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Pango Land
Games and Education
App
Pango, Piggy, Fox, Squirrel and Bunny… they all invite you to their home with lots of games and...
Arthur's Big App
Education and Games
App
School’s out at Lakewood Elementary School and that means it's time for an after school adventure!...
Entwined (The Life of Anna, #2)
7.0
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Anna has two masters, one she hardly knows, but who makes her feel safe, the other she's known all...
I'll Be Your Blue Sky
9.0
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The New York Times bestselling author revisits the characters from her beloved novels Love Walked In...
fiction contemporary fiction series
No Shame (No Shame #4)
10.0
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(This is NOT a stand alone novel. See end of this description for details) Brad feels nothing but...
M_M Contemporary Romance
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Under the Southern Sky in Books
Aug 12, 2021
A heartfelt romance set in North Carolina
Amelia Saxton, a journalist, has just published a personal story in "Modern Love" discussing her own modern marriage with her husband Thad, talking about how happy they are in their life filled with travel and their decision not to have children. That same day she discovers Thad is cheating on her--with another man. Devastated, Amelia's life is completely upended and she wonders if she can ever trust again. While researching another story, she finds out that some embryos belonging to her childhood friend Parker and his late wife, Greer, have been deemed "abandoned." Parker had a love for the ages with Greer, but Amelia--the literal girl next door--was his first love. He had forgotten about the embryos, but once he hears Amelia's news, he wants to become a single father via surrogate. As Amelia and Parker each return home to Cape Carolina to deal with their own grief, they find comfort in their friendship.
"People always think being loved will change them. But that's not true. It's really, truly loving--with the kind of love you couldn't take away even if you wanted to--that turns you inside out."
This book had an interesting plot idea--the whole embryo idea has the possibility to become icky, but overall Woodson Harvey pulls it off. I have been through IVF and dealt with frozen embryo decisions myself, so the book certainly hit home. The story is told via Parker and Amelia's present-day perspectives and interspersed with excerpts from Greer's journals. The North Carolina setting is atmospheric and takes on a life of its own.
At times, this tale is kind of silly and all over the place, but it's a very easy read. The characters are also easy-to-like, and I grew to care a lot about both Parker and Amelia. It's a fun and romantic tale, with just about everyone tied together in various ways. There are meddling moms, family secrets, and drama with Parker's brother. All of this makes the book quite a page-turner, which is at turns sweet and heartbreaking. 3.75 stars.
"People always think being loved will change them. But that's not true. It's really, truly loving--with the kind of love you couldn't take away even if you wanted to--that turns you inside out."
This book had an interesting plot idea--the whole embryo idea has the possibility to become icky, but overall Woodson Harvey pulls it off. I have been through IVF and dealt with frozen embryo decisions myself, so the book certainly hit home. The story is told via Parker and Amelia's present-day perspectives and interspersed with excerpts from Greer's journals. The North Carolina setting is atmospheric and takes on a life of its own.
At times, this tale is kind of silly and all over the place, but it's a very easy read. The characters are also easy-to-like, and I grew to care a lot about both Parker and Amelia. It's a fun and romantic tale, with just about everyone tied together in various ways. There are meddling moms, family secrets, and drama with Parker's brother. All of this makes the book quite a page-turner, which is at turns sweet and heartbreaking. 3.75 stars.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Night She Disappeared in Books
Sep 23, 2021
An intricate, twisty, page-turner of a thriller
Tallulah and her boyfriend, Zach, go out on a date, leaving their young son Noah behind with her mom, Kim. Kim waits up for Tallulah, but she never comes back. As Kim tries to find out what happened to her daughter, whom she knows would never leave Noah behind, she learns she was last seen at a party at house in the woods, called the Dark Place.
Two years later, Sophie moves to a boarding school where her boyfriend, Shaun, has just started to work as head teacher. As she explores the woods, she sees a note reading "Dig Here." A writer, Sophie starts investigating. Her sleuthing will take her into the world of the Dark Place and Tallulah's disappearance.
"With a racing heart and a sickening swirl in the pit of her stomach, she calls the police and she files a missing persons case."
This is an excellent thriller, hands-down. I read the second half in one sitting, because I was completely and totally sucked in. This is a mystery, but it has a ton of character to it--because the characters, ha, are real and vibrant people, with their own quirks, issues, and struggles that add an an extra element to the story. Tallulah, especially, is a nuanced character, a young mother struggling to find her place in the world, with her boyfriend, her friendships, and as a parent and student.
NIGHT is quite twisty--this read will keep you guessing. It's well-written, extremely dark (be prepared), and just well-done overall. It balances thrilling and characterization perfectly. I often hate when a "regular" character decides to be a sleuth, but Sophie, as a crime writer, was fine in the role. I loved Tallulah (extremely great, because she's missing, so Jewell gets us attached to a character who is gone and whose POV is told through the past). The book is complex, giving us insight into motherhood, relationships, friendship and more.
Overall, this was a winner for me. 4.5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from Atria Books and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
Two years later, Sophie moves to a boarding school where her boyfriend, Shaun, has just started to work as head teacher. As she explores the woods, she sees a note reading "Dig Here." A writer, Sophie starts investigating. Her sleuthing will take her into the world of the Dark Place and Tallulah's disappearance.
"With a racing heart and a sickening swirl in the pit of her stomach, she calls the police and she files a missing persons case."
This is an excellent thriller, hands-down. I read the second half in one sitting, because I was completely and totally sucked in. This is a mystery, but it has a ton of character to it--because the characters, ha, are real and vibrant people, with their own quirks, issues, and struggles that add an an extra element to the story. Tallulah, especially, is a nuanced character, a young mother struggling to find her place in the world, with her boyfriend, her friendships, and as a parent and student.
NIGHT is quite twisty--this read will keep you guessing. It's well-written, extremely dark (be prepared), and just well-done overall. It balances thrilling and characterization perfectly. I often hate when a "regular" character decides to be a sleuth, but Sophie, as a crime writer, was fine in the role. I loved Tallulah (extremely great, because she's missing, so Jewell gets us attached to a character who is gone and whose POV is told through the past). The book is complex, giving us insight into motherhood, relationships, friendship and more.
Overall, this was a winner for me. 4.5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from Atria Books and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
The Treasure of Rigmore House (Betwixt the Sea and Shore #3)
8.0
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An heiress forced to choose a husband by her next birthday. A former selkie bent on revenge. Can...
Historical Fantasy Romance
Debbiereadsbook (1788 KP) rated Walking on Broken Paths in Books
Jul 24, 2025
This book has a lot. A lot of emotions, a lot of pain, of joy, of love and I absolutely loved it.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Jesse ran when his brother died, and hasn't returned since. He doesn't know if he is staying but bought a house to fix up over the summer. Coming face to face with his childhood best friend was a shock, but Jesse wants to keep Parker in his life, if only for the summer. Parks is dealing with his father's death and he doesn't know what he wants to do. Keeping Jesse in his life, however briefly, is top of his list.
This book has a lot. A lot of emotions, a lot of pain, of joy, of love and I absolutely bloody it.
Jesse's pain is long lived: 15 years since his brother passed away but Jesse still talks to him, Jesse just can't hear him. He carries a lot of the past on his shoulders, but things are getting better a little every day. Parker's pain is new: a few weeks have gone by since his dad lost his fight to cancer, and Parks is struggling with what to do with his dad's dinner cruise business. He knows it's not really going to work for him, but it was his dad's pride and joy.
These guys fall straight back into their friendship that very quickly morphs into more and both are asking themselves, but not yet each other, if they can make it work long distance.
I loved that there was no 3rd act break up/make up. Loved the steam level was low-ish and it was perfect for this book.
There were some other hockey players mentioned, as Parker wants to write a book about gay hockey players and their history and the names rang some bells. I had to go back through Aislin's backlist and find them! Loved that.
AN Absolutely wonderful book, that was just what I needed a the time.
5 full and shiny stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Jesse ran when his brother died, and hasn't returned since. He doesn't know if he is staying but bought a house to fix up over the summer. Coming face to face with his childhood best friend was a shock, but Jesse wants to keep Parker in his life, if only for the summer. Parks is dealing with his father's death and he doesn't know what he wants to do. Keeping Jesse in his life, however briefly, is top of his list.
This book has a lot. A lot of emotions, a lot of pain, of joy, of love and I absolutely bloody it.
Jesse's pain is long lived: 15 years since his brother passed away but Jesse still talks to him, Jesse just can't hear him. He carries a lot of the past on his shoulders, but things are getting better a little every day. Parker's pain is new: a few weeks have gone by since his dad lost his fight to cancer, and Parks is struggling with what to do with his dad's dinner cruise business. He knows it's not really going to work for him, but it was his dad's pride and joy.
These guys fall straight back into their friendship that very quickly morphs into more and both are asking themselves, but not yet each other, if they can make it work long distance.
I loved that there was no 3rd act break up/make up. Loved the steam level was low-ish and it was perfect for this book.
There were some other hockey players mentioned, as Parker wants to write a book about gay hockey players and their history and the names rang some bells. I had to go back through Aislin's backlist and find them! Loved that.
AN Absolutely wonderful book, that was just what I needed a the time.
5 full and shiny stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Debbiereadsbook (1788 KP) rated Trusting Fletcher (Unexpected Love #4) in Books
Feb 26, 2026
loved the slower burn here!
Independent reviewer for GRR, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 4 in the Unexpected Love series, and I have not read books one and two. I read book 3, Jordan's Breakthrough, and I really liked that, even if the subject matter was a little close to home.
This book?? I LOVED!!
Vince is bouncer in the bar that centres around this group of people. He's struggling, but he doesn't want anyone to see. A fall where Fletcher rescues him, and Vince realises he really needs some help, even if he doesn't want it. But getting closer to Fletcher will mean revealing what's wrong with him, and dealing with Fletcher walking away. Vince can't do that, not again. Until, it's not Vince's decision anymore and Fletcher bounds his way into Vince's heart.
I said in my review for book 3, that the author had either first hand experience, or had done a massive amount of research on that subject. I stand by that here.
Vince is diagnosed with MS, a chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the myelin sheath protecting nerves in the brain and spinal cord. Vince is feeling it in his feet, and his joints. Letting Fletcher help him, is not on his to do list, but Fletcher just lets Vince be. He sees Vince, really SEES what's going on behind the mask he puts on for his friends (Jordan was the same!) and Fletcher lets Vince do things at his own pace. I loved when Vince finally saw what Fletcher was telling him: He isn't on his own, he has support, he has friends who want to help.
I found the romance a slow build, but a natural progression from their friendship. I found the smex and steam low, but absolutely on point for these two! Emotional again, but in a very different way to Jordan's book.
The angst is low, apart from Vince's illness but even when Fletcher was trying to help, Vince bit back and snapped. He explained after, but still.
5 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 4 in the Unexpected Love series, and I have not read books one and two. I read book 3, Jordan's Breakthrough, and I really liked that, even if the subject matter was a little close to home.
This book?? I LOVED!!
Vince is bouncer in the bar that centres around this group of people. He's struggling, but he doesn't want anyone to see. A fall where Fletcher rescues him, and Vince realises he really needs some help, even if he doesn't want it. But getting closer to Fletcher will mean revealing what's wrong with him, and dealing with Fletcher walking away. Vince can't do that, not again. Until, it's not Vince's decision anymore and Fletcher bounds his way into Vince's heart.
I said in my review for book 3, that the author had either first hand experience, or had done a massive amount of research on that subject. I stand by that here.
Vince is diagnosed with MS, a chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the myelin sheath protecting nerves in the brain and spinal cord. Vince is feeling it in his feet, and his joints. Letting Fletcher help him, is not on his to do list, but Fletcher just lets Vince be. He sees Vince, really SEES what's going on behind the mask he puts on for his friends (Jordan was the same!) and Fletcher lets Vince do things at his own pace. I loved when Vince finally saw what Fletcher was telling him: He isn't on his own, he has support, he has friends who want to help.
I found the romance a slow build, but a natural progression from their friendship. I found the smex and steam low, but absolutely on point for these two! Emotional again, but in a very different way to Jordan's book.
The angst is low, apart from Vince's illness but even when Fletcher was trying to help, Vince bit back and snapped. He explained after, but still.
5 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere