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Forever (Changers #4)
Forever (Changers #4)
T. Cooper, Allison Glock-Cooper | 2018 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fun and amazing read (2 more)
Loads of representation
Easy to read
You can also find this review on my blog: bookingwayreads.wordpress.com

I received Forever (Changers Book 4) from LibraryThing to read and review. I have not read books 1 - 3 yet but this little novel is such a hidden gem! The beginning was basically a recap of what happened in the first three books and the authors do such an amazing job with the writing that I was able to read Forever (Changers Book 4) with no problem. So, just because this is the fourth book in the installment doesn't mean that you can't read it as a stand-alone as well.

There is LGBTQ+ representation along with ethnic representation throughout the entirety of the novel. This was seriously a jackpot of a book to get. I enjoyed every second of it and my attention was grabbed and never let go until I put the novel down. As I was reading, I couldn't and didn't want to stop reading. I ended up devouring it in a matter of a 3 day period.

I loved how this was a middle-school grade, young adult, contemporary fantasy but also had hints of sci-fi. Due to the fact that some people changed each year into new individuals. It makes me want to get books 1 - 3 and reread the entire series.

Reasons why I rated it 5 stars:
1. Amazing read!
2. Multiple of different representations.
3. My attention was maintained on the entirety of the novel.
4. Writing was well-done, no grammatical or spelling errors that I saw.
  
Since You've Been Gone
Since You've Been Gone
Morgan Matson | 2014 | Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
9
8.4 (11 Ratings)
Book Rating
Relatable Teen Story (3 more)
Fun 'Dare' Concept
Quick, Light Read
Beautiful Descriptions.
Would've Preferred More Closure (0 more)
Her best friend disappeared and with her all their summer plans.. now what will Emily do?
Since You've Been Gone is a story about best friends. Sloane vanishes right as the summer was about to begin, leaving nothing but a list of daring tasks to be completed. Emily, a natural introvert, begins to retreat to that introverted place without Sloane around. Emily becomes desperate to find out what happened to her best friend, and begins the list Sloane left her. As she sets out to complete the list she runs into unexpected individuals who help push her to complete the list and in the process find herself.

I loved this book. The entire time I was reading I couldn't help but thing of the adventures my childhood/high school best friend and I had. This quick, light read is highly relatable with a wonderful reminiscing quality. Additionally, the descriptions were absolutely stunning. One of my favorite quotes from the book is: "...kissing with the urgency of the rain that was pounding down all around us and onto the hood of the car." Morgan Matson finds beautiful ways to say simple things that help the reader see the passion and strong feelings teenagers go through and feel.

Being a stand alone book, it had a good finality to it however, I found it ended abruptly and could've used an epilogue to explain some of the lose ends. Some of that desire is most likely because I loved the book so much and simply wanted more!
  
Mr July (Calendar Men #7)
Mr July (Calendar Men #7)
Bailey Bradford | 2018 | Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
loving these still!
Independent reviewer for Divine Magazine, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 7 in the series, but it can be read as a stand alone.

Felix is commissioned to do a mural for Erza, who is close to the original photographer of the shoot. Meeting Tse makes Felix realise there is more to life than work. But Felix finds out a shocking truth about his parents death, and it makes him see things in a much clearer light. If only Tse didn't live in another state!

Oh I love these books, I really do. Ms Bradford keeps coming up with more and more obscure shifters and I love that! Here, Felix is a mountain sheep from Cyprus. It takes back stage, and is mentioned more in passing than anything else, but still, love it!

Felix and Tse have Chemistry, with a capital C! Right from the start, they are hot off the page! I loved how they both have hook up rules, but both of them, seperately, wanted to break those rules. They don't, but I loved that they thought about it. They both knew this was going to be more than a hook up, very early on, and usually, I don't much care for early declarations of love, but I thought it right and proper for these two.

When Felix finds out the truth about his parents deaths, it's Tse he runs to, but gets waylaid by Tse's entire family! When Felix tells Tse, he's all...And why would that make a difference?

Thoroughly enjoying this series!

4 stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
Fairest - Levana's Story
Fairest - Levana's Story
Marissa Meyer | 2015 | Children
10
8.3 (14 Ratings)
Book Rating
***If you have not read the series please be aware of possible spoilers. These books are NOT stand alones and must be read in order.***

I LOVE THIS SERIES!!! While this book technically goes between Cress and Winter I only just read it (3 months after reading Winter which didn't hinder my enjoyment of Winter in the least. However, I DO recommend reading Fairest in the proper order. ). And let me tell you....The moon has been visible every day this week and I keep looking at it and thinking, "Hmmm, I wonder if Levana can see me...."

I do NOT like Levana...AT ALL...And this book did not change that. I do not have compassion for her. I do not see ANY good in her. BUT, this book was REALLY REALLY well written, and it gives us SO MUCH INSIGHT into Levana's past. Although I DO feel bad for the whole reason she wears a veil. Knowing that if that event hadn't taken place that maybe she would have turned out nicer, but it is doubtful. She is a cunning queen. She knows what she is doing, and sees the long term goals. Too bad she didn't have at least a smidgen of good in her. Although she does raise her step-daughter...But let's not get into my feelings on that...Levana is the epitome of evil. Yet the world that Marissa Meyer has created is spectacular.

I borrowed the audiobook copy of Fairest from my local library. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
  
TF
Together Forever (Orphan Train, #2)
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Any time I pick up a Jody Hedlund book, I wish I could just cancel the day and binge read. Alas, life happens and children must be fed...However, there is a point in each of her books that demands that you read past your bedtime in order to finish (and that happened to me last night).

Filled with rich detail and engaging history, Together Forever will whisk you away to another era. A heartbreaking time in our history, I have learned a lot about The Children's Aid Society and the orphan trains through this series.

Marianne Neumann is a young woman riddled with guilt from past decisions. She is in a place that I am sure many of us have been. Thinking that God no longer cares, or would even bother with the likes of her. Her journey of acceptance, truth, and love is one to cherish. I LOVE the tender, fun, and passionate Andrew Brady. He too battles with forgiving himself for past mistakes...but his faith and character make him stand out among heroes.

Jody Hedlund never ceases to capture my heart and soul with her stories and Together Forever, is no exception. Faith, family, and romance are at the heart of this story. Let it sweep you away and get lost in a good book today! Together Forever is Book TWO in the Orphan Train Series, make sure to check out the prequel (An Awakened Heart) and Book One (With You Always) first.

I received a complimentary copy of Together Forever from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
  
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Kaz (232 KP) rated 'Impression of a Dilemma' in Books

Jun 30, 2019 (Updated Jun 30, 2019)  
'Impression of a Dilemma'
'Impression of a Dilemma'
Ann Sharples | 2015 | Crime, Fiction & Poetry, Humor & Comedy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Great Diverse Characters, Great Writing (0 more)
Nothing (0 more)
A fun Read
'Impression of A Dillemma' at first glance, looks as if it's going to be a crime based novel. However, it's much more than that.

This is a book which revolves around several diverse, quirky, but believable characters and their take on the same, shocking event. This book really gets into the minds of these characters and is very well written. I liked the almost poetic flow of the writing and the gentle humour.

In some novels which have multiple characters, in the end, they all become indistinguishable. However with this novel, everyone is completely different.

There was one character in particular, who at first, took some time for me to connect with. In reflection, I think this was good, because not many books include characters with such a quirky way of expressing themselves. So for this reason, I wouldn't say that this was a negative, but a change from having 'conventional' characters.

The pace of the novel was very good, at no point did it drag, I wanted to know what was going to happen next.

In fact, when I reached the end of the book, although I felt that it's ending was satisfactory, I couldn't help feeling like I wanted to know more about what the characters were going to do next. I'm not sure whether there will be any more books containing these characters or whether it's a stand alone novel, but I would be quite happy to read more about them, because they are so diverse and interesting.

I would definitely recommend this novel, if you like something quirky.
  
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JT (287 KP) rated Greta (2019) in Movies

Mar 10, 2020  
Greta (2019)
Greta (2019)
2019 | Drama, Thriller
Psychological thrillers come without much surprise these days. After the initial character introductions and back stories have bee laid out, the tension is ramped up until a climactic ending, which often falls flat – unless there is a clever twist.

With Greta, director Neil Jordan (Crying Game) uses an expensive green handbag to connect two lonely individuals together. One recovering from the death of her mother, while the other lives alone, longing for company and for someone to share meaningful conversation with.

While riding the subway after work one night Frances (Chloë Grace Moretz) comes across the green handbag and after being coerced into keeping the contents by her flatmate (Maika Monroe) her conscious tells her to return it. There she meets Greta, a softly spoken woman with a seemingly kind heart.

A revelation at dinner one night Frances confronts Greta and after an unnerving exchange, Frances leaves, in the hope that she will never see her again – but Greta is not about to let go of her that easily. French actress Isabelle Huppert gives a sinister performance – not many can stand still and look menacing without really trying, but she gets it spot on. It certainly put the fear in me.

Despite her quirky and innocent advances Frances is not fooled and does all she can to push back, without success. Even a private investigator intent on uncovering the truth about Greta is no match for the softly spoken malevolent loner.

There is some tense moments and the film is at the higher end of the psychological scale, but more could have been done with the writing to elevate it to one of sheer terror.
  
This was an interesting story!

I love the cover of this book. It becomes more intriguing the longer I look at it. Summer Flash Burn is the second book in Erin Unger’s Worthington Agency series. The stories (so far) follow a group of friends in a detective agency, kind of reminds me of Charles Angels . I had not read the first book in the series before this one. I would definitely say this book can be read as a stand-alone, it does make reference to the first book but not in a way that makes you feel lost.

Based on the description I thought I knew what I was getting in to with this book. However, it took me on some unique twists and turns leading to an ending that was a good surprise. The main characters Christopher and Shauna deal with issues of self-worth, body image, grief, decision making, reliance on God… So many different emotions in this book. They all flow together quite seamlessly to make a good storyline. I loved Shauna’s military backround and her struggles with civilian life, they made her really come to life. I also liked how Christopher worked for the railroad! I have never met anyone who does that. The only thing I didn’t particularly care for was that the characters seemed to be overdramatized in their reactions to the things that happen. Otherwise, it was a fun read and I will definitely be going back to read the first book in the series. Thank you, Erin Unger, for being another new to me author .
  
Duke of Manhattan
Duke of Manhattan
Louise Bay | 2017
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This review and more can be found at my blog

https://aromancereadersreviews.blogspot.com

A Romance Reader's Reviews

I haven't read any previous books in this series but each book is a stand alone.

So we're introduced to Ryder as he arrives home to see his grandfather after a fall in which he broke his hip. They discuss business and what's going to happen when his grandfather dies. The title and all business related to it will pass to the oldest married grandchild, and that isn't Ryder. To stop him from losing the business he loves he has to find a wife.

Welcome Scarlett to the scene. A woman he spent the night with after flying back out to America to attend to his business dealings across the pond. Only Scarlett runs a business he's trying to take over and is refusing to step down from a leading role. The perfect solution: get married and both get to keep the businesses they love.

Of course feelings emerge over time and what started off fake soon turns real. I actually enjoyed reading them fall for each other. It sort of bloomed over time out of all the sex and time they spent together. It was really kind of sweet. Of course, there's always something that happens that makes the couple part and I'm pleased to say that it was neither of their faults in this one! Nevertheless, they part ways for a while and Ryder's admission of his love and the things he did to try and win her back were really nice.

I'm actually looking forward to reading more books by this author if they're all like this.