The Forever Home is a heartwarming book of second chances in the unlikeliest of places by the bestselling author Erica James. HQ kindly sent me a copy to review.
The Forever Home, even the title sounds warming. What lies behind the door of Hope Hall, a former grand country house in Cambridgeshire, since converted into luxury apartments, is residents with complex lives who are all in need of a second chance in life.
Cassie is in love with Ben, but he’s her second man, there are shadows still from her first marriage. They have quite the impact on her and her daughter, Emily. The relational dynamics are believable, with Cassie being the one to blame when anything is seen as going wrong in Emily’s eyes. There is, however a jovial feel between Cassie and Ben, which gives hope amongst some turmoil and something quite shocking in Abu-Dhabi (not related to current events).
Nina owns an art gallery. She was widowed quite young in life and has hope for a new life to begin. She is also making a big decision that will shatter her mother-in-law. She is, however, still easy to empathise with as she has a strong desire to move on, and naturally so.
Venetia, at 79 is sparky and does love a secret. She knows a lot about Hope Hall and its colourful history. She knows all and had a traumatic start to life herself. What she’s harbouring is deeply emotional, but what happens in her present is like a second life.
Erica James writes compelling characters that are easy to care about. There are many emotional ups and downs of love and loss, but within the apartments of Hope Hall, there truly is hope, a sense of community and friendships across the generations as they strive for different and better lives.
First of all, I, Louise Cannon wish you all a good New Year! Thank you so much for reading my blog and sharing my posts onto your social media. It’s much appreciated!
Whittling down lots of books is a challenge, but here are 16 of my best fictional reads of many genres of 2024. Each link will open in a new tab so you can navigate back here as you please with ease. Below this list you will find a link to a previous blog post about my 5 top non-fiction/memoirs to read.
The Teacher By Tim
The Headmaster isn’t liked by many others. When a body is discovered, in comes DS Cross and his team to uncover what becomes a search for motive and there’s plenty of suspicion to get stuck into. Tim Sullivan mixes mystery and humour very well. If you liked Ludwig on tv, you’ll enjoy this. This is part of a series that can be read as a standalone. 2025 will see the next book – The Bookseller.
Discover the blurb and full review here: The Teacher
An Ideal Husband By Erica James
Louisa’s needing to carve out a new life. An Ideal Husband shows that everything can seem just fine and could well last forever, but sometimes secrets can be concealed very well… There are compelling twists and turns to this refreshing romance that tackles a bit of a disaster in life that isn’t often talked about…
Expect the unexpected with cracks, bumps and twists in the road. Is it the wedding it’s cracked up to be? The Wedding of the Year becomes quite the page-turner as characters, refreshingly tell of their not so easy-flowing romances.
Beauty on the outside doesn’t always mean beauty on the inside. Riches don’t always buy the perfect life are perhaps the takeaways from this psychological thriller. Victoria escapes her broken home for university life where she meets people who can open new doors for her. The very people who she thought were “Beautiful People” aren’t all they first seem in this darkly twisted psychological thriller that takes you into moments where you may well be holding your breath…
Part of the Merseyside crime series, this particular book is darkly compelling, set around the docklands and the famous Liverbird building. It can also be read as a standalone. How did an 8 year old turn to being a petty criminal and later fall foul with a drugs gang? Why are homeless people suddenly being murdered? Detective Inspector April Decent and Detective Sergeant Skeeter Warlock have tricky puzzles to unravel to uncover the serial killer.
Set in the 1980’s Finn and Keely are growing up in the north east of England and life is hard in this gritty book of tragedy, yet also shows edges of romantic, agape, unconditional love. With characters to root for, it’s an immersive read.
Antti Tuomainen writes Scandi Noir with humour. The last in the trilogy that began with The Rabbit Factor, Henri Koskinen, the quirky mathematician who is the last person you’d think would own the theme park “YouMeFun” notices an unscrupulous rival is at play. Things get rather messier when there’s a death and soon after, the body count increases. The series is one of the most entertaining Scandi Noir I’ve ever seen.
This is the most festive book ever, ever! Heidi Swain takes people back to her community in Wynbridge and she weaved everything that is heartwarming and festive into a book to cosy up with.
Florence Butterfield, an octogenarian with a colourful past. She was quite the adventurer and now is an amputee in a care home. The thing is, there’s a lot more sinister things than just care that’s going on…
The Island of Dreams by Helen McGinn Meet Martha, she’s won a holiday to Paxos and is daunted by going it alone. Along with challenges, she also meets a rather welcoming community. McGinn gives a great sense of place and draws you into everyone’s personalities.
Sink into the luxury of the Maldives, feel the sand and sun on your skin. All isn’t all it seems in one of the resorts where secrets lie and the psyche of human nature truly comes through.
Discover more in the blurb and review here: The Guests
This Motherless Land by Nikki May
A retelling of Mansfield Park, set between 1986 and 1992, retellings aren’t normally my thing, but this book was one piqued my interest by the author of WAHALA.
Eavesdrop on conversations and have fun with pop culture as well as having a feel of the original book by Jane Austen, it’s cleverly written with humour. Discover more in the blurb and review here This Motherless Land
Gone To Pieces by Rachel Cosyns
A spider spinning a web like a labyrinth is cleverly how Gone To Pieces begins. It’s thought-provoking as it sets the story up to show human life, the web of connections and home as well as demonstrating the fragility of life. Follow Rebecca into places people don’t always get to see… Check out the blurb and review here:Gone To Pieces
Geneva By Richard Armitage
It’s easy to feel trapped and desire a good facility such as the carehome in Geneva. The emotions and tensions build as does something rather sinister. I’ve also included a link within the full review to a write-up of a talk Richard Armitage gave in the autumn of 2024.
It is exciting when I get accepted to review a book by Erica James, but every book is different, so there’s no preconceptions as to whether it’ll be a good one or not, so find out in the blurb what it’s about and my opinions in my review below… Thanks to Ms Pickard at HQ for sending me a copy of the book to review.
Blurb
After a long and seemingly happy marriage, and a wonderful family Christmas, Louisa is stunned when husband Kip asks for a divorce on Boxing Day. He’d never seemed unhappy – and they’ve raised three children together.
For months, Kip has been secretly seeing a younger woman – and if that wasn’t bad enough – it’s the woman who broke their youngest son’s heart.
Now Kip is moving out and embarking on a new life with Zoe, and Louisa is left to pick up the pieces. Their beloved family home, Charity Cottage, is up for sale, and tensions are running high.
Yet, despite the betrayal and anger, when Louisa lays eyes on what might be a unique and welcoming new home, she feels a first glimmer of hope that life might be taking a turn for the better.
And while Louisa is making exciting plans, Kip finds himself facing challenges of his own and begins to learn that living the dream may not be as simple as he thought…
Sunday Times bestseller Erica James returns with an uplifting, wryly humorous new family drama.
Review
Well, I just couldn’t put it down. In a couple of sittings, I suddenly found myself at the last page, rather quickly than I was planning.
An Ideal Husband shows that everything can seem just fine and could well last forever, but sometimes secrets can be concealed very well. As with Erica James’ previous book, ‘Secret Garden Affair’, she deftly shows a part of relationships that aren’t often known about and perhaps what happens to Louisa, with her husband just deciding to up and leave doesn’t occur very often, but it does and this book highlights this.
Beyond the heartache comes hope and new life and in comes heart-warming aspects of the plot, but that doesn’t happen like a flicker of light switch. There are many challenges and how to deal with the way Kip behaved and divorce, which everyone deals with differently. It becomes quite thought-provoking and insightful into family life when not all is well. There are the complexities that are shown and, like in life, all isn’t straight-forward, making it a twisty plot, some parts of which are unexpected.
An Ideal Husband is a great family drama that, even through some of the most darkest, challenging times of relationships brings positivity, warmth and even a bit of humour.
Thanks to HQ for sending me A Secret Garden Affair and in exchange, I have an honest review of what is a very impressive sweeping family story with twists and turns in a rich, absorbing, well-researched book about human life and the natural world. Find the blurb and full review below, where you’ll discover which parts really captivated me and why I am highly recommend this book.
Blurb
July 1981. As the country prepares to celebrate Prince Charles’ wedding to Lady Diana, Libby wants to be as far away from royal wedding fever as possible.Having caught her own fiancé in bed with her best friend just weeks before they were due to marry, she’s fled London for the comfort of the Suffolk countryside.At Larkspur House, with its magical garden created by renowned garden designer and one-time socialite Elfrida Ambrose, and its comfortingly familiar kitchen presided over by Libby’s great-aunt Bess, she hopes to find a way to put her life back together.But for lifelong friends Bess and Elfrida, Libby’s arrival has stirred up the ghosts of the past. And before they can help her rebuild her shattered future, they must confront their own unspoken secrets, lost loves, and tragedies…
From the Sunday Times bestselling author Erica James comes a captivating story that sweeps through sixty years of history, love, and family drama.
Review
This family tale, in the first instance, takes readers back to 1981 in Larkspur House, Suffolk. From the outset, this is authentic and catches attention. It is a book full of life, from nature to human. It is a well-researched, masterful book, full of surprises and of a highly compelling nature.
Libby is running away from London to Suffolk. Her revenge on her cheating fiancé, I must say, may be seen as brutal by some, but for me, I must say it is absolutely wonderfully done. The attitudes of those surrounding Marcus are authentic too, but then, so is her anger. A couple of pages in and I was thinking how realistic and how wonderful this book is already. A bit more, and I was also very curious about the other characters.
Having left London and royal wedding excitement behind her, Libby, knowing she once had a replica of the ring to be worn by Princess Diana and to face a wedding, when she wasn’t having one herself anymore, she ends up at Larkspur House with its gorgeous, vibrant garden with its abundance of florals and herbs. It is a feast for the senses! It shows Erica James’s passion for gardens, their history and the programmes made about them.
Larkspur House, is where Libby’s great aunt Bess and her lifelong friend Elfrida can be found. We learn about Elfrida and Bess when they were young, so we step further back in time to see Elfrida at 22 years old in the Côte d’ Azure. She is young and super confident that seems to be borne out of tragedies in her life.
One thing that also really struck me and excited me, because I know this history, is that Erica James talks about White Russians fleeing their country. It is a part of history we don’t hear of very much and it piqued my interest because it is a history that runs through some families ancestry today. This happened, before and after the Russian Revolution, those that were supporters of the Tsar felt there was no other option to do this. They fled from the persecution they were facing from the Red Army – those that wanted to overthrow the monarchy to become a republic, which, as we know, then became a far left communist state. It’s an interesting road to learn how one country can be one thing and then another, but back to the book. We learn about the people she meets, including the intriguing Count Nikolai Demidov. Then there is also about Bess at this time in Suffolk and also about her travels in 1923 too, as well as seeing her in 1934 and the relationships she forms throughout the years and the challenges world issues, such as world wars pose as well as how life is as they all age in the years to come. It also mentions some happy events such as the coronation of our now late Queen Elizabeth 11 after the sad passing of her father. You can see, even in 1923 onwards, the love of gardens exuding from the page and again, Erica James points out a moment in history, that is still felt today, in the form of Gertrude Jekyll (a woman who transformed many gardens and is still revered today as people are still inspired by her, including in gardens you can visit today. I’ve been to a few myself).
The entire book shows how complex life and get and how beautiful gardens can be and how everyone and everything has a history and a present and how things intertwine, like a garden path with some messy, bumpy bits in-between the rich beauty in the nature as you’re led along the twists and turns of emotion, travels, and poignancy of life, with some deep secrets that are felt and recalled for a lifetime.
I wholeheartedly recommend this emotional, beautiful, heartfelt, passionate book full of human and plant life, with a richly interwoven history.
As part of my blog in 2023 until it reaches 5 years old in September, I will be celebrating an author or publisher every so often. Join me as I celebrate works of Erica James. Beyond, just a small number of the over 20 books she has successfully had published is a short intro and then 2 featured books with links to the full reviews, and a write up of one of the talks she gave virtually.
Erica James has successfully had over 20 books published and are bestsellers and many are Sunday Times Bestsellers and even won awards. She also has a podcast which can be accessed via her Website which includes sections on her books and a candid part about being a writer. When Erica James is no writing, she has other passions, such as her garden. Here is a link to more about her in a candid talk she gave online that I wrote up: Event Write Up I have had the privilege of reading and reviewing 2 of her books since starting my blog, but actually I’d read a few prior to writing a blog and enjoyed them, such as A Breath of Fresh Air, The Real Katie Lavender, The Hidden Cottage and Swallow Tail Summer to name but a few. After a few years of writing my blog, I got the opportunity to review Letters of The Past and Mothers and Daughters. There will be a new book published this year too called A Secret Garden Affair
Letters From the Past is an intriguing book where secrets are uncovered in the 1960s from the late 1930’s into the 1940’s. The book delves into the RAF and Bletchley Park and then some of the glamour of the 1960’s as well as the times when there was a deal with Australia for UK citizens to move there.
There are great characters to get to know and a wonderful mix of historical facts amongst the captivating fictional story.
Mothers and Daughters has warmth and wit as well as some pretty dark themes. It is an intriguing and gripping as family secrets are uncovered. The dynamics of the characters brings a depth that makes it compelling to read on and on as you get to know them very well…
I have reviewed many books in 2022 and what a privilege it has been too. Here are some that I highly recommend out of the many books I have reviewed in 2022. I also have included links to my full no spoiler reviews where you’ll also find the blurbs. The mix of crime fiction, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, non-fiction, memoirs are in no particular order. Please also feel free to explore my blog for other great book reviews, author interviews and talks and theatre reviews.
The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures By Holly Hepburn – An antique shop, antiques, a mysterious puzzle box, a trip to Egypt, a mention of the Canarvon Family (think the real Downton Abbey), all wrapped up in a wonderful book full of splendid characters. Holly Hepburn has a new book coming this year that I will also be reviewing.
Suicide Thursday By Will Carver explores this and the darker corners of society. It’s a compulsive read with intriguing characters – Mike, Jackie and Eli. Will Eli leave a hated job and get past writing chapter 1 of a novel? What is written in texts? Find out the answers to these and more in Suicide Thursday.
All About Evie By Matson Taylor is a humorous second book to the much talked about The Miseducation of Evie Epworth that was a Radio 2 book club pick. There’s much humour mixed with poignancy and sadness. Find out what happens at a sound check at Broadcasting House, her friend, Caroline and life’s mishaps and incidents. It’s highly engaging. Find the blurb and review in the link: All About Evie
Yes, I Killed Her By Harry Fisher s full of chilling suspense. The question isn’t who, but it is how. How did a murderer commit such a calculated crime. Is it as perfect as he thinks? Here is a link to the blurb and full review. Remember, I’m not going to disclose the answers to those questions. That’s for you to discover yourselves: Yes, I Killed Her
Verity Vanishes By A.B. Morgan is book 3 of The Quirk Files. The books can be read as part of the series or as standalone as the cases each complete by the end of the book. The Quirks are quirky private investigators.
There are secrets to uncover, including who was Verity, why has she vanished and why is a tv station so interested in this particular case? It’s intriguing with wit. See blurb and review in the link –Verity Vanishes
Touching, haunting and a darn good unputdownable read. It takes place between Glasgow and H.M. Polmont Prison in Central Scotland. It’s gripping getting to know about what revelations unfold in Ginger and Wendy’s personalities and what happens to them. It’s a book of obsession and friendship and more in this contemporary fictional book… Find out more in the link to the blurb and my full review: Ginger And Me
The Homes By J.B. Mylet is set in an orphanage village in Scotland. Follow the lives of Lesley, Jonesy and Eadie, all from their points of views. How safe is The Homes? Murder strikes and everything changes in this fast-paced, immersive page-turner. It’s fiction based on a true story. Find out more in the link: The Homes
Remember Me by Charity Norman is gripping and addictive as the layers build up to discover what has happened to Leah, who has disappeared.
The book also follows Felix, who has Alzheimer’s. It’s authentically and sensitively written. Discover the blurb and the rest of my thoughts in the link: Remember Me
Should I Tell You By Jill Mansell is enthralling in both setting and the relationships between all the characters. Meet Lachlan, a chef in high demand and Peggy, a formidable, yet fun woman who puts up a credible argument as to why he should follow her to Cornwall to cook his amazing food. Also meet Amber, Lachlan, Rafaelle and Vee as you step into idyllic scenery. Is all well though? What would you make of the mysterious letter? Find out more in my link about this beautiful, compelling book that perfectly captures the lives of its characters, who are concealing truths. Should I Tell You
White Christmas on Winter Street has all the festive feel-good vibes you can want. Unearth the treasures in Corner House in Middledip. It’s a rather moving book as Heather returns to discover new friends and old. Find out more in the link: White Christmas on Winter Street
The Little Wartime Library By Kate Thompson is about a courageous librarian who took Bethnal Green Library underground during World War 2. It is fascinating and is fiction based on fact. Lots of research was done, including asking librarians, including me, many questions that then formed the basis of the central character. The Little Wartime Library
The Locked Away Life by Drew Davies is about 2 people who are seemingly poles apart. 1 is becoming practically a recluse and increasingly elderly, the other, much younger in need of a job, which is how they meet. Little do they know they need each other more than they thought they would. It’s a heartwarming story. Find out more in the link: The Locked AwayLife
Love Untold by Ruth Jones is uplifting, emotional and endearing, It crosses the generations from a teenager right up to a 90 year old. It’s well observed in all the complexities of life and interactions. Discover more such as the blurb and my review in the link. Love Untold
The Cliff House by Chris Brookmyre puts readers on an island. There’s a hen party set on a Scottish island. In some ways it’s a bit like And Then There We’re None by Agatha Christie, but there are also many differences.
There are frictions amongst the guests and things take a sinister turn. It’s a well-observed book in the way relationships are between the characters and what happens when people are on a remote island. Everyone has a secret and no one is safe. Find out more in the blurb and the rest of my thoughts in the review: The Cliff House
Cat Lady By Dawn O’Porter is very humorous but also very poignant and thought provoking. Within the book, wrapped in the cuteness of a cat, there is a great human story too and both together makes this quite different and compelling. There are 5 parts to Cat Lady – Mother, Career Woman, Animal, Wife, Cat Lady. Follow Mia and Tristan through the ups and downs of life. Mia is especially more than you would perhaps assume she is… Here is the link to the blurb and full review: Cat Lady
Thrown is a debut novel by Sara Cox. It’s heartwarming and uplifting at a pottery class. It’s about community pulling together and friendships forming. There are elements that may well tug at your heartstrings. Here is the link to the blurb and review: Thrown
The Cruise by Catherine Cooper takes place on the most luxurious cruise-liner. The type that would be a holiday of a lifetime. Something mysterious happens and it is compelling to travel around to try to fit together all the pieces to discover how they all fit together and some truths. Here is the link to the blurb and full review. The Cruise
Keeping A Christmas Promise By Jo Thomas is about 4 friends who have known each other for 25 years. Tragedy happens to one of them, meaning it is up to 3 of them to keep their bucketlist promise- to see the northern lights at Christmas. With themes of friendship, mortality and strength to carry on in the face of adversity and community, it’s an entertaining, heartwarming book. Here is the link to the blurb and full review. Keeping A Christmas Promise
The Echoes of Love By Jenny Ashcroft transports readers to the 1930’s to the 1940’s and then to 1970’s. It takes readers into the depths of love and war and how it reverberates years later. The book is set between Portsmouth in the UK and Crete. It is a story of war and love. A story unfolding at the BBC Broadcasting House. It is fascinating, poignant and beautifully written. Here is the link to my original review and the blurb. The Echoes of Love
Cooking the Book by various authors published by Hobeck Books also raised money for the Trussell Trust. It’s various short stories, each taking on a different sub-genres of crime fiction. Each also has a recipe you can create by each author. Here is the link to all the details Cooking The Books
The Language of Food is fiction based on fact. It takes reader into the life of a little known woman, by many, called Eliza Acton. She changed the course of cookery forever and when today’s cooks come across her, they are inspired by her story and style and have been influenced greatly by her. Annabel Abbs now opens up her life in this very interesting book. Here is the link to discover more: The Language of Food
Create Your Own Indoor Green by Joe Swift who is also an expert gardener on Gardeners World and various other programmes. The book is an easy step by step guide to indoor plants. It quite literally has everything you need to know, whether you’re getting started or already have indoor plants as there’s always more knowledge to be gained. There are handy hints and tips as well as growing and caring for them. I actually bought this for a friend after reviewing it and she is delighted. Find out the blurb and review in the link: Joe’s Create Your Own Indoor Green
Women Like Us By Amanda Prowse, is a memoir where she sheds light and insight into her life, which many women will be able to relate to or understand, perhaps more than they may first expect. It’s a highly interesting read. Women Like Us
One Night on The Island introduces readers to Cleo. She works for the magazine – Women Today and has an unusual assignment to do. Directed by her boss, Ali, the assignment is to marry herself (or self-coupling or sologamy) on a remote island. She has a few reservations to say the least. It’s an entertaining story with lots of heart and warmth. One Night On the Island
Mothers and Daughters By Erica James is a compelling story of family life and revelations. Families can be more complex than what they may first appear to be in this sweeping family drama. Mothers and Daughters
Marion Crawford, a bright, ambitious young teacher, is ready to make her mark on the world. Until a twist of fate changes the course of her life forever… This mixes fact and fiction with Marion and the UK Royal Family in a fascinating way, about a woman not everyone knows much about. The Good Servant
Wolf Pack By Will Dean is a Scandi-Noir.
Tuva Moodyson has a case on her hands to solve with Thord and Chief Björn. Elsa Nyberg is reported as being missing and chillingly, Rose Farm has quite the history of deadly things happening there, involving a family. It’s a gripping page-turner. Here is the link to the full review and blurb. Wolf Pack
The Empire By Michael Ball is exquisitely theatrical, after all, that is his background. It takes readers back in time to the glitz and glamour of 1922, where you’ll meet Jack Tredwell and a whole host of other cast. There are secrets and the future of the theatre itself is in jeopardy. It’s a page turner! Here’s my link to the blurb and rest of the review The Empire
Bookmarks and Stages by Lou 