Romance

Sugar – Jessica Gadziala

May 27, 2019May 27, 2019 Book Chick1 Comment

38353681 | GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: Sugar had known a lot of women in his life. But he’d never met anyone quite like this mermaid-haired, tattooed, pierced, smartass woman named Peyton who made it clear she didn’t want anything from him except as many orgasms as he could give her.

So what was he supposed to do when he realized he did want more? How was he supposed to get this woman who was so committed to non-commitment to take a chance on him? Or convince the loansharks and ex-armed robbers that loved her that he was worthy? All the while trying to figure out how a dead man from his past had somehow come back to life… and why he was coming for him…

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My thoughts:

“So overall I may be a little too generous with the rating, but even though I did not like it as much as the others, I still enjoyed it.”

12 books! 12 books I have so far read in the Henchmen series, and a number of others from the same universe and I love it and I love Gadziala. I love her characters and her easy way of writing but I have mixed feelings for this one. I freaking love Sugar and Peyton and the fizzy chemistry between them. Sugar is cool and layback while Peyton is… well she certainly wins the first price in craziness and is all over the top at all times. But I think the biggest problem with the book is the fuzzy plot. Nothing really happens until like 90% in, and that is over long before it even started. Kind of anticlimactic when you get all that build-up but no real release. It felt rushed and a few parts was kind of boring and in the end there are a few things that didn’t make sense. I will however not dive into that pit of thoughts due to spoilers.

I was just expecting more. Specially sine Peyton belongs to both Mallick and Rivers family, kind of, and I thought the V thing would escalate but that was completely “dead”. So overall I may be a little too generous with the rating, but even though I did not like it as much as the others, I still enjoyed it. And that makes the difference.

The deal of a lifetime – Fredrik Backman

May 26, 2019May 24, 2019 Book Chick1 Comment

36297706 | GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: It all begins with a father telling a story to his son on Christmas Eve. But this isn’t your typical Christmas story. The father admits to his son that he’s taken a life but he won’t say whose—not yet.

One week earlier, in a hospital late at night, the man met a five-year-old girl with cancer. She’s a smart kid—smart enough to know that she won’t beat cancer by drawing with crayons all day, but it seems to make the adults happy, so she keeps doing it.

As the man tells his son about this plucky little girl, he slowly reveals more about himself: while he may be a successful businessman, idolized by the media and his peers, he knows he failed as a parent. Overwhelmed by the responsibility of fatherhood, he took the easy way out and left his wife and little boy twenty years ago to pursue professional success. Now he is left wondering if it’s too late to forge a relationship with his son, who seems to be his opposite in every way—prizing happiness over money, surrounded by loving friends in a cozy town where he feels right at home.

Face to face with the idea that something is missing, the man is given the unexpected chance to do something selfless that could change the destiny of the little girl in the hospital bed. But before he can make the deal of a lifetime, he needs to find out what his own life has actually been worth in the eyes of his son. And so, he seeks him out and tells him this story…

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My thoughts:

“Short story”

Sad story about the meaning of life, the choices we take and the people they affect. Filled with love, hate, happiness and sadness. All emotions crammed onto not even 100 pages. I’m glad it was as short as it was and my Fredrik Backman craving I have had the last days is finally saturated. And now I have officially read every book Backman has published so far and he is still one of my absolute favorite authors.

Humor/Funny · Non-fiction/Biography

Things my son needs to know about the world – Fredrik Backman

May 25, 2019May 27, 2019 Book Chick1 Comment

42833687 | GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: Things My Son Needs to Know About the World collects the personal dispatches from the front lines of one of the most daunting experiences any man can experience: fatherhood.

As he conveys his profound awe at experiencing all the “firsts” that fill him with wonder and catch him completely unprepared, Fredrik Backman doesn’t shy away from revealing his own false steps and fatherly flaws, tackling issues both great and small, from masculinity and mid-life crises to practical jokes and poop.

In between the sleep-deprived lows and wonderful highs, Backman takes a step back to share the true story of falling in love with a woman who is his complete opposite, and learning to live a life that revolves around the people you care about unconditionally. Alternating between humorous side notes and longer essays offering his son advice as he grows up and ventures out into the world, Backman relays the big and small lessons in life, including:

-How to find the team you belong to
-Why airports explain everything about religion and war
-The reason starting a band is crucial to cultivating and keeping friendships
-How to beat Monkey Island 3
-Why, sometimes, a dad might hold onto his son’s hand just a little too tight

This is an irresistible and insightful collection, perfect for new parents and fans of Backman’s “unparalleled understanding of human nature” (Shelf Awareness). As he eloquently reminds us, “You can be whatever you want to be, but that’s nowhere near as important as knowing that you can be exactly who you are.”

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My thoughts:

“Irresistible and funny.”

After I finished “Folk med ångest” I was in the need for more. Just more from Backman. First I thought about maybe a reread but decided on to “finally” read that one book I thought I would never read. I have no kids and actually do not like kids that much. So I just thought it was not for me. But oh boy, oh boy this is one irresistible and funny book no matter if you have kids or not.

I can’t relate to the stuff Backman writes about off course due to not have my own kids, but It did make me appreciates my Saturday mornings a lot more and that I can come and go as I want without worrying about poop, pressure and constant fear is certainly a freedom parents no longer have. It makes me appreciate my childless situation and gave me a future glimpse into what may be stored for me in the future. And even if nothing is going to be easy, I hope it will be just as great.

Parents are heroes for sure.

Fiction/Science Fiction · Humor/Funny · Suspense

Folk med ångest – Fredrik Backman (Swedish title, English review)

May 23, 2019May 23, 2019 Book Chick8 Comments

| GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: “People with anxiety” is an unreasonably messy comedy about a hostage situation on an apartment viewing. A failed bank robber locks in with an over-enthusiastic real estate agent, two bitter Ikea addicts, a pregnant woman, a suicidal multi-millionaire and a rabbit head. Finally, the robber gives up and releases everyone, but when the police storms the apartment it is … empty. In a series of dysfunctional testimonies afterwards, we hear everyone’s version of what actually happened, whereupon a classic puzzle mystery develops around the questions: How did the robber escape? Why are everyone so angry and what is wrong with people these days?

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My thoughts:

“It makes you laugh, cry and love and in the end you sit with the feeling of complete satisfaction.”

The newest book written by Backman is here. With its release in April it is unfortunately not yet translated to English but don’t worry. I believe someone is already working on a translation to be publish. Backman is immensely big in other countries so it would surprise me if not.

The newest book is about a group of people I pretty much hated for like 60% of the book. They are obnoxious and extremely self-centered, angry and just unpleasant. Fortunately Backman is a king when it comes to writing deep characters with layers on layers. He knows how to captivate readers to a degree you feel like you put your own heart on the table and risk losing it. It is an immensely funny book but still has a serious undertone which make you feel all the emotions at the same time. He is good with captivating people and the human nature and it is the true, raw and brutal truth you recognize yourself in. The book offers some curveballs and surprises and if you are a weeper, you will probably cry at the end like I did. In the morning, 30 minutes before I was supposed to be at work. And it was wonderful.

The language is extremely beautiful, almost poetic without being pretentious and I do hope it’s not lost in the translation. It makes you laugh, cry and love and in the end you sit with the feeling of complete satisfaction.

They did a great work with the film adaptation (IMDB) of En man som heter Ove (A man called Ove) and I do hope they choose to do a film from this book to. It will (I just know it) be perfection.

Contemporary · Mystery/Crime · Romance · Suspense

Sizzle – Julie Garwood

May 21, 2019 Book Chick2 Comments

6671931 | GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: Lyra Prescott, a Los Angeles film student, is closing in on graduation and facing important decisions about her future. She’s already been offered a job at her hometown TV station, an opportunity that could ultimately launch her dream career as a film editor. But heading back home would also mean dealing with her overprotective brothers, social-climbing mother, and eccentric grandmother. Unsure of her future, Lyra dives into work on her final school assignment: a documentary transformed by a twist of fate into a real-life horror film.

After she unwittingly captures a shocking crime on camera, a rash of mysterious, treacherous incidents convince Lyra that she’s trapped in a sinister scenario headed for a violent ending. Running scared, she turns to her best friend, Sidney Buchanan, whose connections bring dauntless and devilishly handsome FBI agent Sam Kincaid into Lyra’s life. As the noose of deadly intrigue tightens and the feelings between them deepen, Lyra and Sam must place their faith in each other’s hands – and stand together against the malevolent forces about to break loose.

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My thoughts:

“So it is not a full pot in rating but still just what I needed.”

Garwood has this nice way of writing which makes you feel warm and captivated by her books and this one was no exception. This time it is even a little funny. Not only does we follow the good guys, Lyra and Sam, but also some of the bad guys, and one of them is hilarious. He prides himself with being smarter than everyone else but in the end he keep taking those not so smart decisions which is resulting in some funny situations. It fit perfectly and I wanted more of it.

The plot is quite believable if not a little exaggerative and the relationship between Lyra and Sam feels a little forced. To much of that instant attraction and not enough off actual conversation between the main characters. And I would have loved to get more of Gigi and the whole tornado around her. She is one heck of a good character and I would totally read a book only about her. So it is not a full pot in rating but still just what I needed. Been having trouble with a reading slump lately that I’m trying to dig myself out off it.

This is the 8th book in the series and that Garwood still can keep me captivating I find it somewhat impressive. Specially since the books, I so far have read, are between 10 and 20 years old. But it still does not feel old fashioned.

Fantasy/Paranormal · Graphic Novels/Comics · Thriller/Horror

Death Note – Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata

May 16, 2019May 15, 2019 Book Chick1 Comment

9267091

| GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ |

Goodreads synopsis: Light Yagami is an ace student with great prospects–and he’s bored out of his mind. But all that changes when he finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by a rogue Shinigami death god. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and now Light has vowed to use the power of the Death Note to rid the world of evil. Will Light’s noble goal succeed, or will the Death Note turn him into the very thing he fights against?

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My thoughts:

“The death god is quite funny even though he looks like something taken from nightmares.”

I find myself split in my opinion about the first volume of Death Note. I actually don’t like the main character that much and usually you are supposed to do that so I’m quite confused. The main characters is supposed to be the hero you are rooting for and wish the best of luck to. But Light is no hero. He started something with good intentions but later turns just as bad as the bad guys he is targeting. In the end he is no better than those criminals he’s erasing from this world. The death god is quite funny even though he looks like something taken from nightmares.

And the story is good and exciting. I really like the way it is built, the artwork and the feel of the book. It ended when the suspense was at its peak and I just had to throw myself on my phone to order the next on in the series. Its that good. Now I just have to wait two weeks for the second one to arrive. hehe

I’m not an avid reader of graphic novels but I’m beginning to understand the appeal and I really recommending this one.

TBR

Summer TBR 2019

May 13, 2019May 13, 2019 Book Chick1 Comment

Summer of 2019 is soon here and as always I create my Summer TBR list. I have this year choose 10 books I wish to read and this is my list.

Simma med de drunknande (eng. The Sixteen Trees of the Somme) – Lars Mytting
The Husband’s secret – Liane Moriarty
Verity – Colleen Hoover
Save me from dangerous men – S.A Lelchuk
Luna and the Lie – Mariana Zapata
Whiskey and gunpowder – Liliana Hart
Hidden Star – Nora Roberts
The Breakdown – B.A Paris
Sizzle – Julie Garwood
Seven up – Janet Evanovich

What are you planing to read this summer?

Fantasy/Paranormal · Fiction/Science Fiction · Young, New adult/College

Hollow city – Ransom Riggs

May 9, 2019May 8, 2019 Book Chick1 Comment

23164983 | GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: This second novel begins in 1940, immediately after the first book ended. Having escaped Miss Peregrine’s island by the skin of their teeth, Jacob and his new friends must journey to London, the peculiar capital of the world. Along the way, they encounter new allies, a menagerie of peculiar animals, and other unexpected surprises.

Complete with dozens of newly discovered (and thoroughly mesmerising) vintage photographs, this new adventure will delight readers of all ages.

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My thoughts:

“If it was not for the cliffhanger in the end, I would probably have enjoyed it even more.”

The second book in the Peregrine’s children series follows right at the end of the first one and also ends on a cliffhanger. Just want to make a note of that. It is a great, complicated story with a imaginative plot. Some of the reviews I have read have found the second book not nearly as good as the first one. I however actually like it more. It may or may not be because I saw the movie of the first book first, but I really enjoyed the second one. I like that it was more that happened since the children now is traveling instead of being in that one house.

In comparison I would have given the first book three stars (I will not change) instead of the four I gave, since I found the second one to better than the first. I even found it a little funny at some times and it surprised me. I’m loving that. And the pictures, oh it makes the whole book more fascinating and a feel of completion.

It is as well written as the first book and a lot more detailed. We meet more characters, receive more history and we get to know more about the friends and enemies of this world. It is a brilliant dynamic which Riggs has done a fantastic work describing in a way I cannot put my words on. If it was not for the cliffhanger in the end, I would probably have enjoyed it even more.

Romance · Suspense · War/Military

Blindsided – Kaylea Cross

May 6, 2019May 2, 2019 Book Chick1 Comment

32951240 | GOODREADS | MY RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: It’s a Titanium Christmas reunion… Grace and Alex Rycroft have just moved into their newly renovated house in upstate New York and they’ve invited the whole Titanium Security crew to celebrate an early Christmas with them. But not all is merry and bright. Unfortunately things don’t go as planned. When the unthinkable happens at a veteran’s charity event in the middle of Manhattan, the team must pull together to take down the attacker and rally around a wounded teammate in the tragic aftermath. With one of their own left fighting for his life, it’s going to take a Christmas miracle to pull him through and make the holiday season bright. (*Note: This novella is a final wrap-up of the Titanium Security Series and is not meant to be read as a stand-alone.)

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My thoughts:

“Perfect, just perfect.”

The last book in the Titanium Security series and I cried like a baby. It was so wonderful to meet them all again, but “stuff” happens and it was terrible, but in the end it was the most perfect closure on a great series and I could not have asked for more. I have nothing more to say but only that this series is worth reading by everyone who likes romantic suspense in a war environment where both the male and female characters is strong and lovable. Perfect, just perfect. Kaylea Cross has several series in the same caliber and I hope they are just as good.

The order the Titanium series should be read in is as following:

Ignited
Signed
Burned
Extinguished
Rekindled
Blindsided

Monthly summary

April Summary

May 3, 2019May 3, 2019 Book ChickLeave a comment

monthlysummery2

A kind of average reading month. I did read all my books on my TBR list and a couple of more so I’m happy.

Favorite book this month: The storied life of A.J. Fikry – Gabrielle Zevin
Least favorite book this month: Breathe – Kristen Ashley

Number of physical books: 2
Number of e-books: 5
Number of audiobooks: 2
Total pages: 3781
Female authors: 7
Male authors: 2

Breathe – Kristen Ashley
Pages: 554 Published: 2012
Genres: Contemporary, romance, suspense
My rating: 1/5
Links: Review
Book 4 in The Colorado Mountain series.

Ritual – Mo Hayder
Pages: 428 Published: 2008
Genres: Thriller, crime, mystery, fiction.
My rating: 2/5
Links: Review
Book 3 in The Jack Caffery series.

The pet sematary – Stephen King
Pages: 484 Published: 1983
Genres: Horror, fiction, thriller.
My rating: 4/5
Links: Review

The general – Jessica Gadziala
Pages: 221 Published: 2018
Genres: Contemporary, romance, adult.
My rating: 4/5
Links: Review
Book 4 in The Professionals series.

The storied life of A.J. Fikry – Gabrielle Zevin
Pages: 260 Published: 2014
Genres: Contemporary, fiction, adult.
My rating: 5/5
Links: Review

The priory of the orange tree – Samantha Shannon
Pages: 848 Published: 2019
Genres: Epic, high, adult fantasy
My rating: 4/5
Links: Review

The girl with a clock for a heart – Peter Swanson
Pages: 289 Published: 2014
Genres: Crime, thriller, mystery, suspense.
My rating: 3/5
Links: Review

Dirty laundry – Liliana Hart
Pages: 252 Published: 2018
Genres: Contemporary, romance, suspense, mystery, crime.
My rating: 4/5
Links: Review
Book 5 in The J.J Graves Mystery series.

Lover revealed – J.R Ward
Pages: 445 Published: 2007
Genres: Paranormal, romance, fantasy
My rating: 3/5
Links: Review
Book 4 in The Black Dagger Brotherhood series.