By My Side - Wendy Lou Jones - 4*'s Book Review

Ok this is a weird one for me as I loved this story... loved it... but I hated the ending and didn't see the need for the beginning either so I am awarding it 4*’s. (Contains spoilers so I can explain what did and didn't work for me)

Here are the reason why I initially gave it 5*'s.

• I sat up too late reading this story and couldn’t wait to restart it the next day, that is a 5* in my eyes. 

• I was invested in the characters, felt twinges in my heart, got offended and frustrated when they did... so 5*’s.

• The author was a doctor so her medical terminology is spot on for the times and she has insider knowledge of how fast gossip spreads around the hospital.

Why did it lose a star? 

Mainly the fact I hated the ending and that was a big sulking moment for me. I could have taken away more stars for the bits I will mention below, but seeing as I loved Katy and Adam's story it was worth 4*... if it had just been about them and not Lena or the dodgy ending, I would have given full marks. Hell I would have give it 6* out of 5* ;) Remember 4*'s is a nothing to be sniffed at!

The Author is Wendy Lou Jones, she came up with this story after seeing a redhead in a Chemist. She recently hunted her down and freaked her out by confessing she used her as a character in her book. Oh and made her pose for a photo (I am sure an injunction has been issued haha) Wendy is also obsessed with Richard Armitage so I think he is her 'Adam' in this novel, as the descriptions match.

I like to picture Katy and Adam like this in my mind. ;)

THE BLURB

The blurb was a bit confusing, I was expecting to read a story about a woman who had been cheated on and how she overcame it with help from a stranger. Then there was a bit underneath where two people are mentioned 'Katy' and 'Adam' and I realise they are the love birds... so who is Lena and why do we need her in the story... let me clear it up for you. Lena is a character who had been cheated on, failed her exams and attempted to kill herself to escape it all. Despite that her mother takes her to a funeral of a stranger. There someone begins to tell her the love story of Katy and Adam, who met shortly after Katy's Grandfather funeral, and how they were destined to fall in love as they were perfect for each other... not exactly what you want to hear at a funeral, let alone when you have had your heart broken and recently tried to put yourself in a coffin because of it. It just seemed really inappropriate and insensitive, plus her mother taking her to a funeral and leaving her alone to get her ears chewed off was weird. 

My main gripe with the book blurb is that I don't think it sells this book, it is misleading as Lena is not the main character she is more like a witness or a walk on character with maybe six lines throughout the entire book. To have the blurb based on her and not 'Katy' and Adam' was a misleading in my eyes.

SHELF APPEAL

The book cover doesn’t do the story justice and I am not sure the title is right either. I would have preferred Bed Side Manner as that was mainly what was in question from the start. Katy is not happy with Adam's bedside manner and he is well known for being a grump.

By my side, doesn't sound like it is a romance novel set in a medical profession and neither does the cover. I know a number of people who look for medical romances, especially my friends who work in hospitals or the medical profession, so it is missing a marketing opportunity there. ‘Bed Side Manner’ would have been more suitable. 

The cover is a hand holding a butterfly, I have no idea what that refers to other than a soul visiting at a funeral, and whilst we start this story at a funeral, there is far more scope for a cover set in medical romance. Even something basic like a stethoscope in a heart shape on a pair of scrubs, or hanging around a doctors neck would draw in those medical romance lovers. 

Yes it is a beautiful cover but I didn't feel it was relevant to the story and to me books with covers and titles like that usually hold a depressing story about abuse or trauma. I avoid them. This had a depressing ending but the main story was a delight to read.

ENDING - WHAT WAS THE ISSUE?

I mentioned I didn’t like the ending but I won't say exactly why, as it is a huge spoiler. It is safe to say the entire Lena part of the story was a put off for me. I would have preferred the story to just be about the protagonist Katy and her love interest Adam. Set in a hospital... simple. 

I didn’t like the jumping back and forth in time like the Princess Bride meets the Note Book, to someone being told a story at a funeral and I most certainly did not like the end. In fact the words ‘are you F***ing kidding me’ were yelled at my kindle. Good on the author for making me do that but the depressing ending wasn't explained either, I was left wondering what the hell happened. Like I nodded off and missed the end of the movie.

If I had my way, I would chop the end off and get rid of the third person, Lena, as she wasn’t needed. It turned a beautiful romance into something morbid. It felt a bit like the story was being turned it into a Greek tragedy for the sake of shock tactics. In romance the whole point is to see a happy ending without the macabre side. That detachment and melancholy of having a story end with uncertainty or tragedy is not for me. I would start it where Katy is at her grandfathers funeral, cut out Lena, embellish the two of them finally admitting they love each other and give me a 'they live happily ever after but argue frequently' ending.

In the debut novel from this author I struggled with the damage inflicted on the characters health and felt it was unnecessarily grim but hey life is cruel sometimes. I was hoping for a healthier outcome in this case so to see that type of ending again, and to the extreme, made me realise I am never going to get a happy ending from this author. There will be a tragic or fragile ending. No rainbows and unicorns here.... more like life’s a bitch and it’s gunning for you so get shagging everyone before you die.

FRUSTRATION

I spent hours reading this and wishing they would hurry up and sort themselves out. Admit their feelings and have hot make up sex which ends with a marriage proposal and kids... Yep I am that soppy.  Look I even picked out a baby grow.

When I got to the sex, it faded to black... I wasn't happy. To top it off when the characters are to all intents and purposes going to have 'the talk’... it was skipped and replaced with ‘but we had tonight’. Effectively booting me, the reader, who has invested hours in this book over the space of two days, out of the story and closing the door behind me. Only to be replaced with a time jump back to Lena and an ending I could throw rocks at.

I didn’t get to see what they had to say to one another, after ten chapters of ‘will they’ or ‘won’t they’. I felt robbed. I would have preferred to leave that door open and witness what was being said. Jeeze we read romance for confessions of the heart, not narrative from a third party sometime in the future. I want to be there, in the room like a fly on the wall when they confess their love for one another and get naked.

Plus I then had to read the ending that makes your blood run cold and your mood turn from happy to ‘what was the point in reading the story’. You can’t fan the flames of passion, snuff out the light and thrown dirt on it without readers feeling like your story has been hijacked by George R Martin and turned into an episode of Game of Thrones. It was an unnecessary twist of fate for the characters, which was cruel and disappointing. I felt like it was for shock tactics, even though I had an idea it was going all Bruce Willis a few chapters in. I just hoped the author didn't take that road... boy was I disappointed.

I had envisaged the characters singing songs like this at their wedding... No such luck.

I would recommended it, but with a warning to skip the ending as I wish I had. I even forced a friend who works in A&E to read it immediately to see if she felt the same about certain parts and 'yes,' she did. I didn't even tell her what niggled me and she sent near verbatim feedback in her email... like me she loved it, just not the Lena bits or ending. Oh and the skipping the 'talk' made her mad.

So I am going to pretend this is the ending... (the dancing bit before the shoulder tap) 

IT Girl - Nic Tatano - 5* Book Review

Anchor man meets Sex in the City - that is the best way to describe this new piece of work from the delightful Sicilian and New Yorker Nic Tantano.

Nic has vast experience in the area of Television networking to support this series. His career as a weatherman, reporter, anchor and producer for various television networks ensures he knows the real gossip from the green room which helps make this series so believable. He is confident in his approach to the subject matter and I can't help but picture him back in his weatherman dating days, looking something like this.

Although Nic knows roller skating on a first date is not as romantic as Xanadu has you believe... his real life dating traumas which he often shares with his readers have added to his witty humour which transfers well to the characters he creates for us.

I never watch morning TV, I am a press snooze till there are 20 minutes to be out the door girl, so I don't really understand the complexities of anchoring or the decisions behind who graces the screen. Nic depicts that well and had me wondering why the hell someone would find that appealing as a career. I assume that being an anchor is far more desirable in the States than here in the UK where we actually have a show called 'This Morning'. I don't think our TV presenters get paid the figures mentioned in this book and they certainly don't look like supermodels but they do have a wicked sense of humour!  (Check out this clip of Fern Cotton and Philip Schofield)

I pictured someone like Amy Adams for Nic's leading lady. A redhead who is terrified of missing out on a career opportunity or gaining weight, but most of all in losing her edge as a political journalist.

I noticed the play on the surnames with the two anchors 'Summer' and 'Winter'.. very seasonal. I also loved that the protagonist had friends, love life and balls big enough to ensure her career was not affected by whoever was in her bed. She's not afraid to kick a hottie to the curb whilst dressed in nothing but a red thong and armed with squirty cream... my kind of girl.

There were a lot of references to 'legs' so I am going to say the author has a leg fetish to go with his obvious passion for red heads whatever shade, copper top, strawberry blonde or pillar box.

You can easily forget that the author is male, which is a gift in itself. His depiction of girly feelings and gossip make the characters relatable and relevant. Not forgetting the hot males with stubble, 'long dimples' and winning smiles to melt the knickers of any sleep deprived mother. Both are made drool worthy whatever your sexuality reading this. I also made me realise that putting off shaping my eyebrows and shaving my legs would not pass in 'Anchor World'. You can't live in leggings and hide a unibrow behind a fringe or baseball cap... Oh and the camera adds 20lbs.

This is the first instalment and I would have preferred to read the entire thing. I am used to finishing a book and being left on a cliffhanger makes me sulk. Do I want to read more... yep I want to see who the love interest is and I want it now! That makes it 5*'s, along side the ability to make me give a flying fuck about morning TV.

I may even wake extra early tomorrow to watch morning TV... then again I may just set the Tivo and bash the shit out of the snooze button. 

THE KISS BEFORE CHRISTMAS - SOPHIE PEMBROKE - BOOK REVIEW 5*

Loved it! 

You can tell the author has studied English Literature as the story is effortlessly written, which in turn makes it a pleasure to read. Also well edited which meant there were no gaps or scene jumps leaving the reader disorientated as to where the scene was taking place or whose POV they were reading. 

A story full of secrets, historical relationship dramas, spiced up with sexual tension and yummy kisses. Add a few snotty posh people, who no one really wants to spend Christmas with, as they are obnoxious, insensitive and act as though need a spring of holly removed from their Ice cold hearts!

It was a nice change to see a couple who are in their 30's and not pigeon holed into 18-25 age group like most books these days. It made it far more interesting and believable that the characters had relationships before and now they were 'love shy'. 

I enjoyed it, read it cover to cover in 2 hours and look forward to more from this author.

SANTA WORE LEATHERS - VONNIE DAVIS - BOOK REVIEW 5*

Sexy, feisty, witty and Christmassy
I love the authors ease with words. She tells the story with care, enthusiasm and more wit than you could shake a stick at. Just my type of book. She is on my favourites list. 

I was laughing my duck off in the first few pages and several chapters in I lost count of the scrotum references, whether it be the dogs bits or the hotties. All of which made me laugh. 

It's a story with a broken heart which needs to be mended, trust issues from previous shitty relationships and a 'don't judge a book by it's cover' love interest. The heart is owned by a firey, sulky, red headed protagonist who fights off the advances of her new sexy neighbour, only to have her legs knocked bandy with one 'blue steel' look. One minute she is say 'Ah, ah' and the 'Ooo aaaa'. The fact he is a fireman and knows how to handle her firey temperament as well as get her hot under the collar doesn't go a miss. 

I was a bit peeved at his waffling on throughout the naughty bits, it was like a radio presenter or sports commentators. I would yell 'Just F*** me already!' or pull my blindfold off and gag him with it.

Their relationship challenged misconceptions on who we chose to date or not, based on what the person does for a living. I for instance would never consider dating an accountant no matter how good he was with his digits (ahem). I can't save enough money to next pay day and often store it in my bra. I am an accountants worst nightmare. I have visions of them asking for a receipt after sex... not that I charge but you get my meaning... preconceived ideals. 

This book reminds us that love is a tricky, addictive and euphoric. The broken hearted avoid like the plague only to fall hard and fast just when they thought they were safe. Most of us end up with the exact opposite of what we think we are looking for and all have to surrender our hearts, as that is the price of love. Even if yours is battered and bruised, it can bounce back like Rocky and knock a guy for six.

SAY IT WITH SEQUINS (The Rumba) - GEORGIA HILL - BOOK REVIEW 4*

If you love Strictly Come Dancing, Dancing with the Stars etc, you will love this. Picture a Welsh Childrens TV presenter (I pictured Gethin Jones) and a West End actress both signing up for a reality Dance comp in the hope to raise their profile and get new job offers. The usual reason Stars sign up.

Throw in some sequins, dodgy revelling dresses and unwanted intimacy with your dance partner, who is a moron and only happy when he has a stick insect to throw around like pizza dough. She's the under dog who can't find her bark to defend against her trainers bite, and the comments from the judges leave her confidence in tatters. It's something we all witness on a Saturday night coming up to Christmas on these shows.

Will she find her feet? Will her new friendship with the Welsh hottie ever develop into a first kiss? Read and find out! ;)

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS WITHOUT YOU - MICHELLE BETHAM - BOOK REVIEW 5*

Any book that can have you worried for the protagonist in the first chapter, heartbroken for them in the second and hopeful in the third, has my vote!

I got interrupted several times reading this and as it is a very emotional read I contemplated whether I should risk getting arrested for assault, just so I could finish reading it in peace.

It keeps you interested, as you want to confirm your suspicions but it also allows you to suspend disbelief in some instances and pine for those who are no longer with us.

I am usually far more interested in the dialogue than the destination but reading this at Christmas time made me feel more festive than my belly full of turkey. The author captured the magic and beauty of Lapland. It was like a tour guide. I would have liked more interaction between the two love interests rather than a tour but I felt it was more about her emotional journey than the relationship. Plus it is a novella so short and sweet, just like Christmas!

ON THE SCENT - ANGELA CAMPBELL - BOOK REVIEW 5*

I will have an order of Henry Cavill inspired hunk with a side portion of cute pets in danger please.

Why 5*'s? Here is how I worked it out.

Would I sleep with Zach, Brian and Kellan... yep 1* E.J.... No. - 1* But there was three hotties, imagine the fun... add that star back! 1*

Was the protagonist a wimp... No... make that 2** 

Did I want them to 'kiss already' like back in the day of Moonlighting with Bruce Willis... yep 3***

Were the pets cute... of course 4**** However, the cat was sly and grumpy - 1* making it 3***

Was the storyline believable, full of mystery and a twitch of fiction... Yep 4****

Did they fall out and make up, then finally jump each other with more passion than the leg humping dog ... yep add a star making it 5***** 

The back story with Zach and his brother was a nice lead to the next story. Bring it on!

THE LAST KISS - BRIGID COADY - BOOK REVIEW 5*

A lovely 'short' which perfectly depicts the heartbreak and joy of the last kiss. Some kisses are branded into our soul, a wonderful memory we dust off in our later years. The kind that reminds us we were truly kissed. Perfect!

ONE KISS - LISA FOX - BOOK REVIEW 4*

A story of attraction whilst in the friend zone with a work colleague/bestie. Add to it the fear of falling in love with the risk of falling out later. Are you willing to risk losing that friendship for the sake of having someone to kiss at midnight?

I enjoyed reading this story late on a Friday night. It made me want to go out, party and kiss someone just for the hell of it. 

The chemistry and attraction between the two was realistic and had you anticipating the kiss before it happened. The kisses were wonderfully descriptive and made you miss a good old snog or grab your partner and pucker up. 

The only slight negative for me was sometimes it seemed to mood swing a bit too quickly so I got readers whiplash but it got back on track quick enough. I also found some parts overly crude for a romantic scene. I just felt that certain sentences detracted from the moment and would have been more appropriate in another scene. 

The Songbird and the Soldier - Wendy Lou Jones - Book Review

Four word review: Must read - I cried.

Yep I went from 'Oh what a delightful read' to 'Don't you dare!', half way through the book. It's like a cross between the 'Note Book' and 'Dear John'.

As someone who writes to squaddies, sends care packages etc I know how much truth there is in this novel. It is well researched. I know so many women who can relate to this story in one way or another. It was adorable and if I were a publisher I would be so happy to find this in my submissions pile.

It was a lovely mixture of potential love you can't wait to see grow intermingled with a smattering of a spiteful, selfish, bastard who thinks good looks and big... (ahem).... grin will win over anyone. Regardless of the cost of friendship and happiness. Basically a bullshitter in a china shop of fragile hearts. There were times when I wanted to reach inside the novel and throttle some characters for getting in the way and other times my heart swooned, clapped and cheered characters on.

It didn't paint an unrealistic picture of war. It was not all flowery romance and fiction. There were moments of clear 'reality checking', that brought the reader down to earth with a bump like a grounded cherub.

For once I didn't see the twist at the end coming, which resulted in the hand flies to cover your mouth in shock moment. Eyes blurred with tears, you blink heavily to try to clear them as you 'NEED' to know what happens and if anyone disturbs you, they will get a look that would put Medusa to shame. At the same time a storm rumbled over head and I found myself shouting at the thunder to 'shut up I am trying to read!', yup yelling at thunder for disturbing my readers moment of crisis. My book was my 'Thunder buddy' and there was a 'Do not disturb' sign in the atmosphere around my house.

Why five stars: Any book that can make me forget that it's 4:00a.m, force myself to bed, lie there worrying about the characters whilst fighting the temptation to pick it up again, deserves five stars.

The honest depiction of being a squaddie and their loved one shows how testing it is. That time apart, the desperation to not count down the time you have left together or get upset as it dawns on you that there is less than a day left and you squeeze each other tighter in the hope of slowing down time. It's like a ticking clock that you try to ignore but it just gets louder and by the end it is like Big Ben. The last hug and kiss that is never enough as you watch them leave and the count down to the next R&R begins in deadly silence as your heart enters a period of mourning and waits eagerly for the next letter.

The use of snail mail is great in the story, as it shows her impatience, the rush to write the next and post it off. The excitement of seeing it on the door mat and his receiving a reply at the other end. Sending a bluey is a game of patience and sometimes the postman seems to be on vacation. I was so chuffed when she used the e-bluey service to get the message there quicker. That service is a godsend. I would have liked to have seen her send out a care package too, but hey.

When I think of Andy and how he called Sam 'beautiful', this song was in my head. (Plus James Blunt is ex army so it was perfect.)

At the blubbiest part of the book this song sprung to mind and the video was perfect. James Morrison.

I highly recommend this novel as a lovely read. It takes you on an emotional journey you think you've been on before in many a romance novel but then your heart hits a 'novel IED' and you are blown away. The only way to recover is to read like a wild animal with eyes bugging out hungry for more. Well done Wendy Lou.

Side note:
As someone who supports our UK troops with care packages and letters (bluey), I would like to flag this wonderful site. It is not a dating site. You are just boosting morale, sending out some treats and letters (penpal) to the troops. If you are a UK resident and interested contact the site below.

http://adoptabritishsquaddie.org/