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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Summer I Turned Pretty (Summer, #1) in Books
Aug 16, 2019
I've been in such a YA mood lately and determined to work on my self-imposed #readwhatyouown challenge, so I picked up this one, the first in a trilogy.
I couldn't help but compare this book to Han's To All the Boys I've Loved Before series, but Belly (yes, they call this poor girl Belly) is no Lara Jean.
This is a rather predictable yet fun book as Belly returns to the beach house where she spends each summer with her Mom; her Mom's best friend Susannah; and Susannah's two sons, teenage Conrad and Jeremiah. This summer, Belly is fifteen and growing up--and it seems like everything is changing.
So I resented that Belly supposedly only deserved attention because she was now "pretty," though thankfully another boy comes on the scene who appreciates her for more than her looks. Still, I must admit, I was caught up in the book's drama, and this was pretty much the diversion and break from thrillers that I as seeking. And it definitely made me yearn for the beach. I won't lie, I'll probably check out the second book in the series out of curiosity, despite my complaints. 2.5/3 stars.
I couldn't help but compare this book to Han's To All the Boys I've Loved Before series, but Belly (yes, they call this poor girl Belly) is no Lara Jean.
This is a rather predictable yet fun book as Belly returns to the beach house where she spends each summer with her Mom; her Mom's best friend Susannah; and Susannah's two sons, teenage Conrad and Jeremiah. This summer, Belly is fifteen and growing up--and it seems like everything is changing.
So I resented that Belly supposedly only deserved attention because she was now "pretty," though thankfully another boy comes on the scene who appreciates her for more than her looks. Still, I must admit, I was caught up in the book's drama, and this was pretty much the diversion and break from thrillers that I as seeking. And it definitely made me yearn for the beach. I won't lie, I'll probably check out the second book in the series out of curiosity, despite my complaints. 2.5/3 stars.

Veronica, Hidden Harm
Book
In Hidden Harm Veronica Cook writes a biographical account of the difficulties of life growing up...

Edward the Rake
Book
Growing up in the supreme moral rigour of Queen Victoria's court, young Bertie was always going to...

How to be Massive
Book
You know your one Nikita? You've seen her around town: always within 100 metres of Penneys (where...

John Cusack recommended The Exorcist (1973) in Movies (curated)

Broken World (Broken World, #1)
Book
When a deadly virus sweeps the country, Vivian Thomas sets out for California in hopes of seeing the...

Debbiereadsbook (1487 KP) rated The Baby Question: Paranormal Mpreg Short Stories in Books
Jul 11, 2023
all the babies!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is an addition to the Tangled Tentacles AND Assassins To Order series, it cannot be read as a stand alone.
What this is, right, is a wonderful catch up everyone and I loved it, bar one thing.
There are a lot of babies in this book, and a LOT of surprises for several members of this ever growing family!
I liked that Magnus puts his paw down with Kelvin's kraken about their birth. I LOVED the surprise for Markov and Cassius, that one threw me! Them too, but did not see that one coming! I loved that there were conversations about NOT having babies, at all or just yet.
But the best surprise was for Marvin and Ajani!
So, what didn't I love?? Too short! I need more of these kind of catch up shorts, or better yet, the next book in the Assassins series! I love these books, and it's been a little while.
a delightful catch up, thank you for writing them!
4 too stinking cute and warm and fuzzy stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is an addition to the Tangled Tentacles AND Assassins To Order series, it cannot be read as a stand alone.
What this is, right, is a wonderful catch up everyone and I loved it, bar one thing.
There are a lot of babies in this book, and a LOT of surprises for several members of this ever growing family!
I liked that Magnus puts his paw down with Kelvin's kraken about their birth. I LOVED the surprise for Markov and Cassius, that one threw me! Them too, but did not see that one coming! I loved that there were conversations about NOT having babies, at all or just yet.
But the best surprise was for Marvin and Ajani!
So, what didn't I love?? Too short! I need more of these kind of catch up shorts, or better yet, the next book in the Assassins series! I love these books, and it's been a little while.
a delightful catch up, thank you for writing them!
4 too stinking cute and warm and fuzzy stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere

Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Close to Shore: The Terrifying Shark Attacks of 1916 in Books
Jan 12, 2018
Having grown up on the Jersey Shore and being a history nerd I was surprised I had never heard of these event before. That was why when I got the chance to read [Michael Capuzzo's] [Close to Shore: The Terrifying Shark Attacks of 1916] I was so excited. I really enjoyed the description of places I knew from growing up but described in their heyday as opposed to the dilapidated ruins I remember seeing.
[Capuzzo] describes a Jersey Shore of elegance and enjoyment. When it was a status symbol to escape the cities. 1916 was a time of great turmoil with health crisis and a potential war in Europe so people flocked to the shore to escape all this but another danger lurked just off shore.
I know others who have read this book and wish they had introduced me to it sooner because it was an enjoyable, interesting and enlightening read of history and nature.
[Capuzzo] describes a Jersey Shore of elegance and enjoyment. When it was a status symbol to escape the cities. 1916 was a time of great turmoil with health crisis and a potential war in Europe so people flocked to the shore to escape all this but another danger lurked just off shore.
I know others who have read this book and wish they had introduced me to it sooner because it was an enjoyable, interesting and enlightening read of history and nature.

Lenard (726 KP) rated Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase (2019) in Movies
Mar 21, 2019
Nancy Drew first starting investigating mysteries in River Heights in 1930. She has changed little in all of her connotations. Growing up in the 70s and 80s, I met her young in life. This new movie tried to mix her wholesome identity with some millenial ingenuity with very bad results. It isn't that she is no longer relevant, just her Hidden Staircase story is. The film plays very much like a Scooby-Doo mystery with all Velma and no Shaggy or Scooby. A stubborn old woman played by the still vibrant Linda Lavin's house is being haunted. Also, River Heights is a potential site for a new train. Nancy Drew is introduced as a viligante fighting for the less popular girls. All of this makes for a movie that is of little interest to modern girls or women who grew up on Nancy Drew in the 80s. Luckily, little was spent to market this dud.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2395 KP) rated Uncorking a Lie (A Sommelier Mystery #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Katie Stillwell is thrilled to be asked to join a dinner party where wine collector Paul Rafferty is planning to share a rare bottle he’s recently purchased with his friends. However, Katie doesn’t think the bottle looks or tastes like an old bottle of wine should. Before the evening is over, someone is dead. When Paul asks Katie to look into what happened, she finds people covering up secrets. Can she find the truth?
Despite growing up in this book’s setting of Sonoma County, California, I’m not a wine guy. That wasn’t a factor for me at all in following this plot based very heavily on wines. Everything I needed to know was expertly explained. The plot was fast with lots of twists and clues to keep me engaged. The book also has strong characters, both returning and new.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/05/book-review-uncorking-lie-by-nadine.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Despite growing up in this book’s setting of Sonoma County, California, I’m not a wine guy. That wasn’t a factor for me at all in following this plot based very heavily on wines. Everything I needed to know was expertly explained. The plot was fast with lots of twists and clues to keep me engaged. The book also has strong characters, both returning and new.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/05/book-review-uncorking-lie-by-nadine.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.