Search
Search results
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Children Act in Books
Feb 13, 2018
I'm not exactly sure how I feel about "The Children Act." I didn't particularly like it or dislike it. In the beginning, the novel seems to be the story of Fiona, a high up respected family court judge in London, and her husband, Jack, who comes to her, asking for an open marriage.
However, the story quickly drifts away from that thread and is pulled abruptly toward Fiona and her cases, particularly a 17-year-old boy, Adam, a Jehovah's Witness, who has leukemia. He needs a blood transfusion, which goes against his religion (and that of his parents). It's an interesting case, and Adam makes for an intriguing character (via the snippets we learn of him), but we never really get to understand quite why Adam grows to have such power over Fiona.
By the end of the novel, without revealing the ending, I felt a bit deflated, and left wondering why I'd read the story to begin with. It was certainly well written, but it seemed a bit pointless at times, and I didn't find Fiona or her husband that likable, and didn't get to learn enough about Adam or anyone in her other cases.
However, the story quickly drifts away from that thread and is pulled abruptly toward Fiona and her cases, particularly a 17-year-old boy, Adam, a Jehovah's Witness, who has leukemia. He needs a blood transfusion, which goes against his religion (and that of his parents). It's an interesting case, and Adam makes for an intriguing character (via the snippets we learn of him), but we never really get to understand quite why Adam grows to have such power over Fiona.
By the end of the novel, without revealing the ending, I felt a bit deflated, and left wondering why I'd read the story to begin with. It was certainly well written, but it seemed a bit pointless at times, and I didn't find Fiona or her husband that likable, and didn't get to learn enough about Adam or anyone in her other cases.
ames_morgan (8 KP) rated Love, Hate, and Other Filters in Books
Jun 19, 2018
A compelling coming of age story about a young girl born in America but belonging to a Muslim family. This book is YA but can definitely transcend this genre. Beautifully written this book tells the story of Maya who is a senior in high school. Maya wants to be a good Indian daughter but she also wants to go to NYU and study to be a filmmaker. Maya's parents forget that they themselves defied their beliefs to a point by coming to America and starting a new life with a love marriage. As Maya and her parents start to come to an understanding a horrible act of terrorism happens too close to home for Maya's parents especially when a Muslim man is initially named as the terrorist. All of Maya's hopes and dreams are suddenly crushed as her parents decide that it is too dangerous for Maya to go away from home. And to further add insult to injury Maya has gone and fallen in love with a boy who is not Indian and definitely not a Muslim. Now Maya has to decide what she is willing to lose to follow her heart. Profound, witty and beautiful!
Kristin (149 KP) rated Unknown (The Elements Trilogy, #1) in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Princess Kyla is a feisty teenager. She'd rather run around through the woods in her brothers' clothes, learning how to use a bow and sword, than acting like the queen-to-be that she is. Perpetuating her antics is her childhood friend, Jethro, who just so happens to be the cousin of her fiancee. Their friendship has waned since the announcement of her future marriage, but something strange and long-foretold may shove them alongside one another once again, whether they like it or not.
I fell in love with the story from the start. I could readily identify with the characters, especially Kyla, and they just pulled me in deeper and deeper into the story. Melissa has a way with words that makes you feel like you're actually a part of the story, and that makes it so much easier to become engrossed throughout. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop, and I'm anxious to get started on Unseen!! Great start to what I'm sure will be a fantastic series =)
5 stars
Princess Kyla is a feisty teenager. She'd rather run around through the woods in her brothers' clothes, learning how to use a bow and sword, than acting like the queen-to-be that she is. Perpetuating her antics is her childhood friend, Jethro, who just so happens to be the cousin of her fiancee. Their friendship has waned since the announcement of her future marriage, but something strange and long-foretold may shove them alongside one another once again, whether they like it or not.
I fell in love with the story from the start. I could readily identify with the characters, especially Kyla, and they just pulled me in deeper and deeper into the story. Melissa has a way with words that makes you feel like you're actually a part of the story, and that makes it so much easier to become engrossed throughout. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop, and I'm anxious to get started on Unseen!! Great start to what I'm sure will be a fantastic series =)
5 stars
Sue (5 KP) rated The Art of Keeping Secrets in Books
Aug 13, 2018
The Art of Keeping Secrets is an intertwining story of 3 women (Emma, Flick, and Neve) who share a friendship and close bond. You soon find out that they each is hiding a different secret, one which they are struggling to come to terms with. A mother who never shared with her child the truth about his father. Another who fears losing her children to her ex & his new wife, while hiding a health issue. While the third lives in a picture-perfect marriage, all the while hiding the fact that her husband is not who everyone thinks he is.
Each chapter is from the point of view from one of the characters and you get a peek at their inner turmoil as they must face their secrets and the destruction it could cause to their families, friendships, and the lives that they are living.
If you want a book that is hard to put down and makes you go through every emotion (I laughed, cried, yelled, and more than once was in shock), then this is definitely a book you want to read.
Each chapter is from the point of view from one of the characters and you get a peek at their inner turmoil as they must face their secrets and the destruction it could cause to their families, friendships, and the lives that they are living.
If you want a book that is hard to put down and makes you go through every emotion (I laughed, cried, yelled, and more than once was in shock), then this is definitely a book you want to read.
Lindsay (1774 KP) rated Death Logs In in Books
Aug 30, 2018 (Updated Apr 9, 2019)
I really enjoyed this book. It is the second book in series. I really do not go for these kinds of books. This one had me after a few chapters. It also has some twist and turns like in the first book. Alex is back and better. Alex helps his brother Michael out. Micheal deals with all kinds of things that are going on. He does things that his brother would have done if he were alive.
One of Alex's clients goes after Michael's wife Samantha. What makes Sharkey, the bad guy and his buddies go after her and still want Michael to be dead as well? The murders take place around the world. We start to understand Sharkey and why he wants Michael killed. How can Alex do what he can if he's dead?
Is Alex alive and hiding somewhere or is he really dead? Donna is Alex's third wife.Though Michael and Donna get some shocking news about Alex. Sindy enter Michael's life. Things are just getting more interesting with all the things going on. Does Michael save his marriage? Alex is getting more information so can he help Michael?
One of Alex's clients goes after Michael's wife Samantha. What makes Sharkey, the bad guy and his buddies go after her and still want Michael to be dead as well? The murders take place around the world. We start to understand Sharkey and why he wants Michael killed. How can Alex do what he can if he's dead?
Is Alex alive and hiding somewhere or is he really dead? Donna is Alex's third wife.Though Michael and Donna get some shocking news about Alex. Sindy enter Michael's life. Things are just getting more interesting with all the things going on. Does Michael save his marriage? Alex is getting more information so can he help Michael?
Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated The Wife Between Us in Books
Oct 6, 2018
So disappointing
THE WIFE BETWEEN US is crafted to be clear that whatever you are thinking, expect the opposite. When you think you know who is who, you don’t. This is a suspense about marriage, first wives, fiancées, ex-wives, controlling husbands and a smattering of friends and family.
I’m honestly kind of disappointed having heard a lot of hype for this book. I heard it was twisty and it is, but in a predictable way. There was only one twist I didn’t see coming and that honestly was underwhelming. It’s defintely a book of two halves with a much stronger first half and a fizzled-out second half.
Not one of the characters, including the three main characters were likeable. However, Richard was vile, a sneaky and manipulative kind of vile. He was incredibly well-written but I didn’t feel the female characters were as strongly written.
Clearly there is a lot of love for this book, but it just didn’t work for me. I want less predictable suspense when I chose to read in the genre.
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
I’m honestly kind of disappointed having heard a lot of hype for this book. I heard it was twisty and it is, but in a predictable way. There was only one twist I didn’t see coming and that honestly was underwhelming. It’s defintely a book of two halves with a much stronger first half and a fizzled-out second half.
Not one of the characters, including the three main characters were likeable. However, Richard was vile, a sneaky and manipulative kind of vile. He was incredibly well-written but I didn’t feel the female characters were as strongly written.
Clearly there is a lot of love for this book, but it just didn’t work for me. I want less predictable suspense when I chose to read in the genre.
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
ClareR (5911 KP) rated An Unknown Welshman: A novel of Henry VII in Books
Jan 5, 2019
So good, that it couldn't possibly be history, surely?!
This is the story of how Henry VII came to be king, from his birth in Wales, to his crowning and marriage to Elizabeth of York.
I really liked the descriptions of life during the Wars of the Roses, how fickle the nobility seemed to be, swapping allegiances in order to keep their lands, possessions and lives. There was a good deal of action as well. Sieges, battles, hunts: mostly though, Henry had to wait around a lot, hoping that foreign dignitaries would keep him and feed and clothe him, not to mention the money that was sent over from the Crown in order to keep him away. Whilst eh was held captive in Wales, this was to the advantage of the man keeping him: he got to hold Henry's title and lands.
The Wars of the Roses can be very complicated and longwinded - there was a lot of to-ing and fro-ing between the sides. This is a good way to understand the Lancastrian (Henry's) side of the history. And it was fascinating to read.
Many thanks to Sapere Books for my copy to read and honestly review.
I really liked the descriptions of life during the Wars of the Roses, how fickle the nobility seemed to be, swapping allegiances in order to keep their lands, possessions and lives. There was a good deal of action as well. Sieges, battles, hunts: mostly though, Henry had to wait around a lot, hoping that foreign dignitaries would keep him and feed and clothe him, not to mention the money that was sent over from the Crown in order to keep him away. Whilst eh was held captive in Wales, this was to the advantage of the man keeping him: he got to hold Henry's title and lands.
The Wars of the Roses can be very complicated and longwinded - there was a lot of to-ing and fro-ing between the sides. This is a good way to understand the Lancastrian (Henry's) side of the history. And it was fascinating to read.
Many thanks to Sapere Books for my copy to read and honestly review.
Unbreakable: My New Autobiography
Book
Sharon Osbourne's life has always been an extreme rollercoaster ride. And despite her best efforts,...
When Bad Things Happen in Good Bikinis
Book
A wife at breakfast, a widow by lunch...In 2011, after an unusually difficult year in a relationship...
Peter Andre - the Biography
Book
Australian heart-throb Peter Andre captured the hearts of millions when he burst onto the music...