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Kyera (8 KP) rated The Graces in Books
Jan 31, 2018
I was very intrigued by this book from the description and it immediately pulled me in. I came into the story expecting magic and a similarity to the Secret Circle. That is not at all how this book ended up being. It turned my expectations on their head. The Graces: perfect, different and maybe a little bit feared. To be honest, it read a little like the Cullens from Twilight. The main character is just a normal girl that gets pulled into their dazzling orbit and her life is changed. There is drama, heartbreak and completely unexpected twists and turns throughout. The entirety of the plot was unexpected and I could never foresee what was going to happen. It ends on a cliffhanger that makes you want to know what happens next. Not highly recommended, but give it a shot and see how you feel.
Tami (7 KP) rated One Summer in Books
Jul 10, 2018
Characters (2 more)
Story development
Musical highlights
I was blown away by this book. Multidimensional, with characters that make you feel for every second of the book. You are so caught up by the emotion you can't wait until the next "page" to come up.
It was nice seeing the growth of this story from heartbreak to miraculous circumstance to healing. Meeting Jack, Micky (Mikkie - whichever way it's spelled - hard to tell from audio book), Corey and little Jakie is such a great family dynamic.
This story covers:
* heartache
* second chances
* change
* betrayal
* forgiveness
* and so much more.
I love that the audiobook has sections of it that have music themes. There are tender moments with sweet music and suspenseful moments with that eerie music you just can't shake. The narrator was easy to listen to and did great in segueing into the next voice without grating on your nerves.
It was nice seeing the growth of this story from heartbreak to miraculous circumstance to healing. Meeting Jack, Micky (Mikkie - whichever way it's spelled - hard to tell from audio book), Corey and little Jakie is such a great family dynamic.
This story covers:
* heartache
* second chances
* change
* betrayal
* forgiveness
* and so much more.
I love that the audiobook has sections of it that have music themes. There are tender moments with sweet music and suspenseful moments with that eerie music you just can't shake. The narrator was easy to listen to and did great in segueing into the next voice without grating on your nerves.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet in Books
Jan 15, 2018
First off the title of this book is entirely fitting!! The end was a bittersweet pill to swallow... it was the perfect ending to the story and yet so frustrating to have it end so abruptly!!
The story itself took me awhile to really get in to, but it is a fascinating story. One that is not touched on much in any WWII fiction.... that of the Japanese internment camps in the US. It focuses on 2 elementary students who are supposedly on opposite sides of the war in the pacific despite being classmates & born in America.
It had all the components of hope and heartbreak, putting you in the story & making you feel like you were there. I just didn't like how slow moving the plot was but what redeemed it was the colorful characters & the fact that it was well written. Being realistic fiction it is hard to make it too fast paced & believable at the same time.
The story itself took me awhile to really get in to, but it is a fascinating story. One that is not touched on much in any WWII fiction.... that of the Japanese internment camps in the US. It focuses on 2 elementary students who are supposedly on opposite sides of the war in the pacific despite being classmates & born in America.
It had all the components of hope and heartbreak, putting you in the story & making you feel like you were there. I just didn't like how slow moving the plot was but what redeemed it was the colorful characters & the fact that it was well written. Being realistic fiction it is hard to make it too fast paced & believable at the same time.
Kyera (8 KP) rated Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes, and Growing Up in Books
Feb 1, 2018
Sorry, Not Sorry is Naya Rivera's ode to her life. It follows her path from childhood stardom (sort-of) to motherhood with all the trials, tribulations, successes, heartbreak and awkwardness in-between. Her honesty in the book is refreshing and makes me admire her more. She's not perfect and no one is, but she has gone through the good and the bad in her life and come out the other side a stronger person. Naya has very relatable stories and advice for any reader. Her story with Ryan is real and makes you root for them, even if they didn't have a picture perfect start. In her book, she says she set out to write something that was real and I feel that she hit the mark beautifully. She is honest, relatable and inspiring. This is one of the "celebrity" books that I enjoyed reading the most, and would recommend it. It's a quick read, so what are you waiting for?
ClareR (5589 KP) rated Open Water in Books
Mar 6, 2021
This exquisitely written novella is so much more than a story about a relationship between a photographer and a dancer. It looks at race and the exhaustion of being a young black Londoner: how racism, police brutality and the need to be constantly alert can be psychologically damaging and impact on relationships. Open Water is a story about love, heartbreak, but ultimately there IS hope. I cant believe that so much has been put in to so few pages, and I finished feeling that I’d read a book of twice the length (in a good way!). Every word feels carefully considered - its just beautiful. Poetry written in prose form.
I have to admit, most of the references to music went over my head, but this didn’t bother me or lessen my enjoyment. In fact, it sent me in the direction of Spotify and caused raised eyebrows from the teenaged sons 🤷🏼♀️
Many thanks to Viking for providing me with a copy of this stunning book via NetGalley.
I have to admit, most of the references to music went over my head, but this didn’t bother me or lessen my enjoyment. In fact, it sent me in the direction of Spotify and caused raised eyebrows from the teenaged sons 🤷🏼♀️
Many thanks to Viking for providing me with a copy of this stunning book via NetGalley.
Merissa (11731 KP) rated The Keeper (Crossing Realms Series #1) in Books
Sep 25, 2023
This story starts with a human woman in a dead-end job, suffering on a minute-by-minute basis with severe anxiety. Her life changes when she is stuck in a traffic jam and a stranger taps on her car window.
This book is full of heartbreak and hope. I can't imagine how hard it was for Nick to lose Libby time and time again! Libby is a strong character, who initially appears weak as self-doubt rules her.
The Keeper is the first of a new series that I can't wait to read more of. Every character is well-rounded and developed. The storyline is smoothly paced, building to the climax, with shocks and surprises throughout. Looking forward to continuing with this series and definitely recommended!
* I received this book from Barclay Publicity / NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 27, 2016
This book is full of heartbreak and hope. I can't imagine how hard it was for Nick to lose Libby time and time again! Libby is a strong character, who initially appears weak as self-doubt rules her.
The Keeper is the first of a new series that I can't wait to read more of. Every character is well-rounded and developed. The storyline is smoothly paced, building to the climax, with shocks and surprises throughout. Looking forward to continuing with this series and definitely recommended!
* I received this book from Barclay Publicity / NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 27, 2016
Merissa (11731 KP) rated Guardian Core (Sky Stone #2) in Books
May 20, 2023
The second book in the series takes us back to the world of the Sky Guardians, with Skyla and Aaron. This is once again a book filled with action and emotion, with characters that jump out at you whether you like them (James) or not (May). May is an essential part of this story, but I just couldn't warm to her. James, on the other hand, has an integral role but I liked his character straight away.
With kidnap, heartbreak, a residence for the Sky Guardians, plus lots more, this book is filled from start to finish. With the story moving along at a fair pace, it builds to the climax and ends with a positive. It isn't all simple though, and Skyla has her work cut out for her.
A wonderful young adult fantasy to read and enjoy, definitely recommended.
* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 29, 2016
With kidnap, heartbreak, a residence for the Sky Guardians, plus lots more, this book is filled from start to finish. With the story moving along at a fair pace, it builds to the climax and ends with a positive. It isn't all simple though, and Skyla has her work cut out for her.
A wonderful young adult fantasy to read and enjoy, definitely recommended.
* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 29, 2016
Jessica Erdas (463 KP) rated Everything, Everything in Books
May 16, 2018
Everything Everything will have you fixed from the first page. Following the far from ordinary life of Madeline Whittier. Living her life practically in a bubble, separated from the outside world to keep her alive, she subdues her longing for a normal life by filling her life with books. She reads and rereads them and imagines all the lives that she could lead if she weren't sick. She isn't unhappy but she isn't unhappy, either. The life that she knows is all thrown into chaos when a new family moves in next door and she is almost immediately captivated by Olly, the young boy she sees moving and breathing in the outside air that she wishes she could partake in. Steadily becoming the teenager she should have been, she experiences longing, hope, love, heartbreak, and all the confusing emotions brought on by hormones and life experience. How will their fated story change her life and her world? I almost guarantee you won't be able to put this down.
The Rain follows siblings Simone and Rasmus as they try to find their father and the unlikely group of teens they meet as they navigate this new world and it’s challenges.
There are many storylines as each main characters backstory gets explained in a separate episode, via short flashbacks. I really enjoyed this as it was nice to get to know the other characters not just Simone and Rasmus.
As with any good teen drama there is love, jealousy and heartbreak, as the teens deal with the addition of Simone and Rasmus to their group and everything they have been through since the deadly rain began.
It is obviously a Danish series so it has been dubbed with English voices which just means the speech and voices don’t always match up, however I quickly stopped noticing.
My one criticism would be the ending as it seemed very anti climactic. I’m not sure if this was because they were uncertain if there would be a season 2 or not. However it would not stop me from recommending the series.
There are many storylines as each main characters backstory gets explained in a separate episode, via short flashbacks. I really enjoyed this as it was nice to get to know the other characters not just Simone and Rasmus.
As with any good teen drama there is love, jealousy and heartbreak, as the teens deal with the addition of Simone and Rasmus to their group and everything they have been through since the deadly rain began.
It is obviously a Danish series so it has been dubbed with English voices which just means the speech and voices don’t always match up, however I quickly stopped noticing.
My one criticism would be the ending as it seemed very anti climactic. I’m not sure if this was because they were uncertain if there would be a season 2 or not. However it would not stop me from recommending the series.
Alicia S (193 KP) rated Pretty Ugly Lies in Books
Sep 28, 2018
A moving, incredible book for every woman who has ever felt a moment of unappreciation, exhaustion or of just never being enough. Not for the weak of heart, we get a glimpse into the lives on Oleander Way... Following four different women throughout each of their own daily private struggles to be a wife and mother, providing for their families while getting so little in return - all while upholding the image they have created about their perfect lives. Jo, Ellie, Shayla, and June, each dealing with their own private turmoil, never finding a moments peace or an outlet for the growing pain inside them.
I can't imagine there isn't a woman or mother alive who could not connect with this story on some personal level. We get a glimpse into four not-so-perfect lives and witness the heartbreak of a woman finally losing it. Incredibly painful yet such a beautiful story, I was brought to tears at not only the struggle and loss but of the strength of those who held on and found the good in their lives.
I can't imagine there isn't a woman or mother alive who could not connect with this story on some personal level. We get a glimpse into four not-so-perfect lives and witness the heartbreak of a woman finally losing it. Incredibly painful yet such a beautiful story, I was brought to tears at not only the struggle and loss but of the strength of those who held on and found the good in their lives.