Reivew: A Version of the Truth - B.P. Walter

Title: A Version of the Truth
Author: B.P. Walter
Published: Feb 2019
Source: Library checkout
Star Rating: 5

We all see what we want to see… 

2019: Julianne is preparing a family dinner when her son comes to her and says he’s found something on his iPad. Something so terrible, it will turn Julianne’s world into a nightmare and make her question everything about her marriage and what type of man her husband is or is pretending to be. 

1990: Holly is a fresher student at Oxford University. Out of her depth and nervous about her surroundings, she falls into an uneasy friendship with a group of older students from the upper echelons of society and begins to develop feelings for one in particular. He’s confident, quiet, attractive and seems to like her too. But as the year progresses, her friends’ behaviour grows steadily more disconcerting and Holly begins to realise she might just be a disposable pawn in a very sinister game. 

A devastating secret has simmered beneath the surface for over twenty-five years. Now it’s time to discover the truth. But what if you’re afraid of what you might find? [Goodreads]

My Thoughts: 

Fair warning - this is a dark book! Much darker than I was anticipating, but this is always a good thing for me. I feel like this not only pushed a lot of boundaries, but also acted as a modern social commentary that I just was not expecting. 

The book is told in two timelines, through the two different characters Julianne and Holly. Their voices were so distinctive, it was fascinating to have access to their innermost thoughts and worries, and to see the harrowing story unfold through their perspectives. The secret that is hinted at in the blurb is then unfolded so well by setting up the background preceding its reveal, and the devastation it causes in present day. I thought it was so well written, every little twist and turn to the story was executed perfectly, I just had to keep reading. I finished this in under 24 hours, which with two young children speaks volumes as to how addictive it was! 

This is the author's debut novel, which amazes me. I cannot wait to see what else he will come out with in the future! If you like disturbing and uncomfortable thrillers then I would highly recommend this one. 

Stacking the Shelves 3rd Aug 19

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews and Reading Reality. It lets bloggers show their latest book hauls!

Bought Ebooks

1. The Escape Room by Megan Goldin 

2. The Secretary by Zoe Lea

Library Checkouts

1. Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman

2. I Looked Away by Jane Corry

3. Skint Estate by Cash Carraway

4. Keep You Close by Karen Cleveland

5. Who Killed Ruby? by Camilla Way

For Review
1. Gone - Leona Deakin
2. The Family - Louise Jensen

Review: The Marriage Pact - Michelle Richmond

Title: The Marriage Pact
Author: Michelle Richmond
Published: July 2017
Source: Library hardback
Star Rating: 4

Newlyweds Alice and Jake are a picture-perfect couple. Alice, once a singer in a well-known rock band, is now a successful lawyer. Jake is a partner in an up-and-coming psychology practice. Their life together holds endless possibilities. After receiving an enticing wedding gift from one of Alice’s prominent clients, they decide to join an exclusive and mysterious group known only as The Pact. 

The goal of The Pact seems simple: to keep marriages happy and intact, and most of its rules make sense: Always answer the phone when your spouse calls. Exchange thoughtful gifts monthly. Plan a trip together once per quarter. . .  

Never mention The Pact to anyone. 

Alice and Jake are initially seduced by the glamorous parties, the sense of community, their widening social circle of like-minded couples--and then one of them breaks the rules. The young lovers are about to discover that for adherents to The Pact, membership, like marriage, is for life, and The Pact will go to any lengths to enforce that rule. For Jake and Alice, the marriage of their dreams is about to become their worst nightmare. [Goodreads]

My Thoughts: 

I was hooked for the majority of this book - the pacing, the writing, and twisty plot all kept me quickly turning the pages to see what was going to happen to Jake and Alice. The more the story progressed and the more sinister everything got I was reading every moment I could steal. 

I thought the author did a fantastic job of balancing plot reveals, the snippets of the characters past and the little insights into just how crazy The Pact was. I love how, as the book progressed, everything just got so much more creepier, to the point where if it was a film I would have been covering my eyes. It completely gave me the chills, which is exactly what I want from this kind of book. 

I've not given it the full 5 stars because for me the ending didn't give me exactly what I was hoping for. Without spoiling anything, I wanted more from it, but that's just my personal taste! 

But, overall I thought it was an excellent thriller - I found it to be addictive and terrifying. The fact you could imagine something like The Pact happening in real life made it even more scary. I will definitely look for other books by this author - her writing was fantastic, and I'd definitely recommend this one. 

WWW Wednesday

WWW Wednesday is hosted by Taking on a World of Words where you answer three questions about your reading.

It's been a strange week for me! I've started back at work after maternity leave so quite an emotional few days! But as I'm a librarian, it's been so nice to be back in my library and seeing all my lovely work colleagues. I've also already brought home a new stack of books to add to my never-ending TBR pile.

What are you currently reading? 

I'm absolutely loving The Marriage Pact by Michelle Richmond! Such a fantastic plot with short, choppy chapters that keep everything moving. I'm so excited to see how this will all wrap up. 

I've also just started Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson - a much anticipated read for me! I've not tried anything by her before, from what I can see this is her first thriller, and it sounds amazing! 

What did you recently finish reading? 

The Temp by Michelle Frances was a really entertaining, lighter suspense novel. I think this would make a great beach read, and I loved that it followed several characters with careers in the TV world - something I don't think I've read about before. 

What do you think you'll read next? 

This cover!!! Really excited for B.P. Walter's A Version of the Truth. This is his debut novel and it sounds like it will be right up my street. The blurb describes a husband who isn't who he seems, a sinister game and two women caught in a twenty-five year old secret - I'm ready!

Please let me know your answers below, or share your blog post, I'd love to see what you've all picked! 

July Reading Wrap-Up

I've managed to have a really good reading month in July - I may have added quite a few books to my shelves through library checkouts and ebook deals but I've read 10 books and really enjoyed most of them.

I feel like July has been the month of discovering Kate Morton - I've read three of her books this month and absolutely loved all of them. They've all received a 5 star rating from me which speaks for itself. I've absolutely adored the blend of mystery, history and Morton's exceptional writing. I have found myself so wrapped up in the worlds of each book, and considering none of them are short, I've flown through them.

Here are all the books I've read this month with the star rating I've given them:

1. The Evidence Against You - Gillian McAllister
5 stars
One of my favourite authors, this one didn't disappoint. She's also one of my favourite authors to follow on social media - her Instagram stories are a joy to watch! See more of my thoughts here on Goodreads.

2. The Lake House - Kate Morton

5 stars

As already mentioned, it was an absolute pleasure to be finally acquainted with one of Kate Morton's books. It was also the first time I realised how much she can break my heart. 

3. Nine Perfect Strangers - Liane Moriarty
3 stars
Liane Moriarty is one of my go to authors - I've read all her books apart from one, and normally I love everything she writes. With this one, however, I was left disappointed, and I think it never stings more than when it happens with one of your most-loved authors. You can read more of my thoughts here on Goodreads.

4. A Gift for Dying - M.J. Arlidge

5 stars

I'm a huge fan of Arlidge's Helen Grace series, so I was definitely intrigued by his first standalone novel. I'll admit, I went into this hesitantly. I really didn't need to worry though - it was fantastic. Full of Arlidge's perfect pacing and dark storytelling that I've come to know him for, but with a bit of a twist. He's proving himself to be an author I will always have my eye out for what he's writing next. 

5. Luckiest Girl Alive - Jessican Knoll
3 stars
This was another I went into hesitantly this month. On Goodreads it seems to have very mixed reviews, but I found myself sat in the middle with it. I found it quite entertaining and it did keep me interested but I wasn't in love with it. I was left wanting a bit more from the ending - it seemed to just end and I was left wondering if I'd missed something, or wasn't picking up on some subtle hints. However, it did have some unexpected turns earlier in the book that made me a lot more invested in the characters.

6. Anything You Do Say - Gillian McAllister

5 stars

Another fantastic book from this author. This one dealt with two timelines that follow two different decisions the main character could make after she pushes a man who was following her down some steps. You see the different outcomes unfold and the impact both decisions could make on her life. Just like Gillian McAllister's other books, this was a thriller with heart. She writes such moving words, all tied up in a pacy plot. I have just one more of Gillian's books to read before I'm all caught-up with her current publications, and I'm positive I will love it just as much as her others. 

7. The Clockmaker's Daughter - Kate Morton
5 stars
My second Kate Morton of the month, and her newest release. This follows many characters whose stories interweave in ways you don't always see coming - in what I'm finding to be classic Kate Morton style. I loved this just as much as The Lake House, and I'm so excited to be finding my way through her other titles.

8. Good Me, Bad Me - Ali Land

5 stars

This blew me away - I picked this up at the library because I'd seen it around the internet, and when I read the blurb I was immediately intrigued. I'm so glad this lived up to everything I thought it would be. More of my thoughts are here on Goodreads. 

9. The Temp - Michelle Francis
4 stars
I haven't read Michelle's first book, The Girlfriend, but I definitely plan to now. This was very entertaining, and I loved seeing the insights into a TV production career. If you're looking for a lighter thriller/suspense novel then this would be a great pick.

10. The House at Riverton - Kate Morton

5 stars

So I ended the month on an absolute high - this was Kate Morton's debut which I can hardly believe! It's so well-written and deftly plotted, I think this might even be my favourite so far. Like the description reads - it's perfect for fans of Downton Abbey (one of my all-time favourite shows). I love how Morton delves so deeply into the character's lives - they are all so complex and detailed. When you're getting to point where the mysteries are coming together and you're working things out, you're so invested in these characters that you feel everything along with them. I truly cannot wait to read the other three books currently in publication. 

I read some truly amazing books this month! Here's hoping August has the same in store. 

What was one of your favourites this month?