A Star is Bored
Book
A hilariously heartfelt novel about living life at full force, and discovering family when you least...
Reap This Too (Oh So Happy Holidays #2)
9.0
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Unlike his parents and his twin Seamus, Ian O’Donnell is not a good witch. Or rather, he isn’t...
MM Paranormal Romance
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 (2619 KP) rated Death of a Red-Hot Rancher in Books
Sep 15, 2021
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.
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
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
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 (6256 KP) rated The Paper Place in Books
Oct 30, 2021
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.