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Sassy Brit (97 KP) rated Art Something in Books
Jun 6, 2019
Art Something (Strange Art #1) by Devon Layne is the first instalment of the Strange Art series, in which the main protagonist, a teenager called Arthur Étrange, lives in his own world where he expresses himself through his art. This causes most of his school mates to think him a little odd, hence his need to escape from the social side of life and immerse himself in his art.
His older sister, Morgan, not only loves and truly understands Art, but guides and protects him through the teenage trial and tribulations of life. So when she is due to go back to college Morgan worries how he’ll cope without her. Her answer? She decides to introduce Art to her friend, Annette, in the hope they’ll hit it off together. They do!
Although it’s not high on action, there is conflict in the form of issues teenagers can relate to. For example, Art’s lack of self-confidence and insecurities are exposed to the reader via his innermost thoughts and feelings. The threesome also provides that key support system to help Art overcome these obstacles with the love and understanding of two girls who have his best interests at heart.
This coming of age story is also my first ‘taboo’ book which explores a very loving and highly erotic, consensual polyamory relationship between brother, sister and their friend. Admittedly, this is not something I’d usually read, having said that, Devon Layne is a talented writer and this is a beautiful and sensual story encompassing a controversial subject. I’m looking forward to seeing how this series develops.
His older sister, Morgan, not only loves and truly understands Art, but guides and protects him through the teenage trial and tribulations of life. So when she is due to go back to college Morgan worries how he’ll cope without her. Her answer? She decides to introduce Art to her friend, Annette, in the hope they’ll hit it off together. They do!
Although it’s not high on action, there is conflict in the form of issues teenagers can relate to. For example, Art’s lack of self-confidence and insecurities are exposed to the reader via his innermost thoughts and feelings. The threesome also provides that key support system to help Art overcome these obstacles with the love and understanding of two girls who have his best interests at heart.
This coming of age story is also my first ‘taboo’ book which explores a very loving and highly erotic, consensual polyamory relationship between brother, sister and their friend. Admittedly, this is not something I’d usually read, having said that, Devon Layne is a talented writer and this is a beautiful and sensual story encompassing a controversial subject. I’m looking forward to seeing how this series develops.
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
John Dexter has Borderline Personality Disorder, quite a special case indeed, and he's recently become infatuated with Carla, a young woman working at a local pub. Well, "infatuated" is too light a word; he's fallen head-over-heels in love with her, and upon first sight, no less. See, that's one of his main issues: he falls hard and fast, and when the inevitable happens, he just doesn't have the emotional capabilities to cope. So, this is just going to be another in a string of intense failings, right? Or will his many years of therapy actually come through for him this time?
Coming from a Psychology background, this book really hits the nail on the head. I was greatly appreciative that the author took the time to outline the different requirements for a diagnosis of BPD and how John fits within each one. It's an interesting read from a fictional perspective, and it has its ups and definitely its downs, but the psychological aspect is spot-on, as well. The ways John chooses to cope with his failings, emotional downfalls, etc, are accurately depicted, from self-harm to drinking himself to oblivion, and while it's not something that everyone can identify with, it's made all the more easier to understand through the author's use of explanatory exposition and narration from John himself, discussing his diagnosis with the reader.
This is the first book I've read of this author, and I plan to add him to my list of those to seek out in the future.
5 stars
John Dexter has Borderline Personality Disorder, quite a special case indeed, and he's recently become infatuated with Carla, a young woman working at a local pub. Well, "infatuated" is too light a word; he's fallen head-over-heels in love with her, and upon first sight, no less. See, that's one of his main issues: he falls hard and fast, and when the inevitable happens, he just doesn't have the emotional capabilities to cope. So, this is just going to be another in a string of intense failings, right? Or will his many years of therapy actually come through for him this time?
Coming from a Psychology background, this book really hits the nail on the head. I was greatly appreciative that the author took the time to outline the different requirements for a diagnosis of BPD and how John fits within each one. It's an interesting read from a fictional perspective, and it has its ups and definitely its downs, but the psychological aspect is spot-on, as well. The ways John chooses to cope with his failings, emotional downfalls, etc, are accurately depicted, from self-harm to drinking himself to oblivion, and while it's not something that everyone can identify with, it's made all the more easier to understand through the author's use of explanatory exposition and narration from John himself, discussing his diagnosis with the reader.
This is the first book I've read of this author, and I plan to add him to my list of those to seek out in the future.
5 stars
Merissa (12894 KP) rated Liam For Hire in Books
Oct 18, 2018
Liam for Hire by A. Zukowski
Liam For Hire can be read as a standalone, but it does feature a couple of characters from the first book - The Boy Who Fell To Earth. That was an amazing read, so I wholeheartedly recommend you do start with that one first, just so you get the full picture.
Liam is one of those characters, and we meet up with him a few months after Sasha. He has mainly got his act together, and is now an escort. He knows what he is, and what he does. He would like more, but he just can't see it. As the story progresses you see many reasons for why he would feel like this, and trust me, it will break your heart. As for Ali, there is little I can say about him apart from I LOVE HIM!! His attitude was perfect for Liam, and helped him in more ways than even Liam realised.
This is a dark read yet again, showing Liam's addiction, and recovery, and addiction. Too many good bits to mention, I was thoroughly engrossed in this book, and read it in one sitting. It was so nice to read a story from Liam's perspective. With no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, I have no hesitation in recommeding this story, or this author. Absolutely fantastic, and I can't wait for Chris' story.
* 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!
Liam is one of those characters, and we meet up with him a few months after Sasha. He has mainly got his act together, and is now an escort. He knows what he is, and what he does. He would like more, but he just can't see it. As the story progresses you see many reasons for why he would feel like this, and trust me, it will break your heart. As for Ali, there is little I can say about him apart from I LOVE HIM!! His attitude was perfect for Liam, and helped him in more ways than even Liam realised.
This is a dark read yet again, showing Liam's addiction, and recovery, and addiction. Too many good bits to mention, I was thoroughly engrossed in this book, and read it in one sitting. It was so nice to read a story from Liam's perspective. With no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, I have no hesitation in recommeding this story, or this author. Absolutely fantastic, and I can't wait for Chris' story.
* 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!
Merissa (12894 KP) rated Dark One's Mistress (Dark One's Trilogy #1) in Books
Nov 13, 2019
DARK ONE'S MISTRESS is the first book in the Dark One's Trilogy, and we start with Clara being in the wrong place at the wrong time. She lives in a village called Everdark and rumours abound that the Great Lord has died, and his heir now rules. If this is the case, then a new mistress will be called upon. Clara is one of those taken and she does everything she can to avoid being the one chosen, but to no avail.
This is a slow-paced book, with plenty of interaction between Lucias and Clara as he tries to prove to her that he is a man of his word, and he won't do anything before she is ready. She, of course, doesn't believe him and spends the first part of the book constantly trying to escape.
Interwoven with that is the constant threat of Lucias' mother and her barbarian bodyguard who want to kill Lucias because of who his father was. Trust me, that actually becomes acceptable the more you learn about the father.
I loved the attitudes of both Lucias and Clara and found it definitely to be a case of if you love someone, set them free. Clara is not a doormat, but is definitely set in her ways and has trouble seeing things from different perspectives.
Due to the emphasis on Lucias and Clara, I did feel that I missed out on some of the other characters. There were also questions raised to which I received no answers. However, this did not infringe upon my enjoyment of this book, and I have no hesitation in recommending it.
This is a slow-paced book, with plenty of interaction between Lucias and Clara as he tries to prove to her that he is a man of his word, and he won't do anything before she is ready. She, of course, doesn't believe him and spends the first part of the book constantly trying to escape.
Interwoven with that is the constant threat of Lucias' mother and her barbarian bodyguard who want to kill Lucias because of who his father was. Trust me, that actually becomes acceptable the more you learn about the father.
I loved the attitudes of both Lucias and Clara and found it definitely to be a case of if you love someone, set them free. Clara is not a doormat, but is definitely set in her ways and has trouble seeing things from different perspectives.
Due to the emphasis on Lucias and Clara, I did feel that I missed out on some of the other characters. There were also questions raised to which I received no answers. However, this did not infringe upon my enjoyment of this book, and I have no hesitation in recommending it.
Merissa (12894 KP) rated Marked Yours (Sentries #1) in Books
Dec 2, 2019
MARKED YOURS is the first book in the Sentries series and it introduces us to a post-apocalyptic world where the rules have changed. Same-sex partnerships aren't seen as any different to any other kind of romantic or love partnership. What is different is you can be chosen from birth to be either a sentry or a slave. To be honest, there isn't much difference between the two, although sentries have the illusion of being free.
I loved this story so much, and am so glad it's only the first book in the series. Nick was trained as a slave, and you learn through his history and flashbacks that the training wasn't all sweetness and light! Todd was trained as a sentry, and his training had the same pattern as Nick's. These two are starved for affection and each can give the other what they so desperately crave.
I would have liked a bit more information about just what it was that Nick and Todd could do, but I also, paradoxically, preferred how this book was about the two of them. How they had got to know each other. How trust was an issue for both of them. How they so desperately wanted the other to be safe.
The ending is perfect for this book, and it is yet another thing I would like to be expanded upon in the next book, or at least somewhere within the series!
A brilliant story that I adored, a series I can't wait to read more from, and a book I have no hesitation in recommending.
I loved this story so much, and am so glad it's only the first book in the series. Nick was trained as a slave, and you learn through his history and flashbacks that the training wasn't all sweetness and light! Todd was trained as a sentry, and his training had the same pattern as Nick's. These two are starved for affection and each can give the other what they so desperately crave.
I would have liked a bit more information about just what it was that Nick and Todd could do, but I also, paradoxically, preferred how this book was about the two of them. How they had got to know each other. How trust was an issue for both of them. How they so desperately wanted the other to be safe.
The ending is perfect for this book, and it is yet another thing I would like to be expanded upon in the next book, or at least somewhere within the series!
A brilliant story that I adored, a series I can't wait to read more from, and a book I have no hesitation in recommending.
TI
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