Book reviews Archives - Page 16 of 30

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…

26Jan 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris book review

Book reviews, Crime, Historical Fiction

Act of Oblivion is a book I was recommended and lent by a good friend. He's a big fan of historical fiction and rated Act of Oblivion as a book that I definitely needed to pick up and read. It focuses on a story that I don't think a lot of people know about but one which is actually really interesting! The problem when you write historical fiction based on a real story is if the story isn't deeply fleshed out in real life then you've really got to fill out the book with other details. Does Robert Harris do this enough here? Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you purchase any products via any of the affiliate links below, I may receive a…

20Jan 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Spare by Prince Harry book review

Book reviews, Memoir, Nonfiction

I can tell you now this book is one of the most talked-about books I've ever read. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have divided the world. Their whole relationship has been "front-page news" since its reveal. In this book Prince Harry takes you through his whole life, admitting a lot and also revealing so much about how the Royal Family is run. 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 product. Harry is often referred to as the "spare" which is a play on the fact that his brother William is the "heir".…

13Jan 2023 by Luke Harkness 3 Comments

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry book review

Book reviews, Memoir, Nonfiction

I've always been a massive fan of Friends, it is without a doubt one of my favourite shows of all time and I'll put it on almost any time of the day. When I saw Matthew Perry had released a memoir, I was very keen to read who the real Chandler was. I knew about his addiction but only on a very surface level "Ooh, did you know Chandler was apparently addicted to drugs during his time on Friends" sort of level but wasn't aware of the horrible and harrowing depths to which the addiction took over his life. 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…

10Jan 2023 by Luke Harkness 1 Comment

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…

28Dec 2022 by Luke Harkness No Comments

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson book review

Book reviews, Crime, Mystery, Thriller

A Good Girls' Guide to Murder is another of those books I'd seen a lot of on social media. And, as with a lot of my next book choices, it became available to listen to via the library-lending app, Libby and so I decided to pick it up and give it a listen. It's a book possibly aimed at a younger audience but one that I found myself very much enjoying as a man in his late 20s also! 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. A Good Girl's Guide…

20Dec 2022 by Luke Harkness 1 Comment

Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese book review

Book reviews, Historical Fiction, Romance

Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese was kindly sent to me by the team over at Duckworth books back in August and this month I decided to finally get around to reading it and what a wonderful read it was. It's a beautifully written and wonderfully thought-out book that has left me thinking about it days after I've finished it. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any product 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 product. Hester follows the story of Isobel Gamble and her struggle in the 1800s after she's abandoned by her husband in a new land. She…

11Dec 2022 by Luke Harkness No Comments

The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes book review

Book reviews, Historical Fiction, Romance

The Giver of Stars is a book I had seen receive a lot of praise across my social media channels. I'd heard of JoJo Moyes first via her movie Me Before You with Emelia Clark in it which I really liked. However, I'd heard this book was very different to anything she'd written before and, if she's only really written stories about love before, I have to agree. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase 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 product. When Alice arrives in Kentucky from England after marrying a handsome American, she's looking for an escape…

30Nov 2022 by Luke Harkness 2 Comments

River God by Wilbur Smith book review

Book reviews, Historical Fiction

As a kid I was a massive Ancient Egypt nerd - I even had a folder in which I'd put a load of information I'd printed off about Ancient Egypt almost as my own encyclopedia of knowledge. I even bookmarked the different sections. I'm not sure what gripped me so much about that era but I found the whole idea fascinating. Something to do with them having different Gods which don't exist today, the way they mummified their dead, the way they built the pyramids, the vast tombs and treasures they built and wielded. Ancient Egypt almost feels like a fantasy culture - that's probably why. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links provided below, I…

27Nov 2022 by Luke Harkness No Comments

My Primary School Teacher Girlfriend Reviews Anna Friend’s Big Little Hearts Children’s Books

Book reviews

On Twitter, author Anna Friend kindly contacted me asking me if I reviewed children's books. When I said that they weren't my specialty and I'd rather do a good job and so suggested that my partner who is a primary school teacher reads them, she said this sounded like a great opportunity. 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 product. Friend sent me Who Will Love Me When You're Gone?, How Will It Be with Baby & Me and When Can I Go Back to School, three books she's released over the…

Category: Book reviews