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Lies You Never Told Me
Lies You Never Told Me
Jennifer Donaldson | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, Young Adult (YA)
8
7.4 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
As a teen high school has to be the hardest, yet most defining moments in your life. It's where you decide what your life is going to be like for the rest of your life. Whether you'll go to college, or find a a trade, or do absolutely nothing.

Two teens, Gabe & Elyse are trying to figure out life right now. Gabe is dating one of the most popular girls in school, although he's not too keen on the way he treats her and he's thinking about ending it. But what will that cost him in the long run? Elyse has just landed the lead for the school production of Romeo and Juliet. Always content to be a part of the background, will she be able to perform in the spotlight?

Both of these teens are trying to make it through these tumultuous high school years. But there are things that are holding them back from being their best. Will they allow these things to come to the surface, or will they boil inside of them until they can't handle it any longer?

Thank you to NetGalley & Penguin for the sneak peak of this book. I knew it wasn't going to be enough so I got the full book from the library.

The sneak peek takes you through the first 7 chapters of the book. It's so good though that you have to continue reading and find out what is going to happen next.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat. With things happening to Gabe and no way for him to explain it, to Elyse falling in love for the first time and discovering a lot of firsts with an unusual partner. How are these two alike, how are they different? With a twist at the end that I didn't see coming, this is a book you are going to want to read.
  
This book has 3 stories in one. I enjoyed them all. The three stories are connected to the previous story in this book. It also mentions Aden and Annie in the last story called "The Dawn of Christmas".

The first story in the book in about Beth Hertzler and somewhat about her aunt Lizzy. The story revels some secrets throughout the book and a romance forms between Beth and Jonah. Will Beth take a chance at second love. Read to find out. You could read the the book called "The Sound of Sleigh Bells" to read about Beth and Jonah and Beth's aunt Lizzy.

The second story is about Mattie and Gideon. Mattie is living in Ohio for some time but something happen to bring her home to Apple Ridge. Her cousin Beth and Lizzy wedding. Though coming home will Mattie learn the truth of Gideon's break in the engagement on Christmas eve. Well they get back together. To find out what happens you can read it or you could read the book called "The Christmas Singing". You can read about Gideon and Mattie and about Lizzy and Beth weddings.

The third story is about Sadie and Levi. Levi is a cousin to Beth and Mattie in someway. Sadie and Levi do not trust the other gender. Though the way they met is somewhat strange that Sadie came and found him laying in the hay-field hurt. Can Sadie and Levi let go of their prejudices and learn to trust each other. You also get to hear about Lizzy and Beth and also about Mattie. There the other couple that is mention that is Aden and Annie. You can read about Aden and Annie story in the book called "The Scent of Cherry Blossoms". If you want to read about Sadie and Levi you can be getting the book called "The Dawn of Christmas".

If you want all three of the stories you can get this book called "Christmas in Apple Ridge".
  
Room For Recovery (Hearts and Health #4)
Room For Recovery (Hearts and Health #4)
D.J. Jamison | 2018 | LGBTQ+, Romance
10
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
excellent addition to the series
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 4 in the Hearts and Health series, but you don't need to have read the others first, they are all stand alones.

I don't usually much care for younger main characters; end of high school, beginning of college age; probably because I'm far older than that, but while I KNEW Beau and Wade were that age, it never really sunk in, you know?? I KNEW they were 18 and 19, but they did not SEEM that age.

Wade and Beau have crushed on each other for as long as they can remember, but Wade's coming out led to disastrous consequences, and he doesn't want to admit that he's gay, not to himself, nor to anyone else. Beau, while not fully OUT, certainly aware of what and who he wants. When Beau is attacked, Wade goes all protective and the two get to really know each other.

I can't quite file this book on the warm and fuzzies shelf, like Bedside Manner, because Wade carries a lot of guilt about one thing and another BUT it is a fantastic read. Watching Wade and Beau getting to know each other properly, after being around each other for years, watching Wade deal with his demons, and watching them both fall, and fall far is excellent reading.

 Wade pops up in Urgent Care, he is Trent's nephew and Wade is ANGRY at everything and everyone. We get just WHY he is so angry here and its painful reading, listening to Wade deal internally with everything, it really is.

An excellent addition to this series, and it introduces us to Dr Casper Rollins, who has his story next. I look forward to reading it.

5 not quite warm and fuzzie stars, but very nearly.

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
The Library at Mount Char
The Library at Mount Char
Scott Hawkins | 2015 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.2 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
Every now and then I see a cover and / or book title so frequently that I decide I have to read it, even if i have only the vaguest idea what it might be about. That was the case with The Library at Mount Char. I'm glad I didn't read any reviews or dig too deep before starting this one, or I might have passed. I don't usually go for excessive violence and gore, but sometimes a story is so well-told that I find it worth cringing through to read it. The Library at Mount Char was definitely worth the cringing!

The characters and situations in this story were so unique and yet believable, that I had a hard time putting the book down. Mr. Hawkins also must have a somewhat twisted sense of humor. I don't know if I was supposed to be laughing, but there is a scene involving a character named Steve and 2 lions that had me chuckling out loud. I was also pleased at how in-the-dark he manages to keep the reader, and how much fun it was figuring out what was actually going on as the story progressed. While I can't say that I was particularly fond of any of the characters, it was hard not to root for Carolyn, at least to a degree, and to cheer as some others finally got their comeuppances. I do hope that there will be a second book coming sometime in the future. While not a cliff-hanger by any means, it does end in such a way that the story could be continued.

If the gore and language don't bother you, I would definitely recommend this one!

Warnings: This book is full of graphic violence and gore including, on occasion, sexual violence. It also includes large quantities of graphic language. It is NOT a kids' book.

NOTE: I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
  
Lie to Me (Rising Star#1)
Lie to Me (Rising Star#1)
Lee Piper | 2018 | Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
You need this book now!!!
Please go to: http://ramblingbookaddict.blogspot.com/2018/07/lie-to-me-lee-piper.html : transfer goodreads loses editing in transfer.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THIS BOOK!!!!



So this book ya'll *note to those of you not from the south* *ya'll, you'ins, you people, yo everybody fool is the same thang.* This has been a PSA from the Book Addict. You're welcome.



I'm perfectly aware I stopped mid-sentence to give you a PSA, that's the definition of a PSA. Ahem.



Now that we have that over with, my sarcasm aside, LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THIS BOOK, I REPEAT. Are you looking for a gorgeous bad boy drummer and a friggin' amazing female MC that isn't a damsel in distress!?
THIS IS THE BOOK YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN LOOKING FOR.



Okay so this dang book (not an insult at all), made me laugh so much throughout it, and it also made me love the sweet moments between Shiloh and Reid.



Reid, oh dear sweet heaven, is the best kind of bad boy. He seems so rough and bad but ddddddddddang boy got deep. hehe.



Where can I get one and STAT!
Movinggggggggggggggg OOOOOON!



Sooo we will talk about Shiloh, she has been like my favorite female main character I have read about in a long, LONG time. She wasn't weak even though she did have some problems, that did not make her weak. A mental health condition, it does not make someone weak! I love that the author went this route and made a strong female character, who was brave and faced her fears! Coming from someone that struggles with strong anxiety and depression, I loved getting to read about a strong, funny and beautiful female main character!



So with that, I end my review! I give Lie to Me 5 out of 5 stars. or should say 5 out of 5 Rising Stars??


Maddy
Aka - The Ramblings of a Book Addict
  
Goth Girl: and the Ghost of a Mouse
Goth Girl: and the Ghost of a Mouse
Chris Riddell | 2014 | Children
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Ada Goth lives in Ghastly-Gorm Hall with her father, servants and a few ghosts. Ada’s father likes to keep himself to himself even when it comes to his daughter, he makes her wear clumpy shoes so he can hear her coming. Ada is very much alone in this huge mansion style house until one evening she meets a ghost in the form of a Mouse called Ishmael. Ishmael informs Ada that he was killed by a Mouse trap and that he is to roam the hall for all eternity. Together they go and investigate the rooms in which Ishmael was killed when they come upon some strange things and other denizens.

The book had a lot of characters in it, all shapes and sizes all very whimsical but none have much depth to them, you don’t get to find out an awful lot. I wish Ishmael could have been in the book a bit more than he was. He was introduced in chapter 1 and then didn’t have much involvement. The story is very slow to start off with and only really starts to get going in the second half.

This book definitely had its quirks, I loved the use of the footnotes that were written by ‘The foot’ which made me chuckle. There is also literary references such as Von Hellsung and Hebe Poppins. The Comic book at the back was an added bonus! I didn’t realise this was included when I picked it up.

This book is beautiful, it has a purple ribbon and metallic page edges, inside the cover is decorated in a silver/gold foil and also there is an additional pocket with a miniature comic book called ‘Memoirs of Mouse’. Not only did Chris Riddell Illustrate this book but he also wrote it. I love his artwork, it’s so detailed and definitely stunning to look at all in black and white. Everything was on point regarding presentation.

Overall I rated this 3.5 stars out of 5.
  
When Hitler Took Cocaine and Lenin Lost His Brain
When Hitler Took Cocaine and Lenin Lost His Brain
Giles Milton | 2018 | History & Politics
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Book Review by Cari Mayhew.

If only all events in history could be taught this way! This is his hands down one of the most entertaining history books you’ll ever read! The book is composed of 50 chapters depicting from lesser known points in history. The stories are dramatic, compelling, and often shocking. There are tales of heroism, injustice, conspiracy and cannibalism.

Each chapter is it's own little, well written, real-life story. And each is rounded off with a profound sentence or two to summarise. I gained an appreciation of the role of pigeons and dogs in the war, I learned why the Dodo bird became extinct, and I discovered that it’s possible to survive 2 nuclear bombs.

Normally with non-fiction book with so many isolated sections, I'd be tempted to skip sections, but that was not the case this time - I enjoyed every single one! I’ve noticed there are more books in the series, and I intend to read them all!

The best way to convey how well written the stories are, is to leave you with an excerpt:
“There was a sickening crunch and a violent jerk. The right wing of the plane was ripped off by the mountain peak and flung backwards into the rear of the fuselage. The plane, wildly out of control, smashed into a second peak, which tore off the left wing.

Inside the cabin, the terrified passengers expected the shattered plane to plunge them to their deaths. But the plane’s crash-landing miraculously spared some of those on board. The fuselage hit a snow-covered mountain slope and slid downwards before coming to a halt in a deep drift.
As a wall of silence descended over the wreckage, the injured and groaning survivors came to their senses. They were lost in the wilds of the High Andes. But they were alive!”

For more of my reviews, check out www.bookblogbycari.com
  
Wanted- Bad Boyfriend (Island Classifieds #1)
Wanted- Bad Boyfriend (Island Classifieds #1)
TA Moore | 2018 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
a great easy read
I was gifted my copy of this book, that I write a review was not required.

Everyone thinks Nate should have a boyfriend, NEEDS one to be happy. But is ok by himself, mostly. So he hatches a plan with the island's resident bad boy. Pretend to be together for a bit, the Flynn can do his thing, dump Nate and everyone will leave him alone. Only, there are a couple of problems with said plan: both are surprised by the chemistry between them, and actually, Flynn turns out to be quite a good boyfriend. And it becomes a case on not pretending.

I LIKED this book. I did not love it though, and *insert wailing sound* I don't know why!

It's well told, from both Flynn and Nate's point of view, in the past tense. It has some sexy bits, some funny bits, some difficult reading bits and some emotional bits.

We don't get all of Flynn and Nate's history in one go, it comes along bits at time. In fact, much of Flynn's history is still unexplained. I still don't know which of those rumours were true, and just why he did not return for his father's funeral.

It does throw a CORKER twist at you though! I did NOT see that one coming, not at all!! There I was, merrily reading away *don't tell anyone* on a quiet Sunday afternoon at work, and BOOM!!! Moore throws that at me and I'm like SAY WHAT NOW!?!?!?!?!? Out loud! I rarely am vocal when reading (more so when listening) and my colleague is like "Are you okay?" And I'm like "but look what she did!" Seriously well played with that Ms Moore, very VERY well played!

Like I said, it's well told, well written and well delivered. I saw no spelling or editing errors to spoil my reading experience and I read it in that one afternoon.

I'm just sorry I didn't love it though.

4 solid stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
For You I Fall ( Angels & Misfits #1)
For You I Fall ( Angels & Misfits #1)
Colette Davison, T.N. Nova | 2018 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
6
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Not really one for me :-(
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

As an angel sent to watch over his charges, Dante has many rules. Falling in ove with his charge is one of them. But Seth is such a beautiful person, has such a beautiful soul, Dante can't help himself. When Seth's time comes, Dante will do anything so they can spend eternity together. He never figured on being betrayed, or the strength of the love Seth has for Dante.

*insert sigh*
**insert another sigh**

I'm not really sure what I felt about this book, and I'm struggling to write a coherent review, that makes sense, so bear with me, okay??

I didn't love it, not t all, but I don't think I really LIKED it, either. I certainly did NOT hate it, because if I did, I would not have finished and there would be no review at all.

It's told from both Seth and Dante's point of view, in the third person. It's not overly explicit, just the right amount, I thought, for this book.

It does have some darker undertones and parts of the story are a little graphic in places, but again, I thought just the right level for THIS book.

I did see the betrayal coming at me, and I liked watching it play out the way I thought it would. I did not see how this would resolve itself for Seth and Dante to be together, so that was good to watch unfold. I did like that a certain someone got his just desserts and paid the highest price for his crimes.

I just can't figure out WHY I'm left feeling I don't know what about this book! And you know that pains me so!

Someone will love this book, someone will rant and rave about how awesome it is. Unfortunately, that someone is not me.

So...

3 stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
The Boy at the Keyhole
The Boy at the Keyhole
Stephen Giles | 2018 | Mystery, Thriller, Young Adult (YA)
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Powers of persuasion in this thriller of a read. A fast paced page turner that kept you guessing and trying to figure out what exactly happened to Samuel's mom and who is Ruth truly. Your hurt tugged for poor Samuel, a 9 year old orphan in a way because his dad passed away and then in the middle of the night his mom disappears without saying goodbye. Ruth, the housekeeper says Samuel's mom left to go to America to help fix the financial situation the family is under, however throughout the book skepticism in the mind of some of the characters and you the reader make this an irresistible read as you try and figure out what happened exactly.
Samuels' heart is aching for his mother's return and in general just wants love and kindness from someone. Ruth takes him in as a caregiver when Samuel's mom leaves and his Uncle Felix and grandfather don't seem to care what happens to the boy …. or that is what we are told!!! Is this really true or is it a lie to keep the boy under the eyes and watch of Ruth. Ruth doesn't like Samuel to stray too far and keeps him close. What are Ruth's true intentions? Others are coming up with their own theories and telling Samuel their thoughts and stories, so Samuel's mind is manipulated and conjuring thoughts and ideas because of persuasion. But can you blame him, he is only a 9 year old boy. What is everyone telling him, is Ruth manipulative, how will this story unfold, will answers be given and what will become of Samuel?
I gave this book a 3 because I loved it, kept my attention, but I kept waiting for a climax, waiting for answers that never came and the ending just confused me and fell flat. Definitely a great read if you like thrillers and mysteries that keep you guessing and have manipulation in the mix, however will you be as confused and disappointed at the end as I was?