Book Review - Sunshine After The Rain by Jessica Redland - #HolidayReading Cruise

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Title: Sunshine After The Rain

Author: Jessica Redland

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 15th May 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Melanie knows she’s been running away... But maybe there really is no place like home 🌈

For the last seven years Mel has been hiding; from life, from her friends and from those who love her the most - her family. But being at home in her beloved Lake District has been far too painful for Mel to contemplate. Because seven years ago, Mel lost everything and she’s never been able to banish the dark clouds that follow her.

When Mel returns to Willowdale for a family event, she has no intention of staying. But surrounded by her family she begins to realise just how much she's been missing and also, how much healing she still needs to do.

Starting a dream job at Willowdale Hall, going on walks with Emma and her funny alpacas and reconnecting with those she loves, Mel slowly begins to see chinks of light and a more hopeful and happier future ahead.

And as Mel begins to feel stronger, she also feels brave enough to face the most painful part of leaving home…the one man she has always loved. With his help, can she finally banish the dark clouds forever and see the sunshine after the rain? 🌧️☀️

Another totally brilliant book in the Escape to the Lakes series. 

It was a real treat getting to know Mel who has made the decision to return to Willowdale, and she manages to get her dream job working on Willowdale Hall. So with that we get to revisit and see more of all of the main characters from the previous books in the series too. 

Mel's story is sensitively told, and it's hard to read at times, as she has been through so much and is clearly still suffering. 

I was completely gripped by this book which I was reading on a flight home from Athens. It is an uplifting story of healing, in the most wonderful of settings. I really enjoyed all of the characters, and there are some really special moments within the pages. 

Once again Jessica Redland has written a totally brilliant book, and this is definitely a series going from strength to strength. 

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - The Tapes by Kerry Wilkinson - #HolidayReading Cruise

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Title: The Tapes

Author: Kerry Wilkinson

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 11th August 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

‘If you’re listening to this, I’ve been murdered.’

Eve is clearing her father’s house when she finds an old cassette player and a box of tapes. Though grieving, she smiles at the spark of nostalgia.

One tape is labelled ‘Eve’ – in her mother, Angela’s, scrawled handwriting. She disappeared for good more than ten years ago.

The tape whirrs. A voice crackles. ‘My name is Angela’. Tears fill Eve’s eyes at the familiar voice, at the thought this message is just for her. But the next words make her heart pound.

‘If they say I’m missing, I’m not. If you’re listening to this, I’ve been murdered.’

Desperate for answers, Eve has no one left to ask – only a box of tapes that could lead to the truth. But the more she listens, the more she realises she can never go to the police…

Because Eve’s mother had her own secrets. But what if her killer is still out there? And what if Eve is next?

An absolutely unputdownable psychological thriller that will have you racing through the pages late into the night! Anyone who loves Shari Lapena, John Marrs or Lisa Jewell will be totally addicted.

It's been a while since I last read a Kerry Wilkinson novel and at the moment I have no idea why, as once again I have been totally gripped by one of their books. 

From the second I read the blurb I was intrigued and this continued into the book itself. 

After all it isn't every day when you suddenly come across cassette tapes recorded by your mother, that disappeared many years ago. Even less rare is when you listen to one and it claims that if Angela ever goes missing that she believes she will have been murdered as she has info about a serial killer. 

Which is just the situation Eve finds herself in, and naturally she has to dig to try to find out what really did happen to her mum all those years ago. 

And it's so cleverly written and plotted that I  was coming up with so many theories so far off the mark, that I'm really impressed wih the ultimate reveal. 

Every twist and turn took me with it on a fabulous roller coaster ride and I was totally there for the journey. 

Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - The Killing Route by M A Comley - #HolidayReading Cruise

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Title: The Killing Route

Author: M A Comley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author Supplied Copy

Publisher: Jeamel Publishing Limited

Publication Date: 28th July 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Not all who wander are lost.

Some are hunting.

When a young man posts an innocent advert looking for a travel companion, it sparks a journey neither he—nor his new passenger—could have ever imagined.

But their adventure takes a dark turn.

As a string of murders begins to ripple across the Herefordshire countryside, detectives Sara Ramsey and Carla Jameson are pulled into a chilling investigation unlike any they’ve faced before. With no fixed address, the suspects drift from town to town, leaving little evidence but a trail of devastation in their wake.

The deeper the detectives dig, the more disturbing the truth becomes… and the closer they get to a killer who thrives on staying one step ahead.

I'm gutted that this is I believe the last book in this series as it once again is completely addictive and amazing. 

Set in the vanlife community, we get to know our killers really well as there is a fair amount of chapters from their perspective, and I was totally intrigued by their story. 

It's once again a tough task for DI Sara Ramsay, Carla and the rest of the team to try to unravel. Especially with the trail of bodies having no pattern to them. 

From the start the reader knows who has done it and sees their motivations for it, and one of the character is really rather devious and evil.  But the joy of this book is watching a favourite police team attempt to solve the case. 

Written to the author's normal high standards, I can't recommend this fabulous series anywhere near enough, I have loved each and every book in it. 

Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.