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mixingrealitywithfiction's reviews
264 reviews
Given Our History by Kristyn J. Miller
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is an enjoyable second-chance romance. It's slow burn, but it's needed for Clara and Teddy.
You feel the instant awkwardness between Clara and Teddy but I think Clara started overthinking things even before Teddy arrived as the visiting scholar, or rather the second she heard his name being mentioned.
I enjoyed the dual perspective between them as teens to now, it showed just how far they've come whilst achieving their goals/dreams all the while putting everything and everyone before them and their feelings. But, how it all ties together is perfect in my eyes. If you like nerdy humour, slow burn and second chances with a few spicy scenes, these characters and this book is for you.
You feel the instant awkwardness between Clara and Teddy but I think Clara started overthinking things even before Teddy arrived as the visiting scholar, or rather the second she heard his name being mentioned.
I enjoyed the dual perspective between them as teens to now, it showed just how far they've come whilst achieving their goals/dreams all the while putting everything and everyone before them and their feelings. But, how it all ties together is perfect in my eyes. If you like nerdy humour, slow burn and second chances with a few spicy scenes, these characters and this book is for you.
Do Not Disturb by Freida McFadden
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My first Freida McFadden book and it won't be the last. You'll be second-guessing yourself throughout but will ultimately be shell-shocked when the twist comes. It's certainly an edge-of-your-seat book, one that will play with your mind. Certainly won't be forgetting this one any time soon! Highly recommend it if you like a good psychological thriller.
Falling by T.J. Newman
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If anything this book has most definitely put me off going abroad... what a tense ride this was. I can't say I loved it but I liked it, was unrealistic in places but I think that added to the suspense and the uneasiness of the book in general - it is fiction after all!! Definitely need something lighter to read after that!! I do recommend it but if you're heading abroad soon, I'd wait to read it until after your holidays 😆
Swimming to Lundy by Amanda Prowse
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Amanda definitely knows how to write a cracking storyline packed with loveable characters all the while adding in the emotional rollercoaster, I don't know her secrets but I can only encourage her to write faster so that us readers aren't left hanging for the next book...
Tawrie, she is such a strong character, she has suffered a great deal but has always one constant in her nana. She is courageous, and after a long time mulling it over, she decides she needs some freedom to spread her wings and flourish. She joins a local swimming group and with that she grows, so do her aspirations and strength.
Harriet, another strong character, who has suffered a good deal as well, but not in the same vein as Tawrie had it, but we see just how far Harriet has come, through her diary entries and how lovely she is as a person and a mother.
Ed, a lovely lovely character who just has a heart of gold but knows what he wants and what he needs to do for things to work.
What I didn't see coming was the connection as it is told from Tawrie and Harriet's perspective via a dual timeline. Harriet 2002 to Tawrie 2024 but that's not all this book offers. There is so much between these pages, a broken family, grief, love, friendship etc... and obviously the triggers are there, grief being one, divorce.
I really enjoyed Swimming to Lundy but as we all know Amanda likes the emotion, you may need to keep tissues handy.
Tawrie, she is such a strong character, she has suffered a great deal but has always one constant in her nana. She is courageous, and after a long time mulling it over, she decides she needs some freedom to spread her wings and flourish. She joins a local swimming group and with that she grows, so do her aspirations and strength.
Harriet, another strong character, who has suffered a good deal as well, but not in the same vein as Tawrie had it, but we see just how far Harriet has come, through her diary entries and how lovely she is as a person and a mother.
Ed, a lovely lovely character who just has a heart of gold but knows what he wants and what he needs to do for things to work.
What I didn't see coming was the connection as it is told from Tawrie and Harriet's perspective via a dual timeline. Harriet 2002 to Tawrie 2024 but that's not all this book offers. There is so much between these pages, a broken family, grief, love, friendship etc... and obviously the triggers are there, grief being one, divorce.
I really enjoyed Swimming to Lundy but as we all know Amanda likes the emotion, you may need to keep tissues handy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Lotus by Jennifer Hartmann
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Trigger warnings: sexual abuse, kidnap & paedophilia
I devoured this book, cover to cover. I couldn't stop reading.
This book follows Sydney, Oliver and Gabe as they navigate Oliver's return, 22 years after he was taken.
There are many twists and turns but a few had me shocked & it was at this point, I felt for the characters, not just one or two but them all bar one. In one way or the other, they are all victims but their ordeals have only made them come together, stronger than ever.
This is only my 2nd Jennifer Hartmann book and it is the 2nd I've read cover to cover.
If you are sensitive to any of the triggers I've mentioned, please read with caution
I devoured this book, cover to cover. I couldn't stop reading.
This book follows Sydney, Oliver and Gabe as they navigate Oliver's return, 22 years after he was taken.
There are many twists and turns but a few had me shocked & it was at this point, I felt for the characters, not just one or two but them all bar one. In one way or the other, they are all victims but their ordeals have only made them come together, stronger than ever.
This is only my 2nd Jennifer Hartmann book and it is the 2nd I've read cover to cover.
If you are sensitive to any of the triggers I've mentioned, please read with caution
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Kidnapping
The Awakening by L.J. Smith
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Not sure I'll continue with the series. Bit too young adult for me.
It Started with a Secret by Jill Mansell
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Jill Mansell is one of my favourite romance authors, she sure knows how to write characters you can engage with alongside stories that can break your heart and put it back together again and this book was no exception to that.
We start the book at Chateau de Rafale, where we meet our main female protagonist, Lainey and her best friend, Kit. There, they are dealt with news that ultimately changes their lives. At the time, it was probably the worst news they could get but may just be what they all needed.
Lainey and Kit end up in North Cornwall for a job interview and it is there they settle down working for a lovely family. Amongst this family is Seth, our main male protagonist. He has news from his mum that cuts him up and he pushes people out, I understand why he did that, but I just wish he'd been honest earlier on rather than bottling it all up, poor Seth.
I adored all the characters and the storyline.
Loved, loved, loved it.
We start the book at Chateau de Rafale, where we meet our main female protagonist, Lainey and her best friend, Kit. There, they are dealt with news that ultimately changes their lives. At the time, it was probably the worst news they could get but may just be what they all needed.
Lainey and Kit end up in North Cornwall for a job interview and it is there they settle down working for a lovely family. Amongst this family is Seth, our main male protagonist. He has news from his mum that cuts him up and he pushes people out, I understand why he did that, but I just wish he'd been honest earlier on rather than bottling it all up, poor Seth.
I adored all the characters and the storyline.
Loved, loved, loved it.
The Death Watcher by Chris Carter
I've only read one other Carter book, Genesis, so I can't really compare, but The Death Watcher certainly isn't as disturbing, but I felt rather conflicted. After learning our serial unaliver's history, I couldn't help feeling sorry for them, but at the same time, I hated what they stood for and how they dealt with it.
As far as police procedurals/crime fiction goes, Hunter and Garcia are definitely one of my favourite duos, and Carter definitely knows how to keep the reader turning those pages.
It was a brilliant read, but I sure hope that by me saying I really enjoyed it, it doesn't make me sound twisted, lol.
Although this is the latest instalment featuring Hunter and Garcia, they can be read as standalones.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I've only read one other Carter book, Genesis, so I can't really compare, but The Death Watcher certainly isn't as disturbing, but I felt rather conflicted. After learning our serial unaliver's history, I couldn't help feeling sorry for them, but at the same time, I hated what they stood for and how they dealt with it.
As far as police procedurals/crime fiction goes, Hunter and Garcia are definitely one of my favourite duos, and Carter definitely knows how to keep the reader turning those pages.
It was a brilliant read, but I sure hope that by me saying I really enjoyed it, it doesn't make me sound twisted, lol.
Although this is the latest instalment featuring Hunter and Garcia, they can be read as standalones.
Love In Provence: Brand-new for 2024: Escape to France with this gorgeous romantic story from the bestselling author by Jo Thomas
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Set in the south of France, we meet Del, who moved there three years ago, and hasn't looked back since. She has new friends, a new home and a new love - Fabien.
Le Petit Mas, home to Del and Fabien, is at the heart of this book alongside the community feel, the awful mistral, and the consequences that follow.
This book is centred around friendships, old and new. Del has invited a group of volunteer pickers to help harvest lavender for the summer. They all form a friendship despite the disaster that was the first night supper. Throughout, many of the characters are finding themselves, and it's lovely to see them grow and become more and more confident with themselves.
Though, I think I most related to Maria. Reading about her life and relationships, while slightly different, really resonated with me, but just her strength and courage are inspiring.
Obviously, there are hurdles for the characters following the passing of a loved one and the mistral, but it also shows how it can change and affect a person in many different ways.
There were two characters in particular I really didn't like, but by the last two chapters, one had completely changed my views on him, Zacherie.
Marco is still a dick.
If you like books with cooking, friendships, community, love, and passion, you need this book on your TBR's.
Le Petit Mas, home to Del and Fabien, is at the heart of this book alongside the community feel, the awful mistral, and the consequences that follow.
This book is centred around friendships, old and new. Del has invited a group of volunteer pickers to help harvest lavender for the summer. They all form a friendship despite the disaster that was the first night supper. Throughout, many of the characters are finding themselves, and it's lovely to see them grow and become more and more confident with themselves.
Though, I think I most related to Maria. Reading about her life and relationships, while slightly different, really resonated with me, but just her strength and courage are inspiring.
Obviously, there are hurdles for the characters following the passing of a loved one and the mistral, but it also shows how it can change and affect a person in many different ways.
There were two characters in particular I really didn't like, but by the last two chapters, one had completely changed my views on him, Zacherie.
Marco is still a dick.
If you like books with cooking, friendships, community, love, and passion, you need this book on your TBR's.
Reasonable People by Caroline Hulse
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I heard about this book only last Wednesday from the librarian on duty last Wednesday, on Friday, I was able to pick up a copy at the library, and I've just finished it.
I think it's safe to say that I enjoyed this book. I'd not read any of Caroline's books previously, but I'm definitely adding her backlist to my wishlist.
Reasonable People's main focus was around judgement and the flaws of our characters.
We follow Janine, who following her daughter's birthday party is furious with father in law, Roy, and vents her frustration on the Internet, Am I The Villian Here? forum. What she didn't expect was the post to go viral and the actions that follow. It is ultimately the story of a feuding family.
I found that the characters were very relatable, and I felt each of their personalities shine through.
All in all, it is a thoroughly enjoyable read with plenty of laugh out loud moments.
I think it's safe to say that I enjoyed this book. I'd not read any of Caroline's books previously, but I'm definitely adding her backlist to my wishlist.
Reasonable People's main focus was around judgement and the flaws of our characters.
We follow Janine, who following her daughter's birthday party is furious with father in law, Roy, and vents her frustration on the Internet, Am I The Villian Here? forum. What she didn't expect was the post to go viral and the actions that follow. It is ultimately the story of a feuding family.
I found that the characters were very relatable, and I felt each of their personalities shine through.
All in all, it is a thoroughly enjoyable read with plenty of laugh out loud moments.