Eye-opening and heartbreaking journalism, trying to get into the minds of street kids in San Francisco and figure out how to break cycle of abuse, druEye-opening and heartbreaking journalism, trying to get into the minds of street kids in San Francisco and figure out how to break cycle of abuse, drug abuse, and homelessness...more
This unique romance had me holding my breath. The first half of the book has an insurance fraud detective interviewing family members, husband, and frThis unique romance had me holding my breath. The first half of the book has an insurance fraud detective interviewing family members, husband, and friends of Sydni Greer, who died in a supposed suicide crash off a bridge seven years ago. Elijah Garrett interviews Cole, the husband who is due to collect a huge amount of money when his wife is legally declared dead. He interviews her mother and father, sister, best friend, and an elderly lady who lives by the river they never found her body in. He tries to piece together Sydni’s last day, and as he does, Elijah finds himself falling for this incredible woman who had no one there for her in her time of deepest pain, grief, and betrayal. Everyone except her dad believes her grief drove her to end her life. But Elijah isn’t buying it. Sydni’s husband is a jerk, his mistress a piece of work, and her family dismally failed her. No one else except him and the police know about the go-bag they recently found that proves Sydni never meant to kill herself. She was running away. So the mystery begins, with Elijah determined to find out what truly happened to Sydni on that last day and figure out if she’s still alive, maybe with amnesia, not remembering anything.
I won’t spoil the story by saying what happens, but it is a slow-burn love story about healing and picking up the pieces of your life when all goes to hell, and learning to trust again. It has great characters, mystery, clean sizzle, and a happy ending. My favorite kind of story. ...more
Crazy story! This is based off the true story of 2 kidnapped teens in Uganda who are trained and forced to fight for a warlord in the civil war there.Crazy story! This is based off the true story of 2 kidnapped teens in Uganda who are trained and forced to fight for a warlord in the civil war there. It spans over a decade of time and shows how these 2 meet and fall in love in horrific circumstances, and how their upbringing by good parents to always be good humans helps them retain their humanity when others are trying to turn them into monsters. It was a heavy book with lots of hard things to read in it, but goodness triumphs in the end! Very inspiring story!...more
If you don't like swearing (F-words) and sex scenes, know that this book has them. I had to skip a bunch, but had been prewarned so was prepared. ThisIf you don't like swearing (F-words) and sex scenes, know that this book has them. I had to skip a bunch, but had been prewarned so was prepared. This book is a heartbreaking romance with abuse as the subject. The heroine doesn't want to end up like her mother, who was beaten often by her dad for no good reason. So when she falls hopelessly in love and feels her life can't get better, she is jerked out of HEA when her guy hurts her. I won't summarize the whole plot, but it's a beautifully written book about abusers and victims, and amazingly, I felt for each, finding myself in the same heartbreaking place as the heroine as she tries to decide whether to stay and risk further abuse or end it now. You fall in love with the anti-hero, and gain a lot of empathy for victims after reading this. That's why I decided to skip what I didn't like to see how the author did it. It's a tear-jerker for sure. ...more
This story was riveting. I couldn't put it down once I started reading. And when I finished, I was shocked to realize it was based on a true story of This story was riveting. I couldn't put it down once I started reading. And when I finished, I was shocked to realize it was based on a true story of real people who lived through these harrowing experiences. I thought it was just made up. That made it even more incredible. It follows a family of Germans living in Ukraine. But with Stalin gaining ground, the Nazis are retreating from there and taking all the German born people with them (to replace the exterminated Jews back in the homeland). This family becomes refugees under the "care" of the Nazis (who they despise), but they fear Stalin more. Read it. You won't regret it. Though horrific things happen to these people, they triumph in the end and it is very inspiring. ...more
This historical fiction was thrilling and captivating. It deals with a piece of history I’ve never heard of before, which made it more exciting. It’s This historical fiction was thrilling and captivating. It deals with a piece of history I’ve never heard of before, which made it more exciting. It’s the end of WWI. Most of the Czechs and Slovaks who were in the Austro-Hungarian Empire when the war started were fighting the Russians, French and British. They were captured by the Russians and made POWs. When the war ended, they wanted to see an end to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and gain a free republic of Czechoslovakia. So they volunteered to fight for France, making them traitors to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The plan was to go through Siberia and take a ship pretty much all the way around the world to get to France without going through Germany. The French and their Allies had supplied Russia during WWI. When the Bolsheviks took over and made peace with Germany, the Allies worried that Germany would get all those supplies and use them against them. So they used the Czech Legion to keep railways open through Siberia so they could get those supplies out.
This story follows several characters through a riveting and dangerous journey through Siberia. Filip is in the Czech legion, going deep into the heart of Russia. Nadia is a Russian aristocrat trying to escape the Bolsheviks, who executed her family and are determined to mete out the same punishment to her. Desperate, she marries Filip to get on the train heading east into Siberia, with the agreement that they will annul their marriage when they get to the end of the line. So begins a heart-pounding slow-burn romance between the two as they try to survive a post-WWI Russia that is falling apart.
This book smashed my heart all over the place. It’s set in a war-torn area of the world that is experiencing a civil war, and war isn’t pretty. Neither are their lives as they work and struggle each day to survive. Yet, just as a flower can push through a crack in a sidewalk, love blooms amidst adversity in this thrilling tale. I ached, I cried, I wanted to stop reading at times because my heart was breaking. But ultimately, it ended on a happy note, and seeing these brave individuals not only survive, but thrive, was beyond satisfying. This isn’t a tale for the faint-hearted, but it is one that should be read because it inspires one to be better than they are.
Merged review:
This historical fiction was thrilling and captivating. It deals with a piece of history I’ve never heard of before, which made it more exciting. It’s the end of WWI. Most of the Czechs and Slovaks who were in the Austro-Hungarian Empire when the war started were fighting the Russians, French and British. They were captured by the Russians and made POWs. When the war ended, they wanted to see an end to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and gain a free republic of Czechoslovakia. So they volunteered to fight for France, making them traitors to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The plan was to go through Siberia and take a ship pretty much all the way around the world to get to France without going through Germany. The French and their Allies had supplied Russia during WWI. When the Bolsheviks took over and made peace with Germany, the Allies worried that Germany would get all those supplies and use them against them. So they used the Czech Legion to keep railways open through Siberia so they could get those supplies out.
This story follows several characters through a riveting and dangerous journey through Siberia. Filip is in the Czech legion, going deep into the heart of Russia. Nadia is a Russian aristocrat trying to escape the Bolsheviks, who executed her family and are determined to mete out the same punishment to her. Desperate, she marries Filip to get on the train heading east into Siberia, with the agreement that they will annul their marriage when they get to the end of the line. So begins a heart-pounding slow-burn romance between the two as they try to survive a post-WWI Russia that is falling apart.
This book smashed my heart all over the place. It’s set in a war-torn area of the world that is experiencing a civil war, and war isn’t pretty. Neither are their lives as they work and struggle each day to survive. Yet, just as a flower can push through a crack in a sidewalk, love blooms amidst adversity in this thrilling tale. I ached, I cried, I wanted to stop reading at times because my heart was breaking. But ultimately, it ended on a happy note, and seeing these brave individuals not only survive, but thrive, was beyond satisfying. This isn’t a tale for the faint-hearted, but it is one that should be read because it inspires one to be better than they are....more
This story was amazing! I was hooked the whole way through. It's about slavery in Charleston in the early 1800's, told through two POV: a white girl, This story was amazing! I was hooked the whole way through. It's about slavery in Charleston in the early 1800's, told through two POV: a white girl, Sarah Grimke (daughter of a wealthy plantation owner) and Handful (Hetty), her black slave. This story was riveting, especially as Sarah Grimke is a real person who did many of the things told about in this book (which I don't want to spoil for anyone). Both characters, you come to realize, are slaves in different ways. This book did a great job delving into an ugly period of our story in a very unique way, showing the freedom denied to both blacks and women for much of our history. ...more
This memoir from former child actress Jennette McCurdy (Sam from iCarly) was heartbreaking for me to read. She details her life being raised by a narcThis memoir from former child actress Jennette McCurdy (Sam from iCarly) was heartbreaking for me to read. She details her life being raised by a narcissistic mother who manipulated her into living out her own dreams by acting from age 6 on. Her mother taught her an eating disorder, applauding her daughter’s anorexic behavior. She abused her mentally, emotionally, and physically, yet did it in such a way that Jennette wanted only her mother’s happiness. She would do ANYTHING to keep her mom happy, even giving up her own wants and desires and being miserable as fame and the competitiveness of Hollywood stole her childhood years. It’s pretty graphic and tragic, yet Jennette tells it in such a way that you get a glimpse of understanding into what she went through. It’s a hard story to read, but I’m glad I did to get a look into what many child actors deal with in that industry. It was triumphant in the end, showing the hard work and soul-searching Jennette had to go through to reclaim her life and do what was good for her—finally! ...more
Wow! I am stunned. This story really pulled me into the heroine’s world as she is bargained off and married to the enemy king from another kingdom andWow! I am stunned. This story really pulled me into the heroine’s world as she is bargained off and married to the enemy king from another kingdom and whisked off into the wilderness to return to his home. She expected her new husband to give her a name, as her cruel father never gave her one. But her husband, King Rowan, only wants to name her Trouble. My heart was ripped apart and torn asunder as the nameless heroine continues her journey, wondering if it’s even worth it. She longs for death to stop her suffering, but things just keep getting worse.
Ah, my heart has felt like it’s undergone open heart surgery…and just as things wrapped up and my heart began to heal and hope again, the book ends on a chilling note. I usually hate cliffhangers, but this story did end. The heroine did find herself and figure out who she really is deep inside, which was what the book was about. But the turmoil in the kingdom is not done, and both our heroine and hero are probably going to be torn apart a little more before they can be put back together again. I’m super excited to read the next one in this series. This was an amazing story that I plan to reread again. It’s that enthralling....more
This is the final book in this series, and I loved-loved it! Kieran has been devastated by the loss of his wife for over six years, which has been shoThis is the final book in this series, and I loved-loved it! Kieran has been devastated by the loss of his wife for over six years, which has been shown in the other books. Now, he gets his turn in the limelight, but it was a heart-tugging story. Jamie—Miss Fyffe as she knows herself now after having amnesia for the last six years after a shipwreck—is dumped unceremoniously into a Scottish estate by her chaperones and left there all alone at the beginning of this book. She once again meets the despicable Kieran, who wasn’t there to help her family so many years ago when they needed him—after they had helped him. The despicable, handsome man who calls her Jamie and acts like he knows her. But the Jamie he and the Brotherhood of the Black Tartan talk about is nothing like the girl she is. The girl she remembers.
Oh, my, I don’t want to give anything away in this book, but be warned it will unleash all your angsty emotions, even if you bury them deep. This book about coming to know oneself made me cry, laugh, and cry once more. There’s a lot of crying as you try to figure out Jamie’s life with her—who she really is—what she wants now instead of being told what she wanted in the past. It’s a gripping romance with all the feels. I loved-loved-loved the characters, and the story was super well done. This might have been my favorite in the series, although I loved-loved them all, so I hate to even say that. It’s a fantastic series. The end. ...more
This was a crazy tale, especially because it’s based on the true-life story of the three daughters of Shelly Knotek, a truly psychopathic predator. ThThis was a crazy tale, especially because it’s based on the true-life story of the three daughters of Shelly Knotek, a truly psychopathic predator. Through many interviews with the girls, the husbands, and Shelly’s stepmother, the author fleshes out the details surrounding this severely dysfunctional family’s web of torture, abuse, and murder. What these sisters endured is horrific. This book is hard, agonizing reading—and (warning) has many triggers for victims of abuse and strong language. The gaslighting and other ways Shelly manipulated her family, friends, and coworkers is horrifically fascinating…and abominable. I had to put the book aside about halfway through and read some happy stories because the story bothered me so much. Then when I picked it up again, I finished it, wanting to be done. It’s beyond sad that there are people out there so morally bankrupt that they can treat other human beings like animals without any remorse or regret. I read this for book group and someone mentioned there are a lot of documentaries on this story. The book was written well and was captivating (yet disheartening). You get a glimpse into the working of the psychotic brain (and it isn’t pretty). You also get a glimpse into how abuse affects victims differently long-term and get a feel for how much courage it takes to stand up to an abuser—and why many victims don’t. ...more
Another great book that transported me into a different place and time. This story is set in the early 60s in a New York neighborhood run by the mob. Another great book that transported me into a different place and time. This story is set in the early 60s in a New York neighborhood run by the mob. Benny Lament (Benito Lomento) wants nothing to do with his family. Family means secrets. Family means being owned. Family means murder, corruption, and nothing good in his mind. His life revolves around his music since he’s made a name for himself writing songs for big name artists. But when his father makes him come listen to a black girl named Esther Mine sing in a ghetto bar in another neighborhood, he is captivated against his will. What he learns from his father about Esther Mine’s birth parents makes him want to leave her alone—the woman can only bring trouble into his life, and he’s not looking for anything from anybody. But Benny can’t get the woman’s voice out of his head, and though he runs from his fate, it’s going to catch up to him.
What I loved about this book were the themes: racial prejudice, family ties and duties, change. This story had heart, like all of Harmon’s books do, and I loved how I came to love characters so different from me—mobsters, sassy black women, angry black men, conflicted Italians. Their voices came through to me in this story, so I could hear them talking in my head. I loved the sixties setting and all the history interwoven through the radio talk show. I love the self-reflection her stories inspire if you let them. Harmon’s stories are in no way preachy (I hate those kind of stories), but as you get inside the characters� heads and experience life vicariously with them, I can’t help but stop and wonder, “Am I resisting change? Am I standing up for change? How could I do better?�
The plot of this story showed racial prejudice from several different sides and lights, and the author wrote about this touchy, sensitive subject masterfully. She didn’t try to tell me how I should be. She just told a story about how the world was, and how a few strong individuals stood up against the status quo to bring about change (a very slow change). I saw how easy it is to believe there is no racism (or more personally, to think you aren’t racist), when really there’s a good chance there is and we are just unaware or ignorant of it because it’s not touching us right then.
Amy Harmon’s stories always plant a seed of change in my heart. That’s why I love them. She started writing this back in 2019 before all the civil unrest exploded here in the US. After reading this, I want to do better at challenging my cultural and societal beliefs, to make sure I never get cozy in a world where I’m only looking out for myself. I want to do better at making sure I’m always changing in a way that is including others, not excluding them. I want to be changing in ways that unite others in diversity, instead of clinging to my comfortable cliques or tribes. Anyway, I have nothing but praise for this book. The author tackled a hard subject with difficult characters, and did it with honesty and grace. ...more
Holy chasmfiend! This book tore my heart out. This is the fourth book in this series and to summarize would be to steal all the surprises for those whHoly chasmfiend! This book tore my heart out. This is the fourth book in this series and to summarize would be to steal all the surprises for those who haven’t read it yet. And I feel these books deserve to be read. They’re literal genius at work. I totally love them. Yes, they’re as long and emotionally torturous as the chasms in the Shattered Plains themselves, but if you work your way through them, you grow like the characters do…and my, my, my is there a TON of growing for the characters in this book, especially Navani, Venli, Rlain, Kaladin, Shallan, and Adolin. This book was brilliant as well because it made me like (or at least respect) one of the main villains in it. Raboniel. Sanderson got me inside her head enough to understand her. And I loved how Sanderson delved into the subject of depression and mental illness with a few characters. He handled the sensitive subject extremely well, in my opinion. Plot twists. YES! Thrilling plot. YES-YES! Emotional jerking around. YES-YES-YES! The story ends this book’s plot arc well and wrapped up but leaves enough crazy nuggets and twists at the end to make me wish that book 5 would be out next week before I forget it all and have to reread all 1200 pages again. Ha ha. This storming world of Roshar is MESSED up, but that makes the journey anything but boring crem. ...more
This is a crazy, heart wrenching story of Lydia and her son Luca. She lives a normal, beautiful life in Acapulco until all her extended family is gathThis is a crazy, heart wrenching story of Lydia and her son Luca. She lives a normal, beautiful life in Acapulco until all her extended family is gathered together for her niece’s quinceanera, and a cartel pulls up and opens fire on all of them, killing 16 members of her family, including her journalist husband. Lydia and Luca hide and when the bad men leave, she knows they have to get out of there, for they will be back when they realize they didn’t get her and her son. So begins an epic, horrible journey of about 2-3 weeks and 2600+ miles from Acapulco to the U.S.A. with hardly anything to their name, to find safety from a madman and a new life for her and her son. This book is raw and has lots of violence and cruelty in it that happens to the mother-son duo or their migrant companions on their way to estados unidos. It ripped my heart apart and also melted it at times when I saw normal people helping these desperate people on their way with some kindness or other. It shows the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of the migrant’s journey. Though it’s a hard story to read, I’m glad I did and want to be kinder to those I meet, now knowing a little more about what the migrant journey can be like for some. Eye-opening book....more
Another deep, heartwrenching romance by Jennifer Peel. This one was very emotional. Midstory, I couldn’t contain my tears. She made me feel as if I waAnother deep, heartwrenching romance by Jennifer Peel. This one was very emotional. Midstory, I couldn’t contain my tears. She made me feel as if I was living Dani’s and Brock’s story. My heart was tugged all over the place and put through quite a breathless story. This covers some very sensitive subjects of PTSD and miscarriage. Don’t go into this thinking it’s a light, fluffy romance. This one has so many layers to wade through with deeply emotional and complicated relationships, among not just the MCs but the side characters. All I can say is Wow! This story stunned me, leaving me breathless with awe. It’s one I will definitely reread in the future. It was so fulfilling. This is the kind of story that leaves me a better person after I finish reading it, by teaching me more empathy and mercy, without ever preaching a sermon. This is the kind of story I am always searching for, and am so happy when I find, because I know it will live in my heart forever, helping me make better decisions every day. ...more
This is the third book in this series. I didn’t like it quite as much as the first two books, which received the highest marks a book can get in my raThis is the third book in this series. I didn’t like it quite as much as the first two books, which received the highest marks a book can get in my rating. But it helped me see how racism continued to thrive and the many forms it took clear into the late 1800’s, many years after slavery had ended. The lives of the characters and their children and grandchildren is explored in this book, with issues regarding the women’s suffrage movement in Oakland, California, the black laws that kept interracial couples from legally marrying, the abuses blacks received from the whites, keeping them in lower-paying jobs (Even when they were college-educated), and the never-ending fear blacks feel about their family members when they are out in the world, always wondering if they might not come back because of racism. The book ends on a melancholy note—not a unrealistic happily ever after that still hasn’t happened for many colored people. This book series was highly enlightening though, and I am grateful to be more aware after reading it. ...more
Love-love Dean’s latest story. I read an ARC, and this contemporary forbidden romance wrapped my heart up tight and didn’t let go. Mila, a professionaLove-love Dean’s latest story. I read an ARC, and this contemporary forbidden romance wrapped my heart up tight and didn’t let go. Mila, a professional pianist, is certain Ryker, her boyfriend of 10 months, is about to propose before he heads off to Japan for business. When he asks her to be the caretaker for his penthouse instead, she is crushed. He assures her they’re on the same page, but she starts to notice all the things that don’t mesh with them. Forget being on the same page; they seem to be in whole different books. After he leaves, her disillusionment grows. When Ryker’s brother shows up unannounced, she is frightened. Ryker warned her about his black sheep brother, but Zane is nothing like what Ryker and his mother described. Although, as the title implies, Zane is a thief, because he steals her heart.
I adored this story. It was fun seeing Mila’s growth as a person as she goes from settling for an okay guy to knowing what she really wants in life, after meeting Zane. It’s a fun, heart-pounding romance with all the happy thrills and tingles readers want, but the book also deals with the sensitive issue of depression. You get a glimpse into that darkness, which I appreciated as I felt it helped me feel more empathetic to those who deal with this in real life. If you love forbidden romance, this is a great one. Falling for the other brother can’t lead to any good, even if it feels so right. You’ll have to read it yourself to see how everything comes together (or not). It’s a well-written romance with all the feels I crave when I read. Bravo! ...more
This poignant redemption story about second chances and forgiveness yanked my emotions all over the place. I cried, I yearned, I hoped. It’s a beautifThis poignant redemption story about second chances and forgiveness yanked my emotions all over the place. I cried, I yearned, I hoped. It’s a beautiful story about what true love is and does, with great characters that I fell in love with, a theme about suicide and also loving and forgiving oneself that touched me deep in my core. This is the second book in this series, but each book can be read stand-alone. But Ainsley has a connection to the hero in book 1, and her issues stem from circumstances in that first book. So it’s much more enjoyable and powerful to have already read The Songs of Me and You before you read this one (at least in my opinion). Overall, a great read. ***I received an early copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review....more
This is the 2nd book in this series. Libby, Avery’s friend from book 1, has a problem. She’s not addicted to drugs or alcohol, but she still is self-dThis is the 2nd book in this series. Libby, Avery’s friend from book 1, has a problem. She’s not addicted to drugs or alcohol, but she still is self-destructing because of her sexual addiction to Owen Jackson, a college guy who’s she’s been obsessed with for the last year. Her science club friends decided to step in to stage an intervention to help cure her of her obsessive traits, and banish Owen from her mind and life forever. Avery asks help of Adam, the coffee shop manager where she works. He’s a high school dropout who’s lived a hard life, and secretly has harbored a crush on Libby for the last few years. But she doesn’t even know he exists. That is about to change.
This is another fun one. There is lots of sexual innuendos about what Libby and Owen are doing throughout the story, and some readers might find it raw and gritty. There are no details given though, and it’s a great story about overcoming addictions of any kind that destroy self-esteem, friendships, and lives. The characters are funny, and unique, and I couldn’t� help but grow to love them—a huge challenge given I couldn’t stand Libby in the beginning. She’s kind of obnoxious until you get to know her better. The sensitive subject of addiction was handled very respectfully, but in a fun way teens will relate to. Great book. ...more
Great storytelling set in the Regency period. This one features Meri and Eliott, childhood friends that get split apart when Meri marries a despicableGreat storytelling set in the Regency period. This one features Meri and Eliott, childhood friends that get split apart when Meri marries a despicable man who deceived her and subjected her to a life of misery for eight years. When they meet again, their hearts take up where they left off, but though they both love each other, both have secrets from the past eight years that have left them scarred, and could possibly stand in the way of their happiness. I really enjoyed the layers of this story, delving into the life of the main characters (And side ones was intriguing too), who look like they've lived a normal, happy life, but have excessive demons to overcome. The theme of learning to let go of secrets in order to heal is explored thoroughly in this story, and it was fun to see the growth, pain, agony, and healing that eventually came. The secrets were interesting too. It was an easy book to read, and the pacing pull me along really fast. I read this in 3 days, and could hardly put it down. It's a great one. ***I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review...more
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