The book is excellently written and very readable. Fran Hill seems to speak from experience.
The book is about fourteen-year-old Jacky, who barely survives under the
‘care’ of her dissolute alcoholic father. So, Social Services move her to a
first-time foster family. Their daughter, Amanda, of similar age, resents Jacky’s
presence and does her level best to get rid of her.
Ostensibly innocuous actions and remarks
vividly reveal the character and feelings of the clashing teenagers and their
far-from-innocent parents. Not all the loose ends are tied, but I felt drawn into the complicated family atmosphere and enjoyed discovering their secrets.
'Fresh, authentic and darkly funny. It's a beautifully told story full of warmth and emotion without ever being sentimental - I absolutely loved it' Ruth Hogan, bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things
It’s the heatwave summer of 1976 and 14-year-old would be poet Jackie Chadwick is newly fostered by the Walls. She desperately needs stability, but their insecure, jealous teenage daughter isn't happy about the cuckoo in the nest and sets about ousting her.
When her attempts to do so lead to near-tragedy – and the Walls’ veneer of middle-class respectability begins to crumble – everyone in the…
The book is entertaining and very readable, and the theme is highly topical. The characters – somewhat exaggerated – come over quite convincingly.
The story is about Isabella, financed by her hedge-fund banker husband, and her
social media postings. Isabella keeps fit, outsources the maintenance of her house,
garden, and children, and revels in her success as an influencer. When her
children cause problems at school, and other mothers ostracise her, Isabella
realises she has no real friends. New problems arise, and childhood scars surface.
I am keen to find out how Isabella copes in the next books.
Meet Isabella Smugge as in Br-uge-s, naturally! Instagram influencer, consummate show-off and endearingly self-unaware. With a palatial home, charming husband and three well-mannered children, she is living the Country Life dream. Newly arrived in the country, Isabella is ready to bring a dash of London glamour to the school gate and gain a whole new set of followers though getting past the instant coffee, terrible hair and own-brand sausage rolls may be a challenge! But as her Latvian au pair's behaviour becomes increasingly bizarre and a national gossip columnist nurses a grudge, Isabella finds herself in need of true friends…
I always wanted to know what went on during the
undocumented ages of our biblical forefathers’ lives. Who were the ‘other sons
and daughters’ they bore? With much-inspired fantasy, Natasha Woodcraft conjures
up a vivid story and develops the emotional conflicts that develop within the
growing primeval family.
In the context of this unfamiliar setting, the author illuminates
timeless spiritual struggles common to many of us, as we become aware of our
past failures and face an uncertain future. As such, this book is deeply
relevant to any serious-minded person seeking to restore broken relationships
and discover purpose in life.
One fateful day, she loses the two men she loves most. Can hope triumph after the first murder? Awan is reeling in agony. The man she loved has murdered her twin brother then disappeared. Tormented by his actions, recovery seems an impossible dream. When her well-meaning father tries to marry her to someone else, Awan refuses, knowing her heart is broken beyond repair. Questioning the God who claims to stand for justice, Awan struggles to forgive. How can she when the murderer is still out there? Then she makes a terrible mistake that threatens to fracture her family further. In…
Silvanus is angry. Perplexed. And afraid. Angry that his dad made him undertake this precarious trek. Perplexed
about the future. And afraid of the fearful stone god, Aquila the Avenger, who
haunts him wherever he goes.
His dream? Escape the little Isle of Ilva and
discover the wide world.What supernatural power is it that brings
him instead to old Cerbonius’ cave? And how will this exiled bishop’s uncanny
wisdom shape the lad’s future?
Good fortune, villainy, heart-searching, romance, and
inspired counsel lead Silvanus to make life-changing choices. This coming-of-age story explores timeless ethical
and spiritual issues – family discord, greed, disappointment, kindness, forgiveness,
justice, and faith – in a historical context.
