Kyra Winthrop a marine biologist is currently recuperating on Mystic Island with her husband Jacob. An accident whilst diving has left her with a big Kyra Winthrop a marine biologist is currently recuperating on Mystic Island with her husband Jacob. An accident whilst diving has left her with a big gap in her memories and she can't recall the last four years of her life or even her own husband. Kyra is also having some issues with her short-term memory, her husband Jacob is eager to assist and get her back on course and help Kyra improve and it seems that they have the perfect marriage. But as Kyra’s memory slowly begins to return in dreams and flashbacks she realises that the truth she is being told by those closest to her may not be in fact real.
The blurb for this book was very intriguing and ticked all of the boxes I usually look for in a good psychological thriller. Whilst for the most part I did enjoy this there was also something missing. It's hard to put my finger on just what that was and if I were pushed I’d say it was probably that it felt very surface-level. What I mean is that though the storyline was interesting this didn’t go into any great detail. Kyra and Jacob's inner motivations and what had shaped them weren’t really mentioned much other than in superficial passing. The same when it came to the small island community. We did meet some locals but there weren’t any great details pertaining to them other than the bare minimum. As a result, I felt very disconnected almost like an observer so I wasn’t invested in any way.
I did catch on fairly early and what I thought was probably the case turned out to be correct so this was quite predictable and unfortunately has been executed much better in other similar-themed books I’ve read previously. The writing though did have a lovely whimsical prose that I did appreciate I just wish it went deeper. The ending I also found extremely anticlimactic if I blinked I would have missed it. There were no deeper explanations into the whys either and the aftermath was seriously unsatisfying. I’ve tried to be as vague as possible here so I don’t spoil things.
Overall this was ok just not very memorable and it’s definitely been done much better. It was a quick read and was easy to consume I just wish it had gone into greater detail as it felt somewhat stripped back. ...more
Whilst on her usual commute home from work on the underground Zoe spots an ad in the classified section of the paper. It appears to be a picture of heWhilst on her usual commute home from work on the underground Zoe spots an ad in the classified section of the paper. It appears to be a picture of herself, but she has no idea who placed it or why. Puzzled and naturally slightly spooked Zoe attempts to put it to one side. But when she later spots a connection to another woman who also appeared in a similar ad, it only becomes more bizarre and when a woman is murdered it opens a whole new can of worms and Zoe realises she may be in some serious danger.
Bloody devoured this it had me in a literal chokehold throughout and though I did click at the end and guessed the twist it still didn't take away any of my excitement. This was cleverly crafted and easy to consume. It's my first book by this author but I would definitely read them again. ...more
I only picked this up because it was my book club’s monthly pick, and I freely admit I'm definitely not the target audience here. So this more than liI only picked this up because it was my book club’s monthly pick, and I freely admit I'm definitely not the target audience here. So this more than likely went a long way in affecting my overall enjoyment and final rating of this. It's ultimately a book I never would have chosen to read myself, a fictionalised account of the real-life wives of Ernest Hemingway. Based on research letters and biographies, it has a unique narrative style and voice, and is broken down into four parts, so each wife gets her own voice describing how she loved and then ultimately lost Ernest.
Out of the four wives, Hadley was probably the most sympathetic spouse. I thought she was class personified and a better woman than I could ever be. Fife the second wife and best friend of Hadley well honestly karma is a real bitch and very well deserved here. Martha came across as a real ball breaker and Mary the last woman standing frankly was the most forgettable. It all felt quite superficial and shallow and Hadley and Fife were way more fleshed out than Martha and Mary who didn't really get equal treatment. I never managed to develop any personal attachment here to anyone really. The few side charectors we did have felt exaggerated and stereotypical and as for Ernest himself well he came across as a selfish philanderer mostly in love with the idea of love. In fact, I'm convinced he loved himself first and foremost.
The writing felt clunky and somewhat pretentious and there was little in the way of deep or meaningful, frankly, this was a bloody chore to finish. I'll be honest I would have DNF this if it weren't my book club pick. I don't feel this has in any way enriched me for reading and for a 300-page book it actually didn't say a whole lot. As I said earlier though I'm really not the target audience here so that's a definite influence on my final rating here. I unfortunately didn’t enjoy any part of this but if this is your usual genre of fiction you may enjoy it more than me.
This is book five in the Grant County series and it's another strong contender for my favourite picks of this series. Sara and Jeffrey are thrown yet This is book five in the Grant County series and it's another strong contender for my favourite picks of this series. Sara and Jeffrey are thrown yet again into the middle of another traumatic case as this time they discover a wooden box with a pipe buried in the ground out in the woods whilst out for a walk together Inside is the body of a young girl and much to their horror it appears she was buried alive.
Alongside this case, Lena is still struggling in her own personal life. My hopes aren't that high that she is finally going to sort herself out she has softened somewhat and isn't as confrontational and abrasive as she was but Lena is still highly strung and with a massive chip. But her recent experiences also seem to be tempering her somewhat so she has had some personal growth. Then we have Sara and Jeffrey who are also dealing with some personal stuff that is currently coming between them.
Overall this was an easy read that I sped through. It easily managed to keep my attention and as usual, this author delivered for me. What I appreciate most about this series is how embedded the crime is with the interpersonal dynamics so you really get to know all of the charectors on a much deeper level. I also appreciate how flawed everyone is. The darkness is just an added bonus that grips me by the throat every time. I adore this series some books definitely stand out more than others but every one has something unique to offer....more
My favourite book so far this one really dug deep and hooked me instantly. I especially enjoyed learning more about Jeffrey and his backstory. I feel My favourite book so far this one really dug deep and hooked me instantly. I especially enjoyed learning more about Jeffrey and his backstory. I feel like I know him so much better than I did, and some of these discoveries surprised me.
When we begin, Sara and Jeffrey are on the outs regarding her refusal to move up to the next level of their relationship. Whilst she’s visiting him at the station all hell breaks loose people die and the two assailants take hostages including local children who were undergoing a visit at the time. It’s a tense terrifying situation that is getting more precarious by the minute. Is it random or targeted it soon becomes apparent that it is indeed targeted and at none other than Jeffrey.
This unfolds across two timelines the present and the past and each instance was equally as interesting. I was hooked and invested almost instantly and couldn’t put this down.
We also have Lena making her return to the force and she actually managed to pull it together here somewhat though she's still far from all right she is making progress. Except that is when it comes to her love life and Ethan unfortunately still seems to be very much a firm fixture there.
This was explosive and tense with a dark gritty realism. Lots of small-minded bigoted opinions that made my teeth clench in pure irritation but also at the same time felt incredibly real. This series as a whole is a doozy and such a vibe. I highly recommend reading and Karin is one of my favourite ever authors in this particular genre....more
I think this author is amazing and I’m usually all over her books but I’ve got to be honest this one wasn’t a favourite of mine. It kinda dragged and I think this author is amazing and I’m usually all over her books but I’ve got to be honest this one wasn’t a favourite of mine. It kinda dragged and the Lena angle made for some pretty grim reading. Lena is definitely not a favourite character of mine she’s just so abrasive and rubs me up the wrong way, naturally I do feel for her and everything she's endured but she is also her own worst enemy and her spiral in this third book was as depressing as it was heartbreaking. I also wasn’t a fan of the Lena, Ethan angle and didn’t feel she would have even gone there especially after everything that had occurred to her previously.
The rest of this for me was just meh there was nothing here that stood out. I’m used to the punch this author's books pack and it felt somewhat missing here. I also wasn’t liking the dynamic between Sara and Jeffrey as it was all over the place and felt Sara needed to commit or cut her ex-husband loose.
There was some truly heartbreaking content at the beginning of this that left me slightly shell-shocked and it's very close to home for Sara. But apart from that shocking event I wasn’t that invested in the rest. I will definitely be continuing on with this series as I do love this author's books but this was unfortunately a bit of a dud for me....more
The second book in this series may have been more disturbing than its predecessor just in a different way. What I found most difficult here was probabThe second book in this series may have been more disturbing than its predecessor just in a different way. What I found most difficult here was probably the subject matter and the fact that it involved children. So, if you're sensitive to that, just a prior warning, as this at times made for some tough reading. I enjoyed this which is probably not quite the right word maybe more like gripped and invested in the outcome would suit more.
We again join Jeffrey and Sara as they are pulled into yet another case this time dealing with a ring of child abusers exploiting children. It was dark disturbing and incredibly unsettling especially being a mother myself.
We also get to catch up with Lena from book one and she is not dealing well with the aftermath of her previous ordeal. She isn't the most likeable of individuals and even with her past taken into account, her attitude and core belief system just made her not the most sympathetic of characters to empathise with, though I did try. Sara and Jeremy seem to be back on track and I loved seeing them attempt to repair the damage to their relationship after Jeffrey’s betrayal.
I did find the first half of this quite slow, but things did heat up after we passed the halfway point. As usual, this was graphic and unapologetic a hallmark of this author's books and especially with this one please do check your triggers....more
This is the first book in the Grant County series. It features Sara Linton, a paediatrician and medical examiner, and her ex-husband, the chief of polThis is the first book in the Grant County series. It features Sara Linton, a paediatrician and medical examiner, and her ex-husband, the chief of police, Jeffrey Tolliver. When a blind girl is brutally attacked in a local diner Sara is the first on the scene and it's swiftly surmised that there's a seriously disturbed predator on the loose. As events escalate and another girl then goes missing it's then a race against the clock to discover just who is responsible.
This was such an easy read not the subject matter because if I'm honest, it was extremely graphic and disturbing but the writing style itself. This was part police procedural, part thriller and then had a huge dash of complicated personal dynamics added into the mix.
The perpetrator was obvious to me quite early on so in that respect this was fairly predictable. I think that maybe because of the small suspect pool involved here. But despite that, I was still gripped throughout and couldn't put this down. I'm also really rooting for Sara and Jeffrey and hope they manage to get their relationship back on track.
Anyway, this was a fantastic read that I highly recommend just be aware it's graphic as this author's books usually are so do check your triggers beforehand....more
First book in the Will Trent series and it was incredible. The way this all unfolds is so clever It's told in multiple parts a Triptych three perspectFirst book in the Will Trent series and it was incredible. The way this all unfolds is so clever It's told in multiple parts a Triptych three perspectives that each add nuance and a totally different take on the unfolding story. John the convicted but soft spoken criminal, Michael the married family man, hard-working cop but with an explosive temper and Angie the tough as old boots vice cop. Then we have Will Trent a special agent from the Georgia bureau of Investigation an outside source brought in to assist on the case. Young girls are being viciously attacked but the lastest victim a prostitute doesn't fit the current MO but also bears the same hallmarks as the previous victims.
This easily drew me on but I was surprised that we didn't get any Will to well over a third of the way through especially considering the title of this series. But by the time his perspective entered the picture we did have much more of a handle on what was going on here.
Will was such an intriguing character and I fell in love instantly with his unassuming persona. He has a tragic backstory and has prospered despite the challenges of his dyslexia which throws up obstacles for him.
The way this all plays out was incredibly immersive making it impossible to put down. I devoured this in one sitting and the eventual endgame was fantastic. Be aware this series is graphic violent and unapologetic about it. If you've read this author before you'll be aware of just what to expect. Highly recommend this one I usually find the first book in a new series isn't always the strongest not here though this one smashed it....more
3.5 Stars (rounded up) I'm partial to a post-apocalyptic backdrop, but finding books in this genre that also have romance I enjoy isn’t the easiest. I 3.5 Stars (rounded up) I'm partial to a post-apocalyptic backdrop, but finding books in this genre that also have romance I enjoy isn’t the easiest. I had everything crossed that this one would deliver for me and it won bonus points for being by an author I knew I had enjoyed previously. Happy to report this was a great experience and I will now be diving into the rest of the series.
This all takes place in the year 2083. There’s been a meteor strike, and some former shady government experiments have left behind what remains today. Riley lives in the settlement of Haven one of many such communities scattered across the wastelands and whilst out one day with a younger charge manages to get herself kidnapped by a Warg.
Warg’s are men infected and changed they are no longer human instead at night they transform into a deadly insatiable monster. It's considered a death sentence and Riley's own father was infected and then chose to take himself out.
Luc has revenge on the brain it's all He lives for and the man he holds responsible for taking everything away is going to pay. If he has to use Riley as bait to achieve these aims then so be it. He currently wears a charm around his neck that prevents him from shifting and that's the only thing holding his monster at bay.
This moved fast and easily kept my attention. The romance between these two was believable and the chemistry was good. I appreciated how strong and honourable Riley was and how Luc didn’t try to shove her into a box accepting she was more than capable of handling herself.
This very much had a Mad Max type of appeal that easily hit the spot. It also sets things up nicely for book two and this is the first book in a trilogy of interconnected romances but they do need to be read in order.
I suspect we will get to travel further afield in the next book which I'm looking forward to as this first one did all take place in a limited area and I’m definitely intrigued to learn more about this world. Overall though this set up everything nicely and informed well without being info-dumpy. If anything I’d have preferred it slightly more heavy on the world-building. This one is definitely a post-apocalyptic romance first and foremost hence it lacks somewhat on the meat instead concentrating on Riley and Luc. Overall though it was decent, it was well written and easy to digest this gets a thumbs up from my camp....more
Final book in this trilogy and this hit the spot in every way. This has been quite the chaotic journey and I’ve been bloody gripped throughout. This iFinal book in this trilogy and this hit the spot in every way. This has been quite the chaotic journey and I’ve been bloody gripped throughout. This is one I was eagerly anticipating, as I’ve read the next-generation kids' stories featuring Jeremy and Annika and have always been curious about their parents.
This didn’t disappoint, wrapping everything up for me and leaving me satisfied with where we ended up. It was an uphill battle for sure but so worth it. Be aware this trilogy is totally unhinged and toxic but that for me was half the draw and this managed to completely consume me. ...more
Oh my, this was such a trip and I devoured every word. This is the second book in a trilogy, and after the twisty, confusing events of the previous boOh my, this was such a trip and I devoured every word. This is the second book in a trilogy, and after the twisty, confusing events of the previous book, we rewind to the beginning to discover how all this came to be and how we arrived at this moment in time.
It's twisty, toxic as all fuck and incredibly angsty. This is less a love story and more a vivid nightmare for our girl. I really can't stress enough how toxic this all is. It also deals with dark themes including dubious consent, depression and mental illness.
I'm now incredibly excited to embark on the home straight and to discover just how this will all conclude. I'm enjoying this so much and if you're partial to an angsty toxic dark romance like me this one has you covered....more
This one was bloody mental and I’m still not sure what the hell is going on. One thing's for sure, though: I’m definitely hooked and need to learn morThis one was bloody mental and I’m still not sure what the hell is going on. One thing's for sure, though: I’m definitely hooked and need to learn more. I had been briefly introduced to Adrian and Lia in a previous book, so I was definitely intrigued before going in. I've also read the latter next generation book which involves Jeremy. Despite that, I'm still totally in the dark over what the heck is occurring.
So in a nutshell Winter Cavanaugh down on her luck and currently homeless after a series of misfortune and tragedy finds herself in a pickle when she is propositioned by Adrain Volkov. He wants her to take the place of his late wife Lia and refusal is not an option, It’s basically this or being arrested. Winter discovers she bears an uncanny resemblance to Lia she's a perfect doppelgänger. Now she's living in Adrian's house taking care of his son and fulfilling every wifely role there is Winter has essentially become Lia.
This relationship between these two was definitely intense and straddled the line of dubious consent. There’s obviously a lot more going on here than meets the eye and I certainly had some strong suspicions on just what that might be. Adrain is high up in the Bratva so there's also that element here as well.
The ending confirmed some suspicions but then muddied the waters even more. I'm so confused but also equally invested in the outcome and what will happen next. Overall I enjoyed this though I also don’t have a Scooby what the bloody crack is. Like I thought I knew but then the ending brought up more questions. Be aware this romance here is a toxic one which shouldn’t really come as a surprise considering the author anyway I’m hooked. ...more
This is definitely my favourite so far in this series and each book here seems to be an improvement on the last. I’m also really enjoying this and eacThis is definitely my favourite so far in this series and each book here seems to be an improvement on the last. I’m also really enjoying this and each book stands on its own merit. I appreciate how they all seem to run seamlessly as interconnected standalones. Incorporating current side-characters and plot-arcs and running with it so they each get a separate story. The overarching plot also then compels me to pick up the next book. I definitely appreciate how saturated in the working mechanisms of the FBI, CIA, BAU these all are the plot is central and the romance secondary. This works for me and I know exactly what I’m signing up for when I pick up a book from this author.
I was excited to get started with this one Patrick Killion definitely piqued my interest in previous books and as we were also following the breadcrumbs from a prior plot-point the unknown female assassin I was already invested.
Dr Audrey Lockhart, formally from Kentucky but currently situated and employed by the Amazon Research Institute, the Columbia rainforest, is one of the leading experts in poison dart frogs. The same substance used in a recent high-profile assassination. All the circumstantial evidence points to her involvement including an undisclosed Cayman Island bank account. Killion a CIA operative is convinced of her guilt and it's his job to discover the truth and contain the threat, all under the radar of course. What starts as a simple mission objective swiftly spirals out of control and now Killion and the unlikely assassin are both on the run from unknown threats including the Cartel.
This was fast-paced and action-packed and was an easy page turner. I really liked the vulnerable side of Killion we got to witness here and the rapport he built with Audrey. He wasn’t as cold or unemotional as he tried to portray and his main core values were decent and honourable. This kept my attention and was as usual well written. Highly recommend this series it always delivers the goods....more
I think this is my favourite book in this series so far. This takes place in a small community after a couple of teenagers are attacked by an unknown I think this is my favourite book in this series so far. This takes place in a small community after a couple of teenagers are attacked by an unknown assailant with some tragic consequences. ASAC Lincoln Frazer head of the BAU-4 is called in to investigate when evidence at the scene links it to an already solved case one where the apprehended perpetrator a serial killer is currently awaiting his execution. This new crime calls everything into question especially if the convicted serial killer Ferris Denker had a partner they missed or if a copycat killer is now on the loose.
Isadora Campbell is a former army captain attached to the medical corps. She's permanently back in her home town working in the ER as a doctor after her mother's death. She's also the legal guardian of her younger sister Kit who is also the best friend too one of the recent victims.
This was an easy suspenseful read that I enjoyed. I'm a big Criminal Minds girly so this easily hit the spot. I enjoyed the intrigue action and romance equally though do be aware this is much more suspense than romance. I actually liked Frazer way more than I was expecting to. I got a certain impression of him from his appearances in previous books and let's just say he surprised me greatly here. He was more nuanced than I expected.
This wasn't that complicated and was slightly predictable but it was also very immersive and I was easily invested. This series is well-written and each book stands on its own merit. Overall I'm liking this series a lot and would recommend especially if you like your romantic suspense to have a heavy focus on the plot. ...more
3.5 Stars FBI special agent Jed Brennan and single mum to a son with additional needs Vivi Vincent paths cross when they both find themselves trapped i3.5 Stars FBI special agent Jed Brennan and single mum to a son with additional needs Vivi Vincent paths cross when they both find themselves trapped in the Minneapolis Mall with active shooters believed to be part of a terrorist cell. It's a bloodbath that, luckily, Vivi and her eight-year-old son Michael, with Jed’s assistance, manage to escape.
When a target is then painted on the little boy's back due to intel he may have, Jed, who is currently meant to be on vacation, steps in. Determined to protect both mother and child Jed makes a decision that could ultimately put his job in jeopardy. Retaining his objectivity and distance also proves elusive and despite Jed’s attempts to create space he is drawn to not only Vivi but Michael as well.
Michael is actually mute and suspected of being on the spectrum. What he may know is all currently locked away deep in his head and someone doesn't want him talking so is now hell-bent on ensuring his permanent silence through whatever means necessary.
I managed to read this series out of sequence. I started with book one before moving on to book three and completely skipping this one. This was solely because I had the physical copies but they can be read as standalones. There is some character crossover which will further enrich if read in the correct order but do work and makes sense without the added context. Anyway, I decided to backtrack and picked up a Kindle copy. Overall I did enjoy this maybe not as much as others in the series but it was decent and kept my attention.
So the main male character Jed did at times annoy me. There were a couple of occasions where I wanted to berate him so badly especially regarding a decision he made near the finish of this that I thought should have had some definite blowback for him. Instead, Vivi just rolled over and actually ended up apologising to him. Vivi also came across as a bit weak with limited backbone and out of all of the books I've read in this series so far they may be my least favourite couple to date. The romantic aspects here were tiny and I was definitely expecting more than we were given. This book is instead much more focused on the political terrorism and the romance turned out to be more of a back burner which I then found to be quite weak and underdeveloped. The romantic components here just felt more like an afterthought.
The intrigue portion of this is where this book shines and the romance was weaker and did let it down somewhat. This was also very heavy on the terrorism angle which I'll be frank wasn't comfortable reading. It is well written and did feel extremely authentic and well researched. I just think this one wasn't really my vibe. I mostly liked it just not as much as others I've read in this series. ...more
Loved this and couldn’t put it down. This author is an auto-buy for me and it doesn’t matter what genre she writes in I’m all in every time. This is aLoved this and couldn’t put it down. This author is an auto-buy for me and it doesn’t matter what genre she writes in I’m all in every time. This is a dark contemporary set in the bayou of Louisiana that is enmeshed in the murky world of the cartel and has a decade-old mystery at its centre. The romance here was delicious and edgy and I appreciated the slow burn tension and focus on the plot over the romance itself. This is first and foremost a mystery the relationship being more of a sub-plot.
Celeste fled Chevalier Isle a decade prior under a cloud of blood and tragedy. Her memory is spotty and the trauma deep. Russ James her unlikely saviour has taken care of her ever since. But with his passing from cancer Celeste decides to return to her birthplace and the run-down abandoned Charpentier House the home she grew up in with her father.
The Magnolia Lane murder was headline news at the time but Celeste was able to fly under the radar as her father had kept her hidden out of sight for reasons unknown. Now she's back and determined to discover the truth but Celeste’s reappearance doesn’t go unnoticed and with unknown enemies including the Cartel interested in her the danger for Celeste is rising rapidly.
Thierry Bergeron runs a strip joint Saints and sinners it's also a front for money laundering and he’s firmly tangled up with the Cartel including any hits or pick-ups they require. He has a fearsome reputation and doesn’t get emotionally involved because ties can be used against you. Celeste is an intriguing enigma he never calculated for she could also be his ticket to freedom which convinces him to keep her close whilst at the same time attempting to solve the puzzle of just who she is and why his boss is so interested in her.
This was like a runaway train and the further I travelled the more surreal it all got. It has such a creepy overtone with all of the ghostly and bizarre occurrences. The romance itself was sublime and worked brilliantly. The sheer ambience and vibe saturated the entire story and this was all incredibly immersive. There were definitely some twists that bowled me over and that I definitely didn’t anticipate. So incredibly well done and the pacing was chef's kiss. I highly recommend this especially if dark atmospheric mysteries and swoon-worthy anti-heroes are your jam. This delivered in every way. ...more
This author is a favourite of mine and I enjoyed this one a lot. I would have rated this higher but I found the ending to be a bit weak and for me, itThis author is a favourite of mine and I enjoyed this one a lot. I would have rated this higher but I found the ending to be a bit weak and for me, it didn’t match the perfection that came before it. The rest of the book was fantastic and I adored the connection between Liam and Tru.
Liam is exactly the sort of MC that I adore big broody tatted and dangerous but with a protective streak a mile wide for that special someone in his life. He knows he's no good for Truvy but wants her anyway even if it's only temporary and as much as he tries to stay away to protect her it’s impossible He’s just can't help but be drawn into her hemisphere.
For eleven months he keeps his distance just watching as she works her waitress job. Until he just can't anymore and when she's attacked it brings everything to a head when he steps in becoming her unexpected white knight.
The banter and back-and-forth between these two was top-tier tier and this was my favourite part. I also especially appreciated how level-headed Tru was and how openly honest these two were when it came to their feelings it was refreshing. If it wasn't for the finish then this would have been a home run but I imagine this was also done to make way for the brothers’s books next. Regardless this was still an excellent read....more
This was a bit out of my usual reading comfort zone, but it's good to step out of the box occasionally, and it had stellar reviews. I've been meaning This was a bit out of my usual reading comfort zone, but it's good to step out of the box occasionally, and it had stellar reviews. I've been meaning to pick up a Kristin Hannah book for a while, I have a few waiting on my physical bookshelves this isn't one I'd have chosen to start with but it was the book pick for a book club I've joined so it actually gave me the push I needed to begin my journey.
I also didn't know a lot about the Vietnam War beforehand. I'm from the UK so it isn't something I've been overly exposed to. This book follows Frankie McGrath a young girl who enlists as a nurse in the Army Nurse Corps. She's from a privileged conservative background and the expectations her family have are the usual of wife mother home. It's her naive idealism and wanting to make a difference just like her brother that initially compels her. But what she expects and the reality of her new situation are poles apart and Frankie is instantly thrown into the deep end of blood war and loss, it's something that she is wholly unprepared for and it's basically sink or swim.
Along this journey, she cements tight bonds. This experience is also the catalyst for some intense connections and feelings of sisterhood. Individuals she would never have had the opportunity to rub shoulders with become lifetime confidants. The loss and constant precipice of danger forges solid bonds and amongst all of the shocking carnage and loss every moment feels intense and like it could be the last.
This had some truly heartbreaking moments and brought forth so much emotion and it was incredibly easy to become emotionally connected to the story. This is a book of extreme loss and love and broken dreams and the disillusionment of war. It tells the story of the forgotten heroes the brave women who were overlooked and made to appear less. Whilst their male counterparts were acknowledged these women equally as valid and important to history were negated and erased.
This is a story of two parts an initial naive Frankie who wants to make a difference who discovers all of the harsh realities of her new situation and adapts accordingly. Showcasing a strength of character she could never have conceived. Then the after Frankie now home broken but unable to just slot back into her former life. She no longer fits and the people around her just don't get it and can't understand why she can't move on. The war is a shameful topic and she is treated differently from the men who returned her part in it erased. Her parents are ashamed and just want to brush it under the carpet her only lifelines are her best friends Babs and Ethel nurses who were also stationed with her.
It's not really a feel-good read, or that uplifting in fact it at times got god damn depressing and Frankie really does hit absolute rock bottom when she eventually does arrive home. The PTSD which was wholly misunderstood back then hits deep, but it is also an extremely emotional one that did manage to touch me deeply. I read it super fast as it was an easy page turner even if it wasn't always comfortable reading....more
When Kaldur of house Kaalium, high lord of Vyaan discovers his blood mate living under his own roof, working as a keeper he makes some stupid and selfWhen Kaldur of house Kaalium, high lord of Vyaan discovers his blood mate living under his own roof, working as a keeper he makes some stupid and selfish choices. Rather than learn from his brother's mistakes, Kaldur takes a leaf out of their book and decides to omit the truth, retaining her services under a contract and offering Erina a position in his household as his personal blood giver. Erina has no idea that she's his blood mate with her background as a poor orphan Erina has always managed to retain her optimism and ideals. She has no lofty aspirations of highering herself in society and is happiest when occupied with her drawings and stories. She's also secretly in awe of Kladur ever since she joined his household two years prior
Kaldur had an inflated sense of self-importance believing himself above the idea of merely a keeper, he justifies this by thinking that it's not personal. He is also heavily influenced by a past history that ended badly. As such he treats his secret blood mate abysmally almost like he's ashamed. Then it gets worse when he allows other individuals to influence him and without any solid evidence he becomes judge and jury totally shattering Elinas wide-eyed optimism and tender heart. Honestly, he acts like such an ass hat that he deserved to lose it all.
I absolutely adored this and the grovel was delicious seeing Kaldur brought to his knees over everything he has wrought was sublime and if anything I'd I've appreciated even a little more contrition than we actually got from him. He literally did a 180 in his behaviour and attitude. There's nothing like nearly losing everything and completely through your own actions to humble a man and give him a sharp dose of reality. In my opinion, Erina was far too forgiving and should have turned the screw somewhat just to even the score. What can I say I'm a vicious vindictive harpy at heart and I make no apologies for that fact
As much as I wanted to disembowel Kaldur and very slowly through more than half of this I was also totally invested and gripped throughout. This was a very engaging and easy read that I inhaled. Erina was definitely a saint when it came to her forgiveness of Kaldur but at times though she could be a bit too kind. Highly recommend this series I've enjoyed them all a lot and it's one of my favourite sci-fi series to date....more
Bex (Beckie Bookworm)
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