Christine A. (965 KP) rated Broken in Books
Sep 16, 2020
Magnolia (Maggie) is not surprised when her estranged twin sister is murdered by her abusive husband. She travels to Beaumont Cove, the town where her sister and Mike lived. Mike protests his innocence, and, at first, she does not believe him. Wandering around town and looking into her sister's time there, she begins to have doubts. Hiring a local PI, Maggie looks into her sister's murder and wonders if Mike is telling the truth.
Broken by John Rector is a short, quick read. It is 284 pages. The story flows well, but I did not connect with the characters. The town is supposed to feel creepy, but it came across as similar to a New Jersey tourist town during the off-season, devoid of tourists. The "big reveal" from one of the characters' past was not surprising, although it did explain his actions.
The cover and description of the book made it seem as if the story was going to be scary or suspenseful. It was neither. While it was worth reading, the book felt too short and not fully fleshed out.
According to Goodreads, Rector's short fiction won several awards, including the International Thriller Award for his novella, Lost Things.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 9/15/20.
Eleanor Luhar (47 KP) rated Finding Grace in Books
Jun 24, 2019
Grace is moved to the girls' boarding school dorm. She soon becomes close with Fran, but also has a few run-ins with the stuck up Deirdra. While helping Fran with a history project Grace discovers an old journal kept by one of the nuns at the convent during the war. It tells her horrific story of abandonment, rape and loss.
All the while, the girls are trying to find out more about Grace's past, and avoid the wrath of the horrible Sister Francis. Eventually Grace does get some anwswers, but they were certainly not the ones she was looking for.
I'm not usually very interested in historical fiction but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Even though it was short, the characters were well developed and the plot was exciting and intriguing. I felt immersed in the setting, and felt empathetic for Grace. I actually felt quite invested in her and her search for knowledge.
There were a few typos and such, but as this is only a review copy I can't be sure whether the final publication will include them. It was a quick, interesting read, a good introduction to historical fiction. 4 stars!
Merissa (13919 KP) rated Primal Instinct (Prowlers #1) in Books
Sep 17, 2019
This story is full of twists and turns, with bad guys who are evil and yet you have sympathy toward them. Then there are good guys who do bad things, plus bad guys who appear all bad (I'm reserving judgment on them though!). With dodgy companies, weres going missing, blackmailing brothers, a new player for Kenzie when she isn't sure if she is friend or foe, there is an awful lot going on in here. It all works though.
It is a fast-paced story, and if you're anything like me, you will find it hard to put down. With no editing or grammatical errors that I noticed, I thoroughly enjoyed this first foray in the Prowlers world. Absolutely 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!
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Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Gunner ( Bracken Ridge Rebels MC 2) in Books
Nov 10, 2023
Kindle
Gunner ( Bracken Ridge Rebels MC 2)
By Mackenzy Fox
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Gunner: She’s always been there, it’s not like I haven’t noticed, I have. I wanted her once, long ago, but it’s forbidden, she’s off limits, a club sister, Steel’s sister. The more I try not to think of her or want to touch her, the more I can’t stop. She’s under my skin. Clawing at my heart. I know I have to stay away but she��s like forbidden fruit, the one thing I can’t have and the sinner in me wants to corrupt her in every way I can; taint her like only I know how. And I will, at least for a while. I always get what I want. Always. Even if it means breaking hearts.
Lily: He’s within reach but always so far away. For the longest time I’ve watched and waited, admired him, ached for him, all from a distance. But now my time has come. It’s now or never. He’s all wrong for me, I know that. I’ve always known, but it doesn’t stop me wanting him, it never will. The question is, can my heart ever recover or beat again the same way when he’s finished with me? Or will I live to regret laying my heart on the line and baring my soul to the one man who has the power to shatter me forever.
It was good I enjoyed it maybe not as much as the first one but it was good. A very sweet ending.