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Wait! (Oxley College #2)
Wait! (Oxley College #2)
Stacey Nash | 2015 | Contemporary, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the third book in the Oxley College series although it can (and was by me) read as a standalone. This in no way disrupted my reading or enjoyment of the story.

This book concentrates on Jordan - a serious ex-rugby player who just wants to study hard and doesn't want any sort of relationship - and Hex - a fun-loving party girl who's hiding her hurt behind a smiling mask. They both have secrets and issues that they are dealing with and it's the way that they deal with them and each other that makes this book such a joy to read.

There is insta-lust between the two of them but they actually take the time to build up their relationship which makes a refreshing change.

This story is very well written and deals with some very hard subjects - binge drinking, the death of a sibling, the effects of words spoken by parents who don't know the child is listening - that sort of thing. None of it is preachy or judgmental but tells Jordan and Hex's story perfectly.

Definitely recommended to all fans of Contemporary Romance.

* 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 02, 2015
  
TN
The Night Shift
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
131 of 235
Kindle
The Night Shift
By Alex Finlay
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It’s New Year’s Eve 1999. Y2K is expected to end in chaos: planes falling from the sky, elevators plunging to earth, world markets collapsing. A digital apocalypse. None of that happens. But at a Blockbuster Video in New Jersey, four teenagers working late at the store are attacked. Only one inexplicably survives. Police quickly identify a suspect, the boyfriend of one of the victims, who flees and is never seen again.

Fifteen years later, more teenage employees are attacked at an ice cream store in the same town, and again only one makes it out alive.

In the aftermath of the latest crime, three lives intersect: the lone survivor of the Blockbuster massacre who’s forced to relive the horrors of her tragedy; the brother of the fugitive accused, who’s convinced the police have the wrong suspect; and FBI agent Sarah Keller who must delve into the secrets of both nights—stirring up memories of teen love and lies—to uncover the truth about murders on the night shift.

I read this in one sitting and thought it was just brilliant. It kept me totally engaged and constantly guessing. It had some pretty nasty characters too which always makes for good reading. Really enjoyed it.
  
The Ostin Prince (Isle of Ostin #2)
The Ostin Prince (Isle of Ostin #2)
Michelle Dare | 2022 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE OSTIN PRINCE is the second book in the Isle of Ostin series. Theo and Pax just want to be left alone, but the press has other ideas. During a skirmish, Theo and Pax are rescued by none other than the cousin Theo used to play with, Arbor. Zeke, who has been staying with Theo and Pax, finds himself entranced by this no-filter Ostin, who thinks he is darkness personified, when all Zeke can see is his light.

The overall story arc moves along nicely in Arbor and Zeke's story, whilst still giving the reader the full enjoyment of their story. Both Zeke and Arbor see themselves one way, but the other sees them completely differently. It was nice seeing a softer side to Arbor, as he is usually the one who runs his mouth off - for comedic effect at times.

The Ostins so far all have a protector side that comes into full force when it involves the ones they care about. I loved seeing this.

A great addition to the series and I look forward to the next book!

** 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!
Aug 5, 2023
  
Divine Ecstasy (Guardians of the Realms #8)
Divine Ecstasy (Guardians of the Realms #8)
Setta Jay | 2016 | Erotica, Paranormal, Romance
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Sacha is the second female to get her mate (Brianne and Vane) and she gets a fully-fledged God in Hades. She is lying in a coma when he realises, so he does the only thing a God can do, and wakes her up! Drake is none too chuffed with this turn of events and it is down to P to try and explain the importance of why Sacha needs to choose for herself.

Can I just say, I loved Hades! Even since I watched Disney's Hercules with my daughters, I couldn't help but see Hades like this in my mind! Let me just say though, that Setta Jay's Hades is nothing like this! He is gorgeous, caring, proactive, and yes, just a little bit arrogant. He is a God though, so give him a break.

Sacha and Hades make the perfect couple. He is understanding of her and tries to help with her recovery. Sacha rounds Hades out and smooths his arrogant edges. Love them.

Hot, sexy, funny, action-packed - Divine Ecstasy is a fantastic addition to the Guardians of the Realms series, and I can't wait for P's book and Sirena's!!!

* 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!
Mar 7, 2016
  
When You Burn Me (Enchanted Hearts #1)
When You Burn Me (Enchanted Hearts #1)
Lorelei Johnson | 2025 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
WHEN YOU BURN ME is the first book in the Enchanted Hearts series with Sienna and Damon leading the way.

Sienna is a light witch in a small but powerful coven, who is one of the last guardians of a key which keeps a powerful dark witch locked up. Damon is the half-breed son of the prisoner, who is only alive because the dark coven is saving him for his 'mother'. When she is free, she will take his power which will also kill him. Obviously, Damon's none too keen on her being freed.

This was a great story with plenty of side characters to help give it some flavour. One of my favourites was Morrigan, a sassy and sometimes grumpy light witch who can cause death by the simple touch of her hand. One of the characters I didn't like so much was Terra, Sienna's aunt. I kept waiting for her to grow on me but it never happened.

A good start to a new series that I definitely recommend, and I can't wait to see what happens next.

** 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!
Jan 29, 2025
  
The Schoolmaster's Daughter
The Schoolmaster's Daughter
Naomi Laeuchli | 2024 | Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE SCHOOLMASTER'S DAUGHTER is a gentle and genteel story of mistaken identity and the amusing shenanigans that follow.

Julius is neck-deep in debt and has come up with a plan to marry an heiress to get himself out of it. When a friend tells him of an heiress in Bath, far from the London crowd that knows of his predicament, he travels there and tries to win her hand. Unfortunately for him, the woman he presumes is the companion is actually an heiress herself and none too pleased with his plan. So Lydia decides to teach him a lesson, all of which leads to an amusing story of brightly coloured fashion disasters and wayward children.

This story is well-paced and treads lightly on topics such as generational debt, forced elopement, blackmail, and poverty. It made for a great read to see Lydia's feelings of guilt make themselves known once she started to have feelings for Julius. It is a sweet read, with no spice, that perfectly suited the cooked-up scheme between Julius and Lydia.

A thoroughly enjoyable read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

** 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!
Apr 18, 2025
  
TN
The Next Right Thing: A Novel
Dan Barden | 2012
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I won a copy of this book from First Reads on Goodreads.

First of all I have to say that it wasn't bad or good...more of an okay read. There was action & drama. There was a whole host of characters, but the downside to that in my opinion is that none of them were all that well developed with the exception of Randy the main character. His girlfriend MP, seemed important at the beginning of the book, but then she pretty much disappeared. I cound Troy & Emma to be the most fascinating characters, but they weren't developed to the extent that they could've been.
The book tells the story of ex-cop Randy Chalmers, who is now a highly in demand home builder & recovering alcoholic. One day his mentor Terry turns up long dead in a hotel room of an apparent heroin overdose in a seedy motel room. The catch is, Terry had been clean upwards of 15 years. So the former detective in Randy takes over when he begins to doubt that a simple O.D. is how he best friend died. In the course of his not so under the radar investigation, he stumbles across something much bigger & finds that his friend is smack in the middle of it.
The story was a promising idea that wasn't brought to it's fullest potential. It was a fast, okay read, but not one that I find myself dying to share with someone.