If you’ve ever wondered what happened what happened to Winston Smith’s girlfriend both before, during and after the original novel, then this book will answer those questions.
Julia starts off being able to navigate the world under the ideology of IngSoc and the rule of the Party, for example, she’s a member of the Anti-Sex League whilst being promiscuous at the same time: she plays their game, but leads her own life in secret. She’s good at protecting herself - right up until she encounters Winston. And then she loses her grip on her self-preservation skills.
A lot of the scenes are the same as in the original and written from Julia’s point of view, and I enjoyed reading about the backstory of Oceania and the countryside that at first didn’t seem to be effected by the Party. I don’t think Julia detracted from the original. In fact she adds to it.
1984 was written between 1946 and 1949 shortly after WW2, and Orwell was very close historically to Stalinist Russia and Nazi Germany. It was a time of geopolitical tension and fear of totalitarianism. Sandra Newman was able to write Julia at a considerable distance from these regimes. I’m not saying this is better, just different. Newman has seen the fall of both regimes and is perhaps able to write with more perspective. She can take social media into account for one thing (it gives the Two Minutes Hate a run for it’s money, that’s for sure!).
I enjoyed this. If you’re interested in the female perspective on 1984, then you’ll probably enjoy it too.
Worth the Fight (Worth It #2)
9.0
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It was never going to be just one night. Not when it burned this hot. Firefighter Reece Morgan is...
Contemporary MM Romance Hurt/Comfort Romantic Suspense
Merissa (14020 KP) rated A Daddy For Christmas 3: Rowan in Books
Dec 17, 2025
Damon is co-owner of a sex-toy business, usually run by his brother, Nigel. Damon took the week before Christmas off from work to avoid the stress, but Nigel had other ideas, so Damon got called in just before Christmas, and to top things off, also had to attend a charity fancy-dress ball in the middle of nowhere on Nigel's behalf. Not only did he not want to go, but that also meant he would spend time with Rowan, Nigel's driver, whom he was attracted to but was off-limits as an employee. Rowan, on the other hand, is prepared to use anything and everything to help him gain time with Damon, even a freak snowstorm.
This is a fast-paced novella, where most of the longing has already happened. Rowan was a little too bratty, too forceful/manipulative, for my liking, but it ticked Damon's boxes, so that's the main thing. There is plenty of heat, even in a snowstorm, that continues afterwards.
If you've read any of Ms Davison's Kinky Housemates series (highly recommended!), then you may recognise some of the names that pop up here. It was great to see them again!
Overall, this is a forced proximity, Scrooge-Christmas story with plenty of heat to keep you warm. Recommended by 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 17, 2025
The Fulbourn (Pitch & Sickle, #5)
10.0
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When the King of Daemonkind comes to call, be ready for hell to follow. After Lucifer’s...
MM Historical Gaslamp Fantasy
Of Lilies and Lies (Stirling Harbor #1)
10.0
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When the past refuses to stay buried, can I trust him enough to protect me? Kit After my...
Contemporary Romance Suspense
Heart of Outcasts
10.0
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Change is coming to the Autumn County werewolves, and someone would kill to keep it from...
MM Urban Fantasy Romance
Shake Loose the Border (Thunder On The Moor #3)
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With Will and Maggie’s wedding just a week away, the last thing they need to stumble upon is...
Historical Time Travel Romance Scottish Scotland
The Blood Demon's Pet (Demon Daddy #1)
10.0
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Leviathan only wanted a new feeder. He ends up with something so much better. Eryn is broken. ...
MM Paranormal Romance
Merissa (14020 KP) rated Luna Ascending (Wolves of Fenrir Watch #1) in Books
Jul 30, 2021 (Updated Jul 17, 2023)
Freya thinks she is human but there is something about her that will make you think otherwise. Maybe it's the dodgy electrics or the migraines, but from the very beginning, you know she isn't who she thinks she is. With two major factions after her, Freya needs to figure out just who she is before very much longer.
Whilst the premise of this story is a good one, the execution was a bit rough. I definitely wouldn't call it a romance as there is none. Erotica, maybe. I felt no connection between our main characters, not even the 'good' ones. There is a scene halfway through that is rape. She is coerced by a spell and thinks she wants it, but it's still rape. So be warned. The sex scenes between her and the other MC are hot (ish) but because of no connection, they still felt quite clinical. There was a lot of telling and not so much showing in this story.
It finishes on a cliffhanger and I am curious enough to want to continue this story and get some answers to the questions I have. It is very fast-paced, and with enough spelling and editorial errors to be worth mentioning. I found this to be a quick read but enjoyable.
TRIGGER WARNING - RAPE/DUB-CON/SEXUAL COERCION
** 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!
Jul 30, 2021
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Good Samaritans [Audiobook] in Books
May 14, 2023
![Good Samaritans [Audiobook]](/uploads/profile_image/8d3/35178302-459f-4b44-a863-84f356c318d3.jpg?m=1684075253)
This is a very dark, disturbing and extremely gripping story that will draw you in, shake you around and spit you out the other side and all the while you're thinking, what the heck and why am I enjoying this so much?!?
It's all kinds of wrong but so right and deliciously wicked and addictive.
I'm not even going to go into the story - you'll just have to buy it - but what I will say is that the characters are scarily normal which makes them ultra creepy, the story is riveting and there's some great twists that I didn't see coming and the build up of tension is palpable.
There are graphic descriptions of murder, a lot about suicide, mental health and a number of sex scenes (maybe too many if I'm honest and this is my only negative) so if any of these are triggers for you, I would steer clear.
Would I have enjoyed it as much had I read the physical book? I'm not sure if I'm honest because the narrator made all the difference and was absolutely perfect and brilliant. I fell in love with his voice from the beginning ... it was so contradictory to the content of what he was reading that it made the story all the more creepy and disturbing.
I haven't read or listened to any of Will Carver's work before and after listening to Good Samaritans, I won't make that mistake again and I must thank Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of Good Samaritans and introducing me to another excellent author.