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Tell Her No Lies
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
So, how do I put this? Well, I pride myself in providing honest, and quality, reviews, so, I'll say this. I didn't care for this one. It took me three times to get through just the first four chapters. As someone who has read and loved Kelly Irvin's Amish romances, I was very disappointed in the outcome of reading this one. I didn't finish it past chapter 4. 

The dialogue was not easy to follow, as it felt stiff. I just could not enjoy a book like that. The characters weren't life like to me, like I like to feel when reading about them. I like to become the characters, to feel as though I'm a part of the story. Not being able to get past chapter 4.....well, that's because the characters all felt forced. 

That said, I do still encourage you to try this book. Not everyone is for every book and not every book is for everyone. What I found forced and undesirable, you may find beautifully chiseled and absolutely gripping, as you can see that Kelly Irvin really does have a great writing style, if you've read her past Amish novels. So, this will be my first 2 star review in quite some time. I hope that you find you like it, if you give it a try. 

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Collins (Thomas Nelson) and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
  
The Christmas Prayer
The Christmas Prayer
Wanda E. Brunstetter | 2014 | Fiction & Poetry, Romance
10
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
It's Fall. It's time for all things Fall-y, Halloween-y and best of all? Christmas-y! So, when I saw that Ms. Brunstetter was releasing The Christmas Prayer, I jumped on the chance! I love a good novella that's filled with snow, history and best of all? Wanda Brunstetter's addictive characters. This book had it all and so much more, for such a small, quick read.

Sitting down to read this, we are taken to history, during the 1850's, and introduced to some amazing, fun loving characters. Each character has something different for the story, each of their journeys for a different reason, but with God, prayer and unforgettable messages, these characters make being snowed in, a fun treat!

Ms. Brunstetter is the type of author who can write 5 star books across the genre grid. From Amish fiction to historical romance, she can bring the reader to the heart of the story instantly, and keep them their til the very last page is turned. Once you're finished, you want more. She's that good. Ms. Brunstetter is my top author when it comes to historical and Amish romances. If you are looking for a 5 star, winter-y read to set the mood for Christmas this year, look no further than this amazing, soul moving novella! Well done, Ms. Brunstetter! Well done!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
  
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Sam (74 KP) rated Why Mummy Drinks in Books

Mar 27, 2019  
Why Mummy Drinks
Why Mummy Drinks
Gill Sims | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.1 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
Set out to appear as a diary, Why Mummy Drinks follows the day-to-day life of middle-class mummy Ellen. From trying to be the popular Pinterest-worthy parent to aspiring to seem like she has everything together, the life of Ellen is documented in hilarious honesty.

I really enjoyed reading this one. It was so funny and honest, and I can definitely see how it sold so well. I loved the perfect parents in the playground who Ellen aspired to be, and how they fed their kids on quinoa. It was just so funny.

My favourite characters were Bardo and Louisa. Everyone has those embarrassing relatives that you’d rather people didn’t know about, but these took it to another extreme. They lived outside and brought their children up outside, almost like animals. They were so surreal and I would have happily read a book just on their lives.

I wasn’t sure whether to buy this one, mainly because of it being aimed more towards parents than me. But now I can safely say that you don’t have to be a parent to appreciate the humour.

There were a few parts that took the humour a bit too far for me and were past funny, but they didn’t ruin the book. I found the book a bit slow in some places as well, but I read the second half on a sunny day within a few hours and quickly forgot about that.
  
The Passengers
The Passengers
John Marrs | 2019 | Contemporary, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller
10
9.3 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
Brilliant.. Unique. Futuristic.
OMG! It’s been a while since I read a five star book! This was amazing. Absolutely loved it. A must read. I devoured it. A fast paced, page turner of a read that you won’t be able to put down. It will be all you think about.

Set in the future, driverless cars! One dark, twisted, disturbed and clever hacker messing with peoples lives and minds… Brilliantly written. A unique story, I can safely say I have not read anything like this before and was hooked, its different. One of a kind. I think I’d be against driverless cars myself if it ever came to it.

I felt so sorry for Libby caught in the middle of it all, made worse by the fact she knows one of the passengers. I must state that Jack’s character was a bit of a douche (being polite).

The book also links to social media and how people (most of us) put that before our actual actions, thoughts and feelings. Anyone can hide behind a screen which is sad and join in with these sick games… If this happened in real life you just wouldn’t would you? Well I guess there will always be a few who do. Eye opening. Shocking.

A well deserved five stars, highly recommend! A must buy. A must read. Will be going into my top twenty of 2019. Unforgettable.
  
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
Entertainment, Games
I wanted to give this 10/10 purely for being Harry Potter however I have restrained myself and been honest instead.
I have left it a while to review this game as they have been adding quite a lot of new features recently.

A lot of people have been moshing about the energy situation, however I think the developers are aware a lot of people were unhappy and have added features to help combat this. You can now buy pets which will give you extra energy throughout the day. In the latest classes challenge you can earn energy as a reward. Duelling club, every time you win a duel you get 4 energy and if you win a certain amount of duels you will earn more energy as well. Also there are now 3 ways you can build friendships and as you level up a friend you can earn energy.

I actually like the energy restriction as it means you take some time playing the game instead of rushing through. Also I find it fits in with my work day well, when I get a break to play, I’ll have full energy waiting for me.

I would like some more situations where you get to chose what to do as I feel sometimes the game can be quite scripted.

Overall I love this game and hope I don’t reach seventh year too quickly as I don’t want it to end.
  
Fahrenheit 451 (2018)
Fahrenheit 451 (2018)
2018 | Sci-Fi
5
5.0 (3 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Too much of a slow burner...
It’s been a long time since I read (and hugely enjoyed) the book, however I’m afraid the same can’t be said for this. Although I don’t remember too much about the book, I’m sure I recall it being a fairly dark and gritty dystopian future quite like the one in 1984, but this depiction makes it out to be a little too slick and advanced, and not quite dark enough. I appreciate that the book was written some years ago, but I feel like this version has taken in too much of our idea of future technology instead of sticking closer to the source material. I’m known for not liking films that don’t stick close enough to the books, so maybe that’s affecting my judgement.

Michael B Jordan does okay although I feel he’s a little young for how I imagined Montag to be. Michael Shannon is good as the Captain but i think his character motivations are very well defined and they come across as a bit confused. The plot itself is well explained but the problem is it’s quite slow paced and seems to come across as dull and drags at times. Yet Montag’s motivations seem to too quickly change from devoted Fireman to deviant.

Whilst I don’t think this is a terrible adaptation, it’s not one I’d recommend unless you’ve read the book. The only thing this has done is prompted me to read the book again!
  
N(
Need (Finding Anna, #2)
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book was reviewed as part of a blog tour on Lily Loves Indie and the whole review can be seen here http://lilylovesindie.co.uk/?p=185

This book was very hit and miss for me. There were some aspects of it that were brilliant, yet there were others that just failed to grab my attention, and left me struggling to pick the book up once I put it down. That being said, I still had a desire to find out what happened, and I still read it from cover to cover with considerable speed. Hence why this review is rather bitty, and hit and miss, rather like the book. I really want to like it, but there are just some more niggles that build on those from the first in the series.

So, grumbles over, what did I actually like? Well, there's plenty, as you're about to find out. I LOVED the fact that at long last, Brianna and Stephan actually 'got together'! And boy was it well written. Delicate, just like their love, and completely consensual. There was a real message in there to a lot of younger people out there who perhaps don't go about sex in the right way. Also, unlike sex in a lot of other books I've read in the last few years, it was rather beautiful and so sensitively written, that you could imagine that having actually been someone's first time (without the background of Brianna of course).
  
Wings of the Wicked: A Limited Edition Urban Fantasy Collection
Wings of the Wicked: A Limited Edition Urban Fantasy Collection
R.S. McCoy | 2019 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Guarding Reese by R.S. McCoy
Guarding Reese is a story by R.S. McCoy, in the Wings of the Wicked anthology. In it we meet Cass, a guardian angel who has had to spend nine years away from his charge. Reese has worked his way through five other guardians, but no one seems to work. Cass is given the chance to work with Reese again, and he follows his heart to the one who has held it since the first moment they met.

This book is a paradox - it is both steamy and sexy, whilst also fading to black. The passion between Reese and Cass is full-on, and full of emotion. I was hoping for that ending, but I wasn't sure I would get it. R.S. McCoy managed to keep me on tenterhooks throughout.

This is an excellent story, being well written, and with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading. The pacing is smooth, and the characters well rounded. I would love to know if this is part of a series, as I would love for Vin and Alexander to have their stories too!

If you like reading about hot and sexy angels, or ripped musicians who know what they want, then I can definitely recommend this book.

* 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!
  
The Statue of Anubis (The Decoders #5)
The Statue of Anubis (The Decoders #5)
Alba Arango | 2018 | Children, Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The three children find out is that they are to find a missing statue. They seem to be into this mystery apart. They believe that is haunted. But once they start on their mystery and finding the clues. They seem to be met with two thugs.

Who are these to thugs and what do they want. Somehow they are convinced to find the statue for them. Who do they work for? You will be surprised as to who they work for. The mystery letter that Steve gets at the end. You will not believe who they so happen to free.

The author does wonderfully with them having to travel their neighborhood, and solve the mysteries. What they are doing and enjoy getting out and about. Their parents do not know what they do with their time.

If you are looking for books or a series for your children to read. Well, this series is good for them as they enjoy adventure and enjoy solving mysteries. This time they adventure to an island beach and though some more caves along with being underground.

Will Steve, Matt, and Jenny be able to solve the mystery of the missing statue of the Egyptian god. We seem to learn a few new words and their Spanish translations. We also learn about monks a bit as well. What way to entertain and enjoy the story and learn at the same time.
  
Deadpool 2 (2018)
Deadpool 2 (2018)
2018 | Action, Comedy
Deadpool 2 sits firmly and comfortably somewhere between 'good' and 'average'.
The main problem is that it's not as funny as it thinks it is. The first 30 minutes or so just seem like a constant barrage of recycled jokes from the superior first film, and a lot of the jokes don't land that well.
That being said, there are some genuinely laugh out loud moments when the film eventually finds it feet, but it does feel like the writers just threw everything toward the audience to see what would stick.

Humour is only one element of Deadpool though.
The action exceeds the first film in every way, and the movie really shines in this aspect when Cable is introduced. Josh Brolins portrayal of the badass mutant from the future is pretty engaging. His serious nature gels fantastically with Ryan Reynolds quippy Deadpool.
It's nice to see Domino turn up for the ride as well. Everyone else is (quite literally) pretty disposable, but the inclusion of X-Force gives us a fantastic blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo.

The narrative leans towards a message of accepting people for who they are, which is a nice spin in a superhero blockbuster, and of course keeps the R rating good and present with some stupidly violent moments.

Overall, Deadpool 2 is a perfect example of more not always meaning better, but is still an enjoyable ride.