Fiction

Whisper Network by Chandler Baker Review

Janereads4 Comments
Whisper Network by Chandler Baker book review
Whisper Network by Chandler Baker, ISBN 9780733641558, 343pp

Whisper Network by lawyer turned author Chandler Baker has been compared to Big Little Lies and I can see why, but it didn’t quite measure up to my expectations. Set in a Dallas law firm, it follows four female characters through the before, during and aftermath of a life-changing experience. Sloane, Grace and Ardie are all attorneys (and friends) dealing with work and personal issues. Rosalita is a cleaner working at the company who will also be affected by what’s about to happen.

At the heart of their work issues is their boss Ames whose past behaviour has impacted them all. When a new female lawyer joins their team, things are about to go downhill fast. Continue reading →

Beartown by Fredrik Blackman Review

Janereads7 Comments
Beartown by Fredrik Backman book review
Beartown by Fredrik Backman, ISBN 9781501163104, 418pp

Beartown by Fredrik Backman is one of those books I’ve been seeing around everywhere for a long time. When I discovered a copy at a second-hand book sale I went to recently, I finally picked it up.

Beartown is a small, struggling town nestled deep in the forest in Sweden. But this sporting town felt like it could be anywhere – in Canada, America, even Australia if you swapped hockey for rugby league. Beartown doesn’t have much going for it besides its ice hockey team. The townspeople’s lives revolve around the ice rink and the fortunes of their team echoes the fortunes of the town.

This season a win by the junior hockey team in the national championships could change everything for the teenage players, the club management and trainers, their families and the rest of the town.

Continue reading →

Dating You Hating You by Christina Lauren Review

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Dating You Hating You by Christins Lauren book review
Dating You Hating You by Christina Lauren, ISBN 9780349417523, 353pp

I discovered Christina Lauren books back in March when I read Roomies. Since then I’ve read The Unhoneymooners and Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating. Earlier this month I picked up a fourth Christina Lauren book – Dating You Hating You – and this might be my favourite one yet!

Dating You Hating You is very much in the same vein as The Hating Game by Sally Thorne and is your classic flirty foes storyline in a workplace setting. I really enjoyed it. Carter and Evie are Hollywood talent agents from rival agencies who are introduced by mutual friends at a Halloween party (they both dress as Harry Potter characters). They hit it off despite the rivalry and it seems they are heading into a budding romance. BUT then their rival agencies suddenly merge. They are told by their mutual boss that there might only be one position for them in the new company. So suddenly everything is very complicated as they are pitted against each other for the job. Continue reading →

While You Were Reading Review and Blog Tour

Janereads4 Comments
While You Were Reading book review
While You Were Reading by Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus, ISBN 9781925750560, 374pp

While You Were Reading is the second book by Melbourne-based co-authors, Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus. If you don’t know, Ali and Michelle are the book loving brains behind the Books on the Rail initiative where book ninjas like myself are sent books by publishers to hand out on public transport around Australia. I was sent a copy of this book for review and so I could participate in the #whileyouwerereadingblogtour.

While You Were Reading is a love story dedicated to book lovers, reading and Melbourne. After reading this delightful book, I feel like booking an impromptu weekend in Melbourne to explore all the trendy cafes and book stores mentioned in the novel. Continue reading →

The Tiger Catcher by Paullina Simons Review

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The Tiger Catcher by Paullina Simons
The Tiger Catcher by Paullina Simons, ISBN 9780732294922, 443pp

The Tiger Catcher by Paullina Simons is the first book in the  End of Forever trilogy. I used to love reading Paullina Simons books in my twenties. Books like The Bronze Horseman trilogy, Tully and The Girl in Time Square were some of my favourites. It has been quite a while since I’ve read any of her books.

I saw The Tiger Catcher on bookstagram and a bookstagrammer I follow described it as “a passionate love story.” So I rushed out and bought it the same day. I was so eager to start it that I nudged aside all the other books on my to be read pile. Continue reading →

The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary Review

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photo of The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary
The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary, ISBN 9781787474420, 394pp

The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary was such a fun read. I saw this book everywhere before finally jumping on the reading bandwagon — and I’m so glad that I did. I loved this story. The writing reminded me of Jojo Moyes and Marian Keyes — both who are favourite authors of mine. The story also reminded me of my own experience moving into a share house and finding love. But more on that later…

The Flatshare tells the story of Tiffy and Leon. Tiffy works as a book editor for a craft book publisher. She has to find somewhere affordable to live in London (in a hurry) after breaking up with her douchey boyfriend, Justin. Continue reading →

The Strawberry Thief by Joanne Harris Review

Janereads4 Comments
photo of the book The Strawberry Thief by Joanne Harris
The Strawberry Thief by Joanne Harris, ISBN 9781409170761, 368pp (this is a photo of a special signed proof I received from the publisher)

The Strawberry Thief by Joanne Harris was a delightful read. I haven’t read any Joanne Harris books for a long time, so reading this one felt a bit like sitting down with a long lost friend. When most people think of books by Joanne Harris, they think of her bestselling book Chocolat. Well, The Strawberry Thief returns to that same world years later. I didn’t realise there were a couple of other books in this series – which I haven’t read – but I honestly feel you can jump straight to this book if you like.

Vianne Rocher still runs a magical chocolate shop in a small French village. Her daughter Anouk is now twenty-one and living in Paris with her boyfriend. But Vianne has another daughter, sixteen-year-old Rosette, her special child. Continue reading →

The One Plus One by Jojo Moyes Review

Janereads6 Comments
The One Plus One book by Jojo Moyes next to a cup of tea
The One Plus One by Jojo Moyes, ISBN 9781405909051, 515pp

I read The One Plus One by Jojo Moyes a few months ago while on a long car trip. Luckily my husband drove so I could read. This was a re-read for me but I read this years ago so I couldn’t remember much of the plot. It was the perfect book to read in the car as the plot involves a road trip to Scotland.

If there’s one thing Jojo Moyes does well it’s creating characters who you can’t help but feel for and cheer for. The One Plus One is told from the perspective of four characters. Jess Thomas is a single mum separated from her deadbeat husband and working two jobs to try and make ends meet. Ed Nichols is a rich, talented software developer with a lot of brains but not the best sense when it comes to relationships. Tanzie is Jess’s tween daughter and a math genius. She has the chance for a better future at a new school, but money is an overwhelming obstacle. And Nicky is the teenage son of Jess’s ex who she has taken under her wing. His difference and love of eyeliner makes him the constant target of the local bullies. Continue reading →