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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Anne of Green Gables in Books

Oct 4, 2022

It’s Hard to Imagine a More Romantic Story

Orphan Anne Shirley is thrilled when she is sent to live with the Cuthbert siblings, Matthew and Marilla. The problem is, they were looking for an orphan boy, someone who could help Matthew around the farm. Still, they begin to fall for Anne and agree to let her stay. This book follows her adventures of the next five years as she grows to become a sixteen-year-old. What will happen over that time?

I’ve never read this well-loved classic, and I decided it was time to fix that. It came out in 1908, so some of the language is dated, although there is nothing offensive here. I think I needed to be a pre-teen girl to fully enjoy this book. There were certainly parts I did enjoy, but overall, I found the book more episodic than a real novel. That tends to happen to me when a novel covers such a span of time. Also, the events in the second half of the book got to be too much for me. Having said that, I can see the appeal. The characters definitely grew on me, and I laughed at various events along the way. I’m curious enough about what happens next that I might go on with the series.

Kudos

The Silver Ones (The Silver Series, #1)

Charlotte Mallory

10.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

When she has to convince the Alpha of Warden to pick her as his mate, she finds herself...

Paranormal Romance Shifters Witches

The Fragrance of Death

Leslie Karst

9.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

Restaurateur Sally Solari has a nose for trouble, but when her sense of smell goes missing, it's not...

Merissa (12854 KP) rated Bridging Hope (Bridging Hearts #1) in Books

Apr 3, 2024

Bridging Hope (Bridging Hearts #1)

Greyson McCoy | 2024 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance

8.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

BRIDGING HOPE is the first novella in the Bridging Hearts series. We start with Pierce - a workaholic who has ended up in the last place he ever expected... his childhood home. It doesn't hold any happy memories as he was physically abused by his father. When his sister dies though, he steps up to the mark for his niece and nephew. The complication arises when his sister puts Dalton, an ex-boyfriend, down as guardian for them though. Can the two of them work together for the sake of the children?

For a shorter-length story, this one packs a punch. The world- and character-building are clear and concise, giving plenty of details about the farm, the children, and the MCs. Pierce gets his priorities mixed up at one point, but this just makes him more realistic. I loved how Dalton was the steady one, who had dreams but wasn't afraid to either put them on hold for the sake of the children or make it work around them.

A great story that I enjoyed and have no hesitation in 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 20, 2024

Kudos

Merissa (12854 KP) rated The Low Road in Books

Jan 23, 2024

The Low Road

Katharine Quarmby | 2023 | Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+

8.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

THE LOW ROAD is a sombre story that starts in Norfolk and finishes in Australia. Hannah's life as a child is almost idyllic, living on a farm with her mother, together with the farmer and his wife. Unfortunately, it wasn't to last, and the death of the goodwife set in motion a sequence of events that would change Hannah's life forever.

Told from Hannah's perspective, in both present and past tense, you see how 'nicely' poor people were judged, even more so if they were female and the constant threat of unwanted attention. It explained how a child could be found guilty of its mother's 'moral' crimes, which was shocking by itself, but add it together with the rest, and it's one helluva story on every level.

I can't say as I was fully behind the love between Annie and Hannah, although I understand how it would be something to hold on to. It never seemed balanced and real to me, just convenient.

A gripping book to read on hard times in history; absolutely 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!
Jan 22, 2024

Kudos

A Touch of Maple (Love in Maplewood #3)

Amy Aislin

10.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

After being traded numerous times over the course of his pro hockey career, all Bellamy Jordan wants...

Contemporary MM Sports Romance Found Family Hockey

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Helpless in Books

Mar 19, 2025 (Updated Mar 19, 2025)

Helpless

Annette Dashofy | 2023 | Mystery

8.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

Murder and Kidnapping in a Storm

With the remains of a tropical storm hitting the area, the last thing that Zoe Chamber-Adams and Pete Adams need is a criminal running around the area. But that’s just what they’ve got. They are called to a horrific scene on a neighbors’ farm. The wife has been shot, the husband left for dead, and their daughter kidnapped. As Pete tries to find the daughter before she is taken out of the area, Zoe tries to learn what she can from the husband. Will the storm help or hurt them?

This is more of a ticking clock thriller than a mystery, with the book taking place over the course of a day. As much as I love this series, this one was a bit of a letdown. I found Zoe’s portion of the story slowed the plot down, and I found it a very dark book, even by this series’ standards. On the other hand, the overall plot of the book was great and I was still always reluctant to set the book down. It was great spending time with Zoe and Pete, and I enjoyed seeing the updates we still got on the series regulars and some ongoing stories. Fans of this great series will still be glad they picked up this book.