Expat Amber

  After the death of his grandfather, Noah’s life is thrown into chaos as he faces a  repressed past which threatens everything he believes to be true. In the course of  trying to come to terms with his loss, Noah must also navigate a difficult relationship  with his sister, Kelly, as they reflect on their turbulent childhood – when they were  taken from London to live in the Kent countryside following the breakdown of their  parents’ marriage. Set between the 1970s and the more recent past, Adventures About To Begin  chronicles a collapsing marriage as experienced by its children and reflects on how  memory shapes our decisions at crucial junctures during our lives.  It is both funny and touching, as well as a sensitive insight into British family life  during a period of great social and cultural change. I liked it and gave it three stars. Adventures About to Begin  by Allen Therisa is a touching and nostalgic tale that transports readers to the vibrant 1970s, where we join Noah on

Murdering a city guard is a treasonous act, punishable by death. And when Laurel Gunderson finds herself in that exact situation, she knows a quick death would be a mercy. For if the King of Axtria learned of the existence of a halfling-elf, there would be no telling what atrocity he might inflict upon her. One action, one job, throws Laurel’s life into utter turmoil. The careful choices made throughout her life to remain a secret are at risk. There is only one option. Laurel and her closest confidant, Cole, choose to flee for their lives. But when the open road cannot offer Laurel and Cole the sanctuary they need, they’re presented with an offer neither of them knew existed. A proposal from Laurel’s ex-lover. A resistance is growing, gathering in the shadows across Axtria, working to undo the laws laid down. The aim is to return Axtria to a place of liberty. Something Laurel has dreamed of all her life. Taking a stand with those who oppose Eberlim, Laurel and Cole face their greatest

Lessons in Chemistry is the story of a misunderstood, quirky, and unconventional chemist, Elizabeth Zott. Set in the early 1960s, Elizabeth is beautiful but not prim. Honestly, she can’t be bothered. She has more important things to do, like personally and professionally challenging societal norms. Her brilliance captures the attention of Calvin Evans, and they quite literally collide, bonded beyond measure. Cultural constructs force Elizabeth into a new career where her determination and unique perspective start a revolutionary reaction. As she reluctantly becomes the star of the hit afternoon show, Supper at Six, her scientific approach to culinary experimentation quickly attracts a devoted following. But not everyone is pleased with her matter-of-fact methods. A cerebral yet simple story of devotion and resilience, Elizabeth Zott teaches women to cook but also empowers them to change their lives and the world around them. Underestimated and unwavering, she proves that the ability t

The Rains Came Down takes readers to the alternate streets of London where a mysterious addiction consumes ageless souls. When three arrivals threaten the stability of the universe, change looms over the parallel world. How can they get back home... is that even possible? Gareth awakens in The Meadow—a realm suspended between life and death. He finds refuge with a  circus, wandering across a perilous landscape where rebel forces ignite defiance and anxiously await the next tear in the fabric of existence.  Driven by an insatiable thirst for answers, Gareth is confronted with the darkest recesses of his own memories. Action crackles through every page and emotions change as quickly as the crazy weather patterns. Prepare for an immersive adventure, where the fate of both worlds hangs in a delicate balance. Everybody had marbles as a kid, right? Here, they are not a game for children. Without giving too much away, the process of forging marbles is just as odd as understanding that they a

Murder By Natural Causes introduces us to Cilla, a 22-year-old contract killer who specialises in the dry job,  making murders appear as natural deaths. She is an unconventional anti-heroine, lacking beauty and physical strength, but armed with astute cleverness and tenacity. But Cilla knows her luck won't last forever, and she must find a way to reinvent herself before her past catches up with her. This intelligent thriller keeps readers engaged in her journey of self-preservation towards the normal life she so desperately craves. Do you remember going to raves and where you were when the Berlin Wall fell?  Cilla does, and it all conveniently coincides with her own small glimmer of hope. As a product of an experimental programme training child assassins behind the Iron Curtain, she had no need for emotions. This protagonist seemed more of a curiosity to me when I first started listening. She even taught me a little about the game of bridge, which I fondly remember my parents play

Yellowface is a satirical tapestry of dark humour and moral ambiguity, exploring ambition and the consequences that follow. Blurring the line between right and wrong, readers are compelled to question their own complicity. Brace yourself for a host of flawed characters and the devastating aftermath when dreams turn into chilling reality. This horrifying story of loneliness delves into the human psyche and the relentless pursuit of recognition in the unforgiving world of publishing. My final thoughts? I'll give you three-ish words... Caustic. Creepy AF. Contentious. This read was an emotional journey for me and will definitely be a huge hit with book clubs. I can’t stress enough how much I love that the author is purposefully doing exactly what we all hate so much – writing about the experience of someone outside of prescribed cultural boundaries. Bravo. Read my thread of rants here. "Reading should be an enjoyable experience, not a chore." I really liked it and gave it f

Liner begins in the late spring of 1962 and David's life is in ruins. Seeking to escape, he secures a one-way ticket on the opulent Oceanis, intending to make a dramatic and final exit during the Atlantic crossing. However, everything changes when he meets Diana. As their connection grows so do the peculiar occurrences aboard the ship, distorting the very fabric of reality itself. Together, they attempt to understand the ominous forces that threaten the safety of everyone on board. Everybody has seen the movie Titanic, right? This story is also about an unlikely budding romance on a luxury liner but that's where the similarities end. With a dash of horror and eco-thriller, it's definitely not the ending you'd expect. Ladies and gentlemen. This is your reviewer speaking. Prepare yourselves for an unusual phenomenon. In the beginning, I thought about booking a cruise. Midway through this read, I had to put it down to catch my breath. With every twist and turn, I found my

Mr Hammond and the Poetic Apprentice begins in the summer of 1814. Thomas Hammond, an apothecary surgeon near London, dreams of his son Edward becoming a great surgeon. However, his apprentice John Keats, an orphan, is seen as a daydreamer and a disappointment. Despite their differences, Thomas begins to appreciate John's compassionate approach to patients. But just as John is about to qualify as a surgeon, he unexpectedly abandons medicine for poetry. Thomas is devastated and must confront his own mistakes. Can he learn valuable lessons from John before it's too late? If you were forced to study British literature at all, you know Keats. But have you ever wondered what his life was like before he trained at Guy's Hospital? This book is beautifully written and delivered so much more than I was expecting. At a time when consumption reigned, apothecaries could do nothing more than simply ease the symptoms of illness. A marvellous example of historical fiction, little facts a

The Woman in Carriage 3  is a nail-biting psychological thriller that will keep you teetering on the edge of your seat. An ordinary journey. A shocking secret. And the perfect murder… Board the 18:53 train and enter a world of suspense as Hattie's monotonous routine takes a dark turn when she becomes an unwitting participant in a gripping tale of deceit. Oblivious to the secrets that her fellow passengers carry, Hattie quietly watches until a sudden death shatters their unspoken rule of silence and thrusts her into a tangled web of mystery. With her own life in peril and no one to trust, Hattie must seek to uncover the truth hidden in plain sight. Ever wonder what it's like to commute in London? Well, if you like drama and WhatsApp groups, this is the perfect quintessentially British read for you! I actually listened to this audiobook during my daily commute, and it had me obsessed from the very first chapter. It's a tad predictable but definitely doesn't disappoint, wr

Under the Lesser Moons is compelling story about one boy's struggle to stay alive against all odds. In a world abandoned by dragons, eleven-year-old Akrist has vivid dreams and believes it's all his fault. As the sole surviving eldest boy in his tribe, a shocking truth is revealed: the Daeson are sacrificed to win back the favour of the Guides. With the dual moons nearing eclipse, he must defy his cursed fate and escape into the savage wasteland before the moons touch.  Do you remember watching The NeverEnding Story and playing Skyrim? Allow me to explain. The main character immediately reminded me of Atreyu from the classic '80s film. If you ever played the Elder Scrolls video game, you might remember all of the amazing mods – one in particular included a chicken mount, IYKYK. I listened to this audiobook and was immediately smitten with the character development and world-building. It's one of those epic tales that violently envelops all of your senses, pulling you d

Runaway Train is about a journey of self-discovery that begins with tragedy in 1993. Nico escapes her troubled life and goes on a road trip to Seattle, encountering a wild cast of characters along the way. Through music, she learns to confront her fears, face her past, and embrace her future. Do you remember the grunge scene and the cast of 90210? Even if you don't, the soundtrack chapters of this book will transport you directly into the mosh pit of raw teen angst. Before cell phones captured everything about our lives, mix tapes and Polaroids told our tales. Personally, I was on my own path of self-destruction at the time, so this story really resonated with me – pulling at memories long forgotten for good reason. By the end, I was glad to have been along for the ride. “Memory can be a fickle thing. We choose what we want to remember. So, forget everything else about today, and remember it as the day you made that mountain your bitch.” I liked it and gave it three stars.  This b

One summer morning, Elle's life changed forever the moment she dove into the pond at The Paper Palace – the one place that knows all her secrets. Within the next twenty-four hours, a journey of fifty years leads to a decision that changes everything. Do you remember answering machines and sea monkeys?  Even if you don't, you'll connect with the choices that can make and break us. Jumping from one memory of a moment to another, the story spans half a century. Especially if you enjoy descriptive detail, you’ll find yourself immersed in the smell of the salt air and the pang of regret. It was a slow burn for me, but the perfect Generation X beach read.  “I hate the way British people cook eggs.”  I liked it and gave it three stars.  This book was purchased from The Mysterious Bookcase. Discover a blind date with a new or preloved book here .