I enjoyed this book until about 2/3 of the way in. The heroine was feisty and independent, the hero was talented, smoldering, and unavailable, and theI enjoyed this book until about 2/3 of the way in. The heroine was feisty and independent, the hero was talented, smoldering, and unavailable, and the tension between them was great. Then they slept together. And all of a sudden the heroine turns into this spineless, mindless neurotic weakling who thinks she's going to get a marriage proposal within a week. The black moment was a really basic "Sorry I didn't tell you about my plans, but hey, I'd like you to be part of them." And I have no idea how old the heroine's little sister was supposed to be. She was portrayed as a young-teen middle schooler who at times acted like she was about 8 or 9. It was very weird. All in all I liked the writing, and the sex scenes were good, but the overall plot left something to be desired. ...more
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Holly and the cast of characters in this series. The writing is fun, the story wFun Romp with Colorful Characters
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Holly and the cast of characters in this series. The writing is fun, the story well-paced and original, and the characters a colorful collection of all kinds. If you haven’t read the other books in the series I do recommend starting at the beginning, but once you dive in, you’ll be captivated! A great read. ...more
This is a book that everyone should read. Funny, truthful, poignant, heart-wrenching, inspiring, and flat-out eye-opening about life during and after This is a book that everyone should read. Funny, truthful, poignant, heart-wrenching, inspiring, and flat-out eye-opening about life during and after apartheid in South Africa. It's nothing less than astounding to find out the childhood and adolescence behind the Trevor Noah we know today as a comedian and talk-show host. Amazing - I read it in a day. Highly recommended for everyone!...more
As many of the other reviews state, this is a powerful look into a terrible but real part of this country's history. I really enjoyed it until about 7As many of the other reviews state, this is a powerful look into a terrible but real part of this country's history. I really enjoyed it until about 7/8 of the way through, when the relationships between the past and the present story lines are revealed. I won't include spoilers, but suffice to say that the author was deliberately vague in the first half of the book to have a BIG REVEAL at the end -- which wasn't needed. The story was powerful enough as it was. I found myself rolling my eyes at the last few scenes, overly dramatic for no apparent reason. I do think the book was well-written and poignant, and I'm glad the author brought the horrific "adoption" practices of TCHS to light. I just felt the writing and the story itself fell apart at the end. ...more
A beautiful if painful memoir of a life lived on the edge of society. What's amazing about this story is that the author escaped the emotionally and pA beautiful if painful memoir of a life lived on the edge of society. What's amazing about this story is that the author escaped the emotionally and psychologically controlling and damaging family ties that held many of her siblings in place. It's mind-boggling to think of someone with no formal education who went on to earn multiple graduate degrees from Cambridge. It is a captivating read, though not an easy one (many accounts of physical abuse she endured), and written with a fascinating tone that endears the author to the reader. Highly recommended. ...more
This is typical Stephen King, a broad story line that spans from one side of the country to the other, with characters brought together by huge outsidThis is typical Stephen King, a broad story line that spans from one side of the country to the other, with characters brought together by huge outside forces to fight evil. Although it's billed as another great book about the power of kids' friendships, it falls short of IT, which to me remains the ultimate King book in terms of misfit kids overcoming evil and saving the world. The characters in this book never resonated with me as much, with the exception of Luke and Avery, two of the protagonists. Still, King does a solid job in establishing The Institute, a place of pure evil where corrupted adults take advantage of and abuse kids just because they can. I did think the story went on a little long (I don't usually say that about his books), but he achieves his goal of making us hate the adults and cheer for the kids, and one of my favorite lines near the end really sums up a central theme: "I loved having friends."...more
There is much to like about this book by a debut author: the Muslim hero and heroine, the straight-forward look at workplace discrimination, and the cThere is much to like about this book by a debut author: the Muslim hero and heroine, the straight-forward look at workplace discrimination, and the culture of arranged marriages shown through some great minor characters. Where I had more trouble was buying into some of the plot elements that felt contrived and not always believable. Ayesha pretending to be her cousin Hafsa, and then extending that mistaken identity through much of the story, wasn't realistic. Khalid changing his traditional appearance and behavior to teach his boss a lesson? It felt like the author sold out the entire character. The second half of the book felt a little muddled overall, so while I liked it for its distinctive, non-Western characters, the story itself fell a little short. ...more
4. 5 stars for this one. After all the hype, I wasn't sure this book would hold up, but it did, until almost the very end. The writing is compelling, 4. 5 stars for this one. After all the hype, I wasn't sure this book would hold up, but it did, until almost the very end. The writing is compelling, the story and the characters heartbreaking, and the setting of the marsh becomes a character all its own. I really loved Kya's story, from her loneliness to her survival to the secondary characters she built relationships with. And the mystery connects the plot throughout the book, until after the trial, when the ending became a little anticlimactic for me. Because the mystery consumed such a large part of the book, I expected a stronger resolution of it. And to be honest, I would have liked to see more of Kya and Tate's life in adulthood, though I know that wasn't the thrust of the story. Overall, definitely a recommended read!...more
Cute romantic storyline and a sweet hero & heroine, but the plot felt a little underdeveloped & the writing a little simple forCute but Underdeveloped
Cute romantic storyline and a sweet hero & heroine, but the plot felt a little underdeveloped & the writing a little simple for my taste. For a medical romance I also would have liked to see more actual medicine/hospital action....more
3.5 stars for the information included. If you’ve been writing and publishing for any length of time, much of the info he shares wBest for New Authors
3.5 stars for the information included. If you’ve been writing and publishing for any length of time, much of the info he shares will be familiar. I skipped over large portions for this reason. For the brand new author, it’s a good look at what’s required to be a successful indie author. His tone is a little brusque for my taste but not entirely off putting. ...more
I love all the books in this series. It was bittersweet to see Louisa and Sam again, but I loved her new life and adventures in NYC. Well-developed chI love all the books in this series. It was bittersweet to see Louisa and Sam again, but I loved her new life and adventures in NYC. Well-developed characters all the way around, highs and lows and overall a great read, complete with a few tears shed. Highly recommended!...more
A basic but very helpful guide to setting up a newsletter and why it's so crucial to do so. I especially liked her emphHelpful and Easy to Understand
A basic but very helpful guide to setting up a newsletter and why it's so crucial to do so. I especially liked her emphasis on building relationships with readers. Warning: she doesn't get into the building blocks or HOW to create a newsletter. Those with no previous newsletter experience may find this book a little too advanced. ...more
A sweet holiday story about opposites attracting. It was a little short for my taste and I would have liked to see a little more plot aSweet but Short
A sweet holiday story about opposites attracting. It was a little short for my taste and I would have liked to see a little more plot and character development, but it's a good quick read with a happy ending. ...more
A nice second-chance romance with developed characters and a charming small-town setting. Quick, satisfying read. I'd pick up anothSweet Holiday Story
A nice second-chance romance with developed characters and a charming small-town setting. Quick, satisfying read. I'd pick up another by this author. ...more
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