The Bunker Diary by Kevin Brooks- Review

I went on holiday to Devon, which is why I havent posted for a while, but while I was there I read The Bunker Diary and I can't even explain how much I recommend it.

This is the first Kevin Brooks book I've read but now I definitely want to read more of his work, as I enjoyed The Bunker Diary so much! 

"I can't believe I fell for it.

It was still dark when I woke up this morning.

As soon as my eyes opened I knew where I was.

A low-ceilinged rectangular building made entirely of whitewashed concrete.

There are six little rooms along the main corridor.

There are no windows. No doors. The lift is the only way in or out.

What's he going to do to me?

What am I going to do?

If I'm right, the lift will come down in five minutes.

It did. Only this time it wasn't empty . . ."- From Goodreads

I thought I would enjoy this book because of how much I LOVED Room by Emma Donoghue, and this book is a similar concept, although when you read more you realise it is different in a lot of ways too. So, if you enjoyed Room, you'd probably like The Bunker Diary, too.

The story starts straight away as a diary written by someone who has somehow been kidnapped and locked away. Personally, I love books set out as diaries, so this made it even better. Throughout the book, you get to read what is happening and Linus's thoughts. Linus is the main character who is writing the diary himself, and as a character he is great- funny, honest, interesting, smart. Kevin Brooks writes in a way that makes it believable that this is a real person's diary who has really been locked away and has no idea what has happened and what will. The other characters were all amazing too, because the way they were portrayed always seemed believable and true.

This book also makes you want to know what the hell is happening because it's not just a kidnap, but a really elaborate set up and it seems crazy and creepy and you just want to know why and how and who and what and when and ahhhhh so many questions!

I'm not going to give anything away, but if you've read this book, you'll know what I mean when i say THE ENDING THO??!!!?!??! Thanks, Kevin Brooks, thanks a lot. Strangely though, I liked the ending. I thought it was really realistic and not sugar coated, which sometime YA books can be.

I would recommend this book to older readers, maybe from 13-14 onwards, as there are some really sad and upsetting parts, and the Bunker Diary is perfect for people who like stories that are a bit different.

4/5

Rating System 

Buy the Book

Blog Tour: Locks: Rapunzel Unhinged by Sarah J. Pepper

Synopsis

Gunned down by the hottest killer in the history of the Badass Archives wasn’t exactly Rapunzel’s end-game. But when her reputable extraction skills fail, she uses unorthodox methods to gain her freedom from the Mercenary, whose icy blue eyes have serious panty-dropping capabilities. Even though most girls wouldn’t fall for their would-be assassin, Rapunzel isn’t like most dames. Her major girl-boner for the Mercenary is so pathetically intense it verges on cliché. 

Regardless, Rapunzel’s hands are tied. Love chooses its victims, not the other way around. She isn’t the stereotypical Damsel in Distress. Her Bad-Boy Prince Charming is a renowned mercenary, and her “Happy Ending” plays out like a bad movie. However, she is determined to find her freedom—love be damned—and she’ll do it in a fabulous pair of heels. 

About the Author:

I specialize in dark, paranormal romance – think “happy ever after” but with a twisted, dark chocolate center. Real-life romance isn’t only filled with hugs, kisses, unicorns, and rainbows. True-love can be more thoroughly described in times of darkness and tribulation. It’s in those harsh moments where you see what a person is truly capable of – both the good and bad. Sometimes prince-charming isn’t always on time, and the glass slipper is a little snug. However, it doesn’t mean Charming is not Mr. Right, and who says every shoe is the perfect fit?

Buy the book

Interview with Claudia Y. Burgoa!

I feel really lucky to have had the opportunity to interview Claudia, whose new contemporary romance came out in February this year. I haven't had the chance to read the book yet, but from what I've heard it sounds great.

Here is the book description:

Getting By (A Knight's Tale) by Claudia Y. Burgoa is a new-adult contemporary romance novel.

When Emma Anderson arrived at San Francisco International Airport, she regretted accepting the distinction of being the maid of honor to Gaby's--her childhood friend--wedding. It had been years since the last time she set foot in Menlo Park, where her parents had been killed. The rug where she had been shoving her feelings since that day looked bumpier than a camel's hump. Who could blame her; if she hadn't been selfish they'd still be around. Ever since that fateful day, Emma has been perfecting the knack of Getting By.

Cade's wedding in Menlo Park--a city close to San Francisco--might be the perfect place for Jake Knight to shake the memories of his ex, Emma Anderson for good. Single, available women galore for an entire week was the perfect medication, one he intended to take three times a day for an entire week to return to his player days. It was a plan the former spy thought flawless until he came face to face with the maid of honor. Jake's perfect retreat turns into a flight, fight or hide week of celebrations.

Interview

What got you into writing?

My love for books, the need to write the stories that I make up in my mind.

What makes you want to write contemporary (specifically romance) books?

I like for everyone to find their soulmate, that person that completes them.

Does anything in your story relate to your real life?

The Knight family are in some ways a reflection of my favorite aunt and uncle; and their three single—and available—sons.

What can readers expect from the story?

Family ties, a trio of hot brother and two conflicted soulmates that need come to terms about their past and how to tackle their future.

What sort of books do you personally enjoy to read?

Like music, I’ve eclectic taste. I enjoy about every genre—except horror, I’ve read only a few of those in my life time.

Thank you for the interview Claudia!

Back to Blogging!

It feels like so long since I have been on here, and that's because it has been! I've done some of my exams now and I can finally focus more on my blog and not let it just become neglected. 

Firstly, thank you if you're reading  this after so long with no posts, and secondly, I will be making up for this by having some really interesting posts soon.

Tomorrow there will be an interview with Claudia Y. Burgoa, about her new contemporary romance novel, which will actually be the first interview I have on here!

On Saturday, I am hosting the Locks: Rapunzel Unhinged Book Tour, hosted by Neverland Book Tours with the amazing Jenny. This will be the first book tour I've hosted as well, so I'm really excited. 

Also on Saturday, I'm going to The Fringe (YALC) and literally can't wait. Hopefully I'll meet other bloggers and some brilliant writers too. I'm going with my auntie, Eve, who has her book coming out next year, which I am more excited for than most things.  Asdfghjkl!!!!!!!

If you're going to The Fringe, let me know so maybe I can talk to you, even though I'm going to be so shy, but hopefully that will go. :)

Blogging Break

I've been putting off writing this post for at least a week now, but it's been ages since I last posted anything.
That's because I've got 4 gcse exams next week and 2 a few weeks later, so haven't had any time to post. I'm going to revision every night after school and some days to art catch up and at the moment I don't feel like I have any time to post.

I love having a blog so much and I don't want to fill it with things that aren't very good because I've rushed it,  which is what I would be doing if I was to put anything up in the next few weeks, so I've decided to tell you all about this and let you know that I won't be posting for probably the next month.

I'll hate not being on here but I guess school comes first :(

I don't want blogging to become something I'm only doing when I have to and not because I want to, so I think this is the best thing I can do at the minute.


But... I'm going to try and organise something great for when I'm back on here! Let me know if anyone would be interested in helping me with something, or any authors who would too. Thanks to all the bloggers who have always helped me :)

xxx