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ArecRain (8 KP) rated Heartwishes (Edilean, #5) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
This has to be one the blandest, most boring books I have ever read in my life. Conflict? The little it has makes absolutely no sense.
First, let me start by saying that everything in this book fell into place a little too easily. Everyone loved Gemma and she was just so perfect in every way. Everyone immediately got along with including the few people who don't get along with others. The only people Gemma didn't get along with were the people who were the bad guys. It was actually sickening to read how peachy keen everything seemed.
And pardon me, but isn't this story called Heartwishes? We really get to read anything about Gemma's research or the stone unless it's in quick spurts or the letter she reads at the very end. Kind of a cop-out if you ask me. I was more curious about the stone than Gemma and Colin's relationship.
This brings me to another point. The only romance novels I hate reading more than the ones where the couple fights every second they are not having sex is the ones where there is absolutely no conflict between the two. The only fight the two had, I thought Gemma had lost her mind. It seriously made no sense to me. Gemma doesn't like Colin's "jealousy" and says she can't handle it when Colin gets upset about her spending time with Tris alone, but Colin never acted on his jealousy. In fact, he had to tell her he was even jealous at all. But it's okay for Gemma to get hysterically agree and storm off when Colin says his ex-girlfriend is connected to a case he is working on. Gemma, who is carrying Colin's child, comes up with all these plans of living her life and raising the child without Colin after he tells her this. Completely ridiculous if you ask me, especially since Gemma goes around kissing everyone the entire novel. Not even kidding. It seemed like every other page, Gemma was kissing people for absolutely no reason. The first time she ever meets Colin's sister, Ariel, and Ariel tells Gemma she is getting married, Gemma turns and kisses Ariel's fiancé in congratulations. Not only had she just met the guy, I don't think they even talked to each other. A simple congratulation could have worked.
Overall, this novel bored me to death when it wasn't annoying me with its nonsensical behaviors. Had I known how it was going to be, I would have never wasted a penny on it. And I am a huge Deveraux fan.
First, let me start by saying that everything in this book fell into place a little too easily. Everyone loved Gemma and she was just so perfect in every way. Everyone immediately got along with including the few people who don't get along with others. The only people Gemma didn't get along with were the people who were the bad guys. It was actually sickening to read how peachy keen everything seemed.
And pardon me, but isn't this story called Heartwishes? We really get to read anything about Gemma's research or the stone unless it's in quick spurts or the letter she reads at the very end. Kind of a cop-out if you ask me. I was more curious about the stone than Gemma and Colin's relationship.
This brings me to another point. The only romance novels I hate reading more than the ones where the couple fights every second they are not having sex is the ones where there is absolutely no conflict between the two. The only fight the two had, I thought Gemma had lost her mind. It seriously made no sense to me. Gemma doesn't like Colin's "jealousy" and says she can't handle it when Colin gets upset about her spending time with Tris alone, but Colin never acted on his jealousy. In fact, he had to tell her he was even jealous at all. But it's okay for Gemma to get hysterically agree and storm off when Colin says his ex-girlfriend is connected to a case he is working on. Gemma, who is carrying Colin's child, comes up with all these plans of living her life and raising the child without Colin after he tells her this. Completely ridiculous if you ask me, especially since Gemma goes around kissing everyone the entire novel. Not even kidding. It seemed like every other page, Gemma was kissing people for absolutely no reason. The first time she ever meets Colin's sister, Ariel, and Ariel tells Gemma she is getting married, Gemma turns and kisses Ariel's fiancé in congratulations. Not only had she just met the guy, I don't think they even talked to each other. A simple congratulation could have worked.
Overall, this novel bored me to death when it wasn't annoying me with its nonsensical behaviors. Had I known how it was going to be, I would have never wasted a penny on it. And I am a huge Deveraux fan.
Ruth Frampton (577 KP) rated Stuck in the Stone Age in Books
Apr 10, 2018
This delightful story aimed at the younger independent reader had me enthralled from the start. The connections throughout to the section at the end on how to write a novel just like this and the association with a youngster whose ideas is used for this narrative all adds to the connection felt.
Tom Edison (No, not that Tom Edison) loves science and when he somehow gets a job at a science research centre he feels his life is perfect, but then the accident with the time machine happens and that is only the beginning of his adventures with his soon to become scientist friend, Dr Morice.
At times this book had me truly laughing out loud and one I had finished it, left me already wanting to read the next story with these characters. I look forward to seeing them available in the near future.
At the back of this book is a section dedicated to writing fiction, aimed at the younger writer, it serves to give them a framework in which to shape their writing and supports them throughout with positive messages and encouragement to complete. The authors even ask them to send their attempts in for them to read. So looking forward to reading the next young writers story, if it's anything like this one, it will be great.
Tom Edison (No, not that Tom Edison) loves science and when he somehow gets a job at a science research centre he feels his life is perfect, but then the accident with the time machine happens and that is only the beginning of his adventures with his soon to become scientist friend, Dr Morice.
At times this book had me truly laughing out loud and one I had finished it, left me already wanting to read the next story with these characters. I look forward to seeing them available in the near future.
At the back of this book is a section dedicated to writing fiction, aimed at the younger writer, it serves to give them a framework in which to shape their writing and supports them throughout with positive messages and encouragement to complete. The authors even ask them to send their attempts in for them to read. So looking forward to reading the next young writers story, if it's anything like this one, it will be great.
RəX Regent (349 KP) rated Meet the Fockers (2004) in Movies
Mar 7, 2019
Better than the first...
Contains spoilers, click to show
Well, simply put, this was slightly better than the first. Following the exploits of the previous film, "Meet The Parents", Gaylord Focker, Ben Stiller, introduces his fiancée's parents, excellently portrayed by Robert De Niro and Blythe Danner to his family, with the obvious humorous consequences.
Dustin Hoffman is on form and Barbra Streisand, who I honestly cannot recall seeing in anything but this franchise in the last twenty years, is not bad either as the laid-back titular Fockers. Stiller's and his lies are sidelined here, as the focus is on the conflict between the parents themselves, but all is resolved by the end, obviously and even though Owen Wilson's cameo is pretty contrived and we could have done without it, it had its moments.
"Meet The Fockers" is marginally better than "Meet The Parents", I think because the characters boundaries were more clearly defined, the jokes were funnier and tended to be less reliant on the awkwardness. This lighter offering was more than worth the watch and made me laugh which all you can ask from a comedy.
Dustin Hoffman is on form and Barbra Streisand, who I honestly cannot recall seeing in anything but this franchise in the last twenty years, is not bad either as the laid-back titular Fockers. Stiller's and his lies are sidelined here, as the focus is on the conflict between the parents themselves, but all is resolved by the end, obviously and even though Owen Wilson's cameo is pretty contrived and we could have done without it, it had its moments.
"Meet The Fockers" is marginally better than "Meet The Parents", I think because the characters boundaries were more clearly defined, the jokes were funnier and tended to be less reliant on the awkwardness. This lighter offering was more than worth the watch and made me laugh which all you can ask from a comedy.
Merissa (12058 KP) rated Smoke & Mirrors (THIRDS #7) in Books
Jun 27, 2017
Smoke & Mirrors (THIRDS #7) by Charlie Cochet
O.M.G.!!! If you are going to read Smoke and Mirrors, and you've followed the series so far, then be prepared for an emotional ride. Seriously, I think I have shed more tears during this part of the story than for any other instalment! The feels, people, the feels! Sloane and Dex have had a tumultuous relationship but things seem to have calmed down. Unfortunately, you know that with all the secrets that are coming out, that things will definitely rock the boat.
This book is simply amazing, with classic Dexisms throughout (I loved his conversation with Hudson!), but at the same time, absolutely heartbreaking. This book holds the answers to some questions that Dex hadn't even allowed himself to ask. Time moves on, but hurt can remain. So many things I want to talk about, but I don't want to ruin the surprise for anyone else, so instead, I will just say that this book is simply outstanding, and I loved every moment - even if my eyes are now red-rimmed!
Exceedingly well written once again, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. Definitely recommended by me, as well a box of tissues! If you're anything like me, you're going to need them!
* Verified Purchase ~ April 2017 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This book is simply amazing, with classic Dexisms throughout (I loved his conversation with Hudson!), but at the same time, absolutely heartbreaking. This book holds the answers to some questions that Dex hadn't even allowed himself to ask. Time moves on, but hurt can remain. So many things I want to talk about, but I don't want to ruin the surprise for anyone else, so instead, I will just say that this book is simply outstanding, and I loved every moment - even if my eyes are now red-rimmed!
Exceedingly well written once again, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. Definitely recommended by me, as well a box of tissues! If you're anything like me, you're going to need them!
* Verified Purchase ~ April 2017 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Debbiereadsbook (1202 KP) rated Haka Ever After (The Sin Bin #7) in Books
Aug 18, 2018
a really fitting end!
There comes along, once in a rare while, a book that leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzie inside. A book that is far too stinking cute for its own good. A book that wraps up an ENTIRE series in so few pages. A book that is simply, brilliant.
This is book 7 in the Sin Bin series, and if you are just coming across this book, you should at the very LEAST read book two, The Caretaker, which is where Freddie and Taine meet. You should read them all, though!
Taine plucks up the courage to ask Freddie to marry him, but first he asks for Freddie's fathers permission. Since their first meeting wasn't exactly a tea party, Taine has reservations they won't chop him up and hide the pieces! But the fathers surprise him, and then Taine has to actually propose.
The proposal delivers, for me, the best line of the book!
Freddie asks, "why marriage?" Taine replies, "When they write our story after we're gone, it should read that I loved you more than anything else in the world. More than rugby. More than you love cheese. I want our names connected - intertwined. Legally. So no knobdobbers can claim I wasn't dedicated to you. So, will you marry me?"
The wedding plans are amusing, with all the previous characters taking part. So you can imagine what they all get up to! There is, of course, some messing about with food, cos ya'll know Ms Donovan's boys like to play with their food!
Bit that made me cry?? When all of Taine's rugby team mates perform the Haka at the wedding. That bit made me cry more that what happened on the honeymoon!
It's always sad to see a series end, but what a way to go!
5 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
This is book 7 in the Sin Bin series, and if you are just coming across this book, you should at the very LEAST read book two, The Caretaker, which is where Freddie and Taine meet. You should read them all, though!
Taine plucks up the courage to ask Freddie to marry him, but first he asks for Freddie's fathers permission. Since their first meeting wasn't exactly a tea party, Taine has reservations they won't chop him up and hide the pieces! But the fathers surprise him, and then Taine has to actually propose.
The proposal delivers, for me, the best line of the book!
Freddie asks, "why marriage?" Taine replies, "When they write our story after we're gone, it should read that I loved you more than anything else in the world. More than rugby. More than you love cheese. I want our names connected - intertwined. Legally. So no knobdobbers can claim I wasn't dedicated to you. So, will you marry me?"
The wedding plans are amusing, with all the previous characters taking part. So you can imagine what they all get up to! There is, of course, some messing about with food, cos ya'll know Ms Donovan's boys like to play with their food!
Bit that made me cry?? When all of Taine's rugby team mates perform the Haka at the wedding. That bit made me cry more that what happened on the honeymoon!
It's always sad to see a series end, but what a way to go!
5 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2200 KP) rated Fahrenheit 501 in Books
Sep 13, 2023
Are Jeans a Motive for Murder?
When Samantha Kidd is asked to join a secret fashion society, she is surprised to even hear about it. Her initial interview is cut short when she finds the dead body of an older member buried under a pile of jeans. While not officially a part of the society yet, Samantha still has the connections to ask around. Can she piece together who the killer is?
I’ll admit, the society in this book seemed like a stretch to me, but then again, I have some odd hobbies, so who am I to say anything. Besides, it sets up another fun mystery with plenty of twists to keep the reader engaged. There was one aspect of the plot that was needlessly confusing early on, but it starts to be more consistent the further into the book we go. And the plot came together for a logical climax. In addition to the regulars, a couple of characters we haven’t seen in a while pop back up here, and I enjoyed seeing them again. We also get the usual laughs, which are always a delight. Fans will be pleased with this addition to the series.
I’ll admit, the society in this book seemed like a stretch to me, but then again, I have some odd hobbies, so who am I to say anything. Besides, it sets up another fun mystery with plenty of twists to keep the reader engaged. There was one aspect of the plot that was needlessly confusing early on, but it starts to be more consistent the further into the book we go. And the plot came together for a logical climax. In addition to the regulars, a couple of characters we haven’t seen in a while pop back up here, and I enjoyed seeing them again. We also get the usual laughs, which are always a delight. Fans will be pleased with this addition to the series.
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Debbiereadsbook (1202 KP) rated Forever This Time (Heartbreaker #1) in Books
Mar 17, 2023
While everything was dealt with in a sympathetic manner, it all needed to be MORE.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is set in Moonrise Beach, a series by this author, and Ash and Shay are part of that series, but this is their story. I have not read that series, and I do not feel I missed anything for not doing.
This is one of those reviews that will be hard to write. I'm not sure I liked this book, but can't figure out why!
So, I'll comment on what I did like and maybe it will come to me? Let's try.
It's fairly well written, from both Ash and Shay's point of view. Greyson also gets a chapter, he is Ash's best friend, and is married to Dacey, Shay's best friend but I'm not entirely sure what the point of HIS chapter was?
It moves along steadily. The pace of the story and the way Ash and Shay build their relationship moves along nicely, neither want to rush into anything and spoil their friendship.
I felt some of the things that had happened to Shay could have been dealt with in a deeper way, but what does happen was not glassed over. I just felt it needed more, you know?
I think that's my biggest issue. While everything was dealt with in a sympathetic manner, it all needed to be MORE. Yes, my overwhelming feeling about this book was, I needed more, and ya'll know I like to share my book feelings.
When I find a new to me author I ask myself this: Will I read more of this author? My answer for this author is :possibly, but only if the blurb grabs. I will not go back and read the Moornrise Beach series though.
3 good solid stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is set in Moonrise Beach, a series by this author, and Ash and Shay are part of that series, but this is their story. I have not read that series, and I do not feel I missed anything for not doing.
This is one of those reviews that will be hard to write. I'm not sure I liked this book, but can't figure out why!
So, I'll comment on what I did like and maybe it will come to me? Let's try.
It's fairly well written, from both Ash and Shay's point of view. Greyson also gets a chapter, he is Ash's best friend, and is married to Dacey, Shay's best friend but I'm not entirely sure what the point of HIS chapter was?
It moves along steadily. The pace of the story and the way Ash and Shay build their relationship moves along nicely, neither want to rush into anything and spoil their friendship.
I felt some of the things that had happened to Shay could have been dealt with in a deeper way, but what does happen was not glassed over. I just felt it needed more, you know?
I think that's my biggest issue. While everything was dealt with in a sympathetic manner, it all needed to be MORE. Yes, my overwhelming feeling about this book was, I needed more, and ya'll know I like to share my book feelings.
When I find a new to me author I ask myself this: Will I read more of this author? My answer for this author is :possibly, but only if the blurb grabs. I will not go back and read the Moornrise Beach series though.
3 good solid stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
ClareR (5726 KP) rated The Pigeonhole in Apps
May 10, 2019
Exciting new books (4 more)
Find new authors
Some older, more established authors
Read with other people
Read along with the author!
A book club in your pocket - I love this app!!
I’m a huge fan of this app. I’ve read loads of great books on it (and I’ll admit that I’ve read a few that I didn’t enjoy, but them’s the breaks sometimes!). You choose a book, and it’s then serialised into 10-12 parts for that many days.
You’re also able to highlight and comment on parts of the book that interest you, and other readers who are reading along with you, can comment on those parts as well! It’s a real group experience. Like a book club in your pocket!
The really interesting part for me, is the opportunity to read an authors book along with them! You can ask them questions about their motivations, where the ideas come from - pretty much anything (about the book, obviously!) really.
It’s a free app, the books are free too - I think the ‘payment’ are your opinions and comments. I can’t recommend this app enough!
You’re also able to highlight and comment on parts of the book that interest you, and other readers who are reading along with you, can comment on those parts as well! It’s a real group experience. Like a book club in your pocket!
The really interesting part for me, is the opportunity to read an authors book along with them! You can ask them questions about their motivations, where the ideas come from - pretty much anything (about the book, obviously!) really.
It’s a free app, the books are free too - I think the ‘payment’ are your opinions and comments. I can’t recommend this app enough!