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Merissa (12394 KP) rated By The Book in Books
Jun 26, 2017
By the Book by Maria Vickers
By the Book is a story that will give you the warm fuzzies as you pray for Josh and Sam to get together, and to STAY together. This may sound easy, but these two have both families against them. Josh does act immature at times, but he is actually mature enough to realise it! Sam is trying so hard to do the right thing, that he may end up losing the best thing for him.
This is a wonderful story, excellently told, and giving great insight into how family can cause issues even if they are not on the doorstep! With plenty of situations to keep the characters on their toes, their characters grow throughout. This is definitely a feel-good book, that has no editing or grammatical errors that I noticed.
Hot, steamy, tender, poignant, it's all here. Definitely 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!
This is a wonderful story, excellently told, and giving great insight into how family can cause issues even if they are not on the doorstep! With plenty of situations to keep the characters on their toes, their characters grow throughout. This is definitely a feel-good book, that has no editing or grammatical errors that I noticed.
Hot, steamy, tender, poignant, it's all here. Definitely 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!
Orderly Affair, Hearts and Health #6
5.5
Rate It
Book
A hospital orderly explores his bisexuality with an adorably geeky lab tech, but can their sparks...
male/male 5 stars romance contemporary warm and fuzzies
Merissa (12394 KP) rated Puzzle Me This in Books
Sep 13, 2023
Puzzle Me This is a short read that is big on emotions! Although it takes place over a number of months, it is very fast-paced, making it seem quicker than it is.
Both of our MCs have issues and baggage to deal with, and I loved that! The other thing I loved was the fact Alex was in a wheelchair WASN'T the biggest part of it. There was so much more to this story than that, but I won't give out any spoilers.
Personally, I would have preferred a bit more about the characters themselves, them getting to know each other, before the angst. However, that would probably take it to novel status, rather than novella.
Well written and edited, with no spelling or grammar issues that disrupted me. This is a perfect coffee break book, with plenty of the warm fuzzies to go around.
* 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!
Sep 11, 2019
Both of our MCs have issues and baggage to deal with, and I loved that! The other thing I loved was the fact Alex was in a wheelchair WASN'T the biggest part of it. There was so much more to this story than that, but I won't give out any spoilers.
Personally, I would have preferred a bit more about the characters themselves, them getting to know each other, before the angst. However, that would probably take it to novel status, rather than novella.
Well written and edited, with no spelling or grammar issues that disrupted me. This is a perfect coffee break book, with plenty of the warm fuzzies to go around.
* 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!
Sep 11, 2019
Debbiereadsbook (1324 KP) rated I've Got This (Joy Universe #1) in Books
Feb 24, 2020
too stinking cute and warm and fuzzies!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This book has been edited and tightened up, following being released from the previous publisher.
I enjoyed this, I really did!
I will admit, I had an old copy that I started to read ages ago, but never finished it. Something IS different about this copy to that, but I have no idea what!
It’s a warm and fuzzies, too stinking cute kinda book that just wiles away a couple hours, and you can forget about the laundry and the cleaning, and just fall into the Joy Universe!
I must admit, at first, for some reason, I thought that the Joy Universe was an ADULT place to be, you know? And I couldn’t place dancers in that world, not for the life of me! But all becomes clear when Derek starts to do his thing, dealing with a murder on site and an attack of food poisoning that decimates his dance troop!
Derek is a big ole teddy bear, that has a work smile I would be so proud of, but I loved that Trav can see right through that false smile, that work face Derek puts on. Loved that Trav could bring a real smile out of him, just by looking his way.
I understood Trav’s. . .not hatred, more a strong dislike of the image Derek puts across. When explained why he has that reaction, it makes a lot more sense.
The murder thing takes a twist, and I didn’t see it going that way. So I liked that.
Some sexy on screen time, some not. Some deep emotional bits, some a much lighter feeling comes at you. Just enough of everything, to make it interesting.
I liked this book, a LOT. But for one thing.
First person, present tense AND both Derek and Trav have a say. Maybe that’s why I didn’t finish it before, but I’ve made a decision to give a book a couple of chapters, even if it IS written in my least favourite way, and I’m glad I did.
Not a difficult or hard read, just what I needed at this point in time 😊
4 good solid stars
**same worded will appear elsewhere**
This book has been edited and tightened up, following being released from the previous publisher.
I enjoyed this, I really did!
I will admit, I had an old copy that I started to read ages ago, but never finished it. Something IS different about this copy to that, but I have no idea what!
It’s a warm and fuzzies, too stinking cute kinda book that just wiles away a couple hours, and you can forget about the laundry and the cleaning, and just fall into the Joy Universe!
I must admit, at first, for some reason, I thought that the Joy Universe was an ADULT place to be, you know? And I couldn’t place dancers in that world, not for the life of me! But all becomes clear when Derek starts to do his thing, dealing with a murder on site and an attack of food poisoning that decimates his dance troop!
Derek is a big ole teddy bear, that has a work smile I would be so proud of, but I loved that Trav can see right through that false smile, that work face Derek puts on. Loved that Trav could bring a real smile out of him, just by looking his way.
I understood Trav’s. . .not hatred, more a strong dislike of the image Derek puts across. When explained why he has that reaction, it makes a lot more sense.
The murder thing takes a twist, and I didn’t see it going that way. So I liked that.
Some sexy on screen time, some not. Some deep emotional bits, some a much lighter feeling comes at you. Just enough of everything, to make it interesting.
I liked this book, a LOT. But for one thing.
First person, present tense AND both Derek and Trav have a say. Maybe that’s why I didn’t finish it before, but I’ve made a decision to give a book a couple of chapters, even if it IS written in my least favourite way, and I’m glad I did.
Not a difficult or hard read, just what I needed at this point in time 😊
4 good solid stars
**same worded will appear elsewhere**
ClareR (5789 KP) rated Not As Nature Intended in Books
Feb 9, 2020
Not As Nature Intended is not a book that’s going to give you the warm and fuzzies. It’s a book that tells it how it is: it’s graphic, even without the pictures.
Rich Hardy is an animal activist, and he considers that it is his responsibility to inform the public of the living conditions that the animals who live and die for our food and clothing endure. And it’s not easy reading. It can’t have been easy researching either. It’s clear that Rich’s life and/ or safety is in danger on several occasions, and that by the way he deals with these incidents it just shows that these aren’t the first time he’s had to deal with them. This man has made it his life’s work to stand up for animals and the way they live and die (although as he is a vegan, I’m pretty sure he’d rather they didn’t have to die for our benefit at all), and has written this book in an informative, non-preachy way.
This has certainly made me think more about the food I put on my family’s plate, and we have reduced the amount of meat in our diet as a consequence. Who knows, perhaps we’ll ditch it completely!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising the book, and Rich Hardy for reading along.
Rich Hardy is an animal activist, and he considers that it is his responsibility to inform the public of the living conditions that the animals who live and die for our food and clothing endure. And it’s not easy reading. It can’t have been easy researching either. It’s clear that Rich’s life and/ or safety is in danger on several occasions, and that by the way he deals with these incidents it just shows that these aren’t the first time he’s had to deal with them. This man has made it his life’s work to stand up for animals and the way they live and die (although as he is a vegan, I’m pretty sure he’d rather they didn’t have to die for our benefit at all), and has written this book in an informative, non-preachy way.
This has certainly made me think more about the food I put on my family’s plate, and we have reduced the amount of meat in our diet as a consequence. Who knows, perhaps we’ll ditch it completely!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising the book, and Rich Hardy for reading along.
Morgan Sheppard (931 KP) rated Call Me Michigan in Books
Jan 9, 2018
This is a second chance novel - Mason and Tyler were best friends in their younger years, although both of them wanted more, neither of them said anything. When Tyler left home under difficult circumstances, Mason got blinding drunk before chasing after her and giving her a drunken kiss. Now, this is not guaranteed to win anyone over, so unsurprisingly, Tyler leaves anyway. Fast forward a few years, and Tyler returns to take care of her family. Of course, the first person she sees is Mason, although he doesn't recognise her. Things are about to change for the pair of them.
This is a well written, fast moving and smoothly paced contemporary romance, showing character growth and not just with the two main characters. With getting to know each other again, things don't go exactly smoothly. However, things eventually work out for them, which is good because the situation is about to get a whole more complicated.
This is a story guaranteed to give you the warm fuzzies, at the same time as you laugh and cry with the characters and the situations they find themselves in. Definitely recommended by me.
* I was given this book in return for a review which has in no way affected my opinion. *
This is a well written, fast moving and smoothly paced contemporary romance, showing character growth and not just with the two main characters. With getting to know each other again, things don't go exactly smoothly. However, things eventually work out for them, which is good because the situation is about to get a whole more complicated.
This is a story guaranteed to give you the warm fuzzies, at the same time as you laugh and cry with the characters and the situations they find themselves in. Definitely recommended by me.
* I was given this book in return for a review which has in no way affected my opinion. *
Write or Die
Productivity and Utilities
App
Write or Die Eliminates Writer's Block. The problem with writing is that the feedback loop is just...
Debbiereadsbook (1324 KP) rated Room For Recovery (Hearts and Health #4) in Books
Mar 22, 2018
excellent addition to the series
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 4 in the Hearts and Health series, but you don't need to have read the others first, they are all stand alones.
I don't usually much care for younger main characters; end of high school, beginning of college age; probably because I'm far older than that, but while I KNEW Beau and Wade were that age, it never really sunk in, you know?? I KNEW they were 18 and 19, but they did not SEEM that age.
Wade and Beau have crushed on each other for as long as they can remember, but Wade's coming out led to disastrous consequences, and he doesn't want to admit that he's gay, not to himself, nor to anyone else. Beau, while not fully OUT, certainly aware of what and who he wants. When Beau is attacked, Wade goes all protective and the two get to really know each other.
I can't quite file this book on the warm and fuzzies shelf, like Bedside Manner, because Wade carries a lot of guilt about one thing and another BUT it is a fantastic read. Watching Wade and Beau getting to know each other properly, after being around each other for years, watching Wade deal with his demons, and watching them both fall, and fall far is excellent reading.
Wade pops up in Urgent Care, he is Trent's nephew and Wade is ANGRY at everything and everyone. We get just WHY he is so angry here and its painful reading, listening to Wade deal internally with everything, it really is.
An excellent addition to this series, and it introduces us to Dr Casper Rollins, who has his story next. I look forward to reading it.
5 not quite warm and fuzzie stars, but very nearly.
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
This is book 4 in the Hearts and Health series, but you don't need to have read the others first, they are all stand alones.
I don't usually much care for younger main characters; end of high school, beginning of college age; probably because I'm far older than that, but while I KNEW Beau and Wade were that age, it never really sunk in, you know?? I KNEW they were 18 and 19, but they did not SEEM that age.
Wade and Beau have crushed on each other for as long as they can remember, but Wade's coming out led to disastrous consequences, and he doesn't want to admit that he's gay, not to himself, nor to anyone else. Beau, while not fully OUT, certainly aware of what and who he wants. When Beau is attacked, Wade goes all protective and the two get to really know each other.
I can't quite file this book on the warm and fuzzies shelf, like Bedside Manner, because Wade carries a lot of guilt about one thing and another BUT it is a fantastic read. Watching Wade and Beau getting to know each other properly, after being around each other for years, watching Wade deal with his demons, and watching them both fall, and fall far is excellent reading.
Wade pops up in Urgent Care, he is Trent's nephew and Wade is ANGRY at everything and everyone. We get just WHY he is so angry here and its painful reading, listening to Wade deal internally with everything, it really is.
An excellent addition to this series, and it introduces us to Dr Casper Rollins, who has his story next. I look forward to reading it.
5 not quite warm and fuzzie stars, but very nearly.
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Merissa (12394 KP) rated Pieces of Us (Missing Pieces #3) in Books
Aug 3, 2020
Pieces of Us is the third and final book in the Missing Pieces series and what a fantastic finale it is! We reunite with Justin and Dallas as Justin continues to make slow but steady progress. He still can't remember everything but is enjoying all his firsts - again.
If you are looking for a high angst book then I'm afraid you've picked the wrong series. The angst here is all about Justin's accident and the impact it has, in ways neither he or Dallas could have envisaged, with just one exception - Justin's mother. The relationship between Justin and Dallas is as rock-solid as ever, with them given ample support by Davo and Sparra.
I loved how this book and the whole series played out. My heart broke for Justin as he planned for a future when Dallas wouldn't want him and it also broke for Dallas when he realised what Justin was talking about. The ending, for me, was perfect. We got the HEA I craved whilst still being realistic to Justin's limitations.
This trilogy is a definite heart-breaker that will give you the warm fuzzies. Absolutely fantastic and highly 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!
If you are looking for a high angst book then I'm afraid you've picked the wrong series. The angst here is all about Justin's accident and the impact it has, in ways neither he or Dallas could have envisaged, with just one exception - Justin's mother. The relationship between Justin and Dallas is as rock-solid as ever, with them given ample support by Davo and Sparra.
I loved how this book and the whole series played out. My heart broke for Justin as he planned for a future when Dallas wouldn't want him and it also broke for Dallas when he realised what Justin was talking about. The ending, for me, was perfect. We got the HEA I craved whilst still being realistic to Justin's limitations.
This trilogy is a definite heart-breaker that will give you the warm fuzzies. Absolutely fantastic and highly 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!
Debbiereadsbook (1324 KP) rated Sweat Connection (Hot Under the Collar #1) in Books
Aug 8, 2023
Quite possibly McIntyre's best work to date!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I'm not rehashing the blurb, and I'm not telling you the story, I'ma just gonna jump straight in!
READ THIS FREAKING BOOK, PEOPLE!
It's so well written, from both Rhys and Cole's POV, in the first person, each chapter headers the change.
It's steamy and smexy (sooooooooooooooooooo smexy!) It's deeply emotional, for both Rhys and Cole and that surprised me, don't ask me why, cos I've no freaking idea! I just expected this to be a light and fluffy book. And it is, but with a heavy side of emotions.
It's sweet and cute, it's so freaking cute. Full of the warm and fuzzies that low/no angst books carry. Full of emotion and love.
Rhys is in a dark place when he comes into contact with Cole, and after that, it's just two guys falling in love! Throw in McIntyre's skill with found families, and extended families, and a 2 yr old called Sammy and you've got, for me, possibly McIntyre's best work yet!
AND this is the first in a new series and I cannot wait for the next one!
I'm making this a relatively short review, I might start ranting and raving, and if I allow myself free reign, you could end up with a 10,000 word review!
I'm putting this on my Masterpiece shelf! I abso-freaking-lutely loved this book and I can't see why anyone wouldn't.
5 full and shiny stars.
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
I'm not rehashing the blurb, and I'm not telling you the story, I'ma just gonna jump straight in!
READ THIS FREAKING BOOK, PEOPLE!
It's so well written, from both Rhys and Cole's POV, in the first person, each chapter headers the change.
It's steamy and smexy (sooooooooooooooooooo smexy!) It's deeply emotional, for both Rhys and Cole and that surprised me, don't ask me why, cos I've no freaking idea! I just expected this to be a light and fluffy book. And it is, but with a heavy side of emotions.
It's sweet and cute, it's so freaking cute. Full of the warm and fuzzies that low/no angst books carry. Full of emotion and love.
Rhys is in a dark place when he comes into contact with Cole, and after that, it's just two guys falling in love! Throw in McIntyre's skill with found families, and extended families, and a 2 yr old called Sammy and you've got, for me, possibly McIntyre's best work yet!
AND this is the first in a new series and I cannot wait for the next one!
I'm making this a relatively short review, I might start ranting and raving, and if I allow myself free reign, you could end up with a 10,000 word review!
I'm putting this on my Masterpiece shelf! I abso-freaking-lutely loved this book and I can't see why anyone wouldn't.
5 full and shiny stars.
*same worded review will appear elsewhere