I was thinking about what I wanted to read next… despite being only half way through 3 books – as you do, right?!
And it occurred to me that first impressions in the book world are important. VERY important. The older I get the pickier and picker I am with my next book choice and that is because my reading time is precious and finite.
I want to read a book that makes a GREAT first impression – I want a cover design that grabs my attention, I want an interesting synopsis and I want a first paragraph that draws me in.
So welcome to….
First Impression Friday
If I am organised enough each week I am planning on featuring a book that has made it onto my TBR pile by making (yes you guessed it!) a great first impression.
XX by Angela Chadwick

Great cover, right?!?
Would it catch your attention in the book store? It did mine – I quite like a simple cover and and I think the colour choice works so well.
I often don’t like the appearance of quotes on book covers, but I think it works well here and the publisher has picked some great snippets to include.
I think the design as a whole stands out.
BUT what really caught my attention was the book blurb below –
HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO FOR A CHILD OF YOUR OWN?
When Rosie and Jules discover a ground-breaking clinical trial that enables two women to have a female baby, they jump at the chance to make history.
Fear-mongering politicians and right-wing movements are quick to latch on to the controversies surrounding Ovum-to-Ovum (o-o) technology and stoke the fears of the public. What will happen to the numbers of little boys born? Is there a sinister conspiracy to eradicate men at play?
In this toxic political climate, Jules and Rosie try to hide their baby from scrutiny. But when the news of Rosie’s pregnancy is leaked to the media, their relationship is put under a microscope and they’re forced to question the loyalty of those closest to them, and battle against a tirade of hate that threatens to split them apart…
Interesting and intriguing!
Would it make you open the front cover to read the first few lines?
The woman behind the desk sighs when I ask whether Professor Jefferson is available. “The professor won’t see anyone without an appointment. Are you a journalist, by any chance?”
P.1
The first paragraph had me hooked – And I will happily admit I didn’t stop at the first paragraph. I read the whole first chapter, which was only a couple of pages but lately I am very much enjoying short, snappy chapters.
I am planning on reading XX by Angela Chadwick soon.
Have you read it?
Is it good? Am I in for a treat?
OKAY THAT COVERRR!! If I had seen this cover in a bookstore, I’D HAVE BOUGHT IT IN AN INSTANT! And that first paragraph — I AM HOOKED TOO! I gotta read this one nowwwwwwwww!!!! 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
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😀 Glad I’m not on my own 😀
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Fab post Jules sounds like an interesting read!
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Thank you Nicki 😀
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Oh wow this has got me intrigued for sure! Love this feature x
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Thank you Zoe, I just like talking about books 😀 😀
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Me too!! Love it! I will looking out for this feature again lol x
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This is one of the best books I’ve read this year! 😀
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I’m looking forward to it even more now! 😀
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I’ve read this book. It’s so good, so interesting I couldn’t put it down. You’re in for a treat 😊
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YAY! So glad to read that 😀
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That does look fascinating! I guess I pick books to add to the TBR from recommendations and sometimes from NetGalley emails which must be on the cover and description. But I choose which book to read next (after allowing for projects and themed months) by going to the beginning then end of my TBR (which is shelved in order of acquisition) then the nearest NetGalley book to publication on my Kindle. The exception to that is holiday reading, which usually involves me looking for BookCrossing books and books I know I won’t want to keep on my TBR so I can leave them at the holiday flat.
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I love how organised you are!
I always want to be more structured in my reading, but apart from blog tours, I don’t stick to any sort of schedule -I do try to a bit with NetGalley, but even those books are usually selected by the mood I’m in. Lately, I’m attempting to make an effort to read more of my purchased books.
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It’s laziness more than organisation – I don’t have to think what to read, I just grab the next one off whichever end of the shelf I’m doing next!
I am bad with NetGalley: I write lists with dates then forget. And I devoted hours to reading one on holiday, only to find I’m not allowed to publish the review until a week before it’s published … in JANUARY!
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I definitely want to read this. It’s a great share, Jules!
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Thank you, Jennifer. I’m looking forward to getting a chunk of it read.
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I so wanna read this now! You’re not helping my TBR, Jules! 😀
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