Contemporary Fiction, Luke’s Blog

04Mar 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Freeze by Kate Simants book review

Book reviews, Contemporary Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Freeze by Kate Simants was kindly sent to me by Viper books after they put out a tweet with the premise and I keenly jumped on their tweet saying I'd love to receive a proof copy prior to launch. The premise I hear you ask? A group of "celebrities" go to Greenland to film a reality survival show but there's clearly someone on that boat who is determined to ensure someone else on that boat doesn't make the journey home. Intriguing huh? Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the products. Tori and Dee…

30Jan 2023 by Luke Harkness 2 Comments

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman book review

Book reviews, Contemporary Fiction, Mystery

When I read A Man Called Ove a couple of years ago, I absolutely fell in love with the character of Ove and the simple yet powerful story that Backamn told. One of my friends recommended I pick up Anxious People quite some time ago so when I received it as a present for Christmas I quickly put it to the top of my TBR and I'm so glad I did! Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the products. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman is such an interesting book. It tells the…

10Jan 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Snowed in For Christmas by Sarah Morgan book review

Contemporary Fiction, Romance

Prior to the Christmas period I was struggling to get into the festive spirit. When you're in your late 20s, you don't really know any kids who get excited by Christmas and you don't break up from work until a couple of days before, it's hard to get into the festive spirit. So when I saw Snowed In For Christmas by Sarah Morgan for sale for 99p on Kindle and then at my local Asda supermarket for only £4, I knew I couldn't say no. Did it make me feel festive? Weeelll... eh, kinda. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please note…

25Oct 2022 by Luke Harkness No Comments

It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover book review

Book reviews, Contemporary Fiction, Romance

It Starts With Us is the sequel to the hugely popular It Ends With Us. It Ends With Us was a TikTok sensation and arguably shot Colleen Hoover into the almost god-like stratosphere she finds herself in now. Apparently she's sold more books than the bible this year. Though is the Bible really a hot seller anymore? Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the products. Before you start reading this review. This is the second book in the series, so if you've not yet read It Ends With Us, be sure to…

06Oct 2022 by Luke Harkness No Comments

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid book review

Book reviews, Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a book I've had on my mental TBR for a long time. I've not owned the Kindle version and up until a couple of weeks ago, I didn't have the physical copy either. However, it was high on my list as I'd heard nothing but great things about it with one of my friends saying it was their favourite book of all time. Is it now also mine? Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links provided below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the products. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo focuses, as…

01Oct 2022 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Verity by Colleen Hoover book review

Book reviews, Contemporary Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Verity was a flash in a pan of a book. I picked it up as a part of a deal after someone DMed me saying that it was amazing! The book was described to me as "mind-blowing" and "you'll love it" and for the first 95% of the book I was thinking it was good and tense but a bit predictable and then literally the last 5% had me shooketh. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you which supports the blog. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the product. Verity focuses on the life of Lowen Ashleigh, a young…

11Sep 2022 by Luke Harkness No Comments

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett book review

Book reviews, Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction

The Vanishing Half was the number one most-voted-for book when I held a poll recently asking people which book I should read from my physical TBR list. After a quick google, I realised I wasn't quite sure what it was I was about to read about. And around 300 pages later, I'm still not 100% sure if I really get what the book was trying to portray. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase products via any of the links provided below, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the product. The Vanishing Half focuses on the lives of twins Desiree and Stella and their two…

13Aug 2022 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Normal People by Sally Rooney book review

Book reviews, Contemporary Fiction, Romance

Normal People is one of those books, like quite a few on my blog actually, where I picked it up because I'd heard a lot of chatter around it. My partner watched the television show and really liked it and one of my friends had read the book too. Therefore, to feel involved, I decided to pick it up too. What did I think? Please note that this article contains affiliate links, this means that if you choose to purchase any products via the link below, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the product. Normal People by Sally Rooney focuses almost solely on the lives of Connel and Marianne and how they constantly intertwine…

17Jun 2022 by Luke Harkness No Comments

The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller book review

Book reviews, Contemporary Fiction

I picked up The Paper Palace as a random pick before I went on holiday a few weeks ago. Since then I've been on quite a journey and thoroughly enjoyed so much of it. Not all of it was perfect but it's a book that has definitely left a good mark on me. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means if you choose to purchase a product via one of the links below, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the products. The Paper Palace is told over 24 hours and 50 years. It's a book about betrayal and tough adult decisions. It's also a book that spends so many of its…

20May 2022 by Luke Harkness No Comments

A Change of Seasons by Khurram Elahi book review

Contemporary Fiction

A Change of Seasons left me thoroughly confused about whether I loved it or found it incredibly dull. At points, I connected with it and it flowed incredibly well and then at others, I found myself wondering what on earth was happening. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the product. Please note that this article was sent to me by the author, free of charge in return for an honest review. A Change of Seasons follows John Winters as he goes through and then recovers from a heart operation. It touches on…