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Merissa (13901 KP) rated Dad Next Door (Crimson Club #5) in Books
May 2, 2024
DAD NEXT DOOR is a slow-burn story in the Crimson Club series, featuring Tristan (the man of the title) and Quinn. Tristan is a vet, and Quinn is a dancer/cam-boy/businessman. They take things slowly due to their histories and IT WORKS! It unfolds in a completely natural way that is the right way for Quinn and Tristan.
I love how these two communicated without judging, and their issues were completely relatable and realistic. For these two, friendship came first, although the attraction was there on Tristan's part, at least. Quinn was a little slower as he hadn't put a label on himself but thought he was 'straight'.
This was the first book in the Crimson Club I have read, and now I definitely want to read the others. This was a cinnamon roll of a book that was just what I needed. 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!
May 1, 2024
I love how these two communicated without judging, and their issues were completely relatable and realistic. For these two, friendship came first, although the attraction was there on Tristan's part, at least. Quinn was a little slower as he hadn't put a label on himself but thought he was 'straight'.
This was the first book in the Crimson Club I have read, and now I definitely want to read the others. This was a cinnamon roll of a book that was just what I needed. 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!
May 1, 2024
Thorns The Bloom (Venusverse #3)
10.0
Rate It
Book
Sam is doing everything he can to bounce off the rock bottom and get his life back on track. After...
ClareR (6118 KP) rated Hunger and Thirst in Books
Apr 6, 2026
It’s no lie when I say that Claire Fuller is a writing chameleon - every book I’ve read has been a different genre. I’ve loved them all, as well.
Ursula has been in the care system, moving from one foster home and children’s home to another since she was 8 years old. We meet her as she starts her independent life in a halfway house, and a new job in an art school post room. She moves from the halfway house to a squat with a work colleague, and this is where it starts to get really uncomfortable. There’s a really menacing air to The Underwood, and that, along with Ursula’s traumatic childhood, really ramps up the tension.
In the present day, a documentary maker uncovers what she believes is the truth about that summer, and the adult Ursula, known as Uschi, realises that the past can never stay hidden.
I love a slow burn, and it really added to the menace and tension. There were some seriously scary elements, made worse by the fact that you never really see what you’re scared of (my favourite!). The contrast of Ursula’s friends home and The Underwood exacerbated the looming threat.
Ursula has been in the care system, moving from one foster home and children’s home to another since she was 8 years old. We meet her as she starts her independent life in a halfway house, and a new job in an art school post room. She moves from the halfway house to a squat with a work colleague, and this is where it starts to get really uncomfortable. There’s a really menacing air to The Underwood, and that, along with Ursula’s traumatic childhood, really ramps up the tension.
In the present day, a documentary maker uncovers what she believes is the truth about that summer, and the adult Ursula, known as Uschi, realises that the past can never stay hidden.
I love a slow burn, and it really added to the menace and tension. There were some seriously scary elements, made worse by the fact that you never really see what you’re scared of (my favourite!). The contrast of Ursula’s friends home and The Underwood exacerbated the looming threat.
Soul of Ash: Revised Edition (Death's Embrace #2)
Book
Half a year after the events of Heart of Dust, Doran Ó Seanáin now finds himself trapped between...
Bisexual Romance Dark Slow burn
Guarding What's Mine (Men of Maddox Security #3)
8.0
Rate It
Book
Protected by desire, hunted by danger—will love be enough to keep them safe? Aubree Ryan is...
Merissa (13901 KP) rated Bear Creek Thanksgiving (Holiday Mates #3) in Books
Feb 7, 2025
BEAR CREEK THANKSGIVING is the third book in the Holiday Mates series and you don't have to have read the previous stories, although I would recommend it as they are all enjoyable and recommended by me.
In this book, we meet Gruff and Dustin. Gruff is the shifter and owner of an orchard that he is expanding to include a shop plus other additions. Dustin is a young man who can cook but also knows how to manage, well, pretty much anything.
This is a slow-burn story with no unnecessary angst or miscommunication. Gruff and Dustin have their reasons for what they do, and both of them support each other. Not only that, but Dustin (the mere human) will also defend Gruff and his choices to his last breath.
I thoroughly enjoyed this addition to the series and found it well-paced throughout. A great story that I definitely recommend.
** 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!
Feb 3, 2025
In this book, we meet Gruff and Dustin. Gruff is the shifter and owner of an orchard that he is expanding to include a shop plus other additions. Dustin is a young man who can cook but also knows how to manage, well, pretty much anything.
This is a slow-burn story with no unnecessary angst or miscommunication. Gruff and Dustin have their reasons for what they do, and both of them support each other. Not only that, but Dustin (the mere human) will also defend Gruff and his choices to his last breath.
I thoroughly enjoyed this addition to the series and found it well-paced throughout. A great story that I definitely recommend.
** 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!
Feb 3, 2025
ClareR (6118 KP) rated The Sirens in Books
Nov 23, 2025
Well, we all know by now that I like a slow burn, and The Sirens delivers on that. I enjoyed the flashbacks to the Irish sisters being transported to Australia in the 1800’s, and indeed their story prior to this - along with the reason behind the modern day timeline.
Nature, the sea and the landscape of New South Wales all play a major role in this book, and the descriptions were so evocative. As someone who has never been to Australia, I was able to imagine the setting of this story.
The relationship between the sisters is a strange one: the older sister, Jess, seems very disconnected from her younger sister, doesn’t stay in touch, and when Lucy arrives unannounced at her house, Jess isn’t there. The house is in a state, and no-one knows where she is.
I really enjoyed the 1800 timeline: the oppression of the Transportation ship, the sisters, and their ending was *chef’s kiss* (I’m not saying 🤐).
A book of male violence and manipulation, and an interesting way to deal with it! I enjoyed this, but I do think it could be a marmite book (I like marmite).
Nature, the sea and the landscape of New South Wales all play a major role in this book, and the descriptions were so evocative. As someone who has never been to Australia, I was able to imagine the setting of this story.
The relationship between the sisters is a strange one: the older sister, Jess, seems very disconnected from her younger sister, doesn’t stay in touch, and when Lucy arrives unannounced at her house, Jess isn’t there. The house is in a state, and no-one knows where she is.
I really enjoyed the 1800 timeline: the oppression of the Transportation ship, the sisters, and their ending was *chef’s kiss* (I’m not saying 🤐).
A book of male violence and manipulation, and an interesting way to deal with it! I enjoyed this, but I do think it could be a marmite book (I like marmite).
Andy K (10823 KP) rated The Exorcist (1973) in Movies
Oct 14, 2018 (Updated Oct 15, 2018)
The best ever!
I remember when I was a kid sneaking into the living room and watching 10 minutes of The Exorcist from behind my mother's recliner when I was like 8. Even that 10 minutes messed me up for a long time as a kid. I would have dreams of my bed shaking and wake up sweaty and exhausted.
Not until I was an adult in my 30s did I truly appreciate the perfection masterpiece craft of the film.
Simple, slow burn storytelling. Not the scariest or goriest film ever made. More the idea of the film, how it transforms a young innocent girl into a satanic, cruel, vulgar monster which is the most visceral.
When it was released in 2000 with the "Version you've never seen" I happened to be working as a projectionist at the local theatre when I lived in Oregon. I always used to go into the theatre itself or turn the volume up while in the projector room so I could listen to it while I was doing other work.
It truly is one of my favorite films and is a tradition now I watch it every single October 31st.
Not until I was an adult in my 30s did I truly appreciate the perfection masterpiece craft of the film.
Simple, slow burn storytelling. Not the scariest or goriest film ever made. More the idea of the film, how it transforms a young innocent girl into a satanic, cruel, vulgar monster which is the most visceral.
When it was released in 2000 with the "Version you've never seen" I happened to be working as a projectionist at the local theatre when I lived in Oregon. I always used to go into the theatre itself or turn the volume up while in the projector room so I could listen to it while I was doing other work.
It truly is one of my favorite films and is a tradition now I watch it every single October 31st.
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated Long Bright River in Books
Dec 15, 2019
A Tale of Two Sisters
An engaging story of two sisters whose lives take very different paths. I loved the writing in this book and felt I was drawn into seeing the run-down Philadelphia neighborhood this book is set in.
Less a thriller and more a very character-driven tale of Michaela (Mickey,) a cop and her complicated relationship to her drug-addicted sister. When women start turning up dead on Mickey’s patch her concern for her sister intensifies. The book switches between the present day with Mickey’s search for a killer and her sister in a neighborhood suspicious of police and the tale of their growing-up in less than ideal circumstances.
Part police procedural/mystery/thriller I wouldn’t pick this book up if that’s what you are really craving as this isn’t done in a particularly satisfying way with what felt like a slightly rushed resolution after a slow-burn start to this aspect. I would, however, recommend picking it up if you fancy a gritty emotional look into the world of a neighborhood ravaged by drugs and the strong family ties that persevere.
Many thanks to the publisher, author and Netgalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
Less a thriller and more a very character-driven tale of Michaela (Mickey,) a cop and her complicated relationship to her drug-addicted sister. When women start turning up dead on Mickey’s patch her concern for her sister intensifies. The book switches between the present day with Mickey’s search for a killer and her sister in a neighborhood suspicious of police and the tale of their growing-up in less than ideal circumstances.
Part police procedural/mystery/thriller I wouldn’t pick this book up if that’s what you are really craving as this isn’t done in a particularly satisfying way with what felt like a slightly rushed resolution after a slow-burn start to this aspect. I would, however, recommend picking it up if you fancy a gritty emotional look into the world of a neighborhood ravaged by drugs and the strong family ties that persevere.
Many thanks to the publisher, author and Netgalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
Body Fuel: Calorie-Cycle Your Way to Reduced Body Fat and Greater Muscle Definition
Book
Fitness phenomenon Mark Lauren has shown thousands of people around the world how to get in shape...