Why I have this book: It was $2.99 on Amazon and sometimes I just want to read LDS fiction.
Ugh. In fact, I give this a 5-Ugh rating.
It's not that I don't know people who met their future spouses while serving as missionaries. I'm not even opposed to that, because I do have friends who did and it wasn't creepy at all. But this book is "Ugh" on so many levels... I can't even get started on it.
I wish I had not spent $2.99 on it.
Clean'ish. I can't even describe what adds the "ish" to that. Let's just stop talking about this book.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Eyes Forward (Lavita Wilkinson)
Why I have this book: It was 99 cents on Amazon for Kindle and it looked like it would be a light read... which is what I was wanting this week.
Definitely a light read. The writing was well done... it all flowed smoothly and I enjoyed the book. It was fairly predictable, although in some ways, there was too much going on. There were just a lot of angles to the story, and even though I felt like I was able to get to know most of the characters pretty well, the story wasn't able to get too deep just because of the sheer number of issues for so many of them. The "bad guy" was just too stereotypical and a little over the top to be believable for me... but that seems to be par for the course for this genre.
It was worth the money I paid. I would read other books by the author if I came across them.
Clean. There is domestic violence, which isn't really graphically described.
Definitely a light read. The writing was well done... it all flowed smoothly and I enjoyed the book. It was fairly predictable, although in some ways, there was too much going on. There were just a lot of angles to the story, and even though I felt like I was able to get to know most of the characters pretty well, the story wasn't able to get too deep just because of the sheer number of issues for so many of them. The "bad guy" was just too stereotypical and a little over the top to be believable for me... but that seems to be par for the course for this genre.
It was worth the money I paid. I would read other books by the author if I came across them.
Clean. There is domestic violence, which isn't really graphically described.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
The Accidental Marriage (Annette Haws)
Why I have this book: I bought it on Kindle because it looked good.
Okay, so first I have to say that aside from the story itself, I am perplexed by something stated in the "About the Author" section at the end of the book. It states that the author is "the mother of four above-average children and..." I read on, waiting for the punchline, but there wasn't one. What does that mean? Above-average children??? I can't wrap my brain around saying that in this particular setting. Is she being serious? Is it a bragging point? Is it a joke? I don't get it.
Anyway, on to the story itself. I kind of really liked it, but also didn't. Some parts seemed so contradictory... like how the wife seems totally have the hots for her husband sexually (not descriptive at all), but they have no relationship outside of that. In fact, I'd say they almost have an anti-relationship. The husband is such a nincompoop in pretty much 98% of how he deals with his wife. Sometimes he was a downright jerk. (Like when he sees her new short haircut and he says, "You look like a cancer survivor." And this is when he is trying to work things out with her. What an idiot.) She doesn't seem to put much effort into the marriage (other than sexually, which - not surprisingly - seems to be enough to keep him happy and oblivious to how unhappy she is.) I guess I just never felt any kind of deep connection between them, even through the ending. And... I still don't see how things are going to work out, considering they have very, very different goals and wishes for their future family.
The writing was good and after the first few chapters, I was invested in the story. I am walking away, though, with a sad feeling, because I just can't see the "happy ending." It was an interesting look at in-law relationships. That, in itself, is a good reason to read this book.
Clean. Even though there are lots of hints at their marital intimacy, it's not at all graphic or even described in the least. Part of the story revolves around sexual harassment in the workplace.
Okay, so first I have to say that aside from the story itself, I am perplexed by something stated in the "About the Author" section at the end of the book. It states that the author is "the mother of four above-average children and..." I read on, waiting for the punchline, but there wasn't one. What does that mean? Above-average children??? I can't wrap my brain around saying that in this particular setting. Is she being serious? Is it a bragging point? Is it a joke? I don't get it.
Anyway, on to the story itself. I kind of really liked it, but also didn't. Some parts seemed so contradictory... like how the wife seems totally have the hots for her husband sexually (not descriptive at all), but they have no relationship outside of that. In fact, I'd say they almost have an anti-relationship. The husband is such a nincompoop in pretty much 98% of how he deals with his wife. Sometimes he was a downright jerk. (Like when he sees her new short haircut and he says, "You look like a cancer survivor." And this is when he is trying to work things out with her. What an idiot.) She doesn't seem to put much effort into the marriage (other than sexually, which - not surprisingly - seems to be enough to keep him happy and oblivious to how unhappy she is.) I guess I just never felt any kind of deep connection between them, even through the ending. And... I still don't see how things are going to work out, considering they have very, very different goals and wishes for their future family.
The writing was good and after the first few chapters, I was invested in the story. I am walking away, though, with a sad feeling, because I just can't see the "happy ending." It was an interesting look at in-law relationships. That, in itself, is a good reason to read this book.
Clean. Even though there are lots of hints at their marital intimacy, it's not at all graphic or even described in the least. Part of the story revolves around sexual harassment in the workplace.
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Ilana's Wish: A Newport Ladies Book Club Novel (Annette Lyon)
Why I have this book: It was the next book in the series. And I read on their website that there is going to be one more "reunion" book, which I'm pretty happy about.
This book is all about redemption for me...
1) It redeems my "fan status" in Annette Lyon. The last book of hers I read (reviewed here) was such a disappointment to me. This one brought back all the things I love about her books.
2) It redeems my love of this series. The book just previous to this one (reviewed here) was so romance-centered that it didn't seem to fit in the series. SO glad that Annette brought it back to what I loved in the first place: real women with real problems who lean on each other for strength and support.
3) The book itself is about redemption, and I was brought to tears a few times with the emotions of the story.
I do have to throw my editor brain in here for a minute and say... when you're talking about the shoes that are "Crocs"... THAT is how it is spelled. Not "Crocks." I don't even wear Crocs... have never owned a pair, and I knew that it was spelled wrong. A quick Google search confirmed it. Anyway, that happened right in the beginning and it made me a little nervous that the book would have a bunch of sloppy editing. (It didn't.) It turned out to be a worthwhile read in so many ways. I am very glad I read it.
Clean. This book deals with addiction to prescription drugs.
This book is all about redemption for me...
1) It redeems my "fan status" in Annette Lyon. The last book of hers I read (reviewed here) was such a disappointment to me. This one brought back all the things I love about her books.
2) It redeems my love of this series. The book just previous to this one (reviewed here) was so romance-centered that it didn't seem to fit in the series. SO glad that Annette brought it back to what I loved in the first place: real women with real problems who lean on each other for strength and support.
3) The book itself is about redemption, and I was brought to tears a few times with the emotions of the story.
I do have to throw my editor brain in here for a minute and say... when you're talking about the shoes that are "Crocs"... THAT is how it is spelled. Not "Crocks." I don't even wear Crocs... have never owned a pair, and I knew that it was spelled wrong. A quick Google search confirmed it. Anyway, that happened right in the beginning and it made me a little nervous that the book would have a bunch of sloppy editing. (It didn't.) It turned out to be a worthwhile read in so many ways. I am very glad I read it.
Clean. This book deals with addiction to prescription drugs.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Bride on the Loose (Debbie Macomber)
Why I have this book: It was available to borrow right away and I wanted a light read.
And yes, I'm kind of embarrassed by the title of the book when I have to admit I read it. It sounds so "Harlequin"... and lo and behold, it turns out (I discovered after I read it) that it IS Harlequin. I didn't know Debbie Macomber writes for Harlequin.
Anyway, it was sheer entertainment and I wasn't super impressed. I was also a bit bothered by the lack of morals in the guy... because it was written as if it was all so normal. Meaning - there was no moral struggle in planning to be physically intimate with someone you barely met. I guess that is acceptable in most of society, but since I've seen the author on the cover of a religious magazine, I expected different.
So, whatevs. I don't really have anything else to say.
I don't recall swearing, but I can't promise on that. There is definite talk/planning/thinking about unmarried sexual relations by the two main characters. There is also some discussion of marital relations gone bad (coercion and emotional abuse) and the psychological aftermath.
And yes, I'm kind of embarrassed by the title of the book when I have to admit I read it. It sounds so "Harlequin"... and lo and behold, it turns out (I discovered after I read it) that it IS Harlequin. I didn't know Debbie Macomber writes for Harlequin.
Anyway, it was sheer entertainment and I wasn't super impressed. I was also a bit bothered by the lack of morals in the guy... because it was written as if it was all so normal. Meaning - there was no moral struggle in planning to be physically intimate with someone you barely met. I guess that is acceptable in most of society, but since I've seen the author on the cover of a religious magazine, I expected different.
So, whatevs. I don't really have anything else to say.
I don't recall swearing, but I can't promise on that. There is definite talk/planning/thinking about unmarried sexual relations by the two main characters. There is also some discussion of marital relations gone bad (coercion and emotional abuse) and the psychological aftermath.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Still Alice (Lisa Genova)
Why I have this book: It is the book club book this month.
I had never heard of this book before it was picked for book club... but then I discovered that a movie is being made based on it.
I'm glad I read this novel about a 50-year-old Harvard professor who is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's Disease. It opened my eyes about this disease and what it means to the patients and their families.
I thought the author did a great job of making each character interesting and developed, even though there wasn't necessarily a lot of time spent "getting to know" each one.
I would recommend this book to others. I think it's the kind of book that helps to expand one's compassion and understanding of what people go through.
The F-word is used a handful of times in this book. If there was other swearing, I don't recall it.
I had never heard of this book before it was picked for book club... but then I discovered that a movie is being made based on it.
I'm glad I read this novel about a 50-year-old Harvard professor who is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's Disease. It opened my eyes about this disease and what it means to the patients and their families.
I thought the author did a great job of making each character interesting and developed, even though there wasn't necessarily a lot of time spent "getting to know" each one.
I would recommend this book to others. I think it's the kind of book that helps to expand one's compassion and understanding of what people go through.
The F-word is used a handful of times in this book. If there was other swearing, I don't recall it.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Glimmer of Hope (Sarah M. Eden)
Why I have this book: I think it was on sale for Kindle at the same time a friend was reading one of the author's other books, so I bought it.
This book was okay. However, the very last quote pretty much blew the whole book for me. Yeah, he couldn't have said something along the lines of "after WE'VE gone on???" Why make it sound the way it sounded? Honestly, that last bit made me feel a little more than irritated.
I'm deliberately being vague in case anyone wants to read it.
Anyway, it was a light read and I never really invested too much in the characters or storyline. Very typical romance formula throughout, but if you like that kind of thing, you would probably enjoy this.
(If I wasn't so annoyed by the last quote, I would probably be a bit more charitable and call this a "cute" book.)
Clean.
This book was okay. However, the very last quote pretty much blew the whole book for me. Yeah, he couldn't have said something along the lines of "after WE'VE gone on???" Why make it sound the way it sounded? Honestly, that last bit made me feel a little more than irritated.
I'm deliberately being vague in case anyone wants to read it.
Anyway, it was a light read and I never really invested too much in the characters or storyline. Very typical romance formula throughout, but if you like that kind of thing, you would probably enjoy this.
(If I wasn't so annoyed by the last quote, I would probably be a bit more charitable and call this a "cute" book.)
Clean.
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