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In the Lives of Puppets
In the Lives of Puppets
TJ Klune | 2023 | Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I don’t know about just Pinocchio, I got some Wizard of Oz vibes as well from this wondrous book. I love a retelling, I’ve read quite a lot of them, and I’m fully prepared to read more, especially if the imagination and emotions are anything like those in In The Lives of Puppets. The ‘Found Family’ theme that runs through TJ Kline’s books is so beautiful: if people, for whatever reason, are rejected by or have lost their families, it’s reassuring to know that there are people, families, like this out there (but not necessarily robots…).

Even after discovering the truth of his origins, Victor still wants to save his father, Giovanni, and his friends want to help him and keep him safe. He is probably the last human alive. Robot society is very interesting, especially as they seem to want to mimic humans, even though they seem to be the ones responsible for their demise (although I think the humans were more than capable of destroying themselves).

Actually, I don’t want to say too much more, other than the fact that I loved reading this and I was sad to see it come to an end - it was perfect!
  
ZI
Zombie Insurance ( Book 1)
3
3.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
114 of 220
Booksirens arc
Zombie Insurance ( Book 1)
By Dean Williamson
⭐️⭐️

Emma works for Zombie Insurance, a company selling what she believes to be bogus policies. The growing pile of bills are enough to quiet Emma’s conscience, and, to her, this is merely a job. With her father crashing on the couch of her small, one bedroom apartment, and dealing with the grief of her husband’s death five years prior, Emma is depressed, penniless, and desperate.

During a routine claim inspection, Emma makes the harrowing discovery that she is an unwitting accomplice in the zombie apocalypse. She is forced to contend with the startling discovery that zombies are real and that the movies, video games, and comics ill prepared Emma for dealing with their horrifying nature.

Emma must navigate through her emotions of revenge, sorrow, and loneliness as she faces trials that confront her past. Forgiveness and redemption are available should she summon the strength to take them.

This started well and had such a good concept. But it got bizarre and not in a good way it got way to “clever” and I got bored.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
  
BO
Barefoot on the Beach
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
122 of 220
Book
Barefoot on the Beach
By Katlyn Duncan
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Renee may be thrilled to be planning her sister’s wedding, but after witnessing her mother’s two failed marriages, she has always vowed that she is better off on her own.
 
But when Renee discovers that Luc Hardy has moved next door, her world is knocked off kilter. Luc was her whirlwind summer romance as a teen and, more importantly, her first love. Now he’s back in West Cove, looking more handsome than ever.
 
There is no escaping the romance in the air this summer. With the wedding planning in full swing, Renee begins to believe that she might be able to put her childhood reservations about marriage aside.

Yet when her mother arrives, she stirs a torrent of emotions in Renee’s heart. She’s up to her old tricks again – boasting about her latest conquests – reaffirming Renee’s lack of faith in love.

As Renee’s happily-ever-after hangs in the balance, will Luc be able to convince her that true love can last forever?

This was a nice quick read and really sweet story. I’m not a romance fan normally but this was well written and enjoyable.
  
Sweetest Blood
Sweetest Blood
Regitse Liljadorff | 2026 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
4 very good stars
Independent reviewer for GRR, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Felix signs up to be a donor for a year to enable him to save his sister, Astrea. Severin is his latest vampire. But Felix is changing the taste of his blood, to make it sweeter for the vampires. Severin, however, tastes something completely unexpected: his mate. But keeping his mate safe is becoming harder, as the coven who has Astrea is doing things totally against the rules.

I liked this, I liked it a lot. I've not read anything by this author before an I enjoyed the way the tale was spun.

Both Felix and Severin have a say, in the first person, so I liked that.

It's got some steam, and some danger. Some drama and some emotions. Not a lot of anything, but enough to make the book interesting.

I also liked that, besides Felix and Severin, we get two other romances! I'm not sayng who for spoilers, but I liked that we watch them fall along with these two.

I liked the two epilogues as well!

All in all, a good read, that made a wet Wednesday more enjoyable!

4 very good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
40x40

ClareR (6256 KP) rated The Trunk in Books

Jan 29, 2025  
The Trunk
The Trunk
Kim Ryeo-Ryeong | 2024 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Well, I didn’t know how much I needed to read Korean literature until I read The Trunk!

Inji works for a secret branch of a well-known matchmaking agency. Men who would like a wife without the long term commitment, hire a Field Wife. She fulfils their every wish, be it domestic or sexual. Inji’s current husband is a repeat contract. He’s not very good at being a husband, and reinforces Inji’s opinions on marriage: unnecessary and unfulfilling. And then there’s the possibility of domestic violence and exploitation.

To be fair, this doesn’t paint a great picture of marriage in (this case) Korea. Inji doesn’t even refer to her husband by name. He’s just “husband”, which makes him almost incidental to the story.

There’s a lot going on in this novel: family dynamics, exploitation, modern slavery, death (by suicide?), prostitution.

And what is the trunk in the title? I personally think it’s Inji’s personal baggage: the emotions, feelings and responsibilities that she carries around with her all the time. This trunk goes with her between field husband, her family and her flat. She’s never without it.

Is it the thriller that it’s sold as? I don’t think so, but it is a very interesting glance into life in Korea, and I really enjoyed it.
  
Are you looking for a book that may bring the meaning of Christmas home to children through the eyes of a Christmas Tree? Bruce the Spruce: A New York City Fairytale About the True Meaning of Christmas Trees is excellent. Children will learn about the true meaning of Christmas Trees.

We meet Bruce the Spruce, and he wants to be the attention of the crowds. Will he learn a lesson and what he did for this job to learn his lesson in gratitude? We follow him on his journey from when he was taken and put on to the street to where he ends up.

Children will learn about being grateful and what you cherish. Will Bruce understand what it means to be a Christmas Tree? I enjoyed how this book ended; Children and parents will love this book. The author did a fantastic job with the plot of this story. The pictures are well done. I just loved how Bruce reacted and showed his emotions.

This book is excellent to have on your bookshelves for the holiday season. This book should be read close to Christmas or leading up to Christmas. I show the meaning of Christmas to children and adults as well.
  
Phoenix Rising (Phoenix #1)
Phoenix Rising (Phoenix #1)
Elise Faber | 2019 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Set in an alternate world with Rengallas and Dalshies, this book is absolutely jam-packed with action and humour!

Daughtry is our main female and, to be blunt, her life has been a pile of..., but most especially this past year. She found the inner strength to break free of an engagement with a vindictive and abusive man and then found herself cut off from her family when they threw her out. She has major issues stemming from a lack of love and trust, but rather than being annoying, this just made her character all the more relatable.

I'll be honest when it started, I thought it was going to be a love triangle (which is one of my pet peeves) but instead, it took a fresh twist that had me gripping my Kindle, unable to put it down until I had read "just one more page."

This story is refreshing, full of humour and quick wit, traumatic with events, and full of a whole gamut of emotions. Absolutely fantastic and I loved every page. 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!
Dec 17, 2015
  
In the Eye of the Storm (Full Circle #1)
In the Eye of the Storm (Full Circle #1)
H.M. Wolfe | 2021 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
IN THE EYE OF THE STORM is the first book in the Full Circle series BUT it is a follow-on series from The Base, which I haven't read. I'm afraid this DID affect my enjoyment of the book as there were plenty of characters and situations referred to that I had absolutely no idea about.

This is a dark, fast-paced story that delves into the world of child sex trafficking, trying to rescue said children, and helping them live their best lives after dealing with the trauma involved.

The characters were mostly heart-warming. I wasn't able to feel the full effect of the big bad as I feel he probably made more of an impact in the original series. It is told from multiple perspectives so sometimes it seemed to flit across the surface, rather than give any depth to the feelings and emotions.

It has an ending that leaves it wide open for further stories. The writing itself was good, I just had trouble connecting with the story or the characters.

** 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!