Review - Seek Immediate Shelter by Vincent Yu

Seek Immediate Shelter by Vincent Yu
Publisher: Duckworth Books
Release date: 6 August 2026

Back cover blurb: BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. One ordinary morning, in an unexceptional town, every mobile phone lights up with the same emergency alert. 

In this compelling, darkly funny and moving debut novel, each of Vincent Yu’s utterly relatable, flawed characters is given a choice: in the face of mutually assured destruction, do we reach for grace and mercy or do we hold on to hate and fear? 

Seventeen minutes later the town learns via text that it was a false alarm and the question changes. Can we forgive each other for what’s been said and done when the world didn’t actually end?

Seek Immediate Shelter - this is not a drill. 

What would you do if you got this message?

It's a theme explored brilliantly in a book I read last year, 59 Minutes by Holly Seddon. This tackles the same subject, but in a very different way.

I've seen some poor reviews of this book, which I actually think are unfair.

We know what we are going into when we start this, we already know that this is a false alarm, and that we are exploring the stories of different characters, some of whom whose lifes are entwineed, some not. 

Some have said it’s difficult to follow the different stories, but I don’t think it was at all. And I liked how they were intertwined with each other, sometimes without even knowing it.

I don’t think it’s any coincidence that this book was published on 6 August. The anniversary of the atomic bomb being dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. 

Something to really make us think about the horrific use of these weapons and the destruction and devastation that they cause.

The way that the threat of them terrifies people. Partly due to the unknown. And partly due to what we do know, about Hiroshima.

This is a thought provoking book that I actually really enjoyed. 

Seek Immediate Shelter is available now via Amazon online and all book shops.

Thank You to the publishers who approved my request via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review - Liesel's War by Corin Burnside

Liesel's War by Corin Burnside
Publisher: HQ Digital 
Release date: 13 August 2026

Back cover blurb: April, 1945. Hamburg is a city on the brink of collapse, and Liesel Heinemann is caught in the storm of war. Once a promising student of translation, she is now a reluctant interpreter for the Nazis, her life irrevocably altered by the horrors surrounding her. Everything changes when she saves a British soldier who has lost his memory in a tank explosion. Naming him ‘Tommy’, they set off with Liesel’s two brothers on a treacherous journey westward, seeking refuge and the hope of finding their mother in England. With danger lurking at every turn and the realities of war weighing heavily on her heart, Liesel discovers that love can bloom even in the darkest of times. Growing closer to her British soldier against the war-torn landscape, Liesel must make tough decisions to keep her family alive. In a world torn apart by war, love and hope become guiding stars on their desperate journey.

Liesel is a young woman who has already seen too much. Her Mother has fled the country, her Father has passed and her too young brothers are at risk of being called into Hitler's army.

As the end of the War looms, and Allied troops enter her home town, Liesel is more concerned than ever for the family's future. 

German's across the world have been given a terrible name during the conflict, no matter what their belief or heritage.

But when Liesel sees a young man injured and left for dead just metres away from their apartment, she cannot stand and watch him die alone. So she does the unthinkable. 

She brings an injured party from an enemy country into their home.

She knows it is dangerous, and her Brothers are resentful of her actions. But Liesel knows it is the good and right thing to do. 

There is also part of her that feels a loyalty to the British, as their Mother is English.

The injured soldier is unable to remember his name, and so they agree to call him 'Tommy'. 

As Liesel nurses him back to health, she wonders if he could help the family to be reunited with their Mother, as so begins an unbelievable journey that continues to the end of the War.

Liesel's War is available now via Amazon online and all good book shops.

Thank You to the publishers who approved my request via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review - Tell Me Something True by Michael Robotham

Tell Me Something True by Michael Robotham

Publisher: Sphere 

Release date: 29 September 2026

Back cover blurb: I look along the road and notice how many people are standing outside their houses or watching from doorways and windows. Staring. Studying. 'Do you think this town will ever forgive me?' I ask. 'Not in a million years.' Small towns are quick to anger and slow to forgive, but Arlo Hackett doesn't expect mercy when he emerges from a twelve-year prison sentence and makes his way back to Yulara, a waypoint on Australia's Great Southern Road. The last time Arlo was home, his brother Luke was charged with a terrible crime and Arlo was found guilty by association. His return to the former goldrush town is like cracking open a time capsule full of hatred and violence, along with memories of the people he loved - the ones he couldn't save. Yulara wants Arlo gone, or worse, but every insult and humiliation pushes him to confront what really happened all those years ago. The truth will shock you, surprise you, and break your heart.

Arlo Hackett is about to be released from prison, for a crime he didn’t commit. 

He is guilty by association. 

The true perpetrator of the crime his younger brother Luke, or so the court found. 

After twelve years, Arlo must return to his hometown of Yulara to be with his Mother, and take over the care of their family home.

Arlo knows that he won’t be welcome. Yulara is a small town, and people don’t forget easily. Especially when it concerns the rape and murder of a young girl.

But Arlo is surprised at the level of animosity that he receives. Especially when he tries to protest his and his brother’s innocence, which he is certain of.

It makes Arlo wonder if someone knows more than they are willing to admit. It would make sense, if someone was hiding something that they are so determined that Arlo leave Yulara for good. 

Preferably without asking questions.

But Arlo feels that he owes Luke. The younger brother that he failed to protect in his time of need. And if he upsets the people of Yulara whilst he’s searching then that’s just bad luck.

Tell Me Something true is a dark tale of small town life, whose characters will really get under your skin.

Tell Me Something True is available now via Amazon online and all good book shops.

Thank You to the publishers who approved my request via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review - The Bestseller by Jenny Knightsby

The Bestseller by Jenny Knightsby

Publisher: Headline

Release date: 10 September 2026

Back cover blurb: Therapist Helena Salve knows that client confidentiality is the number one unbreakable rule of her job. But the constant stories of coercive control and threat she hears from her client Belle about her dangerous husband have been wearing her down. One night over too many glasses of wine, she tells her best friend Tala everything that Belle has told her. The problem is, Tala is a down-on-her-luck novelist who is looking for an idea for her new thriller. Months later, Tala is excitedly telling Helena that her publisher is saying this is going to be her biggest book ever. The story is Belle's story. Not only is Helena's job on the line, but if Belle's husband is as dangerous as she says, her life is too... Why would Tala do this to Helena? She knows what's at stake. Your friends are meant to protect you... aren't they?

I cannot tell you how much I loved this book! It is so so good. And bound to be a bestseller - no pun intended!

Therapist Helena Salve is no stranger to complex and difficult domestic abuse cases. Her latest client Belle is showing classic signs of being coercively controlled by her frankly evil sounding husband Julius. 

Belle is obvlious to this, and is only attending therapy sessions at the behest of her sister. 

Helena is affected more by Belle than she has been by any client before. 

Something about Belle’s case has really gotten under her skin, but she can’t figure out what. 

Helena has been best friends with Tala since University, they tell each other everything, and Helena would trust Tala with her life. So when she has a glass of wine too many and tells Tala about her latest client. depsite her breach of patient confidentiality she thinks nothing of it.

Until Tala's newest novel hits the shelves, detailing events that only Helena knows about. Her novel is very clearly about Belle, and her relationship with Julius.

Believing she is the victim of the worst kind of betrayal, Helena turns to her long suffering husband for comfort, and support. 

But what if the ultimate betrayal lies closer to home?

The Bestseller is available now via Amazon online and all good book shops.

Thank You to the publishers who approved my request via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review - To All the Men I've Killed Before by Katy Brent

To All the Men I've Killed Before
Publisher: HQ Digital 
Release date: 27 August 2026

Back cover blurb: If a man hurt your best friend – like, really hurt her – what would you do? Key his car? Or hunt him down and chop him into little pieces? Tough decision, I know. I’ve tracked this lowlife to LA and brought my little sister Antoinette along for the ride. I'm trying not to be irritated that she's found a taste for murder and is leaving body parts all over our hotel. Because this girls’ trip needs a Hollywood ending. And of all the men I've killed before, this one will be the sweetest…

Kitty Collins is not your average serial killer. She only kills men for a start. 

Bad men.

The dangeorus rapists, and mysogynists of the word. She usally kills alone. It's safer that way clearly. 

Lessens her chances of getting caught.

But now her step sister wants in on the act, after Kitty inadvertently reveals her criminal self to her.

So they find themselves off to Hollywood in search of Kitty's best friends ex. Who literally tried to kill her when she was cautious about having sex with him.

Rightly so, it seems!

Kitty is out for revenge, and it won't be pretty.

Unfortunately (for them), Hollywood is full of disgusting perverts, so Kitty's step sister decides to rid the world of a few whilst they are there.

I mean, why pass up the opportunity of a lifetime...

I love Kitty, she is awesome, and I can't wait for the next one in the series - that is, I mean, I'm hoping that there is one.

After all, she has a fan club now and everything...

To All the Men I've Killed Before is available now via Amazon online and all good book shops.

Thank You to the publishers who approved my request via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review - Eyes on You by Adele Parks

Eyes On You by Adele Parks

Publisher: HQ

Release date: 27 August 2026

Back cover blurb: Be afraid. Someone’s watching. At fifteen, Amy witnessed her father brutally murder his secret lover. Her testimony sealed her father’s fate. With him in prison, Amy and her mother must rebuild their lives in the shadow of a notorious crime. Years later, Oliver Harrington walks into the restaurant where Amy works. Just like Amy, Oliver has a past he’d rather forget. Amy is drawn to him at a profound level; they feel a connection, an understanding… This seems a lot like love, but does it hide something darker – an obsession that could lead Amy into a web of deception and violence she thought she’d escaped? As the truth looms ever closer, Amy must confront a harsh reality: where there is love, there is often betrayal.

Regular readers of my blog, will know that I'm a huge fan of this author. But I would never let that influence an honest review.

I’m not entirely sure that I can find the right words to say how much I loved this book. Which is partly why it’s taken me so long to write this review (work being the other reason!)

When Amy witnessed her Father brutally murder his mistress at the age of just fifteen, it altered the course of her life, forever.

Years later, Amy, now Hannah Smith is working in a noodle restaurant, the type popular with families and students, not the well dressed suits of the City.

So when Oliver Harrington and his work colleagues come into the restuarant, Amy notices him immediately, not only does he look out of place because of his obvious wealth. But he is also the best looking man she has ever seen.

Amy is the kind of young woman who doesn't really believe in love, especially not at first sight. She has seen to much life for that. Her usally 'romantic' encounters and are of the fast and dirty kind, where you don't ever plan on seeing the other person again.

So when she falls hard and fast for Oli it takes her, and those around her completely by suprise. Her friends, family and work colleagues tell her to be careful. That someone so utterly perfect must be too good to be true.

For Amy this advice is too little, too late. She is already head over heels, and nothing can stop her from getting what she wants. Oli also has a past that he wants to forget about, so they are literally perfect for each other, right?!

Perhaps not ...

That's all I can possibly say, as I really want you to experience this beautiful thriller for yourself. It has so many twists and turns! I literally read it in a couple of hours as I could not put it down, I was too invested. You will not be disappointed.

Eyes On You is available now via Amazon online and all good book shops.

Review - the Ruins by Becky Docton

The Ruins by Becky Docton
Publisher: HQ
Release date: 13 August 2026

Back cover blurb: Devon, 1937. Lucie, just seven years old, newly arrived in England, watches blood drip from her mother’s hem as she crosses the footbridge to the train that will snatch her out of her life, the words, ‘Don’t leave me,’ captured in her throat. Clifford glances at the small girl sitting beside him as they drive back to The Ruins, the ancestral home Lucie has never known. Once alive with weekend parties, croquet and swimming in the lake, ‘These days, nobody is happy here,’ Clifford tells Lucie. Enid, in the vast, dark kitchen, clutches a cigarette and a sour drink, her violet eyes appraising the new arrival like a spider intent on a fly. She murmurs, ‘She’s got Kyte in her. Looks like Ruth.’ But this is not a compliment. Ruth seethes with rage as she studies her own lovely face in the mirror of her cabin, aboard the ocean liner that will carry her and the husband who has betrayed her away from her daughter and back to Malaya. ‘Plenty of mothers do this,’ she tells herself. As Lucie pieces together the story of her family and the mother who vanishes from her childhood, she will make unlikely friendships and discover the joy of imagination; and in the years that follow, will tread a precarious line taking her to unexpected places, both in herself and the rapidly changing world around her.

The Ruins is a beautifully written novel spanning pre-war England, and post-war Ceylon (Sri Lanka).

'You won't like it here', is Lucie's introduction to the Ruins. At just Seven years old she is being sent to live with a family member, Clifford, prior to spending the next decade or so at boarding school.

Having been in England for a family funeral, her Mother is travelling back to be with her husband and their business aboard. She doesn't want to leave her young daughter, but she doesn't have a choice.

Lucie is wise beyond her years, an avid reader, and extremely intelligent. She feels immediately out of place at the Ruins. Unloved and unwanted. A feeling that only grows worse as she writes to her Mother and recieves no reply.

She doesn't want to go to boarding school, she wants to be with her Mother, but Lucie also has no choice.

In time she learns to be herself at school, and grows close to Clifford and some of the house staff when she is home for the holidays. But she still misses her Mother.

As war breaks out in Europe, Lucie's desire to be near her Mother grows stronger, but news is not forthcoming. 

As the war continues, Lucie fears the worst and realises that she must learn to life her new life to the full, or risk losing everything.

The Ruins is available now via Amazon online and all good book shops.

Thank you to the publishers who approved my request in exchange for an honest review.