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felicitysmith39

She reads, she watches and sometimes she goes outside

I read as often as I can. I watch a lot of movies and I love to walk and cycle. Most of my reading is fluff for relaxation.

Currently reading

The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here for?
Rick Warren
15th Affair
Maxine Paetro, James Patterson
Love on the Range: A Looking Glass Lake Prequel (Looking Glass Lake Series Book 0)
Rebecca Nightsong
Robot Coconut Trees: Break Through Writer's Block, Unleash Your Creative Voice, and Become the Writer You Already Are
Kelsey Horton
The Ocean at the End of the Lane: A Novel
Neil Gaiman, Neil Gaiman
One Summer In France
Bev Spicer
Two Are Better: Midlife Newlyweds Bicycle Coast to Coast
Tim Bishop;Debbie Bishop
The Misinterpretation of Tara Jupp
Eva Rice

My So-Called (Love) Life

My So-Called (Love) Life - A. L. Michael I actually realised I had already read this book when I got to about the second chapter. But it was good and light and keep me entertained. The main character (Tig) is written with a lightness and humour that betrays her situation but makes you kind of want things to go well. Unfortunately the male characters in the book felt a bit light on depth and quite two-dimensional at points. I would recommend this is if you enjoy a classic "girl gets it together" story set against a very idealistic world. It was lovely escapism but I think it will fade quickly and I wouldn't be surprised if I picked it up again in a few years having forgotten what happened.

Inferno

Inferno - Dan Brown I found this one had a bit much art history for me personally but the underlying story was great. I think it explored some interesting ideas in a very simple way. I did think the female characters were a bit one-dimensional.

I would recommend if you liked the DaVinci code but not if your tastes run to Digital Fortress

One Moment, One Morning

One Moment, One Morning - Sarah Rayner I enjoyed the characters in this as the three key individuals were quite different and approached the same situation with some clear views influenced by their previous experiences which was reflected really well. Interestingly "not a lot happened along the way" and the conclusion therefore did not have a sudden clarity and closure that I enjoy but that I feel is a personal style thing. There was no big sudden twist of ending which was good and it did tie up some loose ends but I guess the point of the story for me was an exploration of reaction rather than a journey to a conclusion.

The Other Woman

The Other Woman - Jane Green I struggled with so much of the selfish in this book. This doesn't mean it was badly written or that it was not engaging it was more I couldn't relate. I thought it was a very interesting investigation and in some ways I enjoyed the middle most in this story as that is where I was most comfortable with the unusual characters. The ending for me is the reason I can't give it five stars but I would say a very good read if it works for you.

The Other Half

The Other Half - Sarah Rayner I struggled with this book. I struggled with the characters resonating honestly for me. I don't think it was badly written I just don't think it was for me. I kept reading which speaks to the story being well developed but I feel for me (and only me) the characters were not my cup of tea. I don't know if it was because their responses were too simple or if it was that I have never met people who make those choices so clearly when life is chaotic. I would suggest starting this if you like escapism but not if you like realism

Vets in Love (Talyton St George, #6)

Vets in Love (Talyton St George, #6) - Cathy Woodman More of the same. Light reading of the same characters. Great if you like them - annoying if you don't, a bit like an episode of a sitcom

One Step Too Far

One Step Too Far - Tina Seskis This book as been sitting on my "to read" pile by my bed for quite some time. I finally embarked on reading it and found it a lot lighter and easier reading than expected. The blurb gave me the idea it was going to be a bit harrowing. Surprisingly I found it lighter than expected and a nice read. The ending was very rushed feeling which was my only disappointment. Would definitely read more by the same auther.

That Girl From Nowhere

That Girl From Nowhere - Dorothy Koomson i felt this was an interesting exploration. i enjoyed some of the characters but definitely found a few a bit two-dimensonal. I was surprised at how large the cast was and I think a good few were not necessary and the story could have unfolded well without them. All in all it was a quick and easy read for me

Walking Disaster

Walking Disaster - Jamie McGuire disappointing compared to the Beautiful Disaster book. I think these two should have somehow been intertwined. Maybe because I knew how the story would unfold I didn't find this a good or interesting read. It didn't ring with the same authenticity as Beautiful Disaster. Would definitely read more by the author though.

Call After Midnight

Call After Midnight - Tess Gerritsen I enjoyed this but it was not the fast pace I associate with the author. It was definitely a more "relationship" based story and less adventure/intrigue

Beautiful Disaster

Beautiful Disaster - Jamie McGuire I enjoyed this book almost against my better judgement.

There were huge cliches, there was two dimensional characters and still I kept reading keenly. The language was engaging and the storyline kept you engaged.

I definitely think this is a great wet weekend companion - nothing too intense but very engaging. The only issue for me was the constant violence was a little off putting (but I like my books pretty low on this feature in general. The descriptive terms were almost too clear and accurate for me to feel comfortable with the violence exhibited - but I do think that is just my issue.

The main characters were interesting in their naive natures combined with their optimism which I felt was a great indicator of the author's understanding of youth. The simple scenarios were well described and I was wanting the "happily ever after" for the characters I liked. There were a few red herrings that I felt were a great indicator of the skill of the writer not just throwing out morsels that always came to fruition...

I would recommend if you are ok with fights being described in detail in your romances :-)

If You Could See Me Now

If You Could See Me Now - Cecelia Ahern This was not my favourite book of the year by a long way. I struggled with engaging with the main characters and the language was missing a descriptive element for me. I enjoyed the overall message/story but I felt it could have been much sharper and more engaging. I didn't find the main character very likeable (which I understand was the point initially but I expected her to grow on me). There was a bit too much "oh look what we know that you don't" going on as well, so we were shown aspects of the situation she was not aware of like it was a good thing which made the book quite simplistic.

I felt there could have been a great deal more family interaction rather than a focus on the couples that were/weren't unfolding. I did however really like the other smaller parts and felt some of them could have made really good novels in their stories (is it wrong to wish for the story of the characters who only just appear now and again?)

Overall if you like the author you will persist but I don't believe it was her best work for me.

Mrs Sinclair's Suitcase

Mrs Sinclair's Suitcase - Louise Walters I struggled to get into this book the first time. So this was the second time in a year I tried this one. I liked the young Dorothy character but I struggled a bit more with the contemporary Roberta character. Some of the minor characters felt a bit two-dimensional but otherwise the book would have been epic so it was probably a necessary loss. I enojyed the period nature of the early material which is unusual for me who would usually not pick a non-contemporary novel.

I do think the writing was great and i would totally read something else by the same author as my "not getting into it" was more my taste than the writing or the style. It was a clear and structured story that I think stands up well. the ending was a little weak for me but it was conclusive.

Die Again: A Rizzoli & Isles Novel

Die Again: A Rizzoli & Isles Novel - Tess Gerritsen This is very much in keeping with the rest of this series but somehow it did not hit the spot for me. I don't know if this is because I have now been introduced to the TV series so it seemed a bit slow and cumbersome or if it was just my mood. I could not fault the book and I would be interested to see some other reviews to see what they highlight as different as there is nothing i can pinpoint. I thought as someone who has been to Tanzania and read quite a few books with african references this was a good example of not overdoing the exotic while still noting some very key differences. I do like her characters and the recovering traveler would have been nice to see a bit more depth to.

A Winter Flame

A Winter Flame - Milly Johnson This book is part of "world" written by Milly Johnson that covers each season. She has done a wonderful job with Winter. Picking all the brightest and shiniest winter ideas is a great contrast to the loss and hurt that is also covered in this book.

The characters are a combination of simple and more complex individuals who all seem to have similar tendencies to hide certain parts of themselves. I enjoyed the developing story and got through it almost too quickly. I guess its a good sign that you want there to be more at the end.

I would recommend this as a lovely summer read to remind you about all the good bits of christmas and winter out of season.

For Rent

For Rent - Erin Huss I thought this would be a more descriptive book as it is part of a series so I expected very complex characters but in reality for me It was ok but nothing unique. I was a bit disappointed that in parts it read more like a screenplay than a novel but it was an easy read and the story flowed successfully from chaos to the end. The ending however was a bit weak for me and i would have liked a bit more complexity. If you are looking for a light holiday read it is probably good.