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Graham and Morgyn are wandering souls who meet at a weekend long concert in the hills. They quickly realize they also have a circle of friends who know each other pulling their worlds a little closer.

Trails of Love is a fall quick story with no real angst in the storyline. Both come from big families and have their own agendas in life to forward their successes. They fit together pretty well and have little rearranging of life and/or goals to make a relationship work.

Story reads well and pretty seamlessly, but one issue and had me grating my teeth was Morgyn's nickname of "Cracker" for Graham. It just didn't work for me at all and I groaned everytime I read it. That being said, the rest of the story was well written, not a knock me off my seat story but sweet and romantic. I received an advance copy without expectation for review, any and all opinions expressed are my own. This continuation of the Bradens and Mongomerys series is well worth the read.
  
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Auburn (57 KP) rated Shadow & Flame in Books

Jun 21, 2019  
Shadow & Flame
Shadow & Flame
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book throws you right back into the action 6 months from the ending of the last book. The plot rockets from about 1- 100 in the span of a page. I started and finished this book in the same day. That is how engrossed I was and how much I needed to know how it ends.

The dual perspective gives us two very different sides of the story. Each side has enough angst and high drama that you won’t feel bored with one. This is great since lately a lot of dual POV bore me.
The romance is more subtle in this book and it focuses more on Kate and Corwin growing as individual characters. And there is a lot of growth that happens. From book one through the ending of this you feel that each character grows and changes. Some not in the best way.
Overall this was the perfect duology. If had action, magic, horses, heartbreak, and love. If you enjoyed the first book you will Love this one.
  
Clash (The Arinthian Line, #4)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Probably my favorite book in the series so far.

I read a bunch of reviews where others disliked this book a lot. I don't understand. This one was GREAT.

We get more arcanery (magic), we get new friends, magic TOURNAMENTS, an old magic school with history and lore, understanding of the past, hope for the future. We get more action, more excitement, and more AWESOMENESS.

People mention things like "pacing" or "teenage angst" or "there were some grammatical errors". COME ON PPL Get over yourselves, I don't see you writing incredible stories in awesome worlds with legit magic-systems, etc! I'll take your reviews seriously when you write something this good. Really, I didn't even notice ANY of that junk because of how good the book was.

Really I was able to read all of the books in a series in a row, didn't have to wait for book 5 to come out. But if I had finished this and had to wait for book 5, I don't know what would have happened...
  
The Square (2017)
The Square (2017)
2017 | Comedy, Drama, International
Another of those occasions where the Smashbomb rating scale falls a little short: 'shoddy' isn't how I'd describe this film as much as fundamentally somewhat misconceived. Anyway: award-winning satire of liberal pretensions and angst set in and around a Stockholm art gallery. Curator Christian gets mugged, leading him to make some very poor decisions; various installations and performances go horribly wrong; the gulf between the high-minded aspirations of the museum's patrons and their actual behaviour is repeatedly exposed.

The odd quite funny and on-point scene, but it doesn't half labour its points and at nearly two and half hours it feels much too long (I watched it in installments, which I never normally do). Bang is pretty good in the central role and the thesis of the film is certainly relevent to the modern world, but it could have been funnier, sharper, and less irritatingly weird in places. As it is, this is a film satirising pretentiousness which actually feels rather pretentious itself - so not a great look. Hard work, if you ask me,
  
Accidental Romeo
Accidental Romeo
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
First off: the cover is amazing - well the guy is. And the plot sounded good.

It started quite good but it become pretty obvious from fairly early on that a certain someone wasn't all that he seemed and it was rather slow in getting to the culprit and why he'd done what he did.

And then the romance, too. It started quite nice and gentle and then the dirty talk when they finally got into bed...there is one word I don't like - begins with c, ends in t, and is 4 letters - and Hunter used it a few times. To me, it's not hot or attractive. I find it kinda vulgar and it puts me off.

As for the rest of the story. I just found it a little boring. There wasn't enough stuff going on for me. I like a little angst between my characters, I like to get drawn into their romance, I like them to fight and make up...

It just wasn't what I wanted it to be.
  
Crawl (2019)
Crawl (2019)
2019 | Horror, Thriller
Kaya Scodelario makes a striking action heroine (1 more)
Some "Jaws-lite" action scenes
Dialogue is atrocious: particularly re a father/daughter angst sub-plot (0 more)
Directed by Alexandre Aja (“Piranha 3D”) this is a sub-90 minute film that at least doesn’t outstay its welcome. It’s been a decent summer hit for the studios (at the time of writing it has made $75 million on a meagre $13 budget).

It’s certainly not for the faint-hearted in its gore. It delivers a lot of chomping, with the action getting progressively more ludicrous, reminiscent of the “flesh-wound” scene in “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”!. Some jump scares work well. But I can’ t say its a great film, because it’s really not. In the hands of a Spielberg, this might have really had legs (…to chomp on, LoL). It’s CERTAINLY no “Jaws”. It’s not even a “Deep Blue Sea”. But it’s mildly entertaining nonetheless.

For the full review, please check out One Mann's Movies on https://bob-the-movie-man.com/2019/09/06/one-manns-movies-film-review-crawl-2019/
  
Puzzle Me This
Puzzle Me This
Eli Easton | 2019 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
9.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Puzzle Me This is a short read that is big on emotions! Although it takes place over a number of months, it is very fast-paced, making it seem quicker than it is.

Both of our MCs have issues and baggage to deal with, and I loved that! The other thing I loved was the fact Alex was in a wheelchair WASN'T the biggest part of it. There was so much more to this story than that, but I won't give out any spoilers.

Personally, I would have preferred a bit more about the characters themselves, them getting to know each other, before the angst. However, that would probably take it to novel status, rather than novella.

Well written and edited, with no spelling or grammar issues that disrupted me. This is a perfect coffee break book, with plenty of the warm fuzzies to go around.

* 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!
Sep 11, 2019
  
A Daddy for Christmas: Ever
A Daddy for Christmas: Ever
Wendy Rathbone | 2023 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
EVER is the first book in the multi-author A Daddy for Christmas series I have read, and it's sweet and low angst. If that's what you're looking for, you've found it.

Ever is by himself, not knowing who he really is. His last boyfriend made fun of him for liking teddies, so he now tries to hide that part of him. Birch is a daddy who has suffered a painful family loss and isn't interested in being with anyone. Up until he hears Ever's voice, that is.

These two are just so cute - both of them listening and communicating for the most part. I have to admit, my favourite Daddy is the Caretaker Daddy and this was written brilliantly.

A gentle seasonal story that I thoroughly enjoyed and hope to read more in this series. Definitely 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!
Nov 14, 2023
  
Clausing a Scene (Christmas Falls #6)
Clausing a Scene (Christmas Falls #6)
Casey Cox | 2023 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
CLAUSING A SCENE is the sixth book in the Christmas Falls series but don't expect to see much of the town!

Brant is Col's best friend. Hig is Col's dad (he was 17 when Col was born.) Both have liked each other for a LONG time and when Col is delayed getting to his dad's, their lust explodes in a shower of purple sparks.

This is one of the steamier stories set in this town, mostly because they hole up in Hig's house and don't want to go anywhere. You hear about the town a couple of times, usually as someone is walking or driving down a road, but that's about it. A couple of characters from other books are also mentioned.

Fast-paced with low angst, this was a great addition to the series and definitely 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!
Nov 29, 2023
  
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Karla Dee (6 KP) rated Her Good Side in Books

May 27, 2023  
Her Good Side
Her Good Side
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Love this cover and I am so happy to have won a copy from bookish first to review. I used to play basketball in middle school and I enjoy any YA books that take me back to the time of playing sports in High school. I also love a good rom com and this book has that too but of course I am going to bring up that they are a diverse couple and she is plus size. I love a book that has representation and this one is so cute down to her jordan's on the cover and his van's.

Friends turned into more than friends story and it is a coming of age tale for both of the characters. Bethany and Jacob are bad at dating and decide to pretend date and usually this kind of story ends up getting dramatic messy and full of teen angst that is hard for me to get through but this book was totally not that vibe. They are both strong characters that don't succumb to peer pressure which is awesome <3<3<3