K.J. Chapman's Blog
October 31, 2024
The Words That Fly Between Us by Sarah Carroll
The Words That Fly Between Us by Sarah Carroll
Review: A young adult book that delves into the topics of domestic abuse, family breakdown, bullying, and the importance of words- the unsaid, the implied, and the truth. A perfect read for middle school readers and the sensitive topics are handled well and with raw emotion.
Lucy ‘s love of art is a prominent theme throughout the narrative. Her need to find herself and stand up for herself pushes the plot. She must speak her truth.
‘I know how it feels when you hear the words people don’t say. The words that hang around long after the ones that were spoken disappear.’
The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties. All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman. K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review.
Content belongs to KJ Chapman
October 7, 2024
The Cornish Village School: Second Chances by Kitty Wilson
The Cornish Village School by Kitty Wilson
Review: Sylvie is a single mother, trying to move out from under her uncle’s feet and build her dream life with her young son, Sam. Alex is a well known journalist who is adapting to life in a quiet Cornish Village with his adopted daughter Ellie. The pair form a fast friendship and the whole narrative revolved around their slow burn relationship and how the dynamics of their families and lives play a huge part in the ‘will they won’t they’ narrative.
If you like sllllloooooowww burn romance books then this is for you. It is well written with good world building and supporting characters, but I found myself three quarters of the way through, wondering when something was actually going to happen: romance, plot twist or otherwise.
The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties. All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman. K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review.
Content belongs to KJ Chapman
August 1, 2024
Summer Kisses at Mermaid’s Point by Sarah Bennett
Summer Kisses At Mermaid’s Point by Sarah Bennett
Review: Jake is an investigative journalist, and after suffering burn out, his editor has sent him to Mermaid’s Point to follow up on an easy story about a possible Mermaid sighting and to find the scoop on who is really behind it. Jake hides his true reasoning for being at Mermaid’s Point from the locals but quickly falls for the owner of a local cafe, Laurie.
Their relationship moves fast, but Jake finds himself worried to tell Laurie the real reason why he is there.
My favourite aspect of this read was the world building and setting masterfully created by Bennett. Bennett also delves into the past of both Laurie and Jake to flesh out their characters and why they both struggle with letting someone get close to them. The sub plots were interwoven with the main storyline seamlessly, but one irk I had was that Jake made a mountain out of a molehill with the whole ‘lying about writing a book’. I understand that it drove the plot to an extent, but just tell the woman…
The ending was wrapped up neatly, but it felt kind of rushed. I was shocked to realise I had only a few chapters left before a full conclusion would have to come about.
The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties. All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman. K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review.
Content belongs to KJ Chapman
July 19, 2024
The Last by Hanna Jameson
The Last by Hanma Jameson
Review: Jon, the narrator, is a historian, so what else would he do but document the end of the world as we know it? After nuclear war dessimates the planet, leaving pockets of survivors cut off from the rest of the world, Jon finds himself stuck in a hotel in Switzerland with people he doesn’t know and the dead body of child in the water tank on the roof.
Not only is this Jon’s account of the end of civilisation but an investigation into who murdered the child and if they’re still within the walls of the hotel.
I enjoyed this book and was happy with the ending, but I found a vast chunk of the middle was slow paced and lacked action. Otherwise, a good read if you like end of the world narratives.
The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties. All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman. K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review.
Content belongs to KJ Chapman
July 13, 2024
The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean
The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean
Review: A thought provoking and deeply disturbing read.
This book follows Thanh, known to her captor as ‘Jane’. Thanh and her sister, Kim-Ly came to the UK from Vietnam in search of a better life but got caught in a sex-trafficking ring.
Dean sets the scene for a horrific tale of a woman forced to play dutiful wife to a violent, sex abuser. She can’t physically run away, and her every move is monitored by cameras. She is even forced to birth his child without help and prematurely.
I barely took a breath for the final chapters!!! Brilliantly written. I will now look into Dean’s other books after reading this.
The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties. All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman. K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review.
Content belongs to KJ Chapman
July 3, 2024
A Woman Made of Snow by Elisabeth Gifford
A Woman Made of Snow by Elisabeth Gifford
Review: A Woman Made of Snow flits between two generations living in Kelly Castle, and from the Artic to Scotland. It was such a mysterious, interesting read. I’ve learned a lot about the Inuit and societal views in the 1800s.
The dual timelines worked seamlessly as Caro, daughter in law to the current heir of Kelly Castle is asked to be archivist for the castle’s history, and along the way, discover what happened to the missing ‘wife’ of an ancestor, and also try to find the truth about the human remains recently discovered on the grounds.
A well written book with a lot of mystery and twists. I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s prose and writing style.
The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties. All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman. K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review.
Content belongs to KJ Chapman
June 13, 2024
The Big Little Festival by Kellie Hailes
The Big Little Festival by Kellie Hailes
Review: A feel good, making amends, small village life story with romance sprinkled throughout.
I enjoyed the vast array of characters to round out the cosy, everyone knows everyone vibe of village life, and the backstories of both Jody and Christian made the characters that much more believable.
My only irk was that Jody did feel like she had a huge chip on her shoulder, which is expected due to her past, but she didn’t half wallow and sulk throughout the narrative.
Otherwise, a pleasant read with a happy ending.
The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties. All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman. K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review.
Content belongs to KJ Chapman
May 21, 2024
Someone to Love by Tracey Corbett
Someone to Love by Tracey Corbett
Review: This book was very well written, and I enjoyed the various POVs. I did root for Beth and Matt to finally get together, even though it felt like I was banging my head against a brick wall with Beth’s reluctance for the entire book.
I found the narrative a little unrealistic. The whole situation with Beth’s sister and the annulment was far fetched and her lack of concern felt unbelievable, but hey, there were many interesting characters and family dynamics to keep the pages turning.
The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties. All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman. K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review.
Content belongs to KJ Chapman
May 6, 2024
The Summer Island Festival by Rachel Burton
The Summer Island Festival by Rachel Burton
Review: A story of childhood sweetheart, rockstars, music festivals, and a lot of secrets…
I enjoyed the 3 POVs in this, especially getting an insight into Cathy’s past. The ‘lost love’ narrative is a common one, but throw in some rockstars, festivals, and a runaway bride and it gave an old trope some fresh innovation.
I do love a happy ending, and wasn’t disappointed with the conclusion of this story. This would make a perfect summer vacation read.
The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties. All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman. K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review.
Content belongs to KJ Chapman
February 14, 2024
Better World by Autumm Kalquist
Better World by Autumm Kalquist
Review: All that is left of the human race currently lives aboard three space crafts scouring space for a new world.
Maeve is a sub level worker on the ‘London’ who will be forced to ‘pair’ if she doesn’t choose a husband soon. Her heart is with Cassia who has already paired and chosen to keep her distance, so airlocking herself for a quick death seems like Maeve’s best option…
I enjoyed her complex relationship with Driton, and Maeve’s lost will for life means she’s ready to push buttons and cause ructions. When she is sent on a ‘suicide mission’ to the planet Soren, her feelings and motivations change.
This book is well written with good world building. A great prequel to entice readers into the mains series.
The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties. All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman. K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review.
Content belongs to KJ Chapman
