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The Whole Truth (DI Adam Fawley #5)
The Whole Truth (DI Adam Fawley #5)
Cara Hunter | 2021 | Crime, Thriller
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I have had this book on my 'to-be-read' pile for ages only realising (because my pile is so big!) when book 6 came along. I am so disappointed with myself that I didn't read it earlier because this is yet another cracker from Cara Hunter and a great addition to the series. I don't think you have to read the others in the series to enjoy this as it works pretty well as a standalone.

Once again, we are treated to an up to date story line of alleged abuse by a female in a powerful position against a male student and an old case that is coming back to haunt DI Fawley, his team and his wife. Ms Hunter uses different types of media, including podcasts and transcripts from interviews, to enhance the story and make it feel current and relevant and definitely enhances the reading experience.

The Whole Truth, and in fact the whole series so far, is full of excellent characters that are well developed but what I particularly like is that at the very beginning, there is a brief summary of the main characters in the series which gets you up to speed and jogs your memory which, for people who read a lot of books/series or for those, like me, who have memory lapses from time to time, is really useful. I would certainly recommend this to other authors who write series.

I have one small quibble in what is a really good book and that is the reproduction of Alex's written notes and some of the excepts from text conversations and social media didn't reproduce very well on the Kindle in that they were too small even when the font was set to maximum; I realise in a physical book this is likely not to be an issue but it might be worth thinking about this for future books.

Like I said, this is a cracker and one I would recommend to those of you who enjoy a really good police procedural with some great twists, turns and suspense.

Many thanks to Penguin Books UK and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my views of The Whole Truth.
  
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Merissa (13326 KP) rated Where You Are in Books

Aug 18, 2022  
Where You Are
Where You Are
Felice Stevens | 2022 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The spark is instantaneous between these two!
WHERE YOU ARE is a standalone story that also has overlapping characters from other Felice Stevens books. You don't need to have read the other books, but I would recommend you do, simply because they are excellent stories.

Isaac is a forty-year-old firefighter who has also been on TV and a model. He is out and proud. Levi is a twenty-seven-year-old volunteer firefighter who also helps his brother run a bar. Levi is firmly in the closet, worried about how his family (especially his brother) will react when or if they find out.

The story flows smoothly, leading you from Isaac visiting where Levi lives, which is the main part of the story, to Levi visiting New York. The characters are wonderful, especially Amanda and Daisy! I adored seeing Gabriel and Ronan again, and hearing about Matty and Bryce still being happy! Yey!!

I loved Levi's character. He tries so hard to please everyone else that he puts their happiness before his own. That's not healthy, long-term, but Levi has to work that out for himself. And Isaac, he's the one I struggled with. There was so much about him I loved, but then he'd do or say something I didn't like. I know he's out, and he knows Levi isn't, but I swear my own pulse rate shot through the roof when he would kiss Levi at the bar, or his aunt and uncle's place. It almost felt as though he didn't care if Levi was caught out, which surprised me. He has many positive aspects to his character, but this, I just couldn't get on board with.

All in all, this was a brilliant story that I thoroughly enjoyed, apart from the few 'Isaac' niggles. I have no hesitation in recommending it.

** 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!
  
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Merissa (13326 KP) rated Influenced in Books

Apr 11, 2022 (Updated Jun 26, 2023)  
Influenced
Influenced
Felice Stevens | 2022 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
INFLUENCED is a standalone novel (so far but more are to come) about Bryce, or BB, and Matty. Two people from two very different worlds who find themselves in the same place at the same time.

Matty - I loved from the beginning. He's solid, down-to-earth whilst still being a dreamer, unafraid to work hard, and so huggable in his vulnerability. Bryce - grew on me... like fungus. I really didn't like him at the beginning. I felt sorry for him, don't get me wrong. No one deserves to be treated the way he was, and it was easy to understand the spiralling. What I didn't like was his attitude when he first arrived at Rolling Meadows. Too selfish and too self-absorbed for me. Now, obviously, I understand he was meant to be this way so you could see the changes happening. All I'm saying is I didn't like him at the beginning!

The character who really stole my heart was Earl! If you can't love a grouchy old grandpa, who can you love? He was fantastic all the way through and how he reacted to the scene in the diner was just perfect.

This is a feel-good story though, with understanding people, together with some not so understanding. It was a delight to read it and watch Bryce change and see the world he had inhabited for what it really was. There are some misunderstandings between our main two but they talk about them and clear the air. I'm also happy Emma and Cole got their HEA and hope to hear more from them in the future.

A great read full of the warm and fuzzies with some steaming hot moments too. I am hoping for at least one more story but there are at least three characters I need to know more from. Who knows how that will happen? However it does, I can't wait to read it.

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!
Apr 8, 2022
  
Wants And Needs (Fan Service #7)
Wants And Needs (Fan Service #7)
Hinsel Meyer | 2025 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
WANTS AND NEEDS is the seventh and final book in the Fan Service series, although you can read it as a standalone, as I did. Did it impact my understanding of the characters and storyline? If I were being completely pedantic, then yes, but only because I kept getting Wolf and Hawk mixed up in my mind through not having read their books. Otherwise, a resounding no!

Carter is a sweet character whom we first meet in London, as he prepares to sell the family home. After he has completed that task, he catches a flight back to LA, where he saves a sixteen-year-old girl from the sleazy attentions of an older man. Her brother, Liam, is meeting her at the airport and is understandably concerned when he sees her being friendly with a man he doesn't know. Liam is also autistic and has some problems picking up facial expressions and social cues.

The slow-burn relationship between Carter and Liam was written so perfectly! Liam's version of autism was so clear, it made it easily understandable to anyone unfamiliar with it. And I say his version of it, because it isn't a one-size-fits-all situation. Carter's acceptance of Liam was pure, and I loved how he wasn't afraid to ask others for help when he didn't fully understand the situation or know what the best thing to do was.

This is the first book by this author I have read, and it won't be the last. If I don't read anything else, I need to read the other books in this series! I loved all of the characters and absolutely need to read their stories!!! If they are written half as well as this one is, I know I will love them all. 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!
Jul 18, 2025