Search

Search only in certain items:

SO
Secrets of the Tides
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
87 of 230
Book
Secrets of the Tides
By Hannah Richell
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Every family has a secret: a dramatic family saga with a dark thread of suspense lurking at its heart.

The Tides are a family with dark secrets. Haunted by the events of one tragic day ten years ago, they are each, in their own way, struggling to move forwards with their lives.

Dora, the youngest daughter, lives in a ramshackle East End warehouse with her artist boyfriend Dan. Dora is doing a good job of skating across the surface of her life - but when she discovers she is pregnant the news leaves her shaken and staring back at the darkness of a long-held guilt.

Returning to Clifftops, the rambling family house perched high on the Dorset coastline, Dora must confront her past. Clifftops hasn't changed in years and moving through its rooms and gardens, Dora can still feel the echo of that terrible summer's day when life changed forever for the Tides.

As Dora begins her search for clues surrounding the events of that fateful day, she comes to realise that the path to redemption may rest with her troubled sister, Cassie. If Dora can unlock the secrets Cassie swore she would take to her grave, just maybe she will have a shot at salvation.

But can long-held secrets ever really be forgiven? And even if you do manage to forgive and forget, how do you ever allow yourself to truly love again?

This was one of those reads when you never know what to expect. It starts of with a young lady trying to take her life then as we read on we discover a family full of tragedy and secrets. It’s very well written and deals with some very sensitive and heartbreaking subjects. We see a family torn apart and the only hope is a new baby to hopefully bring them together finally. I really enjoyed this and once I settled in to the book I couldn’t put it down.
  
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.
  
40x40

Merissa (12795 KP) rated Outcast (The Pack Prophecy #1) in Books

Aug 5, 2021 (Updated Jul 17, 2023)  
Outcast (The Pack Prophecy #1)
Outcast (The Pack Prophecy #1)
R.L. Caulder | 2021 | Erotica, Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
OUTCAST is the first book in The Pack Prophecy series and WOW! There you go, review done. No? Oh, okay, let me give you a bit more.

Kira was abandoned by her parents when she was very young and found by a wolf pack. She was loved and cared for by the Alpha's mate, and accepted into their family... until tragedy struck. The mother was killed, her best friend hated her, the Alpha blamed her, and she became the lowest of the low. Now it is the day that the new generation will transform. Secrets and surprises will rule the day, and Kira is right in the middle!

It turns out there is more to Kira than meets the eye, and the Alpha knew about it all along. Kira is a wolf shifter herself, now known as The Prophetess, who needs to save Wolfkind. Also, she now has multiple mates instead of one. Two of them accept her, but the Alpha's son, her best friend from childhood, rejects her. This may be a mating but Milo, Seth, and Jameson are HER consorts. At the end of the day, they will do anything for HER. What she says, goes. And that includes working through things that they don't necessarily like.

This is a tale of twisted greed, of weak becoming strong, of political and evil machinations, of hope and love. And I loved every word. I finished this book and immediately bought the second, with the third going into my calendar for release day.

A brilliant book that hooked me in. Roll on November for the third book! Absolutely 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!
Aug 5, 2021
  
The Third Veil
The Third Veil
Heather Carter | 2022 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE THIRD VEIL is a historical fantasy romance that covers some touchy subjects, just so you know. If you have any triggers, check them first.

Seven is the unloved and abused daughter of the owner of a brothel and spends her days cleaning like a maid. She finds solace in Charlie, a young farmer who is her best friend and courting her quietly. But the heroine can't be happy at the beginning, now can they, so it came as no surprise when tragedy struck. Not only that but Seven is pushed into something she is wholly unprepared for. With both friends and foes looking for her, she needs to save the world. No pressure.

I found the beginning of this story to be a little slow although I understood it was doing the groundwork and building up to the big event. Once she was through the veil, it sped up and moved along nicely. There is a lot that goes on so you will need to concentrate on all the twists and turns. One thing that made this hard for me was listening to her constant monologue about how weak she was, how she couldn't do it, how she needed Draivus, etc. etc. I kept waiting for the moment when she would gain faith in herself and step up, but it never happened. I know she's supposed to be young but it just felt a little too much in the opposite direction for me.

There were parts of the story and the world that remain unclear to me but they didn't really affect my enjoyment.

A good read that I enjoyed and recommend.

** 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!
Jun 21, 2023
  
Pumped (Mars Fitness #3)
Pumped (Mars Fitness #3)
Linden Bell | 2025 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
PUMPED is the third and final book in the Mars Fitness series and, in my opinion, the one with the least amount of Mars Fitness in it! LOL Everest works there and we do meet the guys, but that's about it. Anyway, moving on...

Everest and Owen have a hot and steamy one-night stand during a bachelor party. After that, nothing. Well, apart from lots of bad attitude. Owen likes to plan and have things organised, whereas Everest is more of a go-with-the-flow kinda guy. Everything changes when a tragedy happens and Owen and Everest are announced as co-parents in the will. Oh my, but my eyes had major leakage by this point. It was so well-written!

There was lots of toing and froing as these two figured out how to co-parent a little girl who needed lots of love and reassurance, as well as boundaries! Owen (obviously) was the bad guy, while Everest was the happy-go-lucky anything-goes-one. This completely worked with their personalities but it did mean I didn't particularly like Everest during a couple of parts.

Their realisations were funny and I loved how it wasn't instantaneous and they had to work at it. Nothing was easy in this book! Ivy has an old soul with a wise head on her young shoulders, for all she is six years old. I thought she was extremely well-written and have lived through temper tantrums like hers with my own daughters.

A great ending to the series, although I wish we could have more. Thoroughly enjoyable 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 12, 2025