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It takes Two is the first book I’ve read by Erin Nicholas. It was also the first I read in the Counting on Love series, and I hate when I read a series out of order. The good news is that these books can stand on their own with minimal carrying over and lots of explanation to previous happenings.

Isabelle Dixon thought she could have a wild and crazy night before she has to settle herself into a new lifestyle because of a medical issue. She thinks Shane Kelley is the perfect candidate for the job. 6 months later she can’t believe she is still seeking him out and can’t seem to let go.

Shane Kelley has fallen fast and hard for Isabelle Dixon. He has asked her to move in with him multiple times and won’t take no for an answer. He thought their biggest obstacle was her brother Connor but it seems like they can’t get past something bigger. He won’t give up even when she seems to be keeping something really big from him.

Isabelle and Shane take a humorous road trip to find out if they can truly make it work between them. Each stop, on their way to a vacation house, has humor, angst, trials and truths. There may also be a little fun game included in their adventure, not known to all the parties involved.
 
I love the dynamic between the Dixon sisters, each with their own strengths and issues. Isabelle seems like a good mix of a party girl with a stay at home girl. She has to make some big choices with an unexpected health issue that hits her. She wants to hide herself away from the world but also loves being with Shane. Can she have it both ways and have them both happy?

Shane is the over the top, romantic boyfriend we all crave in life. Well maybe. He does go a little over the top sometimes but hey props for creativity. He loves Isabelle and wants to be with her all day every day. He knows she is hiding something from him but can he overcome the issues to make her happy for forever?

If you haven’t read anything by Erin Nicholas, what are you thinking? The Counting on Love series, which apparently is a semi continuation of the Bradfords series with brief appearances by some Bradford characters, is the perfect place to start. I haven’t read the Bradford series yet but I’m anxious to now since completing the Counting on Love series.
  
Eleanor & Park
Eleanor & Park
Rainbow Rowell | 2016 | Young Adult (YA)
Contains spoilers, click to show
It was a strange kind of wonderful, reading this book. It is a romance in its purest form and has been written with so much care and tenderness. Eleanor & Park is unlike any book I have ever read - so far at least. The romantic build is slow, dramatic and captiviting, and it defies the stereotypes of everyday life. Eleanor is not your average teenage girl. She's not popular. She's not blonde. She's not stick thin. Her family is not rich. She is different and Rainbow Rowell reaffirms that idea again and again. She has a big mess of red hair. She's a social outcast. She's bullied. She comes from a broken family. She's anxious and self-conscious. She is so different and so far off the spectrum, that it was a never ending thrill hearing her side of the story, hearing of her struggles and passions. Reading from Eleanor's point of view really brought the whole world into perspective, and made me think in ways I have never done so before. Now. What can I say about Park without repeating myself? What I like most about him is his characterisation. Why? Because it sets him apart from the typical male protagonist you find in most Teen Fiction novels. He's quirky. He's sarcastic. He's a closet romantic. He's Asian. He wears make up. He too is an outcast. This alone makes him different, but no less intriguing or entertaining to read. I truly admire his devotion to Eleanor. Even when she tries to push him away, he's always there for her and he always loves her, despite her taciturn moods and snappy comments. He loves her so deeply and without shame. Needless to say, I wish there were more boys like him. Now, the ending was ambiguous and rather bittersweet. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed, but somehow I found it quite fitting; considering what happened and how far both Eleanor and Park had come, since their first meeting on the school bus. It's not the perfect happily-ever-after, but it was full of potential and hope that it was, in its own little way. It left a smile on my face, at least. Needless to say, I would recommend Eleanor and Park to anyone. From the setting to the characters to the little hidden messages, it is a real story. It is a real romance and it will move you; body and soul.
  
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Lindsay (1717 KP) rated Horizon in Books

Sep 7, 2017  
Horizon
Horizon
Tabitha Lord | 2015 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Caeli is one member that has a few unique skills. There is a commander in trouble with his spaceship. Will he survive? Caeli is part of the few survivors of her world. She is taken from her home and put with someone that being dictator.
 
Tabitha is a good author and she brings it all to life. What will happen on Horizon. Will the commander and Caeli get together and help save the crew, and find love in each other? She happy to work on the ship in where she loves working.
 
We go on adventures through inner space and what life is like on Horizon. Will they all survive or not? I enjoyed this book from the first page to the last page. I cannot wait to start the second book that I do have in this series. The author has done wonderfully with it. There are surprises throughout the book and some romance as well.

I believe this book is good for though science fiction but also I would suggest teens read it from the age of 14 and up. The parent has the right to decide. It being rated PG 13 so it would be okay for 13 years old if you the parent this your child or children are mature enough for the book. That is up to you.
  
I don’t know what to say about this story. It has me feeling negative and angry. I gave it 4 stars because though I was lost and confused while reading it wasn’t a horrible story. Just not a story I could relate to or understand.
There are multiple women that they focus on coming in and out of Nico's life. Luna is at a point in her life where she needs to feel validated for everything. Nico gives her this. What she really gets is a need to always please and be with Nico. She has a husband that loves her but isn’t demanding or possessive. She wants him to give her what she feels with Nico.
I’ve never been in this type of situation or felt these feelings these women have. From my view I feel that they didn’t want to believe what they already knew. They chose not to see the negative that was clearly present to everyone else.
When they said this compares to 50 Shades of Grey and other dark books I was excited. I find myself just continuing to read it because I got the book so I needed to read it. It was a good story but it wasn’t something that I think I want to read again. The characters were different I wasn’t a fan of Luna because she was basically saying that her relationship with her husband wasn’t enough. You’ve been married to this man for a really long time and yet you can’t come forward and tell him how you feel about what’s going on?
All the other women were so naïve. This man has so much power over them to pressure them to do things that they normally wouldn’t even think about doing.
  
Visiting The Sins
Visiting The Sins
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book is best on different then any other. Though there seems to be a secret that no one seem to know about Rebanelle and her husband and father to Curtis Jean.

There seems to be a story about mothers and daughters. You see them struggle and what they decide to do what best for their loves ones. It seem to be a story about Curtis Jean mostly.

Curtis Jean does she accept and change the life with her husband and her two daughters. Does she fall backwards? What the legacy of this family and what could destroy everything in it path. There seems to be death around the corner. That it mean to them do they pray to god in one way or not.

I advise that you watch with your children who reads this book. For there is some things that are said that is only meant for adults. I say though of ages of 13 plus would be a good idea to read this book. It seem to be about men and drinking and all that kind of things.
  
The Poison Season
The Poison Season
Mara Rutherford | 2022 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
If an outsider somehow makes it onto Endla they’re given a choice of death: the Forest or the lake.

Leelo was born and raised coexisting with the Wandering Forest located on the small island of Endla, and as much as she loves her community, she struggles with the fact that because her brother is an incanto, one without magic, he will be exiled by his next birthday.

When Leelo sees an outsider on the verge of drowning, she knows what she’s supposed to do - but in an instant, Leelo betrays everything she’s ever grown up. This leads to discoveries and consequences for both Leelo and the outsider, Jaren. But, as they grow closer, Leelo begins to question every fabric of her life.

I really enjoyed the premise of this novel - a creepy, evil forest that kills outsiders? Sign me up! Mara Rutherford did an amazing job at world building in this novel and establishing Leelo as a character. Because of how established she was, when Leelo begins to question her beliefs and lifestyle, it makes the book all the more interesting. It also gives you a bit of a chance to piece together your assumptions of the puzzle pieces Leelo is gathering and it was kind of fun to be able to say, “I knew it…”, when some of it came together.

The romance aspect of this novel is kind of what I would expect from a YA - not exactly instant love, but it was kind of close to it. But, Leelo and Jaren were sweet and I actually enjoyed their relationship and how they learned about each other and though it felt a little rushed, I still was rooting for them.

Overall, I think anyone who loves a good fantasy romance would greatly enjoy this book. And, even if you don’t like romance novels, I still think fantasy readers would enjoy the world building Rutherford has done.

*Thank you Inkyard Press for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
  
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Gail (4 KP) rated The Deal in Books

Jun 4, 2018  
TD
The Deal
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Ok this was steamy and dreamy. The author did this couple justice in bringing them together with her word magic. We continue one month later after the First Sight. Beth is back at work and moving forward with her business as a designer. When out of nowhere Adam Blaire finds her and presents her with a deal she doesn’t want to turn down.
Okay I enjoyed this couple in the prequel but they had me falling deeper in this book. Beth doesn’t do emotions she doesn’t want or need the baggage. But with the way Adam is digging his way under her skin she might not have a choice. But when Adam gives her ultimatums and leaves her at the door she walks away. Can they find their way back to each other or will their beginning be their end?
Man I’ve read some steamy books in my life but this one is at the top. Adam is just wow. He has stamina out of this world. The way he loves her and gives himself to her. Dream come true. Beth just does it without knowing she’s doing it. Gives him her all without fully knowing she did it.
If you're reading this review before buying this book you're wasting precious reading time. You could’ve already been in love with this author like me.
  
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Merissa (12061 KP) rated Eeny Meeny by Laura N. Andrews in Books

Jun 15, 2022 (Updated Jun 19, 2023)  
Eeny Meeny by Laura N. Andrews
Eeny Meeny by Laura N. Andrews
Laura N. Andrews | 2022 | Romance, Thriller
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
EENY MEENY is a standalone novella in the Nursery Crimes series. I have to say, this is the first time I've read about a psychopath as the main GOOD character!

Honestly? This novella was brilliant. Originally, I planned on giving 4-stars but then I realised that there is nothing wrong with the story as it is. It's just me being greedy, wanting a full-blown novel. Of course, with it being a novella, the pacing is fast and the emotional connection between the main characters is pretty much instant, but still!

This is a complete story, including details of Elizabeth's childhood, her relationship with her mum, and her feelings for Isaac. She may not have the full scope of emotions but she loves him with all that she is. And that is enough! You also find out about those she targets and why. It really is all here.

Ms Andrews' writing never disappoints! Very different to what she's written previously, she nevertheless nailed it. Very different and I loved every word. 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 8, 2022