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Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated His Game: The First Time in Books
Feb 5, 2024
🔞🔞🔞🔞
23 of 220
Kindle
His Game: The First Time
By Tirzah M.M. Hawkins
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trigger warning and crap content
Rachel's your average teenage girl, fresh out of high school, excited about the secret trip her boyfriend surprised her with. She's been waiting forever for him to pop the question.
However, John isn't your average teenage boy. And his idea of a fun trip is far from a proposal.
John's growing into his tastes. Tastes for things unmentionable in polite society. Read this coming-of-age story about how a violent artist got his start.
Each book in the His Game series is a standalone story and can be read in any order.
So I read His Game: The woods as an arc a while ago and I just needed to read this one too this is how John starts his game and it’s a pretty twisted tale. This is not for everyone it’s graphic and dark. It’s always hard to say I liked these kind of books but when they are well written and provoke a response that the author sets out to achieve then they are worth the read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
23 of 220
Kindle
His Game: The First Time
By Tirzah M.M. Hawkins
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trigger warning and crap content
Rachel's your average teenage girl, fresh out of high school, excited about the secret trip her boyfriend surprised her with. She's been waiting forever for him to pop the question.
However, John isn't your average teenage boy. And his idea of a fun trip is far from a proposal.
John's growing into his tastes. Tastes for things unmentionable in polite society. Read this coming-of-age story about how a violent artist got his start.
Each book in the His Game series is a standalone story and can be read in any order.
So I read His Game: The woods as an arc a while ago and I just needed to read this one too this is how John starts his game and it’s a pretty twisted tale. This is not for everyone it’s graphic and dark. It’s always hard to say I liked these kind of books but when they are well written and provoke a response that the author sets out to achieve then they are worth the read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
My Good Bright Wolf
10.0
Rate It
Book
A memoir about thinking and reading, eating and denying your body food, about the relationships that...
Memoir Trigger warning: eating disorders
Merissa (14056 KP) rated Seven Hundred Beachfront in Books
Jul 25, 2025
SEVEN HUNDRED BEACHFRONT is a story about a house, if the title didn't clue you in. This is not the usual genre I go for, but the blurb had me intrigued.
It is a cosy read that takes place over a couple of months during the summer, when Bec rents the house while she looks after her five-year-old brother, Bobby. Their summer stay becomes more interesting when the house starts making her opinions known, and both Bobby and Bev are able to understand her.
With a small town cast of supporting characters, there is a love interest in Jeff, the next door neighbour, plus some angst in the most un-mother I've ever had the displeasure of reading about.
Told from Bev's perspective throughout, this was a sweet read that I enjoyed. The intimate scenes are either very low spice or fade-to-black. If you want a story with a beach setting while you're sat at the beach, then I can definitely recommend this one.
** 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!
Jul 25, 2025
It is a cosy read that takes place over a couple of months during the summer, when Bec rents the house while she looks after her five-year-old brother, Bobby. Their summer stay becomes more interesting when the house starts making her opinions known, and both Bobby and Bev are able to understand her.
With a small town cast of supporting characters, there is a love interest in Jeff, the next door neighbour, plus some angst in the most un-mother I've ever had the displeasure of reading about.
Told from Bev's perspective throughout, this was a sweet read that I enjoyed. The intimate scenes are either very low spice or fade-to-black. If you want a story with a beach setting while you're sat at the beach, then I can definitely recommend this one.
** 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!
Jul 25, 2025
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2593 KP) rated Hollywood Kills in Books
May 28, 2026 (Updated May 28, 2026)
Stories for a Good Cause
This book, put out to raise funds to help victims of the 2025 Los Angeles wild fires, contains sixteen stories set in and around Hollywood. Over the course of the series, we meet just about everyone who works in the entertainment business from writers to character actors to caterers to directors to casting directors. Unfortunately, for all of these people, they are about to find themselves playing some deadly games. And yes, we do occasionally leave the Southern California area to find murder and mayhem on location.
Being an LA resident, I wanted to get this book to support the cause. And I enjoyed the stories by Ellen Byron and Wendall Thomas the most, no surprise since I like their books in general. But, when read back-to-back, these stories overall have a sameness to them. Not every story, but the majority. This isn’t to say the stories are poorly written or bad. I was engaged by the characters as the entertaining plots unfolded. I think if I had spaced these stories out a bit more, I would have enjoyed the book overall. So, my recommendation is that you pick up this book and do just that.
Being an LA resident, I wanted to get this book to support the cause. And I enjoyed the stories by Ellen Byron and Wendall Thomas the most, no surprise since I like their books in general. But, when read back-to-back, these stories overall have a sameness to them. Not every story, but the majority. This isn’t to say the stories are poorly written or bad. I was engaged by the characters as the entertaining plots unfolded. I think if I had spaced these stories out a bit more, I would have enjoyed the book overall. So, my recommendation is that you pick up this book and do just that.
Merissa (14056 KP) rated Jesse's Diner (Hope, #2) in Books
Apr 16, 2023
This is a feel-good, sexy, romance novella in the Hope series. Steve and Tanner have known each other for a long time, and Tanner has had a crush on Steve since the very beginning. When he receives a call from Mike, his best friend and Steve's son, saying that he is worried about his dad, Tanner feels like he has to check in on him to make sure he's okay.
There is a revelation from Steve which has the possibility to destroy their relationship before it even gets started. Instead, I was very impressed with Tanner's reaction and subsequent research/knowledge, whatever you want to call it.
I adored this book - every single word. This is a hug-in-a-book, with some incredibly sensual scenes too. And just in case, the story itself isn't enough, the dedication brought a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes. And there are not many dedications that I can say that about!
Highly recommended!!
* 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!
Sep 29, 2015
There is a revelation from Steve which has the possibility to destroy their relationship before it even gets started. Instead, I was very impressed with Tanner's reaction and subsequent research/knowledge, whatever you want to call it.
I adored this book - every single word. This is a hug-in-a-book, with some incredibly sensual scenes too. And just in case, the story itself isn't enough, the dedication brought a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes. And there are not many dedications that I can say that about!
Highly recommended!!
* 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!
Sep 29, 2015
Merissa (14056 KP) rated Dragon Soul (Dragon Clan #3) in Books
Apr 19, 2023
I will admit that when I started reading this book, I thought I was on the wrong one! Mainly because the synopsis is all about Valla, but when it starts, it's about Hathos instead. However, this quickly sorts itself out as Valla arrives back home, still searching for that elusive something. When Hathos tells her that he has seen a vision of her accompanying him on a mission to the south, she jumps at the chance.
In Dragon Soul, you mainly get Valla and Vadin, but then you do get parts of Hathos and Oliana too. I loved how this was written, at the slowly developing relationship between the two pairs, even in dire circumstances. Of them all, Vadin has the most difficult journey, but with Valla by his side, he can conquer anything - even his own fears.
Very well written, smooth and well-paced, this is the perfect ending to the Dragon Clan Trilogy. I have been lucky enough to read all three and from my personal experience, can definitely recommend all three.
* 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!
Oct 24, 2015
In Dragon Soul, you mainly get Valla and Vadin, but then you do get parts of Hathos and Oliana too. I loved how this was written, at the slowly developing relationship between the two pairs, even in dire circumstances. Of them all, Vadin has the most difficult journey, but with Valla by his side, he can conquer anything - even his own fears.
Very well written, smooth and well-paced, this is the perfect ending to the Dragon Clan Trilogy. I have been lucky enough to read all three and from my personal experience, can definitely recommend all three.
* 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!
Oct 24, 2015
Anne (15130 KP) rated The Devil's Only Friend (John Cleaver, #4) in Books
Mar 4, 2022
This series just keeps getting better and better with each book. Dan Wells is another awesome author and writes this genre and series really well.
I remember after reading the first book in this series, I couldn't handle it and didn't want to read anymore because of how creepy it was thinking about your next-door neighbor that could be the crazy psycho on the loose. Then because I couldn't stop thinking about the book, I had to know what happened next so here I am almost done with this series and I don't want it to end.
He is good at writing this psychological suspense and such that can mess with your head, scare you and suck you in and not let you go until you know what happens and all the answers.
The thing that I come back to a lot with this series is how well he writes this so it creeps me out and yet uses little to no violence, gore, swearing, and such because clean reads are always a bonus and clean reads that creep me out like this are rare.
If you haven't checked out books by Dan Wells, you really should cause you're missing out.
I remember after reading the first book in this series, I couldn't handle it and didn't want to read anymore because of how creepy it was thinking about your next-door neighbor that could be the crazy psycho on the loose. Then because I couldn't stop thinking about the book, I had to know what happened next so here I am almost done with this series and I don't want it to end.
He is good at writing this psychological suspense and such that can mess with your head, scare you and suck you in and not let you go until you know what happens and all the answers.
The thing that I come back to a lot with this series is how well he writes this so it creeps me out and yet uses little to no violence, gore, swearing, and such because clean reads are always a bonus and clean reads that creep me out like this are rare.
If you haven't checked out books by Dan Wells, you really should cause you're missing out.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Witch in Books
Aug 21, 2022
148 of 230
Kindle
Witch
By Finbar Hawkins
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Set in the 17th century, a breathtaking debut, and a potential prize-winner, about the power of women, witchcraft, fury, revenge and the ties that bind us.
After witnessing the brutal murder of her mother by witch-hunters, Evey vows to avenge her and track down the killers. Fury burns in her bright and strong. But she has promised her mother that she will keep Dill, her little sister, safe.
As the lust for blood and retribution rises to fever pitch, will Evey keep true to the bonds of sisterhood and to the magick that is her destiny?
I can’t work out how I honestly feel about this book. It was odd bits I enjoyed and bits I couldn’t settle with. It was written really well but something is pulling at me to make me unsure. That possibly means no sense to anyone but me. I think I may come back and reread it at another time and see if I see it any differently. If you like folksy witchy books then I think you will like the feel of this story of a young girls journey to getting revenge and finding her inner witch.
Kindle
Witch
By Finbar Hawkins
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Set in the 17th century, a breathtaking debut, and a potential prize-winner, about the power of women, witchcraft, fury, revenge and the ties that bind us.
After witnessing the brutal murder of her mother by witch-hunters, Evey vows to avenge her and track down the killers. Fury burns in her bright and strong. But she has promised her mother that she will keep Dill, her little sister, safe.
As the lust for blood and retribution rises to fever pitch, will Evey keep true to the bonds of sisterhood and to the magick that is her destiny?
I can’t work out how I honestly feel about this book. It was odd bits I enjoyed and bits I couldn’t settle with. It was written really well but something is pulling at me to make me unsure. That possibly means no sense to anyone but me. I think I may come back and reread it at another time and see if I see it any differently. If you like folksy witchy books then I think you will like the feel of this story of a young girls journey to getting revenge and finding her inner witch.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Untainted ( The crystal Island book 1) in Books
Oct 4, 2022
180 of 230
Kindle
Untainted ( The Crystal Island book 1)
By Lilian T. James
⭐️⭐️⭐️
There were several things Vera was quite skilled at. Wielding a blade and pretending to be human were two of them. Following the rules and controlling her anger, were not.
Raised in the heart of the Matherin Empire, Vera spent most of her life forced to hide what she was and what she could do. Until one day, she foolishly confronts a strange male she spies tailing the Crown Prince.
Not only does the altercation not go as planned, but the male claims she possesses a power his people vitally need. He’s desperate to return home and refuses to leave without her.
Staying would give her a life she never thought she’d have but leaving could provide her with the only chance to learn more about her past.
The more answers she uncovers about herself, the more questions arise, and nothing is adding up. Vera must decide what to do, not only with her life, but with the ancient power inside her.
It was good but definitely middle of the road and similar to a few books I’ve read. It was an easy read it just lacked a little spark.
Kindle
Untainted ( The Crystal Island book 1)
By Lilian T. James
⭐️⭐️⭐️
There were several things Vera was quite skilled at. Wielding a blade and pretending to be human were two of them. Following the rules and controlling her anger, were not.
Raised in the heart of the Matherin Empire, Vera spent most of her life forced to hide what she was and what she could do. Until one day, she foolishly confronts a strange male she spies tailing the Crown Prince.
Not only does the altercation not go as planned, but the male claims she possesses a power his people vitally need. He’s desperate to return home and refuses to leave without her.
Staying would give her a life she never thought she’d have but leaving could provide her with the only chance to learn more about her past.
The more answers she uncovers about herself, the more questions arise, and nothing is adding up. Vera must decide what to do, not only with her life, but with the ancient power inside her.
It was good but definitely middle of the road and similar to a few books I’ve read. It was an easy read it just lacked a little spark.
Debbiereadsbook (1780 KP) rated Kelvin (Tangled Tentacles #5) in Books
Jan 15, 2023
A fitting end!
Independent reviewer for Archeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 5 in the Tangled Tentacles series, and you really MUST read the other books before this one. There is an on-going story arc that is not fully recapped here. And you know, cos I said so!
And what a way to finish out the series! We get to the bottom of Andromeda, and just how long that's been going on.
We catch up with the other brothers, and I loved that.
But mostly, this is about Magnus and Kelvin finding each other, and finding Magnus' sister. I loved that Magnus and Kelvin talk about the baby situation, beforehand. The other brothers just jump straight in and worry at their peril!
Oh I loved the birthing scene and the surprises that brings.
We are introduced to new characters, and that epilogue! Oh, that's a cliff hanger I did not see coming!
So, while we have all 5 Thalassa brothers mated and happy, with or without children (yet) we are left hanging as to what comes next! Who, is not in question, just the WHAT! And I can't bloody wait!
5 full and shiny stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 5 in the Tangled Tentacles series, and you really MUST read the other books before this one. There is an on-going story arc that is not fully recapped here. And you know, cos I said so!
And what a way to finish out the series! We get to the bottom of Andromeda, and just how long that's been going on.
We catch up with the other brothers, and I loved that.
But mostly, this is about Magnus and Kelvin finding each other, and finding Magnus' sister. I loved that Magnus and Kelvin talk about the baby situation, beforehand. The other brothers just jump straight in and worry at their peril!
Oh I loved the birthing scene and the surprises that brings.
We are introduced to new characters, and that epilogue! Oh, that's a cliff hanger I did not see coming!
So, while we have all 5 Thalassa brothers mated and happy, with or without children (yet) we are left hanging as to what comes next! Who, is not in question, just the WHAT! And I can't bloody wait!
5 full and shiny stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere