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“Every Now And Then” by Lesley Kagen – Book Review @AlcovePress @Lesley_Kagen #BacklistReview #EveryNowAndThen | Fictionophile
The movie "Stand By Me" was brought to mind whilst reading this novel. Only instead of four boys, it was three eleven year old girls. It is a hot and sultry summer in the year 1960. A different world indeed. The three best friends spend most summer nights out in their treehouse, their 'hideout'. Because…
“What Happened To Nina?” by Dervla McTiernan – Book Review #AudiobookReview @DervlaMcTiernan #WhatHappenedToNina @HarperAudio @LibbyApp | Fictionophile
Nina and Simon are young and in love. They head off to Simon's family's vacation home in Vermont to go climbing. Simon comes home alone... The narrators of this audiobook did a fine job of making the story authentic and mesmerizing. This is essentially the tale of two families - Simon's family and Nina's family.…
“The Red Chair” by Jill Treseder – Book Review @SilverWoodBooks @RandomTTours #BlogTour #TheRedChair #JillTreseder #BookReview @Jill_Treseder | Fictionophile
An inheritance. An old cottage in North Devon. A fresh start. These are the factors that made me want to read "The Red Chair". Naomi has had a tumultuous life. Dieter, her only real 'love' turned out to be gay. Wilson, her only real 'relationship' was abusive. Now, two decades have passed since she escaped…
Fictionophile’s September 2025 #BookHaul #AnticipatedReads #TBR #ForthcomingTitles #bookbloggers #BookSky📚💙 | Fictionophile
This month I added 11 new review commitments to my TBR mountain. 9 digital books and 2 audiobooks 5 were offered to me ; 1 was an auto-approval ; and I requested 5 of them (All book descriptions are linked to Goodreads.) I received SIX titles from NetGalley. I requested this title from Bonnier Books UK after…
“Somebody Knows” by Pamela Ungashick – Book Review @RAPublishing #SomebodyKnows #BacklistReview #PamelaUngashick #BookReview | Fictionophile
My first thought is that this is one of those novels that deserves a whole lot more recognition than it has gotten so far... I'm so sorry that I didn't get around to reading it sooner. Mind you, it is not always an easy book to read. This is a dark tale of a dysfunctional…
“Little Great Island” by Kate Woodworth – Book Review @sibylline_press #KateWoodworth #LittleGreatIsland #BookReview | Fictionophile
With an island setting off the coast of Maine, this novel immediately attracted me. I was wary of reading about the cult's practices, and though that part of the book was distressing, we cheer Mari on with her escape from their clutches. We admire her diligence in looking after her son, her parents, and her…
“This Is A Safe Space” by Lucinda Berry – Book Review #AudiobookReview @simonschuster #SimonAndSchusterAudioOriginals #Audiobooks🎧📚 #BookSky #BookX | Fictionophile
Narrators: Danielle Savre, Alicia Crowder, Dan Bittner, Matt Godfrey & Janina Edwards My first thought about this twisty thriller is that the protagonist, Jenna, is quite probably one of the most insecure characters I've ever read about. Due to a childhood trauma, in which her father abandoned their family, Jenna has never learned to be…
“Before She Knew Him” by Peter Swanson – Book Review @WmMorrowBooks #BeforeSheKnewHim #BookReview #BacklistReview | Fictionophile
This is the fourth full length novel that I've read by this author, and I've come to expect a pleasurable reading experience. Though this wasn't my favourite book of his (that honour would go to "Her Every Fear"), it was a compelling thriller that I have no qualms recommending. When Hen and Lloyd move into…
Top Ten Tuesday – Books on my Fall 2025 To Read List #TopTenTuesday #TTT #AnticipatedReads #TBR #TBRList #Fictionophile #bookbloggers #TuesdayBookBlog @ArtsyReaderGirl #BookSky | Fictionophile
The rules are simple: Each Tuesday, Jana assigns a new topic. Create your own Top Ten list that fits that topic – putting your unique spin on it if you want. Everyone is welcome to join but please link back to That Artsy Reader Girl in your own Top Ten Tuesday post. Add your name…
“The Polite Act Of Drowning” by Charleen Hurtubise – Book Review #ThePoliteActOfDrowning #BookReview #BacklistReview | Fictionophile
One hot summer in 1985. Joanne Kennedy is sixteen. She was born into a dysfunctional family - her mother, ridden with guilt, is suffering from depression. When Joanne witnesses another teenage girl's drowning, Joanne's mother is reminded yet again of the part she played in her younger brother's drowning many years ago... Joanne is just…
“The Names” by Florence Knapp – Book Review @PenguinRandomCA @PenguinBooks #TheNames #FlorenceKnapp #BookReview | Fictionophile
An exceptionally original novel that asks the question, how much do our names define us? What IF our lives took a different path? This beautiful novel can be difficult to read at times. Cora, the protagonist, was an abused wife. Since her husband was a very well regarded and respected doctor, he seems to all…
Teaser Tuesday – September 16, 2025 #NewBook #TheHouseOnTheCliff #TeaserTuesday @Toryscott #TuesdayBookBlog @BoldwoodBooks #AnticipatedRead #Fictionophile | Fictionophile
My Tuesday post where I'll 'tease' you with the cover, blurb, and first paragraph of one of the titles from my own TBR. This book is a title I received from Boldwood Books viaNetGalley and I look forward to reading it soon. Today, Tuesday September 16th, I want to introduce one of the ARCs on…
“Murder At Gull’s Nest” by Jess Kidd – Book Review @AtriaBooks @SimonSchusterCA #MurderAtGullsNest #BookReview | Fictionophile
Anyone who enjoys a classic murder mysteries of Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers and the like, will surely enjoy Jess Kidd's new series. The protagonist, Nora Breen, is a middle aged, former Carmelite nun. We meet her as she arrives at 'Gulls Nest' a down-at-heel boarding house on the Kent coast. Frieda Brogan, one of the…
“Kiss Her Goodbye” by Lisa Gardner – Book Review @LisaGardnerBks #KissHerGoodbye #BookReview | Fictionophile
This is the fourth novel to feature Frankie Elkin as protagonist. Frankie is so endearing in her own stubborn, slightly reserved way. She is fast becoming my all-time favourite fictional character as her personality becomes more well known with each subsequent book. She is everything I am not. Selfless, courageous, and unencumbered with physical possessions.…
“The Dead Come To Stay” by Brandy Schillace – Book Review @Hanover_Square @HarperCollins #TheDeadComeToStay #BookReview | Fictionophile
I truly enjoyed the first novel in this series, so was eagerly anticipating the second instalment. With a neurodivergent protagonist, some subtle humour, and some peculiar and nefarious characters, there is a lot here to hold a reader’s interest. This time out, Jo Jones encounters the dark crimes of people smuggling, antiquity theft, and yes,…
“The Night The Lights Went Out” by Karen White – Book Review @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social #TheNightTheLightsWentOut #KarenWhite #BacklistReview #BookReview | Fictionophile
Newly divorced Merilee is a mother of two young children. She wishes to attain a certain measure of independence by driving a car she can actually afford, and by renting a cabin from an elderly lady named Sugar Prescott. Her new home is in Sweet Apple, Georgia, an elite suburb of Atlanta. A place where…
Libby at your Library – What’s popular? – August’s most borrowed titles @LibbyApp | Fictionophile
Most popular Ebooks borrowed via Libby in August 2025 "The Women" by Kristin Hannah "Great Big Beautiful Life" by Emily Henry "The Let Them Theory" by Mel Robbins "The Wedding People" by Alison Espach "Onyx Storm" by Rebecca Yarros "Sunrise On The Reaping" by Suzanne Collins "Atmosphere" by Taylor Jenkins Reid "A Court Of Thorns…
“The Homemade God” by Rachel Joyce – Book Review @thedialpress.bsky.social #TheHomemadeGod @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social #BookReview #BookSky | Fictionophile
I've enjoyed many novels written by Rachel Joyce and I have liked them all. Some I loved. However, though I continue to admire her writing, and her complex characters, this novel fell somewhat short for me. The four siblings were extraordinarily close due to the fact that their mother died when they were just small…
Fictionophile’s AUGUST 2025 #BookHaul #Bookbloggers #ForthcomingTitles #TBR #AnticipatedReads #BookSky📚💙 | Fictionophile
This month I added 9 new review commitments to my TBR mountain. Six were offered to me ; one was an auto-approval ; and I requested two of them. My reading and reviewing have suffered as a result of my moving house, and I can't seem to get my reading mojo back... (All book descriptions are…
Cover Love: part 120 – Pool Ladders #Fictionophile #CoverLove #BookCovers #BookLovers | Fictionophile
They say you can never have a second chance to make a good first impression. A book’s cover does just that – gives a first impression. A good cover can make a reader pick up a book. A bad cover can leave the book at the very bottom of a dusty pile. The covers of…
“The Wandering Season” by Aimie K. Runyan – Book Review @harpermusebooks @aimiekrunyan #TheWanderingSeason #BookReview #BookSky | Fictionophile
This title surprised me somewhat. The blurb stated that each of Veronica's travel stops brought her visions, but I didn't expect it to be so literally. Veronica's 'visions' were like tandem, historical narrative's that shed light on some of her ancestor's lives. Call them ghost stories, echoes, or even time slips, they added greatly to…
“The Day She Came Back” by Amanda Prowse – Book Review @MrsAmandaProwse #BacklistReview @LUAuthors #TheDaySheCameBack #BookReview | Fictionophile
A beautifully written novel about broken trust, loss and betrayal. Teenager, Victoria adores her grandmother Primrose. She is the rock of her life, the woman who brought her up. Her only family. When Victoria goes out with a friend, she cannot anticipate that when she returns to the house, her beloved Primrose will be dead…
“Home Before Dark” by Eva Björg Ægisdóttir – Book Review #BlogTour #HomeBeforeDark @OrendaBooks @evaaegisdottir #BookReview @RandomTTours | Fictionophile
I have read several titles by this author and have come to expect quality writing and engrossing stories from her. In this standalone, she doesn't disappoint. Told via dual timelines, we meet two sisters. The elder sister, beautiful Stina, went missing in 1967 while walking home from a friend's house. Though her body was never…
“Fast Boys And Pretty Girls” by Lo Patrick – Book Review @readlandmark.bsky.social #SourcebooksLandmark #LoPatrick #BookReview #FastBoysAndPrettyGirls #BookSky💙📚 | Fictionophile
This novel explores how, as adolescents, we view the world. Danielle Greer, a country girl from North Georgia is 'discovered' at a mall and enticed to the glamorous world of modelling in New York. She is not at all prepared for the life she finds there, yet she tries so hard to fit in, that…
Fictionophile’s JULY 2025 #BookHaul #Bookbloggers #ForthcomingTitles #TBR #AnticipatedReads #BookSky📚💙 | Fictionophile
This month I added 5 new review commitments to my TBR mountain. Three were offered to me - and I requested two of them. My reading and reviewing have suffered as a result of my moving house. I read only two books in July. Hopefully August will see me return to my normal pace... (All…
“Cattail Lane” by Fran Kimmel – Book Review @ecwpress.bsky.social #CattailLane #FranKimmel #CanadianFiction #BookReview | Fictionophile
Written with empathy and compassion, this was an uplifting family drama. The novel is set in Alberta, Canada and features two single parents struggling to keep their families together. Nick Ackerman has carried guilt around with him for the past fifteen years. He has become estranged from his beloved parents because he blames himself for…
“The Burial Place” by Stig Abell – Book Review @HarperFiction @HarperCollinsUK #TheBurialPlace @StigAbell #BookReview | Fictionophile
Jake Jackson series #3 Written partly as an homage to detective fiction, this third book was a worthy addition to the Jake Jackson series . Former London police detective Jake Jackson is now firmly ensconced in his new rural home - he is a changed man. He is very fit and self-sufficient. Having no television,…
Fictionophile’s JUNE 2025 #BookHaul #Bookbloggers #ForthcomingTitles #TBR #AnticipatedReads #BookSky📚💙 | Fictionophile
This month I added 3 new review commitments to my TBR mountain. All were offered to me - I didn't request any this month due to the fact that I am moving house. My reading and reviewing have suffered as a result. (All book descriptions are linked to Goodreads.) I received ONE of these titles…
JUNE was audiobook month – here are some stats from Libby #Audiobooks #LibbyApp | Fictionophile
As many of you know by now, I have recently embraced the practise of listening to audiobooks. I have a subscription to Audible, but I also frequently listen to audiobooks via my local public library using the Libby app. Compared to last year, audiobook checkouts on Libby have increased 14.3% Here are the TOP TEN…
“The Last Days of Kira Mullan” by Nicci French – #AudiobookReview @HarperCollins #HarperAudio #LibbyApp #TheLastDaysOfKiraMullan @FrenchNicci | Fictionophile
In March of 2024 I read "Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter?" and in my review of that novel wrote: "If there is a star of the novel, for me it was Detective Inspector Maud O’Connor. If the authors decide to feature her in future books, I will be first in line to read them." Well…
“The Correspondent” by Virginia Evans – Book Review @CrownPublishing #NetGalley #TheCorrespondent #VirginiaEvans #BookReview | Fictionophile
Written with empathy and wisdom, this debut epistolary novel was an easy five star read for me. The protagonist, Sybil Van Antwerp, is a fiercely intelligent woman who is riddled with guilt and self-recrimination. She has now retired from a distinguished career in the law, is divorced, and is mother to two adult children. Her…
“Three Days in June” by Anne Tyler – #AudiobookReview #BookReview #ThreeDaysInJune #LibbyApp #BooksOnTape | Fictionophile
narrated by J. Smith-Cameron After years and years of reading fiction, I'm ashamed to say that this is my first time reading the work of Anne Tyler. This novel was entertaining and thought provoking. The main topic was marriage - both old, new, broken, and repaired. The way we as human's tend to gravitate toward…
“This Ruined Place” by Michael Lawrence – Book Review | Fictionophile
"Easier to see with your eyes shut. See what you want - and remember - block out what you don't." Though I realized that during the war many manor houses were taken over by the army for use as medical hospitals etc., I did not know that sometimes entire towns were commandeered. This is the…
“Tell Me Something Good” by Court Stevens – Book Review #AudiobookReview #TellMeSomethingGood @harpermusebooks #NetGalley #Audiobooks🎧📚 #BookSky #BookX | Fictionophile
narrated by Marin Ireland with Charlie Thurston The past rears its ugly head in rural Kentucky. Listening to this audiobook was a memorable experience. It was a story of the 'haves' and the 'have nots". Kentucky, like many places, seems to have both extremes with little of the population falling safely somewhere in the middle.…
“Nobody Saw Him” by Liz Lawler – Book Review #BlogTour #NobodySawHim @bookouture.bsky.social #LizLawler #BookReview #BookoutureBooksOnTour #BookSky💙📚 | Fictionophile
A unique spin on the missing child trope puts "Nobody Saw Him" at the forefront of this type of domestic thriller. Jo's five-year-old son Sam goes missing from a public pool on a family swim day. Jo's firefighter husband Pete is away for work at the time. The police are called and events spiral as…
Fictionophile’s MAY 2025 #BookHaul #Bookbloggers #ForthcomingTitles #TBR #AnticipatedReads #BookSky📚💙 | Fictionophile
This month I added 8 new review commitments to my TBR mountain. TWO were titles that I requested; THREE were 'Read Now' titles; I was sent THREE email invitations with 'widgets'. (All book descriptions are linked to Goodreads.) I received four of these titles from NetGalley. My favourite author! Finally, my request was approved! I received…
“Our Last Wild Days” by Anna Bailey – Book Review @atriabooks.bsky.social #OurLastWildDays #AnnaBailey #BookReview | Fictionophile
"Hopelessness makes men do unimaginable things; women too." Many novels are described as atmospheric, and this one would definitely qualify. Set in a sultry, cloyingly humid summer, in an alligator infested Louisiana bayou, I almost had heat stroke reading it. Add to that the fact that the tiny town of Jacknife was also the home…
“Nosy Neighbors” by Freya Sampson – #AudiobookReview #BooksOnTape #NosyNeighbors #FreyaSampson #BookSky🎧📚 | Fictionophile
narrated by Sarah Lambie This is the second time I've had the opportunity to listen to Freya Sampson's novels and, it turns out, that they have both been wonderful, warm stories that will reside in my mind for years to come. I thought that she couldn't outdo herself after "The Lost Ticket", but this one…
“Count My Lies” by Sohpie Stava – Book Review @simonandschuster.bsky.social #BookSky #CountMyLies #SophieStava #BookReview | Fictionophile
Sloane Caraway is a compulsive liar. A life-long habit of lying has buoyed her life up so that she feels less ordinary, less lacklustre, and more interesting. She is quite intelligent and once worked as a teacher in a prestigious preschool. She adores children and is very good at relating with them. However, her teaching…
“Black Rock Bay” by Brianna Lubuskes – Book Review #BacklistReview #BlackRockBay #ThomasAndMercer #BookReview | Fictionophile
Detective Mia Hart grew up on a tiny island off the coast of Maine. When she was just a teenager, she lost two of her best friends to a suicide pact, an event where she too almost lost her life. Scarred both physically and mentally, Mia left the island of St. Lucy's and hasn't been…