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Souls Collide (Collide Series #3) by Kristina Beck – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Souls Collide (Collide Series #3)Souls Collide by Kristina Beck
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Souls Collide is the third book in Kristina Beck’s The Collide Series. It is a stand-alone book, that tells the story of two characters who are thrown together by a series of events and learn more about each other, and themselves, along the way.
The characters were fairly interesting. Alexa is an intelligent and bubbly pharmaceutical salesperson, plagued by a series of unfortunate dates (for whom she has nicknames). Kent is a police officer who is struggling through the darkness of grief and the fear of losing his sister. They are introduced as a contrast, but throughout the story more is revealed and developed in their characters.
It opens as a standard romance – characters (and the chemistry between them!) are introduced and the reader thinks they know where it’s going. But as the story progresses, the plot is complicated with twists, suspense and surprises which makes it much more exciting to read!
Beck’s attention to detail is evident throughout the book, but particularly striking in the way she includes cancer in the story. With a variety of perspectives and a sensitive approach, this is particularly well done.
For me this is a four-star read. I’d recommend it if you want an emotional romance with plenty of friction and suspense. I haven’t read any of the other books in the series, but I’ll definitely keep them in mind for later!

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Fatal Legislation: A Novel: Karina Cardinal Mystery Book 2 by Ellen Butler – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Fatal Legislation: A Novel: Karina Cardinal Mystery Book 2Fatal Legislation: A Novel: Karina Cardinal Mystery Book 2 by Ellen Butler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fatal Legislation is the second book in Ellen Butler’s Karina Cardinal Mystery series. Yet again, Karina ends up being swept up in a mystery that her inquisitive mind won’t let her leave alone.
I like the variety in the Karina Cardinal Mysteries. The first book, Isabella’s Painting, focused on art theft and this book focuses on political assassination. With Karina and other supporting characters to connect the stories, there is a sense of cohesion but the story has a very different feel to it.
Fatal Legislation kept me on my toes. There was always something new coming up – another twist in the story. Whenever Karina starts to piece things together, something changes or comes up. It’s also interesting to see the strain it puts on Mike and Karina’s relationship as he struggles to balance his personal relationship with her and his responsibilities in the investigation.
I wouldn’t normally go for political thrillers, but having met Karina in Isabella’s Painting I was eager to read this and found myself really enjoying it. It gives a fascinating insight into American politics and is suspenseful and enjoyable. For me, it’s a five star read.
The story follows on from Isabella’s Painting, and I would recommend reading that book first (it’s also very good!). That said, Butler does a good job of setting the scene and reminding the reader of anything they need to know so if you’re only really after a political thriller you could come in at this book.

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Forgetting Ophelia: A Novel by Julie C. Gardner – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Forgetting Ophelia: A Novel (Friendship & Secrets, #2)Forgetting Ophelia: A Novel by Julie C. Gardner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Forgetting Ophelia is a wonderful novel by Julie C. Gardner. It tells the story of Lia, a young woman whose life is turned upside down by a series of sudden and unexpected events.
I really liked that, although there is romance in the book, the focus is much more on a variety of relationships including friendships and parent/child relationships. With a fairly large cast of characters, we get so many different relationships explored. It’s fascinating, and often moving.
Forgetting Ophelia is about change. As she rebuilds her life, Lia decides what to keep and what to let go of, how to stay the same and how to move on. This makes for a very uplifting read!
As a teacher, I particularly enjoyed reading about how great Lia is with her pupils! Although most of the story takes place away from the classroom, her support and care for each of her pupils contributes to making her a loveable character.
Gardner makes it easy for the reader to keep up with the large cast of characters by bringing them up in relation to their context and reminding us of how they relate to Lia. I found the characters really interesting and varied. I particularly liked Caleb, who is very observant and only speaks when he feels he has something worth saying.
For me, this is a five star read. I’d recommend it to fans of writers such as Cecelia Ahern and anyone who feels trapped in their life.

@translunartumshie

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Rhapsody and Rebellion (Enduring Legacy #7) by Aubrey Wynne – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Rhapsody and Rebellion (Enduring Legacy #7)Rhapsody and Rebellion by Aubrey Wynne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rhapsody and Rebellion is the seventh book in the Enduring Legacy series. Each book is by a different author (in this case, Aubrey Wynne), but all focus on the same Scottish family whose mysterious powers are both a blessing and a curse. The books can be read as stand-alone stories, but are connected to each other.
I really liked the grounding in historical events, and the attention to historical detail in the worldbuilding. It definitely falls into the historical fiction bracket for combining history lesson with drama and bringing a time and place to life. For me, the written Scots didn’t quite flow but this may have been because it was only used for certain words. Other than that, I felt thoroughly drawn into the story!
I particularly liked the character Alisabeth – she’s grieving and struggling to find her place in families in the world after losing her husband. She’s sensitive to those around her and generally a well-developed character.
It’s a classic love story, but the historical setting and magic add a unique flavour. If you like romance, and are interested in British history (although mostly focusing on Scotland, we get to see various places in England as well!), this is definitely worth a read! For me, it gets four stars.

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Truly Unfortunate (Welcome To Knollville Book 1) by C.A. King – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Truly Unfortunate (Welcome To Knollville Book 1)Truly Unfortunate by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Truly Unfortunate is the first book in C.A. King’s Welcome to Knollville series. I have read and enjoyed a number of C.A. King’s books in the past, including her Portal Prophecies and Four Horsemen series, so knew I could expect enchanting world-building and strong, interestingly complicated characters and a thoroughly enjoyable story!
Truly Unfortunate tells the story of Truly, a young woman struggling to remember her tragic past (TW – mentions of abuse although there are no graphic descriptions). As the story progresses, she remembers more about her childhood and we begin to wonder how it might be linked to a series of unusual deaths happening in the present.
Truly is truly (haha) a great character. She is working several jobs to afford medical treatment and rent, working hard to overcome her trauma and amnesia. She is also kind and considerate to her friends, good at solving problems and willing to stand up for herself.
The supporting characters include Jeff and Miranda, the detectives trying to make sense of the series of seemingly accidental deaths. They’re clever and determined, and able to joke about the ridiculous situations they find themselves in! And there’s Stan, the bus driver, a character who will feel familiar to anyone who frequents public transport. I also particularly liked Maria, Truly’s colleague and friend who lightens the otherwise quite dark tone.
Truly Unfortunate is quite a dark book, with a wonderful and gripping story. For me it’s a five star read – I struggled to put it down! I’d recommend it to anyone who likes a mystery with a touch of magic.

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Isabella’s Painting (Karina Cardinal Mystery #1) by Ellen Butler – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Isabella's Painting (Karina Cardinal Mystery #1)Isabella’s Painting by Ellen Butler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Isabella’s Painting by Ellen Butler is the first in her Karina Cardinal Mystery series. We are introduced to Karina, the hero of the series, as she gets caught up in solving the mystery of a strange painting she suspects may link her potential father-in-law with a major art theft.
Karina is a great character! She reminds me of Catherine Morland from Northanger Abbey in the ways that she snoops around to uncover the secrets of her too-perfect boyfriend and his family. Unlike Catherine, though, Karina’s suspicions are more the product of her observant and analytical mind than novel-fuelled fantasies. Karina is a lobbyist for a medical organisation and so has a law degree and strong morals which make her a perfect lead for this series!
It’s a really enjoyable book! The mystery is enthralling and the romance enticing. The story is well fleshed out with supporting characters and various events giving the main characters time and space to develop. The story is told from Karina’s point of view, which works well as we find out her suspicions but can’t find out if she’s right or not until she does.
For me, this is a five star book and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I’d recommend it to art fans and people who like a bit of mystery with their romance!

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Embrace the Passion (Pets in Space Anthologies, #3) by Various Authors – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Embrace the Passion (Pets in Space Anthologies, #3)Embrace the Passion by S.E. Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Embrace The Passion is the third Pets in Space book. It is an anthology of science fiction romances, all featuring animals of some description, sold in support of an animal charity. There are 11 stories, each by a different author, and the stories are all very different and enjoyable.
The first story I read was Quashi. I was drawn to it as the cute fluffy aliens sounded a bit like tribbles. It turns out they aren’t exactly tribbles, but are similarly cute and disastrous! I liked the main character, Chanda, who is quite funny and relatable as she struggles to make the best out of a situation where she is hopelessly out of her depth!
Operation Ark is another great one, particularly if you’re after an array of different space animals! The animals do all seem to resemble Earth animals – they’re mostly introduced as “like x only bigger/a different colour”. But they have a lot of character and it’s an entertaining story! Like Quashi, there’s a mysterious creature no one knows much about that is developed over the course of the story.
I liked the space port setting in Starway and the way that Star, the sniffer dog, is introduced to the story. With lots of space politics and covert operations, it’s a gripping story with complex characters!
The stories are varied, but have in common exciting extra-terrestrial settings, animals with strong and loveable personalities and three-dimensional protagonists. For me, this is a overall a four star book. I’d recommend it to sci-fi fans who love animals and want to try out lots of different authors!

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Across From You by Amabel Daniels – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Across From YouAcross From You by Amabel Daniels
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Across From You by Amabel Daniels is a charming romantic comedy about two people who, despite being determinedly not looking for relationships, find their paths crossing. It’s a story of love and friendship, and is an entertaining and enjoyable read.
Lexi has just been dumped rather dramatically and publicly on social media when the story begins. After such brutal treatment from a man she trusted, she’s wary of getting into anything anytime soon. That doesn’t stop her from rather enjoying the nude model at an art class her best friend has dragged her along to! Lexi is a determined and loveable character, fighting to stay positive for her cousin Bev’s wedding in spite of everything. And Jack – nude model and, conveniently, a friend of Bev’s, is a gentle and warm character.
The story alternates between Lexi and Jack’s perspective each chapter. This works well, as we see them falling in love from both angles. It also lets us see the misunderstandings and assumptions they are making about each other, and get a sense for why they do and say what they do. Both of them are hurting from past relationships, and cautious about trusting someone else.
The drama of Bev’s wedding provides a great backdrop for the story. As well as an excuse for the characters to be together, it pits them against common enemies (tactless bridesmaids, a tyrannical wedding coordinator) and allows for an exploration of love at different stages.
For me, this is a five star read. I really enjoyed it, and was quickly drawn in by the loveable characters and entertaining scenarios. If you’re after something fun and positive, I’d recommend this. I imagine it would be particularly enjoyable to anyone familiar with the stresses of a wedding day!

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Romance in Rehoboth Boxed Set (Books 1-3) by K.L. Montgomery – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Romance in Rehoboth Boxed Set (Books 1-3)Romance in Rehoboth Boxed Set by K.L. Montgomery
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

K.L. Montgomery’s Romance in Rehoboth series is a collection of feel-good romances set in Chesapeake Bay, with the first three books brought together in this set. The stories all work as stand-alone books, with each focusing on a different couple.
Montgomery ties the stories together by having characters popping up in each other’s books. This is really lovely as it makes everyone a bit more familiar and three-dimensional. It also gives readers a chance to see the romances progressing after the “happily ever after”.
Fat Girl is a great introduction to the series, although I had actually already read some of the later books. Claire is a loveable, relatable character who you can’t help but root for. As a recently single mum approaching her forties, getting back on the dating scene is not without it’s difficulties, which are compounded by her anxieties about her weight. The story is mostly light and funny, but we see Claire struggling and overcoming her insecurities as well.
The Flip tells a wonderful story of two people brought together by an unlikely event, getting to know each other as they work through the herculean task of fixing up an old house. Enemies to lovers isn’t usually my favourite trope, but it’s well done here with both Sonnet and Drew being interesting characters in their own rights.
Plot Twist is my favourite of the three. Musical theatre! What’s not to love? It’s fun, uplifting and relatable to anyone who’s ever been involved in theatre.
They’re great books, and fun to read together. There’s already a fourth book which is also great! For me, this collection gets five stars and I’d recommend it to anyone who wants feel-good romance between loveable, relatable characters.

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ALTERATIONS TRILOGY: Alterations, Game Changer, Primal Will by Jane Suen – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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ALTERATIONS TRILOGY: Alterations, Game Changer, Primal WillALTERATIONS TRILOGY: Alterations, Game Changer, Primal Will by Jane Suen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Alterations Trilogy by Jane Suen tells the story of a scientist, the so-called “Dr” Kite, who has developed a series of microchips that can alter people’s bodies and minds. The trilogy focuses primarily on three women – Gigi, Ellen and Lilly. Each of them has something about themselves that they would like to change, and Dr Kite offers this change. Like most wish-granting stories, though, there is a cost and each woman must face the consequences of her decision.
It’s a fascinating story, and very thought-provoking. It got me wondering about what I would most want to change about myself, and how far I’d go to achieve that. It also made me think about the things we value, particularly with regards to physical beauty, and the shortcuts people are encouraged to take to achieve these often unrealistic ideals.
The narrative jumps between several different characters. Character changes are heralded with new chapters, but sometimes the chapters can be quite short. I found it mostly easy to follow, and the character changes kept me in suspense as the different stories unfolded.
At times, I felt the pacing wasn’t great. The second book in particular seemed to primarily be spent building up to the third book – no bad thing when reading the trilogy as a set but not great if you’re trying to read the books separately. I would recommend reading all three together, as it allows the story to develop.
For me, this is a four-star read. Really interesting concept, and I found myself warming to the characters (particularly Ellen, as the story progressed!). I’d recommend this to anyone who is concerned about drastic weight-loss and anti-ageing solutions!

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Michael’s Heart by Lori Thomas Harrington – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Michael's HeartMichael’s Heart by Lori Thomas Harrington
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Michael’s Heart by Lori Thomas Harrington is a romance novel with a focus on music and the afterlife. Musician Colbie is nearly killed in a car crash and has a second brush with death on the operating table. When her heart stops, she encounters Michael who may just be the soul mate she’s been searching for.
The narrative jumps around in time, giving us flashbacks that fill in the background as the story unfolds. There’s a fair bit of mystery that unravels over the course of the story. It keeps you hooked as there’s always more to uncover!
I really like the way Colbie is written, and how she interacts with the many supporting characters. I particularly like Lyric, her daughter, Ali, her friend and Dani, her sister. While it is a romance novel, it celebrates many different kinds of love which is lovely to read.
The musical side of things adds an interesting dimension to the story. It’s wonderful to read about how Colbie experiences music – it encourages me to rethink how I’m listening to music!
I give this book four stars. It’s a moving story, and great if you want something that will take you on an emotional journey.

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The Jack (The Immortal Series Book Two) by M.K. Harkins – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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The Jack (The Immortal Series Book Two)The Jack by M.K. Harkins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Jack is the exciting second book in M.K. Harkins’ The Immortals series. It picks up a couple of years after the first book, The Reader, ended with the extinction of (nearly) all of the Jacks – a race of immortals who bring terror and death to the world.
I’m glad there was a chance for Archer to develop more as a character, following the events of the previous book. It was also great to get to know Sadie – I really liked her as a character (and Eve!). The way she’d struggled over the years with her immortality and the mortality of everyone around her reminded me of other characters, such as The Doctor in Doctor Who and Tom Hazard in How To Stop Time. Many of the other characters from The Reader had a role, and it was good to see how they’d grown in the time between the books and look at them from different perspectives.
I love the fantasy world M.K. Harkins has created! I’m a big fan of urban fantasy and the meeting of the real world and something other. There’s also a bit of a sci-fi feel to it as the various immortal races employ advanced science and technology.
For me, this is a five star book. I’m really enjoying this series. It’s very original, intriguing and well developed. I’d recommend it to sci-fi and fantasy fans, especially if you like stories about immortal characters.

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The Kitty Committee: A Novel of Suspense by Kathryn Berla – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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The Kitty Committee: A Novel of SuspenseThe Kitty Committee: A Novel of Suspense by Kathryn Berla
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Kitty Committee by Kathryn Berla is a dark coming of age story. It tells the story of Grace, a naïve girl who gets caught up in a dangerous friendship group.
The narrative switches between different points in time, so we get Grace’s experiences as a teenager and the impact it has on her as an adult side-by-side. This is very effective – we know something bad will happen and have some clues as to what but have to wait to find out what.
It reminded me a lot of Mean Girls at times. Grace’s parents are missionaries and she has spent most of her life away from America. Initially, she has a hard time adjusting to high school until she is accepted by Carly and Maggie. It also reminded me a bit of Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit, particularly nearer the start. I was worried at times that it was going to be too much like Mean Girls (not that I have anything against Mean Girls!) but the structure allows for the girls’ choices and actions to have much deeper and more serious consequences.
There’s a lot going on in this story – sometimes it feels like a bit too much to follow everything at once but it’s also very enjoyable. Grace spends some time travelling around Europe which was particularly fun to read about!
For me, this is a four star book. I’d recommend it to fans of high school stories like Mean Girls who are after something a bit darker.

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The Portal Prophecies Volume I (The Portal Prophecies Volumes Book 1) by C.A. King – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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The Portal Prophecies Volume I (The Portal Prophecies Volumes Book 1)The Portal Prophecies Volume I by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have loved C. A. King’s The Portal Prophecies series and it’s wonderful to now have the first half of the series collected together in one volume. It provides a great introduction to the series, and a chance to see the story and Willow, the protagonist, develop over a longer stretch of time.
Of the three books included in this volume, A Keeper’s Destiny is my favourite and actually is one of my favourite books that I read last year. It introduces the incredibly well-developed fantasy setting (which continues to expand throughout the series with lots of new, well-connected settings to explore) and gets Willow off on her adventure.
A Halloween’s Curse and Frost Bitten are particularly suited to be in a volume together as they both have a holiday theme to them. Mostly, this works quite well but there are moments (particularly in Frost Bitten) where it gets a bit ridiculous! Both books work well as a continuation of the story, but I would say they’d be best enjoyed in the autumn and winter when you’re in the holiday mood. Reading in the summer was a bit weird!
These are really great books, and it’s very handy having the three combined in one volume (particularly as books 4-6 are going to be released in a single volume as well). For me this definitely deserves 5 stars! It’s an enjoyable Young Adult Fantasy series with a strong female lead and an interesting cast of supporting characters, set in a detailed and awesome world. A Halloween’s Curse also has elements of Urban Fantasy which works quite well. I would definitely recommend this to any fans of YA Fantasy looking for a new series to get sucked into, and think it would be a particularly good collection to read around Halloween and Christmas when the books are set.

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Alice Will (Dreams of Chaos #1) by Ashley Chappell – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Alice Will (Dreams of Chaos #1)Alice Will by Ashley Chappell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Alice Will by Ashley Chappell is a brilliant fantasy story that follows two girls, Alice and Trotter, who both have incredible powers that they don’t fully understand or know how to control. They live in a world of gods and magic where their powers attract a lot of attention. It’s the first book in the Dreams of Chaos series.

I’ve really enjoyed reading this book. The fantasy setting has something of a Neil Gaiman feel to it, with elements that also bring to mind Lewis Carroll and Douglas Adams. It’s very whimsical and at times surreal – a real treat for the imagination!

Alice and Trotter are both great characters. Their powers allow them to shape their realities according to their wishes and fantasies. Trotter is more hesitant with her powers – as she is older she’s had more experiences of things going wrong. And she has Prowler – a talking cat who tries his very best to stop her doing anything dangerous!

The story has plenty of mysteries to unravel and threats to worry about. The narrative shifts frequently between different strands of the story, often leaving the reader on a slight cliffhanger.

I’d definitely recommend this to fantasy fans looking for something new to read. I’m already thinking of friends I could get it for! It’s a great story, brilliant setting and loveable characters. A solid 5 stars from me!

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Flowers in December by Jane Suen – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Flowers in DecemberFlowers in December by Jane Suen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Flowers in December by Jane Suen tells the story of a young man, Connor, returning to the town where he grew up to bury his mother. Having spent most of his adult life working hard to keep away from the town (for reasons that become clearer towards the end of the book), he faces guilt at having not returned more frequently while his parents were alive and once again has a chance to spend some time in town as he sorts out his parents’ possessions and gets to know the people who were important to them. The change of pace also prompts him to begin to think critically about his lifestyle and the choices that he has made along the way.
It’s a charming book, with a loveable cast of characters (Tom the cat is probably my favourite, with elderly neighbour Mrs Rainer in close second). Suen approaches the theme of grief sensitively and doesn’t sugar-coat it.
Although on the shorter side, the story seems to be just the right length. I didn’t feel, like so often with shorter books, that it ended abruptly and equally it didn’t drag on.
For me, this book gets five out of five stars. I enjoyed reading it and had difficulty putting it down. I’d recommend it if you’re looking for something short and satisfying with a focus on friendships (although there is also a little romance).

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