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ClareR (6256 KP) rated Love Forms in Books

Mar 8, 2026  
Love Forms
Love Forms
Claire Adams | 2025 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Love Forms was an enjoyable read - I liked it. It looks at the complex feelings Dawn has in the search for her daughter that she gave cup at birth. She now has two adult sons who are aware of their older sister, but Dawn still feels as though something, or someone, is missing.

She seems to have given up many things in her life all for the benefit of others. Giving up her daughter was to stop the scandal for her family; she gave up her career for the benefit of her marriage (it didn’t work) and her children. Being a doctor at the time was incompatible with motherhood for her.

This is a very melancholic read: Dawn appears to be lonely now her children have grown up and moved away. Her time is taken up with thoughts of her past, missed opportunities, and the search for her daughter. She has had failed attempts to find her daughter, and it sounds as though there were financial repercussions as well. There’s no mention of friends, as far as I can remember, just one male friend with benefits.

Should this have been on the Booker long list 2025 and now on the Women’s Prize long list? Why not, it’s an enjoyable, if rather sombre read.
  
The Batman (2022)
The Batman (2022)
2022 | Action, Adventure, Crime
Visual effects (2 more)
Cast
Storyline
Maybe a little too long? (0 more)
I was hesitant at first with this being the first reboot with Robert Pattinson as Batman. But I was pleasantly surprised, he played a darker and more brooding version of Batman than previous actors. While I loved the Christopher Nolan trilogy, this may be up there with them.
Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman was a good interpretation and as independent as you would want her to be. Also I knew that Colin Farrell was playing Penguin, but if I hadn’t have already known, I definitely wouldn’t have guessed!
The Riddler was much more insane than I could ever have imagined, and I think Paul Dano played him perfectly. I enjoyed watching his riddles unfold and him thinking his relationship with Batman was so much more than it was.
I loved how they changed well know places in Liverpool into the backdrop of Gotham, and once they were done with the editing if you weren’t as familiar with them you probably would have thought they were made for Gotham.
The only thing that stopped me from giving this 10/10 was the length of the film, it was extremely long but it did keep my attention for the entirety. I will definitely be recommending this to anyone!
  
Clean Win (A Sam Quinton Mystery #4)
Clean Win (A Sam Quinton Mystery #4)
Kevin R. Doyle | 2023 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!


Sam Quinton is a retired wrestler, who now owns a gym as well as has the side hustle of being a private investigator. He gets hired for a high-profile case that doesn't seem as straight-cut as it should. Will Sam figure it out before it's too late?


This is the 4th instalment of the Sam Quinton mysteries and, although I haven't read any of the other books in this series, it didn't matter. There were a couple of mentions of previous cases he had worked on but nothing that would confuse you or takes away from this book. I would say it could be read as a stand-alone.

 

There is a lot of detail given in the story and in this case, which is good as you are able to go along at the same pace as him in discovering the answer to whodunit.


I didn't expect it to be who it was I had bets on another character! There is a lot to keep you hooked and continue reading.


** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
  
Cruel Elites (Nocturnal Academy book 2)
Cruel Elites (Nocturnal Academy book 2)
Holly Hook, Margo Ryerkerk | 2021 | Fiction & Poetry
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
203 of 250
Kindle
Cruel Elites ( Nocturnal Academy book 2)
By Margo Ryerkerk and Holly Hook

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments

I refuse to end up as a vampire's slave.

There's no escape out of Nocturnal Academy's prison school. Being here means I've lost my mother, my best friend, and my freedom.

Now, Nocturnal Academy plans to make me into a courtesan for the vampires. My only hope out is topping the Placement Tests and becoming the 1 out of 100 fae who gets to shape her own fate.

But between a mysterious vampire guard confusing my feelings, my nemesis circling in on me like a viper, and a teacher who hates my guts, all my plans are falling apart. If I'm not careful, I won't even end up as a courtesan, but as dead meat.


This is the second book and definitely a star more than I rated book 1. This was more settled and the story is picking up and getting interesting. It’s definitely a tough concept that these Young mainly female fae really have limited outcomes on their lives and can be a bit tough to read in places, but I’m finding it well written! Looking forward to reading the next one.
  
The Selection
The Selection
Kiera Cass | 2012 | Children
9
7.9 (48 Ratings)
Book Rating
141 of 230
Kindle
The Selection ( Book 1)
By Kiera Cass
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.


I absolutely loved it!! I can’t begin to describe how much I loved this book. The world building and social standings were well written. The characters are all interesting. The story is so good it kept me wanting to read more. This is my first book by this author and I will definitely be reading more! A real Cinderella feel!
  
This Charming Man
This Charming Man
C. K. McDonnell | 2022 | Fiction & Poetry, Horror, Humor & Comedy, Mystery, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Are you feeling despondent? Need a little pick-me-up? Nothing too heavy? We all need (in this case) a book to make us feel happier and give us something to laugh at, and for me, that’s C. K. McDonnell’s job. I love these books. I really do laugh out loud.

The team at The Stranger Times have probably lost the will to laugh at their editor anymore. I mean, they see him every day, but his general bad attitude and shockingly bad work relations are hilarious.

Assistant Editor Hannah is back at work after her messy divorce, and Manchester is faced with what appears to be a bit of a vampire problem. But, you see, Vampires don’t exist. And everyone agrees on this.

Even when this book was being serious, it made me laugh. Banecroft’s interesting swearing system is workplace goals (although I work in Early Years, so still a no for me!), there’s a man on a canal boat who can’t lie and lives with a talking pug, the new journalist who lives in his van and lives on a diet of ice cream (and has terrible wind) - well. It’s just all delightfully wonky, funny and frankly genius!
I can’t wait for the next one!
  
182 of 230
Kindle
Isobel ( Dark Warrior Alliance book 9)
By Brenda Trim and Tami Julka
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Elsie has everything she could ever want - mated to the Vampire King, working at her dream job, surrounded by family and friends and expecting her first child. Her bliss quickly turns into a nightmare of epic proportions when her newborn daughter becomes the primary target of the nefarious archdemon. Seeking guidance from the Goddess, Elsie and Zander discover the only way to protect their fragile baby is to summon a Guardian Angel. When the enticing guardian appears, Elsie and Zander face far more challenges than merely keeping their daughter safe. As feelings ignite, jealousy threatens to tear them apart and for the first time, being Fated may not guarantee an eternity together.

I just loved this! We have been waiting so long for this baby and in one short book she makes her appearance and boy does she come into the world with a bang! Elsie has to deal with a hell of a lot In this book especially with Ramis showing up and knocking the wind from her, but she’s just such an inspiring female character she handles it well Zander not so much 😂. This series is just so much fun to read.