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Oh, that’s okay, Miss Reid, I didn’t need my heart today or anything.

All joking aside, what a powerful book. It has been a long time since a book has taken a hold of me and not let go until I finished it. It has been even longer since I have read a book so well done, that I find myself skipping over passages, not because I am bored or distracted, but because I am so engrossed that my eyes cannot keep up with my brain. I was hungry for every page, devouring every word like I was starving.

Reid has literary prowess I dare not compare to others I have read before. I was so deep in her fictional world that it felt like I was losing my own mother. Ashley’s frustration ate me alive because it became my frustration. This novel had more soul than most humans I have encountered.

Do yourself a favor and read this book. Want a meaningful story? Read this book. Enjoy a good romance that is more than a romance? Read this book. Book hangover? Jaded? In a reading slump? Please read this damn book.

My only complaint is that I feel the author passed on a great opportunity by not calling it Beauty and the Beard. Honestly, I don’t remember her mentioning a mustache, but there were beard galore!
  
JT
Jackson's Trust (Fourth Down, #1)
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have not read any of the author’s previous works, nor do I usually read sports romances. I requested this novel because I couldn’t get over how hot the cover was. With a cover like that, it has to be good right? Right! I was definitely not disappointed.

First of all, I know nothing about sports so I was praying there wasn’t a lot of terms I didn’t understand. I was pleased that this was one of those novels that didn’t leave nonsports fan in the dark. I loathe the trope of the man not liking commitment (for whatever reason), but I liked Jackson so much, I didn’t even notice. Reading his interactions were both humorous and pleased the romantic in me.

Duke has an easy style that makes her writing a pleasure to read. I felt that I didn’t have to force myself to be interested nor did I struggle to make it through. There were some “twists”, I guess, but I wasn’t surprised by them. In fact, Leila’s “secret” was kind of a joke.

If you are looking for a heart melting read that will have you both cursing and laughing out loud, then I suggest this novel to you.
  
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Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated The Troop in Books

Mar 15, 2018  
The Troop
The Troop
Nick Cutter | 2014 | Fiction & Poetry
10
9.0 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was looking for something a little less serious-minded to read when I this new release came to my attention. It felt like I hadn't read any horror for a while so it seemed a perfect selection, and boy was it. Following 5 boys on a scout camping trip on a remote island does provide the author some chances to delve into what it's like being a teenage male right now, and he does so very well, fully fleshing out each of the characters. But once a strange, emaciated man arrives on the island looking for food, things take a turn for the worse, and rapidly spiral further and further downward from there. Interspersed throughout are clippings from news reports and court transcripts that help to fill in some of the backstory of exactly what lead to the events on the island, which also help to give the proceedings a feeling of being more real. And thinking what happens out there could be real only lends the proceedings that much more horror. I don't want to give away anything about what transpires, but I will say that if you are faint of heart or, perhaps more importantly, weak of stomach, then this book is not for you. If you are looking for something that will leave you genuinely creeped out however, then you should pick up a copy right away.
  
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Lesley (60 KP) rated Rust & Stardust in Books

Aug 9, 2018  
Rust & Stardust
Rust & Stardust
T. Greenwood | 2018 | Crime, Mystery, Thriller
10
8.8 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
Writing style, narrative style, (0 more)
Stellar book!
Thank you so much to Goodreads and T. Greenwood, I was a lucky giveaway winner. I have never read any of Greenwood's books, and I read this voluntarily.

Firstly, this book was absolutely beautiful in the face of a terribly ugly subject matter. For once, the blurbs on the book cover were extremely accurate. I do wish I hadn't Googled the real Sally Horner case when I was 90% done with the book, thinking that everything that was gonna happen had already happened. Don't do that. But even having done that, I sat through the last 10% blubbering in public. I was crying on and off during reading the book, as my heart just ached for this poor girl and the cast of characters that saw her light as they came into her life. I fell in love with Sally, and with all the kind souls that surrounded her as she was being abused. Emotionally engulfing, sad but beautiful, this was one of the most unique reading experiences I have ever had. It felt like a massively upgraded In Cold Blood, with an absolutely gripping writing style that will leave you heartbroken and encouraged at the same time. If you read one book this year, consider making it this one.
  
Crochet Animal Rugs: Over 20 Crochet Patterns for Fun Floor Mats and Matching Accessories
Crochet Animal Rugs: Over 20 Crochet Patterns for Fun Floor Mats and Matching Accessories
Ira Rott | 2018 | Education, Home & Garden, Reference
9
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
This crochet book is amazing!!! So many cute patterns for kids and adults that are kids at heart. So many amazing patterns!!!
I love how the book is set up. It has various patterns for all skill level for crocheting. Each pattern gives you the level and explains that level of skills you need to complete the project, which I felt was amazing because some books don't have this clearly marked. Each pattern also gives the finished size, the hooks that will be needed, the yarn weight, the number of strands you will need, the gauge hooks you will need, stitch summary, skills, and specific crochet techniques needed to complete the specific project. It even has the specific crochet techniques explained in the back of the book which are clear and easy to follow and other tips and techniques when it comes to some of the sewing parts and other informative information.
Love this DYI crochet book. The layout is amazing, telling you step by step and even how to assemble the project.
If you never crocheted before this might be a little challenging but if you are familiar with crocheting, this is definitely a book I would recommend. I even love the added piece about wall art. And has add-ons you can add to your projects as options to change it up some.
  
The Liar's Girl
The Liar's Girl
Catherine Ryan Howard | 2018 | Crime, Mystery, Thriller
8
8.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Liar’s Girl by Catherine Ryan Howard is another one of the books that ended up on the backburner during my health issues lately. Yesterday, I picked it up with exactly half of it left and hungrily finished it. Needless to say, I truly enjoyed the book.

The main character, Alison Smith, is well-written. She has feelings and emotions like we all do, and they are portrayed in a manner that is realistic and believable. My heart ached with hers, and later on in the book I became genuinely worried for her. Unfortunately, she and her friend Liz are the only characters that felt that thorough–thus preventing me from giving this a five star rating.

As for the plot, it was consistent. There are several things that are given away early on in the book and because of that, I was worried about whether or not the book would hold my interest through until the end. Surprisingly, despite the amount that’s given away, Howard manages to continue to surprise the reader. Nothing went the way I expected it too and the twists and turns were refreshing.

The Liar’s Girl is a wonderful mystery book and definitely worth reading if whodunnits are your type of book. I’d like to thank Blackstone Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
  
Why Did I Get Married? (2007)
Why Did I Get Married? (2007)
2007 | Comedy, Drama, Musical
8
5.0 (4 Ratings)
Movie Rating
I really enjoyed this film. I actually quite like both of them. I love the cast, I love the diversity of marriages, of stories, of imperfections. I am not married and probably won't be for a while but I do know relationships and they are hard work and I like that this movie shines a light on that. Sometimes I think films do a bad job of showing the real stuff and it can almost seem too picture-perfect. We all know there are though films out there.

I think Sheila is the best character in this film. I think it's so obvious how much she wants her marriage to work and how much of an ass Mike is. I think, at least for me, she held the most heart. She's the one I was rooting for the most. She's the one I felt the most connection to.

Tyler Perry is a questionable filmmaker for me. Some of his films are huge wins for me and others are just gigantic misses. It's very obvious that he does all the writing and directing and sometimes I think that can bite him in the butt. Not this film though. I really love this film and have found myself coming back to it several times over the course of my life.