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ClareR (6225 KP) rated The Garden in Books
Oct 14, 2025
I knew The Garden was going to be set in a dystopian future, but I didn’t fully appreciate just how much I was going to like it.
The story starts off very gently: two elderly sisters, living in the grounds of a big house, one working tirelessly in the garden in order to provide them with enough food, the other joining in here and there, but mostly she’s preoccupied with practicing her dance routine. Outside the gardens walls lies unknown danger. One mustn’t even look beyond the wall.
And then a young boy arrives and everything changes. The outside comes inside.
I loved this. The rules the women live by, set by their mother decades ago, are there to keep them safe, but there’s no room for manoeuvre. So when they’re faced with the unexpected, they don’t know what to do. There’s a climate disaster angle too, and gives the reader a scenario of what might happen if we continue on our current trajectory. Changing seasons, drought, sandstorms.
This novel is so atmospheric. There’s an undercurrent of dread and impending doom, and the descriptions of the garden, cottage and land are quite beautiful.
Wonderful writing and a wonderful story. Highly recommended!
The story starts off very gently: two elderly sisters, living in the grounds of a big house, one working tirelessly in the garden in order to provide them with enough food, the other joining in here and there, but mostly she’s preoccupied with practicing her dance routine. Outside the gardens walls lies unknown danger. One mustn’t even look beyond the wall.
And then a young boy arrives and everything changes. The outside comes inside.
I loved this. The rules the women live by, set by their mother decades ago, are there to keep them safe, but there’s no room for manoeuvre. So when they’re faced with the unexpected, they don’t know what to do. There’s a climate disaster angle too, and gives the reader a scenario of what might happen if we continue on our current trajectory. Changing seasons, drought, sandstorms.
This novel is so atmospheric. There’s an undercurrent of dread and impending doom, and the descriptions of the garden, cottage and land are quite beautiful.
Wonderful writing and a wonderful story. Highly recommended!
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated A House of Bells in Books
Jan 9, 2024
7 of 220
Kindle
A House of Bells
By J.T. Croft
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A woman haunted by fate, a child silenced by fear, and a house full of secrets and bells.
1918. Stripped of her reputation and haunted by a spirit she failed to protect, the young governess Grace Meadows finds herself out of time and growing more and more desperate. But when she’s offered a strange job from an eccentric medium, she never could have imagined what she was signing up for.
Tasked with caring for a troubled young girl who has lost the ability to speak, Grace must unravel the dangerous secrets at the heart of a run-down country mansion and find the source of the horrors which now threaten both of their lives.
As she’s forced to confront her own demons and reconcile the ghosts of past and present, can Grace protect the child from the living and dead? And what is waiting for her beyond the mysterious silk and bells which protect them from forces unseen?
This was a haughtily beautiful gothic horror. It was so well written. The characters were endearing and dislikeable when needed. I’m glad to have found this author and looking forward to reading more.
Kindle
A House of Bells
By J.T. Croft
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A woman haunted by fate, a child silenced by fear, and a house full of secrets and bells.
1918. Stripped of her reputation and haunted by a spirit she failed to protect, the young governess Grace Meadows finds herself out of time and growing more and more desperate. But when she’s offered a strange job from an eccentric medium, she never could have imagined what she was signing up for.
Tasked with caring for a troubled young girl who has lost the ability to speak, Grace must unravel the dangerous secrets at the heart of a run-down country mansion and find the source of the horrors which now threaten both of their lives.
As she’s forced to confront her own demons and reconcile the ghosts of past and present, can Grace protect the child from the living and dead? And what is waiting for her beyond the mysterious silk and bells which protect them from forces unseen?
This was a haughtily beautiful gothic horror. It was so well written. The characters were endearing and dislikeable when needed. I’m glad to have found this author and looking forward to reading more.
Under Your Care
9.0
Rate It
Book
Lane Bennett has struggled for years due to his childhood trauma. He's tired of feeling broken...
Dark Contemporary MM Romance Trigger Warnings Daddy/boy
Merissa (13989 KP) rated Beyond the Dark Oceans in Books
May 21, 2026
BEYOND THE DARK OCEANS is a standalone family saga that follows the life of Georgy Huntingford and his family, from his childhood through to adulthood.
He was born in England and spent part of his childhood there before, for various reasons, his family moved to Canada. Life was still hard, but the family drew together, as they always had. You really get a feeling of what it was like, the hardships faced and endured. You also get a front row seat into the dynamics of the Huntingford family, with the relationships between siblings, as well as with their parents. You also get a wider dynamic with other family members, too.
I found this to be an interesting read that kept my attention from beginning to end. I would have loved to have known for sure what happened to William, but art imitated life in this regard, and I'm left not knowing, as were so many other families.
A thoroughly enjoyable, well-researched historical story that I definitely recommend.
** 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 21, 2026
He was born in England and spent part of his childhood there before, for various reasons, his family moved to Canada. Life was still hard, but the family drew together, as they always had. You really get a feeling of what it was like, the hardships faced and endured. You also get a front row seat into the dynamics of the Huntingford family, with the relationships between siblings, as well as with their parents. You also get a wider dynamic with other family members, too.
I found this to be an interesting read that kept my attention from beginning to end. I would have loved to have known for sure what happened to William, but art imitated life in this regard, and I'm left not knowing, as were so many other families.
A thoroughly enjoyable, well-researched historical story that I definitely recommend.
** 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 21, 2026
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Destiny Kills (Myth and Magic #1) in Books
Nov 7, 2021
184 of 250
Book
Destiny kills ( Myth and Magic book1)
By Keri Arthur
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Desire calls. Danger Lurks.
But...
When Destiny McCree wakes up beside a dead man on an Oregon beach, she knows only this: she has to keep moving, keep searching, and keep one step ahead of the forces that have been pursuing her from the heart of Scotland to this isolated spot. Why? The death of her lover has left her alone, with little memory of her past. A glimmering serpent-shaped ring is the one clue she has - and a bargaining chip in a most dangerous game.
Enter Trae Wilson, a master thief with a sexy, knowing grin and a secret agenda of his own. Destiny and Trae both have powers far beyond the human - and both are running for their lives. Together they're riding a tide of danger, magic, and lust.but with killers stalking their every move, they must use any means necessary, even each other, to survive - until the shocking secret of one woman's destiny finally unravels..
Keri Arthur is one of my favourite writers I absolutely love all her books. This was no exception dragon shifters are my absolute favourite and this book didn’t disappoint.
Book
Destiny kills ( Myth and Magic book1)
By Keri Arthur
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Desire calls. Danger Lurks.
But...
When Destiny McCree wakes up beside a dead man on an Oregon beach, she knows only this: she has to keep moving, keep searching, and keep one step ahead of the forces that have been pursuing her from the heart of Scotland to this isolated spot. Why? The death of her lover has left her alone, with little memory of her past. A glimmering serpent-shaped ring is the one clue she has - and a bargaining chip in a most dangerous game.
Enter Trae Wilson, a master thief with a sexy, knowing grin and a secret agenda of his own. Destiny and Trae both have powers far beyond the human - and both are running for their lives. Together they're riding a tide of danger, magic, and lust.but with killers stalking their every move, they must use any means necessary, even each other, to survive - until the shocking secret of one woman's destiny finally unravels..
Keri Arthur is one of my favourite writers I absolutely love all her books. This was no exception dragon shifters are my absolute favourite and this book didn’t disappoint.
Fogged Off
10.0
Rate It
Book
When travel agent Cyd Redondo’s client and Jack the Ripper expert Shep Helnikov is found dead in...
Playing Possum (A Kristy Farrell Mystery #3)
Book
Murder, mayhem, and crawling with animals… When animals start mysteriously disappearing from...
Cozy Mystery
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2554 KP) rated The Counterfeit Wife in Books
Nov 20, 2022 (Updated Nov 20, 2022)
Nothing About My Enjoyment of This Book was Counterfeit
Becca Parcell and Daniel Alloway have been sent by General Washington to Philadelphia. Someone is flooding the colonies with counterfeit money, and they believe this is where it is originating. It is critical to shut down the supply in order to keep the economy from crashing, thereby destroying the war effort. Just as the two of them get a suspect, a murder takes place, and someone surprisingly close to Becca becomes the prime suspect. Can they figure out what is going on?
I was thrilled with this second trip back to 1780. Once again, I felt like I was in that era while I was reading, including what life was like during that time. The mystery was strong with several twists that kept me reading. There is a strong romance between Becca and Daniel, and it strays a little beyond the cozies I typically read, but not too far. Both of them are strong lead characters, and the story is told from both of their points of view. Meanwhile, the rest of the cast, both real and fictional people, are just as strong. The ending of the book is extremely satisfying, but I’m ready to jump into the next in the series.
I was thrilled with this second trip back to 1780. Once again, I felt like I was in that era while I was reading, including what life was like during that time. The mystery was strong with several twists that kept me reading. There is a strong romance between Becca and Daniel, and it strays a little beyond the cozies I typically read, but not too far. Both of them are strong lead characters, and the story is told from both of their points of view. Meanwhile, the rest of the cast, both real and fictional people, are just as strong. The ending of the book is extremely satisfying, but I’m ready to jump into the next in the series.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Reapers are the Angels (Reapers, #1) in Books
Oct 7, 2022
183 of 230
Kindle
The Reapers are the Angels ( Reapers book 1)
By Alden Bell
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Zombies have infested a fallen America. A young girl named Temple is on the run. Haunted by her past and pursued by a killer, Temple is surrounded by death and danger, hoping to be set free.
For twenty-five years, civilization has survived in meager enclaves, guarded against a plague of the dead. Temple wanders this blighted landscape, keeping to herself and keeping her demons inside her heart. She can't remember a time before the zombies, but she does remember an old man who took her in and the younger brother she cared for until the tragedy that set her on a personal journey toward redemption. Moving back and forth between the insulated remnants of society and the brutal frontier beyond, Temple must decide where ultimately to make a home and find the salvation she seeks.
This was just fantastic. It was beautifully written. We follow the journey of a 15 year old girl crossing the country of a zombie filled world. It’s was so gruesome I loved it. Temple will stay with me for a very long time. Didn’t expect that ending but it was just so good.
Kindle
The Reapers are the Angels ( Reapers book 1)
By Alden Bell
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Zombies have infested a fallen America. A young girl named Temple is on the run. Haunted by her past and pursued by a killer, Temple is surrounded by death and danger, hoping to be set free.
For twenty-five years, civilization has survived in meager enclaves, guarded against a plague of the dead. Temple wanders this blighted landscape, keeping to herself and keeping her demons inside her heart. She can't remember a time before the zombies, but she does remember an old man who took her in and the younger brother she cared for until the tragedy that set her on a personal journey toward redemption. Moving back and forth between the insulated remnants of society and the brutal frontier beyond, Temple must decide where ultimately to make a home and find the salvation she seeks.
This was just fantastic. It was beautifully written. We follow the journey of a 15 year old girl crossing the country of a zombie filled world. It’s was so gruesome I loved it. Temple will stay with me for a very long time. Didn’t expect that ending but it was just so good.