Search
Search results
Merissa (13956 KP) rated After the Wanting in Books
Jun 28, 2021 (Updated Jul 18, 2023)
AFTER THE WANTING is a novel about a young woman trying to escape her ex. After feeling unsafe in her apartment, she moves to a friend's house in the middle of nowhere. He'll never find her there, right?
There are many threads that help weave this tale - a husband looking for forgiveness, a daughter lost in her emotions, and a psycho who feels justified in his atrocities. Put them together and you get a tense thriller that will keep you turning the pages until you figure out just who the big bad is. I will say he didn't surprise me when I found out, although I was surprised by how long it had been going on.
The pacing is quite fast and there are a number of supporting characters to help the story move along. Told as a current story, with flashbacks, and also some scenes from the future, it was a little confusing, to begin with, until I got used to the writing style.
This was a quick read that I can 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 28, 2021
There are many threads that help weave this tale - a husband looking for forgiveness, a daughter lost in her emotions, and a psycho who feels justified in his atrocities. Put them together and you get a tense thriller that will keep you turning the pages until you figure out just who the big bad is. I will say he didn't surprise me when I found out, although I was surprised by how long it had been going on.
The pacing is quite fast and there are a number of supporting characters to help the story move along. Told as a current story, with flashbacks, and also some scenes from the future, it was a little confusing, to begin with, until I got used to the writing style.
This was a quick read that I can 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 28, 2021
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Child Who Lived in Books
Aug 13, 2023
Although a work of fiction, The Child Who Lived is based on true events and tells a little told story of female prisoners within Mauthausen.
The book starts in the divorce courts in 1946 where Lore's husband is filing for divorce due to her 'unacceptable behaviour'. There, she tells the story of her remarkable life before and during the war.
Lore was a political prisoner initially interred in Ravensbrück but sent to Mauthausen with another group of women there to service the needs of the men. Lore and the other women soon become like family; looking out for and supporting each other whilst trying to survive the brutal regime inflicted by the SS. Against all the odds and rules, Lore finds love and unexpectedly becomes pregnant ... a death sentence for both mother and baby. How is she going to survive and save the life of her unborn child?
This is a story of bravery, strength, love and survival and although a work of fiction and therefore there is some 'artistic licence' and a suspension of reality at times, it is a story that hits all the emotions and the characters stay with you long after you finish.
Recommended to those who enjoy reading historical fiction from this era and thank you to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Child Who Lived.
The book starts in the divorce courts in 1946 where Lore's husband is filing for divorce due to her 'unacceptable behaviour'. There, she tells the story of her remarkable life before and during the war.
Lore was a political prisoner initially interred in Ravensbrück but sent to Mauthausen with another group of women there to service the needs of the men. Lore and the other women soon become like family; looking out for and supporting each other whilst trying to survive the brutal regime inflicted by the SS. Against all the odds and rules, Lore finds love and unexpectedly becomes pregnant ... a death sentence for both mother and baby. How is she going to survive and save the life of her unborn child?
This is a story of bravery, strength, love and survival and although a work of fiction and therefore there is some 'artistic licence' and a suspension of reality at times, it is a story that hits all the emotions and the characters stay with you long after you finish.
Recommended to those who enjoy reading historical fiction from this era and thank you to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Child Who Lived.
Poetry from My Heart: A Journey through Feelings
Book
Poetry: writing that formulates a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience, in language...
Poetry
Sloth (Seven Princes of Sin #3)
10.0
Rate It
Book
Love is the purest of all emotions. It's sacred... Torn away from everything she has ever known,...
Dark Contemporary Fantasy Erotica Romance TRIGGER WARNINGS: Profanity
Merissa (13956 KP) rated Eeny Meeny by Laura N. Andrews in Books
Jun 15, 2022 (Updated Jun 19, 2023)
EENY MEENY is a standalone novella in the Nursery Crimes series. I have to say, this is the first time I've read about a psychopath as the main GOOD character!
Honestly? This novella was brilliant. Originally, I planned on giving 4-stars but then I realised that there is nothing wrong with the story as it is. It's just me being greedy, wanting a full-blown novel. Of course, with it being a novella, the pacing is fast and the emotional connection between the main characters is pretty much instant, but still!
This is a complete story, including details of Elizabeth's childhood, her relationship with her mum, and her feelings for Isaac. She may not have the full scope of emotions but she loves him with all that she is. And that is enough! You also find out about those she targets and why. It really is all here.
Ms Andrews' writing never disappoints! Very different to what she's written previously, she nevertheless nailed it. Very different and I loved every word. 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 8, 2022
Honestly? This novella was brilliant. Originally, I planned on giving 4-stars but then I realised that there is nothing wrong with the story as it is. It's just me being greedy, wanting a full-blown novel. Of course, with it being a novella, the pacing is fast and the emotional connection between the main characters is pretty much instant, but still!
This is a complete story, including details of Elizabeth's childhood, her relationship with her mum, and her feelings for Isaac. She may not have the full scope of emotions but she loves him with all that she is. And that is enough! You also find out about those she targets and why. It really is all here.
Ms Andrews' writing never disappoints! Very different to what she's written previously, she nevertheless nailed it. Very different and I loved every word. 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 8, 2022
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2540 KP) rated Wrath of the Triple Goddess in Books
Dec 2, 2024 (Updated Dec 2, 2024)
Pet Sitting at Halloween
It’s October, and things are been quiet for a few weeks now. While Percy has enjoyed the down time, he is worried about needing to get two more recommendation letters to get into college. So he has mixed emotions when he is contacted by Hecate. She is planning to travel to enjoy all the Halloween festivities around the world and needs someone to pet sit. Of course, when those pets are a polecat and a hellhound, both of whom used to be human, things aren’t as easy as they appear. Especially when they escape. Can Percy and his friends track them down before Hecate returns? And what about repairing her mansion?
Like the first of these recent releases, I found the book a little low stakes and a little slow to start. Not to say that Percy didn’t face death. And once things got going, I was hooked on the story, wanting to know how Percy would prevail. I love Percy, Annabeth, and Grover, so getting to spend time with them was great, and I liked the updates on the others we got. I also appreciated how Percy left the new characters we met here. As always, there are plenty of laughs, which I really enjoyed. Fans will enjoy this book. I’ll definitely be back for the next book.
Like the first of these recent releases, I found the book a little low stakes and a little slow to start. Not to say that Percy didn’t face death. And once things got going, I was hooked on the story, wanting to know how Percy would prevail. I love Percy, Annabeth, and Grover, so getting to spend time with them was great, and I liked the updates on the others we got. I also appreciated how Percy left the new characters we met here. As always, there are plenty of laughs, which I really enjoyed. Fans will enjoy this book. I’ll definitely be back for the next book.
Comforting the Grump (Forestville Silver Foxes #5)
8.0
Rate It
Book
I don’t do emotions or romantic entanglements. My life is simple: I work hard and I play hard,...
Contemporary MM Romance Series
Merissa (13956 KP) rated Kari's Kismet (Divergent Omegaverse #6) in Books
May 15, 2026 - 3:10 PM
KARI'S KISMET is the sixth book in the Divergent Omegaverse series, and I absolutely recommend you read the others prior to this one. There is quite a lot of overlap, both in Drinkwater and the brothers themselves.
Bowie is the literal thinker of the PAs and has a traumatic past. He desperately wants to be loved, but doesn't think he is worthy of it. As for Kari, he's attracted to Bowie, but keeps his distance as he doesn't want to force anything. That is, until Bowie's "boyfriend" steps over the line and hurts Bowie. Then Kari will do whatever he can to ease Bowie's pain.
Although Daddy is mentioned in the blurb, it's quite light on the Daddy side. It is more about the emotions and relationship goals, not only for Bowie and Kari, but also how others can affect them. For Bowie, it was also bout having the confidence in his found family to understand they will accept him, no matter what, and he really is worthy of love.
This was a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed and absolutely 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 15, 2026
Bowie is the literal thinker of the PAs and has a traumatic past. He desperately wants to be loved, but doesn't think he is worthy of it. As for Kari, he's attracted to Bowie, but keeps his distance as he doesn't want to force anything. That is, until Bowie's "boyfriend" steps over the line and hurts Bowie. Then Kari will do whatever he can to ease Bowie's pain.
Although Daddy is mentioned in the blurb, it's quite light on the Daddy side. It is more about the emotions and relationship goals, not only for Bowie and Kari, but also how others can affect them. For Bowie, it was also bout having the confidence in his found family to understand they will accept him, no matter what, and he really is worthy of love.
This was a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed and absolutely 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 15, 2026
Merissa (13956 KP) rated King (Nobel Reckoning #2) in Books
Feb 17, 2025
KING is the grand finale of this duology and absolutely needs to be read after Consort.
Rue has been found and is being taken back to her old Pack. Durin has to do his duty to the queen as it is the change of seasons. What a bleak beginning! But, oh man, it's also such a great beginning. I was immediately right back in the story, with all my hopes and dreams resting on their shoulders.
This author is simply amazing at character-led stories full of emotions, and this one is no different. Did I cheer for Rue when she stood up for herself? Why, yes, I did. Did I sob into my Kleenex when my heart was eviscerated? Yep, I did that too. And did I cry again when something happened to a brave illusionist Fae? Yep, you've got me again.
This is an action-packed story with highs and lows, building to a dramatic ending that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Such an amazing story and one I HIGHLY 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!
Feb 12, 2025
Rue has been found and is being taken back to her old Pack. Durin has to do his duty to the queen as it is the change of seasons. What a bleak beginning! But, oh man, it's also such a great beginning. I was immediately right back in the story, with all my hopes and dreams resting on their shoulders.
This author is simply amazing at character-led stories full of emotions, and this one is no different. Did I cheer for Rue when she stood up for herself? Why, yes, I did. Did I sob into my Kleenex when my heart was eviscerated? Yep, I did that too. And did I cry again when something happened to a brave illusionist Fae? Yep, you've got me again.
This is an action-packed story with highs and lows, building to a dramatic ending that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Such an amazing story and one I HIGHLY 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!
Feb 12, 2025
Merissa (13956 KP) rated The Curse Between Us in Books
Mar 28, 2025
THE CURSE BETWEEN US is a standalone story of opposites - hot Rafria and icy Eskarven, long at war with each other. When both kings die, the crowns are passed on to Edric of Rafria and Zephyr of Eskarven. With help, they come up with a plan to stop the war, but that just unleashes a prophecy neither was aware of.
This was a great story, with plenty of world-building and lore without being bogged down by all the minutiae. The differences in both the characters and places help build within the story, and nothing is just easy and solved with the wave of a hand. The relationship between Edric and Zephyr is slow-burn but with plenty of emotions. It does lead to some steamy moments but doesn't overtake the story.
This is the second book by this author I have read and it has been proven that intricate and emotional stories are what to expect, which I love! A fantastic story that I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in HIGHLY RECOMMENDING.
** 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!
Mar 17, 2025
This was a great story, with plenty of world-building and lore without being bogged down by all the minutiae. The differences in both the characters and places help build within the story, and nothing is just easy and solved with the wave of a hand. The relationship between Edric and Zephyr is slow-burn but with plenty of emotions. It does lead to some steamy moments but doesn't overtake the story.
This is the second book by this author I have read and it has been proven that intricate and emotional stories are what to expect, which I love! A fantastic story that I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in HIGHLY RECOMMENDING.
** 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!
Mar 17, 2025