Emma Maria Rossini is the daughter of a famous actor and the granddaughter of a renowned astrophysicist, living in a huge house with her beautiful and loving mother. But life isn’t as perfect as it seems, and Emma has to combat a very difficult relationship with her father, as well as coping with some seriously tragic events.
I enjoyed this book much more than I expected. It was surprising and moving, well-written and with a complex lead character. Despite her unusual upbringing, Emma goes through some relatable experiences, and her narrative voice injects a level of wit to quite a dark plot for some much needed light and humour.
I was also quite impressed that the author managed to write so well from a female perspective. It is difficult to write effectively from the point of view of the opposite gender, but Laidlaw really pulled it off. I loved Emma’s voice and the way she told her story. I particularly liked the inclusion of the Rossini Theorem, and the way it was incorporated into Emma’s narrative to show the influence it had on her life, even if I didn’t understand all of it.
It’s a slow burner, but one with a fantastic character journey which really does tug at the heart-strings.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
TW: Miscarriage.
Julia hasn’t had sex in three years, and she’s about to learn that she’s been looking for love in all the wrong places. Embarking on an eye-opening journey into lesbianism, Julia opens herself up to some brand new and pretty niche experiences, including an LGBT swing dance class, raves, conceptual art shows, polygamy, S&M and sex clubs. She has well and truly jumped in at the deep end.
This is the story of two neighbouring families, the friendship between their children, and a tragedy that tears them apart. Kate and Peter live next door to each other and were born six months apart. They are best friends, but their families just don’t get on. One horrific night, their bond is pushed past its limits. But can they move on from the events of the past when they meet again, years later?
This coming-of-age drama follows the life of Eli Bell, growing up in Brisbane with his mute brother, drug-dealing stepfather and notorious criminal babysitter. Life doesn’t seem too bad, until Eli’s stepfather vanishes, his mother gets arrested and he and his brother have to go and live with their drunk father. And the complications don’t stop there.
When a strange man bursts into Frida’s office claiming that she is a descendent of Eros, the god of love, and destined to save the world, Frida has him removed by security and laughs the whole thing off. But after a weird meeting and an attempted kidnapping, Frida starts to think that maybe the man calling himself the Oracle was telling the truth.
In book #2 of The Oremere Chronicles, it is 
For centuries, the Raven has watched over and protected the kingdom of Iraden. His power is sustained by the sacrifice of Iraden’s ruler, the Raven’s Lease, every generation. But when the Lease disappears without paying his debt and a usurper takes the throne, the power of the Raven appears to be dwindling. Is he even there at all? It is left to Eolo, loyal aide to the true heir, Mawat, to uncover the truth hidden inside the Raven’s Tower.
Queenie Jenkins is a 25-year-old Jamaican British woman living in London. After a painful breakup from her long-term white boyfriend, Queenie goes off the rails, seeking comfort in the arms of men who are all wrong, pushing her friends away, and putting her career at risk.
96-year-old Doris lives alone in an apartment in Stockholm. She gets very few visitors, looking forward instead to her weekly Skype calls with her grandniece, Jenny. Looking through the names in her old address book, Doris decides to write down the stories of her life – working as a maid in Sweden, becoming a live mannequin in Paris, falling in love and heading to America before the Second World War. There are so many stories to tell, and not much time left for Doris to tell them.