What I've read so far whilst in lock-down...

Hi guys! I haven't posted in AGES but I thought I might grab this lock-down opportunity to share with you what I have been reading whilst we are all in quarantine - hence I call these my quarantine reads! To be honest, I haven't read all that much because at the beginning of lock down I was still working from home as well as running my shop which you can find here - but then I was put on furlough and I have a bit more time to read and do art. There are three books I managed to finish - these days I don't read all that much although before lock-down I read a lot of Sophie Kinsella for some reason. Now I am stuck at home forced to read the pile of library books I've got!

Anyway with out further a do, here's what I thought of the three books I managed to read so far:

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

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

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

 Not Taylor’s best writing- weak characters and plotline, dragged on a bit and the ending was predictable. Not a lot of drama or suspense as much as I would have liked. I enjoyed the 3^rd quarter and there was one plot twist that was good and actually made sense. I hated how fake the characters were but I loved the location – the setting really set the tone and all the main action happened in a tight knit secluded place. The cult in the story was so weirdly sexualised – but I think that gave the story a more raw depth to it making it an interesting read. However, I could tell that this was one of Taylor’s earlier books from the style of writing. Her recent books are a lot better – however C.L Taylor still remains a favourite.

Until Darren and Jodie move in, Lowland Way is a suburban paradise. Beautiful homes. Friendly neighbours. Kids playing out in the street. But Darren and Jodie don't follow the rules and soon disputes over loud music and parking rights escalate to threats of violence.

Then, early one Sunday, a horrific crime shocks the street. As the police go house-to-house, the residents close ranks and everyone's story is the same: They did it.

But there's a problem. The police don't agree. And the door they're knocking on next is yours.

 The first half really dragged – I found it hard to get stuck in. However after half way I started to get into the drama and the story. The writing was generally okay – I felt like I was part of the street and the neighbourhood – I felt transported into their world. The characters were kind of annoying and sometimes seemed two dimensional and sort of clichéd – but it is after all a domestic thriller. I guessed the suspect too early on, although it didn’t spoil the book. The ending was tied up nicely and I love good clean endings!

Charlotte is looking after her best friend's daughter the day she disappears. She thought the little girl was playing with her own children. She swears she only took her eyes off them for a second.

Now, Charlotte must do the unthinkable: tell her best friend Harriet that her only child is missing. The child she was meant to be watching.

Devastated, Harriet can no longer bear to see Charlotte. No one could expect her to trust her friend again.

Only now she needs to. Because two weeks later Harriet and Charlotte are both being questioned separately by the police. And secrets are about to surface.

Someone is hiding the truth.

So what really happened to Alice?

This is the first book I’ve read by Heidi Perks – although I have known her name for a while. I read this book so fast – I am a slow reader but this book was fast-paced and every scene just kept me gripped. I loved how I didn’t guess the suspect or the twists and it was so cleverly done. Although missing children stories are often sad or hard to read this was different and I felt so engaged. The only reason I am giving it 5 stars is because it ended too soon for me. The characters were so well developed and the author really brought them to life. I really must check out her other books!

Thank you for reading my mini reviews! I've been working on my art shop a lot - making prints and bookmarks and it has been keeping me sane! Now tell me, what have you been reading in lock-down? tell me below!