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Lost (Reflections, #10)
Lost (Reflections, #10)
Dean Murray | 2014 | Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book follows the path of Isaac after he's parted from Alec. He has lessons to learn and things to realise and the only way he will do this is by living a life that he wasn't truly expecting. Isaac has decisions to make that will reflect on everything that he will do in the future. Luckily, he has some help from Rachel to help him along his way. There is a whole new world introduced in Lost that I am sure we will be seeing more of - or at least I certainly hope so. Without saying too much and giving it away, Set quickly became a favourite character and I loved every scene he was in.

I love how scenes from other books are played out in this one and they all fit together perfectly. This series continues to grow and turn into something so much more than 'just' a paranormal romance. The characters in this series are all growing in every book they feature. Fantastically well-written and thoroughly enjoyable. You will get 'Lost' in this story. I really can't recommend it highly enough.
 
* 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!
July 26, 2016
  
Wait! (Oxley College #2)
Wait! (Oxley College #2)
Stacey Nash | 2015 | Contemporary, Romance
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the third book in the Oxley College series although it can (and was by me) read as a standalone. This in no way disrupted my reading or enjoyment of the story.

This book concentrates on Jordan - a serious ex-rugby player who just wants to study hard and doesn't want any sort of relationship - and Hex - a fun-loving party girl who's hiding her hurt behind a smiling mask. They both have secrets and issues that they are dealing with and it's the way that they deal with them and each other that makes this book such a joy to read.

There is insta-lust between the two of them but they actually take the time to build up their relationship which makes a refreshing change.

This story is very well written and deals with some very hard subjects - binge drinking, the death of a sibling, the effects of words spoken by parents who don't know the child is listening - that sort of thing. None of it is preachy or judgmental but tells Jordan and Hex's story perfectly.

Definitely recommended to all fans of Contemporary Romance.

* 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 02, 2015
  
Walk With Me (Home #7)
Walk With Me (Home #7)
Cardeno C | 2015 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Walk With Me is the last book in the Home series, and we finish with Eli and Seth. Eli has wanted Seth ever since he first laid eyes on him at the tender age of 11. Seth didn't have much to do with Eli then, and only really comes into frequent contact with him when he becomes an associate Rabbi, working with Eli's dad.

These two have an insta-love AND slow-burn romance, and it was perfect for them. I loved how Eli decided he would sooner have Seth's friendship than lose him. This is a funny book, with some absolutely hilarious weddings! Poor Seth is all I can say. Throughout all the capers and calamities that occur, Eli is there for Seth, and vice versa.

As I would expect from a Cardeno C. book, there were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. The pacing was smooth, with a rich and detailed storyline that was backed up by fully fleshed-out characters with their own quirks.

Sad to see this series end, but at least I can now re-read them all. 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 the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 28, 2018
  
The Astonishing Color of After
The Astonishing Color of After
Emily X.R. Pan | 2018 | Young Adult (YA)
6
8.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
*some minor spoilers

I was compelled to finish this book, despite not loving it... and There were some things about this book that really irritated me. 

First, I really didn't like the characters. Kinda hard to love the book when you don't like the characters. 

The mom, Dory, I could relate to. Depression is a dangerous disease that steals your body and your life. 

The dad was a horrible person... rude, disrespectful, unthoughtful, and uncaring about his daughter and her passions. Maybe I'm biased because I love art, but who in their right mind tells their kid to stop doing art. 

And then, at the end, when suddenly he is encouraging her that she has a gift and that her mom would be proud? Like, okay, mom dies and suddenly you're not an asshole anymore? What? 


There were a lot of flashbacks, and memories, and not a whole lot of plot. I think it could have been spread better. There were whole sections where she was just having flashbacks and it was annoying. 

The romance aspect was somewhat uncomfortable... like it was too much of a struggle for Pan to write it. It didn't flow well. Maybe that was the point. To be awkward.

It got a little better near the end and I was like : (insert "now kiss" meme here)

I kind of expected Phon (spelling? I listened to the audiobook) to be her aunt, so that wasn't much of a surprise. But the reveal was fun and clever. 

The writing was beautiful, and the color aspect was interesting. Like I said, I felt compelled to finish it, but I found myself irritated while I was listening. 

I did relate to the author's note about re-writing her novel multiple times though... 

And the end of the book felt good... I had a feeling all Lee's visions would become her final series of art, and I'm happy with it.

Recommend to ages 13+. Very little language.