Hello, hello, hello! Welcome to day 16 of this year’s #R3COMM3ND3D which also happens to be a Thursday. We’re one step closer to the weekend but not…quite…there….yet…. Today I am delighted to welcome a fabulous blogger to DP to talk all things bookish, it’s the lovely Yvonne of Me and My Books. Yvonne’s blog is a treasure trove of bookish delights so if you don’t subscribe already, now is the time to change that!

So, what is #R3COMM3ND3D2021? It’s about sharing the book love. It’s a chance for authors, book bloggers and bookstagrammers to shout about three (yes, *only* three) books they love. They can be written by any author, in any genre and published in any way (traditionally, indie press or self-published). But there is a catch. All three books must have been published in 2021. To make things interesting there are a couple of teeny, tiny rules; 1) the book must have FIRST been published in 2021 and 2) special editions and reissues do not count. I like to keep you lovely people on your toes 😉

As this is the fifth year of #R3C, things are going to be a smidge different this year. There’s a scary deadline involved *shudder*. The #R3COMM3ND3D application form will only be open until midday (GMT) on Wednesday 1st December. If you would like to take part in #R3C this year (and I would LOVE you to!) then please get your three choices in sooner rather than later. Any posts scheduled for later in December will be brought forward and I will close the series early if I’m not able to fill all of the available dates. The form is at the bottom of this post if you fancy taking part.

Here are the three books Yvonne has chosen for us…

Family (The Glass Family #1) by Owen Mullen
I do love this author’s books and Family is the first book in his new series. Family is an introduction to a gangland crime thriller that I adored. This is a dark story, there is violence, there is murder, there is drama, there are hopes and dreams. The body count rises, the corrupt coppers are having their hands forced, the net is tightening and who is still standing at the end I will leave you to discover. Owen has since released a second book in this series and it is just as good. I love the start of a new series.
Yvonne’s Review of Family

The Forgotten Life of Arthur Pettinger by Suzanne Fortin
This is such a stunning book and a very emotional one as I entered the life of Arthur Pettinger. His story emerges in a timeslip style I knew within the first couple of chapters that this book was going to be special and it just got better and better. Emotional it most definitely is but it is also about discovery and truth. I was in tears several times in this book as I read and by the end, I was gutted to have finished this wonderful story. It is a story about love, truth and misunderstandings, or maybe missed opportunities depending on how you look at it. It is a mix of contemporary fiction with historical fiction and it is a stunningly beautiful read.
Yvonne’s Review of The Forgotten Life of Arthur Pettinger

The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club by Faith Hogan
The swimming club is something that may sound completely mad to some, I mean swimming in the sea at midnight doesn’t sound like something that most women would think about. The author, however, had different thoughts about it and I for one am so glad she did as it was such a fabulous story to get caught up in. If you are after a story that is one about life, love, friendship and change then you really should look at this one. It is a simply gorgeous book that I would absolutely recommend.
Yvonne’s Review of The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club

Thanks so much, Yvonne. All three of your choices look and sound terrific. Those covers 😍

About Yvonne – Me and My Books:
I am an avid reader who will pretty much read anything. I have always read and I can remember learning to read my first words at primary school. Books are something that have always been part of my life and for the past couple of years they have helped keep life normal. They provide the perfect escape and I can’t imagine not having a book with me.

I read 200+ books a year, this is due to starting my Blog. Prior to that it would be 30-40 books a year. While reading is a solitary thing, reviewing and blogging makes reading a social thing. Connecting to different people around the world is a great thing to be able to do. It makes you realise that you are not alone and that reading is much bigger than you first thought it was.

Yvonne’s Blog and Social Media Links:
| Me and My Books | Twitter @yvonnembee | Facebook | Instagram @meandmybooks24 | Goodreads |

If you’re a book blogger, bookstagrammer or an author and you have three books published this year which you want to shout about then please complete the following form (or click this link: https://forms.gle/pHinvKCHGP89wumn9)