Six Books I've Read So Far In 2020

Ok, I know it may seem that it's taken me a hella of a long time to read six books as we're now in May, but I think because of my Grandad being ill and passing away at the start of the year, it took me a little longer than usual to get through reading six books, cause you know, priorities and that.


Anyway, I think I've just realised that this is my first book review on my blog in like EVER. Well, it's more than one book. I'm sure I'll get the hand of this book review lark eventually.


I've read six great books in the last five months and here's my thought's on them all:



BOOK  1)  THIS  IS  GOING  TO  HURT
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Author - Adam Kay
Genre - Comedy
Rating - 4/5


Even though I'm not a qualified doctor myself, this book had me howling. Adam talks about his years training as a doctor on the maternity/gynaecology wards. Some of the stories he tells through a day to day diary sort of writing had me in stitches. From being in hospitals since I was born, I know doctors have an incredibly tough job and patients can sometimes be arseholes. I would definitely recommend this one if you fancy having a hospital themed laugh.



BOOK  2)  THE  NIGHT  YOU  LEFT
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Author - Emma Curtis 
Genre - Thriller
Rating - 3/5
Synopsis - When Grace's fiancé vanishes without a trace 
the night after proposing, her life is turned upside down. 
But has Nick walked out on her, or is he in danger?



A thriller which wasn't entirely a thriller if that makes sense! It was a good read, but I found it more gripping towards the end than anywhere else in the book. There is a good story here, the main character Emma slightly got on my nerves though. I can understand that her fiancé disappearing is heartbreaking for anyone, also her in laws never helped matters by coming at her from both sides. Some of the twists I could see coming as I was reading through. It's an ok book, but not one I would pick up again in a hurry.



BOOK 3)  - THE  FLAT  SHARE
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Author - Beth O'Leary
Genre - Romcom
Rating - 5/5
Synopsis - Tiffy and Leon share a flat. 
Tiffy and Leon share a bed. 
Tiffy and Leon have never met.



If you fancy a feel good read during this lockdown, read The Flat Share. Beth O'Leary's first novel really has charm, sweetness and a sense of warmness about it. It feels like you're delving into a modern day Sleepless in Seattle. Although instead of letters, it's post it notes dotted around the flat. Usually over leftover stroganoff and crocheted scarves. The two main characters Tiffy and Leon are very loveable. This book does tackle issues such as an abusive and controlling relationship (SPOILER - not between Tiffy and Leon, between Tiffy and her bastard ex Justin). All I can say that is I hope they make a film out of this - that is something I would pay good money to see at Cineworld. 



BOOK  4)  REMEMBER  ME?
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Author - Sophie Kinsella 
Genre - Comedy
Rating - 5/5
Synopsis - What if you woke up and your life was perfect?



This is the first Sophie Kinsella book I've read. I've seen so many of her books on book shelves in the past so I thought it was about time I read one. This book was brilliantly funny. Lexi Smart is such a funny character, very dry, clumsy and sarcastic. Pretty much like me. Lexi wakes up from a car accident and realises she has lost her memory from over the last three years. She's realises she's now married, stinking rich and she's a boss and her employees hate her. It's great to see her transition and how she copes with this sudden memory loss. Some parts of the book had me in stitches. I would definitely recommend. One part of the book that had me spitting out my tea was the two words 'Mont Blanc'. You've got to read it just for that part alone. It's hysterical. 




BOOK  5)  THE  SWITCH
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Author - Beth O'Leary
Genre - Romcom
Rating - 4/5
Synopsis - Leena is too young to feel stuck
Eileen is too old to start over
It's time for the switch...


Beth O'Leary's second book certainly disappoint. I was a little edgy when I started reading Beth's second book as The Flat Share was such a wonderful book. I wasn't disappointed. A lovely story about a nan and her granddaughter who agree to swap lives for a couple of months. Leena, the granddaughter, travels up north to a little village in Yorkshire and her Nan, Eileen travels to London to live a rather hectic lifestyle. All I'll say is that Eileen is a bloody legend and everyone needs a Nan like Eileen! I love how this book deals with real life issues such as grief, mental health and relationships. I don't know whether it might have been just me, but there was a sense of The Holiday with the story. A delightful and heartwarming read. 





BOOK  6)  BLOOD  ORANGE
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Author - Harriet Tyce
Genre - Thriller
Rating - 4/5
Synopsis - Alison has it all. A loving family and a career on the rise - 
she's just been given her first murder case to defend. But all is never as it seems...


The premise of this story was good, but most of the characters I thoroughly disliked, including the main one, Alison. Numerous occasions I wanted to tell some of the characters to eff off. The one main storyline is a domestic murder trial which Alison is going to represent in court. There are also themes of alcoholism, rape, infidelity, suicide, emotional abuse, gaslighting and auto erotic asphyxiation (something which is explained at the end of the book), which may readers may be triggered by. The ending of the book was completely unexpected and a little harrowing, but I would recommend this book if you like all that thriller stuff. 



What have you been reading lately? Any recommendations?



Lucy
37 comments
  1. I fell in so much love with The Flat Share, such an amazing book! I cannot wait to read The Switch (the next book). I'm sending you so much love. Stay strong, stay home, stay safe. ♡

    With love, Alisha Valerie x | www.alishavalerie.com

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    1. It really is an amazing book! The Switch is also a lovely read! x

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  2. Love the super quick synopsis - so helpful! I've read both the flatshare and the switch - I definitely preferred the flatshare. You might like The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory - it's a nice easy read that I really enjoyed :-)
    Sarah x
    https://www.saraheliza.co.uk/

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    1. Thank you Sarah! Ooh I'll have a look on Amazon for that one! x

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  3. I'm sorry about your grand-father.
    Thank you for sharing these books, they sound really interesting.

    Lindifique

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    1. Thank you Natalia, I hope you get the chance to read one of these books!

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  4. I read some amazing reviews on The Night You Left and I thought it wasn't anything special too. I loved The Flat Share as well! I haven't read The Switch yet and I was worried it would let me down but I've seen a few people say they loved it just as much now so I'm excited to give it a go x

    Sophie
    www.glowsteady.co.uk

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    1. I'm glad it wasn't just me who felt the same about that book, I felt it didn't live up to its hype! The Switch is a lovely book, I'd highly recommend! Like you, I thought I was going to be disappointed with it too, but I'm so happy that I wasn't! x

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  5. Wow. These are such intriguing reads. I'm currently on to my 6th book. Been taking my time!

    Jil | https://www.letsjiloutdoor.com/

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    1. I've been taking my time too and I'm so glad that I have! It allows me to enjoy the books even more when I take my time

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  6. I love This Is Going To Hurt. Such a funny but also a heart-wrenching book. Especially the story behind why he stopped being a doctor. If you haven't read his Christmas book yet, I'd definitely recommend!

    Jenny
    http://www.jennyinneverland.com

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    1. The ending got me on that book too! So heartbreaking. I'm going to add that to my list of books to read! x

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  7. I loved Beth O'Leary's books ❤️ Although the blurb for The Switch pretty much gave the whole thing away.

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    1. I kind of agree with you there, but it was still a nice story all the same x

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  8. I've got thee switch on my to be read list!

    Love, Amie ❤️

    The Curvaceous Vegan

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  9. I've wanted to read the Flat Share for such a long time, but keep totally forgetting it exists! I'm a sucker for buying self help books and I've actually got two on the way today haha. Maybe after payday I'll finally invest in something a little different.

    Thanks for sharing Lucy!

    Kate | thelittlecrunch.co.uk

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    1. It's such a good book Kate, read it if you can!

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  10. This is Going to Hurt is one of my favourite books. So funny! I used to work in a hospital as a healthcare assistant and I saw first-hand how much pressure junior doctors are under.

    I also loved The Flatshare and I really want to read The Switch!

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    1. It was such a funny and brilliant read Samantha! If you loved The Flat Share, you'll love The Switch also! x

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  11. I loved this post! I really want to start reading more this year and I’ve heard such good things about The Flat Share so I will definitely be adding it to my reading list! This is Going to Hurt was amazing, couldn’t agree more! Thanks for sharing! Xx

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    1. It's the best time to get into reading again Rachel! xx

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  12. This is going to hurt is one of my fave books, so so funny!

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  13. I haven't read any of these books yet but I'm glad you enjoyed them & rated a lot of them very highly!

    MB | http://www.megbeth.travel.blog

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    1. I hope you can get the chance to read them lovely!

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  14. This is Going to Hurt was my absolute favourite book that I've read over the last few years. I always love books with a medical theme and this one had me laughing my head of in some places and tearing up in others. Completely agree with you on the characters in Blood Orange too - they were annoying as hell. I've also recently bought The Flat Share which I can't wait to read after hearing loads of good things so all going well I will also be picking up The Switch too!

    Amy | sassycatlady.com

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    1. That's exactly how I felt when I read the Adam Kay book too Amy, it's such a brilliant read. I'm glad I'm not the only one who felt this way reading Blood Orange! The Flat Share is a wonderful book, make sure you get around to reading it!

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  15. I've heard that the Flat Share is a very good book. I have been reading more during this lockdown period and I'm loving it!

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    1. It's a heartwarming book lovely, please give it a read! That's so good to hear that you're getting to read more during lockdown!

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  16. They look interesting, I've read a lot too recently! :)

    https://julesonthemoon.com/

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  17. I love The Flatshare! Definitely one of my favourite from Beth O'Leary.

    Anika | chaptersofmay.com

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  18. I love reading other people's reviews. I didn't find the flatshare that brilliant, so I'm going to read the switch and see how I feel. I had the same with Blood Orange, but I think I didn't find it as gripping as a thriller and some others I've read. This is going to hurt was totally brilliant though, I want to read his christmas short stories too xx

    www.iridescentplaces.com

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    1. This Is Going To Hurt is hysterically funny! xx

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  19. Love this list! I absolutely adored The Flatshare and still need to read The switch and The road trip! Blood orange sounds very interesting, so adding it to the list x

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