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Debbiereadsbook (1546 KP) rated Austin (Learning to Love #4) by Con Riley in Books
Jun 2, 2022
emotional, but beautifully written!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 4 in the Learning To Love series but can be read as a stand-alone. I do, however, recommend all three books before this: Charles, Sol and Luke, but especially Luke. Austin pops up a lot in that book and I think you need to see that side of him, before you get to this side, you know?
And two very different sides to Austin they are, too! But once you get into his mind, and you see why he is like that, you can understand. Because Austin is in a lot of pain about something, and that something takes time to come out, the whole story isn't made clear til right near, so you are left putting a picture together of the clues, and the one I made was so very wrong.
But Dom, too, is in some pain, just a very different sort. And Austin helps him in ways he never knew he needed. Not just with Maisie, his daughter, but with his heart too.
I loved Dom, and Austin, both together and apart. Austin does some serious soul searching here and he makes amends with some people (not saying who though!) He has his "light bulb" moment right near the end, though, and really does his best to return home, or rather, home comes to him.
It's heavy on the emotions, this one, but light on the smexy times, and I loved that.
Again, only Austin has a say. I would have, ordinarily, said I needed to hear from Dom, but Dom has a lot to say, without words, and I heard him just fine. That's not to say I didn't WANT to hear from Dom, because I'm greedy, just that I felt I didn't NEED to hear from him, you know?
We caught up with Charles and Luke and Sol, and also with Sol's nephew Cameron. I think Cameron's part here was very much needed for both him and Austin, given their history. And the gift giving thing was awesome!
But, as much as I loved Austin and Dom, I have to say I think little Maisie stole the show here! She loved Austin Russell right from the start, it took her daddy time to catch her up!
Emotional, but wonderfully written and told.
5 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 4 in the Learning To Love series but can be read as a stand-alone. I do, however, recommend all three books before this: Charles, Sol and Luke, but especially Luke. Austin pops up a lot in that book and I think you need to see that side of him, before you get to this side, you know?
And two very different sides to Austin they are, too! But once you get into his mind, and you see why he is like that, you can understand. Because Austin is in a lot of pain about something, and that something takes time to come out, the whole story isn't made clear til right near, so you are left putting a picture together of the clues, and the one I made was so very wrong.
But Dom, too, is in some pain, just a very different sort. And Austin helps him in ways he never knew he needed. Not just with Maisie, his daughter, but with his heart too.
I loved Dom, and Austin, both together and apart. Austin does some serious soul searching here and he makes amends with some people (not saying who though!) He has his "light bulb" moment right near the end, though, and really does his best to return home, or rather, home comes to him.
It's heavy on the emotions, this one, but light on the smexy times, and I loved that.
Again, only Austin has a say. I would have, ordinarily, said I needed to hear from Dom, but Dom has a lot to say, without words, and I heard him just fine. That's not to say I didn't WANT to hear from Dom, because I'm greedy, just that I felt I didn't NEED to hear from him, you know?
We caught up with Charles and Luke and Sol, and also with Sol's nephew Cameron. I think Cameron's part here was very much needed for both him and Austin, given their history. And the gift giving thing was awesome!
But, as much as I loved Austin and Dom, I have to say I think little Maisie stole the show here! She loved Austin Russell right from the start, it took her daddy time to catch her up!
Emotional, but wonderfully written and told.
5 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Debbiereadsbook (1546 KP) rated Filtration Play (Leather and Lattes #4) in Books
Sep 25, 2025
steamy and emotional
I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 4 in the Leather and Lattes series, but you can read it as a stand alone book. Reading the other books will give you the bigger picture of Whipped and the people who work/live/play there and their kinks and the relationships between them, but it's not necessary. HOWEVER! I loved them and I think you should, if only cos I said so!
Ollie is newly single, and a bit in the closet about his bi-sexaulity. He finds himself dragged by his brother to Whipped, and is smitten immediately by Fin, who gives him an offer he cannot refuse. There follows a wonderful story about two people finding their own place in the world, not in anyone's shadow or on anyone's coat tail.
I really enjoyed this, I can't quite love it and I hate that I cann't say why! (insert wailing!)
I liked that Fin and Ollie get a say. I loved the immediate and powerful connection between these two. It burns bright and hot from their very first meeting, and does not let up. It sets the page on fire at points and I lovevd that Fin was able to let themself go with Ollie and just BE, you know? They needed someone like Ollie in their life, their bed and most importantly, in their heart.
I loved that Ollie walks into that first playnight knowing full well what might happen, and it does, but with Fin at his side, he revels in the attention. Ollie loved that Fin and ONLY Fin would be taking him that night: Ollie know and Fin knew it and I think that's why they both enjoyed themselves so much.
The emotioanl connection comes fast and furious, but it's Fin who runs when things get tough. Having their business trashed by a bitter excuse of a woman was almost what broke their relationship with Ollie but it's Ollie who says the magic words to Fin and they make their way HOME, to Ollie.
What didn't work, I've no idea so I'm leaving it at that, but I will continue with this series, cos I love the whole set-up at Whipped and I *LOVE* the people in it!
4 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 4 in the Leather and Lattes series, but you can read it as a stand alone book. Reading the other books will give you the bigger picture of Whipped and the people who work/live/play there and their kinks and the relationships between them, but it's not necessary. HOWEVER! I loved them and I think you should, if only cos I said so!
Ollie is newly single, and a bit in the closet about his bi-sexaulity. He finds himself dragged by his brother to Whipped, and is smitten immediately by Fin, who gives him an offer he cannot refuse. There follows a wonderful story about two people finding their own place in the world, not in anyone's shadow or on anyone's coat tail.
I really enjoyed this, I can't quite love it and I hate that I cann't say why! (insert wailing!)
I liked that Fin and Ollie get a say. I loved the immediate and powerful connection between these two. It burns bright and hot from their very first meeting, and does not let up. It sets the page on fire at points and I lovevd that Fin was able to let themself go with Ollie and just BE, you know? They needed someone like Ollie in their life, their bed and most importantly, in their heart.
I loved that Ollie walks into that first playnight knowing full well what might happen, and it does, but with Fin at his side, he revels in the attention. Ollie loved that Fin and ONLY Fin would be taking him that night: Ollie know and Fin knew it and I think that's why they both enjoyed themselves so much.
The emotioanl connection comes fast and furious, but it's Fin who runs when things get tough. Having their business trashed by a bitter excuse of a woman was almost what broke their relationship with Ollie but it's Ollie who says the magic words to Fin and they make their way HOME, to Ollie.
What didn't work, I've no idea so I'm leaving it at that, but I will continue with this series, cos I love the whole set-up at Whipped and I *LOVE* the people in it!
4 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
In the Garden of Dandelions
Games and Book
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Do you sometimes get that feeling of wanting to escape everyday life for a bit? “In the Garden of...
ClareR (5991 KP) rated Jane Seymour: The Haunted Queen in Books
May 3, 2018
Tudor England at it's best!
Everyone knows the stories of Henry VIII and his six wives, don't they? Jane Seymour always seems to be the quietest, almost childlike, always doing as she's told. This novel paints a very different picture of her. She is a young woman of her time: obedient to her parents and the males in her family, religious, and ready to do her part as a woman (and that means bearing children!).
This novel looks at how she probably wasn't as innocent as we have always been led to believe. In all honesty, she lived at court - a place where family loyalties and wealth were above all else in importance: she couldn't afford to be an innocent.
I like the Jane that Weir portrays. She's resilient and cares deeply about her family and HER Queen (Katherine of Aragon). I really liked this book and all of the courtly intrigues: Tudor England has always fascinated me. It was such a sad end for Jane, and the authors extended notes at the end really explained well what she and some experts thought had really happened to her and why she died (heres a clue: it wasn't childbirth). I will be going back to the first two books in this series to read about Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn in preparation for Katherine Howard (wife #4 - and that should be a good one!!).
This novel looks at how she probably wasn't as innocent as we have always been led to believe. In all honesty, she lived at court - a place where family loyalties and wealth were above all else in importance: she couldn't afford to be an innocent.
I like the Jane that Weir portrays. She's resilient and cares deeply about her family and HER Queen (Katherine of Aragon). I really liked this book and all of the courtly intrigues: Tudor England has always fascinated me. It was such a sad end for Jane, and the authors extended notes at the end really explained well what she and some experts thought had really happened to her and why she died (heres a clue: it wasn't childbirth). I will be going back to the first two books in this series to read about Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn in preparation for Katherine Howard (wife #4 - and that should be a good one!!).
Nikki Massey (8 KP) rated The Hunger Games in Books
Feb 7, 2019 (Updated Feb 7, 2019)
Unexpected inspiring read
I really didn't know what to expect of this novel. It seemed very much like a teen/young adult novel but I actually found myself gripped in the twists and turns of the story and unable to put the book down as a thirty-something-year-old!
I felt an instant connection to Katniss and could almost picture myself as her.
She may be young and not the biggest or strongest character but she made up for that in guts and brains.
She is a selfless young woman who put the needs of her family in front of everything else. She listened and learned and that gave her survival skills. She was smart and figured out the game and what would keep her alive.
It's refreshing to find a novel where the lead female character wasn't just a stupid and vacant girly girl but actually strong and intelligent. This is the type of role that should be featured more to inspire and motivate more women. To show you don't have to just like the material things in life and you don't need a man to get you out of a tricky situation. In fact, you end up saving the guy and are the heroine of the tale.
I can't wait to read the other two books in the series! I'm just waiting on the postman to deliver them!
I felt an instant connection to Katniss and could almost picture myself as her.
She may be young and not the biggest or strongest character but she made up for that in guts and brains.
She is a selfless young woman who put the needs of her family in front of everything else. She listened and learned and that gave her survival skills. She was smart and figured out the game and what would keep her alive.
It's refreshing to find a novel where the lead female character wasn't just a stupid and vacant girly girl but actually strong and intelligent. This is the type of role that should be featured more to inspire and motivate more women. To show you don't have to just like the material things in life and you don't need a man to get you out of a tricky situation. In fact, you end up saving the guy and are the heroine of the tale.
I can't wait to read the other two books in the series! I'm just waiting on the postman to deliver them!
ClareR (5991 KP) rated The Cactus in Books
Jan 27, 2018
A rather unexpected story!
I noticed the cover of this first - it's not like the picture here. It's densely covered with cacti (no humans!). I've bought so many books based purely on the cover and surprisingly (or is that 'fortunately'?), it's not often that I'm disappointed. I certainly wasn't disappointed here either. The main character, Susan, you quickly learn is the cactus. She collects them, and she seems to have learnt from their defence mechanism: if you're prickly, no one wants to get too close. I've seen a few reviewers refer to her as being on the autistic spectrum, but I would argue that that really isn't the case at all: and as you read further in to the story, you can see that this stand-offishness has been cultivated on purpose.
There is no rush to this story, but plenty happens. There's LOADS of character building: we get a really good insight into Susan and how she ticks. I found myself really plugging for her and wanting her to find her happy ending. The characters who populate her world are also really likeable, even her rogue of a brother (who she has the measure of right from the beginning). I'd love to know what happens next - I'm not a huge fan of sequels, but if someone (the author, perhaps!) could just satisfy my curiosity, that would be great!
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read such a great book!
There is no rush to this story, but plenty happens. There's LOADS of character building: we get a really good insight into Susan and how she ticks. I found myself really plugging for her and wanting her to find her happy ending. The characters who populate her world are also really likeable, even her rogue of a brother (who she has the measure of right from the beginning). I'd love to know what happens next - I'm not a huge fan of sequels, but if someone (the author, perhaps!) could just satisfy my curiosity, that would be great!
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read such a great book!
Kristin (149 KP) rated The Experiment in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is a sci-fi novel with a very interesting premise: Most of the universe is made up of several large-scale experiments, trying to determine the theory of evolution as it applies to "preintelloids," as they are referred to. How fast does this happen? What is the process by which that last jump occurs to full-scale intelligence as they see it? And how can it be scientifically controlled in such a way so as not to interfere?
The book bounces back and forth between those controlling the experiment and those who are actually pieces of it, and it's a great way to see the differences between the two groups. The aliens are incredibly scientific in how they approach everything, and everyone else is just going about their business, considering they have no idea about the big picture involved. However, when things advance at a rate that was unexpected beforehand, those in charge have to figure out how to handle the situation and whether or not it's worth it to continue and see where the subjects go from there.
This story is very thought-provoking, and it really makes you ask: What if this is true? What if all we are is a giant petri dish for an alien race? And what happens if we're considered an unsuccessful experiment?
4 stars
This is a sci-fi novel with a very interesting premise: Most of the universe is made up of several large-scale experiments, trying to determine the theory of evolution as it applies to "preintelloids," as they are referred to. How fast does this happen? What is the process by which that last jump occurs to full-scale intelligence as they see it? And how can it be scientifically controlled in such a way so as not to interfere?
The book bounces back and forth between those controlling the experiment and those who are actually pieces of it, and it's a great way to see the differences between the two groups. The aliens are incredibly scientific in how they approach everything, and everyone else is just going about their business, considering they have no idea about the big picture involved. However, when things advance at a rate that was unexpected beforehand, those in charge have to figure out how to handle the situation and whether or not it's worth it to continue and see where the subjects go from there.
This story is very thought-provoking, and it really makes you ask: What if this is true? What if all we are is a giant petri dish for an alien race? And what happens if we're considered an unsuccessful experiment?
4 stars
Paint & color mandalas Coloring book for adults
Book and Entertainment
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Relax and enjoy the mandalas, will help you develop your creative side, intuitive and spiritual....
Please, Mister Postman
Book
In July 1969, while the Rolling Stones played a free concert in Hyde Park, Alan Johnson and his...