Review: A Friend Like Ben: A Mother Desperate for Love. a Little Boy Unable to Show It. a Cat That Brought Them Together

A Friend Like Ben: A Mother Desperate for Love. a Little Boy Unable to Show It. a Cat That Brought Them Together by Julia Romp

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This is a beautiful book. The true story, told by Julia, a single mum with an autistic son. Her every day struggle to bring up George, to protect him and her love for him; her dedication. The breakthrough for George and Julia comes when a stray cat Ben finds them.

It's a book for anyone who has any connection to autism; for animal lovers; and for sheer enjoyment.

As predicted it made my cry. My very grateful thanks to my Mum, who bought me this book for Christmas.

And my very best wishes to the author Julia, to George and of course to their friend Ben the cat.



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Review: The Affair

The Affair by Lee Child

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Another good Reacher story from Lee Child (and I still do not think Tom Cruise can possibly make a good Reacher!). This story goes back to the end of Reacher's army career and follows him through a Military Police investigation that ultimately ends his career in the Army setting him on the footloose and fancy free wandering life that flows through all the other Reacher books.

You can expect the usual suspense, action, thriller and a small love (or is just lust) interest that make up all the Reacher books.

Described by the Daily Mirror as a "thriller masterpice"; but it's The Telegraph's review that sums up "The Affair":

"With its revelations and its bonk-fest, it's an unabashed fan-pleaser, but also a timely, reassuring wallow in the undiluted essence of Reacher." (Telegraph )




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Review: Summer Secrets

Summer Secrets by Barbara Freethy

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Sisters, secrets, fear. This book explores relationships, family and romantic, blighted by secrets. Something happened 12 years ago to the McKenna family .... never discussed ... never spoken of. That is until investigative journalist Tyler arrives on the idyllic island home of the McKennas.

Tyler has a secret too ..... officially following a story of the McKenna round the world sailing win, he has a hidden agenda.

Well written, great characters, lots to relate to. And of course the romantic interests are there as well.



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Review: The Collectors

The Collectors by David Baldacci

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Initially two stories being told along side each other, switching from one to the other with no common thread. A little confusing .... then one character moves from one story to the other and the hunt for the reason behind a series of mysterious murders in Washington DC is on.

This is the second novel in the "Camel Club" series ..... a good thriller / suspense story.



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Review: Antonio Carluccio - A Recipe for Life

Antonio Carluccio - A Recipe for Life by Antonio Carluccio

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



A bit pedestrian in places, I enjoyed the description of Carluccio's Italian childhood, and of London and the food / wine scene in the seventies.



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Review: The Provence Cure for the Brokenhearted: A Novel

The Provence Cure for the Brokenhearted: A Novel by Bridget Asher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I loved this book. Yes, it's a love story, but so much more. I was attracted to it by the fact that a large part of the story is based in Provence. It takes a while to get going, beginning in USA with a young widow, Heidi, struggling to come to terms with her own grief and that of her 8 year old son, Abbot.

The book follows Heidi's journey, that of coming to terms with her bereavement, and her journey to a neglected family summer home in Provence, a house that has it's own stories to tell. It's also the story of Charolotte, the sixteen year old step-daughter of Heidi's sister, Abbot and Heidi's mother.

Woven through with love of baking, wonderful descriptions of patisserie, of French rural life and this is a story of an extended family coming to terms with the past, the present and the future.

"J'espere, despair, in air ..... I'm air"

Highly recommended.





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Review: The Patchwork Years

The Patchwork Years by Linnou M

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This is better than the first book and carries the story right through to the 70's and a tad later with Sarah's grandchildren and continuing the saga of the unwanted child. Not going to give any of the story away...definately a recommended buy......I await in anticipation for the 3rd book.



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