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A Nerdy Holiday
A Nerdy Holiday
May Sage | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
For starters, if you love Star Wars, read this! I absolutely loved all the references to one of my favorite things!
A Nerdy Holiday flowed so well from start to finish, and Leila is so relatable! A. She loves food. B. Did I mention Star Wars already? C. She does not fall into the cliche “get married when the guy first says sorry” that seems to be in a lot of romance novels and movies. Quinn is equally loveable! I’m smitten with him! (I’m going to add one more thing about him at the end that is a spoiler so here is warning number one!)
The tension between Quinn and Leila seems very realistic, and I really want to read a novel on Vincent and Amelia!
One more thing, you will laugh out loud! It is quite the fun read, and my husband gave me odd looks as I am laughing and reading. Of course, I explained the initial meeting between Quinn and Leila, and he also laughed! So, get ready for a fun and quirky novella that you must read!

*SPOILER BELOW*

Can we talk about that Darth Vader moment for a minute? I would have lost my anger right there! And can someone please tell me where I can find said Darth Vader costume? My husband desperately needs one!
  
Riptide (Boys of Summer)
Riptide (Boys of Summer)
Jordan Ford | 2019 | Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
8
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Riptide (Boys of Summer) by Jordan Ford
Jace - or Bass as he is known throughout most of this book - is a thrill-seeker. He is the ultimate paradox - a bad boy who doesn't actually try to be bad, and has a heart. He makes stupid decisions based on hurt feelings. His story is completely understandable and heartbreaking with how he feels. Ms. Ford has done a magnificent job of bringing him to life, to make his quandary completely relate-able.

And that's the thing with this book. As a reader, I got it. I could see where Bass was coming from, and why he behaved the way he did. Would I make the same decisions? No, but then I'm not a sixteen-year-old boy with the same experiences as him.

With no editing or grammatical errors that jolted me, I thoroughly enjoyed this novella, and can't wait to see what happens when he goes to Ryder Bay and meets up with SnapDragon.

As a standalone, this is a great read. As a prequel to the next Ryder Bay story, it's fantastic! Definitely recommended by me.

* 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!
  
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Unbalanced (Demon Lovers, #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Addie is having a last drink with her colleagues before making her way home to nurse her upcoming hangover. She has been made redundant and has nothing to get up for. On her way home, she hears a cry for help and goes to see what she can do. What happens next is beyond her wildest imaginings and sends her spiraling into the world of demons and fulcrums. What Leah did out of duty, Addie quickly comes to do out of love and affections for 'her' demons. Will she be able to balance out Jet and Locan before they kill each other and will them be able to kill the demon that is taking out the teams?

This is a very short story that is full of heat. It has an interesting part with the fulcrum and what it means to lose one but there is a part when Addie wonders if she has done her 'job' too well and isn't actually needed anymore. There are gaps in the world building and character back stories but it is only a short novella so you can't expect everything. There is some ménage action and a snippet of M/M that Addie watches whilst half asleep.

If you would like something to warm you up but not bog you down with details, then give this one a shot.
  
Secrets Submerged (Isla Emerged #1.5)
Secrets Submerged (Isla Emerged #1.5)
Deidre Sequeira | 2021 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
67 of 250
Kindle
Secrets Submerged ( Isla Emerged book 1.5)
By Deidre Sequeira

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments

Pain. Deception. Family.

Eleven months ago, Isla became the matriarch of her merfolk kingdom. Unfortunately, transitioning from being an exiled princess to being a queen is tougher than she anticipated. Isla is haunted by the trauma her mistakes have left behind, the sacrifice her father made, and the glimpse Anita gave her at a secret that had been buried for nearly thirty years.

Only Anita and the secret she holds close to her heart can give Isla any measure of closure and make the road ahead clearer for Isla to grow as Queen. But, much like the young mermaid, Anita is wracked by guilt because of her past complacency, the lies she believed, and the damage that was done.

Do they dare risk their friendship—and Isla’s fragile sanity—by exposing a truth that could change everything?

This novella bridges the gap between the series' first book, Isla Emerged, and the full length sequel.


This is the perfect refresher and set up for the next book of the series. After reading book 1 I knew it was going to be good and I’m glad I wasn’t disappointed. The author has given you a refresher, some history and made you excited for the next one.
  
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Merissa (13100 KP) rated Eira in Books

Aug 5, 2021  
Eira
Eira
Adrian J. Smith | 2021 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
EIRA is a standalone novella giving The Snow Queen a FF fairytale retelling.

The descriptions of the national park, the weather, the hut, all those sorts of things were absolutely brilliant. I could see them so clearly in my mind as I read, which is always a good thing.

What I didn't like so much were the main characters themselves, which kinda makes it awkward! I didn't really feel any connection between them, not helped by the long periods of time that slipped them both by without them being in contact.

The other thing was when Kay had been told about the curse. She goes to the library and searches out information on Gwyn, finding out she was a historical figure who just disappeared. Then she makes a connection to fairy tales and decides - with no real proof, just a hunch - that Gwyn is The Snow Queen and she knows how to save her. I love fantasy and paranormal but even I found this to be a stretch of the imagination.

Overall, this was a nice coffee break book that I enjoyed but it is a one-and-done for 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!
  
Broken Beauty (Broken Beauty Novellas #1)
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars.

This is a novella length story, the first of six, and deals with the aftermath and issues surrounding rape. It was a tough read at times but a good strong story.

I felt sorry for Mia. Being brought up in a political family and then being raped…and her father wants to glorify it to get more voters so he can win his election. How twisted can your life get? Her family do and say things to get voters, whether it’s helping Mia cope or not–mainly not–and I wanted to scream and shout at them in her defence.

And despite all that, some people do care. Dom, the policeman that found her in the first place, tries to help her realise that the only way her attackers will not get away with it, is to tell the truth and stop following her family’s wish to let it drop. He’s so nice and gentle with her. Her friend, Ari, tries to do whatever Mia wants but seeing how she’s struggling…what can you do?

It’s an emotional and sometimes tough story to read but after finishing this, I’m looking forward to the next part in the series to see what Mia does next. I hope she’s strong enough to go against her family.
  
Who am I: Prequel to the Semiramis series
Who am I: Prequel to the Semiramis series
Maya Daniels | 2018 | Paranormal, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Who am I: Prequel to the Semiramis series is exactly what it says. It is a short novella giving you an insight into the main character's childhood. It shows you just what Alex goes through and why she is the person she is at the beginning of Semiramis Awakened (book one in the series).

It is exceedingly well-written and packs a punch for all it is so short. You will feel for Alex before you even really know her, which is exactly how it should be. The writing is the usual high standard you would expect from a Maya Daniels book, and although there is no world-building per se, it still gives you enough to give you an inkling into Alex's world.

I have already read the three books in this series, and am waiting oh so patiently (!!!!) for the fourth book to arrive. Therefore I already know Alex and what she goes through. Did this impact my enjoyment of this story? Absolutely not. You don't have to read it in order to gain maximum enjoyment out of it. Absolutely recommended!

* 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!