Bookshelf - November 2019

Hey book buddies! I hope you read some amazing books last month. Despite all the wedding prep, I managed to find some quiet time and finish five books during November. This brought my Goodreads Book Challenge total to 50/50, yay - I made my goal with a month to spare.

I enjoyed all five books last month and here's my thoughts on each one:


Providence - Caroline Kepnes

I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. It's part love story, part super natural thriller and it's a story you find yourself lost in. I would have loved a different ending because I'm a romantic, but it wasn't disappointing - it ended well and with a glimmer of hope.

Caroline is also the author of You, which I just loved, and this book shows her versatility. She writes characters you bond with, and she sets a scene so you feel like you're there too. I loved Jon and Chloe but I also loved Eggy and Lo - their relationship was tested in different ways but they kept going.

I'd recommend any of Caroline's books and I'm eager to see what she writes in the future. She tells an engrossing story and this one was a real page turner. A solid four and a half stars!


Sharp Objects - Gillian Flynn

I've had this book and the DVD series in my stash for ages, and I finally decided to read it. It wasn't the worst book I've read, but parts of it were quite disturbing - I now know more about pig farms than I ever needed to know!

Camille returns to her hometown to report on the murder's of two young girls, and home is a trigger for her - Camille is a cutter. She starts to bond with her thirteen year old half sister in unhealthy ways, and her relationship with her mother is beyond weird. As leads turn to dead ends, Camille begins to unravel the puzzle of her own upbringing and the death of her sister. Is there a link?

A good read and I'm curious to watch the TV series to see how true it is to the book. Three stars!



She Lies In Wait - Gytha Lodge

If you like mysteries then you'll enjoy this book. It's full of twists and turns and my theory on how it would end kept changing - the author steers you in all the wrong directions until she's ready for the big reveal.

This is a debut novel for Gytha and she'll be an interesting author to watch out for. I loved her writing style and she created characters that felt genuine.

Seven friends go camping but only six return. What happened to little Aurora Jackson and who knows where she is? It's a mystery that wont be solved for another thirty years and the rollercoaster ride to reach the truth will have you intrigued.

Great read. Solid four stars!



The Rumour - Lesley Kara

I found this book very hard to put down. There were so many twists and turns and just when you think you know everything...there's more!

A rumour in the playground sets off a chain of events that threatens to expose a woman in witness protection for a murder/manslaughter she committed when she was ten. The residents of this quiet seaside town are on the hunt to name and shame this woman, and move her along. There's accusations, threats, lies exposed and somebodies past is about to catch up with them.

This is Lesley's first novel and I can't wait to read more of her work. She has an engaging writing style and this book will keep you guessing till the very last page. Loved it! Five stars.


The Lace Weaver - Lauren Chater

Wow, this book totally stole my heart! I was engrossed from the very first page and it's so beautifully written.  The story is powerful and at times so heart breaking and intense you're holding your breath.

I love historical fiction and The Lace Weaver is set in 1941 Estonia as the Red Army tears through and occupies everything. The women are united in a knitting circle, making shawls of the finest quality to sell. I loved how passionate and proud these women were of their craft and the stories their shawls told to future generations.

In the height of oppression two woman fight for survival as their idealist young loves battle for their homeland, their lives and their liberty.

A compelling read that you'll never forget! Five stars!


So that was what I read during November. I love to hear what books stole your heart recently - leave me a comment or follow me on Goodreads (search for Rose Johnston).

I hope you find some time to read during the lead up to Christmas!

Happy reading book buddies!
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