Search

Search only in certain items:

Lust, Lies and Lemon Cakes Too
Lust, Lies and Lemon Cakes Too
Steven Morris | 2018 | Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I'll be completely honest with you, I didn't have high hopes for this book due to having read the first one in the series. However, it turned out to be a welcome surprise. Not only was the sequel better written than the first but I feel that it was also funnier and easier to read. Adding to this, I was actually dissapointed to find I had come to the end of the book as I was looking forward to learning more about the protagonists funny life.

The books light-hearted nature was definitely helped by the fact that a lot of the humour is revolved about the male protagonist going 'viral' on the internet. I feel this helps the reader to identify with him due to the fact that technology is slowly becoming more and more prevalent in our society.

I would definitely reccommend this book to people who are looking for a light read, due to its funny nature.
  
I received this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I would like to say this was a cute romance novella but the heroine was too frustrating. Actually, both leads were but male protagonist’s was more understandable. The couple fell in love but, due to their relationship, are not allowed to be together. However, they still act like they are together, e.i. jealousy, touching, etc. That was all fine and dandy, but the female lead was too childish for me. Not to mention she seemed to cry on nearly every page. I don’t mind tears, they realistic. But this novel had too much.

Also for being the first in the series, there isn’t much background information. While it’s not absolutely necessary, it would have been much appreciated.

The author created a interesting universe with realistic characters (even though they weren’t my favorites). It ends with a pretty hot scene, but is overall pretty tame.
  
40x40

Lee (2222 KP) rated The Post (2017) in Movies

Jan 26, 2018  
The Post (2017)
The Post (2017)
2017 | Biography, Drama, Thriller
Meryl Streep (0 more)
The first half of the movie (0 more)
I saw The Post earlier this week and it's taken me quite a while to think about how to review it. To be honest, it didn't really do much for me at all. It's clearly a very important part of recent history, an interesting story with huge relevance in these current times, but the first half was just so dull!

Tom Hanks is obviously brilliant, playing Ben Bradlee, editor of The Washington Post. But it's Meryl Streep that really shines here as Katharine Graham, the country's first female newspaper publisher and Bens boss. Following her journey through the male led news industry as she gradually finds the strength and confidence she needs.

The second half ramps up the tension somewhat and is a great improvement over the first half. Unfortunately for me though it just wasn't enough to leave any kind of lasting impression.
  
Thank goodness. A particular story arc is finally closed, spread over the length of this and the previous novel. It was interesting at first, then it got really tiresome. I will say that it was fairly unique, which is fairly rare, so kudos to Flewelling for that, and it really tested the relationship between Alec and Seregil while it lasted.

I'm not sure how much longer these books can stay fresh, although the world does offer more potential. Perhaps it's time for Flewelling to allow this couple to turn things over to a new generation? Their heritage does mean they'll be young enough for nightrunning for years to come, but that doesn't mean readers will stay interested in reading about them that long unless they go off to countries as yet unexplored. I, to be honest, would prefer to read stories including more female POV characters for a change. (I have nothing against gay male characters - I just like female characters, too.)
  
Monstrous Regiment: (Discworld Novel 31)
Monstrous Regiment: (Discworld Novel 31)
Terry Pratchett | 2014 | Fiction & Poetry
10
9.3 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
It’s All In the Trousers
Contains spoilers, click to show
Polly Perks leaves home to join the army, to look for her brother. Naturally, as it’s a male dominated institution, she has to disguise herself. The short hair cut is easy, it’s the learning to belch, fart and swagger like an ape that takes time. Plus a well placed pair of rolled up socks in a strategic position makes all the difference.

She’s off to fight for her country Borogravia, a country that picks wars with other countries almost as often as a small child picks its nose.

Polly (or Ozzer as she becomes known) joins a raggedy band which becomes known as the Monstrous Regiment, lead by the legendary Sergeant Jackrum. A troupe consisting of a troll, a vampire, an Igor, and others. All with a big secret.

Although part of the Discworld novels, this can be read as a stand-alone novel. a thoroughly enjoyable read, which brings in some old Discworld characters we know and love.
  
Our Chemical Hearts
Our Chemical Hearts
Krystal Sutherland | 2016 | Young Adult (YA)
6
6.0 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
An okay YA
I ummed and ahhed about the rating for this book, round up to 4 or not but I’m sticking where I am. There is so much I liked about this book, not least the fantastic male POV narration.

Henry is the narrator of this tale and he was the biggest strength of this book. A young man experiencing his first love but someone who was the best friend a girl could have. Grace was complex, understandably so. Her issues prompt compassion but the impact on Henry is difficult and there was just something about her that from Henry’s perspective, saddened me.

For me, this book had two phases, a stronge first half or more and a weaker latter part. I think there’s is a realism in where this book journey goes but I cannot deny a little dissatisfaction. However, the writing was generally strong and the characters interesting. I would definitely read more from this author.
  
40x40

Alicia S (193 KP) rated Crave in Books

Sep 28, 2018  
Crave
Crave
B.J. Harvey | 2015 | Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
What an incredible story! This was my first book by BJ Harvey and I can surely say I'll be back for more. I LOVED these characters! Callum is not the typical male rich slut found in most erotic novels, having come from a good home and family but this book is entirely from his POV, which was a much-welcomed change. He comes from a pure place that makes his secret sexual desires seem dirty and forbidden to him. Lucia, on the other hand, is a force of nature and I LOVED her beyond words! Again, unlike your typical female lead. She is strong, witty, independent and confident... all the things Callum truly needs in his life. When they push limits together their bond is tested.. yet I never thought for a second these two wouldn't make it.. their connection so palpable, I hoped it would only make them stronger. Incredible love story - Highly recommended!
  
TM
To Make a Match (Scandal in London, #3)
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Loosely based on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, Liana LeFey gives us the tale of a younger sister desperate to find marital happiness and an older sister who seems intent on blocking her at every turn. The sisters nearly end up engaged to the wrong men.... but this is an historical romance, so of course it all works out in the end!

I found this a perfectly enjoyable, easy read, if not one of the best examples of the genre. Lady Victoria Lennox was a bit of a minx and did need holding back a bit, while her older sister, Lady Amelia, was pretty unlikeable for most of the book - it was hard to see what her admirer saw in her. Both main male suitors seemed decent chaps, if not a swoon-worthy as some heroes.... was never quite clear why Victoria's father always seemed so harsh on her though. Ah well.
  
Herland, the Yellow Wall-Paper, and Selected Writings
Herland, the Yellow Wall-Paper, and Selected Writings
Charlotte Perkins Gilman | 2010 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Feminist text (0 more)
Clunky (0 more)
This was both fun and grim
This was an interesting book and for all you feminists out there, quite amusing. The author covered a range of issues which are still relevant today such as, the way food is grown, cultivated and harvested, the values of being kind to the earth. It covered the way that children are educated. There is an excellent piece on religion which I personally found amusing, being an atheist. Considering the time period in which the novella was written, this book is like a mirror on society, especially a patriarchal society.
The sentence structure is clunky, annoyingly long but typical of late Victorian work. The ending is frustrating as it is left wide open without answers. Yet putting that aside, I really liked it. It is not my ideal female utopia, but I am sure for Perkins, in an oppressive male dominated society, it was.
  
Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
2019 | Action, Sci-Fi
Jake Gyllenhaal putting those glasses on. (1 more)
Dimitri
End credit scenes (0 more)
I thoroughly enjoyed this instalment of our web-slinging superhero. It's a nice light addition to the MCU after a rather heavy few films. Gyllenhaal certainly made a good addition as Mysterio, his relationship with Peter in the first half of the film is nicely done and it was good to see the addition of this male figure for Peter to bond with. The film does have some flaws but overall was enjoyable and was a nice come down after Infinity War/Endgame. That feeling was almost completely obliterated for me though by the end credit scenes, I was so angry after watching them that I went from loving the film to hating it in those few minutes of screen time. The implications for the next Spider-man film are surely only a bad thing.

[Full review, with spoilers: http://emmaatthemovies.blogspot.com/2019/07/spider-man-far-from-home-spoilers-movie.html]