I guess I am not the only one one who thought that "climax" at the end was very much all gong and no dinner (and I am saying this as a person who geneI guess I am not the only one one who thought that "climax" at the end was very much all gong and no dinner (and I am saying this as a person who generally avoids books with apocalyptic ending, violence and gory details).
But I liked that we got new characters from other parts of Thaisia.
And the book still has this inexplicable something that comforts and delights me. (The jello-effect is still strong, though maybe slighlty loses some of its flavour.)...more
Just as other GR friends are puzzled/puzzling over why we like these books, so was I.
Because:
Q: Are they slow? A: Very, very slow.
Q: Are there thingsJust as other GR friends are puzzled/puzzling over why we like these books, so was I.
Because:
Q: Are they slow? A: Very, very slow.
Q: Are there things happening? A: See answer above.
Q: Is there character development? A: Ye-es, kind of, but very slow. This is already book 3. But I still love the characters.
Q: Is there romance? A: Not really .. well ye-es... kind of ... scratch that, NO there isn't. (which is fine by me!)
Q: Is the story arch consistent? (as this is book 3 already) A: Nope. Some things get added now that don't make sense after books 1 and 2, so it is inconsistent.
Q: Is the world-building clear? A: Ye-es, kind of, but lots of room for improvement.
Q: And yet you still love these books, while you drew others of its kind over hot coals for far less (aka wrote harsh reviews and gave low ratings). Why? A: I didn't know up until this point, but now I have realised. And the answer is: JELL-O!
(and in case you haven't seen the movie, My Best Friend's Wedding with Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz and Rupert Everett, just go and watch it! No, it isn't in any way related to The Others series)
On reread I'm changing my 5-star rating to 4 because of Simon whom I found an aggravating drama queen.
I was also slightly grossed out by all that sniOn reread I'm changing my 5-star rating to 4 because of Simon whom I found an aggravating drama queen.
I was also slightly grossed out by all that sniffing out certain stuff, that I didn't remember from the first time round, but whatever.
-------
Original review:
Hard to say why these books and I clicked, but clicked we did and I loved book 2 almost as much as book 1
It definitely falls under the category: nothing-is-happening-and-that-very-slowly-with-an-overload-of-mundane-minutia. And while there are books in this category I absolutely despised or at least felt super frustrated about, there are books within the very same category I just hug close to my heart. Why? I haven't the foggiest idea. But there it is and here am I. Will go on with the series.
(And the (a kind of) answer for my question above dawned on me while I was reading Book 3. ;)...more
I have seen this book/series popping up on my GR thread from time to time as friends read it and gave it high ratings and this time I grabbed4,5 stars
I have seen this book/series popping up on my GR thread from time to time as friends read it and gave it high ratings and this time I grabbed the book and read it and I am so glad I did.
I absolutely enjoyed it despite it being far from perfect and will definitely go on with the series....more
This is for the fact that I finished this Monster of a book. One of the happiest moments of my life. I can't even....
[image]
It was for A CAUSE![image]
This is for the fact that I finished this Monster of a book. One of the happiest moments of my life. I can't even....
[image]
It was for A CAUSE! FOR A CHALLENGE AND FOR TEAM SPIRIT, which is a wonderful, uplifting thing - everything this collection of silly, dull, irritating Christmas Regency novellas was not.
And why Regency? Your guess is as good as mine... though ... wait, someone mentioned "Wellington" a few times, so I guess that's confirmed.
Ms Grinch & Ms Ebenezer Scrooge were my reading companions & never left the whole time I was reading. There were 1 or 2 stories that were simply bland as opposed to silly and dull, but that's the most I can say of them.
[image] .
So, now onto some other reading that may help to restore my faith in Christmas. :)
“Cappy, this place is like Willy Wonka does Halloween. This is like Stepford meets the Addams family. Who built this place? Tim3,5 stars rounded up
“Cappy, this place is like Willy Wonka does Halloween. This is like Stepford meets the Addams family. Who built this place? Tim Burton?”
[image]
Oh dear, it is that time of the year ... when I get this little itch to read a few books that are loosely concerned with Halloween. As I have never been or ever will be (never say never, but seems I am old enough now to venture the "never"-word) a fan of the horror genre, the books I seek need to present the theme on a light, maybe even sugary basis. No tricks for me, only treats, thank you very much!
So, no Tim Burton-ish images:
[image]
but something kitschy and cosy-like:
[image]
Anyway, this will suffice by the way of a long intro.
Kristen Painter's Nocturne Falls series fairly meet my needs in this respect.
The books, including this one, the intro to her series, delivers exactly what they promise: light and fun paranormal romance with quite likeable characters, quirky small-town setting and some plot to go with the romance not getting too overwhelming. Also, if smut is not your thing, I think these books are safe for you to try (some kissing and cuddling and referring to couples having sex, but nothing explicit). They also do not take themselves too seriously, which is always a plus!
The setting is pretty irresistible: halloween-all-round-the-year small town to hide the existence of its paranormal denizens.
While the chemistry between the MCs in this particular book does not exactly leap off the page, they are both pleasant. With some minor drawbacks to drive the plot forward, most of the time they act like adults who actually discuss problems when they arise and try to sort them out.
A nice little read altogether. Narrator B.J. Harrison does credit to it all....more
The 75,000 USD Question is: what happens when the First Son & a Royal Prince of the British Realm, between them & in front of flashing cameras manage The 75,000 USD Question is: what happens when the First Son & a Royal Prince of the British Realm, between them & in front of flashing cameras manage to destroy an effing expensive wedding cake (yep, the 75K-one) b/c of an altercation?
Well, everything is allowed in LOVE and WAR. OR? Maybe not.
“Sugar, I cannot express to you how much the press does not give a fuck about who started what,” Ellen says. “As your mother, I can appreciate that maybe this isn’t your fault, but as the president, all I want is to have the CIA fake your death and ride the dead-kid sympathy into a second term.”
“You,” she says, “are going to make nice with Henry. You’re leaving Saturday and spending Sunday in England.” Alex blinks. “Is it too late to take the faking-my-death option?”
4 WELL-DESERVED STARS for one of the most delightful, hilarious & clever romantic comedies I've read in ... well ...ages?
No matter how unrealistically wish-fulfillment the set-up is, there is something refreshingly believable and hopeful in the story as a whole and the set of characters were lovable, not just the main ones, but supporting cast as well.
And honestly, who wouldn't love a prince, especially after he confessed that his favourite British author is JANE AUSTEN. Right? Right.
The way Alex & Henry are developing feelings for each other is totally plausible, because there's nothing insta about it. It goes gradually from seeming animosity (hiding attraction, of course) to friendship / flirting / sex and then love. It also helps that the story is not only about this, but has the convincing backdrop of a re-election campaign for Alex's mother, the President of the US which gives space to growth of character, the excitement of some political intrigue and lots of laughter.
And the characters.... I loved Alex & Henry, of course, as well as their friends & family, but my shining star was Zahra, the long-suffering Head of HR for Madam President and how she terrorizes (=successfully manages) everyone around her including Alex. I enjoyed each & every one of their exchanges.
“This has been going on for seven months? That’s why you—Oh my God, I thought you were getting into international relations or something.” “I mean, technically—” “If you finish that sentence, I’m gonna spend tonight in jail.” And you”—she rounds on Henry—“you need to get back to fucking England now, and if anyone sees you leave, I will personally end you. Ask me if I’m afraid of the crown.”
PLUS, Zahra also gets her HEA, which I totally loved. I kind of hoped for this, without actually expecting that to happen, so I was very positively surprised by it.
OH & let's not forget about when Alex comes clean about his relationship with Henry to his mother:
"CALENDAR REQUEST FROM MOM: 2 P.M. WEST WING FIRST FLOOR, INTERNATIONAL ETHICS & SEXUAL IDENTITY DEBRIEF. An hour later, there are several cartons of Chinese food and a PowerPoint cued up. The first slide says: SEXUAL EXPERIMENTATION WITH FOREIGN MONARCHS: A GRAY AREA. "
PRICELESS.
SO, if you are in need of some light, funny, exciting, moving & romantic entertainment, I encourage you to choose this book.
(And this is only in brackets, but the minus 1 star is for the sex scenes. Boy, were they awkward & tiresome! They were the proverbial "neither fish, flesh, nor good red herring" It was this kind of, let's see, how should sex scenes be included that go on for pages and pages and pages, but at the same time not describing anything that may be construed by the readers as concrete sexual acts. All the time I kept wondering: Ummm, are they doing something/anything? They should have been avoided altogether and the story would have been none the worse for it.)...more
So far, this has been the weakest story of the Nocturne Falls series, which does not mean it was not entertaining or relaxing.
The usual and 2.75 stars
So far, this has been the weakest story of the Nocturne Falls series, which does not mean it was not entertaining or relaxing.
The usual and -so far it seems- successful ingredients were there: - likeable MCs (though I did not take a great shine to the hero in this one) - quirky Halloween-town for supernaturals - the delightful bunch of secondary supernatural characters from werewolves to faes - good romance with some interesting background.
The usual insta-love trope is also there, but I am over that by now.
Also, Kristen Painter and the narrator, B.J. Harrison, has really been doing a great job with all 4 books so far. I very much enjoy his style. ...more
I enjoyed this 2nd installment of Nocturne Falls even better than Book 1. The MCs were totally likeable and relatable & story had more substance to itI enjoyed this 2nd installment of Nocturne Falls even better than Book 1. The MCs were totally likeable and relatable & story had more substance to it.
The insta-love is still there, but if you get over that, it is an easy and totally entertaining, cosy (and mostly clean) romance read....more
I admit that it would never have crossed my mind to read this book if it wasn't for Georgie's excellent review which got me intrigued.
Once again, NEVEI admit that it would never have crossed my mind to read this book if it wasn't for Georgie's excellent review which got me intrigued.
Once again, NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER and all that!
Georgie was totally right and I found this book refreshingly entertaining and original despite the usual romance tropes. The MC Barbara (actually having brains and not afraid to use 'em) was delightful and it was good to see how well she and her "hero" complemented & challenged each other and made each other to develop. ...more
This has been an amusing Jane Austen meets breezy chick-lit/beach read/brain candy retelling (maybe brain-bubble gum is more fitting) stuff. (even thoThis has been an amusing Jane Austen meets breezy chick-lit/beach read/brain candy retelling (maybe brain-bubble gum is more fitting) stuff. (even though it would have worked better with less fake-angst and agonising.)
You have to be prepared to make allowances for the run-of-the-mill traits of the chick-lit genre to enjoy it, though.
Generally, the author, Brigid Coady translated Persuasion very well by turning most of the well-known characters into actors/tv-stars/celebrities and Anne herself into a film production accountant-cum-producer. She also sticks to the universal Persuasion-storyline without becoming a slave to it.
There are lots of touching and hilarious moments, though I would have welcomed some more interaction bw characters instead of the constant internal agony-monologues of Annie: there was just too much of it.
And this is the thing that gets lost in translation: Anne's character, even though it is not easy to bring Austen's heroines (or heroes) into the 21st century intact.
The basic quality is captured well: the modern Annie (ouch - OK, this grates a bit, I prefer Anne!) is very easy to relate to. She is warm-hearted, compassionate, loyal and supportive ..... BUT a total NO-HOPER, underdog, doormat, what have you, when it comes to her family. Supposedly she is very successful in her profession, calm and competent, but that is only told, never shown. Descriptions of her cowering, chickening-out, avoiding confrontation at all costs, hiding or escaping from awkward situations occur almost on every third page well-into 2/3 of the book and you simply can't believe that this woman has all that steadiness and inner-strength that is essential to her character.
It gets better by the end, and the overall story is so light and entertaining that it compensates for this drawback, but I am also sorry, for this book could have been better.
‐--‐---------'
ARC received by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review....more
Loading...
