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Giving Hope: A Child's Journey Through a Pandemic
Giving Hope: A Child's Journey Through a Pandemic
Toni Wengerd | 2021 | Children
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I am sure some children will not remember that there was a pandemic? Well, this book "Giving Hope: A Child's Journey Through a Pandemic" is a good one for children of all ages. Young children will be wondering why things have changed and why they can not see their friends and family.

This book does that through the eyes of a child or children. I am not quite sure; This is where the half star (moon) comes in, in my rating of four and a half stars (moons). Otherwise, this book does explain all about the emotions they will go through, from being worried to many others.

These diary entries are well done; Talking about what is going on with children and what is happening around them. Each one occurs with an emotion. This book is good to have around to explain the feelings going on during a stay-at-home order or lockdown, as many have called it.

This book can teach children who are all essential or heroes during this difficult time. This book is not just for a pandemic situation. I could be used to guide during other struggling or difficult times ahead.

The pictures are very bright and vivid. They do tell the emotion or emotions the child is feeling during that diary entry. The drawings are lovely throughout the book. There are some ideas that children can do to help with the changes and maybe even get in though with family during a hard time. Can your child or children come up with something you could do to bring hope? Maybe even come up with some ideas to do around your neighbor and show them or tell you to care while trying to stay safe.
  
Royal (Foster Bros #2)
Royal (Foster Bros #2)
Jodie Harper | 2026 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
ROYAL is the second book in the Foster Bros series, and you don't need to have read book one to understand this one. What you do need is a whole lot of patience, as these two drove me crazy.

Royal is the Daddy Dom, who says he is more into the caretaking side of things. Memphis is the little who left home at the first opportunity, as he had feelings for Royal. One of the parents knew about this, but didn't say anything. Fast forward a few years, and Memphis' sperm donor dies, so he returns for the funeral, and to see if he and Royal might finally have a future together.

If mis- or non-communication is your thing, then you are going to LOVE this story. If it's not, then you might struggle, as I did. Saying that, there were a lot of things here that I did enjoy, so I will be continuing with the series. The writing and the pacing are well done, and I did enjoy all the interactions in this story. It's Drake's story next, and I can't wait to find out more about the quiet, enigmatic brother.

** 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 23, 2026





<spoiler>I love a good Daddy Dom, especially one heavy on caretaking, so I was thoroughly looking forward to this. I've also never read a book where the 'little' disappears, so I was also looking forward to seeing how that worked out. In a word, it didn't. The Daddy / little part became almost non-existent.</spoiler>
  
The Redemption of Alex Cade
The Redemption of Alex Cade
Ali Ryecart | 2025 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
dark but so bloody good!
Independent reviewer for Neon, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Oh Alex!

I loved this I really did. But it's one of those books that I loved so bloody much, it's gonna be hard to write a coherent review, so bare with, ok? I'll do my best to make sense!

I loved that Alex was already questioning his life before Kit comes barrelling into it. He knew he wasn't a good person, he'd done some bad things to survive, and he made no real apology for that but NOW he was not the person he was, his wall needs to come down a tad for him to be happy with his life, cos he really isn't.

I loved the similarities in the things both Alex and Kit had to do to survive. Neither lied about it, just skimmed the full truth, Alex especially. But Kit had lit something under him, and he needed to keep Kit in his life. The full story about what they did as kids would scare Kit away.

I did not like Kelvin. He said he loved Alex, but I don't think that's the right word for his feelings, if indeed he had any real ones. I think Kel wanted to own Alex, to possess him, but not love him.

I did NOT see things going down the way they did. But now I've come down from that, I think it was the only way things could really be finished, for either Alex or Kel.

Ms Ryecart writes sweet and cute, just as well as she does dark and deadly and this falls in the latter category and I freaking loved it!

Well waited for, Ali, well done!

5 full and shiny stars!

*same worded review will appear elsewhere