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Men's Health: The Big Book of Uncommon Knowledge
Book
Based on the wildly popular monthly Feature "Uncommon Knowledge," in Men's Health magazine, this...
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Secretary (2002) in Movies
Sep 21, 2020
Flubs the ending, but otherwise faultless. I think this is less about portraying kink as a symptom like every damn movie about kinks/fetishes seems to think they mean; and more about two people who probably weren't very healthy to begin with - and finding outlets for their other unconventional desires outside of their traumas/predispositions. In layman's terms, they can be atypical *and* kinky while the film is able to mostly divorce the two - and intersect them only as needed. Unlike the (rightfully) unfavorably compared ššŖš§šµšŗ šš©š¢š„š¦š“ films, this has the awareness to recognize that there can be a link between abuse and kink - but it isn't always the case, and when it is it doesn't always have to sum up the whole. And even then I'm not sure this movie is all that interested in fully glamorizing these people or its relationship anyhow. Spader and Gyllenhaal are otherworldy, I'd be willing to say this might be each of their finest performances respectively. Strings you along scene by scene through an unrelenting mix of sexual tension and scandalous agitation that escalates from the first nanosecond until its perfection sadly unravels in the final fifteen minutes - which aren't exactly awful, just inferior and pretty much kill the momentum/direction this was leaning towards beforehand. Apart from that, downright electric.
It's Never Too Late
Book
Former Today show host Kathie Lee Gifford offers her personal story along with insights, wisdom, and...
The Stone God (Indulgence #1)
10.0
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Book
Enter bestselling author Erin Kellisonās captivating new world of gods, monsters, passion, and...
Fantasy Romance
School Lies
5.5
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Book
After finding his headmaster father slumped over his desk from a gunshot wound, Levi Abrams is ready...
ClareR (6106 KP) rated Against the Loveless World in Books
Aug 15, 2021
Against the Loveless World is an emotional and stark view into the world of Nahr, a Palestinian refugee. She is narrating her own story from The Cube, an inhumane prison cell designed by the Israelis, where she is a political prisoner. Nahr tells her story from her beginnings in Kuwait, and how her family were once again forced to become refugees. She tries to help her family however she can, even prostituting herself with violent men at one point. But her family never go without.
When she returns to Palestine to her husbandās family in order to divorce him, she meets his brother and falls in love. However, this is the start of more problems for her, as she becomes radicalised.
It did seem hard to believe that she had quite so many problems and terrible things happen to her, but Iāve since read that Nahrās character is an amalgamation of several real-life stories. So, in a way, it reassured me that one person couldnāt experience ALL of these things, whilst at the same time I felt so sad that anyone could experience ANY of these things.
I couldnāt put this book down, though. Itās a fascinating, yet horrifying novel, and not something that Iāve read about in fiction before - and Iām so glad that I have.
When she returns to Palestine to her husbandās family in order to divorce him, she meets his brother and falls in love. However, this is the start of more problems for her, as she becomes radicalised.
It did seem hard to believe that she had quite so many problems and terrible things happen to her, but Iāve since read that Nahrās character is an amalgamation of several real-life stories. So, in a way, it reassured me that one person couldnāt experience ALL of these things, whilst at the same time I felt so sad that anyone could experience ANY of these things.
I couldnāt put this book down, though. Itās a fascinating, yet horrifying novel, and not something that Iāve read about in fiction before - and Iām so glad that I have.
Wisdom Check (Dungeons and Dating #2)
10.0
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Book
Julianās boss is newly single, ridiculously hot, and looking his way. Heās so screwed. Cal...
Contemporary MM Romance
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2502 KP) rated The House Guest in Books
Jul 29, 2023
Will Helping a House Guest Hurt Alyssa?
Alyssa Macallanās life is turned upside down when her husband walks out of their house one day. Facing a divorce she never expected, she finds herself drinking at a bar one Friday night, where she meets Bree Lorrance, who is also down on her luck. The two hit it off, and Alyssa invites Bree to move into her guest house. Helping Bree lets Alyssa forget her own problems, until her own problems heat back up. Will the two be able to help each other? Or do they have secret agendas?
I was hooked early on, although the book does take a little while to build up to the full plot. Once it does, I couldnāt wait to see how things would resolve for the characters. I appreciated the fact that no one seemed overly whiney here, although they could have repeated things less, giving the book more time to flesh out some of the late breaking twists. While knowing I couldnāt fully trust Alyssa and Bree, I really did like them both and hoped things would work out well for them. We get the book completely from Alyssaās third person point of view which makes us question just what anyone else was thinking. Even with the pacing issues with the plot, I enjoyed this book overall.
I was hooked early on, although the book does take a little while to build up to the full plot. Once it does, I couldnāt wait to see how things would resolve for the characters. I appreciated the fact that no one seemed overly whiney here, although they could have repeated things less, giving the book more time to flesh out some of the late breaking twists. While knowing I couldnāt fully trust Alyssa and Bree, I really did like them both and hoped things would work out well for them. We get the book completely from Alyssaās third person point of view which makes us question just what anyone else was thinking. Even with the pacing issues with the plot, I enjoyed this book overall.
Merissa (13828 KP) rated Winning Move (Clover Hill Romance #1) in Books
Aug 18, 2022
Clover Hill is a wonderful place to be!
WINNING MOVE is the first book in the Clover Hill Romance series and we are introduced to a queer-friendly small town. Gina retreated back there when her divorce came through and she's happy with her life. She isn't interested in dating or having a partner. Her life is shaken up when she rescues Marek from the side of the road. He is everything she likes but doesn't want.
Told from both perspectives, it is Gina in the driving seat. Marek knows what he wants but respects Gina's decision. I loved the back and forth between the two of them, the easy camaraderie tinged with heat.
The pace is smooth and the story flows, giving a little suspense regarding Gina's niece in amongst the low-angst relationship drama. The conversations all seem natural and easy, whether it's between Gina and Marek or any of the other characters.
This was a great little story and I can't wait to return to Clover Hill and see what happens next. Definitely 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Told from both perspectives, it is Gina in the driving seat. Marek knows what he wants but respects Gina's decision. I loved the back and forth between the two of them, the easy camaraderie tinged with heat.
The pace is smooth and the story flows, giving a little suspense regarding Gina's niece in amongst the low-angst relationship drama. The conversations all seem natural and easy, whether it's between Gina and Marek or any of the other characters.
This was a great little story and I can't wait to return to Clover Hill and see what happens next. Definitely 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Too Close: A new kind of thriller that will leave you breathless in Books
Mar 15, 2019
How close is too close?
Connie and Ness met in the park while their children played. As they talked, they realised they were neighbours. Perhaps it was only natural that they and their families would become entirely inseparable.
But when NessĀs marriage ends in a bitter divorce, she is suddenly at ConnieĀs house all the time. Connie doesnĀt have a moment to herself, no time alone with her husband, not a second to chat to her kids.
ItĀs all too much. Something has to give.
Connie has woken up in a psychiatric hospital. They say she committed a terrible crime but she says she canĀt remember a thing.
This novel is gripping and absorbing that you won't be able to put this down. I found the pace just right and the dark story well told .
I found myself crying with some of the parts and in others laughing out loud at some of the things said. There are so many emotions covered in this story including mental illness.
I loved the characters development, the plot of the story and oh my that surprising ending you don't see coming.
I don't want to say anymore as I don't want to spoil it for anyone!
I received this debut novel via NetGalley in return for an honest review but I still turned around an purchased this as I truly am astounded with this novel.
Connie and Ness met in the park while their children played. As they talked, they realised they were neighbours. Perhaps it was only natural that they and their families would become entirely inseparable.
But when NessĀs marriage ends in a bitter divorce, she is suddenly at ConnieĀs house all the time. Connie doesnĀt have a moment to herself, no time alone with her husband, not a second to chat to her kids.
ItĀs all too much. Something has to give.
Connie has woken up in a psychiatric hospital. They say she committed a terrible crime but she says she canĀt remember a thing.
This novel is gripping and absorbing that you won't be able to put this down. I found the pace just right and the dark story well told .
I found myself crying with some of the parts and in others laughing out loud at some of the things said. There are so many emotions covered in this story including mental illness.
I loved the characters development, the plot of the story and oh my that surprising ending you don't see coming.
I don't want to say anymore as I don't want to spoil it for anyone!
I received this debut novel via NetGalley in return for an honest review but I still turned around an purchased this as I truly am astounded with this novel.