Why I have this book: I wasn't going to read the rest of the "Rosie" series (although I really enjoyed the first book), but my daughter read them and talked me into it.
This is the second book in the series, and I only gave it 2 stars on Goodreads. The main character (Don Tillman) wasn't as endearing in this one. His wife (Rosie) wasn't as likable. The scenarios seemed less believable.
All in all, I didn't love it.
There are waaaaaaaay too many F-words (those Australians! haha...), too much talk about sex (no descriptive encounters, though), and... I think that's it.
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
The Bookshop on the Corner (Jenny Colgan)
Why I have this book: I looked it up after seeing that a friend read it, and since it looked like something I'd enjoy, I borrowed it from the ebook library.
Well, I did enjoy the book almost all the way through, and then it turned into a (not really descriptive) sex-fest, so that took away some of it's appeal. It just didn't seem realistic to the main character's life to that point, and it was also pretty unrealistic in general as far as how most women react/feel/behave.
Prior to that, I thought it was a cute and quirky and fun book set in Scotland. I gave it three stars on Goodreads.
There is some swearing, including one or two or three F-bombs. Then there's the romping theme towards the end. Again, it's not descriptive, but it's a bit over the top.
ETA:
I read this again in June 2023 (three years later) because another friend recommended it. She listened to the audio version and said it was a great listen and wondered if my view on the "sex-fest" description has changed along with my changing religious beliefs. I decided to "read" it via audio like she did so I could enjoy the accents of a story set in the UK.
I definitely wasn't as bothered by the sex in the book as I guess I was three years ago. As I mentioned in my first review, it's not descriptive at all. I still think the personality of the protagonist doesn't fit in with the way it all happens, though, and I also can't understand her attraction to this guy who never talks and is grumpy a lot and really only seems to show his "love" by having sex whenever or wherever he wants. It's just odd, but again... it's not at all described, so that was a positive. *fist bump*
I stand by my three stars. I'd probably go with 3.5 if I could, but it's not quite a four for me. I do plan to listen to the other books in the series.
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Always (Sarah Jio)
Why I have this book: I borrowed it from the ebook library after a friend recommended it.
I was on track to give this four stars until the end. It just ended a bit too quickly for me. Things tied up a little too neatly.
Up until then, though, the book totally kept my interest and had a great storyline with the topics of homelessness and traumatic brain injury. I think she could have taken both of those topics a little deeper.
Pretty clean. There may have been a few swear words, but I don't remember there being any of the "heavier" ones. People were sleeping together, but it wasn't descriptive. You just knew it was happening.
I was on track to give this four stars until the end. It just ended a bit too quickly for me. Things tied up a little too neatly.
Up until then, though, the book totally kept my interest and had a great storyline with the topics of homelessness and traumatic brain injury. I think she could have taken both of those topics a little deeper.
Pretty clean. There may have been a few swear words, but I don't remember there being any of the "heavier" ones. People were sleeping together, but it wasn't descriptive. You just knew it was happening.
Friday, May 22, 2020
The Secret Daughter (Kelly Rimmer)
Why I have this book: I borrowed it from Kindle Unlimited (just before I canceled my membership of two months... I just have too many other books to read!)
Kelly Rimmer is quickly becoming a favorite author for me. Granted, this is only the second book of hers I've read, but I have three more in my queue.
I kept thinking this book had to have taken place way earlier than it did. I had no idea there were "forced adoptions" as late as the early 1970's. (This is set in Australia, but I'm guessing not limited to that country.) One thing that threw me off was that an ultrasound was performed in the early 1970's. I didn't think they were in routine use at that time, especially for young women in a maternity home (and thus not wealthy or well-cared for). I question that, but again, maybe things were different in Australia. I couldn't find anything online (of course I did a little research!) that says that was commonplace at that time, so...?
In any case, the emotions and storyline were well-developed, and I looked forward to picking up the book each night and reading until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer!
Clean. There may have been a few swear words, but nothing that stood out enough for me to remember it!
Kelly Rimmer is quickly becoming a favorite author for me. Granted, this is only the second book of hers I've read, but I have three more in my queue.
I kept thinking this book had to have taken place way earlier than it did. I had no idea there were "forced adoptions" as late as the early 1970's. (This is set in Australia, but I'm guessing not limited to that country.) One thing that threw me off was that an ultrasound was performed in the early 1970's. I didn't think they were in routine use at that time, especially for young women in a maternity home (and thus not wealthy or well-cared for). I question that, but again, maybe things were different in Australia. I couldn't find anything online (of course I did a little research!) that says that was commonplace at that time, so...?
In any case, the emotions and storyline were well-developed, and I looked forward to picking up the book each night and reading until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer!
Clean. There may have been a few swear words, but nothing that stood out enough for me to remember it!
Monday, May 18, 2020
Is Fred in the Refrigerator? (Shala Nicely)
The title continues with: Taming OCD and Reclaiming My Life
Why I have this book: I bought it in my ongoing quest to learn more about OCD and how to treat it.
This is a fascinating glimpse into one woman's fight with OCD. What's amazing is how this disorder can affect people so differently.
I think she is a great example of taking the advice of qualified experts and actually putting it into action. There's a ton of good advice and information for those who suffer from OCD and their family members or friends. I gave it four stars on Goodreads.
There may have been a few swear words, but I honestly can't remember.
Why I have this book: I bought it in my ongoing quest to learn more about OCD and how to treat it.
This is a fascinating glimpse into one woman's fight with OCD. What's amazing is how this disorder can affect people so differently.
I think she is a great example of taking the advice of qualified experts and actually putting it into action. There's a ton of good advice and information for those who suffer from OCD and their family members or friends. I gave it four stars on Goodreads.
There may have been a few swear words, but I honestly can't remember.
Monday, May 11, 2020
The Monster in Me (Mette Ivie Harrison)
Why I have this book: I borrowed it from Kindle Unlimited.
Okay, so I really like some other fiction (cozy mystery) books by this author... meaning, I like the stories and the way she writes. I DON'T like her obvious gibes at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She's a feminist Mormon, with so many complaints about Church policies and how the men run things. Honestly, so much of her stuff is eye-rollingly inaccurate, but whatever. I can blow it off and read the stories, but I won't even record that I've read them and I definitely don't recommend them to others because of the very negative picture she paints. I completely disagree with her viewpoint.
Anyway, I thought I'd read a different book by the same author. It has nothing to do with religion, so I figured it would be a safe bet.
I could only give this two stars because there were soooooooo many editing mistakes, typos, etc. It also ended a little too abruptly for me which is all too bad because it had such potential. I don't care enough to look up whether or not it was one of her earlier books, but in any case, I don't know why it got published with so many glaring mistakes.
Clean. I don't even remember any swearing.
Okay, so I really like some other fiction (cozy mystery) books by this author... meaning, I like the stories and the way she writes. I DON'T like her obvious gibes at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She's a feminist Mormon, with so many complaints about Church policies and how the men run things. Honestly, so much of her stuff is eye-rollingly inaccurate, but whatever. I can blow it off and read the stories, but I won't even record that I've read them and I definitely don't recommend them to others because of the very negative picture she paints. I completely disagree with her viewpoint.
Anyway, I thought I'd read a different book by the same author. It has nothing to do with religion, so I figured it would be a safe bet.
I could only give this two stars because there were soooooooo many editing mistakes, typos, etc. It also ended a little too abruptly for me which is all too bad because it had such potential. I don't care enough to look up whether or not it was one of her earlier books, but in any case, I don't know why it got published with so many glaring mistakes.
Clean. I don't even remember any swearing.
Saturday, May 9, 2020
You are Worth It: Building a Life Worth Fighting For (Kyle Carpenter)
Why I have this book: My oldest son recommended it, so I bought it... then my middle son read it and really liked it, so I read it, too.
I gave it four stars on Goodreads. I probably would have given it 3.7 or so, but that's not an option. The only reason I say that is because the last couple of chapters seemed to be longer than they needed to be. Otherwise, I did like this book a lot. Kyle's story is incredible, and it reminds readers how much our military personnel and their families sacrifice on our behalf.
Kyle's honesty, humility, and strength is a great example for me. If he can endure and thrive with what he's been through, so can the rest of us with our own challenges.
Clean. There is one section (where he quotes others) that has a few swear words, but otherwise there's no bad language. Impressive! Seems like most books involving people in the military have a ton of heavy swear words, but not this one. Thank you, Kyle!
I gave it four stars on Goodreads. I probably would have given it 3.7 or so, but that's not an option. The only reason I say that is because the last couple of chapters seemed to be longer than they needed to be. Otherwise, I did like this book a lot. Kyle's story is incredible, and it reminds readers how much our military personnel and their families sacrifice on our behalf.
Kyle's honesty, humility, and strength is a great example for me. If he can endure and thrive with what he's been through, so can the rest of us with our own challenges.
Clean. There is one section (where he quotes others) that has a few swear words, but otherwise there's no bad language. Impressive! Seems like most books involving people in the military have a ton of heavy swear words, but not this one. Thank you, Kyle!
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