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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2423 KP) rated Much Ado About Nauticaling in Books

Jul 30, 2021 (Updated Jul 30, 2021)

I Really Was Hoping to Like This Debut

Whitney “Whit” Dagner and her brother Nick have relocated to Catalina Island. They visited their grandparents out there every summer, and now they are taking over their grandparents’ glass bottom boat business. Additionally, Whit is opening a souvenir shop in the harbor. She is enjoying her new life until she finds the body of Jules Tisdale, the recently named Person of the Year on Catalina. When the police decide that Nick is the killer, Whit jumps in to prove her brother’s innocence. Can she do it?

As soon as I heard about this book, I knew I had to read it. I always love Southern California settings, although it’s been years since I visited Catalina. I certainly did enjoy the setting. Overall, the book was too frenetic, however. It was trying to be funny, but much of the humor didn’t work for me. I did laugh a few times, but overall, it was too much. This effected some of the characters, too, although I did enjoy others. Despite finding the body early on, the pace was uneven, getting better the further we got into the book. While I followed the killer and motive, the ending was rushed and left some questions about earlier twists in the book. I was hoping to love this debut, but it turned out to be average.

Kudos

Picturing Prince: An Intimate Portrait

Steve Parke

10.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

Featuring a mix of never-seen-before and rare photographs of Prince, alongside written vignettes...

Music photography

Merissa (13298 KP) rated The Truth about Kadenburg (The Kadenburg Shifters #1) in Books

Apr 6, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)

Imagine going through 26 years of your life imagining you were human... because, honestly, why would you think anything else? But then you find out, at a time when you are at your most vulnerable, that you are something else indeed. And not only that but there are other 'things' out there that don't like you much!

This is what Presley has to contend with. She is flawed and knows it. She goes for a drink when she knows that she really shouldn't. But she is warm and likeable all the same. Lorcan isn't warm, he's totally hot! I had a soft spot for Bear Shifters before reading this and T. E. Ridener's way of storytelling just confirms that they are indeed honourable and gorgeous!

There are moments in this book that are heart-meltingly sweet and there are also funny bits too. The references to Goldilocks and the Three Bears made me smile.

One thing I will say is this book has one hell of a cliffhanger ending so consider yourself warned. It is very well written and has pace and depth throughout. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

* 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. *

August 12, 2016

Kudos

Merissa (13298 KP) rated Forsaken Fate (Forsaken Destiny #2) in Books

Jan 29, 2021 (Updated Aug 7, 2023)

FORSAKEN FATE is the second book in the Forsaken Destiny series and we continue with Echo. She is getting used to the idea of having multiple mates and, so long as she can still hide from dear old dad, she's not too bothered. Until she is reminded that mate number 4 could well be telling dear old dad exactly where she is. So the 'bleep' hits the fan, big time.

Tyler is still my number one guy and I'm SO happy about what happened, for him! He doesn't belong in a stony prison, so YEY, Tyler!!! But I have to say, coming in at number 2 is Xzavier. Oh, I do so love a confused male!

The pacing of this book is fast and furious, with some exceedingly funny bits in there too. There is one scene that brought a smile to my face simply because I know the feeling all too well! Talk about making me laugh!

Anyhoo, perfect pacing, an intriguing storyline with amazing characters - it really couldn't be anything else than a Maya Daniels novel. Absolutely recommended. Bring it on, Forsaken Heart!!

* 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!
Jan 28, 2021

Kudos

Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Hex Hall (Hex Hall, #1) in Books

Apr 27, 2018

Hex Hall (Hex Hall, #1)

Rachel Hawkins | 2010 | Fiction & Poetry

8.0

(12 Ratings)

Book Rating

Hex Hall was funny, cute, and exciting. Sophie had a witty, slightly sarcastic interior monologue and it made it fun to read, even though the writing itself wasn’t good per se.

A very good aspect of Hex Hall was the mystery side. I had no idea who the “bad guy” was (there turned out to be more than one!) until the very end, and I had no idea what was going to happen.

My only complaint was the ending: it wasn’t very good. It left unanswered questions, and there was no closure. It just… ended. Like the ending of a chapter, it felt like there should have been at least one more paragraph. One more paragraph to make you feel like Sophie was confident and knew what she was doing, and that everything was going to turn out right. But… it ended slightly lame.

Except the ending (as in the very last two pages) Hex Hall was a light funny cute read, and I look forward to the next book in the series.

Content/Recommendation: Clean, some small descriptions of violence. Ages 12-18