Audrey, by Sean- Paul Thomas

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And today I'm back with a review! 

I was approached by Sean-Paul Thomas on Goodreads, and I agreed to review Thomas' new book Audrey, in exchange for a free copy. 

So, without further ado, enjoy! 

Title: Audrey 

Author: Sean-Paul Thomas 

Genre: Contemporary

Status: Standalone

Pages: 190 

Blurb: "Just out of prison, a young builder and aspiring writer meets a washed-up, middle-aged French film actress who tries to help him win back his estranged daughter by getting his screenplay made into a movie in Paris." 

My Thoughts

Before I decided to pick this up, I decided to take a look at Audrey's Goodreads page. I was surprised to discover that most of the people that have reviewed this, have read at least one book already by Sean-Paul Thomas. But now, having read this, I can see why. 

I rarely read something that flows so well. 

Every chapter felt like it fit well into the story, nothing felt rushed or unnecessary. 

What drove the book forward was the characters, which I have no complaints about. They were rich and full of life, and although I couldn't picture them in the world that we live in, they felt like the world was them when I was reading about them. It was so easy to like or hate the characters that I couldn't help but getting and staying invested in the story. I never once felt bored reading this. 

The story mainly centred round Joe, the fresh-out-of-prison plummer and secret writer, who is desperate to show that he is fit to see his daughter again, and Audrey, the middle-aged, heavy-smoker french actress that stumbles upon Joe's rough draft by accident, and agrees to try and help him get the script published and produced. 

First things first, I absolutely loved Joe as a character. Or more, I love that his only goal, his only motivation is to get his life together in order to see his child again. It's so refreshing to read about, I couldn't help but love him. He's smart, considerate, loyal, but will jump into a fight to protect his friends in an instant. He's had a bad past but he seems ready to turn a corner make himself a life, despite being at a low point at the start. Such a wonderful protagonist. 

Next up, Audrey. Such a feisty french mistress. Incredibly loyal and friendly, charismatic and intelligent, and will go to the end of the earth to do something for someone she's close to. Honestly, at the end of this book, I wasn't ready to say goodbye. If there was another book written about Audrey, and her struggle in the film industry, both as an actress and a writer, I would 100% read it. 

Audrey and Joe were what made the story. Their relationship was my favourite aspect of this story, even over Joe's turning a corner. It was the bread and butter. 

The plot was simple, but it was packed full of surprising, endearing and honest, funny and light moments that had me giggling at times, or clenching my fists in others. This story takes you on a roundabout route of emotions, and I enjoyed feeling every one of them. 

Overall, a fantastically written book that I would gladly read over and over. The only critique I have is that everything kind of seemed to happen to easily. I wish it hadn't taken quite so little time for Joe's manuscript to be taken notice of. 

But other than that, a very very high standard. I flew through this, and I'm already considering picking up another one of Sean-Paul's works soon. Highly recommend this amazing piece of work. 

Okay! That's my review of Audrey! I hope you enjoyed it, and feel free to comment down below what you thought if you've read it, or if you'll be picking it up soon! 

I hope you have a wonderful day, and I'll see you all soon! 

Byeeee! 

-Abi xxxx

Autumn Book Tag

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And it feels like its been so long since I've done a tag, that I nearly forgot about them! 

Now, the official date for August is 1st September, but we're nearly there, and I just couldn't wait! 

So, enjoy! 

~Are there any books you plan on reading over the autumn months?~

My main goal for the next couple of months is to finally catch up on all of the Rick Riordan series'. 

I have two left, and they are: 

1. Magnus Chase, which consists of:

The Sword of Summer

The Hammor of Thor 

The Ship of the Dead

2. Trials of Apollo, which consists of:

The Hidden Oracle

The Dark Prophecy 

The Burning Maze 

The Tyrant's Tomb

The Tower of Nero 

Cos then I can read all the other amazing series I wanted to get to this year! For full details on this list, check out my 2021 series TBR here.

~September brings back to school memories: what book did you most enjoy studying? What were your favourite and least favourite subjects?~

The stand-out book that I enjoyed studying the most has to have been Educating Rita, because the themes were genuinely something I enjoyed reading and writing about. I love a good character arc, not to mention reading about a woman wanting to become something other than what her environment wants for her. I enjoyed the analysis behind the novel, the dynamics between Rita and Frank, I even enjoyed writing the essay. Honestly, I'd do it again. (Eespecially as he also Blood Brothers, which was one of my favourite musicals at the time.)

My favourite subject was most definitely English, (shocker there eh). My least favourite subject was probably geography. Nothing in that subject interested me at all. 

~October means Halloween: do you enjoy scary books and films? If so, what are your favourites?~

Horror/ scary books and films is a genre that I like to venture into every so often. I'll try and read like a new Stephen King book every so often, and if my boyfriend sticks on a horror film, I'll certainly watch it. 

As for my favourites, my favourite scary book is Misery, by Stephen King, the book was so cleverly written, I was genuinely scared throughout, and I'm actually considering a re-read, come October.

 My favourite scary film would have to be Silence of the Lambs. 

Honourary mentions being The Mist (film- though I need to read the book), It (book, though I love the films), and A Quiet Place (film). 

~With November, it's time for bonfire night and firework displays. What's the most exciting book that's kept you gripped?~

Honestly, going into reading these, I wasn't that excited. After the disasterousness that was the Heroes of Olympus series, I was ready to skip this trilogy and move on to the Trials of Apollo and Magnus Chase series'. But I'm so glad I decided to give them a shot because they definitely slithered in my heart in no time at all. (Funny, right?) 

In fact, I would argue that out of all the Rick Riordan series' I've read so far, The Kane Chronicles are my favourite. I just love the back and forth between Carter and Sadie, how you feel like the chapters are genuine voice recordings, from the way the other sibling jumps in at random moments. Not to mention it was a completely different structure to what I'm used to with the Roman and Greek heroes. Was gripped throughout the series. 

~What book is your favourite cosy comfort read?~ 

It doesn't matter how long it has been since I've read this book, it is always lovely to return to the characters and the story. It doesn't even matter how many YA contemporaries I read, this will remain as one of my favourites. 

~Curled up with a good book, what is your hot drink of choice?~

Honestly, I'll drink most hot drinks while my nose is deep in a book, but most of the time it's just a classic cup of tea. 

~Any plans you're looking forward to in the next couple of months?~ 

1. THE MARATHON. 

It's in Brighton on 12th September. I'm under prepared, mostly due to not being able to find the time to run for several hours, but I'm going to try nevertheless. 

2. The holiday in Brighton the following week. 

3. My birthday! 

14th September, so whilst I'm holidaying in Brighton. 

Okay, that's all the questions. 

I really enjoyed this tag (specifically because it wasn't super long) and I hope you do too! 

For once I'm actually tagging someone! 

I am tagging Heather at @The Frozen Library! 

So that's everything! I hope you have a wonderful day and I'll see you all very soon! 

Byeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx

August TBR (2021)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

I can't believe it's August! Where's the year going? 

Nevertheless, it's the start of another month and it's time for another TBR! 

I have an interesting bunch of books this month, so I hope you enjoy! 

1. Audrey, by Sean-Paul Thomas 

I've been sent a copy of this in exchange for an honest review. It's been a while since I've done one of these, but this seemed interesting. 

Basically, Audrey is about a fresh out of prison, scottish writer that teams up with a washed-up, heavy-drinking, chain-smoking, middle-aged french actress who tries to help him win back his estranged daughter by getting his screenplay made into a movie in Paris. 

I genuinely don't think I've read anything like this, but I'm intrigued as for what I think of this. 

2. Everything I Never Told You, by Celeste Ng 

Another book that's quite different to what I usually venture into. Everything I Never Told You tells the story of a Chinese-American family living in 1970s small town Ohio. Lydia is the favourite child of Marilyn and James Lee, and her parents are determined to help her pursue the dreams they never got the chance to. But when Lydia's body is discovered in a lake, the delicate balance that the Lees have been maintaining is shattered, throwing them all into chaos. 

This sounds like an emotional book and I am ready for it. It's also not terribly long either, so hopefully it won't take me ages. 

3. Dark Blue Rising (The Circle Trilogy #1), by Teri Terry 

4. Red Sky Burning (The Circle Trilogy #2), by Teri Terry 

I read the first book in the series last year for The Reading Rush. 

I read it in two days. 

But, the second book was released at the start of last month, and there's no way we'll reach the end of August, and I haven't read this. I can't disclose what Red Sky Burning is about. because it's the second book in the trilogy, but I will say that Teri Terry is one of my all time favourite authors, and the first book included everything that I love about Teri Terry's tales. 

I'm re-reading the first book so I can have a bit of a refresher on what happened, and go into the second book with a fresh memory of where the story's at. 

5. Wuthering Heights, by Emily Brontë

I bought this for £2.49 at a train station in the town where the Brontë sisters were born, and I thought, what the heck? After making sure I understood the language (I truly struggled with Sense and Sensibility) I purchased it. 

And truly, I can't wait to hop on the train of the Brontë sisters books, and love them just as much as the rest of the world do. 

And tick off one of the books on my book bucket list (the bookmark, I think). 

What book (by the Brontë sisters) is your favourite? Comment down below. 

6. The Malory Towers Books, by Enid Blyton 

I didn't actually plan to put these on the TBR for the month, but I picked up the first one on Monday and now I'm halfway through the series. Half the time, I just want to marathon the rest of the series, but I know that I'll throw myself straight into a reading slump if I do that, so I'm picking one up every so often, whilst continuing with my main read. 

These books were some of my favourites to re-read when I was a child, and I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to be re-reading these again. 

Okay! That's my August TBR (2021)! (Finally, right?) 

I hope you enjoyed it, and as always, let me know what you're planning on reading this month! 

I hope you have a wonderful day, and I'll see you all soon! 

Byeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx