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ClareR (6256 KP) rated The Stranding in Books

Jul 27, 2022  
The Stranding
The Stranding
Kate Sawyer | 2022 | Contemporary, Dystopia, Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I have serious feelings about this book, and I’ll start by saying that I would give this ALL the stars if I could.

Ruth tries to ignore the bad news going on in the world. She goes to work, moves in with her boyfriend, realises he’s not who she thought he was, has a short-lived affair, ends it with the boyfriend and decides to go travelling.

So Ruth is on a New Zealand beach with a complete stranger when the worst thing that could happen, does happen. They hide inside the carcass of a recently dead whale, and when they re-emerge onto the beach, everything is changed.

This is told in alternate chapters of before and after, and shows the stark difference between the two times. It also shows what’s really important in a life: the human drive to survive and love.

Honestly, I’m so desperate for other people to read this, that I don’t want to give too much away, so that you don’t lose that element of surprise and the joy tinged with sadness when you turn each page. It really did make me think about what’s important in my own life.

The Stranding was just an absolute pleasure to read.
  
Skylarking
Skylarking
Kate Mildenhall | 2022 | Fiction & Poetry
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
158 of 230
Book
Skylarking
By Kate Mildenhall
⭐️⭐️

Lucy TreloarKate and Harriet are best friends growing up together on an isolated Australian cape. As the daughters of the lighthouse keepers, the two girls share everything, until a fisherman, McPhail, arrives in their small community.When Kate witnesses the desire that flares between him and Harriet, she is torn by her feelings of envy and longing. An innocent moment in McPhail's hut then occurs that threatens to tear their peaceful community apart.Inspired by a true story, Skylarking is a spellbinding tale of friendship and desire, memory and truth, which questions what it is to remember and how tempting it can be to forget.

Oh I hate giving low stars but I was just so so very very bored and it took me 5 days to read a book that’s just over 200 pages when usually I’d have it done in an hour or so. It wasn’t badly written just seriously bored me. That’s not to say someone else may find it that way this is just my opinion. The one thing I wasn’t expecting was the ending with would have been very emotional if I had been invested in the characters which I just wasn’t.
  
182 of 230
Kindle
Isobel ( Dark Warrior Alliance book 9)
By Brenda Trim and Tami Julka
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Elsie has everything she could ever want - mated to the Vampire King, working at her dream job, surrounded by family and friends and expecting her first child. Her bliss quickly turns into a nightmare of epic proportions when her newborn daughter becomes the primary target of the nefarious archdemon. Seeking guidance from the Goddess, Elsie and Zander discover the only way to protect their fragile baby is to summon a Guardian Angel. When the enticing guardian appears, Elsie and Zander face far more challenges than merely keeping their daughter safe. As feelings ignite, jealousy threatens to tear them apart and for the first time, being Fated may not guarantee an eternity together.

I just loved this! We have been waiting so long for this baby and in one short book she makes her appearance and boy does she come into the world with a bang! Elsie has to deal with a hell of a lot In this book especially with Ramis showing up and knocking the wind from her, but she’s just such an inspiring female character she handles it well Zander not so much 😂. This series is just so much fun to read.
  
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Merissa (14214 KP) rated When the Wind Chimes in Books

Nov 13, 2020 (Updated Aug 14, 2023)  
When the Wind Chimes
When the Wind Chimes
Mary Ting | 2020 | Contemporary, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
WHEN THE WIND CHIMES is a light, contemporary read with low angst and lots of warm feel-good feelings attached to it.

I did find the blurb to be slightly confusing as Kaitlyn (Kate) did not come across as heartbroken. She was sad at the death of her brother-in-law, upset for her sister and nephew, and annoyed with her ex-boyfriend. Heartbroken though? No.

She goes to Hawai'i for Christmas as it is the first one her sister will have without her husband. Whilst there, she has two job interviews that come to nothing but does land a job looking after a little girl who is one of her nephew's classmates.

The angst in the book mainly revolves around whether or not Lee actually likes her or if he just sees her as his child's temporary nanny. There is some mention of what it is like to lose a husband or sibling and the impact that has on the family left behind.

All in all, this was a sweet read with a seasonal setting.

* 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!
Nov 13, 2020