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Forever This Time (Heartbreaker #1)
Forever This Time (Heartbreaker #1)
Ana Jolene | 2023 | Contemporary, Romance
6
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
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
  
Mad: Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know Trilogy
Mad: Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know Trilogy
Chloé Esposito | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
1
1.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Awful, I wanted to tear my hair out
I think I may be too sane or too old to have read this book. It definitely did not appeal to me. Most of the time you wish for the antagonist to meet a horrible accident or to be killed in a brutal fashion. But mostly the author's over emphasis on inner monologue becomes grating to the point it gives you a headache.

The story is over the top involving murder plots, psychopaths, sex and the mafia and completely implausible. And it all surrounds a psychopathic twin called Alvina. It's like reading a long drawn episode of Sunset Beach - beyond ridiculous and just irritating to the extreme. I persevered until the end but suffice to say I won't be reading this author's books again.
  
Magnolia is back, and this time, she’s decided to bring the piano on a family beach day. What could be better than that? Her mom is concerned that Magnolia will lose it, but that won’t be an issue. Or will it?

While this book has the same wacky fun that Elise used in her first picture book, I didn’t have the same reaction to it. I just couldn’t buy the craziness, maybe because I’m so familiar with pianos. However, I think the target audience will love it. The picture are wonderful, and the situations that Magnolia gets into are still absurd. Once again, the book is actually narrated in the second person.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-if-you-want-to-bring-piano.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Driftwood Dreams (Carolina Coast #2)
Driftwood Dreams (Carolina Coast #2)
T.I. Lowe | 2020
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Driftwood Dreams is the second book in T.I. Lowe’s Carolina Coast Series. The books can be read as standalone’s, but I did see returning characters’ appearances from the previous book; I loved the first book, so I recommend going back to read that one as well. The whole series takes place in a small seaside town off the coast of Carolina (which is one of my favorite places ever) and makes you feel at home right from the first page.
     Characters can make or break my interest in the story, and T.I. Lowe did a great job of capturing my interest with both main characters in a very relaxed manner. Josie is a quiet, helpful, and loyal person who is always willing to lend a helping hand. She has high expectations of herself, is a people pleaser and an artist at heart. August is something of a mystery (maybe why I liked him so much) and is a mix of a hard-working and laid-back artist. I thought that his thought process was easy to follow and engaging to read. The chemistry between August and Josie was developed at a fun and interesting pace, and from the beginning, there were hints of the end goal for them. It was a twist on the girl next door type character plot.
    
     I thought that T.I. Lowe did a great job with the storyline movement and that the characters were genuinely relatable. The themes she wove in were great reminders that we only have this one life to live, and we need to live it how God calls us to. Also, we need to remember to follow our dreams and not be afraid of what others might think. T.I. Lowe described island life in a way that made me feel like I had sand under my feet and palm trees growing in my house. I truly loved her vivid descriptions. I think readers who like Debbie Macomber, Rachel Hauck, and Denise Hunter will love this book and the Carolina Coast series.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars for the relaxing storyline (So made me want to go to the beach), the interesting characters, and for the theme of following your dreams. I recommend picking up this book (or series!) to read while at the beach this summer!
*Reason for 4 instead of 5 stars: I loved the characters, I really did, however, some of their reactions or choices just did not seem believable to me.
**I volunteered to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.