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Hazel (2934 KP) rated In The Dark in Books

Jan 15, 2023  
In The Dark
In The Dark
Claire Allan | 2023 | Crime, Thriller
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A compelling and addictive read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Seven years ago, Nora walked into the woods with her daughter Daisy but walked out of them alone. She has no recollection of what happened and there has been no sign of her since. Did Nora murder her little girl or was she taken for a fate worse than death? Theories abound but nothing can be proven.

Izzy is making a documentary about Daisy's disappearance and whilst Nora has agreed to be a part of that process, she is understandably worried about the repercussions ... she continues to be plagued by people who believe she killed her daughter and the documentary is only going to inflame this but she is desperate to remember but at what cost to her, her new marriage and Luca, Nora's second child.

The more Izzy delves into the past and snippets of memories come back to Nora, the more intriguing the story becomes.

Full of tension, twists and turns and with great characters, this is a book that had me reading on into the night desperate to find out what happened to Daisy and I wasn't disappointed.

My thanks go to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of In The Dark.
  
Peach Blossom Spring
Peach Blossom Spring
Melissa Fu | 2022 | Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Peach Blossom Spring is the beautifully told story of three generations of a Chinese family as they experience love, war, migration and their driving need to belong.

Meilin leaves her home in order to protect her son Henry, and find somewhere safe for him to grow up. But without passports or papers to isn’t easy. She relies on her own abilities to survive along with the help she gets from others.

Henry goes to America to study at university and ends up staying on to work. He marries, gets a good job, and tries his best to be a good American. This is at a time of fear and suspicion of communists and everything either Chinese or Russian. Henry is terrified that he’ll draw the wrong kind of attention, and deprives his daughter of learning his language or traditions.

I felt so sorry for Meilin, left behind in Taiwan, so far from her son and unable to join him in America. I also felt for Henry, limited by his fear. But Henry’s daughter provides the bridge for Henry to return to his homeland.

I loved everything about this book - the settings, the history, the characters. And the fact that this is semi-autobiographical was just the icing on the cake.

A wonderful novel.
  
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Kindle
Isobel ( Dark Warrior Alliance book 9)
By Brenda Trim and Tami Julka
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Elsie has everything she could ever want - mated to the Vampire King, working at her dream job, surrounded by family and friends and expecting her first child. Her bliss quickly turns into a nightmare of epic proportions when her newborn daughter becomes the primary target of the nefarious archdemon. Seeking guidance from the Goddess, Elsie and Zander discover the only way to protect their fragile baby is to summon a Guardian Angel. When the enticing guardian appears, Elsie and Zander face far more challenges than merely keeping their daughter safe. As feelings ignite, jealousy threatens to tear them apart and for the first time, being Fated may not guarantee an eternity together.

I just loved this! We have been waiting so long for this baby and in one short book she makes her appearance and boy does she come into the world with a bang! Elsie has to deal with a hell of a lot In this book especially with Ramis showing up and knocking the wind from her, but she’s just such an inspiring female character she handles it well Zander not so much 😂. This series is just so much fun to read.
  
A Daughter's Choice (The Heart of the Amish #10)
A Daughter's Choice (The Heart of the Amish #10)
Kelly Irvin | 2025 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
We meet Henrietta. And her family is somewhat mentioned at the beginning of this book. We also met her dad. A new veterinary assistant has come to check on the Millers' horse, Jack. Could there be a romance in the making as Nickloas and his sister come to town to help their grandfather?

We also meet Rosy, and she is seeing someone special, who is a friend. Will they get married or not? But this book seems centered on Hen, short of Henrietta. But Will Nickolas and Henrietta happen to fall in love? Bylers need some help and some friends in the area. Will Leorna find love for what she does, and will Nickolas find love with the fiery girl?

Leorna wants to make some friends in the new area, and Hen may be one of them. Is there a reason for Hen's father to be so disappointed or harsh with his oldest daughter?

We see Nickolas cross paths with Hen quite a bit. But will they seem to understand each other?
Adam thinks he knows what's best for his daughter, Heneretta. But does know her. Or does he think he knows Hen and make her happy?
Hen seems to be missing her mom, and she seems to be clashing with her father.
  
The Wren, The Wren
The Wren, The Wren
Anne Enright | 2023 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a beautiful story of 3 generations of women, all affected by the same man: poet Phil McDaragh. They have very different relationships with him. Carmel is his daughter and when he leaves the family, it’s up to Carmel and her sister to care for their mother with terminal cancer. Carmel loves her father, but is conflicted with their abandonment And how what he writes in his poems is at odds with the way he treated them.

Carmel’s daughter Nell, a Trinity College graduate, discovers just how difficult life is without her mothers help when she strikes out on her own. She meets a man who is abusive towards her.

This is a story that highlights multi-generational family trauma, and probably why both Carmel and Nell have such poor relationships with men. Running alongside this, is the love these women have for one another.

I get that not everyone will like this novel, but I’ve read two of Enright’s novels now and really enjoyed both of them. I read this as a part of the Women’s Prize shortlist, and whilst I realise they can’t all win, The Wren, The Wren really did deserve to be on that list.
Recommended.
  
I read this while waiting for an appointment for my daughter and I must tell you that the people around my probably thought I had lost my mind as I found myself laughing out loud a couple of times. I loved how smoothly this retelling went, and the author truly took his time in making this a descriptive read which pulls you into the world of The Frog Prince. Readers of all ages will certainly enjoy this story.

{I requested a copy for reviewing purposes and made no guarantee of a favorable review. The opinions expressed here are unbiased and completely my own.}
  
DB
Deep Blue (Waterfire Saga, #1)
Jennifer Donnelly | 2014 | Fiction & Poetry
10
7.6 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
I simply loved this book and I found it hard to put it down. I've never really been a mermaid fan but these past few months as I've been discovering new authors I have certainly fallen in love with mer books. This book has just the right amount of drama, action and turmoil and I love that it is cleanly written so that my preteen daughter can read it as well.

I ordered the second book yesterday and I can't wait for it to come in. I loved the story line, the beautiful world building and the characters. It's a must read.
  
The Greatest Showman (2017)
The Greatest Showman (2017)
2017 | Drama, Musical
Acting ,performances (0 more)
Huge jackman playing a younger man (0 more)
A great ball of cheese
I love musicals as much as the next man,this isn't a great musical but it is a good film,stellar performances by all the main cast good toe tapping songs if maybe a little disneyesque in parts ,it maybe let down in small parts by Hugh jackman trying to play a younger P.T. Barnam as a much younger man than jackman's age it felt weird jackman asking his girlfriend's father "can I marry your daughter" but all-in-all it's a good film