Echoes of Time (Surviving Time #3) by Calia Read

Echoes of Time (Surviving Time #3) by Calia Read

Synopsis: 

For Etienne and me, our love has always left a trace. 

 

It reigns over kingdoms, and rules over time. 

 

With Etienne now in the present day, the echoes of time grow louder. 

We must face the answers we seek to set things right.

However, we must be incredibly careful. One false move and everything we love will be destroyed.

 

And this time, could be the end of our surviving trace.

 

Echoes of Time is the epic finale in The Surviving Time Series.

Publishing Date: May 26th, 2019. 

 

My Rating: 

My Favourite Quote:  

“Time is Too Slow for those who Wait, 

Too Swift for those who Fear, 

Too Long for those who Grieve, 

Too Short for those who Rejoice; 

But for those who Love, 

Time is not.” 

~Henry Van Dyke

 

Links: Goodreads, Amazon.

 

 

My Review: 

Hmm. I have to admit, the first say 25 percent of the book was a lull for me. It was slower than usual and had very little of the pace that I expect from Calia Read based on the previous two books in this series. But somehow, suddenly, the pace swiftly took off and we were caught up in the storm that was the rest of the story. 

 

Serene and Étienne were everything that I remembered them to be and just like with the previous two books, in this as well, I was swept along and into their story. They weren’t the only ones desperate, confused and pretty much shaking with anticipation. There were literally many points during which I was almost scared to read and find out what was going to happen. Something akin to dread started to curl up within me with every bit of research that Serene did to find out the truth. Lord knows there was a good bit of foreboding that she feels and through her, us. Étienne, bless him, was everything he has always been. Frustrating, commanding, brooding, controlling and very very much in love with Serene. I loved seeing him in the present time and watching him absorb everything with the earnestness of someone who craves to learn (*cough cough* and do everything really well). But eventually, the plot of the story catches up to them. 

 

I’m usually not one to enjoy many perspectives in the book I’m reading. But I found myself lost even in the thoughts of the two (one more than the other) other characters who share a small portion of the word-space in the book. And though this was the last book in the series, I suddenly wished desperately for the stories to continue. I’m almost praying for a spin-off on the Lacroix siblings and I’m hoping the universe heard me. 

 

All-in-all, this book was worthy of the name finale and I thoroughly enjoyed the end with all my heart–God knows Serene and Étienne have been through enough to get what they have and be who they are with one another. Livingston, Nat and Asa were old friends I was more than happy to greet and based on the loose threads leftover, I’m hoping I see them soon! Five stars!! 

 

Calia Read, you have my heart!

Also, this book and its series is available on Kindle Unlimited; which makes it free for all KU subscribers! If you haven’t started, start now! Happy reading! 

Wicked and the Wallflower (The Bareknuckle Bastards, #1) by Sarah MacLean

Wicked and the Wallflower (The Bareknuckle Bastards, #1)  by Sarah MacLean

Synopsis:

 

When Wicked Comes Calling…

When a mysterious stranger finds his way into her bedchamber and offers his help in landing a duke, Lady Felicity Faircloth agrees—on one condition. She’s seen enough of the world to believe in passion, and won’t accept a marriage without it.

The Wallflower Makes a Dangerous Bargain…

Bastard son of a duke and king of London’s dark streets, Devil has spent a lifetime wielding power and seizing opportunity, and the spinster wallflower is everything he needs to exact a revenge years in the making. All he must do is turn the plain little mouse into an irresistible temptress, set his trap, and destroy his enemy.

For the Promise of Passion…

But there’s nothing plain about Felicity Faircloth, who quickly decides she’d rather have Devil than another. Soon, Devil’s carefully laid plans are in chaos, and he must choose between everything he’s ever wanted…and the only thing he’s ever desired

Publication Date:  June 19th 2018.

 

 

My Rating: 


My Favourite Quote:  

 

“Marwick isn’t my moth.”

“Who, then?”

“You,” she whispered.  

 

 

Links: Goodreads, Amazon.

My Review: 

 

What can I say? At this point, I’m plain mush and happiness glued to my seat. 

 

My first Sarah MacLean books as The Season, which was meant for younger readers and at the time I was–a younger reader, I mean. When I saw that cover and the synopsis of the book on the shelf I literally pounced on that book and held it up to the faces of my parents–who, bless them, knew never to come between me and a book. 

 

I dived into that book and when I finished it, I decided I knew what kind of books really drew me. Until then, I don’t think I knew what my genre was. Romance was my baby. However, after that, when I looked up Sarah MacLean, perhaps I realized that was her only YA book? I can’t remember, because I rerouted to other YA romance books and now I’m back!

 

The Wicked and the Wallflower reminded me of all things that I loved about Sarah MacLean. Her characters, the rhythm of her script, the dance that is conversation between the protagonists and the mad obsession called love that she portrays in the characters and creates within us. 

 

I think everyone who reads can connect to Felicity Faircloth, because we’ll all felt plain in some parts of our lives. Plain looking, or plain singing, or plain drawing…we’ll all been plain somewhere and found beauty in that. Because there is beauty in plain. There is something special about being plain, something innocent and wonderful and heart-warming. And in your love for your plainness and your acceptance of it is where you will connect to the Devil. The man who sees the beauty in plainness and falls head over cane for it. Lord knows he tugs at the heart and draws at our breath. Sure did I want to shake him up and toss something at his head? Frequently. But did that take away how much I liked his character? No. Nope. Nuh-uh. Hell no. 

 

I loved Wicked and the Wallflower and while Ewan’s book is what has me all but falling over myself in anticipation because of the mystery and build up of it, I’m still super excited for the Brazen and the Beast after that little teaser at the end of Wicked and the Wallflower. 

 

Five stars!! I recommend to all those who’d love to see stacked odds in life come stumbling down in the face of daring and love. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to Love a Duke in Ten Days (Devil You Know #1) by Kerrigan Byrne

How to Love a Duke in Ten Days (Devil You Know #1) by Kerrigan Bryne

Synopsis: 

 

They call him The Terror of Torcliff

Piers Gedrick Atherton, the Duke of Redmayne, has one purpose. Revenge. To attain that, he must secure a legacy as old as the empire by claiming a wife.

Lady Alexandra Lane has a deadly secret. When the spectre of her violent past threatens to expose her, Alexandra learns just how much she stands to lose.

If she sacrifices her body on the altar of marriage, the terrifying Duke vows to protect her, but she fears he’ll change his mind once he realizes what she’s hiding.

Ever suspicious, Redmayne knows his wife is concealing something, but he soon realizes that the truest terror is losing the woman who’s come to own him body, heart, and soul.

 

Publication Date:  August 27th 2019.

 

My Rating:

My Favourite Quote: *subject to change*

“‘Safe’ is one of those peculiar words isn’t it? It often means something different to those who speak it than those who hear it.”

Links: Goodreads, Amazon.

My Review: 

 

*ARC kindly provided by publisher via Edelweiss. The opinions and views stated below are my own and in no way influenced. Thank you for the opportunity.*

 

This was the first book that I was approved for at Edelweiss, so sure it was super special. But after I read it. The book became something far far more special than just that. It felt almost…fated that this book was the first book I was approved for. This book literally reached within and caught its fingers around some of my fears and brought it to the screen of my Kindle. There are no two ways about it. The author’s note slammed straight into me and I stared at those four words for about three minutes, unable to move.

 

Frankly, the largest concept I connected to in this book was the concept of safety. The feeling of being safe and protected that the heroine felt with/around the hero. And it’s no joke. After a certain experience in my life, it’s one of the biggest concepts I speak about. That it’s very important for a woman to feel safe with her husband/partner. I’ve never felt unsafe around people until recently and it’s a big deal for me that the person I wish to spend my life with makes me feel all the things that Piers makes Alexandra feels. 

 

I was weeping through so many parts of the book; the parts where Alexandra begins taking risks, chances and growing out of her worries and problems in the space of comfort and safety that her husband has created for her. I hadn’t even realized I was crying until I couldn’t see. Then, I just stopped reading and took a minute. 

 

I always always say that a fantastic script is a great support for a romance. But I take that damn statement back. Yes, this book has a fantastic script outside of the romance. But it didn’t even need that. You can read this book just for the romance. The growth of love and fondness and trust that the characters have for one another. Just the romance is greatest part of this book. Because it’s not just smut, there’s so much of connection between the characters, the genuine liking they have for one another.

Damn, I could just keep going on.

Five stars! This was my first Kerrigan Bryne book and I assure you, it won’t be my last. My heart is in pieces but it’s healing. Thank you for this book, Kerrigan. The God knows I needed this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broken Trust (Dark Legacy #2) by Jaymin Eve, Tate James

Broken Trust (Dark Legacy #2) by Jaymin Eve, Tate James

Synopsis: They think they own me now. They think they’ve won, and that I’ll be their good little soldier. 

Four dangerous, damaged, messed up boys. There used to be five, but one of them died, and I’m starting to suspect he was murdered.

I didn’t ask for this. No one would ask to be played, manipulated, seduced and betrayed. But that’s what happened, anyway. 

It wasn’t enough for them to break me. Sebastian Beckett has decided that he can’t let me go, but I refuse to forgive and forget his betrayal so easily. His fixation is bordering on obsession, but when we begin to suspect a spy within Delta, there’s no time to deal with his feelings. 

Someone is selling us out, and it’s having a dire impact. 

It’s life and death hiding behind corporate greed.

Let the battle begin.

*This dark contemporary romance features four sexy, dangerous boys but is NOT a reverse harem.*

 

Publication Date: May 16th, 2019.  

My Rating: 


My Favourite Quote: 

“Unconditional,” Beck added. “Our bond is unconditional.”

Links: Goodreads, Amazon.

My Review: 

 

First off, let me start by saying thank you to Jaymin Eve and Tate James, because Lord knows the RH genre has been squeezed to its last drop and I’m so so so glad that this book doesn’t follow the same genre. But then again, this is my personal opinion on RH because I’m a one-hero lover–even though I’ve enjoyed my fair share of RH romances. 

 

The second book in the series picks up where the first left off. From there, we jump straight into the plot of the book. I have to say though, that the characters have remained true to their roles and I was surprised that Riley (h) remains true to her anger, pride and hurt. What I’m really impressed with is that she addresses this; her feelings after what had happened in the end of the second book. She addresses it, talks about it and she never gives in just because of the external pressure that a certain action the boys take does. 

The book never lets up in terms of action, plot or suspense. There isn’t a single dull moment and Riley really holds her own. Frankly, anyone else would’ve ceded or at least thought about it. Riley stays true to her feelings. 

 

I have to commend the boys; Beck especially. They too, hold their ground, admit to their mistakes and try to change things that they hadn’t earlier thought they were doing wrong. When Riley points out certain things, they take her opinions seriously and change. They’re gentle and sweet and kind and loyal despite everything that happens. 

 

The plot twists I frankly didn’t see coming until a few moments before they occurred. 

 

Five stars. Also, August is too far away! I highly recommend this series. Enjoy!!

 

 

 

 

The Celtic Connection: Kilts Book Four (A Kilts Book 4) by Jeanie M. Martin

The Celtic Connection: Kilts Book Four (A Kilts Book 4) by Jeanie M. Martin

Synopsis: 

A hot Irish singer, a feisty Canadian woman, and a secluded retreat in the Pacific Northwest. What could go wrong? 

Irish singer Michael O’Corrain has been looking forward to this retreat in the beautiful Puget Sound for donkey’s years. Well, since his Kilts tour started, anyway. Touring life can be a grind, and he has a major decision to make. A little peace is just what he needs to get his head on straight. Then he meets the retreat’s coordinator, the enigmatic and exotic Gus, and promptly forgets all about his troubles. 

Gus Yu is the queen of research. But in all the retreats she’s been hired to run, she’s never encountered a group like Kilts. Handling all her curve balls with ease and humour, it’s Gus herself who’s kept off-kilter. She begins to suspect that she’s been hired under false pretenses, especially when she meets Michael, with his dimples and sparkling green eyes. Despite her best efforts, it doesn’t take long before the sparks fly. 

But when old insecurities rise, on both sides, will they find the courage and strength to stay together? 

The Celtic Connection is the fourth book in the Kilts Book series.

Publication Date: March 17th, 2019.  

My Rating:    

My Favourite Quote:

“The point is that you only need to follow your lights. Don’t get caught up in other people’s signals. Stay in your lane, keep your eye on your target, or your dream, or whatever.”

Links: Goodreads, Amazon.

My Review: 

*ARC kindly provided by publisher via NetGalley. The opinions and views stated below are my own and in no way influenced. Thank you for the opportunity.*

Frankly, I struggled a bit through the first half of the story. Simply because this was the fourth book of the series–something I had not realized initially–which meant that there was a world of backstory that I was missing out on. A world of characters, feelings, situations and moments that had brought these characters to where they are now. 

It’s like seeing a single wisp of colour of the rainbow through a keyhole. 

But just like with the glimpse of a rainbow, this book too, required only that much to somehow keep me at it. I didn’t want to stop reading simply because these characters had so much depth and life to them. I may not have always gotten their references or connected to their wives/children, but I could read about the fondness they shared. And though I felt an outsider to their stories, it doesn’t take away from the beauty of the relationships I did see. Be it between the bandmates, or between spouses, mother and son, father and children….or the protagonists. 

The second half of the book made it up to me. Where the story just sinks into a depth that I almost was surprised to experience. I didn’t lose my footing even though I wasn’t prepared for it, but somehow, the second half of the book makes you steadier in your understanding of the story. Of the characters. The message in the book, the support that each character provides to one another in the time of need, the love they show one another were all a good-read worthy.  

I appreciate the way the author had approached this sensitive topic of mental health and illnesses. They are very real. They are as serious and difficult as any physical illness. They are something that the victims are never meant to feel ashamed about or be ostracised for. 

Four stars. I recommend this book, preferably read it as a series. 

The Relevance of Themes

I feel I haven’t reiterated this enough, but the themes of the books that I have been reading are so relevant to our times and our situation. The inability to accept and celebrate differences and perceiving every expression of another as a threat to one own. 

Differences. Are. To. Be. Celebrated. 

Having worked with children with special needs I know how beautiful they are. Having been around people with different views on life, on love, on food, culture, on everything; there’s one thing I have realized and that is that it is possible to live–harmoniously— by holding your views and not seeing another’s equally strong perspective as a threat to your own. Yes, hold your ground if you find someone pushing just to see if you can be shoved. But listen when you hear someone say something that may be different from what you believe. 

Because the greatest way to find if your hold is true and right is to be able to stand before everything that represents the opposite of what you think/feel/believe with openness. And if what they say creates doubts in you, do not fear it. 

Doubt is your friend, because doubt is what leads you closer to the truth. And if the truth isn’t what you believe in then that’s very okay. It’s okay to be wrong. To have made a mistake. The real blunder is to fear having held on to the wrong thing and not acknowledge it and change. 

Like it was said by a great man, crawl if you have to, but keep moving. Don’t stop. 

Keep climbing. And sometimes it’s okay if you have to rest on a step and prepare yourself for the next step, just keep trying. 

Don’t be afraid of fear or doubt or confusion of not knowing something. Be brave about all of them. Admit your fear, your doubt, confusion and ignorance. Admit to them–to yourself-and sometimes that’s all you need to do, the rest happens on its own. 

It is not weak to be afraid. In fact without fear there is no courage. Without fear, courage is just empty, a vacant emotion. It is the fear you have that makes the others see that you’re brave. It is the doubt you have that has you in search of answers. It is the confusion you have that draws clarity toward you. And it is your ignorance that creates these three. 

Fear nothing and fear anything. Accept nothing and accept everything. Live in duality. Live in respect of those who are different from you; live in love for those around you and don’t be afraid to be angry with them or sad or happy. Don’t be afraid to tell them how you feel. 

Don’t be afraid of them. Be careful if you wish, but be around them. Try the things that make you afraid. Those very things may be your best friends for life. Or your greatest lessons. 

Love even if you fear being rejected by them. Because only love given freely has the power to turn even rejection around. Don’t be afraid that you may be misunderstood or unaccepted. If what you are and feel is true and real, it will be revealed by time. 

This is my message to all those who are different and trying. 

My message to those who fear difference is a famous quote by Edwin Markham:

“He drew a circle that shut me out- Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout. But love and I had the wit to win: We drew a circle and took him in!”

The Burning Shadow (Origin, #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout ARC Review

The Burning Shadow (Origin, #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Synopsis: 

#1 New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout returns to the world of the Lux with The Burning Shadow, the steamy, shocking second installment of the Origin series that will leave readers reeling.

When Evelyn Dasher crossed paths with Luc, she was thrown headfirst into the world of the Lux―only to discover that she was already far more involved in their world than she ever suspected.

Because the Luxen aren’t the only ones with a hidden past. There’s a gap in Evie’s memory, lost months of her life and a lingering sense that something happened, something she can’t remember and nobody is willing to tell her. She needs to find out the truth about who she is―and who she was. But every answer she finds only brings up more questions.

Her search for the truth brings her ever closer to Luc, the Origin at the center of it all. He’s powerful, arrogant, inhumanly beautiful, extremely dangerous…and possibly in love with her. But even as Evie falls for him, she can’t help but wonder if his attraction is to her, or to the memory of a girl who no longer exists.

And all the while, a new threat looms: reports of a flu-like, fatal virus that the government insists is being spread by Luxen. A horrifying illness that changes whoever it touches, spreading panic across a country already at its breaking point.

Expected Publication: October 8th, 2019.

My Rating:     

My Favourite Quote: *subject to change*

“Nadia.” His voice cracked.

Links: Goodreads, Amazon


My Review: 

*ARC provided  kindly by publisher via Edelweiss. Thank you so much for the opportunity! The opinions stated below are in my own and in no way influenced.*

The Burning Shadow was frankly nothing like The Darkest Star. It was so very very much more. The whole story seemed to be perfectly streamlined and every single chapter was crafted with something essential occurring in it. No part of this book–be it a word, paragraph or chapter–was…untrimmed or unnecessary.

The issues I faced in The Darkest Star, that I had mentioned in my review was that it had felt like half a book  to those who’ve followed the Lux series and I also explained that the reason for that was that the Origin series was meant to be a standalone, so I got it. But JLA more than makes up for it in this book; because this book fills in the necessary gaps and creates the necessary spaces for bigger, harder questions that turn up. The book is un-put-downable. There is no two ways about it. I was constantly sending the time-estimator on my Kindle into spiralling shock; because this book is big and I was breaking all known time and space rules while reading it.

The book spills straight into the juicy centre of the plot and I swear at one point I thought I’d start gnawing on my Kindle because I was devouring the book. The sketching of the characters started to grow clearer, finer and we start noticing more about them–and given Luc and all that we know about him, the more that we find out is well-fitting to his…personality. The boy can be a little extra. *chuckles* 

We get to see a lot more of the secondary characters as well, without removing the time that the main characters are seen. There was a strange kind of beauty seeing the relationships that Luc shares with them; the duality of it–of respectful fear and jovial snark that Luc can muster in/share with others.

Another aspect of this book that I feel The Darkest Star doesn’t match up to (and mind you it was my favourite and most awaited book of last year) is the emotional quotient. JLA turns it up and she keeps it there. Every single thing Luc does is drenched with romance and the kind of love the book-lovers dream of feeling.

The plot twists are both a little expected and also completely shocking–similar to The Darkest Star–and this is especially true to those who’ve stuck to the Lux series since the beginning. But that doesn’t take away from the story even a little bit because the book is revetting, enthralling, romantic, aggressively showing us the way that differences and fear of anything unknown is handled and so very worth the wait.

Five stars (and if I could give more, I would have). Congratulations JLA, you’ve brought your  A-Game to the field. I highly recommend this book!

The Bookish Life by Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman ARC Review

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman

Synopsis:

The only child of a single mother, Nina has her life just as she wants it: a job in a bookstore, a kick-butt trivia team, a world-class planner and a cat named Phil. If she sometimes suspects there might be more to life than reading, she just shrugs and picks up a new book. 

When the father Nina never knew existed suddenly dies, leaving behind innumerable sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews, Nina is horrified. They all live close by! They’re all—or mostly all—excited to meet her! She’ll have to Speak. To. Strangers. It’s a disaster! And as if that wasn’t enough, Tom, her trivia nemesis, has turned out to be cute, funny, and deeply interested in getting to know her. Doesn’t he realize what a terrible idea that is?

Nina considers her options.

1. Completely change her name and appearance. (Too drastic, plus she likes her hair.) 
2. Flee to a deserted island. (Hard pass, see: coffee). 
3. Hide in a corner of her apartment and rock back and forth. (Already doing it.)

It’s time for Nina to come out of her comfortable shell, but she isn’t convinced real life could ever live up to fiction. It’s going to take a brand-new family, a persistent suitor, and the combined effects of ice cream and trivia to make her turn her own fresh page.

Expected Publication: July 9th, 2019.

My Rating:

My Favourite Quote: *subject to change*

Being with you is as good as good as being alone.

Links: Goodreads, Amazon.

My Review:

*ARC provided  kindly by publisher via Edelweiss. Thank you so much for the opportunity! The opinions stated below are in my own and in no way influenced.*

There are many confessions I need to make. And apparently, today is the day.

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill is a…read. The absolute strangest thing about the book that is despite the humorous genre of the book, the book can be deep to readers who know exactly what the character is going through. The anxiety. The need to be alone. The hiding among the pages of the books and between the shelves of a library. The solitude and company that books offer. The inability to put yourselves out there because anxiety sits at your back just prepared to pounce upon you, come in your way and you need to get away again.

The book speaks about all of these struggles with so much of humour in it that sometimes you forget just what the book is really about. Then, suddenly, the weight of the book hits you and you drown in your epiphanies for a moment before you resurface. For the majority of the book it’s like reading the book through a veil of smoke and cloud. You don’t feel everything but it’s not that you don’t feel nothing. At some points, the thoughts in Nina Hill’s head may even seem a little exhaustive, because they are detailed and stream into tributaries. BUT I wouldn’t do away with any of that because a lot of her insight, her humour and her character comes through in those moments.

At one particular junction of the book, perhaps at around 87-89% of the book, everything you’ve read and felt hits you. My eyes had started to water and I couldn’t read for a few moments until I realised that shit. The moment that Nina starts to accept and feel, so do we. The last twenty percent of the book frankly made up for every single thing that I may have wondered about, or second-guessed. It’s like learning how to swim in shallow waters before you’re thrown straight into the sea…

…and you surface and take a deep breath of air and just stay there, floating, feeling. 

The romance is beautiful, simply because it felt real. The relationship between the protagonists was…simple, normal, every-day. But, what Tom represented to Nina is what meant the most.

Five stars and I highly recommend it! Stick with the book. The author will get through to you.

Abbi Waxmam. Hearts and love to you!

Handle With Care (Shacking Up, #5) by Helena Hunting ARC Review.

Handle With Care (Shacking Up, #5) by Helena Hunting

Synopsis:

HE WANTS TO LOSE CONTROL.

Between his parents’ messed up marriage and his narcissistic younger brother, Lincoln Moorehead has spent the majority of his life avoiding his family. After the death of his father, Lincoln finds himself in the middle of the drama. To top it all off, he’s been named CEO of Moorehead Media, much to his brother’s chagrin. But Lincoln’s bad attitude softens when he meets the no-nonsense, gorgeous woman who has been given the task of transforming him from the gruff, wilderness guy to a suave businessman

SHE’S TRYING TO HOLD IT TOGETHER.

Wren Sterling has been working double time to keep the indiscretions at Moorehead Media at bay, so when she’s presented with a new contract, with new responsibilities and additional incentives, she agrees. Working with the reclusive oldest son of a ridiculously entitled family is worth the hassle if it means she’s that much closer to pursuing her own dreams. What Wren doesn’t expect is to find herself attracted to him, or for it to be mutual. And she certainly doesn’t expect to fall for Lincoln. But when a shocking new Moorehead scandal comes to light, she’s forced to choose between her own family and the broody, cynical CEO.

Expected publication: August 27th 2019

My Rating: 

My Favourite Quote: *subject to change*

“The truth doesn’t always set you free. Sometimes it becomes the noose around your neck.”

Links: Goodreads, Amazon.

My Review: 

*ARC provided  kindly by publisher via Edelweiss. Thank you so much for the opportunity! The opinions stated below are in my own and in no way influenced.*

I think my most favourite aspect of any book will always be and has always been a good romance. I’m a total romance buff, there’s no two ways about that. However, my absolute second favourite thing is always always, a fantastic story within which the romance is woven intricately. Where neither take away from the other and both support one another. Like the pillars of a structure.

Sure, smut is great. But when there is content, that’s when the characters come to their own, show themselves as real and you feel this connection with them that makes them more than a story and has you rooting for them.

This is what Handle With Care has. A story beyond the romance. A strong pillar that supports the love story and brings it into a spotlight that makes the protagonists more than just a couple and turns them into a team. Partners of the true sense.

I truly and greatly enjoyed seeing these little aspects about the characters that make them like you or me. HH has fleshed the characters out with great attention to detail. Especially the H. It was lovely to see a man who was so against everything that his family stood for and do something meaningful to him. He was a man who worked to help bring something good into the world. And the heroine was beautiful in herself, strong, resilient. But I loved seeing the little changes in her that softened and strengthened her in different ways after Linc–just as he had around her.

The drastic contrast between the relationships each protagonist had with their family was quite revetting to read about. One has you shaking your head in disgust and the other has your heart warming. I remember distinctly tearing up during a conversation the protagonist has with his/her (*wink* I’m going to leave it to you to find out who it is) parents.

I loved seeing the characters take responsible, good and loyal decisions; taking time to think about the obstacles before them. I loved HH for not creating the age-old drama of miscommunication and the resulting angst that comes from that. *rolls eyes* We’ve seen enough of that, thank you very much. I’m happy to see the flip side, where characters behave their age and aren’t impulsive.

The threads of the story linked together beautifully and I’m surprised that this is my first Helena Hunting book. Despite it being the fifth book in the series–something I literally just noticed–Handle With Care can very much be read as a standalone. Though, perhaps a lot more insight can be gained by reading it in order.

4.5 stars! I recommend this book! Enjoy you guys! Congratulations Helena Hunting!

My Thoughts on Kindness.

The other day, I watched a movie where the protagonist’s father gives a speech as the Best Man.
He says, “Marry someone… kind.”

It’s a strange notion that fit perfectly like a puzzle in my head and inside my heart. Like the world turned on its head until that very moment where everything aligned and interlocked together and I could see with a clarity that was almost groundbreaking to me.

I’ve always wondered, when people asked what would you like your special someone to be/have? And the question, such a simple one, baffled me. Because… what can I say? How can I know? All my lists could just be nothing but that—a lonely list, forgotten and meaningless—if I find someone I like who falls out of this little box I have in my mind. Because isn’t that what love and life is about? Breaking stereotypes and living in the real? So, oftentimes I’d grapple searching to explain this line of thought. To say that even the most important aspect of my list could mean nothing in the face of this person.

But I guess, I have an answer. I’d like to find someone kind. That’s what I find most attractive in a person. Because is there something bigger than that? Is a house bigger than that? A pay-cheque? A city? What can be greater than someone who maybe  in the depths of his own misery and pain but when he/she sees another in pain, is able to feel empathy—and not apathy—at their plight. Offer them some kindness. A smile? A hug. What’s greater than not being so impassioned by your own pain that you forget another’s wound is as painful to them as yours is to you. Even if theirs is a scratch and yours is a knife wound. What greater measure of character exists? Greater person? Pain and suffering is personal and it is a burden to anyone whose guest it chooses to be, despite the outwardly perceived/“accepted” gradients of pain.

It’s so simple. And perhaps that’s why I fell in love with the movie.

The movie is called About Time. And though the story is portrayed as a love story between a man and a girl he falls in love with; the movie—in my honest opinion—is a love story between a father and his son. I recommend anyone to give it a watch.