Second Chances

– by A.E. Radley

 

Another GEM from A.E. Radley! “Second Chances” is a resounding MUST-READ! I couldn’t put it down. I made a mistake (or maybe not depending on how one looks at it!) of starting my read whilst I was knee-deep in work bollocks. Alas, I was so engrossed in the book and the story, my day job was summarily abandoned, if only for a few hours. Oh, sod it! I was singularly focussed on Rosie, Alice and Hannah!

This story wasn’t a typical age-gap romance. Not at all. And this superbly crafted and weaved story is testament to that. I’ve never read anything like it at all, not under the age-gap romance trope. In fact, this story transcended age. It’s just a number, innit? Read it and judge for yourself.  I must admit the effects of exploring and experiencing the story about a young single mother doing her absolute best to provide for her 5-year-old gifted child whilst trying to make ends meet and a very observant and eager primary school (Year 1) teacher trying to help provide the best possible ways to foster the child’s astonishingly high level of intelligence way beyond her age, have made a mark in my mind. A truly marvellous story written and told with reverberating effect. One with a lasting, memorable impression that I won’t ever forget. Thank you, Ms. Radley!

Romancing The Girl

– by Camryn Eyde

 

Camryn Eyde‘s “Romancing The Girl” was another pleasant surprise for me! I wanted to further explore Eyde’s storytelling style with her other full-length novels after reading her absolutely brilliant Tricky series (Books 1 & 2; final book still in the wind) which became one of me favourite lesfic stories, with Darcy & Olivia making me list of favourite lesfic couples! So I decided to make “Romancing” me next Eyde read. Plus, the blurb sounded intriguing. I mean, it can’t sound any more interesting and curious than putting a TV reality dating show in the middle of a working farm with horses, sheep, with that whole farm life thing going on, can it? And it’s in Aussie-style, complete with the Aussie language and lifestyle treatment which elevated me level of interest and anticipation even more! Needless to say, this story was another very well-written, enemies-to-lovers love story that was rich with other subplots that raised the stakes of the entire story altogether. Not to mention,  one brilliantly constructed long scene vividly depicted with highly intense and edge-of-your-seat effect toward the end of the final act.

Tricky Series (Books 1 & 2)

– by Camryn Eyde

*This commentary applies to the entire Tricky series
(thusfar, with I believe, the 3rd and final installment yet to be released)
including Book 1 “Tricky Wisdom” and Book 2 “Tricky Chances.”

I’m ashamed to say that I had Camryn Eyde‘s Tricky series on me TBR list for a while and actually managed to forget about it until very recently. Thanks to Sheena from TLR who happened to organise a book club read of Eyde’s first book of the series, “Tricky Wisdom,” that instantly kicked me arse into action about reading the series! I’d previously read a couple of Eyde’s shorts a while ago but never her full-length, which was when I had placed the Tricky series on me TBR list in the first place after her shorts. Long story short, I had breezed through both installments back-to-back, never wanting to put them down, whilst berating meself for me forgetfulness in reading them much earlier on! But hey, better late than never, eh?

Now, let’s crack on, shall we?

Camryn Eyde’s Tricky series, “Tricky Wisdom” (Book 1) and “Tricky Chances” (Book 2), essentially is a series that chronicled the personal voyage of one medical student, Darcy Wright, through her eyes and point-of-view as she stumbled her way through medical training in Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital, whilst also getting her previously non-existent love life all bent out of shape by being entangled with her roomie and her best mate! Yeh, Darcy’s life was definitely interesting!

Hooked On You

– by Jenn Matthews

First off, I must say, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a generous offer from the author of this book to read it before its release date sometime in February with no review obligation. After communicating briefly with Jenn Matthews, new author of Ylva’s and the architect of this book, “Hooked On You,” I was intrigued. I promised that I would give it a go after I finished the 3 books that I was reading then. Nonetheless, the story which captivated me from the start has inspired me to decide on commenting about it.

It IS ironic that the book has the word “Hooked” on its title because…!!! Ok, ever the curious one, despite being busy reading several books simultaneously and carrying on with me day job, I just thought I’d read the first pages of Matthews’ debut published novel just to get the gist of her writing tone and style. There was a Prologue. Good, so I dove in. Oh. My. God. Bloody hell! I instantly suspended all me other reads then so I could dive into this one! Needless to say, I was instantly HOOKED! From the Prologue alone! Whaaa?!

Gold

– E.J. Noyes

I’d been waiting for a long time for E.J. Noyes‘ latest work, “Gold.” So when I finally got me hands on it, I practically devoured it. Yup, salivated every word of this 100%, unadulterated, thought-provoking, intensely grown-up love story between two women with their own complicated past, one of them with a teenage child and a miserable past. PLUS, I had zero knowledge about skiing, let alone this daunting alpine skiing business! But Noyes opened me eyes to this incredibly fast, powerful, difficult and complex athletic sport with her keen insights into the sport.

Midsummer (Skyclad Series Book #2)

– Max Ellendale

This sequel to Max Ellendale‘s “Skyclad” was definitely something I was looking for after reading the 1st book. It ticked all the boxes for me when it came to Mae and Ella’s journey, their life as a couple, how they manoeuvred their long-term relationship.

A wedding on the horizon for Mae and Ella! YES! These two lovebirds decided to get wedded during the Midsummer festival, Wiccan style. But all was not going according to plan. Obviously not. Ella stumbled upon a kid outside her college one day and discovered some gruesome details about the girl. Her name was Phee. I loved this kid. So young and incredibly independent, strong-willed, intelligent, street-smart but underneath all that bravado lied her vulnerability and fear because regardless she was still just a young child. This delicate juxtaposition was depicted with such aplomb. The chemistry between Ella and Phee was immediately felt as it was written effectively in an organic, natural style.