Sign up
Search
Advanced search settings

Search only in certain items:

Search results
All (320)
Content
People
Apps
Books
Orbs
Movies
Music
Podcasts
Shows
Tabletop Games
Tech
TV
Video Games
YouTube Channels
Videos
40x40

Eleanor Luhar (47 KP) rated Ensnared (Splintered, #3) in Books

Jun 24, 2019  
Ensnared (Splintered, #3)
Ensnared (Splintered, #3)
A.G. Howard | 2015
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I read the first novel of the Splintered series and immediately fell in love with it - purchasing the entire series as paperbacks. This is book #3 in the series by A.G. Howard.

If you haven't read the first two novels then I don't want to spoil anything for you. But I will say what I can about the plot and character development (of which there is plenty).

Alyssa takes us on another crazy journey, from the human realm through AnyElsewhere and, of course, Wonderland. Again, she finds herself stuck between her two halves - and between her two loves.

Along with her parents, Morpheus and Jeb, Alyssa must banish Red's spirit forever, return Wonderland to its former glory, and find a way to balance the two halves of her heart. But the travel to this magical realm has changed Jeb, and he's found something he's not willing to leave behind anymore.

There's a lot of madness and magic in this, which is my favourite part. The pure craziness and mystery of Carroll's Wonderland is captured beautifully by Howard. There are weird and terrifying creatures - my favourite being the strange butterflies native to AnyElsewhere, even if they do endanger the life of one of our beloved characters - as well as beautiful landscapes and clever backstories. The whole origin of Carroll's story is put into question, Alyssa slowly uncovering how he discovered the magical land all those years ago.

The main part of this is about Alyssa trying to placate the two halves of her heart. After her previous run-in with Queen Red, there's something strange going on inside her heart - something that hurts when her human side and netherling side are fighting. What's wrong with her? How can she live like this?

And Morpheus and Jeb still aren't the best of friends, either. They're almost constantly competing for her affections - despite being stuck alone together for who knows how long. I'm always routeing for Morpheus, even if he is a bit of a troublemaker.

The ending is quite a nice compromise, a clever and clean way to stitch everything together. And the epilogue is really good, in my opinion. I won't tell you what happens. But it's short and brief, leaving so many questions and opportunities at the end that makes me reeeally want to read the next book.

It is sometimes a little too perfect, if you know what I mean, but it's not sickeningly good or sweet. I think the solutions they conjure are really creative and clever, and when they're in trouble I'm always wondering what they'll come up with this time.

As for development, Jeb and Morpheus have a clear "epiphany" sort of moment toward the end. But I found that Alyssa also developed a lot, slowly - little realisations that shape her being over time, shape her as a queen.

I do love a good Wonderland story. This isn't, in my personal opinion, quite as the first novels, but I still really enjoyed it. 4 stars for Ensnared.
  
40x40

Merissa (13298 KP) rated Code Red in Books

Jun 24, 2021 (Updated Jul 18, 2023)  
Code Red
Code Red
N.R. Walker | 2021 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
CODE RED is a love story that will break you down! Or maybe that's just me...

Maddox is young, in love with his manager, and struggling under the immense pressure of being in a successful band. Roscoe is his manager, in love with his charge, and trying to help Maddox survive the latest - gruelling - tour.

These two!!!! Oh, my heart. They are gorgeous together. Sweet and sassy, argumentative and yet completely together. My heart was in my mouth for most of the book as I was worried about Roscoe's job. The boys in the band are fantastic and I really hope they get their HEA's too. I would like to see Steve and Jeremy get together, but that's probably just my mind!

The behind the scenes filming is a part of it that fades to the background (as it's meant to) but provides clear insight at the end. I will admit to wondering if they were still around as I read the book, but am so thankful Ms Walker wrote it the way she did. That way, I received the full impact, and I loved every word.

This is not just a love story though, but also deals with pressure and anxiety, written in a way that takes you along with it. Poor Maddox. Honestly, I really felt for him, and for Roscoe as he tries to discreetly help him.

One thing to finally say - I loved the Late Show scene at the end. Now, I know there have been plenty of hosts of shows by this name, but the one in my mind was the one by my favourite, Stephen Colbert. And when the host's face is described as being surprised, that's who I saw! A wonderful way to end an excellent novel.

I was completely enthralled by this story - wanting my HEA but not wanting the story to finish. Gripping from the very beginning, this is a book I will be re-reading, just to immerse myself in some Moscoe time! 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!
Jun 24, 2021
  
40x40

Little Ray Of Sunshine (41 KP) rated Fire in You (Wait for You, #6) in Books

Jan 11, 2019 (Updated Feb 10, 2019)  
FI
Fire in You (Wait for You, #6)
J. Lynn | 2016
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Book Review | Fire in You (Waiting for You #6) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Blurb
From the #1 New York Times and International bestselling author, Jennifer L. Armentrout writing as J. Lynn, comes Fire in You: a richly moving story about heartbreak and guilt, second changes and hope.

Six years ago, Jillian Lima's whole world was destroyed. The same night her childhood love Brock Mitchell broke her heart, her life was irrevocably altered by a stranger with a gun. After years spent slowly rebuilding the shattered pieces of her life, Jillian is finally ready to stop existing in a past full of pain and regret and is determined to start living. The one thing she never expected was the impossibly handsome Brock walking back into her life...

Brock can't believe that the breathtaking women standing before him now is the little girl who use to be his shadow growing up. Unable to stay away from each other, their tentative friendship soon sparks into something more and the red-hot chemistry sizzling between them can no longer be denied.

But falling for Brock again risks more than just Jillian's heart. When the past resurfaces, and a web of lies threatens to rip them apart, the fallout could lay waste to everything they've ever care about..

Review

This is the first time I hearing this author and I will want to read more of her books.

I love how this author wrote the main character Jillian to have imperfection as this makes me feel that she is amazing character and she lucky she survived the traumatic event. Also some stories can have the female main character to look flawless and I like how Jennifer L. Armentrout wrote it differently. Brock Mitchell never notice that Jillian loved him since he came through the door when he tried stealing from her families business. But the traumatic event what happened to Jillian with a stranger with a gun Brock felt guilt that he didn't took her to her car and just let her walk alone with this happening they decided to go their separate ways.

Jillian is offered the General Manager Assistant at her family business so she feels she can do this and its in her blood but she wondering who is the General Manager. When she comes to work she realise it is Brock Mitchell she wants to run away and find another job. When Brock first sees her after a long time being apart he realise the little girl he use to know as grown into a beautiful women and she takes hes breath away.
Jillian pushes their problems aside and starts working but this means they need to work together and the chemistry between each other becomes red-hot and Brock can't get her out hes mind. But will this go any further then just flirting? As their past resurfaces and web of lies threatens to rip them apart.

Will there be a happy ever after?

You will need to buy the book to find out ;)