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Again, not a fan of novels with leads who have “seen the real world” and changed, usually due to negative events. However, this novel struck a chord with me. I have known my husband all my life and fell in love with him long before we dated. However, we both had a lot of growing up to do. Had we tried a relationship before we did, I don’t think we would still be together. There is a time and place for everything and I certainly felt that in accordance with this novel.

I think because of that, I felt more forgiving of all the little things that annoyed me in this novel, whether it was something eye-rolling worthy that someone said or did or something that was just cliché or annoying.

Overall, I enjoyed this novel especially because I felt more connected to it than others. I could understand the character’s motivations and actions even if I didn’t agree with how they handled them. Definitely a touching second chance romance.
  
Dragonfly in Amber
Dragonfly in Amber
Diana Gabaldon | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry
10
9.2 (17 Ratings)
Book Rating
Wow! Just wow! Talk about a cliffhanger. As I said when I read Outlander, I am by no means a fan of the "romance" novel. That's why I waited so long to dive into the series. But let me tell you, these books are so much more than that. Just like the first installment DiA has its typical romance novel elements but it has much, much more than that too. This book delves much deeper into the history of the time period that Clare falls in to. It took me awhile to really get hooked on this book, but I did. Gabaldon is a wonderful storyteller! She writes with so much detail & passion, not to mention what must be a HUGE amount of painstaking research. I am very much looking forward to reading the next book. Hopefully it won't be as far between the 2nd & 3rd as it was between the 1st & 2nd!!
  
Despite being the second in the series, you don’t need to read the first to enjoy this novel.

Overall, the novel wasn’t terrible. I am not a fan of insta-lust nor people contradicting their morals with their actions. While there was chemistry between the leads, the insta-lust factor put me off. The erotic scenes were also a bit tame for my tastes. Filled with innuendos instead of being straightforward, I feel the erotic scenes would be more suited for someone who is put off but more vulgar language.

I also wasn’t a fan of the author’s writing style in general. Some part seems too long, dragging out unnecessarily or was just too flowery.

Bottom line, this is a historical romance meant for those who want a tamer historical romance. Honestly, it reminds of the novels that my grandma used to read, like Kathleen Woodiwiss and older Jude Deveraux.
  
WP
When Passion Rules
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I had been wanting to read this novel since I first saw the cover before it was even released. I don't understand why the cover is so delectable, but it made this novel a must read for me.

I love Lindsey's Malory Series. It's on my top 10 series list in fact. I have read some of her other works but this is the first in a few years. The greatest thing about Lindsey is that she knows how to tell a story. From her style to the dialogue, from the plot and character development to the story itself, the woman has a gift.

However, I did not fall in love with it the way I expected myself to. I love historical romance, and Lindsey is the Queen of Historical Romance. Despite this, I was not wowed like I thought I would. I loved how Lindsey put a little murder mystery in it. The twist towards the end was interesting, though not wholly unexpected.
  
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Ethan Hawke recommended Reds (1981) in Movies (curated)

 
Reds (1981)
Reds (1981)
1981 | Classics, Drama, Romance
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"Warren Beatty directed, about the life of John Reed. Jack Nicholson is Eugene O’Neill, one of his greatest performances. It combines everything I love about movies: great acting, unbelievable romance, and politics. Sondheim did the music, Elaine May helped write it. It’s kind of the bar. I just think of what cinema can accomplish. It’s like a great, great novel, only better. And with one of the great endings of all time. Just so beautiful."

Source
  
TS
The Supernatural Enhancements
8
8.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
It's hard to describe this novel. On the one hand there is a pretty straightforward mystery at its center, full of clever puzzles and hints of conspiracy. On the other though is a possible haunting, a weird romance, and a very unusual narrative structure. The book is told in the form of journal entries, letters, notepad scribblings, security camera transcripts, and other means. This method can be very effective at slowly revealing answers, and may make this possibly the first "found footage" novel, but it also somehow removes the suspense in many scenes, and periodically makes things unnecessarily confusing. Still, I enjoyed reading this book, and would be interested in a sequel, so that should say something.
  
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Imogen SB (4507 KP) created a post in Smashbomb Council

Dec 9, 2019  
SMASHBOMB AWARDS

WE NEED NOMINATIONS! Below I have a list of all the categories we need to come up with nominations for - Also this is for the DECADE, not just the previous year, so anything released between 2010 and 2019 counts! :) - Feel free to give as many ideas as you want for as many categories!

1. Best Biography/Non-Fiction Book
2. Best Children's Book
3. Best Young Adult Book
4. Best Graphic Novel
5. Best Food & Drink Book
6. Best Horror/Thriller Book
7. Best Romance Book

8. Best Action Movie
9. Best Animation/Family Movie
10. Best Comedy Movie
11. Best Drama Movie
12. Best Horror Movie
13. Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Movie
14. Best Romance Movie
  
Show all 3 comments.
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Darren (1599 KP) Dec 10, 2019

8. Best Action Movie - The Raid, John Wick Chapter 3
9. Best Animation/Family Movie - Your Name
10. Best Comedy Movie - 50/50, Booksmart
11. Best Drama Movie - Hidden Figures, Marriage Story, Parasite
12. Best Horror Movie - Train to Busan, US, The Wailing
13. Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Movie - Inception, Interstellar
14. Best Romance Movie - Love, Simon

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LeftSideCut (3778 KP) Dec 14, 2019

I've tried to include a few of my favourites for each...

Best action - Mad Max: Fury Road, Dredd, Infinity War
Animation - Inside Out, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Comedy - Four Lions, Tucker & Dale vs Evil
Drama - True Grit, The Hateful Eight, Black Swan
Best Horror - It Follows, The Witch, Hereditary, Cabin in the Woods
Best Sci-fi/Fantasy - Interstellar, Gravity, Edge of Tomorrow
Best Romance - the fault in our Stars, does Deadpool count!? 😂

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Books Editor (673 KP) shared own list

Oct 10, 2017
Queer representation in the young adult book world has improved in recent years as authors and stories have focused on more than just the coming out process, which while an important milestone, isn’t a defining one.

As a result, readers who do identify as LGBTQIA can now pick up a steampunk adventure set in Victorian London, a contemporary tale about a gender fluid protagonist finding fame on the internet, and a fantasy novel featuring a lesbian romance.

Entertainment Weekly has been highlighting the best LGBTQIA representation in pop culture by putting together a list of young adult novels that showcase the wealth and diversity of the LGBTQ spectrum.


Wild Beauty

Wild Beauty

Anna-Marie McLemore

6.0 (4 Ratings) Rate It

Book

Love grows such strange things. Anna-Marie McLemore's debut novel The Weight of Feathers garnered...


Young Adult LGBTQ Fantasy Romance
Spinning

Spinning

Tillie Walden

(0 Ratings) Rate It

Book

Ignatz Award winner Tillie Walden’s powerful graphic memoir Spinning captures what it’s like to...


LGBTQ Young Adult
They Both Die At The End

They Both Die At The End

Adam Silvera

9.0 (22 Ratings) Rate It

Book

n September 5th, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give...

Mask of Shadows

Mask of Shadows

Linsey Miller

8.5 (6 Ratings) Rate It

Book

"I love every aspect of this amazing book―a genderfluid hero, a deadly contest, and vicious...


Young Adult LGBTQ Fantasy
Gentleman's Guide To Vice And Virtue

Gentleman's Guide To Vice And Virtue

Mackenzi Lee

8.9 (18 Ratings) Rate It

Book

SIMON VS. THE HOMOSAPIENS meets the 1700s in this hilarious and swashbuckling standalone teen...

and 10 other items
     
     
S(
Schasm (Schasm, #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
[Shari J. Ryan] did a fantastic job of character development in [Schasm]. This is a very character driven novel that keeps you guessing. Chloe's struggle with her "illness" and even more so with her mother is the center of this story. It gets even more complicated when Alex enters. I still am not sure what is the truth in this book but it left me wanting more. It is a nice non vampire, non sex driven YA romance twist.
  
A witness with amnesia Can she trust this Gold Country Cowboy with her life? Tracy Wilson witnessed a murder—but after a head injury, she can’t remember what she saw. Now someone plans to silence her for good, and only cowboy Keegan Thorn believes her. With a killer after her at Christmas, Tracy is running out of time to remember…and falling dangerously hard for the cowboy who could break her heart.





My Thoughts: In this book, we find the Thorn family preparing for the double wedding of Jack and Owen. The storyline centers around the fourth son Keegan. Keegan learns the value of a close family and learning how to let his heart truly love, as he lets go of past hurts.


Dana Mentink has written another gripping story of suspense, with a mix of romance. Readers will truly enjoy this novel. This book will is a great novel for the Christmas season.


A great novel of love and forgiveness.


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