
Hello Cwtchers!
After taking a bit of a blogging break, I’m back to share an end of year Cwtch Up Catch Up post on the lovely books I’ve cwtched up with in 2017. Despite the hiatus I managed to read quite a few books this year so I’ve gone with one sentence reviews to make it a tiny bit more manageable. (I’ve found this discipline really challenging as we know I do love to go on…and on….and on….)
Huge thanks to all the lovely publishers and authors who have really kindly worked with me this year. Apologies for the blog tours I missed due to being poorly, I’m now back on track and super-excited for all the new releases in 2018.
Big cwtches, Kate xx
Here we go, in no particular order…
Braving the Wilderness – Brené Brown
I’d highly recommend getting the audiobook version so that you can pretend that Brené is your best friend calling you to chat some southern-accented sense into you.
Need to Know – Karen Cleveland
A CIA analyst discovers she is married to a deep-cover agent in the Russian sleeper cell she’s tasked with investigating and you might seriously need a reminder to breathe.
Mad Girl – Bryony Gordon
I cried so much with painful recognition that my paperback copy looks like I dropped it in the bath and that’s the official story I will tell people.
Broken Branches – Lee M Jonathan
A big old tree has never been so creepy.
Every Last Lie – Mary Kubica
Grief and deceit get in the way of the desperate search for the truth about a fatal car crash and someone always knows more than you think.
Her Last Secret – Barbara Copperthwaite
A dark diary cleverly works backwards from a family tragedy to reveal the unexpected story behind a grisly un-festive Christmas Day.
The Heart’s Invisible Furies – John Boyne
Huge thwack on the table, epic Irish storytelling in stunning seven year updates.
The Confession – Jo Spain
You already know he did it, but you won’t stop turning the pages until you find out why.
How To Be A Grown Up – Daisy Buchanan
I made such hefty notes in this book I started to realise that if there was such a thing as a grown-up license I should probably have mine taken away from me.
Friend Request – Laura Marshall
Social media messages from beyond the grave confirm that school reunions are never a good idea.
The Postcard – Fern Britton
This sweet story will make you want to pack up and move to Cornwall & have scones with Fern.
Reasons to Stay Alive – Matt Haig
Essential and lifechanging bitesize reading for anyone with a mind, healthy or otherwise.
Anything You Do Say – Gillian McAllister
Cleverly written thriller about a split-second decision which brilliantly alternates between the sliding doors consequences for both the truth and the lie.
Best Day Ever – Kaira Rouda
Chillingly creepy husband plans a perfect day for his wife which will give you all the holiday cabin envy as well as the shivers.
Ice Cream for Breakfast – Laura Jane Williams
Stunning rainbow sprinkled cover with even more stunning words inside which will make you stop, play and know that you’ve made a good decision to do so.
The Hygge Holiday – Rosie Blake
Grab a blanket, light a candle and prepare to be word-hugged by the cosiest book I read this year.
I Found You – Lisa Jewell
You will smugly think you know the connection between the two narratives and you may be very wrong.
Puzzle Girl – Rachael Featherstone
When you leave little love notes for a mystery man on a crossword book in your GP surgery.
The Little Shop of Hopes & Dreams – Fiona Harper
If your fledgling business is helping to stage grand gesture marriage proposals, falling in love for yourself isn’t always straightforward.
Copycat – Alex Lake
Sinister thriller which will make you consider deleting your facebook account.
You Do You – Sarah Knight
The third straightforward advice book from Sarah who is gorgeous, hilarious and perfectly balances ballsy no-nonsense profanity with delicate sentiment.
It Started With A Tweet – Anna Bell
When social media obsession goes bad, a countryside digital detox is the cure.
Yesterday – Felicia Yap
Fascinating concept where everyone can remember only the past 24 or 48 hours and there is a murder to solve.
Safe With Me – K.L Slater
A compelling tale of revenge, manipulation, loneliness, confusion and mistrust.
Kind Hearts & Coriander – April Hardy
Family saga in a country house hotel with a grumpy but gorgeous restaurant manager.
The Story of Our Life – Shari Low
Heartbreaking, bittersweet, emotional tale of love and loss.
Don’t Close Your Eyes – Holly Seddon
Estranged twin sisters’ paths cross again in an unsettling and powerful story.
The Honeymoon – Tina Seskis
A missing newly married man with a stomach-churning conclusion.
Hot Mess – Lucy Vine
Hilariously relatable and scarily accurate single girl freshness.
Follow You – Richard Parker
Whatever you do, don’t tweet #BeMyKiller.
Her Last Breath – Tracy Buchanan
Finding the twisted connections between a missing teenager and a soon-to-be-published food writer.
36 Questions that changed my mind about you – Vicki Grant
I definitely fell in love with this YA romance and I didn’t even need all 36 questions to confirm it.
Just For The Rush – Jane Lark
Significantly more substance than the usual steamy thrills.
Keep Me Safe – Daniela Sacerdoti
A brilliantly atmospheric novel, with just enough spookiness to keep you intrigued but not so much to scare your pants off.
The Picture House by The Sea – Holly Hepburn
Vintage dress-ups and really smart movie nostalgia make this a beachy dream.
Lies – T.M. Logan
A thrilling, twisty social media tale with a satisfying ending that you’ll race to get to.
The Secret Life of Lucy Lovecake – Pippa James
Sumptuous cakes, vintage lingerie and French passion.
The Summer House – Jenny Hale
Jenny never fails to create the most attractive leading men to swoon over, this summer love is no exception.
True Love at the Lonely Hearts Bookshop – Annie Darling
A romance-only bookshop is the greatest idea in the world.
The Last Piece of My Heart – Paige Toon
If every relationship takes a little piece of your heart, this stunning story of stepping into someone else’s life is what happens when you reach the final piece.
Sweetpea – C.J. Skuse
A psycho serial killer has never made me laugh out loud so much.
The Ludlow Ladies Society – Ann O’Loughlin
Classic out-of-towner becomes charming community champion.
The Big Little Wedding in Carlton Square – Lilly Bartlett
Warm wedding feels with class issues and bunting.
The Break – Marian Keyes
Classic Keyes’ heartfelt lesson in when he asks for a relationship break, let him have it.
Mixing It Up – Tracie Banister
If TV chefs are the food of love, this is a feast.
Nineteen Letters – Jodi Perry
A strong contender for the most romantic book I’ve ever read.
The Dangers of Family Secrets – Debby Holt
Secrets, lies and mistrust.
The Beachside Sweet Shop – Karen Clarke
A lovely, gentle, feelgood read which will make you smile & crave a quarter of rosy apples.
To Have and To Hold – M.L.Roberts
Ended too soon, I really wanted more.
The Light We Lost – Jill Santopolo
The epic power of first love and serendipity.
Roadie: My Life on the Road with Coldplay – Matt McGinn
Interesting behind the scenes insight into stadium tours and being a rockstar sidekick.
The One That Got Away – Annabel Kantaria
A cautionary fidelity tale which reminds us that if someone is in our past, they’re usually behind us for a good reason.
Liar – K.L. Slater
A modern lesson to always listen to your Mum, her instincts are rarely mistaken.
The One – John Marrs
The obsessively intriguing dark side of love, science and DNA matchmaking.
The Cows – Dawn O’Porter
A sassy, smart & witty story which brilliantly captures a moment in our social media obsessed society.
The Choir on Hope Street – Annie Lyons
Uplifting community spirit still exists and it’s mostly found in song.
Rome is Where the Heart Is – Tilly Tennant
A perfect romantic holiday read, whether you’re actually leaving the house or just eating ice cream on your sofa.
The Idea of You – Amanda Prowse
An emotionally difficult but sensitively written story of miscarriage and motherhood.
The Kicking The Bucket List – Cathy Hopkins
Totally relatable bickering sisters are forced to strengthen their relationships through a series of challenges set by their departed mother.
The Escape – C.L. Taylor
The cliff scenes are some of the most exciting, pacey and exhilarating writing I’ve been totally immersed in for quite a while.
The People at Number Nine – Felicity Everett
A modern, dark suburban story about envy, new friendships and keeping up with the Jones’.
Everything But The Truth – Gillian McAllister
One late night email notification starts to unravel everything and you might want to start some low-key background checks on your loved one just as a precaution.
How To Mend a Broken Heart – Anna Mansell
If you’re a fan of a weepy with a soft side of gentle mystery then you’ll love this as much as I did.
Me, You & Tiramisu – Charlotte Butterfield
This will make you hungry for love and/or deli snacks but certainly not Youtube fame.
The Fifth Letter – Nicola Moriarty
A really interesting picture of toxic female friendships and frenemies.
The Breakdown – B.A. Paris
Sharp and smart domestic noir with a really clever title.
If ever I Fall – S.D. Robertson
Smarter than your average sad tale.
The Girl Before – J.P. Delaney
Alternating voices and repetition make a pacey, exciting thriller you’ll want to tell people about.
Paris for One and Other Stories – Jojo Moyes
A tidy little collection of lovely short stories.
How To Win Back Your Husband – Vivien Hampshire
A 30 day divorce deadline and a fight, fight, fight, fight, fight for this love (if it’s worth having it’s worth fighting for)
Good Me, Bad Me – Ali Land
Unnerving, uncomfortable & undeniably beautifully written.
Three Men and a Maybe – Katey Lovell
Include the word “cwtch” in your cute New Year novella and I’m guaranteed to love it.
The One Memory of Flora Banks – Emily Barr
For everyone who loves adventure and who believes that first kisses are unforgettable.
How to Stop Time – Matt Haig
Such a beautiful story, again I’d recommend the audio version so that you can cry without worrying about word blurring.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine – Gail Honeyman
A quirky tale of habit, loneliness and human kindness.
Phew….if you made it this far, well done! And thank you, big cwtches for 2018 xxxx