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Coming Home to Maple Lodge by Alison Sherlock #Review

  I am delighted to feature the first in Alison Sherlock's new series set in the Corswolds. Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge was published by Boldwood Books on June 20th. A family and hotel in desperate need of help… Maple Tree Lodge has been the home of the Jackson family for over a century. But the hotel has never been a success and, following the sudden loss of his father, architect Ben Jackson soon discovers the hotel is close to financial ruin. Ben has to make some tough decisions if the hotel is to survive and his family are to keep a roof over their heads. With the hotel in urgent need of a renovation, Ben’s sister calls on the talents of her best friend, interior designer Lily Watson. Cash strapped Lily needs a successful project to prove to herself and her high-achieving parents that she can carve a successful career and Maple Tree Lodge sounds like just the place for Lily to showcase her talents. However, Lily’s vision for a cosy, country Cotswolds hotel is the com...
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Little Friends by Jane Shemilt #Review

Jane Shemilt's Little Friends was published on February 20th by Penguin and I am delighted to be taking part in the celebrations for its publication. You can read my review of her novel, How Far We Fall  here.

Their children are friends first. They hit it off immediately, as kids do. 

So the parents are forced to get to know each other. But as they get closer, they start to take their eyes off their children. 

And while they have been looking the other way, evil has crept in.

Every parent's biggest nightmare is about to come true...

My Thoughts

This is one of those immersive novels which draws you in. You are given the story from the perspectives of the three mothers in the group, Eve, Grace and Melissa. They are all such different personalities but have been put together because of their children who are being tutored by Eve. As the three couples meet and socialize, they are so self- obsessed that they do not notice how their children are running wild. You know from the beginning that something terrible has happened and the little insights into the children's lives are unsettling as you realise how unaware the parents are.

    The  horror that is going on within the setting of domesticity seems to add to the tension. You realise early on that there is unhappiness in all the couples' lives and a lot of covering over the cracks going on at all levels. From the beginning you are told to look beneath the surface to the darkness below. Truth is in short measure. This is a great read to keep you on the edge of your seat. Even the title seems to hold a hidden meaning. Glance at it and it can quickly turn to fiends.

In short: Cruelty lies just beneath the surface.
About the Author

 While working as a GP, Jane Shemilt completed a postgraduate diploma in Creative Writing at Bristol University and went on to study for the MA in Creative Writing at Bath Spa, gaining both with distinction. Her first novel, Daughter, was selected for the Richard & Judy Book Club, shortlisted for the Edgar Award and the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize, and went on to become the bestselling debut novel of 2014.

She and her husband, a professor of neurosurgery, have five children and live in Bristol. 


You can follow Jane here: Twitter   |  Website 

Book links: Amazon UK

Thanks to Jane Shemilt and Sriya Varadharajan from Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.


                                     Be sure to check out the rest of the tour!

 
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