Search

Search only in certain items:

The Silent Patient
The Silent Patient
Alex Michaelides | 2019 | Crime, Mystery, Thriller
10
8.3 (39 Ratings)
Book Rating
This complex story is told from two different perspectives, a story which was written down by Alicia, and another one, told by Theo, about his life. I really liked the characters in this book, they are very intriguing, some of them very charismatic, but at the same time very believable. I really liked Alicia’s story and her disturbed personality, but at the same time, I found her quite naive and sometimes annoying. Theo really surprised me, he is too messed up in his head to be a decent psychotherapist. His personality and thoughts were quite scary sometimes, but I absolutely loved the investigation he has done, to find out more about Alicia.

The narrative of this book is very layered, complex, and discusses many issues. The characters are sharing their thoughts about the relationships with their family and their spouses, and how that effected their present personalities. The author creatively incorporated his Greek heritage into this story, filled with Greek Gods and other bits and pieces. The story doesn’t stay still for long periods of time, there are plenty of surprising twists and turns throughout this book and it was a real page turner to me. The author discussed a very wide variety of topics, such as a difficult relationship with parents; blind love for their spouses; drugs; mental health issues etc.

The setting of this book feels very mysterious, and I liked that there are multiple locations used in this novel. The writing style is creative, well crafted, but easy and pleasant to read. The chapters are pretty short, and due to suspense, the pages just flew by for me. I really liked the ending of the book, it rounded the story well but there are many unanswered questions, which left me unsettled.

So, to conclude, this is a very amusing story, filled with complex and unique characters, and a plot, soaked in love, grief and betrayal. I strongly recommend to read this story and find out, whether Theo succeeds in his quest to make Alice speak again or not. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did
  
500 Days of Summer (2009)
500 Days of Summer (2009)
2009 | Comedy, Drama, Romance
This is not a love story. This is a story about love. The tag line sums of this movie perfectly. It’s a story of a boy Tom who meets a girl at work called Summer, He thinks she is ‘The One’ and after a little bit of a fling. Until Summer decides she doesn’t want anything serious, Tom goes on the roller coaster of emotions and we get to see how he gets though the 500 days of Summer. Tom gets help from his two best friends McKenzie, Paul and even his little sister Rachel who is surprisingly more adult than her age would show.

The Story is something a lot of people can relate to as it’s a dead-end job that Tom just filled even tho he dreamed of being something better. Can this doomed relationship give him the confidence to take the next step in his career? With some great chemistry between Tom and Summer that sparkles at the start but fizzles out as the relationship grew. Having great locations from an Ikea store to a hill-side park in the middle of the busy city. The music through out the movie are great classics from The Smiths, Morrissey and Beatles conversation keep the music lovers interested in the storyline.

Overall Movie Rating 93% it’s a rom-com that everyone will enjoy as it is a position everyone would have been in some when during their love life. Action junkies will not be interested that much but overall a very good romantic comedy that all will enjoy

https://moviesreview101.com/2010/01/26/500-days-of-summer/
  
We Must Be Brave
We Must Be Brave
Frances Liardet | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
We Must Be Brave was a rather delightful surprise of a book for me. I don’t often read books set in World War 2 - and I’m not sure why - but I thought I’d give it a go, because I knew that it was something that my mum would probably enjoy (it’s a pretty poor reason, but it’s worked out well for me!).

The main character, Ellen Parr, and her husband Selwyn, find themselves responsible for a young girl after her mother is killed during bombing in Southampton. Pamela is a charming, independent child, who is packed to the brim with personality, and Ellen falls for her. We learn a lot about Ellen’s childhood - one of relative wealth reduced to extreme poverty when her father loses the family fortune and abandons them. This gives us some inkling as to why Pamela manages to fill a hole in Ellen’s life: a whole that Ellen wasn’t even aware of.

I loved the supporting characters in this story. They were all such good, caring people, who all helped Ellen when she needs it most. It’s not a love story, but it is a story about love: that of a husband and wife, a woman and child, and the love of good friends. And I have to admit to crying quite a bit in the last half of this book, so a warning that you’ll need tissues!

This book is well worth a read - and not just because I cried! It’s a really lovely story.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins/ Fourth Estate for my copy of this book.
  
40x40

Merissa (13901 KP) rated Nine-Tenths in Books

Jun 30, 2025  
Nine-Tenths
Nine-Tenths
J.M.Frey | 2025 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
NINE-TENTHS is a long and unique story about the love between a human and a dragon, in a world where dragons rule. Okay, so maybe that bit isn't unique, but the rest of the story is! The world-building is so in-depth and richly detailed, while also giving you characters that you will love and loathe. AND, although the 'I love you's' happen fairly quickly, there is still so much left to the story and for them to work through before they get their HEA.

Okay, so quick run-down. Colin is human, working as a barista, not knowing what to do with his degree. Dav is a customer who comes in to stare at Colin. Their meet-cute isn't exactly cute, but they are. And from then on? It's a clash of two worlds, two cultures, and lots of information that comes in dribs and drabs.

Colin and Dav are gorgeous together and are ably supported by a motley crew. They have their ups and downs, most of which are completely understandable. And if anyone (and I do mean ANYONE) likes Simcoe then they need to be tested, because this slimeball slithered everywhere he went.

This was something completely different that I thoroughly enjoyed. The imagination is second-to-none and I have no hesitation in definitely recommending this story.

** 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!
Jun 15, 2025
  
I love, love, loved this book! This is my first Mercedes Lackey book and it most definitely won't be my last! If all - or even most - of her other books are as good as this one, I'll be a fan for life! I do think the synopsis is a bit misleading, it's not exactly how everything happened, especially since the prince doesn't enter the picture until halfway through the book. Maybe hardcore fantasy readers won't enjoy it as much as those who love both fantasy and romance, but I thought it was a very smart and interesting twist on the usual fairy tales. I loved the epilogue and thought that added to the whole 'moral' of the story. I can't wait to get to the others in the series. :)
  
Horizon Zero Dawn
Horizon Zero Dawn
2017 | Action/Adventure
Main Character (1 more)
Multiple difficulty levels
I love this game and bought a PS4 just so I could play it as I was a Xbox owner.

I love that you have so many choices on the difficulty level as sometimes you just want to do story mode and explore the world. Other times you want more of a challenge to the game.

I dropped 1 point to it because you have a lot of different characters flirting with Aloy (and i love how she responds to it as to me it shows how she was raised in isolation) but I would have liked there to be more options on how it could develop relationships for better or worse depending on your responses.

Overall I think it's a fantastic game and can't wait for the next.
  
40x40

Akward (448 KP) Aug 24, 2018

I also bought a PS4 just for this game! It was worth every dollar I spent.

The Thing About Harry (2020)
The Thing About Harry (2020)
2020 | Comedy, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
the queer rom-com we’ve needed!!
This film was so cute. Equal parts cheesy, romantic, funny, and queer. The hardest part about LGBTQ+ movies is where they fall on a stereotypical line or whether or not they’re coming out stories or coming of age stories - all of which have importance some places. But what we’ve desperately needed for so long is a queer story that is just about love and the characters just happen to be queer.

LGBTQ+ love isn’t any different than heterosexual love. Everyone wants that connection, that passion, that person to come running home to. This movie is that, and so much more. Jake Borelli is amazing and definitely someone to keep an eye out for. I can’t wait to see what he does next.
  
I Hate, Hate, Hate This Time of Day
I Hate, Hate, Hate This Time of Day
Alyssa Miracle | 2018 | Children
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
I Hate, Hate, Hate This Time of Day, is a book about an elephant that does not like going to bed. Know any children that are like that. I am sure you do. We all have either gone through it or done it ourselves.

Well, this book focuses on that time of day. This is a good bedtime story. It creates a routine for Edgar with his mom. Though Edgar seems to think that playing and having fun is best. Though can you make it fun to get ready to go to bed.

The author does this quite well. I love the pictures. It easy to read. I love Edgar's response each time his more asks. Children just love to play and have fun. Maybe this book will help with bedtime.
  

I Hate, Hate, Hate This Time of Day, is a book about an elephant that does not like going to bed. Know any children that are like that. I am sure you do. We all have either gone through it or done it ourselves.

Well, this book focuses on that time of day. This is a good bedtime story. It creates a routine for Edgar with his mom. Though Edgar seems to think that playing and having fun is best. Though can you make it fun to get ready to go to bed.

The author does this quite well. I love the pictures. It easy to read. I love Edgar's response each time his more asks. Children just love to play and have fun. Maybe this book will help with bedtime.