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Merissa (11928 KP) rated Cross Current (Olympic Cove #4) in Books

Mar 3, 2021 (Updated Aug 2, 2023)  
Cross Current (Olympic Cove #4)
Cross Current (Olympic Cove #4)
Nicola M. Cameron | 2020 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
CROSS CURRENT is the fourth book in the Olympic Cove series, and we find ourselves back in the war against Thetis. Matt has just finalised his divorce and is having downtime before he returns to his teaching job. So imagine his surprise when three Selkies and a Mer turn up on his doorstep. Oh, and his neighbours are gods, by the way.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and the individuality of having a pentad, and how it worked for them. However, I didn't have as much of a connection with Matt and the others, as I have had in previous books. As I've said, I enjoyed how their relationship worked for them, but being as Matt was with Fionn and Ailith, I don't feel like I knew Duncan or Ceit as much as I wanted to.

This book does move the overall story arc along, but you could also read it as a standalone, as it is pretty much self-explanatory. I think this is a good addition to the series, but it just didn't grab me as much as the others. I still highly recommend it though, and I can't wait for the next book in the series.

* 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!
Mar 3, 2021
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2163 KP) rated The Last Thing Claire Wanted in Books

May 21, 2024 (Updated May 21, 2024)  
The Last Thing Claire Wanted
The Last Thing Claire Wanted
Karin Fitz Sanford | 2023 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
What Happened to Little Danny?
After a divorce and leaving the FBI, Anne McCormack is trying to build her new estate sale business. One of her few clients is Claire Murray, who has just found out she has only a few months to live. Before she dies, Claire wants to find out what happened to her five-year-old son when he was killed twenty-nine years ago. The case was never solved, but Anne teams up with her uncle, a retired cop, to reopen the case. What will they find?

I picked this book up because I grew up in the town where the story is set. I enjoyed that even if many of the places in the story are fictional. The book is definitely darker than I would normally read, and it includes the content you’d expect from that. At the heart of the book is a good mystery, and I was caught up in trying to figure out who did it and how Anne would prove it. The Murray family drama did take over a few times, but most of the time, I enjoyed that story as well. The writing is good and gives us an appropriate melancholy vibe. It does take some of the characters time to develop, but by the end, we’ve gotten to know all of them. If you are looking for a more serious mystery, this is a debut to pick up.
  
FI
Friction in Motion
Sy Kadella | 2018
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Jerry is woken by his father one faithful morning, to be informed that him, his father and grandfather will be taking a men-only road trip. Jerry is an emotionally detached child prodigy and wants nothing less than for his parents to finally divorce so that everyone can finally understand why he is the way he is. His father has fits that have put a strain on his marriage and his family which has split the family to sides. His sister siding with his mother and Jerry standing with his dad because he feels that no one will be there for his dad, so if leaving on a long road trip with no end in sights means leaving his sister and mom behind he is ready to go. On this road to discovery Jerry, he visits his mobster uncle, a spirit channeling aunt, a native American Indian healer, and a depressed punker.
This tale is remissive of an epic poem and how the discovery of yourself leads to places you would not normally go. Sy Kadella is a talented storyteller who leaves you wondering about the experiences that Jerry must endure to finally see where he is and where he is going. Jerry is a very complex character who unravels in layers as his journey unfold which is a treat unto itself. To be honest the story is slow in places and almost stalls as the details overrun the overall tale. It was an enjoyable tale even though you do have to dig through in places.
  
AO
All of Us and Everything
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Rockwell sisters are returning home. Now grown, Esme, Liv, and Ru grew up with their slightly eccentric mother, Augusta, on the Jersey Shore. As kids, Augusta told the girls their Dad was a spy, and the girls were never quite sure what to believe. Each sister has her own struggles. Esme's marriage is failing and her daughter, Atty, has had a major breakdown at school. Liv is doing great -- when it comes to rehab and divorce. Ru is struggling with her engagement and the contract to write her second book. When they all arrive home, they discover that Hurricane Sandy has unearthed something related to their childhood. Will it finally cause Augusta to tell them the truth about their father?

This was certainly a quirky book. At times, a little too much quirk and angst, to be honest. The whole "your father is a spy" thing seems a bit crazy at times. The girls quibble and bicker, but don't really appear to be real characters you can get behind. Neither does their supporting cast. The exception is Atty, who was quite hilarious, even if her tweeting gets out of hand (that is the point, though). The book grows on you, however, as the girls reunite at home and learn more about their past. It's all a little crazy and over the top, but if you embrace it, it's a fun, quick read, with some real emotion thrown in by the end.

(Note: I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.)
  
UE
Unfortunate Event
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

This book, quite frankly, is one of the most honest looks into both the medical and legal professions I've read in a long time. Dr. Andrews is almost literally led around on a leash after a horrible tragedy, his reputation dragged through the mud while he's used as a scapegoat by not only his colleagues, but his malpractice insurer, the lawyer they appointed to him, and the divorce lawyers ultimately brought into the fray. One of my favorite quotes summarizing this issue is as follows:

     As she watched the doctor exit her office, Jordan Davis found herself in a terrific mood. She'd lead this doctor through the legal system by the nose. She and the opposing attorney would take turns discovering controversies. The answers to those controversies would require long hours of expensive legal research. The attorneys, along with their teams of accountants and paralegals, were going to do very well.

It's horrifying to think about it, but our society is only focused on one thing, and that is money -- who has it, who doesn't, and the easiest ways to get it. This novel showcases that almost from the jump, and I think it is an excellent representation. In our country especially, the medical profession is a multi-billion-dollar business which continues to thrive on the backs of the less fortunate. Makes me happy I decided against med school.

5 stars, and I plan to recommend it to anyone in the medical and legal professions.
  
Home Skillet (Culinary Kings #1)
Home Skillet (Culinary Kings #1)
Cate Ashwood, Sandra Damien | 2018 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
9.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
4 solid stars.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

James finds himself with a divorce, and the loss of his precious restaurant so he runs to the only place, the only person, he ever really called home. Ben has loved James forever, but having him crashing on his couch is playing havoc with his well built walls. But is what Ben feels as one sided as he thinks??

For the most part, I enjoyed this. I just found James a little much to deal with at times!

And I am left with questions that didn't get answered. I'm NOT going to voice them here, because if you read reviews before buying you might be left with the same questions and it might spoil it for you. It did NOT spoil my reading experience, not at all, I'm just left wondering about a few things.

I did like that James came to the realization of his feelings for Ben before Ben made a move. I did like that, once they decided to do this, James and Ben go ALL in, especially on James' part, since he's been in the closet all this time.

It was a lovely read, a perfect way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon. A little longer than the usual hang over cure, but I used it as such.

A not overly complicated, well written tale, with just a few things missing.

4 solid stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
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Hazel (1853 KP) rated The Switch in Books

Dec 14, 2018  
TS
The Switch
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
<i>I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.</i>

Crime writer Elmore Leonard wrote a lot of stories during his lifetime and this book <i>The Switch</i>, originally published in 1978, has recently been brought to cinema screens as <i>Life of Crime</i> starring Jennifer Aniston. Two ex-cons, Ordell and Louis, kidnap Mickey, the wife of a millionaire, in the belief that they will collect some easy ransom money. However their plan backfires when it is revealed that Frank does not care about his wife and planned to divorce her so he could live with his younger mistress, Melanie.

It is a fairly quick read as it is not a lengthy book but I did not care for the writing style. I have not read many American novels from the 1970s and perhaps this is a typical example of way things were written then, however it made it difficult to remain interested.

There is also not much of a chance to relate to any of the characters therefore it was impossible to become emotionally involved with the plot – for this reason we should be thankful that it was less than 200 pages long.

Although I have not seen the film I can imagine that it would be quite interesting as the actors and scriptwriters would be able to emphasize the suspense and add in comic aspects.

Overall Leonard is usually regarded as a legendary crime writer, however this book was not for me. Nonetheless, I am sure there would be other people who would love the book.