Smashbomb

Search

Search results

All (2122)

Content

Merissa (14175 KP) rated Puzzle Pieces (La Trattoria Di Amore #1) in Books

Jun 10, 2019

Puzzle Pieces (La Trattoria Di Amore #1)

JP Sayle | 2019 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance

8.0

(2 Ratings)

Book Rating

Puzzle Pieces (La Trattoria Di Amore #1) by J.P. Sayle

Puzzle Pieces is the first book in the La Trattoria Di Amore series, and also the first book by this author I have read. Needless to say, it won't be the last!

Although Seb has some serious stalker issues that he realises and knows he needs to fix, I somehow felt more sorry for him, than wary. Maybe it was how he looked after Richie, even as he fought his own feelings. I don't know. All I do know is he wormed his way under my skin and, although I still wanted to kick him at times, I could understand what he was doing, or where he was coming from.

Richie was an incredibly naive young man who went with the flow rather than fighting for what he wanted. The only thing/person he fought for was his mum. And wasn't I in tears at 36%?! Oh yeah, great big hiccuping sobs, f'ugly crying at its best! Thanks for that, Ms. Sayle!! My poor kids wondered what was wrong until I explained it was the book I was reading. Saying that, Richie is still a strong individual who won't allow himself to be walked over (most of the time). I loved the clashing between Seb and Richie, and liked how they worked things out.

All in all, this is an amazing book, with subtle hints at a crossover with the Manx Cat series by this author, which is now on my TBR pile. If I had to say anything negative, it would be the points of view that keep changing in the middle of paragraphs are a bit off-putting. Still, it wasn't a huge thing in the bigger picture. The plot was smooth with no holes, and the characters grew as the story progressed.

An excellent start to the series, and 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!

Kudos

Miner Disturbance

Games

(0 Ratings) Rate It

App

The more downloads we get, the more levels we can make. Tell your friends! #5 Paid App in the UK...

Family Guy Freakin Mobile Game

Games and Entertainment

(0 Ratings) Rate It

App

It's time you wet your whistle and put a little Peter in your pocket! From the producers of the hit...

Learning games for kids toddlers girls boys free

Education and Games

(0 Ratings) Rate It

App

*** Fun EDUCATIONAL game for toddlers of AGE 2 and up *** Learn about SHAPES, COLORS, SIZE and...

LazyTown BooClips

Book and Entertainment

2.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

App

★★★★★ No. #1 on the BOOKS Category on the Apple App Store ★★★★★ ...

Water Heroes A Game for Change

Games

(0 Ratings) Rate It

App

Water Heroes: A Game for Change is an awesometastic puzzle game adventure about water! Oh, and it's...

Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Girls Like Us in Books

Jul 12, 2019

Nell Flynn has reluctantly returned home to Long Island after the death of her father, Martin Flynn, a homicide detective. Nell hasn't seen her father in years, but must settle his estate after his motorcycle skidded off Montauk Highway in the early morning. She assumes her dad was drunk, per usual, when the incident occurred. Nell's mom was murdered when she was a child, and there's nothing about being home that makes her happy. But when Lee, a young homicide detective and her dad's latest partner, asks her to informally help with a case, Nell's curiosity is piqued. She is, after all, on paid medical leave from the Behavioral Analysis Unit at the FBI. Lee and team have found the body of a girl, murdered, near the dunes. It's similar to a case her father worked a year ago. Nell gets caught up in the investigation and the more she digs, the more she can't help but wonder if her father was involved in the killings.

"Dad had his own code. I learned early not to second guess it. At least, not out loud."

This was a great thriller--it features an interesting plot, a strong, complicated female heroine, and it's so easy to get caught up in it from the start. I had a great time unraveling the puzzle of the two murders, figuring things out alongside Nell. She's a really engaging character--smart, funny yet not without her own problems.

"The bureau thinks my head should be on straight, too. It isn't yet. Maybe it never was to begin with."

I really enjoyed the way this story is told--via Nell, but since she's not formally FBI or police, we get the pieces of the puzzle and story along with her. It's a twisted web that she uncovers: a dark, gritty story that feels timely and real. It's a fast read that kept me flipping the pages, desperately wanting to know what was happening next.

It's clear that Alger knows her stuff--police/FBI procedures, investigative techniques, and more. There are no tricks or unreliable narrators: just a strong, well-told story. And there's certainly series potential with Nell. I would love to see her again! 4+ stars.