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Name : | Deanna H. |
My Reviews
This book wasn't what I expected. Reviews and the back of the book say they won't tell you what it's about for the surprise affect. I didn't find it as shocking or surprising because the characters keep telling you something's coming, but I did like the book and how the author wove the two intertwining stories together. I did find it slow at times.
I LOVED this book. I couldn;t put it down.
There is a lot of background information the first half of the book that slows it down. Once you get to the second half it speeds up and gets much more interesting. I highly suggest reading it and his next two. They were page turners.
It took me a while to get through this one. I'm not sure if it was the gloomy subject matter or not.
I really liked this letter style of this book. It made it a quick, fun read.
I love, love, loved this book! I coulnd't put it down. I was surprised because the first book in the series was a little boring for me. I loved the Salendar charater and know this is one I will re-read over and over again.
I read Mudbound right after reading Kathryn Stocketts' The Help. I was hoping it would be more upbeat and positive, like The Help was but I was disappointed. It was extremely gloomy and sad. I didn't want to finish it but felt I had to for our group. There wasn't a positive spark in the whole thing. Although, it did spark great book club conversation. We all hated it.
I couldn't put this down. I wanted it to last forever. I had to keep re-reading the last chapter knowing there is no follow up.
The author did a wonderful job writing as an autistic kid, but it was a slow read for me and not very exciting. I kept thinking that there would be more mystery.
Beautifully written. Heart aching. I didn't want to read it, but I couldn't put it down.
I just didn't like it. I expected more after The Time Traveler's Wife.
This was a good summer read. Light (despite her husband leaving her for Bob) and refreshing. Her stories are interesting. I did wish there was more of a main story that connected everything. I felt like I was missing an ending.
I won't say too much. Don't Google or read reviews. Just read it. A surprise awaits.
Couldn't put down!
Our book club read this last month after reading positive reviews in the media. This book is so hard to read. It doesn't flow well -- the quotes used to describe different time periods do not fit well and distract from the story. The subject itself is interesting, but what could have been said in 1 page takes 4 or 5. I would not suggest this book for a fun book group. Most of the people in our group didn't even finish it after readinf the prologue.
I couldn't put it down! I love Kristin Hannah books, but this has to be one of my favorites.
I liked the way this book was narrated. I thought it was a touching story.
I read this book because I liked the author's previous works. It was good, but definitely for a reader around high school age.
I read this book in one day. It was quick, easy and interesting. Definitely a good one. I thought it would appeal to the Twilight or Shiver young adult group.
I had a really hard time making it through this book. It was like punishment. The idea was good, just too slow and not interesting enouhgh. I really liked Impossible and read it in one day. I put off reading w/this one. BORING.
I finally gave in and read this book. I was not disappointed! I loved it from the beginning. It hooked you from the first chapter and never slowed down. I just finished it and can't wait to start the next one! Definitely a must read.
I liked it. Not as good as other Kristin Hannah books, but definitely follows her family relationship mold.
Julie is a talented writer and funny, but the content was a little boring and went on too long. I didn't think her excerps from Julia Child went well w/her book.
I really loved this book. It had me giggling throughout. I didn't know a lot about Tina Fey, so it was interesting to see her path through life. She has a great view of herself. Not really for book clubs unless you want to talk about Tina Fey, I guess.
I loved the way this book went from present to past to tell a story. It really strengthened the mystery of the book and kept you guessing about what actually happened. I've never read Karen White before but I'm going to look up her books and read them now!
If you're considering reading a Karen White book, go with The Beach Trees. It's FANTASTIC! I read On Folly Beach after and just wasn't as satisfied. I liked it, but not loved it. I am still planning on reading more Karen White. One thing I liked about this book was learning stuff about that time period.
I won this book in a bookmovement giveaway. I didn't realize it was Christian fiction when I entered the giveaway. I have never read Christian fiction, but I loved this sweet book. It's an easy summer read and would be good for Christian book groups. It's definitely more of a fun read than anything.
This is an epic tale. It's got multiple characters and multiple story lines all going at once that combine nicely together. It's not a light read -- 600+ pages with lots of details. I really enjoyed it and am on to the second book.
What a great easy summer read. I loved it. You could easily identify with characters and having not seen the movie I can easily see why they picked Kate Hudsen for Darcy! Definitely a good summer book.
I liked how this book was about Darcy and not Rachel like the first book. I think it was a great follow up. Another fun summer read. Definitely read Something Borrowed first.
The first book was good, but this was better. Things happened I never expected. I am definitely going to finish the series!
This was a really long book. It took me forever to read, but it was worth it. Martin keeps pulling tricks out of his hat. I can't wait to go on.
This books is really part of two. The author split one book into this book and the fifth book in the series geographically. This explores some new characters and some old, but most of my favorites weren't in this book because they're in the next. So I felt it was more a chore to get through some parts. I am really looking for to Dance of the Dragons next.
I really liked this book. It was a great book to read after completing some heavier reading. It was fun and cooky.
I love this author and I loved this book. It kept me reading and I probably read it in a couple of days. Her characters are so interesting and leave me wanting to know more.
Karen White did a wonderful jon creating a mysterious love story. I really enjoyed this book. I didn't figure out ahead what really happened.
I liked much of the story but it didn't flow as well for me as a reader. I usually love her books and so far this is the one that's my least favorite. It did have some interesting historical information.
I accidentally read the first book in this Karen White series first and loved it. Then I realized there was a book before it and went back to read this one. I definitely liked the second one better. It was stronger than this one. But this one does set it up a little. I would suggest reading it so you could read the second one. Love, love, love Karen White.
This book reminded me loosely of the Reese Witherspoon movie Sweet Home Alabama at times. I really enjoyed it. It was fun and charming. It had some sad moments that brought tears to my eyes but left you happy at the end.
This was a straight forward, fun read. Nothing too heavy to talk about with a book group.
I like all her books and this one was no different. It had some dark stuff, but was good.
I always like Karen White. I sometimes don't really feel the "she is an old, wise person in a child's body," but I still liked it.
it wasn't my favorite Nicholas Sparks. It was kind of gloomy because you wonder from the beginning how this married woman her one true love (that she's not married to) are going to reconnect and make it. I liked the characters and the set-up to the climax with them, but I felt a bit let down at the end. But overall, if you like his books, you will probably enjoy this one and it does have some good talking points for book groups.
I have read her other books and had a little bit of a hard time getting into this one. I don't know if it was the flow of words at first or what. But once I got into it, I liked it.
I really enjoyed it and can't wait to read the next installment!
I really liked it. I would suggest reading the other two first so you know the characters.
I thought the author did a great job working the old, black and white photos into the story. It was definitely a fresh, good story. I really enjoyed it.
definitely a fun read. I enjoyed it. You get an uplifting Christmas romance. Not sure if it's really a book club selection unless your book club likes romances.
not really book club material unless your a romantic book club. I love Nora Roberts, but would have a hard time really discussing these.
This book was definitely more graphic sexually than I normally read, but the story was good. I felt like the mystery of it could have led to many different killers, so I liked the suspense of it. Not really my idea of a great book club book (unless you don't mind others knowing you're reading several sex scenes), but fun.
This book feels like either being in Judd's head or listening to a BFF tell you all about their crazy family. Some parts are so crazy, you know it could happen that way. Loved the way it was written from the get go.
This book was so enjoyable to read -- almost poetic. I loved the descriptions and how beautiful they were. The skipping back and forth in time kind of threw me at times, but over all I loved this book.
I really enjoyed this book. There was never a time when something wasn't going on and it was dragging. I didn't know the killer until almost the end and even then there were a few twists I wasn't aware of.
The only thing I wished was that I had read the other books in the series so I knew more of the backstory. I wanted to know more about Rachel's life.
Great book!
We were all a little surprised at how much we liked this book. Most of us didn't like Dex personally most of the time, but he made for a great character. We were all shocked by chapter 18. Definitely a surprise for us all there.
It was really interesting to read the thoughts and stories of the three main characters. I really enjoyed Liza's parts, which were interesting since she was a recovering stroke victim. There were a lot of really neat twists and turns and I found myself wanting to read it more and more.
Eve Dallas is at her best when trying to solve a murder at a Hollywood party she attends. What makes it even creepier is the victim is the person playing Detective Peabody in a movie about the Icove case.
This is another classic Eve Dallas book. If you liked the others, you will most likely like this one too.
and I loving reading the books first. It was really good. It was effortless to read and you could really understand what the characters were feeling. Great read. I am going to try to talk my book group into it for our next pick.
I loved it. The first chapter made me cringe but by the time I got into the story, I got past the writing. This is definitely Twilight (minus the vampires) for adults. It got me hooked and I wanted more. It is very graphic for those interested in reading it. I would blush knowing people knew I was reading it, but it was worth it.
It is more of the same and then some. The writing seems to have gotten a little better, but maybe I'm just used to it now.
because I did wish the writing was a little better. And I was ready for some new phrases to come out of Ana and Christian's mouths, but I did love all 3 books. They were hot, hot, hot and had us all addicted. I think we all read them back to back and within a couple of weeks.
This was a very emotional Kristin Hannah book. Several parts had tears in my eyes. I love her books and this one was good as well. I think there are a lot of people that could easily relate to this book. I think maybe I wanted more happy and less sad and this topic just doesn't lend itself to that.
My group had a great time discussing this book. We loved how it was told from many points of view and through many dfferent generations. I also liked the beautiful descriptions of the garden and estate and the fairy tales. I can't wait to read more of her books.
All of the Virgin River novels are fun, romantic reads. I enjoy them. They move fast and are over before you know it. And then there's another one with new and old characters to read about!
All of the Virgin River novels are fun, romantic reads. I enjoy them. They move fast and are over before you know it. And then there's another one with new and old characters to read about!
is cute. It's definitely a light read. Not sure if it's really book group material, unless your book group like easy romaces. This one introduces Virgin River and a few main characters that follow in the rest of the series. You don't have to read them in any order. All of the Virgin River novels are fun, romantic reads. I enjoy them. They move fast and are over before you know it. And then there's another one with new and old characters to read about!
The witness is about a woman running from the Russian mob. I enjoyed the first section about young Elizabeth and liked the character of Brooks. I had a harder time believing and relating to Abigail. She was just so robotic to me. I normally love Nora Roberts and can't put her books down, but this one wasn't one of my most favorite. It was good and would be good for a discussion, but I can't say I was longing for more when it was finished.
Not a great discussion book, but I still liked it.
I had read The Forgotten Garden and loved it, so we chose this book. It was definitely slow to start. I agree with another reviewer in that it took me almost a third of the book to get into it. I almost didn't finish it. We all did like the book, just a little too slow.
Beautiful Sacrifice centers around Lina Taylor, her family, a new ex-cop "friend" and stolen Maya artifacts. All the events in the story take place in the days leading up to the Maya 2012 end of the world. It is fast paced, interesting and fun.
Karen White once again weaves a tale of past and present generations of women. Her Southern settings add to the stories and always a draw you in with the descriptions of them.
I have never felt the need to look for my birth parents, but I thought this book gave good insight into one that would with Kirby. I thought the emotions were real and raw. I liked the birth father's interaction with the birth mother, but some of that didn't feel so real. Overall, great read.
I've read all of Maggie Stiefvater's books and this one is my favorite. It hooked me from the beginning and kept me going with all the different little mysteries that seemed to pop up. I loved the characters and how they all fit together. I read a review and someone said they thought it had the best last line in a book ever. I kept wondering what that would be and I must say it didn't disappoint. My only negative thing to say is that now I have to wait who knows how long for the next book in the series. Hurry up, Ms. Stiefvater! I need more!
I really loved the Hunger Games and felt a loss when it was over. Divergent was the answer. It was similar, but different enough to not feel like it was a copy cat. I really loved the book. I was swept away by Tris and her friends and their plight. I would highly suggest it.
I thought this was a good follow up to Divergent. I felt I got to know the characters better and was over before I was ready for it. I am eagerly awaiting the last book.
Have to admit the book started out a little slow for all of us. About 90 pages in I read something in one of the Nick chapters and went, "Huh?" I felt like maybe I missed something and thought I might need to start the book over again. I didn't but then I got even further and was dealt another, "WHAT?" It just kept going from there. Without giving anything away, I must say this book kept me in a lurch the entire time. I felt like I never knew what to believe. Great book. We all would recommend it.
A good follow up to Bared to You. There was a lot of angst -- We're together. We're broken up. Are we together? Are we broken up? It wasn't the best book we've ever read, but it was entertaining. We all agreed that we want to read the third book since we thought the most interesting part was the last chapter.
I enjoyed the way this book relied on correspondence between multiple people and Bee's perspective to tell the story. I had a great time reading it. I can see it will be a lot of fun to talk about all the perspectives at book group.
It started out a little slow and was fairly similiar to 50 Shades. A good read, if you liked that one.
I have read the whole Virgin River series and have really enjoyed it. It's a nice, fun read. Not necessarily a book group read, unless your group likes romances.
I have read all of Bella Andre's Sullivan series books and have realy enjoyed them. They are contemporary romance, so there is a lot of sexual tension and trying to fight off feelings of love. You wouldn't have to have read all of the previous books to enjoy this one.
Rachel Gibson always delivers on fun romance.
I have to say this wasn't a favorite book. It starts out so slow and takes too long to build to the twists and turns. It does have good twists and turns, though, so it might make an ineresting book group.
It was a great wrap up to the story started in the first two books of the series.
I read Gone Girl and really liked it, so I went looking for Gillian Flynn's other books. I picked this one up at the library and couldn't put it down. I loved Camille Preaker and her oddity. I highly suggest it.
It really is dark and twisted, but I couldn't put it down. Great story.
I had tears in my eyes at the end.
I feel bad giving this book only 2 stars. This is the first book I have read by this author and although the writing is great, I probably wouldn\\\'t read another of her books. The beginning really grabbed me and I was immediately interested, but the book slowed down toward the middle and there was no climax. I kept waiting for a big moment and felt it never came. I realize now the book was based on real people and fossil history, so I understand it but still felt a little let down.
Picked this book as a result of reading a Bookpage review. So happy we did. There was much to talk about regarding Ismae and her plight. Highly suggest it. We can't wait for the follow up.
This book was very emotional and thought provoking. Our group really enjoyed it.
After many years, Julia is still reeling from her parents\' divorce. She has moved states away and plans to never return to Edisto. But then a family dilemma pulls her back to her past.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a pretty quick read and reminded me a little of my favorite author Karen White.
Karen White does an awesome job of weaving past and present, mystery and love all into one book. I didn't want it to end.
I am a big Nora Roberts fan. Her last hard cover release The Witness was not my favorite Nora Robert's book because I felt the characters a little unrelateable, so when Whiskey Beach was released I was a little hesitant to read it. I loved this book. I could relate to the characters and the setting was fantastic.
But if you are expecting the story to wrap up, it won't.
The story begins were the second book left off and while you will still love the characters and their relationship, not as much happens in this installment as you want it to. I enjoyed reading it, but felt a little let down that more didn't happen to conclude the story.
I loved Firefly Lane. It was a book I passed onto friends and suggested to others to read. When I saw that a follow up was being released, I was overjoyed. I liked the book and thought it was a good follow up.
That being said, it is really sad. The world of those in Firefly Lane got very dark after the conclusion of the first book. It was hard to read at some points, but left lots to discuss for book group.
Everyone loved it. It was so much fun to read. It was hilarious.
It was a joy to read. It was interesting to learn more about lighthouses and discuss the characters' actions.
Kate (or Katie, as her family calls her) has tried to shed her past and begin a new life with her boyfriend of 4 years, Rowan. As he gets closer to proposing, she finds herself looking to the past to help her face her fears of forever. This journey takes her to her teenage boyfriend Jack and the secrets they share.
Emaline has just graduated from her small town high school. As she counts down the days until she leaves for school she deals with her absentee father, her crazy mom and sisters that like to hang out in her room and her 3 year relationship with her boyfriend.
This would be a good choice for a teen book group.
I loved it. I agree with another review that it is a good read for both teens and adults but better for a teen group to discuss. I couldn\\\'t put it down. I had to get City of Ashes ASAP to find out what was next.
I loved City of Bones and since it ended with a cliff hanger, of course, I read City of Ashes. Once again I loved it and couldn't wait to pick of City of Glass.
I loved the first two Mortal Instrument books and this one concluded the ongoing story line well. There are more books in the series, but it really could have ended well at this book.
I loved the first three books in this series and tore right through them. I felt the story could probably have ended with the third book. It seemed like I almost had to push myself to read City of Fallen Angels at times. It wasn't until I was about 2/3 of the way through that I got hooked. I wish the story line would have moved a little quicker. It was still a good read and teens would probably have quite a bit to discuss but I am not sure adults would.
City of Lost Souls brought me back to loving the series. After being somewhat disappointed with City of Fallen Angels, I was happy to be engrossed in this one. I also liked how it did not end in a cliff hanger. I can't wait to read book 6.
Another fun read by Mary Kay Andrews. Grace's life is turned upside down when she catches her husband cheating. With no place to go but her mother's apartment over the family dive bar, Grace sets out to get her life back one court mandated therapy session at a time.
Kate is excited to leave the confines of her life with her grandmother to move to a farming community with her new husband, Joe. What she does know is that she will also be living with her mother-in-law and a family curse.
I liked how the book went back and forth between present and past. It was a story that moved swiftly and kept your attention. I could see having several points to discuss at my book group.
This is another great YA trilogy. If you like Cassandra Clare, Stephenie Meyer, Maggie Steifvater, Veronica Roth or Suzanne Collins I bet you will love this too. It hooked me from the beginning and I didn't want to put it down.
I loved Grave Mercy and was excited to read Dark Triumph. I was a little sad that the main character wasn't Ismae, but Sybella was just as entertaining. I can't wait for the third book to come out.
Marie Force is an excellent romance writer. This is a great series. Would be better to read them in order as stories carry on through the books. Probably not very good for book club, but definitely a fun, romantic read.
A nice, quick romantic read. Part of a series about boxers falling passionately in love. Not necessarily a good book club book.
A young boxer falls in love with an older woman. A fun read, but not necessarily book group material.
A college freshman moves in with her mom's friend's family that she has never met before. She starts to have feelings for one of the sons. It was a little predictable but there were some good talking points for book groups.
This is the first in the series of 3. It draws you in like 50 shades does and makes you fall in love with the characters.
Sutter is a fun-loving high school senior that everyone loves to party with. He has had several girlfriends, but at some point they all leave him for something "more." He meets Aimee one morning and feels the need to help her navigate her way through the end of their senior year.
Sutter is an interesting narrator and found myself rooting for him through out the book. I think it would a good book for group discussion.
I did not know when I started to read this that it was the first of seven upcoming books. I have to admit it was a little hard to get into at first for me, but then once I was in, I was addicted. I loved the character or Paige and meeting all her unique friends. If you like Divergent or The Hunger Games, chances are you will like this fantasy. I think there are a lot of different talking points you could have with this book for book club.
I read Flat Out Love and Flat Out Matt and liked them, but Left Drowning blew them out of the water. The character of Blythe drew me in and I fell in love with her and the Shepherd family. Some of the book had adult content, but it seemed to further the story. Lots to talk about for a book group.
Mcclean is named after the college basketball coach her dad played for and loved. Since her mom left her dad for the new coach of her dad's favorite team, she has been inventing a new identity with each move she and her dad make.
A teen goes through a violent relationship. Good talking points for teen groups.
A great YA book about a family dealing with the death of a father.
Haven's dad is remarrying, her sister is getting married and her mom is going to London for a few weeks. She is almost 6 foot tall and hates it. When her sister's ex-boyfriend Sumner shows back up in town, Haven finds herself drawn to him and the happy summer when her sister dated him. Not my favorite Sarah Dessen, but still good. More for a teenage crowd.
It wasn\\\'t the exciting read Divergent or Insurgent were, but it was okay. It definitely wasn\\\'t what I expected and I am still trying to decide if I liked the ending or not. I don\\\'t want to spoil it for anyone, so I won\\\'t say anything else. There are definitely different talking points for groups that are reading it.
Remy is one of my favorite Sarah Dessen girls yet. I think this would be a good teen book group read.
I really enjoy Sarah Dessen books. She follows a formula that works. Her books definitely bring me back to those teenage years. I think almost all of her books make for good teen book club picks. There is always a relatable issue, whether your a teen or adult.
What an amazing book filled with some good twists and turns.
Honestly, I didn't want to read this book. I knew it was about teenagers with cancer and I wasn't sure it was something I wanted to read about. I like happy endings. And although this book broke my heart, it also made me laugh out loud. Worth the time it took to read it.
I think this book would make an excellent book group book. There are many talking points from Shandi's "virgin birth" to William's tragedy to how Joshilyn Jackson dealt with rape.
Josh is beginning his senior year of high school by moving in with his Uncle Larry, a karate man. He is running from his old life, the one night stand he got pregnant, the adoption of that child and his feelings about the whole thing. The book tells how his uncle involves him in karate and helps him move forward in life.
Ellie is a promiscuous teenager looking for someone to love her. Josh is a virgin whose soccer buddies are egging him on to lose it. One night at a party results in Ellie becoming pregnant. This story follows Ellie, Josh and their friends Corrine and Caleb as they deal with the pregnancy, school, friendships and life. It's an honest feeling book that will have you racing to read the follow up book, Living with Jackie Chan.
If you like Nora Roberts, you will most likely enjoy this book. It is witches set in beautiful Ireland.
I got this book as a Amazon Prime Kindle Firsts. I really enjoyed this book.
Mercy Taylor is born into a witch family, but has no powers. Her twin sister Maisie, go all the power, looks and boyfriend that Mercy desires. When the family matriarch is found dead, Maisie is ready to step up and lead the family...and then the twists and turns begin.
I love Nora Roberts, but this trilogy is a little lackluster. The storyline is interesting, but the love stories leave you wanting a little more. It was good, but not amazing. Worth the read if you are a Nora fan.
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