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A Fresh Start (Quick Reads)
A Fresh Start (Quick Reads) (Quick Reads 2020) [Paperback] Various; Stuart, Keith; Candlish, Louise; Moyes, Jojo; Kinsella, Sophie; Gayle, Mike; Blake, Fanny; Snaith, Mahsuda; Rankin, Ian; Parks, Adele and Hannah, Mari
- GenresShort StoriesFiction
128 pages, Paperback
Published February 20, 2020
52 people are currently reading
372 people want to read
About the author
Fanny Blake
38 books115 followers Fanny Blake was a publisher for many years, editing fiction and general non-fiction before becoming a freelance journalist and writer. She has written several bestsellers and acted as ghost writer for a number of celebrities. She is also Books Editor of womanandhome magazine. Her novels include The Secrets Women Keep (Orion) and With a Friend Like You (Orion).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
January 20, 2023
A Fresh Start (Quick Reads) is a unique ten-short stories by ten different mo selling authors in the UK. What can I say about this collection is that it was a fast read, I read the paper code version which had larger letters.
June 21, 2020
I loved all of these short stories. Not as great as 'Dead Simple' but still really enjoyable 😍
June 9, 2020
A decent collection of ten short stories, great for summer reading, though because some were only a couple of pages long it’s difficult to connect with the characters or engage in the story. Saying that, for a pound, definitely worth a read and a few of the stories were entertaining enough.
July 19, 2020
Funny and engaging stories all with an uplifting feeling. Quick Reads are such a great way to get a feel for authors' styles and snatch a few moments of much needed escapism wherever you can. Great lockdown read. Thank you Reading Agency!
February 22, 2020
It is that time of the year again in the UK, 'Quick Reads' are being published and hitting the bookshelves. With a passion for reading and promoting short stories in easy to read books these series of titles are an ideal opportunity to encourage non-readers to start reading. Many authors have supported this enterprise and various genres and writing styles used to encourage something for everyone.
In "A Fresh Start" ten fine authors have been given the testing 'homework' to produce a very short story around the subject of new beginnings a fresh start. As with many of these titles the range of talent is such that you can find familiar authors or names you recognise and even writes previously unknown to you. In reading these books you have a good opportunity of catching a glimpse of their work and if their style suits your reading needs and motivates you to try a longer novel.
I have always taken the chance to be introduced to new writers or to read a familiar one trying something new. Not everyone can manage to carry a story in such a few words which makes the exercise even more fun.
To cram ten egos into a collection of short stories of about twelve pages each is a real achievement and shows the commitment to this project of promoting literacy.
There is something for everyone here, especially those unpractised in picking up a book. Short and fun, fully formed but demanding just a short attention span. To be read in one sitting to compare the contributors craft or a story per day. Entertaining and fun to read.
One of the best examples of Quick Reads to buy and give to someone to encourage them back into the world of storytelling. However, don't forget to read it yourself first it is a small gem.
In "A Fresh Start" ten fine authors have been given the testing 'homework' to produce a very short story around the subject of new beginnings a fresh start. As with many of these titles the range of talent is such that you can find familiar authors or names you recognise and even writes previously unknown to you. In reading these books you have a good opportunity of catching a glimpse of their work and if their style suits your reading needs and motivates you to try a longer novel.
I have always taken the chance to be introduced to new writers or to read a familiar one trying something new. Not everyone can manage to carry a story in such a few words which makes the exercise even more fun.
To cram ten egos into a collection of short stories of about twelve pages each is a real achievement and shows the commitment to this project of promoting literacy.
There is something for everyone here, especially those unpractised in picking up a book. Short and fun, fully formed but demanding just a short attention span. To be read in one sitting to compare the contributors craft or a story per day. Entertaining and fun to read.
One of the best examples of Quick Reads to buy and give to someone to encourage them back into the world of storytelling. However, don't forget to read it yourself first it is a small gem.
September 20, 2020
I've just finished reading A Fresh Start properly since the first time I completely skim read it. My love for Quick Reads will never fade as I've personally came across authors who I would never turn to.
Lock Up and Leave 4/5
The Estate 4/5
The Accidental Date 4/5
Let No One In 4/5
The Makeover 4/5
Sisters 3/5
A Quiet Road 4/5
You and Me 4/5
Decluttering 4/5
Easy Street 3/5
As others have written some of the stories felt unfished.
To finish off I will be reading more from these authors
Lock Up and Leave 4/5
The Estate 4/5
The Accidental Date 4/5
Let No One In 4/5
The Makeover 4/5
Sisters 3/5
A Quiet Road 4/5
You and Me 4/5
Decluttering 4/5
Easy Street 3/5
As others have written some of the stories felt unfished.
To finish off I will be reading more from these authors
May 27, 2021
Good for picking up and putting down but lacked depth- magazine type fiction.
August 26, 2020
"A Fresh Start" (edited by Fanny Blake) has stories by: Fanny Blake, Louise Candlish, Mike Gayle, Mari Hannah, Sophie Kinsella, Jojo Moyes, Adele Parks, Ian Rankin, Mahsuda Snaith and Keith Stuart. Some of these authors I'd read before, others I hadn't.
All centered around the general theme of new beginnings. From divorces, to cheating spouses, to serial abusers, all of the characters in this book are seeking to start afresh or are right at the start of a new career, the stories developing in varying and sometimes surprising ways. How can make up make a woman realize her self worth, or midnight gardening really help the vegetables to grow stronger?
Louise Candlish’s opening story is a delightfully dark tale of a woman scorned told in just ten pages and Mari Hannah uses her story to introduce her series character, Kate Daniels, as a nineteen-year-old ambitious rookie in a story that kept me guessing under delivering a slick and savvy ending that made me grin!
JoJo Moyes contribution shows her middle-aged female turning her life around at the make-up counter in an unexpected way and Fanny Blake’s family drama of feuding sisters thrown together after their father’s death conveys real emotion from the estranged sisters.
All centered around the general theme of new beginnings. From divorces, to cheating spouses, to serial abusers, all of the characters in this book are seeking to start afresh or are right at the start of a new career, the stories developing in varying and sometimes surprising ways. How can make up make a woman realize her self worth, or midnight gardening really help the vegetables to grow stronger?
Louise Candlish’s opening story is a delightfully dark tale of a woman scorned told in just ten pages and Mari Hannah uses her story to introduce her series character, Kate Daniels, as a nineteen-year-old ambitious rookie in a story that kept me guessing under delivering a slick and savvy ending that made me grin!
JoJo Moyes contribution shows her middle-aged female turning her life around at the make-up counter in an unexpected way and Fanny Blake’s family drama of feuding sisters thrown together after their father’s death conveys real emotion from the estranged sisters.
April 19, 2021
I really enjoyed nearly all the stories in this one and it was a feel good book overall
July 14, 2020
Nice little book to read with a cup of coffee. Some authors I already know & it's introduced me to some new authors who's works I would be interested in.
March 16, 2020
This a good collection for trying out popular authors you may not have come across before. There is a small variety of genres featured including family, romance, thriller and even crime. The theme of 'Fresh Start' provides a lot of storytelling wiggle room though, in some cases, the phrase itself felt forced into the text.
It being a short story collection featuring multiple authors, there were some tales that I inevitably preferred over others. The stories that stood out for me were the ones that invested more story into the otherwise plain-speaking narrative (Quick Reads generally being written to be accessible for those with reading difficulties). While a domestic change makes sense for the 'Fresh Start' theme, it's always nice to read something that brings new elements into that age-old premise.
All in all though I was pleasantly surprised by this dalliance into more mainstream fiction. I might even give Jojo Moyes' Me Before You series a proper go now.
I recommend A Fresh Start to those who are avid fans of any of the authors listed or even only mildly curious about them.
Notable Stories
• Lock Up and Leave by Louise Candlish – I was quite taken with the idea of enforced isolation as revenge.
• Let No-One In by Mari Hannah – a short police procedural that shows an underdog get her man.
• The Makeover by Jojo Moyes – the background chatter of the make-up artists proved rather amusing.
It being a short story collection featuring multiple authors, there were some tales that I inevitably preferred over others. The stories that stood out for me were the ones that invested more story into the otherwise plain-speaking narrative (Quick Reads generally being written to be accessible for those with reading difficulties). While a domestic change makes sense for the 'Fresh Start' theme, it's always nice to read something that brings new elements into that age-old premise.
All in all though I was pleasantly surprised by this dalliance into more mainstream fiction. I might even give Jojo Moyes' Me Before You series a proper go now.
I recommend A Fresh Start to those who are avid fans of any of the authors listed or even only mildly curious about them.
Notable Stories
• Lock Up and Leave by Louise Candlish – I was quite taken with the idea of enforced isolation as revenge.
• Let No-One In by Mari Hannah – a short police procedural that shows an underdog get her man.
• The Makeover by Jojo Moyes – the background chatter of the make-up artists proved rather amusing.
March 22, 2020
A variety of genres and ten imaginative short stories based on the theme of a fresh start.
Worthwhile short stories are hard to come but this Quick Read 2020 of 110 print pages, edited by Fanny Blake, delivers a variety of genres and some surprisingly imaginative stories on the idea of a fresh start. Of the ten stories I was impressed by four of them, all written by authors I had read before and these are mentioned below.
Louise Candlish’s opening story is a delightfully dark tale of a woman scorned told in just ten pages and Mari Hannah uses her story to introduce her series character, Kate Daniels, as a nineteen-year-old ambitious rookie in a story that kept me guessing under delivering a slick and savvy ending that made me grin!
JoJo Moyes contribution shows her middle-aged female turning her life around at the make-up counter in an unexpected way and Fanny Blake’s family drama of feuding sisters thrown together after their father’s death conveys real emotion from the estranged sisters.
Worthwhile short stories are hard to come but this Quick Read 2020 of 110 print pages, edited by Fanny Blake, delivers a variety of genres and some surprisingly imaginative stories on the idea of a fresh start. Of the ten stories I was impressed by four of them, all written by authors I had read before and these are mentioned below.
Louise Candlish’s opening story is a delightfully dark tale of a woman scorned told in just ten pages and Mari Hannah uses her story to introduce her series character, Kate Daniels, as a nineteen-year-old ambitious rookie in a story that kept me guessing under delivering a slick and savvy ending that made me grin!
JoJo Moyes contribution shows her middle-aged female turning her life around at the make-up counter in an unexpected way and Fanny Blake’s family drama of feuding sisters thrown together after their father’s death conveys real emotion from the estranged sisters.
May 19, 2020
Love quick reads And any short stories
Great way to find new authors to follow
Great way to find new authors to follow
October 21, 2023
A hit and miss like most short story collections. Couple of really good ones buried in here though, especially the one by Ian Rankin.
May 1, 2020
So this is another quickread but with ten short stories inside all with the theme of a fresh start a range of genres include… Chick-lit, romance, crime, thriller. A brilliant mix and all around 10 pages long. Now I’m not going to review them all but I will pop the ten short stories below, you may know some of the authors already. Highly recommend. A well deserved four stars. The ten stories included are;
Lock up & Leave by Louise Candlish.
The Estate by Mahsuda Snaith.
The Accidental Date by Keith Stuart.
Let No One In by Mari Hannah.
The Makeover by Jojo Moyes.
Sisters by Fanny Blake.
A Quiet Road by Adele Parks.
You & Me by Mike Gayle.
Decluttering by Sophie Kinsella.
Easy Street by Ian Rankin.
Lock up & Leave by Louise Candlish.
The Estate by Mahsuda Snaith.
The Accidental Date by Keith Stuart.
Let No One In by Mari Hannah.
The Makeover by Jojo Moyes.
Sisters by Fanny Blake.
A Quiet Road by Adele Parks.
You & Me by Mike Gayle.
Decluttering by Sophie Kinsella.
Easy Street by Ian Rankin.
January 1, 2023
Ten new short stories by ten different authors based on the theme of a fresh start. All of the stories are wildly different but in general, rather good. I wasn't too keen on the penultimate story in the collection but the rest are a combination of solid and good stories.
September 8, 2020
A great way of discovering new authors and also fab for when you're not in the mood for a big, fat novel!
January 13, 2021
3.75 Stars. Overall I enjoyed this collection of stories, some more then others. Nice way to discover new authors.
August 23, 2020
A refreshing collection of short stories by some of my favourite authors.
January 9, 2021
What a change from what I would normally read. Short, sharp stories from best selling authors. Really good and engaging. I'll definitely be looking out for some more of these Quick Reads
February 2, 2021
Enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. Short, quirky stories that are light-hearted and funny.
December 27, 2024
10 short stories some sad some funny but all were enjoyable reads. Highly recommend. These short stories let's you discover authors and their other books they've written due to liking their writing stories in this book.
March 10, 2021
A nice light read, just right for a winter afternoon.
April 30, 2020
Personally I love short stories and was thrilled to see that Quick Reads have produced a collection of short stories as one of their six titles for 2020.
"A Fresh Start" (edited by Fanny Blake) has stories by: Fanny Blake, Louise Candlish, Mike Gayle, Mari Hannah, Sophie Kinsella, Jojo Moyes, Adele Parks, Ian Rankin, Mahsuda Snaith and Keith Stuart. Some of these authors I'd read before, others I hadn't.
The stories ranged from an autistic teenager going on his first date, to a woman quietly getting rid of her husband, to family ties that run just as thick as blood. All completely different, but to the same theme and all brilliant. Highly recommend.
"A Fresh Start" (edited by Fanny Blake) has stories by: Fanny Blake, Louise Candlish, Mike Gayle, Mari Hannah, Sophie Kinsella, Jojo Moyes, Adele Parks, Ian Rankin, Mahsuda Snaith and Keith Stuart. Some of these authors I'd read before, others I hadn't.
The stories ranged from an autistic teenager going on his first date, to a woman quietly getting rid of her husband, to family ties that run just as thick as blood. All completely different, but to the same theme and all brilliant. Highly recommend.
November 28, 2020
Full title: A Fresh Start - Ten Gripping Stories from Ten Bestselling Authors.
I wouldn't call the stories "gripping." But I suppose that 'Ten Moderately Unsatisfying Stories from Ten Bestselling Authors' would not sell many copies.
I wouldn't call the stories "gripping." But I suppose that 'Ten Moderately Unsatisfying Stories from Ten Bestselling Authors' would not sell many copies.
October 18, 2022
A Fresh Start is a compilation of ten short Quick Read stories by ten different authors which is edited by Fanny Blake.
Lock up and leave by Louise Candlish is a story of infidelity and sweet revenge with a lovely twist at the end of this Quck Read short story. Meg and Rick are about to go on an exclusive trip of a lifetime holiday to celebrate Rick's new job after being out of work for over a year. Then Meg sees a message bleeping from Rick's phone whilst he was finishing off the rest of his packing upstairs.
The Estate by Mahsuda Snaith is a short story about an inheritance enabling Mother and daughter to leave their bungalow for the elderly or disabled which was in a run down neighbourhood. The daughter loved peacocks and so did her Father who sadly died it reminded him of his home and when he saw his daughter's drawings of them it made him so happy as it reminded him of India his home.
The Accidental Date by Keith Stuart is a short story about a couple who live with their son Sam who from the age of two wasn't like any other toddler. It was only when he reached six years old that Sam was diagnosed with autisism. This made both his parents over protective of Sam and now he has reached his teens he is set to go on his first date with Sabrina their next door neighbour's daughter. This is a coming of age for both parents and their son Sam.
Let No One In by Mari Hannagh is a short story about a rookie cop called Kate aged only nineteen who accomplishes more than what some long standing Police Officers have done in a lifetime in one single night when she has been assigned to stand sentry outside a house where a suspicious death occurred. Due to her chosen profession her Father a former coal miner disowned her.
The Makeover by Jojo Moyes is a short story about Lina whose husband Nick left her for someone else five months ago. Lina goes on a shopping expedition in order to get new pots, pans etc. for her new abode as she did not want anything that his new woman, Felicity had touched but she still misses him and has brain fog. She walks into a department store and finds herself at a beauty counter where two saleswomen compete to give Lina a fabulous makeover. When she has had this wonderful makeover she thinks she looks like Felicity who woud never go without makeup or looking smart. I would say the moral of this short story is beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Sisters by Fanny Blake is a short story about two sisters, Kate and Sue who have not kept in touch for almost three years since their Mother's funeral when they fell out because of what had been left for each of them from their Mother. Then Kate receives a phone call from Sue letting her know that her Father has died. They both decide on a house clearing and they bond when they find childhood mementos. They come across a note from their Mother to their Father saying "Darling Minna I forgive you." and both sisters gasp as they read more of the note revealing something they both never knew about.
A Quiet Road by Adele Parks is a short story about a nosy parker called Anna who lives in a respectable neighbourhood and she adores net twitching to see what her neighbours are upto and her husband is not impressed with her habit. Anna's new neighbour Ellie, a divorcee with no husband or children moves in and she befriends Anna but Ellie loves to tend her vegetable patch in the small hours.
You and Me by Mike Gayle is a short story about a Father who is separated from his wife Erin whom he met at school and they both had plans to travel the world until Erin was pregnant with Jess. Life got busy and they grew apart. He has visitation rights and takes his daughter Jess out for the day he has strick instuctions to bring her home by seven pm. This is a story about the realisation of a Father who realised his eleven year old daughter is coming of age and the new bonding they can share.
Decluttering by Sophie Kinsella is a short story about Naz and Scott who are having a declutter day in order to remove everything from their spare room in order for the arrival of their new baby. It is heart wrenching for them both to put their accumulation of their lives into bags. They decide that they should only keep the things that gave them both joy but there is still the odd item that gave them sadness which they keep too.
Easy Street by Ian Rankin is a short story about Liz and her husband Craig an accountant and a narciissist who have been married for nine years and has turned the spare bedroom into his office which he locks up everytime he leaves. Even in the middle of the night she would find a light on behind his office door. Liz thinks he is watching porn as he has headphones on and she can hear moans from her bedroom. She confronts him but he says she is talking nonsense. He stops her having her friends over and to quit her job Easy Street he called it and he wanted her to live her whole life on Easy Street but Easy Street became Silent Street, Deserted Street, Dead Street. She did not want to live like this anymore. There is a really good twist at the end of this story.
All the above short stories cultimate to a fresh start just like the title.
Lock up and leave by Louise Candlish is a story of infidelity and sweet revenge with a lovely twist at the end of this Quck Read short story. Meg and Rick are about to go on an exclusive trip of a lifetime holiday to celebrate Rick's new job after being out of work for over a year. Then Meg sees a message bleeping from Rick's phone whilst he was finishing off the rest of his packing upstairs.
The Estate by Mahsuda Snaith is a short story about an inheritance enabling Mother and daughter to leave their bungalow for the elderly or disabled which was in a run down neighbourhood. The daughter loved peacocks and so did her Father who sadly died it reminded him of his home and when he saw his daughter's drawings of them it made him so happy as it reminded him of India his home.
The Accidental Date by Keith Stuart is a short story about a couple who live with their son Sam who from the age of two wasn't like any other toddler. It was only when he reached six years old that Sam was diagnosed with autisism. This made both his parents over protective of Sam and now he has reached his teens he is set to go on his first date with Sabrina their next door neighbour's daughter. This is a coming of age for both parents and their son Sam.
Let No One In by Mari Hannagh is a short story about a rookie cop called Kate aged only nineteen who accomplishes more than what some long standing Police Officers have done in a lifetime in one single night when she has been assigned to stand sentry outside a house where a suspicious death occurred. Due to her chosen profession her Father a former coal miner disowned her.
The Makeover by Jojo Moyes is a short story about Lina whose husband Nick left her for someone else five months ago. Lina goes on a shopping expedition in order to get new pots, pans etc. for her new abode as she did not want anything that his new woman, Felicity had touched but she still misses him and has brain fog. She walks into a department store and finds herself at a beauty counter where two saleswomen compete to give Lina a fabulous makeover. When she has had this wonderful makeover she thinks she looks like Felicity who woud never go without makeup or looking smart. I would say the moral of this short story is beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Sisters by Fanny Blake is a short story about two sisters, Kate and Sue who have not kept in touch for almost three years since their Mother's funeral when they fell out because of what had been left for each of them from their Mother. Then Kate receives a phone call from Sue letting her know that her Father has died. They both decide on a house clearing and they bond when they find childhood mementos. They come across a note from their Mother to their Father saying "Darling Minna I forgive you." and both sisters gasp as they read more of the note revealing something they both never knew about.
A Quiet Road by Adele Parks is a short story about a nosy parker called Anna who lives in a respectable neighbourhood and she adores net twitching to see what her neighbours are upto and her husband is not impressed with her habit. Anna's new neighbour Ellie, a divorcee with no husband or children moves in and she befriends Anna but Ellie loves to tend her vegetable patch in the small hours.
You and Me by Mike Gayle is a short story about a Father who is separated from his wife Erin whom he met at school and they both had plans to travel the world until Erin was pregnant with Jess. Life got busy and they grew apart. He has visitation rights and takes his daughter Jess out for the day he has strick instuctions to bring her home by seven pm. This is a story about the realisation of a Father who realised his eleven year old daughter is coming of age and the new bonding they can share.
Decluttering by Sophie Kinsella is a short story about Naz and Scott who are having a declutter day in order to remove everything from their spare room in order for the arrival of their new baby. It is heart wrenching for them both to put their accumulation of their lives into bags. They decide that they should only keep the things that gave them both joy but there is still the odd item that gave them sadness which they keep too.
Easy Street by Ian Rankin is a short story about Liz and her husband Craig an accountant and a narciissist who have been married for nine years and has turned the spare bedroom into his office which he locks up everytime he leaves. Even in the middle of the night she would find a light on behind his office door. Liz thinks he is watching porn as he has headphones on and she can hear moans from her bedroom. She confronts him but he says she is talking nonsense. He stops her having her friends over and to quit her job Easy Street he called it and he wanted her to live her whole life on Easy Street but Easy Street became Silent Street, Deserted Street, Dead Street. She did not want to live like this anymore. There is a really good twist at the end of this story.
All the above short stories cultimate to a fresh start just like the title.
January 13, 2022
'No matter how hard the past is, you can always begin again.' Buddha
This was an odd one. I really like the idea of a collection of short stories as you can get a lot of variety and read stories from different authors however, I never feel quite satisfied by them. I actually think they end up just being too short so they never really feel finished, I can hear how ridiculous I am sounding. I'm used to reading gritty novels with plot twists and loads of description, this just can't happen in 12 pages. I still really enjoyed reading them, as collections go this one is quite strong, but there is just something missing for me. When reading the first story, I couldn't believe that the author would leave it where they did, it was almost annoying, I wanted a chapter 2. The other stories did seem slightly more finished, I just don't get invested like I would in a full size novel.
It's hard to really write a synopsis for this book. The stories are only 12/15 pages long each so really to summarise each story would be to simply tell you what happens in them all. There is a mixture of authors and a mixture of genres so there is something in there for everyone.
'Every moment is a fresh beginning.' T. S. Eliot
'Start over, my darling. Be brave enough to find the life you want and courageous enough to chase it.' Madalyn Beck
'The beginning is always today.' Mary Shelley
This was an odd one. I really like the idea of a collection of short stories as you can get a lot of variety and read stories from different authors however, I never feel quite satisfied by them. I actually think they end up just being too short so they never really feel finished, I can hear how ridiculous I am sounding. I'm used to reading gritty novels with plot twists and loads of description, this just can't happen in 12 pages. I still really enjoyed reading them, as collections go this one is quite strong, but there is just something missing for me. When reading the first story, I couldn't believe that the author would leave it where they did, it was almost annoying, I wanted a chapter 2. The other stories did seem slightly more finished, I just don't get invested like I would in a full size novel.
It's hard to really write a synopsis for this book. The stories are only 12/15 pages long each so really to summarise each story would be to simply tell you what happens in them all. There is a mixture of authors and a mixture of genres so there is something in there for everyone.
'Every moment is a fresh beginning.' T. S. Eliot
'Start over, my darling. Be brave enough to find the life you want and courageous enough to chase it.' Madalyn Beck
'The beginning is always today.' Mary Shelley
January 2, 2023
*Lock Up And Leave - loved but what happened to the couple? What state were they in when she got back? Did she come back?
*The Estate - I didn't understand this one at all. Not enough context for such a short story for me.
*The Accidental Date - A light and fluffy story about a couple rekindling their own romance through their autistic sons 1st date.
*Let No One In - Too short for a crime story. It personally left me wanting too much more from it. What was the crime? Who was the victim? The murderer? What happened next?
*The Makeover - It sure was something.
*Sisters - A very short story about the turbulent relationship of two sisters and the surprising revelation that brings then back together. Felt pretty fleshed out for such a short story.
*A Quiet Road - An obvious plot but still loved the writing style and little nods to dark humour. Another author I would be interested in reading more from.
*You And Me - A simple story about a dads first day out with his daughter after splitter from her mum and all the mixed emotions that come with it.
*Decluttering - A story about a couple decluttering for the arrival of their baby but in the proces they remember things about themselves and secrets that were never shared. Eventually agreeing that grudges and angry hearts need to be decluttered and cleared along with the room.
*Easy Street - Unexpected twist in an unhappy couples relationship which felt like almost a complete story within such a few short pages.
*The Estate - I didn't understand this one at all. Not enough context for such a short story for me.
*The Accidental Date - A light and fluffy story about a couple rekindling their own romance through their autistic sons 1st date.
*Let No One In - Too short for a crime story. It personally left me wanting too much more from it. What was the crime? Who was the victim? The murderer? What happened next?
*The Makeover - It sure was something.
*Sisters - A very short story about the turbulent relationship of two sisters and the surprising revelation that brings then back together. Felt pretty fleshed out for such a short story.
*A Quiet Road - An obvious plot but still loved the writing style and little nods to dark humour. Another author I would be interested in reading more from.
*You And Me - A simple story about a dads first day out with his daughter after splitter from her mum and all the mixed emotions that come with it.
*Decluttering - A story about a couple decluttering for the arrival of their baby but in the proces they remember things about themselves and secrets that were never shared. Eventually agreeing that grudges and angry hearts need to be decluttered and cleared along with the room.
*Easy Street - Unexpected twist in an unhappy couples relationship which felt like almost a complete story within such a few short pages.
October 25, 2020
A quick read that includes ten gripping stories by ten best selling authors.
From wronged wives to nosy neighbours, from distant dads to new-found family, from secrets to lies, fresh starts to false endings and everything in between...
This collection contains original stories from Fanny Blake, Louise Candlish, Mike Gayle, Mari Hannah, Sophie Kinsella, Jojo Moyes, Adele Parks, Ian Rankin, Mahsuda Smith and Keith Stuart.
I was in a reading slump when I picked this book up to read. It containing short stories it was perfect to help me get my mojo back. It was so good I got through it in just a few days (reading around work and other things I needed to do).
I found this book is perfect for discovering new authors and hope to read more of those included work in the future.
So glad I read this.
From wronged wives to nosy neighbours, from distant dads to new-found family, from secrets to lies, fresh starts to false endings and everything in between...
This collection contains original stories from Fanny Blake, Louise Candlish, Mike Gayle, Mari Hannah, Sophie Kinsella, Jojo Moyes, Adele Parks, Ian Rankin, Mahsuda Smith and Keith Stuart.
I was in a reading slump when I picked this book up to read. It containing short stories it was perfect to help me get my mojo back. It was so good I got through it in just a few days (reading around work and other things I needed to do).
I found this book is perfect for discovering new authors and hope to read more of those included work in the future.
So glad I read this.
November 22, 2020
I was sent this book as a Random Act of Kindness gift and I am so grateful. This is a quick read, full of short stories from some of my favourite authors; Adele Parks, Mike Gayle and Jojo Moyes to name just a few! Each story gives the reader a glimpse into their written world and writing style, which is a lovely way of being introduced to new authors.
The only reason I didn’t give this 5 stars is because I was disappointed that some of these have not been made into full novels - I was left hanging on nearly all the work included and that was slighting frustrating!
This is a perfect little read to get you out of a reading slump, or during your lunch hour, or if you can’t give a book your fullest attention. Highly recommended and a great read.
The only reason I didn’t give this 5 stars is because I was disappointed that some of these have not been made into full novels - I was left hanging on nearly all the work included and that was slighting frustrating!
This is a perfect little read to get you out of a reading slump, or during your lunch hour, or if you can’t give a book your fullest attention. Highly recommended and a great read.
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