I write these posts every month, and every month I complain about how fast the last four weeks have gone. Which is very much true for this month too! But actually, how the hell are we in October? Christmas is starting to filter through slowly but surely, and I'm actually really excited for it! I love the festive buzz in the run up to Christmas. But, but, but, I'm holding off festivities for a little while. Let's get halloween out the way with first at least shall we? Now, let's get down to the task in hand... I've had a great reading month this month. I managed to get myself through three absolutely cracking books in September. Here's a rundown of everything I've read in September.
Books I've Read in September
The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
Synopsis
Just after her twenty-fifth birthday, Libby Jones receives the letter she’s been waiting for all her life. A letter revealing the identity of her birth parents. She's also made aware that she is the sole inheritor of a long abandoned mansion on London’s Cheyne Walk. Worth millions! The house promises a fresh start and long awaited answers. But Libby isn’t the only one who’s been waiting for this moment. Twenty-five years earlier, police discovered a baby alone in that same house, Libby. They also found three dead adults and four children marked as missing, vanished without a trace. As Libby uncovers the truth about her inheritance, she becomes entangled in a dark web of secrets, obsession, and betrayal that binds three families together in shocking ways.
Review
The Family Upstairs follows three different perspectives, Libby, Lucy and Henry. From the get go you understand they're connected through the house on Cheyne Walk, but the book does so well is explaining the connection in such a gripping yet easy to read pace. Chapters are relatively short which is always a bonus for me. I find it keeps the pace interesting and engaging.
The character development in this book is phenomenal. I'm new to Lisa Jewell as an author, but what she does so well is drip feeding information bit by bit and just the right time, to keep you hooked. I really enjoyed all of the characters even though they all had their flaws. I particularly enjoyed Henry who could potentially be described as the most troubled character. Jewell did a fantastic job of making this not so likeable character, likeable!
The book kept me gripped from the first page right up until the last. This is my type of book down to a tee! There wasn't one big twist at the end with this one. I found that it was more a case of secrets being revealed bit by bit throughout the full book. It was brilliant! The type of book you can see being made into a drama series.
My only criticism is the amount of characters. Sometimes, more so in the beginning I felt myself getting confused by the different characters. Especially with who's related to who, and the dynamics of the house!
All in all though, a brilliant five star read from me. I loved it so much that I dived straight into the sequel 'The Family Remains'
Rating - 5 Stars
The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell
Synopsis
When DCI Samuel Owusu investigates human remains found on the banks of the Thames, he uncovers a chilling link to a decades old case involving three mysterious deaths in a Chelsea mansion. Meanwhile, Rachel Rimmer is reeling from the murder of her husband in France, a crime that exposes secrets from his dark past. Across the Channel, Lucy Lamb returns to London with her children, finally ready to rebuild her life... Until her brother disappears, determined to confront someone from their shared, haunting history. As their paths converge, these lives become entwined in a web of long-buried connections. In this gripping sequel to The Family Upstairs, Lisa Jewell weaves an intricate tale of obsession, revenge, and the unbreakable bonds of family.
Review
Knowing what I know from the first book, I couldn't start The Family Remains quick enough. Jewell does a fantastic job of utilising the characters from the first book and developing a whole new story with the second. I really loved and enjoyed the artistry with this one.
The book follows a similar format to the first in the sense that it follows a few different perspectives. We're introduced to new characters, and get to explore more of those that only get a fleeting mention in the first. It's a brilliant book for tying everything together and rounding up the intertwining stories from Cheyne Walk. I loved how even more secrets were revealed... When you didn't think there could possibly be any more secrets, Jewell springs more on us. A brilliant book from start to finish!
It's so hard to explain fully what happens in these stories. As quite literally so much happens! And so much is intertwined. All I can say is that both of these are 5 star reads for me and I'd 100% recommend picking them up.
Rating - 5 Stars
My Darling Boy by Helen Cooper
Synopsis
On New Year’s Eve, everything was meant to be perfect. Two best friends, two families, and their sons, Leo and Robbie, celebrating together like always. But when a shocking accident shatters the night, Robbie is dead, and all eyes turn to Leo. Desperate to protect her son, Leo’s mother refuses to believe he’s to blame. Yet Leo is hiding something, and the truth behind that night is darker than anyone realises. As she searches for answers, she must confront not only what really happened, but also the devastating secret she’s been keeping. Because some truths can destroy a family and she’ll do anything to keep hers safe.
Review
My Darling Boy is a heartbreaking read in the sense that two best friends have had their worlds shattered. A freak accident has forced them against each other. It's such a difficult story to navigate and one which I think has been executed brilliantly. There's love between the two women after being friends for 20+ years, but there's hatred and resentment for the shocking occurrence from that New Years Eve party. A real heartbreaking story that's been written beautifully.
I really enjoyed the different timelines the book posed. Seeing Alice and Chrissy being great friends before the accident, in comparison to them afterwards was such an interesting and emotional contrast. Having this backstory between the two women really pulled at the heartstrings. It's hard not to sympathise with both women.
I felt a connection and emotional pull to all characters throughout the book, apart from Georgie. She plays her part in the story for sure, but there's something about her character that I just couldn't gel with. Although perhaps this is the way Cooper wants you to feel!
What I will say about this book, is that I feel it ended quite abruptly. Sure, it finished on an ending (if that makes sense) but I'd have loved a little insight into Alice and Chrissy's relationship going forwards. I feel like we built such a connection with the characters throughout the book, I would have loved that little bit more to finish it off.
Rating - 4 stars
To Conclude
I think it's safe to say I'm a Lisa Jewell fan now! So much so that I've actually started reading a third one from her. I've been recommended None Of This Is True and Then She Was Gone, both of which sound absolutely brilliant, but I've gone with the latter to start.
I'm really pleased with the books I've read in September. I'm also really chuffed with the amount of books I've gotten through so far this year. It's around this time last year that I got back into reading (slowly but surely) and i set myself the goal of 12 books for the year. I've passed that one with flying colours. If I can get to 22+ books for the year I'll be over the moon.
Wow!!! You read a lot of thrillers during September. That’s cool. I need to add some thrillers to my TBR for October and November. I miss reading thrillers.
It sounds like Lisa Jewell's books are a real winner and gripping books to read! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
These all sound like great books that I would really get caught up in. I have not been able to concentrate on reading this year and am really missing it. But at the moment find I read the same page over and over and not taking it in.
I've never read anything by Lisa Jewell, these books seem amazing. The Family Upstairs is awesome...Well, all three seem great.
You love the same kinds of books I do. I'm glad I found this, because I want to read them all!
I need to give My Darling Boy a look. It sounds so powerful. I'll probably read them all.
I need to snag all of these. I'm a big fan of thrillers and mysteries. These sound like amazing reads in that genre.
These books all sound like the type that I would enjoy reading, especially the Family Upstairs. Thanks for sharing your honest reviews, I am always looking for new books to read!
Ooh! Those books sound like great reads. I will add all of that to my must-read now!
These sound great, I'm definitely going to add The Family Upstairs to my kindle! x
Sounds like you are really interested in thrillers! These are perfect for spooky season, as they always put me on edge.
I have only read Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell, but I definitely want to read more from her! Both The Family Upstairs and The Family Remains sound great!
I love reading these kind of wrap-ups 🙂
this month sounds incredible for you! Three reads in one month is impressive, I struggle really hard to make the time for just one book that isnt a toddler book haha
I need to pick up The Family Upstairs. I keep hearing how well Lisa Jewell books are written, i saw someone on booktok mention the girls so her names stuck with me a bit. I think my issue is more rooted in doom scrolling after the kids go to bed haha. may have to take up the family upstairs or the girls!!