This month I've read 4 books, which is pretty good since it's the shortest month. They are a great mix of reads and I've found two new to me authors I'd love to read more books from.
Glass House by Eve Chase
Outside a remote manor house in an idyllic wood, a baby girl is found.
The Harrington family takes her in and disbelief quickly turns to joy. They're grieving a terrible tragedy of their own and the beautiful baby fills them with hope, lighting up the house's dark, dusty corners. Desperate not to lose her to the authorities, they keep her secret, suspended in a blissful summer world where normal rules of behaviour - and the law - don't seem to apply. But within days a body will lie dead in the grounds. And their dreams of a perfect family will shatter like glass.Years later, the truth will need to be put back together again, piece by piece . .
A lovely easy read with likable characters and an intriguing mystery. An Author I've only recently come across, I plan to read some more of her work in the future.
The Road Trip by Beth O'leary
If you loved her first two books The Flatshare and The Switch like I did than this one in my opinion is just as good. The story is of 5 characters who are on a road trip to go to a mutual friends wedding. They all end up going in the same car, after friends Dylan and Marcus crash into a car with Dylans ex Addie, her sister Deb and Rodney a man needed a lift. This is awkward as Addie and Dylan haven't spoken to each other since they split up two years ago. The Road Trip focuses on hard hitting topics such as depression, sexual assault and consent. However there are also some funny bits too.
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
Heard really good things about this one and it didn't let me down. Vanessa was 15 when she started having sex with her 42 year old English teacher Jacob Strane. In the present time Vanessa is 32 and recently contacted by a past student who claims to be sexually assaulted by Strane and asks her to come forward with her story. The story alternates between Vanessa at 15 (up to 21) and the current time. It's an uncomfortable read featuring a lot of manipulation. Vanessa believes she has all the power and that her and Strane were a love story and not rape as she was willing. Obviously she was being groomed which she didn't see it that way. The story shares how the situation has affected her whole life.
Mrs England by Stacey Halls
This is my current read which I'm really getting into and enjoying. The story is based in West Yorkshire 1904. The story is about Ruth May who takes on a new position of looking after the children of Charles and Lillian England. As she adapts to life at the isolated Hardcastle House, it becomes clear there's something not quite right about the beautiful, mysterious Mrs England. Ostracised by the servants and feeling increasingly uneasy, Ruby is forced to confront her own demons in order to prevent history from repeating itself. After all, there's no such thing as the perfect family.
