Review: One Summer by David Baldacci

One Summer by David Baldacci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was blown away by this book. Multidimensional, with characters that make you feel for every second of the book. You are so caught up by the emotion you can't wait until the next "page" to come up.

It was nice seeing the growth of this story from heartbreak to miraculous circumstance to healing. Meeting Jack, Micky (Mikkie - whichever way it's spelled - hard to tell from audio book), Corey and little Jakie is such a great family dynamic.

This story covers:

* heartache
* second chances
* change
* betrayal
* forgiveness
* and so much more.

I love that the audiobook has sections of it that have music themes. There are tender moments with sweet music and suspenseful moments with that eerie music you just can't shake. The narrator was easy to listen to and did great in segueing into the next voice without grating on your nerves.

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Review: The Reluctant Bride by Sharon Kleve

The Reluctant Bride by Sharon Kleve
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another sweet read by Sharon Kleve. I love the fact that the author uses pets in all of her books! It adds to the characters and their ability to bring them right into your hearts. They are so relatable and sweet. The characters were very much in love early on in the book which proved to be simply love at first sight which is sometimes hard to believe in.

I would recommend to any person who loves a great read.

I'll certainly look forward to many more books by the author.

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Review: Roomies by Christina Lauren

Roomies by Christina Lauren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I just found Christina Lauren by reading Love and Other Words and had to find another of her books, I'm glad I found this one.

I loved the dynamic between Holland and Collin. It's a crush, it's a ruse, it's love. The characters are easy to relate to and you root for them the entire book. There are some VERY steamy parts in the book that make the book just that perfect segway from sweet to sultry. As a woman, I'd love to rumple some sheets with Collin myself. :)

As with any romance, the storyline runs on a formula:

*girl meets boy
*insert positive storyline
*insert insurmountable problem
*insert resolution
*insert HEA

Luckily the storyline, writing style, character dynamic, and steam give the formula the kick it needs to be a good book.

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Review: Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was FANTASTIC.

I have never read a John Green book yet, so finding this gem from my local library system was a great find.

Aza has issues. Issues that none of would ever wish for our worst enemy much less a young girl. Her particular issue I don't have an exact word for, germ phobia with some invasive thoughts add some OCD in there?

Aza and her friend Daisy are looking to come into some money by doing some detective work. What she finds more than anything is an honest and open friendship with maybe a little love thrown in there.

My love for this book is amazing, now I have to find his other books and read them.

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Review: The Undecided Bride by Sharon Kleve

The Undecided Bride by Sharon Kleve
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another short and sweet bite from Ms. Kleve!

There's nothing like knowing in your gut that you're marrying the wrong guy, but what do you do about it?
*****
What do you do when your "friend asks you to get close to his new fiancee to see why she won't get married and help her get her feet headed in the right direction?
*****
I don't want to give away any tidbits from the book because it's too sweet to give away all in one piece, you have to savor it for yourself. Grab your kitty and sit down for a well-written book with a well thought out storyline, and characters with depth. I think you'll really enjoy.

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Review: Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an utter delight.

The story of a love that blossomed from young adulthood into the late teens and beyond. This story explores what could have been, what could be and what was meant to be. You get a glimpse of the years leading up to the characters love and their current day selves. It's a sweet (and sometimes VERY hot) story that has you rooting for love from page one.

I fell head over heels for Elliot. Smart, sexy, confident, and a man that knows what he wants and isn't afraid to go for it. I'm extremely jealous of Macy because she's loved by such a wonderful man.

I was blown away by the author's writing style, ability to convey emotions and her ability to describe things in a way that make you feel as if you were right there with the main characters. From the first page, I was hooked by how smooth everything flowed. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

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****

I received this book for free (digital version) in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Reunited by Their Secret Son by Louisa George

Reunited by Their Secret Son by Louisa George
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A one night stand turns into a nearly instant family 18 months after the fact.

Boy meets girl.
Boy and girl sleep together.
Boy never calls back.
Girl shows up where boy works for medical treatment for her son.
Boy figures it out.
Girl tells boy.
Boy and girl discuss.
Boy has hangups.
Girl helps boy get past hangups.
Boy and girl have HOT HOT sex.
Boy and girl and baby live happily ever after.

I found that this book was a bit too cliche and the hero was a little too whiny. I will hand it to the author, the sex was HOT! It was nice to see the hero jump in when times got tough.

Overall not something I would want to read again.

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Review: The Purrfect Partner by Isabella Norse

The Purrfect Partner by Isabella Norse
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

BUY LINK



A new Kindle Unlimited subscription and the cat on the cover (don't judge me, yes, I judge a book by its cover) led me to this little gem from Isabella Norse. I sat in the kitchen (on the counter no less) engulfed in the story between Dalton and Lorelei gobbling each word as if it were Reese's Pieces.

Dalton and Lorelei are forced into a weekend holiday they don't want to be at. Pushed by the ones that love them they go to appease them. When both notice the other it's a connection that was just meant to be.

I highly recommend this book for a quick read.

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****

You have to love getting a great book from Kindle Unlimited!

Review: Only Human by Sylvain Neuvel

Only Human by Sylvain Neuvel
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Buy Link: https://goo.gl/MPUomq

This series was fantastic and I tore through the first two books like there was no tomorrow. But this book really didn't catch my interest until about 80% of the way through the book. Once the conflict started the action made the read worthwhile.

After the first book, you know that Rose, Eugene, Vincent, and Eva ended up on another planet. This book highlights the time there and what happens afterward. What really irked me about this book was the fact that the story bounced back and forth from the time on the planet to the time afterward. I would have preferred that it stay in one timeframe and give us all of the story chunks at a time. I would have understood if they were talking about the time in the book as a flashback, but they weren't.

Storyline plot: 3 stars
Action scenes: 4 stars

Though this gives it a 3.5 star rating and you should round up I just can't due to the bouncing around and the fact that it didn't get moving sooner.

I hope there are more books from this author as I would highly enjoy trying his work again.

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*****
I received this book as an Advanced Reader's Copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Apple Pie to Die For by Sharon Kleve

Apple Pie to Die For by Sharon Kleve
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not very fond of this work by Ms. Kleve. I've read quite a few of her books and find this to be trite and unbelievable. I just can't imagine that someone could be aware of the things this woman has done (definitely not very "Betty Crocker" like) and would find them to be endearing traits. Definitely more fairy tale than real life story.

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Review: The Toad Who Loved Tea by Faiz Kermani

The Toad Who Loved Tea by Faiz Kermani
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a delightful read. I was drawn to the book, that was a gift from a lovely friend during my recovery from surgery, because of the topic of tea! Anyone that loves tea has to be a friend of mine, so Tungtang is now my very best friend. Though the names were silly, to say the least, the story was a delight.

Tungtang was not a normal toad, she liked to roam and have adventures. So when the road beckons she sets out to fulfill the prophecy set forth by her ancestors. She finds herself at the Queen Catherine's Olde English Tea Shoppe. She doesn't realize that her life will forever be changed.

If your child enjoys a fun read with fun characters and a happy ending, this is the book for you. Enjoy Tungtang's adventure, she's well worth the read.

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Review: Look for Rainbows: Coloring Quote Journal by Samantha Snyder

Look for Rainbows: Coloring Quote Journal (Doodle Art Alley Books) by Samantha Snyder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another Samantha Snyder masterpiece.

I try every month to journal a little something every day. My pen pal group has a list of something to write about every day and this journal is perfect for it. The pages are not complicated and fussy and lend themselves to free-flowing honest journaling. The pages are double sided so I suggest coloring with colored pencils or crayons. I love the quotes, this one is my favorite:

If you light a path for somebody it will also brighten your path. ~Buddha

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Review: How Do Cats Do That by Peter Scottsdale

Title: How Do Cats Do That?

Author: Peter Scottsdale

Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:

Book Description You'll Be Amazed Kitty Style By How Cats Do The Wonderful Things They Do. You Will Discover 34 Cat Secrets Like: How Do Cats Purr? How Do Cats Mate? How Do Cats Drink Water? How Do Cats Hunt? How Do Cats Communicate? How Do Cats Show Love? How Do Cats Jump So High? How Do Cats' Tails Work? How Do Cats Use Their Whiskers? How Do Cats' Nails Get Sharp? How Do Cats Wash Themselves? How Do Cats See? How Do Cats Eyes Work? How Do Cats See In The Dark? How Do Cats Identify Their Owners? How Do Cats View Their Owners? How Do Cats Play? How Do Cats Adapt? How Do Cats Fight? How Do Cats Protect Themselves? How Do Cats Pee? How Do Cats Spray? How Do Cats Give Birth? How Do Cats Age? How Do Cats Keep Warm? How Do Cats Cool Down? How Do Cats Sleep? How Do Cats Eat? How Do Cats React To Catnip? How Do Cats Land On Their Feet? How Do Cats Find Their Way Home? How Do Cats Show Pain? How Do Cats Get Worms? How Do Cats Get Ringworm? How Do Cats Get Fleas & Ticks? How Do Cats Get Ear Mites? ...And Much More. Bonus: This Remarkable Book Includes Over 50 Cute Cat Photos - Many You Won't Find Anywhere Else. Take a Look Inside. 

Review:

Being the crazy cat lady I am I was very interested in seeing what this book had to offer. It would have been something that I hoped my grandson would like. But after reading the book I found parts of it to be really irritating. If the section you were reading was "How Do Cats Protect Themselves" it would, in especially simplistic ways, give you information about that topic and the very last sentence would be "And that's how cats protect themselves" The overuse of this terminology made the book quite annoying. I would not recommend the book for any one person or library use.


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I received this product for free/at a discount in exchange for an honest review, but all opinions are my own. Most books are donated to the local library for circulation, or donation to the Friends of the Library.

Review: The Lost Path by Amélie Fléchais

Title: The Lost Path

Author: Amélie Fléchais

Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:

Three young boys set off from Camp Happiness, map in hand, determined to be the first to find the treasure before anyone else. But the shortcut they take leads to something far more spectacular and sinister! All manner of magical beasties live in these woods, and the kids find themselves caught between warring Forest Spirits. Will the three boys find their way out of trouble? Get your map and ready, set, go! Amélie Fléchais's incredible artwork combines the best of French illustration with manga influences. A spooky new fairytale, for fans of Over the Garden Wall.

Review:

Let's say first and foremost that the artwork in this graphic novel is fantastic. The details in it are phenomenal, little aspects of the story tucked into every page.

Though the artwork is beyond reproach I found the story a little convoluted and difficult to follow. I know that they are trying to allow the reader to notice that there is something going on  with the children that is imagination based, or is it? BUT, I felt as if more could have been made clear.

I give this book a three and a quarter, though with the storyline I had to round down instead of rounding up.


************ I received a digital copy of this product for free/at a discount in exchange for an honest review, but all opinions are my own. Most physical books are donated to the local library for circulation, or donation to the Friends of the Library.