Search
Search results
A Fascinating Tale Of Obsession, Revenge & Lies
Wow, What an absolute joy this book was to read! THE EX by Freida McFadden is a fascinating tale of obsession, revenge and lies.
Told in alternating chapters between the ex and the new girlfriend, and even though the plot is not an original one by any means as it has been tried and tested many times before, I was, nevertheless, absolutely enthralled by this novel from the very first page, which I attribute to Freida McFadden’s superb writing.
The ex, Francesca Mascolo, is Italian and is expecting to marry her adorable boyfriend, Dr Joel Broder, who works as an Emergency Room physician at the local hospital. They have been together many, many years and have travelled and worked abroad together, until one night he dumps her in a crowded restaurant, saying that their relationship didn’t work for him any more. Francesca repeatedly begs him to reconsider - she is very much in love and can’t afford to pay the rent for their flat on her own earnings.
Cassie Donovan is the new girl, twenty-six-years-old and runs a small, used book-store called Bookland, that she inherited from her grandparents Grandma Bea & Grandpa Marv, when she was twenty-two. Her best friend, Zoe Malloy is also her business partner and they were room-mates at college. Cassie offered her a share in Bookland for some help with running Bookland. Cassie is the accountant and Zoe, who has a degree in Communication, manages the sales. Bookland is in a bit of financial trouble and the girls haven’t yet managed to drag it out of the financial hole it was in when Cassie took over. Zoe is gorgeous with bobbed jet black hair, red lipstick and black nails and glowing personality. She’s chatty, everyone’s friend, and kind to the homeless.
Cassie’s not interested in dating, she’s too busy trying to keep Bookland afloat. And all of her most recent dating endeavours have been bitterly disappointing.
Joel is in his mid-thirties and is very much a “Hot Doctor.” He has vivid blue eyes, a lovely smile, an attractive laugh, and lovely biceps. Joel and Cassie first meet in Bookland and Joel is so sexy that Cassie starts to waver about not dating. He is as attracted to Cassie as she is to him.
I loved that Joel is a bit of a romantic and that there is a connection between the two of them straight-away. One of the best bits of the book is following how their romance develops, however, everyone has a past and some people are keeping secrets and hiding their emotions …
I really liked Freida McFadden’s character development and her straightforward writing style. She managed to create exactly the right amount of suspense to keep the story interesting so that I felt that I needed to read just one more chapter.
Freida McFadden writes with great flair, which helped to make this novel as wonderful as it is. This book will be extremely enjoyable for anyone who loves a good psychological thriller. Overall, THE EX is a highly recommended, incredibly entertaining story with a surprising and fulfilling ending.
{Thank you to Hidden Gems and Freida McFadden for the free copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.}
Told in alternating chapters between the ex and the new girlfriend, and even though the plot is not an original one by any means as it has been tried and tested many times before, I was, nevertheless, absolutely enthralled by this novel from the very first page, which I attribute to Freida McFadden’s superb writing.
The ex, Francesca Mascolo, is Italian and is expecting to marry her adorable boyfriend, Dr Joel Broder, who works as an Emergency Room physician at the local hospital. They have been together many, many years and have travelled and worked abroad together, until one night he dumps her in a crowded restaurant, saying that their relationship didn’t work for him any more. Francesca repeatedly begs him to reconsider - she is very much in love and can’t afford to pay the rent for their flat on her own earnings.
Cassie Donovan is the new girl, twenty-six-years-old and runs a small, used book-store called Bookland, that she inherited from her grandparents Grandma Bea & Grandpa Marv, when she was twenty-two. Her best friend, Zoe Malloy is also her business partner and they were room-mates at college. Cassie offered her a share in Bookland for some help with running Bookland. Cassie is the accountant and Zoe, who has a degree in Communication, manages the sales. Bookland is in a bit of financial trouble and the girls haven’t yet managed to drag it out of the financial hole it was in when Cassie took over. Zoe is gorgeous with bobbed jet black hair, red lipstick and black nails and glowing personality. She’s chatty, everyone’s friend, and kind to the homeless.
Cassie’s not interested in dating, she’s too busy trying to keep Bookland afloat. And all of her most recent dating endeavours have been bitterly disappointing.
Joel is in his mid-thirties and is very much a “Hot Doctor.” He has vivid blue eyes, a lovely smile, an attractive laugh, and lovely biceps. Joel and Cassie first meet in Bookland and Joel is so sexy that Cassie starts to waver about not dating. He is as attracted to Cassie as she is to him.
I loved that Joel is a bit of a romantic and that there is a connection between the two of them straight-away. One of the best bits of the book is following how their romance develops, however, everyone has a past and some people are keeping secrets and hiding their emotions …
I really liked Freida McFadden’s character development and her straightforward writing style. She managed to create exactly the right amount of suspense to keep the story interesting so that I felt that I needed to read just one more chapter.
Freida McFadden writes with great flair, which helped to make this novel as wonderful as it is. This book will be extremely enjoyable for anyone who loves a good psychological thriller. Overall, THE EX is a highly recommended, incredibly entertaining story with a surprising and fulfilling ending.
{Thank you to Hidden Gems and Freida McFadden for the free copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.}
Erratic.
To begin with I should point out that I listened to this rather than read it, and I have to say that I found (not for the first time with American audiobooks) that the narrator detracted from the story. They chose a woman with a very slow, drawling delivery which in some ways, I imagine, was intended to emphasise the sunny, laid-back easy-going stereotype of the late 60's hippy movement. Unfortunately the actual effect was to make the book drag.
Beyond that the content of the book itself was a mixed bag of the pleasurable and the pointless.
Where Cline excelles in this book is in her portrayal of a normal adolescent female trying to fit the role society has dictated for her. It's important to note that Evie is normal - she's not in the small group of incredibly popular, socially adept, fashionably en point and appropriately presented girls of the moment, nor is she so far away from the 'norm' that she is considered especially weird. She falls firmly within the parameters of 'normal' girls who are just struggling with the 'project of their girlhood'. Nor is it just girls that Cline succeeds in painting an accurate picture of - the tribulations of Evie's mother (newley divorced and struggling to realise the relevance and attraction that society expects from her again) speak to the ongoing and endless demands of a civilisation that puts endless pressure on it's female members to adhere to a very narrow and sharply defined criteria in order to be 'acceptable'. This pressure is something I imagine most female readers of this book will relate to, regardless of age, because, of course, it is still very much a daily aspect of most girls' and womens' lives; some possibly even recognising individual situations in which they have been at some stage in their life.
Understanding and empathising with Evie then, it is disconcerting to follow her absorption into the cult; her fascination with the older girls, the ones she later reflects upon as barely more than children themselves; the ease with which she is manipulated through her desire to please her new friends and to defy her mother; the lies sher emotional side is sold and accepts, even as her more rational mind recognises that they are lies...
These are the things Cline excelles in. I can honestly say I have never read an more accurate depiction of clumsy, normal female adolescence.
Unfortunately interspersed through these parts are large tracts of pointless and incredibly, horribly flowery waffle that don't really add anything else to the story other than to repeat, endlessly the message that 'the girl who was part of the cult' had a sad and unfulfilling life afterwards.The message that she screwed up could have been delivered successfully at the beginning and reinforced at the end - it didn't need that kind of repetition.
Overall I would say that for fans of general fiction (which I'm not), and teen readers (which I am also not), this is probably a good read, just expect it to drag at times. It's not one I shall be revisiting.
Beyond that the content of the book itself was a mixed bag of the pleasurable and the pointless.
Where Cline excelles in this book is in her portrayal of a normal adolescent female trying to fit the role society has dictated for her. It's important to note that Evie is normal - she's not in the small group of incredibly popular, socially adept, fashionably en point and appropriately presented girls of the moment, nor is she so far away from the 'norm' that she is considered especially weird. She falls firmly within the parameters of 'normal' girls who are just struggling with the 'project of their girlhood'. Nor is it just girls that Cline succeeds in painting an accurate picture of - the tribulations of Evie's mother (newley divorced and struggling to realise the relevance and attraction that society expects from her again) speak to the ongoing and endless demands of a civilisation that puts endless pressure on it's female members to adhere to a very narrow and sharply defined criteria in order to be 'acceptable'. This pressure is something I imagine most female readers of this book will relate to, regardless of age, because, of course, it is still very much a daily aspect of most girls' and womens' lives; some possibly even recognising individual situations in which they have been at some stage in their life.
Understanding and empathising with Evie then, it is disconcerting to follow her absorption into the cult; her fascination with the older girls, the ones she later reflects upon as barely more than children themselves; the ease with which she is manipulated through her desire to please her new friends and to defy her mother; the lies sher emotional side is sold and accepts, even as her more rational mind recognises that they are lies...
These are the things Cline excelles in. I can honestly say I have never read an more accurate depiction of clumsy, normal female adolescence.
Unfortunately interspersed through these parts are large tracts of pointless and incredibly, horribly flowery waffle that don't really add anything else to the story other than to repeat, endlessly the message that 'the girl who was part of the cult' had a sad and unfulfilling life afterwards.The message that she screwed up could have been delivered successfully at the beginning and reinforced at the end - it didn't need that kind of repetition.
Overall I would say that for fans of general fiction (which I'm not), and teen readers (which I am also not), this is probably a good read, just expect it to drag at times. It's not one I shall be revisiting.
I didn’t expect to like this as much as I did, to be honest. When I opened the book and first met Lexi, I absolutely hated her. She’s spoilt, throws tantrums and is throwing her life away out of choice. She survives off Daddy’s credit card (if only!) and it is a wonder that she even has friends.
But then as the book goes on, you get to know Lexi. I loved her character development. To be able to read the change in her attitude and see the person behind the drugs was amazing. The way the novel is written shows how much the drugs affected Lexi’s personality, and the change was completely unexpected. To see a character who I thought was selfish and ignorant turn into a loving and caring friend in rehab was heartwarming as well as being extremely true.
In the beginning Lexi tricks the reader into believing all of her lies. I certainly didn’t realise that she was taking the reader for a ride and when I found out that she was lying about some things (not giving any spoilers here!) it truly shocked me. She’s manipulative – but in a way that you expect from an addict.
To reflect an addict’s behaviour as truly as Dawson has managed here is amazing. I never expected the novel to be so honest. I expected rehab to be romanticised and Lexi’s relationship with drugs brushed over, but it completely wasn’t.
This book is a masterpiece and honestly one of a kind. I’ve never discovered a book quite like this, and I don’t think I ever will.
But then as the book goes on, you get to know Lexi. I loved her character development. To be able to read the change in her attitude and see the person behind the drugs was amazing. The way the novel is written shows how much the drugs affected Lexi’s personality, and the change was completely unexpected. To see a character who I thought was selfish and ignorant turn into a loving and caring friend in rehab was heartwarming as well as being extremely true.
In the beginning Lexi tricks the reader into believing all of her lies. I certainly didn’t realise that she was taking the reader for a ride and when I found out that she was lying about some things (not giving any spoilers here!) it truly shocked me. She’s manipulative – but in a way that you expect from an addict.
To reflect an addict’s behaviour as truly as Dawson has managed here is amazing. I never expected the novel to be so honest. I expected rehab to be romanticised and Lexi’s relationship with drugs brushed over, but it completely wasn’t.
This book is a masterpiece and honestly one of a kind. I’ve never discovered a book quite like this, and I don’t think I ever will.
Madbatdan82 (341 KP) rated Lords of Chaos (2018) in Movies
Apr 2, 2019
Based on the truth, lies and what actually happened.
I don't pretend to be a massive fan of black metal but I know who Mayhem and Bazurm are and I know of Norwegian Black Metal so when I saw this film advertised I was very interested. The story of Norweigan black metal is that of murder, suicide, arson, corpse desecration, possible cannibalism and a massive middle finger to normal society so I was expecting pure shocking filth. Unfortunately I was left very disappointed. The film focuses on Euronimus, founder and guitarist of the band Mayhem and tells his story and his relationships particularly that with lead singer Dead and Buzurm founder and one time Mayhem bassist Varg Vikennes. Its shot very well and looks good and the soundtrack is great. Theres one particularly nasty murder scene but other than that its a mess. It just doesn't know what tone to take and makes Euronimus and Vikennes look stupid. One minute they're intimidating the next they look like idiots. So when events happen you just don't really care what happens to them. Varg Vikennes has been likened to the Norwegian Charles Manson and should be the focus of this film but instead is portrayed as a bumbling fanboy rather than the pure psychopath he is. The only character that I really clicked with and cared about was Dead and his arc was really good. Basically this film is a missed opportunity to tell a story that should be genuinely shocking. Black Metal was suppose to repulse conventional society but this film repulses in another way.
Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated Night Shift by Juze in Music
Jun 17, 2019
Juze is a German producer, DJ, influencer, and songwriter. Jantine is a platinum-selling singer-songwriter based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Not too long ago, they released a groovy electro-house tune, entitled, “Night Shift”.
“Dancing in the dark when we move it’s something natural. We play and then we pause and it gently drives me up the wall. And I wonder should I trust this old heart of mine when I judge this vibe. Is it me or is it us? Am I way too high on Martini Dry?” – lyrics
‘Night Shift’ tells an interesting tale of a young woman who dances in the dark with her significant other.
Apparently, they’ve been drinking and having a great time being in each other’s company.
‘Night Shift’ contains a playful storyline, ear-welcoming vocals, and dance-floor friendly instrumentation flavored with electro-pop and groovy house elements.
Juze’s songs have received support from huge international DJs such as Tiesto, DJ Chuckie, and Nicky Romero.
Since then, the bubbly producer has appeared regularly at Bootshaus (Cologne, GER), which placed at #8 in DJ Mag’s Top 100 clubs poll and Amsterdam’s elite Supperclub. Also, he’s worked on remixes for artists such as Ed Sheeran and AURORA.
Jantine is one of the most requested songwriters in the Netherlands. So far, she has collaborated with Skrillex, Valentino Kahn, Hardwell, Rock Mafia, EXO, F(x), Andrew Goldstein, Julian Jordan, Dante Klein, and many more.
Her heart lies with ‘80s pop and indie music, and she has released music via SM Entertainment, Universal Music, and Spinnin’ Records to name a few.
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/juze-jantine-night-shift/
“Dancing in the dark when we move it’s something natural. We play and then we pause and it gently drives me up the wall. And I wonder should I trust this old heart of mine when I judge this vibe. Is it me or is it us? Am I way too high on Martini Dry?” – lyrics
‘Night Shift’ tells an interesting tale of a young woman who dances in the dark with her significant other.
Apparently, they’ve been drinking and having a great time being in each other’s company.
‘Night Shift’ contains a playful storyline, ear-welcoming vocals, and dance-floor friendly instrumentation flavored with electro-pop and groovy house elements.
Juze’s songs have received support from huge international DJs such as Tiesto, DJ Chuckie, and Nicky Romero.
Since then, the bubbly producer has appeared regularly at Bootshaus (Cologne, GER), which placed at #8 in DJ Mag’s Top 100 clubs poll and Amsterdam’s elite Supperclub. Also, he’s worked on remixes for artists such as Ed Sheeran and AURORA.
Jantine is one of the most requested songwriters in the Netherlands. So far, she has collaborated with Skrillex, Valentino Kahn, Hardwell, Rock Mafia, EXO, F(x), Andrew Goldstein, Julian Jordan, Dante Klein, and many more.
Her heart lies with ‘80s pop and indie music, and she has released music via SM Entertainment, Universal Music, and Spinnin’ Records to name a few.
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/juze-jantine-night-shift/
Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated Feel Again - Single by HAYL in Music
Jul 10, 2019
HAYL is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter based in Nashville, TN. Not too long ago, she released a heartfelt indie-pop ballad, entitled, “Feel Again”.
“This song is a piano ballad expressing how numb I felt in my relationship with a past lover. Him cheating, me half-heartedly forgiving him, and covering up the fact that we were in a messy, confusing, unhealthy cycle. It’s about him never letting me in emotionally and us hanging on to each other’s brokenness.” – HAYL
‘Feel Again’ tells an interesting tale of a young woman who is head-over-heels in love with a guy who she shares a problematic relationship with.
Apparently, she feels that he has taken advantage of her weakness. After many weeping sessions, she has no more tears left to cry and just wants to feel being loved by someone again.
Later, she admits that she’s addicted to the above-mentioned individual and wants to know why he’s so good at saying goodbye.
‘Feel Again’ contains a bittersweet storyline, pleasing vocals, and lush instrumentation scented with sentimental elements.
“I opened up my heart and wrote this song in 45 minutes with co-writer, Forrest Finn. I still get really emotional thinking back on that relationship, feeling sad that I felt trapped and helpless. This cover artwork is symbolic of me covering up my heart with lies I believed that became my truth. I hope this song heals the heartbroken and is hope for those who have lost love. That there is beauty after the pain and that you deserve to feel that again.” – HAYL
“This song is a piano ballad expressing how numb I felt in my relationship with a past lover. Him cheating, me half-heartedly forgiving him, and covering up the fact that we were in a messy, confusing, unhealthy cycle. It’s about him never letting me in emotionally and us hanging on to each other’s brokenness.” – HAYL
‘Feel Again’ tells an interesting tale of a young woman who is head-over-heels in love with a guy who she shares a problematic relationship with.
Apparently, she feels that he has taken advantage of her weakness. After many weeping sessions, she has no more tears left to cry and just wants to feel being loved by someone again.
Later, she admits that she’s addicted to the above-mentioned individual and wants to know why he’s so good at saying goodbye.
‘Feel Again’ contains a bittersweet storyline, pleasing vocals, and lush instrumentation scented with sentimental elements.
“I opened up my heart and wrote this song in 45 minutes with co-writer, Forrest Finn. I still get really emotional thinking back on that relationship, feeling sad that I felt trapped and helpless. This cover artwork is symbolic of me covering up my heart with lies I believed that became my truth. I hope this song heals the heartbroken and is hope for those who have lost love. That there is beauty after the pain and that you deserve to feel that again.” – HAYL
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Wool in Books
Nov 28, 2019
In the far future all of mankind lives in an underground silo. Every aspect of the inhabitant's lives are carefully controlled and they are told that the surface is too polluted to support life. But why is mankind controlled like this and who is doing the controlling? What is the truth and what are lies? What would happen if an individual was clever enough, ingenious enough and just desparate enough to challenge the status quo?
Howey's novel - the first of a series - is a classic of modern science fiction. The environs of the silo are suitable claustrophobic, populated with a range of interesting characters from the upper to the lower levels. The plot itself is pretty relentless, gathering momentum from the first pages like a boulder rolling down a slope, and like a boulder it seems to be heading towards certain disaster.
The silo and the reasons behind it are well thought out what areas we see a lot of are well described, other parts are only glimpsed but the world (such as it is) is certainly convincing. As the story moves along and starts to be told from the viewpoint of several people this just adds to the sense of urgency as each story intertwines and the reader wants to find out what is going to happen in each thread, not only for the sake of the characters but for the gradual reveal of the overarching plot.
I will definitely be reading the other books in the series and as long as the ideas keep coming as fresh and richly described as they are here then they will also be well worth reading.
Howey's novel - the first of a series - is a classic of modern science fiction. The environs of the silo are suitable claustrophobic, populated with a range of interesting characters from the upper to the lower levels. The plot itself is pretty relentless, gathering momentum from the first pages like a boulder rolling down a slope, and like a boulder it seems to be heading towards certain disaster.
The silo and the reasons behind it are well thought out what areas we see a lot of are well described, other parts are only glimpsed but the world (such as it is) is certainly convincing. As the story moves along and starts to be told from the viewpoint of several people this just adds to the sense of urgency as each story intertwines and the reader wants to find out what is going to happen in each thread, not only for the sake of the characters but for the gradual reveal of the overarching plot.
I will definitely be reading the other books in the series and as long as the ideas keep coming as fresh and richly described as they are here then they will also be well worth reading.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Dark Waters (2019) in Movies
Dec 19, 2019
What Lies Within Inside
How come no one is talking about this, how come no one has seen this movie. People should know about this movie and see it, cause it is powerful, epic, sicken, disturbing, and over a phenomenal movie with a message.
The Plot: A tenacious attorney uncovers a dark secret that connects a growing number of unexplained deaths to one of the world's largest corporations. While trying to expose the truth, he soon finds himself risking his future, his family and his own life.
It is based on the 2016 article "The Lawyer Who Became DuPont's Worst Nightmare" by Nathaniel Rich, published in The New York Times Magazine.
Parts of the story were also reported by Mariah Blake, whose 2015 article, "Welcome to Beautiful Parkersburg, West Virginia" was a National Magazine Award finalist, and Sharon Lerner, whose series "Bad Chemistry" ran in The Intercept. Robert Bilott, the principal character in the film, also wrote a memoir, Exposure, detailing his 20-year legal battle against DuPon.
Mark Rufflo does a fantastic job in this film and so does Anne Hathaway and Tom Robbins.
Its really sad that not aot of people know about this story, its also sad that no alot people seen this movie, that no one is talking about, cause like I sais before it is disturbing and sicken. Makes you think what else are companies and coperorations are hidden for us.
This movie is my 3rd favorite film that i have seen this year, right behind Endgame and Joker. A must see if you havent seen it or know about it.
The Plot: A tenacious attorney uncovers a dark secret that connects a growing number of unexplained deaths to one of the world's largest corporations. While trying to expose the truth, he soon finds himself risking his future, his family and his own life.
It is based on the 2016 article "The Lawyer Who Became DuPont's Worst Nightmare" by Nathaniel Rich, published in The New York Times Magazine.
Parts of the story were also reported by Mariah Blake, whose 2015 article, "Welcome to Beautiful Parkersburg, West Virginia" was a National Magazine Award finalist, and Sharon Lerner, whose series "Bad Chemistry" ran in The Intercept. Robert Bilott, the principal character in the film, also wrote a memoir, Exposure, detailing his 20-year legal battle against DuPon.
Mark Rufflo does a fantastic job in this film and so does Anne Hathaway and Tom Robbins.
Its really sad that not aot of people know about this story, its also sad that no alot people seen this movie, that no one is talking about, cause like I sais before it is disturbing and sicken. Makes you think what else are companies and coperorations are hidden for us.
This movie is my 3rd favorite film that i have seen this year, right behind Endgame and Joker. A must see if you havent seen it or know about it.
ClareR (5906 KP) rated A Throne of Swans in Books
Jan 7, 2020
A Throne of Swans is set in a kingdom where the nobility have the ability to change in to giant birds. Aderyn prematurely takes over the role of Protector of Atratys, a dominion within this kingdom, after her fathers death. Her ancestral bird is a swan, but she finds that she’s no longer able to transform into one, after she and her mother are attacked by hawks - and her mother is murdered. This is a very dangerous position to be in. As one of the flightless, she could have Atratys taken from her, and she could be exiled or, worse still, executed.
Aderyn is dumped into a hotbed of distrust, lies and barely concealed violence, when she is expected to go capital city by order of the King, her uncle. She is wanted by her cousin, the princess, to be one of her bridal party at her upcoming nuptials. All is not as it seems though, and Aderyn finds that both she and her dominion of Atratys are very much at risk of harm.
I love a book with courtly intrigue, and this has loads! Aderyn has to watch every word she says and who she says it to - she can trust no one. She has gone from being a protected, shut away child, to being the one who must protect all of those in her care - she does seem to have the courage for it though. She’s a fighter, that’s evident throughout.
I’m very much looking forward to the second book in this duology - there are some serious loose ends to tie up!
Thanks to Readers First for my copy of this great book to read and review.
Aderyn is dumped into a hotbed of distrust, lies and barely concealed violence, when she is expected to go capital city by order of the King, her uncle. She is wanted by her cousin, the princess, to be one of her bridal party at her upcoming nuptials. All is not as it seems though, and Aderyn finds that both she and her dominion of Atratys are very much at risk of harm.
I love a book with courtly intrigue, and this has loads! Aderyn has to watch every word she says and who she says it to - she can trust no one. She has gone from being a protected, shut away child, to being the one who must protect all of those in her care - she does seem to have the courage for it though. She’s a fighter, that’s evident throughout.
I’m very much looking forward to the second book in this duology - there are some serious loose ends to tie up!
Thanks to Readers First for my copy of this great book to read and review.
A Corporate Solution to Global Poverty: How Multinationals Can Help the Poor and Invigorate Their Own Legitimacy
Book
World leaders have given the reduction of global poverty top priority. And yet it persists. Indeed,...