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graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated A Summer to Remember (Bedwyn Prequels #2) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
In a lot of ways I liked <i>A Summer to Remember</i> better than it's predecessor, <i>One Night for Love</i>. Lauren turned out better than I had hoped (or feared, rather :P), and the love story between her and Kit was very sweet, realistic, and lovely. I couldn't ask for more! I loved how Lauren gradually opened herself up and became a whole person - it was just wonderful. Pure magic in this book. That's all I have to say - definitely a keeper for me. :)
Now...I'm not sure how I'll be able to like Freyja with how she is written in this book. I wish her book was the first in the Bedwyn series so I can get it over with. I'll just have to have faith in Ms. Balogh and how she writes her and her story, because I didn't like her in the least here. I'll cautiously go in. :D
Now...I'm not sure how I'll be able to like Freyja with how she is written in this book. I wish her book was the first in the Bedwyn series so I can get it over with. I'll just have to have faith in Ms. Balogh and how she writes her and her story, because I didn't like her in the least here. I'll cautiously go in. :D
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated The Witness in Books
Jan 6, 2021
4.5 stars.
This is my first Nora Roberts book that wasn't part of a series or paranormal and I have to say I
really enjoyed it!
I was drawn in very quickly to the story with young Elizabeth and her rebellion against her rather clinical mother and her rules. I know it's called The Witness but I didn't think we'd actually see her witness the crime--which sounds stupid, considering, but oh well. She did. She saw the crime and did the right thing.
It quickly moved on and we met Brooks. I have to tell you now that I really liked him from his first page. He's a good cop with an awesome family behind him.
It's twelve years later (though on the back cover of my paperback it says fifteen?) and Elizabeth is now Abigail and a loner. She isn't good around people and finds it hard to trust people. She has a way about her that is so odd but at the same time you can't help but like her.
Enter Brooks and the fun starts.
I really loved their relationship! They make a great couple and I loved reading it happening.
I'm not sure how I feel about the ending. Everything worked out great in the end but I think I'd have liked it to have been fleshed out a little more, considering it had been building since around 100 pages in, but it was still pretty good.
I look forward to reading my other Nora Roberts and J.D.Robb paperback books now :)
This is my first Nora Roberts book that wasn't part of a series or paranormal and I have to say I
really enjoyed it!
I was drawn in very quickly to the story with young Elizabeth and her rebellion against her rather clinical mother and her rules. I know it's called The Witness but I didn't think we'd actually see her witness the crime--which sounds stupid, considering, but oh well. She did. She saw the crime and did the right thing.
It quickly moved on and we met Brooks. I have to tell you now that I really liked him from his first page. He's a good cop with an awesome family behind him.
It's twelve years later (though on the back cover of my paperback it says fifteen?) and Elizabeth is now Abigail and a loner. She isn't good around people and finds it hard to trust people. She has a way about her that is so odd but at the same time you can't help but like her.
Enter Brooks and the fun starts.
I really loved their relationship! They make a great couple and I loved reading it happening.
I'm not sure how I feel about the ending. Everything worked out great in the end but I think I'd have liked it to have been fleshed out a little more, considering it had been building since around 100 pages in, but it was still pretty good.
I look forward to reading my other Nora Roberts and J.D.Robb paperback books now :)
Debbiereadsbook (1647 KP) rated Designation: Submissive (The Designation Series #1) in Books
Dec 12, 2023
different. but hard work.
Independent reviewer for GRR, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I'm not really sure what I feel about this book, to be honest but I will try to explain.
I liked the blurb, it grabbed me so that's why I read it, and the blurb fits the book well.
I did found this book to have a lot of *noise* for want of a better word. Both Criag and Sam go off on pages and pages of internal monologues and it made for distracting reading, especially when that monologue lands slap bang in the middle of the smexy times!
And there are a LOT of smexy times. I'm not ashamed to say I ove my books on the steamier side, but I like some STORY too.
I mean, very quickly, you know what is going to happen: it's all laid out for you. And...........................that's it!
More world and character building would have been nice, but in a much less instructional way, you know? I almost felt I was being told to listen and take in all in, all in one go, and I really don't like that.
I've not tagged it as romancce, because, to be honest, I didn't get it. Sam wanted and sub and Craig wanted his own Dominant and they get that.
What I do want to know, though, is what happened to Robert, a side character who has disappeared. Now, there is a second book that tells us, and I really REALLY want to read that. Robert is a Dominant with some extra skills that Sam does not have.
Kassel has a large back catalogue. I've not read any of their work before. I might go pick a random one and read something else.
A good 3 star read.
* same worded review will appear elsewhere
I'm not really sure what I feel about this book, to be honest but I will try to explain.
I liked the blurb, it grabbed me so that's why I read it, and the blurb fits the book well.
I did found this book to have a lot of *noise* for want of a better word. Both Criag and Sam go off on pages and pages of internal monologues and it made for distracting reading, especially when that monologue lands slap bang in the middle of the smexy times!
And there are a LOT of smexy times. I'm not ashamed to say I ove my books on the steamier side, but I like some STORY too.
I mean, very quickly, you know what is going to happen: it's all laid out for you. And...........................that's it!
More world and character building would have been nice, but in a much less instructional way, you know? I almost felt I was being told to listen and take in all in, all in one go, and I really don't like that.
I've not tagged it as romancce, because, to be honest, I didn't get it. Sam wanted and sub and Craig wanted his own Dominant and they get that.
What I do want to know, though, is what happened to Robert, a side character who has disappeared. Now, there is a second book that tells us, and I really REALLY want to read that. Robert is a Dominant with some extra skills that Sam does not have.
Kassel has a large back catalogue. I've not read any of their work before. I might go pick a random one and read something else.
A good 3 star read.
* same worded review will appear elsewhere
Debbiereadsbook (1647 KP) rated Restored: A Second Chance Romance (Chance Brothers #2) in Books
Feb 4, 2022
I liked that the bigger picture to why Dale left Becca isn't immediately obvious!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 2 in the Chance Brothers series, and while not NECESSARY, reading book one, Renovated, might give you a better picture of this group of people, and also how Becca and Dale are around each other in that book.
Dale left Becca 8 years ago, and now she has returned to town, and finds him working in her mother's house. Dale always regretted leaving Becca, now he wants to make amends, but will she let him?
I really enjoyed book one, and while I did enjoy this one too, it doesn't quite hit THAT spot, and it pains me to say so, especially since I can't pinpoint why!
I liked that the bigger picture to why Dale left Becca isn't immediately obvious, it takes time for the full story to come out. I must admit, when reading, I kept thinking "there's something else coming" and then it comes, both from Dale AND Becca. So, it was a bit like watching a freight train coming at you, and there ain't nothing you can do to stop it. But I liked that, I really did.
I wasn't happy with the way Becca's mum and brother were with her, they totally put Becca down all the time. I wouldn't have been so forgiving as Becca is. Especially when the full story about that night, 8 years ago, comes out. I wanted to punch Becca's brother so bad!
I loved that Becca's friends are still looking out for her, keeping her heart safe from breaking but I also loved that Becca stands up for Dale, when her friends are dissing him, even before they decide to make it work between them.
Dale's brothers all play a huge part, and the foundations are laid for another brother to fall, whether that book is next, I'm not sure, but I will read it.
Even though it hits a different spot than Renovated, and that freight train kept coming at me, I still enjoyed this.
4 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 2 in the Chance Brothers series, and while not NECESSARY, reading book one, Renovated, might give you a better picture of this group of people, and also how Becca and Dale are around each other in that book.
Dale left Becca 8 years ago, and now she has returned to town, and finds him working in her mother's house. Dale always regretted leaving Becca, now he wants to make amends, but will she let him?
I really enjoyed book one, and while I did enjoy this one too, it doesn't quite hit THAT spot, and it pains me to say so, especially since I can't pinpoint why!
I liked that the bigger picture to why Dale left Becca isn't immediately obvious, it takes time for the full story to come out. I must admit, when reading, I kept thinking "there's something else coming" and then it comes, both from Dale AND Becca. So, it was a bit like watching a freight train coming at you, and there ain't nothing you can do to stop it. But I liked that, I really did.
I wasn't happy with the way Becca's mum and brother were with her, they totally put Becca down all the time. I wouldn't have been so forgiving as Becca is. Especially when the full story about that night, 8 years ago, comes out. I wanted to punch Becca's brother so bad!
I loved that Becca's friends are still looking out for her, keeping her heart safe from breaking but I also loved that Becca stands up for Dale, when her friends are dissing him, even before they decide to make it work between them.
Dale's brothers all play a huge part, and the foundations are laid for another brother to fall, whether that book is next, I'm not sure, but I will read it.
Even though it hits a different spot than Renovated, and that freight train kept coming at me, I still enjoyed this.
4 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Alice (117 KP) rated Light Perpetual in Books
Mar 3, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley and Faber and Faber for the advanced copy of this book
I'm always very hit or miss when it comes to literary fiction and unfortunately for me, this was a miss! The concept sounded so intriguing and I was instantly intrigued to read it and I really wanted to love it but it just didn't hit home for me. This is a reimagining of what a group of characters lives could have been like had they not died in an explosion as children but with this happening at the very beginning of the book I had no time to get attached to any of the characters maybe if the explosion was revealed at the end after spending the time getting invested it may have struck home for me better. This book is basically all about the characters but I just didn't care about any of them I enjoyed finding out what they were getting up to at each stage but I didn't care about what actually happened to them. One thing I liked was how it portrayed different people at the same stage in life living completely different lives with completely different problems showing how not everyone travels through life at the same pace. All in all just not for me but I'm sure some other people will absolutely love it.
I'm always very hit or miss when it comes to literary fiction and unfortunately for me, this was a miss! The concept sounded so intriguing and I was instantly intrigued to read it and I really wanted to love it but it just didn't hit home for me. This is a reimagining of what a group of characters lives could have been like had they not died in an explosion as children but with this happening at the very beginning of the book I had no time to get attached to any of the characters maybe if the explosion was revealed at the end after spending the time getting invested it may have struck home for me better. This book is basically all about the characters but I just didn't care about any of them I enjoyed finding out what they were getting up to at each stage but I didn't care about what actually happened to them. One thing I liked was how it portrayed different people at the same stage in life living completely different lives with completely different problems showing how not everyone travels through life at the same pace. All in all just not for me but I'm sure some other people will absolutely love it.
Veronica Pena (690 KP) rated Extraction (2020) in Movies
Apr 28, 2020
I thought this was an okay film. I can say that it's almost 100% likely that I'll watch anything with Chris Hemsworth in it and he's great. I will say that I wish I held onto him a little more. I feel like if they would've rolled out his story sooner or built the connection with Ovi more, I would've really felt a connection to him. I just felt like it came a little too late.
I've said it before, but I love it when films have a short timeline because I feel like it allows for a richer story with more details and not as much to contend with in making sure the details align and it all makes sense. I think that if this film would've had a longer plot time, it would've messed up the rhythm.
I liked that they left an ending that could provide for a sequel but didn't need it. If it does end up standing alone, it's a film that can do that. But it could also benefit from a sequel. It doesn't feel like this entire first film was a set up for a second film. This movie has enough to stand on its own and still be a good watch.
I am glad I watched it and I will probably watch the sequel if they do release one, but I can't say I'll ever come back to it or that I highly recommend. Watch it for Hemsworth or don't watch it at all.
I've said it before, but I love it when films have a short timeline because I feel like it allows for a richer story with more details and not as much to contend with in making sure the details align and it all makes sense. I think that if this film would've had a longer plot time, it would've messed up the rhythm.
I liked that they left an ending that could provide for a sequel but didn't need it. If it does end up standing alone, it's a film that can do that. But it could also benefit from a sequel. It doesn't feel like this entire first film was a set up for a second film. This movie has enough to stand on its own and still be a good watch.
I am glad I watched it and I will probably watch the sequel if they do release one, but I can't say I'll ever come back to it or that I highly recommend. Watch it for Hemsworth or don't watch it at all.
Charles Burbridge (13 KP) rated Tomb Raider (2018) in Movies
Mar 26, 2018
Brass tacks, if you enjoyed the reboot Tomb Raider games, you'll like this film. If you dislike them, you probably won't like the film. If you haven't played them? *shrugs* I'm not sure, because I'm a big fan of the reboot games.
Admittedly, the movie plods a bit in the second act, and the third act wasn't as big of a set piece as I would have liked, but all in all, I enjoyed it. Tomb Raider didn't exceed my expectations, but it also didn't disappoint me. It's a perfectly acceptable way to spend two hours, and if Lynn wants to catch it I'll go back for a second viewing.
Reviewing average films is difficult, because there's not much to say. That's the where I am now. 6/10, with the recommendation that the film will be much better in a theater than at home.
Admittedly, the movie plods a bit in the second act, and the third act wasn't as big of a set piece as I would have liked, but all in all, I enjoyed it. Tomb Raider didn't exceed my expectations, but it also didn't disappoint me. It's a perfectly acceptable way to spend two hours, and if Lynn wants to catch it I'll go back for a second viewing.
Reviewing average films is difficult, because there's not much to say. That's the where I am now. 6/10, with the recommendation that the film will be much better in a theater than at home.
Debbiereadsbook (1647 KP) rated Courting Light in Books
Oct 11, 2018
great for LGBT and young adult fans
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Josie volunteers to help at a summer camp for disabled children. But it's the camp leader, Sam, who draws Josie like a moth to a flame.
Something must have piqued my interest with this one because it came with a young adult tag and I said yes, I would read it. And I did like! Not love but I liked it.
Josie, by her own admission, only at camp to have something else on her CV other than school. Paired with Lucian, an autistic teenager, she learns a lot about herself and her life; and that of those around her.
The draw to Sam, the camp leader, is instant and powerful, and Sam fights it a long time before they finally give into each other.
At the end of camp, though, Josie is in for a surprise, as were we! And I did like the ending. From what Josie was saying, about what she thought in years to come, I really wasn't sure which way it was gonna go!
BUT only Josie has a say and ya'll know what I think about that! AND it IS young adult, very much so. What Josie does say, is well written and well delivered. I quite liked Josie!
It's a lovely, easy read, great for young adult fans, and for LGBT fans alike. Just maybe not one for me.
3 good solid stars.
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Josie volunteers to help at a summer camp for disabled children. But it's the camp leader, Sam, who draws Josie like a moth to a flame.
Something must have piqued my interest with this one because it came with a young adult tag and I said yes, I would read it. And I did like! Not love but I liked it.
Josie, by her own admission, only at camp to have something else on her CV other than school. Paired with Lucian, an autistic teenager, she learns a lot about herself and her life; and that of those around her.
The draw to Sam, the camp leader, is instant and powerful, and Sam fights it a long time before they finally give into each other.
At the end of camp, though, Josie is in for a surprise, as were we! And I did like the ending. From what Josie was saying, about what she thought in years to come, I really wasn't sure which way it was gonna go!
BUT only Josie has a say and ya'll know what I think about that! AND it IS young adult, very much so. What Josie does say, is well written and well delivered. I quite liked Josie!
It's a lovely, easy read, great for young adult fans, and for LGBT fans alike. Just maybe not one for me.
3 good solid stars.
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Normal People in Books
Jan 9, 2019 (Updated Jan 9, 2019)
An adorable yet frustrating love story
I always enjoy reading books that are based around the most banal and ordinary of plots, yet are still hugely entertaining and enthralling. I think it takes a great author to make a plot like this rise above just average and readable, to something you can’t put down. And Sally Rooney really succeeds with this book.
It’s just a normal romance between two teenagers in Ireland, whose stories and family lives aren’t anything exceptional and are no doubt similar to many others, yet Sally Rooney has turned this into an adorable and un-putdownable read. There’s something so sweet and yet bleak and dark about this story that I really struggled to put it down. The central characters of Connell and Marianne are well developed yet flawed, and I’m sure many people could relate to them. I really enjoyed the twists and turns and changes in their relationship as the story progressed. The book itself is for the most part well written. It has a good structure and I liked how each chapter skips ahead a few months. My only issue with the writing is that I dislike how the dialogue hasn’t been separated out from the rest of the narrative. Since when is it acceptable to not separate dialogue and conversation between characters using speech marks etc? It made reading some of the conversation a little difficult at times. I’m not sure why books that tend to win awards and accolades do so by having questionable punctuation and prose... I’m also not too sure about the ending. It was unsatisfying and felt like the characters were never going to change or advance. But despite this, I really did think this was a great book.
It’s just a normal romance between two teenagers in Ireland, whose stories and family lives aren’t anything exceptional and are no doubt similar to many others, yet Sally Rooney has turned this into an adorable and un-putdownable read. There’s something so sweet and yet bleak and dark about this story that I really struggled to put it down. The central characters of Connell and Marianne are well developed yet flawed, and I’m sure many people could relate to them. I really enjoyed the twists and turns and changes in their relationship as the story progressed. The book itself is for the most part well written. It has a good structure and I liked how each chapter skips ahead a few months. My only issue with the writing is that I dislike how the dialogue hasn’t been separated out from the rest of the narrative. Since when is it acceptable to not separate dialogue and conversation between characters using speech marks etc? It made reading some of the conversation a little difficult at times. I’m not sure why books that tend to win awards and accolades do so by having questionable punctuation and prose... I’m also not too sure about the ending. It was unsatisfying and felt like the characters were never going to change or advance. But despite this, I really did think this was a great book.