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Hazel (2934 KP) rated Call Me Mummy in Books

Mar 14, 2021  
Call Me Mummy
Call Me Mummy
Tina Baker | 2021 | Crime, Fiction & Poetry, Thriller
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
For a debut this is pretty successful and certainly had me reading way too late into the night.

This is a dark, disturbing and harrowing read but totally addictive. With fantastic characters and an all-too-real story line, this is a book that gets you hooked pretty quickly and doesn't let you go until the last full stop at the end.

Told from the perspectives of the kidnapper, the mother and the child, this provides insight from all aspects of the story which makes it all the more gripping. There are also snippets of social media posts which add a further dimension.

This book is about so much more than child abduction and, as a consequence, does contain swearing and abuse so if you are upset by these, I would probably give this a miss but if you "enjoy" (and I say that loosely) reading something on the darker side, then Call Me Mummy is the book for you.

Thank you to Serpent's Tail / Profile Books / Viper via NetGalley - I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.

Another author to look out for in the future.
  
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ClareR (5806 KP) rated The Road Trip in Books

Aug 4, 2021  
The Road Trip
The Road Trip
Beth O'Leary | 2021 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I loved this book. The Road Trip has a different feel to it compared to Beth O’Leary’s previous two novels, and whatever direction she’ll take next, I’m going along for the ride (see what I did there!🤭)

I just love the way that O’Leary writes characters: in this book they’re funny, flawed and feel like genuine, real people. There are those with mental health problems, dysfunctional families and strong sibling relationships.

We see the contrast of the carefree student on holiday, and the way that real life has a habit of sticking its oar in - and not always in a good way.

The road trip element was hilarious though. Deliciously awkward, thanks to Addie, Dylan and Dylan’s friend Marcus, with the devil-may-care attitude of Addie’s sister, Debs. And than there’s Rodney (I’l leave him right here - I don’t want to spoil THIS character for you!).

This book is a little darker in places in comparison to her other books, but I absolutely loved every page. I can’t wait to see what’s next from Beth O’Leary. Oh, and you should definitely read this book!!

Many thanks to Quercus for my copy via NetGalley.
  
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LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated The Lost Boys (1987) in Movies

Jan 15, 2021 (Updated Jan 15, 2021)  
The Lost Boys (1987)
The Lost Boys (1987)
1987 | Comedy, Horror
There's is just straight up nothing I don't like about The Lost Boys.

Corey Feldman's decision to put on a deep voice for the whole runtime, Kiefer Sutherland's mullet, the absolutely banging soundtrack (oiled up beefcake saxophone guy and all)
The whole movie is dripping with atmosphere from the opening shot, it's extremely 80s vibe being constantly undercut with a darker edge, and buzzing with the excitement of youth and freedom.
It's always stuck in my mind as a horror that kids could watch, but every time I revisit The Lost Boys, I'm always taken aback by the sudden bursts of violence. It brings it own additions to the vampire horror genre, being that sure, it's gets bloody here and there, but the adolescent story that's woven throughout, and it's frequently funny and warming screenplay gives it a unique touch that is hard to successfully imitate.

The Lost Boys is Joel Schumacher's finest work (followed by Falling Down of course) and is a film that is so of its era, but still manages to feel fresh. Absolutely love it. Now excuse me whilst I go and listen to Cry Little Sister on repeat.
  
Supernatural  - Season 2
Supernatural - Season 2
2006 | Drama
Another great series
I have to admit that this is a second series that actually surpasses the original, and that's fairly unusual although I'm intrigued to see if it can hold out over the 14+ seasons there's been so far.

The one thing that does lack a little in this series is the spirits/demons themselves. They don't seem quite so inventive as the first series, however this is only because there is a much bigger wider plot going on with the psychics and yellow eyed demon. This makes it a lot more serious and darker, but that's not to say it doesn't have it's lighter moments. The episode with the Trickster is downright hilarious, and there are some wickedly funny one liners and interactions between the brothers. It is looking a bit dated now, unsurprising seen as it first aired over a decade ago, but it's still good and also has a killer soundtrack. My only other criticism is the beyond irritating opening credits and recap scenes that plague every single episode. I really hope they don't carry these on across every season...
  
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Sarah (7799 KP) rated Verity in Books

Aug 30, 2020  
Verity
Verity
Colleen Hoover | 2018 | Romance
8
8.5 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
Gripping
I'd seen a lot of good reviews about this book and was intrigued to find out why so many people though it was so disturbing and horrific. I think people have over exaggerated some of the darker aspects of this book, but it was still a gripping read.

This is a very well written book. I was hooked from the first chapter and really struggled to put it down. I'm not entirely Lowen is the most endearing of protagonists but she's bearable enough. Verity was by far the most interesting of the characters through Lowen reading her manuscript, and it was that I wanted to read more of. The twist and ending were something I surprisingly didn't predict and actually quite liked due to the rather ambiguous nature of it. I do think people may have overexaggerated how dark and disturbing this book. Yes it's dark and has more than your normal amount of sexual references and descriptions, but it isn't particularly disgusting or out there. Some people may just need to get out more! Overall though this is a rather thrilling and entertaining read and one I'd definitely recommend.
  
Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
1994 | Comedy, Drama, Romance
It's easy to forget what an unstoppable cultural juggernaut Four Weddings was for most of the summer of 1994: cinemas sold out for weeks on end (it was still playing in a few screens when it came out on VHS), careers were launched by it, sales of Auden soared, and the theme tune was number one for about three months. And watching it again it can be difficult to see just why it was such a smash: bits of it feel very dated, it sort of offers a tourist's eye view of England as inhabited largely by rich posh people, and Andie McDowell is a bit teaky in a crucial role.

However, this is to overlook how dire most British comedy films of the early 90s were and how fresh and funny this felt. The jokes here are frequent and good, but the characters are not cartoons and when the film skirts darker moments it does so with sincerity. It is neatly written and very well performed; the people who became stars off the back of this movie generally deserved it. Very watchable and entertaining even a quarter-century on.