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The Mother's Tale
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
<i>All mothers love their children, don't they?</i>

I read this book as a new mother, I knew it was going to be tough and I knew it was going to be disturbing. Perhaps I did underestimate it though as this was one of the most disturbing books I have ever read. I was absolutely hooked and couldn't put this book down. I adore books that have a strong emotional impact on me and this just left me totally shook. What this mother was willing to do to get her 'freedom' back was bone-chilling.
  
Demon Familiar (Wanted #1)
Demon Familiar (Wanted #1)
Bellora Quinn, Sadie Rose Bermingham | 2018 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Demon Familiar (Wanted #1) by Bellora Quinn & Sadie Rose Bermingham
Demon Familiar is the first book in the Wanted series, and we are introduced to a whole new world, which I can't wait to learn more about. Neil witnesses the death of his mother by Bone Men, and runs away, needing to hide from both them AND his father. He meets Mal as he is trying to sell his very desirable, but distinguishable, car so he has funds. Mal and Neil have an instant spark, but neither of them act on it immediately. This just makes it even hotter when they finally do.

I love this couple of author's work - I don't think I've read a bad book by them. Yes, their characters may frustrate the hell out of me (which they know and laugh about!), but their stories are always interesting and gripping. The writing and editing is their usual high standard, the world building superb, and with a whole host of characters I can't wait to see more of - Merc!

A brilliant start to the series, with not all questions answered, so I can't wait to read more. Absolutely recommended by me.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Hush, Hush (Hush, Hush, #1)
Hush, Hush (Hush, Hush, #1)
Becca Fitzpatrick | 2009 | Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
2
7.6 (36 Ratings)
Book Rating
So this book took over a month for me to read, which considering how its not a relatively long book baffles me. I was not compelled to read this book when I had a spare few minutes. I was not finding myself wanting to stay up just a little bit longer to finish the next chapter. It was honestly really lacking in so many ways.

I love reading YA fantasy/paranormal/mystical books. I love them! I have enjoyed series like House of Night, Sookie Stackhouse, Hunger Games, Daughter of Smoke and Bone, I even liked Twilight back before the films. But I just don't get this book at all.

Less than a month after reading it I can barely remember anything that happened. None of the characters were likeable, swoon worthy or even vaguely pleasant. Her mother was frankly useless. The police who randomly seemed to show up completely incompetent and frankly rude (but not in a realistic way).

The 'heroine'.... if you could see or feel how hard my eyes want to roll back into my head thinking about her would give you a better understanding of how I felt towards her. She has no conviction to anything. She isn't even being portrayed as dumb, but that is what she is. Her best 'friend', just vile, not even funny at all.

The main 'love interest' .... called Patch, again with a tendon pulling eye roll. he was the only vaguely interesting character. But even there this book just complete missed the mark with me.

Honestly I have no more words for this book. It seemed to be about nothing at all, and i cant honestly remember any redeeming element of it. Honestly surprised it has 3.something stars on Goodreads. If i could give it less than 1 star I would have. I likely would have given it -Stars. Safe to say i will not be reading any of the others.
  
40x40

ClareR (5542 KP) rated Bone China in Books

Aug 19, 2019  
Bone China
Bone China
Laura Purcell | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics, Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Bone China by Laura Purcell is a gothic novel set in Cornwall. Hester Why has travelled to Cornwall to take up a post as a Lady’s maid - and also to escape her past. But if she thinks she’s going to have an easy time of it, she has another thing coming! Morvoren House has its own secrets, not helped by the very strange Creeda, who believes that fairies will spirit Miss Rosewyn (the ward of Miss Pinecroft, the elderly woman that Hester is looking after) away.

We also get to see some of Hester’s past before Cornwall - and the reason why she has ended up in Morvoren House; and that of Louise, some 40 years before Hester’s arrival.

Unsurprisingly, bone china features prominently in this story, and I was delighted to hear the story of the willow pattern again - a story that my own grandmother used to tell me when showing me her willow pattern tea service.

Louise’s story tells of the time after her mother and siblings have died of phthisis (or tuberculosis), and her father, who was a doctor, deciding that he will find a cure for it. Prisoners from the local prison are kept in caves beneath the house, the theory being that the fresh air would strengthen their lungs. I know! Horrifying!!

I didn’t find the jumping between timelines at all confusing, and I really enjoyed the way it did this. The unreliability of Hester’s narrative due to gin and laudanum was also really well done. I never knew if what was happening was due to the gin, laudanum, actual reality or the fairies!

And the landscape and sights of Cornwall were beautifully described. I love Cornwall - it’s one of my most favourite places. The rawness of the coast is a pleasure to read about, and instantly took me to the cliffs by the sea.

I tried to make this book last longer, but had no luck at all because I was desperate to know what was going to happen! And that ending - I’m still in shock!!!!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this completely absorbing book! It was a pleasure to read.
  
The possibility of Perfect

Four stars

The Possibility of Perfect was perfect. I fell in love with the characters and their story. Dane is the classic guy. With the good looks and even better manners. He had me wrap from the beginning. Josie was fierce, sweet and unapologetic about how she felt or what she wanted. She was a little shady. She held her ground when Dane wanted to give up. She had more back bone then most people. The story was interesting and didn’t hold a lot of drama. The author didn’t need to create extra people to fill the story. The word flow was really good I read it pretty fast. I would’ve liked more details about Josie's family. Overall great read. It kept me entertained and wanting to get through the book so I could read what was next. I look forward to reading more by this author. I liked how the characters flaws were brought out in their everyday life. Dane worried so much that he wasn’t seeing that he wouldn’t be the same as his mother. That he didn’t have all the details to make a clear choice. Josie let me down at first. I am the type of female that says what she wants no matter the consequences. We only have the right now. So why hide behind your fears? We have to learn to just live and both Dane and Josie learned that in this story. What a great life lesson.