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Debbiereadsbook (1487 KP) rated Of Autumn Leaves and New Beginnings in Books
Sep 29, 2019
didn't quite work for me
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Oren goes to thank his mum's neighbour for helping her when she fell, and he falls, HARD! Pete is married, though, right?
So, three things let this book down, for ME.
Strike one
Single person point of view. Only Oren has a say.
Strike two
First person, present tense. Just doesn't work for me.
Strike three
This was a very VERY short book, took me less than 30 minutes to read it. I have no idea why this lets it down, but you know me and my book feelings and this is what I feel!
BUT
Positive one
When Oren and Pete are on the same page for the first time, they are both straight into whatever *this* is between them.
Positive two
Loved Pete's ex-wife's reaction to finding Pete and Oren getting a little touchy feely.
Positive three
Loved the reaction of Pete's kids to their Extra-Daddy.
It is well written, and I saw no spelling or editing errors to spoil my reading. It was a *nice* read. (And you know how I feel about using that word!)
3 good solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Oren goes to thank his mum's neighbour for helping her when she fell, and he falls, HARD! Pete is married, though, right?
So, three things let this book down, for ME.
Strike one
Single person point of view. Only Oren has a say.
Strike two
First person, present tense. Just doesn't work for me.
Strike three
This was a very VERY short book, took me less than 30 minutes to read it. I have no idea why this lets it down, but you know me and my book feelings and this is what I feel!
BUT
Positive one
When Oren and Pete are on the same page for the first time, they are both straight into whatever *this* is between them.
Positive two
Loved Pete's ex-wife's reaction to finding Pete and Oren getting a little touchy feely.
Positive three
Loved the reaction of Pete's kids to their Extra-Daddy.
It is well written, and I saw no spelling or editing errors to spoil my reading. It was a *nice* read. (And you know how I feel about using that word!)
3 good solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Debbiereadsbook (1487 KP) rated A Brat for Kinkmas (Naughty or Nice Season Three) in Books
Feb 1, 2023
something missing but I don't know what!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is part of the Naughty or Nice season three series and can be read as a stand alone to all the other books.
I like my books heavier on the BDSM side, and I'm a fan of the Daddy/little dynamics. For the most part. But something about THIS book doesn't quite work for me, and I've no idea what! So, I'm just gonna leave it at that!
What I DID like, was that what Ziv does was never made fully clear! Oh the hints and clues are there, it says some legal and some not so, but never just WHAT, you know? I was expecting him to be some sort of super secret do-gooder! He's not, but he does throw his money about to get what he wants, and who he wants!
I love that we catch up with Patrick and Akker (Agrippa My Heart) and Jessie and Smithy( His Boy To Tease) The trio of friends are now happy with their Daddies, and all loved up, and I love that they are.
Steamy and smexy, but missing *something* but I don't know what!
3 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is part of the Naughty or Nice season three series and can be read as a stand alone to all the other books.
I like my books heavier on the BDSM side, and I'm a fan of the Daddy/little dynamics. For the most part. But something about THIS book doesn't quite work for me, and I've no idea what! So, I'm just gonna leave it at that!
What I DID like, was that what Ziv does was never made fully clear! Oh the hints and clues are there, it says some legal and some not so, but never just WHAT, you know? I was expecting him to be some sort of super secret do-gooder! He's not, but he does throw his money about to get what he wants, and who he wants!
I love that we catch up with Patrick and Akker (Agrippa My Heart) and Jessie and Smithy( His Boy To Tease) The trio of friends are now happy with their Daddies, and all loved up, and I love that they are.
Steamy and smexy, but missing *something* but I don't know what!
3 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Baby Teeth in Books
Mar 11, 2019
Hanna is seven. She's a cute little thing in the eyes of her father, Alex, who thinks she can do no wrong. Hanna wants nothing more than life to be Hanna-and-Daddy forever. Her mother, Suzette, is exhausted by life with Hanna, which is nothing but endless manipulations, anger, tantrums, and now, escalating violence. Hanna doesn't speak, but she has her special ways of hurting her mother. She's been kicked out of several schools for her behavior, and Suzette is done. Even worse, Alex can't seem to acknowledge that something is off with Hanna's behavior.
"Every win for Hanna was a you-lose for Mommy."
I'd been putting off reading this book for a bit because I'd heard that it was creepy and disturbing, and I can confirm that yes, it is both of those things. Ha. I can't say I'm particularly glad that I read it, though it's an interesting read and certainly different. It mostly held my interest, but after all the hype, I found myself a little letdown: there really wasn't all that much to the story. I found myself waiting that twist, that something special that never came.
Still, Stage does an excellent job of capturing Hanna's child-like voice and telling a story from her unique perspective. The tale alternates between chapters from Hanna's perspective and then Suzette's, and I can't deny that you'll find yourself a little freaked out after reading Hanna's. The book is eerie and disturbing; it's hard to believe, yet not, as it's certainly effectively told. There are some tough moments to read and it's definitely not always for the faint of heart.
I had a tough time empathizing with our adult characters--our cast is mainly limited to the family unit, and I didn't care much for either Alex or Suzette. We are probably supposed to feel bad for Suzette, as she's struggling with both Hanna and failing health (having had Crohn's disease since childhood). And I did, at times, but she talked so much, and kept rehashing things, and I just wanted to shake her to wake up, get a grip, and deal with everything. So yeah. And her husband was just clueless and ugh.
Hanna was a much tougher one--as a parent, I found this one hard. Of course, you want to believe and care for a small child. Yet, you can also empathize with a mom who feels like they need a break from their child. I enjoyed how the book made you think about these kind of things as Hanna started to escalate. What would you do in this situation? How did things get to this point? That's where it is interesting. Some of the best parts are the oozing tension and unease that pervade the whole novel.
Unfortunately, it doesn't completely capitalize on that uneasiness, leaving you a little deflated by the end. I was actually hoping for a little more creepiness, a little less character-study. I definitely enjoyed pieces of this one, and I'd still recommend it due to how different it is.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review (thank you!).
"Every win for Hanna was a you-lose for Mommy."
I'd been putting off reading this book for a bit because I'd heard that it was creepy and disturbing, and I can confirm that yes, it is both of those things. Ha. I can't say I'm particularly glad that I read it, though it's an interesting read and certainly different. It mostly held my interest, but after all the hype, I found myself a little letdown: there really wasn't all that much to the story. I found myself waiting that twist, that something special that never came.
Still, Stage does an excellent job of capturing Hanna's child-like voice and telling a story from her unique perspective. The tale alternates between chapters from Hanna's perspective and then Suzette's, and I can't deny that you'll find yourself a little freaked out after reading Hanna's. The book is eerie and disturbing; it's hard to believe, yet not, as it's certainly effectively told. There are some tough moments to read and it's definitely not always for the faint of heart.
I had a tough time empathizing with our adult characters--our cast is mainly limited to the family unit, and I didn't care much for either Alex or Suzette. We are probably supposed to feel bad for Suzette, as she's struggling with both Hanna and failing health (having had Crohn's disease since childhood). And I did, at times, but she talked so much, and kept rehashing things, and I just wanted to shake her to wake up, get a grip, and deal with everything. So yeah. And her husband was just clueless and ugh.
Hanna was a much tougher one--as a parent, I found this one hard. Of course, you want to believe and care for a small child. Yet, you can also empathize with a mom who feels like they need a break from their child. I enjoyed how the book made you think about these kind of things as Hanna started to escalate. What would you do in this situation? How did things get to this point? That's where it is interesting. Some of the best parts are the oozing tension and unease that pervade the whole novel.
Unfortunately, it doesn't completely capitalize on that uneasiness, leaving you a little deflated by the end. I was actually hoping for a little more creepiness, a little less character-study. I definitely enjoyed pieces of this one, and I'd still recommend it due to how different it is.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review (thank you!).
All I Am: Drew's Story (A This Man Novella)
10.0
Rate It
Book
A new novella featuring Drew from the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling This Man trilogy ...
Romance This Man Series
Tim McGuire (301 KP) rated Fantasy Island (2020) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020
Guilty pleasure...
399. Fantasy Island. It's pretty amazing, no not the movie. It's pretty amazing when you go into something with low expectations they are usually met. And this was no different. With that mindset, I enjoyed it. I remember watching the show as a kid, but it somehow gets meshed with The Love Boat, so I remember Tattoo saying 'de plane, de plane' and Mr Roarke saying 'Welcome to Fantasy Island' that's about it. Minus Tattoo, Mr Roarke welcomes this group of 5 people to the island and explains the rules. Live out your fantasy until it's natural conclusion. Natural conclusion heh? We get two brothers on the Island simply wanting to have it all. Another guy's big dream is to enlist in the military like his daddy. Another guest's fantasy is to get revenge on her high school bully, and the final guest wants to say yes, instead of no at her wedding proposal. And everything is pretty freakin sweet for awhile until they realize that the fantasies are a little too real. Whats wrong with that? Small example: The guys that simply wanted it all. When you have it all, other people usually want to take it from you, including armed masked men! Fantasies with consequences, whats up with that??? I'd want a refund! A movie so bad, it's good. Maybe, maybe not. Guilty pleasure, sure! Filmbufftim on FB
All I Am: Drew's Story (A This Man Novella)
8.0
Rate It
Book
A new novella featuring Drew from the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling This Man trilogy ...
Debbiereadsbook (1487 KP) rated His Precious Omega (Sweet Alps Mates #3) in Books
Jan 18, 2023
Put off by some wording
Independent reviewer for GRR, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 3 in the Sweet Alps series. I have not read the others and I did not feel I was missing anything by not doing so.
For the most part, I did enjoy this book, I really did.
I liked that it took time for Ry and Daddy Brendan to properly connect. I liked that Ryan tells Brendan of his problems BEFORE they enter into anything. I liked that Brendan seeks help as to how to properly look of Ry when he is little. I even liked the stalker storyline, and how that all panned out. Didn't see that coming at me. I liked that I can see a certain pair of shifters getting together!
BUT
There are some points along the way that the wording of sentences really grated on my nerves. He did NOT "drug" the chair across the room (not actually from the book,but just using to make my point) he DRAGGED the chair. I'm fairly certain this is a local lingo thing, to the author's locality, but to me? Nuh-uh. Once, I can let it go, but it happens more than once. At that point, I switched to "let's get this finished, eh?" mode.
So, I'm sorry, I will not be following this series.
3 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 3 in the Sweet Alps series. I have not read the others and I did not feel I was missing anything by not doing so.
For the most part, I did enjoy this book, I really did.
I liked that it took time for Ry and Daddy Brendan to properly connect. I liked that Ryan tells Brendan of his problems BEFORE they enter into anything. I liked that Brendan seeks help as to how to properly look of Ry when he is little. I even liked the stalker storyline, and how that all panned out. Didn't see that coming at me. I liked that I can see a certain pair of shifters getting together!
BUT
There are some points along the way that the wording of sentences really grated on my nerves. He did NOT "drug" the chair across the room (not actually from the book,but just using to make my point) he DRAGGED the chair. I'm fairly certain this is a local lingo thing, to the author's locality, but to me? Nuh-uh. Once, I can let it go, but it happens more than once. At that point, I switched to "let's get this finished, eh?" mode.
So, I'm sorry, I will not be following this series.
3 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated We Are All the Same in the Dark in Books
Sep 24, 2020
Stunning, shocking thriller filled with dark twists
Ten years ago, Trumanell Branson disappeared, along with her no-good daddy. But it's beautiful Trumanell her Texas town remembers and mourns. And, despite no arrests, they blame her brother, Wyatt, who lives alone on the old Branson homestead, hated by the entire town. When Wyatt, a trucker, finds a girl in a field of dandelions, he thinks it's a sign. As for the town cop, Odette--who has a long history with Wyatt--she fears the discovery of this girl will only turn the town against Wyatt fully and permanently. But when she goes to retrieve her, she feels drawn to the girl. Odette is haunted by Trumanell's disappearance, and now, the arrival of this mystery girl. As she digs into the past and the present, she uncovers shocking secrets about her town and the night that forever changed it.
"She has a bad, bad mystery to her. I can feel it deep in the hollow of my spook bone, the one my dad broke when I was a kid. My arm is never wrong."
This is an amazing, absorbing thriller that draws you in from the first page. Heaberlin writes so beautifully and lyrically--all these dark and horrific moments unfold in such beautiful prose. Her words astound me.
"There's no chatter about why I'm alone, scared, speeding on a prairie road with trees scattered like sailboats, thinking how my daddy, the town's late great top cop, told me to never come back to this little Texas hellhole unless it was to bury his ashes. Don't try to find the truth about Trumanell. Some answers are left to the by and by."
The characters here are beautiful--flawed, damaged, tender, and painted with a depth that will astound you. Troubled Odette, lost Wyatt, and Angel, the girl found in the field. They form a trio that one is unlikely to forget for quite some time.
This is a dark read--atmospheric and sad, and not always easy to read. Bad things happen in this town. Heaberlin's twists are true stunners. It's rare when a thriller takes me by surprise, but wow, I found myself shocked several times, and even better, unaware of the true culprit. How nice to read a mystery without guessing the ultimate ending.
Overall, this is a superb tale of a town held captive by its own secrets and tragedy. The characters come to life before your eyes through Heaberlin's elegant writing. It's shocking and twisted and one that shouldn't be missed. 4.5 stars.
"She has a bad, bad mystery to her. I can feel it deep in the hollow of my spook bone, the one my dad broke when I was a kid. My arm is never wrong."
This is an amazing, absorbing thriller that draws you in from the first page. Heaberlin writes so beautifully and lyrically--all these dark and horrific moments unfold in such beautiful prose. Her words astound me.
"There's no chatter about why I'm alone, scared, speeding on a prairie road with trees scattered like sailboats, thinking how my daddy, the town's late great top cop, told me to never come back to this little Texas hellhole unless it was to bury his ashes. Don't try to find the truth about Trumanell. Some answers are left to the by and by."
The characters here are beautiful--flawed, damaged, tender, and painted with a depth that will astound you. Troubled Odette, lost Wyatt, and Angel, the girl found in the field. They form a trio that one is unlikely to forget for quite some time.
This is a dark read--atmospheric and sad, and not always easy to read. Bad things happen in this town. Heaberlin's twists are true stunners. It's rare when a thriller takes me by surprise, but wow, I found myself shocked several times, and even better, unaware of the true culprit. How nice to read a mystery without guessing the ultimate ending.
Overall, this is a superb tale of a town held captive by its own secrets and tragedy. The characters come to life before your eyes through Heaberlin's elegant writing. It's shocking and twisted and one that shouldn't be missed. 4.5 stars.
Some Enchanted Evenings
Book
Mary Martin was one of the greatest stars of her day. Growing up in Texas, she was married early to...
Merissa (13192 KP) rated Hanging with Daddy (Pride Pet Play 2023) in Books
Jun 12, 2023
HANGING WITH DADDY is part of the Pride Pet Play 2023 multi-author series and, to my delight, we return to a character already known - Austin. If you have read A Little Christmas: Terrence then you will know Austin was the one who pushed Warner to help Terrence, cheering them on from the sidelines. Well, now it's his turn and Oh. My. Word!!!
Austin and Gaines are just a perfect couple. Austin is open-minded enough to try things he's never considered before. In this case, being a handler for a very flexible Koala. The scenes with both of them are HOT! The scenes where it's just one give a greater insight into their feelings and emotions, as well as moving the story along. I love Warner and Terrence making an appearance and how Terrence is being drawn into their friendship group. But there's one in that group that I now need a story for - Matty!
I am thoroughly enjoying the Pet Play series and have read some very different stories with different animals. I love the dogs and cats but I have to admit, this koala was so cute! The characteristics, the costumes; I love it all.
No matter how many books I read by this author, I always want more! HIGHLY 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!
Jun 5, 2023
Austin and Gaines are just a perfect couple. Austin is open-minded enough to try things he's never considered before. In this case, being a handler for a very flexible Koala. The scenes with both of them are HOT! The scenes where it's just one give a greater insight into their feelings and emotions, as well as moving the story along. I love Warner and Terrence making an appearance and how Terrence is being drawn into their friendship group. But there's one in that group that I now need a story for - Matty!
I am thoroughly enjoying the Pet Play series and have read some very different stories with different animals. I love the dogs and cats but I have to admit, this koala was so cute! The characteristics, the costumes; I love it all.
No matter how many books I read by this author, I always want more! HIGHLY 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!
Jun 5, 2023