serinde4books's reviews
952 reviews

My Demon Romance by Aurora Ascher

3.0

This was a cute short story.  I felt like it was a little backwards where the spicy was in the front and the relationship  was the second half of the story.  But OK.

Quicksilver by Callie Hart

adventurous funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I don’t know how I feel about this…vampires and Fae mixed together. I’m not sure I like it.  But I do love some of the characters.  Carrion in particular.  This was a huge beast and it covered a lot, and it makes me nervous for what’s gonna be covered in the next one. Or actually it makes me nervous for what’s not going to be covered in the next one and then we will have a third huge tome that I will have to read.

Kiss by Jill Mansell

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

This was 388 pages of nothing!  I understand that this was meant to be twisty, oh will they won’t they blah blah blah but good Lord this was so much nothingness.  I like the characters they were fun, but the storyline dragged like nobody’s business.  And so much back-and-forth of where they won’t they, I wanted to throw the book.

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I wasn’t sure how I was going to like this.  I hate books with time travel, thankfully this wasn’t really a time travel book. But not only did I like this, I loved it.  I started subtly crying at chapter 31 and by the end it was an ugly cry.   This is not a love story like what you’re expecting, but it is a love story. I grew to love these characters with all their flaws.  The book is going to sit with me I think for a long time.  And ultimately, that is a love story on its own.

Talking Back to Facebook: The Common Sense Guide to Raising Kids in the Digital Age by James P. Steyer

informative medium-paced

3.0

I will admit this is a very dated book, 2012 was eons ago technology wise.  But it still has some great information on how to parent and manage the onslaught of social media.  Just apply the TikTok or the Instagram or whatever is the trend instead of the Facebook in MySpace.  This is written by the creator of common sense media, I use that site all the time to check things especially video games for my son for appropriateness.

It was interesting to me, though. There was one section of the book discussing Roe v. Wade, and it had nothing to do with abortion. It was discussing how important that Supreme Court ruling was for privacy. And how privacy is a fundamental right.  But I guess that’s outdated now.  

And also talked about how Zuckerberg had no concern for privacy or protect protecting our children. And I think in the years since this book was written, Facebook has become more invasive.

And also talked about news on social media, and how the algorithms can your world view. 

So yes, parts of the book are outdated. But there are also parts of this that are so important and timely in the age we’re living through now.   

Women And Children Last: Custody Disputes And The Family Justice System by Penny Goldsmith, Jan Barnsley, Georgina Taylor

3.0

I was able to relate to so much in this book. I realize that it was written 30 something years ago and all of those issues are still present is absolutely devastating. I really wish there was a more updated version of this book or a version of this book that is aimed at the United States justice system. 

Lowcountry Lost by T.I. Lowe

emotional hopeful lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I didn’t expect to enjoy this book as much as I did.  There were some really hard parts to read, I have suffered my own miscarriages.   I was often annoyed with Avalee’s stubbornness, but I adored Rowan.  Although there were parts that were sad, this was still a warm and fuzzy read.

North is the Night by Emily Rath

slow-paced

3.0

I really wanted to like this book. But there were parts that dragged forever and I really felt that it should’ve been two books.  I feel Sirri’s story should have been a different book from Aina’s story.  And I felt that Sirri’s was much better developed.  Aina’s story felt to chaotic and at times cliche.  This wasn’t a horrible book, but I didn’t love it.

Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

So I still loved the characters and the setting. I did not like all the twists the story took.  I understood them in the end, but they made me so mad.  Yes, I’m looking at you Hauth.  I admit I cried the last two chapters.  There were times I felt the story dragged, but in the end I was so sad to be leaving Blunder.

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

5.0

I don’t even know what to say beyond this is one of the most beautifully written books I have ever read.  Gillig can take me from laughing at the characters banter to crying at the heartbreak in span of a breath.  The characters are so well developed and I loved them all, even the ones I hated because they were so true to their nature.  The setting is breathtakingly beautiful in all the mist. I cannot wait to start the next one.