"Don't Turn Away" by Penelope Campling

I want to start off this review in the same way as the majority of my other book reviews, by saying that every book I read starts off with the full 5 stars and that I' always hopeful that they will all still be stuck firmly in place by the time I close the back cover.

I'm not sure how many pages this book has got, so I dunno how long it'll take me to read it. I got this book for free on NetGalley, thanks to the publishers approval on the understanding that I'd write and publish this honest review online, so that's what I'm doing.

Let's get reading.

It says on the first page of my ARC that it's an "uncorrected proof" so I'll let any woopsies slide and hope they are picked up before it's published.

It's great that the author has included the details of the Samaritans in the introduction and advised that her book covers difficult topics - does that mean it's gonna be a tear-jerker, heart-breaker or both?

Ah right. There's about 300 pages in this book, so that's potentially a day and a half to 2 days' reading, so I'm prepared now.

I'm loving this book so far... it's talking about the author in the early days of her career as a junior doctor and her ideas about one of the patients not drinking led to a test, then a diagnosis and the patient drinking again!

Where on earth has the morning disappeared to?! It only feels like 10 minutes ago that I was stopping reading so that I could have my lunch but it's almost 3 hours later because I've been so absorbed in it! Those five stars are all still firmly in place!

Oh dear, unfortunately my sense of fair play has kicked in and a star is being knocked off for using a famous fictional character potentially without permission, so sadly we're now down to 4 stars - I hate it when an otherwise incredible book forces me to do that!

Been reading all morning and I'm now at the epilogue. I didn't realise just how hard it is for the mental health doctors and nurses and the pandemic has just made it so much worse for them all! I want to thank each and every MH bod for what they go through on a daily basis with such a small amount of support and funding - it's not an easy career choice and they all work their fingers to the bone and cry real tears for each of their patients. Thank you so much to each and every one of you.

Just finished reading and it can all be summed up in one single, three letter word: WOW!

I will obviously never know the details of any of these experiences 'cos I don't know the author personally and don't live in her area, but so much of what she was saying has been my own personal experience and, I'm guessing, so many others too.

Thank you for opening my eyes and for the love, care and support you have shown to your patients over the last 40 years, Penelope Campling.

"Still Born" by Guadalupe Nettel (Author), Rosalind Harvey (Translator)

Kindle: Paperback:
out of 5

I'll start this book review off by saying that each book I read and review starts off with the full 5 stars and that I'm always hopeful that they will still be firmly in place by the time I finish reading.

I got this book for free from Net Galley with the publishers approval, in exchange for me putting up this honest review.

It's apparently 200 pages long and translated, so I'll try and remember that as I read.

Let's get reading!

Wow! I've already read 10% of the book and haven't even thought about adding to this review yet... could this be a full 5 star book? I certainly hope so!

This is a great book and I'm wondering what will happen as the months continue and afterwards too... will it all get too much or will the main characters maternal instincts start to kick in?

Are famous singers names (potentially being used without permission) something that would get you into legal hot water? I know that song titles and lyrics can, but what about actual people please? Either way, the author has used several of them and my hubby says that he doesn't think it's copyright/trademark infringement, so the star is staying in place right now, but it's looking wobbly 'cos of my uncertainty.

Ooooh! Could that be the start of the main character changing her mind? Considering it's so early in the book, I think it just might be and I'm seriously hoping I'm not wrong!

OMGosh! What awful news for them both! No spoilers, but this is gonna be a hearbreaking book by the looks of things!

The author is seriously pulling at my heartstrings now and the main character seems to be starting to change her mind ever so gradually too. I'm only about a quarter of the way through, but I can feel the tears starting to prickle at the back of my eyes and my heart is being pulled in all directions already. My initial thoughts on this book is that if you're looking for an emotionally heart-breaking read, you should definitely invest in this book.

Here comes the heartbreaking bit... my eyes are already welling up!

Oooh! I'm glad I kept reading instead of going to bed lol It's not such instantly heart-breaking news like I thought!

I'm up to "Part II.I" now, so I'm thinking now would be a good time to shuffle off to beddy-byes.

This is a surprising book that knows exactly how to twang my heart-strings, get me on the verge of tears, then release me with something positive.

I'm starting to see why the author has chosen the title too... I initially thought it was a translation blooper, but it's not.

More positivity where I didn't think there was any... this is an absolutely incredible book!

Nooooo!!!! The author has used a famous fictional character, and a social media site, undoubtedly without permission, so like with other 5 star books I've read, it's now a 4 star book which is a huuuge disappointment. Readability-wise it's still very much a 5 star book, but my sense of fair play is over-riding, just like with each of the other books too, so this is, very reluctantly, a 4 star book.

I like Marlene already. She's got confidence and curiosity and wants only what is best for Ines and she's keeping the parents up to date every evening which is just how it should be in my opinion!

Oh yes, Marlene is definitely Ines' spokesperson and I'm starting to appreciate just how much she means to Alina especially.

OMG! Poor boy! I hope that the main character can get the boy the help and treatment he needs!

Wow.

I've just finished reading and while I've been stunned and surprised several times, there haven't been any tears.

I'm breathless and hoping for a sequel.

This Is Your Own Time You’re Wasting: Classroom Confessions, Calamities and Clangers by Lee Parkinson and Adam Parkinson

Kindle: Audio: Hardcover:
out of 5

If you've read any of my other recent book reviews, you'll already know that I start them all in the same way: each book starts off with the full 5 stars and I'm always hopeful that they are all still firmly in place by the time I close the cover.

Let's get going, shall we?

I'm loving the first part of the book - except for the font bit... it's all the same font for me!

Noooo! They've done it again! My sense of fair play to other books I've read and reviewed is saying that the star needs to come off 'cos of all the uses of brand names but my enjoyment level is already through the roof, just like with their first book, but fair play is an unfortunate necessity so the star is coming off for using big brand names potentially without permission... I'm seriously hoping that it'll be the only star to come off though!

That chapter was perfect - memories of my childhood primary school (as well as the ones I've worked in) have been put together that I couldn't help grinning and nodding a few times lol

Another fantastic chapter and my mood is already considerably lighter! I wish I'd started reading it this morning!

This book is already a must-read for everyone who has a soft-spot for primary school aged children and the teachers who are with them - I'm still chuckling and nodding lol

Oh dear, I've got a very childish sense of humour with the end of that chapter lol

I've stopped reading for the night now, but I can't wait to keep reading tomorrow!

Back now and that chapter was just what I needed to lift my spirits... I've had a couple of those experiences in my own time working with children, so can totally relate lol

Oh dear - that part has made me glad I've been vegetarian for the last 30-odd years! lol You *have* to get and read this book!

Blimey Charlie... this definitely ain't a book for those who are easily embarrassed by the anatomy of a horse lol I'm loving this book though!

Oh dear! I'm glad I've never been given anything as embarrassing as that! lol

Oh yeah, I've had the first two of those scenarios in my time working with children lol Disgusting and stomach churning, but that's what makes them, them!

That chapter was particularly gross, but I learnt the hard way about plastic chairs in my youth too... I'm sure a lot of adults cringe about their own childhood woopsies lol

I'm relieved I haven't had any injuries like those during my time working... the professionalism was incredible by so many of those teachers and they managed to swallow their pain so that they didn't scare the children they were working with!

I've stopped reading for the night again 'cos my Kindle is desperately short of juice, but I'll start reading and continuing this review in the morning.

Mornin' again all. Time to crack on with reading and continuing to review this incredible book!

I'm not gonna comment on most chapters today 'cos this review is already getting too long so it has the potential to almost double in length 'cos of where I am in the book, so I'll just comment on particularly noteworthy today ;-)

Oooh they were a good few chapters and I'm glad I'm not qualified to work with some of the older students lol

According to that list, my hubby and I should be in great demand with our next jobs lol

Just finished reading and my back is killing me (my own fault for slouching all morning lol) and it's another incredible book... if it hadn't been for my sense of fair-play kicking in early on, this would definitely have been a 5 star book. A definite must-read for anyone who loves children and doesn't always appreciate the dedication of their teachers. This is a definite must-read book!

"Before I Do" by Sophie Cousens

Kindle: Audio book: Paperback:
out of 5

If you've read any of my other recent book reviews, you'll already know that I start off each one by saying that each book starts off with the full 5 stars and I'm always hopeful that they will all still be firmly in place by the time I close the back cover.

I was approved to read the eARC of this straight from the publisher and all the reviews I've read of it so far says that this is a 5 start book, so I can't wait to get stuck in!

I'm a soppy romantic at heart, so a heart-warming romance is right up my street, but I'm a tough nut to crack with humour, so if the author manages to raise a smile from me then she's an incredible author IME.

A few pages in and the humour has already started - obvious but not groan-worthy yet... if it carries on like this, it'll be 5 stars, but the star is already kinda wobbly after the author used one word of a dancing TV programme that everyone seems to know it by... the full name hasn't been used so the star is still staying there, but any more and off it comes.

Oooh! I'm enjoying the word invention... obvious and easy to remember! I'm enjoying everything I've read so far and I'm hoping I'll have been able to crack a smile by the time I head to bed at the end of this chapter.

Just finished the first chapter and thankfully it's got my humour down to a tee, so I'll hopefully crack a smile before the end of the book tomorrow which is a very rare occurrance. End of the first day's reading opinion? So far so great... a must-read that I can't wait to get stuck back into tomorrow.

Mornin' all... back for another day of reading and I'm hoping that I'll still keep enjoying the book.

Oh dear, the speech marks and inverted comma's are being used in the wrong places which should have been picked up during the editing stage... not to worry though, it's an easy mistake to make and I'm not gonna drop a star for such a small mistake!

Another brand name (deliberately?) shortened like last night again. The star is even more wobbly now but it's hanging in there by the skin of its teeth because the author has cleverly not used the full name again.

Another great chapter and read considerably quicker than last night lol I can already feel my mood lifting and my shoulders relaxing!

Another fantastic and short chapter... maybe the first chapter was so long 'cos it was introducing everything and I'll be able to get through a couple of chapters an hour today?

Ooooh! That's two potential ways to stop the wedding... which one will Audrey choose, if either of them?

Ooh, another unexpected twist already!

I'm seriously loving this book already and absolutely deserving of each of those 5 stars so far.

Nooo! Not again! The author has just used a couple of well-known places in full, so like with each of the other 5 star books I've read, it's becoming a heart-breaking 4 star book after 11%.

I'm gonna stop commenting on every chapter now 'cos this review is already getting too long lol

All this swapping and changing around of times in each chapter is refreshing and well-handled, but also, at times, confusing. It's good, but the author is asking her reader to jump backwards and forwards in time with each chapter which is frustrating me to no end unfortunately.

OMGosh! The poor reverend!

Let's see if I can get through my third hot drink of the day without it going stone cold shall we? I love it when a book is so good that it stops me from drinking hot drinks - a sign of an incredible book in my eyes!

Just finished it and it was a perfect end to an almost-perfect book. Had it not been for the use of those brand names, this would, could and should have been a very solid 5 stars.

Buy this book and set aside an entire day to devour it in... just don't expect hot drinks to stay hot as you go through it! lol

"The Racial Code" by Nicola Rollock

If you've read any of my other recent book reviews, you'll already know that I start 'em all off by saying that each book starts off with the full shebang of stars and that I'm always hopeful that they'll still be there when I close the back cover.

I got the ARC of this book from Net Galley after it was approved by the publisher and I can't wait to get my nose stuck in it 'cos race and survival have always interested me.

I've got a hot drink freshly made - a truly great book will mean that it goes cold before I can drink it - will this book be one of those incredible but rare books that make it happen this morning?

Let's get reading and reviewing.

I can already tell that this is gonnna be a good book 'cos my hot drink is now barely tepid lol

The book starts off by talking about the authors university life and then about the murder of Stephen Lawrence... as long as the descriptions aren't too gross then that's OK, I could just end up in floods of tears.

This is a good book which is really opening my eyes to what those men and women who are from minority ethnic backgrounds have to put up with on a daily basis, purely because of the colour of their skin. We're well into the 21st century now, so why is it still happening??

It's absolutely shocking that racism is still so regular and seemingly brushed under the carpet by so many people even in the 2020's... it shouldn't be happening full stop, let alone in the more modern world that we live in!

That's shocking too... they are trying to sound unracist in the press release which makes it even worse in my eyes!!

This is still very much a five star book but my anger levels are through the roof at the outright injustice of those who are from a minority ethnic background!

What a brilliant book and so deserving of each and every one of those five stars. Before I started reading this book, I thought I was pretty clued up on racism and how to help those who are being racially attacked but I was wrong. So so wrong. I didn't realise just how much racism there was in workplaces as well as social places and in the media. Those men and women who are judged purely on the colour of their skin are so much stronger than I could ever be. I am gonna try and do my tiny part to stamp out the racism that I encounter at every opportunity now that I've finished reading this incredible book.

"Merrily Ever After" by Cathy Bramley

If you've read already read any other recent book reviews by yours truly, you're already aware of how I start them all off, right? This one ain't any different. For new review readers, I start my book reviews off by saying that every book starts off with the full 5 stars and that I'm always hopeful that they will all still be firmly in place by the time I finish it off.

I got this book as an ARC for free from NetGalley with the publishers approval, in exchange for this honest review. I'm starting to read it on 7th October and I'm hoping that I'll be feeling all warm and fluffy and festive by the time I finish reading this book.

Let's get going with the reading and reviewing.

Oh boy. I reckon, from reading the Prologue alone, that I've got a tear-jerker and hot drinks that have gotten very cold kinda book here... written well, these are the best kinda books I reckon. Maybe I'm setting my expectations too high, too soon, but that prologue was really set up to do that for me, the reader, I reckon.

What's the protocol for using famous people's names in fiction, potentially without permission? I know that brand names are a no-no, but what about people?

Wow! The first chapter was full of information at well-thought-out speed... this is gonna be an absolute cracker of a book - especially given the speed that everything has to be arranged!

Yep, this is definitely gonna be a tear-jerker, I can already tell after only two chapters.

Up to chapter 10 now and I haven't found a single thing to whine about or knock a star off for yet... it takes a truly incredible book to achieve that!

That's me finished reading for the day now... I'm up to chapter 15 and it's been a very very good book so far.

Morning all. I've got a decaff coffee on the go right now... will I be able to finish it before it goes stone cold, like yesterday?

This is a fantastic book and I'm thinking that maybe I should stick to cold drinks until I've finished this book. I'm 60% of the way through and haven't allowed a tear to escape my eye yet... it's been a close call a few times, but I've blinked them back. This is definitely a must-read Chrimbo book for the warm feeling of comfort it gives me on most pages.

Oh dear, poor Harley lol It sounds like he's maybe got an understanding relationship there though.

I'm at 62% and the tears are officially streaming from my eyes now. You just have to get this book if you enjoy well-written, cosy, feel-good fiction that knows just how to hit you in the heart!

My coffee is stone cold and I've had literally two mouthfuls from it lol Definitely cold drinks for the rest of this gorgeous book.

I'm sooo glad the reaction to the letter was what I was hoping, but the tears are flooding out of my eyes again now so I hope there aren't any visitors to our little house and my hubby will have to answer the phone if it goes 'cos I'm a mess right now!

You'll definitely need tissues 'cos I'm crying again lol No spoilers, but empty the shelves of tissues of your shop of choice before you dive into this book!

I'm going to need another box of tissues soon - no spoilers, but this book is a definite must-read, feel-good novel that I'm so unbelievably glad I was approved to read... I'm at 74% and I don't want this book to end.

Where has this book *been* all my life??

Chapter 33 was great - no spoilers again, but everything is falling into place for all the characters so I'm really hoping this'll be a 'happily ever after' book. I'm thinking I'll need the comforting warmth of a drinking chocolate rather than the power of coffee or tea by the time I close the back cover. It's definitely the sorta book you could curl up with when there's deep snow outside, a warming, powerful-but-contained fire in the grate and a fully-loaded hot chocolate in your favourite mug in your hands. There weren't any tears in that chapter, but my heart is getting all warm and fluffy now. This is the best book I've read in a long time!

That was a touch unexpected and heightened my senses again... not all cosy after all eh?

There have been occasional uses of brand names throughout the book, so just like other books, this incredibly well-deserved 5 star book is now a 4 star book unfortunately :-(

Just finished reading and it's got an acknowledgements section right at the back, which hasn't been filled in, I'm assuming because I've read the ARC version, so thankfully that fifth star is being reinstated in the hope that the brand names that are used are included in the acknowledgements. I've never reinstated a star before, but I would never forgive myself if credit were given in the published version and I wouldn't know, soooo, the five star book became a four star book and is now back to five stars for the first time ever. A definite must-read if you fancy a feel-good read that'll have you shedding tears.

"Doubt The Stars Are Fire" by Daniele Kasper

Kindle: Paperback:
out of 5

If you've read any of my more recent book reviews, you'll know that I start them all off by saying that they all start with the full 5 stars but I'm never shy about taking a star off and I give my reason for removing each star within my review.

I got this book for free with my Kindle Unlimited subscription and I don't remember reading any military fiction before, so this should be an interesting and very new experience for me!

Oooh! I've read 2 pages and I'm already hooked! I'm already hoping that I've got a 5 star book on my hands!

It started well, but I've already skipped forward several chapters... maybe, like with horror and thrillers, this just isn't my kinda book? I'm sure that it's right up the alley of some people, but it's just not floating my boat unfortunately so the first star is coming off :-(

Now we're getting somewhere... the first page of chapter 10 has got my interest back!

Nope, skipping forward again, so the first star is coming off... the majority of what I've read so far just isn't my kinda reading material - I'm sure this is a fantastic book if this is your usual style, but it just wouldn't be fair for me to keep reading and knocking stars off when it really isn't my kinda cup of tea. I'm gonna give it until 25% and that'll be the deciding factor for me.

Nope, I've skipped more than I've read... it's great writing and everything, but it's just not floating my boat unfortunately so be fair to everyone I'm gonna stop reading at 26% and leaving this review at 4 stars so that I can be fair to this great author, but honest with all the people reading this review too.

"In Defense of Animalhood" by Riya Aarini

Kindle: Hardcover: Paperback:
out of 5

If you've already read any of my other recent book reviews, you'll already know that I start 'em all off by saying that each book starts off with the full 5 stars and that I'm always hopeful that they will all still be firmly in place by the time I finish reading. You'll also know that I'm not shy about knocking off a star if I feel it's necessary, particular for copyright or trademark infringement but that I always give a reason for knocking each star off.

Let's get going:

Ooh! I love the zebra image on the first page! It makes a refreshing change not to be met with a page full of text, so top marks so far!

There's the first star gone after the use of a brand name... I hope that I can replace it if there's that magic sentence at the end of the book saying that it's been used with permission, but of all the books I've read, that's only happened once, so I'm not holding my breath unfortunately.

Two totally unnecessary swears takes the book down to 3 stars.

I haven't got a clue what age this author is writing for... it's written as too immature for adults but the swearing and words are too advanced for children! Each of the animals have the same voice and personality too... this really hasn't been thought out well at all, so I'm knocking off another star at 46%. I'm mightily relieved that it's only 76 pages long but I'm wondering if the final star will stay in place for the last 54%?

Oh boy, now it's glorifying making elephants drunk so the final star is coming off and I'm officially giving up. This book had so much potential but the author just didn't think it through enough.

"Harry: Conversations with the Prince" by Angela Levin

Kindle Unlimited: Audiobook: Hardcover: Paperback:
out of 5

If you've read any of my other recent book reviews you'll know that I start off the first paragraph in the same way - by saying that every book starts off with the full 5 stars and that I'm always hopeful that they will still be stuck firmly in place by the time I close the back cover and this book is no different.

I was looking for something totally new to me to help me through these early days of being a young widow so when I saw this was available on Kindle Unlimited, I couldn't really say no lol

Let's get going shall we?

The introduction was interesting and if the rest of the book is in a similar style then it'll be a 5 star book... I'm guessing there won't be any trademark infringements in this book 'cos Prince Harry and the author are both well-informed about that kinda thing lol

Ooh, I enjoyed the first chapter, but the lack of full capitalisation of AIDS is starting to grate on my nerves a bit so the first star is just starting to wobble ever so slightly.

Chapter 2 was good too... I'm starting to realise just how different the royal family and their staff are to you and me and it's breaking my heart already.

The heartbreak that William and Harry must have felt when their parents' separation was announced by the then Prime Minister must have absolutely broken both of them but they had to maintain a stiff upper lip because of who they were. Poor boys after everything they had been through in their very young lives!

I'm gonna stop reviewing every chapter now 'cos otherwise this review will get too long so I'll just post when I read something that I feel is worth mentioning.

I've just finished reading it and it was a real eye-opener into Harry's life especially, but also the royal family and Meghan's relationship with them. It's obviously one of the slightly older of the more recent books 'cos a lot has happened that isn't even hinted at, let alone mentioned, but that's OK... reading this book has taken 3 days but it's been worth it for me.

If you're a nosey parker like me and you're interested in getting to know a bit more about our Royal Family, definitely invest in this book! Well worth every one of those 5 stars.

"Confessions of a Male Nurse" by (Nurse) Michael Alexander

If you've read any of my other recent book reviews, you'll already know how I start 'em all off, right? By saying that all books start off with the full trolley-load of stars but I'm not shy about taking stars off. I always give my reasons and it always breaks my heart when an otherwise 5 star book reduces to 4 because of the authors use of trademarks. This book ain't any different, but the newest addition is that I gladly return a knocked off star if there's a magic little sentence to say that brand names are used fictitiously and/or with permission.

Let's get on with the reading and reviewing.

Wowsers, the first few pages have been incredible and soo addictive that the world has just sauntered past me for the last 10 minutes while I've had my head in this book. Still very much a 5 star must-read so far.

This is such a good book and that first patient experience has really lifted my spirits and brought a smile to my face.

Just like with other fantastic books, I'm not gonna comment on every chapter but will still, of course, update this review with any worthy comments that strike me as I read.

These are great chapters and it is wonderful getting to know the patients and especially the medical staff that work with them! I had a great deal of respect for our NHS before I started reading but this book is rapidly filling every last little corner of my being with gratitude to them. It's not an easy job and I wouldn't even last an hour but they are absolutely incredibly fantastic people and my heart is beating out of my chest with pride and gratitude for each and every one of them.

I really don't know how nurses cope with patients let alone doctors who are so blatently sexist and scary as the doctor on that ward!

Blimey! I can see why the majority of patients wanted the mouthwash now lol

I obviously haven't got a clue who that patient is but just that one shower seems to have made all the difference to her, which is a relief!

Wow! The section on the patients who are psychiatrically unwell was a real eye opener. Thank you for opening my eyes, Michael.

Just finished reading this absolutely incredible book which has really opened my eyes to the struggles and stresses and strains that a nurse goes through every day of their working life. I've always had an enormous amount of respect for the medical bods but this book has brought awareness to things that I hadn't even thought of. Thank you to every single nurse of the past, present and future.