The Versions of Us by Laura Barnett - a book that will give you ALL the feelings

Every now and then you read a book that gives you ALL the feelings. Laura Barnett's debut novel, The Versions of Us, does just do that. 

An exceptional book to me is one where you can't put it down but by the last 50 pages you find yourself reading super slowly because you do.not. want. it. to. end. And then you read the last chapter several times over just to make sure you've taken in every last detail and you have to leave it at least three days until you pick up another book while you digest what just happened. And when a friend casually mentions the book's name in passing, you talk about how great it is it for 20 mins and even when they change the subject you bring back round again to THE BOOK.  

Well, The Versions of Us is beyond exceptional. 

With the style of Sliding Doors and hailed as this years One Day, I would say it's actually better (oh yes, I went there…) Don't get me wrong, I LOVED One Day, but it was completely ruined for me by Anne Hathaway staring as Emma (what were they thinking?) and I've never really been able to get over it. 

The Versions of Us was a breath of fresh air. 

So what's it about? 

A man is walking down a country lane. A woman, cycling towards him, swerves to avoid a dog. On that moment, their future hinges. There are three possible outcomes, three small decisions that could determine the rest of their life.

Eva and Jim are nineteen and students at Cambridge when their paths first cross in 1958. And then there is David, Eva's then-lover, an ambitious actor who loves Eva deeply. The Versions of Us follows the three different courses their lives could take following this first meeting. Lives filled with love, betrayal, ambition but through it all is a deep connection that endures whatever fate might throw at them.

The book explores the idea that there are moments when our lives might have turned out differently. Decisions could determine our fate and how love changes. 

It's clever. It's romantic. It takes you on a journey. 

Please, please, please read. 

Eva: “You don’t really believe that anything is meant to happen, do you?”

Jim: “No. Maybe not. Who knows?”

Eva: “No regrets, Jim, all right?”

Jim: “No regrets, Eva. Not now. Not ever.”

We Are All Made of Stars by Rowan Coleman - tissues at the ready!

I loved Rowan's last read, The Memory Book (read my review here), so when We Are All Made of Stars, landed on my desk I got the tissues at the ready and was ready to dive in. 

After just 20 pages, tissues were advisable. It was a weep fest. 

Here's what it's about: 

Stella works nights at the hospice where she is a nurse. Married to a soldier who has just returned from Afghanistan, she leaves the house each night as he is unable to sleep due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  

During her nursing shifts, Stella writes the final letters of her patients outlining their wishes and then posts them after their death.

But one night she gives her patient one last chance at redemption if she delivers it in time. And with her own battle that she’s fighting, will Stella get a happy ending too...?

This lovely book will leave you with a smile on your face and a tear in your eye. It's a really special read. 

Lucy, I salute you

The book with THE prettiest cover

They say you should never judge a book by its cover - but that's exactly what I did when Lucy Robinson's The Day We Disappeared landed on my desk, and I'm not even apologising. It was love at first sight. 

I pulled the drab book I was currently reading out my Kate Spade and quickly replaced it with this. I thought it would be a good read but I was wrong. It was a BRILLIANT 'Oh my GOD' 'What?' 'That did not happen' 'I don't want this ever to end' read. Yep. That brilliant. One of those rare books that take a turn of events that you just weren’t expecting that leaves you open mouthed shouting 'Nooooooo' on the tube as your fellow commuters look at you oddly but you don't notice because all you care about is THE BOOK. 

So, briefly as I do NOT do spoilers, what's it about? 

Annie has a heartbreaking secret. But then she meets a kind and caring man determined to fix her. And Kate has run away – but no one knows why. Both are running from their pasts. Will they get a happy ending?

I've gushed enough, but seriously, get this book. You'll see exactly what I mean.  

I'm baaaaaaaaaaack!

Chatting #AlwaysTheBridesmaid at Lindsey's launch (tequila cocktails were a treat.)

Oh haiiiiiii!! Here I am after year + hiatus. I won't apologise for my absence cuz no one will have missed me that much but I did think it was about time I got back in the saddle mainly because I have read some beyond awesome books recently and I believe it's my duty to tell you all about them!

So lets kick of with one of my fave authors shall? 

Lindsey Kelk. I've been a fan of this girl's work since 2009 when my friend Apples told me about this AH-mazing new book she'd read, I Heart New York. She was right. It was bloody brilliant and I've been a fan ever since. 

So when I heard her latest book Always the Bridesmaid was soon to be released I requested a copy sharpish. 

When it arrived I basally cancelled all plans and devoured in one sitting. I knew it would be good but it was blow me away good. And - I'm going to say it - I reckon it is her BEST BOOK YET. 

So, what's it about it? 

Maddie is juggling being bridesmaid and planning her best friends wedding alongside supporting her other best mate who is going through a divorce. Add in a promotion and man drams alongside the bridezilla texts and late-night counseling sessions, she begins to wonder – is it time to stop being the bridesmaid?

It's such a funny read and all the characters are very likeable and relatable. If you're about to go on holiday or just need a book for your commute, get this. 

Like I said, it's Lindsey's best yet and I'm 100% confident you won't be able to disagree. 

The girl herself look being fab at her launch. #AlwaysTheBridesmaid. Go get it.