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Unbreak My Heart (Fostering Love #1)
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
4.5 stars

I don't normally read reviews by others for books I'm about to start but I did with this one. A lot of the reviews were moaning about Shane and they stuck with me, so I'll admit I was a bit biased. Before that little rant starts, though...

This starts with Shane and his wife Rachel heading to see Kate sing and play her guitar in front of a small audience. Kate is Rachel's best friend and helps her look after her three children while Shane is overseas with the military. Tragedy strikes and Rachel dies a few weeks later, though the baby she was pregnant with at the time survives. One year later and it's the anniversary of her death and in a drunken mistake they sleep together. What follows is an emotional rollercoaster.

Now for a bit of a rant. Shane was very hard to like for the first 50% of the book. He was cruel and mean to Kate and I was ready to knee him in the balls. He wanted everything a certain way and if and when that didn't work he got angry and said mean things. Fair enough he regretted them later but just...no! I used about 6 tissues at one point around the 55% mark because it was just so unfair and I was a snotty red eyed mess so I put it down and went to bed. I'd become invested in them as a couple and he was making it very hard for it to happen. I do believe he redeemed himself enough by the end, though. He eventually realised how hurtful he'd been for years! and did everything he could to make it right. He explained himself more and did stuff to help her in ways that really mattered. He still effed up occasionally but they learned to talk to each other. It was really nice to read their relationship in the end.

I could probably have read it all in one sitting if I'd started it earlier in the day. It definitely dragged me in from the start - wondering how this rather mean main character was going to win over the girl he'd ignored for years.

I think it was really well written. We had all different aspects of their relationship from babysitter to lovers to husband and wife with many difficult moments in between. The family interactions were quite cute to watch. It certainly hit me in the feels and in my opinion; a book that makes me cry is a great book.
  
Greenland (2020)
Greenland (2020)
2020 | Action, Thriller
John Garrity (Gerard Butler) is a man trying to put his life in order. Despite being a successful structural engineer; he has recently moved back home with his wife Allison (Morena Baccarin), and their son Nathan (Roger Dale Floyd).

John and Allison are attempting to rebuild their marriage and despite some awkwardness at first they are moving ahead. In the new film “Greenland” life is about to become far more complicated for the Garrity family in the form of a comet that is set to pass very close to earth.

The authorities have told the public there is no cause for concern but John notices a large group of military aircraft in the skies shortly before he receives an automated call from Homeland Security telling him to come to an evacuation location with his wife and son.

Not sure what to make of the message; things become abundantly clear when a “harmless fragment” strikes and destroys a city on live television.

With panic setting in the Garrity family head to the evacuation site only to face complications which leave them separated and facing many dangers and obstacles as they attempt to reunite and get to safety before the big chunk hits in two days.

The film is very engaging and what really stood out for me was how the film relied on the cast versus an array of special effects and action sequences which are so common for films in the disaster genre.

Despite the circumstances the characters were very relatable and the tension of the pending impact helped shape their actions instead of being a countdown to an elaborate array of FX sequences showing cities being devastated. While there is footage of this sort; it is generally confined to news reports versus being the focal points.

Butler was very strong in a departure from his usual action oriented parts as a father trying to make things right in a world that is falling apart around him. It was also nice to hear him using his natural accent for a change as well.

While some may wonder about the timing of releasing a disaster film at the end of 2020 and during the Holiday Season the film is so engaging that it did not matter to me in the slightest.

“Greenland” is a film that came in under the radar in terms of hype and expectation but has delivered an enjoyable and memorable viewing experience that is not to be missed.
  
    Coalitions

    Coalitions

    (0 Ratings) Rate It

    Tabletop Game

    Coalitions is based on the series of conflicts known as the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars....

40x40

Merissa (12914 KP) rated The Wizard's Ward (Vale #1) in Books

Aug 1, 2022 (Updated Aug 2, 2023)  
The Wizard's Ward (Vale #1)
The Wizard's Ward (Vale #1)
Jules McAleese | 2022 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A twisted and intriguing story that will keep you turning the pages.
THE WIZARD'S WARD is the first book in the Vale series and we are introduced to a world divided - you have the mers, the elves, the mortals, and the witches. Only by combining these four races in equal measure, do you get a grey blood. Francis is such a unicorn, but she doesn't know it.

We start off with her life in the castle, as a ward to the wizard - in case the title didn't give it away! We learn of her friendship with X, the son of one of the military leaders, who disappears one day without saying goodbye. We learn of her role (sort of) in the castle, with those she likes and loves, and those she loathes. When Billington (the wizard) disappears, Francis is determined to find him and sets out, with X's help. Along the way, they meet friend and foe, but no one seems to be as they appear.

This is a twisted and intriguing story that will keep you turning the pages. Francis is a strong character who faces situations head-on, even if she knows she is at a disadvantage. She doesn't sit back and wait to be rescued. Instead, she forges bonds with others and does her best to help, no matter the circumstances.

X is a character that I thoroughly enjoyed. He is complex and dark, and I can't wait to see where he goes next. How he was, was NOT what I was expecting, so I loved that it caught me unawares.

I personally wish we had more details about the Rottentoes. I can see Ezrah and Cornelia, but Puck and Darwin seem to fade together. Cora is also a character with a lot of depth.

There are parts of this story that are full of world- and character-building, but there are other parts that almost seem skimmed over. I would have loved to have known more about the world itself, the elves' kingdom, and the geography.

As a debut book, I thought this was off to a brilliant start. The story is there and with great characters. I look forward to reading more by this author and continuing with this saga. Recommended by me.

** 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 26, 2022