This was a really great read, a compassionate look at a woman struggling with alcohol addiction and the havoc it plays with her life and those around This was a really great read, a compassionate look at a woman struggling with alcohol addiction and the havoc it plays with her life and those around her.
I was completely engaged in this story from start to finish, I felt so much compassion for Marley and her struggle with alcohol addiction and the choices she makes and the impact this has on her relationships and her professional life.
Sometimes it really does take hitting rock bottom to make you take a look at what is going on, and for Marley it took hitting rock bottom and an ultimatum from her sister before she is willing (albeit under duress), to make a change.
Marley is a criminal defence attorney whose life was badly affected by the repercussions of a case she worked on a couple of years before. Without being aware of it, alcohol has become more than just a fun time. I could relate to this myself and really felt for her when she became aware just how much she was relying on alcohol to function and also how much certain relationships relied on that alcohol consumption.
Michelle Montebello introduces us to 'Blue Zones' which are some of the healthiest places on earth to live, (there is a link in the back of the book if you want to know more), White Cedar Island is off the coast of Nova Scotia (this is actually a made-up blue zone based on the real blue zones, which is a shame because I could have lived there myself for half a year (the summer half) if it had been real). Cedar Island is a small community with healthy eating, mostly a vegan diet, self-sustainable for the most part and very little alcohol available.
Marley originally goes there for two weeks to dry out after her sister's ultimatum, this is extended when she makes friends with her landlady Noelle, who plays a big part in Marley's recovery, and with Lachlan, a lovely guy who befriends her, along with his gorgeous dog, and realises if she returns to her life at this point she will go back to drinking and nothing will change. I admired Marley's determination, once she admitted she had a problem, to make changes in her life.
She has some hard decisions to make during her time on the island and she also makes some bad decisions too, I wanted to pull her aside and say nooo don't do it, but she had to make her own mistakes in order to learn and move forward.
I think that Marley and Lachlan both had very real flaws, ones that made them both easy to relate to. There were a couple of not so nice characters who played quite important roles in Marley's life and the outcomes that occurred, both on the island and back in Australia.
This really was a wonderful read, an emotional one, highlighting the very real struggle of addiction that so many people deal with every day.
Thank you to Beauty and Lace Book Club and Michelle Montebello for a digital copy of this novel in return for an honest review.
Merged review:
This was a really great read, a compassionate look at a woman struggling with alcohol addiction and the havoc it plays with her life and those around her.
I was completely engaged in this story from start to finish, I felt so much compassion for Marley and her struggle with alcohol addiction and the choices she makes and the impact this has on her relationships and her professional life.
Sometimes it really does take hitting rock bottom to make you take a look at what is going on, and for Marley it took hitting rock bottom and an ultimatum from her sister before she is willing (albeit under duress), to make a change.
Marley is a criminal defence attorney whose life was badly affected by the repercussions of a case she worked on a couple of years before. Without being aware of it, alcohol has become more than just a fun time. I could relate to this myself and really felt for her when she became aware just how much she was relying on alcohol to function and also how much certain relationships relied on that alcohol consumption.
Michelle Montebello introduces us to 'Blue Zones' which are some of the healthiest places on earth to live, (there is a link in the back of the book if you want to know more), White Cedar Island is off the coast of Nova Scotia (this is actually a made-up blue zone based on the real blue zones, which is a shame because I could have lived there myself for half a year (the summer half) if it had been real). Cedar Island is a small community with healthy eating, mostly a vegan diet, self-sustainable for the most part and very little alcohol available.
Marley originally goes there for two weeks to dry out after her sister's ultimatum, this is extended when she makes friends with her landlady Noelle, who plays a big part in Marley's recovery, and with Lachlan, a lovely guy who befriends her, along with his gorgeous dog, and realises if she returns to her life at this point she will go back to drinking and nothing will change. I admired Marley's determination, once she admitted she had a problem, to make changes in her life.
She has some hard decisions to make during her time on the island and she also makes some bad decisions too, I wanted to pull her aside and say nooo don't do it, but she had to make her own mistakes in order to learn and move forward.
I think that Marley and Lachlan both had very real flaws, ones that made them both easy to relate to. There were a couple of not so nice characters who played quite important roles in Marley's life and the outcomes that occurred, both on the island and back in Australia.
This really was a wonderful read, an emotional one, highlighting the very real struggle of addiction that so many people deal with every day.
Thank you to Beauty and Lace Book Club and Michelle Montebello for a digital copy of this novel in return for an honest review. ...more
While I enjoyed this novel and liked both the main characters, I'm not sure I will ever understand the whole fraternity environment. The tricks the guWhile I enjoyed this novel and liked both the main characters, I'm not sure I will ever understand the whole fraternity environment. The tricks the guys got up to were amusing, though one has a more harmful turn. I liked that these guys were willing to take a chance a get to know each other despite knowing their respective fraternities wouldn't be impressed seeing as they were rivals. This was a fun read, with humour and heart. ...more
It's been a while since I read a Fleur McDonald novel and I'd forgotten how much I enjoy them. This was a great read which had me staying up too late It's been a while since I read a Fleur McDonald novel and I'd forgotten how much I enjoy them. This was a great read which had me staying up too late to finish. I really enjoy Detective Dave Burrows' character and his offsider Senior Sergeant Jack Higgins, they are straight-up likeable characters who really care about their community and the people in it.
With a cast of characters, some who are holding grudges and more who are keeping secrets, there was plenty of tension to be had as the truth was uncovered about several different crimes. I did think there was one twist that could have been left out as for me it was a distraction, but overall I found this a really good read and look forward to more Dave Burrows rural crime novels.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Allen & Unwin for a copy of this novel in return for an honest review. ...more
What a great ending to this series. I do like a happily ever after and this series which has been full of drama and emotional journeys for the three cWhat a great ending to this series. I do like a happily ever after and this series which has been full of drama and emotional journeys for the three couples, Gem, Kyle, Hunter, Kara, Lexi and Hayden gives us one last dose of drama and emotional decisions before wrapping things up for good.
Throughout this series, I've liked and disliked the characters, changed my mind several times about them, but I've been on the journey with them from the start and in Returned Tania Joyce continued to take me on one last emotional journey, though nothing like what she took me on in book 2 Ruined, thank goodness.
There are big decisions afoot for Everhide and their partners and as they take a look at where they've been and where they are going and try and figure out what is best for themselves and those they love, I felt that the relationship between them all grew just that little bit stronger. Family, is ultimately what is important and it's time to decide what family really means to each couple and for them as a whole. ...more
I was excited to hear Lily Malone had a new novel coming out, a departure from her usual genre this new rural crime novel has a much darker feel.
Lily I was excited to hear Lily Malone had a new novel coming out, a departure from her usual genre this new rural crime novel has a much darker feel.
Lily has definitely managed to capture the feeling of small-town Cowaramup on the south coast of Western Australia.
This novel had some seriously unlikable characters, though one does redeem himself later on in the novel. I liked the characters of the two police officers and felt for Detective Marley West who has to prove himself to everyone because his grandfather was an extremely corrupt police sergeant who ruled the town for decades before.
Told between three different timelines dating back to 1966, we slowly discover past secrets, and there are plenty until the many secrets expose the truth behind the human bones discovered in what used to be a waterhole.
I'm looking forward to more dark crime fiction by Lily Malone and definitely looking forward to seeing more of Detective Marley West and hoping he can sort his life out a bit....more
Another action packed sexy read in the Small Town Packs series. I enjoyed this a lot, Brax and Kali made a great couple, well they did as soon as theyAnother action packed sexy read in the Small Town Packs series. I enjoyed this a lot, Brax and Kali made a great couple, well they did as soon as they learned to communicate properly and Brax learnt to forgive himself for something that wasn't his fault. This was a short read, but there was plenty in it to satisfy, romance, action, suspense and danger, a good sequel, I'm looking forward to the next book. ...more
Dr Bennett's Babies was a delightful read. I enjoyed meeting Marcus and Matilda (Tilly), their initial meeting didn't go so well after Tilly mistakes Dr Bennett's Babies was a delightful read. I enjoyed meeting Marcus and Matilda (Tilly), their initial meeting didn't go so well after Tilly mistakes Marcus as a thief trying to break and enter into her neighbours house, and their subsequent interactions are all over the place when they find out they are working together and their views on birthing don't align.
Marcus has some serious hangups, ones you can understand due to an awful event that happened to him and his family when he was a child, but Tilly is determined to make him face those hangups and rethink his beliefs on safe birthing and water safety.
I loved how Tilly was completely sure of her skills and her beliefs about how women should be able to give birth and wasn't afraid to voice those feelings with Marcus, her new boss despite it causing more friction and problems between them. Every time I read a Fiona McArthur book I learn something new about midwifery and how things still need to change in the way babies are born and mothers and fathers are treated.
Marcus and Tilly were made for each other and despite neither wanting a relationship and their initial friction over their jobs, it was good to see them both find their way to friendship and love.
Thanks to the author for a digital copy of this novel in return for an honest review. ...more
After reading Rania Battany's Fleeting Moments two years ago, and her subsequent novels, I knew this book would pull at the heartstrings. As well, it After reading Rania Battany's Fleeting Moments two years ago, and her subsequent novels, I knew this book would pull at the heartstrings. As well, it encouraged me to look both inside and outside of myself and think about the different cultures and rules we live by in our society.
This was a brilliantly written novel that explored the importance of culture, and the expectations that families can put on their children to conform to that culture, even if they now live in a different country.
It also celebrated differences in culture. The music, the food, the big family celebrations, the support from large families when tragedy happens, and the way it can give us our identity.
It is a story of two teenagers, Caleb, 'white boy', an Australian and Samira, a Lebanese girl, who live across the road from each other, fall in love and have to hide this from everyone because it wouldn't be acceptable, especially from Samira's families perspective.
But it is more than a story of forbidden love, it's a story of true love and how to be true to that love if society's rules and cultural rules say it's wrong.
There is a tragedy that nearly destroys a family and separates these two for nearly a decade. When they meet again, nothing has changed, both between them and with Samira's family expectations. There are secrets that have been kept for decades that come out that cause Caleb to take a look at who he is and his identity, it also helps him see that if he wants a life with Samira, he must fight to gain acceptance in her world, and convince her he is worth the risk. History could be repeated or they could forge a new path, one that combines their cultures and their families.
I really did love this novel, it had everything in it I needed to make it a wonderful read. I loved all of the characters and their differences, I especially loved Jim who was such a special person in the lives of so many and in the choices he made for love.
I went to school with a fair few Greeks, Italians, Malays and various other cultures, but I never really thought about how different their home lives, or their parents' backgrounds might be. I wonder now, did they feel some of the same expectations on them that Samira did in this novel. Were there expectations that they would choose a partner from the same cultural background, work in a certain job, marry and have children? Did they fight against those cultural expectations or roll with them so as not to upset their families? So many things to consider that I wasn't even aware of 20+ years ago.
This is a story full of warmth, heartache, acceptance and love. It is about learning about our identities, respecting our cultures, but learning to combine those cultures to take what works from each one and make it something even better.
In this multicultural world, we live in, this is important because there are many more cultures sharing this land we call home, cultures will become blended, but we still need to be able to hold on to the heart of that culture while finding the path that works towards a future for all.
I really enjoyed Max's story in book 1, so I was looking forward to Grayson's, but I wasn't as excited about this story. Grayson is pretty unlikeable,I really enjoyed Max's story in book 1, so I was looking forward to Grayson's, but I wasn't as excited about this story. Grayson is pretty unlikeable, especially at the beginning, a rich, arrogant man who thinks his wealth can dictate others lives. Abby was more likeable, but I didn't understand why she kept jumping into bed with him even after saying no, chemistry only goes so far in making decisions like that. She'd been a strong single mother for 15 months, then suddenly lost her backbone until near the end. At the last minute Grayson sees sense and all is understood. You know that they are going to get their happy ending because it's a romance, I'd have just liked the leading nan to be a nice guy.
Thanks to the author for a review copy in return for an honest review. ...more
I admit to struggling with this book and had to keep reminding myself it was aimed at a middle-grade audience who I am sure would thoroughly 3.5 stars
I admit to struggling with this book and had to keep reminding myself it was aimed at a middle-grade audience who I am sure would thoroughly enjoy it.
It had plenty to keep a younger reader engaged, with adventure, a quest, magic and magical beings. I did like that the author wasn't afraid to kill off the 'good' characters in the struggle to beat the villains of the story. The world-building was well done and I liked how the world was accessed through one of the many archaeological ruins in the UK. I feel like this is not the end of the adventure for Darcy and her friends.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Shawline Publishing for a copy of this novel in return for an honest review. ...more
This was a fast-paced read with plenty of danger, suspense, chemistry and the issue of domestic violence.
Skylar has suffered at the hands of her ex aThis was a fast-paced read with plenty of danger, suspense, chemistry and the issue of domestic violence.
Skylar has suffered at the hands of her ex and when she hears what sounds like a woman being abused, she intervenes and this sets off a series of events that will lead to Skylar and the local police officer Senior Constable Nash ending up on a crashed helicopter running for their lives through the remote national park in north Qld.
I really enjoyed this novel, the attraction between Skylar and Nash is one they've been fighting for a while, well Skylar has been fighting it, Nash has been hoping. When they are thrown together they can't ignore it any longer, but it will take a lot for Skylar to get past her past.
There were times Skylar annoyed me so much, when a police officer says "stay hidden ' or asks you to do something, you don't do the exact opposite. Other times I really loved Skylar and hoped she would be able to get through everything and make a go of a life that wasn't all about work.
Nash was just lovely, and I hoped he would be able to get past Skylar's defences. He was much more understanding about some of her behaviours than I would have been.
The bad guys are not nice at all, when you are a gun for hire, I guess you wouldn't be. The domestic violence case was a tough one, and shows how hard it can be for people to leave their abuser or press charges against them. We all need to stand up to abusers like Skylar did and not close our eyes to those around us.
A great second book in this series, I can't wait for the next one. ...more
I loved A Kiss for Carter, it had all the feels needed to make it a wonderfully enjoyable read.
Carter is adorable, shy and insecure about himself, he I loved A Kiss for Carter, it had all the feels needed to make it a wonderfully enjoyable read.
Carter is adorable, shy and insecure about himself, he struggles with his attraction to Judith because he is afraid of embarrassing himself with his attraction to her. I felt for Carter, he wasn;t sure how to broach his feelings or his 'problem' with Judith and gives off mixed signals to her because of this.
I liked Judith a lot and loved how much she liked Carter. Her ex was a waste of space and I'm glad she stood up to him.
Once both of these characters start communicating, it becomes a really wonderful romance and their feelings blossom quickly when you know you know.
They both have some family issues to sort through and these highlighted some relevant social issues, LGBTQI+ and the issue of teens feeling the need to fit in and behave in ways that go against who they are. I really liked the ways things around these issues were handled, and I loved the ending that highlighted these issues for good.
A really lovely and enjoyable romance, I hope there is more to come in this series. ...more
I loved this book, the final in the series. I read this series out of order, with book 3 Goal Lines & First Times being the first book I read and alsoI loved this book, the final in the series. I read this series out of order, with book 3 Goal Lines & First Times being the first book I read and also where we first meet Westly the main character in this book. Westly had a promising future in the NHL until his parents died and he had to give up his dream to look after his younger siblings and became a coach at CU. His brother Asher is now the one working towards a promising NHL career and he is struggling with maths, Westly steps in to talk to his professor, Jasper, and they get off to a very rocky start. Jasper is known as a grumpy professor and doesn't like jocks at all, so having a hockey coach come in to ask for what he considers special treatment for a hotshot hockey player causes them to both bump heads.
After their initial meeting, they find they have some serious chemistry and when Westly becomes Jasper's fake boyfriend for a school reunion, one thing leads to another, but with Westly's crazy home life and Jasper's dislike of jocks and love, there doesn't seem to be a way to have more than some quick thrills.
These two came together so easily, they were just great together and I really enjoyed their friendship and developing relationship, something that happened without either of them realising it was happening. I loved the support they gave each other and I loved that this was a low angst read.
I recommend you read them in order for maximum storyline cohesion, but they do work well out of order if that's how you roll. ...more
I found the first 100 pages of this novel slow going which made for a stilted read for a few days of picking it up reading a chapter and putting it doI found the first 100 pages of this novel slow going which made for a stilted read for a few days of picking it up reading a chapter and putting it down again.
Once Mark, the lead detective arrives in Cutters End things get a bit more interesting.
There were a lot of twists uncovered at the end, maybe the last 30 or so pages that made the crime worse than it had originally seemed. It took a slow amble to get there and the police aren't shown in a good way, with Mark's boss wanting things tied up so they could close the case and not cast doubt of the old investigation.
I found most of the characters, other than Senior Constable Jagdeep Kaur to be not overly likeable. I found Mark's relationship with his wife to be a sad one, with both of them only semi engaged in working on a broken marriage.
Overall, an OK read.
Thanks to Better Reading and Penguin for a review copy of this novel in return for an honest review. ...more
Claire Louisa
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