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LI
Lust is the Thorn
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second novel I have read from this author and I am not sure if I like her or not yet. Both stories feature tormented men with troubled past and the women who love them. I love a good romance about a man falling in love with his best friend’s sister, but there seemed to be a lot lacking from this novel. I felt that the only conflict was the character’s own hang ups.

I did, however, enjoy the bad girl, good boy dynamic. I am so used to the man being the “bad” one that it was refreshing. Not to mention he was genuinely a good guy. I felt like they deserved each other and helped each other heal.

However, I didn’t particularly care for the story line. There was nothing wrong with it or the author’s writing. I just didn’t care about the characters or their story.
  
A Week Away (2021)
A Week Away (2021)
2021 | Drama, Family, Musical
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Fiercely innocuous Netflix family musical. Too cool for school (NB he's not actually that cool) bad-boy (NB nor is he that bad either) is given a choice between Juvie and going to church camp for a week. Cue lots of cute romance, gentle comedy, dancing and singing about the grace of God, and, wouldn't you know it, religious conversion.

A ruthlessly cynical grab at the juicy faith-based-movie market by Netflix. This one is better than most, I suppose: the songs aren't painful to listen to and everyone is clearly trying their hardest. But its determination to be completely non-threatening and wholesome renders it bland to the point of absurdity - the sentiments expressed are mostly inoffensive (although the subtext is inevitably authoritarian, as with most movies about finding God), but it's almost totally lacking in drama, grit, tension and any genuine sense of threat. Passable entertainment if you want to watch something totally unchallenging. But why would you?
  
Riptide (Boys of Summer)
Riptide (Boys of Summer)
Jordan Ford | 2019 | Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
8
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Riptide (Boys of Summer) by Jordan Ford
Jace - or Bass as he is known throughout most of this book - is a thrill-seeker. He is the ultimate paradox - a bad boy who doesn't actually try to be bad, and has a heart. He makes stupid decisions based on hurt feelings. His story is completely understandable and heartbreaking with how he feels. Ms. Ford has done a magnificent job of bringing him to life, to make his quandary completely relate-able.

And that's the thing with this book. As a reader, I got it. I could see where Bass was coming from, and why he behaved the way he did. Would I make the same decisions? No, but then I'm not a sixteen-year-old boy with the same experiences as him.

With no editing or grammatical errors that jolted me, I thoroughly enjoyed this novella, and can't wait to see what happens when he goes to Ryder Bay and meets up with SnapDragon.

As a standalone, this is a great read. As a prequel to the next Ryder Bay story, it's fantastic! Definitely recommended by me.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Stars Beneath Our Feet
Stars Beneath Our Feet
David Barclay Moore | 2017 | Children
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
What a Star
Alright, My boy Lolly deserves, like, none of this shit. What a pure child. Alright, as a kid that's also kinda from the hood, I can tell you, it's really that bad. However, this book encapsulated it perfectly, and the added small details made it all the better.

One thing I really like was that Lolly's obsession with Legos was well done. I think Moore really showed how a kid, who was just twelve would feel. Little kids dealing with adult stuff is something that shouldn't happen, but still does. However, Moore makes it inviting, and yet not. Oof. This review is getting problematic.

Last thing: LGBTGIA+ friendly!!!
  
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Talon (Talon, #1)
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Definitely a new side to dragons that I don't think I've seen before. A strong hatred between Talon and St. George which was played out quite well.

Ember was a very good name for a dragon and I particularly liked Riley 's nickname of Firebrand I thought it suited her well.

The characters were well developed with balance between prose and dialogue. Very well written.

I preferred Riley /Cobalt to Garrett but I'll almost always choose a shapeshifter over a human. Riley just had that bad boy-esque edge to him plus the added bonus of mates or at least I think they're mates.
  
The Happening (2008)
The Happening (2008)
2008 | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Terrible acting. And I love both the main actors so it was very surprising. Its quite an interesting plot if it had been done correctly. I watched this movie a couple years ago and blocked it from my brain it was so bad. Then when it popped up on Disney+ I thought it was something new I hadn't seen. Boy was I wrong! Somehow worse the second time around. How the heck do plants choose who lives or dies? How did half of New York or wherever survive and the others didn't? Doesn't make sense.... The rating is a 2 because I liked the old ladies jump scare!
  
Clueless (Squad Goals #1)
Clueless (Squad Goals #1)
Willow Thomas | 2023 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
CLUELESS is the first book in the Squad Goals series and we start with Lexi - a male cheerleader - and Ryder. Lexi has been in love with Bad Boy Ryder for five years now and knows nothing can come of it but it's hard for him to change his heart. Ryder loves Kait, Lexi's sister, like a sister and has always noticed Lexi but didn't do anything about it until the day he did!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Partly because it was nice to read about male cheerleaders and how supportive each team was instead of the usual bitchiness and backstabbing that you get. And also Ryder - our not-so-bad boy. It may have taken him a while to catch on to what everyone else already knew but once he did, he was all in.

The story flowed naturally, as did the misunderstandings, easily sorted out by just taking a moment and figuring out what was important. These guys know what's what! There is also a great group of supporting characters that I am dying to hear more from.

The start of a great series and definitely recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 5, 2023
  
PI
Passion Ignites (Dark Kings, #7)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Lexi won't stop until she finds the Red Eye that killed her friend but in her search she comes to the attention of not only the Red Eyed, evil Dark Fae but also bad boy Dragon King, Thorn.
When the Dark Fea realise she is immune to their powers they know she is a Dragon King mate and to catch a dragon they must trap Lexi.

I don't read much fantasy but I do love this series. The Dragon Kings are brave and sexy and will do anything to protect their mate while also protecting their secret from the Humans.
I do love Donna Grants writing, she makes her books easy to read and difficult to put down.
  
Witchy, Witchy (Spellbound Trilogy, #1)
Witchy, Witchy (Spellbound Trilogy, #1)
Penelope King | 2012 | Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
4
8.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
I got this as a freebie back in 2012, I think, and only really got around to reading it as part of "We Heart YA groups" A-Z Challenge.

I ended up DNF'ing at 20%.

It wasn't bad or anything, just not enough happened in that first fifth of the story to grab my attention and to make me want to continue reading.

If something other than her starting a new school and learning she's a witch (though she should have figured that out by herself already), oh and meeting a cute boy and his dog, then I might have wanted to continue but like I said, the plot was moving far too slowly for me.
  
The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018)
The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018)
2018 | Fantasy, Horror, Mystery
Not Bad
The trailer lead me to believe that this movie was going to suck, but it was actually pretty good. The main protagonist is a boy named Lewis. He movies in with his uncle, whom he has never met before, after the death of his parents. He soon realizes that strange things are happening in his new home, and once his uncle explains that he is a warlock Lewis takes an interest in learning magic.
This film had a lot of moments that made me laugh mixed in with a few serious themes. Lewis really struggles throughout the film. He has a hard time fitting in with his peers, and he is still grieving from the loss of his parents. Sometimes the serious moments felt a little forced, but over all they weren't to bad.
I think older kids would really enjoy this movie. I would be hesitant to take a really young child to this one. They might be frightened by some parts, but really that will depend on the kid.