Welcome to the first edition of Book Nook. A chance to check out some of the month’s new exciting book releases.
Each month, we’ll be taking a look at some of the best books of the month; the ones perfect for you to get stuck into as part of your self-care routine, or just to take your mind off of other things.
Reading can be a great part of looking after your emotional health — losing yourself in a good story can help to soothe you and allows you to forget about everything else around you.
Here are our top picks for this month.
Orion Publishing Group
Publication Date 7th January
Her husband’s moved out – and her dad’s moved in…
Curl up with the page-turning story full of emotion about family, marriage and second chances.
It’s New Year’s Eve, and Iris has just found out that her husband, Adam, is cheating on her. Furious, she kicks him out, and enlists her Dad to move in and help with the children whilst she tries to mend her broken heart.
But her Dad soon starts to display signs of Alzheimer’s, and Iris realises that if she loses her partner, she’ll be managing an awful lot on her own. Soon, she realises that Adam wasn’t the only one taking their marriage for granted, and for the sake of the children she decides to give him one more chance.
But is it braver to stay than to run? And can anyone fall in love with the same person twice?
I Give It A Year posed the age old questions of what we do in the face of infidelity. It is realistic, beautifully written, and I think will resonate with plenty of readers.
Rescue Me
Hodder And Staughton
Publication date 21st January
Margot doesn’t have time for love.
Will is afraid to love.
And neither of them are expecting to fall in love with Blossom: a gentle Staffy with a tragic past, a belly made for rubbing and a head the size of a football.
After their first meeting at the rescue centre, both Margot and Will want to adopt Blossom so reluctantly agree to share custody. But Will’s obsession for micro-managing and clear-cut boundaries and Margot’s need to smother Blossom with affection, means that soon they have a very confused and badly behaved dog on their hands.
Can they put their differences aside to become successful “co-pawrents” and maybe even friends? And meanwhile, does Blossom have plans of her own?
This was a sweet read, full of friendship, love, and most importantly, dogs! Rescue Me warmed my heart and left me feeling full of joy.
Shiver
Headline
Publication Date 21st January
They don’t know what I did. And I intend to keep it that way.
How far would you go to win? Hyper-competitive people, mind games and a dangerous natural environment combine to make the must-read thriller of the year. Fans of Lucy Foley and Lisa Jewell will be gripped by spectacular debut novel Shiver.
When Milla is invited to a reunion in the French Alps resort that saw the peak of her snowboarding career, she drops everything to go. While she would rather forget the events of that winter, the invitation comes from Curtis, the one person she can’t seem to let go.
The five friends haven’t seen each other for ten years, since the disappearance of the beautiful and enigmatic Saskia. But when an icebreaker game turns menacing, they realise they don’t know who has really gathered them there and how far they will go to find the truth.
In a deserted lodge high up a mountain, the secrets of the past are about to come to light.
Shiver is a very cleverly plotted page-turner of a debut. It’s fast paced and had me guessing almost right up until the end. I couldn’t put it down.
*This book does contain death and nerve-wracking scenes*
By Andi Osho
HQ
Publication Date 21st January
No woman gets left behind
Three best friends are going to solve their relationship woes once and for all
Forty-something Jemima’s life is on track – well, sort of, she just needs to bat her niggly ex away for good.
Twenty-something Meagan is in the midst of her five-phase plan and is nearly ready for phase three: a relationship.
While thirty-something Simi has had more it’s not yous than any I dos.
These best friends decide it’s time to ditch the dating apps and play the love game by their own rules. They’re going to ask people out in real life…but only for each other. What could possibly go wrong?
Comedian Andi Osho’s hilarious and uplifting debut novel features her trademark wit and is perfect for fans of Candice Carty-Williams, Lucy Diamond and Mhairi McFarlane.
Another well-written debut for this month’s Book Nook. Asking for a Friend is a comedically honest tale of female friendships written with heart and gusto.
*article contains affiliate links*
*Illustration by the Talented Franzi Draws*
