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Not what I expected
I need to start off by saying that I wasnt a fan of Get Out, and I hadn't even see the trailer for Us, so I went into this with low/no expectations, and I was actually pleasantly surprised.
The first half an hour or so is a bit of a slow burn introduction to the family, almost lulling you into a false sense of security before abruptly flipping into full on horror film mode. There are a lot of things I liked about this film; it doesn't rely on obvious jump scares and instead focuses on being massively creepy and almost downright terrifying. I liked the pop culture references like Home Alone, and for me the bits of humour thrown in worked quite well to lighten up an otherwise tense film. And going against the usual horror movie tropes (I.e. victims not being so helpless after all) was refreshing. I also thought this was going to be a bog standard home invasion film, and it really isn't. The wider plot and story going on here is a great idea and the twist at the end too was brilliant, entirely unexpected and I usually pride myself on being able to spot these things coming a mile off.
However there are some things I really didn't like about this film which have led me to mark it down. The cast were great, but I could not stand the voice that Lupita Nyong'o gave Red. For me it wasn't creepy or scary, it was just silly and verging on the hysterically funny. I couldn't take her seriously every time she was speaking on screen. Also, I didn't like some of the more animalistic behaviours and vocalisms they gave the rest of the doppelgangers. It detracted from their overall creepy and terrifying appearance and I think they could have maybe made them a little quieter for a better effect. I hated the soundtrack - it seemed far too dramatic and over the top and not in keeping with the tone of the rest of the film. And I think the dancing scene in the final act, was very stylish but completely unnecessary and I found myself getting very irritated by it as it was just silly and a little confusing.
Overall this film isn't perfect by any means, but it was a lot better than I had ever expected. I feel like going into a film without having seen dozens of trailers etc beforehand actually makes for a far more enjoyable experience.
The first half an hour or so is a bit of a slow burn introduction to the family, almost lulling you into a false sense of security before abruptly flipping into full on horror film mode. There are a lot of things I liked about this film; it doesn't rely on obvious jump scares and instead focuses on being massively creepy and almost downright terrifying. I liked the pop culture references like Home Alone, and for me the bits of humour thrown in worked quite well to lighten up an otherwise tense film. And going against the usual horror movie tropes (I.e. victims not being so helpless after all) was refreshing. I also thought this was going to be a bog standard home invasion film, and it really isn't. The wider plot and story going on here is a great idea and the twist at the end too was brilliant, entirely unexpected and I usually pride myself on being able to spot these things coming a mile off.
However there are some things I really didn't like about this film which have led me to mark it down. The cast were great, but I could not stand the voice that Lupita Nyong'o gave Red. For me it wasn't creepy or scary, it was just silly and verging on the hysterically funny. I couldn't take her seriously every time she was speaking on screen. Also, I didn't like some of the more animalistic behaviours and vocalisms they gave the rest of the doppelgangers. It detracted from their overall creepy and terrifying appearance and I think they could have maybe made them a little quieter for a better effect. I hated the soundtrack - it seemed far too dramatic and over the top and not in keeping with the tone of the rest of the film. And I think the dancing scene in the final act, was very stylish but completely unnecessary and I found myself getting very irritated by it as it was just silly and a little confusing.
Overall this film isn't perfect by any means, but it was a lot better than I had ever expected. I feel like going into a film without having seen dozens of trailers etc beforehand actually makes for a far more enjoyable experience.
Tessa Duvall is an independent artist, who depends on no one but herself. It doesn't matter that she's barely scraping by: she has her pride. When Tessa reluctantly agrees to accompany her best friend, Holly, to a party at the ritzy hotel where Holly works, she isn't expecting much. Tessa isn't one for the lavish affairs that take place at the Grange--a hotel owned by the two incredibly wealthy Monahan brothers. That night, however, Tessa meets Ross Monahan, a renowned playboy. The two have a one-night-stand and Tessa doesn't think much of it: until she realizes she's pregnant. Meanwhile, Holly, spends her entire life throwing herself at Ross' brother, Max, but Max doesn't give her the time of day.
So, while this is a romance, and we're sort of all supposed to know how it ends up, we--as readers--are also supposed to enjoy getting there. It's like the cheesy Christmas movies I've been enjoying during the holiday season. Sure, you know immediately how they will end, but you should like watching the lovelorn workaholic and the handsome Christmas tree farmer fall in love nonetheless. Alas, it just didn't happen for me in this one. The plot was enjoyable at first, but then it just seemed like the same things kept happening over and over. And over. Pregnancies! Weeping! Running away! Angst! Some of the plot twists were just so strange and seemed inserted to keep the book going, but it didn't need to keep going, because it was *lasting forever.*
The majority of the characters annoyed me for most of the novel. Tessa, our supposedly independent heroine, spends a decent chunk of the novel running from her issues. And while I suppose that meant she wasn't running into Ross' arms, it was irritating nonetheless. Ross seemed to just be a cad, and I honestly didn't blame Tessa for avoiding him. The supporting cast was more enjoyable, but after a while, the book seemed bogged down by their own endless problems and "will they or won't they" issues of their own, along with a lot of plot devoted to Ross' exploits. After a while, I really didn't care who ended up with whom, I just wanted it all to be over. I smiled a few times and laughed a bit (Holly is a trip) but overall, this one just irritated me.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley (thank you!) in return for an unbiased review.
So, while this is a romance, and we're sort of all supposed to know how it ends up, we--as readers--are also supposed to enjoy getting there. It's like the cheesy Christmas movies I've been enjoying during the holiday season. Sure, you know immediately how they will end, but you should like watching the lovelorn workaholic and the handsome Christmas tree farmer fall in love nonetheless. Alas, it just didn't happen for me in this one. The plot was enjoyable at first, but then it just seemed like the same things kept happening over and over. And over. Pregnancies! Weeping! Running away! Angst! Some of the plot twists were just so strange and seemed inserted to keep the book going, but it didn't need to keep going, because it was *lasting forever.*
The majority of the characters annoyed me for most of the novel. Tessa, our supposedly independent heroine, spends a decent chunk of the novel running from her issues. And while I suppose that meant she wasn't running into Ross' arms, it was irritating nonetheless. Ross seemed to just be a cad, and I honestly didn't blame Tessa for avoiding him. The supporting cast was more enjoyable, but after a while, the book seemed bogged down by their own endless problems and "will they or won't they" issues of their own, along with a lot of plot devoted to Ross' exploits. After a while, I really didn't care who ended up with whom, I just wanted it all to be over. I smiled a few times and laughed a bit (Holly is a trip) but overall, this one just irritated me.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley (thank you!) in return for an unbiased review.
Gaspar Noe recommended Eraserhead (1977) in Movies (curated)
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated King Series Bundle (King, #1-4) in Books
Jan 12, 2021
I read the first one back in December and was drawn into the story especially with how it just ended. Then I saw the four book box set for 99p and bought it straight away.
KING - 4 stars
WTF?! You can't just end it like that!
What a way to end it. Who's the kid? Where's Max?
I really need to read Tyrant now to see how it all plays out. I'm sure everything will work out in the end but something tells me it's going to be a bumpy ride.
TYRANT - 3.5 stars
I finished it a little before midnight and got all the answers I needed but I honestly didn't see a lot of it coming. I liked how the author put some serious thought into who was who and how it was going to link it all together in the end.
I still love Preppy!!
LAWLESS - 3 stars
I liked Bear so I was interested in what girl was going to turn his head and never did I think a little girl who he made a promise to ten years ago would be the one. I loved that scene! BUT what is with this series and ten year age gaps?
I have to also admit that by the end of this that I was beginning to lose interest in this series. It's being dragged out for too long. Just go and kill your arse of a dad already!
SOULLESS - DNF
I lost interest in this. I got fed up of the same stuff happening. People want him dead. People just seem to want everyone dead in this series and I didn't care anymore, hence me getting to chapter four and not wanting to carry on.
It might have been better if i'd read something in between each book to break them up somewhat.
I stand by what I keep saying about Preppy being my favourite and I might read his story when it's released but for the rest of them. Nope.
KING - 4 stars
WTF?! You can't just end it like that!
What a way to end it. Who's the kid? Where's Max?
I really need to read Tyrant now to see how it all plays out. I'm sure everything will work out in the end but something tells me it's going to be a bumpy ride.
TYRANT - 3.5 stars
I finished it a little before midnight and got all the answers I needed but I honestly didn't see a lot of it coming. I liked how the author put some serious thought into who was who and how it was going to link it all together in the end.
I still love Preppy!!
LAWLESS - 3 stars
I liked Bear so I was interested in what girl was going to turn his head and never did I think a little girl who he made a promise to ten years ago would be the one. I loved that scene! BUT what is with this series and ten year age gaps?
I have to also admit that by the end of this that I was beginning to lose interest in this series. It's being dragged out for too long. Just go and kill your arse of a dad already!
SOULLESS - DNF
I lost interest in this. I got fed up of the same stuff happening. People want him dead. People just seem to want everyone dead in this series and I didn't care anymore, hence me getting to chapter four and not wanting to carry on.
It might have been better if i'd read something in between each book to break them up somewhat.
I stand by what I keep saying about Preppy being my favourite and I might read his story when it's released but for the rest of them. Nope.
Merissa (14046 KP) rated Pumped (Mars Fitness #3) in Books
Feb 12, 2025
PUMPED is the third and final book in the Mars Fitness series and, in my opinion, the one with the least amount of Mars Fitness in it! LOL Everest works there and we do meet the guys, but that's about it. Anyway, moving on...
Everest and Owen have a hot and steamy one-night stand during a bachelor party. After that, nothing. Well, apart from lots of bad attitude. Owen likes to plan and have things organised, whereas Everest is more of a go-with-the-flow kinda guy. Everything changes when a tragedy happens and Owen and Everest are announced as co-parents in the will. Oh my, but my eyes had major leakage by this point. It was so well-written!
There was lots of toing and froing as these two figured out how to co-parent a little girl who needed lots of love and reassurance, as well as boundaries! Owen (obviously) was the bad guy, while Everest was the happy-go-lucky anything-goes-one. This completely worked with their personalities but it did mean I didn't particularly like Everest during a couple of parts.
Their realisations were funny and I loved how it wasn't instantaneous and they had to work at it. Nothing was easy in this book! Ivy has an old soul with a wise head on her young shoulders, for all she is six years old. I thought she was extremely well-written and have lived through temper tantrums like hers with my own daughters.
A great ending to the series, although I wish we could have more. Thoroughly enjoyable and 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!
Feb 12, 2025
Everest and Owen have a hot and steamy one-night stand during a bachelor party. After that, nothing. Well, apart from lots of bad attitude. Owen likes to plan and have things organised, whereas Everest is more of a go-with-the-flow kinda guy. Everything changes when a tragedy happens and Owen and Everest are announced as co-parents in the will. Oh my, but my eyes had major leakage by this point. It was so well-written!
There was lots of toing and froing as these two figured out how to co-parent a little girl who needed lots of love and reassurance, as well as boundaries! Owen (obviously) was the bad guy, while Everest was the happy-go-lucky anything-goes-one. This completely worked with their personalities but it did mean I didn't particularly like Everest during a couple of parts.
Their realisations were funny and I loved how it wasn't instantaneous and they had to work at it. Nothing was easy in this book! Ivy has an old soul with a wise head on her young shoulders, for all she is six years old. I thought she was extremely well-written and have lived through temper tantrums like hers with my own daughters.
A great ending to the series, although I wish we could have more. Thoroughly enjoyable and 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!
Feb 12, 2025
Carma (21 KP) rated Just Right (Just Everyday Heroes: Day Shift, #1) in Books
Jun 17, 2019
Just Right is the first book in the Bradford series by Erin Nicholas. Nurse Jessica Bradford has loved looking at Dr Ben Torres these past 6 months in the ER Department. Tonights tragedy has them all on edge, when Ben enters the ER and strikes a patient, Jessica doesnt know how to help him. It becomes her duty to keep an eye on him during his suspension and keep him on the straight and narrow to be able to return to the ER Department. She doesnt count on falling for him quite so easily and quickly.
Dr Ben Torres is having a hell of a night in the ER. Hes lost 2 young patients and their mother is looking to be next all because a guy he put back together on the operating table a few months back decided to drink and drive. He cant stand by anymore while people take advantage of each other anymore. Why doesnt anyone appreciate the life they are living any longer? When he sees that patient put his hands on Jessica he loses control. He has kept his distance from Jessica for 6 months, he has to keep his eyes off the prize, but he wont stand by while someone hurts her. He has tossed around the idea of quitting for a while and this tips the scale big time.
When both Jessicas brother Sam and boss Russ ask her to keep an eye on Ben until he can return to the ER she does so eagerly. She grows closer to him while he tags along with her in everyday life. He helps her at her familys youth center, she helps him at his new barrista job. Their adventures together have quite a few funny situations and of course the secondary characters help the humor move along.
Ben and Jessica both have tragedy in their pasts, both have a self doubt they are working to erase from their beings. Even though they think theyve taken different roads to end up where they are now, they are actually quite similar.
I read this authors Counting on Love series first, which is a spin off of this series, so I was already pretty familiar with all the main and secondary characters in this book. Erin Nicholas is a wonderful writer with a style I love to follow along with. I have no idea how I ended up reading her first to me novel but I am so glad I did. Now on to the next Bradford book ..
Dr Ben Torres is having a hell of a night in the ER. Hes lost 2 young patients and their mother is looking to be next all because a guy he put back together on the operating table a few months back decided to drink and drive. He cant stand by anymore while people take advantage of each other anymore. Why doesnt anyone appreciate the life they are living any longer? When he sees that patient put his hands on Jessica he loses control. He has kept his distance from Jessica for 6 months, he has to keep his eyes off the prize, but he wont stand by while someone hurts her. He has tossed around the idea of quitting for a while and this tips the scale big time.
When both Jessicas brother Sam and boss Russ ask her to keep an eye on Ben until he can return to the ER she does so eagerly. She grows closer to him while he tags along with her in everyday life. He helps her at her familys youth center, she helps him at his new barrista job. Their adventures together have quite a few funny situations and of course the secondary characters help the humor move along.
Ben and Jessica both have tragedy in their pasts, both have a self doubt they are working to erase from their beings. Even though they think theyve taken different roads to end up where they are now, they are actually quite similar.
I read this authors Counting on Love series first, which is a spin off of this series, so I was already pretty familiar with all the main and secondary characters in this book. Erin Nicholas is a wonderful writer with a style I love to follow along with. I have no idea how I ended up reading her first to me novel but I am so glad I did. Now on to the next Bradford book ..
Spoiled by R. Phoenix and Morgan Noel is a novel about Romulus and Kieran. Romulus is the spoiled witch lover of Abel, an arms dealer, and Kieran is a human who is involved in a band of rebels. Romulus had been captured by the human rebels and held hostage away from his spoiled life in order to get information about what Abel’s life and routine.Kieran is the medic of the rebels who ended up being the only one Romulus would talk with.
In a battle between the supernaturals and the humans where the humans are second and sometimes third class citizens who will do what they have to in order to survive, Kieran is torn between his self-proclaimed family and the stepbrother that he was raised with.
Before going any further into my review, I want to lead with the disclaimer that this book involves what some may consider an “Ick” factor of romantic and sexual love between stepbrothers. Not that it bothered me any nor was it an issue but I want to let my readers know in advance. With that out of the way, I will continue on.
Spoiled is a stand-alone story that is set in The Fate of the Fallen / Status Quo world. You don’t need to have read the rest of the series in order to understand what’s going on in this book. It gives a glimpse at the world as well as what is happening yet there are no spoilers for the rest of the series. I rather enjoyed the world and how it was set up. The twist of how the humans were lower class and forced into the slums while the supernaturals basically ruled was interesting to me. It gave an insight into things that weren’t normally written about. The character development was amazing and the world development was spot on. I absolutely loved the attention to detail that the authors had given in regards to how each side lived. Being able to visualize it in my mind drew me through the book and landed me right there with Romulus and Kieran.
My heart actually hurt for the two stepbrothers at times who were battling between their love for each other, the situation they were placed in from a very early age and the fact that neither of them seemed to understand where the other was coming from until they were shoved into this situation. Then to have Kieran take a turn and help Romulus escape from his prison in the cellar and Romulus return to save him was beautiful.
The ending left me wanting for more though. With Abel and Romulus together at the end and Romulus and Keiran together as well, The ending left me wondering if there might be a sequel to this book where the three of them end up getting together and involved in a more poly relationship? I could only hope…
I’m going to give this book two thumbs up and a must read to anyone who loves mm romance with a fantasy twist.
In a battle between the supernaturals and the humans where the humans are second and sometimes third class citizens who will do what they have to in order to survive, Kieran is torn between his self-proclaimed family and the stepbrother that he was raised with.
Before going any further into my review, I want to lead with the disclaimer that this book involves what some may consider an “Ick” factor of romantic and sexual love between stepbrothers. Not that it bothered me any nor was it an issue but I want to let my readers know in advance. With that out of the way, I will continue on.
Spoiled is a stand-alone story that is set in The Fate of the Fallen / Status Quo world. You don’t need to have read the rest of the series in order to understand what’s going on in this book. It gives a glimpse at the world as well as what is happening yet there are no spoilers for the rest of the series. I rather enjoyed the world and how it was set up. The twist of how the humans were lower class and forced into the slums while the supernaturals basically ruled was interesting to me. It gave an insight into things that weren’t normally written about. The character development was amazing and the world development was spot on. I absolutely loved the attention to detail that the authors had given in regards to how each side lived. Being able to visualize it in my mind drew me through the book and landed me right there with Romulus and Kieran.
My heart actually hurt for the two stepbrothers at times who were battling between their love for each other, the situation they were placed in from a very early age and the fact that neither of them seemed to understand where the other was coming from until they were shoved into this situation. Then to have Kieran take a turn and help Romulus escape from his prison in the cellar and Romulus return to save him was beautiful.
The ending left me wanting for more though. With Abel and Romulus together at the end and Romulus and Keiran together as well, The ending left me wondering if there might be a sequel to this book where the three of them end up getting together and involved in a more poly relationship? I could only hope…
I’m going to give this book two thumbs up and a must read to anyone who loves mm romance with a fantasy twist.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Stranger Things - Season 1 in TV
Nov 16, 2017
This is a very good, entertaining show, I just really don't think it lives up to all the hype. For me, although i found it fun and interesting to watch, I didn't want to binge watch the whole first season in one go like everyone else seems to have done.
I'll start with the positives. I love the 80s setting, music and title sequence. The whole plot itself is like an amalgamation of The X-Files, Stephen King and 80s films like ET, and King himself is even referenced in an episode to my joy. Its a great throwback to the films of my childhood. The friendship between the younger characters is also very reminiscent of IT and Stand by Me. The characters themselves are in the main well developed and acted. The three boys and Eleven are very good, and I adore David Harbour.
Sadly it isn't perfect. Some of the CGI is a little lacking, the government seem a bit inept at points and I almost feel like the plot has been dumbed down to lessen the scares. Yes there are bits that are creepy and scary, but they couldve done so much more.
In all, this is a very good tv show, one of the best new shows I've seen in quite a while. I don't think it quite lives up to the hype, but I'll still be watching the second series. Just might give the binge watching a miss.
One last thing, after watching IT earlier this year, every time Finn Wolfhard was on screen, all I could think of was "Beep Beep Richie!"...
I'll start with the positives. I love the 80s setting, music and title sequence. The whole plot itself is like an amalgamation of The X-Files, Stephen King and 80s films like ET, and King himself is even referenced in an episode to my joy. Its a great throwback to the films of my childhood. The friendship between the younger characters is also very reminiscent of IT and Stand by Me. The characters themselves are in the main well developed and acted. The three boys and Eleven are very good, and I adore David Harbour.
Sadly it isn't perfect. Some of the CGI is a little lacking, the government seem a bit inept at points and I almost feel like the plot has been dumbed down to lessen the scares. Yes there are bits that are creepy and scary, but they couldve done so much more.
In all, this is a very good tv show, one of the best new shows I've seen in quite a while. I don't think it quite lives up to the hype, but I'll still be watching the second series. Just might give the binge watching a miss.
One last thing, after watching IT earlier this year, every time Finn Wolfhard was on screen, all I could think of was "Beep Beep Richie!"...
Merissa (14046 KP) rated Hot Conduit (Hot Under the Collar #2) in Books
Feb 6, 2024
HOT CONDUIT is the second book in the Hot Under the Collar series, and we meet Theo and Lex in more detail.
The sparks fly immediately between these two but an early misunderstanding leads to a very prickly relationship - in other words, neither of them likes the other. Unfortunately for them, they're in the same friend group so see each other frequently. Luckily, they've got someone through the CoffeeDates app they can speak to. Unluckily, it's still them! This led to some laugh-out-loud moments when they were complaining to each other about each other!
It took some time for Lex and Theo to change their relationship. In fact, it was only really at the end, BUT it worked. They both needed the time to figure out that the other was nothing like people in their past. I loved the meeting with Lex's ex and how Theo finally had someone stand up for him. Family can be like that sometimes - not meaning to hurt but not thinking about what they're doing or saying.
I loved this book. I loved returning to the characters and seeing how Rhys, Cole, and Sammy are getting on. I loved the reactions in various scenes - goat yoga, anyone? But most of all I loved Theo and Lex for walking a rocky path and finding each other!
Absolutely brilliant and 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!
Feb 6, 2024
The sparks fly immediately between these two but an early misunderstanding leads to a very prickly relationship - in other words, neither of them likes the other. Unfortunately for them, they're in the same friend group so see each other frequently. Luckily, they've got someone through the CoffeeDates app they can speak to. Unluckily, it's still them! This led to some laugh-out-loud moments when they were complaining to each other about each other!
It took some time for Lex and Theo to change their relationship. In fact, it was only really at the end, BUT it worked. They both needed the time to figure out that the other was nothing like people in their past. I loved the meeting with Lex's ex and how Theo finally had someone stand up for him. Family can be like that sometimes - not meaning to hurt but not thinking about what they're doing or saying.
I loved this book. I loved returning to the characters and seeing how Rhys, Cole, and Sammy are getting on. I loved the reactions in various scenes - goat yoga, anyone? But most of all I loved Theo and Lex for walking a rocky path and finding each other!
Absolutely brilliant and 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!
Feb 6, 2024