Sign up
Search
Advanced search settings

Search only in certain items:

Search results
All (4674)
Content
People
Apps
Books
Orbs
Movies
Music
Podcasts
Shows
Tabletop Games
Tech
TV
Video Games
YouTube Channels
Videos
40x40

Debbiereadsbook (1753 KP) rated Hidden Rooms in Books

May 3, 2024  
Hidden Rooms
Hidden Rooms
Kate Michaelson | 2024 | Crime, Mystery, Thriller
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
4 very VERY good stars
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian via BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is the author's debut novel, and I reckon she nailed it!

Riley's sister-in-law to be, Beth, is murdered, and her brother Ethan, is the prime suspect. Riley knows he's innocent, and sets about to prove it.

What I particularly liked about this, was being kept on my toes! Until it all came out, I didn't know whether Ethan did it or not!

Beth is keeping secrets, and those secrets cost her, but again, it takes time for things to come out.

Everything does take a time to come out, and I suggest, if like me, you weren't liking the slow pace, KEEP AT IT! It does speed up and move at pace. I am glad I kept with it.

Riley tells a great tale, even with this illness that rocks her through much of the book. I enjoyed her, especially as she is the only voice in the book. I liked the way the illness was dealt with, or not for much of the time!

I think I might not have enjoyed this so much had someone else had a say, which is contrary to my usual "I wanted to hear from everyone" thing, I know, but I really did like Riley.

It's well written, and well delivered. There is just enough suspense, once it kicks off, to keep you fully engaged and invested with this group of people.

As an ARC reader of many years, my primary genre is romance. Once in a while something different will come through and my interest is piqued. I am certainly glad I took this one on, and will absolutely read more by this author as and when.

4 very VERY good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
40x40

Debbiereadsbook (1753 KP) rated Matching with Monsters (The Red Agency #1) in Books

Dec 26, 2023  
Matching with Monsters (The Red Agency #1)
Matching with Monsters (The Red Agency #1)
Crystal Lynn | 2023 | Erotica, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
so close to 5 stars but I needed the guys too!
Independent reviewer for BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.

One thing, and one thing alone stopped this book getting 5 stars. Well, maybe 2, but the second thing is just me being greedy, but I'm allowed, right??

So that thing? Single person point of view. Only Ari has a say, in the first person. Now, I always want to hear from everyone, but I think HERE, in this case, I am fully justified in wanting to hear from Magnus, the vampire; Gareth, the yeti; Gabe and Lucien, the gargoyles and Rivak, but I'm not telling you what he is, it takes time for the full reveal and you do need that suspense! But it was Rivak that I needed to hear from the most. When he tells of why he holds himself back, you understand but I needed to hear from HIM, you know?

There are other points that I need to make, but I don't think these affect my star rating. The rival clan thing was never fully explained. And I would have loved more about that way this clan of 5 came to be, their history.

It's clear that Ari's two friends, Cami and Lyssa, have a story with their own clan. I hope I get to read them!

So, the other thing that's just me being greedy?? It's very much Ari and HER mates. I would have loved that they were ALL mates, you know?? Obviously, not Gabe and Lucien, since they are twins, but I would have loved some contact between the monsters as well as Ari, you know?? Greedy, like I said!

4 very good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
40x40

Debbiereadsbook (1753 KP) rated Mirror Image in Books

Feb 13, 2024  
Mirror Image
Mirror Image
Fran Lewis | 2023 | Horror
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Not really for me.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is a short story collection, with tales of reaping what you sow. Of being held accountable for your actions, whether recent or a long time ago.

I think what I struggled the most with was this: the whole book is 85 pages, and there are 24 stories in this collection. So they are VERY short, some only a page or two. And I wanted to get my teeth into them a little more, but couldn't.

Each story is well written, from various points of view. Some are aacrier than others but I read them all. I didn't find myself with a favourite, though. I didn't see any spelling or editing errors to spoil my reading.

It really was just the SHORTNESS of all the stories, that I struggled with. I was just getting into them, and boof! All finished.

What I wanted to know, was where did the mirror come from? How did it come to be in everyone's presence?

I am curious to read something else by this author. Something longer and deeper. I tried to read another short collection some time ago, but didn't get very far with that one and it was only coming to write this review that I clicked it was the same author. So reading a longer book, will tell me one of two things: I like this author, but only their longer work; or this author is not for me. Time will tell.

I did finish the collection, and was suitably cringed at some of them, so:

3 good, but maybe not for me, stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere