Title: The Forest Author: Laird Barron In: Inferno (Ellen Datlow) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Horror Pace: Slow Format: eBook, Short story Year: 2007
Something about this short story felt incredibly creepy and goosebump-raising. The entire time I was reading this, I was seriously wigged and uncomfortable. But the kicker? I don’t actually know why this story made me feel that way… which somehow just made it worse. And creepier. Which, of course is kind of why I read horror short stories – for the uncomfortable, creepy feelings.
There were a lot of layers of horror to this story. There were plenty of horrors in the present, but a whole heap in the past as well. And secrets. Which, I swear, sometimes it’s the secrets and realism that make things that little bit more creepy. The scary of the unknown and the knowledge that everyone has secrets helped to add to the layers of this short story – and makes me want to read it again so I pick up on more nuances.
The forest in this story kind of made me think of the Japanese Suicide Forest – in that the forest takes the lives of those who are willing. But, I’m not entirely sure why. It had that eerie feeling of inevitable death throughout. Which kind of made the ending feel a little sad to me – saying goodbye to the future and potential for someone.
I actually really enjoyed this romantic suspense story – I wasn’t entirely sure how it was even a romance when I first started it, but I was very quickly pulled in. Enjoying it way more than expected. Particularly because it featured a child being kidnapped – something that particularly leaves a horrifyingly sick feeling in my stomach when I read about it.
I love that Leah will stop at nothing to find her nephew, including risking her own life and career. She also talks about crime in her small town like a slow moving rot – one that needs to be dug out by the roots and destroyed. It’s a reminder of how easy it is to become corrupt when those in power are corrupt, or let the evil slide – I kind of want more butt kicking in this world to find that Leah and her beau managed to start making an impact on all of the crime.
There was so much violence and mayhem throughout this story, which seems to be something I seriously enjoy lately. Plus, there was also some yummy lust to keep your toes curling and lighten some of the chaos. I love that this had a happy ending, but with the ability to have so much more chaos and violence in the future.
This story made me really sad – it was a soulless town filled with soulless people. And, even though there was no hopeful notes to this story, I was still hoping for a more positive and promising ending than I got. It was a bit disheartening and sad to read – and honestly, I like stories that have at least a glimmer of hope in them. I didn’t find that in this story.
The decision made at the end of this wasn’t all that surprising – there’s a reason that it’s the decision many make in reality. But it was still really sad. I mean, the boy has so much hope at the beginning of this story, and potential. But then, he decides to join his brother in a gang and say goodbye to all of the potential doors that were in front of him. Sometimes I wonder if that’s a metaphor for life – saying goodbye to dreams because sometimes they are just unattainable.
I think that saddest part of all of this for me was that at the very end, Sophie recognises the path chosen. And recognised the betrayal that that decision denotes. Absolutely heart breaking and hard to read about. Love doesn’t necessarily conquer all, and this is kind of a reminder of that fact.
Catnyp is a glorious fairytale, but kind of in reverse. Rather than a hero wanting to join the mythical world and change things, it’s a changeling wanting to not become a hero, and a hero-wannabe trying to join the real world. I mean, honestly, who would necessarily want to leave a world filled with magic and mystery for the mundane real world where you have to work and you know… act like an adult?
I thought that this was going to be a really cute little romance, but it turns out it was more a story about finding oneself. I love that the changeling in this fell in love, found out more about the world she lives in and what love means to humans. But, ultimately, decided that she valued herself and wanted to grow more. She is the hero of her own story, not the supporting cast in someone else’s.
I loved everything about the world building in this story. It was intense and brilliant, multilayered and incredibly intriguing. Mostly though, I loved the idea of the library and it’s sentience – how the presence of people and energies created magical beings that supported the world of the Between and the fae.
I love that both the leads in this story are trapped and having to act against their will. And that, ultimately, they decide to trust each other and help one another out. It may not be the nicest Meet Cute, but it was definitely a good way to create an unbreakable bond between the two – particularly as they would normally hate each other on sight due to past traumas.
The relationship within this story is initially a little, lot bit more lust driven than love driven. I might not appreciate that in a full-length novel, but in a novella, it works brilliantly. It made the storyline and the relationship move along incredibly quickly, and I also enjoy a fairly lust driven, explicit story every now and then.
As a big sister, I understand doing anything to protect your baby sister. And I love that Amaris was this way inclined. I mean, the anything in this story encompasses a lot more than I could ever imagine. But, it was a great aspect of her character. I love that she’s also completely aware that everything she does is part of a trap – she’s not blindly and wilfully being lead into a dead end. She’s just scrambling to get out of a horrifying situation in anyway she can.
The idea of Blood Roses and vampires might have a bit of a courtesan vibe, but I really liked it. I would love more stories based in this world of Blood Roses and vampires. Court politics and war.
Title: Big Ben Author: Nana Malone Rating Out of 5: 1 (Couldn’t get past the first page) Format: eBook, Novel Year: 2020
I am honestly fed up with stories that feature an asshole male for the lead. I mean, there’s rough around the edges and a little bit forceful and alpha. But then there’s just pure asshole. And this was one of those stories – which meant I just couldn’t get into it. I quite frankly couldn’t get past the whole treating the woman like crap and just… not caring about anything else thing. I’ll definitely give more Malone books a trial in the future, but that’s because I liked the style of writing. I definitely didn’t like the characters.
Title: About That… Author: Sylvie Stewart Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Contemporary, Contemporary romance Pace: Medium Format: Book, Novella Year: 2019
Cal and Sofia are an incredibly cute couple, and I love that all of the difficulties in their relationship stem from a number of misunderstandings. Mostly misunderstandings and assumptions on Sofia’s behalf – she jumps to a few conclusions. But, I also would’ve jumped to the same conclusions, so it’s entirely justifiable and made for an even more interesting novella.
Sofia is a really fun and light character. Her passion for working with kids is adorable, and she has a passion for life that I seriously wish I could have. She is also incredibly excited by her life and those she chooses to share it with. I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to teach children, and her happiness in doing so was absolutely adorable.
I love that although there is an instant connection between Cal and Sofia, they spend quite a bit of time getting to know one another. I mean, there are still so many sparks I almost had to fan myself while I was reading this, but it was also a relationship based on mutual respect and liking of one another – it was fun reading about them falling for one another.
About That…was such a cute and beautiful little novella. I really enjoyed diving into Stewart’s writing yet again. There is some wonderful humour and wit in her words, partnered with heartfelt connections and happily ever afters. Just the type of romance I like to read.
As always with two littles, it’s been somewhat hectic. Which, for me, generally means that I require retreating into my books a lot more frequently. This is the results of that little nerd-fest.
I always love a good second chance romance story. Particularly those that feature a couple who were separated by youth and circumstance. But, the fact that although they were separated, they were able to become amazing adults. Of the type that they maybe wouldn’t have been able to if they hadn’t gone their separate ways in the first place. Plus, this is a Cinnamon Roll Alpha story. And they’re just generally cute anyway – big manly, grunt men who are actually totally adorable and smitten when in love.
At the very beginning of this story, Faith’s parents are cast as the villains of the piece – they separated Faith and Leo through some not-so-nice actions. And as a result, Faith has been estranged from them ever since. I like that, instead of continuing to cast them as the villains, Faith is able to find a way to move on with her family. That their actions, although seriously wrong, were actually based in good intentions. And that, even if they are a bit broken and silly, her parents are able to own up to their mistakes and try to make amends. It’s a bit of a departure from other stories of this vein, were the catalyst for the break up is often incredibly villainized and unloveable.
Although I really liked Leo as the male lead, I mean, cinnamon roll alpha, come on. I did find him a bit of a hard headed fool at times. He doesn’t really treat Faith all that well at the very beginning. And, although its understandable why he’s such a dick, it does make it that little bit harder to connect. And I feel like, as a result, it takes Faith that little bit longer to actually trust him and move forward in her relationship with him. Having said that, many of his actions are kind of understandable, so you can’t hate him. And, he is a fun lead to read about. Particularly with his career background and personal goals – making the world a better, more sustainable place.
Normally I don’t love mean girls, or any kind of story that perpetuates how nasty women can be (and are often taught to be) to one another. However, I absolutely adored how Leo’s sisters go to bat for him. They’re not overly nice about it, but, the moment he tells them to back off and that Faith is back in his life – they do. It’s the perfect blend of sticking up for someone you love, but also respecting their decisions. And, ultimately they return to being good friends with Faith and making her welcome into their family yet again.
I knew that there would be a final barrier to Faith and Leo’s relationship in this story. And, I kind of figured it would have something to do with privilege and money. But, it was actually quite a bit nastier than I had anticipated. And very heartbreaking. I love how it actually kind of blindsided me. Although, since this is a happy romance, it all still worked out beautifully in the end.
I’ve been meaning to get to North for quite a while – it’s in my Dating the Boss box set, and Vanessa Vale is suggested by quite a few of the authors’ emails that I receive. But, as with everything, I kept putting it off and getting distracted. Well, I’m glad that I eventually got around to this, because I seriously enjoyed this story! It might not have quite been the novel I was expecting, but it was probably a little bit better. A somewhat adult contemporary romance, but one that has made me excited to dive into the rest of the Vanessa Vale books on my ereader.
North was a little bit of a dark story in that it features a woman who has been preyed upon by her own father. There is also that darker spin on the story that there is gunshots and plots and schemes. It’s almost a romantic suspense, but not quite. Not an overly light story, but I kind of liked those edges of darkness that makes the romance and the happily ever after at the end all that much better. It did mean that it took me a little bit longer than some romances to truly get into, but it was well worth it!
It’s been a while since I’ve read a romance that features sex so heavily – and it’s kind of graphic. Sometimes I felt like the sex scenes were extended out a little bit too long. They were well written and enjoyable. But honestly, there were a few chapters that I wanted the sex to be over, because I wanted to know more about the action and the characters! I figure that although it meant I had impatient moments, this was actually a good thing – after all, it was all based around the fact that I was so damn invested that I didn’t want to pause for anything I deemed as unimportant. Which is ironic, since I really read this for the romance factor.
North was a fantastic beginning to a new series and introduction (for me) to Vanessa Vale. I can’t wait to see how North’s brothers negotiate all of the truth bombs that were released in this book. And what the women I’m sure they are going to find are going to be like. And how they deal with the hard-headedness that I’m already appreciating in this great characters. This was such a fun book to read, and I look forward to reading more in this series!
Earth and Skye 