My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bloody and brutal.
This is some non-fiction book.
I started reading this book in October 2022, after a family member had had years of trauma with her endometriosis.
Within just a few pages, I was shaking my head. In anger, disbelief, and pure, unadulterated outrage.
Tracey Lindeman pulls no punches, this is an unflinching and horrifying insight into the medical profession and the patients fighting to get treatment.
Lindeman doesn’t just share her own, horrendous story of living with endometriosis and fighting the doctors to get not only treated, but heard and respected. She tells us about so many women to show how widespread the misogyny really is.
She also tackles many of the elements of endometriosis care that, I am ashamed to say, I had not yet considered- trans, Black, disabled women are all discussed- and their treatment is harrowing to say the least.
The research Lindeman has collated in order to back up her claims is absolutely staggering. There are over 600 references of facts, books and quotes and just adds more weight to an already strong argument.
This is a heavy book- I have personal experience of endometriosis and the toll it can take on a woman, so I have only been able to read this in short bursts. Sometimes not for weeks, because of how shocking and upsetting it was to read. I started it 6 months ago, and have only just finished it. Then a few days ago, I thought, ‘why am I hiding from it? What about the women living through this? They can’t hide.’ So I ‘womaned-up’ and powered through the remaining pages.
This book should be read by every medical professional, not just specialists in gynaecology. I believe that so many people ouside of those particular patients and doctors could gain so much insight, perspective and awareness from reading this.
I cannot impress upon you how incredibly relevant and empowering this book truly is.

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Bleed: Destroying Myths and Misogyny in Endometriosis Care by Tracey Lindeman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Bloody and brutal.
This is some non-fiction book.
I started reading this book in October 2022, after a family member had had years of trauma with her endometriosis.
Within just a few pages, I was shaking my head. In anger, disbelief, and pure, unadulterated outrage.
Tracey Lindeman pulls no punches, this is an unflinching and horrifying insight into the medical profession and the patients fighting to get treatment.
Lindeman doesn’t just share her own, horrendous story of living with endometriosis and fighting the doctors to get not only treated, but heard and respected. She tells us about so many women to show how widespread the misogyny really is.
She also tackles many of the elements of endometriosis care that, I am ashamed to say, I had not yet considered- trans, Black, disabled women are all discussed- and their treatment is harrowing to say the least.
The research Lindeman has collated in order to back up her claims is absolutely staggering. There are over 600 references of facts, books and quotes and just adds more weight to an already strong argument.
This is a heavy book- I have personal experience of endometriosis and the toll it can take on a woman, so I have only been able to read this in short bursts. Sometimes not for weeks, because of how shocking and upsetting it was to read. I started it 6 months ago, and have only just finished it. Then a few days ago, I thought, ‘why am I hiding from it? What about the women living through this? They can’t hide.’ So I ‘womaned-up’ and powered through the remaining pages.
This book should be read by every medical professional, not just specialists in gynaecology. I believe that so many people ouside of those particular patients and doctors could gain so much insight, perspective and awareness from reading this.
I cannot impress upon you how incredibly relevant and empowering this book truly is.






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One Moment in Time by Shari Low

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I adored Shari Low’s book, ‘One Day With You’, so I couldn’t wait for this one!
I loved the premise, how daughter Zara tries to recreate her parents’ wedding in Las Vegas in celebration of their 30 year wedding anniversary.
But little did we know the fall out that would occur from it.
This was a light, enjoyable read that kept me reading constantly. There seemed to be a lot of characters that at times I mixed up in my mind, but the plot and drama were just as much fun to read as One Day With You.




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My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Brilliant audiobook!
I enjoyed this from start to finish. There was plenty of drama and tension, and the characters were written with incredible emotion as they navigated through the traumas they faced.
I looked forward to listening all the time- the narrator had a wonderfully engaging voice and made it incredibly easy to follow and keep my attention.
I will definitely watch out for the author’s next book.
Definitely recommended by me.



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Code Name Elodie by Anna Stuart

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed the first book in this series, so was looking forward to continuing the journey with the characters.
I didn’t know too much about Bletchley Park and it’s role in WWII, and this series just continues to educate me on the events during this time. Anna Stuart has done so much research into it, and yet what shines through is the way she has woven the research through a gripping plot and with the real emotion of the characters at the time. The admiration she has given the reader through this book, and series so far, continues so strongly and as I put my kindle down, I let out a hugh sigh.
Reading this book has been poignant, powerful, and life-affirming.
Highly recommend.



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BlogTour #TheFamilyAtNo12by @anitawallerauthor

Thanks to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy and spot on the tour
🌟🌟🌟🌟

THE BLURB:
When Janette answers the door to a potential customer looking to board his dog, she never imagines he has nefarious plans.

But minutes later he’s dead and in her cellar.

Weeks later she realises she’s pregnant.

And so she becomes Mother and the baby Child, and a hidden life begins.

But all secrets come out eventually . .

MY REVIEW:
Woah…
This book gets pretty dark. There are so many trigger warnings, and it makes for very uncomfortable reading.
The plot starts off as a slow burn, but if you can get through the opening pages, it becomes a gripping and intriguing read.
I wasn’t sure if I ‘liked’ the characters as such, but they really added to the suspense in the plot.
As my first Anita Waller book, it was a strong introduction to her work, and I look forward to more.

BlogTour #TheGirlwiththeEmeraldFlag by @kathleenmcgurl

Thanks to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy and spot on the tour
🌟🌟🌟🌟
THE BLURB:
A country rebelling
It’s 1916 and, as war rages in Europe, Gráinne leaves her job in a department store to join Countess Markiewicz’s revolutionary efforts. It is a decision which will change her life forever. A rebellion is brewing, and as Dublin’s streets become a battleground, Gráinne soon discovers the personal cost of fighting for what you believe in…

A forgotten sacrifice
Decades on, student Nicky is recovering from a break-up when a research project leads her to her great-grandmother’s experiences in revolutionary Ireland. When Nicky finds a long-forgotten handkerchief amongst her great-grandmother’s things, it leads to the revelation of a heartbreaking story of tragedy and courage, and those who sacrificed everything for their country.
MY REVIEW:
I have loved Kathleen McGurl’s dual timeline novels, and I really enjoyed her latest book.
Set in revolutionary Ireland, in 1916 as well as modern day, the story follows a part of history I’m ashamed to say I know little about. Now that’s changed, thanks to this book.
Both timelines are given equal attention, and I enjoyed both but I looked forward to Nicky’s chapters a little more, I suspect because she reminds me of myself!
McGurl shows the reason I love historical fiction perfectly with this book. To raise awareness to a lesser known part of history through wonderful, powerful characters who you support and want to succeed.

4 OUT OF 5 STARS!

#BlogTour #TheWidow by @valeriekeogh2
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thanks to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy and spot on the tour

THE BLURB:
Grieving or guilty?

When Allison’s wealthy and charming husband Peter is found dead, she appears distraught, devastated….delighted?

Because despite an apparently picture-perfect marriage, Allison knows it was all built on a bed of lies.

And as the truth regarding Peter’s life and death are revealed, Alison must try to keep her own dark past buried.

Because if Peter was keeping secrets, then his widow is too…

MY REVIEW:
Wow.
I’ve read Valerie Keogh’s books before, and enjoyed them.
But this book… its something else entirely
Wow. It starts off really well, enticing the reader into the story But as the story moves on, it takes you somewhere you just couldn’t have foreseen.
The plot is so fast-paced, you fly through it. The twists are unreal.
Fascinating characters really helps this book appeal to every thriller reader. There’s the character development as well as the gripping plot.
Amazing.

#BlogTour #Riverside by @flaming_nora
Thanks to @rachelsrandomresources for my #Audiobook and spot on the tour!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
THE BLURB:
The feel-good, life-affirming story of love, friendship, family, and new beginnings!
Changes are coming to the riverside town of Ryemouth, and while some of the community are excited by new beginnings, others are finding it hard to let go of the past.
A new 14-episode audio soap with a cast of loveable characters you’ll want to laugh and cry along with.
Susan and her boyfriend Dave can’t wait to open their new café and deli, The Old Engine Room. But Susan’s dad, George, is not so thrilled. He’s never approved of Dave, who used to hang out with the wrong crowd. Can the happy young couple win George round?
Mary and Ruby have been friends since the first day of infant school, even though their lives have turned out very differently. Mary has a contented family life with husband George and daughter Susan. Poor Ruby has never been so lucky in love. Then she meets her teenage crush in surprising circumstances. Mary has her doubts about the charming Paul. Will Ruby finally get her own happy ever after?
Dave wants to put his past behind him. His dream is to make a success of the business, and one day be a good husband and father, like his own dad, Mike. Yet, he’s forced to keep a secret from everyone he loves. Who should he turn to for help out of a tricky situation?
When the community comes under threat from developers, can everyone put their differences to one side to defend the town they love?
MY REVIEW:
I loved this audiobook. It took me back to memories of my Grandmother listening to The Archers on the radio.
There is a full cast, and the acting is fantastic, if a little cheesy! There are lots of characters and different subplots to appeal to all different listeners, and I listened to it very quickly. One of those audiobooks that make me find new jobs around the house to keep me listening.
The plot moves quickly, and is very much like a soap opera, with chapters running as episodes. This would easily translate to a more long-running drama series, and I would love to be a regular listener.

BlogTour #TheGifts by @londonbessie

Thanks to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy and spot on the tour!
THE BLURB:
October 1840. A young woman staggers alone through a forest in Shropshire as a huge pair of impossible wings rip themselves from her shoulders.

Meanwhile, when rumours of a ‘fallen angel’ cause a frenzy across London, a surgeon desperate for fame and fortune finds himself in the grips of a dangerous obsession, one that will place the women he seeks in the most terrible danger . . .

THE GIFTS is the astonishing debut adult novel from the lauded author of BEARMOUTH. A gripping and ambitious book told through five different perspectives and set against the luminous backdrop of nineteenth century London, it explores science, nature and religion, enlightenment, the role of women in society and the dark danger of ambition.
MY REVIEW:
This is a beautifully written novel that blends several different genres- historical fiction, mystery, literary fiction, with a little fantasy thown in.
The structure of the novel is challenging, and lends itself to needing complete focus by the reader, but if this isn’t a problem, the book is an intriguing and gripping novel that is extremely enjoyable.
The writing is wonderful and really adds to the historical feel to the novel, and for me this is my favourite part.
There are several layers to the book, that I thought deserved further exploration than we were given, but I feel this is admirable on the author’s part- to leave things open-ended and mysterious.
An enjoyable read that I would recommend.