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Wildflower Hill
6.0
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Hailed by bestselling author Kate Morton as "a gorgeous story of family and secrets and the...
Travelling in a strange land
10.0
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Set in a frozen winter landscape, the new novel from the prize-winning, acclaimed author David Park...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2502 KP) rated Death of a Red-Hot Rancher in Books
Sep 15, 2021
Lizzie Find Murder Heats Up Her Life
Lizzie Hale is enjoying running her romance bookstore. So what if her love life is a little non-existent, she loves getting to spend her days around books and interacting with her customers. Life gets much more complicated, however, when Brody Pierce dies. Brody owned the buffalo ranch outside of town, and Lizzie keeps finding evidence that her aunt may have been his secret lover. Lizzie worries that, if true, this secret will lead to her aunt being arrested for murder. Lizzie jumps in to the investigation to try to clear her aunt, but what does it mean when all the evidence she finds seems to point to her aunt?
There are plenty of book themed cozies, but this is the first one I’m aware of to feature romance novels as the specific bookish hook. I’m not a fan of the genre, but that didn’t hamper my enjoyment of this book. Lizzie is a great main character, and she is surrounded by charming family and friends I hope will be regulars. Part of the plot was driven by misunderstandings, which drove me crazy, but on the whole the plot was good with plenty of secrets to be uncovered before we reached the logical climax. I had lots of fun along the way and even laughed a few times. If you are looking for a lighter mystery, this is a debut to pick up.
There are plenty of book themed cozies, but this is the first one I’m aware of to feature romance novels as the specific bookish hook. I’m not a fan of the genre, but that didn’t hamper my enjoyment of this book. Lizzie is a great main character, and she is surrounded by charming family and friends I hope will be regulars. Part of the plot was driven by misunderstandings, which drove me crazy, but on the whole the plot was good with plenty of secrets to be uncovered before we reached the logical climax. I had lots of fun along the way and even laughed a few times. If you are looking for a lighter mystery, this is a debut to pick up.
Fire & Ice (Faerie Song Trilogy #1)
8.0
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Adventure wasn’t something Lorelei Alundra was interested in. Gifted with two other-worldly...
Young Adult Fantasy Romance
Hazel (2934 KP) rated What July Knew in Books
Feb 5, 2023
I have read and enjoyed a couple of Emily's books before and this was no exception and something a little different to my usual reads.
July has had a difficult start in life having lost her mum very early in her life but as she nears her tenth birthday and wants to find out more about her mum, her life becomes even more difficult especially when she is not allowed to ask any questions otherwise there are "lessons" that she needs to learn.
I absolutely loved July and was immediately drawn to her and her story. Her innocence was endearing and I matched her desire and need to find out more about her mum and what happened to her.
This was a tough read in parts as it deals with domestic and child abuse and although it isn't gratuitous, if these are triggers for you, I would think strongly whether you want to read it.
Although it's a little slow to start, there is a pervading sense of unease amongst the drip drip of information that makes you want to keep reading and I would recommend to those of you who enjoy a great mystery but, more than that, a strong story of friendship, family and finding out where you belong within that complicated structure.
Thanks to Random House UK, Vintage and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of What July Knew.
July has had a difficult start in life having lost her mum very early in her life but as she nears her tenth birthday and wants to find out more about her mum, her life becomes even more difficult especially when she is not allowed to ask any questions otherwise there are "lessons" that she needs to learn.
I absolutely loved July and was immediately drawn to her and her story. Her innocence was endearing and I matched her desire and need to find out more about her mum and what happened to her.
This was a tough read in parts as it deals with domestic and child abuse and although it isn't gratuitous, if these are triggers for you, I would think strongly whether you want to read it.
Although it's a little slow to start, there is a pervading sense of unease amongst the drip drip of information that makes you want to keep reading and I would recommend to those of you who enjoy a great mystery but, more than that, a strong story of friendship, family and finding out where you belong within that complicated structure.
Thanks to Random House UK, Vintage and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of What July Knew.
ClareR (6106 KP) rated The Paper Place in Books
Oct 30, 2021
I don’t think that any synopsis written by me could do justice to The Paper Palace. It couldn’t adequately describe the many layers to this frankly magnetic book (I mean this literally - I couldn’t put it down). Who knew that a book about a family’s summer home on Cape Cod could encompass so much more. A lot happens in the Paper Palace (the summer residence of Elle Bishop and her family), both in the past and present.
This is a book of childhood trauma, terrible parenting, young love, adultery, and a horrendous secret that both ties and separates Elle from her childhood friend and first love, Jonah.
I was completely absorbed in this story that spanned all of Elle’s life up to the present day, and even let us look into the life of her mother (not an ideal childhood, either). There is a deep-seated sadness to Elle’s character, and it’s not until later in the book that we learn the reasons why.
She has a deep love and affection for her children and her husband though, and there are some really touching, humorous moments between them. And this makes the decision she has to make at the end of the book, one of the most difficult in her life.
This will be high up in my favourite books of the year (Ok, this is becoming a sizeable list), and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.
This is a book of childhood trauma, terrible parenting, young love, adultery, and a horrendous secret that both ties and separates Elle from her childhood friend and first love, Jonah.
I was completely absorbed in this story that spanned all of Elle’s life up to the present day, and even let us look into the life of her mother (not an ideal childhood, either). There is a deep-seated sadness to Elle’s character, and it’s not until later in the book that we learn the reasons why.
She has a deep love and affection for her children and her husband though, and there are some really touching, humorous moments between them. And this makes the decision she has to make at the end of the book, one of the most difficult in her life.
This will be high up in my favourite books of the year (Ok, this is becoming a sizeable list), and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.
Little Harbour (Scandinavian Comfort #1)
Book
This is a story about life and death, because there was never anyone else for Jens. He had been with...
Contemporary MM Romance
Rachel King (13 KP) rated The Scorpio Races in Books
Feb 11, 2019
I loved this book right from the beginning. Though I am familiar with Maggie Stiefvater's writing style from other books, reading it in this one still felt fresh and new. I loved her imagery and witticism and how she described people and situations in new ways to me.
There is a major emphasis on all aspects of horses, and not just because of the existence of the water horses. Though the author pulls the water horses from mythology, much of their origins and abilities are cloaked in mystery. Sean Kendrick is one of the few on the island that understands the water horses -- both how to control them and respect them, as well as how to care for them properly -- though he does not share his knowledge with anyone. The fantastical elements of the water horses are understated, as they are more of a catalyst for the budding romance between Sean and Puck.
Sean is as much of a mystery as the water horses. The other inhabitants of the island respect him, but keep their distance. As a regular winner of the Scorpio Races, sean is the expected winner, but his attraction to Puck makes things unpredictable and unprecedented.
Puck is easy to like. She loves her horse, she loves her brothers, and she loves the island. She likes life simple and her motivations are not for wealth, but to keep her home and her family just as it is. Of course, life never stays stagnant, and her spontaneous entry into the Scorpio Races sparks enough conflict and controversy to change her life forever.
While I learned much more about horses than I would ever seek to learn otherwise, the book is more of a love story than a horse myth come to life, and I loved every word of it.
There is a major emphasis on all aspects of horses, and not just because of the existence of the water horses. Though the author pulls the water horses from mythology, much of their origins and abilities are cloaked in mystery. Sean Kendrick is one of the few on the island that understands the water horses -- both how to control them and respect them, as well as how to care for them properly -- though he does not share his knowledge with anyone. The fantastical elements of the water horses are understated, as they are more of a catalyst for the budding romance between Sean and Puck.
Sean is as much of a mystery as the water horses. The other inhabitants of the island respect him, but keep their distance. As a regular winner of the Scorpio Races, sean is the expected winner, but his attraction to Puck makes things unpredictable and unprecedented.
Puck is easy to like. She loves her horse, she loves her brothers, and she loves the island. She likes life simple and her motivations are not for wealth, but to keep her home and her family just as it is. Of course, life never stays stagnant, and her spontaneous entry into the Scorpio Races sparks enough conflict and controversy to change her life forever.
While I learned much more about horses than I would ever seek to learn otherwise, the book is more of a love story than a horse myth come to life, and I loved every word of it.
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Never Be Alone in Books
Apr 9, 2019
Joon is eight years old when her parents are killed and she is put into the foster care system. For 4 years, she is with the same family, but the way they treat her is worse than you would an enemy. When Joon has her chance, she runs away an tried to make a life for herself on the streets. She sees more in her short life than many people experience in an entire lifetime. Will Joon be able to survive on the streets or will she succumb to the pressures of drugs and prostitution?
Thank you to NetGalley and Fiction With Meaning for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This is a book that every person should read. We have all seen a homeless person and I'm sure many of us judge them without knowing their situation and how they got to where they are. For some, maybe living on the street is better than their other choices.
In this story, I could see myself as Joon, going through life trying to survive, but I don't think I could have done all she did. This book will make you cry, it is absolutely heart wrenching. You want to jump in and try to save Joon. According to the Author's Notes(yes I read those), this book was taken from her own experience with homelessness.
Again, this is a book everyone should read. It will make you look at the world and the people in it very differently. We are all human and we all are just trying to make it through life with the cards we were dealt. Some of us were given a great hand, and others the worse, but it's what we do with it that makes all the difference.
Thank you to NetGalley and Fiction With Meaning for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This is a book that every person should read. We have all seen a homeless person and I'm sure many of us judge them without knowing their situation and how they got to where they are. For some, maybe living on the street is better than their other choices.
In this story, I could see myself as Joon, going through life trying to survive, but I don't think I could have done all she did. This book will make you cry, it is absolutely heart wrenching. You want to jump in and try to save Joon. According to the Author's Notes(yes I read those), this book was taken from her own experience with homelessness.
Again, this is a book everyone should read. It will make you look at the world and the people in it very differently. We are all human and we all are just trying to make it through life with the cards we were dealt. Some of us were given a great hand, and others the worse, but it's what we do with it that makes all the difference.