Book Review: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

There are weirder things to collect than Smurfs I guess.

Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman sit across from each other every day . . . and they hate each other. Not dislike. Not begrudgingly tolerate. HATE. Lucy can't understand Joshua's joyless, uptight approach to his job and refusal to smile. Joshua is clearly baffled by Lucy's overly bright clothes, quirkiness, and desire to be liked.

Now they're up for the same promotion and Lucy, usually a determined people-pleaser, has had enough: it's time to take him down. But as the tension between Lucy and Joshua reaches its boiling point, it's clear that the real battle has only just begun . .

This is a book I got for review ages ago and after months of hearing about how good it was, I have finally read it (it might take me years or months, but I intend to read everything I said I would review eventually).

This is a 'hate to love', filled with witty back and forth, which is something I love. Fun dialogue is my favourite thing. They're always at the same power level as well so it's fully enjoyable. I wish all romance focus books were like this one. If read my other reviews, I do paint a picture of me hating all romance. Not true, just a lot romances focus books give no reason for the characters to like each and they have no chemistry at all, which is the opposite in this book. 


The characters Lusy and Joshua are well round with filled out backgrounds and good motives. Also surrounded by interesting supporting cast. Their relationships is fun and I just really like them.

The ending was a bit disappointing for me. Not the way the story ends, just the execution. I wanted  an epilogue kinda of. I just wished the concussion was stronger. I realise we were near the ending and was like hur? There's not time for a proper resolution. I cared about the plot as well as the characters so I wish it was more satisfying.
 
Overall, I give this 4/5 stars for Strawberry Smurfs. This is a fun romance, with the background of the publishing industry. I've not said much in this review, but I think it better going in not knowing much. I recommended, it one of the best romances I've read and if you want a fun, light read book

I received this book off Netgalley and Piatkus for Review.

Sick again. (Or is that my natural state).

I am sick again. I always seem to be sick. Well, it might have been a month ago. Something always feels like its up with me. I guess because something always is.

It's just a head cold, sore throat and stuffy head so could be worst. I just have stuff I should have done by now. Me as always.

I should go to the doctor again. Probably I keep thinking my hormones have been out of wack. Just not sure but I think I should. Probably should to keep bugging them till I find out with what wrong with me.

I have been writing and busy. Not done much reading but I am going into another readathon on Monday so break not nesscasy a bad thing. Just wanted to have things done.

I also have your reviews in the works that I should finish. None British which why semi on the backburner but will be done soonish.

The writing is not in a stage of sharing but might be someday. It's novel idea that working on and still figuring out the contest entry. Just figuring stuff out. Thinking I've went too complex for short story.

P.S. probably spelling mistakes as I wrote this on my phone which has lacking speller checker.

Book Review: The Girls in the Garden by Lisa Jewell

Wet suites are so in.

Imagine that you live on a picturesque communal garden square, an oasis in urban London where your children run free, in and out of other people's houses. You've known your neighbors for years and you trust them. Implicitly. You think your children are safe. But are they really? On a midsummer night, as a festive neighborhood party is taking place, preteen Pip discovers her thirteen-year-old sister Grace lying unconscious and bloody in a hidden corner of a lush rose garden. What really happened to her? And who is responsible?

This book is also known as just 'The Girls', that is a bit generic so probably why they changed between countries.  This is the second book I've read and reviewed by Lisa Jewell.

There was a lot of characters to keep up with; there being a gang of kids and their respective parents. The POV changes focus staying in third person with letters from Pip to her father mixed in.

The setting is a bit interesting as it takes place in a private park, which we rarely leave, that connect the flats to each other. Also a strong sense of community as lot of the characters have know each other for decades and from childhood. With strain of new comers adding a flare.

In the start it was a bit confusing when "the sisters" were being discussed as there are two lots of sisters. I don't know if this because I listened to the audiobook and I wasn't listening at the right speed for me. Another audiobooks note is that there's is reference to pictures, that do appear in the novel, which I acquired the ebook of to check these. The Map is the only one that usefully but you don't need them for the story so the audiobook is a fine way to consume this story.

There's was two mysteries under running this story and we only get underwhelming solutions. Lots of red herrings and suspects. Some of it was weird and like hur? It works through and was okay. I wasn't that invested in some of the characters but I did feel for Pip's mother coming into this environment. 

Overall, I give this book 3/5 stars for plastic bags. This was alright thriller and enjoyed listening to it.  I think I prefer Then She Was Gone better. But if you like Lisa Jewell's other works you should like this at least.

The Attic (or something)

Its in the attic again. I can hear it breathing. The gentle tap against the trap door leading down here. I don't want to deal with it again, but it I know if I leave it the tap will become a bang and the breathing will become screaming.

I thought I had finally got rid of it last time. It hadn't been back for months. The first it left for a week. The next for a day, but it was quiet again. It's like I'm turning a computer on and off that has more going on than a processing error. Like the fan is broken and it's only a matter of time until it burns down my house while I'm a sleep.

If only I can could just get rid of it for good. I could move, but I don't have the money. This place is so cheap because of it frequent visitor. If I was completely deaf I wouldn't know it was there. Until it came down. I think its came down before. It was the mysterious murders that made this place cheap. Fuck I have to move. Maybe if I value my life more I would. I'll be gone soon anyway. Only few more months. I wonder if it knows.

"So you're back," I say to the attic door. Hole? Panel? I'm not sure what it proper name is. It just continues it gentle tapping, rhythmic as a clock and just as annoying in silence. "I wish you could tell what you want, instead of playing this game." Was this a game? It felt like a board game that you forget about until the power goes off for some unexplained reason. Maybe the weather set it off too? Maybe sunshine.

It didn't respond. Just the same breath. I went to go get sage. I had been saging the house everyday, mainly cause I liked the smell. Me doing it never worked. That physic had some luck, but she had ran out screaming last time. Maybe she left with her. I would check up on her, but my phone fried and couldn't remember her last name.

I decided to leave the sage and go back to what I had been doing.

"Well, I'm going out." I had been getting ready to leave when it started again and talking to it was having no effect. Maybe I was lonely. No, I was definitely lonely. Well, I guess at work I would the sweet joy of customers screaming at me for no reason. I grabbed my bag left into the rest of the mansion.
 
My flat was part of a converted mansion that been snab nashed into flats. If a good job had been done (and without the mysterious thing in the attic) the place would high end, but instead it was confusing mess with random rooms blocked off each other and cheap doors wooden doors from the 80s joining others. I had never been in the attic to see if I was the only one access. But my neighbours don't seem to notice the breathing and the taping. Only the banging and screams so I doubt it. I guess that was the bonus of that unit.

All the units opened onto the grand hall with its double stairs and they had the senses not to separate. It made the places almost grand if you ignore the awkward outside doors on half the units, the others having the study originals that would probably do a better job if stopping someone breaking it.

***

I give up. Don't know where is going and it is dangerous close to midnight. I've sort of been writing. There's Queer writing contest and I'm going to go for it. I have no plot, just weird thoughts. Been doing the contemporaryathon so I'm off to read.

Book Review: Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

Oh, the world should ended when I was eight. I would have welcomed it (sad, but true).  Or before I was born.

'Armageddon only happens once, you know. They don't let you go around again until you get it right.'


According to The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch - the world's only totally guide  to the future, written in 1655, before she exploded - the world will end on a Saturday. Next Saturday, in fact. Just after tea...

People have been predicting the end of the world almost from its very beginning, so it's only natural to be sceptical when a new date is set for Judgement Day. This time though, the armies of the Good and Evil really do appear to be massing. The four Bikers of the Apocalypse are hitting the road. But both the angels and demons - well, one fast-living demon and a somewhat fussy angel - would quite like the Rapture not to happen.


And someone seems to have misplaced the Antichrist . . .

This the first Terry Patachatt novel I've read, but I've danced around with Gaiman before. I had been interested to read this book for a while and  the adaption with David Tennant pushed me to read it. I thought the TV adaption was being released sooner than is. It not coming out till 2019 so plenty of time to read this novel before then.

There's a lot characters in this book and jumbles between them all. The Angel and the Demon both being bad at what they meant to do always works.

The plot works well for the story, not sure why 11 year old Antichrist is what you would be waiting for. Wouldn't wait till puberty was finished? Humour I guess.

Is it weird when I finished this book, I immediately thought the ones stars would be a hoot, and they were. "Pretentious" and saying to get rid of characters that are necessary for the plot to work.

Overall, I give this book 4/5 stars for singe corners. This book is relevant and for being almost 30 years (we're all getting so old) it hard to date it really (except it's cds and ipods that turn into the best of Queen now). Well, I'm off to throw some books in a bath or something. 

The StrangeAThon (and other stuff)

It's Saturday again somehow. I dis-believe that this day can come so often.

They are strangers in the House, Leia rightfully doesn't like them being here. She also a coward. I'm currently writing this, braiding my hair and editing a video while watching YouTube. Do everything at once.

I did not write anything this week either. The week got away from me. The week often gets away from me. We're already in 10 days into February. OMG, I forgot Valentine's day. No I didn't. It a blar holiday. Lets celebrate All Saint's Day instead.

I made a readathon. The StrangeAThon, feel free to join in. 1st May is when the one with thought happens but you can join me on 26th Feb for a week of possibly dumb challenges.

I like them so I hope others like them and join

in. I'm doing it either way. The F-up challenge is a least something new. It be good if I had a real theme. Other than strange, which could mean anything.

I'm writting this on my old phone which will be forgot soon again as I'm getting my latest one back Monday, now that its no longer has smashed. My old one lags and battery is dying while on charge.

I'm off to read and watch Cake Wars. Its Valentine's special. Halloween Wars is what I'm in the mood for.

Book Review: Zom-B: Bride by Darren Shan

Marriage is not how to solve politician issues. Anymore.


Does True Love lurk in the Darkest of Places?

Could a psychotic stalker be the man of your dreams?

Can a Killer win your heart?

Here comes the Bride...

This is the 10th in the Zom-B series (which I have review the majority of the series: Zom-B, Undergound, City, Angels, Baby, Mission, Clans, Circus, and Family). This one was odd. Odder and creepier than the other books in the series.

B is 13 years old physically and a fully grown man/clown is telling her he loves her. This isn't a spoiler with what this book is called. It stated several times that it not romantic, but it still creepy. Creeper than the babies.

There's a lot of gore for gore sake. Limbs everywhere and other dumb decorating choices.

We get more answers in this book, but B also ran away from answers. 
The Plot is clearly gearing up for Climax of the series. It's definitely going somewhere.

B's personality is her weird, soft, cult side. Not sure where her head is.

Overall, I give you this book 3.5/5 stars for blood baths. I feel my opinion might change on this book with what happens with the last two in the series so might update this rating or address that in my future reviews.

The Awkward Stage of Me.

Yeah, I wrote this month. Week. I can't believe its already February. I only read 13 books. What am I?
 I keep writing a teenage walking straight out of school, it not a good start of anything. It going nowhere. My life is going nowhere.

I continue to not know what I'm doing. But even when I was doing stuff I don't know what I'm doing. I never know what the hell I'm doing.

Still editing and still filming. Still trying to be. My hair has a knot in it.

Went up the RTS awards, we weren't even actually nominated (they didn't tell us who was) so that was a waste of money and time. It was in such an awkward place, no parking lot was near it. It was meant to be in a theatre but it didn't have an actual stage so it was just a haul. Well, ex-church. They show the worst part of our film too. If we weren't going to be nominated, then just spoil the plot, no one gonna go out and watch it anyway. Actually, not out on public platform because it would take out the running for some festivals if it was.

I like films so I should be pursing that, but I'm in such an awkward stage of me. Science? STEM is fun kids. I want to study dead bodies.

BYE!