Valleywood: The Autobiography of Lateysha Grace
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Since exploding on to our screens as part of the MTV show The Valleys, diva Lateysha Grace has...
The Girl without a Voice: The True Story of a Terrified Child Whose Silence Spoke Volumes
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Bestselling author and foster carer Casey Watson tells the shocking and deeply moving true story of...
Love Your Sister
Samuel Johnson and Connie Johnson
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Born a year apart, Connie and Samuel Johnson have always been close. Faced with the devastating news...
No Regrets
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No Regrets is Coleen Nolan's gripping new memoir about love and heartbreak. As a member of the Nolan...
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Sarah Crossan and Brian Conaghan
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Read the opening pages here YA rising stars Sarah Crossan and Brian Conaghan join forces to...
Butch Vig recommended track My Generation by The Who in Who Sings My Generation by The Who in Music (curated)
Can I Speak to Someone in Charge?
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'JUST IMAGINE IF WE, THE NORMAL GIRLS, STOOD UNITED AS AN ENORMOUS, HYSTERICAL AND PROUD ARMY. WE...
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Hazel (1853 KP) rated This Shining Life in Books
Feb 15, 2021
This Shining Life by Harriet Kline is a heartbreaking tale about a family coming to terms with death. Told from several people's point of view, Kline explores different portrayals of grief. Ollie's mum wants to stay in bed; his aunt wants life to carry on; his maternal grandmother tries to exert control; his paternal grandmother wishes she could understand her grandson; and his grandfather has no idea what is going on. No one has time for Ollie and his obsession with his puzzle.
Before Richard's death, Ollie dominated family life. Ollie had a strict routine, always had a few spare pairs of socks with him because he hated dirty ones, and had meltdowns if his parents used the "wrong" tone of voice. Without his familiar habits, Ollie's life was a mass of confusion - an apt metaphor for the grief the rest of the family experienced.
With a contemporary novel such as This Shining Life, there is no "happy ever after". People do not come back from the dead. There is no answer to the meaning of life. Grief is a long process and different for everyone. It causes depression, anger and confusion, but hidden under all these negative feelings is love.
Harriet Kline takes death and grief seriously but adds a touch of humour to the narrative for the reader's benefit. It is not a light read, nor is it markedly profound. Instead, This Shining Life is painfully honest, and for that reason, it is beautiful.
Debbiereadsbook (1541 KP) rated Breakaway in Books
Feb 18, 2021
Its been a long, LONG time since I had my Kindle Alexander fix, and this was a very welcome fix indeed.
Dallas and his brothers need a cash injection to their fitness app, and Greer has the cash and the business knowledge to help. The attraction is instant and powerful from both men to each other, but Dallas hides, remembering what happened the last time he was caught with a man. But once Greer sets his sights on him, Dallas doesn't stand a chance. He just gotta deal with his dad and his brother.
Slow burn is what Alexander does so well, and here is a prime example of that skill. The attraction bubbles and simmers along til they cannot deny each other any longer. I loved that.
The father and big brother were a nasty piece of work and I wanted so badly to punch the pair of them! Mum, however, surprised me when she does what she does, and I have a huge amount of pride in her for doing what she should have done a long time ago!
Apart from the dad/brother, it's relatively low angst, and it was just what I needed to read.
I loved the appearences of Dylan and Tristan from Secret, and the part they play here.
I would love a story for Ducky, Dallas' younger brother, he seems like a character who would write a great story!
A much needed fix, this really was a warm and fuzzies book.
4.5 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**



