Barbara's bookshelf: all en-US Fri, 18 Apr 2025 07:25:25 -0700 60 Barbara's bookshelf: all 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg Spera. L'autobiografia 223168110 396 Pope Francis 8804797541 Barbara 5
Papa Franjo je ascinantan čovjek te predivan primjer kršćanstva i što znači živjeti vjeru.

Toplo preporučam svima � koje god rase bili, bili katolici, protestanti, pravoslavci, muslimani, židovi, pogani ili bezbožni, kojeg god da ste političkog stajališta � jer ovo je knjiga koju bi svi trebali pročitati.]]> 4.23 Spera. L'autobiografia
author: Pope Francis
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.23
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/04/18
date added: 2025/04/18
shelves:
review:
Nadaj se nije samo autobiografija, nego i duhovna obnova.

Papa Franjo je ascinantan čovjek te predivan primjer kršćanstva i što znači živjeti vjeru.

Toplo preporučam svima � koje god rase bili, bili katolici, protestanti, pravoslavci, muslimani, židovi, pogani ili bezbožni, kojeg god da ste političkog stajališta � jer ovo je knjiga koju bi svi trebali pročitati.
]]> <![CDATA[City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments, #6)]]> 8755785
Sebastian Morgenstern is on the move, systematically turning Shadowhunter against Shadowhunter. Bearing the Infernal Cup, he transforms Shadowhunters into creatures out of nightmare, tearing apart families and lovers as the ranks of his Endarkened army swell.

The embattled Shadowhunters withdraw to Idris - but not even the famed demon towers of Alicante can keep Sebastian at bay. And with the Nephilim trapped in Idris, who will guard the world against demons?

When one of the greatest betrayals the Nephilim have ever known is revealed, Clary, Jace, Isabelle, Simon, and Alec must flee - even if their journey takes them deep into the demon realms, where no Shadowhunter has set foot before, and from which no human being has ever returned...

Love will be sacrificed and lives lost in the terrible battle for the fate of the word in the thrilling final installment of the classic urban fantasy series The Mortal Instruments!]]> 725 Cassandra Clare 1481426303 Barbara 0 4.38 2014 City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments, #6)
author: Cassandra Clare
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.38
book published: 2014
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/12
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]]> <![CDATA[City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments, #5)]]> 8755776 New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments continues—and so do the thrills and danger for Jace, Clary, and Simon.

What price is too high to pay, even for love? When Jace and Clary meet again, Clary is horrified to discover that the demon Lilith’s magic has bound her beloved Jace together with her evil brother Sebastian, and that Jace has become a servant of evil. The Clave is out to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. As Alec, Magnus, Simon, and Isabelle wheedle and bargain with Seelies, demons, and the merciless Iron Sisters to try to save Jace, Clary plays a dangerous game of her own. The price of losing is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she still trust him? Or is he truly lost?

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.]]> 535 Cassandra Clare 1442416866 Barbara 0 4.22 2012 City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments, #5)
author: Cassandra Clare
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.22
book published: 2012
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/12
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]]> <![CDATA[City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments, #4)]]> 6752378
But nothing comes without a price.

Someone is murdering Shadowhunters, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second, bloody war. Clary’s best friend, Simon, can’t help her—his mother just found out that he’s a vampire, and now he’s homeless. When Jace begins to pull away from her without explaining why, Clary is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: she herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace.]]> 425 Cassandra Clare 1442403543 Barbara 0 4.09 2011 City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments, #4)
author: Cassandra Clare
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2011
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/12
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review:

]]> <![CDATA[City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments, #3)]]> 3777732 Also see: Alternate Cover Editions for this ISBN [ACE]
ACE #1

To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters - never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.

As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadowhunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadowhunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City - whatever the cost?

Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the third installment of the New York Times bestselling series The Mortal Instruments.]]> 541 Cassandra Clare 1416914307 Barbara 0 4.27 2009 City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments, #3)
author: Cassandra Clare
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.27
book published: 2009
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/12
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]]> <![CDATA[City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments, #2)]]> 1582996 Also see: Alternate Cover Editions for this ISBN [ACE]
ACE #1

Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go � especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil � and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings � and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.]]> 453 Cassandra Clare 1416914293 Barbara 0 4.12 2008 City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments, #2)
author: Cassandra Clare
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.12
book published: 2008
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/12
shelves:
review:

]]> Masquerade 42202749

Divided into three parts and illustrated by Parker, masquerade grapples with topics such as the never-ending search for acceptance, gender identity, relationships, and the struggle to recognize your own face after hiding behind another for so long.
]]> 176 Cyrus Parker 1449497098 Barbara 5
I've been reading and loving modern poetry for quite some time now, and I've read enough modern poetry so I can say this with 100% certainty, I've never in my life felt a poetry book as I've felt this one. I was never left with so many emotions, thoughts and feeling as I was while reading this book.

So many times in my life I've felt lost, I didn't know who I was, who I am or who I'm even supposed to be. I was bullied and I was super insecure. I hated myself and everything I did.

And even though now I'm doing way better, way happier and a little less lost, and a little more confident I really needed this book and reading these poems meant the world. I wish I had this book in my teens. I wish this book existed when I was lost and hurting. I cried reading this, both for the author and myself.

I've loved Cryus's "Dropkick romance" so I was quite excited for this one too, however I've never expected it to mean so much to me. This book topped every poetry book I've ever read and in one aftwrnoon climbed at the top, place no.1, of my recommendation list.

The raw emotions Parker put into these poems honestly left me speechless. If I were to give you highlights, I'd have to quote the whole book. I've felt everything he felt, but not because I was personally struggling too, but because his writing and words made me feel both his and my pain.

So if you're struggling with confidence, loving yourself, figuring out who you are � give this book a chance.]]> 4.18 2019 Masquerade
author: Cyrus Parker
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at: 2020/07/18
date added: 2025/04/12
shelves:
review:
If I could I'd give this book thousand stars because five ain't enough.

I've been reading and loving modern poetry for quite some time now, and I've read enough modern poetry so I can say this with 100% certainty, I've never in my life felt a poetry book as I've felt this one. I was never left with so many emotions, thoughts and feeling as I was while reading this book.

So many times in my life I've felt lost, I didn't know who I was, who I am or who I'm even supposed to be. I was bullied and I was super insecure. I hated myself and everything I did.

And even though now I'm doing way better, way happier and a little less lost, and a little more confident I really needed this book and reading these poems meant the world. I wish I had this book in my teens. I wish this book existed when I was lost and hurting. I cried reading this, both for the author and myself.

I've loved Cryus's "Dropkick romance" so I was quite excited for this one too, however I've never expected it to mean so much to me. This book topped every poetry book I've ever read and in one aftwrnoon climbed at the top, place no.1, of my recommendation list.

The raw emotions Parker put into these poems honestly left me speechless. If I were to give you highlights, I'd have to quote the whole book. I've felt everything he felt, but not because I was personally struggling too, but because his writing and words made me feel both his and my pain.

So if you're struggling with confidence, loving yourself, figuring out who you are � give this book a chance.
]]> <![CDATA[Katekizam Katoličke crkve: Kompendij]]> 9553200 207 9532350640 Barbara 0 currently-reading 4.33 2005 Katekizam Katoličke crkve: Kompendij
author: Hrvatska biskupska konferencija
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.33
book published: 2005
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/11
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Confessions (A Penguin Classics Hardcover)]]> 22571626 One of a major new Classics series - books that have changed the history of thought, in sumptuous, clothbound hardbacks.

The son of a pagan father and a Christian mother, Saint Augustine spent his early years torn between conflicting faiths and world views. His Confessions, written when he was in his forties, recount how, slowly and painfully, he came to turn away from his youthful ideas and licentious lifestyle, to become instead a staunch advocate of Christianity and one of its most influential thinkers. A remarkably honest and revealing spiritual autobiography, the Confessions also address fundamental issues of Christian doctrine, and many of the prayers and meditations it includes are still an integral part of the practice of Christianity today.]]> 576 Augustine of Hippo 014139689X Barbara 0 currently-reading 3.97 400 Confessions (A Penguin Classics Hardcover)
author: Augustine of Hippo
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.97
book published: 400
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/10
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Joy of the In-Between: 100 Devotions for Trusting God in Your Waiting Season: A Devotional]]> 181347562 Are you sick of waiting for your “real� life to begin? This joy-filled daily devotional offers the abundant peace that comes when you place your trust in God’s plan and start living today—from the founder of the Honey Scoop.“Ashley’s timely wisdom will draw you in and leave you feeling equipped and encouraged to begin each day with joy.”—Rebekah Lyons, bestselling author of Rhythms of RenewalDo you have big dreams and can hardly wait to start the future God has planned for you? But maybe you haven’t yet arrived where you want to be. Perhaps you yearn for the spouse you’ve been praying for, the career you’ve been working toward, or the life you’ve been hoping for. Whatever your longings, waiting can be difficult. But you don’t have to wait until God answers your prayers to embrace where He has you today.The truth is, you’re not just hanging around for what comes next—you’re in a meaningful process of becoming the person God created you to be. This daily devotional from the founder of the Honey Scoop will fill you with encouragement to help you deepen your faith as you trust God with your life and its sweetness exactly where you are right now—not where you will be someday. You don’t need to waste your current season as you wait for what’s next.Discover how you can experience more joy, more purpose, and more trust in God today, and make the most of these holy, God-given days as you embrace The Joy of the In-Between.]]> 305 Ashley Hetherington 0593600703 Barbara 2 4.53 The Joy of the In-Between: 100 Devotions for Trusting God in Your Waiting Season: A Devotional
author: Ashley Hetherington
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.53
book published:
rating: 2
read at: 2025/04/09
date added: 2025/04/10
shelves:
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Praise the Lord for I have finished it!
]]> Snaga ljubavi 24030416 Na temelju svjedočanstava Svetoga pisma, apokrifnih spisa i bogate kršćanske tradicije, iz pera poznatoga poljskog pisca Jana Dobraczyńskoga izranja životan i topao ljudski lik sv. Josipa. Prateći život, nutarnje i vanjske kušnje ovoga omiljenog sveca brojnih kršćanskih naraštaja roman Snaga ljubavi usporedo opisuje političke, društvene i religijske okolnosti Palestine toga vremena, neodoljivo uvlačeći u svoju pripovijest misao i srce svakoga čitatelja. Snaga ljubavi divna je priča prepuna topline o životu skromnoga čovjeka kojega je Bog učinio najintimnijim svjedokom otajstva svojega Utjelovljenja.
Svojom književnom ljepotom, psihološkim poniranjem u nutrinu likova Josipa i Marije iz Nazareta te univerzalnim vrjednotama � spremnošću na žrtvu, važnosti obitelji i značenjem prave ljubavi � ovaj najpoznatiji roman Jana Dobraczyńskoga već godinama privlači pozornost publike u mnogim zemljama svijeta, neprestano doživljavajući nova izdanja. U svijetu u kojemu istinska uloga očinstva doživljava krizu, u svijetu u kojemu je riječ "ljubav" izgubila svoje pravo značenje ovaj roman aktualniji je i poticajniji no ikada prije.]]> 304 Jan Dobraczyński 9532354018 Barbara 5 4.58 1988 Snaga ljubavi
author: Jan Dobraczyński
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.58
book published: 1988
rating: 5
read at: 2025/04/01
date added: 2025/04/01
shelves:
review:

]]> Lom 48718586
Lom je maestralan povratak Andrésa Neumana koji se Putnikom stoljeća etablirao kao jedan od najvažnijih latinskoameričkih pisaca današnjice. Ovaj je roman prije svega posveta ljepoti slomljenih stvari, onih kroz čije pukotine prolazi život, ljubav, povijest, priroda i duh; i onih čije savršenstvo proizlazi upravo iz nesklada. Riječ je o neosporivom savršenstvu koje pronalazimo u svemu bitnome što čini život i o pukotinama koje su nasljedstvo 20. stoljeća, svih bezglavih pokolja, nasilja i ruševina, čije su posljedice duboko utkane u naše kolektivno pamćenje. Neumanov gospodin Watanabe stoji pred nama kao mesija čitavog jednog svijeta, onog koji čuči u nama samima.]]> 444 Andrés Neuman 9532592644 Barbara 0 currently-reading 3.89 2018 Lom
author: Andrés Neuman
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2018
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/28
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> Bakhita 35594653
Bakhita est le roman bouleversant de cette femme exceptionnelle qui fut tour à tour captive, domestique, religieuse et sainte. Avec une rare puissance d'évocation, Véronique Olmi en restitue le destin, les combats incroyables, la force et la grandeur d'âme dont la source cachée puise au souvenir de sa petite enfance avant qu'elle soit razziée.

]]> 456 Véronique Olmi 2226393226 Barbara 5
Reading this story my brain had the hardest time comprehending that this was a true story. This was actual life of Saint Bakhita. I found her strength and calmness so inspiring, but also so sad. It pains me that her innocence and carefree spirit of a child has been stolen from her and that she didn't get to have a proper childhood. It seemed so unreal, and almost fictional, that such terrible things could happen to a real person. The saddest thing is they still happend to children nowdays.

A must read for believers, but also non-believers.]]> 4.22 2017 Bakhita
author: Véronique Olmi
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.22
book published: 2017
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/28
date added: 2025/02/28
shelves:
review:
What a remarkable woman!

Reading this story my brain had the hardest time comprehending that this was a true story. This was actual life of Saint Bakhita. I found her strength and calmness so inspiring, but also so sad. It pains me that her innocence and carefree spirit of a child has been stolen from her and that she didn't get to have a proper childhood. It seemed so unreal, and almost fictional, that such terrible things could happen to a real person. The saddest thing is they still happend to children nowdays.

A must read for believers, but also non-believers.
]]> <![CDATA[Božanski časoslov za Božji puk]]> 34870152 1110 Livio Marijan 9537377156 Barbara 4
This was a bit disappointing considering I bought it because I was tired of reading prayers from a website with a phone in my hand because all the notifications popping up would distract me from prayer. Since it doesn't have Terce, Sext, None and Office of Readings I'll still have to pray some Hours with my phone.]]> 4.00 Božanski časoslov za Božji puk
author: Livio Marijan
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.00
book published:
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2025/02/18
shelves:
review:
It has a really good explanation of how to pray the Liturgy of Hours and its importance. However, I'm giving it four stars because it only has Morning, Evening and Night prayers.

This was a bit disappointing considering I bought it because I was tired of reading prayers from a website with a phone in my hand because all the notifications popping up would distract me from prayer. Since it doesn't have Terce, Sext, None and Office of Readings I'll still have to pray some Hours with my phone.
]]> <![CDATA[Pjesma nad pjesmama iz Ulice Palermo]]> 63078152
Pjesma nad pjesmama iz Ulice Palermo romaneskni je debi višestruko nagrađivane danske umjetnice Annette Bjergfeldt. Posrijedi je dinamična, dirljiva i izuzetno duhovita oda životu i ljubavi, koju je teško i s čime usporediti, a donijet će vatromet dobrih emocija svakome tko je odluči pročitati.]]> 360 Annette Bjergfeldt 9532593950 Barbara 0 to-read 4.48 2020 Pjesma nad pjesmama iz Ulice Palermo
author: Annette Bjergfeldt
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.48
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/17
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Katekizam Katoličke Crkve 18214550 Papa Ivan Pavao II. proglasio ga je "sigurnim pravilom za poučavanje vjere i stoga valjanim i zakonitim sredstvom u službi crkvenog zajedništva".
Podijeljen je na četiri dijela - vjerovanje, sakramenti (liturgija), život (zapovijedi) i molitva.]]> 812 Catholic Church 9536258021 Barbara 0 currently-reading 4.64 1992 Katekizam Katoličke Crkve
author: Catholic Church
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.64
book published: 1992
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/17
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Faith Notes (The Montgomery Brothers #4)]]> 216422950
After surviving a heartbreaking loss, Georgia is finally in a better place. She has a man she loves by her side, a supportive family, and a job she’s passionate about.

And to top it all off, a baby will soon join the Lewis tribe.

Life is good—no great, actually.

So why, then, is she always waiting for the other shoe to drop?

Armed with morning sickness that doesn’t just stick to the morning and enough tears to fill a lake, Georgia is determined not to let her anxiety win.

But with every new symptom that pregnancy brings—and trust her, there’s a lot—Georgia finds herself holding her breath, waiting for something to go wrong. But the problem with waiting for the bad is you forget to look for the good.

They say a woman glows when she is pregnant, but should Grayson be worried when his wife is grumpier than usual and he’s the one bringing the sunshine to the relationship?

Please this book cannot be read as a standalone. It should be read after Letters of Grace and Letters of Faith]]> 103 T. Bell Barbara 5 4.65 Faith Notes (The Montgomery Brothers #4)
author: T. Bell
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.65
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/07
date added: 2025/02/11
shelves:
review:
Grayson and Georgia love breaking my heart. Letters of Faith destroyed me in several ways and I thought I couldn't get worse than that. Boy, was I wrong! I recommend checking out trigger warnings because it deals the main focus of this book is pregnancy and giving birth, so if you're sensitive to those topics read with caution. What I really love about these books is how real they are, and that even though they're just stories, they actually offer some advice.
]]> <![CDATA[Grace Notes (The Montgomery Brothers #3)]]> 212802988 Planning a vow renewal isn’t for the faint of heart—especially when dealing with a sick father and a daughter who has questions about her faith. Throw in a couple of mischievous brothers, and it might as well be a recipe for disaster. And that’s all before a town full of well-meaning busybodies have their say.

After experiencing a rough spot in their marriage, Brooks and Emryn want to reaffirm their vows. They aren’t the same people they were when they got married. They’ve grown—changed—worked on themselves and their marriage, and they are ready to share that newfound happiness and love with the world.

But life rarely goes as planned. When things start to go wrong at every turn, the couple's newfound communication skills are put to the test.

They say if you can survive the planning, you can survive anything, but will Brooks and Emryn?]]> 105 T. Bell Barbara 5 4.49 Grace Notes (The Montgomery Brothers #3)
author: T. Bell
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.49
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/06
date added: 2025/02/11
shelves:
review:
T. Bell is successfully becoming one of my favorite authors! Grace Notes is a sweet short read about Brooks and Emryn and their struggle with vow reneval planning. This book is also focused on parenting and bringing your children close to God. I'm not a mom, so I haven't faced with this struggle yet, but I absolutely loved reading about this. Just like Letters of Grace, this was an emotional, but sweet read that had me giggling and kicking my feet.
]]> Posljednji dani u Berlinu 216582579
Nakon tragična gubitka majke i brata, mladi Jurij Santacruz iz boljševičke Rusije s ocem bježi u Madrid, a zatim stiže u Berlin � netom prije Hitlerova dolaska na vlast. Kad slijedom nesretnih okolnosti postane svjedokom ubojstva oficira Führerove garde, u njegov će život ući prelijepa Claudia, žena nacističkog časnika, i hrabra liječnica Krista. A onda će stići i pismo da su njegovi najbliži, unatoč staljinističkom progonu, ipak živi…]]> 472 Paloma Sánchez-Garnica 9532594809 Barbara 5
While Last Days in Berlin is very heavy on its historical accuracy, it's also a story about fighting injustice, a story about lives being lost to one persons lunacy and political regimes, but also a story about love and those rare happy moments people managed to steal in days when tomorrow wasn't promised.

The only words I have for it are words of praise. I've never read such a profound historical/war novel. I've never felt so many emotions while reading a book. I never cried as hard as I did when reading this book. I am left without words, and no words seem worthy of describing this book. Every time my poor heart thought it couldn't get any worse, it got ten times worse. I thought my heart was going to burst. After reading it, I could do nothing but sit and cry over the fact that to some people, all of that was real. All of that was every day reality like having scrambled for breakfast this morning was reality for me.

I think everyone should read this novel to see and learn why nacism and communism should never again see the light of day. And I say this because, unfortunately, it seems some people nowadays forget why.]]> 4.50 2021 Posljednji dani u Berlinu
author: Paloma Sánchez-Garnica
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.50
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at: 2025/01/26
date added: 2025/01/26
shelves:
review:
Last Days in Berlin takes you on a journey you never wish to travel � from communist Russia to nacist Germany, you see all the destruction second world war left behind. The story follows manily our three main characters, Jurij, Claudia, and Krista, and from time to time, we get a glimpse into the lives of various side characters � friends and neighbours � that pass through our main characters lives.

While Last Days in Berlin is very heavy on its historical accuracy, it's also a story about fighting injustice, a story about lives being lost to one persons lunacy and political regimes, but also a story about love and those rare happy moments people managed to steal in days when tomorrow wasn't promised.

The only words I have for it are words of praise. I've never read such a profound historical/war novel. I've never felt so many emotions while reading a book. I never cried as hard as I did when reading this book. I am left without words, and no words seem worthy of describing this book. Every time my poor heart thought it couldn't get any worse, it got ten times worse. I thought my heart was going to burst. After reading it, I could do nothing but sit and cry over the fact that to some people, all of that was real. All of that was every day reality like having scrambled for breakfast this morning was reality for me.

I think everyone should read this novel to see and learn why nacism and communism should never again see the light of day. And I say this because, unfortunately, it seems some people nowadays forget why.
]]> <![CDATA[Divlje u meni (The Half Bad Trilogy, #2)]]> 25237271 Izaberi kome ćeš vjerovati.
Izaberi koga ćeš voljeti.
DIVLJE U MENI - Drugi nastavak književnog fenomena koji je oborio rekorde i prije objavljivanja trilogije TAMA U MENI!
„Imat ćeš moćan dar, ali kako se služiš njime pokazat će jesi li dobar ili zao!“U suvremenoj Engleskoj, gdje dvije zaraćene vještičje frakcije slobodno žive u ljudskoj zajednici, sedamnaestogodišnjeg Nathana, izvanbračno dijete najmoćnijeg i najnemilosrdnijeg crnog vješca, smatra se oličenjem iskonskoga zla. Ni u koga se ne može pouzdati niti igdje skloniti. Mora bježati i skrivati se kako bi preživo�
Lovci ga prate u stopu ne libeći se poduzeti sve u svojoj moći kako bi ga se domogli, a preko njega i njegova oca, Marcusa.
Nathan konačno susreće oca i primivši od njega tri dara, postaje punokrvni odrastao vještac i nastavlja bijeg.
No, pritom je odlučan pronaći prijatelja Gabriela i spasiti Annaliseu, koju je zatočila crna vještica zvana Mercury. Ipak, kako bi uspio u tome, prvo se mora naučiti služiti svojim darom � čudesnom i neobuzdanom moći koja bi mogla u potpunosti ovladati njime.

Za to vrijeme Soul O'Brien preuzima vodstvo nad Vijećem bijelih vještica i rat koji je pokrenuo protiv crnih vještica širi se na Europu. No, crne i bijele vještice najednom povlače nečuveni potez udružujući se kako bi pružili otpor Vijeću. Van Dal, tajanstvena crna vještica, uspijeva pridobiti i Nathana na stranu pobunjeničkog Saveza i on se ubrzo bori rame uz rame sa starim prijateljima i neprijateljima. Ali može li uistinu vjerovati pobunjenicima ili je u pitanju tek zamka?]]> 394 Sally Green Barbara 3
I loved the first book in this trilogy quite a lot and this book just didn't live up to my expectations. I expected it to be even better than the first one, sadly it wasn't.

The plot itself was quite boring for the most of the book. First 200 pages were so boring and I honestly couldn't care less about them. The was always the same plot going on but in different places:
1. Van, Nesbitt, Gabriel and Nathan are in search for Annalise
2. They come to someone who can tell them where is Mercury (who is keeping Annalise)
3. Hunters find them
4. They fight
5. The person they visited dies
6. They're on a run
And those 6 this on the repear for 200 pages.

Finally, they find Annalise, for who I btw don't care at all, I don't like her and never will. Anyway, things got a bit more interesting and were intersting for like 100 pages and then they went back go being boring till the end of the book.

What I liked about this book is the idea of the rebels forming a group againt the hunters and white witches. I really liked that, but their battel against them was written so boringly.. like they're witches, why are they fighting wkth guns and knives instead of magic???

Also, Nathan and Annalise were so cringe!! I'm so happy Annalise doesn't want to do anything with him anymore.

One more thing that I didn't like is [spoilers removed]

Well, at least there was Nesbitt who was funny most of the time and made up for all the boring parts. Also, I highkey ship him with Van.

To sum it all up, excellent idea for Book 2 plot, badly and boringly done. Hope book three will be more like the first than the second.]]> 3.77 2015 Divlje u meni (The Half Bad Trilogy, #2)
author: Sally Green
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.77
book published: 2015
rating: 3
read at: 2018/07/01
date added: 2025/01/21
shelves:
review:
A huge disappointment after Half Bad. It's more of a 2.5, than a solid 3 stars.

I loved the first book in this trilogy quite a lot and this book just didn't live up to my expectations. I expected it to be even better than the first one, sadly it wasn't.

The plot itself was quite boring for the most of the book. First 200 pages were so boring and I honestly couldn't care less about them. The was always the same plot going on but in different places:
1. Van, Nesbitt, Gabriel and Nathan are in search for Annalise
2. They come to someone who can tell them where is Mercury (who is keeping Annalise)
3. Hunters find them
4. They fight
5. The person they visited dies
6. They're on a run
And those 6 this on the repear for 200 pages.

Finally, they find Annalise, for who I btw don't care at all, I don't like her and never will. Anyway, things got a bit more interesting and were intersting for like 100 pages and then they went back go being boring till the end of the book.

What I liked about this book is the idea of the rebels forming a group againt the hunters and white witches. I really liked that, but their battel against them was written so boringly.. like they're witches, why are they fighting wkth guns and knives instead of magic???

Also, Nathan and Annalise were so cringe!! I'm so happy Annalise doesn't want to do anything with him anymore.

One more thing that I didn't like is [spoilers removed]

Well, at least there was Nesbitt who was funny most of the time and made up for all the boring parts. Also, I highkey ship him with Van.

To sum it all up, excellent idea for Book 2 plot, badly and boringly done. Hope book three will be more like the first than the second.
]]> <![CDATA[Vuk (Holger Munch & Mia Kruger #0)]]> 63894080 Holger Munch, novoimenovani šef vlastite jedinice Odjela za umorstva, treba pomoć u rješavanju slučaja. Dobio je dojavu o mladoj kadetkinji Miji Krüger, koja na ispitima na akademiji postiže neuobičajeno visoke ocjene. Ona pak sanja o karijeri u jedinici za specijalne namjene, dok noći provodi u potrazi za svojom nestalom sestrom blizankom Sigrid.
Munch i Krüger zajedno kopaju po mračnim, gnjusnim slučajevima koji se ispostave intrigantnijima no što je ijedno od njih moglo i zamisliti, a ulje na vatru dolije vijest o nestanku još dva dječaka.]]> 496 Samuel Bjørk 9533606673 Barbara 4
However, there were some things that I did not quite like. For example, we never got closure with the killer. Why did he choose these boys as his victims? What was the motive? Was he just a crazy person, or was there something deeper? The ending left quite a lot of questions unanswered. Second, I couldn't help but feel that Mia was a completely useless character in the book since everyone seemed to have solved it without her. Sure, she had some clever observations, but it didn't feel like the contibuted in any way. She's described as this valuable asset to the team through the whole series, but in this book, she didn't really deliver.

Nonethless, as I've read other books before this one, I loved learning where Holger and Mia started. Despite the fact that I had some minor issues with this book, Bjørk still holds the title as one of my favorite thriller writers and I hope he'll treat us with more books in this series in the future.]]> 4.13 2021 Vuk (Holger Munch & Mia Kruger #0)
author: Samuel Bjørk
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.13
book published: 2021
rating: 4
read at: 2025/01/08
date added: 2025/01/08
shelves:
review:
I've enjoyed this book tremendously! The Wolf, like other works from this series, is a page turning thriller that leaves the reader breathless.

However, there were some things that I did not quite like. For example, we never got closure with the killer. Why did he choose these boys as his victims? What was the motive? Was he just a crazy person, or was there something deeper? The ending left quite a lot of questions unanswered. Second, I couldn't help but feel that Mia was a completely useless character in the book since everyone seemed to have solved it without her. Sure, she had some clever observations, but it didn't feel like the contibuted in any way. She's described as this valuable asset to the team through the whole series, but in this book, she didn't really deliver.

Nonethless, as I've read other books before this one, I loved learning where Holger and Mia started. Despite the fact that I had some minor issues with this book, Bjørk still holds the title as one of my favorite thriller writers and I hope he'll treat us with more books in this series in the future.
]]> <![CDATA[The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living]]> 29093292 Alternate cover edition of ISBN 9780735211735.

A beautifully packaged daily devotional of Stoic wisdom, featuring new translations of the most celebrated Stoics with historical context and practical tips from bestselling author Ryan Holiday.

Stoic philosophy has long been the secret weapon of history’s greatest and wisest leaders--from emperors to artists, activists to fighter pilots. Today, people of all stripes are seeking out Stoicism’s unique blend of practicality and wisdom as they look for answers to the great questions of daily life.

Where should they start? Epictetus? Marcus Aurelius? Seneca? Which edition? Which translator? Presented in a page-per-day format, this daily resource combines all new translations done by Stephen Hanselman of the greatest passages from the great Stoics (including several lesser known philosophers like Zeno, Cleanthes and Musonius Rufus) with helpful commentary.

Building on the organizational structure in Ryan Holiday’s cult classic The Obstacle is the Way, this guide also features twelve monthly themes (and helpful glossary) for clarifying perception, improving action, and unlocking the power of will. Aimed at the high-octane, action-oriented doers of our wired world, this book brings new daily rituals and new perspectives to produce balanced action, insight, effectiveness, and serenity.]]> 416 Ryan Holiday Barbara 5
However, I loved these meditations and reflections. They were a great way to start my day and see and think about things from other perspective. I highly recommend it!]]> 4.33 2016 The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
author: Ryan Holiday
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.33
book published: 2016
rating: 5
read at: 2024/12/28
date added: 2024/12/30
shelves:
review:
I don't know anything about the Stoics, so I really enjoyed this book. I see that in some other reviews, people aren't really happy with this book, so if you're familiar with Stoics, you might not be a fan.

However, I loved these meditations and reflections. They were a great way to start my day and see and think about things from other perspective. I highly recommend it!
]]> Kensingtonski vrtovi 55660513
Ovo i jest i nije priča o Petru Panu. Ovo i jest i nije priča o Jamesu Matthewu Barrieju. U romanu koji mu je priskrbio svjetsku slavu i mnoge prijevode Fresán prikazuje dva Londona, onaj iz Barriejeva vremena i onaj iz 60-ih godina prošlog stoljeća, poznatih i kao Swinging Sixties. Polazeći od općeg mjesta mnogih djetinjstava, ideje o zemlji u kojoj se nikad ne odrasta, napisao je slojevitu i jaku prozu � kadšto mračnu, kadšto vrtoglavu, ali uvijek itekako živu. Prolaskom kroz raskošne Kensingtonske vrtove svaki će čitatelj pronaći nešto poznato, ali i osvijestiti nevjerojatno važan utjecaj izmaštanih likova na stvarne živote.]]> 384 Rodrigo Fresán 9532592938 Barbara 2 3.00 2003 Kensingtonski vrtovi
author: Rodrigo Fresán
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.00
book published: 2003
rating: 2
read at: 2024/12/28
date added: 2024/12/28
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Dva tjedna prije Trećeg svjetskog rata]]> 59923968
Sonja Hranjec rođena je Zagrebu 1989. godine. Svira, pjeva i piše glazbu za svoj punk band Abergaz. Sudjelovala je na tridesetak glazbenih izdanja i imala je više od 400 nastupa po regiji i Europi. Osim glazbe, bavi se i izradom videoigara te raznoraznim prekarnim poslovima, kao i administriranjem nekoliko mem-stranica. Više od deset godina volontira u Autonomnom kulturnom centru Medika.]]> 111 Sonja Hranjec 9532229558 Barbara 1 2.91 Dva tjedna prije Trećeg svjetskog rata
author: Sonja Hranjec
name: Barbara
average rating: 2.91
book published:
rating: 1
read at: 2024/12/28
date added: 2024/12/28
shelves:
review:
Pročitala sam teška sranja ove godine. Neka od tih sranja su programi kandidata za predsjedničke izbore 2024. godine, Dragana Primorca i Branke Lozo. Međutim, ovo... ovo je puno teže sranje.
]]> <![CDATA[Journey to the Heart: Daily Meditations on the Path to Freeing Your Soul]]> 260483 Codependent No More,Beyond Codependency, andLessons of Love, writes with the same warmth, honesty, and compassion in this collection, helping readers chart a new path toward spiritual growth and renewal. Journey to the Heart will comfort and inspire us all as we begin to discover our true purpose in the world and learn to connect even more deeply with ourselves, the creative force, and the magic and mystery in the world around and within us.]]> 384 Melody Beattie 0062511211 Barbara 5
A bit too new age-y at times for my personal taste, but nonethless a great read. I highly recommend it!]]> 4.55 1996 Journey to the Heart: Daily Meditations on the Path to Freeing Your Soul
author: Melody Beattie
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.55
book published: 1996
rating: 5
read at: 2024/12/28
date added: 2024/12/28
shelves:
review:
Wonderful meditations and reflections to start your day with.

A bit too new age-y at times for my personal taste, but nonethless a great read. I highly recommend it!
]]> <![CDATA[Bridget Jones's Baby: The Diaries (Bridget Jones, #4)]]> 31540109 Bridget Jones, beloved Singleton and global phenomenon, is back with a bump in Bridget Jones's Baby: The Diaries.

8:45 P.M. Realize there have been so many times in my life when have fantasized about going to a scan with Mark or Daniel: just not both at the same time.

Before motherhood, before marriage, Bridget with biological clock ticking very, very loudly, finds herself unexpectedly pregnant at the eleventh hour: a joyful pregnancy which is dominated, however, by a crucial but terribly awkward question - who is the father? Mark Darcy: honourable, decent, notable human rights lawyer? Or Daniel Cleaver: charming, witty, notable fuckwit?

9:45 PM It's like they're two halves of the perfect man, who'll spend the rest of their lives each wanting to outdo the other one. And now it's all enacting itself in my stomach.

In this gloriously funny, touching story of baby-deadline panic, maternal bliss, and social, professional, technological, culinary and childbirth chaos, Bridget Jones - global phenomenon and the world's favorite Singleton - is back with a bump.]]> 219 Helen Fielding 1524732400 Barbara 3 3.59 2016 Bridget Jones's Baby: The Diaries (Bridget Jones, #4)
author: Helen Fielding
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.59
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2024/10/01
date added: 2024/12/28
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Letters of Faith (The Montgomery Brothers #2)]]> 199519575
Okay, maybe three things because the content of those letters wasn’t expected either.

Before he died, Nate made her promise to continue to live her life, but if she’s honest, she hasn’t kept that promise. She can’t even step foot in their home since he’s been gone, let alone try to move on with her life.

But Nate knew her too well because a year later, she’s receiving letters with tasks to complete to get her back in the world—including going on a date and finding her faith again.

The problem is that she’s scared. She’s not as strong as Nate thought she was. Afraid to let her husband down, she turns to the one person she knows can help her—her husband’s best friend, Grayson.

But while she’s looking for the motivation to complete the tasks, Grayson receives a letter with his own set of impossible instructions from Nate—a fourth thing Georgia will never see coming.]]> 254 T. Bell Barbara 5 4.58 Letters of Faith (The Montgomery Brothers #2)
author: T. Bell
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.58
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2024/12/01
date added: 2024/12/28
shelves:
review:
You know when you see a kitten or a puppy and it's so cute you wanna squeesh it and squeel in its face. Well that's what this book did to me.
]]> <![CDATA[The Fathers Know Best: Your Essential Guide to the Teachings of the Early Church]]> 9253449 The Fathers Know Best: Your Essential Guide to the Teachings of the Early Church is a unique resource. It introduces you to the teachings of the first Christians in a way no other work can. It is specially designed to make it easy for you to find the information you want and need.

Amazing features in this fact-packed book
- More than 900 quotations from the writings of the early Church Fathers, as well as from rare and important documents dating back to the dawn of Christian history.
- Mini-biographies of nearly 100 Fathers, as well as descriptions of dozens of key early councils and writings.
- A concise history of the dramatic spread of Christianity after Jesus told his disciples to evangelize all nations.
- Special maps showing you where the Fathers lived, including many little-known and long-vanished locations.
- A guide to nearly 30 ancient heresies, many of which have returned to haunt the modern world.
- The Fathers' teaching on nearly 50 topics, including modern hot-button issues like abortion, homosexuality, and divorce.

This groundbreaking work presents the teachings of the early Christians in a way unlike any other book. It flings open the doors of the crucial but little-known age covering the birth of Christianity and the triumphant march of the gospel throughout the ancient world.]]> 450 Jimmy Akin 1933919345 Barbara 4
It gives you a brief history of Church fathers, talks about heresies and touches subjects like Trinity, Divinity of Christ, Creation, Apostolic tradition, Pope, mortal sins, topics that are very popular today (such as abortion, contraception, homosexuality and astrology), the sacraments, women priests, Mary and intercession of the Saints, Hell and Purgatory, The Antichrist and many more. It's a well researches book and I loved reading this book and learning more about Catholicism.]]> 4.45 2010 The Fathers Know Best: Your Essential Guide to the Teachings of the Early Church
author: Jimmy Akin
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.45
book published: 2010
rating: 4
read at: 2024/12/15
date added: 2024/12/15
shelves:
review:
The Fathers Know Best is an amazing book about Catholic faith. It doesn't have to be read cover to cover. Some quotes from Church fathers were a bit repetative.

It gives you a brief history of Church fathers, talks about heresies and touches subjects like Trinity, Divinity of Christ, Creation, Apostolic tradition, Pope, mortal sins, topics that are very popular today (such as abortion, contraception, homosexuality and astrology), the sacraments, women priests, Mary and intercession of the Saints, Hell and Purgatory, The Antichrist and many more. It's a well researches book and I loved reading this book and learning more about Catholicism.
]]> Satan's Affair 57748116
We travel the country, offering terrifying haunted houses, thrilling rides and the tastiest food. And with every passing town, I cleanse this world, one execution at a time.

I hide within the walls, casting my judgement for those that reek of evil, singing lullabies to their rotting souls.

Once you've been chosen, there's no escaping my henchmen—they cater to my every desire.

You can run and you can hide, but it only excites me.

Come.

Take a walk through my dollhouse, where your screams will blend and your cute little pleas will go unanswered.

But I can't promise it'll be over quickly...]]> 197 H.D. Carlton Barbara 1



Can we stop labeling this type of gore-y grotesque books that demonize people with mental illnesses as romance?

Like we have a bunch of disgusting things going on just to shock the reader and a couple of smutty scenes. And all that is topped with absolutely awful representation of schizophrenia. Awful isn't even a strong enough word.

I fail to see the point of this book as it in no way contributes to the series. At the very end, we find out that Sibby's henchmen are nothing but an illusion, as someone that read this after Haunting and Hunting Adeline, I knew were illusions but the fact that they were actually mannequins and sex toys she humped when she was feeling horny was.... not it. Like, how can you call this a romance novel? This is nothing but disrespect for people with schizophrenia.

For a while, I was hoping that there was something more to Sibby, but there isn't she's nothing but a manic serial killer on her own mission of cleansing the world from bad people.

At first, I wanted to give this book two stars but on top of all already problematic things, the author decided to describe a character as ugly because he had acne scars... and like, I thought we were past that. I thought we were past seeing acne and acne scars, cellulite, stretch marks, round bellies, crooked noses, and teeth as ugly. Like, no one signed up for all this stuff.]]> 3.71 2021 Satan's Affair
author: H.D. Carlton
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.71
book published: 2021
rating: 1
read at: 2023/04/08
date added: 2024/12/02
shelves:
review:
*yawn*




Can we stop labeling this type of gore-y grotesque books that demonize people with mental illnesses as romance?

Like we have a bunch of disgusting things going on just to shock the reader and a couple of smutty scenes. And all that is topped with absolutely awful representation of schizophrenia. Awful isn't even a strong enough word.

I fail to see the point of this book as it in no way contributes to the series. At the very end, we find out that Sibby's henchmen are nothing but an illusion, as someone that read this after Haunting and Hunting Adeline, I knew were illusions but the fact that they were actually mannequins and sex toys she humped when she was feeling horny was.... not it. Like, how can you call this a romance novel? This is nothing but disrespect for people with schizophrenia.

For a while, I was hoping that there was something more to Sibby, but there isn't she's nothing but a manic serial killer on her own mission of cleansing the world from bad people.

At first, I wanted to give this book two stars but on top of all already problematic things, the author decided to describe a character as ugly because he had acne scars... and like, I thought we were past that. I thought we were past seeing acne and acne scars, cellulite, stretch marks, round bellies, crooked noses, and teeth as ugly. Like, no one signed up for all this stuff.
]]> <![CDATA[Pobuna (Matthew Shardlake, #7)]]> 55161667 824 C.J. Sansom 9533601280 Barbara 3 4.48 2018 Pobuna (Matthew Shardlake, #7)
author: C.J. Sansom
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.48
book published: 2018
rating: 3
read at: 2024/12/01
date added: 2024/12/01
shelves:
review:
I think this is the Matthew Shardlake book that I like the least.
]]> <![CDATA[Delilah Green Doesn't Care (Bright Falls, #1)]]> 54756850
Delilah Green swore she would never go back to Bright Falls—nothing is there for her but memories of a lonely childhood where she was little more than a burden to her cold and distant stepfamily. Her life is in New York, with her photography career finally gaining steam and her bed never empty. Sure, it’s a different woman every night, but that’s just fine with her.

When Delilah’s estranged stepsister, Astrid, pressures her into photographing her wedding with a guilt trip and a five-figure check, Delilah finds herself back in the godforsaken town that she used to call home. She plans to breeze in and out, but then she sees Claire Sutherland, one of Astrid’s stuck-up besties, and decides that maybe there’s some fun (and a little retribution) to be had in Bright Falls, after all.

Having raised her eleven-year-old daughter mostly on her own while dealing with her unreliable ex and running a bookstore, Claire Sutherland depends upon a life without surprises. And Delilah Green is an unwelcome surprise…at first. Though they’ve known each other for years, they don’t really know each other—so Claire is unsettled when Delilah figures out exactly what buttons to push. When they’re forced together during a gauntlet of wedding preparations—including a plot to save Astrid from her horrible fiancé—Claire isn’t sure she has the strength to resist Delilah’s charms. Even worse, she’s starting to think she doesn’t want to...]]> 375 Ashley Herring Blake 0593336402 Barbara 5
I'm so tired of wlw bashing men and using only stereotypical bad your-local-chad men as their main villains, just to glorify the beauty of wlw relationships. It makes this (aka me) bi girl not wanna pick up any of them ever again. ]]> 4.06 2022 Delilah Green Doesn't Care (Bright Falls, #1)
author: Ashley Herring Blake
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.06
book published: 2022
rating: 5
read at: 2023/08/30
date added: 2024/10/26
shelves:
review:
Why are all wlw books so underwhelming and without any flavor?

I'm so tired of wlw bashing men and using only stereotypical bad your-local-chad men as their main villains, just to glorify the beauty of wlw relationships. It makes this (aka me) bi girl not wanna pick up any of them ever again.
]]> <![CDATA[Redemption (Rising from the Ashes #1)]]> 184230717
The thing is, that’s only a blip on my record of mistakes. And believe me, the list is so long it could practically be two—one for all my usual screw-ups and the other for all my mistakes involving Hayes.

My tendency to make colossal mistakes around him is why I left town in the first place. He was like a jagged piece of glass pushing into all my open wounds. I needed time to heal.

Now I’m back, more broken than when I left, and clearly still making bad decisions.

The problem with being the screw-up is that someone is always bound to make you face your mistakes. My heart isn’t ready for him to be the one who makes me face my demons, though, especially when he refuses to confront his own.]]> 446 T. Bell Barbara 0 to-read 4.43 2023 Redemption (Rising from the Ashes #1)
author: T. Bell
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.43
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/10/18
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Letters of Grace (The Montgomery Brothers #1)]]> 197375405
Twenty-two years, a real marriage, and a three-year-old daughter later, she still loves him, but no one warns you how hard marriage is, even if you are in love.

Emryn’s lost herself in being a wife and raising their daughter. Unheard. Unseen. Looked through. That’s what love and marriage look like for her now.

And Brooks—well, he’s too busy trying to provide for his family to recognize the problems in his marriage. So when Emryn offers an ultimatum- counseling or divorce, he feels blindsided. Sure, he’s been distracted lately, and yeah, maybe he lets his past haunt him more than he should, but that’s life. None of that means he doesn’t love her.

They are sinking into a quicksand of pride, anger, resentment, and fear. They have lost sight of their vows to each other and God. Will the quicksand win, or will they make their way to a firm foundation built on their faith, respect, and love for each other?]]> 264 T. Bell Barbara 5
Letters of Grace is a clean, christian romance novel that follows Emeryn and Brooks � childhood sweetherts who got married and are now experiencing some troubles. I usually don't like second chance romance, and I don't like miscommunication trope... yet I loved every single page of this book. I've never read a book that focuses on a couple trying to save their marriage, so this concept was new to me, and I found it very interesting.

I know most read to escape the reality, but the realness of this book is what made me love it so much. In a sea of books that give such unrealistic expetations in romance and love, it was so refreshing to read something so real. It was so refreshing to read about something that we as readers might actually go through in our love lives.

The book has dual POV, and I loved that we got to read about both Emryn's and Brooks's thoughts and feelings. It showed how complex we are as people and that what we think might be the problem is just the surface of what's actually going on in another person's head.

I'd highly recommend this book to people who want the feels but no spice and who want to read something different. Even though it's Christian and God is mentioned a couple of times through the book, it's not over the top (in my Christian opinion). I believe you'd be able to enjoy it even if you're not a Christian.]]> 4.36 Letters of Grace (The Montgomery Brothers #1)
author: T. Bell
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.36
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2024/10/18
date added: 2024/10/18
shelves:
review:
This was something completely different from the romance I usually read. It was refreshing. I loved it.

Letters of Grace is a clean, christian romance novel that follows Emeryn and Brooks � childhood sweetherts who got married and are now experiencing some troubles. I usually don't like second chance romance, and I don't like miscommunication trope... yet I loved every single page of this book. I've never read a book that focuses on a couple trying to save their marriage, so this concept was new to me, and I found it very interesting.

I know most read to escape the reality, but the realness of this book is what made me love it so much. In a sea of books that give such unrealistic expetations in romance and love, it was so refreshing to read something so real. It was so refreshing to read about something that we as readers might actually go through in our love lives.

The book has dual POV, and I loved that we got to read about both Emryn's and Brooks's thoughts and feelings. It showed how complex we are as people and that what we think might be the problem is just the surface of what's actually going on in another person's head.

I'd highly recommend this book to people who want the feels but no spice and who want to read something different. Even though it's Christian and God is mentioned a couple of times through the book, it's not over the top (in my Christian opinion). I believe you'd be able to enjoy it even if you're not a Christian.
]]> <![CDATA[The Book of Life (All Souls Trilogy, #3)]]> 24485954 THE NO.1 SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES HARDBACK BESTSELLER

Fall under the spell of Diana and Matthew once more in the stunning climax to their epic tale, following A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES and SHADOW OF NIGHT.

A world of witches, daemons and vampires. A manuscript which holds the secrets of their past and the key to their future. Diana and Matthew - the forbidden love at the heart of it.

After travelling through time in SHADOW OF NIGHT, the second book in Deborah Harkness's enchant�ing series, historian and witch Diana Bishop and vampire scientist Matthew Clairmont return to the present to face new crises and old enemies. At Matthew's ancestral home in France they reunite with their families - with one heart-breaking exception. But the real threat to their future is yet to be revealed, and when it is, the search for the elusive manuscript Ashmole 782 and its missing pages takes on a terrifying urgency. Using ancient knowl�edge and modern science, from the palaces of Venice and beyond, Diana and Matthew will finally learn what the witches discovered so many centuries ago.]]> 637 Deborah Harkness 0755384792 Barbara 5
The book was so good that I didn't even mind all the scientific talk, which I btw don't understand. It was all just a bunch of words for me but I didn't mind it at all.

The pace of this book was slower than in A Discovery of Witches, but faster than in Shadow of Night � still too slow for me, but I liked it. The pace was a very good mix of the first two because the slower pace build up lots of intensity and mystery that made this book extremely interesting to read. It's burning you from inside with curiosity and making the whole book page turning. I couldn't put it down!

The plot was incredible! As I've said, very mysterious and intense. I literally didn't want for the book to end. It connected me even deeper with the characters because the focus wasn't only on Matthew and Diana, even though it mostly was but we got a healthy amount of the side characters as well.

There were some plot based stuff that I didn't really like but they in no way ruined the book for me or affected the rating. They're all very spoilerish so read at your own risk.

[spoilers removed]

Anyway, besides those little things I absolutely loved every page of this book! The writing was fantastic, the characters as through all three books beautiful, the plot mysterious and intense. I had so much fun meeting new characters and reconnecting with old ones. I can't recommend this book and also the whole series enough. It's in my top 5 series!]]> 4.18 2014 The Book of Life (All Souls Trilogy, #3)
author: Deborah Harkness
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2014
rating: 5
read at: 2020/10/19
date added: 2024/09/10
shelves:
review:
Why did I wait a whole fucking year to read this book? Why?! It was one of the best books I've read this year! It had the vibe of the first book and was making me so nostalgic, I literally forgot how much I loved all of these characters. Also, the book was so unintentionally funny and I was having such a good time reading it.

The book was so good that I didn't even mind all the scientific talk, which I btw don't understand. It was all just a bunch of words for me but I didn't mind it at all.

The pace of this book was slower than in A Discovery of Witches, but faster than in Shadow of Night � still too slow for me, but I liked it. The pace was a very good mix of the first two because the slower pace build up lots of intensity and mystery that made this book extremely interesting to read. It's burning you from inside with curiosity and making the whole book page turning. I couldn't put it down!

The plot was incredible! As I've said, very mysterious and intense. I literally didn't want for the book to end. It connected me even deeper with the characters because the focus wasn't only on Matthew and Diana, even though it mostly was but we got a healthy amount of the side characters as well.

There were some plot based stuff that I didn't really like but they in no way ruined the book for me or affected the rating. They're all very spoilerish so read at your own risk.

[spoilers removed]

Anyway, besides those little things I absolutely loved every page of this book! The writing was fantastic, the characters as through all three books beautiful, the plot mysterious and intense. I had so much fun meeting new characters and reconnecting with old ones. I can't recommend this book and also the whole series enough. It's in my top 5 series!
]]> <![CDATA[Becoming Happy & Healthy: Real Life Advice on Friendship, Dating, Career, and Everything Else You Care About]]> 182094074
In her debut book she goes even deeper, sharing stories she's never shared before--including how she overcame and healed from her own struggles, poor choices, secrets, and darkest thoughts. Tackling everything from dating and friendship to body image and confidence to faith and career choices, Jeanine shares real-world advice and tips to help you

· make wise decisions to set you up for success in every aspect of life
· heal and deal with your past for a better future
· discover your true identity in Christ
· grow mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually to be your best self

Living happy and healthy isn't complicated. Here is the real-life advice you need to overcome any challenge and live the full, fruitful, and free life you were created for.]]> 192 Jeanine Amapola 076424177X Barbara 5 4.33 Becoming Happy & Healthy: Real Life Advice on Friendship, Dating, Career, and Everything Else You Care About
author: Jeanine Amapola
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.33
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2024/09/07
date added: 2024/09/07
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Created to Hear God: 4 Unique and Proven Ways to Confidently Discern His Voice]]> 123266562 224 Havilah Cunnington 1400238625 Barbara 3
Edit: lowered my rating from 4 to 3 stars, and thinking about lowering it even more. Why? Because it's very New Age-y to me (and this is saying someone that was into New Age). I haven't seen anyone complaining in the reviews, so I thought I was crazy. But I can't escape the fact that this book is very focused on self and our experience rather than God. I did find the book interesting when I read it. And I do believe God talks to us when we stop and take time to listen to Him. But why is there so much pressure on hearing Him? It's not us that set up the meetings. He comes to us. His will, not ours. His timing, not ours. Regarding hearing Him/talking to Him, as well as anything else in out lives.

The book was fun, but I wouldn't really recommend it to anyone if they asked me for recs on books about seeking/hearing/talking to God.]]> 4.34 Created to Hear God: 4 Unique and Proven Ways to Confidently Discern His Voice
author: Havilah Cunnington
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.34
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2024/05/13
date added: 2024/08/27
shelves:
review:
Created to hear God is quite a guidebook to hearing God's voice. The author believes all of us are prophets, and according to her, there are four ways in which God communicates to us � fealer, seerer, knower, and hearer � we just gotta figure out which one works for us. I found the book to be very interesting and insigtful. However, it didn't really help me to figure out in which category I'd fall... but that might have a lot to do with the fact that I only recently returned to faith. I can't say that it surved its purpose. Even though I enjoyed it, I was left equally confused about hearing/talking to God.

Edit: lowered my rating from 4 to 3 stars, and thinking about lowering it even more. Why? Because it's very New Age-y to me (and this is saying someone that was into New Age). I haven't seen anyone complaining in the reviews, so I thought I was crazy. But I can't escape the fact that this book is very focused on self and our experience rather than God. I did find the book interesting when I read it. And I do believe God talks to us when we stop and take time to listen to Him. But why is there so much pressure on hearing Him? It's not us that set up the meetings. He comes to us. His will, not ours. His timing, not ours. Regarding hearing Him/talking to Him, as well as anything else in out lives.

The book was fun, but I wouldn't really recommend it to anyone if they asked me for recs on books about seeking/hearing/talking to God.
]]> The Women 127305853 From the celebrated author of The Nightingale and The Four Winds comes Kristin Hannah's The Women—at once an intimate portrait of coming of age in a dangerous time and an epic tale of a nation divided.

Women can be heroes. When twenty-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie� McGrath hears these words, it is a revelation. Raised in the sun-drenched, idyllic world of Southern California and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing. But in 1965, the world is changing, and she suddenly dares to imagine a different future for herself. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path.

As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is over-whelmed by the chaos and destruction of war. Each day is a gamble of life and death, hope and betrayal; friendships run deep and can be shattered in an instant. In war, she meets—and becomes one of—the lucky, the brave, the broken, and the lost.

But war is just the beginning for Frankie and her veteran friends. The real battle lies in coming home to a changed and divided America, to angry protesters, and to a country that wants to forget Vietnam.

The Women is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on all women who put themselves in harm’s way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been forgotten. A novel about deep friendships and bold patriotism, The Women is a richly drawn story with a memorable heroine whose idealism and courage under fire will come to define an era.]]> 471 Kristin Hannah 1250178630 Barbara 4 4.59 2024 The Women
author: Kristin Hannah
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.59
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/08/19
date added: 2024/08/19
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst for the Divine]]> 672493
Here is a masterly study of the inner life by a heart thirsting after God. Here is a book for every child of God, pastor, missionary, and Christian. It deals with the deep things of God and the riches of His grace.

In The Pursuit of God, Tozer sheds light on the path to a closer walk with God.]]> 128 A.W. Tozer 0875093663 Barbara 5 4.36 1948 The Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst for the Divine
author: A.W. Tozer
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.36
book published: 1948
rating: 5
read at: 2024/08/14
date added: 2024/08/14
shelves:
review:
I felt such sadness after finishing this book. I wish it was so long that I could read it every day for the rest of my life.
]]> <![CDATA[The Book of the Dead: The Hieroglyphic Transcript and Translation into English of the Ancient Egyptian Papyrus of Ani]]> 845001 704 E.A. Wallis Budge 0517122839 Barbara 0 to-read 3.81 -1500 The Book of the Dead: The Hieroglyphic Transcript and Translation into English of the Ancient Egyptian Papyrus of Ani
author: E.A. Wallis Budge
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.81
book published: -1500
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/08/07
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Une bible des femmes: Vingt théologiennes relisent des textes controversés (LF.THEOLOGIE) (French Edition)]]> 42982377 Ce livre réunit à nouveau un comité d'une vingtaine de femmes théologiennes, protestantes et catholiques francophones (européennes, africaines et québécoises). En profitant des découvertes en sciences bibliques et grâce aux questions critiques féministes, les auteures développent une dizaine de thématiques majeures liées
aux femmes, en mettant en évidence comment des textes bibliques peuvent être lus à frais nouveaux.]]> 300 Elisabeth PARMENTIER-E Barbara 2
I don't really know what to say as I myself can't even grasp why I didn't enjoy the book. This seemed like something that would 100% be my cup of tea. Feminism and faith combined? Sign me up!

Well, I didn't really enjoy it.

Some parts were interesting. Some put me to sleep. Some seemed heretical and left me confused. The book seemed too long as well. They dragged some points through ten pages when two would be more than enough.

I feel like the authors saw oppression where there was none. But then again, that's their experience... I had a completely different one while reading these parts in the Bible. So, I guess the reason I didn't like this book is because, for the lack of the better term, it didn't resonate. I didn't see the oppression, where these authors saw it.

I can't speak beyond how I felt. I only started coming to faith recently, so I'm not really knowledgeable on the Bible... and these women are theologians, I won't be pretending to be smarter. I'm definitely not qualified to be fact-checking this book.

But I won't be lying. This book didn't touch me in the way I wanted it to. It felt flat, and I was bored for the most part. However, I do want to congratulate them on the time, effort, and knowledge they put into making it.

I hope there will be some more reviews of this book in the future, so I can read them and maybe get a better insight into this book. If you wanted to read this book, don't let this review discourage you.]]> 3.42 Une bible des femmes: Vingt théologiennes relisent des textes controversés (LF.THEOLOGIE) (French Edition)
author: Elisabeth PARMENTIER-E
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.42
book published:
rating: 2
read at: 2024/06/16
date added: 2024/08/05
shelves:
review:
I can't figure out the point of this book. From neither religious, nor feminist point of view.

I don't really know what to say as I myself can't even grasp why I didn't enjoy the book. This seemed like something that would 100% be my cup of tea. Feminism and faith combined? Sign me up!

Well, I didn't really enjoy it.

Some parts were interesting. Some put me to sleep. Some seemed heretical and left me confused. The book seemed too long as well. They dragged some points through ten pages when two would be more than enough.

I feel like the authors saw oppression where there was none. But then again, that's their experience... I had a completely different one while reading these parts in the Bible. So, I guess the reason I didn't like this book is because, for the lack of the better term, it didn't resonate. I didn't see the oppression, where these authors saw it.

I can't speak beyond how I felt. I only started coming to faith recently, so I'm not really knowledgeable on the Bible... and these women are theologians, I won't be pretending to be smarter. I'm definitely not qualified to be fact-checking this book.

But I won't be lying. This book didn't touch me in the way I wanted it to. It felt flat, and I was bored for the most part. However, I do want to congratulate them on the time, effort, and knowledge they put into making it.

I hope there will be some more reviews of this book in the future, so I can read them and maybe get a better insight into this book. If you wanted to read this book, don't let this review discourage you.
]]> Marriage for One 45694898 520 Ella Maise Barbara 0 to-read 3.86 2022 Marriage for One
author: Ella Maise
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.86
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/07/18
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Charlie, Love and Clichés 45450189
A small advice from me to you: if you haven’t dated, touched *or* kissed a guy in years and *years*…do not try to crawl away or hide from the-one-who-got-away. It’s not a good look.

William Carter, the stranger I’d met six years ago was the last person I’d imagine ever seeing at my dad’s firm where I work. While I panic and fight off the butterflies in my stomach and in general struggle to act normal, I realize he doesn’t even remember me. I’m not sure if I should feel relieved or heartbroken. Things get worse when I learn we’ll need to work in close quarters to each other, but at least I let him know that I don’t have a crush on him anymore right away. Just in case he gets any ideas.

While I’m in the process of writing lists and making serious changes in my life, because I decide I’m ready to be the heroine in my own story; having William just a breath away is not helping things. Especially when things shift between us and we start to make eye contact in meetings. Then he shows up in places I least expect him to…as in blind dates and sex clubs. He also gives me cheese because he knows how much I like it and there are secret notes he leaves in my office. If you were wondering, I still don’t have a crush on him though. Nope.

Even though I’d promised myself I’d never wait around for another guy and postpone my own life, I’m afraid William Carter who looks at me as if I’m his and was always supposed to be his might ruin my hopeful plans. And quite possibly me for any other guy since I’m craving his touch like I’ve never craved anything in my life before. But we both know we’re a losing game so we keep admitting that neither one of us has a crush on the other.
Not anymore. Not at all. Not even a little bit.]]> 429 Ella Maise Barbara 4 3.59 2023 Charlie, Love and Clichés
author: Ella Maise
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.59
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at: 2024/07/18
date added: 2024/07/18
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Broken Beginnings (Citrus Cove, #1)]]> 210663519 A high heat small town, romantic suspense story from author Clio Evans. You’re Next.

I was in the wrong place at the wrong time—and that moment changed me forever. After walking in on a masked man murdering my neighbor, I went back to the one place I swore I’d never step foot in again. Citrus Cove.

The sleepy town hasn’t changed much, but the people have. Including my old high school bully, Cameron Harlow.

He’s the last person I want to see. He should be the last person I want.

But Cameron Harlow has been dreaming of the day he’d see me again, and wants to set things right. Our history makes me hate him, but he’s sinfully hot, has that sexy southern charm, and calls me sunshine. How can I resist him?

When the danger I’ve been running from shows up in my hometown, Cameron becomes my sole refuge. Someone is watching me. Following me. They want me dead.

From the ashes of our broken beginnings, all we want is our happy ending. But the killer has other ideas and the only way Cam and I have a future together is if we live to see it…]]> 342 Clio Evans Barbara 5 3.82 2024 Broken Beginnings (Citrus Cove, #1)
author: Clio Evans
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/07/07
date added: 2024/07/16
shelves:
review:
In my very humble opinion, this is better than any monster romance she has written (side note: i loved most of her monster romance). But this was just 100 times better. I was a bit "scared" to read this book because I usually don't like Clio's longer novels, but this one was amazing. In the past, I used to read a lot of romantic suspense novels, so this brought me back, and I realized how much I missed this genre. I loved the thriller and small-town romance mix. Smut was brilliant, as well. I truly enjoyed this!
]]> <![CDATA[Luda za njim (Bridget Jones, #3)]]> 21900869 Pravilo muvanja broj 1: Ne šalji poruke kad si pijana.
Bridžet Džouns se vratila.

Šta da radite kad vaša prijateljica pravi žurku za svoj šezdeseti rođendan istog dana kad vaš dečko slavi trideseti?

Je li pogrešno lagati o godinama kad se s nekim muvate na internetu?

Je li moralno pogrešno otići kod frizera na feniranje kad jedno od vaše dece ima vaške?

Da li dalaj lama tvituje sâm, ili to za njega rade pomoćnici?

Je li tehnologija danas peti element? Ili je to drvo?

Da li je odlazak s nekim u krevet posle dva sastanka i šest nedelja razmenjivanja SMS-ova isto što je u vreme Džejn Ostin bilo stupanje u brak posle dva viđenja i šest meseci dopisivanja?

Bridžet Džouns: Luda za njim je aktuelan, nežan, dirljiv, duhovit, mudar i beskrajno smešan roman.]]> 470 Helen Fielding 8652114390 Barbara 4 3.5 3.84 2013 Luda za njim (Bridget Jones, #3)
author: Helen Fielding
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.84
book published: 2013
rating: 4
read at: 2024/07/13
date added: 2024/07/13
shelves:
review:
3.5
]]> <![CDATA[Stolen Chances (Citrus Cove, #2)]]> 213760021
Twelve years ago, I married the man of my dreams.

Or so I thought.

Now a single mom of twin boys, I’m doing my best to rebuild after everything fell apart. I juggle work and therapy and try not to burden those around me. My life is too complicated for love, right?

Colton Hayes and Sammy Harlow don’t seem to think so.

Colton was supposed to be the one. Even after all this time, the way he looks at me gives me butterflies. He’s always there for me, hotter than hell, and has been waiting for the day he’d get another chance with me.

Sammy has always been our friend. He’s quiet, mysterious, and full of all sorts of surprises. Did I mention he’s also my brother-in-law’s brother and should be off-limits?

The sparks between us ignite an all-consuming fire. For the first time in my life, I know what real love feels like. But when danger steps foot in our small town, I worry that nothing can keep us from getting burned.

Will the past steal our chance at the future we deserve?

Stolen Chances Tropes:

Second Chance
Friends to Lovers
Suspense
Polyamory in a Small Town
Single Mom
Hurt/Comfort
Stolen Chances is the second interconnected standalone in the Citrus Cove Series. This book is full of spice, suspense, and swoony men willing to do anything for the woman they love.]]> 394 Clio Evans Barbara 0 to-read 3.98 2025 Stolen Chances (Citrus Cove, #2)
author: Clio Evans
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/07/05
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Cosmic Heat (Galactic Gems #3)]]> 204233953 Max has finally made it to the stage. As he shoots for the stars, the last thing he expected was to fall into the arms of the most striking aliens he’s ever seen.

Moss has never been so charmed by a human before. A simple touch pulls them both into a passionate heat that can only be relieved in bed. But below all the lust and desire, there is a simmering bond that will bring them closer in more ways than one.

When trouble arises, Max and Moss have no choice but to take center stage. Can their cosmic connection conquer all?

Cosmic Heat is book three in the Galactic Gems series. This alien romance has the following:

Nonbinary Intersex Alien
Tentacles, toys, and other things ;)
Fated Mates Love and super fast burn
Swoony romance and delicious SPICE]]> 180 Clio Evans Barbara 3
Smut was amazing, a bit tame for Clio Evans, if I may notice. But I loved it nonetheless! Very insta-lust, but they ended up being kinda cute.]]> 4.04 2024 Cosmic Heat (Galactic Gems #3)
author: Clio Evans
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/07/04
date added: 2024/07/04
shelves:
review:
ARC review

Smut was amazing, a bit tame for Clio Evans, if I may notice. But I loved it nonetheless! Very insta-lust, but they ended up being kinda cute.
]]> Što bih ja bez tebe 22604669 308 Guillaume Musso 9533035072 Barbara 4 3.96 2009 Što bih ja bez tebe
author: Guillaume Musso
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2009
rating: 4
read at: 2024/07/04
date added: 2024/07/04
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #3.5)]]> 31076583 229 Sarah J. Maas 168119631X Barbara 5
The story and plots had my interest from start to finish. There wasn't much going on but we got Inner Circle and their life and that what the whole fandom wanted? Like, I saw so many fans being like "OH I WANT A WHOLE BOOK OF JUST INNER CIRCLE AND THEIR LIFE" and then SJM gives you exactly that and y'all are "ewww, not like that"... Like what did you expect a whole new war? This book was absolutely brilliant and beautiful about love, friendship and family.

Other thing that this book did, except making me melt, was that I hate all of my ships. I don't ship anyone anymore. Elucien? HELL FUCKING NO. Nessian? FUCK NO, FUCK OFF SHE DOESN'T DESERVE HIM! Elriel? Was always a brotp for me so again no! The only one I ship is Feysand and Vamren. Everything else.. just keep it away from me.

My opinion of Nesta changed so much, I can't stand her. I used to find her cool, now I just can't. She's rude and spits on all the help Rhys and Feyre offer... AND DARES TO BE OFFENDED WHEN THEY STOP INVITING HER. Of course they did when you never even show up or don't show any fucking interst.. why should they bother? How do you even help a person that doesn't want help?

Also, Tamlin. He didn't deserve all of that. I feel sorry for him. A broken man, all alone. Deep in depression, obviously understanding his mistakes.. He isn't that much of a villain. Yes, he's unbelievably stupid and I wanna punch him in the face. But he didn't deserve all that ruin he became.

But, back to the happy side, Feysand is gonna try for a baby and I'm so excited because they'll be the best parents ever. And, also, hello... Illyrian babies having a snowball fight.. how does one not melt. That was the most beautiful scene. And then there was the Wall Scene like holy shit!

This book gave me million emotions and all of them positive. So thanfull for this beautiful novela.]]> 3.77 2019 A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #3.5)
author: Sarah J. Maas
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.77
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at: 2018/06/27
date added: 2024/07/02
shelves:
review:
This book is literally my favorite ACOTAR book! I, honestly, don't understand why people hate it, it's so fluffy and warm and beautiful. I absolutely adore it. I wasn't ready to let go of the Inner Circle & Co. after ACOWAR so I was more than excited for this novella. And it didn't disappoint. True, I expected lots more of the rest of the Inner Circle but that didn't change the fact that I enjoyed this book so much.

The story and plots had my interest from start to finish. There wasn't much going on but we got Inner Circle and their life and that what the whole fandom wanted? Like, I saw so many fans being like "OH I WANT A WHOLE BOOK OF JUST INNER CIRCLE AND THEIR LIFE" and then SJM gives you exactly that and y'all are "ewww, not like that"... Like what did you expect a whole new war? This book was absolutely brilliant and beautiful about love, friendship and family.

Other thing that this book did, except making me melt, was that I hate all of my ships. I don't ship anyone anymore. Elucien? HELL FUCKING NO. Nessian? FUCK NO, FUCK OFF SHE DOESN'T DESERVE HIM! Elriel? Was always a brotp for me so again no! The only one I ship is Feysand and Vamren. Everything else.. just keep it away from me.

My opinion of Nesta changed so much, I can't stand her. I used to find her cool, now I just can't. She's rude and spits on all the help Rhys and Feyre offer... AND DARES TO BE OFFENDED WHEN THEY STOP INVITING HER. Of course they did when you never even show up or don't show any fucking interst.. why should they bother? How do you even help a person that doesn't want help?

Also, Tamlin. He didn't deserve all of that. I feel sorry for him. A broken man, all alone. Deep in depression, obviously understanding his mistakes.. He isn't that much of a villain. Yes, he's unbelievably stupid and I wanna punch him in the face. But he didn't deserve all that ruin he became.

But, back to the happy side, Feysand is gonna try for a baby and I'm so excited because they'll be the best parents ever. And, also, hello... Illyrian babies having a snowball fight.. how does one not melt. That was the most beautiful scene. And then there was the Wall Scene like holy shit!

This book gave me million emotions and all of them positive. So thanfull for this beautiful novela.
]]> To Love Jason Thorn 58762117
Oh, how stupidly in love with that boy I was. He was the first boy that made me blush, my first official crush. Sounds beautiful so far, right? That excitement that bubbles up inside you, those famous butterflies you feel for the very first time—he was the reason for them all. But, you only get to live in that fairytale world until they crush your hopes and dreams and then stomp on your heart for good measure. And boy did he crush my little heart into pieces.

After the stomping part he became the boy I did my best to stay away from—and let me tell you, it was pretty hard to do when he slept in the room right across from mine.
When tragedy struck his family and they moved away, I was ready to forget he ever existed.

Now he is a movie star, the one who makes women of all ages go into a screaming frenzy, the one who makes everyone swoon with that dimpled smile of his. Do you think that’s dreamy? I certainly don’t think so. How about me coming face to face with him? Nope still not dreamy. Not when I can’t even manage to look him in the eye.

Me? I’m Olive, a new writer. Actually, I’m THE writer of the book that inspired the movie he is about to star in on the big screen. As of late, I am also referred to as the oh-so-very-lucky girl who is about to become the wife of Jason Thorn.
Maybe you’re thinking yet again that this is all so dreamy? Nope, nothing dreamy going on here. Not even close.

To Love Jason Thorn is a full-length standalone, which also contains some pretty hot and descriptive sex scenes. *winks*]]> 428 Ella Maise Barbara 5 3.68 2015 To Love Jason Thorn
author: Ella Maise
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.68
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2024/07/01
date added: 2024/07/01
shelves:
review:
Olive, sweetheart, I get you 100%. I, too, am completely and utterly in love with Jason Thorn.
]]> Živjeti brzo 202491202 168 Brigitte Giraud 9532594507 Barbara 4
Even though it broke me into a million pieces, I absolutely loved this book! At times where bikers seem to be trendy on all social media platforms, this seems like a must-read.]]> 3.55 2022 Živjeti brzo
author: Brigitte Giraud
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.55
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at: 2024/05/26
date added: 2024/06/26
shelves:
review:
"Live fast" is a devastating autobiography of a woman who lost her husband to a motorcycle accident. Years after her husband passed, the author is hunted by all the "what ifs". Every what if is precisely calculated by the author. With every what if, you're left even more devastated for a married couple you didn't even know. Who's life just seemed to be starting anew. What if they haven't moved? What if her brother didn't leave his bike for safe keeping? What if that bike model wasn't invented? What if it rained? What if? What would've prevented him from dying? There are so many questions left for a person to rummage through... but no answer.

Even though it broke me into a million pieces, I absolutely loved this book! At times where bikers seem to be trendy on all social media platforms, this seems like a must-read.
]]> In Deeper Waters 54303971 A young prince must rely on a mysterious stranger to save him when he is kidnapped during his coming-of-age tour in this swoony adventure that is The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue meets Pirates of the Caribbean.

Prince Tal has long awaited his coming-of-age tour. After spending most of his life cloistered behind palace walls as he learns to keep his forbidden magic secret, he can finally see his family’s kingdom for the first time. His first taste of adventure comes just two days into the journey, when their crew discovers a mysterious prisoner on a burning derelict vessel.

Tasked with watching over the prisoner, Tal is surprised to feel an intense connection with the roguish Athlen. So when Athlen leaps overboard and disappears, Tal feels responsible and heartbroken, knowing Athlen could not have survived in the open ocean.

That is, until Tal runs into Athlen days later on dry land, very much alive, and as charming—and secretive—as ever. But before they can pursue anything further, Tal is kidnapped by pirates and held ransom in a plot to reveal his rumored powers and instigate a war. Tal must escape if he hopes to save his family and the kingdom. And Athlen might just be his only hope…]]> 320 F.T. Lukens 1534480501 Barbara 1 3.88 2021 In Deeper Waters
author: F.T. Lukens
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2021
rating: 1
read at: 2024/06/25
date added: 2024/06/25
shelves:
review:
I'm way too old and definently not gay enough to find anything remotely good and interesting about this book.
]]> <![CDATA[Legends & Lattes (Legends & Lattes, #1)]]> 61242426
The battle-weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But old and new rivals stand in the way of success � not to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea what coffee actually is.

If Viv wants to put the blade behind her and make her plans a reality, she won't be able to go it alone.

But the true rewards of the uncharted path are the travelers you meet along the way. And whether drawn together by ancient magic, flaky pastry, or a freshly brewed cup, they may become partners, family, and something deeper than she ever could have dreamed.]]> 296 Travis Baldree Barbara 1
Low-stakes fantasy isn't for me as it turns out. But like there were hardly any stakes, so who the fuck knows. There was literally almost nothing going on. And stuff that were going on were so repetative I felt like I was reading the same chapter over and over.

I really don't need a wild plot to find the book good and interesting. I love chatacter driven stories, maybe even more than the plot driven ones. I just need writing that's average and/or above average. Sadly, the writing was below fucking average. Characters were bland and one-dimensional. I couldn't even tell them apart because they all felt like one and the same character. Absolutely awful. At least give them some spice.

As for the vibes? The book even failed at that. There was no cosy I was promised because the writing was so unbelievably bad. It felt like reading a highschool english class project where the only goal was to hit the word count. The writing didn't bring out anything in me. Instead of showing me how cosy and homey the cafe and everything was, he just expected me to belive it. SHOW ME HOW COSY IT IS! Make me feel the warmth. Make me smell the coffee. Make me taste the food through your writing. MAKE. ME. BELIEVE.

As for the romance. What romance? There was literally no romance. All of the romance happened on one page. Quite literally. There was no mention of even a slightest crush, not even some special friendship bond, through the whole book... and the suddenly at the very end they're oh so in love. Out of the fucking blue! There was no build up. There was no pining. No secret glances. Accidental touches. Words of affirmation where the other is wondering is it flirting. NOTHING! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

Gosh, I'm so disappointed. This book is my very on nemesis along with Circe.]]> 4.05 2022 Legends & Lattes (Legends & Lattes, #1)
author: Travis Baldree
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2022
rating: 1
read at: 2023/06/11
date added: 2024/06/15
shelves:
review:
Uh??? What the fuck?? Why is this book so hyped? It was literally like reading a manual?? On how to open a cafe for dummies?? I swear. I don't get it.

Low-stakes fantasy isn't for me as it turns out. But like there were hardly any stakes, so who the fuck knows. There was literally almost nothing going on. And stuff that were going on were so repetative I felt like I was reading the same chapter over and over.

I really don't need a wild plot to find the book good and interesting. I love chatacter driven stories, maybe even more than the plot driven ones. I just need writing that's average and/or above average. Sadly, the writing was below fucking average. Characters were bland and one-dimensional. I couldn't even tell them apart because they all felt like one and the same character. Absolutely awful. At least give them some spice.

As for the vibes? The book even failed at that. There was no cosy I was promised because the writing was so unbelievably bad. It felt like reading a highschool english class project where the only goal was to hit the word count. The writing didn't bring out anything in me. Instead of showing me how cosy and homey the cafe and everything was, he just expected me to belive it. SHOW ME HOW COSY IT IS! Make me feel the warmth. Make me smell the coffee. Make me taste the food through your writing. MAKE. ME. BELIEVE.

As for the romance. What romance? There was literally no romance. All of the romance happened on one page. Quite literally. There was no mention of even a slightest crush, not even some special friendship bond, through the whole book... and the suddenly at the very end they're oh so in love. Out of the fucking blue! There was no build up. There was no pining. No secret glances. Accidental touches. Words of affirmation where the other is wondering is it flirting. NOTHING! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

Gosh, I'm so disappointed. This book is my very on nemesis along with Circe.
]]> To Hate Adam Connor 58762145
Let’s be honest here, wouldn’t you wanna take a peek over the wall to catch a glimpse of him, hopefully when he is naked? Wouldn’t you melt away after watching him work out as his five-year-old kid cheered him on? Do I even have to mention those abs, the big bulge in his pants, or that arm porn? Oh, wait, you would never spy on him? Sure�

While I was being thoughtful by not breaking and entering and was actually considering going over to offer him a shoulder—or maybe a boob or two—to cry on (y’know, because of his divorce), instead he had me thrown in jail after a small incident. Jail, people! He was supposed to grant me countless orgasms as a thank you, not a jail cell.

After that day, I was mentally plotting ways to strangle him instead of jumping his bones to make sweet love. So what if my body did more than just shiver when he whispered dirty little things in my ear? I can’t be held responsible for that. And when was the last time he’d kissed anyone anyway? Who’d enjoy a kiss with a side of heart attack?

Even if he and his son were the best things since sliced bread—and I’m not saying he was—I couldn’t fall for him. No matter what promises he whispered on my skin, my curse wouldn’t let us be. I wasn’t a damsel in distress—I could save myself, thank you very much—but deep inside, I still hoped Adam Connor would be the hero of my story.

*Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18*]]> 448 Ella Maise Barbara 4 3.92 2016 To Hate Adam Connor
author: Ella Maise
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.92
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2024/05/30
date added: 2024/06/03
shelves:
review:
To Hate Adam Connor has almost earned the title of my favourite rom-com! I absolutely loved the banter and smut. However, enemies-to-lovers romance tends to be lust-based instead of love-based.... and I need love. I need the lovey-dovey. Also, the sudden, possible pregnancy was so unnecessary and boring. As if there wasn't enough drama with Adam's ex. I really didn't see the point. It kinda ruined the book. The first time was also kinda underwhelming??? Like, why were they talking so much? Shut up and fuck already??? The ending was sort of disappointingas well. So yeah, this book almost had me in a chokehold, but then from around 70%, it just went downhill for me.
]]> The Hardest Fall 39880512 429 Ella Maise Barbara 0 to-read 3.95 2018 The Hardest Fall
author: Ella Maise
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.95
book published: 2018
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/05/25
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Demons & Doves (Freaks of Nature Duet #2)]]> 123147697 Welcome to New York City, where the roaring twenties are filled with rippers and revenge.

Florence has returned back home after facing months of torment, but she still cannot escape the demons that haunt her.

A Vampire. A Shapeshifter. A Demonic Jester.

The Rippers have lost everything because of Florence. Her past is dangerously intertwined with their future, and nothing will tear her from their blood thirsty grips. But the further they drag her into hell, the more they realize that fate is far more evil than any monster could be—and that they aren’t the only creatures after the doves.

Love is a weakness. Trust is a weapon. And if these four are ever to find either, they will have to reopen wounds that are better left untouched.

Can the demons love the very human they are destined to hate? Can Florence ever love them back?]]> 426 Clio Evans Barbara 3
1. Erotic flesh eating wasn't erotic.... go figure.
2. Breaking a jaw during BJ is really not my thing.
3. The rest of the smut was good. More than good actually, Ibreally enjoyed it.
4. This started with a r*pe scene, and Florence (our fmc) falls in love with the r*pist, Jack (another fmc and love interest)
5. Florence has a personality of a limp noodle and a blow up doll. Someone needs to introduce her to therapy so she can learn that whatever manipulative shit happened in this book is not love
6. Jack was infurating, and I quite literally hate her. She not only manipulates Florence but also her so called mates, Ace and Cat
7. Ace and Cat were literally the only good thing in this book (besides the smut scenes, excluding those stuff from points 1 and 2). If this book was only Ace and Cat, I'd rate it million stars.
8. The rest of the plot was okay? I didn't particularly care about it.

I knew this was not going to be my thing from TWs at the beginning, but I had hopes nonetheless. But to be completely honest, none of them bothered me as much as Jack ruined the whole book for me. She's probably one of the worst, most disgusting characters I've ever read about, and I just can't get past that. She treats everyone like shit, and Ace and Cat just go like oh well that's Jack for you... manipulative toxic bitch imo.]]> 4.11 2024 Demons & Doves (Freaks of Nature Duet #2)
author: Clio Evans
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/05/20
date added: 2024/05/20
shelves:
review:
Gosh, where to start? I like... stuff... but I might be too vanilla for this book.

1. Erotic flesh eating wasn't erotic.... go figure.
2. Breaking a jaw during BJ is really not my thing.
3. The rest of the smut was good. More than good actually, Ibreally enjoyed it.
4. This started with a r*pe scene, and Florence (our fmc) falls in love with the r*pist, Jack (another fmc and love interest)
5. Florence has a personality of a limp noodle and a blow up doll. Someone needs to introduce her to therapy so she can learn that whatever manipulative shit happened in this book is not love
6. Jack was infurating, and I quite literally hate her. She not only manipulates Florence but also her so called mates, Ace and Cat
7. Ace and Cat were literally the only good thing in this book (besides the smut scenes, excluding those stuff from points 1 and 2). If this book was only Ace and Cat, I'd rate it million stars.
8. The rest of the plot was okay? I didn't particularly care about it.

I knew this was not going to be my thing from TWs at the beginning, but I had hopes nonetheless. But to be completely honest, none of them bothered me as much as Jack ruined the whole book for me. She's probably one of the worst, most disgusting characters I've ever read about, and I just can't get past that. She treats everyone like shit, and Ace and Cat just go like oh well that's Jack for you... manipulative toxic bitch imo.
]]> <![CDATA[House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City, #3)]]> 52857700
Bryce Quinlan never expected to see a world other than Midgard, but now that she has, all she wants is to get back. Everything she loves is in Midgard: her family, her friends, her mate. Stranded in a strange new world, she's going to need all her wits about her to get home again. And that's no easy feat when she has no idea who to trust.

Hunt Athalar has found himself in some deep holes in his life, but this one might be the deepest of all. After a few brief months with everything he ever wanted, he's in the Asteri's dungeons again, stripped of his freedom and without a clue as to Bryce's fate. He's desperate to help her, but until he can escape the Asteri's leash, his hands are quite literally tied.

In this sexy, breathtaking sequel to the #1 bestsellers House of Earth and Blood and House of Sky and Breath, Sarah J. Maas's Crescent City series reaches new heights as Bryce and Hunt's world is brought to the brink of collapse-with its future resting on their shoulders.]]> 835 Sarah J. Maas 1681193094 Barbara 3 4.15 2024 House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City, #3)
author: Sarah J. Maas
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.15
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/05/20
date added: 2024/05/20
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Little Heart of Stone (Creature Cafe, #13)]]> 207659912
When Beau and Jade receive a mysterious message to come to Creature Cafe for their fated date, they answer the call and meet Juliet—a busy human who enchants them both.

Juliet has seen it all as a nurse—life, death, happiness, and tragedy. She’s experienced all of those things too. After a dreamy first date, she accepts Jade and Beau’s invite for a weekend getaway in the clouds.

Lust and love are in the air, but past wounds make it hard to trust in fate. Can Beau and Jade be the stitch Juliet needs in her little heart of stone?

This novella includes the following:

F/F/M
Gargoyles
Sex in the clouds
Needly Play
Latex
Fated Mates
And more revealed soon ;)]]> 118 Clio Evans Barbara 4
Absolutely loved Little Heart of Stone. I'm not into, well, most of the kinks in this one, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the book becayse the dynamic between Beau, Jade and Juliet was fire!

I'm glad Clio stepped away from her usual kidnapping story ending and gave us something new because I was kinda getting bored of all the kidnapping. So, I was very pleasantly surprised.

I'm such a huge fan of Creatures Cafe series and I'm so happy to read this new era of it. I highly recommend this book (and series) to all the monster romance lovers!]]> 4.11 2024 Little Heart of Stone (Creature Cafe, #13)
author: Clio Evans
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/05/08
date added: 2024/05/17
shelves:
review:
ARC review

Absolutely loved Little Heart of Stone. I'm not into, well, most of the kinks in this one, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the book becayse the dynamic between Beau, Jade and Juliet was fire!

I'm glad Clio stepped away from her usual kidnapping story ending and gave us something new because I was kinda getting bored of all the kidnapping. So, I was very pleasantly surprised.

I'm such a huge fan of Creatures Cafe series and I'm so happy to read this new era of it. I highly recommend this book (and series) to all the monster romance lovers!
]]> <![CDATA[Mine To Claim (Desperately Depraved Book 1)]]> 211119597 These aliens are looking for refuge� and mates. Would you deny them?

Lance

Living in Alaska has brought me closer to my roots, but also keeps me rooted in the same small town as my toxic ex-girlfriend.

A trip to Cancun, Mexico is starting to look like the perfect breath of fresh air. But when I meet a girl on the beach who says we’re mates, things start to get a little weird.

And that’s not all; she says she’s from outer space and was sent to Earth along with twenty-nine other aliens to await her planet's rebirth.

Talk about an unforgettable vacation.

Georgia

Being a beta in a lycan pack isn’t as glamorous as it looks. Especially when you’re the runt of a pack living on a planet experiencing the Great Mating Ceasement. It makes me unnecessary, insignificant, a throwaway.

But on Earth, I can be more than that. So when the opportunity arises, I say to hell with my pack and make a break for it.

I thought hours of pawing through forest floors were in my future; who knew I would actually find a mate, would actually be worthy of one.

Now all I have to do is keep him.

“Mine to Claim� is the first book of the Desperately Depraved series following a pod of refugee aliens searching for connection on Earth. It’s great for Kimberly Lemming and Ruby Dixon readers, as well as anyone looking for something short and spicy. This novella contains adult language and sex scenes. Please see the author's website for content warnings.]]> 67 Whit LaVonne Barbara 3
It took them, in my opinion, way too long to get together for a 70-page long book. There wasn't enough smut. I didn't "buy" into their love, and I need to feel the romantic connection to enjoy this type of books. Moreover, the book finished before it even started. I feel like this book missed around 100 pages. I know for a fact that if it were tiny bit longer, I'd enjoy it way more than I did.

Nonetheless, I recommend it if you're in a need of a quick, sexy read.]]> 3.88 Mine To Claim (Desperately Depraved Book 1)
author: Whit LaVonne
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.88
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2024/05/08
date added: 2024/05/08
shelves:
review:
(Arc provided in exchange for an honest review)

It took them, in my opinion, way too long to get together for a 70-page long book. There wasn't enough smut. I didn't "buy" into their love, and I need to feel the romantic connection to enjoy this type of books. Moreover, the book finished before it even started. I feel like this book missed around 100 pages. I know for a fact that if it were tiny bit longer, I'd enjoy it way more than I did.

Nonetheless, I recommend it if you're in a need of a quick, sexy read.
]]> Demon s Vučjeg brda 159384487
Napisan jednostavnim, ali eruptivnim jezikom neobrazovana pojedinca, Demon s Vučjeg brda potresno je svjedočanstvo jednog teškog socijalnog slučaja. Iskren i bolan, roman prodire duboko u um osuđena čovjeka, ali i u mnoge mane društvenog sustava koji rijetko uspijeva zaštititi one najranjivije, prepuštajući ih najčešće sebi samima. Romaneskni debi Dimitrija Rouchon-Borieja kritika je prepoznala kao nužno djelo suvremenosti, a ušao je i u uži izbor nagrade „Goncourt� za najbolji prvi roman.]]> 184 Dimitri Rouchon-Borie 9532594167 Barbara 5
I rather enjoyed the writing and the story-telling style. As I've said, it's from the main character's POV who suffered lots of trauma in his childhood and, due to his choices, didn't have a decent life later either. The way he tells a story of his life is so "dry", almost as if he's uniterested in his own life and trauma. But, at the same time, you can feel his pain.

I'm not gonna lie, this book is like a car crash. It's disturbing and stomach twisting, but you can't take your eyes off the page. Even though it could trigger alot of people, I would still recommend it to anyone who has the stomach for it. Read with caution and at your own risk, though.

TWs: ped0philia, se*al ab*se, child ab*se, dr*gs, $uicide, m*rder, sexi$m, alc0holism, r*pe, ad*iction]]> 4.52 2021 Demon s Vučjeg brda
author: Dimitri Rouchon-Borie
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.52
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at: 2024/05/06
date added: 2024/05/07
shelves:
review:
The Demon of Wolf Hill is an incredible and disturbing book about victims of child and se*ual abuse. Written from the victims point of view, the book leaves the reader angry at the system and heartbroken for the child who wasn't given a chance for a normal childhood and life.

I rather enjoyed the writing and the story-telling style. As I've said, it's from the main character's POV who suffered lots of trauma in his childhood and, due to his choices, didn't have a decent life later either. The way he tells a story of his life is so "dry", almost as if he's uniterested in his own life and trauma. But, at the same time, you can feel his pain.

I'm not gonna lie, this book is like a car crash. It's disturbing and stomach twisting, but you can't take your eyes off the page. Even though it could trigger alot of people, I would still recommend it to anyone who has the stomach for it. Read with caution and at your own risk, though.

TWs: ped0philia, se*al ab*se, child ab*se, dr*gs, $uicide, m*rder, sexi$m, alc0holism, r*pe, ad*iction
]]> <![CDATA[The Beloved (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #22)]]> 176443921
The daughter of a legend finds the love of a lifetime in this passionate, heart-wrenching installment in J. R. Ward’s #1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood series...

Nalla, the blooded daughter of Zsadist, has led a sheltered life. Protected by her father and the Brotherhood, kept away from the deadly war with the Lessening Society, she is chaffing against the walls of the very safety that has ensured her survival. One night, she gives into her restlessness... and finds herself face to face with a male whose inner darkness rivals even that of her sire’s horrific origins.

Nate is a fighter with nothing to lose- and nothing to live for. Tortured in a human lab as a young, then cursed with immortality, he is all vengeance and no purpose because he cares for no one, not even himself. The Brotherhood know this all too well, and following his deliberate violation of the cardinal rule in the war, they declare him a dangerous liability that must be dealt with.

When Nalla and Nate find themselves fighting side by side, daggers aren’t the only things that fly. A sizzling attraction is ignited, except she knows her sire will never accept him- and on his side, Nate has made a secret bargain to end his immortality. As the enemy closes in, and Nalla realizes she must choose between her mate and her sire... what starts with such passion may well end with eternal sorrow and no chance of a reunion, even in the Fade.]]> 432 J.R. Ward 1982180080 Barbara 5 4.16 2024 The Beloved (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #22)
author: J.R. Ward
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.16
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2024/04/26
date added: 2024/04/26
shelves:
review:

]]> Vampires of El Norte 63892214 Vampires and vaqueros face off on the Texas-Mexico border in this supernatural western from the author of The Hacienda.

As the daughter of a rancher in 1840s Mexico, Nena knows a thing or two about monsters—her home has long been threatened by tensions with Anglo settlers from the north. But something more sinister lurks near the ranch at night, something that drains men of their blood and leaves them for dead.

Something that once attacked Nena nine years ago.

Believing Nena dead, Néstor has been on the run from his grief ever since, moving from ranch to ranch working as a vaquero. But no amount of drink can dispel the night terrors of sharp teeth; no woman can erase his childhood sweetheart from his mind.

When the United States attacks Mexico in 1846, the two are brought abruptly together on the road to war: Nena as a curandera, a healer striving to prove her worth to her father so that he does not marry her off to a stranger, and Néstor as a member of the auxiliary cavalry of ranchers and vaqueros. But the shock of their reunion—and Nena’s rage at Néstor for seemingly abandoning her long ago—is quickly overshadowed by the appearance of a nightmare made flesh.

And unless Nena and Néstor work through their past and face the future together, neither will survive to see the dawn.]]> 371 Isabel Cañas 0593436725 Barbara 2 3.87 2023 Vampires of El Norte
author: Isabel Cañas
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2023
rating: 2
read at: 2024/04/11
date added: 2024/04/11
shelves:
review:

]]> Iskrivljeni plug 63276346
Iskrivljeni plug moćan je roman koji podsjeća na velike klasike. Nezaboravna je to priča o potomcima robova, njihovoj patnji i obespravljenosti, s kojima se suočavaju i nakon ukidanja ropstva. Itamar Vieira Junior piše iz srca, a jake ženske likove smjestio je u samo središte ove važne priče. Uz bogatstvo živih slika drevnih rituala, vjerovanja i brazilskog folklora, pred čitateljem će se otvoriti jedan potpuno drugačiji svijet u njegovoj iskonskoj borbi za istinom i pravdom.]]> 240 Itamar Vieira Junior 9532594019 Barbara 3 I guess I fail to see the point and importance of this book. I was bored through most of it. It took me more than 20 days to finish a 234 pages long book.]]> 4.10 2019 Iskrivljeni plug
author: Itamar Vieira Junior
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2024/03/19
date added: 2024/03/19
shelves:
review:
2.5
I guess I fail to see the point and importance of this book. I was bored through most of it. It took me more than 20 days to finish a 234 pages long book.
]]> <![CDATA[Lair of Dreams (The Diviners, #2)]]> 16060716 The longing of dreams draws the dead, and this city holds many dreams.

After a supernatural showdown with a serial killer, Evie O’Neill has outed herself as a Diviner. With her uncanny ability to read people’s secrets, she’s become a media darling, earning the title “America’s Sweetheart Seer.� Everyone’s in love with the city’s newest It Girl…everyone except the other Diviners.

Piano-playing Henry DuBois and Chinatown resident Ling Chan are two Diviners struggling to keep their powers a secret—for they can walk in dreams. And while Evie is living the high life, victims of a mysterious sleeping sickness are turning up across New York City.

As Henry searches for a lost love and Ling strives to succeed in a world that shuns her, a malevolent force infects their dreams. And at the edges of it all lurks a man in a stovepipe hat who has plans that extend farther than anyone can guess…As the sickness spreads, can the Diviners descend into the dreamworld to save the city?

In this heart-stopping sequel to The Diviners, Printz Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Libba Bray takes readers deeper into the mystical underbelly of New York City.]]> 613 Libba Bray 0316126047 Barbara 0 to-read 4.10 2015 Lair of Dreams (The Diviners, #2)
author: Libba Bray
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2015
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/03/10
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Sniježnica i tajna lepeza 22590547
Roman počinje potresnim opisom povezivanja stopala, bolnog i mučnog obreda kroz koji su Ljiljan i njezine sestre prošle u dječjoj dobi, pretvarajući se potom u živopisan prikaz obiteljskog i seoskog života u zabačenoj kineskoj pokrajini. Već u ranom djetinjstvu sudbina joj se dramatično izmijenila kada je lokalni proricatelj zaključio da će je njezina lijepo formirana stopala učiniti podobnom za udaju u obitelj višeg statusa i za posebno obredno prijateljstvo s laotong (“srodnom dušom�).]]> 286 Lisa See 9533033959 Barbara 4 4.37 2005 Sniježnica i tajna lepeza
author: Lisa See
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.37
book published: 2005
rating: 4
read at: 2024/02/29
date added: 2024/02/29
shelves:
review:

]]> Queenie 54403575 365 Candice Carty-Williams 9532592857 Barbara 5
When it comes to Queenie as a character, she's one of the messiest I've ever read about. Her story is like a car crash � wild, awful and intruiging. But don't let that fool you. The book is incredible! Once you start, you won't be able to put it down.

Queenie talks about tough breakups, making wrong decisions, friendships, girlhood, lives of POC women, interracial dating, mental health, depression, and finding and fighting your way back up.

Queenie (unfortunately) gets compared to Bridget Jones a lot, but let me tell you... this is no Bridget Jones. Bridget is comic relief, where this book is the last pit of despair. While both books are good and have their own qualities � trust me, I'm not dissing Bridget, I loved reading and watching Bridget Jones Diaries � Queenie is more serious and deep. Where Bridget is funny and entertaining, Queenie will have you furrowing your brows, holding to your heart whispering "no, no, no, no" as Queenie makes yet another mistake that will send her spiraling even further. You will have to put this book down because you won't be able to believe how incredibly stupid Queenie was in that moment. Yet again... you will feel for her, you will want to hug her like she is your own very best friend. Because you will see women you know in her. You will maybe even see yourself.

This "review" barely paints the picture of reasons why you should pick it up. But I'll finish it by saying that, in my opinion, Queenie is such a powerful book about (POC) women experience and a must-read for literally everyone.]]> 3.64 2019 Queenie
author: Candice Carty-Williams
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.64
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at: 2024/02/15
date added: 2024/02/28
shelves:
review:
Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams, just like The Color Purple by Alice Walker, is one of those books that left such a huge impact on my heart and brain that I just can't find the words that would best articulate how it made me feel.

When it comes to Queenie as a character, she's one of the messiest I've ever read about. Her story is like a car crash � wild, awful and intruiging. But don't let that fool you. The book is incredible! Once you start, you won't be able to put it down.

Queenie talks about tough breakups, making wrong decisions, friendships, girlhood, lives of POC women, interracial dating, mental health, depression, and finding and fighting your way back up.

Queenie (unfortunately) gets compared to Bridget Jones a lot, but let me tell you... this is no Bridget Jones. Bridget is comic relief, where this book is the last pit of despair. While both books are good and have their own qualities � trust me, I'm not dissing Bridget, I loved reading and watching Bridget Jones Diaries � Queenie is more serious and deep. Where Bridget is funny and entertaining, Queenie will have you furrowing your brows, holding to your heart whispering "no, no, no, no" as Queenie makes yet another mistake that will send her spiraling even further. You will have to put this book down because you won't be able to believe how incredibly stupid Queenie was in that moment. Yet again... you will feel for her, you will want to hug her like she is your own very best friend. Because you will see women you know in her. You will maybe even see yourself.

This "review" barely paints the picture of reasons why you should pick it up. But I'll finish it by saying that, in my opinion, Queenie is such a powerful book about (POC) women experience and a must-read for literally everyone.
]]> <![CDATA[Little Drop of Blood (Creature Cafe, #12)]]> 202542892
Creatures of all kinds go to the Barista to find love, including the broody vampire professor, Malachi.
Malachi is ready to find the one. With Valentine’s Day near, lust is in the air…only it’s for a rebellious human the professor shouldn’t be with.

After a bad first date, Leo decides rules are made to be broken. Soon, Malachi and Leo are keeping one unholy secret, the kind that could destroy their careers. The kind that an enemy desperately wants to get their hands on�

Determined to hold on to their love at first bite, Malachi and Leo will pay the price for one little drop of blood�

This novella has the following:

M/M
Vampire Professor
bad first date
love to hate you
Fated Mates
Valentine’s Day
spontaneous vs serious

The Creature Cafe Series follows the Barista and who he matchmakes. Each book has a different monster finding their true love, tons of spicy scenes, and special *ahem* appendages. Books 12-21 can be read without the first 11 books, but still recommended to read in order.]]> 122 Clio Evans Barbara 4
Four stars because I'm getting a bit tired of kidnapping thrope. I thought Clio would use Malachi being Leo's professor to create some drama in that department, but she sticked to her old route... I was slightly disappointed by that.


(arc review)]]> 4.16 2024 Little Drop of Blood (Creature Cafe, #12)
author: Clio Evans
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.16
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/02/07
date added: 2024/02/09
shelves:
review:
CREATURE'S CAFE IS BACK! This book was such a thrill to read. I loved the dynamic between Malachi and Leo. They're both sarcastic and sassy � I loved their banter! Smut was fantastic, as Clio's smut usually is. This book was, in my opinion, tamer than some of her other works, but I didn't mind it.

Four stars because I'm getting a bit tired of kidnapping thrope. I thought Clio would use Malachi being Leo's professor to create some drama in that department, but she sticked to her old route... I was slightly disappointed by that.


(arc review)
]]> <![CDATA[The Power of Positive Thinking]]> 1134122 "This book is written with the sole objective of helping the reader achieve a happy, satisfying, and worthwhile life."

-- Norman Vincent Peale

The precursor to The Secret, The Power of Positive Thinking has helped millions of men and women to achieve fulfillment in their lives. In this phenomenal bestseller, Dr. Peale demonstrates the power of faith in action. With the practical techniques outlined in this book, you can energize your life -- and give yourself the initiative needed to carry out your ambitions and hopes. You'll learn how to:

Expect the best and get it

Believe in yourself and in everything you do

Develop the power to reach your goals

Break the worry habit and achieve a relaxed life

Improve your personal and professional relationships

Assume control over your circumstances

Be kind to yourself

]]> 128 Norman Vincent Peale 1416560610 Barbara 5
As someone who wasn't particularly religious, I thought about DNFing after chapter one, to be completely honest. As a disclaimer, before continuing, I'd like to say that I do believe in divine highter power � call it God, call it force of the universe, whatever you want � but I am a very modern woman, a queer feminist, church's worst nightmare (after probably Lucifer himself). I was born and raised a Catholic, but I never felt connected to any particular religions.

So, after that one chapter, I decided that this religious propaganda was not for me. I decided to put it aside for my sister because I knew she was going to like it, as someone who's more religious than me. A couple of hours passed, and I could literally feel that book just staring at me. I looked at it and was like, "You know what, fine. You have one chance. Only one chance for me to like you." It wasn't only the books "aggressive" staring that got me to pick it up. I felt like a bit of a hypocrite as well � I'm someone who prides on an open mind and willingness to listen and hear everyone's opinions and beliefs... yet here I was, dismissing this book without even giving it a proper chance. After that self-reflecting experience, I picked the book up again.... and I haven't put it down until the very last page. My opinion and how I felt toward it changed completely. From "ugh religious propaganda," it became "aww it's so nice that someone has this much faith." It became "aw this is beautiful." It became "wait, i gotta highlight that." It became one of my most highlighted books.

Anyway, this review turned into my story time about my own experience with religion and faith, which is so not the point of book reviews and not what you came here for. The point is, I enjoyed the book tremendously, and I did not expect that... at all. I thought I was going to rate it 1/5 stars and rant into oblivion. Or DNF. Imagine my surprise. I thought about God more in these past two weeks than I did in almost 26 years that I've been alive. The passiom with which this book talked about God and faith at the moment made me teary because I never pictured them with such beauty of which the author spoke.
The way I view God and faith has changed completely. My friends will be laughing their asses off reading this review, as I was always the local and vocal heretic. I'm still my old me, though � still queer, still a feminist, still having the same morals and opinions. I'm just a tad bit more religious, as it turns out. I've evolved. I'm allowed.]]> 4.13 1952 The Power of Positive Thinking
author: Norman Vincent Peale
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.13
book published: 1952
rating: 5
read at: 2024/01/29
date added: 2024/02/05
shelves:
review:
It's hard to rate and review a book that contradicts everything you thought you (did not) believed in.. I didn't know anything about The Power of Positive Thinking or Norman Vincent Peale upon buying this book. What drew me to it was the title. I thought it's going to be a philosophical self-help/self-development book that would be talking about mental health. However, it talked about religion and the power of God.

As someone who wasn't particularly religious, I thought about DNFing after chapter one, to be completely honest. As a disclaimer, before continuing, I'd like to say that I do believe in divine highter power � call it God, call it force of the universe, whatever you want � but I am a very modern woman, a queer feminist, church's worst nightmare (after probably Lucifer himself). I was born and raised a Catholic, but I never felt connected to any particular religions.

So, after that one chapter, I decided that this religious propaganda was not for me. I decided to put it aside for my sister because I knew she was going to like it, as someone who's more religious than me. A couple of hours passed, and I could literally feel that book just staring at me. I looked at it and was like, "You know what, fine. You have one chance. Only one chance for me to like you." It wasn't only the books "aggressive" staring that got me to pick it up. I felt like a bit of a hypocrite as well � I'm someone who prides on an open mind and willingness to listen and hear everyone's opinions and beliefs... yet here I was, dismissing this book without even giving it a proper chance. After that self-reflecting experience, I picked the book up again.... and I haven't put it down until the very last page. My opinion and how I felt toward it changed completely. From "ugh religious propaganda," it became "aww it's so nice that someone has this much faith." It became "aw this is beautiful." It became "wait, i gotta highlight that." It became one of my most highlighted books.

Anyway, this review turned into my story time about my own experience with religion and faith, which is so not the point of book reviews and not what you came here for. The point is, I enjoyed the book tremendously, and I did not expect that... at all. I thought I was going to rate it 1/5 stars and rant into oblivion. Or DNF. Imagine my surprise. I thought about God more in these past two weeks than I did in almost 26 years that I've been alive. The passiom with which this book talked about God and faith at the moment made me teary because I never pictured them with such beauty of which the author spoke.
The way I view God and faith has changed completely. My friends will be laughing their asses off reading this review, as I was always the local and vocal heretic. I'm still my old me, though � still queer, still a feminist, still having the same morals and opinions. I'm just a tad bit more religious, as it turns out. I've evolved. I'm allowed.
]]> <![CDATA[The Black Dagger Brotherhood: An Insider's Guide (Black Dagger Brotherhood)]]> 2880715
This is a book no Black Dagger Brotherhood fan should miss—an insider’s guide that will seduce readers as powerfully as the sexy band of Brothers and the world they live in. And also included is an original short story about stars Zsadist and Bella!

This comprehensive guide features insider information on the Brotherhood, their dossiers, stats, and special gifts. Readers will savor interviews with their favorite characters, deleted scenes, exciting material from the J.R. Ward message board and the answers to their burning questions. They’ll learn what it’s like for J.R. Ward to write each installment of the series, and in a fascinating twist, read an interview with the author—conducted by the Brothers. Plus readers will get a sneak peek at the much anticipated next book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, Lover Avenged.]]> 478 J.R. Ward 0451225007 Barbara 5 currently-reading 4.32 2008 The Black Dagger Brotherhood: An Insider's Guide (Black Dagger Brotherhood)
author: J.R. Ward
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2008
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2024/02/04
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Scandinavian Folk & Fairy Tales: Tales From Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland & Iceland]]> 750496 666 Anonymous 0517436205 Barbara 0 currently-reading 4.18 1988 Scandinavian Folk & Fairy Tales: Tales From Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland & Iceland
author: Anonymous
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.18
book published: 1988
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/02/04
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Diviners (The Diviners, #1)]]> 7728889 578 Libba Bray Barbara 5
The Diviners is a thrilling mix of urban fantasy, historical fiction, murder and mystery. It's filled with adventure and supernatural occurrences. The story sucks you right in - once you start, there is no going back. Even though I found Evie to be painfully annoying, this is probably one of the best books I have ever read. The storytelling and writing are absolutely amazing. I only wish we got more talk about the diviners themselves. They were only briefly mentioned, and I was left starving for more. Otherwise, the book was amazing, and I highly recommend this book to all the lovers of history, occult, and murder mysteries. I'm saddened by the fact that I don't see it all over social media. It's a book that deserves all the praise.]]> 3.93 2012 The Diviners (The Diviners, #1)
author: Libba Bray
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2012
rating: 5
read at: 2024/01/14
date added: 2024/02/04
shelves:
review:
The Diviners is a story set in America in 1920s, it follows Evie, who everyone considers to be "too much", yet "not enough" (quite relatable). After pissing off the wrong people by using her supernatural gift, her parents send her away from Ohio to New York to live with her uncle Will. Aaaaaand that's where the adventure begins. Evie leads a quite interesting, extremely social life, full of dancing and drinking. She's quite a party girl. But not in her wildest dreams did she think it would only get more interesting once she finds herself in the middle of an investigation for a serial killer on the loose.

The Diviners is a thrilling mix of urban fantasy, historical fiction, murder and mystery. It's filled with adventure and supernatural occurrences. The story sucks you right in - once you start, there is no going back. Even though I found Evie to be painfully annoying, this is probably one of the best books I have ever read. The storytelling and writing are absolutely amazing. I only wish we got more talk about the diviners themselves. They were only briefly mentioned, and I was left starving for more. Otherwise, the book was amazing, and I highly recommend this book to all the lovers of history, occult, and murder mysteries. I'm saddened by the fact that I don't see it all over social media. It's a book that deserves all the praise.
]]> Zima u Sokchu 63078572
Élisa Shua Dusapin ne piše � ona slika. Čistim i jednostavnim rečenicama zamrzava detalje južnokorejske svakodnevice, ispod kojih gore rat, otuđenje i čežnja za istinskom bliskošću. Dusapinino debitantsko djelo višeslojan je roman o autsajderima, istinski slow food za ljubitelje dobrog književnog zalogaja.]]> 144 Elisa Shua Dusapin 9532593934 Barbara 4 3.67 2016 Zima u Sokchu
author: Elisa Shua Dusapin
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.67
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2024/02/01
date added: 2024/02/01
shelves:
review:
Interesting, quick read. I enjoyed the writing style tremendously � it makes you see, smell, and feel everything the writer is describing.
]]> Any Human Heart 33795431 Any Human Heart is William's Boyd's classic, bestselling novel, now available as a Penguin Essential for the first time.

Every life is both ordinary and extraordinary, but Logan Mountstuart's - lived from the beginning to the end of the twentieth century - contains more than its fair share of both. As a writer who finds inspiration with Hemingway in Paris and Virginia Woolf in London, as a spy recruited by Ian Fleming and betrayed in the war and as an art-dealer in '60s New York, Logan mixes with the movers and shakers of his times. But as a son, friend, lover and husband, he makes the same mistakes we all do in our search for happiness. Here, then, is the story of a life lived to the full - and a journey deep into a very human heart.

Any Human Heart will be enjoyed by readers of Sebastian Faulks, Nick Hornby and Hilary Mantel, as well as lovers of the finest British and historical fiction around the world. It was recently adapted for a major Channel 4 four-part drama series scripted by William Boyd and starring Kim Cattrall, Gillian Anderson, Jim Broadbent and Tom Hollander. This edition features beautiful cover artwork from the television series.


'Astonishing, touching, extremely funny. A brilliant evocation of a past era and an immensely readable story' Sunday Telegraph

'Superb, wonderful, enjoyable' Guardian

'A terrific journey through the twentieth century. Thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable' Jeremy Paxman]]> 490 William Boyd 024198145X Barbara 5
Any Human Heart is a series of journals written by Logan Montstuart as he goes about his life - from Oxford to London, through the second World War, to America, back to England and off to France, the good times and the bad times he journals his life from the very beginning of the 20th century.

Logan is a quite interesting character, one that you love and hate. Though, I have to admit, I found myself loving him more than hating. I found him somewhat endearing, even though he is a deeply flawed man, which I think is the reason I found this book (besides the story itself) interesting. I can't say which of the journals, if any, was my favorite. They all had a certain charm to them. However, what they all have in common is the raw emotions William Boyd managed to record through Logan's journals. You can feel this book almost as if it were you that was the main character, as if you were the one going through all these fortunate and unfortunate events.

I, personally, wouldn't view Any Human Heart as only a collection of journals. This is a story about the ugliness of life and people, but the beauty of them, as well. A story of life that we all experience in the same, but very different way. A story about happiness, true love, ruination war leaves behind, depression and despair, bad decisions, and even worse timing. A story about human experience. And that is the reason why I loved it.]]> 4.07 2002 Any Human Heart
author: William Boyd
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2002
rating: 5
read at: 2024/01/19
date added: 2024/01/19
shelves:
review:
Any Human Heart is one of the best books I have ever read and I will forever consider it to be one of my favorites. This book had me in tears, holding on to my dear heart because I thought it would burst from the pain. I haven't cried while reading a book since 2018 (Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas � the very last book that made me cry). I haven't cried because of a book in SIX YEARS! I cried now. And I'm still crying while writing this review.

Any Human Heart is a series of journals written by Logan Montstuart as he goes about his life - from Oxford to London, through the second World War, to America, back to England and off to France, the good times and the bad times he journals his life from the very beginning of the 20th century.

Logan is a quite interesting character, one that you love and hate. Though, I have to admit, I found myself loving him more than hating. I found him somewhat endearing, even though he is a deeply flawed man, which I think is the reason I found this book (besides the story itself) interesting. I can't say which of the journals, if any, was my favorite. They all had a certain charm to them. However, what they all have in common is the raw emotions William Boyd managed to record through Logan's journals. You can feel this book almost as if it were you that was the main character, as if you were the one going through all these fortunate and unfortunate events.

I, personally, wouldn't view Any Human Heart as only a collection of journals. This is a story about the ugliness of life and people, but the beauty of them, as well. A story of life that we all experience in the same, but very different way. A story about happiness, true love, ruination war leaves behind, depression and despair, bad decisions, and even worse timing. A story about human experience. And that is the reason why I loved it.
]]> <![CDATA[Queens and Monsters (Three Fates Mafia, #3)]]> 67990949
I’m a hero, she’s a villain. A demigod and a monster.

Years of venomous lies and untold favors catch up to us when the Fates intervene. The woman that I’ve secretly loved for centuries is in danger. I’d do anything to keep her safe, anything to make her mine.

The gods have forsaken us. The Fates plot to end us. But even if our world burns to the ground, it’s her I will fight to the end for.

This novel has the following:

Two women that have been secretly pining for centuries
Demigods, monsters, and gods
SPICE
Sapphic monster romance
and SO much more
Queens & Monsters is a sapphic monster mafia romance. It is the third book in the Three Fates Mafia Series and can be read as a standalone.]]> 0 Clio Evans Barbara 1
Dedication promised so much, yet this book did not deliver.

Smut was so bad, I'll even dare to say the worst Clio Evans has ever written. I've been in her arc team for a while now and I've been reading all her works before I was an ARC reader... so trust me when I say I've read every single book she has ever written. This book was by far the worst. Smut was so disengaging and dry. There was absolutely no connection and tension between the two FMCs. I guess I'm in the era where I can't read smut if the connection between characters is forced. The plot was absolutely atrocious.

It pains me to leave a review like this because I absolutely love Clio's works and I never thought there'd be a book by her that I would hate. But I hate this one with such passion, I cannot get myself to read the leftover 24%.]]> 3.69 2023 Queens and Monsters (Three Fates Mafia, #3)
author: Clio Evans
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.69
book published: 2023
rating: 1
read at:
date added: 2024/01/14
shelves:
review:
DNF at 76% because I was lied to.

Dedication promised so much, yet this book did not deliver.

Smut was so bad, I'll even dare to say the worst Clio Evans has ever written. I've been in her arc team for a while now and I've been reading all her works before I was an ARC reader... so trust me when I say I've read every single book she has ever written. This book was by far the worst. Smut was so disengaging and dry. There was absolutely no connection and tension between the two FMCs. I guess I'm in the era where I can't read smut if the connection between characters is forced. The plot was absolutely atrocious.

It pains me to leave a review like this because I absolutely love Clio's works and I never thought there'd be a book by her that I would hate. But I hate this one with such passion, I cannot get myself to read the leftover 24%.
]]> Babygirl for Christmas 56142882 All I want for Christmas is one stern daddy.

Heartbroken and alone is not the way I want to spend the holidays.
Little did I know Santa has other ideas.]]> 94 Rory Reynolds Barbara 2
I'll need to be more careful when reading Daddy Dom books because this one gave me an ick. Nick wasn't really a daddy dom to me. He was more of a controlling creep. Controlling what your sub/babygirl drinks and eats if like a fuck no for me. If he tried to make me drink milk before my coffee, I'd spit it in his fucking face lmaoooo get fucked daddy-o.

Getting pissed and punishing her for not picking up her phone because she was fucking working and closing her salon. I'd be fighting that motherfucker left and right, if he tried to pull that shit on me. Especially since there was no talk about the ground rules in their dynamic and relationship. Like....??? What's the safe word, bruh?

Another thing, I really don't like it when they act like literal fucking children. Makes me soooooo uncomfortable!!!!!!!!! Oh and, I forgot the golden "i wanted you since you were way too young for me to want. The minute you turned eighteen, a switch flipped inside me....." BRUH! Fuck that and fuck you! That ain't a red Santa suit you see on him, that a motherfucking red flag. Cherry doesn't need spanking. She needs some sense slapped into her.]]> 4.10 2020 Babygirl for Christmas
author: Rory Reynolds
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2020
rating: 2
read at: 2023/12/26
date added: 2023/12/26
shelves:
review:
I love daddy-babygirl kink and books, but this one did not do it for me. Smut was good, dirty talking was good, but the rest just made me uncomfortable.

I'll need to be more careful when reading Daddy Dom books because this one gave me an ick. Nick wasn't really a daddy dom to me. He was more of a controlling creep. Controlling what your sub/babygirl drinks and eats if like a fuck no for me. If he tried to make me drink milk before my coffee, I'd spit it in his fucking face lmaoooo get fucked daddy-o.

Getting pissed and punishing her for not picking up her phone because she was fucking working and closing her salon. I'd be fighting that motherfucker left and right, if he tried to pull that shit on me. Especially since there was no talk about the ground rules in their dynamic and relationship. Like....??? What's the safe word, bruh?

Another thing, I really don't like it when they act like literal fucking children. Makes me soooooo uncomfortable!!!!!!!!! Oh and, I forgot the golden "i wanted you since you were way too young for me to want. The minute you turned eighteen, a switch flipped inside me....." BRUH! Fuck that and fuck you! That ain't a red Santa suit you see on him, that a motherfucking red flag. Cherry doesn't need spanking. She needs some sense slapped into her.
]]> Jingle Balls 68045359 Every year Howard has to go through the ordeal that is his father’s holiday party, every year he hates it even more.

But when his friend Pam suggests he bring a date, namely her notorious gym buddy Kyle, things take a turn for the steamy.

Kyle claims to have twenty six piercings, only seventeen of them visible when fully clothed.

Howard can’t wait to count the rest of them, a desire that only grows when he’s treated to Kyle’s smoking hot body as they share a room at his father’s estate.

This is an M/M Short Romance with holiday hijinks and an accidental turned real relationship.]]> 33 Bo C. Starsky Barbara 2 3.39 2022 Jingle Balls
author: Bo C. Starsky
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.39
book published: 2022
rating: 2
read at: 2023/12/25
date added: 2023/12/25
shelves:
review:
Not much can happen in 33 pages, regarding either story or characters, so I'm not even gonna be rating that. But it should be absolutely fucking illegal for a book called "Jingle Balls" to barley have any smut.
]]> <![CDATA[Zemljovid za čudnovate (Dom gospođice Peregrine za čudnovatu djecu, #4)]]> 50721449 Abe je, kao operativac čudnovatih, vodio dvostruki život, što je izašlo na vidjelo. Otkrivaju se dugo skrivane tajne. Jacob polako počinje shvaćati kako je naslijedio opasnu ostavštinu, ono što ga je već pratilo davno prije no što je ušao u vremensku petlju gospođice Peregrine.
U trenutku kad je sve na kocki, Jacob i njegovi prijatelji zateknu se u čudnovatome svijetu koji nitko od njih ne shvaća � u Americi je malo ymbryna i malo pravila koja nitko ne razumije.
U Zemljovidu za čudnovate, izvrsnom nastavku Doma gospođice Peregrine za čudnovatu djecu, čekaju ih nova čuda i opasnosti. U novoj pustolovini kroz vrijeme, priču ponovno ilustriraju neobične fotografije, od kojih su neke u boji.]]> 471 Ransom Riggs 9533421517 Barbara 4 4.51 2018 Zemljovid za čudnovate (Dom gospođice Peregrine za čudnovatu djecu, #4)
author: Ransom Riggs
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.51
book published: 2018
rating: 4
read at: 2023/12/23
date added: 2023/12/23
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches]]> 60018635 A warm and uplifting novel about an isolated witch whose opportunity to embrace a quirky new family--and a new love--changes the course of her life.

As one of the few witches in Britain, Mika Moon knows she has to hide her magic, keep her head down, and stay away from other witches so their powers don't mingle and draw attention. And as an orphan who lost her parents at a young age and was raised by strangers, she's used to being alone and she follows the rules...with one exception: an online account, where she posts videos pretending to be a witch. She thinks no one will take it seriously.

But someone does. An unexpected message arrives, begging her to travel to the remote and mysterious Nowhere House to teach three young witches how to control their magic. It breaks all of the rules, but Mika goes anyway, and is immediately tangled up in the lives and secrets of not only her three charges, but also an absent archaeologist, a retired actor, two long-suffering caretakers, and...Jamie. The handsome and prickly librarian of Nowhere House would do anything to protect the children, and as far as he's concerned, a stranger like Mika is a threat. An irritatingly appealing threat.

As Mika begins to find her place at Nowhere House, the thought of belonging somewhere begins to feel like a real possibility. But magic isn't the only danger in the world, and when a threat comes knocking at their door, Mika will need to decide whether to risk everything to protect a found family she didn't know she was looking for....
]]> 318 Sangu Mandanna 059343935X Barbara 3
This book was a true slow burn! At last! I was so happy and excited to read about Mika and Jamie. And I was so excited for the moment they'd finally kiss.... but it did not live up to it. There were just no sparks for me. Nothing. Limp as a noodle. Plain. Tastless. Disappointing even. And so was their first time.

I loved seeing Mika develop the bond with the lil witch kids. Seeing the grownups bond with Mika as well, taking her as one of their own. This is such a wonderful book about found-family with an exciting slow-burn romance that the author just didn't know how to end. I really.... hated... yeah, I hated how everything turned out to be with Lilian... what on the fucking earth was that? Made no fucking sense to me. This book has such a wonderful concept, and around 70% of the book is wonderful but was then ruined by the last 30%.

However, I'd still recommend this book since it's a really fun read. It makes you all warm and fuzzy around the heart.]]> 4.05 2022 The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
author: Sangu Mandanna
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2022
rating: 3
read at: 2023/12/19
date added: 2023/12/19
shelves:
review:
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches started of like such an adorable book. I was loving every word, every sentence, every page.... but then it all just went downhill for me after the underwhelming first kiss and it did not go back up.

This book was a true slow burn! At last! I was so happy and excited to read about Mika and Jamie. And I was so excited for the moment they'd finally kiss.... but it did not live up to it. There were just no sparks for me. Nothing. Limp as a noodle. Plain. Tastless. Disappointing even. And so was their first time.

I loved seeing Mika develop the bond with the lil witch kids. Seeing the grownups bond with Mika as well, taking her as one of their own. This is such a wonderful book about found-family with an exciting slow-burn romance that the author just didn't know how to end. I really.... hated... yeah, I hated how everything turned out to be with Lilian... what on the fucking earth was that? Made no fucking sense to me. This book has such a wonderful concept, and around 70% of the book is wonderful but was then ruined by the last 30%.

However, I'd still recommend this book since it's a really fun read. It makes you all warm and fuzzy around the heart.
]]> <![CDATA[The Grim Grotto (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #11)]]> 65111
Unless you are a slug, a sea anemone, or mildew, you probably prefer not to be damp. You might also prefer not to read this book, in which the Baudelaire siblings encounter an unpleasant amount of dampness as they descend into the depths of despair, underwater.

In fact, the horrors they encounter are too numerous to list, and you wouldn't want me even to mention the worst of it, which includes mushrooms, a desperate search for something lost, a mechanical monster, a distressing message from a lost friend, and tap dancing.

As a dedicated author who has pledged to keep recording the depressing story of the Baudelaires, I must continue to delve deep into the cavernous depths of the orphans' lives. You, on the other hand, may delve into some happier book in order to keep your eyes and your spirits from being dampened.

With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket]]> 323 Lemony Snicket 0064410145 Barbara 4 4.03 2004 The Grim Grotto (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #11)
author: Lemony Snicket
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.03
book published: 2004
rating: 4
read at: 2023/11/01
date added: 2023/12/15
shelves:
review:

]]> The Other Crown 198812455 70 Emmanuella Hristova Barbara 5
I gave up on poetry for a little while because every modern poetry book started to feel the same. But The Other Crown was something else. It didn't just talk about love and romance. It showed the complicated side of relationships, the sacrifices we make that go unnoticed, the heartbreak that follows, the disappointment as we question everything we did for love � everything we left behind, everything we let go off and forgot. It questions how much we'd give up on just to feel loved by someone. But besides romantic love, it talks about one of the concepts I, personally, love the most. And that is friends as soulmates. I think we often forget the power true friendship has, so I absolutely loved seeing some poems dedicated to that.

But it's not only about love. It explores sexuality and womanhood while also mentioning what's expected of us women and what we suffer through because of patriarchy. The Other Crown offered me a fresh experience. It didn't feel as if I've already read this, but in some other form. It felt new. It felt refreshing.

I loved that through simple wording, the author managed to carry such powerful messages. It truly is, as the author put it, a love letter to women.

Except for poems, in this book, you can find stunning artwork drawn by the author herself.]]> 4.26 The Other Crown
author: Emmanuella Hristova
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.26
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2023/11/01
date added: 2023/12/15
shelves:
review:
I've never been so happy an author, by some miracle, found my instagram page. So, first, I would like to thank Emmanuella for reaching out and providing me with an e-copy of this stunning poetry collection.

I gave up on poetry for a little while because every modern poetry book started to feel the same. But The Other Crown was something else. It didn't just talk about love and romance. It showed the complicated side of relationships, the sacrifices we make that go unnoticed, the heartbreak that follows, the disappointment as we question everything we did for love � everything we left behind, everything we let go off and forgot. It questions how much we'd give up on just to feel loved by someone. But besides romantic love, it talks about one of the concepts I, personally, love the most. And that is friends as soulmates. I think we often forget the power true friendship has, so I absolutely loved seeing some poems dedicated to that.

But it's not only about love. It explores sexuality and womanhood while also mentioning what's expected of us women and what we suffer through because of patriarchy. The Other Crown offered me a fresh experience. It didn't feel as if I've already read this, but in some other form. It felt new. It felt refreshing.

I loved that through simple wording, the author managed to carry such powerful messages. It truly is, as the author put it, a love letter to women.

Except for poems, in this book, you can find stunning artwork drawn by the author herself.
]]> Što smo izgubili u vatri 56957394
U knjizi koja ju je proslavila Mariana Enríquez visoko postavlja ljestvicu dobre kratkopričaške literature, maestralno spojivši jezive elemente s tekovinama života u suvremenoj Argentini, u kojoj na ulicama ne nedostaje nereda, nasilja i okultnih praksi. Enríquezine junakinje otvaraju mnoga pitanja, a pokazuju da u pravo zlo nije uvijek lako uperiti prstom.]]> 206 Mariana Enríquez 9532593136 Barbara 4
Translation also didn't disappoint. So, a special shoutout to Ela Varošanec Krsnik, who did an amazing job at bringing this book to Croatian readers.]]> 3.75 2016 Što smo izgubili u vatri
author: Mariana Enríquez
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2023/11/30
date added: 2023/12/05
shelves:
review:
I enjoyed some stories a lot, some a little bit less, but all were equally creepy, grotesque, and absolutely sick and twisted. Had a really great time reading this collection!

Translation also didn't disappoint. So, a special shoutout to Ela Varošanec Krsnik, who did an amazing job at bringing this book to Croatian readers.
]]> <![CDATA[Lover Avenged (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #7)]]> 5098079 527 J.R. Ward 0451225856 Barbara 5
I've enjoyed this reread so much! While Rehv isn't my favorite of the males, his and Ehlena's story is so far my absolute favorite. Rehv is such a wonderful male. He broke my heart about thousand fucking times.

Both Rehv's and Ehlena's POV was great, John and Xhex were super intense and had me so emotional. Lash is an amazing fucking villain, I loved reading his POV. Super excited to move on yo John and Xhex because I know all that intensity is even greater in their book.

This book was fucking tragic for so many reason, but also so fucking beautiful.]]> 4.36 2009 Lover Avenged (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #7)
author: J.R. Ward
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.36
book published: 2009
rating: 5
read at: 2023/04/20
date added: 2023/12/05
shelves:
review:
I forgot how emotional this book is, damn! During my reread I realized that I remember quite a lot from all of the books, except for this one. I swear I felt like I was reading it for the first time. I only remembered the very popular quotes and the bones of it and that's about it.

I've enjoyed this reread so much! While Rehv isn't my favorite of the males, his and Ehlena's story is so far my absolute favorite. Rehv is such a wonderful male. He broke my heart about thousand fucking times.

Both Rehv's and Ehlena's POV was great, John and Xhex were super intense and had me so emotional. Lash is an amazing fucking villain, I loved reading his POV. Super excited to move on yo John and Xhex because I know all that intensity is even greater in their book.

This book was fucking tragic for so many reason, but also so fucking beautiful.
]]> <![CDATA[Mistral's Kiss (Merry Gentry, #5)]]> 30224
My aunt, Queen Andais, will have it no other way. And so I am virtually a prisoner in faerie–trapped here with some of the realm’s most beautiful men to serve as my bodyguards . . . and my lovers. For I am compelled to conceive a child: an heir to succeed me on the throne. Yet after months of amazing sex with my consorts, there is still no baby. And no baby means no throne. The only certainty is death at the hands of my cousin Cel, or his followers, if I fail to conceive.

Now Mistral, Queen Andais’s new captain of the guard, has come to my bed–defying her and risking her terrible wrath in doing so. But even she will hesitate to punish him in jealous rage, because our joining has reawakened old magic, mystical power so ancient that no one stands against it and survives. Not even my strongest and most favored: my Darkness and my Killing Frost. Not even Mistral himself, my Storm Lord. But because Mistral has helped to bring this magic forth, he may live another day.

If I can reclaim control of the fey power that once was, there may be hope for me and my reign in faerie. I might yet quell the dark schemes and subterfuges surrounding me. Though shadows of obsession and conspiracy gather, I may survive.]]> 212 Laurell K. Hamilton 0345443586 Barbara 4
Ehhh, i think i liked this one the least out of all the books in the series. Dunno, I just didn't vibe with anything going on and the smut wasn't my thing. If Ibhas sex with Mistral he'd be rated as the worst sex of my life... like idk what the fuck that was lmao

But this book got me more interested in Sholto and his character, so I hope we see more of him in future books.]]> 4.06 2006 Mistral's Kiss (Merry Gentry, #5)
author: Laurell K. Hamilton
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.06
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at: 2023/04/01
date added: 2023/12/05
shelves:
review:
3.5

Ehhh, i think i liked this one the least out of all the books in the series. Dunno, I just didn't vibe with anything going on and the smut wasn't my thing. If Ibhas sex with Mistral he'd be rated as the worst sex of my life... like idk what the fuck that was lmao

But this book got me more interested in Sholto and his character, so I hope we see more of him in future books.
]]> Babel 57945316 From award-winning author R. F. Kuang comes Babel, a historical fantasy epic that grapples with student revolutions, colonial resistance, and the use of language and translation as the dominating tool of the British Empire

Traduttore, traditore: An act of translation is always an act of betrayal.

1828. Robin Swift, orphaned by cholera in Canton, is brought to London by the mysterious Professor Lovell. There, he trains for years in Latin, Ancient Greek, and Chinese, all in preparation for the day he’ll enroll in Oxford University’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation—also known as Babel. The tower and its students are the world's center for translation and, more importantly, magic. Silver-working—the art of manifesting the meaning lost in translation using enchanted silver bars—has made the British unparalleled in power, as the arcane craft serves the Empire's quest for colonization.

For Robin, Oxford is a utopia dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. But knowledge obeys power, and as a Chinese boy raised in Britain, Robin realizes serving Babel means betraying his motherland. As his studies progress, Robin finds himself caught between Babel and the shadowy Hermes Society, an organization dedicated to stopping imperial expansion. When Britain pursues an unjust war with China over silver and opium, Robin must decide . . .

Can powerful institutions be changed from within, or does revolution always require violence?]]> 544 R.F. Kuang 0063021420 Barbara 3
This is one of those books that makes you think and question absolutely everything around you. And I love that! I loved the way Kuang portrayed each of our protagonists, the Oxford University with its professors, as well as the Hermes Society. The overall plot of the book was very interesting, filled with secrets and mystery. I did not expect it to be as emotional as it was towards the end. I loved how we could see, on paper, Robin (and the rest of the crew, to some degree) growing into who he was at the end. I feel like character development often happens "off screen," or it's done poorly. However, in Babel Robin's progress is shown on paper, his thoughts, his doubts, fears, what he used to stand for, what he stands for now, who he was brought up to be and who he wants to be. His inner fight with himself and the system into which he was brought was truly an experience to read.

Why only three stars? While there were a lot of things I enjoyed, this wasn't 100% my cup of tea. I was bored. Alot. Through about 50% of this book. I couldn't care less about the talk of language and translation. Those are not the topics that interest me. My sister and friend, who study languages, on the other hand, absolutely loved those parts. I, personally, wanted to die of boredom. So, I'm aware I'm the reason this wasn't to my liking. It has nothing to do with the book. But since I'm rating my own reading experience, I cannot get myself to give it more than three stars.]]> 4.17 2022 Babel
author: R.F. Kuang
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2022
rating: 3
read at: 2023/12/04
date added: 2023/12/05
shelves:
review:
I can't deny the fact that Babel is one of the most original books I've read in the last couple of years. On top of that, it's followed by incredible writing, storytelling, and marvelous characterization.

This is one of those books that makes you think and question absolutely everything around you. And I love that! I loved the way Kuang portrayed each of our protagonists, the Oxford University with its professors, as well as the Hermes Society. The overall plot of the book was very interesting, filled with secrets and mystery. I did not expect it to be as emotional as it was towards the end. I loved how we could see, on paper, Robin (and the rest of the crew, to some degree) growing into who he was at the end. I feel like character development often happens "off screen," or it's done poorly. However, in Babel Robin's progress is shown on paper, his thoughts, his doubts, fears, what he used to stand for, what he stands for now, who he was brought up to be and who he wants to be. His inner fight with himself and the system into which he was brought was truly an experience to read.

Why only three stars? While there were a lot of things I enjoyed, this wasn't 100% my cup of tea. I was bored. Alot. Through about 50% of this book. I couldn't care less about the talk of language and translation. Those are not the topics that interest me. My sister and friend, who study languages, on the other hand, absolutely loved those parts. I, personally, wanted to die of boredom. So, I'm aware I'm the reason this wasn't to my liking. It has nothing to do with the book. But since I'm rating my own reading experience, I cannot get myself to give it more than three stars.
]]> <![CDATA[The Sunshine Mind: 100 Days to Finding the Hope and Joy You Want]]> 60693290 As modern women living and working in LA, Tanya Rad and Raquelle Stevens know what it's like to feel overwhelmed by trying to keep up, develop real relationships, pursue life passions, and hear from God at the same time. Real, honest, and shared from personal experience, Tanya and Raquelle wrote The Sunshine Mind with today's woman on their hearts. Each of the 100 inspiring readings offers faith, hope, strength, and peace to encourage you to become the beautiful person God made you to be. Through short encouraging readings on how to become less obsessed with perfection, seek validation from God rather than others, see negative circumstances as new opportunities, and more, you'll learn to . . . Leave anxiety and stress behind, find a better way to conquer your struggles, and create a life of peace and joy with The Sunshine Mind .]]> 240 Tanya Rad 0310366186 Barbara 4
Why did I read the book if I'm not a religious person? Well, I didn't know it was a devotional. I thought it was just some plain ol' self-help, but since I committed, I decided to finish it. Religion and faith are a wonderful thing! They're not my thing, but it's beautiful to see it brings comfort and joy to other people. Tanya and Raquelle seem like wonderful women on a mission to uplift other people and bring smile on others faces � which is stunning! What's even more stunning is them writing a book where they encourage people to do so as well.

So yeah, The Sunshine Mind, overall, was not 100% my thing but a wonderful book nonetheless.]]> 3.83 The Sunshine Mind: 100 Days to Finding the Hope and Joy You Want
author: Tanya Rad
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.83
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2023/11/26
date added: 2023/11/26
shelves:
review:
I think my overall rating is more 3.5, rather than a pure 4 star because, well, as a non-religious person, all the talk about God was... hmm, imma say annoying, even though annoying is a big too strong of a word to describe how I felt. However, I don't have any other to describe my feelings about it, which is why I don't wanna go with rating 3/5 � because not enjoying it fully is a me thing, not a book thing. The book was good. The book was fun, light and extremely optimistic. I loved the last sections in every chapter "The Sunshine Mind way to [insert whatever the chapter was about]" because I feel like it gives cute daily "tasks" or journaling prompts on how to bring more of this positive, sunshine mind into your everyday life. I think it's a very cute concept.

Why did I read the book if I'm not a religious person? Well, I didn't know it was a devotional. I thought it was just some plain ol' self-help, but since I committed, I decided to finish it. Religion and faith are a wonderful thing! They're not my thing, but it's beautiful to see it brings comfort and joy to other people. Tanya and Raquelle seem like wonderful women on a mission to uplift other people and bring smile on others faces � which is stunning! What's even more stunning is them writing a book where they encourage people to do so as well.

So yeah, The Sunshine Mind, overall, was not 100% my thing but a wonderful book nonetheless.
]]> <![CDATA[Monster Pucker (Pucking Monsters #1)]]> 196710048
Getting stuck in the hockey locker room was not how I envisioned catching my next story. After a fateful encounter with two of the hottest players in the NMHL, I’m swept into an unforgettable first date.

Klaus is a famous Krampus, one of the biggest players in the league. He’s gruff and hot, with a teddy bear heart hidden underneath. Frank the “Flurry� Murry is an up-and-coming Yeti who dreams big and loves hard.

These two monsters make me feel things I’ve never felt before. After a night the three of us can’t forget, we want more.

The only problem is—someone is out there, trying to ruin it all�

What you’ll find in this novella:

Plus Sized FMCTwo hot hockey monsters that fall for her hardSize differenceSnow ballingKnotty and naughty times]]> 134 Clio Evans Barbara 4
The reason behind three stars is there wasn't enough of romantic connection between the characters, in my opinion. Yes, the synopsis clearly states it's insta-love and fated mates, but it still lacked in the love department. Pregnancy trop made it all even worse for me because it felt so out of place, plus I hate the trope. I would've given 5 otherwise.]]> 3.87 2023 Monster Pucker (Pucking Monsters #1)
author: Clio Evans
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at: 2023/11/26
date added: 2023/11/26
shelves:
review:
Monster Pucker is a why choose monster hockey romance between two monster hockey players and a human journalist. The smut was so fucking good! I honestly didn't expect anything less there from Clio Evans and Ashley Bennett.

The reason behind three stars is there wasn't enough of romantic connection between the characters, in my opinion. Yes, the synopsis clearly states it's insta-love and fated mates, but it still lacked in the love department. Pregnancy trop made it all even worse for me because it felt so out of place, plus I hate the trope. I would've given 5 otherwise.
]]> <![CDATA[Cosmic Crush (Galactic Gems #2)]]> 180787285 Mari is a famous star in her intergalactic troupe. As headliner at the Comet Canyon Saloon, the last thing she expected to go wrong was being lassoed off stage by a chaps-wearing outlaw.

Raider’s name has been tarnished by his good-for-nothing brother. The only way to clear it is by kidnapping the precious burlesque gem, Little Miss Mercury. After being stranded together during a desert storm, Mari and Raider discover that there’s more between them than a hostage situation gone wrong�

One pleasure-inducing stinger, two souls roped together by fate, and an affinity for boots—they’re in for a Wild West ride. Will Raider and Mari claim their cosmic love? Or will they be whisked apart by the villain that wants to stop them?

Cosmic Crush is book two in the Galactic Gems series. This alien romance has the following:

A chaps-wearing outlaw alienA pleasure-inducing stinger ;)Fated Mates Love and fast burnRope play, boot worship, DVP, and moreSwoony romance with delicious SPICE]]> 202 Clio Evans Barbara 4
Had such fun reading this sweet and spicy alien romance. I absolutely loved how sassy Mari, our heroine, is. I'm not really a cowboy girl, but I found Raider to be absolutely charming and I honestly need me a man like him. The devotion to pleasuring his mate was ]]> 4.04 2023 Cosmic Crush (Galactic Gems #2)
author: Clio Evans
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at: 2023/11/18
date added: 2023/11/18
shelves:
review:
ARC review

Had such fun reading this sweet and spicy alien romance. I absolutely loved how sassy Mari, our heroine, is. I'm not really a cowboy girl, but I found Raider to be absolutely charming and I honestly need me a man like him. The devotion to pleasuring his mate was
]]> <![CDATA[Soul of a Witch (Souls Trilogy, #3)]]> 171881689
I am the servant of a merciless God. I am the daughter of Its preacher. All my life, my power has been controlled by others. They raised me to be meek and stifled my magic.

But no more.

A brutal murder led me to discover a mysterious house full of magic - and the ancient, powerful demon within. He says my power can change the world, that I can kill the evil creature I once worshipped.

But at what cost?

Callum

For two thousand years, I've been alone. Slaughtering fallen Gods as I searched for the witch that haunted my dreams, begging for my help.

Now that I've found her, I will protect her with my life. But when the fate of Earth, Heaven, and Hell hangs in the balance, not even her soul is safe from destruction.

If a choice must be made, I'll let the world burn if it means having her as my own.

Soul of a Witch is book 3 in the Souls Trilogy . Each book within the Souls Trilogy is interconnected, following a different couple through a similar timeline in the fictional world of Abelaum.

Content Note
This book contains sexual scenes, kink/fetish content, horror elements, and drug use. Please see the book preview for complete CW.]]> 591 Harley Laroux Barbara 5
If you know me, you know I love a big, scary man that is willing to submit and spread his cheeks for his woman. Nothing makes me weak at knees like power bottoms and brats do. He literally ticked all the boxes for me. He's my new book bofriend. My Roman Empire!

I absolutely loved Everly as well! I loved seeing her character development from a scared, insecure girl to an empowered, brave, strong woman. Shit a good dick can do to ya, eh.

Anyway, Soul of a Witch was spooky and atmospheric as the rest of the series and I had an amazing time reading it. Loved every page, and even though I found some parts a bit slow, it was still a thrilling read.]]> 4.32 2023 Soul of a Witch (Souls Trilogy, #3)
author: Harley Laroux
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2023/11/08
date added: 2023/11/10
shelves:
review:
Callum is officially my favorite of Harley's demons!

If you know me, you know I love a big, scary man that is willing to submit and spread his cheeks for his woman. Nothing makes me weak at knees like power bottoms and brats do. He literally ticked all the boxes for me. He's my new book bofriend. My Roman Empire!

I absolutely loved Everly as well! I loved seeing her character development from a scared, insecure girl to an empowered, brave, strong woman. Shit a good dick can do to ya, eh.

Anyway, Soul of a Witch was spooky and atmospheric as the rest of the series and I had an amazing time reading it. Loved every page, and even though I found some parts a bit slow, it was still a thrilling read.
]]> <![CDATA[The End (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #13)]]> 65112
You are presumably looking at the back of this book, or the end of the end. The end of the end is the best place to begin the end, because if you read the end from the beginning of the beginning of the end to the end of the end of the end, you will arrive at the end of the end of your rope.

This book is the last in A Series of Unfortunate Events, and even if you braved the previous twelve volumes, you probably can't stand such unpleasantries as a fearsome storm, a suspicious beverage, a herd of wild sheep, an enormous bird cage, and a truly haunting secret about the Baudelaire parents.

It has been my solemn occupation to complete the history of the Baudelaire orphans, and at last I am finished. You likely have some other occupation, so if I were you I would drop this book at once, so the end does not finish you.

With all due respect,

Lemony Snicket]]> 353 Lemony Snicket 0064410161 Barbara 2 4.04 2006 The End (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #13)
author: Lemony Snicket
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2006
rating: 2
read at: 2023/10/27
date added: 2023/10/27
shelves:
review:
Meh book with an unsatisfactory ending.
]]> Jane Eyre 10210 Alternate editions can be found here and here.

A gothic masterpiece of tempestuous passions and dark secrets, Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre is edited with an introduction and notes by Stevie Davis in Penguin Classics.

Charlotte Brontë tells the story of orphaned Jane Eyre, who grows up in the home of her heartless aunt, enduring loneliness and cruelty. This troubled childhood strengthens Jane's natural independence and spirit - which prove necessary when she finds employment as a governess to the young ward of Byronic, brooding Mr Rochester. As her feelings for Rochester develop, Jane gradually uncovers Thornfield Hall's terrible secret, forcing her to make a choice. Should she stay with Rochester and live with the consequences, or follow her convictions - even if it means leaving the man she loves? A novel of intense power and intrigue, Jane Eyre dazzled readers with its passionate depiction of a woman's search for equality and freedom.]]> 532 Charlotte Brontë 0142437204 Barbara 4

“Mr. Rochester, if ever I did a good deed in my life—if every I thought a good thought—if ever I prayed a sincere and blameless prayer—if ever I wished a righteous wish, I am rewarded now. To be your wife is, for me, to be as happy as I can be on earth…To be privileged to put my arms round what I value—to press my lips to what I love—to repose on what I trust; is that to make a sacrifice?...then certainly I delight in sacrifice.� � Jane Eyre

Imma need my SO this madly obssesed with me and imma need myself this madly obssesed with my SO. Yes, I am aware Mr. Rochester is a very problematic man, but boy do I love them like that. Four stars because, even though I absolutely loved the story, it took me months to finish it. As someone who isn't a native english speaker, it took alot of time to get into the writing style of this book and to even understand some words. I found it somewhat hard to read and follow, despite the fact that I mostly read book in English. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this book very much.]]> 4.14 1847 Jane Eyre
author: Charlotte Brontë
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.14
book published: 1847
rating: 4
read at: 2023/10/27
date added: 2023/10/27
shelves:
review:
"No � no � Jane; you must not go. No � I have touched you, heard you, felt the comfort of your presence � the sweetness of your consolation: I cannot give up these joys. I have little left in myself � I must have you. The world may laugh � may call me absurd, selfish � but it does not signify. My very soul demands you: it will be satisfied, or it will take deadly vengeance on its frame." � Mr. Rochester


“Mr. Rochester, if ever I did a good deed in my life—if every I thought a good thought—if ever I prayed a sincere and blameless prayer—if ever I wished a righteous wish, I am rewarded now. To be your wife is, for me, to be as happy as I can be on earth…To be privileged to put my arms round what I value—to press my lips to what I love—to repose on what I trust; is that to make a sacrifice?...then certainly I delight in sacrifice.� � Jane Eyre

Imma need my SO this madly obssesed with me and imma need myself this madly obssesed with my SO. Yes, I am aware Mr. Rochester is a very problematic man, but boy do I love them like that. Four stars because, even though I absolutely loved the story, it took me months to finish it. As someone who isn't a native english speaker, it took alot of time to get into the writing style of this book and to even understand some words. I found it somewhat hard to read and follow, despite the fact that I mostly read book in English. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this book very much.
]]> <![CDATA[The Penultimate Peril (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #12)]]> 65110 Dear Reader,

If this is the first book you found while searching for a book to read next, then the first thing you should know is that this next-to-last book is what you should put down first. Sadly, this book presents the next-to-last chronicle of the lives of the Baudelaire orphans, and it is next-to-first in its supply of misery, despair, and unpleasantness.

Probably the next-to-last thing you would like to read about are a harpoon gun, a rooftop sunbathing salon, two mysterious initials, three unidentified triplets, a notorious villain, and an unsavory curry.

Next-to-last things are the first thing to be avoided, and so allow me to recommend that you put this next-to-last book down first, and find something else to read next at last, such as the next-to-last book in another chronicle, or a chronicle containing other next-to-last things, so that this next-to-last book does not become the last book you will read.

With all due respect,

Lemony Snicket

]]> 353 Lemony Snicket 0064410153 Barbara 4 4.08 2005 The Penultimate Peril (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #12)
author: Lemony Snicket
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2005
rating: 4
read at: 2023/10/23
date added: 2023/10/23
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Hunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse, #2)]]> 59050133
The Diamond

Death walks alongside me,
But the reaper is no match for me.
I'm trapped in a world full of monsters dressed as men, and those who aren't as they seem.
They won't keep me forever.
I no longer recognize the person I've become,
And I'm fighting to find my way back to the beast who hunts me in the night.
They call me a diamond,
But they've only created an angel of death.

The Hunter

I was born a predator,
With ruthlessness ingrained in my bones.
When what's mine is stolen from me in the night,
Like a diamond hidden within a fortress,
I find that I can no longer contain the beast.
Blood will paint the ground as I tear apart this world to find her.
And bring her back to where she belongs.
No one will escape my wrath,
Especially not those who have betrayed me.

Warning: This is the second and final installment to the Duet. You must read Haunting Adeline first.]]> 702 H.D. Carlton Barbara 2
The author can say whatever she wants about her book, but this wasn't a romance book. It wasn't even dark romance. It was just... dark.

I picked this up because, one, I loved the first book, and two, I couldn't wait for more smut written by H.D. Carlton, because the first book had me dripping! There was almost no smut here. More than half of the book is focused on Adeline being kidnapped and sex trafficing. Which is okay, nothing wrong with that. But, in my personal opinion, it was written so poorly that this book is basically a slap across the face for all the victims of sex trafficking.

According to the author, trafficking part took so long because it wouldn't be realistic for her to get out quickly... which is true, but then she gives a bad rep in general. There was no show of any trauma healing, theraphy, and all things necessary for Adeline to get through this awful thing. No, we just have Addie going on a revenge quest. She bitches through the whole book how unsafe she feels, yet she just goes and inserts herself in very unsafe situations, contradicting herself through most of the book. Zade does things that I don't think would help anyone with healing. They would just add on to the existing trauma. And who knows, maybe she is traumatized to the point of being basically brainwashed by this dude, who the fuck knows anymore.

This whole kidnapping portion of the book was so incredibly bad and boring I thought about DNFing but my friends (whom I'm currently questioning as my friends) told me to push through because smut is good. And yeah, maybe it was good, but the first part drained all of energy and will to read this book from me that once Zade and Adeline were together I simply did not give a fuck about a single thing they did. They're fucking and I'm like ok yeah and? Is that all you fucking have to offer? Pathetic.

The way this book handled sexual? Even worse. As I've said, Zade did nothing, in my opinion, that would make Addie heal. Like, he literally pushed himself unto Addie while she was sleeping and having nightmares about this whole shit show she went through... yikees, my guy! I mean everything he does in these books is morally questionable but stuff he did in this one are just like a fucking no. He's not a hot daddy to me anymore. And he's a Virgo... so y'all can just have him. I don't fuck with that.

I've never been more sorry to have to leave this type of review on a book, considering I absolutely fell in love with the author's writing style and characters she created in the first book. I'm literally so saddned that I hated this so much, I thought H.D. Carlton is about to be my new dark romance favorite. Saddly, I don't see that happening anyone.

A little note to authors, if you don't know much about sex trafficking, don't write a book revolving around it. Because I swear to god, Liam Neeson's Taken had a far better go at presenting sex trafficking than this book did.]]> 4.05 2022 Hunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse, #2)
author: H.D. Carlton
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2022
rating: 2
read at: 2023/04/07
date added: 2023/10/15
shelves:
review:
This was a major disappointment. I loved the first book, so my expectations were very high, and I was expecting alot I'm not going to lie. Unfortunately, as you can see by the rating, this book didn't meet them.

The author can say whatever she wants about her book, but this wasn't a romance book. It wasn't even dark romance. It was just... dark.

I picked this up because, one, I loved the first book, and two, I couldn't wait for more smut written by H.D. Carlton, because the first book had me dripping! There was almost no smut here. More than half of the book is focused on Adeline being kidnapped and sex trafficing. Which is okay, nothing wrong with that. But, in my personal opinion, it was written so poorly that this book is basically a slap across the face for all the victims of sex trafficking.

According to the author, trafficking part took so long because it wouldn't be realistic for her to get out quickly... which is true, but then she gives a bad rep in general. There was no show of any trauma healing, theraphy, and all things necessary for Adeline to get through this awful thing. No, we just have Addie going on a revenge quest. She bitches through the whole book how unsafe she feels, yet she just goes and inserts herself in very unsafe situations, contradicting herself through most of the book. Zade does things that I don't think would help anyone with healing. They would just add on to the existing trauma. And who knows, maybe she is traumatized to the point of being basically brainwashed by this dude, who the fuck knows anymore.

This whole kidnapping portion of the book was so incredibly bad and boring I thought about DNFing but my friends (whom I'm currently questioning as my friends) told me to push through because smut is good. And yeah, maybe it was good, but the first part drained all of energy and will to read this book from me that once Zade and Adeline were together I simply did not give a fuck about a single thing they did. They're fucking and I'm like ok yeah and? Is that all you fucking have to offer? Pathetic.

The way this book handled sexual? Even worse. As I've said, Zade did nothing, in my opinion, that would make Addie heal. Like, he literally pushed himself unto Addie while she was sleeping and having nightmares about this whole shit show she went through... yikees, my guy! I mean everything he does in these books is morally questionable but stuff he did in this one are just like a fucking no. He's not a hot daddy to me anymore. And he's a Virgo... so y'all can just have him. I don't fuck with that.

I've never been more sorry to have to leave this type of review on a book, considering I absolutely fell in love with the author's writing style and characters she created in the first book. I'm literally so saddned that I hated this so much, I thought H.D. Carlton is about to be my new dark romance favorite. Saddly, I don't see that happening anyone.

A little note to authors, if you don't know much about sex trafficking, don't write a book revolving around it. Because I swear to god, Liam Neeson's Taken had a far better go at presenting sex trafficking than this book did.
]]> <![CDATA[The Slippery Slope (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #10)]]> 297792 Dear Reader,

Like handshakes, house pets, or raw carrots, many things are preferable when not slippery. Unfortunately, in this miserable volume, I am afraid that Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire run into more than their fair share of slipperiness during their harrowing journey up--and down--a range of strange and distressing mountains.

In order to spare you any further repulsion, it would be best not to mention any of the unpleasant details of this story, particularly a secret message, a toboggan, a deceitful map, a swarm of snow gnats, a scheming villain, a troupe of organized youngsters, a covered casserole dish, and a surprising survivor of a terrible fire.

Unfortunately, I have dedicated my life to researching and recording the sad tale of the Baudelaire orphans. There is no reason for you to dedicate your-self to such things, and you might instead dedicate yourself to letting this slippery book slip from your hands into a nearby trash receptacle, or deep pit.

With all due respect,

Lemony Snicket

]]> 337 Lemony Snicket 0064410137 Barbara 5 4.05 2003 The Slippery Slope (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #10)
author: Lemony Snicket
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2003
rating: 5
read at: 2023/10/13
date added: 2023/10/13
shelves:
review:
After the last two I had no hopes of the series becoming better, but it did! Or maybe the break I took from it helped. Either way, The Slippery Slope was super exciting and fun to read!
]]> <![CDATA[The Coven (Coven of Bones, #1)]]> 75396525
There are no whispered words here. No condemnation for the blood that flows through my veins. The only animosity I face comes from the beautiful and infuriating Headmaster, Alaric Grayson Thorne, a man who despises me just as much as I loathe him and everything he stands for.

But that doesn’t mean secrets don’t threaten to tear the school in two. No one talks about the bloody massacre that forced it to close decades prior, only the opportunity it can afford to those fortunate enough to attend.

Because for the first time in fifty years, the Coven will open its wards to the Thirteen: thirteen promising students destined to change the world.

If the ghosts of Hollow’s Groves� victims don’t kill them first...

The Coven is book one in the Coven of Bones series and ends on a cliffhanger. This is a gothic, dark-academia, paranormal romance and includes elements that may be triggering to some listeners.]]> 298 Harper L. Woods Barbara 1
The writing was horrific, storytelling even worse and smut had me falling asleep because of how bored I was. Why was the storytelling bad? Well, because there was no sense to it. The plot kept on jumping from one point to the other, without any "steps" in between. There was no connection between any of the chapters � each started on a different scene which leaves you wondering if this was even happening in the same place. Is this weeks later? 5 minutes later? No one knows. It reminded me of math in highschool when teacher would skip the "longer" way of solving a problem because everyone knows the longer way, so let's do the short one. Umm, exuse me miss. I DO NOT FUCKING KNOW THE LONGER FUCKING WAY I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU DID TO GET THOSE FUCKING NUMBERS. DO THE LONG WAY!

There was also no sense to the characters. In one point FMC was fighting tooth and nails not to go to this magical school. But then she got kidnapped and oh boy she was having such a wonderful time flirting left and right, making friends, seducing the headmaster, getting herself in trouble. Romance and smut were painfully bad. There was absolutely no tension, or spark, between the MMC and FMC. I can't even say their relationship was built on lust because I did not buy it. Plain rice gym bros eat has more spice than these two. I dunno if this book had beta readers, arc readers and/or editiors... but with the way that it was written and published, I'd say it didn't.

To end my review, I'd just like to say that if a man like the MMC took my v-card, I would've simply unalived myself.]]> 3.73 2023 The Coven (Coven of Bones, #1)
author: Harper L. Woods
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.73
book published: 2023
rating: 1
read at: 2023/10/11
date added: 2023/10/11
shelves:
review:
I can't pinpoint a single good thing about this book.

The writing was horrific, storytelling even worse and smut had me falling asleep because of how bored I was. Why was the storytelling bad? Well, because there was no sense to it. The plot kept on jumping from one point to the other, without any "steps" in between. There was no connection between any of the chapters � each started on a different scene which leaves you wondering if this was even happening in the same place. Is this weeks later? 5 minutes later? No one knows. It reminded me of math in highschool when teacher would skip the "longer" way of solving a problem because everyone knows the longer way, so let's do the short one. Umm, exuse me miss. I DO NOT FUCKING KNOW THE LONGER FUCKING WAY I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU DID TO GET THOSE FUCKING NUMBERS. DO THE LONG WAY!

There was also no sense to the characters. In one point FMC was fighting tooth and nails not to go to this magical school. But then she got kidnapped and oh boy she was having such a wonderful time flirting left and right, making friends, seducing the headmaster, getting herself in trouble. Romance and smut were painfully bad. There was absolutely no tension, or spark, between the MMC and FMC. I can't even say their relationship was built on lust because I did not buy it. Plain rice gym bros eat has more spice than these two. I dunno if this book had beta readers, arc readers and/or editiors... but with the way that it was written and published, I'd say it didn't.

To end my review, I'd just like to say that if a man like the MMC took my v-card, I would've simply unalived myself.
]]> <![CDATA[Time's Convert (All Souls, #4)]]> 45162277 From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Discovery of Witches comes a novel about what it takes to become a vampire.

On the battlefields of the American Revolution, Matthew de Clermont meets Marcus MacNeil, a young surgeon from Massachusetts, during a moment of political awakening when it seems that the world is on the brink of a brighter future. When Matthew offers him a chance at immortality and a new life free from the restraints of his puritanical upbringing, Marcus seizes the opportunity to become a vampire. But his transformation is not an easy one and the ancient traditions and responsibilities of the de Clermont family clash with Marcus's deeply held beliefs in liberty, equality, and brotherhood.

Fast-forward to contemporary Paris, where Phoebe Taylor--the young employee at Sotheby's whom Marcus has fallen for--is about to embark on her own journey to immortality. Though the modernized version of the process at first seems uncomplicated, the couple discovers that the challenges facing a human who wishes to be a vampire are no less formidable than they were in the eighteenth century. The shadows that Marcus believed he'd escaped centuries ago may return to haunt them both--forever.

A passionate love story and a fascinating exploration of the power of tradition and the possibilities not just for change but for revolution, Time's Convert channels the supernatural world-building and slow-burning romance that made the All Souls Trilogy instant bestsellers to illuminate a new and vital moment in history, and a love affair that will bridge centuries.]]> 448 Deborah Harkness 0399564535 Barbara 0 to-read 3.85 2018 Time's Convert (All Souls, #4)
author: Deborah Harkness
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2018
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/10/11
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Divine Rivals (Letters of Enchantment, #1)]]> 60784546 After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring again�

All eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow wants to do is hold her family together. With a brother on the frontline forced to fight on behalf of the Gods now missing from the frontline and a mother drowning her sorrows, Iris’s best bet is winning the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette.

But when Iris’s letters to her brother fall into the wrong hands � that of the handsome but cold Roman Kitt, her rival at the paper � an unlikely magical connection forms.

Expelled into the middle of a mystical war, magical typewriters in tow, can their bond withstand the fight for the fate of mankind and, most importantly, love?

An epic enemies-to-lovers fantasy novel filled with hope and heartbreak, and the unparalleled power of love.]]> 357 Rebecca Ross 1250857430 Barbara 5
The story and storytelling were absolutely amazing and the world-building was done incredibly well. I think it captured the ugliness of war quite marvelously. And romance... oh, dear lord. Romance was so good and sweet. The true slow burn. Iris and Roman's story has me in a chokehold.]]> 4.14 2023 Divine Rivals (Letters of Enchantment, #1)
author: Rebecca Ross
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2023/10/08
date added: 2023/10/10
shelves:
review:
Divine Rivals is one of the best fantasy books I've read in the last couple of years.

The story and storytelling were absolutely amazing and the world-building was done incredibly well. I think it captured the ugliness of war quite marvelously. And romance... oh, dear lord. Romance was so good and sweet. The true slow burn. Iris and Roman's story has me in a chokehold.
]]> <![CDATA[Dječak koji je volio jelene (Holger Munch & Mia Kruger #3)]]> 56140834 423 Samuel Bjørk 953360218X Barbara 4
Mia and Holger are probably one of my favorite detectives and I absolutely love reading about them and the rest of their team. The plot was wonderfully slow, which created such nice intensity and tension. This was a truly yummy thriller!

However, I was left feeling disappointed with the very ending. As I've said Bjørk built such tension through the whole book, but then it seemed like he didn't really know what to do with it. The whole book was making it seem like it was building up to some grand, epic final that will have the reader breathless. But then it just ended. There was nothing grand. It was just... the end. There was none of those yummy stuff and, I have to admit, it left me feeling bitter and disappointed. I felt like the book could go on for at least another hundred pages, but instead, it ended so quickly. This is the reason I'm giving it four stars. Otherwise, it's an absolutely amazing thriller book and I highly recommend everyone to check out Samuel Bjørk and the rest of Mia Kruger and Holger Munch books.]]> 3.95 2018 Dječak koji je volio jelene (Holger Munch & Mia Kruger #3)
author: Samuel Bjørk
name: Barbara
average rating: 3.95
book published: 2018
rating: 4
read at: 2023/10/01
date added: 2023/10/01
shelves:
review:
An amazing, twisted thriller that chills you to your bones.

Mia and Holger are probably one of my favorite detectives and I absolutely love reading about them and the rest of their team. The plot was wonderfully slow, which created such nice intensity and tension. This was a truly yummy thriller!

However, I was left feeling disappointed with the very ending. As I've said Bjørk built such tension through the whole book, but then it seemed like he didn't really know what to do with it. The whole book was making it seem like it was building up to some grand, epic final that will have the reader breathless. But then it just ended. There was nothing grand. It was just... the end. There was none of those yummy stuff and, I have to admit, it left me feeling bitter and disappointed. I felt like the book could go on for at least another hundred pages, but instead, it ended so quickly. This is the reason I'm giving it four stars. Otherwise, it's an absolutely amazing thriller book and I highly recommend everyone to check out Samuel Bjørk and the rest of Mia Kruger and Holger Munch books.
]]> <![CDATA[The Carnivorous Carnival (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #9)]]> 324277 Dear reader,

The word "carnivorous," which appears in the title of this book, means "meat-eating," and once you have read such a bloodthirsty word, there is no reason to read any further. This carnivorous volume contains such a distressing story that consuming any of its contents would be far more stomach-turning than even the most imbalanced meal.

To avoid causing discomfort, it would be best if I didn't mention any of the unnerving ingredients of this story, particularly a confusing map, an ambidextrous person, an unruly crowd, a wooden plank, and Chabo the Wolf Baby.

Sadly for me, my time is filled with researching and recording the displeasing and disenchanting lives of the Baudelaire orphans. But your time might be better filled with something more palatable, such as eating your vegetables, or feeding them to someone else.

With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket]]> 286 Lemony Snicket 0064410129 Barbara 2 4.01 2002 The Carnivorous Carnival (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #9)
author: Lemony Snicket
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.01
book published: 2002
rating: 2
read at: 2023/09/25
date added: 2023/09/25
shelves:
review:
This one was the worst in the series imo. Either that or I'm growing bored with the whole thing.
]]> Emma 46769 Emma. A child spiritually oppressed, a school run on shallow and mercenary principles, a brutish schoolmistress, a quiet observer of the injustice and cruelty--it contained the same preoccupations which elsewhere had called forth her most passionate and dramatic writing.

Another Lady has now at last fulfilled the promise of that novel. Her lively powers of invention have worked the unfolding mystery of Charlotte Brontë's two opening chapters into an exciting and poignant story. The characters grow in vitality and complexity while remaining true in spirit, tone and style to the original conception.

The wanton havoc wrought by Emma in the life of Mrs Chalfont, the narrator, is not the only proof of her ruthlessness; she plays a part, too, in the sufferings of the abandoned child, Martina. The affection which grows between Mrs Chalfont and Martina out of their mutual distress illumines this story, and Emma herself, with her inexplicable motives, her incomprehensible anger and her darkness of soul, develops into a character of whom Charlotte Brontë would have been proud.]]> 215 Charlotte Brontë 0553234315 Barbara 0 to-read 4.05 1860 Emma
author: Charlotte Brontë
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.05
book published: 1860
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/09/10
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Hostile Hospital (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #8)]]> 65118 272 Lemony Snicket 1405206128 Barbara 3 4.00 2001 The Hostile Hospital (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #8)
author: Lemony Snicket
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2001
rating: 3
read at: 2023/09/10
date added: 2023/09/10
shelves:
review:
I dunno, not the best of the series. Though it was a refreshment because finally there was no Poe being incompetent and putting them up with even more incompetent guardians.
]]> <![CDATA[Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones]]> 40121378 Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving—every day. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.

If you're having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn't you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don't want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, you'll get a proven system that can take you to new heights.

Clear is known for his ability to distill complex topics into simple behaviors that can be easily applied to daily life and work. Here, he draws on the most proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create an easy-to-understand guide for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible. Along the way, readers will be inspired and entertained with true stories from Olympic gold medalists, award-winning artists, business leaders, life-saving physicians, and star comedians who have used the science of small habits to master their craft and vault to the top of their field.

Learn how to:
-Make time for new habits (even when life gets crazy);
-Overcome a lack of motivation and willpower;
- Design your environment to make success easier;
- Get back on track when you fall off course;
...and much more.

Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success, and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits--whether you are a team looking to win a championship, an organization hoping to redefine an industry, or simply an individual who wishes to quit smoking, lose weight, reduce stress, or achieve any other goal.]]> 319 James Clear Barbara 4
I liked Atomic Habits alot as it gives a really good insight into why some habits stick and some don't, along with tips and tricks on how to fix our behavior and align ourselves with who we want to become. It's really easy to understand and follow, with some interesting stories about famous people and habits that helped them to greatness.

However, there's some stuff that I didn't like, which is why this book is more of a 3.75 rather than a clear 4 star read. First, it all felt so repetative. The copy I had is about 300 pages long and I felt like Mr. Clear told me everything he had in the first 100 pages. It all felt the same and as if he was just repeating the same thing over and over again, but with different words. Second, stories about famous people I mentioned earlier were so boring and really did not care about them. I felt like they were there just to hit the word count. I found them really unnecessary. Third, it took me AGES to finish this book. Now, I know that shouldn't be counted into the overall rating as you can enjoy a book that took you months to finish. But when it's a book about habits it's kinda... important? The book talks to me about habits, yet it failed at making it a habit for me to pick up this book. It's kind or ironic. You get what I mean? Like, I love reading. I can't go a day without reading. It's not even a habit. It's how I live. Yet, this book... just didn't make me wanna reach for it more than a couple of times a month? Dunno. It's not a book I'd read more than half an hour a day.

Nonetheless, I really did enjoy it and I wrote some tips and tricks necessary for creating and sticking to habits, on how to change your behavior, etc. It's a really helpful and interesting book, I would definitely recommend it to everyone looking for a self-development book.]]> 4.34 2018 Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
author: James Clear
name: Barbara
average rating: 4.34
book published: 2018
rating: 4
read at: 2023/09/10
date added: 2023/09/10
shelves:
review:
I am seriously having a hard time rating and reviewing this book.

I liked Atomic Habits alot as it gives a really good insight into why some habits stick and some don't, along with tips and tricks on how to fix our behavior and align ourselves with who we want to become. It's really easy to understand and follow, with some interesting stories about famous people and habits that helped them to greatness.

However, there's some stuff that I didn't like, which is why this book is more of a 3.75 rather than a clear 4 star read. First, it all felt so repetative. The copy I had is about 300 pages long and I felt like Mr. Clear told me everything he had in the first 100 pages. It all felt the same and as if he was just repeating the same thing over and over again, but with different words. Second, stories about famous people I mentioned earlier were so boring and really did not care about them. I felt like they were there just to hit the word count. I found them really unnecessary. Third, it took me AGES to finish this book. Now, I know that shouldn't be counted into the overall rating as you can enjoy a book that took you months to finish. But when it's a book about habits it's kinda... important? The book talks to me about habits, yet it failed at making it a habit for me to pick up this book. It's kind or ironic. You get what I mean? Like, I love reading. I can't go a day without reading. It's not even a habit. It's how I live. Yet, this book... just didn't make me wanna reach for it more than a couple of times a month? Dunno. It's not a book I'd read more than half an hour a day.

Nonetheless, I really did enjoy it and I wrote some tips and tricks necessary for creating and sticking to habits, on how to change your behavior, etc. It's a really helpful and interesting book, I would definitely recommend it to everyone looking for a self-development book.
]]>