Having read and loved " How to kill your Family " - I was most curious to read this next book by Bella Mackie - could she retain the dark deliciousnesHaving read and loved " How to kill your Family " - I was most curious to read this next book by Bella Mackie - could she retain the dark deliciousness?
...
Yes she did! This group of people are the absolute worst! I'm terrified to say more as such a recent release and I have a fear of accidental spoilers...
I loved the snarky comments, the biting comebacks and the " supposed friends " - I surprised myself as I go out my way to avoid " gossip mags " but yesterday I thought " sod it " grabbed a bag of Sweet and Salty Popcorn ( highly appropriate as it transpired... ), it should be noted that this is out of character for me as I am phobic about not eating and reading but this book was a scandalous escape!
I shall look forward to further works down the line....more
I confess, at first I was drawn to this book by the title... Keywords Venice, Summer, Golden. The complete antithesis of this - Summer of 2024.
I love I confess, at first I was drawn to this book by the title... Keywords Venice, Summer, Golden. The complete antithesis of this - Summer of 2024.
I love books about travelling in the past , before everything became so commercialised and we all started to dress the same the world over. Places still had individuality!
This book was an utter delightful glimpse into the life of a young woman on the cusp of marriage. The world seemed smaller back then and people of a certain class all seemed connected, also on the whole the world was a gentler, kinder, place. Yes, there were some parts that could have had greater clarity or an explanation but also it felt right that there were some little mysteries to remind us that we were only being permitted a peep into that world.
It is a book that I would gladly give as a gift to anyone who has interest in that era or in Venice....more
I started to read slower and slower from halfway through as I did not want to leave its world. I knew the ending could onlThis may be my " Soul Book ".
I started to read slower and slower from halfway through as I did not want to leave its world. I knew the ending could only bring pain...
How on earth is she to follow up on the Heartwrenching beautiful agony of this work?
Merged review:
This may be my " Soul Book ".
I started to read slower and slower from halfway through as I did not want to leave its world. I knew the ending could only bring pain...
How on earth is she to follow up on the Heartwrenching beautiful agony of this work?
Merged review:
This may be my " Soul Book ".
I started to read slower and slower from halfway through as I did not want to leave its world. I knew the ending could only bring pain...
How on earth is she to follow up on the Heartwrenching beautiful agony of this work?...more
I'll be honest, I had no idea how this series could be suitably wrapped up. But these little vignettes of " after " were perfect little snapshots. I doI'll be honest, I had no idea how this series could be suitably wrapped up. But these little vignettes of " after " were perfect little snapshots. I do have one question but that is due to the Shonda Rhimes book... I shall say no more for fear of spoilers , Dear Reader......more
It was with Sadness and no small trepidation that I started Book 8 of The Bridgertons. Sadness as only one Book to go - arrives tomorrow apparently. TreIt was with Sadness and no small trepidation that I started Book 8 of The Bridgertons. Sadness as only one Book to go - arrives tomorrow apparently. Trepidation as I was not au fait with the Character of Gregory. It was good, then slow, oh , then the Breakfasts! Then OK ( I"d worked something out and thought - she can't - well she blooming did dear reader ! ) and then it all went up into the Beautiful mess that it had to! No Spoilers - read for yourselves!
And now only the last volume to go...
Unless anyone has any view on the SMYTHE~SMITH Quartet?...more
So, as we come to the last two Bridgerton siblings, I wasn't sure where the story would head... It is one of the sweetest volumes! I find myself thinkinSo, as we come to the last two Bridgerton siblings, I wasn't sure where the story would head... It is one of the sweetest volumes! I find myself thinking Anne Ratcliffe ( The Mystery of Udolpho ) would have very much approved of this one. For a certain paragraph, it may become a favourite of mine. Only two more to go.... For someone who was " sniffy " about these, I am definitely not looking forward to them ending.
Does anyone know if the Smythe-Smith volumes tie in? Please and Thank You....more
I bought this after attending a very energetic and fun Art Demonstration by Gillian Park. This book is written in such a way that it is completely in hI bought this after attending a very energetic and fun Art Demonstration by Gillian Park. This book is written in such a way that it is completely in her voice. I found it to be very helpful in boosting my confidence and making me realise I have come much further than I was giving myself credit for.
The last part of the book about selling and finding your niche market - I'm not quite ready for as I hate just painting the same thing over and over and part of my style is that people are constantly surprised by my change in direction - traditional landscape- modern twist on a classic tale - Dreamy Memories - Ecological Statements. Why people already have more than one painting of mine hanging in their homes.
In saying this , I have strongly taken on her advice on prints/cards and other bits.
The only Downside for me was the constant upselling of her classes and groups, it was a little in overkill, although in saying this - it may in part be part of her training to get people into a more businesslike frame of mind. Ultimately, sadly, it is what would stop me gifting copies.
At the moment I shall accept the boost to my confidence of this book and whilst pushing my " mind monkeys " to the background - will continue to enjoy my freedom of expression....more
What to say... Have you watched DEXTER? Did you love it? Read this! Did you hate DEXTER? Maybe give this a pass.
For me , it was cheesily sublime and I lWhat to say... Have you watched DEXTER? Did you love it? Read this! Did you hate DEXTER? Maybe give this a pass.
For me , it was cheesily sublime and I loved that Kary Brent broke a mould quietly set by Agatha Christie!
Here's to her next - already lined up in my kindle ......more
This was an interesting concept and shows how quickly people can become " shut off ". I confess I'm glad I did nor read it during lockdown as I think iThis was an interesting concept and shows how quickly people can become " shut off ". I confess I'm glad I did nor read it during lockdown as I think it would have been utterly terrifying. I did feel there was a degree of coercive behaviour in this plot but don't want to say anything for fear of accidental spoilers. I did feel the ending came quite quickly and tied up to easily - I would have liked more depth to the immediate aftermath of the events. The story did not become as dark as I thought it might... and to be honest I'm not sure how I feel about that, in one way it is an even scarier prospect.
I was led to this after watching the TV adaptation, which I devoured watching in a day as I was unwell. There are many many differences between the BooI was led to this after watching the TV adaptation, which I devoured watching in a day as I was unwell. There are many many differences between the Book and adaptation. Whilst I enjoyed the book, I did feel that the very short chapters and simple language let it down. Although, it is with much sadness, I confess that this seems to be the way many current books are being written in these times of all things social media. It would be a good, non taxing beach read. Plot - a bit to obvious for my taste , as even after the TV changes I still very quickly worked it out.
I may possibly read more of this Author if I need something non-taxing that will hold me....more
This is my first Beth O'Leary ( won't be my last ), I picked it up bow as had downloaded to kindle after watching it on Sky. There are tweaks between sThis is my first Beth O'Leary ( won't be my last ), I picked it up bow as had downloaded to kindle after watching it on Sky. There are tweaks between series adaptation and original book . I think it is a good reflection on certain challenges in our time. There is a balanced mix of humour, pathos and anguish in the book.
I don't normally put an alert on a review but not sure it would be appropriate for anyone who has been ( badly ) gaslighted as it may trigger things? Although it does explain the psychological horror of the situation very well....more
So, giving this 5 Stars, not because of sublime writing but rather for the sense of humdrum realism that any of us can relate to. It's actually writteSo, giving this 5 Stars, not because of sublime writing but rather for the sense of humdrum realism that any of us can relate to. It's actually written in very simple language. January feels like it was the perfect month to read this in - cold, dark, bleak and on the back of Chatter about New Years Resolutions - I haven't made any for a few years - has anyone after what ripped through the world? But... this isn't about Resolutions , this book is about Authenticity or to my mind being honest - Primarily with yourself - now, I've always felt like I was honest with myself but something about reading this has left me questioning little things that I do to , well, protect others - we all have troubles/situations/burdens? Don't we? So I'm hoping I will carry a small sense of this to re-ground me into who I was.......more
I picked this book up now, in all honesty as it is the time of year I am craving my garden but can't get out to it, so this synopsis seemed ideal to hI picked this book up now, in all honesty as it is the time of year I am craving my garden but can't get out to it, so this synopsis seemed ideal to help blow away some January Blues... I completely fell in love with this story which is set across two timeliness... It broke my heart as I remembered how things were in the 1970s - yes we had problems in Britain but we had COMMUNITY - neighbours who knew and supported each other, things being passed on, extra large pots of food made so that " leftovers " could be handed into a neighbour who was struggling a bit. School Uniforms being swapped round, Seeds being shared. Children being fed by whichever neighbour children were playing in ( sometimes we had two lunches ...more
This one had more of a depth of story to it , I am delighted to report after Book 5 being a slight miss fire... It was more oBook 6 in THE BRIDGERTONS.
This one had more of a depth of story to it , I am delighted to report after Book 5 being a slight miss fire... It was more of an intense read for approximately the first two thirds before the obvious situations arouse ( oh titter ye not! - a quote from the rather wonderful and slightly saucey " Up Pompei " with Frankie Howerd - look it up ), it did then tie back into Book 5 - whilst causing a slight flurry of anxiety - I nearly had to send for a reviving Brandy.... but never fear , the occurrence did not come to pass.
I do however wish words with Ms.Quinns Editor, when has any British subject " Broiled " anything? We " grill " m'dear - please check your facts carefully in future as this was not the only liberty taken with accuracy of terminology!
Now, I wonder when Book 7 will appear... St.Valentines isn't far off, I'll keep you posted xx...more
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