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Merissa (11953 KP) rated Moving On in Books

Jan 2, 2023  
Moving On
Moving On
Felice Stevens | 2023 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A perfectly paced story with a great storyline.
MOVING ON is a standalone story that tells the story of Sean and Tristan. Both these guys have baggage from their pasts that they carry with them wherever they go, and neither is prepared to trust anyone or anything to move on.

Both of their backstories are heartbreaking for different reasons. When they spoke about first times, I was completely with Tristan and his reaction to Sean's story. The thing I love about Felice Stevens' books are, although they are fiction, they are also completely believable. Nothing seems far-fetched, which can be both a good and a bad thing.

These two have a slow-burn until it's not. Tristan is very prickly and Sean works hard to get by that, to be his friend, and wanting nothing in return. I loved that Sean was someone who wants to live outside the box, whereas Tristan preferred order instead of chaos. They balanced each other out perfectly. Sean did tend to fly off the handle at times, and Tristan would keep things close to his chest. I wanted to slap both of them!

A perfectly paced story with a great storyline, this didn't quite push all the buttons and I have no idea why. Everything about it was just what I wanted but I just didn't connect with the characters as much as I wanted to. If Goodreads did half stars, this would be a 4.5. Instead, I'm rounding it up.

A brilliant story that I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.

** 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!
  
AB
Air Born (The Guardian book 3)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
60 of 230
Kindle
Air Born ( The Guardian book 3)
By Rayanne Haines
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Quinn Taleisin hates secrets, and shadows, and subterfuge. Which is why she still can’t believe she agreed to become a member of the Guardians, an elite force of immortals tasked with keeping the balance between good and evil in the world.

Sounds great, except, to be a guardian you must agree to live in secrecy. Quinn is a wind elemental. Being caged in by secrecy is worse than death for someone like her. She can’t imagine a worse fate—until she’s asked to work with Lachon Findel, the man she holds responsible for her mother’s death and her father’s insanity.

Lachon is the oldest living elemental in the world. Known as Lachon the Law, he’s an earth element; a man who sees the world in black and white, right and wrong. So maybe once, briefly, a hundred years ago she thought he was a good guy. She knew better now. No way would she fall for his savior of the world shtick.

When the dangers of the past catch up with them, Quinn realizes the only way either of them will make it out alive is if she can put the ghosts of the past behind her and finally trust the flesh and blood man in front of her.

You know when a book just catches you by surprise and get to your emotions you know it’s a good book. So this one I was coasting through thinking it maybe wasn’t the best in the series but it was ok then BAM! By the end I’m full invested and my emotions are haywire. I have loved Quinn since book 1 and I love her even more now. Definitely recommend this series.
  
OY
Open Your Eyes ( Chosen Fate book 1)
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
94 of 230
Kindle
Open your eyes ( Chosen by Fate book 1)
By Aspen Winters
⭐️⭐️

Gods are vanishing; their only salvation is bonding to a human soul.

My name is Clara Daniels. I was your average New Yorker with a degree in business and a need for a job. Everything in my life was normal; well, as normal as it could be with an overbearing mother obsessed with the Lord and trying to find me a man. Not to mention, dealing with the many chauvanistic men that dominate the business world of New York.

Then one day, I ran into Fate - literally - and my entire world was changed. Now, my normal is being the human soul for four, overpowering, disturbingly hot gods. Think Zeus, Aries, Hades - see where I'm going with this. Turns out all that mythology was true. Now, I'm the only chance these four gods have to continue to live and soon they'll become my only chance.

Unfortunately, there's a group of people that don't agree with this and I just became their next target.

Can I trust them to protect me? Or will they let me down like so many others before them? Only Fate knows...and she's not telling.

I almost DNFd this a few times but something in me wanted to see how it played out. Now I’m not into author bashing and I’m not about to start now. This had some major plot holes and a few cringy parts. The mother is just instantly dis likeable I mean she is absolutely vile. There are bits that make you think why?. There are some ok bits and towards the end it came together. The story had good foundation so I think it why I stuck it out.
  
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Merissa (11953 KP) rated Capturing Fate (Fatal Truth #2) in Books

May 13, 2021 (Updated Jul 26, 2023)  
Capturing Fate (Fatal Truth #2)
Capturing Fate (Fatal Truth #2)
Abbie Roads | 2021 | Paranormal, Romance, Thriller
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
CAPTURING FATE is the second book in the Fatal Truth series, although it could be read as a standalone. I say could because if you do, you're missing out on another 5-star read!

This novel had me confused slightly, to begin with, simply because of the timeline. I 'presumed' it would start after book one finished, but it didn't. It actually runs parallel to book one for most of it but gives you a completely different viewpoint.

And what a viewpoint it was. This book is such a gripping read. The big bad here is fully dimensional, evil in every way. Seriously, I hated the man! And Dolan and Daught, bless them. They really go through the mill. In fact, all of her boys have done and do. My heart broke for them so many times.

Although this is still dark and violent, it's not quite as violent as book one. This makes sense as this is a different book! Trust me though, it's still not light and fluffy.

I adored the ending and probably had a sappy smile on my face. The uncles about floored me, and I loved them all for it. The only problem now is there are nineteen other people I need HEAs for. If anyone deserves a HEA, it's them!

A brilliant addition to the series, and one I have no hesitation in recommending. A stunning story that kept me in its grip from start to finish. READ IT!

** 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!
May 13, 2021
  
Lower World (Infernal Regions for the Unprepared #2)
Lower World (Infernal Regions for the Unprepared #2)
Maya Daniels | 2021 | Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
LOWER WORLD is the second book in the Infernal Regions for the Unprepared series and remember how I said the first one wasn't too fast-paced? Yeah, well, we're back to the crazy and frantic pace Maya Daniels is known for!

Don't get me wrong, it is still smoking-hot, and I love how Ms Daniels drags you along into her story, but for me, it just lost a bit of 'something' in the pace. Brooklyn and Dominic are heating up and the trust is building, but with all the action going on, I felt like I missed part of that. Alice is a cracker, as always, and I am loving her role in this.

Now, I was warned about the ending of this book, so I was expecting something. Usually, I end up throwing my Kindle away in disgust at the typical cliffhanger endings, but this time, this time I was okay with it. Maybe it's because I was warned, or maybe it's because although I know Brooklyn is in danger, she is too tough to go down easy, PLUS she has her crew coming for her. And then there is the whole question mark about her mum. So, yeah, cliffhanger but one I'm happy with.

I am still loving this series, and can't wait to see where it goes next. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go and lie down, get my heart rate down, and be ready to start the world at a normal pace, not superspeed!

* 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!
Apr 15, 2021
  
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ClareR (5681 KP) rated Kala in Books

Aug 18, 2023  
Kala
Kala
Colin Walsh | 2023 | Contemporary, Crime, Fiction & Poetry, Mystery, Thriller
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I listened to this frankly stunning novel on audiobook via NetGalley. I think that this will be a book that people will want to read in one sitting - I couldn’t put it down (which makes work really inconvenient!).

Three friends reunite after many years. Mush has stayed in Kinlough, Joe has become a famous singer, and Helen has been working as a journalist in Canada. As teenagers, they hung around in a group of six, until one of its most popular members (Kala) goes missing. It seems that her disappearance has had a huge effect on all of her friends since then. Helen comes home for a wedding and during this time, remains are found in a hold-all. And they’re Kala.

Mush helps his mother run a coffee shop and is, I think, the most likeable character. He wants to pick up friendships where they were left off after Joe and Helen had left. I can’t help but think that Helen uses this as a way to get him to help her look into the disappearance of Kala.

This isn’t just about Kala though. It’s a book that looks at all of these characters and their lives. They all have issues of one kind or another, whether these issues are caused by Kala’s disappearance, their family lives or something more - the town itself has a violent undercurrent.

It’s beautifully written: the snatches of scenes from childhood are idyllic, the interactions of the characters range from funny to sad to menacing. Do these characters really know one another, and who can they trust? There are a lot of lies to uncover!

I will be very keen to read whatever Colin Walsh writes next - he’s definitely one to watch!
  
TL
The Last Cabin Girl
Tom Swyers | 2023
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
114 of 235
Kindle
The Last Cabin Girl
By
Tom Swyers
⭐️⭐️

As the pandemic begins, Josie Thompson is a struggling waitress, mom of two great kids. She wants a fresh start far from her abusive husband, the confining small town she calls home, and a long-held secret her family refuses to disclose.

But Josie isn’t going anywhere. After murder victims turn up floating in the river near her isolated cabin, the FBI quickly charges her in one of the killings. Thankfully, she’s freed on bond, but charges for the other deaths loom. The FBI thinks she’s a serial killer.

If convicted, she faces life in prison and a future forever apart from her children. Josie can’t let that happen. She must venture out of her comfort zone to prove her innocence, even if it means confronting her issues, including a growing fear of COVID-19.

Can she trust anyone to help? A friendly detective and former police officer? Her estranged lawyer-brother, David Thompson? Her cryptic parents? A wealthy bachelor who has eyes for her?

In a town where things are not what they seem and not everyone can be trusted, can Josie clear her name, or will her own dark secrets be her undoing?

I honestly don’t know what I just read. I hate giving 2 star reviews but I just don’t know what I feel about this book. It started well but I think there were to many ideas thrown into it I found it became completely bizarre towards the end I mean I can see what the author wanted to to do was twist , turn and shock but all it did for me was twist, turn and confuse. We have the covid 19 virus, conspiracy, incest and espionage that didn’t gel well in my opinion. So sorry 🙈