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BookInspector (124 KP) rated Summer at Sandcastle Cottage in Books
Jul 1, 2021
This book is told from multiple perspectives, Kitty, Apollo and Jemini are sharing their thoughts and feelings. I really liked not only the main characters but all characters mentioned in this book. They all are very realistic, unique and incredibly funny. The protagonists had a difficult past, but I am happy about their present life.
The narrative was very entertaining and enjoyable. I really enjoyed the little twists and turns, that the author incorporated into this novel. The topics discussed in this book were difficult relationships, everyday life, racism, looking for love, friendships and plenty more. One thing that really annoyed me is the term “politically correct” used in multiple places throughout this book. I don’t think it was needed and it irked me a lot.
I absolutely loved the setting of this book. I would love to spend holidays in a place like Firefly Common, where you can go to the beach and enjoy idyllic walks. The book is set during summer, so it was a great escape to somewhere nice during the lockdown. The chapters of the book have medium length, but the story is very entertaining and the pages just fly by. The ending was quite predictable, but I liked the way this story was concluded. There is a short story/prequel to this book called Christmas At Sandcastle Cottage. I haven’t read it, but I hope it would explain the past situations of the main characters better.
So, to conclude, I really enjoyed this funny, romantic novel, filled with intriguing and humorous characters as well as the plot that takes you to a beautiful place and makes you believe in a better life.
The narrative was very entertaining and enjoyable. I really enjoyed the little twists and turns, that the author incorporated into this novel. The topics discussed in this book were difficult relationships, everyday life, racism, looking for love, friendships and plenty more. One thing that really annoyed me is the term “politically correct” used in multiple places throughout this book. I don’t think it was needed and it irked me a lot.
I absolutely loved the setting of this book. I would love to spend holidays in a place like Firefly Common, where you can go to the beach and enjoy idyllic walks. The book is set during summer, so it was a great escape to somewhere nice during the lockdown. The chapters of the book have medium length, but the story is very entertaining and the pages just fly by. The ending was quite predictable, but I liked the way this story was concluded. There is a short story/prequel to this book called Christmas At Sandcastle Cottage. I haven’t read it, but I hope it would explain the past situations of the main characters better.
So, to conclude, I really enjoyed this funny, romantic novel, filled with intriguing and humorous characters as well as the plot that takes you to a beautiful place and makes you believe in a better life.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Death be Shifted (Terra Vane #6) in Books
Jul 19, 2021
110 of 250
Kindle
Death be Shifted ( Terra Vane book 6)
By Katie Carys
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Previously published under the author name of Katie Epstein...
My name is Terra, and I’m a Psychic. I have visions, and so far they’ve helped us track down almost half of the Portiside Prison escapees. After admitting my feelings to my partner, things are better than ever, but at the same time I've just found out that I might not be completely... human. I suppose you’ve got to take the good with the bad, and as for the ugly – I just promised a friend I’d travel to the Shifter Lands to track a predator, one that is hunting and killing the natives, his kin.
But proud, stubborn and highly secretive, wolf shifters are not known for their hospitality. Getting into their lands will be a struggle, getting answers will be a challenge, and getting assistance will be almost impossible. But I know how important family is, and I gave my word. Whatever is attacking the wolf shifters of Caladonia Moor, it’s dangerous, and I have a feeling we’re going to have one hell of a fight on our hands.
I just love reading this series! Each one it just gets better. Full of action, it has these amazing friendships building as well as a beautiful well written relationship that doesn’t over cloud everything else. Kinda getting pissed of with Cole’s attitude and that of his family there is definitely something going on there that I’m sure Terra will uncover!
Well recommended to anyone that want an addictive series that’s well written!
Kindle
Death be Shifted ( Terra Vane book 6)
By Katie Carys
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Previously published under the author name of Katie Epstein...
My name is Terra, and I’m a Psychic. I have visions, and so far they’ve helped us track down almost half of the Portiside Prison escapees. After admitting my feelings to my partner, things are better than ever, but at the same time I've just found out that I might not be completely... human. I suppose you’ve got to take the good with the bad, and as for the ugly – I just promised a friend I’d travel to the Shifter Lands to track a predator, one that is hunting and killing the natives, his kin.
But proud, stubborn and highly secretive, wolf shifters are not known for their hospitality. Getting into their lands will be a struggle, getting answers will be a challenge, and getting assistance will be almost impossible. But I know how important family is, and I gave my word. Whatever is attacking the wolf shifters of Caladonia Moor, it’s dangerous, and I have a feeling we’re going to have one hell of a fight on our hands.
I just love reading this series! Each one it just gets better. Full of action, it has these amazing friendships building as well as a beautiful well written relationship that doesn’t over cloud everything else. Kinda getting pissed of with Cole’s attitude and that of his family there is definitely something going on there that I’m sure Terra will uncover!
Well recommended to anyone that want an addictive series that’s well written!
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Summer of 84 (2018) in Movies
Sep 26, 2020 (Updated Sep 26, 2020)
Contains spoilers, click to show
I have mixed feelings about Summer of 84, another 80s love letter following in the wake of the cataclysmic popularity of Stranger Things. Probably easier to break this one down into bullet points.
- The four main characters are pretty hit and miss. The actors are all fine, but some of the dialogue and pop culture references seem very forced. They provide the movie with some funny moments for sure, but their characters are fairly cliché and the chemistry goes through some flat moments.
- The story is pretty straightforward and decent, and provides an entertaining mystery, but some of the plot points are odd and a lot of the characters are just insufferably stupid.
- The ending is conflicting as well. Considering the majority of the film is quite comedic and seems intended towards a family audience, the ending is pretty bleak. My initial thoughts were "fair enough, quite ballsy" but now I can't decide whether it was in fact just plain mean spirited. Either way, it left a nasty taste in my mouth, and I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing.
- A couple of positives - I really enjoyed the music score, and the cinematography. The film has a lovely aesthetic to it.
- Not sure how the babysitter character was supposed to be portrayed, but she seemed a bit too old for a love interest to the 15 year old protagonist. Made me feel uncomfortable...
Summer of 84 is an entertaining enough psuedo-slasher thriller, but it suffers from pacing issues amongst other things that stops it being as good is it could have been.
- The four main characters are pretty hit and miss. The actors are all fine, but some of the dialogue and pop culture references seem very forced. They provide the movie with some funny moments for sure, but their characters are fairly cliché and the chemistry goes through some flat moments.
- The story is pretty straightforward and decent, and provides an entertaining mystery, but some of the plot points are odd and a lot of the characters are just insufferably stupid.
- The ending is conflicting as well. Considering the majority of the film is quite comedic and seems intended towards a family audience, the ending is pretty bleak. My initial thoughts were "fair enough, quite ballsy" but now I can't decide whether it was in fact just plain mean spirited. Either way, it left a nasty taste in my mouth, and I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing.
- A couple of positives - I really enjoyed the music score, and the cinematography. The film has a lovely aesthetic to it.
- Not sure how the babysitter character was supposed to be portrayed, but she seemed a bit too old for a love interest to the 15 year old protagonist. Made me feel uncomfortable...
Summer of 84 is an entertaining enough psuedo-slasher thriller, but it suffers from pacing issues amongst other things that stops it being as good is it could have been.
This frankly stunning book, begins like many women’s normal, everyday evenings: getting the children ready for bed on their own, waiting for their husband to get in from their commute.
Lucy enjoys her alone time think, and enjoys the time she spends with her children. She works from home since having had the children. She had a good job, had even started to study for a PhD at one point, and she appears to be happy with her life as it is. Until an unexpected phone call one evening. Jake, her husband, is late home from work, and the stranger on the phone tells Lucy that her husband is having an affair with his wife. Lucy is stunned. Jake is full of remorse when she tells him, and he tells her that she can punish him three times - as long as they stay together.
This book looks at how punishment skirts very closely to revenge, and the effect that it can have on your own sanity. It uses mythology and the myth of the Harpy, to exact that revenge. As time progresses and Lucy becomes more embroiled in her Harpy-like acts of revenge, there are excerpts that seem to come from a Harpy’s point of view. I liked these parts. They seemed to revel in the feelings of vengeance, something that all ‘nice’ girls are taught not to do. Instead of turning the other cheek, Lucy goes for full-on retribution.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It’s a short, totally absorbing read, and is the second book I’ve read and enjoyed by Megan Hunter. I’m looking forward to whatever comes next!
Lucy enjoys her alone time think, and enjoys the time she spends with her children. She works from home since having had the children. She had a good job, had even started to study for a PhD at one point, and she appears to be happy with her life as it is. Until an unexpected phone call one evening. Jake, her husband, is late home from work, and the stranger on the phone tells Lucy that her husband is having an affair with his wife. Lucy is stunned. Jake is full of remorse when she tells him, and he tells her that she can punish him three times - as long as they stay together.
This book looks at how punishment skirts very closely to revenge, and the effect that it can have on your own sanity. It uses mythology and the myth of the Harpy, to exact that revenge. As time progresses and Lucy becomes more embroiled in her Harpy-like acts of revenge, there are excerpts that seem to come from a Harpy’s point of view. I liked these parts. They seemed to revel in the feelings of vengeance, something that all ‘nice’ girls are taught not to do. Instead of turning the other cheek, Lucy goes for full-on retribution.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It’s a short, totally absorbing read, and is the second book I’ve read and enjoyed by Megan Hunter. I’m looking forward to whatever comes next!
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Duke of Manhattan in Books
Jan 11, 2021
This review and more can be found at my blog
https://aromancereadersreviews.blogspot.com
A Romance Reader's Reviews
I haven't read any previous books in this series but each book is a stand alone.
So we're introduced to Ryder as he arrives home to see his grandfather after a fall in which he broke his hip. They discuss business and what's going to happen when his grandfather dies. The title and all business related to it will pass to the oldest married grandchild, and that isn't Ryder. To stop him from losing the business he loves he has to find a wife.
Welcome Scarlett to the scene. A woman he spent the night with after flying back out to America to attend to his business dealings across the pond. Only Scarlett runs a business he's trying to take over and is refusing to step down from a leading role. The perfect solution: get married and both get to keep the businesses they love.
Of course feelings emerge over time and what started off fake soon turns real. I actually enjoyed reading them fall for each other. It sort of bloomed over time out of all the sex and time they spent together. It was really kind of sweet. Of course, there's always something that happens that makes the couple part and I'm pleased to say that it was neither of their faults in this one! Nevertheless, they part ways for a while and Ryder's admission of his love and the things he did to try and win her back were really nice.
I'm actually looking forward to reading more books by this author if they're all like this.
https://aromancereadersreviews.blogspot.com
A Romance Reader's Reviews
I haven't read any previous books in this series but each book is a stand alone.
So we're introduced to Ryder as he arrives home to see his grandfather after a fall in which he broke his hip. They discuss business and what's going to happen when his grandfather dies. The title and all business related to it will pass to the oldest married grandchild, and that isn't Ryder. To stop him from losing the business he loves he has to find a wife.
Welcome Scarlett to the scene. A woman he spent the night with after flying back out to America to attend to his business dealings across the pond. Only Scarlett runs a business he's trying to take over and is refusing to step down from a leading role. The perfect solution: get married and both get to keep the businesses they love.
Of course feelings emerge over time and what started off fake soon turns real. I actually enjoyed reading them fall for each other. It sort of bloomed over time out of all the sex and time they spent together. It was really kind of sweet. Of course, there's always something that happens that makes the couple part and I'm pleased to say that it was neither of their faults in this one! Nevertheless, they part ways for a while and Ryder's admission of his love and the things he did to try and win her back were really nice.
I'm actually looking forward to reading more books by this author if they're all like this.
Kristina (502 KP) rated Consequences (Consequences, #1) in Books
Dec 7, 2020
My main thought when I finished Consequences: WTF?!?
At the beginning, I was a little weary of continuing to read it. I initially hoped Aleatha planned to introduce some knight-in-shining-armor to save Claire from the monster that is Anthony. When I got far enough to realize that wasn't happening, I actually debated whether or not I should keep reading or come to a stop. It was a bit depressing and I hated (still do) Anthony with a passion. I didn't understand what the storyline could do for me. Luckily, I'm stubborn and I refused to quit reading. I'm really glad I did, because Consequences was totally worth reading all the way through. Despite a kind of lengthy, boring middle, the rest kept me intrigued and, sometimes, disgusted. Throughout the whole book, I kept saying, "I should stop reading. I'm definitely not reading the rest of this series." Of course, I did keep reading, and I definitely WANT to read the rest of this series. The ending was a complete shocker and I'm more than ready to figure out what happens in the second book.
That all being said, I've rated Consequences a 3, because there's not a 1/2 star option and I feel like 4 stars might be too much. I mainly rated it a 3 1/2, instead of a 4, because the book had my feelings stretched out beyond my normal limit. Normally, this would be a good thing, but some of the content is what officially determined my final rating. Despite only giving it a 3 1/2, I am very interested in finishing this series!
At the beginning, I was a little weary of continuing to read it. I initially hoped Aleatha planned to introduce some knight-in-shining-armor to save Claire from the monster that is Anthony. When I got far enough to realize that wasn't happening, I actually debated whether or not I should keep reading or come to a stop. It was a bit depressing and I hated (still do) Anthony with a passion. I didn't understand what the storyline could do for me. Luckily, I'm stubborn and I refused to quit reading. I'm really glad I did, because Consequences was totally worth reading all the way through. Despite a kind of lengthy, boring middle, the rest kept me intrigued and, sometimes, disgusted. Throughout the whole book, I kept saying, "I should stop reading. I'm definitely not reading the rest of this series." Of course, I did keep reading, and I definitely WANT to read the rest of this series. The ending was a complete shocker and I'm more than ready to figure out what happens in the second book.
That all being said, I've rated Consequences a 3, because there's not a 1/2 star option and I feel like 4 stars might be too much. I mainly rated it a 3 1/2, instead of a 4, because the book had my feelings stretched out beyond my normal limit. Normally, this would be a good thing, but some of the content is what officially determined my final rating. Despite only giving it a 3 1/2, I am very interested in finishing this series!
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Ready Player One (2018) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
When the creator of a virtual reality world called the OASIS dies, he releases a video in which he challenges all OASIS users to find his Easter Egg, which will give the finder his fortune.
I might have to take back my negative ramblings about 3D briefly for this one. I was cursing under my breath when I saw the showing go up in the listings. You know my general feelings about the pointless format.
While I'm in no way converted, and out of choice I will always pick a 2D showing, this one was good. But I'm inclined to put that down to the video game nature of much of the film. I would note though that the film was clearer and more crisp to watch. Possibly this is down to the equipment used in the screens, as this was a different one to Tomb Raider which was decidedly fuzzy.
I didn't know anything about this film before going into it. Many people had told me that the book was difficult to read, and potentially that much of it might translate badly to the screen. I'm inclined to think that this film knocked its book out of the park judging by the crowd's reaction.
Most of the time, and compared to many of my friends, I consider myself to be a bit of a nerd. Even so, there were still a lot of references that completely passed me by on this one. It's a perfect film for the nostalgic nerd. At so many points I found myself smiling from memories of something as I saw it on the screen.
I might have to take back my negative ramblings about 3D briefly for this one. I was cursing under my breath when I saw the showing go up in the listings. You know my general feelings about the pointless format.
While I'm in no way converted, and out of choice I will always pick a 2D showing, this one was good. But I'm inclined to put that down to the video game nature of much of the film. I would note though that the film was clearer and more crisp to watch. Possibly this is down to the equipment used in the screens, as this was a different one to Tomb Raider which was decidedly fuzzy.
I didn't know anything about this film before going into it. Many people had told me that the book was difficult to read, and potentially that much of it might translate badly to the screen. I'm inclined to think that this film knocked its book out of the park judging by the crowd's reaction.
Most of the time, and compared to many of my friends, I consider myself to be a bit of a nerd. Even so, there were still a lot of references that completely passed me by on this one. It's a perfect film for the nostalgic nerd. At so many points I found myself smiling from memories of something as I saw it on the screen.
MelanieTheresa (997 KP) rated Yesterday (2019) in Movies
Sep 23, 2019 (Updated Sep 23, 2019)
Better than I thought it would be.
Contains spoilers, click to show
Failing musician gets hit by a car during a mysterious worldwide 12-second blackout, and wakes up to a world in which The Beatles never existed (also never existed: Coca-Cola, cigarettes (?), and Harry Potter). Musician claims the songs as his own and becomes an overnight sensation.
(There are also the rom-com elements: failing musician is oblivious to the feelings of his friend-slash-manager until he's uber-famous and it's almost too late, friend-slash-manager starts seeing someone else, etc.)
Evidently, there are two other people in the world who also remember The Beatles, and though the movie attempts to make you think there may be something sinister happening there (*gasp* are they going to expose him??), there isn't. These two people aren't even mad that the musician is claiming he wrote the songs; they're just happy to hear the songs again.
There's a pretty great sequence in which our main character looks up John Lennon (played by Robert Carlyle) and goes to visit him, because hey, if The Beatles never existed, then it follows that John must still be alive, right? I didn't even think of that until he showed up on screen, but it seemed like a quietly brilliant piece of the movie.
So what caused the mysterious 12-second blackout and the disappearance of The Beatles (and Coca-Cola, cigarettes, Harry Potter)? I HAVE NO IDEA BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T TELL US. Anybody who knows me will tell you I always need to know the "why" of things, so this mostly happily-ever-after ending left me super frustrated.
(There are also the rom-com elements: failing musician is oblivious to the feelings of his friend-slash-manager until he's uber-famous and it's almost too late, friend-slash-manager starts seeing someone else, etc.)
Evidently, there are two other people in the world who also remember The Beatles, and though the movie attempts to make you think there may be something sinister happening there (*gasp* are they going to expose him??), there isn't. These two people aren't even mad that the musician is claiming he wrote the songs; they're just happy to hear the songs again.
There's a pretty great sequence in which our main character looks up John Lennon (played by Robert Carlyle) and goes to visit him, because hey, if The Beatles never existed, then it follows that John must still be alive, right? I didn't even think of that until he showed up on screen, but it seemed like a quietly brilliant piece of the movie.
So what caused the mysterious 12-second blackout and the disappearance of The Beatles (and Coca-Cola, cigarettes, Harry Potter)? I HAVE NO IDEA BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T TELL US. Anybody who knows me will tell you I always need to know the "why" of things, so this mostly happily-ever-after ending left me super frustrated.
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