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ClareR (6074 KP) rated The Household in Books
Jun 25, 2024
Stacey Halls’ latest book The Household, is set in a house for “fallen” women. This house did actually really exist: Urania Cottage was set up by, amongst others, Charles Dickens and Angela Burdett-Coutts.
Charles Dickens doesn’t feature in this book, although he is mentioned. This wonderful novel is all about the women.
Angela has been stalked for many years, her life made a misery by a man that no one takes seriously. He has been released from prison for another crime (as stalking wasn’t a crime until recently), and Angela is dreading the moment when he turns up again. And you just know it’s going to happen.
There is also the matter of a missing girl: one of the inhabitants of Urania Cottage has lost contact with her young sister, and she’s missing from the big house she worked in.
This book was captivating - the attention to historical detail, the development of the characters (particularly Angela and Martha), the way that with a modern eye, it’s supremely frustrating that young women of any class were held in such low regard. But these women do fight to get the life they want, and that must have been a reasonably rare occurrence.
This is well worth a read - another fantastic read from Stacey Halls!
Charles Dickens doesn’t feature in this book, although he is mentioned. This wonderful novel is all about the women.
Angela has been stalked for many years, her life made a misery by a man that no one takes seriously. He has been released from prison for another crime (as stalking wasn’t a crime until recently), and Angela is dreading the moment when he turns up again. And you just know it’s going to happen.
There is also the matter of a missing girl: one of the inhabitants of Urania Cottage has lost contact with her young sister, and she’s missing from the big house she worked in.
This book was captivating - the attention to historical detail, the development of the characters (particularly Angela and Martha), the way that with a modern eye, it’s supremely frustrating that young women of any class were held in such low regard. But these women do fight to get the life they want, and that must have been a reasonably rare occurrence.
This is well worth a read - another fantastic read from Stacey Halls!
The Invisible Sword of Flames: Dragon of Darkness
Book
The faith of the people is fading. The Followers, who pledged an undying confidence in the Forever...
young adult fantasy ya fantasy
Dead and Gondola
5.0
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Ellie Christie is thrilled to begin a new chapter. She’s recently returned to her tiny Colorado...
Debbiereadsbook (1664 KP) rated Extraction Play (Leather and Lattes #2) in Books
Nov 15, 2024 (Updated Nov 15, 2024)
I was gifted my copy of this book.
Eva is Micah's sister, we met her and Pixie in book one, Immersion Play. It's not necessary to read that book, but it will give you a better picture of this group of people, and of what Micah went through. It has some relevance here.
I really enjoyed this, but I couldn't quite love it.
Why?? I dunno, but I love McIntyre's work, you know I do, I've followed her from the very beginning. My only reasoning would be, it's not you, its me.
I have some stuff going on in my personal life that is affecting my reading enjoyment.
I liked that both Eva and Pixie got a say. I liked the super smexy scenes which are at times, MORE than just Pixie and Eva.
I loved that the chemistry between these two was powerful and stays strong, even if Picie might lose her best friend and Eva might lose her brother.
I love that we catch up with all the guys from Whipped and some things are laid out for book 3.
I'm sorry I couldn't love it!
4 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Eva is Micah's sister, we met her and Pixie in book one, Immersion Play. It's not necessary to read that book, but it will give you a better picture of this group of people, and of what Micah went through. It has some relevance here.
I really enjoyed this, but I couldn't quite love it.
Why?? I dunno, but I love McIntyre's work, you know I do, I've followed her from the very beginning. My only reasoning would be, it's not you, its me.
I have some stuff going on in my personal life that is affecting my reading enjoyment.
I liked that both Eva and Pixie got a say. I liked the super smexy scenes which are at times, MORE than just Pixie and Eva.
I loved that the chemistry between these two was powerful and stays strong, even if Picie might lose her best friend and Eva might lose her brother.
I love that we catch up with all the guys from Whipped and some things are laid out for book 3.
I'm sorry I couldn't love it!
4 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Lindsay (1796 KP) rated A Daughter's Choice (The Heart of the Amish #10) in Books
Oct 16, 2025
We meet Henrietta. And her family is somewhat mentioned at the beginning of this book. We also met her dad. A new veterinary assistant has come to check on the Millers' horse, Jack. Could there be a romance in the making as Nickloas and his sister come to town to help their grandfather?
We also meet Rosy, and she is seeing someone special, who is a friend. Will they get married or not? But this book seems centered on Hen, short of Henrietta. But Will Nickolas and Henrietta happen to fall in love? Bylers need some help and some friends in the area. Will Leorna find love for what she does, and will Nickolas find love with the fiery girl?
Leorna wants to make some friends in the new area, and Hen may be one of them. Is there a reason for Hen's father to be so disappointed or harsh with his oldest daughter?
We see Nickolas cross paths with Hen quite a bit. But will they seem to understand each other?
Adam thinks he knows what's best for his daughter, Heneretta. But does know her. Or does he think he knows Hen and make her happy?
Hen seems to be missing her mom, and she seems to be clashing with her father.
We also meet Rosy, and she is seeing someone special, who is a friend. Will they get married or not? But this book seems centered on Hen, short of Henrietta. But Will Nickolas and Henrietta happen to fall in love? Bylers need some help and some friends in the area. Will Leorna find love for what she does, and will Nickolas find love with the fiery girl?
Leorna wants to make some friends in the new area, and Hen may be one of them. Is there a reason for Hen's father to be so disappointed or harsh with his oldest daughter?
We see Nickolas cross paths with Hen quite a bit. But will they seem to understand each other?
Adam thinks he knows what's best for his daughter, Heneretta. But does know her. Or does he think he knows Hen and make her happy?
Hen seems to be missing her mom, and she seems to be clashing with her father.
Knot That Pucker (Knotty Puckers, #3)
Cassie Lein and Bre Rose
10.0
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Book
Being the deaf little sister of the Knotty Krakens’ star player means I know two things: Hockey...
Reverse Harem Romance Fated Mates Omegaverse
Debbiereadsbook (1664 KP) rated Sweetest Blood in Books
Feb 4, 2026
4 very good stars
Independent reviewer for GRR, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Felix signs up to be a donor for a year to enable him to save his sister, Astrea. Severin is his latest vampire. But Felix is changing the taste of his blood, to make it sweeter for the vampires. Severin, however, tastes something completely unexpected: his mate. But keeping his mate safe is becoming harder, as the coven who has Astrea is doing things totally against the rules.
I liked this, I liked it a lot. I've not read anything by this author before an I enjoyed the way the tale was spun.
Both Felix and Severin have a say, in the first person, so I liked that.
It's got some steam, and some danger. Some drama and some emotions. Not a lot of anything, but enough to make the book interesting.
I also liked that, besides Felix and Severin, we get two other romances! I'm not sayng who for spoilers, but I liked that we watch them fall along with these two.
I liked the two epilogues as well!
All in all, a good read, that made a wet Wednesday more enjoyable!
4 very good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Felix signs up to be a donor for a year to enable him to save his sister, Astrea. Severin is his latest vampire. But Felix is changing the taste of his blood, to make it sweeter for the vampires. Severin, however, tastes something completely unexpected: his mate. But keeping his mate safe is becoming harder, as the coven who has Astrea is doing things totally against the rules.
I liked this, I liked it a lot. I've not read anything by this author before an I enjoyed the way the tale was spun.
Both Felix and Severin have a say, in the first person, so I liked that.
It's got some steam, and some danger. Some drama and some emotions. Not a lot of anything, but enough to make the book interesting.
I also liked that, besides Felix and Severin, we get two other romances! I'm not sayng who for spoilers, but I liked that we watch them fall along with these two.
I liked the two epilogues as well!
All in all, a good read, that made a wet Wednesday more enjoyable!
4 very good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
The Lost Women of Mill Street
Book
1864: As Sherman’s army marches toward Atlanta, a cotton mill commandeered by the Confederacy lies...
Historical Fiction Women in History American Civil War
ClareR (6074 KP) rated The Wren, The Wren in Books
Jul 20, 2024
This is a beautiful story of 3 generations of women, all affected by the same man: poet Phil McDaragh. They have very different relationships with him. Carmel is his daughter and when he leaves the family, it’s up to Carmel and her sister to care for their mother with terminal cancer. Carmel loves her father, but is conflicted with their abandonment And how what he writes in his poems is at odds with the way he treated them.
Carmel’s daughter Nell, a Trinity College graduate, discovers just how difficult life is without her mothers help when she strikes out on her own. She meets a man who is abusive towards her.
This is a story that highlights multi-generational family trauma, and probably why both Carmel and Nell have such poor relationships with men. Running alongside this, is the love these women have for one another.
I get that not everyone will like this novel, but I’ve read two of Enright’s novels now and really enjoyed both of them. I read this as a part of the Women’s Prize shortlist, and whilst I realise they can’t all win, The Wren, The Wren really did deserve to be on that list.
Recommended.
Carmel’s daughter Nell, a Trinity College graduate, discovers just how difficult life is without her mothers help when she strikes out on her own. She meets a man who is abusive towards her.
This is a story that highlights multi-generational family trauma, and probably why both Carmel and Nell have such poor relationships with men. Running alongside this, is the love these women have for one another.
I get that not everyone will like this novel, but I’ve read two of Enright’s novels now and really enjoyed both of them. I read this as a part of the Women’s Prize shortlist, and whilst I realise they can’t all win, The Wren, The Wren really did deserve to be on that list.
Recommended.
A Vision of Lights (The Elemental Realm Duology #2)
9.0
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Fixing something broken is impossible if you can’t find all the pieces. Enzo Mangianelli was...
Urban Fantasy Romance