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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sinister thriller which will make you consider deleting your facebook account.
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.
Fascinating concept where everyone can remember only the past 24 or 48 hours and there is a murder to solve.
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.
A missing newly married man with a stomach-churning conclusion.
Hilariously relatable and scarily accurate single girl freshness.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A modern lesson to always listen to your Mum, her instincts are rarely mistaken.
The obsessively intriguing dark side of love, science and DNA matchmaking.
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 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.
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)
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.
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
