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Merissa (13414 KP) rated Charisma Check (Dungeons and Dating #6) in Books
May 23, 2023
CHARISMA CHECK is the sixth and final book in the Dungeons and Dating series, and you should really read these amazing books in order to get the full benefit. This is a 5-star series, simple as that.
Everything we have come to hold dear is threatened in this book and it about killed me! Add to that, Matt and Jasper, two characters who have made themselves known in previous books - even if it's only superficially. Oh, boy. These two. I loved them both so much. Jasper about broke me though and I'm not ashamed to say it. His backstory was a killer and his actions throughout the series take on a whole new light. Matt has had an easier time of it in the past to a degree but has had to deal with numerous failed relationships and, in the present, he has to deal with his best friend leaving him. Together, they are guaranteed to give you the warm fuzzies.
Everyone shows up in this book, much to my delight. Happy tears were shed and I finished the book with a HUGE smile on my face. I can't wait to return at Christmas to the D&D group at Tabletop Tavern, as well as begin with the guys from Whipped in Leather & Lattes.
Absolutely brilliant all the way through. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by 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!
May 23, 2023
Everything we have come to hold dear is threatened in this book and it about killed me! Add to that, Matt and Jasper, two characters who have made themselves known in previous books - even if it's only superficially. Oh, boy. These two. I loved them both so much. Jasper about broke me though and I'm not ashamed to say it. His backstory was a killer and his actions throughout the series take on a whole new light. Matt has had an easier time of it in the past to a degree but has had to deal with numerous failed relationships and, in the present, he has to deal with his best friend leaving him. Together, they are guaranteed to give you the warm fuzzies.
Everyone shows up in this book, much to my delight. Happy tears were shed and I finished the book with a HUGE smile on my face. I can't wait to return at Christmas to the D&D group at Tabletop Tavern, as well as begin with the guys from Whipped in Leather & Lattes.
Absolutely brilliant all the way through. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by 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!
May 23, 2023
Increase Your Emotional Intelligence By Recalibrating Your Mind
Book
INCREASE YOUR EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE BY RECALIBRATING YOUR MIND ( CHANGE YOUR LIFE BY CHANGING YOUR...
self-help
A Prodigy in Auschwitz: Simon
Book
When Nazi Germany troops enter Krakow, Poland on September 2, 1939, fourteen-year-old Simon Baron...
Historical Fiction WWII Auschwitz Jewish Survivor Story
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2436 KP) rated The Library Game in Books
Apr 18, 2025 (Updated Apr 18, 2025)
Murder Strolls into a Library
Tempest Raj and the rest of the team are working on turning a house into a new library in Hidden Creek, this one focused on classic mysteries. While the library isn’t ready to open yet, they are participating in the Summer Stroll program that kicks off in a few days. Their contribution will be an escape room and an interactive mystery play that Tempest wrote with her best friend, Ivy. Naturally, Tempest is there for a dress rehearsal. Unfortunately, it goes horribly wrong with one of the actors turning up dead after a scripted power outage. However, by the time they call the police, the body is gone. Is he really dead? If so, who moved the body?
The case is even more impossible than I was able to work into my teaser, and I had fun watching Tempest lead us to the logical solution. The pacing might have lagged a bit in the middle, but that might be me. It was fantastic to spend time with all the regulars again, and I’m curious where some of the relationships will go from here. The suspects were good, too. We get a delicious sounding recipe for Blackberry Crumble Cobbler and more references to classic mysteries. I really need to find a time to read some of them. This book will work well as an intro/standalone if you haven’t read the earlier books in the series yet. But you’ll want to go back to read them after the fun you’ll have here. Fans will be glad they picked up this book.
The case is even more impossible than I was able to work into my teaser, and I had fun watching Tempest lead us to the logical solution. The pacing might have lagged a bit in the middle, but that might be me. It was fantastic to spend time with all the regulars again, and I’m curious where some of the relationships will go from here. The suspects were good, too. We get a delicious sounding recipe for Blackberry Crumble Cobbler and more references to classic mysteries. I really need to find a time to read some of them. This book will work well as an intro/standalone if you haven’t read the earlier books in the series yet. But you’ll want to go back to read them after the fun you’ll have here. Fans will be glad they picked up this book.
Merissa (13414 KP) rated Knights of Stone: Calum in Books
Sep 27, 2017
Knights of Stone: Calum (Highland Gargoyles #5) by Lisa Carlisle
Calum is the youngest of the Gargoyle brothers, and along with Gavin, has vowed never to be tied down like his brothers. However, he has been restless of late, and feels the need to fly more often. It is on one of these flights that he encounters a Pegasus and Dragon - neither of which he thought were real. His protective instincts kick in, and he fights the dragon, helping the Pegasus to escape. Once they are both on land, they speak, and Calum finds out that this Pegasus is called Arielle, and she is from a different realm. Now, apart from Bryce, all the brothers have inter-species relationships, but I never thought of an inter-realm one. And poor Calum and Arielle don't think that a long distance relationship like that (where you will never see the other one again) will work. Calum is torn because he wants to help Arielle, but he doesn't want her to leave him.
With good guys, and bad guys, and overprotective mothers, Lisa Carlisle has managed to weave another great story in this series. There is only Gavin left, and I can't wait to read his story, being as no one can see him settling down! With no editing or grammatical errors, there was nothing about this book that caught my attention in a bad way. It was a lovely story, with a smooth pace, and some angst in it for those that don't like a smooth road. All-in-all, a great read and definitely 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!
With good guys, and bad guys, and overprotective mothers, Lisa Carlisle has managed to weave another great story in this series. There is only Gavin left, and I can't wait to read his story, being as no one can see him settling down! With no editing or grammatical errors, there was nothing about this book that caught my attention in a bad way. It was a lovely story, with a smooth pace, and some angst in it for those that don't like a smooth road. All-in-all, a great read and definitely 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!
Merissa (13414 KP) rated Rise & Fall (THIRDS #4) in Books
Jun 27, 2017
Rise & Fall (THIRDS #4) by Charlie Cochet
OMG!!! Rise and Fall continues where Rack and Ruin finished. With both Sloane and Ash injured, and the team in the crosshairs, Sparks takes them off the case. Of course, Dex is none too pleased with that, especially as it was Sloane who got injured. So, he decides that he can't sit back and do nothing, and goes maverick. Now, with the team being more than just a team, it doesn't quite work out the way he thought it would. Also, Sloane is no slouch in the old brain department and figures out what Dex is doing. With more crossing over than Dex realises, Ash is looking out for him and telling Sloane, Austen is reporting both to Seb and Sloane, whilst giving out information to Dex. You get the idea. There is so much going on in this book, and yet there is still time for the relationships. Cael and Ash, Calvin and Hobbs, and now Bradley and Lou too.
What I love about these books is that the overall story arc continues, with plenty of action, twists and turns, and yet there is still 'time' for the couples. We learn more about Ash and Cael, Calvin, Hobbs, and ZZ Top (still laughing about that), and don't forget my favourite couple of all - Sloane and Dex. I really can't say how much I am loving this series, with plenty of moments to make me laugh out loud. I will drop two hints for those who know - white nurse's uniform and Tony and Old Betsy, not forgetting when Tony calls Dex 'Pocahontas'!!!
Can't wait for the next book, and highly recommend this one!
* Verified Purchase ~ April 2017 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
What I love about these books is that the overall story arc continues, with plenty of action, twists and turns, and yet there is still 'time' for the couples. We learn more about Ash and Cael, Calvin, Hobbs, and ZZ Top (still laughing about that), and don't forget my favourite couple of all - Sloane and Dex. I really can't say how much I am loving this series, with plenty of moments to make me laugh out loud. I will drop two hints for those who know - white nurse's uniform and Tony and Old Betsy, not forgetting when Tony calls Dex 'Pocahontas'!!!
Can't wait for the next book, and highly recommend this one!
* Verified Purchase ~ April 2017 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Danielle (6 KP) rated A Little Life in Books
Jul 25, 2017
Queer relationships (3 more)
Character driven
Insanely engrossing
Beautifully written
Read this months ago and I'm still crying over it
oh my god. this fucking book. IT MADE ME CRY THREE TIMES. AND I'M NOT ONE TO CRY OVER BOOKS.
I loved this book. It was so incredibly engrossing and heart wrenching. I am surprised that I liked this book though because most of the themes in this book (mental health issues, self-harm, self-deprecation, that pretty much all the characters in the book were men) would typically have me going "ehh, this wasn't for me".
As the reader I felt like I was in the same boat as Willem and Harold where we were all in love (in some fashion) with Jude and we all just wanted to shake him and be like "talk to us, Jude! it's okay!".
I also found this book to be unbelievable only because I am doubting how good humanity could be. Like I found it unbelievable that Jude had people like Willem, Harold, Andy, Richard who all just unfaltering were there for him over and over and over again. How did they just not give up on him? Regardless, I think I also loved the book for these same reasons that I found unbelievable.
Also, the cover of this book is just so fucking perfect. I would have the book on my desk at work and I would always flip it over so I didn't have to look at how heartbreakingly sad the man looked on the cover. Then I found on the back sleeve that the photo is titled "Orgasmic Man" and ughhhh it's all just so perfect for this story.
UGH. MY HEART. IT'S TOO HEAVY.
I loved this book. It was so incredibly engrossing and heart wrenching. I am surprised that I liked this book though because most of the themes in this book (mental health issues, self-harm, self-deprecation, that pretty much all the characters in the book were men) would typically have me going "ehh, this wasn't for me".
As the reader I felt like I was in the same boat as Willem and Harold where we were all in love (in some fashion) with Jude and we all just wanted to shake him and be like "talk to us, Jude! it's okay!".
I also found this book to be unbelievable only because I am doubting how good humanity could be. Like I found it unbelievable that Jude had people like Willem, Harold, Andy, Richard who all just unfaltering were there for him over and over and over again. How did they just not give up on him? Regardless, I think I also loved the book for these same reasons that I found unbelievable.
Also, the cover of this book is just so fucking perfect. I would have the book on my desk at work and I would always flip it over so I didn't have to look at how heartbreakingly sad the man looked on the cover. Then I found on the back sleeve that the photo is titled "Orgasmic Man" and ughhhh it's all just so perfect for this story.
UGH. MY HEART. IT'S TOO HEAVY.
Uptown Oracle (24 KP) rated One of us is Lying in Books
Jan 13, 2018
One of Us is Lying is a mix between the Breakfast Club and Pretty Little Liars. Five strangers walk into detention but only 4 walk out alive. The four have to work together to find the culprit, but the blame could easily be on one of them.
The book follows all 4 of the students who were in detention. They're stereotyped as the brain, beauty, jock and the criminal. But they are also so much more. The character arcs show how much they change in the weeks after the murder. One of Us is Lying also shows us insights into who they really are and the differences between public and private personas.
The characters were also likable and realistic. Unlike Pretty Little Liars, they dont do stupid things which will put themselves in worse situations. Their problems were also relatable, and their relationships felt real. Some of the issues tackled are social media usage, depression, sexuality, abuse, etc. There's so much packed into one book due to the vastly different characters involved.
The mystery of the book was so interesting and I didn't see it coming. It seems kind of obvious in hindsight, and I know a lot of people did guess. But I very rarely read mystery style books, and I often don't focus too much on the clues. That's my excuse for not figuring it out anyway.
Overall I really loved the book. There was exploration of different societal themes. The writing was good. Characters were likable and interesting. An all round good read. I would definitely recommend.
I received One of Us is Lying* by Karen M. McManus as an e-book from the publisher, Penguin Random House, via Netgalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
Uptown Oracle Reviews
The book follows all 4 of the students who were in detention. They're stereotyped as the brain, beauty, jock and the criminal. But they are also so much more. The character arcs show how much they change in the weeks after the murder. One of Us is Lying also shows us insights into who they really are and the differences between public and private personas.
The characters were also likable and realistic. Unlike Pretty Little Liars, they dont do stupid things which will put themselves in worse situations. Their problems were also relatable, and their relationships felt real. Some of the issues tackled are social media usage, depression, sexuality, abuse, etc. There's so much packed into one book due to the vastly different characters involved.
The mystery of the book was so interesting and I didn't see it coming. It seems kind of obvious in hindsight, and I know a lot of people did guess. But I very rarely read mystery style books, and I often don't focus too much on the clues. That's my excuse for not figuring it out anyway.
Overall I really loved the book. There was exploration of different societal themes. The writing was good. Characters were likable and interesting. An all round good read. I would definitely recommend.
I received One of Us is Lying* by Karen M. McManus as an e-book from the publisher, Penguin Random House, via Netgalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
Uptown Oracle Reviews
Butterfly child (6 KP) rated Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in Books
Jul 6, 2017
Exciting and interesting characters. (1 more)
A really good introduction to this whole world of wonder and magic.
Good introduction to a whole new world
Contains spoilers, click to show
When when I read the series as a child growing up alongside Harry Potter was a unique and amazing experience, so this book will always have a fond place in my heart where my love for all things HP grew, but on its own, its not the best of the series. For me, when everything leads up to one major excitement right at the end, (which I know Jk had to introduce the world and characters) which is why I still love this book, I much prefer the later books where we can get stuck right in with the story.
My absolute favourite part is Hagrid bursting into the little hut on the rock. Hagrid is one of my favourite characters, and his endearing and loveable personality and how he treats Harry is one of the most beautiful developed and truly inspiring relationships in the series.
I think the bad character (I won't spoil it just in case we have new readers) is probably the least developed and thus makes him in effect of my least favourite characters in the series.
Again I think could be because it's the first in the series but I just feel he lacks the evilness, possibly even charm of the other bad guys.
Overall, I will always love this book as it started me on a wonderful, journey, I already loved to read and had a bit of a geeky trait but this series fully cemented me in the love to read and the geek categories!
My absolute favourite part is Hagrid bursting into the little hut on the rock. Hagrid is one of my favourite characters, and his endearing and loveable personality and how he treats Harry is one of the most beautiful developed and truly inspiring relationships in the series.
I think the bad character (I won't spoil it just in case we have new readers) is probably the least developed and thus makes him in effect of my least favourite characters in the series.
Again I think could be because it's the first in the series but I just feel he lacks the evilness, possibly even charm of the other bad guys.
Overall, I will always love this book as it started me on a wonderful, journey, I already loved to read and had a bit of a geeky trait but this series fully cemented me in the love to read and the geek categories!
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated The Secret of Joy in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Thoughts: This is such a sweet heart-warming story about life and love, and takes the drama of ex-wives and love-sick ladies to a whole new level, giving it life and plausibility at the same time. How did Melissa do it? No idea. But she won me over.
This book asks a lot of questions about marriage, relationships, and love. Does the author answer all the questions? Not really—but she answers the ones that she needs to, and as for others, she lets her readers decide the answers for themselves. THE SECRET OF JOY makes the reader think about what forgiveness really is, what it means to love someone, and the responsibility of loving them.
Characters: Joy was my favorite character. She was a rough-tough-don’t-mess-with-me-you-cant-make-me-cry kinda girl. She held her facade well (most of the time) but when she showed her true colors, she was a gem. Michael, Rebecca’s boyfriend, was a bit of a confusing character. At first I really liked him but as the story went on, I got fed up with him and kept thinking “Rebecca, dump him, please.” I almost cried when Rebecca’s dad died. These characters in this story will beckon you.
Writing: Melissa held me captive with her unique writing style. It was relaxed and smooth, and flowed well, something that could be read aloud without too much problem.
Content: There was only an occasional swear word, and some mention of sex, but no details.
Recommendation: Ages 14+ to anyone craving a light-hearted sit-by-the-fire-with-tea kind of book.
**Thank you to Sarah from Pocketbooks for supplying my review copy!**
This book asks a lot of questions about marriage, relationships, and love. Does the author answer all the questions? Not really—but she answers the ones that she needs to, and as for others, she lets her readers decide the answers for themselves. THE SECRET OF JOY makes the reader think about what forgiveness really is, what it means to love someone, and the responsibility of loving them.
Characters: Joy was my favorite character. She was a rough-tough-don’t-mess-with-me-you-cant-make-me-cry kinda girl. She held her facade well (most of the time) but when she showed her true colors, she was a gem. Michael, Rebecca’s boyfriend, was a bit of a confusing character. At first I really liked him but as the story went on, I got fed up with him and kept thinking “Rebecca, dump him, please.” I almost cried when Rebecca’s dad died. These characters in this story will beckon you.
Writing: Melissa held me captive with her unique writing style. It was relaxed and smooth, and flowed well, something that could be read aloud without too much problem.
Content: There was only an occasional swear word, and some mention of sex, but no details.
Recommendation: Ages 14+ to anyone craving a light-hearted sit-by-the-fire-with-tea kind of book.
**Thank you to Sarah from Pocketbooks for supplying my review copy!**