June Reads

June was a bit of a crappy month for me. I suffer from chronic migraines and I had back to back migraines that left me nauseous and groggy. I got signed off work for three weeks. As a result I’ve not read many paperbacks or kindle books, but I have read loads of audiobooks, making the most of my BorrowBox account. I had a lot of books on my TBR pile so instead of reading them in paperback format I searched for the audiobooks.

Here are my reviews for June:

One Step Behind by Lauren North

A paperback book read between 09/05/2024 and 08/06/2024 4⭐

This book is written as a narrative of two key characters, Jenna, a doctor and mother of two who is being tormented by a stalker. The other character, Sophie, is the sister of Jenna’s stalker. The stalker leaves macabre dolls on Jenna’s doorstep, sees him looming in the shadows and is at breaking point. Then one day her stalker is brought into A&E whilst she is on shift and everything changes. 

This is another great book by Lauren North. I love a psychological thriller and this one packed all the punches. With twists and turns and an unexpected ending. 

Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly, Narrated by Helen Duff

A BorrowBox audiobook read between 31/05/2024 and 11/06/2024 3⭐️

This is a clever take on the Ugly Stepsisters from Cinderella. The story starts with Ella riding away with the Prince of France. The Stepsisters are then attacked by the villagers after their treatment of Ella becomes common knowledge. The younger sister, Isabelle is the focus of the Fates and Chance. She is full of self doubt and self loathing, and needs to find her courage, bravery and life in order to save herself from Fate and save France. 

I really enjoyed this book. I was a massive fan of Ever After starring Drew Barrymore and there are some vibes from that film in this book. I loved Isabelle, she is a great feminist character. She always wanted to be a warrior but had been told since childhood that it is not a woman’s place. Chance used his hand to show her that there are real female warriors throughout history, including Joan of Arc and Elizabeth the first. This book has a strong moral message. 

Daniel Vanished by Sean Munger

A Kindle book read between 12/05/2024 and 12/06/2024 4⭐️

Kenny has been trying to solve the disappearance of his childhood best friend for 32 years. He hears a podcast on the subject and joins forces with the host to solve the crime. 

This book is very dark, and it is full of twists. In the days before the internet criminals could evade being caught but in the twenty-first century the murderers' days are numbered. I really enjoyed this book, it was a read where I kept thinking about it when I was away from the book. The ending was nothing near what I imagined it would be. This is a book I would definitely go back to and re-read and I’m sure I will take something different away from it each time. 

Animal Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland by Sharon Jacksties, Narrated by Sharon Jacksties 

An Audible audiobook read between 27/05/2024 and 12/06/2024 2.5⭐️

I actually ended up listening to this book twice. I listened to it one day when I was exploring Sudbury but realised that I hadn’t taken any of it in so decided to re-listen. It is a really strange mix of tales. I didn’t really enjoy it as it didn’t flow very well. Other folk tale books that I have read have sets of similar stories or themes that run back to back but this book was a bit all over the place. It was also very pretentious in places, using words that even I had to look up. This is the kind of book that can be read to children but the wording used would make this a hard task. 

And The She Vanished (Joseph Bridgeman Book 1) by Nick Jones, Narrated by Ray Porter

An Audible Audiobook read between 14/06/2024 and 15/06/2025 3⭐️

Joseph Bridgeman’s life has been tormented since his sister disappeared as a child. After trying hypnotherapy he realises that he can time travel. After several trips to the past he uncovers what happened to his sister and this changes his life completely. 

I enjoyed this book, I picked it up as a freebie on Audible. I love a book about psychometry (see my previous blog post). It is a fun easy read, and I really enjoyed the narrator which always helps. This is the first book in a series. I will seek out the other books to see what adventures Joseph will get into in the future. 

The Stranger Behind You by Carol Goodman, Narrated by Samantha Desz

A BorrowBox audiobook read between 15/06/2024 and 17/06/2024 3.5⭐️

This book follows Joan, a journalist, as she breaks a story about a newspaper tycoon and sexual harassment in the workplace. With the advance from a book deal she moves into an old Magdalen Laundry called The Refuge and meets Lilian Day. She tells Joan her life story about hiding from the Mob. Joan and Lilian’s stories begin to merge and almost end in the same way.

I’ve been a Carol Goodman fan for a long time. I love how all of her books are dark with a hint of the paranormal. This book had me on the edge of my seat throughout. It is a book where you never know what is going to happen next. I liked that there were multiple narrators too. 

A Commonplace Killing by Siân Busby, Narrated by Robert Peston and Daniel Weyman

A BorrowBox audiobook read on 17/06/2024 2.5⭐️

This book is set in post-war 1940s London. Lillian is a wife and mother who has not enjoyed life since the war, in particular the severe rationing and having her freedom taken away from her. These things are taking their toll, her husband is back from his posting and she is back to being a housewife. Her body is found on an old bomb site and DI Jim Cooper is tasked with finding her killer. He uncovers a sordid and dark underbelly ro the “keep calm and carry on” nature of post-war austerity in Britain.

This is a book that I either picked up from a charity shop (3 for £1) or a free library. As I was off sick with migraines I sorted out books on my TBR on BorrowBox so that I could listen instead of read. 

This is not my normal kind of read, but I enjoyed it. It made me think about the role of women in the war. A lot of women would have gotten jobs that were not available to them before the war. In the case of Lillian she enjoyed the freedom of being able to go out and have fun with American troops based in Essex. She could act like a single woman whilst her husband was away from home. As the war ended so did her freedom. This was a peek into a side of history that is not readily discussed. 

The Girls Who Disappeared by Claire Douglas

A Kindle book read between 14/06/2024 and 18/06/2024 2.5⭐️

This book is about three girls who disappeared in 1998 after a car accident in a small village in Wiltshire. Olivia is the only survivor. Twenty years later, journalist Jenna, arrives to do a podcast about the disappearance. The locals are not happy with Jenna digging around in the past and threaten her to make her leave. The truth eventually comes out, shocking most involved.

This is a dual timeline story. The other timeline tells the story of a group of friends visiting Thailand. I understand why this story was in the book but I feel that this information could have been given in a different way. This book was an OK read for me, the ending felt rushed. There were also some historical errors and typos found. I have spoken to other readers and they also found other problems with the book. I’m not sure I would rush to read another book by this author. 

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears, Narrated by Michelle Williams

A BorrowBox audiobook read on 18/06/2024 3⭐️

Britney grew up in poverty and worked hard to provide for her family who then took advantage of her. Her father was abusive and manipulative in the way he treated her during the conservatorship. In particular the way that he placed her in therapy for over the counter energy supplements! 

As I have mentioned in previous reviews, I find memoirs really interesting. It is harrowing what she endured during those years, but she fought through them for the sake of seeing her children. I really enjoyed the narrator for this audiobook. I felt that even though the book was quite short it was concise. 

Queen Bee by Ciara Geraghty, Narrated by Angeline Bell

A BorrowBox audiobook read between 18/06/2024 and 19/06/2024 5⭐️

Agatha Doyle is a historical fiction writer who is struggling to write her latest novel about sixteenth-century witches. She is invited to be on a panel at a conference but ends up losing it with the other male panel members and has a massive rant about menopausal women. This becomes known as Menopause: The Movie, she is now the poster child for the menopause. Her day to day life is a grind, she thinks her marriage is over and she goes to stay with her friend in LA to get away from it all. 

This is not my normal kind of read but I found it hilarious. It was another book on my TBR pile that I found on audiobook whilst I was off sick. I love Agatha Doyle as a character, I think most women can relate to her. The book follows her day to day life with her family, alongside her symptoms of the menopause. I would recommend this as a must read for women. I will definitely look out for other books by this author. 

The Locked Attic by BP Walter, Narrated by Clare Corbett and Sam Newton

A BorrowBox audiobook read between 19/06/2024 and 20/06/2024 3⭐️

A family moves into a new neighbourhood, the son becomes friends with the child that lives across the street. The husband and son die in a tragic accident and the mother is determined to reveal the truth about the whole situation. 

This book is really messed up, it has a lot going on. It is told through the narrative of the mother and the son. It was an OK read. There is an explosion at a local power plant which I feel was not needed as it just added more unneeded dialogue to the book. I felt that the ending was rushed and more time could have been focused on this rather than the explosion. It was another book from my TBR that I listened to via audiobook. 

The Other Mother by Carol Goodman, Narrated by Nicol Zanzarella 

A BorrowBox audiobook read between 21/06/2024 and 22/06/2024 2.5⭐️

This book follows two mothers with postpartum mood disorder. Daphne idolises Laurel and gradually models herself on her. She applies for a job as an archivist for one of her favourite authors using Laurel’s credentials and gets engrossed in an account of a patient in a local home.

I was a little torn by this book. I usually love Carol Goodman books, but I found this book quite confusing. Both characters have a daughter called Chloe. It is hard to follow at times who is who and the characters become blurred. I’m not sure if reading the book would have been easier to follow in this situation, rather than listening to the audiobook. In the end I am still unsure of the outcome of some of the events. It is not a book that I would re-read to find out. 

How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran, Narrated by Caitlin Moran

A BorrowBox audiobook read between 22/06/2024 and 23/06/2024 5⭐️

When I grow up (I’m almost 40) I want to be like Caitlin Moran. This book is funny, witty and down to earth. It is the first book since I did my A Levels many moons ago, where I underlined sections. Caitlin is a feminist, she puts feminist arguments clearly on the page. I could emphasise with her experiences. I now want to buy all of her books and underline things! I would definitely recommend this book.   

The Beach Party by Nikki Smith

A Kindle book read between 20/06/2024 and 24/06/2024 4⭐️

This is a dual timeline book set in the present day looking at the events of a summer holiday in Mallorca in 1989. It follows the six friends whilst they stay in a luxury villa, drinking, doing drugs and general debauchery, along with a lot of secrets. They must return to the villa 33 years later to confront the events that unfolded in 1989. 

I liked that the book was told from the perspective of the different characters both in the past and present. The characters were well developed and complex. Through reading the book there wasn’t a character that I really trusted, so any of them could have been guilty. There were a lot of small twists throughout the book and I did not see the ending coming! It was another book where I thought a lot about it when I was away from it. I would recommend this book and I would read others by Nikki Smith. 

Transcription by Kate Atkinson, Narrated by Fenella Woolgar

A BorrowBox audiobook read between 23/06/2024 and 24/06/2024 3⭐️

This book follows 18 year old Juliet Armstrong from 1940 onwards on her journey into espionage. Her main role was to transcribe conversations between Fascist sympathisers during World War Two. Her post-war life in the BBC is not safe from her past and it soon catches up with her. 

My friend let me borrow this book and I decided to listen to it on audiobook whilst I was off sick from work. I liked Juliet’s dry humour and character as a whole. I did find the book tedious and hard to follow in places. Also the male characters merged into one another for me. As a whole it was enjoyable though. I have another Kate Atkinson book on my TBR to read in the future so this book did not put me off her work. 

The Narrator by KL Slater, Narrated by Clare Corbett and Kristin Atherton 

An Audible audiobook read between 24/06/2024 and 25/06/2024 3.5⭐️

This book centred around Eve, an audiobook narrator, who has been enlisted to read the next book in the Philipa Roberts series of crime novels. Eve has narrated all of the other novels but this one seems different, she can see errors in the writing. Philipa is missing and Eve feels that she has left clues for her to find her. 

I really enjoyed this book and it had me guessing at each new chapter, it was a real “who done it”! The ending was a massive twist that has me questioning the book for days after finishing it.

The Glass House by Eve Chase, Narrated by Katherine Press 

A BorrowBox audiobook read between 25/06/2024 and 26/06/2024 3.5⭐️

I found that in some places the book was titled The Daughters of Foxcote Manor. This is a dual timeline book - Big Rita is the nanny for two children and their mother, a posh London family who are at their country estate whilst their London house is refurbished after a fire. Disaster strikes whilst at this country home and Big Rita has to help cover their tracks. 

The other narrator is Big Rita’s daughter Sylvie who is in the present along with her daughter Annie. Rita is unconscious in hospital after a fall, Annie is pregnant and Rita’s past is now wrapped up in the present, which Sylvie unravels. 

This story kept me hooked, it had good pathos. The characters were well developed and they all centred around their love for Rita. The ending tied everything up and pulled together the loose ends. It was a great story, and another book from my TBR pile that I decided to listen to on audiobook.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris, Narrated by Richard Armitage

A BorrowBox audiobook read between 26/06/2024 and 28/06/2024 3.5⭐️

This book is based on the true story of Ludwig (Lale) Sokolov, as told to the author. Lale was a Slovakian Jew taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau from Prague. He speaks many languages so is given the job of Tätowierer (Tattooist) marking new prisoners with their numbers. He trades jewels for food and medicine to help the other prisoners. He falls in love with a girl named Gita and they spend their free time together getting to know one another. Lale escapes whilst being transferred to another camp and ends up in a town that is occupied by Russians. After working for them he escapes and returns to his hometown. After Liberation he is reunited with Gita 

This is a story of hope and helping others in a time of despair. Lale did all that he could to improve the life of others. I really enjoyed this book. I think at some point I may have watched the adaptation as there were extracts where I felt I had heard this before. I liked that at the end the author gave the story of how he met and spent time with Lale. It really tied up the credibility of the story. This was a book from my TBR where I decided to listen on audiobook rather than read the paperback. 

The Keeper of Stories by Sally Page, Narrated by Jessica Whittaker 

A BorrowBox audiobook read between 28/06/2024 and 30/06/2024 3⭐️

This is the story of a woman who goes about her day collecting people's stories and storing them in her mind. If she is on the bus she sometimes has to create the ending for herself. Janice is a cleaner and has several clients who she is close to and some that she is not. Janice starts cleaning for an elderly lady called Mrs B, who gradually manages to coax Janice’s story from her. Telling her own story helps Janice work out who she really is and how she cannot continue to live how she is any longer. 

I really struggled with this book, I restarted it four times, as I couldn’t understand its point. I persisted and it turned out to be an OK read. I didn’t really like Janice as a character but all the others were great, especially Decius the Fox Terrier. 

I hope you enjoyed my reviews. Going forward my format will change slightly. I have now been given the opportunity to review books via NetGalley. I will be getting Advanced Review Copies so some of the reviews I will not be able to give until publication day. I will do these in long form posts rather than part of the monthly reviews. 

Once again, if you have enjoyed any of these books please let me know. I would love to hear what you thought of them.

Many Thanks

Sammie