Search
Ivana A. | Diary of Difference (1171 KP) rated Nights in Rodanthe in Books
Jan 25, 2019
Nights in Rodanthe
Nicholas Sparks is the romance genius. He is able to create stories of people falling in love, like no author I have read a book from yet. He puts so much emotion and feeling into the pages, that after one of his books, reading another romance seems boring.
Having read almost all of his books, I decided to finish all the ones I haven’t read, and when I suddenly encountered this one in the library, I told myself – ‘’Hey, why not?’’
The synopsis was intriguing, as all of his books are, but unlike the others, Nights in Rodanthe left me disappointed. With his books – this was the first time I ever felt like that. And that is why I need to mention this.
First of all, the story is very predictable. Too predictable – even. I knew what was going to happen from the very first chapters, and I was expecting at least a little bit of a plot twist, but nothing really happened.
Secondly, the romance was fake. The falling in love part? I didn’t see it. I just can’t imagine people falling in love in three days. I am sorry – but it is impossible. Crush, interest, lust, someone paying attention to you, and you feeling goosebumps – I can understand it all. But in three days, I can’t imagine anyone falling so deeply for one another, that you can’t look at another person ever again, and they are all you think about, all day.
Honestly – how well can you get to know a person in three days? Will you get to know the real person? When you’ve never seen them sad, angry, how they behave in company, how they behave when drunk, when upset, when they are doing daily chores, like going at work (note – this all happened while they were sort-of on vacation).
I can remember how many summers I have spent going on vacation for ten days, and thinking I was in love with someone. I am sure you have gone through the same.
So, knowing all this above, I just couldn’t feel for these people as I used to feel with many from Sparks’s characters in other books. And don’t judge me, that this would be the sole reason why I rate this book the way I do. After all, it’s a romance novel.
On the other side though – it is an emotional novel. If you, for a moment forget how fast this romance happened and how unreal it is, the story is going to deeply hurt your soul, and crush you into pieces. Fake romance or not, you are going to shed a few tears for sure.
To wrap this up – I didn’t like it. I am not into fake, impossible romance. But this book seems to be a hit or miss, so if you like Nicholas Sparks – I still encourage you to read it. You never know, it might be your favourite book from him so far.
Having read almost all of his books, I decided to finish all the ones I haven’t read, and when I suddenly encountered this one in the library, I told myself – ‘’Hey, why not?’’
The synopsis was intriguing, as all of his books are, but unlike the others, Nights in Rodanthe left me disappointed. With his books – this was the first time I ever felt like that. And that is why I need to mention this.
First of all, the story is very predictable. Too predictable – even. I knew what was going to happen from the very first chapters, and I was expecting at least a little bit of a plot twist, but nothing really happened.
Secondly, the romance was fake. The falling in love part? I didn’t see it. I just can’t imagine people falling in love in three days. I am sorry – but it is impossible. Crush, interest, lust, someone paying attention to you, and you feeling goosebumps – I can understand it all. But in three days, I can’t imagine anyone falling so deeply for one another, that you can’t look at another person ever again, and they are all you think about, all day.
Honestly – how well can you get to know a person in three days? Will you get to know the real person? When you’ve never seen them sad, angry, how they behave in company, how they behave when drunk, when upset, when they are doing daily chores, like going at work (note – this all happened while they were sort-of on vacation).
I can remember how many summers I have spent going on vacation for ten days, and thinking I was in love with someone. I am sure you have gone through the same.
So, knowing all this above, I just couldn’t feel for these people as I used to feel with many from Sparks’s characters in other books. And don’t judge me, that this would be the sole reason why I rate this book the way I do. After all, it’s a romance novel.
On the other side though – it is an emotional novel. If you, for a moment forget how fast this romance happened and how unreal it is, the story is going to deeply hurt your soul, and crush you into pieces. Fake romance or not, you are going to shed a few tears for sure.
To wrap this up – I didn’t like it. I am not into fake, impossible romance. But this book seems to be a hit or miss, so if you like Nicholas Sparks – I still encourage you to read it. You never know, it might be your favourite book from him so far.
Lindsay (1693 KP) rated Epic 2: Outlaw Trigger (Hardcover) in Books
Feb 15, 2018
Outlaw Trigger by Lee Stephen The story continues with Scott Remington. We also meet a new judge in the EDEN government. There seems to be a secret plan that Scott is not aware of. Thoor orders something that would hurt Scott for something of his own. Will they find out what going on at the military base in Russia? This Archer guy also seems to have a plan for this base that have Nightmen and Eden soldiers. Is Thoor wedding out Eden soldiers to build up his army of Nightmen?Scott is quite happy and excited that his fiancee is coming for a visit. He is in a good mood. While his girl is visiting something happen to his girl. Once this happens everything starts to spiral downward. Everyone is under aware of it. His comrades and friends all try and help him. We see how Scott reacts. Sides will be chosen and where will Scott end up.EDEN is also planning some things as well. You have got twists and turns that have you guessing until last page of the book. Do you want to read how Scott where he is now in book two I would suggest reading book one called Dawn of Destiny before book two Outlaw Trigger? I have reviewed Dawn of Destiny and have also done an interview with Lee Stephen. I am ready to pick up the bookmark to the next book "Hero".
Felicia (44 KP) rated Ready Player One (2018) in Movies
Sep 20, 2018
Contains spoilers, click to show
I'm going to try very hard to keep my feelings about the novel out of this review about the movie, often when reading reviews I feel that the feelings of one medium influences the feelings of the other.
Ready Player One is a entertaining ride that follows the main character Wade through the virtual world of the Oasis. The creator of this virtual world is dead but he left a puzzle when he died that if the players figured out it would lead them to a series of keys that would grant them ownership of the world.
But of course nothing can just be simple, so while the players are trying to figure out the puzzle in the Oasis there are people who are trying to take them out of the real world.
The movie goes through many different phases cutting between live action and cgi to demonstrate the difference between the Oasis and the real world. So if you're a fan of CGI this probably won't annoy you too much.
One of my major complaints about the movie is that visually there is too much going on, it is a huge distraction with so much going on in the background to really pay attention to what is going on in the foreground. This could be because they were trying to give the illusion of it being a real world but in a movie setting it was just too much.
The movie is also too long, some of the challenges and scenes just take too much time and drag down the pace of the movie. But one of the Challenges, where the players go into a recreating of The Shining is actually the best part of the whole movie, it is fun, familiar, and entertaining. Moments like that really help to save the movie from the slower moments that seem to drag.
Overall the movie isn't bad but it also isn't good. I doubt it will become a classic like the novel had when it was released. But I can totally see people putting it on when hanging out with a group of friends and want some background noise. It was a really interesting and good concept but they tried to do too much with it and it really hurt the movie in the long run.
Ready Player One is a entertaining ride that follows the main character Wade through the virtual world of the Oasis. The creator of this virtual world is dead but he left a puzzle when he died that if the players figured out it would lead them to a series of keys that would grant them ownership of the world.
But of course nothing can just be simple, so while the players are trying to figure out the puzzle in the Oasis there are people who are trying to take them out of the real world.
The movie goes through many different phases cutting between live action and cgi to demonstrate the difference between the Oasis and the real world. So if you're a fan of CGI this probably won't annoy you too much.
One of my major complaints about the movie is that visually there is too much going on, it is a huge distraction with so much going on in the background to really pay attention to what is going on in the foreground. This could be because they were trying to give the illusion of it being a real world but in a movie setting it was just too much.
The movie is also too long, some of the challenges and scenes just take too much time and drag down the pace of the movie. But one of the Challenges, where the players go into a recreating of The Shining is actually the best part of the whole movie, it is fun, familiar, and entertaining. Moments like that really help to save the movie from the slower moments that seem to drag.
Overall the movie isn't bad but it also isn't good. I doubt it will become a classic like the novel had when it was released. But I can totally see people putting it on when hanging out with a group of friends and want some background noise. It was a really interesting and good concept but they tried to do too much with it and it really hurt the movie in the long run.
![Those People Next Door [Audiobook]](/uploads/profile_image/ace/be1b0c79-fb0f-4df3-8ef5-1dfcb9f41ace.jpg?m=1675610582)
Those People Next Door [Audiobook]
7.0
Rate It
Book
You can choose your house. Not your neighbours. Salma Khatun is extremely hopeful about Blenheim,...
Merissa (11622 KP) rated Let Me In (The Boys Club #1) in Books
Apr 6, 2019
Let Me In (The Boys Club #1) by Luna David
Let Me In is the first book in The Boys Club, and we meet Liam, who at only twenty is already dealing with a tough hand in life. He is working three jobs to try and put food on the table, as well as saving for his sister's education, AND to get them out of the town they currently live in. When an offer is made to him, it seems too good to be true, but eventually, he goes with his heart. Cash is sad to see his current boy, Tommy, leave, but he knows it's for the best. What he doesn't expect is for Tommy to find him a new boy!
Things start of badly with Cash being under pressure, and not knowing anything about what's going on. However, that didn't stop him from acting like a jerk after that, much to Liam's hurt. I loved how Liam proved himself to be stronger than he thought, as well as putting his self-care first. He found new friends, got himself out of the situation, and tried to move on. Of course, it's after it happens that Cash realises just what a golden nugget he had in Liam.
This book was very easy to read, with no editing or grammatical errors that I noted. It is a very sweet book, whilst also being steamy in scenes. It is actually Cash who has to do the most growing in this book, and it was great to see him finally let Liam in. Although this book is complete, in and of itself, I would love to continue with this series, and I also hope Carter has his book. I really want to know his story.
If you like Daddy kink, then I can definitely recommend this book!
* 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!
Things start of badly with Cash being under pressure, and not knowing anything about what's going on. However, that didn't stop him from acting like a jerk after that, much to Liam's hurt. I loved how Liam proved himself to be stronger than he thought, as well as putting his self-care first. He found new friends, got himself out of the situation, and tried to move on. Of course, it's after it happens that Cash realises just what a golden nugget he had in Liam.
This book was very easy to read, with no editing or grammatical errors that I noted. It is a very sweet book, whilst also being steamy in scenes. It is actually Cash who has to do the most growing in this book, and it was great to see him finally let Liam in. Although this book is complete, in and of itself, I would love to continue with this series, and I also hope Carter has his book. I really want to know his story.
If you like Daddy kink, then I can definitely recommend this book!
* 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!
Merissa (11622 KP) rated Chosen (Werewolf Academy #7) in Books
Jun 18, 2020
Are you ready for this? Chosen is the last book in the Werewolf Academy series and I can guarantee you will have your heart ripped to shreds.
One thing Ms. Alsop is not afraid of is killing off favourite characters. This has happened before and it hurts every time, you know?! Things are coming to a head and Drogan now has his Demons who seem to be more than a match for Alex.
Do people get hurt in this finale? Yes, they do. Do people die? Oh my god, yes. Will it rip your heart out? Absolutely. Will you enjoy every moment? But, of course!!! I'm going to try to be as vague as possible here but when *** happened, I wondered when *** would, and when it did, I wasn't that surprised. Heartbroken but not surprised.
This book has everything you could ask for. Emotions of every type, heartbreak, sorrow, death, hope, joy, birth, and most of all, a HEA. This is an amazing series that will take you from the first word of book one to the last word of book seven without any problem; each book leaving you wanting more.
I can't believe I've reached the end of both this series and Silver. I love Cheree Alsop's werewolves and I hope to read more about them in the future. Absolutely recommended by me.
* 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!
One thing Ms. Alsop is not afraid of is killing off favourite characters. This has happened before and it hurts every time, you know?! Things are coming to a head and Drogan now has his Demons who seem to be more than a match for Alex.
Do people get hurt in this finale? Yes, they do. Do people die? Oh my god, yes. Will it rip your heart out? Absolutely. Will you enjoy every moment? But, of course!!! I'm going to try to be as vague as possible here but when *** happened, I wondered when *** would, and when it did, I wasn't that surprised. Heartbroken but not surprised.
This book has everything you could ask for. Emotions of every type, heartbreak, sorrow, death, hope, joy, birth, and most of all, a HEA. This is an amazing series that will take you from the first word of book one to the last word of book seven without any problem; each book leaving you wanting more.
I can't believe I've reached the end of both this series and Silver. I love Cheree Alsop's werewolves and I hope to read more about them in the future. Absolutely recommended by me.
* 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!
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Evil Runs in Books
Apr 9, 2019
A French priest, a Texas sheriff, and a female CIA agent walk into a bar looking for Evil. Sounds like the start of a corny joke, but it's not. Evil Runs by Vince Milam is a religious thriller that takes these three on a trip around the world to destroy the evil that has disrupted their lives.
Still grieving the loss of his wife, Sheriff Cole Garza is now dealing with multiple homicides at a nursing home in his small Texas town. Leaving the scene, he sees a most peculiar man who appears to be running away from another man with a long gray ponytail who is just as peculiar. Looking into the eyes of the murder suspect, Cole sees something familiar, something he saw in the eyes of his wife's murderer. When Father Francois Domaine appears in Texas with orders from the Vatican, things begin to really get strange. They have a suspect in custody and are currently looking for his accomplice, Adal Moloch. He was the peculiar man seen leaving the crime scene, and the hunt is on. With the help of Nadine May, a CIA operative with unbelievable tracking and computer skills, they are able to follow Moloch wherever he goes. Will they find him and bring him to justice before more people are hurt?
This is a book for those who believe in a higher power, or for those that don't, you just might after reading this book. Adal Moloch is not your typical suspect. He is a demon sent to have his evil bidding done by anyone who is willing to follow him. Destroying him is going to take more than a bullet to the head, but also a faith that God is stronger than him with that faith you can destroy anything. We always wonder if faith is enough. Can our faith in God destroy the evil that is around us? Can we rise above the evil and do what is right? At first, I was a little skeptical about this book thinking it was going to get a bit paranormal, but it didn't which made me thoroughly enjoy it. This is the first book i a series and I can't wait to read what is next.
Still grieving the loss of his wife, Sheriff Cole Garza is now dealing with multiple homicides at a nursing home in his small Texas town. Leaving the scene, he sees a most peculiar man who appears to be running away from another man with a long gray ponytail who is just as peculiar. Looking into the eyes of the murder suspect, Cole sees something familiar, something he saw in the eyes of his wife's murderer. When Father Francois Domaine appears in Texas with orders from the Vatican, things begin to really get strange. They have a suspect in custody and are currently looking for his accomplice, Adal Moloch. He was the peculiar man seen leaving the crime scene, and the hunt is on. With the help of Nadine May, a CIA operative with unbelievable tracking and computer skills, they are able to follow Moloch wherever he goes. Will they find him and bring him to justice before more people are hurt?
This is a book for those who believe in a higher power, or for those that don't, you just might after reading this book. Adal Moloch is not your typical suspect. He is a demon sent to have his evil bidding done by anyone who is willing to follow him. Destroying him is going to take more than a bullet to the head, but also a faith that God is stronger than him with that faith you can destroy anything. We always wonder if faith is enough. Can our faith in God destroy the evil that is around us? Can we rise above the evil and do what is right? At first, I was a little skeptical about this book thinking it was going to get a bit paranormal, but it didn't which made me thoroughly enjoy it. This is the first book i a series and I can't wait to read what is next.
Merissa (11622 KP) rated Bulletproof (Songbird, #2) in Books
Apr 11, 2023
So Bulletproof is Morgan's story. She is the eldest of the trio and came across in Fever as very much a mother figure. This time, though, we get to see WHY she is the way she is and how she really feels behind the mask that she wears for everyone. She is always the strong one, nothing can hurt her, she's bulletproof... or is she?!
This is an amazing story in its own right and not just as the second book in a series. Morgan is a brilliant character and the way you learn about her - her fears, foibles, hopes and dreams - takes you along for a ride. It's a bumpy one, mind you. Nothing is going quite as she thought it would when she was in college but then nothing usually is!
Sean is the other main character in this book and I have mixed feelings about him. On the one hand, I like that he came from 'humble' beginnings, had an honest outlook and naively thought that everyone else would have the same. He couldn't see it when someone was working against him. However, those same qualities drove me insane throughout the book until I was huffing and puffing like the big bad wolf whenever I felt he was doing something stupid! Thank goodness for his mum who certainly knew how to set him straight! I loved her!!
I'm keeping this review short(ish) because I don't want to give away any of the storyline. You really do need to read this book for yourself to fully appreciate it. What I can do is highly recommend it and say you'd be a fool to miss it. Looking forward to Jodi's story which is due out very soon.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
August 27, 2016
This is an amazing story in its own right and not just as the second book in a series. Morgan is a brilliant character and the way you learn about her - her fears, foibles, hopes and dreams - takes you along for a ride. It's a bumpy one, mind you. Nothing is going quite as she thought it would when she was in college but then nothing usually is!
Sean is the other main character in this book and I have mixed feelings about him. On the one hand, I like that he came from 'humble' beginnings, had an honest outlook and naively thought that everyone else would have the same. He couldn't see it when someone was working against him. However, those same qualities drove me insane throughout the book until I was huffing and puffing like the big bad wolf whenever I felt he was doing something stupid! Thank goodness for his mum who certainly knew how to set him straight! I loved her!!
I'm keeping this review short(ish) because I don't want to give away any of the storyline. You really do need to read this book for yourself to fully appreciate it. What I can do is highly recommend it and say you'd be a fool to miss it. Looking forward to Jodi's story which is due out very soon.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
August 27, 2016
ClareR (5556 KP) rated Slaughter and Forgetting (Josef Slonsky Investigations #2) in Books
Dec 4, 2018
Another great Slonsky book!!
In my opinion, Slonsky just seems to get better and better. He’s lazy, sarcastic and constantly drinking beer and eating anything that isn’t regarded as healthy.
This time, he’s solving a thirty year old murder, after an elderly ex-policeman asks him to reopen the case. This appears unlikely to happen, until Holoubek (the elderly policeman) is killed in a hit and run.
We’re introduced to a new character, Peiperova, a female police officer, who Navratil certainly has a soft spot for. I think she is going to feature a lot in the books that follow!
There’s a lot of humour in this book, especially the darker variety. We are given an insight in to the communist past of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and it isn’t all nice. Some is quite amusing though: a trade deal with Hungary that involved trading Hi-Fi’s for toasters!!
For all Slonsky’s apparent laziness, he is actually very good at what he does. He has a moral code - he hates to see people get hurt, and a lot of thought goes into this case (even if it is done whilst sat in a bar, beer in hand!).
I’m a big fan of Slonsky. I love his fast wit, and the way that he tries to cover up a razor sharp mind - with a camouflage of pastries, beer and sausage!
I’ll be adding the next Slonsky book to my kindle ASAP!
Many thanks to Sapere books for my copy of this great book.
This time, he’s solving a thirty year old murder, after an elderly ex-policeman asks him to reopen the case. This appears unlikely to happen, until Holoubek (the elderly policeman) is killed in a hit and run.
We’re introduced to a new character, Peiperova, a female police officer, who Navratil certainly has a soft spot for. I think she is going to feature a lot in the books that follow!
There’s a lot of humour in this book, especially the darker variety. We are given an insight in to the communist past of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and it isn’t all nice. Some is quite amusing though: a trade deal with Hungary that involved trading Hi-Fi’s for toasters!!
For all Slonsky’s apparent laziness, he is actually very good at what he does. He has a moral code - he hates to see people get hurt, and a lot of thought goes into this case (even if it is done whilst sat in a bar, beer in hand!).
I’m a big fan of Slonsky. I love his fast wit, and the way that he tries to cover up a razor sharp mind - with a camouflage of pastries, beer and sausage!
I’ll be adding the next Slonsky book to my kindle ASAP!
Many thanks to Sapere books for my copy of this great book.
Debbiereadsbook (1064 KP) rated Bad Daddy (Unexpected Daddies #3) in Books
May 8, 2021
best of the three, I reckon!
I was gifted my copy of this book direct from the author, and I thank Ms Sue very much for that!
This is book 3 in the Unexpected Daddies series, and I read book 2 AFTER this one, so you don't need to have read those two book before this one. Those guys pop up, but you don't need to have read their stories to follow Max and Caleb's.
Caleb isn't a Daddy, but he finds himself drawn to Max. Max who wants someone to cause him pain. Max who brings all kinds of feelings out of Caleb he didn't know he had. But Caleb can't hurt anyone, even if they want it.
I loved this book, I inhaled it, totally and utterly. I'm not a rereader, not at all, but I find myself unwilling to let these two go!
Caleb is atoning for his sins in a previous life. He can't hurt anyone again, even if Max is looking for that. What Caleb wants to do, is look after Max. In a way he wasn't aware he needed to. In a way that surprsies him, totally. It surprises Max too, how much he likes being looked after, how much Caleb makes him really feel. He hasn't felt much in a long, long time, but Caleb is pushing buttons he didn't know he needed pushing. And as much as he likes it, it scares him too.
The attraction they share is instant, but the relationship builds over time, and I loved the build up, the development that these two go through to be together. they understand what they are feeling is new to them both, different to what they usually want, but they work at it and it really is beautiful reading, that working at it.
I quote from my review for One Cup Of Daddy And A Dash of Love: "This is about learning what you need to be for your partner, and what they need from you." And that perfectly sums up this book too. I didn't feel that so much for book 2 though (I read it, but didn't write a review, bad me!)
Cup of Daddy is a sweet book, almost rot your teeth, kinda sweet. THIS book is not sweet, not at all. But what it is, is a beautifully written story about going for what and who you want, even if they are far out of your comfort zone. It's about two men realising what THEY need, and what the other needs, even if neither knew before.
Thank you, Ms Sue, for this book. I really loved it! Best of the three, I reckon!
5 full and shiny stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
This is book 3 in the Unexpected Daddies series, and I read book 2 AFTER this one, so you don't need to have read those two book before this one. Those guys pop up, but you don't need to have read their stories to follow Max and Caleb's.
Caleb isn't a Daddy, but he finds himself drawn to Max. Max who wants someone to cause him pain. Max who brings all kinds of feelings out of Caleb he didn't know he had. But Caleb can't hurt anyone, even if they want it.
I loved this book, I inhaled it, totally and utterly. I'm not a rereader, not at all, but I find myself unwilling to let these two go!
Caleb is atoning for his sins in a previous life. He can't hurt anyone again, even if Max is looking for that. What Caleb wants to do, is look after Max. In a way he wasn't aware he needed to. In a way that surprsies him, totally. It surprises Max too, how much he likes being looked after, how much Caleb makes him really feel. He hasn't felt much in a long, long time, but Caleb is pushing buttons he didn't know he needed pushing. And as much as he likes it, it scares him too.
The attraction they share is instant, but the relationship builds over time, and I loved the build up, the development that these two go through to be together. they understand what they are feeling is new to them both, different to what they usually want, but they work at it and it really is beautiful reading, that working at it.
I quote from my review for One Cup Of Daddy And A Dash of Love: "This is about learning what you need to be for your partner, and what they need from you." And that perfectly sums up this book too. I didn't feel that so much for book 2 though (I read it, but didn't write a review, bad me!)
Cup of Daddy is a sweet book, almost rot your teeth, kinda sweet. THIS book is not sweet, not at all. But what it is, is a beautifully written story about going for what and who you want, even if they are far out of your comfort zone. It's about two men realising what THEY need, and what the other needs, even if neither knew before.
Thank you, Ms Sue, for this book. I really loved it! Best of the three, I reckon!
5 full and shiny stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**