The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

“Sometimes life is a series of obstacles, a matter of putting one foot in front of the other. Sometimes, she realizes suddenly, it is simply a matter of blind faith.” 

In 1916 French artist Edouard Lefevre leaves his wife Sophie to fight at the Front. When her town falls into German hands, his portrait of Sophie stirs the heart of the local Kommandant and causes her to risk everything - her family, reputation and life - in the hope of seeing her true love one last time.

Nearly a century later and Sophie's portrait is given to Liv by her young husband shortly before his sudden death. Its beauty speaks of their short life together, but when the painting's dark and passion-torn history is revealed, Liv discovers that the first spark of love she has felt since she lost him is threatened...

In The Girl You Left Behind two young women, separated by a century, are united in their determination to fight for the thing they love most - whatever the cost.

This is the second book I have read by Jojo Moyes and she is fast becomming one of my favourite authors - I will definitely be tracking down more too!

 The characters were vivid, real and loveable, and their stories were mesmerising - I usually find it hard to read war stories but i devoured this one. I kept moving at a fast enough pace and while at parts it was graphic, I didn't find it too overwhelming.

This story shows that true love conquers all and can overcome all barriers in the end - a perfect love story.

The Man Who Quit Money by Mark Sundeen

In 2000, Daniel Suelo left his life savings-all thirty dollars of it-in a phone booth. He has lived without money-and with a newfound sense of freedom and security-ever since.

The Man Who Quit Money is an account of how one man learned to live, sanely and happily, without earning, receiving, or spending a single cent. Suelo doesn't pay taxes, or accept food stamps or welfare. He lives in caves in the Utah canyonlands, forages wild foods and gourmet discards. He no longer even carries an I.D. Yet he manages to amply fulfill not only the basic human needs-for shelter, food, and warmth-but, to an enviable degree, the universal desires for companionship, purpose, and spiritual engagement. In retracing the surprising path and guiding philosophy that led Suelo into this way of life, Sundeen raises provocative and riveting questions about the decisions we all make, by default or by design, about how we live-and how we might live better.

This was such an intriguing book and it gave me lots of interesting points to think about, many of those I will try and implement in my every day life (although maybe not as extreme as Suelo).

I found Sundeen's way of presenting this story factual and not overdramatised, but very thoroughly researched, so I felt I was getting the full story. 

What a fascinating life - I would love to meet Suelo one day. If only everyone could read this book and see how many little changes could make an overall difference our world might stand a better chance for future generations.

Bared to You (Crossfire #1) by Sylvia Day

“He was the kind of guy that made a woman want to rip his shirt open and watch the buttons scatter along with her inhibitions.” 

Gideon Cross came into my life like lightning in the darkness…
He was beautiful and brilliant, jagged and white-hot. I was drawn to him as I’d never been to anything or anyone in my life. I craved his touch like a drug, even knowing it would weaken me. I was flawed and damaged, and he opened those cracks in me so easily…

Gideon knew. He had demons of his own. And we would become the mirrors that reflected each other’s most private wounds…and desires.The bonds of his love transformed me, even as i prayed that the torment of our pasts didn't tear us apart...

Yes this book is very similar to Fifty Shades of Grey, really it's just without the BDSM.

At least in this series the main heroine isn't as frustrating and annoying as Anastasia. Eva has a bit of backbone and isn't afraid to speak her mind, and while both Eva and Gideon have their messed up issues, they are at least a bit more reserved and mature about it, making it easier to read.

I really liked the banter between Eva and her best friend Cary, which was humorous and realistic.

I will definitely be reading the next instalment of the Crossfire series, but might have a break in between books and read something with a bit more of a substantial plot to keep me sane.