The Other Half of Augusta Hope - Joanna Glen

The Other Half of Augusta Hope by Joanna Glen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a bit of an unusual story. I have to admit from the blurb, I wasn't really sure what to expect and even as the story unfolded I really wasn't sure where it was going. This is a story about living life, love and loss. Or perhaps in many ways, it would be more accurate to simply say that this is a story about life. It follows Augusta and her twin Julia from their early days, while at the same time we see snippets of Parfait's life. Of course, these two stories are going to eventually collide and it becomes apparent that they are in more ways than one, two halves of the same story.
What's really odd about this story is that in many ways it's a very sad or melancholy tale, there is a lot that happens that is truly awful for all of the various characters that we meet. Even the good stuff is tempered by decisions or events of the past. The really odd part of this is that despite all of that, there is something that does leave you feeling good when you've read this book. Possibly it's the ending? But I would say that I had that feeling as I read it, there's something about the story overall that just gives you a bit of a contented feeling, or perhaps that's just me.
I went into this book not really knowing what to expect and in many ways, I've come out of it, not really able to fully describe what it is, but knowing that I really enjoyed it,
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Magnetic by Anya J Cosgrove - Cover Reveal

Title: Magnetic

Author: Anya J. Cosgrove

Genre: Reverse Harem Shifter Romance

Release Date: August 8, 2019 Cover Design: Fiona Jayde Media

Who said life was a fairy tale? Because I’d gladly slice that jerk’s head off.

I never expected to end up half-naked in the woods with my guts hanging out. I didn’t plan to stumble upon the most powerful shifter clan in North America and three of the sexiest men I’ve ever laid eyes on.

Dominic, the fun and reckless new wolf. 

Sam, the hot doctor with glacial-blue eyes.

And Gabriel, the intense, secretive alpha who wants nothing to do with me.

My real name is a one-way ticket back to hell, and my secrets need to stay buried like the girl I used to be.

Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Red Riding Hood—I can be all three. I can use my powers to earn a place in their werewolf town, away from the bite of my past mistakes. I can use them—and their bodies—to survive.

The only thing I can’t do is fall for them.

Anya J Cosgrove lives in Québec with her husband, her beautiful son, and two mischievous cats. She works as a veterinarian by day. She’s a travel and Disney junkie and is passionate about her favorite paranormal series. 

What would Buffy do? Kick ass!

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Lost in me - Lexi Ryan

Lost in Me by Lexi Ryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a trilogy of books that tells the story of a love triangle. On the whole, these aren't my favourite type of romance stories, having an extra person or being torn between two people isn't that appealing, but I did like the premise behind this one. Not only is our heroine torn between two men, but she is also suffering from amnesia after a nasty accident (or is it?) and when she wakes up she remembers nothing of her relationship with either man, but she appears to be engaged to one of them.
I liked the way that the story unfolded, with Hanna learning as much about her recent past and love life as we do. The only slight issue that I have, is that she accepts that all was good with at least one of the men, even though there is at least some evidence to suggest that all might not be as it seems. Surely, any decent man would give her the space to remember what they had, or at least go all out to win them over again after such an injury, rather than taking it as a fait accompli?
Hanna's mother is vile, I'm not sure what kind of self-absorbed creature would push a daughter into a speedy marriage when she has lost nearly a year of her life? Her friends at least seem much nicer and perhaps provide some balance there.
Overall I enjoyed this read, I'd like to know what's going to happen next and I think I know who I'd like her to end up with. Of course, this book ends on a bit of a cliff hanger, although not an entirely unexpected one. Let's see what the next book will bring.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Their Little Secret - Mark Billingham

Their Little Secret by Mark Billingham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I haven't read a Mark Billingham book before, in fact, other than the name sounding vaguely familiar for some reason, I don' think that prior to a couple of weeks ago, I knew who he was. Then, via a round-about route, that involved watching Red Dwarf with my kids and thinking of other things that they would enjoy, I was looking into what happened to other actors from Maid Marion and her Merry Men and discovered that one of the Sherif of Nottingham's hapless sidekicks was now an author. It wasn't until I got into the most recent of his books, after getting it on NetGalley that I discovered that I'd actually see TV adaptations of some of them a few years ago. I'm well aware that I'm rambling and that this has nothing to do with my review, but please indulge me for a second or scan through that, until I start my review proper:
It's always a joy to discover a new detective series. This one is number 16, so it's clear that there has been a lot already in the series. Did that matter? Not really. I suspect that I could quite easily go back and read earlier ones without them being ruined, although at least one earlier case was mentioned in this book, at least in passing.
Thorn is, like many other of his ilk, a bit of a mess, but a good detective. I liked reading about him and although he's clearly far from perfect, he was an interesting lead in this story. Perhaps that's what made him interesting and likeable?
The story is about two people who work, in their own way, in a web of lies and fabrication. One is a con-man who takes women for their life savings and the other a woman who lies to satisfy what is lacking in her own life. Once they meet, they become something much darker and more intense. This particular story gives insight into the criminals from the start, so although everything isn't revealed, this isn't a mystery to solve by the reader. It is still gripping and entertaining and I read on, anxious to know how it would play out.
Told from multiple points of view, it was easy to almost feel some level of sympathy for the wrongdoers. I think Billingham is careful to not give too much insight into how they became who they are so that we know that Thorn and Tanner are on the side of justice and good.
This might be my first Mark Billingham, Tom Thorne novel, but I strongly suspect that it won't be my last. A great read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.


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Right Next Door - Delilah Peters

Right Next Door by Delilah Peters
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved this story, but I can see why some people might not be so keen. This is a short, quick read. If you're expecting something completely light-hearted and fun, then this is possibly not the read that you are looking for. That's not to say that it's incredibly dark or hard going, but there are topics touched on here that won't be for everyone. The heroine has issues with intimacy after a traumatic birth and subsequent related injury. It also deals with the realities of juggling being a single parent (in some ways, any parent) with having a life, particularly a sex life. For people who are looking for something that is solely escapism, then this may not fit the bill.
I actually really enjoyed the realistic side of this story. Just because sex is sometimes awkward or less than glamorous, it doesn't mean that it is not a lot of fun.
I really enjoyed the romance and relationship between Emma and Will, it felt true to life, but still exciting and interesting. Will, in particular, was great. I always like a caring and thoughtful hero, but for someone like Emma, with all of the baggage that she has, he fits even better. Overall this was a good quick read, that I just didn't want to put down.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Break me - Tracy Wolff

Break Me by Tracy Wolff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sometimes, what I really want is an in-depth, rambling story that I can get lost in for days. At other times I want a quick read that satisfies and gets to the point. Break Me certainly falls into the latter category. This book is part of a series from Carina press, written by different authors, these short tales are designed to be a bite-sized romance that you can consume in a couple of hours. But that doesn't mean that there's nothing here.
Being a shorter story, this one certainly gets straight to the point. Our Heroine, Destiny, doesn't hold back when she knows what she wants. We're barely past introductions before she's getting exactly what she wants from journalist Heath, and believe me, it isn't being the subject of the interview that he's actually there for.
I really enjoyed this quick read. When you're in the mood for a bit of a romantic fix, with a side serving of some hot passion, then this will certainly hit the spot.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Forget me - Kimberley Ash

Forget Me by Kimberley Ash
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've always had a bit of a soft spot for 'broken' heroes. In this book, the heroine, Laurel, also has a bit of a thing for them. She spent much of her life trying to save her father, who was an alcoholic and now after his death her younger brother is rapidly following the same path. I'm also a fan of second chance romances, which this fall into.
What I really enjoyed about this story was that there wasn't a simple fix and everything was happy. Jonah has managed to conquer his alcoholism, but he knows that it never really leaves him. It's very easy for stories like this to feel contrived, but this was well written and the characters attempts to deal with their problems felt real.
I liked the chemistry and romance between Laurel and Jonah. Although they had been in a relationship in the past, the reasons that are given for having broken up made sense and didn't stop them from getting back together again. I also enjoyed about Laurels attempts to modernise and update her father's bar. Something that she does not always find successful and straightforward. This is a thoughtful and interesting romance with plenty of those moments that you look for to put a smile on your face and a warm feeling inside when reading romance. I'd certainly be keen to read the next in the series or go back to the first, which I haven't as yet, read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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