Let me preface this review by saying that try as I might... I couldn't manage to fully disentangle (no pun intended) my not so warm and fuzzy dispositiLet me preface this review by saying that try as I might... I couldn't manage to fully disentangle (no pun intended) my not so warm and fuzzy disposition toward Disney's Tangled. From my misgivings about this most Tangle-like book. As a mother who at various times found myself unwillingly subjected to viewing or being in proximity to said movie.
Things to love. *Most of which are admittedly peripheral but important nonetheless. 1. The relationship of the narrator, Brenden, to both the story as he tells it. And his sister, Daniella, who is both his audience and the recipient of the gift of this much changed version of her much loved Tangled. A movie that serves as much needed comfort. As she undergoes chemotherapy.
2. The author's dedication of this story to her sister. Who also battled cancer.
3. Although this book's similarities to Tangled are at times glaring. There are enough differences to more than compensate for them.
4. This story is at its heart, inspiring, uplifting, life affirming, and fun. The character changes are surprising and very well done. And this is indeed a story with something for everyone. Literally!!!
Things Not To Love.
1. The overt Disneyness if it all. So much ofthis book is in fact right out of Tangled. That i feel safe in saying that if this book were not in fact being published by the Disney Group. Miss Braswell could very well be facing legel action from those presiding over all things to do with the land of mousey goodness.
2. The fact that the girl with all the gifts spends so much of the story being the dupe. Granted. She has spent 18 years of her life locked away in a tower. Which could make social development a challenge. But her lack of self knowledge is equally astounding. The true workings of her magic are a complete mystery to her for the book's majority. And she spends most of the book at the mercy of or dependant on others.
Is this book well written? Yes. Is is recommended? On its own merit? Discounting fans of T.angled. Of course. No. Based on the motivation and reason for its existence.? Yes.
That being said this is a good book for fans of Tangled, Disneyfied fairytale, coming of age stories, and light HEAs....more
There are so many things to love about this charmingly captivating first in the Book Of Love series. The first of which being the characters that readThere are so many things to love about this charmingly captivating first in the Book Of Love series. The first of which being the characters that readers come to know as Goose and Beast. Yes, I am well aware that they are each possessed of both proper names and titles. It is the familiars of Goose and Beast, and all the love and history that they manage to convey. That will undoubtedly will allow the two star-crossed lovers to live on in my heart and the hearts of all who read their story.
In truth... If not for the addition of the red leather bound tome that falls on Goose's/Olivia's head not once but twice. This would be a simple case of childhood friends separated by time and war rediscovering one another. But the book and the questions about the process of falling in love that it poses. Serves as a catalyst of sorts for the exploration and realization of the process by which one actively 'falls' in love. in essence giving Goose and Beast a what seems a relatively 'scientific' way to explore their feelings for each other. But wait... There's more! It seems that Beast and Goose's love match may just be up for the chopping block. That is, if her loathsome and greedy cousin and the newest Viscount has his way. For not only is he determined to sell of as many as the family assets as he can. It seems that he is looking to rid himself of one very pretty little complication. In the form of Goose. By any means necessary! In short!!!! Time is of the essence! For if our dear Goose doesn't manage to 'soothe the savage Beast'. Her goose will indeed be well and truly cooked!
This story also serves to introduce one to other charming players in this series. Poppy and Nathaniel (The Touch Of Love) Penelope and Thaddius (The Taste Of Love) Giving just enough background on all six friends to both set the stage for books to come, and flush out the story at hand.
This is a beautifully composed story that lacks nothing. Yet is surprisingly well under the usual 400+ pages customarily seen in books of its ilk. More importantly... For those of you who love a good binge read. The entire series is available on Kindle Unlimited!!!!
Heart On A Leash is a story that turns pup inspired cute and small town quirk into an uber-readable story. With an "awe factor of ten". Long before thHeart On A Leash is a story that turns pup inspired cute and small town quirk into an uber-readable story. With an "awe factor of ten". Long before the Romeo and Juliet meets the Hatfields and the McCoys styled romance that Josh and Taylor find themselves victims to even becomes a thing. Cuteness factor aside. Be forewarned when reading this that it is choc-a-bloc full of supposed adults. Repeatedly engaging in clearly childish and asinine behavior. So much so... That one is often tempted to skip pages of character interaction. Just to reacha point where sanity even dares peek through. If only for the briefest of moments. Not to worry though... The romance between Josh and Taylor is more than cute enough to make up for the long held feud nonsense. And the well placed sex scenes are just plain yummy. Though the sentiment of "love conquering all" does fit here. At least as far as Taylor and Josh are concerned. The state of the feud is left as a bit of an unresolved stalemate. Oh well. On to book two. *Thank you to Berkley Books and NetGalley. For providing the review copy on which this honest literary critique is based.*...more
It has been my experience that adults. Simply by shear essence of being adults. Have but one unfailing, but often times wholly unnecessary talent. ThatIt has been my experience that adults. Simply by shear essence of being adults. Have but one unfailing, but often times wholly unnecessary talent. That of making a thing that is supposed to be fun, so complex; that the mere thought of having to interact with said thing is enough to send one running for the medicated safety of the nearest pych ward. At the very most. Or send one in search of the emergency stash of Benadryl in the hopes of warding off one mean case of stress hives. At the very least.
Such is the case with Terry Miles' Rabbits. Otherwise known as Ready Player One for adults. Only endlessly more complicated. With both plot and story-lines which prove to be dizzyingly circular, and an ending that this reviewer can not in good conscience speak on. Because according to my Kindle. I doggedly trekked my last plot loop at somewhere around 28%. Before giving up that ghost of this ending in any way but badly. And hanging my head in DNF defeat.
This is not to say that this story does not have its good points. Hell... Even Frankenstein has his good points. (My Frankenstein reference being to the monster.) For the book... said good points are its band of colorful, smart, and somewhat financially ambiguous characters. Main character, K, most of all. With the here, but mostly gone, Alan Scarpio, running a close second. Not bad for a man who spends, up to the point of my defection. A mere chapter of the book as a living, breathing entity within the context of this story.
Simply put dear readers. There is too much here. Conspiracies, rivals, alternate time lines... You name it. It's in there. Not to mention the fact that one is always wondering if the lives that K and his not so marry band are leading are in fact the essence of the game. If the game is a metaphor for something else entirely. Or if the game is in fact, just that. Questions all, that for this reader shall ever remain questions. Which I will leave to other intrepid souls to answer For now...
Reviewer's Note: Thank you to Netgalley for the provision of the review copy upon which this honest critique is based...more
This book is the perfect mixture of cheesy 80's horror and all those bad reality TV shows where people start out as 'sort of friends'. Only to have reThis book is the perfect mixture of cheesy 80's horror and all those bad reality TV shows where people start out as 'sort of friends'. Only to have relationships and levels of decorum devolve as secrets and betrayals are revealed. Right before the eyes of a drama starved public. Popcorn in hand, judgement and recriminations at the ready.
Only this time... The house is an abandoned Hein-era mansion. And the audience. Well... That's where things get more than a bit creepy. Try the restless spirit of the woman buried alive as a young bride. Her bones, along with those sacrificed to attend her making up the founding of the house.
The drama begins almost as soon as the book does. With some of the guests playing 'hot potato' with the knowledge of who had had affairs with the bride. And whether the proverbial 'beans should be spilled to the unsuspecting groom. Before the 'death til us part and all." While our narrator gets acquainted with the spirit in question. And seriously starts to wonder when the 'and then there were none' countdown is scheduled to begin.
Insert plot twist here. When after a game of ghost storytelling. The bride goes missing and there is a stabbing. All the while tensions continue to heighten. And arguments and jealous squabbles abound.
The ending almost seems a justification for the intrusion of the self absorbed and petty squad that this spirit has found herself hosting. Along that vein... This story is a lot less horror. And a lot more spiritually induced comedy of errors. With the short and not so sweet format of the story serving to drive home the impact of its ending's very ironic punch....more
Kat Hollaway and Daniel McAdam are once again at their crime solving best. Although the mystery of missing children and the possible murder of a belovKat Hollaway and Daniel McAdam are once again at their crime solving best. Although the mystery of missing children and the possible murder of a beloved nurse; sees the pair far afield of the pomp and circumstance of Mayfair. The setting for these terrible crimes being the rough and tumble streets of London's East End. The children, the oft forgotten residents of London's Foundling Hospital. The threat to all concerned more deadly than ever.
This fourth offering of the Kat Hollaway Mystery series sees trouble brewing for our beloved heroine at every turn. With her relationship with the rule flouting Lady Cynthia putting her job as cook for the penny-pinching Mrs. Bywater in constant jeopardy. While her quest to help Daniel's adoptive brother, Erroll Fielding, solve the mysteries plaguing the East End. Just may cost her life. This book is by far the darkest of the series. Tackling the very real problem of children in the sex trade. Though the author very deftly handles the subject in such a way that it is neither glorified, nor exploitive. The addition of Mr. Fielding provides a much needed glimpse into the past of Daniel. Serving as the much needed bridge bringing Kat just that much further into both his world and his heart.
Lady Cynthia, ever the maverick. Is making her way ever closer to the shy and scholarly Mr. Thanos. And seeing these two playing what amounts to a very adorable game of "emotional peekaboo" is enough to warm even the most cynical of hearts. It is in fact, the very sweet, almost chaste romance of the adult pairs that serves as the perfect reprieve from the harsher realities that our favorite characters must face.
This book is a sheer joy to read. Captivating the reader from beginning to end. With likeable characters, intelligent plot structure, excellent world building, and seamlessly flowing dialogue. That makes one dread the having to end the story.
This book is the fourth in a continuous series that may be read in its entirety. Or as a standalone.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for providing the eARC on which this unbiased critique is based....more
How many ways can one truly say BRAVO! Hmmmmm... Let me see. Bridgerton. BRIDGERTON!!!! BRIDGERTON!!!! The only way that this book could have been more perfHow many ways can one truly say BRAVO! Hmmmmm... Let me see. Bridgerton. BRIDGERTON!!!! BRIDGERTON!!!! The only way that this book could have been more perfect is is the original work showcased Simon as someone approximating the beauty of Rege-Jean Paige. But failing that. This book is exquisite. And dare I say, 'better than the series' in a great number of respects. For one. The banter between Simon and Daphne flowed so much more fluidly when experienced as a product of Julia's mind. Than when put through the filter of adaptation and production edits. The two seem a great deal more evenly matched. With Daphne truly able to hold her own with the duke. Instead of being relegated to the role of smart, tough, but sadly sheltered and very moon-eyed ingénue to the worldly and brooding duke.
Two The book really lets you see that the duke's impediments are in fact very much still in play. And very capable of rearing their stifling heads at the most inopportune of times (i.e. Times of extreme stress or emotion.) Thereby making the reader more sympathetic to his plight. And more understanding of his mannerisms and moods.
Three Both Daphne and her mother are proven much more devious, and far less saintly than the series would lead one to believe. And Daphne's manipulation and betrayal of the duke are far more logical.
Any way you slice it... Books are always better. And this one is the cream of the crop in its own right. Simon and Daphne are characters meant to love and be loved. The Bridgertons and all their supporting fellows are bright and lively diamonds. Twinkling shamelessly against a story-line filled with plots, deals, deceit, treachery, marriage, and money. ...more
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