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The Wedding Party (The Wedding Date #3)
The Wedding Party (The Wedding Date #3)
Jasmine Guillory | 2019 | Contemporary, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A hate to love romance that's heavy on the hate
Maddie and Theo are both close with Alexa. Maddie's her best friend and Theo is her best work bud. But they hate each other, ever since a terrible interaction that left them both offended. But when the two meet again at Theo's birthday party, they somehow wind up kissing and feel an undeniable spark. And with Alexa getting married--and Maddie and Theo the two main members of her bridal party--they are stuck together for awhile. So they agree to hook up (and hook up only) for the duration of the wedding preparations. No falling in love allowed. Right?

So this was a cute and fun entry in the series, per usual, but I did not care for Maddie and Theo as much as some of the other couples. There was not as strong as a supporting cast, either, though Alexa had some good moments. I think I cared for Maddie and Theo as individuals, ironically, but together, they just didn't get me as romantically invested. For one thing, Maddie and Theo were mean to each other! Really mean. This was haters to lovers with a lot of hate, like cringe-worthy hate, at times, and I didn't find that funny or sexy. So between the copious amounts of mean, plus secret romance hidden from your *best friend*--I was a little tense. I needed more happy go lucky romance!

Overall, this was a light and fluffy romance, but I had a hard time always rooting for the couple, and sometimes Maddie and Theo just didn't seem right for each other. I was mostly smiling by the end, but I didn't always enjoy the ride. 3 stars.
  
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The Man Who Died Twice
The Man Who Died Twice
Richard Osman | 2021 | Crime, Mystery, Thriller
9
9.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
One Heck of a Hoot!
I have read and enjoyed the first in this series which introduced us to the members of The Thursday Murder Club and what a surprising and enjoyable read it was; this second instalment is, in my opinion, even better. You don't have to have read the first as The Man Who Died Twice can be read as a standalone but it will certainly help to have a knowledge of the main characters.

I am loving being back amongst the members of the Thursday Murder Club - Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim and the additional, but definitely not superfluous, characters of Chris, Donna, Stephen, Bogdan, Patrice and Kendrick ... I love them all and really enjoyed getting to more about them which was skilfully woven within the story. The relationships they have with each other is special and really shows the value of friendship, trust and loyalty.

Reading The Man Who Died Twice is like putting on a pair of comfy slippers, a fluffy dressing gown, cosying up on the sofa in front of a real fire with the rain pouring down outside - perfect. Do not, however, be mistaken - this is not a cosy mystery, it is so much more than that - it has action, humour (lots of it), violence (although not a lot and not gratuitous) and tender moments all wrapped up in an excellent plot which is addictive and enthralling.

Is it plausible? Not really but its one heck of a hoot and I love it and cannot wait for the next .. there'd better be one Mr Osman!

Many thanks to Penguin General UK via NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in return for an unbiased and unedited review.
  
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Merissa (12404 KP) rated Frozen Prospects (Guadel Chronicles #1) in Books

Apr 7, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)  
Frozen Prospects (Guadel Chronicles #1)
Frozen Prospects (Guadel Chronicles #1)
Dean Murray | 2013 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Dean Murray has done it again. I was entering uncomfortable territory in reading this as I have completely fallen for his Reflections and Dark Reflections series from the Paranormal genre. I was sure that I wouldn't be able to enjoy his Fantasy books with the same relish as I did the others. I really should know better by now than to a) assume ANYTHING where authors and genres are concerned and b) to even consider that this wouldn't be as good. It is!

Va'del is stuck in a world not of his choosing but he has no parents and this isn't the sort of place where you can go a-wandering whenever the mood takes you. There is a lot to learn about the traditions and restrictions of Va'del's world and not a lot of time to do it in as the action pretty much starts straight away.

Even though it is in the synopsis that Va'del's sponsors get killed, I was still upset when it happened because of the emotion that is written about Va'del and how he has to deal not only with the guilt of thinking that he should have been able to prevent it but also with facing what he had to upon arriving at the place he hoped would be his new home.

This is not a light and fluffy book - it is dark and gritty and will keep you turning the pages. I loved every moment of it and my review of Thawed Fortunes (book 2 of the Guadel Chronicles) will follow very shortly.
 
* 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!
July 21, 2016
  
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Merissa (12404 KP) rated Capturing Fate (Fatal Truth #2) in Books

May 13, 2021 (Updated Jul 26, 2023)  
Capturing Fate (Fatal Truth #2)
Capturing Fate (Fatal Truth #2)
Abbie Roads | 2021 | Paranormal, Romance, Thriller
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
CAPTURING FATE is the second book in the Fatal Truth series, although it could be read as a standalone. I say could because if you do, you're missing out on another 5-star read!

This novel had me confused slightly, to begin with, simply because of the timeline. I 'presumed' it would start after book one finished, but it didn't. It actually runs parallel to book one for most of it but gives you a completely different viewpoint.

And what a viewpoint it was. This book is such a gripping read. The big bad here is fully dimensional, evil in every way. Seriously, I hated the man! And Dolan and Daught, bless them. They really go through the mill. In fact, all of her boys have done and do. My heart broke for them so many times.

Although this is still dark and violent, it's not quite as violent as book one. This makes sense as this is a different book! Trust me though, it's still not light and fluffy.

I adored the ending and probably had a sappy smile on my face. The uncles about floored me, and I loved them all for it. The only problem now is there are nineteen other people I need HEAs for. If anyone deserves a HEA, it's them!

A brilliant addition to the series, and one I have no hesitation in recommending. A stunning story that kept me in its grip from start to finish. READ IT!

** 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 13, 2021
  
Fire and Heist
Fire and Heist
Sarah Beth Durst | 2018 | Young Adult (YA)
5
6.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Wyvern society (0 more)
I picked this up off the library shelf for the title; I took it home for the description. Were-dragon thieves? Awesome. It turns out it's not that simple. For one, the were-dragons have lost the ability to transform over the years - the last dragon to transform was Sir Francis Drake, and the book is set in modern times, so, at least a couple hundred years have passed. And humans know the were-dragons exist! I suppose without the ability to transform, they're little more than rich celebrities with parlor tricks. (Immune to fire to certain temperatures, ability to breathe fire.) What humans don't know is how much the wyverns tend to steal to enrich their hoards. And that some of them can do limited magic.

We open on Sky, sixteen, rattling around her mansion, dealing with her now dysfunctional family of three brothers and their father. Her mother went missing not very long ago, during a heist. The kids have been told she's gone, she's alive, she's not coming back, and to drop the matter. Were-dragon society almost exiled all of them for whatever their mother got into, so they're all on thin ice. Sky, of course, is having none of this. When she stumbles on a lead for where her mother went, she pursues it, and learns all kinds of secrets.

The book was okay, I suppose. I was a little appalled at were-dragon society, and that the dragons just - bow to the authority of the Council. Dragons should have more spine. The heist part was pretty cool, with Sky and her friends figuring out how to take apart every layer of security piece by piece.

I don't know. It was a fluffy book, but not a feel-good book, and I just wasn't that enthused.

You can read all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.com