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Evening Stars
Book
New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery returns to Blackberry Island with the poignant tale...
Ian Broudie recommended track Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys in Smiley Smile/Wild Honey by The Beach Boys in Music (curated)
Parenting is Easy
Book
Imagine a world where pregnant women are upbeat and glowing, newborns sleep on cue, toddlers love to...
Ghosts was a great listen. I liked the character of Nina - she seems to be a great friend and a good daughter who wants to help both friends and family when she can. This doesn’t always seem to be reciprocated though. Nina is a successful food writer and owns her own home; the only thing missing in her life is someone to share it with. After the break up with her boyfriend, Joe, who she stays best friends with, Nina decides to try a dating app called Linx. She meets Max through the app, who is a handsome, enigmatic accountant. He announces on their first date that they will get married - and that’s where alarm bells started ringing for me, like the old cynic that I am.
Nina’s parents are lovely people, and her dads worsening dementia is heartbreaking. Her Mum is a bit of comic relief at times, changing her first name and joining clubs - but the reasoning behind her actions are understandable. She’s a lot younger than Ninas dad, and watching him forget more and more must be frightening and upsetting for her.
This book had me experiencing ALL the emotions - it’s funny, sad, worrying and infuriating. I laughed aloud whilst listening, had a bit of a cry, and shouted at Nina at one point (it was a Max thing and I was wearing headphones 🤷🏼♀️). The narrator was the exact right choice and it helped that the writing was really engaging too. It’s a really good book - and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.
Nina’s parents are lovely people, and her dads worsening dementia is heartbreaking. Her Mum is a bit of comic relief at times, changing her first name and joining clubs - but the reasoning behind her actions are understandable. She’s a lot younger than Ninas dad, and watching him forget more and more must be frightening and upsetting for her.
This book had me experiencing ALL the emotions - it’s funny, sad, worrying and infuriating. I laughed aloud whilst listening, had a bit of a cry, and shouted at Nina at one point (it was a Max thing and I was wearing headphones 🤷🏼♀️). The narrator was the exact right choice and it helped that the writing was really engaging too. It’s a really good book - and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.
Kate Nash recommended track It's All Coming Back to Me Now by Celine Dion / Vocal Ballad Community in Tribute to Celine Dion by Celine Dion / Vocal Ballad Community in Music (curated)
ClareR (6253 KP) rated Thank You For the Days in Books
Sep 10, 2025
Thank You For the Days is a thoroughly lovely read. Luke Milvaine, a man in his 30’s, seems to have lost his direction in life. He lives in the basement of his stepfathers house with his step-siblings living upstairs with their father. His mum died some years before and his dad is absent (he’s travelling around the world on business, and seems to have little time for Luke).
Luke inherits a cockapoo from an old school friend after he dies, he’s constantly yearning after the illusive Yasmine (who he refers to as ‘The One’) after a whirlwind holiday romance, and his job is really not what he wants to be doing.
To add challenge to his life, Luke decides to set himself a different challenge everyday for a year, and celebrates a different ‘Day’ every day. Some of them seem quite good, whilst others are FAR from good (shower with a friend, anyone? National Gimp day?).
I enjoyed seeing Luke grow throughout this book, and the way his relationship developed with his work colleague, Holly and his long-suffering stepdad. His bosses (a father and daughter who constantly bicker) were very funny, and some of the days he sets himself are certainly very challenging!
This book is a good reminder that we should make the most of the time that we have, and the people that we have in our lives.
Many thanks for the review copy that I received from the author (far too long ago, and I do apologise!), and this is an honest review!
Luke inherits a cockapoo from an old school friend after he dies, he’s constantly yearning after the illusive Yasmine (who he refers to as ‘The One’) after a whirlwind holiday romance, and his job is really not what he wants to be doing.
To add challenge to his life, Luke decides to set himself a different challenge everyday for a year, and celebrates a different ‘Day’ every day. Some of them seem quite good, whilst others are FAR from good (shower with a friend, anyone? National Gimp day?).
I enjoyed seeing Luke grow throughout this book, and the way his relationship developed with his work colleague, Holly and his long-suffering stepdad. His bosses (a father and daughter who constantly bicker) were very funny, and some of the days he sets himself are certainly very challenging!
This book is a good reminder that we should make the most of the time that we have, and the people that we have in our lives.
Many thanks for the review copy that I received from the author (far too long ago, and I do apologise!), and this is an honest review!
Merissa (14056 KP) rated Sticks and Stones (The Wish Makers #1) in Books
Apr 10, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)
The premise of this book is unusual which immediately grabbed my interest. It isn't the same formula re-worded. However, I was still unsure, even after reading the synopsis, about what I would be getting.
What I got was an interesting, rich and fully detailed book covering not just our main female character but Lexi and the Wish Mistress too. There is enough background on the other characters that they all slot in perfectly together and you know that you are getting a complete story. There are no big chunks missed out of this one.
Mandy's birthday wish was a rare one - it was her soul wish. And it is not just granted without a thought. The wish is the start of a journey that she can choose whether to take or not. And therein lies a brilliant story. It starts off quite light but soon gets darker (in a YA-friendly way). The secret that Mandy was hiding was heartbreaking in its childlike simplicity. It is easy to forget how literal children are with what you say to them and how long it can stay with them. During the conversation with Mandy and her mum, it brought tears to my eyes.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and will be reading Break My Bones, the second in this series.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
September 12, 2016
What I got was an interesting, rich and fully detailed book covering not just our main female character but Lexi and the Wish Mistress too. There is enough background on the other characters that they all slot in perfectly together and you know that you are getting a complete story. There are no big chunks missed out of this one.
Mandy's birthday wish was a rare one - it was her soul wish. And it is not just granted without a thought. The wish is the start of a journey that she can choose whether to take or not. And therein lies a brilliant story. It starts off quite light but soon gets darker (in a YA-friendly way). The secret that Mandy was hiding was heartbreaking in its childlike simplicity. It is easy to forget how literal children are with what you say to them and how long it can stay with them. During the conversation with Mandy and her mum, it brought tears to my eyes.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and will be reading Break My Bones, the second in this series.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
September 12, 2016
Merissa (14056 KP) rated Wisdom Check (Dungeons and Dating #2) in Books
Dec 15, 2021 (Updated Jul 9, 2023)
WISDOM CHECK is the second book in the Dungeons and Dating series, and this time we focus on Cal, one side of the triangle of owners and the recent divorcee from his ice-queen horror of an ex-wife. And then there's Julien, head chef of the Tabletop Tavern, who's had a long-term crush on his boss but is too busy being responsible for his own family to do anything about it.
The relationship between Julien and Cal is slow-burn, to begin with. My word, the number of near-misses had me ready to throw my Kindle against the wall. But then, THEN, they make a move and holy moly, it's hot. I loved their relationship, even with Julien's martyr tendencies.
We learn more about Cal's past, with his family and his ex-wife, and it leaves me loving his found family even more. I did enjoy hearing about Cal's mum though. There is always a chance... if you're lucky!
I really enjoyed the first book and was glad to see Roxie and Mel here, but I LOVED this one. Now, I just need to wait for Mase and Hunter's story. *Imagine me jumping up and down, all excited.*
Another winner from Ms McIntyre and highly recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 15, 2021
The relationship between Julien and Cal is slow-burn, to begin with. My word, the number of near-misses had me ready to throw my Kindle against the wall. But then, THEN, they make a move and holy moly, it's hot. I loved their relationship, even with Julien's martyr tendencies.
We learn more about Cal's past, with his family and his ex-wife, and it leaves me loving his found family even more. I did enjoy hearing about Cal's mum though. There is always a chance... if you're lucky!
I really enjoyed the first book and was glad to see Roxie and Mel here, but I LOVED this one. Now, I just need to wait for Mase and Hunter's story. *Imagine me jumping up and down, all excited.*
Another winner from Ms McIntyre and highly recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 15, 2021
Merissa (14056 KP) rated The Art of Living in Books
Jun 16, 2021 (Updated Jul 18, 2023)
THE ART OF LIVING is a standalone, but it does have some of the same characters from The Gift of Believing. This is not an issue, take my word for it.
Robert is Garrett's dad and has always put Garrett first. He's had to be mum, dad, carer, you name it, and he's not prepared to let Garrett down just for the sake of getting some. Niall has his own issues to deal with, mainly a younger brother who wants him to forgive his absentee-dying dad. With so much going on, will Robert and Niall be able to be together?
This was a warm story with a gentle writing style that I thoroughly enjoyed. The issues Niall faces are unfortunately too close to home for me, and I can tell you his emotions are spot on. This hit me hard when I was reading it as that wish for what might have been.
Apart from Robert misguidedly pushing Niall away, this story is low angst. There are some steamy moments but all as part of the story, rather than just because. The characters are wonderful, and I really hope that Sam and Jared have their story told.
A great emotional novel that I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 16, 2021
Robert is Garrett's dad and has always put Garrett first. He's had to be mum, dad, carer, you name it, and he's not prepared to let Garrett down just for the sake of getting some. Niall has his own issues to deal with, mainly a younger brother who wants him to forgive his absentee-dying dad. With so much going on, will Robert and Niall be able to be together?
This was a warm story with a gentle writing style that I thoroughly enjoyed. The issues Niall faces are unfortunately too close to home for me, and I can tell you his emotions are spot on. This hit me hard when I was reading it as that wish for what might have been.
Apart from Robert misguidedly pushing Niall away, this story is low angst. There are some steamy moments but all as part of the story, rather than just because. The characters are wonderful, and I really hope that Sam and Jared have their story told.
A great emotional novel that I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 16, 2021
Beckie Shelton (40 KP) rated The Treatment in Books
Oct 31, 2017 (Updated Oct 31, 2017)
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm: https://www.beckiebookworm.com
The Treatment By C.L. Taylor was a decent enough read that I really quite enjoyed.
I also took into account when reading, that this was aimed at a much younger audience than myself, so I have been slightly lenient in my rating as I feel there were things I noticed that would probably go over the heads of this books intended demographic.
I would say this is a read my twelve and thirteen-year-old boys would really enjoy, Myself being a mum in my forties, well let's just say I enjoyed this, while not overtaxing my brain overmuch.
So The Treatment is about sixteen-year-old Drew Finch and her actions when her younger brother Mason gets expelled from yet another school and sent to Norton House, a residential reform academy.
so after being followed by the mysterious Dr Cobey and receiving a strange message about the treatment, her brother is receiving while residing at Norton House. Drew decides to investigate herself by getting herself admitted as a pupil.
So as I said this was an enjoyable read that does what it says on the tin.
There were no great surprises here, This was more, the underdog saves the day type of tale.
Drew herself, well I felt a bit sorry for her bullied by her ex-best friend (which there was no real explanation for).
Does one thing wrong and then gets shipped off to a reform academy, I know she needs to be for the story to work but jeez, her mum, hardly mother of the year actions are they.
Drew herself seems to be quite a resilient girl with a bit of a kick-ass attitude, more so maybe than I would expect from someone who's been bullied so relentlessly.<br/>But anyway she seems a very likeable pragmatic type of girl.
She teams up inside Norton with her roommate Mouse and the two try to coordinate an escape while steering clear of there other roomy Jude.
Jude is every mean girl cliche you can think off, horrid just for the sake of it. Shes even worse when Lacey, Drew's arch nemesis turns up like a bad penny and the two join forces to torment Drew.
I did find both Jude and Lacey to be slightly one dimensional in their behaviour.
So anyway to cut a long story short Drew strives to save the day, while rescuing her friends and brother along the way.
This is done in true kick-butt style with only the one extra unsurprising twist along the way.
So the wrap up of "The Treatment" I felt was a little bit rushed, I would have liked to have seen things eked out and explored in a little more depth.
But besides that, this is a great addition to the Young Adult/teen genre-leaning more heavily towards the Teen age group.
So I would definitely recommend this to the younger generation, It is a fun action packed clean read, that is well written and is sure to catch imaginations.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an Arc of "The Treatment" By C.L. Taylor this is my own honest unbiased opinion.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm: https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
The Treatment By C.L. Taylor was a decent enough read that I really quite enjoyed.
I also took into account when reading, that this was aimed at a much younger audience than myself, so I have been slightly lenient in my rating as I feel there were things I noticed that would probably go over the heads of this books intended demographic.
I would say this is a read my twelve and thirteen-year-old boys would really enjoy, Myself being a mum in my forties, well let's just say I enjoyed this, while not overtaxing my brain overmuch.
So The Treatment is about sixteen-year-old Drew Finch and her actions when her younger brother Mason gets expelled from yet another school and sent to Norton House, a residential reform academy.
so after being followed by the mysterious Dr Cobey and receiving a strange message about the treatment, her brother is receiving while residing at Norton House. Drew decides to investigate herself by getting herself admitted as a pupil.
So as I said this was an enjoyable read that does what it says on the tin.
There were no great surprises here, This was more, the underdog saves the day type of tale.
Drew herself, well I felt a bit sorry for her bullied by her ex-best friend (which there was no real explanation for).
Does one thing wrong and then gets shipped off to a reform academy, I know she needs to be for the story to work but jeez, her mum, hardly mother of the year actions are they.
Drew herself seems to be quite a resilient girl with a bit of a kick-ass attitude, more so maybe than I would expect from someone who's been bullied so relentlessly.<br/>But anyway she seems a very likeable pragmatic type of girl.
She teams up inside Norton with her roommate Mouse and the two try to coordinate an escape while steering clear of there other roomy Jude.
Jude is every mean girl cliche you can think off, horrid just for the sake of it. Shes even worse when Lacey, Drew's arch nemesis turns up like a bad penny and the two join forces to torment Drew.
I did find both Jude and Lacey to be slightly one dimensional in their behaviour.
So anyway to cut a long story short Drew strives to save the day, while rescuing her friends and brother along the way.
This is done in true kick-butt style with only the one extra unsurprising twist along the way.
So the wrap up of "The Treatment" I felt was a little bit rushed, I would have liked to have seen things eked out and explored in a little more depth.
But besides that, this is a great addition to the Young Adult/teen genre-leaning more heavily towards the Teen age group.
So I would definitely recommend this to the younger generation, It is a fun action packed clean read, that is well written and is sure to catch imaginations.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an Arc of "The Treatment" By C.L. Taylor this is my own honest unbiased opinion.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm: https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/







