoes. But the Lowells' maid isn't the only strange thing on our street. I'm sure I see a shadowy figure watching us. My husband leaves the house late at night. And when I meet a woman who lives across the way, her words chill me to the bone. Could this quiet suburban street be the most dangerous place of all?

This was so underwhelming. There was no great twist and when the eventual killer is revealed it was just so lacklustre. Plus, nothing really happens for a large chunk of it and then when something did happen I really couldn't have cared less. I get that this was sent around 20 years after the second book but Millie went from being somewhat naive yet taking care of business when she had to, to behaving like a bit of a shrew. And don't get me started on Enzo. If they had just spoke to one another we could have saved what I guess was the only mystery pushing the story forward. It was a quick and easy read, with short chapters but it basically added nothing to the series.

The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren

Anna thought she was marrying Liam 'West' for access to subsidised student housing. She also thought she'd signed divorce papers when they graduated. Three years later, Anna is a starving artist while West is a Stanford professor. He may be one of four heirs to Weston Foods, but he has little interest in working for the heartless corporation his family built. He is interested, however, in his one-hundred-million-dollar inheritance. There's just one catch. Due to an antiquated clause in his grandfather's will, Liam won't see a penny until he's been happily married for five years.

As soon as I saw that this would include fake dating (or fake marriage) and marriage of convenience, I was 100% on board. I also loved that it transported me to the island with them and almost gave me Crazy Rich Asians vibes, in terms of the terribly rich acting terrible. Add in a bit of Succession meets Pretty Woman and you've got a great escapist read. Even though I knew his secret would cause some kind of third act breakup, it didn't bother me too much. However, there was maybe a bit too much toxicity for me and at points it's more about the family and their ensuing scandal than the romance, which was a bit frustrating. But in terms of the ending, that's how you do an epilogue.

What A Way To Go by Bella Mackie

Anthony Wistern is wealthy beyond imagination. Fragrant wife, gaggle of photogenic children, French chateau, Cotswold manor, plethora of mistresses, penchant for cutting moral corners, tick tick tick tick tick tick. Unfortunately for him, he’s also dead. Suddenly poised to inherit his fortune, each member of the family falls under suspicion. And that’s when everything comes crashing down.

This did not disappoint. Are they all pretty terrible people? Yes, with the exception of 'The Sleuth'. But I loved how we got an insight into the thoughts of the super rich and some brilliant social commentary on them too. It has the same wit and dark humour that I was expecting from this author and I enjoyed having some of it be set in literal limbo, as well. This kept me hooked the whole way through and I was so intrigued to see how it would all wrap up in the end. All I can say is, I absolutely devoured this book and it's easily one of my absolute favourites of the year so far.

Publication date: 12th September 2024

The Fiancé Dilemma by Elena Armas

Josie has given the opposite sex plenty of chances. Four exactly, if you count all her failed engagements, and five if you include the absentee father who kept her existence a secret until very recently. Matthew's tires are stuck in the muck after taking a wrong turn as he enters Green Oak. But he soon finds his best friend’s sister, Josie. What starts as a messy misunderstanding quickly turns into an arrangement with Matthew playing a new role as doting fiancé. Despite the ring on her finger, Josie knows this is only temporary, even if the rest of the small town believes that the fifth time’s the charm.

Much like the first book in this series, it is a slow burn but I didn't mind that too much. I liked seeing Matthew and Josie get to know one another and her starting to lean on someone else. Even though I love the fake dating/engagement trope, this one just didn't make much sense to me. And there wasn't enough of that tension that I normally love about fake dating, where you can see them pushing one another's boundaries and falling for one another. However, I did like finding out that Matthew had always thought of Josie as his potential soulmate and the scene in the wedding dress shop was one of my favourites. I also loved the Runaway Bride/27 Dresses vibes.

The Ghost Cat by Alex Howard

Early morning, 1902. At 7/7 Marchmont Crescent, Eilidh the charlady tips coal into a fire grate and sets it alight. Overhearing, Grimalkin the cat ambles over to lick his favourite human's hand. But this is to be his last day on earth, before he becomes the Ghost Cat. Follow Grimalkin as he witnesses the changes of the next 120 years, prowling unseen among the inhabitants of an Edinburgh tenement, while unearthing some startling revelations about the mystery of existence, the unstoppable march of time and the true meaning of feline companionship.

This truly is a love letter to Edinburgh and as someone who visits the Scottish capital often and has a real fondness for the city, I loved getting the little peeks into what the city had been like in the past. I also found it really moving to see time march on and things change dramatically, while at the same time they ultimately stayed the same. Grimalkin's relationship with Eilidh in particular was one of my favourites. And I liked the way that the topic of loneliness was tackled. It is quite a short book and I could have easily read more about Grimalkin's hauntings, as we do really only get a few hours at most in each chapter.

You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego

For decades, bestselling author J. R. Alastor, has hidden in the shadows. His novels adorn countless bookshelves across the world, but no one knows his real name. One day, event coordinator Mila gets a message: Alastor wants her help to host a murder mystery retreat on his private island. The guest list? Six crime and thriller writers. It’s the perfect cover for Mila to finally carry out her long-held plans for revenge on one of the authors. But when a different guest turns up dead, she finds herself in a lethal game she didn’t plan for. How do you escape a faceless killer who wrote the book on murder?

I was completely hooked from the very first page. I really appreciated that there were only a handful of characters to keep track of and each of them felt very distinct from one another. That and the fact that Mila was a great main character to follow and root for. I really enjoyed the multiple POVs and in particular the chapters told from the perspective of the serial killer. This had all the hallmarks of a classic locked room mystery but with a great spin on it. I also liked the start of certain chapters where a particular trope was explained too And, even if I wouldn't have done what Mila did, I did love seeing the way that Mila and Violet resolved things on the final pages.

Publication date: 13th February 2025

A Witch's Guide To Fake Dating A Demon by Sarah Hawley

Mariel is prophesied to be the most powerful witch seen in centuries of the famed Spark family, but when a spell to summon flour goes very wrong, Mariel finds herself staring down a demon - Ozroth the Ruthless - who she inadvertently summoned for a soul bargain. Becoming awkward roommates quickly escalates when Mariel, terrified to confess the inadvertent summoning to her mother, blurts out that she's dating Ozroth. As they struggle to maintain a fake relationship, real attraction blooms. But Ozroth has a limited amount of time to strike the deal, and if Mariel gives up her soul, she'll lose all her emotions - including love.

I did race through this, with it being really easy to read. But I didn't get the enemies to lovers that I thought I would and there was basically zero fake dating or grumpy/sunshine either. What we get instead is basically insta-love with zero tension. And then she turns on him immediately in what is one of the stupidest third act breakups. Basically, Mariel and her friends act like teenagers instead of women in their late twenties. Plus, everything was tied up too nicely in the end for me. And the ending itself felt quite abrupt too.

We Solve Murders by Richard Osman

Steve is enjoying retired life. He does the odd bit of investigation work, but he prefers his familiar habits and routines. Adrenaline is daughter-in-law Amy’s business now. As a private security officer, she’s currently on a remote island keeping world-famous author Rosie D’Antonio alive. Which was meant to be an easy job. Then a dead body, a bag of money and a killer with their sights on Amy have her sending an SOS to the only person she trusts. A breakneck race around the world begins, but can Amy and Steve stay one step ahead of a deadly enemy?

While this didn't quite have the same cosy magic as his other series, I enjoyed following them as they tried to work out what was happening, with it taking them all over the world. And I found the inclusion of ChatGPT and the world of influencers to be a fresh take. I particularly liked Steve as a character and warmed to him straight away. I maybe didn't connect as much with Amy but it was a fun caper the whole way through. Bonnie's chapters had me holding my breath as I hoped she wouldn't have the same fate as the other influencers. Overall, this was a quick, easy and engaging read and it left me wondering what will happen next.

Publication date: 12th September 2024