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TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated An Ivy Hill Christmas (Tales from Ivy Hill) in Books
Feb 23, 2021
An Ivy Hill Christmas - Was enchanting and totally helped me get in the mood of Christmas. While I have not read any of Julie Klassen books before I knew I wanted to start reading her books as she is known for her fantastic characters, settings, and regency era fiction, which are some of my favorite bookish things when combined.
This book was like being transported back in time and immersed in a magical Christmas wonderland. Richard and Arabella had great chemistry right from the beginning and I loved their banter with each other. They had meaningful interactions and portrayed some realistic truths. The story was filled with some interesting twists, old secrets, lost love, and an interesting plot that kept me heavily engaged with the characters. An Ivy Hill Christmas Made me cozy inside, I highly recommend this sweet Christmas story and I am excited to have found a new author to read
This book was like being transported back in time and immersed in a magical Christmas wonderland. Richard and Arabella had great chemistry right from the beginning and I loved their banter with each other. They had meaningful interactions and portrayed some realistic truths. The story was filled with some interesting twists, old secrets, lost love, and an interesting plot that kept me heavily engaged with the characters. An Ivy Hill Christmas Made me cozy inside, I highly recommend this sweet Christmas story and I am excited to have found a new author to read
TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated Mountains of Grace (Amish of Big Sky Country #1) in Books
Feb 24, 2021
An amazing story !
I think that this book was just the change of pace I needed. Such a refreshing story line and some great characters that wouldn't let me put the book down. Mercy and Caleb really have to learn the concept of communication, they learn that even when you are unsure of what reaction you might get you have to talk. They are a great example of everyday couples. We also see glimpses into how a communities deals with massive fires, I love Kelly Irvin's descriptions of emotions here through all the different characters. This book can be read as a stand alone, however, I think that there will be more books in this series (Or at least I hope so !). I can not wait to read what comes after this one.
I volunteered to read this book from Zondervan Fiction in return for my honest opinion. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
I think that this book was just the change of pace I needed. Such a refreshing story line and some great characters that wouldn't let me put the book down. Mercy and Caleb really have to learn the concept of communication, they learn that even when you are unsure of what reaction you might get you have to talk. They are a great example of everyday couples. We also see glimpses into how a communities deals with massive fires, I love Kelly Irvin's descriptions of emotions here through all the different characters. This book can be read as a stand alone, however, I think that there will be more books in this series (Or at least I hope so !). I can not wait to read what comes after this one.
I volunteered to read this book from Zondervan Fiction in return for my honest opinion. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
ClareR (5726 KP) rated Open Water in Books
Mar 6, 2021
This exquisitely written novella is so much more than a story about a relationship between a photographer and a dancer. It looks at race and the exhaustion of being a young black Londoner: how racism, police brutality and the need to be constantly alert can be psychologically damaging and impact on relationships. Open Water is a story about love, heartbreak, but ultimately there IS hope. I cant believe that so much has been put in to so few pages, and I finished feeling that I’d read a book of twice the length (in a good way!). Every word feels carefully considered - its just beautiful. Poetry written in prose form.
I have to admit, most of the references to music went over my head, but this didn’t bother me or lessen my enjoyment. In fact, it sent me in the direction of Spotify and caused raised eyebrows from the teenaged sons 🤷🏼♀️
Many thanks to Viking for providing me with a copy of this stunning book via NetGalley.
I have to admit, most of the references to music went over my head, but this didn’t bother me or lessen my enjoyment. In fact, it sent me in the direction of Spotify and caused raised eyebrows from the teenaged sons 🤷🏼♀️
Many thanks to Viking for providing me with a copy of this stunning book via NetGalley.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Shadow Embraced (Haven, #1) in Books
Jan 6, 2021
***I received a copy off NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
3.5 stars.
I enjoyed this but we seemed to just jump into the story without any real explanation. I found myself baffled at the beginning; we just start with a fight out of nowhere and I if I'm honest it started a little strange...
I continued to be baffled until we got to the school, that was when it started to pick up for me and I got quite into the story. I enjoyed the mystery of trying to figure out who was behind the disappearances and wondered if Scar had had anything to do with it during her "visions" but no...though I wont ruin it by giving it away.
I did enjoy it, though. It was different and I like different every so often. If you're into young adult stories with a bit of mystery and intrigue then you will probably love this.
3.5 stars.
I enjoyed this but we seemed to just jump into the story without any real explanation. I found myself baffled at the beginning; we just start with a fight out of nowhere and I if I'm honest it started a little strange...
I continued to be baffled until we got to the school, that was when it started to pick up for me and I got quite into the story. I enjoyed the mystery of trying to figure out who was behind the disappearances and wondered if Scar had had anything to do with it during her "visions" but no...though I wont ruin it by giving it away.
I did enjoy it, though. It was different and I like different every so often. If you're into young adult stories with a bit of mystery and intrigue then you will probably love this.
Cori June (3033 KP) rated The Blood King (Inferno Rising #2) in Books
Jun 12, 2021
Characters (2 more)
The flying & use of powers
Sky fights
I predicted things (1 more)
Too stubborn on the wrong things
This is the second book of the series. I have not read the first, but was able to follow along fairly well while realizing that this wasn't the first part if the story. I didn't get lost and was able to piece together most of the missing information. The few gaps I still had that book one probably filled didn't detract me from enjoying the story.
Stubborn characters are great, mostly.
The characters where fun and there are a lot of humorous bits, as well as, steamy ones.
I won't be buying this series (unless I get it secondhand cheap) but I would check it out at the library. And can see how others would love it.
It has a bit more romance than I usually like and I did know this so I didn't (tried not to) over bias myself.
Stubborn characters are great, mostly.
The characters where fun and there are a lot of humorous bits, as well as, steamy ones.
I won't be buying this series (unless I get it secondhand cheap) but I would check it out at the library. And can see how others would love it.
It has a bit more romance than I usually like and I did know this so I didn't (tried not to) over bias myself.
The Trusted by Michelle Medhat is the first book in a five book series. A cross genre book that incorporates spy thriller with brilliant elements of sci-fi and fantasy too at times. The story hits the ground running and we are thrown into the action from the first page. We meet MI-6 agent Sam Noor who is part of the fight against a new terror organisation that is a threat to the whole world.They are using brand new technology to threaten everything people love. I think the world building is excellent and Michelle has created truly individual strong characters that stay with you long after you have finished the book. A story that had my adrenaline rushing all the way through, with enough action for three books never mind just the one! Am picking up the second book as soon as possible, I need to know what will happen in this series quick! Thank you to Michelle for my copy of the book today.
Sonofdel (6291 KP) rated Always Managing: My Autobiography in Books
Oct 20, 2020
a very interesting read
I was unsure as to whether to but this because although i love football biographies i did not know that much about Harry Redknapp other than his son was Jamie (who played for Liverpool as well as others). I am glad i decided to give it a try. Here is a man who has seen it all from his childhood onwards football has always and probably always will be a part of his life. Its not all funny anecdotes (although there are plenty of these), there is a lot more serious issues which he opens up about including various court cases and even losing one of his closest friends in a car accident that could easily have ended his own life. A thorough and very frank life story of the man i still think is the best manager never to manage England (he would have worked wonders) :)
Kristina (502 KP) rated Tell Me Something (Something, #1) in Books
Dec 7, 2020
I read 'Tell Me Something' pretty much in one sitting. When I had to put it down, I couldn't wait to pick it back up. It was super sexy and I loved the story. Personally, I prefer when the couple have to fight to get together (whether it's each other or their own personal issues), but Aubrey made it work and I enjoyed it! There were a few grammar issues and misspelled words, but that didn't take anything from the story itself.
**SPOILER ALERT**
I was a little disappointed that Haylee ended up pregnant before Josh could completely confess his love for her. Though Aubrey did a good job at making it obvious Josh was dedicated to Haylee before she revealed the pregnancy, I still felt a little like the baby had a part in his decision.
Other than this, which still didn't take away from how much I enjoyed the book, I loved 'Tell Me Something' and look forward to reading more from this series!
**SPOILER ALERT**
I was a little disappointed that Haylee ended up pregnant before Josh could completely confess his love for her. Though Aubrey did a good job at making it obvious Josh was dedicated to Haylee before she revealed the pregnancy, I still felt a little like the baby had a part in his decision.
Other than this, which still didn't take away from how much I enjoyed the book, I loved 'Tell Me Something' and look forward to reading more from this series!
How Animals Grieve
Book
Scientists have long cautioned against attributing familiar emotions to animals, arguing that it...
Awix (3310 KP) rated Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (¡Átame!) (1989) in Movies
Jun 3, 2020
Black romantic-comedy, a rare misfire from Pedro Almodovar. A mentally-unstable young man kidnaps a troubled actress and junkie and keeps her prisoner until she falls in love with him. Yes, I know: I would say it was a Spanish thing but it's fundamentally the same plot as Passengers and a few other movies.
I suppose it's conceivable that you could make quite an interesting and provocative film based on such a premise, provided you approached it the right way (perhaps in this case doing it ironically might be justified). However, Almodovar plays it unexpectedly straight, and quite apart from how dodgy the basis of the plot is, not even actors like Banderas and Abril (who do the best they can with the material) can make the story work. Lots of interesting characters and story material gets crowded out to the edges of the film, and it's oddly graphic for what's supposed to be a romance. Watchable but not satisfying.
I suppose it's conceivable that you could make quite an interesting and provocative film based on such a premise, provided you approached it the right way (perhaps in this case doing it ironically might be justified). However, Almodovar plays it unexpectedly straight, and quite apart from how dodgy the basis of the plot is, not even actors like Banderas and Abril (who do the best they can with the material) can make the story work. Lots of interesting characters and story material gets crowded out to the edges of the film, and it's oddly graphic for what's supposed to be a romance. Watchable but not satisfying.