So, I Met This Guy ... by Alexandra Potter [Audiobook]

🎙🎙🎙 Narrated by Shelley Conn🎙🎙🎙

🔥🔥🔥 Out on 29 January 2026 🔥🔥🔥

Description from Goodreads:

"So, I Met This Guy . . .

Well, isn’t that how every love story starts? But what we don’t know is, how will it end?

For Maggie, she certainly didn’t expect it to involve discovering the supposed love-of-her-life stole her life-savings, along with her home, heart and self-esteem.

So, when she meets Flick, a young reporter, who realises this story could be the big break she’s been looking for, they set off together to catch him as he goes on the run across Europe. After all, she’s got nothing left to lose, right?

But as the pair embark on the road trip of their lives, unexpected twists, hidden secrets and hard truths are revealed. And as an unlikely friendship begins to blossom, they realise it’s not just about finding the guy, it’s about finding themselves."

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The perfect summer listen despite it being the end of January!

I’ve just finished listening to this one and it was honestly the perfect summer listen - even if I am sitting here at the end of January! If you’re looking for a story that’ll make you laugh out loud while you’re lounging by the pool or sitting on a beach, this is definitely it. I can just picture people sitting there with huge smiles on their faces, probably getting a few funny looks for giggling to themselves as they follow Maggie and Flick across Europe.

The story kicks off when Maggie discovers the man she thought was the love of her life has actually done a runner with her life savings leaving her without her home and living in a caravan in a field. She ends up teaming up with Flick, a young reporter who's looking for her own big break, and they head off on a wild chase to track him down. I really loved the dynamic between them - it’s such a heartwarming friendship that blossoms as they travel through some gorgeous locations.

I listened to the audiobook version and Shelley Conn was a fantastic choice for the narrator. She really brought the characters to life and her timing was spot on. It made the whole experience even more enjoyable and kept me hooked from start to finish. It’s the kind of performance that makes the miles fly by if you're listening while travelling.

It’s a really lovely, light-hearted read that doesn't take itself too seriously while still making you root for Maggie to get her life back. While there were a few moments that felt a bit predictable, it didn't take away from the overall fun of the road trip. It’s a solid, feel-good tale that's perfect for a bit of escapism when the weather outside is anything but summery.

A big thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to listen and share my thoughts.

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One Wrong Turn by C.M.Ewan

 

Description from Goodreads:

"Late at night...

Abi and Ben are driving home down foggy country roads, arguing about having had to cut short their weekend away when they take a wrong turn. Abi’s driving, but her eyes leave the road for a moment as she says something to Ben – just as he gasps. A man is in front of the car, waving a torch. Abi swerves to avoid him.

You see a family stranded...

Ben tells her they should stop and go back, but Abi refuses. It’s dark, the roads are isolated and they don’t know this stranger. But, as Abi continues on, they see a broken-down car. Every instinct is still telling Abi to drive by, but then she notices the woman holding a car seat with a baby in it.

Would you stop?

For a moment, Abi hesitates, but they can’t leave a mother and baby on the side of the road. Agreeing to give the family a lift, they set off again. But now these strangers are inside their car and it might be the worst mistake they have ever made..."

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Well ... that was a ride and a half!

Abi and Ben have cut their weekend away short and a returning home in dense fog when they take a wrong turn.  A man appears out of the fog but Abi doesn't want to stop so drive on.  Further up the road, a woman with a baby car seat stands next to a car with its hazard lights on ... should they stop?  Would you?

Of course they do but in doing so, they set into motion a nightmare that you would never see coming.  

This book is non-stop, yes it's a bit OTT but it's absolutely riveting and I raced through it desperate to see how it would all work out and I wasn't disappointed.  With great characters, a fast pace, full of suspense and tension and some great twists, this is a book that I found difficult to stop reading.

Many thanks to the author, Pan Macmillan, Macmillan and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this riveting read.

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Read my review of A Window Breaks also by C.M. Ewan

The Marriage Act by John Marrs

Description from Goodreads:

"What if marriage was the law? Dare you disobey?

Britain. The near future. A right wing government believes it has the answer to society’s ills – the Sanctity of Marriage Act which actively encourages marriage as the norm, punishing those who choose to remain single.

But four couples are about to discover just how impossible relationships can be when the government is monitoring every aspect of our personal lives, monitoring every word, every minor disagreement…And it will use every tool in its arsenal to ensure everyone will love, honour and obey!"

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Set in a time not too far away, this is a dark and rather creepy tale that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Would you 'upgrade' your marriage if it meant getting preferential treatment ... the best jobs, the best houses, better health care, education, etc., etc., etc.?  But then what if that meant artificial intelligence was listening in to snap shots of your conversations and then analysing them to make sure you are keeping to the terms of your marriage?  And if not, a scale of interventions would be put into action.  Would you still do it?  Well, The Marriage Act will probably make you think again!

Mr Marrs certainly gets you thinking and poses really interesting questions and dilemmas in this well plotted, perfectly paced book told from the viewpoints of his well created characters and with some great twists and turns.

Thoroughly enjoyable and quite an unsettling book that actually doesn't feel that far from becoming a reality!  How many have an Alexa, Siri or similar digital voice assistant in the home or on your wrist that just sits there?  I'm not a conspiracy theorist, however I imagine it wouldn't take much for a law to be passed in the name of improving the economy or society in some way, then a switch is flicked and the process would start ... definitely not beyond the realms of reality and very scary!

This is the second of Mr Marrs' books I have enjoyed and I will definitely read more in the future and thanks must go to Pan Macmillan, Macmillan and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Marriage Act.

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Check out my review of Keep It In the Family also by John Marrs:

The Cat Who Caught a Killer by L T Shearer

 

Description from Goodreads:

"Meet Conrad the cat. You’ve never met a detective like him before.

Neither has Lulu Lewis when he walks into her life one summer’s day. Mourning the recent death of her husband, the former police detective had expected a gentle retirement, quietly enjoying life on her new canal boat, The Lark, and visiting her mother-in-law Emily in a nearby care home.

But when Emily dies suddenly in suspicious circumstances, Lulu senses foul play and resolves to find out what really happened. And a remarkable cat named Conrad will be with her every step of the way . . ."

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I love cats and I love reading about murder (strange I know!) so even though this book is quite different to what I normally read, I thought I'd give it a go and, overall, it was pretty good.

This is definitely what is called a 'cosy mystery'; it is not offensive or violent.  Emily's mother in law dies suddenly and unexpectedly and whilst her death is put down to natural causes, Emily, an ex Police Officer, is not convinced and so sets off to get to the truth along with a talking cat that has adopted her.  

I thought I would struggle with the talking cat angle but whilst it was a little absurd at the beginning, it worked really well and, I think, it symbolised Emily's inner voice.

With great characters and a good story line, this is an easy to read mystery.  There are twists and turns but, unfortunately, they weren't too much of a surprise so this let it down a little and although the pace was steady, there was a little bit too much description at times which slowed the story down somewhat.

Overall though, I would recommend to those who enjoy a simple, easy to read and inoffensive mystery and my thanks must go to PanMacmillan, Macmillan and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Cat Who Caught a Killer.

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Picture You Dead (Roy Grace #18) by Peter James

 

Description from Goodreads:

"Harry and Freya, an ordinary couple, dreamed for years of finding something priceless buried amongst the tat in a car boot sale.

It was a dream they knew in their hearts would never come true – until the day it did…

They buy the drab portrait for a few pounds, for its beautiful frame, planning to cut the painting out. Then studying it back at home there seems to be another picture beneath, of a stunning landscape. Could it be a long-lost masterpiece from 1770? If genuine, it could be worth millions.

One collector is certain it is genuine. Someone who uses any method he can to get want he wants and will stop at nothing.

Detective Superintendent Roy Grace finds himself plunged into an unfamiliar and rarefied world of fine art. Outwardly it appears respectable, gentlemanly, above reproach. But beneath the veneer, he rapidly finds that greed, deception and violence walk hand-in-hand. And Harry and Freya Kipling are about to discover that their dream is turning into their worst nightmare. . ."

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I can't believe I'm saying this but ... this is the first book by Peter James I have read!!!  I know, where have I been all this time given that this is book 18 ... living under a rock obviously!!!  Although this is book 18, I think it worked well as a standalone; there is obviously character development and back stories that I've missed but it didn't detract too much from the story as a whole.

The story delves into the world of art dealing and centres around the potential discovery of an extremely rare and sought after painting which, if genuine, is worth a fortune.  The plot involves a cold case, murder, forgery, burglary and the Antiques Roadshow! 

With all manner of twists and turns, this is a highly entertaining story with great characters and I must give a thank you to Pan Macmillan, Macmillan and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of Picture You Dead.

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