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ClareR (6256 KP) rated Julia in Books

Nov 23, 2025  
Julia
Julia
Sandra Newman | 2023 | Dystopia, Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
It’s a long time since I read George Orwell’s 1984, but it is one of those books that stays with you - and my son recently wanted to watch the film with John Hurt (which was very good, by the way!).

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.
  
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Merissa (14164 KP) rated A Daddy For Christmas 3: Rowan in Books

Dec 17, 2025  
A Daddy For Christmas 3: Rowan
A Daddy For Christmas 3: Rowan
Colette Davison | 2025 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A DADDY FOR CHRISTMAS: ROWAN is part of the multi-author series of almost the same name. I'll let you figure that part out!

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