Book Review: That Night in New York by Laura Wilkinson

AD* | Steph, an advice columnist, is stuck in a stagnant life, while lonely architect Harry dreams of rediscovering his passion. Despite a chance encounter in New York sparking a magical connection between them, fear and past wounds keep them apart. But when Steph's daughter, Lola, enters the picture, their paths intertwine in unexpected ways. As Steph fights to save her community's beloved park and confronts her past, she must choose between safety and taking a leap of faith.

Reading Round-Up: September/October 2024

Happy Halloween! I can't believe it's time for my penultimate reading round-up of the year already. Where has this year gone? Spending my days looking after my little one has meant lots of time for books, and I've been making the most of my downtime to catch up on my reading target. I'm determined to reach my goal of reading 50 books this year! 

You can catch up here if you missed my last reading round-up post.

Sleep Divorces: Better Sleep for Better Relationships?

AD* | The 'sleep divorce' concept - where couples sleep in separate beds or rooms to improve their sleep quality - has recently gained popularity among celebs and everyday couples alike. While it may seem like an easy fix to address issues like snoring, mismatched schedules, or tossing and turning, the long-term impact of sleeping apart can quietly erode a relationship's foundation. 

Sharing a bed isn’t just about rest; it’s about intimacy, connection, and bonding. Some argue it also plays a critical role in maintaining emotional closeness and strengthening your relationship. Instead of opting for separate spaces, addressing sleep challenges as a team can foster deeper intimacy, better communication, and a stronger partnership.

Book Review: The Curse of Penryth Hall by Jess Armstrong

AD* | After the Great War, American heiress Ruby Vaughn made a life for herself running a rare bookstore alongside her octogenarian employer and housemate in Exeter. She’s always avoided dwelling on the past, even before the war, but it always has a way of finding her. When Ruby is forced to deliver a box of books to a folk healer living deep in the Cornish countryside, she is brought back to the one place she swore she’d never return. A more sensible soul would have delivered the package and left without rehashing old wounds. But no one has ever accused Ruby of being sensible. Thus begins her visit to Penryth Hall.

A foreboding fortress, Penryth Hall is home to Ruby’s once dearest friend, Tamsyn, and her husband, Sir Edward Chenowyth. It’s an unsettling place, and after a more unsettling evening, Ruby is eager to depart. But her plans change when Penryth’s bells ring for the first time in thirty years. Edward is dead; he met a gruesome end in the orchard, and with his death brings whispers of a returned curse. It also brings Ruan Kivell, the person whose books brought her to Cornwall, the one the locals call a Pellar, the man they believe can break the curse. Ruby doesn’t believe in curses—or Pellars—but this is Cornwall and to these villagers the curse is anything but lore, and they believe it will soon claim its next victim: Tamsyn.

To protect her friend, Ruby must work alongside the Pellar to find out what really happened in the orchard that night.

Reading Round-Up: July/August 2024

Welcome back to another reading round-up post here on The Writing Greyhound! This summer has been filled with all things baby for me, so my free time for books has been limited. However, those sleepless nights and 3am wake-ups have been used to catch up on reading while enjoying cuddles with my newborn which is definitely the best of both worlds.