Beauty and the Mustache by Penny Reid

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Beauty and the Mustache by Penny Reid - BookBub

Title: Beauty and the Mustache
Author: Penny Reid
Series: Knitting in the City #4, Winston Brothers #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Chic lit, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Dates read: 22nd – 23rd August 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Caped Publishing
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: Elizabeth muttered under her breath, “If you let him, I think he’ll gladly rub you the right way.”

Synopsis

There are three things you need to know about Ashley Winston

1) She has six brothers and they all have beards,
2) She is a reader, and
3) She knows how to knit.

Former beauty queen, Ashley Winston’s preferred coping strategy is escapism. She escaped her Tennessee small town, loathsome father, and six brothers eight years ago. Now she escapes life daily via her Amazon kindle one-click addiction. However, when a family tragedy forces her to return home, Ashley can’t escape the notice of Drew Runous – local Game Warden, reclusive mountain man, bear wrestler, philosopher, and everyone’s favourite guy. Drew’s irksome philosophising in particular makes Ashley want to run for the skyscrapers, especially since he can’t seem to keep his exasperating opinions – or his soulful poetry, steadfast support, and delightful hands – to himself. Pretty soon the girl who wanted nothing more than the escape of the big city finds she’s lost her heart in small town Tennessee.

Thoughts

This novel may be about Ashley, but for me, the brothers just steal the show. There is something about a clan of brothers coming together around their little sister and their mother that makes me incredibly happy. Ashley is great. But it’s the Winston Brothers and Drew that made me feel seriously emotionally vested. Which makes it a brilliant prequel to the Winston Brothers series and a great little teaser into another series that needs to fill my shelves.

This is a reminder that, in spite of what is happening in the world, sometimes you just need to return home. Sometimes it’s the things that you ran away from that truly leave you feeling happy and complete. I like that although Ashley fled her family and hometown eight years before the beginning of this story. And obviously needed to in her own way to figure out who she was. Part of really figuring out what she needed in life was coming home and embracing all that she left behind. Returning home might not always be the answer. But I love that it is in this novel…

Although this is a beautiful and sweet romance, there is a little bit of heartbreak in this story. Namely in the passing of Ashley’s mother and her illness. It is done so well though. It is serious and does wrench at your heart quite a bit, but it also leaves you focusing on all of the positives that take place in the blossoming new relationship and the hope that Ashley finds for the future. Plus, the heartbreak that Ashley experiences highlights the beauty of her friendship with the girls.

This might be the most tragic and sad of the Knitting in the City stories. But it is also the one that seems to show the power of love and friendship the most. Everyone willingly and lovingly rallies around Ashley and her family. And I absolutely adored this show of love and affection. It’s something that I hope (but kind of doubt) that we all have…

<- Love HackedNinja at First Sight ->

Image source: BookBub

Love Hacked by Penny Reid

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Love Hacked (Knitting in the City, #3) by Penny Reid

Title: Love Hacked
Author: Penny Reid
Series: Knitting in the City #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Chic lit, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Dates read: 17th – 22nd August 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Caped Publishing
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: We stared at each other, that wolf and me, as the blood ran down my chin and soaked my shirt.

Synopsis

There are three things you should know about Sandra Fielding

1) She makes all her first dates cry,
2) She hasn’t been kissed in over two years, and
3) She knows how to knit.

Sandra has difficulty removing her psychotherapist hat. Of her last 30 dates, 29 have ended the same way: the man sobbing uncontrollably.

After one such disaster, Sandra – near desperation and maybe a little tipsy – gives in to a seemingly harmless encounter with her hot waiter, Alex. Argumentative, secretive, and hostile Alex may be the opposite of everything Sandra knows is right for her. But now, the girl who has spent all her life helping others change for the better, must find a way to cope with falling for someone who refuses to change at all.

Thoughts

Well. I wasn’t expecting this kind of story. It came a little out of left field and was really unexpected compared to the rest of the Knitting in the City stories so far. But then, Sandra is a little different. Which I love. So I really shouldn’t have been so surprised. And saying that it was completely unexpected doesn’t mean that I didn’t absolutely adore this story. Rather, it was just so wonderfully, pleasantly, and enjoyably unexpected.

As someone with a partner who is somewhat obsessed with BitCoin, it was kind of fun to read about this topic. I don’t know heaps about it (finances and the such are just a little over my head). But it was really fun that I was reading a romance which featured such a common, if not well understood concept. The fact that the NSA and all sorts of conspiracies are further drawn in… it was brilliant. I loved that not only did I get an enjoyable and fun romance, but I got to learn a little more than expected.

Alex as a lead male is wonderfully stubborn, supremely glorious and the kind of lead that just made me want to reach through the pages and wrap him in a big, warm hug. I love a stubborn man (I’m not sure why, because my man is stubborn and often has me growling at him like a bear), so reading about what had me smiling, laughing and bonding a little too strongly from the beginning. In fact, there is something about Alex that is making him my favourite male lead in the series thus far… I also love that he is the epitome of the man who is unwilling to change. Involved with a woman who is constantly trying to change others for the better.

Lastly, there is Sandra. I love her shock factor in everything that she does and says that shouts out from the pages of the book. Partner that with the fact that she is beautifully sweet and loving… she’s such a nice lead. Her sass, wit and sarcasm, alongside with the shock factor are the aspects of her personality that I absolutely adored. Particularly when the story starts with the fact that she makes all of her dates cry…

<- Friends Without BenefitsBeauty and the Mustache ->

Image source: Goodreads

Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Because of Miss Bridgerton (Rokesbys, #1) by Julia Quinn

Title: Because of Miss Bridgerton
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: Rokesbys #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Regency romance
Dates read: 21st – 22nd August 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Avon
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: George glanced over at Billie as he straightened.

Synopsis

Sometimes you find love in the most unexpected of places…

This is not one of those times.

Everyone expects Billie Bridgerton to marry one of the Rokesby brothers. The two families have been neighbors for centuries, and as a child the tomboyish Billie ran wild with Edward and Andrew. Either one would make a perfect husband… someday.

Sometimes you fall in love with exactly the person you think you should…

Or not.

There is only one Rokesby Billie absolutely cannot tolerate, and that is George. He may be the eldest and heir to the earldom, but he’s arrogant, annoying, and she’s absolutely certain he detests her. Which is perfectly convenient, as she can’t stand the sight of him, either.

But sometimes fate has a wicked sense of humor…

Because when Billie and George are quite literally thrown together, a whole new sort of sparks begins to fly. And when these lifelong adversaries finally kiss, they just might discover that the one person they can’t abide is the one person they can’t live without…

Thoughts

I absolutely adored reading about an earlier Bridgerton. The Bridgertons series very quickly became one of my favourites, so finding out about a Bridgerton from the generation before. It fulfilled that need to return to the world, whilst still experiencing a whole new journey. Add to that the fact that you can see how similar Billie and Daphne are to one another… it was brilliantly done and a great journey that I seriously, seriously loved.

Having said that, I do wish that Billie made an appearance in the Bridgertons series. I’m fairly certain that she’s the aunt… so I really don’t understand why she is only in this series, and not making cameo appearances elsewhere. One can imagine and dream though.

This is a light, fun and wonderful journey. I love a good regency romance that leaves you smiling. But still has enough going on that you are constantly hoping for the best. I always seem to become very quickly enamoured with the characters in Julia Quinn’s books. And all I want is for the best outcome. Of course, you know that that’s going to happen… but I still spent a lot of time being emotionally invested and hoping that George and Billie would realise what was RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEIR NOSES! They did… but I still had moments of intense feelings.

I think that one of my favourite things about this couple is the way that they flirt. It’s very unorthodox. Kind of like the way I flirt with my husband. They manage to fit barbs, compliments and wit into all of their interactions. It leaves you feeling incredibly happy, complete and hoping for the best of the best outcomes in their lives. Plus, this kind of flirting seems to just show a complete knowledge of and acceptance of each other – flaws and all. The best way to love in my honest opinion…

Not only was this a fantastic romance that left me feeling incredibly happy and content. But it also introduced the game of Pall Mall (which is pretty importance in The Viscount Who Love Me) and The Mallet of Death. I loved the creation of this and I don’t think that I could have grinned any wider during this scene in the book…

<- More Julia QuinnThe Girl with the Make-Believe Husband ->

Image source: Goodreads

Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood by Jeffrey J. Arnett & Malcolm Hughes

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood : Jeffery Arnett : 9781408253908

Title: Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: A Cultural Approach
Author: Jeffrey J. Arnett & Malcolm Hughes
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Non-fiction, Psychology
Dates read: 12th June – 22nd August 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Non-fictional text
Publisher: Pearson
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: One interesting feature of puberty rites in traditional cultures is that eligibility for the rites is not typically based on age but on pubertal maturation.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Focused on a global cultural perspective that incorporates research on adolescence through emerging adulthood & grounded in a global cultural perspective, this text includes a considerable amount of anthropology, sociology, & international research in addition to the compelling psychological research on adolescent development.

Thoughts

This textbook left my brain feeling happy, full and filled with wonderful knowledge. Which is exactly what I want at the end of reading a textbook. After all, I read these kinds of books to fill my brain with knowledge. So finding that I felt more knowledgeable and super happy at the end of this made me incredibly happy.

Although I read this as a part of an undergrad course, I did very much feel like this is the kind of thing that I want to do with my life. It is glorious and the aspect of psychology that I am really, truly passionate about – helping adolescents with their issues before they can carry too far into adulthood.

This also has a great layout and deals with cultural differences in a wonderful manner. Most of the time when I read textbooks, it’s a bit of a chore. But when I was reading this, it felt a lot more enjoyable. And helped me to fill my brain with a lot of wonderful information and knowledge.

<- More non-fictionMore psychology ->

Image source: BookDepository

Burn Him Out by Frank Bonham

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of westerns book cover

Title: Burn Him Out
Author: Frank Bonham
In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis)
Rating Out of 5: 2 (Managed to read it… just)
My Bookshelves: Westerns
Dates read: 19th August 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Standing there, he felt moisture strike his hand and angrily straightened.

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Synopsis

A western filled with discussion and just a little violence.

Thoughts

I honestly just couldn’t concentrate too much on this short story. It just wouldn’t quite catch my interest. Which was quite disappointing. But not all stories can be favourites…

This story seemed to be mostly about fighting. And it was just eh.

Having said all of that, I did enjoy the writing style of this story. It might not have been exactly the kind of story that I loved. But it was a style that I enjoyed.

<- CommandThe Colt ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Sourcery by Terry Pratchett

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Sourcery | Sir Terry Pratchett

Title: Sourcery
Author: Terry Pratchett
Series: Discworld #5, Rincewind #3
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Easy reading, Fantasy
Dates read: 22nd July – 18th August 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Corgi
Year: 1988
5th sentence, 74th page: He just steals things.

Synopsis

All this books and stuff, that isn’t what it should all be about. What we need is real wizardry.

There was an eighth son of an eighth son. He was, quite naturally, a wizard. And there it should have ended. However (for reasons we’d better not go into), he had seven sons. And then he had an eighth son… a wizard squared… a source of magic… a Sourcerer.

Unseen University has finally got what it wished for: the most powerful wizard on the disc. Which, unfortunately, could mean that the death of all wizardry is at hand. And that the world is going to end, depending on whom you listen to. Unless of course one inept wizard can take the University’s most precious artefact, the very embodiment of magic itself, and deliver it halfway across the disc to safety…

Thoughts

Whenever I pick up a book by Terry Pratchett, I know that I’m going to have a good time and be entertained. And Sourcery was no exception. I had such a great, fun, amazing journey throughout this story. One that I absolutely adored and would love to read again.

So far in the Discworld series, none of the stories have really finished on a cliff hanger. Instead, the story almost works as a standalone and lets you journey onwards to the next story in the series without any extra baggage. This novel didn’t quite work out like that. It just felt like there was so much more that was likely to happen to Rincewind – and I would love to know what the outcome of his latest misadventure will be. It was kind of fun finishing a Discworld story on a cliff hanger. Just different enough to leave me happy and content.

One of my favourite things about Pratchett is his amazing ability to build worlds. The fact that he’s doing so consistently throughout the Discworld series always leaves me feeling happy. In this novel, his world building is building on the rules of wizardry and sourcery. I love all of the completely obscure and odd rules that come about in this and the way that the rules of magick are completely unexpected and not what I would have thought of as logical at all. It was quite brilliant.

Throughout all of this novel, I read a lot of the more humorous passages to my husband. There is just something great about the flow of his writing and the style that not only made me laugh… a lot. But can be shared with somebody who just doesn’t quite like reading and books as much as I do… there is just such a great sense of humour and wit that I wish I could impart into my own written word…

<- MortWyrd Sisters ->

Image source: Sir Terry Pratchett

Punishment & Sentencing by Melissa Bull

Book Review, ,
Overview
Punishment and Sentencing eBook

Title: Punishment & Sentencing: Risk, Rehabilitation and Restitution
Author: Melissa Bull
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Non-fiction, Psychology
Dates read: 12th June – 18th August 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Non-fictional text
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: The Australian regimes, reflecting wariness about the effectiveness of community notification, involve non-public registers that have been developed from existing criminal conviction or other databases and that contain a range of information: offender name, residential address, employment address, car registration, fingerprints and nature of offence.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Punishment and Sentencing uses a case study approach to bring to life our shifting attitudes to punishment, and its relationship to changing technologies and programs of control. The text identifies the key concepts of risk, rehabilitation and restitution to give readers an accessible framework for understanding the different approaches taken, in theory and in practice, to sentencing and punishment.

Thoughts

I actually really enjoyed the setup of this textbook. It was completely approachable. And, most importantly it showed how the theories and concepts discussed in the first part actually relate to our daily lives and made it a little more practical… something that I don’t often come across in the non-fiction texts I read for my university studies.

This text starts by outlining the sociological theories behind punishment and sentencing. And also providing a nice history of Australian criminology. Whilst there were aspects of this that I was familiar with, there were also lots of aspects which I was not so familiar with. It was a great foundation which then flowed onto the second part of the story.

This flow provided a great backdrop with which to understand some of the more contentious and difficult aspects of criminology and the case studies which highlight these issues. I really enjoyed how well written and informative this whole text was. I would definitely flick through this again.

<- More non-fictionMore psychology ->

Image source: Oxford University Press

The Boys Go Fishing by Sarah Smith

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for death's excellent vacation book cover

Title: The Boys Go Fishing
Author: Sarah Smith
In: Death’s Excellent Vacation (Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Superheroes
Dates read: 17th August 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gollancz
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: His girl, his only girl.

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Synopsis

He’s an immortal and a retired superhero. One who just wants to be left alone. And then an organised Talent comes and ruins his plans…

Thoughts

I truly think that being immortal would be one of the loneliest things ever. And this story kind of reinforces that belief. The lead character is completely alone, lonely and looking for a reason, any reason to live. It made this a bit of a sad story. But also one that ultimately had a bit of a hopeful spin to it… being immortal would suck. Until you could find others to have it suck with.

This short story starts as a fishing trip and a nice little tour. And then it quickly gets convoluted. Between reminiscing about the past and finding out just what the powers of the clients are… it’s an interesting little story. Add to that that there is a greater reason for their powers and difference… I found it quite difficult to put this down and a little sad when the story was all over.

Although I was kind of sad that this story ended, I did love the way in which it ended. Particularly when it kind of asked the question, what is the difference between man and monster? It’s something that I’m constantly wondering myself to be honest…

<- Two BlondesOne for the Money ->

Image source: Amazon

Misery by Stephen King

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: Misery
Author: Stephen King
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Horror, Thriller
Dates read: 16th – 17th August 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Hodder
Year: 1987
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Better?’

Synopsis

Misery Chastain was dead. Paul Sheldon had just killed her – with relief, with joy. Misery had made him rich; she was the heroine of a string of bestsellers. And now he wanted to get on to some real writing.

That’s when the car accident happened, and he woke up in pain in a strange bed. But it wasn’t the hospital. Annie Wilkes had pulled him from the wreck, brought him to her remote mountain home, splinted and set his mangled legs.

The good news was that Annie was a nurse and has pain-killing drugs. The bad news was that she was Paul’s Number One Fan. And when she found out what Paul had done to Misery, she didn’t like it. She didn’t like it at all.

Thoughts

I have seriously got to stop reading Stephen King novels when I know I’m going to be home alone for the night… I keep thinking that I’m tough and I want get all wiggy… and then I get all wiggy. This time I was a little smarter, I put aside a whole day and started reading Misery in the morning. Just so that even though I did get wiggy… it wasn’t during the night. Rather, it was when there was still a lot of sunlight…

I both admire and fear Stephen King. I absolutely love his writing. It is just completely impossible to put down and forget. I also fear that he has a mind that is capable of this kind of story. It’s pretty damn intense and hard to forget. This story is definitely one of those that is a thriller – and spine tingling. Plus, every time I had hope… it was completely dashed away. Each time more brutal than the last.

Aside from the heart pumping, pulse tingling, craziness of this story I also really loved that it was a story that featured the act of writing. There was the weird hatred that the writer feels for his own work, the process of creating a story and the ways in which fans become just a little too connected to the storyline. It was a really great insight into an aspect of writing that I’ve vaguely experienced, but not truly (since you know, I’m not actually an author). I love how this fascinating look into a writers’ psyche was partnered with just total and utter, brutal insanity.

As someone who works in mental health, anything that investigates the different ways in which people can break kind of fascinates me. Partnering that with the amazing way in which King is able to show the damage of psychological torture… this is most definitely not a novel that I’m going to forget anytime soon!

<- Lisey’s StoryMr. Mercedes ->

Image source: Booktopia

Rock Wedding by Nalini Singh

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Rock Wedding (Rock Kiss, #4) by Nalini Singh

Title: Rock Wedding
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Rock Kiss #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Music
Dates read: 16th August 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Nalini Singh
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: “Sparrow” wasn’t a song for keyboards or fancy arrangements.

Synopsis

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh continues her Rock Kiss series with a hot, sweet, emotional contemporary romance about love and forgiveness…

After a lifetime of longing for a real family, Sarah Smith thought sh’ed finally found her home with rock star Abe Bellam, even if she knew Abe didn’t love her the way she loved him. But their brief relationship, filled with tragedy and heartache, nearly destroyed her. Alone, emotions in turmoil, and already shaky self-esteem shattered, Sarah struggles to pick up the pieces in the wake of their divorce.

Abe knows he’s to blame for the end of his marriage. Caught in a web of painful memories, he pushed away the best thing in his life – the sexy, smart woman he adores – breaking them both in the process. Then fate throws him a second chance to get things right, to prove to Sarah that she means everything to him. Abe desperately wants that second chance at love… even if he knows he doesn’t deserve it.

But can he convince Sarah – now strong and independent without him – to risk her wounded heart one more time?

Thoughts

This was such a perfect ending to the Rock Kiss quartet. It managed to not only be incredibly cute and sweet. But it rounded out the stories of the other three band members and just gave this great feeling of happily ever after. The fact that it didn’t just feature one wedding (expected from the title), but FOUR… well, that just hit me in ALL of my happy literary places.

From Sarah’s appearance in Rock Redemption, I was quite keen to see what her journey and experiences were all about. But I didn’t expect to feel so keenly for her so damn quickly. The journey that she goes on and the tragedies that she’s faced… they were completely heart rending and, honestly, some of it was exactly what my nightmares are made of. It was seriously tragic and difficult to read in moments.

What I think I loved most about this novel is the fact that Abe took responsibility for his own actions. Not many characters tend to do that in stories. At least, not to this degree, and not when they’re an alpha male. Less so in real life, but still… just having a literary character that is able to go “Yup. I fucked up. And I’m going to fix it.” That was weirdly important and made me seriously love him as a character (particularly one that you don’t really get to know throughout the rest of the series).

Both Abe and Sarah have kind of tragic and seriously tough backstories. Yet, even though there was knowledge of these throughout the novel. It was a story that was more about moving on and forgiving one another the past. Finding a way to be happy and finding a bright and cheerful future. Which is probably why I found this book pretty much impossible to put down and seriously, seriously fun and enjoyable.

<- Rock RedemptionMore Nalini Singh ->

Image source: Goodreads