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Something Blue (Darcy & Rachel, #2)
Emily Giffin | 2006 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.6 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
I read Something Borrowed 2 years ago, and after seeing the movie again recently, I decided to pick up this book. I didn't expect it to go in the direction that it did. I was hoping that the story would focus on Rachel and Dex, but instead, Darcy was the focus of this book.

After ending her relationship with Dex and Rachel. After calling off her wedding and finding out she is pregnant, Darcy has some big decisions to make. Marcus, the one she cheated on Dex with is the father of her children and while things with him should just fall into place, it's not working out that way.

So Darcy plans a trip to England to "visit" her childhood friend, Ethan. While there, she discovers a lot of things about Ethan, about herself, and about her relationships with others. She grows in ways she never thought that she would.
  
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Autumn (3 KP) rated Breaking Beautiful in Books

Jan 19, 2018  
BB
Breaking Beautiful
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
this book wasn't what I was expecting. most YA novels aren't when I think about it. anyway, this was wonderful. I think of it as a story of a girl discovering who she is and what she needs.
thankfully I have about zero experience and only academic knowledge about abusive relationships. therefore my only complaint was that there was no explanation in how Allie got into this destructive relationship. from a moralistic standpoint this is probably one of the worst books to give a teenager in an abusive relationship. it demonstrates no means of prevention or plausible solutions of extracting oneself from such a situation. apparently your only means of escape are 1. getting the shit beat out of you until your partner thinks you're dead or 2. your partner dies. not terribly plausible.
points for self-actualization and having a character with CP; big WTF for not helping anyone.
  
It’s Your Party, Die If You Want To
It’s Your Party, Die If You Want To
Vickie Fee | 2016 | Mystery
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Two Parties and a Murder
Party planner Liv McKay is busy with two parties before Halloween, but she’s making time for a retreat for the women business owners of Dixie, Tennessee. However, the first night, the group’s president is found murdered. Morgan Robison wasn’t well liked around town for multiple reasons, not the least of which is her reputation as a husband stealer. But why did she push someone at the retreat too far?

It was great to be back in Dixie with Liv, her best friend Di, and the rest of the characters I met in book one. They are all fun to be with, and I love their various relationships. The suspects are good, although the mystery gets derailed by party planning at times. Despite the weak pacing, there are some good twists and clues, and Liv picks up on the key clues in to time solve the mystery.
  
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Sarah (8 KP) rated Girls' Night Out in Books

Sep 4, 2018  
Girls' Night Out
Girls' Night Out
Liz Fenton | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.5 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
Gripping (3 more)
Perfect description of girl friendship
Page turner
Easy read
Love this book
Estranged friends Ashley, Natalie and Lauren take a vacation to Mexico to try to repair their lost friendships. The night before they are to return home Ashley disappears, leaving Natalie and Lauren to figure what happened to their 'friend'.

This book was gripping...from page one for me. We all have those friendships that become distant or strained through time. And this story takes you on the journey of hidden secrets and possibilities of when the truth comes out...can relationships survive nthe truth?!? Again, loved this booked, it was gripping, engaging and transported me to the beautiful location of Tulum, Mexico as Natalie and Lauren scramble to find out what happened to their missing friend.

Great work Liz and Lisa, you did it again and knocked it out of the park!
  
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing
Hank Green | 2018 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
9.3 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
I honestly got this book because it kept popping up everywhere. It sounded interesting enough but I wasn’t even sure I’d like it. But man, am I glad I did! April May stumbles into fame after recording herself with a statue that has popped up in Manhattan...and 63 other places around the world. Learning about these things, which she named Carl, supporting their goodness, and and figuring out what they want basically becomes her job. There are many who support her and many who oppose her, and some that even try to hurt her. We see how she deals with fame in her relationships and how she becomes obsessed with keeping up her image. We also learn about the Carls and the Dream that everyone has and how it all comes together. I seriously did not expect to like this book as much as I did. I definitely recommend!
  
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Awix (3310 KP) rated Monos (2019) in Movies

Oct 31, 2019  
Monos (2019)
Monos (2019)
2019 | Drama, Thriller
Colombian drama (with thriller elements) is strong on visual style and raw cinematic power. Eight child soldiers guard a hostage and a cow in the remote wilderness, but excitable teenagers and high-powered semi-automatic weapons are never an advisable mix, and the relationships within the group begin to deteriorate...

Don't get too hung up on the thriller angle, for while there is a degree of running around with guns and some shooting, this is much stronger on atmosphere and understated characterisation. The film obviously owes a debt to Lord of the Flies (the appearance of a pig's head on a stick at one point is an acknowledgement of this) but the movie is more oblique and less focused than that. Clearly heartfelt, with a striking soundtrack and some breathtaking moments of visual style; a memorable experience even if it's not a particularly comfortable one.
  
The Holiday (2006)
The Holiday (2006)
2006 | Comedy, Romance
Would've been better without Cameron Diaz...
I really wish Cameron Diaz hadn't been in this world. Theres something about her in this that is just so grating, she really overacts and just seems completely out of place.

It's a shame really, because everything else in this film is quite likeable. The plot is straightforward (I'm currently googling how to do a house exchange with a stranger from LA) and the rest of the cast are great. Jude Law is a loveable English gent - maybe a little too OTT at times but he's still adorable. Jack Black and Kate Winsley are by far the best things about this film though. Their interactions and relationships both together and with others (her neighbour) are just so damn cute and fun to watch. This definitely isn't no Love Actually, but if it hadn't have been for Cameron Diaz this would actually be pretty good.