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ClareR (5620 KP) rated Darling Blue in Books

Jul 30, 2018  
Darling Blue
Darling Blue
Tracy Rees | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A little light reading.
Set in the 1920's, the Darling Blue of the title is the main character in this book and follows the lives of not just Blue, but that of her family and friends. Blue's father, on the eve of her 21st birthday party, makes an announcement that Blue will marry the man who sends her a letter that she can fall in love with. She goes on to receive three letters, and some of the novel is about this search for a husband.
Blue also helps to save a woman, Delphine, from drowning in the Thames. She learns that she is in fact escaping an abusive husband. Blue's family take her in and help her. Everything seems perfect until, of course, it isn't.
It's a very bright and breezy book, filled with the hope that everyone must have felt after World War 1, but it all seemed contrived to me. Even the unpleasant 'stuff' seemed glossed over and hurried, and it didn't seem to be taken very seriously. The characters, particularly Blue's father, seemed to have very progressive opinions on certain things. Very modern, late 20th century opinions, in fact. I wonder if a character such as his would really have existed? He seemed to be very understanding of one particular plot twist which involved him and his wife, which I feel that even a man (or anyone else for that matter) today would have really struggled with. And the ending was just far too rushed and 'happily ever after'. It's a shame, because I really enjoyed the only other Tracy Rees book I've read (Amy Snow). I'll probably have to have a look at the other two books she has written between Amy Snow and this one, and see whether this is a blip. I hope so, because Amy Snow really did show promise.
Thanks to The Pigeonhole and to the author for a chance to read along with her.
  
BB
Black Bird of the Gallows
Meg Kassel | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
From the moment I started to read this book the world around me disappeared and I found myself utterly immersed within the pages of this amazing book. The story line was well constructed and the characters were fantastic. I fell head over heels with Angie and Reece and honestly who wouldn't!? This book has it all from teenage angst to supernatural creatures with some swoon worthy moments that have left me clamoring for more. This author grabbed a hold of her magical thread and weaved a paranormal tale that kept me glued to my seat. I look forward to what's to come from this talented author. I will end this review with one of my favorite quotes; "The world reeks of death and pain, and you smell like life and joy and everything I can never have."

{I requested a review copy via Entangled Teen and made no guarantee of a favorable review. The opinions expressed here are unbiased and my own.}
  
The Surrendered
The Surrendered
Case Maynard | 2016 | Dystopia, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
This was a well written and fast paced story that grips you and keeps you wanting to continue reading this book. The world building was outstanding and the characters were beautiful and heartbreaking. It is full of unexpected twists and turns and I went through a range of emotions while reading this book. I felt anger towards the parents that kept having children knowing they couldn't afford the tax and then I would feel guilt for thinking that way because maybe they thought they'd be able to afford the tax. I felt sadness and heartache for the children as they are the ones that suffer the consequences of the imposed tax. They didn't ask to be brought into this world.

This author is indeed creatively gifted and I highly recommend this book to one and all.

{I received an eARC via the publisher. I made no guarantee of a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are unbiased and my own.}
  
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Book Divas (227 KP) rated Beneath the Fall in Books

Dec 12, 2017 (Updated Dec 12, 2017)  
BT
Beneath the Fall
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
If you love fantasy and stories that take place in other worlds then this is for you. A beautifully written story line with fantastic characters and the amazing world building was out of this world. From the moment I saw the cover I knew I was in for a treat and as I flipped through the pages I knew that this book would pull me into the story and keep me wrapped up in all of its beauty. The artwork is truly breathtaking and it all seems to pop out of the pages quickly drawing you in. Reading this book was like eating a delicious treat and I savored every single moment of it. This book is worthy of more than the five stars I can give it and I highly recommend this to one and all.
 
{I received a copy when I signed up for the book tour. I made no guarantee of a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are unbiased and my own.}
  
TC
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
From the moment I started to read this book I knew I was in for a real treat and I loved every single moment of this book. Vivienne is a young adult who has tragically lost her mom and lives with her grandmother. She unexpectedly stumbles upon a secret that overwhelmingly changes not only her life but how she sees the world around her.

This author's creative and enlightening writing style swept me away into the magic of the past and the present, of good versus evil and of course witches. Unexpected twists and turns that keep you in this well weaved story line with beautiful and strong characters and I look forward to reading the next installment. This is a book that I will be recommending to everyone.

{I received an eARC via NetGalley and made no guarantee of a favorable review. The opinions expressed here are unbiased and my own}
  
AR
Always Remembered
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received an ARC when I signed up and was selected to host the book tour. I made no guarantee of a favorable review and the opinions expressed are solely my own.

I loved this final installment of the Never Forgotten series. The book picks up where the last one left off. This beautiful and well detailed story will leave you in its grip as the surprises just keep coming and we find ourselves dealing with many emotional moments throughout this book.. The relationship between Meara and Kieran continues to deepen and Evan learns the truth about himself. Kelly Risser did an amazing job in creating and weaving this mystical series and you will not be disappointed with how this story ends. Please note that all three books in the series must be read in order. Make sure that you add this entire series to your MUST read list and I look forward to reading more by this very creative author.
  
I received a free copy of this book via Clean Teen Publishing Elite Reviewers which I am a member of. I made no guarantee of a favorable review and the opinions are my own.

When I read the synopsis I knew I just had to read it. This book contains magic, romance and drama and it is about light versus dark {good versus evil} and though at times I found myself enjoying it, I found myself to be somewhat disappointed as well. Jessica is trying to locate/discover more information about her biological parents but by the end of the book we still don't really know anything. Now this could be what the author intended so I do plan on reading the next book. My other issue was that I found the characters to be good, the world building seemed somewhat lacking. I am giving this book three stars and I'm hoping that there will be more explanations in the second book.