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Despite being the second in a series, The Trouble with Mistletoe is a standalone that can be enjoyed without reading the first.

I have never read from this author before, but I enjoyed her easy light hearted style. From page one, I knew I was going to enjoy the author’s humor as well as characters. From the beginning, it was hard not to like Willa. She is sweet, kind-hearted, and funny at no one’s expense. Keane was just as likable. Despite their troubles and pasts, there was a delightful lack of angst and self-loathing. A definite win in my opinion.

Just in time for the beginning of the holiday season, The Trouble with Mistletoe is lovely read for those wanting a sweet, not too complicated romance.
  
Love, Simon (2018)
Love, Simon (2018)
2018 | Comedy, Drama, Romance
A teen angst rom-com for the modern age. It follows formula plot points well trodden except that Simon (played charmingly by Nick Robinson) is gay. This was a big step forward for a major studio such as 20th Century Fox to give it the mainstream film treatment it deserves.
There's some great music and a likeable cast, and plenty of humour.
On first watch you're kept guessing on who the mystery love interest Blue is and end up just as relieved/pleased as Simon when the truth is revealed.
Jennifer Garner as Simon's Mum gives a perfect speech at one point that makes me well up each time I see it. It stands up well to repeat viewings. A recommendation for anyone to watch, not just for teens.

Thanks to Smashbomb for the dvd!
  
The Parting Glass (In a Dark Wood, #2)
The Parting Glass (In a Dark Wood, #2)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This one concentrated more on the relationship between Tim and Luke than the first and the heartbreak they've been through since the last one. It's been two and a half years and a lot of stuff has happened in that time; some good, some bad.
 
I wanted to throw my computer several times throughout this for the stupid things that had happened in that space of time and that last 10% almost had me crying thinking it might not end happily.
 
It was rather angst-y and very emotional in places but I loved it.

<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/leannecrab/media/tumblr_my4er3FNJo1skkueko1_5001.gif.html"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc19/leannecrab/tumblr_my4er3FNJo1skkueko1_5001.gif"; border="0" alt=" photo tumblr_my4er3FNJo1skkueko1_5001.gif"/></a>
  
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Erika (17788 KP) rated The New Mutants (2020) in Movies

Aug 28, 2020 (Updated Aug 28, 2020)  
The New Mutants (2020)
The New Mutants (2020)
2020 | Action, Horror, Sci-Fi
This movie should have never been released, and it's the first film in a LONG time I've considered walking out of. It was so lame, and BORING. It was eye roll inducing the majority of the time. Lame lezzy love story and annoying teenage angst.
I've honestly only seen one thing Maisie Williams has been in, and that's Early Man. If she's actually that bad of an actress, she should definitely just stick to voice acting.
Anya Taylor-Joy was basically the one reason I saw this film, since she was Magick. At least her back story was a little more interesting to most.
The BEST part of the film was eye candy in the form of the hottie whose name is apparently Henry Zaga? Thanks for being nice to look at.
  
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BookwormLea (3034 KP) Aug 29, 2020

right??? I just got back from watching this and after being so hyped, ive never felt so let down by Marvel. Cant believe I paid for this and I've waited since before Lockdown...

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Erika (17788 KP) Aug 30, 2020

I just couldn't believe how completely boring and uninteresting the story line was; I would argue that even Josh Trank's Fantastic 4 train wreck was actually more entertaining.

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Merissa (12027 KP) rated Viking Ink (Tewsbury Daddies #1) in Books

Apr 7, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)  
Viking Ink (Tewsbury Daddies #1)
Viking Ink (Tewsbury Daddies #1)
Myf Wren | 2023 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
VIKING INK is the first book in the Tewsbury Daddies series and is also this author's debut novel, which I find incredibly hard to believe! I loved this story and can't wait to dive back in!

Rhys and Simon fall into a relationship quickly - more quickly than Simon wanted but he is unable to resist Rhys' puppy-dog eyes. There is plenty of talk about their kink and how they want it to progress. Ree does regress quite a way, so if you like your Littles to be more Middles, then this is not the book for you. It also covers some difficult subjects so be aware of that. I thought it was all delicately handled and extremely well-written. The two sides of Rhys did come together so brilliantly, it was easy to see how Simon was bowled over.

Apart from the obvious angst, the relationship itself is low-angst, very sweet and tender, with some steamy moments that worked perfectly. I was left with questions about Liam but nothing was really necessary. I was just being greedy! I am hoping to see more of Rhys and Simon as the series progresses, especially so I can find out how the investigation is coming along. They really need to pay for their crimes!!

Obviously, Mitch and Cal deserve their story, but I also want Doc's as well as Officer Grumpy's. I am really looking forward to seeing what this author comes up with next. 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!
April 7, 2023
  
Chance Match (Perfect Match Agency #2)
Chance Match (Perfect Match Agency #2)
Wendy Rathbone | 2023 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
CHANCE MATCH is the second book in the Perfect Match Agency series and each book can be read as a standalone. I haven't read either of the other books and this did not affect my enjoyment of this one.

Because enjoy it I did! Kace and Storm are just so squishable together. Yes, Storm is grumpy and Kace is so sweet he'll give you a toothache, but together they're still so squishable!!!

I actually loved the premise of this - an omega who isn't bothered about sex and has had painful heats, searching for love because he doesn't want to be on medication for the rest of his life. And an alpha who doesn't trust omegas and yet can't resist the cinnamon scent!

There is no unnecessary angst here, and I loved that! In fact, there aren't even any characters that give angst, not even a little bit. Such a refreshing change. I really hope Morgan gets his story though as he is a sweetie with a heart of gold and (unfortunately, it seems) a bank balance to match.

If I had any complaint, it would be that I wanted more. The majority of the book is about Kace's heat and I would have liked to have seen them more in 'real' life rather than just in the bedroom. I did like the glimpse at the end which is partly why I'm saying it.

All in all, a hot, sweet, and sexy read that I thoroughly enjoyed and definitely 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 14, 2023
  
In [Once Upon A Road Trip] [Angela N. Blount] tells of a coming of age/finding yourself journey for the internet age. Angeli at the age of 18 has no idea what she wants to do. She would like to be a writer or even a minister. Her desire to figure it all out takes her on a journey through the US stopping and staying with people she has met on the internet. Before you all get like all the adults and say she is crazy, understand she had a plan. Also it was families she was staying with not weirdos.

I loved most of the style and voice of this book. In fact I plan to recommended to a few former students who are going through similar angst. The ending was predictable though. Perhaps I should not have read the dedication first.
  
FK
Finding Kyler (The Kennedy Boys, #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The good: Romance, twists, turns, brooding Kyle, and damaged Faye. The plot to this book is wonderfully well written. It brings you into the Kennedy family and makes you care for not just the main characters but the other boys in the family. Add on the forbidden cousin relationship and you have a story you won't want to put down. The bombshell cliffhanger insures you will be heading to the next book ASAP to find out what will happen.

The bad: I had a hard time with the whole cousin thing for a lot of the book. But if you can get past that the steamy push pull is pretty well done.

The epilogue: This book is for fans of the Royals series as well as anyone who enjoys a good angst ridden push pull relationship.
  
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Debbiereadsbook (1186 KP) rated Unrivaled (Hockey Ever After #3) in Books

Mar 24, 2024 (Updated Mar 24, 2024)  
Unrivaled (Hockey Ever After #3)
Unrivaled (Hockey Ever After #3)
Morgan James, Ashlyn Kane | 2023 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
so bloody good!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 3 in the Hockey Ever After series, and I am reading it after I read book 4. They can all read as a stand alone, the characters from previous books do pop up, but you don't need to haveread those to fully enjoy this book.

And I bloody LOVED this book! It is absolutely on a par with book 2, that got 5 stars from me, but for a very different reason. That book was very emotional, heavy on the angst scale. THIS one? Opposite end of the scale, low on the angst. Emotional, still, but different.

Max and Grady has chemistry on the ice, just the sort that the media have billed it as hatred. Grady doesn't hate Max, Max breaking Grady's arm years previously really was an accident. But when a hookup who Max thinks is a catfish usingGrady's picture turns out to be Grady, that attraction goes into overdrive. And from that very first time, both men were hooked. But they play for rival teams, can it really work when one or both could be traded and moved at a moments notice?

I loved this, I really did!

Max and Grady are perfect for each other, each with their quirks and faults that compliment the others and I fell in love with these guys right from the start.

The chemistry is powerful, and plays a huge part all the way through the book. But I found this one was a bit more fade to grey, than full on page smexy times, and I think for THESE two, it was perfect.

The hockey match descriptions, while a lot, I found I enjoyed then more because of the interaction between Max and Grady when they were on ice together. Even when they played other teams, I didn't feel overwhelmed by the technical stuff. I still have no clue how it works, but having been to an ice hockey match here in the UK, I can appreciate the SPEED these matches are played at!

The only real angst, I think, was when Grady got traded. He reacted badly to something someone said, and instead of reaching out to Max, Max bore the brunt of Grady's anger...? No, he wasn't angry, he was HURT. But Grady does redeem himself, quite wonderfully.

I have already read the short that comes after this, and I'm finding it really REALLY hard not to write in here, what happens there. So I will leave this one as this:

5 full and shiny stars!

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Halloween (1978)
Halloween (1978)
1978 | Horror
The oldest film on my list, John Carpenter’s 1978 masterpiece was the film that began my enjoyment of the slasher genre.

And by enjoyment, I of course mean sitting with my hands in front of my eyes for the majority of the run-time. This seventies film set the standard for the genre with its incredible mix of horror, teenage angst and obviously that iconic tune.

Jamie Lee Curtis became the scream queen of the period and Michael Myers was the antagonist that made you check your wardrobes before going to bed – or was that just me?

It still gives me chills to this day. Sure, it’s been impersonated, remade and has about 100 sequels to its name, but that doesn’t tarnish the memory of one of the greatest horror films ever made.

https://moviemetropolis.net/2017/07/08/films-that-influenced-me-adam-brannon-2/