What is The Girl Who Came Back about?

The last thing Jules Bright expects, or wants, is to hear that Amelia Quentin is being released from prison. The woman who shattered her life completely is being set free, and knowing the girl is coming back, sends Jules into a panic. Her friends and family rally round her – they know that justice for the little girl who was murdered was never served and they want the Quentin girl to pay. But is it Jules, or Amelia who is the most scared?

GoodtoKnow says...

We absolutely loved this emotionally charged, heartbreaking novel – it kept us gripped all the way through. Perfect for beach reading this summer.

Rating: 9/10 Author Susan Lewis

Publisher: Arrow Release date: Out now Read now:Read a sample chapter

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About the author: Susan Lewis

Susan Lewis writes addictive, gripping fictional stories about communities whose lives have been rocked . She is also the author of Just One More Day and One Day at a Time, the moving memoirs of her childhood in Bristol. She lives in Gloucestershire.

Follow Susan Lewis on Twitter and Facebook 

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What's This Secret We're Keeping about?

This Secret We're Keeping is a love story with a thought-provoking difference. When 15 year-old Jess falls in love with her Maths teacher, Mr L, she is utterly convinced they're meant to be together forever. But it all falls apart around them, fast forward seventeen years and he's released from prison and in her little village with a new name and family. The chapters flit between then and now as this story takes you along the twists and turns of a forbidden love affair - who gave the couple up all those years ago? Who seduced who? And will they get back together? Turn the pages and find out...

Goodtoknow says...

Ironically This Secret We're Keeping starts straight off the bat with what you would think would be the secret - that a school girl had an affair with her teacher - but that's not it, that was a secret from yesteryear, that is merely the backdrop of the actual big secret, and this really lures you in, seduces you into turning the pages.

The heroine of the story, Jess works as a chef in a small everyone-knows-everyone village of Norfolk where she grew up, she has a hot Dr boyfriend from London who she kinda likes and who spoils her rotten - the man buys her a pair of Louboutins for pete's sake! One day the world as she knows it shatters, old feelings from 17 years ago come flooding back when she recognises the teacher - her first love - Mr L. As the story unfolds and you read Mr L's chapters it makes you question how much of the illegal love affair was his doing, and how much were the pushy actions of a determined teenager. Without a doubt he abused his position of trust, but reading it you get to see it from his point of view. Mr L, Matthew, is now Will and has a new life and identity that no one - not even his family knows about - he even has a daughter. Will he risk all that he has just for another chance of love with Jess? And will the big secret reveal itself? He might, and it does. I'm an arrogant reader and guessed the secret early on - but the story was so well written I still enjoyed it until the end, and the ending is a great twisted cliff hanger.... enjoy!

Rating: 7/10 Publisher: Michael Joseph Paperback Release date: 7th April 2016

What is Maestra about?

Judith Rashleigh knows what she wants and exactly how to get it. She’s young, she’s beautiful and she’s sexually empowered. The one thing that Judith doesn’t have though is money.

Working as an assistant in a top art gallery, her measly salary doesn’t afford Judith the life she envisioned for herself – it’s more take-aways in her student flat than glamorous parties with immensely rich art dealers. The social snobbery and corruption she’s witnessed in the art world have dulled her once bright hopes for the future – it doesn’t matter how much you know, or how many languages you speak. If you don’t have the background it doesn’t matter how impressive your CV sounds.

Goodtoknow says...

Judith bumps into an old school friend and she sees an opportunity to make some serious money moonlighting as a hostess in a seedy West End bar. The men might be creepy, but the money’s good. And the nights have nothing on her usual evenings spent at sex parties.

When she’s unceremoniously sacked from her job at the art gallery after uncovering a conspiracy, it’s her hostess role she falls back on. One customer has taken a particular liking to her and a trip to the French Riviera is on the cards – it can’t help to take a break, can it?

When everything quickly goes down the pan and Judith finds herself in a battle for her life, she’s forced to fake it among the rich and famous to survive.

Judith is nothing like any female characters I’ve read before. She’s strong, she’s self-assured, and she outsmarts everyone around her. If you thought Gillian Flynn’s Amy from Gone Girl was crazy, you’re in for a shock. The sex scenes can be gratuitous and at times unnecessary, but at least Maestra has a strong plot to fall back on. You’ll find yourself routing for Judith despite her rather large list of misdoings and unapologetic view of violence.

It’s Gone Girl meets 50 Shades, but our heroine is smarter and sexier. The film rights have already been sold and we can’t wait to see which actress will be picked to take Judith Rashleigh to the big screen.

Rating: 6/10 Publisher: Zaffre Publish Date: 10th March 2016

What is The Finding of Martha Lost about?

Abandoned in Liverpool Lime Street Station as a baby, young Martha has been hoping someone will pop into her lost property office to claim her for sixteen years. Inspired by her vivid imagination and a lifetime reading lost books, Martha exists within a magical world of her own creation. She spins rather than walks, believes the devil lives in the basement, and when she touches each lost item, she claims she can see its story. The one story she can't see is her own.

goodtoknow says:

The strange woman who took her in, known only as ‘Mother', has never answered any of Martha's questions about where she came from but when Mother suddenly passes away and the powers that be threaten to evict Martha, she finally sets about discovering who she really is. But Martha never does anything conventionally so rather than appeal to the relevant authorities, she writes to the Queen, sticks up a poster asking WHO AM I? in the station, and seeks refuge in the coffee shop next door, where the ever-fabulous Elizabeth works, Martha's only friend in the world. Martha's hunt for a her own story is further restricted by a warning handed down by Mother that should she ever leave the station, it will crumble to the ground. But our childlike heroine doesn't have to stray far from the station walls for adventure to find her. The Roman soldier who eats lunch on the bench opposite; a mysterious figure who lives in the tunnels under the station; and an author searching for a suitcase filled with valuable Beatles memorabilia will all make sure of that. This magical book had me bewitched within a few paragraphs. Martha is an irresistible character, who brings light and laughter into the lives of every person she meets - and will do to yours too! If you love the films Amelie or Hugo, you will adore this magical modern fairytale. I just hope rumours of a movie adaptation are true.

Rating: 8/10 Publisher: Doubleday Publish Date: 10th March 2016

What is The Forgetting Time about?

Janie is a single mum who can’t understand why her four-year old son Noah suffers such vivid nightmares and cries for his mum when he’s already in her arms. He insists he wants to ‘go home’, has an irrational fear of water so intense that he refuses to wash, and at school, the teachers begin to worry and question Janie’s parenting.

goodtoknow says... Desperate to help her child and terrified he’ll be taken away from her, Janie takes him to see every child behaviour expert and psychiatrist in town but no one seems to know what’s wrong. When she’s finally offered a tentative diagnosis of early onset schizophrenia, she can’t believe it, and feeling scared and frustrated, starts searching for answers online. That’s where she first sees Jerome – in a documentary she stumbles upon on Youtube. Dr Jerome Anderson is a psychiatrist with an unusual specialism – he has devoted much of his career to helping children who recall details from previous lives. Janie doesn’t believe in reincarnation but the more she learns about Jerome, the more she knows she has to meet him. What she doesn’t know is that Jerome has his own problems – he is suffering from a form of dementia, which involves the gradual loss of language – one day it will steal his words completely. Can Noah, Jerome and Janie help each other before its too late or could their desperate search for answers cause more harm than good? As Jerome sets about investigating Noah’s memories; the three of them have no choice but to keep going…eventually reaching a conclusion that no one expected. This original, gripping and moving novel is a must-read for every mother who will understand they’d go to any length to help their child. You don’t have to believe in reincarnation to enjoy this book but you may find yourself starting to wonder if it could be possible by the end. An astounding debut novel, The Forgetting Time will have you hooked from the start.

Rating: 7.5/10 Publisher: Mantle Publish Date: 2nd February 2016

What is The Girl Who Came Back about?

Susan Lewis’ latest novel seamlessly combines emotional nostalgia with the grief of the present as she narrates Jules Bright’s heart-wrenching account of the cruelty, murder and ill justice that struck right in the heart of her family.

The Girl Who Came Back follows her personal story; it builds you up for tragedy and then takes you with her as she begins to pick up the pieces.

goodtoknow says:

Lewis’ depiction of inter-familial relationships in her latest novel is so accurate and powerfully emotive that The Girl Who Came Back does more than just tug at your heart strings; her characters almost reach out of the pages and pull you in to their twisted world of sadness and revenge. There’s something about the way Lewis so truthfully captures the sensitivity and uniqueness of a mother-daughter bond that makes her novel so gripping; you rather want to unravel the story as if it were happening to your very own family. But the novel isn’t for the faint hearted; anger and grief take hold in turn as the plot unfurls, leaving you feeling almost dazed when the demands of daily life call you to put it down!

Initially, the plot comes across as a little far-fetched and more fictitious than realistic. But as you read further, it seems that is exactly what Lewis wanted to achieve. The book targets that part of us that thinks ‘that would never happen to me,’ by creating a protagonist with whom her readership can so clearly identify, and it really got us questioning how we would react in such a situation.

The Girl Who Came Back is certainly hard to put down, although it isn’t a feel-good read. It’s dark, questioning and beautifully written; if you dare to pick it up, it will utterly absorb you into its twisted tale.

Rating: 7/10 Publisher: Century Publish Date: 25th February 2016

What is The Widow about?

When Jean Taylor’s husband was accused of abducting a little girl, she stood by him through all the publicity and harassment. But now he’s dead and Jean has the chance to tell her side of the story. But can journalist Kate Waters convince her to tell the truth?

What Goodtoknow says…

If you love Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl and Paula Hawkin’s hit novel The Girl on the Train, you’ll love Fiona Barton’s debut. It’s a dark look at the inner workings of the relationships between killers and their families. The story focuses on Jean Taylor, a timid woman who stood by her husband throughout his trial for child abduction.

But after Glen dies, Jean is seemingly free of any loyalty towards her husband. It becomes a game of cat and mouse between journalist Kate and Jean, as the story flits between the two women’s thoughts chapter by chapter. Kate knows there’s more to the story, but it’s a case of teasing it out of this fragile woman. Jean herself is indecisive and deluded – years spent with a domineering husband have taken their toll on her and she’s lost for what to do or say without him.

For police investigator Bob Sparkes, the case becomes personal when he fails to find the missing girl, Bella Elliot. He’s determined that Glen Taylor is the perpetrator, but he can’t pin him down and the trail has gone cold since his death.

This is Fiona Barton’s first novel. She spent years working as a journalist herself and so has used her own experiences analysing the woman she’s reported on in her characterisation of Jean. Can this woman really be innocent of all knowledge towards her husband’s actions? Does she know more than she lets on? It’s gritty, emotional and oh so believable – a great read.

Rating: 7/10 Publisher: Penguin Publish Date: 14th January 2016

What is Rebound about?

Anna Wright has it all. A successful career, reliable friends, a beautiful house, a boyfriend and not to mention her loveable Labrador Wispa. But following a chance encounter with a man whilst out jogging on Hampstead Heath, her world starts to unravel, with a devastating domino affect. Shortly after meeting the stranger on the Heath a series of high profile crimes occur and Anna can’t help but wonder if perhaps she is to blame. Her friends begin to disappear, her professional life suffers and she no longer feels safe in her own home. Is it all in her head or does she really know more than she is telling the police?

Goodtoknow says...

This is Aga Lesiewicz’s first novel and she has not disappointed. After an initially skeptical start with a female character that seemed she might take the predictable format of many other weak chic-lit heroines, Rebound quickly becomes a fast-paced, page-turner that keeps you gripped. Anna is a character close to Aga’s heart – as both she and her protagonist made their careers as TV producers. But Anna’s life quickly becomes that of nightmares in this crime-fiction roller coaster.

Every time you think the story has peaked, it twists again. It eventually culminates in Anna questioning everyone around her – her ex-boyfriend, her over-friendly neighbour, strangers in the street, until she is drugged in her own home. Who can she trust? She tries to maintain normality, returning to her beloved running under the watchful eye of her dog Wispa, but a dark unease plagues her. Who was the man on the Heath? And is he linked to the crimes? And just when she thought it couldn’t get any worse, people start dying. It is only then that she decides to confess what she knows and face the dark consequences. All we can say is that this goodtoknower finished it in less than 48 hours.

Rating: 8/10 Publisher: Macmillan Publication Date: 14th January 2016

What is Alberto's Lost Birthday about?

After a little boy discovers that his grandfather, Alberto, doesn’t have a birthday he is determined to help him find it. As an orphan during the Spanish Civil War, Alberto lost all knowledge of his childhood so the pair set off on a quest journeying back into Alberto’s past. This warming story will capture your heart until the very end. A truly moving first novel by author Diana Rosie.

GoodtoKnow says…

If you’re looking for a feel good book with a difference, this is it. This easy to read tale is a page turner that’ll leave a smile on your face and a warm fuzzy feeling in your heart.

The story follows Alberto and his grandson, Tino, on a mission to find his ‘lost’ birthday after Alberto reveals that he doesn’t know when his birthday is or can remember the early years of his childhood. Taking a journey into Alberto’s past, Alberto realises his has lost more than just a birthday; he has lost a part of himself.

The story unfolds as Alberto visits places from his past when he was a child, an orphan, in the Spanish Civil War. He meets old acquaintances, catches up with friends who he never thought he would see again and discovers a long lost soul who he treasured dearly during his childhood.

Alongside Alberto’s trip, we also encounter tales from the people he came across as a child during the war. From his relationship with family friend Dante in 1934 to his strange meeting with Captain Garcia in 1937, Alberto truly has been on a world wind adventure full of love, loss and tragedy which slowly unravels in each chapter.

This book is about family, friendship and most importantly, no regrets.

Available in soft or hard back, this book has 17 good-length chapters. The perfect read for holidays or me time for when the kids are asleep.

Rating: 9/10 Publisher: Mantle Publish Date: 28th January 2016

What's The Winter Children about?

The Winter Children is a gripping thriller which follows the lives of husband and wife Olivia and Dan, and Dan's old university friend Cheska. The couple are struggling to conceive, and after several rounds of failed IVF, they decide an egg donor is best option - but Dan isn't comfortable with just anyone providing the genes for his potential child.

Cheska has two children of her own, and so offers to help Dan become a dad by donating her own eggs, a seemingly kind gesture which results in a successful pregnancy with twins. But Olivia still doesn't know where the eggs came from, and Cheska's intentions aren't as innocent as they may seem...

GoodtoKnow says...

At first, I thought this was going to be a fairly predictable read. Cheska, with her wealth and selfish lifestyle, initially reads like a typical, almost cartoonish-villain. Her first chapter mention sees her smoothing a cream that's worth hundreds of dollars into her face ('Who cares?' she thinks. 'I deserve it all'), and her millionaire American husband and obnoxious children only further the 'rich bitch' stereotype.

However, as the book progresses, it becomes harder to know who you feel most sorry for - Olivia, because of the deception, or Cheska, because of her motivation, as you learn how she's been hurt in the past. The girls' school subplot is also an interesting addition, and whilst it's not the most original of tropes (teen pregnancy, young heartbreak), it does bring a brilliant reveal at the end.

The unraveling of the intertwining stories happens slowly, then all at once, and once you reach the final third of the novel, you won't be able to put it down until the final page.

If you're searching for an exciting winter read with plenty of twists and turns, The Winter Children could be the one to reach for...

Rating: 7/10

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Release date: 10th December 2015

What is A Night In With Marilyn Monroe about?

If you're a Sophie Kinsella fan, say hello to your new best friend in the form of Lucy Holliday's fun, heartwarming and laugh-out-loud read!

Libby Lomax, like many of us, is struggling to be a good sister, daughter and friend, especially when the craziness of her life seems to be getting in the way. Determined to get over her hot, good-for-nothing ex-boyfriend Dillon O'Hara, Libby throws herself into dating and helping out best pal Olly as he opens a new restaurant.

When her life is further disrupted by the unwelcome arrival of her ex, and a surprising house guest in the form of Marilyn Monroe, Libby is dealt another blow - will she be strong enough to resist his charms and take Marilyn's advice while she still can?

GoodtoKnow says...

The value of friendship is something we all need reminding of now and again. As Libby balances her feelings for her ex Dillon with a successful career and supporting her self-obsessed (and equally hilarious) sister Cass, her focus on being a good friend to Olly falls by the wayside. But when Libby finds herself replaced by someone new in Olly's life, it becomes clear that she could be about to lose something she didn't know she had in the first place.

When Marilyn turns up on an old antique sofa offering up life advice, Libby isn't sure how her words of wisdom and guidance (particularly when they involve a spritz of Chanel No. 5) can be at all relevant to her life complications. But there's a lesson to be learnt in what the starlet is staying - it's time for Libby to stop acting like the 'graham cracker' nobody wants, and channel her inner 'snickerdoodle' before it's too late...

If you love a bit of chicklit, then this will definitely fall into one of your top reads of the year - just make sure you set aside enough time to read it cover to cover in one go! Preferably with a Marilyn-inspired Manhattan cocktail to hand...

Rating: 8/10 Publisher: HarperCollins Publish Date: 3rd December 2015

What is Bazaar of Bad Dreams about?

Stephen King is the undisputed master of nerve-shredding stories and this collection of short stories shows his impressive versatility. The collection of 20 stories is a mix of old favourites and brand new tales but what makes this book extra special is the insight King gives before each story. The autobiographical prefix sheds light on when, where and how the idea became a reality - fascinating stuff!

goodtoknow says...

"I made them especially for you," says King. "Feel free to examine them, but please be careful. The best of them have teeth."

Stephen King can do horror, that much we know from the likes of Carrie and The Shining, and this is a strong thread through this collection, but what is refreshing about this book is the inclusion of more, dare we say it, normal stories. In the introduction King says his principal purpose is to entertain and he does his hardest with a vast mix of stories, themes and characters.

His love of horror fantasy is clear with opening story Mile 81 where a derelict vehicle mysteriously swallows up everything (and everyone) that touches it and with Bad Little Kid, where a mystical evil child haunts a man throughout his life. 

And while death is a strong theme throughout the stories, some dial back the horror and fantasy to reveal an emotional human side. Batman and Robin Have an Altercation is touching story about a son's regular lunch trips with his father who is suffering from Alzheimers (with a classic gory King ending, of course!)

What sets this book apart from King's other works, and indeed other short story collections, is the in-depth prefixes before each of the stories. Detailed, personal and self-deprecating, King shows that while he might not take himself too seriously, he takes the art of story-telling very seriously indeed.

Rating: 8/10 Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Publish Date: 3rd November 2015

What's Carrying Albert Home about?

A story about an alligator called Albert might not sound like the kind of thing you'd usually pick up, but this charmingly quirky book from the bestselling US author is an absolute must-read. Set in 1930s America, the tale follows a couple who set off from the coalfields of West Virginia to return their scaly pet home to sunny Florida... but there's much more to Homer and Elsie's epic journey than that.

goodtoknow says...

Beautiful Elsie sometimes seems to love Albert more than her miner husband Homer. The truth is she’s fed up with the grime and grit of her small town life and misses the glossy life she led when she lived with her rich uncle in Orlando after graduating high school. More specifically, she misses the man she loved there, the charming Buddy Ebsen, who left her in the sunshine state to become a Hollywood movie star. The only time she’d heard from him since was when he’d sent Albert to her as a wedding gift after she’d returned to West Virginia and agreed to marry Homer, the determined boy who’d asked her to the school dance years before. Back then, the baby alligator had fitted in a cardboard box, but now Elsie and Homer find the only way to transport the fully-grown reptile is in an old bathtub mounted on wheels and attached to the back of the car. It is this odd threesome who set off on a crazy 1000-mile roadtrip together – and things get even more odd along the way. There’s a foray onto the baseball field, a taste of stardom, a devastating hurricane, a meeting with both John Steinbeck and Ernest Hemingway, a couple of mysterious bank robbers…and one very persistent rooster. But most importantly of all, there is love. If you liked the magic, romance and adventure of the movies Big Fish and Forrest Gump, you’ll love this. Bring on the big screen adaptation!

Rating: 10/10 Publisher: Harper Collins Publish Date: 19th November 2015

What's Even Dogs In The Wild about?

He may technically be retired, but that doesn't stop John Rebus getting involved in a murder case when his old pal DI Siobhan Clarke comes asking for help. It seems someone's taken a potshot at Edinburgh gangster - and John's old adversary - Big Ger Cafferty, and the aging crime lord won't talk to anyone but Rebus.

goodtoknow says...

Siobhan doesn't have too much time to object - she's got another high-profile case to contend with after an ex lord advocate is found with his head bashed in. When an anonymous note is found at the crime scene saying 'I'M GOING TO KILL YOU FOR WHAT YOU DID', the press is soon clamouring for blood too. She usually seeks solace from colleague Malcolm Fox but he's got troubles of his own – his dad's dying on a hospital bed and he's been asked to join a group of Glasgow cops who've come to town to keep an eye on some West coast criminals paying an unwelcome visit to the capital. They don't want Fox interfering and they have no qualms about letting him know. As the three detectives try to stay in control and figure out what’s going on, more violence threatens to erupt in Auld Reekie between the ambitious gangster intent on filling Big Ger's shoes and the 'wegie' gang who've come to town to shake things up. Unlike many of his other Rebus books, Rankin doesn't spend as much time sketching out the dark corners of the city in this latest instalment. But perhaps that’s because his fans are already so familiar with the Edinburgh underbelly Rebus inhabits. Instead, the focus here is on a clever plotline, which interweaves the three cases into one deeper mystery before unraveling them all to discover the horrible secret that lies at their roots. And who's there with the shovel? Well Rebus of course.

Rating: 7/10 Publisher: Orion Publish Date: 5th November 2015

What's The Marble Collector about?

Sabrina Boggs, standard by name standard by... well, life. But then her monotonous daily routine has an exciting bump in it which leaves her just one day to unlock secrets of her father's life. This day changes her and those around her for forever. Left to sift through a collection of her father's possessions she discovers that the man she's known all her life, who picked her up when she fell down and was there for her through every moment - both happy and sad - of her childhood is now a stranger to her. The Marble Collector is about how ordinary decisions can have an extraordinary consequence for how we live our lives, and it's only by focusing on someone else, that you can truly get to know yourself.

goodtoknow says...

Cecelia Ahern has been one my favourite authors for a long time and while I found this slow going - it took a while to get into - it turned into quite a thought-provoking and unusual storyline. The premise took me back to my childhood and watching my brothers play marbles for hours on end. The story is about a daughter, Sabrina who finds a valuable collection of marbles, which belong to her father - they've been catalogued with their description and value. It appears that some expensive marbles are missing which makes her suspicious, and Sabrina turns Columbo to find out who took the most expensive marbles.

What I liked about The Marble Collector is that there are so many things Sabrina didn't know about her upbringing... what else can she not know about her father Fergus?

The story is told from two perspectives, from the father's, Fergus and from Sabrina. I loved reading about Sabrina and her father's Fergus life. I fell in love with the world of Sabrina and Fergus and you will too...

Rating: 6/10 Publisher: HarperCollins Publish Date: 5th November 2015

What is Six Years about?

Jake Fisher met the love of his life 6 years ago - the only problem was that she went and married another man. Getting on with his life, Jake managed to get over the few precious months moments he spent with Natalie - but he never forgot.

Diving back into her world after the news of her husband's death, Jake discovers that everything he thought he knew about the woman he loved was a lie. Just who was Natalie and where has she been hiding for the last six years?

goodtoknow says: Firstly we need to make a confession, the goodtoknower who read this book is a massive Harlan Coben fan, so the review was never going to be a negative one!

Harlan Coben has the ability to take a ordinary character and push them to the emotional and physical limit by rocking their world with a powerful event. Jake, like many of Coben's characters, is a fairy average guy. Educated, well-mannered and a little sarcastic, we meet Jake at his place of work as a university professor - so far, so normal.

When a blast from the past reopens hold emotional wounds (broken hearts and quests of love are also a key feature in Coben's books), Jake's journey from Mr Average to action man is actually rather believable. Unlike other characters, Jake doesn't dive into situations without thinking of the consequences, and the way he consults the police and thinks out the practicalities of his actions is actually quite refreshing.

The king of the twists, Coben is a master of keeping you on your toes. As Jake delves deeper into Natalie's life, the revelations about the mysterious woman are expertly revealed - always leaving you one step behind and desperate to catch-up.

Six Years will keep you gripped and enthralled - and don't be surprised if you finish it in just a few short days.

Rating: 9/10 You'll like this if you liked:

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Publisher: Orion Books Publish Date: Out now

More books reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club.

Have you read Six Years by Harlan Coben? If you have, tell us what you thought of it by publishing your review in the comments box below.

Where to next?

The Racketeer by John Grisham - review

The Faithless by Martina Cole - review

See the new titles in goodtoknow's 2013 Book Club

It's been a long while since we've had a new Bridget Jones book to sink our teeth into but ladies, the wait is almost over.

It's been revealed that Helen Fielding will be publishing the third book in the Bridget Jones series this October, after a 14 year break. The follow-on to Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, will be called Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy - does this suggest a life of married bliss for Bridget and her Mr Darcy? Surely things aren't going to run quite that smoothly?

When author, Helen Fielding was asked exactly which boy the thirty-something was mad about in her impending novel, she merely raised one eyebrow and said: 'Bridget's life has moved on.'

Make of this what you will - could it be that Bridget is now mother to a mini Mark Darcy, and it's this little boy she's crazy for? Or maybe the fairytale was too good to be true and she's back with love rat Daniel Cleaver?

Publishers Jonathan Cape have divulged a little information about the upcoming book saying that Bridget is older and is still keeping a diary but is also spending more time texting and using social media.

An excerpt released from the upcoming book suggests Bridget has uncovered a whole host of new pitfalls associated with Tweeting, texting and Facebook-ing.

"Wednesday 24 October 2012 11.27 p.m. Just presss d SEND. Iss fineisn't it?
- You see, this is the trouble with the modern world. If it was the days of letter-writing, I would never even have started to find his address, a pen, a piece of paper, an envelope, a stamp, and gone outside at 11.30p.m. to find a postbox. A text is gone at the brush of a fingertip, like a nuclear bomb or exocet missile.
- DATING RULE NO:1 DO NOT TEXT WHEN DRUNK"

And can we expect a new movie on its way with Colin Firth, Renee Zellweger and Hugh Grant as the stars? Despite Colin Firth recently telling the Chicago Sun Times that 'there might be a bit of a long wait', the very latest reports suggest that he, Renee and Hugh have all signed on for movie number three, the rights of which have been acquired by British Film company, Working Title.

We wonder how Renee's going to feel about putting all that weight back on for Mad About the Boy - a skinny Bridget just wouldn't sit right with us!

We look forward to hearing more about the movie as it happens, but for now Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, is going straight to the top of our Christmas list!

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is out 10th October, 2013.

Latest book reviews - The Storyteller, by Jodi Picoult - Touch and Go, by Lisa Gardner - Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn

What's On Dublin Street about? Another addition to the erotic romance novel craze, On Dublin Street follows the up and down relationship of damaged character, Jocelyn (Joss) Butler, and tough, handsome Scotsman, Braden Carmichael. When Joss loses her entire family in a car crash at 14, she leaves America to start a new life for herself in Edinburgh, determined never to form attachments and never let anyone in on her past. Until, that is, she moves into a new apartment and meets sweet and friendly Ellie, and her overbearing older brother Braden. There's an instant attraction between the pair, but with Joss's reluctance to start a relationship, the couple form a no-strings attached arrangement that suits them both. But when it quickly becomes clear that mind-blowing sex isn't enough for Braden, will Joss run for the hills, or stay and let Braden in on her demons?

goodtoknow says: Although this book has a very similar plot to Fifty Shades - we thought we might be bored of it by now - we have to admit we loved it. The main characters are pretty much Fifty Shades' Ana Steele and Christian Grey; young, reserved female meets headstrong, wealthy alpha male, only in this book Joss is the damaged character (rather like Christian in Fifty Shades) and it takes meeting Braden to heal her. There are some pretty passionate sex scenes, so it's one you'll want to hide from little hands, but overall the plot to this tale is more romantic than erotic (not a whip or chain in sight!). Joss' journey to lay the memory of her parents deaths to rest really pulled at our heart strings, along with the other twists she has to face along the way. But the true genius of this book is Braden. He's tall, rugged, handsome, and Scottish (think Gerard Butler) and underneath that tough exterior is quite a gentle soul, and coincidentally, a rather nice body... A really great 'couldn't put it down' read.

Rating: 8/10 You'll like this if you liked: Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James

Publisher: NAL Trade Publish Date: Out now

Buy it on Amazon now

More book reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club. Have you read On Dublin Street by Samantha Young? If you have, tell us what you thought of it by publishing your review in the comments box below.

Where to next?

Jill Mansell's Dont Want To Miss A Thing - review

Jodi Picoult's The Storyteller - review

See the new titles in goodtoknow's 2013 Book Club

What's The Night Rainbow about?

Set in the summer in France, we meet Pea and her little sister Margot. The pair have been through a rollercoaster of events; their father died in an accident, their mother had a miscarriage leaving her unhappy and devastated to the point of not being able to look after the duo. But the pair carry on trying to cheer Maman (their mother) up with everything from flowers to breakfast, but it just doesn't seem to be working.

Then they meet Claude, a man who they often come across in the meadow with his dog. But why do the villages dislike Claude? And what deep dark secret is he hiding? Told in the voice of Pea, this gripping story takes us on an emotional journey.

goodtoknow says: From the first word we were completely gripped, wondering and waiting to see how Pea's character would develop. The descriptions of the scenery made us feel like we were there, following Pea and her sister along the country path, playing hide and seek. A really enchanting book that keeps you guessing what's going to happen next. Pea, as the storyteller, makes this book different from others with a real innocence. The perfect book for reading snuggled on the sofa - highly recommended.

Rating: 8/10 You'll like this if you liked: Don't Want to Miss a Thing by Jill Mansell, Life of Pi by Yann Martel Publisher: Bloomsbury Publish date: Out now

More book reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club. Have you read The Night Rainbow by Claire King? What did you think? Join in with the goodtoknow Book Club by leaving your review in the comments box below.

Where to next? - Don't Want to Miss a Thing by Jill Mansell - Me Before You by Jojo Moyes - The Burning Air by Erin Kelly

What is Touch & Go about?

From the outside Justin and Libby seem to have the perfect life. His multimillion pound company means they and their 15-year-old daughter can live the life of luxury. So when they are kidnapped from their home - no one can imagine who'd want to harm the family.

Private investigator Tessa Leoni, who has a few past demons of her own, knows the pressure of finding the family alive, quickly. As the clues send them spiralling around the family's life, they delve deeper into a life that isn't as perfect as it might seem.

goodtoknow says: Touch & Go pits a crime thriller firmly within the family. Told from the perspective of kidnapped mother Libby and investigator Tessa, the story comes straight from mums' eyes, which gives it real emotional depth.

Tessa, who has appeared in a previous book by the same author, struggles to leave her young child alone after their traumatic past. If you haven't read the previous book, it may confuse you slightly as Tessa's backstory is alluded to but never really explained. Despite this, Tessa's blend of no-nonsense investigating and maternal softness make her a good character to sympathise with.

Libby's character on the other hand is a little harder to feel sorry for. She leads a very privileged life but is struggling with emotionally-damaged family. Despite this, you really feel for her as she tries desperately to protect her daughter - whatever the consequences.

Being able to know the fate of the kidnapped family and the developments of the investigation at the same time is an interesting way for a thriller to play out. Despite all the information learned, you still are left wondering about the motive until the last few chapters.

To say you could see the ending coming wouldn't be quite true but when the final twist is revealed it's not as shocking as it should be - leaving you feeling a little disheartened.

Touch & Go shows a mum's worst nightmare with real emotional impact. The book is full of tense, dramatic moments which are let down slightly with a fairly obvious ending.

Rating: 8/10 Publisher: Headline Publish date: 5th February, 2013

If you like this, you'll love: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

More book reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club.

Have you read Touch & Go? If you have, tell us what you thought of it by publishing your review in the comments box below!

Where to next? The Day You Saved My Life by Louise Candlish Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

What's The Storyteller about?

Sage Singer has a past that makes her want to hide from the world. Sleeping by day and working in a bakery by night, she kneads her emotion into the beautiful bread she bakes.

But when she strikes up an unlikely friendship with Josef Weber, a quiet man old enough to be her grandfather, and respected pillar of the community, she feels that finally, she may have found someone she can open up to. Until Josef tells her the evil secret he's kept for sixty years.

goodtoknow says...

Jodi Picoult never just teeters of the edge of emotion, she dives right in with both feet. In her latest book, it's the topic of forgiveness that gets a thorough examination. Set in present day America, but intertwined with a series of recollections of wartime Poland, Picoult takes you on an emotional journey back into the lives of people affected by World War Two in its most extreme form: a Jewish girl in Auchwitz and a Nazi SS guard stationed there.

The telling of the various characters' stories blends perfectly with the present day prose but there is another tale that feeds throughout, Sage's grandmother's vampire plot which didn't quite work for us. While we can see what Picoult was trying to achieve, it felt a bit like a dimension too many to take in and we often found ourselves flicking back several chapters to remember what had happened the last time we delved into that tale.

Overall, we enjoyed it. It wasn't full of surprises, and we can't say the twist at the end was a huge surprise, but the characters were interesting and we enjoyed going with them on their journey.

Rating: 7/10 Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Publish Date: 26th March 2013

If you like this, you'll love: Don't Want to Miss a Thing by Jill Mansell

Have you read The Storyteller? Leave your review in our comments section below.

Where to next? - More reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club - Me Before You by JoJo Moyes - Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

What's Don't Want To Miss A Thing about?

From start to finish, the world of Dexter Yates comes alive. His love of having fun, being totally care-free and living a luxury life ends up being too good to be true when his sister sadly passes away. His world is turned upside down and he's left in charge of his 8-month-year old niece, Delphi. Of course, Dexter doesn't know anything about children, especially not a baby, and goes on the biggest journey of his lifetime. From the stresses and strains of raising a child to the picture perfect moments, this book captures them all. Not only does having the baby change him as a person, it changes his everyday life too and he ditches the city to live in the countryside, which he considers as a much better and safer place to raise a child. And then he meets his new neighbour, Molly Hayes and the story gets even bigger than you'd imagine.

goodtoknow says:

When we first caught a glimpse of the books cover you'd think that it would be your standard romantic novel, but we were wrong. A little slow at first, this book opened up a whole new view into the life of each character and we really felt for Dexter in the end. You'd think that this book would be truly predictable, but it ended up being a page turner, capturing our hearts and imagination (especially Dexter's relationship with niece, Delphi). We could definitely recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a casual and enjoyable read. It's perfect to take on holiday and read when you can on the beach or around the pool.

Rating: 7/10 Publisher: Headline Review Publish date: Out now

If you like this, you'll love: The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult, The Woman Who Went to Bed for a Year by Sue Townsend and Heart-shaped Bruise by Tanya Byrne.

More book reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club. Have you read Don't Want To Miss A Thing? If you have, tell us what you thought of it by publishing your review in the comments box below.

Where to next? The Day You Saved My Life by Louise Candlish Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

What's the The 100 Year Man Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared about?

Allan Karlsson may be 100 but he isn't too old for one last adventure. As he clambers out of his nursing home room on the day of his 100th birthday party, he embarks on the another, unexpected chapter in his eventful life. Stumbling across a mystery suitcase sets Allan on a journey where he makes friends with a band of merry misfits, gets on the wrong side of some very dangerous (and a little stupid) criminals and catches the attention of the clueless local police. As we learn more about Allan's 100 years on the earth, his unusual way of celebrating his 100 birthday doesn't sound unusual at all.

goodtoknow says: This book really reminds us of Forrest Gump. As well as Allan's present day adventure, we are told of his life through a series of flashbacks. Like our hero in the popular film, Allan is a loveable witness to some of the most important moments in history and despite being against politics in any form, he finds himself responsible for some of the most memorable political manoeuvres ever. This portion of the novel highlights the ludicrous moments of politics as Allan is fought over and sent on mission after mission - when all he wants is a decent meal and some vodka to wash it down!

The present day story reads more like an action caper - albeit with a centurion at the helm. Unlikely and slightly silly but never unbelievable, Allan lucks his way through dangerous encounter after dangerous encounter as the consequences of taking the suitcase unfold. With a scattering of well-developed, and downright bizarre characters, Allan's little world is beautifully portrayed. He might not be the smartest man around, but his big heart and unique outlook on life have helped him survive 100 dangerous years - and it doesn't look like he's about to stop any time soon!

Heart-warming and thoroughly easy to read, this book is made to be read in the sun, under a parasol with a nice drink in your hand - just as Allan would want it!

Rating: 9/10 Publisher: Hesperus Press Publish date: Out now

If you like this, you'll love: The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

More book reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club.

Have you read The 100 Year Man Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared? If you have, tell us what you thought of it by publishing your review in the comments box below!

Where to next? The Day You Saved My Life by Louise Candlish Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

What's the book about? In the frantic race to catch a brutal and obsessive serial killer, Jess Harris broke the rules and lost everything. Her reputation in tatters, she has no choice but to return to Birmingham, to the hometown and the past she ran away from long ago. Dan Burnett, Police Chief of Birmingham, Alabama, is running out of options. 4 young women are missing and in desperation, he turns to his estranged first love, Special Agent Jess Harris, but will her skill and experience offer a glimmer of hope?

goodtoknow says: Debra Webb is a romance writer but she's now combined her love of suspense with her love of um, love in this novel. It's an unusual combo as the crime unravels against the backdrop of simmering tension between ex-lovers Jess and Dan. Sometimes this past relationship does get in the way of the actual suspense element of the book, but it was an easy and involving read and we finished it in just two days! As with any good thriller, the baddies are slightly unhinged, the cops are frustrated and there's a race to try and find the victims alive and well. The novel is part of The Faces of Evil series and the other running storyline about Jess being stalked by a criminal from her past was interesting enough to make us want to read the next book in the series. We're just hoping the romance may not be as intrusive to the story as it was in this one! Rating: 7/10 Publisher: Headline You'll like this if you liked: The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen

Publisher: Pink House Press

Publish date: Out now

Buy it now on Amazon

More book reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club. Have you read Tigers in Red Weather by Liza Klaussmann? For your chance to win a Kobo Touch eReader, worth £79.99, add your review to the comments below. Make sure you use a valid email address so we can contact you if you win!

Have a look at our other books in the 2013 Book Club collection. See other reviews of the 2013 Book Club books, as well as last year's titles here.

Where to next?

The Day You Saved My Life by Louise Candlish - review

Tigers in Red Weather by Liza Klaussmann - review

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes - review

What' s the book about? A dark novel set in the 1950s, Tigers in Red Weather focuses on a family and their holiday house in New England. Told from five different perspectives, each member of the family tells their version of the same dramatic summer, where we see another side of the rich and beautiful living in Martha's Vineyard.

goodtoknow says: If you love the Great Gatsby and Revolutionary Road then this is one for you. The reader follows cousins, Nick and Helena, from World War II to them becoming 1950s housewives with their husbands and children. The book turns into a murder mystery after a grim discovery one summer, and slowly reveals all the characters in their true light. Telling the story from each characters' perspectives allows for all the details to be drawn out slowly and the tension to build. However, the twist we were anticipating never appeared, and the end felt slightly anticlimactic. Howver, it's a beautifully written book and you'll be hooked to the characters and plot throughout, so well worth a read.

Rating: 8/10 You'll like this if you liked: The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerlad Publisher: Picador Publish Date: Out now

Buy it now on Amazon

More book reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club. Have you read Tigers in Red Weather by Liza Klaussmann? For your chance to win a Kobo Touch eReader, worth £79.99, add your review to the comments below. Make sure you use a valid email address so we can contact you if you win!

Have a look at our other books in the 2013 Book Club collection. See other reviews of the 2013 Book Club books, as well as last year's titles here.

Where to next?

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes - review

The Red House by Mark Haddon - review

Astray by Emma Donoghue - review

What's it about? After being made redundant from her café job at The Buttered Bun, Lou Clark finds herself reluctantly taking up a role caring for Will Traynor, left paralysed after a traffic accident. From what starts as a job just to keep her family's funds going, it soon turns into something much closer to Lou's heart. As she realises the intentions of her role, she makes it her mission to help Will improve his outlook on life after he gives his parents 6 months before he wants to escape to a euthanasia clinic in Sweden.

goodtoknow says: We couldn't help but feel for Lou as she took on a job she hated, with a hard-to-please boss, just to bring in funds for her family. However, as she got to grips with her role, we could sense a definite spark with her and Will from the start, despite their rocky carer and patient relationship. Will puts up a tough fight for us to like him at first, but we soon fell in love with their realistic chemistry - and her quest to keep him alive when she hears of Will's plan.

It's not a particularly easy topic to write about, but Jojo Moyes tackles the subject brilliantly and we were left urging Lou on in her plan to help Will, despite his declining health. We were just as eager for Lou to ditch her miserable boyfriend, Patrick too, whose mind is too busy thinking about his precious running club 24/7 to ever pay her any attention, unlike Will without her ever really realising.

It's definitely a tear-jerker, but that's down to Moyes' believable portrayal of the characters and the realistic, un-sugar-coated story. It's heart-breaking as well as heart-warming, but an inspiring read we couldn't put down. It leaves food for thought, as just when you thought the main focus was for Lou to help Will, perhaps he was actually there to help her too.

Rating: 9/10 Publisher: Michael Joseph Publish date: 5 January 2012

If you like this, you'll love: P.S. I Loved You by Cecilia Ahern

Buy it now on Amazon

More book reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club. Have you read Me Before You by Jojo Moyes? For your chance to win a Kobo Touch eReader, worth £79.99, add your review to the comments below. Make sure you use a valid email address so we can contact you if you win!

Have a look at our other books in the 2013 Book Club collection. See other reviews of the 2013 Book Club books, as well as last year's titles here.

Where to next?

- The Girl You Left Behind by JoJo Moyes - The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey - The Woman Who Went to Bed for a Year by Sue Townsend

What's The Burning Air about?The MacBride family gather in Devon for Bonfire Night as they do every year - except this year everything is different. Lydia, the head of the family is dead, and her children are all trying to come to terms with her passing while dealing with their complicated lives. Things are about to get even more complicated when youngest son Felix brings a new girlfriend to the house and a deep, dark secret from the MacBride's past is revealed.

goodtoknow says: If you were a fan of Erin Kelly's first novel, The Poison Tree, you'll love this. It's definitely her most psychological thriller yet and is the very essence of a page turner - we literally couldn't put it down.

The story flips between past and present, yet it's never confusing and only aids the narrative, luring you in with twists and turns. By keeping the number of protagonists down, you really get to know them and Kelly never shies away from her characters giving them many layers - the goodies aren't necessarily so, while you feel some compassion for the villain of the piece. Aside from giving us goosebumps in places, it also confronted us with questions of loyalty and the class divide.

Obviously, it wouldn't be a thriller without a twist and this one was truly a shocker - it made us turn those pages even quicker so we could see exactly how it would all be resolved. A taut, yet extremely readable novel, this is the perfect companion for a cold winter's night!

Rating: 8/10

If you like this, you'll like: Blacklands by Belinda Bauer or Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Publish date: Out now

Buy it on Amazon now

More book reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club. Have you read The Burning Air by Erin Kelly? For your chance to win a Kobo Touch eReader, worth £79.99, add your review to the comments below. Make sure you use a valid email address so we can contact you if you win!

Have a look at our other books in the 2013 Book Club collection. See other reviews of the 2013 Book Club books, as well as last year's titles here.

Where to next?

The Woman Who Went to Bed For a Year by Sue Townsend - review

A Wanted Man by Lee Child - review

Bared to You by Sylvia Day - review

What's Gone Girl about?

Amy, the inspiration for a much-loved children's book franchise, disappears from the home she shares with husband Nick on the morning of their 5th anniversary. Nick is automatically classed as a suspect and with the evidence mounting up, his chances begin to look bleak - but did he really kill his wife?

With Amy's diary entries interspersed with the ongoing investigation you get a picture of a modern marriage gone wrong, but is everything really as it seems?

goodtoknow says: We think it's safe to say Nick and Amy do not have a happy marriage! There are more twists, turns, mind games and downright toxic behaviour than you can bear to keep up with, but you must - miss one little detail and you'll be lost.

At first you think you know the story. Missing wife, unemotional husband - it almost writes itself, but it's that stereotype that this book plays on. Despite his sensitive, first-person narrative, you begin to doubt Nick as the evidence just gets a little too much.

One of the best parts of this book was the brilliant surprise twist halfway through, so we really don't want to give it away, but we will say, Amy has got to be one of the most complex characters we've ever read.

And it's not just Nick who has had a troubled past with this complicated woman. As her character unfolds, the story really spices up and the reveal of what happened on that seemingly normal morning left us reeling.

You will actually not be able to put it down. Don't think you've heard this story before, you really, really haven't.

Rating: 9/10 Publisher: Phoenix Publish date: 3rd February 2013

If you like this, you'll love: The Faithless by Martina Cole

Buy it now on Amazon

More book reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club. Have you read Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn? For your chance to win a Kobo Touch eReader, worth £79.99, add your review to the comments below. Make sure you use a valid email address so we can contact you if you win!

Have a look at our other books in the 2013 Book Club collection. See other reviews of the 2013 Book Club books, as well as last year's titles here.

Where to next?

-A Wanted Man by Lee Child - review

-A Question of Identity by Susan Hill - review

-The Racketeer by John Grisham - review

What's the book about?When Joanna takes her depressed daughter, Holly, and her grandson, Mikey, on a trip to Paris, she intends it to open Holly's eyes to possibilities and a future. But a traumatic event and the courageous actions of a stranger change all their lives in ways she could never have imagined.

goodtoknow says: The lead character, Joanna, is a loyal and devoted mother who in her childhood and early adulthood has a complex and difficult relationship with her parents and sister before, finally, her secret is revealed and she is banished from the family forever. Shocking! The book jumps around from future to past to fill in the blanks on the family's history so you can easily make sense of it all. It also gives clues to her relationship with her own daughter, suffering badly from post-natal depression, and Joanna's desire to make sure Holly never repeats the mistakes she made herself when she was young. So she decides to take Holly and Mikey to Paris for a change of scenery and outlook.

In Paris, their paths cross with James and Alexa who are celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary and a single event involving James and Mikey alters the paths of their lives for good.

Be warned - reading bits of this book as a mother is hard. The events in Paris make you want to hold your little ones tight and never let them go! However, don't let this put you off reading it!

After Paris, I thought this book was going to be fairly predictable. I guessed one of the major events and wondered how the ending could be anything other than what I'd imagined. But the trip into Joanna's past kept me interested. Then suddenly, there was a major twist in the tale that left me reading into the night, with my book light clipped on while my husband snored away, just so I could race to the finish! I love a page-turner!

Rating: 8/10

You'll like this if you liked: The Book of Summers by Emylia Hall

Publisher: Sphere

Publish Date: Out now

Buy it now on Amazon

More book reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club. Have you read The Day You Saved My Life by Louise Candlish? For your chance to win a Kobo Touch eReader, worth £79.99, add your review to the comments below. Make sure you use a valid email address so we can contact you if you win!

Have a look at our other books in the 2013 Book Club collection. See other reviews of the 2013 Book Club books, as well as last year's titles here.

Where to next?

Ada's Rules by Alice Randall - review

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes - review

The Red House by Mark Haddon - review

What's The Snow Child about?

Alaska in the 1920s, Jack and Mabel have staked everything on a fresh start in a remote homestead, but the wilderness is a stark place and Mabel is haunted by the baby she lost many years before. When a little girl appears mysteriously on their land, each is filled with wonder, but also foreboding - is she what she seems, and can they find room in their hearts for her?

goodtoknow says: It's hard to describe exactly what it is about The Snow Child that makes it so very special. There is a real sense of magic that lies on every page, that captures your imagination and with tales of snow and ice, warms the very inch of your being.

Eowyn Ivey's perfect description of the bleak Alaskan landcape positions you right there, in front of Mabel's fire, plowing the fields with Jack and Garrett and chasing Faina's snow trails through the woods. With her words, Ivey transforms what you instantly feel is a bleak and solitary land into something magical and inviting, taking you on a journey with Mabel and Jack in their new surroundings, growing to love their new home along with them.

Gripped from the very beginning, we truly loved this book. We'll admit, from the cover and the description on the back, we weren't sure it would be our cup of tea, but we adored it! The perfect winter read curled up on the sofa.

Rating: 9/10

Publisher: Headline Review

Publish date: 30/8/2012

If you like this, you'll love: Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Buy it now on Amazon

More book reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club.

Have you read The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey? Tell us what you thought of it by publishing your review in the comments box below.

Where to next?

- The Girl You Left Behind by JoJo Moyes

- The Red House by Mark Haddon

- See the latest titles in goodtoknow's 2013 Book Club

What's Fifty Shades Freed about?

The final in the best-selling trilogy by E L James, readers will get to reach the conclusion of Ana and Christian's dramatic love story. Whilst the previous book opens in the midst of Christian and Ana's break-up, this one opens in the last leg of their honeymoon. Now that they're finally together, and it seems they have everything, love, power, wealth, high-flying careers, and a lifestyle many would dream of, it seems nothing can stand in their way. Until that is, when Christian goes missing and they discover that someone is threatening to destroy it all. But who would want to hurt the couple and why? Teamed with some unexpected news and an unexpected visit from the dreaded Mrs Robinson, this proves to be the most difficult test of Christian and Ana's relationship so far. Could their marriage be on the rocks already? Will they ever get their happy ending? There's only one way to find out...

goodtoknow says: We couldn't wait to get our hands on the final book in the Fifty Shades series, and although we wanted Christian and Ana to have a happy ending, we of course wanted some sparks to fly too! The book is a little bit slow going in some parts - there are some up and down arguments between Christian and Ana which are a bit repetitive of the ones in the previous books. But there are also some pretty exciting developments in other characters' relationships too. Then, just when the book had lulled us into a false sense of security, we were suddenly on the edge of our seats as there's a shocking twist that sees a vindictive character you'd nearly forgotten about go to desperate lengths to get even - and this time it's personal. Overall, we were totally addicted to the Fifty Shades trilogy - where are we going to get our Christian Grey fix from now? Bring on the film, we say!

Rating: 7/10

Publisher: Arrow Books Ltd Publish Date: Out now If you like this, you'll love: Beauty's Release, Anne Rice

Buy it now on Amazon

More book reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club. Have you read Fifty Shades Freed by E L James? If you have, tell us what you thought of it by publishing your review in the comments box below.

Where to next?

Sylvia Day's Bared to You - review

J K Rowling's The Casual Vacancy - review

See the new titles in goodtoknow's 2013 Book Club

What's it about? Funny Peculiar tells us Will's story from his days at the school he nicknamed 'Horrid Hell', to shooting to fame in Pop Idol in 2001 (the show that also brought us Darius singing Britney's 'Baby One More Time'), to now.

It's a range of emotions from the funny stories of Will's struggle to get famous (before Pop Idol he was in a band with Lee Ryan), and to his big battle with depression. What really makes this book, though, is the little everyday stories of awkward moments - like saying the wrong thing to David Beckham, trying to get the disabled row to stand up and dance at Wembley and when a class of primary school children mistakenly thought he'd killed a pigeon.

goodtoknow says: We really liked it and it made us like Will a lot too. Rather than showing off about his fame and talking endlessly about how hard he worked to get there, Will's autobiography covers some slightly more unusual topics - how to deal with the DVLA, for example, and these stories make him seem more like one of us! It's laugh out loud at some points and sad at others where you get a real insight into Will's depression, but it's still a fun, easy read.

Rating: 9/10

If you like this, you'll love: Unsaid Things by McFly

Publisher: Sphere

Publish date: Out now

Buy it now on Amazon

More book reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club. Have you read Funny Peculiar by Will Young? Tell us what you thought of it by publishing your review in the comments box below.

Where to next?

- Best autobiographies of 2010

- Unsaid Things by McFly review

- See the new titles in goodtoknow's 2013 Book Club

What's Tulisa: Honest about?

This is Tulisa's first book, her ‘story so far'. Dubbed ‘Honest', it's just that. Tulisa talks about growing up with her mentally ill mum, her dreams of being in the music industry, and her explosive relationships with her N-Dubz bandmates, Dappy, her cousin, and Fazer, her on/off boyfriend. Whilst Tulisa's life is now full of glamour, VIP treatment and flashing cameras, it's a million miles away from the troubled urban upbringing where she started out. She tell us about her dreams for more, and the realities of her life when she finally got there. She sets the record straight on a lot of things, including her relationship with fellow X Factor judge Kelly Rowland, and that sex tape.

goodtoknow says: We were excited to read Tulisa's book. She's quite a controversial celebrity, you seem to either love her or hate her, and we thought this would be a great chance for her to change people's minds about her. Whilst she may seem a little on the young side to be writing a book about her life, Tulisa's had a lot more to deal with than the average 24-year-old. We really respected her for speaking out about her mum's mental illness, and being honest about how it made her feel growing up. She also really opens up about a lot of personal details which she didn't have to reveal, like her sex life and experiences with drugs, which makes for some pretty gripping reading. There were a few things she speaks about that we'd rather she hadn't, i.e. her tattoo ‘down there' and her night in an American strip club... but there are some great juicy details about her time on the X Factor, and of course, what we all wanted to read about, the infamous sex tape. Overall, if you're not a huge fan of Tulisa this book probably isn't going to change your mind, but it will certainly build your respect for how she's turned her life around.

Rating: 5/10 Publisher: Headline Publishing Group Publish Date: 2012

If you like this, you'll love: Cheryl: My Story by Cheryl Cole

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More book reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club. Have you read Honest by Tulisa? If you have, tell us what you thought of it by publishing your review in the comments box below.

Where to next?

Emma Donoghue's Astray - review

Donna Leon's Beastly Things - review

See the new titles in goodtoknow's 2013 Book Club

What's it about? The McFly boys have had to grow up in the spotlight since they shot to fame in 2004 with their single '5 Colours in her Hair'. And Tom, Danny, Dougie and Harry certainly have an interesting story to tell. Fast-forward 8 years and Tom is married, Harry won Strictly, Dougie won I'm a Celeb, they have 7 number 1 singles and they're showing no signs of slowing down.

Touching on their childhoods, family lives and relationships, this book tells stories of number 1s, tours and travelling, dinners with Elton John, making a film with Lindsay Lohan and loads more. But there's a darker side too - Dougie gives a very honest account of his battle with alcoholism and a suicide attempt, while Tom talks of his feelings of depression.

goodtoknow says: It's an entertaining and easy read and the way it's written (with the band members taking it in turns to tell the story) works really well. They're not the most rock and roll band, so it's not just a show-off tale of sex and drugs (although there is a bit of that thrown in for good measure) and it made us smile a lot - especially the pictures of them as kids! If you're a McFly fan you'll love it.

Rating: 8/10

Publisher: Bantam Press

Publish date: Out now

If you liked this you'll like: Funny Peculiar by Will Young

Buy it now on Amazon

More book reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club.

Have you read Unsaid Things by McFly? Tell us what you thought of it by publishing your review in the comments box below.

Where to next?

- Best autobiographies of 2010

- Funny Peculiar by Will Young review

- See the new titles in our goodtoknow 2013 Book Club

What's Mack The Life about?

From cracking his first joke, to his lead role in BBC's Not Going Out, stand-up comedian Lee Mack (birth name Lee McKillop) always found comedy as a way of getting attention, and attention was what he loved the most. Growing up in his parents' pub, Lee learnt that he had a knack for making people chuckle. After a handful of pointless jobs here, there and everywhere, he finally decided to focus on his one passion in life - comedy. He first appeared on stage at a Great Yarmouth holiday camp as an entertainer and began to work his way up from there. He got a few laughs and the sack along the way, but it was all worthwhile when he finally got his big break.

goodtoknow says: This one-of-a-kind book definitely breaks the typical comedian's autobiography mould. Bringing us on a journey through his life, Lee Mack does himself justice as a typical bloke born in Lancashire. It was a real page-turner and the highlight for us was the psychological analysis Lee gave in each chapter as he was always discussing his life with a psychiatrist who he calls ‘Bryan' throughout the book, so we got to explore the deeper meanings behind the stages in his life which was rather interesting. It's a great book for men, especially husbands who are already fans of Lee Mack and love his sense of humour in Not Going Out. If you're not a fan, you won't enjoy this book - as simple as that. We'd recommend it as a Christmas or birthday present with definite thumbs up.

Rating: 7/10

Publisher: Bantam Press Publish Date: Out now If you like this, you'll love: David Walliams' Camp David, Peter Kay's Saturday Night Peter.

Buy it now on Amazon

More book reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club. Have you read Mack The Life? If you have, tell us what you thought of it by publishing your review in the comments box below.

Where to next?

Honest by Tulisa

The St. Zita Society by Ruth Rendell

See the new titles in goodtoknow's 2013 Book Club

What's Camp David about?

One of comedian David Walliams' life aims was to be liked. From his very early years as a child to his claim to fame in Little Britain, our well-loved joker has done it all to get the affection and love that he deserves. David grew up in Banstead in the 1970s and living with his parents and elder sister was tough, especially his school years. He never felt normal and found that the only way to be accepted was to make a fool of himself - which was something he was rather good at. From school plays to stage shows, David threw himself into the world of comedy head first and after all his hard work and determined mind-set he met the wonderful Matt Lucas and began his journey to the world of Little Britain and Simon Cowell.

goodtoknow says: We didn't realise how deep David Walliams actually is and this book is a heart-felt and very honest encounter into this comedian's life. From his highs in comedy to his lows in his childhood, this books takes a little while to warm up, but once you get going you won't be able to put it down and you'll leave with a little soft spot for David. We'd recommend this book to fans of David who can't get enough of his extremely camp humour and attitude to life. It would make a great birthday or Christmas present for friends and family and is an all-round good read.

Rating: 8/10

Publisher: Michael Joseph Publish Date: Out now If you like this, you'll love: Lee Mack's Mack The Life, Peter Kay's Saturday Night Peter.

Buy it now on Amazon

More book reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club. Have you read Camp David? If you have, tell us what you thought of it by publishing your review in the comments box below.

Where to next?

Mack The Life by Lee Mack

Astray by Emma Donoghue

See the new titles in goodtoknow's 2013 Book Club

What's the The St. Zita Society about?

Hexam Place be may in 21st century London but it is still beset with the age-old struggle between those who serve and those who are served.

The maids, drivers and cleaners of the exclusive city suburb decide to join forces to form a club in the local pub. Named the St. Zita Society after the patron saint of servants, what started as a simple place to air grievances soon descends into a place where gossip, intrigue and murder are at the top of the agenda - and Hexam place is not short on any of those!

Henry, driver to Lord Studley, is caught in a dangerous game of seduction with both the mother and daughter of the household. Montserrat covers up (and benefits financially from) the affair of the lady of her house - with shocking consequences for all involved. And then there's Dex, a troubled boy bought in by a kindly Doctor to tend to his garden, just what messages does he think he is getting from the voice in his phone and what impact will they have on the residents on the square?

goodtoknow says:

Ruth Rendell isn't about the quick, easy shocks. This book unfolds at a (sometimes frustratingly) slow pace. This, however, is its biggest strength. The characters - and there are a lot of them - are all so wonderfully developed that by the end you start to think of them as your very own neighbours!

From scheming Montserrat to haughty June, head of the St Zita Society, each character is well thought out and doesn't resort to standard stereotypes. Even the religious driver (who abstains from the pub and is therefore not at the forefront of the story) is still given enough substance for a full personality to shine off the page.

While the character development is expertly done, it is sometimes achieved at the expense of tension. Written in a wry, very English tone, the dramatic moments sometimes lose their impact when paired with an obscure character insight or thought. Dex's character, which through the synopsis you would assume played a massive role in the story, is oddly kept to the sidelines until much later in the book, which is to the detriment of the pace.

So if you approach this book not as a murder mystery, but as a fascinating insight into the world of the elite and their help - you're in for treat. It's Downton Abbey for the modern ages and there's plenty of drama to keep you hooked until the end.

Rating: 6/10

Publisher: Hutchinson

Publish date: Out now

If you like this, you'll love: Previous works by Ruth Rendell

Buy it now on Amazon

More book reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club. Have you read The St. Zita Society by Ruth Rendell? Tell us what you thought of it by publishing your review in the comments box below. 

Where to next?

- The Girl You Left Behind by JoJo Moyes

- The Red House by Mark Haddon

- See our new titles in goodtoknow's 2013 Book Club

What's it about? Commissario Brunetti returns to action as another body is discovered in Venice. Called to an inconclusive crime scene, Brunetti is convinced that he has seen the victim before, but where? The quest for the man's identity leads the Venetian police on a trail through fancy shoe shops, an unruly veterinary surgery and an uncomfortable slaughterhouse. Once discovered, the dead man's identity refuses to provide any explanations either. Will the information obtained dubiously by Signorina Elettra be the key to unravelling this mystery? And what will it take to uncover the motive for this strange murder?

goodtoknow says: If you like crime fiction, Beastly Things is definitely worth a read. Donna Leon masterfully evokes a city and culture that ensnared us, in spite of a few gory details you have to wade through along the way. The mystery, which takes time to unravel, will certainly appeal to both old and new readers of the Brunetti collection. This gripping story explores corruption and blackmail in the Italian city, making it an ideal read for those who enjoy a gritty hard-boiled crime story. However, the brilliant snap shots into Brunetti's family life (think wine, olives and arguments about lunch), mean that it will still appeal to those who prefer a more domesticated character-led whodunit as well. We found ourselves racing through the 33 chapters with alarming ease and loved the complex relationships between Brunetti and his colleagues. We'd encourage anyone who enjoyed this to delve into the previous novels from the Brunetti series. Each one provides a different, yet equally exciting, insight into the Commissario's murder cases, family life, and the captivating city of Venice too.

Rating: 8/10

Publisher: William Heinemann

Publish date: Out now

If you like this, you'll love: Death in August by Marco Vichi

Buy it now on Amazon

More book reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club. Have you read Beastly Things by Donna Leon? Tell us what you thought of it by publishing your review in the comments box below. 

Where to next?

- The Racketeer by John Grisham

- A Question of Identity by Susan Hill

- See the new titles in goodtoknow's 2013 Book Club

What's Fifty Shades Darker about? The sequel to the hugely successful Fifty Shades of Grey, this book sees the rollercoaster relationship between Seattle's richest bachelor and Anastacia Steele continue to rise and fall. The book opens in the aftermath of Christian and Ana's break up, after the pair's differences in what they want from their relationship have ultimately caused it to fail. While Christian and Ana's sexual relationship has been explosive, exciting, and sometimes even passionate, Ana's doubts that she can fulfil Christian's love of bondage and whips in the bedroom and her want for ‘more' out of the relationship see the pair struggle. As the couple try to find a compromise between the two, Ana learns more of the dark, disturbing details that blighted Christian's childhood. Ana must now decide how deep she wants to delve, as sinister characters from Christian's past, (and some from her present) threaten to crush the progress they've made as a couple.

goodtoknow says: This book does exactly what it says on the tin. It gets darker, fifty shades darker, in fact. We get a much deeper insight into Christian Grey; we meet his family, his jealous and psychotic ex-'submissives' (the women he's dominated in the bedroom - who prove to be a whole load of trouble), his psychiatrist, and we finally get to see his romantic side (yay!). And most importantly we learn about his past. This book finally begins to reveal to us what's happened to this man to make him so impossibly confusing. What every reader wants to know is if Christian and Ana will have a happy ending, and this book throws so many twists and turns at their relationship that it's impossible to tell. There are some really thrilling action-packed scenes and some pretty explosive arguments. We were held in suspense from start to finish, finding 5 minutes wherever possible to read more; will they or won't they? How will they get out of this one? Who's got a gun? Oops, we've said too much...

Rating: 8/10

Publisher: Arrow Books Ltd Publish Date: Out now

If you like this, you'll love: Beauty's Punishment, Anne Rice

Buy it on Amazon now

Ready for the next Fifty Shades? Read our review of Fifty Shades Freed here...

More books reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club. Have you read Fifty Shades Darker by E L James? If you have, tell us what you thought of it by publishing your review in the comments box below.

Where to next?

Emylia Hall's The Book of Summers - review

Martina Cole's The Faithless - review

See the latest titles in goodtoknow's 2013 Book Club

What's The Shadow Girls by Henning Mankell about? During a talk on his work, poet Jesper Humlin is surprised to find a curious, somewhat aggressive group of Sweden's immigrants in the audience. He soon gets to meet three women who live nomadic lives as illegal residents of Sweden's urban underbelly and these girls want something from him... they want to know how to write, seeing it as a kind of passport to ‘real life', where they can be TV celebrities. Jesper agrees to teach the girls and what proceeds is a picaresque tale of life on the margins of society as they appear and disappear from his life, leaving Jesper mystified. But in time they reveal details of the terrifying adventures that brought them to this place from Africa, Eastern Europe and Iran. As for the poet, he has disjointed relationships with his mother, girlfriend, publisher, friends - in fact, most people he comes into contact with. He seems passive, unable to confront any of them - but this chance encounter with the ‘shadow girls' forces him to take a stand and he makes a decision to make public the horrific, often untold stories of life on the edge of society.

goodtoknow says If you're familiar with Henning Mankell's chilling Nordic tales featuring the grim-faced detective Wallander, be prepared for a change. His new offering is a part thriller/part comic novel that reveals something of the harsh realities of illegal immigrant life. This is a surprise of a book, and the unhappy poet Jesper an unlikely hero, unwittingly caught up in the plot. It's a story of intriguing revelations and bizarre characters, from his mother Marta whose best hour is midnight and leads a salacious, secret life, to silent, smiling Tea-Bag, who rowed and trekked most of her way from Africa to Sweden alone. Expect the unexpected and you may be amused by Jesper's journey as well as enlightened, amazed and even appalled by the voyage these immigrants embarked upon in search of a better life.

Rating: 7/10

Publisher: Harvell Secker

Publish date: Out now

If you like this, you'll like: The Road Home by Rose Tremain

Buy it on Amazon now

More book reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club. Have you read The Shadow Girls by Henning Mankell? What did you think? Join in with the goodtoknow Book Club by leaving your review in the comments box below.

Where to next?

A Question of Identity by Susan Hill - review

The Red House by Mark Haddon - review

See the new titles in goodtoknow's 2013 Book Club

What's A Trick I Learned From Dead Men about? After the disappearance of their father and the sudden death of their mother, Lee Hart and his deaf brother, Ned, imagine all is lost. That is, until Lee lands a traineeship at their local funeral home and discovers there is life after death. Here, in the company of a crooning ex-publican, a closet pole vaulter, a terminally-ill hearse driver and the dead of their local town, old wounds begin to heal and love arrives as a beautiful florist aboard a 'Fleurtations' delivery van.

But death is closer than Lee Hart thinks. Somewhere among the quiet lanes and sleepy farms something else is waiting. And it is closing in. Don't bring your work home with you, that's what they say. Too late...

goodtoknow says: The narrator of the book, Lee 'can't put (his) finger on what's gone wrong in (his) life'. Working in a funeral home as an apprentice undertaker, and living with his step father Lester and his deaf brother Ned, on the surface this book could be seen as a depressing read, but the writing style is such that at times it is surprisingly uplifting and funny.

All of Lee's family live in some sort of skewed reality; Lester who lives his life through reality TV shows, Ned who experiences life in silence, and Lee, who is faced with the starkest reality every day, death. At home Lee is often ignored by Ned and Lester, but at work he is in his element, working on and talking to the dead people, where there is no need for a reply.

The plot at times can be slow paced, if you're looking for an action novel this is not the book for you. However the descriptions and incredibly insightful and often beautiful quotes about life and death thrown in to the narrative make it well worth reading. Lee is a believable character, and his hopes of a romance with florist Lorelle, his complex relationship with Ned and his memories of his protective, naively optimistic mother, keep you reading. The characters in the book really add to the story.

Overall this tale of life (and death) from average man Lee is an optimistic read, and you'll find you will very much care for him by the end of the story. He may narrate life in a simplistic way, but this is in no way a simple novel.

Rating: 8/10 Publisher: Jonathan Cape Publish Date: Out now

If you like this, you'll love: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

Buy it now on Amazon

More book reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club. Have you read A Trick I Learned From Dead Men by Kitty Alrdridge? If you have, tell us what you thought of it by publishing your review in the comments box below.

Where to next?

Sue Townsend's The Woman Who Went To Bed For A Year - review

SJ Watson's Before I Go To Sleep - review

See the new titles in goodtoknow's 2013 Book Club

What's it about? The story starts with a murder trial up north, where the suspect is acquitted and driven away from court alongside an angry mob. Then, the setting switches to the quiet cathedral town of Lafferton, where soon the disturbing murder of an elderly lady takes place in a sheltered housing project. A man's been seen prowling around in the dark, but who knows if he's the guilty one... as the police set about their task, we get to know more of the neighbours. Two gruesome murders follow, replicas of the first, right down to a 'signature' detail. The detective in charge, Simon Serrailler (he will be familiar to readers of Susan Hill's series) is puzzled when he finds out similar crimes were committed in another part of the country years ago but the suspect was acquitted and has vanished - no records, no computer data, no dental records. Who and where is he? Hence the title concerning 'identity'...

Goodtoknow says: If you're a fan of irresistible unmarried male detectives, who have sensitive souls yet remain uncommitted to their lady loves, you'll fall for this one. DCS Simon Serrailler and various members of his family will be familiar to fans of Susan Hill's books and their lives continue to be full of woes and highs, while he oozes complication (his love is married to a terminally ill man). Between chapters, we read comments from the murderer, dragging us, whether we like it or not, into his deranged mind. Meantime, clever Simon pursues his goal and, thanks to one tiny clue, identifies the killer - and, wow, who'd have guessed who it was? We certainly didn't...

It's gripping and, if you're hooked like we were, go back and read the six earlier Serrailler thrillers. You'll get to know Simon's family better... and you'll find out more about them soon, as Susan Hill plans to write more!

Rating: 8/10

Publisher: Chatto & Windus Publish date: 25th October 2012 If you like this, you'll love: A Taste for Death by PD James 

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More books reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club.Have you read A Question of Identity by Susan Hill? If you have, tell us what you thought of it by publishing your review in the comments box below.

Where to next?

A Discovery of Witches by Deorah Harkness - review

Peaches for Monsieur le Cure by Joanne Harris - review

See the new titles in goodtoknow's 2013 Book Club

What's The Girl You Left Behind about? The tale of two women yearning for lost loves, The Girl You Left Behind tells the story of Sophie Lefevre, a hotel owner in German-occupied France in the first World War.

Sophie is left to care for her family and defend her townspeople from the Germans with only her lovingly-painted portrait to remind her of her husband on the front line. When a intriguing new German Kommandment comes to town, the painting could be her ticket to her husband or the cause of her demise.

Flash forward nearly a century later, the portrait finds itself in modern-day London, again a source of comfort to a woman mourning her lost husband. As the picture proves just as valuable as it did in the past, how far will Liv Halston have to go to keep her most prized possesion where it belongs?

goodtoknow says: Rich and full of emotion, The Girl You Left Behind grabs you from the word go, starting with Sophie's dramatic story in a small French village. All alone with their men on the front line, Sophie and sister Helene must fend off the German soldiers and provide solace for the children and elderly members of the town.

Strong, independent and not afraid to stand up to the enermy, Sophie is such a good character to get behind. She's not foolhardy and has no heroic notions, she simply puts herself on the line to protect those she cares about.

Told from her perspective in hazy flashbacks, her life with painter-husband Edouard in Paris is a distant, rose-tinted past with her vivid self-portrait the only reminder of her former love and life. When Sophie has to make a tough decision in the hope of seeing her husband, she really has only one option.

Leaving Sophie at a dramatic turning point, we are hurtled into the 21st century into the life of Liv. Living in a glass house designed by her late husband David, Liv is struggling to get over his untimely death. The portrait of Sophie hanging in her bedroom is the only thing keeping her sane.

Liv's loneliness and isolation is so expertly conveyed, that when she decides to risk everything she has for the paining, you fully understand why she does it. Her romance with David is also narrated in glorious, trouble-free flashbacks and like Sophie's love, paints a fairytale romance.

Liv's growing relationship with Paul is a much more modern affair. With his own baggage, a recent divorce and young son, his and Liv's courtship is far from perfect but it feels much more real.

The book really picks up that pace with a dramatic court case. Interspersed with flashbacks to Sophie's increasingly bleak outlook, Liv learns everything she can about the woman and the painting and fights some seriously big guns for what she believes is right.

With more twists and turns that you could predict, the outcome for both Liv and Sophie is never a sure thing - and this keeps you truly hooked until the end.

With thoroughly well-rounded support characters, Liv and Sophie capture your heart and take you on a emotional roller coaster that is about so much more than just a painting.

Rating: 9/10 You'll like this if you liked: Peaches for Monsieur Le Cure by Joanne Harris

Publisher: Penguin Publish Date: Out now Buy it now on Amazon

More books reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club.

Have you read The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes? If you have, tell us what you thought of it by publishing your review in the comments box below.

Where to next?

The Racketeer by John Grisham - review

The Faithless by Martina Cole - review

See the new titles in goodtoknow's 2013 Book Club

What's The Racketeer all about? Malcom Bannister is a mild-mannered prisoner jailed for a crime he didn't commit. A former lawyer, he finds himself serving a 10-year sentence that ultimately robs him of his life, wife and young son. But Malcom has some information that can secure his release.

Claiming to know who killed a prominent federal judge, Malcom is in the position to change his life forever... but just what is he up to?

goodtoknow says: Malcom is such a good character to get behind. Told through his first person perspective and from the point of view of the FBI, you see both sides of the story as it unfolds. Intelligent, calm and adamant of his innocence, Malcom starts the book as a thoroughly good man and although his actions get increasingly more dramatic, you be on his side right up until the end of the book.

The FBI, on the other hand, do not come out well from this story. Always one step behind Malcom, they are also the reason for his false incarceration - which puts them firmly in his sites for his revenge plot.

The plot in question is sheer brilliance. You'd think that by having the story from his perspective you'd understand or at least guess what Malcom was up to and what his next actions were going to be. We can honesty say we had absolutely no idea what Malcom was up to from page to page and even as the end approached, we still couldn't predict what was going to happen - a rarity in modern thriller books.

The legal wrangling normally associated with Grisham's novels is kept to a minimum in The Racketeer, with details of court cases, judges roles and FBI procedure kept to a minimum and the narrative firmly in the thick of the action.

Some of the characters aren't as fully rounded as the marvellously complex Malcom - his ladylove Vanessa is little more than a good body and a helping pair of hands. Fellow inmates are categorised by their race and social background and for the majority, fall into the stereotypical pitfalls. This is just a minor fault in an otherwise brilliant book.

Engaging, challenging and a true mystery story, The Racketeer will keep you hooked and completely in the dark until the very last pages - and you'll love every moment of it.

Rating: 9/10 You'll like this if you liked: A Wanted Man, Lee Child

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Publish Date: Out now

Buy it now on Amazon

More books reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club.

Have you read The Racketeer by John Grisham? If you have, tell us what you thought of it by publishing your review in the comments box below.

Where to next?

Sue Townsend's The Woman Who Went To Bed For A Year - review

SJ Watson's Before I Go To Sleep - review

See the new titles in goodtoknow's 2013 Book Club

What is Before I Go To Sleep about? Imagine waking up every day and not knowing where you are, why you're suddenly middle-aged or who the man lying next to you is. Well, that's what life is like for Christine. Every morning she has to have her life, and the accident that erased her memory, retold to her by her husband, Ben. Her existence seems set to follow this pattern until she meets a doctor who refuses to believe her amneasia is irreversible. She begins to keep a diary and slowly, she begins to piece her past together. But things don't add up. Someone is lying to her. But who? And more importantly, why?

goodtoknow says: The phrase 'page-turner' is often over-used, but SJ Watson's book completely deserves the accolade. We read this book in an almost frenzied fashion, desperate to find out what was going to happen next, and we weren't disappointed in the end result.

During the story, we were torn between feeling so incredibly sorry for Christine, who has had her whole life taken away from her, and cross at her for not fully appreciating the daily pain her condition must cause her husband. But as the plot begins to unravel and we find out why the pieces of the puzzle of her life don't fit together, we were more upset with ourselves for not seeing the truth ealier!

The only slight quibble we had with the book was the (perhaps inevitable) repetition of her conversations with Ben and her doctor. That said, without them, the book would have been unrealistic and altough the storyline itself had a few holes in it, the pace and excitement of the narrative more than made up for it.

All in all a brilliant read with a nail-biting ending to rival any Stephen King thriller!   Rating: 9/10 You'll like this if you liked: The Shining by Stephen King Publisher: Black Swan

Publish Date: Out now

Buy it now on Amazon

More book reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club. Have you read Before I Go To Sleep by SJ Watson? What did you think? Join in with the goodtoknow Book Club by leaving your review in the comments box below.

Where to next?

John Grisham's The Racketeer - review

EL James's 50 Shades of Grey - review

See the new titles in goodtoknow's 2013 Book Club

Alice Randall is the author of goodtoknow Book Club book, Ada's Rules. We met up with her and asked her what made her write a novel that doubles up as a diet plan.

Why did you decide to write Ada's rules? I was struggling with my own weight and I thought writing a novel set in the American diabetes and obesity epidemic would be a way for me to make a commitment to change.  

What parts of Ada's character are like yours? Ada and I are both pragmatic humanists. And I like to think we are both sexy and funny. Of course, she's sexier and funnier than I am.

Did the book start out as a diet book, a novel, or was it always a plan to do both? Always a plan to do both. I love playing with forms. My first novel (The Wind Done Gone) was written in the form of a diary. My second novel (Pushkin and the Queen of Spades) was written in the form of a complex suicide note. My third novel (Rebel Yell) assumes the guise of a murder mystery. From the very beginning I knew I wanted to write a novel that was written in the form of a diet book.

You lost 50 pounds following the rules in your book. Which one did you find the most effective for you? Eat breakfast and walk daily.

Did people treat you differently after you lost weight? Not particularly. Part of that might be living in the South. In America the South is often far more accepting of largeness.

Why did you decide to lose weight? It occurred to me I was a bad role model for younger women.

Where did you get the inspiration for your diet tips? I read many medical articles, talked to many doctors, and experimented with myself.

Of your 53 perfect rules, which do you think is the least applied but the most important? Get 8 hours of sleep - most people seem unaware of the connection between difficulty losing weight and insufficient sleep.

You say everyone falls off the wagon. What made you fall off? When deadlines are pressing I find it very difficult to get my 8 hours of sleep. For years my whole life worked because I was content with 5 hours.

Do you think anyone can lose weight with your tips? I think anyone can be inspired by Ada to undertake significant change and stick with it. I don't think there's one diet that works for everyone. But I think if people define diet success as losing 10 percent of their body weight everyone can find a diet that works for them.

We think your book's a treat to indulge in. What's your favourite indulgent book? There's an Arkansas mystery writer I love to sink into a tub of bubbles with - Carolyn Hanes. But the true indulgence for me is a book that beckons me to think. For me the most delicious read of the year was Julian Barnes' A Sense of an Ending.

Photo credit - George Walker

Where to next?

Read our review of Ada's Rules

Read our review of The Angel at No.33

See reviews of the new titles in the goodtoknow 2013 Book Club

What's Ada's Rules about?

Ada is tired, overweight and too busy looking after other people to take care of herself properly. There's her husband who's a preacher, the kids at the day centre where she works, her grown-up twin girls and her elderly parents, mourning the loss of her 3 sisters. Added to that she worries that her husband is not just busy with work, but with other women too...

Then comes the turning point. She receives an invitation to her 25-year college reunion from her first love, Matt Mason, with a wink. But what will he think of her now? It's the motivation Ada needs to gain control of her life and her body. She embarks on her mission to lose pounds, gain love and get her life back on track, setting herself clear rules. The first: don't keep doing what you've always been doing. And so her journey begins.

Is her husband cheating? Will Ada cheat on Preach with Matt Mason? Will she reach her weight-loss goals? Will it change her life?

goodtoknow says: This book has a dual purpose. It's firstly a funny, soulful and easy-to-read story, but it's also a diet book. We have to confess, we initially thought a book about weight loss might be quite hard to read, but Ada's Rules proved us wrong. From the very beginning we admire Ada for all that she does so selflessly and we really want her to achieve her goals and fulfil her desires.

Each chapter brings a new weight-loss rule and where many weight-loss tips are depressing and hard to stick to, Ada's tips are interesting, uplifting and life-enhancing and that's, maybe, why they work. We follow Ada's ups and downs and her complex relationships with both her family and food and hope for a happy ending.

Will Ada reach her goals? Will losing weight change her and her life forever? If you're bored and tempted to reach for a biscuit - don't. Treat yourself to this book instead.

Rating: 8/10 You'll like this if you liked: Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop of Dreams Publisher: Bloomsbury Publish date: Out now

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More book reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club. Have you read Ada's Rules by Alice Randall? What did you think? Join in with the goodtoknow Book Club by leaving your review in the comments box below.

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SJ Watson's Before I Go To Sleep - review

EL James's Fifty Shades of Grey - review

See the new titles in goodtoknow's 2013 Book Club

What's The Woman Who Went to Bed for a Year about? What would it be like to stay in bed and not have to lift a finger for a whole year? Well that's exactly what Eva Beaver found out in this hilarious novel. The day her twins fly the nest to go to university, Eva decides she's had enough of running around after them and her husband, so she climbs under her duvet and doesn't leave the safety of her bed for a year, not even to bathe or feed herself! But she soon discovers who she can really rely on, especially when Alexander, the handsome handyman who declutters her bedroom and brings her food, comes into her life. During the year Eva also becomes a local celebrity and unearths her boring husband Brian's not so boring secret, but most of all, she discovers herself.

goodtoknow says: Busy mums will love taking time out to read this funny book by the same author who wrote the childhood favourite The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole. Eva is a loveable character, who's easy to relate to. We particularly loved the scene where she writes Brian a Christmas to do list - you'll probably see yourself in the near disasters she warns him of - we did! You'll really laugh out loud at what the brilliantly-illustrated characters say and do, so read it when the kids are in bed, or they'll think you've gone mad.

Rating: 7/10

You'll like this if you liked: Her book, The Public Confessions of a Middle-Aged Woman

Publisher: Michael Joseph

Publish Date: Out now

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More book reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club. Have you read The Woman Who Went to Bed for a Year by Sue Townsend? What did you think? Join in with the goodtoknow Book Club by leaving your review in the comments box below.

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Heart Shaped Bruise by Tanya Byrne - review

The Book of Summers by Emylia Hall - review

See the new titles in goodtoknow's 2013 Book Club

What's The Boy Who Could See Demons about? Alex Broccoli is 10 years old and lives with his mum in a run-down house in Belfast. He has a dog called Woof, eats nothing but onions on toast and tells terrible jokes. Oh, and his best friend is a demon called Ruen.

All Alex wants is for his mum to stop crying and for them to move into a new house that doesn't have mould on the walls. Ruen says he can help, but in return he needs Alex to do something for him. Something bad. Something really bad.

goodtoknow says: This is a brilliant book. From the first page of Alex's diary extracts we wanted to scoop him up, give him a cuddle and make his world a better place. The setting for the story is pretty bleak, but the book manages to be (darkly) funny and (ultimately) uplifting without glossing over the stark reality of life for children who find themselves dealing with mental illness.

It's a quick read as the storyline is hugely compelling and had us racing to the end of the book to find out if Ruen gets his way, but we reckon Alex's charm and strength will stay with us for some time.

Rating: 9/10 You'll like this if you liked: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time Publisher: Piatkus Publish Date: Out now Buy it now on Amazon

More book reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club. Have you read The Boy Who Could See Demons by Carolyn Jess-Cooke? What did you think? Join in with the goodtoknow Book Club by leaving your review in the comments box below.

Where to next?

Rosie Hopkins' Sweet Shop of Dreams by Jenny Colgan - review

The Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness - review

See the new titles in goodtoknow's 2013 Book Club

What's The Red House about?

After the death of their mother, Richard invites his estranged sister Angela to join him and both their families on a week's holiday in a rented house in Wales. Tensions are running high, with 4 adults, 3 teenagers and an 8 year old who likes beheading Nazi zombies...

The story is told from all 8 perspectives on a day-by-day basis. Over each day of the holiday you learn a little more about the past of the characters, their lovers, grudges and problems - all of them facing ghosts from the past.

Will Richard and Angela ever be able to move on from past arguments? Will 16-year-old Daisy reveal what's really bothering her? And will Angela ever be able to come to terms with the loss of her stillborn daughter, Karen, 18 years ago?

goodtoknow says: What's lovely about The Red House is that it's a story about 8 very average people, but we get to know them all on a very intimate basis, which makes them fascinating to follow. Don't expect something similar to either of Mark's previous books (The Curious Incident of The Dog in the Night-time and A Spot of Bother), this one has elements of humour, but it veers towards the darker side of the scale. His insightful writing style will transport you to their wet (and slightly miserable) holiday and will leave you feeling stuck in the middle of a very modern family's complicated politics involving step families, children coming of age and grief - in its rawest form. Whose side will you be on?

Rating: 7/10

You'll like this if you liked: White Teeth by Zadie Smith

Publisher: Jonathan Cape

Publish date: Out now

Buy it now on Amazon

More book reviews in the goodtoknow Book Club. Have you read The Red House? What did you think? Join in with the goodtoknow Book Club by leaving your review in the comments box below.

Where to next?

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The Angel at No.33 by Polly Williams - review

Welcome to Rosie Hopkins' Sweet Shop of Dreams by Jenny Colgan - review

See the new titles in goodtoknow's 2013 Book Club