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Merissa (13585 KP) rated Bad at Being Good in Books
Dec 4, 2023
BAD AT BEING GOOD is a standalone story about friendship, loss, and how people deal with grief in their own ways. It is also about love, and how that can impact your life in ways you don't expect.
My heart went out to Benji from the very beginning. He has so much to deal with, at such a young age. I loved that Kellan was there for him... until he wasn't. And Milo, oh, Milo. He is such a sweetie. Also dealing with a lot, not the least of which was Benji ghosting him for a year, but he still has hope and tenacity.
I loved how this book shows how different people deal with grief. There isn't one-size-fits-all situation, and some of the ways aren't the healthiest, but there was hope by the end.
While giving you the lows, it also gave me the highs - seeing Benji and Milo develop their relationship with each other, and the steamy moments that brought, as well as their relationships with others in their lives.
There wasn't a single moment when I wasn't hooked by this story. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me!
** 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!
Nov 29, 2023
My heart went out to Benji from the very beginning. He has so much to deal with, at such a young age. I loved that Kellan was there for him... until he wasn't. And Milo, oh, Milo. He is such a sweetie. Also dealing with a lot, not the least of which was Benji ghosting him for a year, but he still has hope and tenacity.
I loved how this book shows how different people deal with grief. There isn't one-size-fits-all situation, and some of the ways aren't the healthiest, but there was hope by the end.
While giving you the lows, it also gave me the highs - seeing Benji and Milo develop their relationship with each other, and the steamy moments that brought, as well as their relationships with others in their lives.
There wasn't a single moment when I wasn't hooked by this story. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me!
** 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!
Nov 29, 2023
Merissa (13585 KP) rated Chozen Part Two (Headspace #2) in Books
Jan 28, 2022 (Updated Jul 5, 2023)
CHOZEN: PART TWO continues with the story, and it is just as dark and horrible as the first one, if not more so. My heart broke in the first chapter, and I don't think it ever recovered.
This was still told from different perspectives but, for some reason, it didn't feel as manic as before, so I was able to get a good grip on who was speaking and the experiences they had dealt with or were dealing with. You still have no idea who to trust though!
The story comes together slowly, giving you snippets of information as you go along. I will say that I was completely enthralled in this dark, horrific world, and couldn't put it down. The rescue was just the beginning, and even that wasn't without tragedy.
And that ending... perfect. That's all I'm saying.
This is a horrible, horrific book and I thank J. Paton for writing it. Stories such as these do not glamorise anything and unfortunately, the truth behind them can be darker still.
I would recommend this book but only if your mind, stomach, and heart can take it. It really is DARK so please be warned.
** 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!
Jan 28, 2022
This was still told from different perspectives but, for some reason, it didn't feel as manic as before, so I was able to get a good grip on who was speaking and the experiences they had dealt with or were dealing with. You still have no idea who to trust though!
The story comes together slowly, giving you snippets of information as you go along. I will say that I was completely enthralled in this dark, horrific world, and couldn't put it down. The rescue was just the beginning, and even that wasn't without tragedy.
And that ending... perfect. That's all I'm saying.
This is a horrible, horrific book and I thank J. Paton for writing it. Stories such as these do not glamorise anything and unfortunately, the truth behind them can be darker still.
I would recommend this book but only if your mind, stomach, and heart can take it. It really is DARK so please be warned.
** 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!
Jan 28, 2022
Merissa (13585 KP) rated Aftermath in Books
May 14, 2021 (Updated Jul 26, 2023)
AFTERMATH tells you the sad story of three friends attending a concert when a bomb goes off and only one of them survives. Move onto an unknown character getting stopped by police on an anonymous tip, only to find explosives in his car boot. Enter the lawyer, a child from his youth, determined to prove his innocence.
This was an interesting story, with strong characters who moved the story along. The pacing was very good, giving enough action and suspense whilst not overloading the reader. Unfortunately, I felt the big bad and the situation about the why's and whatnot's was a bit too predictable. Knowing this was set in America, and knowing how expensive healthcare is, it certainly did not come as a surprise, nor did his actions afterwards.
This is a Christian Fiction novel so be prepared for an emphasis on God, what is right and wrong, and the possibility of an afterlife.
On the whole, this was a good story that I enjoyed, but there wasn't anything that really surprised me. If you like Christian Fiction and Suspense, then I can definitely recommend this one.
** 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 14, 2021
This was an interesting story, with strong characters who moved the story along. The pacing was very good, giving enough action and suspense whilst not overloading the reader. Unfortunately, I felt the big bad and the situation about the why's and whatnot's was a bit too predictable. Knowing this was set in America, and knowing how expensive healthcare is, it certainly did not come as a surprise, nor did his actions afterwards.
This is a Christian Fiction novel so be prepared for an emphasis on God, what is right and wrong, and the possibility of an afterlife.
On the whole, this was a good story that I enjoyed, but there wasn't anything that really surprised me. If you like Christian Fiction and Suspense, then I can definitely recommend this one.
** 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 14, 2021
Merissa (13585 KP) rated Forbidden Match (Perfect Match Agency #6) in Books
Aug 3, 2023
FORBIDDEN MATCH is part of the multi-author Perfect Match Agency series, although you don't have to have read any of the previous books to get the full benefit of this one.
Because this one is a beauty! The start of it, seeing Topher and Renn getting to know each other through emails and texts, was brilliant. Then how they kept missing each other for various reasons, followed by the explosive meeting when they did. And then everything that goes on afterwards, and how they are there for each other. Absolutely bloody brilliant!
You get a full story here - beginning, middle, and ending - without it feeling rushed, or that time has jumped, or anything has been skipped over. The timeline works for their story and it is perfectly paced, giving you lots of sexy times but also other things that keep the story moving.
I've read three of these books now (unless I've forgotten one) and I would absolutely say this was the best of the bunch so far. Of course, I'll have to check the others now, just to make sure, you know, in the name of R&D! 😁
HIGHLY recommended by me.
** 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!
Aug 3, 2023
Because this one is a beauty! The start of it, seeing Topher and Renn getting to know each other through emails and texts, was brilliant. Then how they kept missing each other for various reasons, followed by the explosive meeting when they did. And then everything that goes on afterwards, and how they are there for each other. Absolutely bloody brilliant!
You get a full story here - beginning, middle, and ending - without it feeling rushed, or that time has jumped, or anything has been skipped over. The timeline works for their story and it is perfectly paced, giving you lots of sexy times but also other things that keep the story moving.
I've read three of these books now (unless I've forgotten one) and I would absolutely say this was the best of the bunch so far. Of course, I'll have to check the others now, just to make sure, you know, in the name of R&D! 😁
HIGHLY recommended by me.
** 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!
Aug 3, 2023
Merissa (13585 KP) rated The Seven Spires in Books
Feb 3, 2021 (Updated Aug 7, 2023)
THE SEVEN SPIRES is a high fantasy novel where you only learn the characters' names right at the end. Until that point, they are all known as the Warrior, the Knight, the Blue Prince, the Maiden, you get the idea. The world has seven kingdoms, each kingdom having a spire. The Maiden meets first with the Knight, followed by the Blue Prince, but then goes home. That would be okay except she is followed by a dragon-child who wants what she has, although she has no idea what that is. And so the story begins...
This was a well-written fantasy that travels the length and breadth of the kingdom, giving the reader glimpses into each kingdom. The plot becomes intricate once you find out there is a dragon-child for each kingdom, and some are 'good', and some are 'bad'. The characters were a bit two-dimensional, to begin with, but fleshed out as their adventures continued. The pacing is smooth as it leads to the ultimate climax, with a satisfying epilogue to let us know how the characters get on once the book ends.
If you are a fan of high fantasy, then I have no hesitation in recommending this novel to you.
* 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!
Feb 3, 2021
This was a well-written fantasy that travels the length and breadth of the kingdom, giving the reader glimpses into each kingdom. The plot becomes intricate once you find out there is a dragon-child for each kingdom, and some are 'good', and some are 'bad'. The characters were a bit two-dimensional, to begin with, but fleshed out as their adventures continued. The pacing is smooth as it leads to the ultimate climax, with a satisfying epilogue to let us know how the characters get on once the book ends.
If you are a fan of high fantasy, then I have no hesitation in recommending this novel to you.
* 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!
Feb 3, 2021
Merissa (13585 KP) rated Two Souls United (Etherya's Earth #5.5) in Books
Apr 4, 2022 (Updated Jun 26, 2023)
TWO SOULS UNITED is a short and sweet novella that fills the gap between books 5 and 6 and tells of the courtship between Glarys and Sam.
Glarys has been looking after the Royals for years but time has moved on, and they now have their own lives and families away from the Mansion. Glarys liked Sam when she first spoke to him at Latimus and Lila's bonding ceremony but she thought he was only speaking to her to be nice. Sam wanted to be more than nice but when he suggested they meet up, Glarys suggested he bring Jack. Sam took this to mean she wasn't interested and years passed.
Even during this novella, you not only catch up on the others but also see two deamon attacks by Bakari, which keeps the whole series moving along nicely. It moves along at a fast pace, giving you the story and not lingering over certain acts or thoughts for too long.
For a novella, you get a lot of story -- from romance to PTSD, from deamon attacks to a spa day. Definitely recommended by me, but PLEASE read it in order or you'll get spoilers.
** 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!
Mar 31, 2022
Glarys has been looking after the Royals for years but time has moved on, and they now have their own lives and families away from the Mansion. Glarys liked Sam when she first spoke to him at Latimus and Lila's bonding ceremony but she thought he was only speaking to her to be nice. Sam wanted to be more than nice but when he suggested they meet up, Glarys suggested he bring Jack. Sam took this to mean she wasn't interested and years passed.
Even during this novella, you not only catch up on the others but also see two deamon attacks by Bakari, which keeps the whole series moving along nicely. It moves along at a fast pace, giving you the story and not lingering over certain acts or thoughts for too long.
For a novella, you get a lot of story -- from romance to PTSD, from deamon attacks to a spa day. Definitely recommended by me, but PLEASE read it in order or you'll get spoilers.
** 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!
Mar 31, 2022
Merissa (13585 KP) rated Alexi (Tangled Tentacles #1) in Books
Mar 23, 2022 (Updated Jun 30, 2023)
ALEXI is the first book in a new series about a group of Kraken shifters who are called in to assist the police on several missing people cases - or is it a serial murderer? Danik is worried it will be swept away as a serial killer when he just knows they are still alive. Alexi soon puts those fears to rest once they realise they are mates. No way will Alexi go against Danik like that.
So, what do you have? A group of close brothers who tease each other constantly. Different personalities I am looking forward to getting to know. A possibly crooked police force. Missing paranormals, presumed dead, but oh so alive according to Danik. It's all here, and it's FUN.
I loved the way the personalities worked well with each other. Danik and Alexi are just wonderful, giving me warm, squidgy feelings whenever they are soft and cuddly. It is funny, with some brilliant one-liners that kept me amused. The pacing is spot-on, and the ending leads perfectly to the next book.
What's next? A Kraken and a Vampire. Oh, boy!
I honestly can't wait to continue this series. Absolutely recommended by me.
** 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!
Mar 21, 2022
So, what do you have? A group of close brothers who tease each other constantly. Different personalities I am looking forward to getting to know. A possibly crooked police force. Missing paranormals, presumed dead, but oh so alive according to Danik. It's all here, and it's FUN.
I loved the way the personalities worked well with each other. Danik and Alexi are just wonderful, giving me warm, squidgy feelings whenever they are soft and cuddly. It is funny, with some brilliant one-liners that kept me amused. The pacing is spot-on, and the ending leads perfectly to the next book.
What's next? A Kraken and a Vampire. Oh, boy!
I honestly can't wait to continue this series. Absolutely recommended by me.
** 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!
Mar 21, 2022
What Time the Sexton’s Spade Doth Rust
5.0
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Flavia de Luce has taken on the mentorship of her odious moon-faced cousin Undine, who has come to...
Debbiereadsbook (1611 KP) rated How to Chain Your Dragons in Books
Aug 15, 2025
good but I felt much was missing
Independent reviewer for BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.
For the most part, I really REALLY enjoyed this book but my review will be short and sweet cos if I leave myself free reign, it might come across as negative and it really was a good book!
I loved Jaz. She is strong willed and determined, but really just wants to be cut a break! These dragons, though, want more from her. She isn't sure she can give it, not to the invaders of Earth.
The dragons themselves are very different, with stron personalities and differing skills and fears. Zyair, Rhodes and Xandros all want one thing: their fated mate. Finding out she is human, kinda throws a spanner in the works but they really do all go in, eventually.
I was expecting a space romp here, and I get a lot more.
BUT
I feel like there is much MUCH that was not said here. It feels like there should've been a book before this one, giving all the information about Earth being invaded and all that jazz, or Jaz! I just felt it needed MORE, you know??
It also felt like the beginning of a series, there are many characters who I want to read about, so I hope we get more, I really do.
4 good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
For the most part, I really REALLY enjoyed this book but my review will be short and sweet cos if I leave myself free reign, it might come across as negative and it really was a good book!
I loved Jaz. She is strong willed and determined, but really just wants to be cut a break! These dragons, though, want more from her. She isn't sure she can give it, not to the invaders of Earth.
The dragons themselves are very different, with stron personalities and differing skills and fears. Zyair, Rhodes and Xandros all want one thing: their fated mate. Finding out she is human, kinda throws a spanner in the works but they really do all go in, eventually.
I was expecting a space romp here, and I get a lot more.
BUT
I feel like there is much MUCH that was not said here. It feels like there should've been a book before this one, giving all the information about Earth being invaded and all that jazz, or Jaz! I just felt it needed MORE, you know??
It also felt like the beginning of a series, there are many characters who I want to read about, so I hope we get more, I really do.
4 good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Merissa (13585 KP) rated Frozen (Dark Faeverse #2) in Books
Dec 8, 2025
FROZEN is the second book in the Dark Faeverse series, although you don't need to have read book one first. The previous characters are mentioned, but not in a way that you need to know more about them.
Elise is the spoiled daughter of a merchant who is up to his neck in debt. So of course he sells his daughter. That's how the Frost Court planned it. Once Elise is there, her latent omega qualities come out, along with some brainwashing. Atarus gets what he wants, but isn't satisfied.
I am giving the three stars for the premise of this story. I liked the idea, even though I didn't find Atarus or Elise particularly likeable. What this book needed, though, was a massive edit! Even being read through by a beta reader should have picked up the plot holes, repeated (again and again!) questions and events, and the constantly changing personalities. And I'm not disrespecting beta readers at all! I won't list all the occasions, but they had me frequently scratching my head.
I have read quite a few by this author, and while I generally like them, I was disappointed in this book. However, after reading the last chapter, which introduces the next couple, I would still like to continue with the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Dec 8, 2025
Elise is the spoiled daughter of a merchant who is up to his neck in debt. So of course he sells his daughter. That's how the Frost Court planned it. Once Elise is there, her latent omega qualities come out, along with some brainwashing. Atarus gets what he wants, but isn't satisfied.
I am giving the three stars for the premise of this story. I liked the idea, even though I didn't find Atarus or Elise particularly likeable. What this book needed, though, was a massive edit! Even being read through by a beta reader should have picked up the plot holes, repeated (again and again!) questions and events, and the constantly changing personalities. And I'm not disrespecting beta readers at all! I won't list all the occasions, but they had me frequently scratching my head.
I have read quite a few by this author, and while I generally like them, I was disappointed in this book. However, after reading the last chapter, which introduces the next couple, I would still like to continue with the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Dec 8, 2025