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Shiver (Unbreakable Bonds #1)
Shiver (Unbreakable Bonds #1)
Jocelynn Drake, Rinda Elliott | 2015 | LGBTQ+, Mystery, Romance
9
9.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
4.5 stars

I was dragged into this from pretty early on. The connection between the four friends was amazing. They'd been through so much together. I'm definitely intrigued about reading the rest of their stories though I think since the series is all m/m romances that some shit is going to go down in the next books.

I loved the sexual tension between our boys in this. It was pretty scorching and when they finally gave into it, the romantic aspect of their relationship was so nice. I think they'd have died to save each other in the end.

One thing I did love was that the romance wasn't the main focus. These guys are badarse mofo's and kicked butt in a few scenes. The other part of the storyline when Lucas gets beat up over an investment was rather intriguing. Who was behind it and all that.

Definitely up for reading the rest of the series. Ashton/Snow's story next.
  
The Embalmer (The Tattoo Thief #3)
The Embalmer (The Tattoo Thief #3)
Alison Belsham | 2020 | Crime, Thriller
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Full of action, suspense, gritty scenes and loads of tension, this is a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed despite this being the third instalment of this series but the first I have read. It does work as a standalone but I think it would be even better had I read the other 2 beforehand.

The characters are strong, as are the storylines which made things fast-paced and interesting which had me totally immersed from the start. The writing style is easy to read and although told from different points of view, I didn't find it hard to keep up and, in fact, felt this enhanced my reading experience.

The only thing I have to complain about is myself!! Why haven't I come across the first 2 in the series before? I must have been walking around with my eyes closed!

Thank you to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for my advance copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
  
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Hazel (2934 KP) rated Find You First in Books

Feb 7, 2021  
Find You First
Find You First
Linwood Barclay | 2021 | Crime, Thriller
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I haven't read anything by Linwood Barclay for some years and I really don't know why but I had a word with myself and got stuck into this with relish.

What we have here is an exciting thriller that had me hooked. The pace is unrelenting, the characters are just excellent ... even the horrid ones ... and the story is captivating. There are a number of threads to the story and to go into them all would ruin it so I will say nothing apart from you needing to keep your wits about you, but in a good way.

There is tension, twists and nail-biting moments and, yes, you have to suspend reality at times but if you can't do that in fiction, when can you?

All in all, a really enjoyable read and my thanks go to HQ (an imprint of HarperCollins UK) and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
  
A Week Away (2021)
A Week Away (2021)
2021 | Drama, Family, Musical
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Fiercely innocuous Netflix family musical. Too cool for school (NB he's not actually that cool) bad-boy (NB nor is he that bad either) is given a choice between Juvie and going to church camp for a week. Cue lots of cute romance, gentle comedy, dancing and singing about the grace of God, and, wouldn't you know it, religious conversion.

A ruthlessly cynical grab at the juicy faith-based-movie market by Netflix. This one is better than most, I suppose: the songs aren't painful to listen to and everyone is clearly trying their hardest. But its determination to be completely non-threatening and wholesome renders it bland to the point of absurdity - the sentiments expressed are mostly inoffensive (although the subtext is inevitably authoritarian, as with most movies about finding God), but it's almost totally lacking in drama, grit, tension and any genuine sense of threat. Passable entertainment if you want to watch something totally unchallenging. But why would you?
  
The Old Guard (2020)
The Old Guard (2020)
2020 | Action, Fantasy
Speaking of scripting problems… a fun game to play when watching this Netflix exclusive flop is to count how many lazy, generic lines are said in all the right places. Even better, try pausing it before a character is obviously about to give a pithy reply to someone and guess what they will say. You will be right most of the time. This game is far more fun than actually watching this ploddingly predictable tale, that is a half decent idea ruined at every turn by inept film-making. Any tension is consistently drained by the awful directing and editing, and every time someone speaks my sphincter tightened in embarrassment for the actors. Charlize Theron tries, bless her, but ultimately her earnest expression just makes her look constipated – I guess if you were that old you would be! Almost nothing here to recommend that you can’t find in dozens of other places done far better.