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#TopTenTuesday 24th June 2025: The Quintessential Summer Book Tag | #BookTag #BookX #BookSky #BookBlogger #TuesdayBookBlog 💙📚 – Portobello Book Blog
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and now hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl.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…
Right Place, Right Time by Ali McNamara | #bookreview | @BloomsburyBooks – Portobello Book Blog
Although I usually enjoy the books I read to be firmly grounded in reality, there's something about Ali McNamara's books which I can't seem to resist. Perhaps she has cast a spell on me! Eve owns an antiques shop in Clockmaker Court in Cambridge and loves finding out the stories behind everything she sells. Clockmaker…
#ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions with Dianne Haley #author of A Dose of Fear – Portobello Book Blog
I'm very pleased to welcome author Dianne Haley to the blog today. Dianne's earlier novels were WW2 historical fiction but she has now written a contemporary thriller set in the pharmaceutical industry. A Dose of Fear was published earlier this month. Over to Dianne to tell us more. Tell me THREE things about your latest…
Fifteen Days in Paris by Jon Davey | #bookreview #nonfiction #memoir #photography #Paris 💙📚 – Portobello Book Blog
I'm delighted to be reviewing a book by local photographer Jon Davey today. I'm grateful to Jon for bravely giving me a copy to read. It's always a little concerning reviewing a book by someone you know. What if you don't like it? Could be awkward: luckily that isn't the case here! Fifteen Days in…
First Line Friday 20th June 2025: The Lost Art of Letter Writing by Menna van Praag | #FirstLineFriday | @AllisonAndBusby @MennavanPraag – Portobello Book Blog
As I write this, I am literally about to start The Lost Art of Letter Writing by Menna van Praag. So I will be discovering the first line as I open the book to share it with you! It's part of the author's Magical Cambridge series and publishers Allison and Busby have recently re-released the…
Book Boyfriend by Lucy Vine | #romcom #romanticfiction #bookreview #BookBoyfriend | @lecv @TeamBATC 💙📚 – Portobello Book Blog
Book Boyfriend is about twin sisters who couldn't be more different if they tried! Clara is scattered brained and flamboyant, always looking for her next adventure whereas Jemma is quieter, and content with her friends and books. Jemma had always felt overshadowed by Clara's exuberance as a child and they didn't really get on. I…
#ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions with Sheena Kalayil #author of The Others | @fly_press 💙📚 – Portobello Book Blog
I'm pleased to welcome another author to the blog today. Sheena Kalayil is chatting about her fourth novel, The Others, which is published today by Fly on the Wall Press. Congratulations Sheena - tell us more about the book. Tell me THREE things about your latest book THE OTHERS is set in a small city…
A Place in the Sun by Jo Thomas | #bookreview #Lovelovestories #respectromfic #feelgoodfiction | @jo_thomas01 @TransworldBooks @PenguinUKBooks 💙📚 – Portobello Book Blog
Whenever I open a Jo Thomas book I know I am going to be transported to somewhere wonderful, read about mouth-watering food and follow her characters on the road to romance. When we meet Thea and her family though, romance couldn't be further from her mind. Her husband Marco had died suddenly a couple of…
WWW Wednesday 18th June 2025: what am I reading? | #WWWWednesday #amreading #bookrecommendations – Portobello Book Blog
What am I currently reading? I'm reading Book Boyfriend by Lucy Vine ahead of my spot on the blogtour this Friday. I'm still reading What I Ate in a Year by Stanley Tucci, and in case you are eagerly following the progress of my slow read, I'm now 33% of the way through Middlemarch. What…
Top Ten Tuesday 17th June 2025: Spring 2025 to-Read List check-in | #TopTenTuesday #amreading #bookrecommendations #TuesdayBookBlog 💙📚 – Portobello Book Blog
This week's topic: Spring 2025 to-Read List check-in This week's topic should really be ten books on my Summer reading list. However, I've recently published my #20BooksOfSummer list (you can see that here) so rather than repeat myself, I thought I'd have a look back at my Spring reading list and see how I got…
Bring the House Down by Charlotte Runcie | #bookreview 💙📚 – Portobello Book Blog
It seems ironic to be reviewing a book that is about the consequences of reviewing! As an Edinburgh resident, I enjoy the Fringe Festival and all the exciting things that happen in August but I also hate the way the city is so busy, public transport gets delayed and it's so difficult to get anywhere…
Menna van Praag’s Magical Cambridge series | @AllisonandBusby @MennavanPraag 💙📚 – Portobello Book Blog
I was delighted recently to receive three books in Menna van Praag's Magical Cambridge series. Publisher Allison and Busby are reissuing five of the novels with pretty new covers. Three are already available: The House at the End of Hope Street, The Witches of Cambridge and The Lost Art of Letter Writing. Two more will…
#ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions with Sheila Averbuch #author of Pitch Your Book | @sheilamaverbuch.bsky.social 💙📚 – Portobello Book Blog
I'm delighted to welcome Sheila Averbuch to the blog today. Sheila has previously written a middle grade thriller about the dangers of social media called Friend Me but this book, Pitch Your Book, is for all you would-be writers out there. It was published on 3rd June and is available as an ebook, audiobook and…
The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner | #bookreview | @HQStories | 💙📚 – Portobello Book Blog
I've always enjoyed Jennifer Weiner's books so I was delighted to receive a copy of her latest novel, The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits. It's described as being perfect for fans of Daisy Jones and the Six. Well, I didn't actually like Daisy Jones and the Six but I loved this book! I can see why…
25 Library Terrace by Natalie Fergie | #bookreview | @lovebookstours.bsky.social @emblabooks @bonnierbooks_UK – Portobello Book Blog
I've been eagerly anticipating reading this book and it didn't disappoint. I loved Natalie Fergie's debut novel The Sewing Machine, which told the story of the owners of an old Singer sewing machine over more than a 100 years. 25 Library Terrace looks at the people who lived in that particular house in Edinburgh again…
WWW Wednesday 11th June 2025: what am I reading? | #WWWWednesday #amreading #bookrecommendations – Portobello Book Blog
What am I currently reading? Yes, Mr Tucci finally made the cut and I've started reading What I Ate in One Year! I'm almost finished listening to Lindsey Kelk's One in a Million and I've just started reading Ali McNamara's Right Place, Right Time which is due for publication on 19th June. What have I…
Over The Sea to Skye by Sue Moorcroft | #bookreview and #giveaway | @SueMoorcroft @rararesources @AvonBooksUK – Portobello Book Blog
Over the Sea to Skye is the concluding book in Sue Moorcroft's Skye Sisters trilogy. So far we have met two of the sisters and all three have been adopted. You can certainly read this as a standalone but you would miss out on Ezzie and Thea's stories and that would be a shame. This…
#ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions with Mo Fanning #author of Rainbows and Lollipops | @HannahHargrave8 @mofanning.co.uk – Portobello Book Blog
Today it's the turn of author Mo Fanning to answer my #ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions about his latest book, Rainbows and Lollipops which is due for release this Thursday, 12th June. You'll find full details about the book and a buying link further down the page. Over to Mo. Tell me THREE things about your latest…
#ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions with Margaret Amatt #author of Last First Kiss at the Village Church | @rararesources @AmattAuthor – Portobello Book Blog
I'm delighted to be joined by author Margaret Amatt. Margaret has been a guest on the blog on a few occasions and today she's answering my #ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions about her latest novel, Last First Kiss at the Village Church. Over to Margaret to tell us more. Tell me THREE things about your latest…
A Secret Escape by Sarah Morgan | #bookreview | @SarahMorgan_ @HQStories – Portobello Book Blog
If there are two words that sum up Sarah Morgan's latest book, A Secret Escape, they are friendship and family. Milly and Nicole had been friends since childhood and even when Nicole became a hugely successful film star, they still had that strong bond until Milly's marriage broke up and Nicole inexplicably just wasn't there…
#ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions with Catherine Yaffe, #author of The Shadow Killer plus #giveaway | @rararesources – Portobello Book Blog
Today I'm joined by author Catherine Yaffe who is answering my #ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions about her novel The Shadow Killer. It's the latest in her DI 'Ziggy' Thornes series and it sounds very dark! Over to Catherine to tell us more and don't miss your chance to enter a very generous giveaway. Details further down…
#ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions with Francesca Capaldi #author of Stormy Skies at the Beach Hotel | @rararesources @FCapaldiBurgess – Portobello Book Blog
It's a busy day on the blog today and this is the second of three posts! I'm delighted to welcome Francesca Capaldi back to the blog. She was here before chatting about her book All Change at the Beach Hotel and today she's talking about the latest in the series, Stormy Skies at the Beach…
#ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions with Deborah Klee #author of The Evacuee’s Secret | @rararesources – Portobello Book Blog
Rachel's Random Resources has certainly been keeping me busy featuring her authors over the past few days and my third post of the day features The Evacuee's Secret by Deborah Klee. It's been described as a gripping dual timeline story of love, loss and betrayal: over to Deborah to tell us more. Tell me THREE…
#6Degrees of Separation for June 2025: from All Fours by Miranda July to The Lost Lover by Karen Swan – Portobello Book Blog
We're starting this month with All Fours by Miranda July. I haven't read it although I see it's been nominated for many prizes. It's about an artist who embarks on a road trip across the US without her husband and son and, from what I can tell from reviews, has something of a sexual awakening!…
Miss Blaine’s Prefect and the Uncharted Island by Olga Wojtas | #bookreview – Portobello Book Blog
I always look forward to the publication of a new book in Olga Wojtas's wonderful Miss Blaine's Prefect series and this latest book did not disappoint. This time, Shona finds herself on the uncharted island of the title and as usual has no idea why Miss Blaine has sent her there or what she has…
Whispers in the Glen by Sue Lawrence | #bookreview #historicalfiction #scottishfiction – Portobello Book Blog
I'm delighted to be sharing my thoughts on Sue Lawrence's latest novel, Whispers in the Glen, which is published today by Saraband Books. I am a big fan of Sue's historical fiction and have had the pleasure of interviewing her twice at Portobello Book Festival. She puts women at the heart of her fiction and…
WWW Wednesday 4th June 2025: what am I reading? | #WWWWednesday #amreading #bookrecommendations – Portobello Book Blog
What am I currently reading? I'm very nearly finished 25 Library Terrace by Natalie Fergie which I'm really enjoying. I'm about halfway through Fifteen Days in Paris by Jon Davey. As I often do with non-fiction, I'm reading a couple chapters at a time between fiction reading. It's such an interesting read and is definitely…
#ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions with Rose Amberly #author of Plain Jane Wanted, plus a chance to win a #giveaway copy | @rararesources – Portobello Book Blog
Author Rose Amberly is joining me today. There are five books in her English Channel series and today she's answering my #ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions about the first in the series, Plain Jane Wanted. Have a look at the tour poster at the very bottom of the page to find out what other bloggers and reviewers…
Spotlight on The Restless Coast by Roger Morgan-Grenville: out this week from @iconbooks – Portobello Book Blog
I was delighted to receive a copy of The Restless Coast by Roger Morgan-Greville from Icon Books last week. Thanks to Amelia for sending a copy my way. It's due out on Thursday in a beautiful hardback edition and for e-readers. I will be reading and reviewing this later in the summer but wanted to…
Top Ten Tuesday 3rd June 2025: Summer Freebie | #TopTenTuesday #amreading #bookrecommendations #TuesdayBookBlog – Portobello Book Blog
This week's topic: Summer Freebie This week's topic is a summer freebie. I am lucky enough to live very close to a beach but I know that for many people summer means heading to the seaside. So I have chosen ten books with beach in the title. I've read quite a few of these books…
Finding Love at the Magical Curiosity Shop by Jaimie Admans | #romanticfiction #bookreview | @be_the_spark @BoldwoodBooks @rararesources – Portobello Book Blog
Mickey owns The Mermaid's Treasure Trove on Ever After Street, a street where all the shops are fairy tale themed. For reasons which become clear later, Mickey's shop is Little Mermaid themed and she has many ocean themed items for sale. She even dyes her hair red like Ariel from the Disney cartoon. It's so…
#ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions with Emily Gallo #author of Out of Ukraine – Portobello Book Blog
I'm joined today by Emily Gallo who is answering my #ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions about her book Out of Ukraine. Set against the background of a conflict which sadly is still ongoing, it sounds a very poignant read. Over to Emily to tell us more. Tell me THREE things about your latest book It’s a rollercoaster…
Vianne by Joanne Harris | #bookreview #Chocolat – Portobello Book Blog
Today I'm sharing my thoughts about a much anticipated read. Vianne by Joanne Harris is the prequel to the much beloved Chocolat series. It tells the story of Vianne before she lands up in Lansquenet. Reading Joanne Harris's writing is a very sensual experience and by that I mean appealing to all the senses. Whether…
First Line Friday 30th May 2025: Whispers in the Glen by Sue Lawrence | #FirstLineFriday #historicalfiction #ScottishFiction | @SueHLawrence @sarabandbooks – Portobello Book Blog
I was delighted to receive a copy of Whispers in the Glen by Sue Lawrence in the post yesterday. Big thanks to Sara at Saraband publishers for sending one my way. I love Sue's historical fiction and am excited to be reading this over the weekend. I'm looking forward to the book launch next Thursday…
Captivating Character of the month May 2025: Martha from the Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon | #LinkParty #bookblogger #memorablecharacter #bookx #booksky #bookreview | @_SwiftPress – Portobello Book Blog
Captivating Character for May 2025: Martha from The Frozen River When I looked back at the books I've read this month, there were a few contenders for Captivating Character. I could have chosen Maggie Dickson from The Mourning Necklace by Kate Foster (which I reviewed yesterday), Sipsworth from the book of the same name by…
The Mourning Necklace by Kate Foster | #historicalfiction #bookreview – Portobello Book Blog
Today I'm reviewing a book with a family connection! Kate Foster's The Mourning Necklace is a reimagining the life of Maggie Dickson, 'Half Hangit Maggie', a woman from Musselburgh who survived her hanging in the early 18th century. Family legend has it that she is an ancestor of my husband. His granny's maiden name was…
WWW Wednesday 28th May 2025: what am I reading? | #WWWWednesday #amreading #bookrecommendations – Portobello Book Blog
What am I currently reading? I'm reading Bring the House Down by Charlotte Runcie which is set in Edinburgh during festival time so I'm really enjoying reading about all the familiar places and the way Edinburgh is depicted during that mad few weeks. I'm listening to Making It Up As I Go Along by Marian…
Top Ten Tuesday 27th May 2025: Animal Companions | #TopTenTuesday #amreading #bookrecommendations #TuesdayBookBlog – Portobello Book Blog
This week's topic: Animal Companions This week's topic is Animal Companions which was suggested by P.S. I Love Books. I've chosen ten books which have animals in the title. I've read most of these books and, as ever, if I've reviewed the book clicking the title will take you to my review. Miss Benson's Beetle…
Cover Story by Mhairi McFarlane | #bookreview #romcom | – Portobello Book Blog
I am a big fan of Mhairi McFarlane's books and usually love them. Yes, you'll have noticed that 'usually'. Sadly, I didn't really get on with this one. There are some pretty serious issues addressed in the book such as mental health, stalking, revenge porn and 'me too' situations. Journalist Bel goes undercover to try…
20 Books Of Summer 2025 Reading Challenge Sign-Up #20BooksofSummer2025 – Portobello Book Blog
Cathy at 746 Books has handed over the baton of the 20 Books of Summer Reading Challenge to two new hosts: Annabel at AnnaBookBel and Emma at Words and Peace. I always enjoy taking part in this challenge so thank you, Cathy for hosting for the past ten years and thank you to Annabel and Emma for carrying it on.…