📖 Book Review #9: Day One by Abigail Dean

Nine reviews! I’m genuinely surprised at how much I’m enjoying keeping track of my reading like this. It’s making me think more carefully about what I’ve read rather than just moving straight on to the next book.

Day One is quite a powerful and unsettling read. It opens in the aftermath of a tragic school shooting in a small village. The story doesn’t focus on the event itself in a sensational way, but rather on the ripple effects — the shock, grief and suspicion that spread through the community in the days and months afterwards.

This is not an easy read, and I think it’s important to say that. The subject matter is heavy, and at times it felt uncomfortable — but deliberately so. The author explores how people react to trauma, how blame is assigned (rightly or wrongly), and how fragile a sense of safety can be.

What I found most interesting was the shifting perspectives. The novel moves between different characters, and you start to see how one event can look completely different depending on who is telling the story. It made me think about how quick we can be to judge when we don’t have all the facts.

It isn’t a fast-paced thriller in the traditional sense. It’s more psychological and reflective. There is tension, but it comes from uncertainty and emotion rather than dramatic action.

At times I did feel emotionally drained reading it — I had to put it down once or twice and come back to it. But that’s not necessarily a criticism. It simply means it had an impact.

Overall, I’d give Day One ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5. It’s thoughtful, disturbing, and very well written — just not a light read.

If you enjoy:

• Psychological drama

• Multiple perspectives

• Stories about communities under strain

• Books that tackle difficult themes

…then this may be worth considering (with the right frame of mind).

Nine books reviewed — nearly into double figures!

Victoria 📚

📖 Book Review #8: Felicia’s Favourites by William Boyd

 

Eight reviews — I’m amazed at myself for keeping this up! This latest read felt a little different again, which I’m starting to think is good for me. It’s nice not to get stuck in one genre.

Felicia’s Favourites is a quieter, more character-focused novel. It centres around Felicia, a woman whose life hasn’t quite turned out as she might once have imagined. When she begins looking back over her past — the choices she made, the relationships she had, the opportunities she let slip — the story becomes a gentle exploration of regret, memory and self-understanding.

I found this one less about plot and more about reflection. There aren’t huge dramatic twists or shocking revelations. Instead, it unfolds slowly, almost like you’re sitting with Felicia as she tells you her story over a cup of tea.

At first, I wasn’t entirely sure where it was heading. I kept waiting for something big to happen. But as I settled into it, I began to appreciate the subtlety. It’s very observant about human nature — the small misunderstandings and quiet turning points that can shape an entire life.

The writing is elegant but not showy, and I found myself highlighting a few lines that really struck me. It’s one of those books that makes you think about your own life a little more deeply — the “what ifs” and the roads not taken.

If I’m honest, it won’t be for everyone. Readers who prefer fast-moving plots might find it too slow. But if you enjoy thoughtful, character-led stories, there’s something rather lovely about it.

Overall, I’d give Felicia’s Favourites ⭐⭐⭐½ out of 5.

If you enjoy:

• Character-driven fiction

• Reflective, slower-paced novels

• Themes of memory and regret

• Thoughtful observations about life

…then this may well be one to add to your list.

Eight books reviewed — I do feel rather proud of this little project now.

Victoria 📚

📖 Book Review #7: Nobody’s Fool by Harlan Coben

Seven reviews! I’m quite enjoying seeing the little list grow — it’s rather satisfying.

Nobody’s Fool was a bit of a departure for me. I don’t always pick up fast-paced crime thrillers, but I’ve heard so much about Harlan Coben over the years that I felt it was time to try one.

This story follows Sami Kierce, a man whose life was turned upside down years ago when he woke up covered in blood with no memory of the night before. He fled, terrified he’d done something terrible. Fast forward to the present day, and the past he’s tried to outrun begins to catch up with him in a very unexpected way.

From the very beginning, this book moves quickly. There are twists, secrets, and revelations coming thick and fast. I found myself racing through chapters, especially in the second half, because I simply had to know what really happened all those years ago.

What stood out to me most was the idea of memory — how reliable it is, and whether we can ever truly trust our own version of events. That psychological uncertainty added depth to what might otherwise have been a straightforward thriller.

I will say, at times the plot felt quite complicated, with lots of strands weaving together. I had to pay attention! But that complexity is probably part of what makes it so gripping.

This isn’t a gentle, atmospheric mystery like some of the books I naturally lean towards. It’s punchier, more dramatic, and full of surprises. And while it’s slightly outside my usual comfort zone, I did enjoy the ride.

Overall, I’d give Nobody’s Fool ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5.

If you enjoy:

• Fast-paced thrillers

• Plenty of twists

• Cold cases resurfacing

• Stories about buried secrets

…then this would definitely keep you entertained.

Seven reviews in — and I’m still loving this new chapter.

Victoria 📚