Goodreads Summary
“What if a wheezing, sneezing, allegedly house-trained, ticking time bomb of an orphan pug is the key to helping a family feel at home again, after an arsonist set their house—and life—on fire? If you asked me, I would have said it’s a bad idea; we can do better. Unfortunately no one asked me, and The Pug List is my family’s story.”
In the fire’s aftermath of insurance battles royal, rebuilding plans, parenting in the face of life’s hard questions and a scorching case of post-traumatic stress, now is absolutely the worst possible time to adopt a dog. But to Alison’s seven-year-old daughter, Eden, it’s the perfect time—and The Relentless Campaign begins.
Until one day Alison peeks inside Eden’s diary—dubbed “The Pug List”—and realizes in one fell swoop that her girl’s heart is on the line, and resistance is futile (“The pugs make me happy FOREVER.”).
Enter “Outrageous” Oliver, and the hilarity, healing, and irresistible hope that follows.
My Thoughts
I feel like I've said this over and over, but this wasn't exactly what I was expecting out of this book. There wasn't as much talk about the little pug as I imagined there would be. Since the name of the book is The Pug List I assumed it would be mainly focused on the pug. It really wasn't until way later in the book.
The Pug List told about how the family lost everything in a fire. Thankfully I have never had to deal with anything like that, but some of my family lost there house and everything they owned in a fire. I can't even imagine the pain and heartache that would come with losing everything you own, all of your old photos and mementos. So heartbreaking!
While I didn't love this book, I still enjoyed it well enough. I can definitely say that my dog filled a space in my heart and I can't imagine my life without her now. My dog is definitely a part of my family now so a story about a dog helping to heal a family touches my heart.
*Note: I received a copy of this book from BookLookBloggers in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads Summary
Love to the chords of a classic jazz band, spanned over more than a decade…
Lorraine: plucky and competitive.
Isaiah: impish, with a smile that gleams in more ways than one.
From the time the two first square off for a fierce wall ball battle as children, Lorraine and Isaiah can’t help knowing each other, but neither can they avoid passions and misfortunes lining their path to young adulthood. When the breakup of Isaiah’s family disrupts the haven he’s shared with Lorraine, their natural relationship is eventually threatened by jealousy, abandonment, and a life-altering trauma too grave to…forget. As one year follows another, and another, what might it take to reunite this divided man and woman in love: love undeniably real and unbounded by time?
“Everything didn’t have to turn out perfect. I just wanted you there.”
My Thoughts
This book took me by surprise! I'm not sure what I was expecting, I just know I wasn't expecting the twist in it! I loved Love Unfeigned!
I decided to pick up Love Unfeigned last Friday because my family and I had to go on an overnight trip that was a few hours drive away. I figured I would be able to finish it during the drive and, since it's just a novella and not a deep novel, not worry about the fact that I would probably have a few distractions while reading. I was a little wrong...
I was wrong because Love Unfeigned had me so drawn in that any and all distractions frustrated me so bad! I was able to finish it on the drive but it wasn't just a "simple little novella." It was just as good, if not better, than most 300+ page novels I have read.
There was sweet love, a touch of mystery, and drama all wrapped up in one novella. I very highly recommend this book! Definitely 4 (or more) stars!
*Note: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads Summary
Delaney is an ordinary college student with good grades and a bright future in anthropology and a part-time job at the mall with her best friend for as long as she can remember. She loves music and is working to master Krav Magra. Her loving adoptive parents and three foster sisters are the center of her very routine, normal life.
Delaney also struggles with strange dreams and feeling lost and afraid, and though her Death Watcher is always right next to her, she has no clue he is there in the shadows protecting her, or the truths about her past that make it so important for her to be shielded in the stability and normalcy those who love her crusade to maintain around her.
The fight has only just begun in a war that has raged since the birth of humanity.
Can darkness conquer the light or will Delaney awaken and decide that ordinary is truly over rated?
My Thoughts
I'm not sure why, but I had a hard time getting into this book in the beginning. It took me a lot longer than I thought it would since the blurb sounded so interesting. With that being said, I did eventually get pulled into the story and I ended up enjoying it!
Bent, Not Broken is the kind of book that I could definitely see becoming a movie. I think that having a visual would actually help with the confusion in the beginning of the book. I don't mind reading books that have multiple POVs but usually they switch at each chapter. At times, this book had them switching mid-chapter and that is what confused me the most.
The storyline was great and the POV confusion wasn't enough to make me stop reading! I would still recommend reading this even with the bit of confusion. There were also a few "scenes" that I just skimmed past because I'm not into reading that kind of thing but, again, it wouldn't keep me from recommending it. This is a very action packed book! VERY! If you're a squeamish type of person... well... WARNING! It is super detailed but that makes it so much better! 3.5 to 4 stars!
*Note: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads Summary
When Loretta dropped her armload of firewood on the hearth, a mysterious tube fell from between the logs. It was a leafcutter bee nest. Loretta took it back out to the woodpile and watched as holes appeared. But where were the bees?
She found more holes appearing in leaves on her rose bushes. And even some of the rose petals. But where were the bees?
Leafcutter bees are more efficient than honey bees for pollinating gardens. The book includes instructions for building a nest that may lure wild bees to your yard.
My Thoughts
Bees in Loretta's Bonnet is a cute little children's book that is entertaining and fun but it is educational as well. I'm not exactly a lover of bees but this book taught me the importance of bees and how important they are in nature.
I loved the illustrations done by Francie Mion, too! They were very beautifully done. There is also a little "how-to" for building a little nest for wild bees by yourself. This was a nice, quick read :) 4 Stars!
*Note: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads Summary
Ten-year-old Delbert’s world is grey and glum since his grandfather died. Everything is a dull routine, and all Delbert wants to do is stay in his room. What’s more, he has to cope with an annoying next-door neighbour, Evie, who has committed her life to being in love with him.
But Delbert’s whole life is about to change when he is forced into a SUPER SECRET SPY MISSION to find a missing cat called Pandora. What seems like a straightforward job suddenly escalates into the stuff of real spy stories.
Bursting with humor and thrilling surprises, this fast-paced, action-packed story takes Delbert and Evie on a wild ride with an UTTERLY SHOCKING SECRET at the end…
My Thoughts
This book was hilarious! We were all in the car (me, my husband, my daughter, my son, and his friend) and I was reading Delbert. I was laughing so hard that I had to read parts of the book out loud for everyone to hear! I definitely enjoyed this book and it made our 2 hour drive fly by!
I was certainly ready to read a cute little book that was filled with pure entertainment and that is exactly what Delbert the Reluctant Spy is! Honestly, I adored it!
The end made me so happy! It was totally unexpected! Really people, you need to read this book! It is technically a children's book but it is really for all ages. Or maybe I'm just a kid at heart! I loved it!
*Note: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads Summary
Zeus's Daughter 100 years of punishment. Gardenia didn't ask for it. Yet the Fates brewed their plans ever since before she was born. On the day of gaining knowledge about what humanity truly is, Gardenia decides to do something stupid... create a galaxy without permission. Out of that childish choice, something breaks inside of her and she decides to spend her 100 years with dragons. After searching the stars, Gardenia finds her first teacher and then the next and the next. However, what does one do when one falls in love with your family's adversary? When one falls in love with a dragon? And what if the Fates are ready to make their move? Imaginative, amusing, and adventurous, the Goddess Training Trilogy Book 1 is a tale that will possess you to want to travel the stars.
My Thoughts
I have gone back and forth about this book. I liked it, I didn't really care for it, it was good, it wasn't exactly my taste, and then it was back to good. Now I'm back to not really knowing how I feel about it. I think mostly liked it.
I enjoyed the Greek mythology aspect. I haven't read any Greek mythology books until this one so it opened my eyes to a whole new category of books. The story line was interesting but it seemed to be a bit confusing at times. The timeline wasn't what I expected. There were times when six years would pass. There just seemed to be a ton of information in this one book.
Deity's Soulmate does end on a cliffhanger so you'll probably want to read the next book when it is available. If you like fantasy YA books then you will probably like this one. I think I give it a 3.5 to 4 stars.
*Note: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads Summary
Terrorists killed his wife.
In the aftermath of a terrorist attack Neil is given the chance to serve his country by serving up revenge. He soon becomes England's premier spy and assassin. As a man he was unpleasant, dangerous and of little use. As a cyborg he is unpleasant, very dangerous and extremely useful. His suicide missions fit his strengths and his weaknesses. He exacts vengeance, kills without mercy, then destroys the evidence by destroying his temporary body. The aftermath is someone else's problem.
The scientists that created this nanotechnology knew they were creating a monster. They did not know that Neil was monstrous before they started. What do they tell their superiors when Neil's atrocities escalate? With every mission a success, will the bureaucrats even care?
But Neil is worse than homicidal and psychopathic, he's untidy. When he leaves his severed head in Iran, he leaves a pathologist a puzzle to solve. If she succeeds, it will destroy England's only chance to survive in a terrorists' transformed world. The humanity of every member of this top secret team will be maximally tested when they are ordered to send this powerful psychotic assassin on a rescue mission.
My Thoughts
From the very first sentence, with the words 'neck broke with a wet crack', to the last sentence you are met with non stop twists, turns, action, and excitement. Some, if not all, of the scenes were so violent and graphic that you almost want to close your eyes as if it's a movie you can block out! The problem is that since you are creating the "pictures" in your own mind's eye, you can't shut it off by closing your eyes.
I don't believe I have ever read a book quite like this one. As a matter of fact, I'm pretty certain that I haven't because I am sure I would remember it! If you have a weak or sensitive stomach, you may not want to read this. If you enjoy action, suspense, and thriller type books then you need to pick this one up! It is very well written and you won't be disappointed!
*Note: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
