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A story of redemption, second chances and characters that weasel their way into your heart to stay, Ms. Alexander's What Hope Remembers is fantastically done. I instantly transported to Misty Willow(which, in my mind, wasn't hard to do since I live in Willow Spring!) and settle right in for the long haul of Amy and Gabe's story. I loved watching the story unfold and felt like I was among family.

Amy, Gabe and Aunt Tess are my favorites! I loved Gabe and Aunt Tess' characters the most! They really fit well in the story. Amy's character was also a great fit. I loved the way Ms. Alexander chiseled her and her flaws. Watching them come to terms with their past, present and their future really took my breath away, in a good way, of course! Gabe's not so perfect past really opened my heart to him. I can't imagine going through what he went through, and the mama bear in me wanted to wrap him up in a big old hug!

From start to finish, you'll be completely wrapped up and taken on a whirl wind ride of hope! It is the third book in the series, yet the first one I read. It's easily a stand alone novel and I highly recommend it, with 4 stars to all! It's a story of long ago loves, soul searching, learning to forgive yourself and trust in God. Great job, Ms. Alexander! Can't wait to read more of your books. <a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/revell-reads-review-what-hope-remembers-by-johnnie-alexander/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>
  
Despicable Me (2010)
Despicable Me (2010)
2010 | Animation, Comedy, Family
6
8.0 (64 Ratings)
Movie Rating
I've never really gone in for animation much, some people might find that hard to believe given the calibre of films that have been made over the years. So after everyone raved over this it was the glimpse of the army of yellow minions that first drew me in.

There are enough voice talents on show here to make this a must see film, Steve Carell, Jason Segel and Russell Brand all do a brilliant job of taking the two biggest villains in the world and putting them on a collision course with each other.

Gru (Carell) regards himself as the world’s greatest supervillain, but when he meets his match in the form of the overly exuberant Vector (Segel), Gru needs a new plan that will put him back on top of the baddie elite. The plan being to steal the moon, with the help of his band of very funny, and at times show stealing minions he also needs to enlist the help of three small orphans whom he dislikes the minute he sets eyes on them.

However, as with most animation the film has heart warming moments that will leave you feeling soft inside, and its a feeling that only this genre can muster up. The stand out oddly for me was Gru’s aging side kick Dr. Nefario (Brand) whose dry wit was right up my street, and made for a few decent laughs. It’s predictable but then what animated film isn’t, this one is yet again for adults and kids a like and both will enjoy it in their own special way.
  
Bewitched (Breakers Hockey #5)
Bewitched (Breakers Hockey #5)
Elise Faber | 2022 | Contemporary, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Everyone has a mask. Some are just more difficult to see.
BEWITCHED is the fifth book in the Breakers Hockey series and we reunited with Raph and Beth. He is still backing away from relationships and Beth is busy being surrogate for Pru and Marcel. How will these two ever get together?

By Beth feeling the effects of being pregnant, and with twins too! Raph is an alpha male who does run roughshod over Beth at times. She needs someone to stand up to her and show her that he cares, but I did find it slightly annoying in places. Another thing that grated was Beth's constant musings about castles, dungeons, and demons. I got it. I didn't need bashing over the head with it repeatedly.

If you ignore those two things, then I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Raph and Beth have rocky ground to cover but they manage it. They have help from their friends, which also allows you to play catch up with the other couples too.

Elise Faber isn't afraid of delving deep into hurtful and abusive backgrounds and always does it with respect and tact.

It is Cas' story next and, yet again, the taster at the end has left me wanting it immediately. Still no idea if Brandon gets a story, but I'm nothing if not hopeful!

A great addition to the series and definitely 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!
  
The Big Sick (2017)
The Big Sick (2017)
2017 | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Kumail (Kumail Nanjiani) is a young Pakistani American trying to make it as a stand-up comic. He spends his free time making extra money as an Uber driver and getting set up with Pakistani women by his family, in an attempt to arrange a marriage for him. Then his life changes one night when he meets an American girl named Emily (Zoe Kazan). After hooking up the night they meet they start a whirlwind relationship. But Kumail is hiding this relationship from his family, because they would disown him if they found out, and still meeting with the young women who he could potentially marry. When Emily finds this out she confronts Kumail and they break up. Kumail is depressed but felt he had to choose his family and tradition over his feelings for Emily. Then a while later he gets a frantic call in the middle of the night from one of Emily’s friends asking him to go to the Emergency Room and wait with her. When he arrives doctors are wanting to put Emily into an induced coma. With no one else around Kumail stays with Emily. Emily’s parents (played by Ray Romano and Holly Hunter) show up and know everything that happened between Kumail and Emily. It is uncomfortable but Kumail feel like he needs to stay. He is now struggling with is feelings for Emily and his culture.

The Big Sick is a film telling the real-life story of courtship of Kumail and his real life wife Emily V. Gordon, both of whom wrote screenplay. The Michael Showatler (Hello My Name is Doris) directed film is very funny and smartly paced. There is a good balance of comedy and the serious situations, including dealing with trauma and overcoming cultural differences. The cast is really good, from Hunter and Romano to comedians Aidy Bryant and Kurt Braunohler the supporting roles are really well cast and performed. Zoe Kazan was really good during her time on screen. There were times when I could tell that the dialogue was dubbed over and it was a little distracting, but only a handful of times. I also appreciated the side story of the life of a young comic. It was not a focal point of the movie but it definitely showed how Kumail struggled to become a comic and how life and his family culture sometimes got in the way of his ambition, in both good and bad ways.

Heartwarming and funny this film is original and fun to watch. It was definitely nice to be caught off guard by some really funny moments in the middle of serious situations. It has a run time of 2 hours and 4 minutes with is a little longer than average but really doesn’t feel that long.