Book Review(s): The Girl on the Train, The Husband’s Secret and The Lie… three thrillers, but only one was truly thrilling

*Reviews contain spoilers* All synopses taken from Goodreads.com

The Girl on the Train

Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck. She’s even started to feel like she knows them. “Jess and Jason,” she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost.

And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel offers what she knows to the police, and becomes inextricably entwined in what happens next, as well as in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good?

Firstly, I think Paula Hawkins made a really brave decision to write the protagonist, Rachel, as quite an unlikeable character (initially she is, anyway). I had to stop myself from shouting at her throughout the whole book because she was so infuriating at times. A couple of frustrating moments in particular were when she appeared to kick her drinking habit, but then the next paragraph or chapter would begin with her drinking a G&T! *Facepalm*

The other main character, Megan, was not particularly likeable either. So it was really quite strange reading a book and not warming to either of the two key characters. Saying that, however, I was really rooting for Rachel near the end, especially when she figured out that it was Tom who had manipulated her for years and convinced her she was a mad, violent drunk. I wanted Rachel to get her revenge on him, but little did I know just how gruesome that revenge was going to be!

Towards the end of the book, I found the part when Anna and Rachel suddenly seemed to be BBFs a little strange. It was a bit odd and unrealistic. After all, the storyline mainly revolved around Rachel’s hatred and bitterness towards Anna and Anna’s desperate attempts to get Rachel out of her and Tom’s lives for good.

I was surprised by the twist – who actually killed Megan. I was convinced it was going to be either the mysterious man with red hair on the train, or Rachel's roommate, or Anna, or perhaps even Rachel herself.

Now that I’ve finished the book after reading and hearing so much hype about it, I’m really excited about the film. Although I can’t actually picture who is going to play Rachel. Apparently Emily Blunt has been signed, but I’m hoping they will cast her as either Anna or Megan, she’s definitely too far too glamorous to play a downtrodden alcoholic. It has also been recently reported that the film will be set in the US instead of the UK. If that’s true, I think it’s a huge mistake! It should definitely be set in London.

The Girl on The Train by Paula Hawkins, 4/5 – gripping and creepy, fans of Gone Girl will love it

The Husband’s Secret

My darling Cecilia, if you’re reading this, then I’ve died...

Imagine that your husband wrote you a letter, to be opened after his death. Imagine, too, that the letter contains his deepest, darkest secret—something with the potential to destroy not just the life you built together, but the lives of others as well. Imagine, then, that you stumble across that letter while your husband is still very much alive...

Cecilia Fitzpatrick has achieved it all—she’s an incredibly successful businesswoman, a pillar of her small community, and a devoted wife and mother. Her life is as orderly and spotless as her home. But that letter is about to change everything, and not just for her: Rachel and Tess barely know Cecilia—or each other—but they too are about to feel the earth-shattering repercussions of her husband’s secret.

Meh. That pretty much sums up how I feel about this book. Meh.

I downloaded it onto my Kindle ages ago. I’d heard so many great things about it, but every time I picked it up, I soon put it back down again. The reason why? Because there are SO MANY NAMES. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes it has to be done, but in this case, almost all of the names mentioned were entirely irrelevant to the story. Within the first few pages, I felt like I’d just been introduced to every single person Cecilia Fitzpatrick had ever met. Now that I’ve finished the book, I think that it was unnecessary to mention so many people who make such a fleeting appearance.

Another point that annoyed me a little was the huge emphasis that is put on the story of the Berlin Wall. I am still not entirely sure why it is so closely intertwined in the story. My interpretation is that maybe the Berlin Wall represents a barrier that shields Cecilia from anything negative in her life – that she is so comfortable in her domestic bliss, but then when she discovers her husband’s sinister secret, everything she thinks she knows comes crashing down in the same way the wall did in 1989. I could have that completely wrong, but that’s just how I interpreted the frequent mentions of it.  

Even though the story wasn’t really grabbing me, I forced myself to carry on. Partly because I just wanted to know what the husband’s bloody secret was, dammit. But when the secret was revealed, I wasn’t even that surprised. It was pretty obvious it was going to be a murder, what else could be so dark and disturbing? All in all, the general concept of The Husband’s Secret was fantastic and had so much promise, but unfortunately, the entire story was just a bit predictable.

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty, 2/5 – two points for the general idea of the book, which is intriguing and thought-provoking

The Lie

I know your name's not really Jane Hughes...

Jane Hughes has a loving partner, a job in an animal sanctuary and a tiny cottage in rural Wales. She's happier than she's ever been but her life is a lie. Jane Hughes does not really exist.

Five years earlier Jane and her then best friends went on holiday but what should have been the trip of a lifetime rapidly descended into a nightmare that claimed the lives of two of the women.

Jane has tried to put her past behind her but someone knows the truth about what happened. Someone who won't stop until they've destroyed Jane and everything she loves. 

I was so disappointed by this book. It was quite similar to The Husband’s Secret in that it had so much potential and was such an interesting concept, but the more the story went on, the weaker it felt.

For one thing, I just didn’t believe in the friendships of the key characters – something which is an important part of the book. Without that belief, the whole story just seemed entirely unrealistic. The women appeared to really resent being in the same room as each other, so why on earth would they go on an intense backpacking holiday around Nepal together? Not one of the characters in the friendship circle was likeable, even the main character was far too naive and insipid to be a believable heroine.

I felt like the ending of The Lie was a little bit… how can I put this… thrown together. It was as though the author had started off on a roll, then got a bit bored and finished the story as quickly as possible. Towards the end, I just didn’t care and that is not how you should feel at the end of a thriller.

The Lie by C.L. Taylor, 1/5 – disappointing!

If you've read any good thrillers (or any great books) lately, then please let me know! I'm always on the lookout for good books. Either comment below, or tweet/follow me on Twitter or Instagram: DinkyDanni_

Book Review: Wild by Cheryl Strayed was a tough & heart-rending read, but definitely worth it

Wild came with a warning.

“It’s a tough read” my best friend Loren said, as she handed her copy to me. Within the first few pages, I knew exactly what she was talking about.

Loren and I have always been incredibly close to our mums and as the story is about the author’s personal journey after losing her own mother to cancer, it’s not the easiest subject to read about, or even think about.

That aside, I really, really enjoyed Wild.

If you haven’t heard of it, the basic premise is that Cheryl Strayed completely loses her way after her mother’s death. She cheats on her husband, therefore destroying her marriage, drops out of her college studies and her toxic relationships even lead her to heroin. Years later, with nothing left to lose, she decides to hike more than 1,000 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. She treks from the Mojave Desert, through California and Oregon to Washington State completely alone and without any training or experience.

Cheryl is not your typical protagonist, but I found myself rooting for her. I desperately wanted her to succeed and was willing her on with every turn of the page. Her story is written with such warmth, charm and raw honesty that you can’t help but wish for a happy ending.

I can understand how anyone might be put off by the book, thinking it could be repetitive and dull as it is focused on a 1,000 mile hike, but I can guarantee that is not the case at all. Although, of course, the PCT plays a huge part in the book, the focus is really on Cheryl’s personal journey and her identity – how she lost it and her determination to find it again… to become “the woman her mother raised her to be,” as she says.

But if you really don’t fancy reading the book, check out the film. I watched it the other night and I thought Reese Witherspoon was excellent in her role as Cheryl. They missed some parts out, but nothing that really impacted on the essence of the story. I was also really pleased that they didn’t go into too much detail about Lady, as that made me cry when I was reading the book (if you’ve read it, you’ll know exactly which bit I mean!)

Wild by Cheryl Strayed, 4/5 

Book Review: Why Pride and Prejudice is the perfect love story

*Contains spoilers* As a sucker for romance, I fell head over heels in love with Pride and Prejudice. It's a classic and definitely one of my top 10 favourite books of all time. I was initially introduced to it at school but, nearly 10 years later, I was desperate to read it again as I had a feeling I'd appreciate it more - and how right I was!

The relationship between Elizabeth and Mr Darcy is just so romantic in such an old-fashioned, timeless way. Take, for example, Mr Darcy’s reply when Elizabeth asks him when he fell in love with her:

"I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that it had begun."

Why don’t we talk like that anymore??! The language is beautiful and Jane Austen is an exquisite writer.

Ha ha ha this made me laugh!

Something I especially love about this book is how, as a reader, your feelings are mirrored with that of Elizabeth’s when it comes to Mr Darcy. When he was first introduced, I was like, who the heck does this chap think he is?? (Much like Elizabeth was). But by the end of the book, he was probably my favourite character and I admired how he so desperately wanted to change his ways for Elizabeth.

The way he refused to take credit for the ways he quietly helped her and her family was also testament to his character. For him, just helping Elizabeth was enough and he didn’t need everyone to know about it.

In the final chapters, I was so ready for Elizabeth and Mr Darcy to get together, I had to stop myself from shaking the book in frustration. Despite that, the slow progression of their relationship was really sweet and subtle. I loved the way he hid his love for her for so long. It was also interesting because, while reading it, you know they’re inevitably going to get together, you just don’t know how they’re going to eventually put their differences aside.

As well as the romance, Pride and Prejudice offers a fascinating insight into what life was like for women in society during the late 18^th and 19^th centuries. Mothers were desperate to find suitable matches for their daughters, who typically had to marry for security and social status, not for love.

Another reason why Pride and Prejudice is such a fantastic read is the depth of characters. Every single one is compelling, yet very complex.

Characters I loved:

Elizabeth – her wit and her headstrong, opinionated nature.

Mr Darcy – so misunderstood!

Jane – her ability to always see the best in people (even if they’re bloomin’ awful – like the Bingley sisters!)

Mr Bennet – deserves a medal for putting up with Mrs Bennet and Lydia.

Characters I was shaking the book in frustration at:

Mr Collins – what a bumbling idiot!

Bingley sisters – snobs.

Lady Catherine – queen snob!

One of the highlights of the book for me was the part towards the end, when Lady Catherine is urging Elizabeth to turn down Mr Darcy, should he ask her to marry him. I was so glad that someone finally stood up to her!

Pride and Prejudice reignited my love of Austen’s work. Now I need to decide which of her books to read next and any recommendations would be gratefully received! I’m thinking perhaps Sense and Sensibility? Let me know if there are any others you would say to read first x

Ps. Pride and Prejudice is not just for gals! Check out this funny article ‘Five reasons dudes should read Pride and Prejudice’ here.

Book Review: My Best Friend’s Girl by Dorothy Koomson

*There’s a spoiler alert towards the end of the review before the puppy picture*

My Best Friend’s Girl is a great example of why nobody should ever ‘judge a book by its cover’ – literally.

Looking at the cover, I am sure most people would guess that the book is typical chick-lit – light-hearted and slightly silly. I assumed that too, so I was actually quite surprised by the depth of the story. It is extremely moving in parts and it tackles issues that you wouldn’t typically find in the chick-lit genre.

The book begins with Kamryn Matika’s 32^nd birthday - a day when she wants nothing more than to enjoy a glass or two of champagne and hit the town in a sparkling gold dress. Then, she opens the birthday card that will change her life forever. Her former best friend Adele is dying of cancer and she begs Kamryn to adopt her young daughter. Kamryn and Adele used to be inseparable, until Adele betrayed Kamryn by sleeping with her fiancé, Nate. Adele fell pregnant with Nate’s child and when Kamryn found out, she cut them both out of her life. Despite Kamryn’s anger and her plan to never have children, she quickly realises that she can’t abandon Adele’s daughter, Tegan, who is being neglected by her abusive grandparents.

The focus on the book is Kamryn’s journey, how her life drastically changes and how she learns to become a mother to five-year-old Tegan. There is a love triangle, involving her ex-fiancé and her new boss, but it’s actually only a small part of the story as a whole.

I liked the way the story kept me guessing right until the end. Just when I thought I'd figured out exactly what would happen, there was another twist and turn. Dorothy Koomson is an incredibly talented writer and the book really is heart-breaking at times.

The story of My Best Friend's Girl examines friendship and forgiveness, betrayal and grief, responsibility and change, but ultimately, it’s about happiness. As a reader, you start to think about life and how you never know what could be just around the corner. 

*Spoiler/puppy alert* *Don’t read on if you don't want to know how it ends!* 

Here’s a cute puppy pic so you don’t accidentally see the first paragraph and resent me forever…

I'll be honest, I wasn’t completely convinced about the ending, which was a little disappointing. I didn’t really want Kamryn to end up with Luke, as she obviously wasn’t actually in love with him. I am glad she didn’t get back together with Nate though, as that would’ve been way too predictable. I actually thought the ending might’ve worked better if it was Kamryn and Tegan – just the two of them. After all, that was how their journey started.

I was also a bit miffed that the abusive grandparents didn’t get their comeuppance. I really wanted that to happen, as it was a horrible part of the story. I hoped that by the end, perhaps they would see the error of their ways, or they would be found out somehow, but sadly not.

Despite the slightly disappointing ending, I’d definitely recommend this book. It’s a really different, interesting read and the story takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions.

If you’ve read My Best Friend’s Girl, let me know what you thought (especially about the ending!) x

Book Review: The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler

I am a little bit divided over this book. It had been on my reading list for a while, then when I was in North Wales with my fiancé and in-laws recently, I spotted it in a charity shop for 50p! (It was book-fate!)

When I started reading it, I hadn’t seen the film (I’m definitely going to watch it this weekend) and I hadn’t read any reviews, which was good because it meant I was completely neutral and free to make up my own mind. That was definitely the best way to do it because after I finished the book, I checked out some online reviews and it got pretty slated.

Firstly, I really like the format, it is quirky and unusual. There are six protagonists, six chapters and six Austen novels. Each chapter focuses on a particular character’s back-story, as well as a book club meeting in which the group members discuss the chosen novel of the month. It works well because you feel as though you really get to know each character – who they are, why they act the way they do and what Austen means to them. If you are familiar with Austen’s work, you will notice parallels between the experiences of each character and each novel. 

A few of the reviews I read moaned about the lack of an actual plot in the book. I can understand this to an extent, it doesn’t follow the usual conventions of storytelling in the way that there are no ups and downs, or dramatic situations which bring all the characters together. But on the other hand, it’s actually quite refreshing to read a book that is sensible and realistic. Karen Joy Fowler demonstrates that there doesn’t always have to be a life-changing experience to make a book entertaining. It can simply focus on normality and everyday activities, such as being part of a book club.

The concept of the book is exploring characters, as opposed to an exciting plot. Each character is on their own individual journey to happiness. They discover that Austen helps them all, just in different ways.

In conclusion, The Jane Austen Book Club was a fun and enjoyable read. It also made me want to revisit Austen’s novels, as I haven’t read them for years. I would recommend this book to anyone who’s a fan of Austen and is looking for a pleasant, uplifting book. But don’t pick it up if you want to read something with a riveting and unpredictable plot.

Book Review: I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

First things first. If you are reading this and you are not a fan of the ‘chick lit’ genre – this book is not for you.

Personally, I am a devotee of chick lit and a huge fan of Sophie Kinsella (or Madeleine Wickham). When The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic was released, I read it in the space of a few hours. Fast-forward 10 years and, while working as a journalist on my local paper, I had the opportunity to interview Sophie. On the day of the interview, I remember picking up the phone to call the number her agent had given me and being so nervous that I dialled the wrong number twice. I had spent such a long time thinking of all the questions I wanted to ask her and I had to constantly remind myself not to get too overexcited and sound like a crazy superfan! But as expected, she was absolutely lovely and even sent me a signed hardback copy of Mini Shopaholic which made my day/week/month/year/life (read the interview here).

Anyway, I took I’ve Got Your Number away with me recently as it seemed to tick all the boxes for an ideal holiday read. The book didn’t let me down and was everything I wanted it to be. It was easy and enjoyable reading. It made me laugh and it made me cry (due to too much laughter!)

Sophie once said in an interview that she likes to start her books with a ‘what if?’ scenario and this book opens with a bloomin’ sticky one. The protagonist, Poppy Wyatt, has lost her engagement ring (a priceless ring that has been in her beloved’s snobby, know-it-all family for three generations). Not only that, she also goes on to lose her mobile phone, thanks to an opportunistic thief. Now I don’t know about you, but just the thought of losing my phone makes me shudder *shudder*. During Poppy’s nightmare situation, she finds a seemingly abandoned phone in a rubbish bin and begins chatting with the stranger at the end of it who doesn’t appreciate her snooping into his private life.

I kind of suspected the ending (as you often do with many chick-lit books) – who was going to end up with who and what-not. But it’s how it happens that makes it so intriguing. The story took an interesting twist towards the end which left me wondering whether my theory would be right after all.

Without giving too much away, my highlights were:

• The hilarious scene in the jewellers when Sam is organising a replacement ring for Poppy
• The Scrabble game
• Poppy’s ‘burnt’ hand being examined by the dermatologist
• The mix-up with Sam’s dad
• The subtle but special moment in the woods
• Poppy’s heart-to-heart with Wanda
• The ending – as I said, it took an unexpected turn, so I was kept guessing right until the end! The last scene is also pretty hilarious in general.

After finishing the book, I read a couple of online reviews in which readers were torn about whether or not they liked the fact that Sophie used footnotes. Personally, I liked them. I felt they added to the story as they were a nod to Poppy’s academic in-laws and they made the book feel quirky and different.

I would definitely recommend I’ve Got Your Number to any fans of fabulous chick lit. It’s the perfect light read and will definitely make you smile and giggle!

If you’ve read a good book lately, please comment below with any recommendations, I’m always on the lookout for my next read! x