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    Spy Club

    Spy Club

    9.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

    Tabletop Game

    "We could start a Spy Club," suggested Beatrice. "You know — search for clues and try to find...

The Boy in the Attic (Wartime Holland Book 3)
The Boy in the Attic (Wartime Holland Book 3)
Imogen Matthews | 2022 | History & Politics, Mystery
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Firstly, I must point out that the description I was provided with (above) was not accurate to how the book played out - I'm not sure what happened there but regardless, it's still a really good story and although part of a series, it can most definitely be read as a standalone.

The Boy in the Attic is a story told from 2 timelines, 2 perspectives and 2 countries.

Ilse's story takes place in Holland during World War II. The Nazi's have put a halt to her studies to become a doctor and she is living with her parents. Food is scarce and it's a daily battle to find enough to keep them from starving to death. Ilse then receives a request to help out at a hospital and she moves to live with her friend and her parents but what she discovers and the choices she makes, puts all their lives in jeopardy.

Anna's story is based in the UK in the early 2000's. Her father has just past away and whilst sorting through his affairs, discovers he was adopted and his origins are in Holland. Anna sets out to find out more.

I found the dual timelines worked really well although I admit to being more emotionally attached to Ilse's story. Both characters are well developed and I found myself completely immersed in both their stories and desperate to find out how Ilse and Anna were connected.

I found Ilse's story captivating, Anna's not as much but they worked well together and I did feel connected and invested in both their stories to the end.

This is a story of heartbreak and tragedy but also one of discovery and survival and one I would recommend to those who enjoy historical fiction stories that are set in this period. This one uses the author's own family history to give a believable feel to this story.

Thanks go to Bookouture and NetGalley for enabling me to read The Boy in the Attic and share my views.
  
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Merissa (13549 KP) rated Sexted by Santa (Thrust Into Love #4) in Books

Nov 18, 2021 (Updated Jul 10, 2023)  
Sexted by Santa (Thrust Into Love #4)
Sexted by Santa (Thrust Into Love #4)
D.J. Jamison | 2021 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
SEXTED BY SANTA is the fourth book in the Thrust Into Love series and could easily be read as a standalone as the connection is the college, not the people.

Oh, man. Where to start? Maybe with the Found Family, which is something I always love? Or maybe with the grumpy, grinch-like main character who also warms up? Or maybe I go with the amazing amount of research done into Type 1 Diabetes? I don't know. All of the above.

Having my own Found Family; this is a trope I love. It has been proven to me over and over that they can step up when your biological family won't. It doesn't always mean it's straightforward though, as Hugh so brilliantly demonstrates.

As for the main characters, Christian never had it easy, from the time he was named! And Jaxson, bless his heart. He became a single parent at a young age, determined to do the right thing. And, for the most part, he succeeds admirably. Yes, he's over-protective, but so would I be! I adored how these two were together, so capable and supportive of each other, yet so hot my Kindle was steaming.

And yes, that research definitely deserves a mention! I honestly had no idea it was so involved. Absolutely heartbreaking that you can do all the right things and some outside force can make it go wrong! Luckily for me, this author believes in happy endings so all was well in the end. I was worried!!!

Put all of this together and you get a stonking book that is so much more than 'just' a Christmas story. It's about love, hope, and learning to live again. Absolutely fantastic 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!
Nov 18, 2021