Hidden Valley Road
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Don and Mimi Galvin seemed to be living the American dream. After World War II, Don's work with the...
First (99 Daddies #1)
7.0
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First: (adverb) a: before another in time, space, or importance. b: for the first time. See...
Adult MM Contemporary Romance Daddy/Boy
Fetal Abduction: The True Story of Multiple Personalities and Murder
7.0
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This is the story of Annette Morales Rodriguez, a hard-working single mother of three. It is also...
Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated Strength Check (Dungeons and Dating #1) in Books
Aug 27, 2021 (Updated Aug 27, 2021)
Mel has moved states to get farther up the career ladder as well as far away as possible from her toxic ex who is not getting we are just friends.
When Roxie first sees Mel a fire starts to burn will it be extinguished or will the flames devour them both and give them both a sense of worth and the love they've both been missing out on?
This was just a gorgeously written story it really made my heart melt. The feelings that Roxie gets about herself, feels like I'm reading my own story the self doubt through years of abuse and put downs plays that heavily on her that she feels she has to destroy what she feels could be something good because she doesn't think she's worth it, it is absolutely heartbreaking!
I love that the friendship with Mel helps with her healing process and that they are both helping each other recover along with the friends who are as close a family.
It really does give you that warm fuzzy feeling. I did find myself shouting at Roxie a couple of times and Mel if I'm honest but it was worth the wait. Deffinatly recommend 4/5
The Hospital: How I Survived the Secret Child Experiments at Aston Hall
9.3
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"We were an experiment. We had no rights, no love, nothing. Just a piece of meat for someone to play...
They Stay (They Stay #1)
8.0
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For fans of Stranger Things comes a suspenseful YA mystery about a missing kid, a girl who can see...
Supernatural Mystery Young Adult Thriller
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The House of Ashes in Books
Feb 13, 2022
This is a sad and tragic story told from the perspective of two women, Sara and Mary, and from two timelines, the present and sixty years ago, with all 'action' taking place on an isolated farm in Northern Ireland.
This is not a story full of joy or happiness but rather there is an overwhelming sense of darkness and sadness with a foreboding undertone from start to finish that is intense and certainly keeps you on edge. Having said that, it is also a story of strength, survival and hope amidst a backdrop of abuse, control and gaslighting.
I admit this isn't a story for everyone and I can't say I enjoyed it given the nature of its content, however, it was an excellent read that had me hooked and took me through so many emotions that many books don't do nowadays that I can only recommend it to others who enjoy dark, psychological thrillers with a little of the supernatural thrown in to enhance the overall feel of the book.
Thank you to Bonnier Books UK and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2326 KP) rated Frosted Yuletide Murder in Books
Dec 19, 2021
Before we go any further, I do want to issue a warning – this book spoils some events in the lives of the characters from previous books in the series. If you aren’t up to date, don’t start here. As a Southern California resident, I enjoyed this book’s setting since its depiction of weather in December made me feel right at home. The plot is filled with events that kept me engaged. I did feel the climax was a bit weak, but overall, I still enjoyed the book. One reason is the characters. Yes, the suspects are strong, but I’m talking the series regulars. I love getting to spend time with all of them, and fans of the series will be interested in seeing the latest developments in Emory’s life. You’ll want to work this Christmas cozy into your reading schedule as soon as you can.
Black and Blue
Stuart Prebble and Parm Sandhu
8.0
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At the point of her retirement from the Metropolitan Police Service in 2019, Parm Sandhu was the...
Memoir Non Fiction London Metropolitan Police Racism
Hazel (2934 KP) rated What July Knew in Books
Feb 5, 2023
July has had a difficult start in life having lost her mum very early in her life but as she nears her tenth birthday and wants to find out more about her mum, her life becomes even more difficult especially when she is not allowed to ask any questions otherwise there are "lessons" that she needs to learn.
I absolutely loved July and was immediately drawn to her and her story. Her innocence was endearing and I matched her desire and need to find out more about her mum and what happened to her.
This was a tough read in parts as it deals with domestic and child abuse and although it isn't gratuitous, if these are triggers for you, I would think strongly whether you want to read it.
Although it's a little slow to start, there is a pervading sense of unease amongst the drip drip of information that makes you want to keep reading and I would recommend to those of you who enjoy a great mystery but, more than that, a strong story of friendship, family and finding out where you belong within that complicated structure.
Thanks to Random House UK, Vintage and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of What July Knew.