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Nutshell
Nutshell
Ian McEwan | 2016 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
8
9.5 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
I’ve never read any of Ian McEwan’s work before, but it seems like I started on a good one, because almost everyone is saying this is his best yet!

This has such an intriguing and unique plot, it would be hard to pass it up if you saw it in store. Are there actually <i>any</i> other novels out there told from the PoV of a foetus?

Considering no one actually knows what it’s like to be a foetus, that is to say, we’ve all been one, but we don’t remember back that far, I feel like McEwan really <i>got</i> what it’s like to be in the womb through the third trimester.. I wasn’t sure how anyone could write as an unborn child but it was done so well in this! The child was a very likable character, he was witty, intelligent and interesting - certainly not things I would think to associate with an unborn child.

The overall plot was certainly different and intriguing, but it wasn’t exactly what I thought it was going to be. I didn’t expect this unborn child to be able to solve a murder or stop a crime etc, but I did think it was going to be more of a thriller mystery than it was. That’s not to the say that the plot made the story any less fun to read, I just had to alter my mindset into accepting this as a different sort of book.

Unfortunately for me, this didn’t move me as much as it has done other readers because this is a <i>Hamlet</i> retelling, but I’ve never read <i>Hamlet.</i> (I have pretty much no time for the “classics”, they tend to just bore me, there’s no way around that, I’m just not that kind of girl). So maybe some of the beauty of this was a bit lost on me?

Anyway, this was a very enjoyable read. A solid piece of fiction that has and will appeal to thousands.
  
CL
Crazy Love You
Lisa Unger | 2014
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
How is it possible that I have not read any of Lisa Unger's books until now?? This book was so good I could not put it down, which is not necessarily a good thing when you are an elementary school teacher headed back to work after being off (ie. sleeping in) for 2 weeks. LOL
The plot was so fast paced and well developed. The characters were interesting and very believable. There were plenty of twists & turns, the kind that leave you thinking you have it all figured out only to realize at the end that you were only partially right. Just the kind of book I love! This is 1 avid reader that has a new go to author. I can't wait to delve in to another of her books. I hope they are all as great & easy to get lost in as this one was.
  
A Dark and Twisted Tide (Lacey Flint #4)
A Dark and Twisted Tide (Lacey Flint #4)
Sharon J. Bolton, Sharon Bolton | 2014 | Thriller
9
8.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
I loved this one! The previous Lacey Flint novels have kept me guessing, and I'm always wrong. So this time, I thought outside the box and was sure I had it figured out. Wrong! I love that Bolton keeps me on my toes!

In spite of the fact that Joesbury is largely absent from this book, the Mark/Lacey storyline features more prominently than it did in Lost (or Like This, For Ever, depending which edition you read). I was really missing it in the last book so I was happy to see more of it this time around.

Finally, Thessa's character is well-written and beautifully portrayed. I fell in love with her straight away.

I've got Here Be Dragons next on my reading list and I have high hopes for it. Still, I can't wait for the next full-length novel in this series!
  
Death on the Nile (2022)
Death on the Nile (2022)
2022 | Mystery
Kenneth branagh (1 more)
Tom Bateman
Watched today at cineworld after watching murder on the orient express couple of weeks ago that I would the sequel to see if it was any good I would say it’s better than murder. On too the film this isn’t the first time I’ve seen a version of death on Nile this is third one Kenneth Branagh is back poirot with the tache back as well we get an origin of the moustache at the beginning of the movie also hos lost love who was mentioned in the first film which was nice. Nice to see Tom Bateman back as his friend from murder on the orient express then the list of suspects including French and sanders and Russell brand any of them could have done it. Anyway will there be third film who knows there’s so many more poirot story’s still out there good film
  
After reading this book all my head wants to say is WOW...

I have not previously read any books by Roseanna M. White and I am now scratching my head wondering how I could have missed her? This book On Wings of Devotion is actually the second book in her Codebreaker series. However, I was not lost at all just jumping into this one (I will definitely be going back and reading the first one though).

The character interactions in this book are the best I have read in a while. They banter back and forth so much, and you just can’t help but smile or laugh, through it all. They did have their ups and downs, but I was amazed by Ara’s absolute faith in the face of everything that happened. Yes, she had doubts but they never lasted for long. That is what I personally strive to do even though it doesn’t always work out as well as in this book. Camden was also a great character who I enjoyed getting to know. He was the picture of a flamboyant flyboy with a teddy bear heart underneath. So much mystery surrounds him, and we get fed little bits of his true character throughout the book. It was like getting to know someone in real life, you slowly get to know them over time.

The storyline in this book was riveting like it literally sucked me in (Laundry did not get done that day
  
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Merissa (12557 KP) rated Freezing Aversion (Consortium Trilogy #2) in Books

Dec 29, 2021 (Updated Jul 9, 2023)  
Freezing Aversion (Consortium Trilogy #2)
Freezing Aversion (Consortium Trilogy #2)
BL Maxwell | 2021 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
FREEZING AVERSION is the second book in the Consortium Trilogy and I would absolutely recommend you read it as a series, rather than a set of standalones.

I haven't read the first book and, as such, I was lost for a while. There is obviously a connection between those in the first and second books. Not only that but the Consortium itself. Because Benjamin was sent on a hunt without knowing the name of the vampire he tracked, it also made the beginning slightly confusing as I had no idea who was who until the story picked up and I was able to put the pieces together.

The link between Ben and Leon is a good one, but seemed to change overnight, as Ben goes from saying he likes Leon but doesn't feel the pull, to wanting nothing but him without any reason or circumstances given.

All in all, this was a good vampire read that may work better for those who have read the first book. B.L. Maxwell is an author who has written plenty of books that I have thoroughly enjoyed, and I have no hesitation in recommending her work, even if this one didn't fully work for 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!
Dec 28,2021
  
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Merissa (12557 KP) rated Landscape of a Marriage in Books

Aug 2, 2021 (Updated Jul 17, 2023)  
Landscape of a Marriage
Landscape of a Marriage
Gail Ward Olmsted | 2021 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
LANDSCAPE OF A MARRIAGE is a historical fiction story based on true events and people. In fact, the author is distantly related to one of the main characters by marriage.

Instead of focusing on the man himself, we follow his wife, Mary, and see their life through her eyes. They had good times and, undeniably, bad times too. Mary fell in love with her husband of convenience, and he, with her. That led them to a life of adventure and hardship, love and loss.

This was a great read, full of freeze-frame moments, stuck in time. The emotions come across clearly and help move this character-driven story forward. Some of the real-life events were glossed over slightly and I would have liked to have known more, but then, was Mary involved in them anyway?

I will admit to getting lost in the times given. I relied on Mary to tell me that Marion had grown, or that John was now forty-one, as there was no way I would remember from just seeing dates at the beginning of each chapter.

This was a historical fiction novel that I enjoyed and 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 2, 2021