Thursday 12 September 2024

Timeless by Alice Oseman

 

By: Alice Oseman


Narrated by: Billie Fulford-Brown, Elizabeth Schenk, Imogen Church


Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins


Release date: 03-01-22 by Scholastic


YA fiction/audiosync





I have actually never read Osman. I did see the tvseries, and I really should read Heartstopper. But this is my first Osman.




Georgia starts uni and wonders what is wrong with her. Why hasn´t she kissed anyone? Why does it make her want to throw up? With her she has her two best friends, Jason and Pip. Jason got some space here, but not much. Pip did get some more space and drama as she navigates uni being gay. Georgia also gets a roommate named Rooney who has her own troubles.




Classes, friendship drama, the search for love and romance, and slowly finding out why she is different, and why that is perfectly fine. She is aromantic and asexual. She has no real clues what that is, and even as the tries to comprehend it will take some time. But I loved the message in the book, how friendships are important and should be treasured. True friends are gold.




Good book and good narration. 




From the marvelous author of Heartstopper comes an exceptional YA novel about discovering that it's okay if you don't have sexual or romantic feelings for anyone . . . since there are plenty of other ways to find love and connection. This is the funny, honest, messy, completely relatable story of Georgia, who doesn't understand why she can't crush and kiss and make out like her friends do. She's surrounded by the narrative that dating + sex = love. It's not until she gets to college that she discovers the A range of the LGBTQIA+ spectrum -- coming to understand herself as asexual/aromantic. Disrupting the narrative that she's been told since birth isn't easy -- there are many mistakes along the way to inviting people into a newly found articulation of an always-known part of your identity. But Georgia's determined to get her life right, with the help of (and despite the major drama of) her friends.


Tuesday 10 September 2024

TMST

 


 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.





9/10/2024 What day in your life would you like to relive?




None? In a way maybe when my daughter was born, just skip to the no pain part and you know not falling asleep and enjoying the moment. And eating that damn breakfast they gave us at 3 am. Oh well.




Or relive as doing something else? Dunno there either








9/17/2024 Do you have a go-to comfort book/read?


9/24/2024 Do you have a series you've been meaning to finish but haven't? Which one/s and why?


10/1/2024 What were your favorite surprise books of the year? 


10/8/2024 Tell us about your favorite fall comfort foods.


10/15/2024 Who is your ideal book boyfriend/girlfriend?


10/22/2024 What are the top three items on your bucket list?


10/29/2024 How do you like to be scared? Horror or thriller?





Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.




If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions,  please fill out this GOOGLE FORM.  Participation is optional and never required.




Monday 9 September 2024

Carole´s Monday: The haunted homecoming



Author: Angie Fox
Narrator: Tavia Gilbert
Title: The Haunted Homecoming
Series: Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries #10
Genre: Paranormal, Mystery, Romance, Cozy Mystery
Format: Audiobook
Published: August 17, 2021
Where I got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 
Apple cider, bonfires, football, and—ghosts.

It’s homecoming weekend in Sugarland, Tennessee and ghost hunter Verity Long is tickled to see so many souls—living and dead—back in town to celebrate. But not all reunions are happy ones, and when Verity stumbles upon a dead body by the football field, it appears someone has already evened the score.



Review:
Been holding onto this lil nugget until Fall time! It's September...it works ;)

We continue our journey with Verity Long. It's homecoming weekend and the whole town is in celebration mode! They are even unburying a time capsule. It's a little early, but they need to build stuff. When it is opened they uncover a body of a young woman from the 1980s everyone thought ran off with a mystery man. It will be up to Verity to solve the murder. 

All the Fall feels. The weather is going back and forth here, but in my heart it is Fall. This was the perfect book to kick off Fall reads. 

Lots of drama and fun and comedy. Lots of red herrings in this one. I really had no idea. There are a few people who for sure would have good motive for murder. I wasn't sure and then the real murderer shocked me. THAT WAS A TWIST!!!!

It was certainly a twist-y twist, but it made sense thinking back on it. Nice job. 

I'm so glad we got a break from the MIL drama. She needs to stay away for a while. But we did get to meet Verity's mom more and learn more about that. It was nice to see them start working on their own issues. 

There is a the blossoming of a romance with two side characters I did NOT see that coming. I know Verity isn't amused, but....I'm excited for them. I'm curious to see where it goes. 

All-in-all, this was really, really good. I enjoyed it so much. Loved it really. I could see myself relistening to this one. It was perfect to kick off Fall!!

5 stars from me. 


ONE WORD SUMMARY: Great



 



Challenge(s):
- Audiobook #41



Saturday 7 September 2024

Roomies by Christina Lauren

By: Christina Lauren


Narrated by: K. C. Sheridan


Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins


Release date: 12-05-17 by Simon&Schuster audio


Romance






I was kind of bored a lot of the time. And was this like romantic fiction, because I did not get contemporary romance from it. No feels at all.




Holland watched a street artist from afar. She has the biggest crush. To make a long story short. They marry because he needs a green card. Ok so that went fast in a way, but so slow too. And I never felt that these two fell in love at all, they fell in lust. They had fights because they were idiots who did not actually talk at all.




I do not know, I had no other audiobooks so I just continued because I have wanted to try her books. But after this one I am feeling very meh.




Nothing wrong with the narration. She tried her best with the story she had






Marriages of convenience are so…inconvenient.




Rescued by Calvin McLoughlin from a would-be subway attacker, Holland Bakker pays the brilliant musician back by pulling some of her errand-girl strings and getting him an audition with a big-time musical director. When the tryout goes better than even Holland could have imagined, Calvin is set for a great entry into Broadway—until he admits his student visa has expired and he’s in the country illegally.




Holland impulsively offers to wed the Irishman to keep him in New York, her growing infatuation a secret only to him. As their relationship evolves from awkward roommates to besotted lovers, Calvin becomes the darling of Broadway. In the middle of the theatrics and the acting-not-acting, what will it take for Holland and Calvin to realise that they both stopped pretending a long time ago?




Wednesday 4 September 2024

Carole´s Wednesday: Of Swine and Roses

 


Author: Ilona Andrews
Narrator: Hillary Huber 
Title: Of Swine and Roses
Series: World of Kate Daniels
Genre: Short Story, UF, Paranormal Romance, YA, Novella
Format: Audiobook
Published: August 13, 2009
Where I got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 
A young adult short story about a girl, a pig, some magic, and the worst date ever.

Chad Thurman is a thug, who carries brass knuckles in both pockets and lays magic traps for intruders into “his” neighborhood. The last thing Alena Kornov wants to do is to go on the date with him. But when her family pressures her, she can’t say no. Now the ice-cream is absent, the pig is running for its life, and we won’t even mention the dead guy…

Review:
That title!!!! I snorted like a piggie. I was excited to get started on this one. 

We have poor Alena who is being forced to go on a date with a dude named Chad (you know it's going to go bad based on the name alone). He is a thug and his morals are questionable. After a crappy movie and no ice cream...she finds herself trying to save a pig that Chad is out to murder. 

This was rough in the beginning. I get you don't want to upset a local family, but forcing her to go on a date with Chad? Ew. Bad parenting right there. 

The date was crappy and I was so worried she was going to fall head over heels in love with this punk. Bleh. Spoiler....she doesn't. Yayy!

Things got better but the beginning was rough because I was so worried about our girl. 

The narrator did a great job. Perfect for everyone. 

This was cute. Not my favorites of the shorts, but I loved the ending. 

3 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Cute


 






Author: Ilona Andrews
Narrator: Michael Glenn
Title: Retribution Clause
Series: World of Kate Daniels #6.7
Genre: UF, Short Stories, Paranormal Romance, Novella
Format: Audiobook
Published: June 5, 2012
Where I got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 
Saiman's cousin, Adam—a frost giant and also an insurance adjuster—and his enigmatic partner, Siroun, set out on an impossible mission to enforce a client's Retribution Clause; that is, to kill the person who killed her.

Review:
Chipping away at all the shorts from the Kate Daniels series!! I came across this one next. Slightly worried because they are new characters.

We have Adam who is Saiman's cousin. He's a frost giant and also an insurance adjuster. His partner is Siroun. They are set out on an impossible mission to enforce a client's Retribution Clause....kill the person who killed her. 

How fun!!!! Adam was cool and I liked Siroun. I hope there are more of their stories out there! 

What a cool concept. I guess even in worlds like this we need insurance adjusters ;) 

Loved every moment of this story. 

The narrator was wonderful and brought everyone to life. 

All-in-all this was cool and fun. Slightly different, but in a refreshing way. 5 outta 5. 


ONE WORD SUMMARY: Lively






Challenge(s):
- Audiobook #39 & 40



Tuesday 3 September 2024

TMST

 


 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.





9/3/2024 How do you keep up with your favorite blogs?




These days I use feedly. It´s great :) Not much more to say. The important thing is putting blogs I like there so that I remember to check in






9/10/2024 What day in your life would you like to relive?


9/17/2024 Do you have a go-to comfort book/read?


9/24/2024 Do you have a series you've been meaning to finish but haven't? Which one/s and why?


10/1/2024 What were your favorite surprise books of the year? 


10/8/2024 Tell us about your favorite fall comfort foods.


10/15/2024 Who is your ideal book boyfriend/girlfriend?


10/22/2024 What are the top three items on your bucket list?


10/29/2024 How do you like to be scared? Horror or thriller?





Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.




If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions,  please fill out this GOOGLE FORM.  Participation is optional and never required.




Monday 2 September 2024

Best of August





Here are our bests from August!!!! 


Best Book of the Month:

"Best cover and it can get best book too!"




"This was just too good to NOT give it best book."



Best Movie of the Month:

Carole - Nadda this month. Nothing stood out over 3 stars. 




Blodeuedd - No movie stood out. 





Best TV show of the Month:


Blodeuedd - Solar Opposites, Geek Girl, Monk, Love is Blind UK, & Umbrella Academy

"I watched a lot of tv in August. Solar Opposites because fun. Geek Girl because it was new. Finally finished Monk. Love is blind uk for drama and the final season of Umbrella Academy."






Carole - Schitt's Creek
"Hubby wanted to watch so I'm re-watching! SOOO good."







Best Cover of the Month:


B's favorite





















C's favorite



Sunday 1 September 2024

Just a cowboy and his baby by Carolyn Brown

396 pages, Kindle Edition


First published January 1, 2012


Series: Spikes & Spurs (#6)


Format: 396 pages, Kindle Edition


Published: August 6, 2024 by Sourcebooks Casablanca


Contemporary romance/western romance/netgalley






So this was actually by mistake, I saw it on Netgalley (and I am never there), and I went for it. Half way through I realised that I had actually read it 10 years ago. Ooops.




Gemma and Trace are doing the rodeo circuit and they are head to head. But only one person can win. Sure, I was rooting for Gemma, girl power and all that. Sorry Trace. They are in competition, but slowly something grows there and they start spending time together in private too.




I liked their families and the whole rodeo thing. The drama comes rather late and is quickly resolved because omg they talk about it and are there for each other.




I enjoyed it






Gemma O'Donnell was incensed when she wasn't the first woman to win the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Championship Association) buckle for bronc riding. This year, she heads out on the PRCA ProRodeo Tour burning to be the second.




First stop is Cody, Wyoming where her stiffest competition is Trace Coleman, who already has a jump on her. A tall, dark-haired cowboy with a sexy grin and a swagger, he doesn't really give a damn about the trophy belt buckle—he wants the purse to buy a ranch he has his eye on. He damn sure doesn't have time for a sassy bit of Irish baggage who can evidently ride anything with four legs and make anything with two legs want to take her to bed.




Gemma wins a few; Trace wins a few. In the end they both qualify for the final cut in Las Vegas. But when it comes down to the wire, only one can win the bronc-riding competition and take home one helluva prize. But in this competition, it just might be loser takes all...




Thursday 29 August 2024

Audio: Saving Anne de Bourgh

By: Jann Rowland


Narrated by: Harry Frost


Length: 14 hrs and 23 mins


Release date: 08-06-24 by Tantor Media


Pride and prejudice variation/to review






I can´t say no to a Pride and Prejudice variation. I like them in all forms because there is always something different there.




In this one Lizzy gets a bad feeling and manages to rescue Anne de Bourgh from the claws of Mr Wickham. He was a creep as always, and even more so this time. He will get what he deserves.




I liked Anne in this one. She shows some spirit at last. Her mother is tiresome, but dunno how but even Lady Catherine grew on me.




Darcy gets his head around, Bingley is nice as always. Fitzwilliam did not get a lot of room, but hey no everyone can find love. And Miss Bingley was horrible as always.




After some Wickham drama, the stage is set for romance. And everyone lived happily efter after.




I liked how this one turn out. Mary was nicer here. Lydia and Kitty will learn a thing or two. Even Mrs Bennet got calmer.




They are always a joy to listen to. I liked the narrator. I am unsure if I have listened to him before, but he did a good job with male and female voices. He set the mood






Mr. Darcy’s proposal to Elizabeth Bennet ends in acrimony, but when Elizabeth returns to Longbourn, it is with a changed perspective forced on her by Mr. Darcy’s letter. At Longbourn, Elizabeth cannot but acknowledge that the gentleman’s charges have some merit given the behavior of certain members of her family.




On the heels of her return, however, Elizabeth makes a shocking discovery, for one day, while visiting Meryton with her sisters, she comes across none other than Anne de Bourgh, daughter of the imposing Lady Catherine. Further investigation reveals the truth that Miss de Bourgh is there traveling with the very Mr. Wickham against whom Mr. Darcy had warned her.




Knowing she must do something, Elizabeth persuades Miss de Bourgh of the folly of eloping with the libertine, after which she must navigate the danger Mr. Wickham presents. For the man who has defrauded so many, who attempted to elope with Miss Darcy will not abandon his schemes without a fight.




Into this maelstrom comes Lady Catherine, pursuing her daughter to prevent her from making a huge mistake, and Mr. Darcy, summoned by his aunt to assist. The truth of the matter when revealed provides a much-needed measure of hope to Darcy, for with Elizabeth’s actions to assist his cousin, she may not be so lost to him as he once thought.




Tuesday 27 August 2024

TMST

 


 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.






8/27/2024  Which books are you looking forward to reading this Fall? (Sept-Nov)




As always, I have no idea what is coming out. So I will slooowly continue with my own books, it is not going well.







Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.




If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions,  please fill out this GOOGLE FORM.  Participation is optional and never required.




Monday 26 August 2024

Carole´s Monday: Mamma Mia

 



Title:
Mamma Mia
Length: 1h 48m
Released: 2008
Genre:  Comedy, Musical, Romance, Comedy
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Max



SUMMARY:
Donna, an independent hotelier, is preparing for her daughter's wedding with the help of two old friends. Meanwhile Sophie, the spirited bride, has a plan. She invites three men from her mother's past in hope of meeting her real father.



REVIEW:
I have not seen this movie since 2008 when it first came out and I..............hated it. Oh boy. But I went to a Bachelorette party over the weekend and this was the movie the bride wanted to watch. SOOOOO 2nd chance? Sure. 

The majority of us have a vague idea of what this is about. But the story is about Donna and her daughter, Sophie. All Sophie's life she never knew who her father truly was. After finding her mom's diary she realizes there could be THREE men who could possibly be the dad. There is Sam who was the love of Donna's life but it ended bad. Or it could be Bill or Harry who were pretty much rebounds. The whole story is told through Abba songs.

This was a 2nd chance, in a way, for this movie. I watched this back when it was released in 2008 and I was a teen. I scoffed at it and didn't like it. I was a movie"snob" if you will. But I was obsessed with the Twilight films? Ahhhhh teenagers man. I was a little unsure of re-watching this, but I'm a sucker for musicals now...plus I do adore Abba. 

Okay....there are some weird story points here and it is all very, very, VERRRRYYYY cheesy. However......I did have fun with it. I could see myself re-watching this again if the crowd demands it. 

The music was fabulous. The dance numbers fun. The actors they have??? Mamma mia did they get a hell of a cast. 

The story had a lot of faults and the ending....talk about Hallmark-y. However, it was amusing. Unrealistic, but amusing nonetheless. 

OH! A scene worth mentioning that actually did tug at my heart strings was the one with Sam and Donna. That song always gets me, but Donna singing it to Sam? Uuuuuuuuuggggggghhhhh, please pass the tissue! It got me. Lovely. 

I am curious about the sequel, but I know what kind of happens there and so I'm unsure if I will. Maybe if the crowd demands it then sure I will. 

All-in-all, for all of the weird plot points, unrealistic moments, and cheesy-ness.....this is an experience. The music is wonderful (it's Abba dammit) and the cast is great. Is it the best film ever? Nah. But it is amusing. 3 stars from me. 


ONE WORD SUMMARY: Lively






Sunday 25 August 2024

Movie Night: An American in Austen



Harriet, who thinks that no real man compares to Mr. Darcy, is transported into Pride and Prejudice and gets an unexpected chance to find out. 





Director: Clare Niederpruem


Writers: Cameron JohannJane Austen


Stars: Eliza Bennett, Nicholas Bishop, Nell Barlow


1.24h /2024





I was ill for two weeks so yes I might have watched a Hallmark movie or three ;) And hey this was an Austen one!!!




Harriet wakes up and is left at the Bennet estate and is told she is their cousin. Whaat? She was just in the US and wondered if her boyfriend really is the one.




First, I liked how they were all 30? Omg Harriet you are such an old spinster. They played it well. I did enjoy seeing Darcy fall for her, and realising that he is all wrong for her. She is doing her best trying to get everyone to end up with the right person.




Fun movie. Even if she realised that Darcy is not all that. But I guess you can not stay in Austen land forever.







Thursday 22 August 2024

Audio: Daughters of Olympus


By: Hannah Lynn


Narrated by: Zura Johnson


Length: 14 hrs and 36 mins


Release date: 07-09-24 by Tantor Media Inc


Historical fiction / to review





This book is about Demeter and Persephone, but mostly about Demeter. There are also some trigger warnings, because those dang gods were rapey aholes.




Demeter and her siblings are saved. Everything is good, everyone are happy. They are gods. They rule the world. But those who know mythology know that things do not always stay the same. Demeter has twins, and she becomes very protective of Persephone and centuries go by.




Demeter here is rather timid, and scared. She has not become an angry earth goddess yet. She finds love, she looses love. There are more kids, footnotes in her immortal life. She is so sad and scarred by her past.




Persephone has her own story first that her mother knows nothing about, here I honestly do not know if this is a real part of the myth or not. But yeah Hades, underworld, and Kore as she was called first finding her own self worth. Also Hades was the biggest puppy there is, omg, no one say one bad word about this man. He was adorable.




A good book that kept me entertained.




Great narration. All the different voices, moods and settings. Pure emotion





A daughter pulled between two worlds and a mother willing destroy both to protect her... Gods and men wage their petty wars, but it is the women of spring who will have the last word...




Demeter did not always live in fear. Once, the goddess of spring loved the world and the humans who inhabited it. After a devastating assault, though, she becomes a shell of herself. Her only solace is her daughter, Persephone.




A balm to her mother's pain, Persephone grows among wildflowers, never leaving the sanctuary Demeter built for them. But she aches to explore the mortal world--to gain her own experiences. Naïve but determined, she secretly builds a life of her own under her mother's watchful gaze. But as she does so, she catches the eye of Hades, and is kidnapped...




Forced into a role she never wanted, Persephone learns that power suits her. In the land of the living, though, Demeter is willing to destroy the humans she once held dear--anything to protect her family. A mother who has lost everything and a daughter with more to gain than she ever realized, their story will irrevocably shape the world.




Tuesday 20 August 2024

TMST

 


 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.




8/20/2024 How long have you been blogging? And has your blog changed over time?



I started this blog Dec 2008, but it was first in 2009 I really got into things. It was a book blog. I came across them for the first time back in 2008 and was all, omg I want that!! It is pretty much the same, book reviews. I used to have more author posts and such, but somewhere along the line that fell away.









8/27/2024  Which books are you looking forward to reading this Fall? (Sept-Nov)




Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.




If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions,  please fill out this GOOGLE FORM.  Participation is optional and never required.




Monday 19 August 2024

Carole´s Monday: A week to be wicked


Author: Tessa Dare
Narrator: Carolyn Morris
Title: A Week to be Wicked
Series: Spindle Cove #2
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: Audiobook
Published: March 27, 2012
Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 
When a devilish lord and a bluestocking set off on the road to ruin... time is not on their side.

Minerva Highwood, one of Spindle Cove's confirmed spinsters, needs to be in Scotland.

Colin Sandhurst, Lord Payne, a rake of the first order, needs to be... anywhere but Spindle Cove.

These unlikely partners have one week to
• fake an elopement
• convince family and friends they're in "love"
• outrun armed robbers
• survive their worst nightmares
• travel four hundred miles without killing each other
All while sharing a very small carriage by day and an even smaller bed by night.

What they don't have time for is their growing attraction. Much less wild passion. And heaven forbid they spend precious hours baring their hearts and souls.

Suddenly one week seems like exactly enough time to find a world of trouble. And maybe... just maybe... love.

Review:
Yayy book 2. I've been curious to see how these two COMPLETELY different people would find each other!

Here we have Minerva and Colin. Minerva is a spinster and she needs to be in Scotland ASAP. Who can help her? Only Colin who is a rake of the first order. Maybe her reputation can finally be ruined and she can focus on her science and rocks. She convinces him to go along with her plan. She only needs a week of his time. Fake a runaway elopement...convince her family and friends they are in love....outrun armed robbers....survive....and travel 400 miles without killing each other. Easy peasy. 

This was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed watching these two be forced to become allies to get Min to Scotland for a science thing to show off her discovery. Unlikely allies, to friends, to lovers. How fun. 

My biggest gripe was that I wanted to see them pretend to be in love in Spindle Cove before they took off. I wanted to see people's shock. Everyone knows they hate each other so I wanted to see them try and convince everyone else. It would've been comedic gold. Alas, we only see them act for strangers. 

This book was pretty light and funny, but there was a darker element here. Colin had a really bad traumatic incident when he was a lad and it can make the toughest sonagun want to cry. How scary. How traumatic. Colin needs a therapist. But I loved that there was more to Colin.

I am glad it took a while for them to realize that they love each other. There is lust...yes, obviously, but it took forever and a day for them to fall in love. Which felt right. 

The ending was abrupt. I wanted to see them interact with people in Spindle Cove. I wanted to see the shock! 

The narrator was pure perfection for this tale. The voices were great. 

All-in-all, I enjoyed this. I would've liked more time in Spindle Cove seeing them have to pretend to be in love and then actually arrive IN love. Dang. Missed opportunity there I think. Maybe we'll see some of it in the next book. Besides that, I really liked this book. It was very fun. 3 stars from me. 


ONE WORD SUMMARY: Fun








Challenge(s):
- Audiobook #32
- Library Love #20
- Romance Reading Challenge #21 (Fake relationship)


Saturday 17 August 2024

Movie night: Caribbean summer


After an embarrassing event during a live broadcast, Jade is forced to take a vacation, but her trip gets off to a rocky start due to a snafu involving the house she rented.




Director: Steven R. Monroe


Writers: Kelly Bowe, Arlene Gibbs, Rob Loos


Stars: Heather Hemmens, Ser'Darius Blain, Aisha Toussaint


1.24h/2022




Movie time:


Yes I watched another Hallmark one. Wow, this guy was way nice than I would be. Jade goes on holiday. But she wakes up when someone is breaking in! Ooops, no no one is breaking in. It seemed she was scammed. But Ford the good guy he is let´s her stay the night, and then  more. Like I said, I wouldn´t let a stranger sleep over and then stay. Nope.




This woman can not relax. She is all about work. Luckily she is staying with a nice goodlooking guy who shows her around, and obvi they fall in love,




But there are secrets! So some drama before it ends.




Sweet, cheesy like all Hallmark ones




Thursday 15 August 2024

I owe you one by Sophie Kinsella


Format: 432 pages, Paperback


Published: June 27, 2019 by Black Swan


Chic.lit /library






It deserves a 3 to be honest. It was good, it was fun and I read it in a day, but OMG the toxicity of these shitty people!!!! And they got off so easy, like f that. F those people. Ugh, yeah sure happy endings, but these people are absolutely horrid.




Fixie likes to fix things. She works in her mother´s shop. She knows the business. Then an old fling comes back. All smooth talk. Like damn girl, he broke you once. Stop being nice.




Then she has to take care of the shop with her useless brother who has no job and only chases money he does not have, and spends money he does not have. And her brainless sister whose husband works in another country and she is all I have to stay and do yoga. Oh and her stupid uncle who knows nothing. These people comes in with toxic BS and tries to destroy the shop. And she is playing it so nice. No, just say NO, and or leave. Like yes leave and it would all fall apart. Her siblings were so useless. I also do not like how it all worked out, a stern talking too and they all fell in line. That does not happen. Those people stole, cheated and just no. Suddenly we are all friends again and they behave well. People do not change that fast.




Then there is the story of the Owe you guy who comes and goes from her life. That felt weird too, he is with her gf, he is not, he is. I think if he would have broken up and let it evolve. All these people just seems to suck in different ways




Now what did you actually like?! It was easy to read, cheesy, fun, but the toxic shit destroyed much






Fixie Farr can’t help herself. Straightening a crooked object, removing a barely-there stain, helping out a friend . . . she just has to put things right. It’s how she got her nickname, after all.




So when a handsome stranger in a coffee shop asks her to watch his laptop for a moment, Fixie not only agrees, she ends up saving it from certain disaster. To thank her, the computer’s owner, Sebastian, scribbles her an IOU – but of course Fixie never intends to call in the favour.




That is, until her teenage crush, Ryan, comes back into her life and needs her help – and Fixie turns to Seb. But things don’t go according to plan, and now Fixie owes Seb: big time. Soon the pair are caught up in a series of IOUs – from small favours to life-changing debts – and Fixie is torn between the past she’s used to and the future she deserves.



Does she have the courage to fix things for herself and fight for the life, and love, she really wants?



Tuesday 13 August 2024

TMST

 


 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.





8/13/2024 Do you have a musical talent? What is it? 



I do not. I can´t sing, I can´t play anything and I can´t read notes














8/20/2024 How long have you been blogging? And has your blog changed over time?


8/27/2024  Which books are you looking forward to reading this Fall? (Sept-Nov)




Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.




If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions,  please fill out this GOOGLE FORM.  Participation is optional and never required.




Monday 12 August 2024

Carole´s Monday: Crown of hearts


Author: Judith Lynne
Title: Crown of Hearts
Series: Lords and Undefeated Ladies #4
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: ebook
Pages: 539
Published: April 30, 2021
Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)


Summary: 
Does Anthony's lonely past doom him to a lonely future?
He's never breathed a word of who he was before he ran away from home. Now someone knows who he is.
Worse, brazen David Castle knows what he likes.

Anthony's survived by being what others want him to be. He's given up on finding the grand passion of his dreams. The little girl he took under his wing so long ago has asked for just one more thing: to know the fate of her mother.

David Castle is a terrible rake behind that English rose complexion. He thinks taking his lumps is a fair exchange for having every indulgence Anthony doesn't: family, neighbors, and pleasure wherever he can. He's never left London before, but he's always game for anything; how hard could it be?

When circumstances force Anthony to take David along, they'll both have to decide what would be worse: if they killed each other along the way, or if they fell in love.


Review:
Grabbed this and didn't realize it was part of a series until a few chapters in and I checked Goodreads. LOL Whoopsies. Lucky for me it worked perfectly well as a standalone. I'm sure we got to meet some of the past characters but it didn't impact the story. 

Here we follow David and Anthony. Anthony had a lonely past and is carrying a mighty secret of who he was before he ran away. Now....someone knows who is he and what he likes. David is a terrible rake and he is up for anything. When circumstances force Anthony to bring David along, they'll have to decide what would be worse....if they kill each other along the way or if they fall in love.

Like I said earlier...this did well as a standalone. I had zero idea about past event. If it was important we were told. I can assume who some of the other couples might have been in the past three books, but it was fine. I did have a couple of questions, but it didn't slow me down.

Anthony's true identity was great! What a fun twist. 

David was annoying but I grew to like him. They seemed perfect for each other.....after a while. At first I was not sure these two would make a good couple but after a certain scene it clicked for me. 

This was a lot of fun but there were scenes that dragged ON AND ON AND ON. Like okay, I get it. Let's skip ahead a bit. 

The epilogue was very sweet. I loved seeing these men worry about their friend. It was cute. 

All-in-all, this was a nice love story. I am curious about the other three books ahead of this one. It'll be fun to see them all be curious about the mysterious Anthony. Some scenes dragged on a bit and I didn't buy the couple at first. However, everything worked by the end and I enjoyed myself. I'll stamp this with 3 stars. 


ONE WORD SUMMARY: Delightful



Challenge(s):
- Romance Reading Challenge #20 (LGBT)

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