Spring/Summer Book Round Up!

In true Codie style, I have not kept up with a monthly series I wanted to do! It seems I am too much of a free spirit and cannot be tamed by my own schedule. To make up for my all round uselessness, I’ve decided to review the most recent books I’ve read since my last proper book blogger post. 

Blank Slate Kate* – Heather Wardell

Such an interesting premise for a book! Kate wakes up in a strangers bed, with no memory of how she got there – nor of the past fifteen years. As far as she in concerned, she is still 17… Not 32! You follow her as she tries to piece together who she is (or was), and whether she still wants to be that person, or whether she left for a reason. This story really made me think – what would I do if I woke up, ten years older, married to a man that I didn’t recognise?! The book is so well written and heart wrenching at times, the perfect mix of chick lit, and mystery that is so rare to find in a story. I think this would be a great holiday read to sink your teeth into, without getting too heavy. 

Killing Cupid – Mark Edwards & Louise Voss 

If you are yet to read a Mark Edwards book then I don’t know what is wrong with you, friend. I read my first Edwards novel last year and since then I have devoured them as often as my nervous disposition will allow! This was a strange deviation from the usual stalker narrative, and in true Edwards & Voss style took some odd turns. It certainly wasn’t my favourite of their books, I think because Siobhan, the main character was so annoying! Of course it will get your heart racing (in more than one way!) and make you rethink everything you know. This isn’t one to read if you’re home alone! 

Girls on Fire* – Robin Wasserman

In some ways, this is a very typical good girl/bad girl narrative, although thankfully there is a twist. A pretty big one in fact, but I won’t go into that. Lacey is the badass, broken, manic pixie dream girl and Hannah (or Dex as she’s known) is the good girl who is introduced to what it means to be ‘Cool’. There are times when it is almost unfathomably dark and it did drag a little in the middle but the ending, as unbelievable as it may be, makes it the kind of book that sticks with you for a while afterwards. 

Lucky Me* – Saba Kapur

At first I thought this was going to be a delightfully tacky, fluffy, lighthearted romp as a nice breather after the heaviness of the last two books. How wrong I was! We follow rich girl Gia who has the life you wish you had but it also pretty nice with it all. Her Dad hires a bodyguard to watch her after she starts to get some creepy messages and of course he’s super hot. There’s a nice little love triangle (I think she makes the wrong choice though!), and some intrigue and suspense with her stalker, as well as some genuinely funny parts. I would definitely say this is one to read on the beach (or in the park) if you want a nice, quick summer read. 

With Malice* – Eileen Cook

Jill waked up in hospital with multiple broken bones and no memory of how she got there. Ket alone the fact that her best friend was killed in the accident that led to her being here. Oh, and that Jill was driving. Although it drags on at times, it is a book that will keep you reading as you try to piece together what happened to Jill although I’m not sure how I felt about the ending. There were some slight cringe moments with the texts etc, but the ‘Justice for Simone’ blog was interesting. A lot of things didn’t add up, but if you’re willing to be a little loose with those things, I would say give it a go. 

The American and the Brit* – K.A Young & Julie Bromley

This is a very silly, OTT, book that is almost the literary version of a sit com. Phoebe, an American and Liz, the Brit, are the main characters and are pretty likeable. The other characters are not very fleshed out and I’m not sure about any of the male characters at all (are we supposed to like them?! Who do the girls fancy? Everyone?! Is no one unattractive in their life?!), but it’s quite fun to read about their dramas. Nothing is at all heavy, it’s all very lighthearted and the perfect palate cleanser to read between the thrillers and emotional YA novels. It’s short, easy and hilarious (remind you of anyone ;)?). 

So that’s what I’ve been reading at the moment. Have you read any of them? If you ever read anything I recommend, I’d love to hear your thoughts on it! Let me know in the comments! 

Books marked with ‘*’ were sent to me as ARC by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. This doesn’t change my opinion on any of the books, promise!