Book Review: The Chase (2018)

Synopsis: 

Summer drawn to Colin Fitzgerald. Their characteristics are very the opposite. Colin is buddy with her brother and until she need place to stay which her brother put her as Fitz' s rommate.

Review:

Summer is someone that dows not fit in Fitzy' s girl criteria. She is pretty, sexy, brave and always catching everyone's attentions. While Fitzy likes to stay in shadows. while Summer had learning difficulties and her own insecurities of being stupid. Fitzy help her to overcome her problems while he'd also need her to express his own feeling and emotion. Its definitely a must read book of Elle Kennedy. Especially if you are a fan of 'The Deal" like I do.

This book tell the whole a lot story about what kind of university life in America and hockey player as well as Summer's extravagant life as a kid of rich lawyers. The sexual tension between Summer and Fitzy is strong. Somehow I am not so sure if Summer attract to Fitzy because he is a man that hard to get or because she's too drawn to his mysterious attitude. Either way, I hope that as they can make the best out of each other, this good trait is strong enough to make their relationship strong and lasted for the long term.


Rating: 4 stars/ 5.


Regards,


Selene.

Book review: Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine (2017)

Synopsis:

Eleanor Oliphant feels everything in her life is fine until she meet an IT officer named Raymond and both of them save Sammy and both of them has a lot to share about.

Review:

I think this book is more about friendship between Raymond and Eleanor instead of romance itself. While in the end, it is clearly that Raymond invited Eleanor to attend the concert together and both of them seem to see each other regularly and completely enjoying each other company. Raymond always help Eleanor for her well being and Raymond always give her emotional support.

This book give me another insight about romance. Romance isn't always about sexual things. Yet, there are a lot of connections we can see between Eleanor and Raymond. How they support each other emotionally and enjoying each other company. How they just make each other life towards better than before. I think that is what love is all about.

I really enjoy this book and I take sometimes to indulge myself in reading this novel and feel hard to say good bye to this book. This book definetly is a must read fiction/friendship book.

Rating: 4/5

Kind regards,

Selene.

Book review: Turtles All The Way Down (2017)

Synopsis: 

Sixteen year old Aza Holmes together with her best friend Daisy tried to solve the dissapearance of billionaire Russell Pickett. They aim to get the $100,000 rewards for finding the billionaire whereabout. 

Review:

This book is really beyond my imagination, in the good way. I never read John Green novel before and this one definitely my favorite. I watched 'The fault in our stars and that movie also touch me as well. 

Aza Holmes, an anxious high school girl who tried to be best in everything she's done. She wants to be a good daughter, a good best friend to Daisy, a good girlfriend and maybe a good detective too. This book really has a good plot and I really enjoy reading it. Even I was sobbing while reading it. I mean Aza' character will touch your heart because that kind of anxiety really happens around us. I like the love connection between Aza and Davis too. I think the ending implying that two of them somehow will end up together, I hope that too.

This book is definetly a must read fiction book of this year. I really recommend it. I hardly put down this book, because this book just so touching and emotionally deep. 

Rating: 4.5/5 stars.

Kind regards, 

Selene.

Book review: The Fragile Ordinary (2018)

Synopsis: 

Comet Caldwell is ordinary girl who loves book very much and likes to experiment with her clothes. She just feel her life is as boring as she is until she meet Tobias King, who makes her life and her feeling upside down.

Review:

I understand the world of Comet Caldwell, I've been there when I was a teenager. It's like turn back time to where all I was thinking is just fiction books and clothes. Comet always wonder how kisses and hugs and intimate with guys feels like, will those be similar to romance books she read? I think almost every girl has that kind of curiousity.

Since she'd met Tobias King, she felt her world rocked upside down. Tobias befriend with Stevie who is drug addict and his fellows who did the same. They did not care about study and act as rebellious students, like mocking the teachers and made dirty jokes. Since Comet loved Tobias so much, she tried to befriend with Stevie, until she felt that she can't accept the drug habit of Steview, she wants to  cut her friend relationship with Stevie and his crew. Apparently they dislike the act of both Tobias and Comet. So they keep torment both of them with nasty acts and words. Comet and Tobias tried their best to endure their nasty behaviours.

Comet herself has problem with her parents. She felt her mother had jealousy issues towards her and treating her like a stranger. She never care about Comet. All her mother care just her husband, Kyle. Even her parents asked Comet to call them by name directly. So when Comet met Tobias, she felt that he is her source of love, the only one who can fully love her. Until oneday, something bad happens to Steview and they lost him and this changed the life of others who ever know Stevie, including Tobias and Comet.

This book has a good plot and writes the emotion of Comet towards Tobias beautifully. I always liked Samantha Young' writting, including this one. I like Comet's poetries. Anyway, I never see something like Comet' parents issue, where a mother is always asked her husband attention very much and Kyle as her husband follow what she wants and they are very romantic until they forget about Comet. It's sound surreal for me. Most of what we see these days is parents who loved their kids too much until they forget to be together again and become distant with each other.

Overall, this is a good book if you're looking into romance or high school romance books or even just family romance books, you definitely have to grab this one.

Rating : 4.2/5

Best regards,

~Selene.

Book Review: Aroma Karsa (2018)

Synopsis: 

Raras Prayagung determined to find Puspa Karsa. When she found Jati Wesi, she had faith that this time Puspa Karsa will be hers.

Review:

This is the latest book of my favorite author from my hometown country, Dee Lestari. This book is written in Indonesian, but I reviewed this in English with hope that this book will be translated to English speaking countries and anyone that's reading this will have opportunity to read this book as I have my own copy now.

This is not the first book I read from Dee Lestari, previously I read her Supernova series, though I am not reading all the series but I liked her since I read Supernova and now this book's done its magic again in better version.

Jati Wesi is someone who's had special abilities with his nose, his olfactory organs is able to smell something very detail and from afar. He later meet Suma, Raras Prayagung' step daughter. Suma has same ability as Jati Wesi. Suma need to take epilepsy medicine to control her smell ability. Jati was picked by Nurdin Suroso and lived in Bantar Gebang where all the garbages from city' going there.
Jati is getting used to smell everything from the garbages. He worked as perfumer at Attarwalla shop, gardener at Graha Royal Bekasi complex, fertilizer factory staff and as Nurdin' staff at his decorative plants shop. Yet all his money never be his, he needs to give all his money to his step dad, Nurdin Suroso.

Oneday, Jati was arrested because Khalil his boss at Attarwala shop was arrested by police because the copyright of perfume of Puspa Ananta by Kemara Company. Police arrested both Khalil and Jati Wesi. Raras Prayagung as Kemara' owner promised to release Jati and Khalil as long Jati wants to work under her. Jati agreed. Later Raras bring Jati to live in her own house and introduce Jati to Suma. Since the first time, Jati arrived at their house, Suma already hate Jati and she keeps complain about Jati to her boyfriend, Arya and her mother Raras. Suma thought Jati was her competitor to get Raras' heart.

Raras still determined to find Puspa Karsa, so she makes the team for it. She collected the members, captain Jindra as security, Lambang the archeologist, Iwan as plant verificator and Jati to find Puspa Karsa with his special olfactory system. Yet, Jati rejected Raras' request. So Raras asked Suma instead. Jati Helped Suma to free from her epilepsy mediciation, she still not really confident enough, so she asked Jati to accompany her during the Puspa Karsa expedition. When arrived at Lawu mountain, Jati suddenly find special small purple fruit which known as manisrejo fruit, he feel the forest around him changed and he suddenly saw the humans who can climb very fast like monkey. Jati learned that they are Banaspati, human with special abilities. He met Empu Smarakandi who tell him that Anung is not his biological father. Jati always believed that Anung who is in jail is his biological father and keep visiting him for about 15 years. His fail admission didn't make him to upset, he come to that forest by himself.

During this visit, Jati learnt that he is banaspati and twenty six years ago, when Raras Prayagung came to the Dwarapala, Anung was captured by her. Anung brought his wife, Ambrik and her own daughter, Suma. Because at that time, its better to let Anung' family gone to protect the whole Dwarapala' community, Empu Smarakandi said that one banaspati had to be released and that banapati is Jati Wesi. Anung, Ambrik and the two babies (Suma and Jati) were running because they can't go back to Dwarapala. Later Anung did the Girah Rudira. Empu Smarakandi once said to them that Sanghyang Batari Karsa already aim Ambrik to incarnate and if they didn't do the Gurah Rudira, Sanghyang Batari Karsa will inherit to their daughter, Suma. So, Anung did the Girah Rudira to her wife, Ambrik. Anung went to jail because of this and Raras Prayagung took Suma with her, with hope that Suma will find Puspa Karsa for her.

Puspa karsa itself is dangerous plant who had special smell to attract peoples to get whatever they wants. Last history said Mahesa Guning who is king at Majapahit era, married his wife who is Puspa Karsa' incarnation. Mahesa Guning attracted strongly to her wife' smell as Puspa Karsa. Mahesa Guning believed that that Puspa Karsa' smell will bring him to be no. 1 king. Later Mahesa is not the the king anymore, he looks like a beggar and he killed his wife as Empu Smarakandi' instruction. The Puspa Karsa' spirit itself is locked in a plant until the next incarnation who is Ambrik and Suma as Ambrik' only daughter. Jati'd fallen in love with Suma and Suma loved him too. He determined to secure Suma from Puspa Karsa.

There are few things I still hope to see in this book, when Empu Smarakandi gave dewandaru pills to Jati for him to pass it to Anung to help his amnesia. I hope to see how far Anung can remember again. One more thing that I wonder how Puspa Karsa' incanation to be succesful after Jati' hard effort to save Suma and hit the Puspa Karsa' center with Kiongkong' poisons.

I really recommend this book, this book just beautifully written by Dee Lestari. I think this is the best book I ever read by Dee Lestari so far.

Rating: 4.5/5


Kind regards,


Selene.

Book Review : Time Frame by Douglas E Richards

It's been a very long time since last I read novel. Maybe around 6 months. For avid readers, it's really ancient. LOL. Anyway, I intend to read more often again since reading book is my passion. Now I would like to review another book from my favorite author Mr. Douglas E Richards. This book is Time Frame, the sequel of Split Second. You can read my review about Split Second in this blog. 

Synopsis : 

A daring attempt to go back a split second in time to destroy Kim Jong-un. A discovery so consequential it dwarfs even time travel. And a treacherous enemy bent on revenge. 

Lee Cargill is the head of Q5, a secret organization that can send objects a split second back into the past. And while this seems utterly useless, it turns out to be the most powerful capability the world has ever known. Those who control it can transform civilization—or destroy it entirely. 

When Cargill sends Aaron Blake, his most formidable operative, on an unauthorized mission to destroy Kim Jong-un, all hell breaks loose. As Blake battles for his life, his chances of thwarting the North Korean tyrant plummet. But they’re about to get far worse. Because China has learned of Q5 technology, and they’ll stop at nothing to hunt Blake down . . . 

And all the while, a powerful enemy has reemerged. An enemy who seeks time travel technology to achieve a twisted, psychopathic vision that will leave millions dead—starting with Lee Cargill and the entire Q5 team. 

Review : 

First I want to say that I really hope Split Second make sequel. And my dream comes true when I see Time Frame. In fact it was perfect except for one thing. Now I regret for wishing the sequel. I don't know what happen. But I feel that this book is not like his writing. I don't know what's wrong but it just feel empty. Really empty. I find that I finish this book just for the sake finishing it. I gained no pleasure no sadness about it. The characters are not like their old self in Split Second. In fact it was better if they are new characters. Then no one will compare them. I cannot tell more without spoiling it. It really a disappointment.

I don't even know where to begin with the story. The opening is really good. Wonder where it gone wrong. I think the biggest mistake from Mr Douglas is using real characters and blend it with fiction story, worse with science fiction. You feel the credibility was outstretched beyond limit. No more the battle of wits. No more gray area. Instead we have a lot of plot hole and plot device. How to defeat the enemy ? Suicide attack. How to escape from the enemy ? Suicide attack. And I don't even know what the point of using Chinese characters when they were not involved in the main conflict. You'd think they play some role but I suppose it is what it is. Of course, it could be for another sequel. But at this point I doubt people will remember nor care about them. 

Worse the romance looks cheap. I don't know how to say this but I feel sorry for Nathan. it feels like the girl say I love you but you are not macho enough so I also don't love you. It would be better if they broke up for good. Really leave the bad taste. I don't even want to talk about the bad guy. Talk about being cheap copies. Not living up to the expectation. 

I know that I rant a lot. but it was because I really really have high expectations for this sequel. The strong point from every Mr Richard book is the capability to immerse reader in grey area and combined it with emotional story and science fiction theory. But there's none in Time Frame. It pains me to give this book low rating. Still Mr Douglas remains one of my favorite author. Hope he can make better book next time. I know he can do it.  

Rating : 2.5 of 5 stars

Best Regard, 

Angela

Book Review: Milk and Honey (2014)

he asks me what i do
i tell him i work for a small company
that makes packaging for---
he stops me midsentence
no not what you do to pay the bills
what drives you crazy
what keeps you up at night

i tell him i write
he asks me to show him something
i take the tips of my fingers
place them inside his forearm
and graze them down his wrist
goose bumps rise to the surface
i see his mouth clench
muscle tighten
his eyes pore into mine
as though i'm the reason
for making them blink
i break gaze just as
he inches toward me
i step back

so that's what you do
you command attention
my cheeks flush as
i smile shyly
confessing
i can't help it

-Rupi Kaur
Milk and Honey, 2014

This is one of my favorite from the book Milk and Honey. The book itself is well written and inspiring. I seem hard to put down this book, flipping page to page and enjoying.

Rating: 4.5/5

Kind regards,

~Selene.

Book Review: Villain by Samantha Young (2017)

Synopsis:

Nadia Ray is a Meteorologist broadcaster. One day, his boss Dick blackmail her to reveal Caine Carraway' dirty secrets or she would be fired. That scene had brought Henry Lexington to save her from Dick' blackmail. Both Nadia and Henry share same strong attraction. But Nadia has dark old secrets that made her run, Henry would accept her dark secrets or they love could not last.


Review:

As all my reviews of Samantha Young' books. I love her. Everything she wrote always entertain me and I like it. This book is 1.5 version of series hero and honestly I like this book better than the "Hero" book. I think it is because I like Henry Lexington rather than Caine Carraway, for me Caine is too ruthless, while Henry is more smooth and sweet.

I have bad habits when I read romance book that I liked the hero, I tend to keep reading until I passed my sleep time and made me insomania, I know it is not really good habit. This begin if I really get caught in the story, especially if I liked the hero pretty much. Well, this book pretty much done that to me. I keep reading because I really want to know what Henry would do next to Nadia. I like the love game they're playing at. I believe you will love them too. Henry is one of the sweetest man that will sweep over someone' feet.

While I liked this book as much as I liked other Samantha Young' books. There are some things that I hoped this book could add. Like, I want to know what happens between Henry' mother and Nadia' relationship. As we know Henry' mother detest Nadia pretty much and I think until Henry proposed Nadia, there are not enough scenes that draw Nadia closed to Henry' mother. Besides, I think Nadia' old past secrets are not bad enough to make their love falling. I expect some more drama like If Henry dissapeared from Nadia and both of them tried to hide the hurt feelings and start date anothers but finally they made together again maybe will make this novel more fantastic I think.

This is more like happy story and happy ending to me. Not much drama here. They always been inseparable. I recommend you to read this novel, you will like Henry as much as I do.

Rating: 4/5

Best regards,


Selene.

Book Review: The Vastness of Us (2017)

Synopsis:

When India Maxwell' mother Hayley decide to married a guy, India have to follow her mother plan. There she will live with her new stepfather Theo and his daughter, Eloise. Unexpected things happen and Finn, Eloise' boyfriend seems disliked her very much.

Review:

I think this is more likely as fiction novel than a romance novel from one of my favorite author, Samantha Young. The story is India is moving to Boston with her mother, Hayley. Hayley decide to married a wealthy man named Theo Fairweather and lived with him and his daughter Eloise. Eloise' boyfriend Finn Rochester seemed to disliked India and Eloise' friend seemed to back Eloise very much.

At first, India feels really lonely but as time passed, she started get to know Finn, Eloise' boyfriend. I feel like India is a bit aggresive to be Finn' friend because she felt she felt Finn had the same abusive father as she had. she had they had similar past and can be good friends because of that. Of course Finn seemed shocked. Later, when they kissed and India started to get away because she realize Finn is Eloise' boyfriend and she did not want to hurt her stepsister, Finn told her that Eloise is a gay and they just pretend their relationship because Finn want to put his father behind his back and Eloise can hide the truth that she is gay.

When things get tough because everyone accused India was stealing her stepsister' boyfriend, she asked Theo to help Finn. Theo decide Finn had to stay with his grandparents. It means that India had to have long distance relationship with Finn. She accepted it because she thought the most important things that Finn had the freedom from his father. That the right ending can be the happy ending too.

What confused me is the way Bryce, Eloise' friend can eavesdropped what Eloise talked to India in India' room and know that she is gay and spread the news through social media. It is kinda really nuts for me. I hope there is another drama, they all get to know about Eloise' sexual orientation than this way. Other than that, I think this is a pretty good frienship family drama book you can read this year. I recommend if you like frienship or family fiction book or if you like high school life book, You can try this. The writting is good, as usual. Samantha is good at the story plot. I enjoyed the story plot.

Rating: 4/5


Best regards,


Selene.

Book Review: Play On (2017)

Synopsis: 

Nora O'Brien had bitter past, she had to take care her sick dad and her mother work double job to cover their life. She married Jim at age 18 without know what she really wanted in life. Later Jim dead because brain aneurysm. She once meet music producer named Aidan Lennox but she married at that time. Later she meet again with Aidan yet after that, there is some issues and Aidan left her. They meet again later after 18 months and Aidan really mad with her and she had no idea what is really going on between them.


Review:

I really can't wait to read this book. First it is written by one of my favorite author Samantha Young and second it is the new series after On the Dublin Street series which I really liked so much. What I liked about this book is this book described Nora' thoughts really well, like what Nora really thinks about her future and what her doubts and worry about pursuing her love with Aidan. Nora had mature  thought like she wanted to feel self sufficient and self contentment by herself first. So, she did not seek self contentment from Aidan. Its really mature thought and quite unbelievable it is come from 22  year old girl named Nora O' Brien. I still thinking Nora should be age 27-28 with that maturity.

I like how they meet again at children hospital, while Aidan is Sylvie' uncle and they started to have feeling for each other. Its all sweet until Aidan childhood' friend Laine started created whole lies to separate them. I feel this Laine is really annoying. She disrupted their love-making two times and I can't believe how she created big lies and still both Aidan and Nora just believe her without really doubt and separate them for 18 months. I mean even Seonaid (Nora' friend and ex sister in law) knows Aidan was looking for her but lied to Nora and the next day after that "Big drama lies" created by Laine, Nora went back to Indiana her home at states. Why don't Nora stay at Scotland and wait Aidan at the studio or do some weird stalking to make sure what Laine said is right? I mean Laine is mean woman and Nora knew it. It just does not make sense to me. About Nora' father that keep the big sum of money for himself also did not make any sense to me. How could a father keep his daughter from school and let her waitresses and ruin her future? Honestly this does not make sense to me her father could do that to her, while it is pretty clear her father loved her so much.

Other than that, I enjoyed Nora and Aidan love story. I prefer they played more "love games", because they are sweet together and I prefer the story longer because the ending of this book is pretty rush for me. I hope there is a second book about Nora and Aidan' love story with pretty solid problem. Hopefully the author would continue this series with more realistic and serious problem. I still recommend this book if you liked romance book.

Rating: 4/5


Best regards,


Selene.

Book Review: Without Merit (2017)

Synopsis:

Merit Voss believe she had abnormal family. Cancer mother who lived in basement, a father who married her mother' nurse, gay brother, jealousy sister until one day she accidentaly want to suicide and that moment leads her to the truth about everything she never known before.

Review:

Collen Hoover is one of my favorite author. However, this book is different from her previous books. Seems like she wants to write something out from her usual zone. This books talks about a lot of things, atheism, Syria war, Syria refugee, gay, mental illness, depression and Jesus statue.

Merit fall in love at the first sight from Sagan, but Sagan seemed to be 'boyfriend' of her identical sister, Honor. Actually I feel this book is less romance and more to family issues and reality issues of whats world's had going on at the moment. I think that this book really want to talk a lot of things until it loses the focus of its story.

I can feel when the family start to amend whatever wrong and apologize each other and given hug. Yet other than that, I can't really see the point issue of the story. It is just Merit attempt to suicide because she can't handle the ugly truth of the family.

I did really enjoy Coho' romance book like Ugly Love, but this book really does not meet my expectation as romance book. It is more like family drama book.

Rating: 3.5/5


Best regards,


Selene.

Book Review: Hart's Broadwalk series by Samantha Young

Synopsis: 

Jessica Huntington served as doctor in woman prison. One day she found love letters from Sarah the prisoner to someone in Hartwell. Out of curiousity, she decided to deliver the love letters by herself. In Hartwell, she met the pub owner Cooper Lawson and fall in love with him. She found out what she really want in life.

Review:

Honestly this book is different than what I excpected from 'On the Dublin street' series. I love 'On the Dublin Street' series. Still, Samantha Young is one of my favorite author. I like her taste of romance.
I like how sweet the story between Jessica and Cooper. It provokes a lot of emotion here.

The thing that bother me is that I am not really enjoy that the every 'Cooper' chapter is told from third party point of view. I prefer it writes from Cooper' point of view rather than third party or writer' point of view. It is kinda disturbing for me. I prefer it is told from Jessica point of view alone or if writer decide to write from Cooper' POV, then writes it in Cooper' POV.

Rather than that, I enjoyed this book. Even tough I think this is not the best book of Samantha Young asI expected. Cooper Lawson is not hero-ine like Braden Carmichael. He is just ordinary pub owner. As I was reading, I realize he will not be my favorite man. Maybe for Jessica, but not for me.

Rating: 3.5/5

Synopsis: 

Bailey Hartwell is the owner of the inn she inherited. She disliked arrogan sexy businessman Vaughn Tremaine at first. Yet slowly, they started to love each other rather than hate.

Review:

I can see in this book, author tried to create more hero-ine alpha man character like Braden Carmichael in 'On the Dublin Street' series. Yet, I do not think it is success. Frankly said, I feel Vaughn Tremaine character is more likely as Christian Grey in 'Fifty Shades of Grey' series.
I disliked that the character of Vaughn Tremaine is not that strong and even the reason he scared to be fall in love is also not that reasonable enough for me.

The passion of love between Bailey and Vaughn might be the highlight of this book. Yet, I want more than just passion of love between them. I did not enjoy this book as the first book (Jessica and Cooper). The writting of the book is okay as I like Samantha' way of writing. I suggest the next book of this series will be Emery' love story and I expected some story that more original and have strong characteristic. Yet, if you want to know what happens between Cooper and Jessica, you can read this book, because they have the wedding at Vaughn' hotel. You can continue to know their story in this book.

Rating: 3/5.


Thanks for reading.


Best regards,


Selene.

Book Review: Truly Madly Guilty (2016)

Synopsis: 

Six peoples at barbeque, threee kids and one big event at barbeque that changed their life.

Review:

I was intrigue to read this book because I like tv series Big Little Lies so much. I actually never read the Big Little Lies book. I have to say that Liane Moriarty has good writing skill and good story line, it is smooth and makes you wants to keep reading. The thing that I did not enjoy is that the plot pretty slow and some unnecessary detail character description that I want to skip until I find important points to read.

I have to admit this book really provoke much thoughts and little feelings. The characters are so strong and they are very likely described in this book. I can see Liane is good character observant and she is very detail.

Over one hundred plus page, you still can not find what happens in the barbeque. But the writting makes you want to go with the flow until you find what truly happens in the barbeque. Tiffany, Vid and their kid named Dakota, Clementine and her husband Sam bring their kids Ruby and Holly and Oliver and Erika. One moment, When all adults talking. They shock to find Clementine daughter Ruby was drowning in the fountain. Yet she is saved by CPR by Oliver, Erika and Clementine. Ambulance arrived. Apparently, Holy is the one who push her sister because Ruby stole something belong to Holly. When that happens, There is neighbour who watch the barbeque from afar named Harry. Harry tried to shout to them yet, Erika wasn't aware and freeze in shock. Harry can't let Ruby drowning, so he ran very fast unfortunately he bumped to something and fall to death.

This book talks a lot about marriage, parenting, kids, sex and friendship. Like I said, this book provokes thoughts. Like when Erika, Clementine best friend asked her to help her do IVF, to be egg donor. Clementine agreed to be egg donor for Erika, tough inside her heart, she feel like heavy burden because biologically Erika' child will be her biological kid. Yet, she fill guilty if she did not help erika to be her egg donor, tough inside her heart she feel big dilemma. I personally think, Clementine should not force herself if she is not sure to be Erika's egg donor. If Erika really her best friend, she would not do something that one day would be Clementine' burden and regret.

Talking about marriage, since the barbeque happened, which is always be regretful by marriage couple Sam and Clementine. They blamed each other to what happened to Ruby, even before knowing Holly is the one who push her sister, mother in law also blamed Clementine because she is not paid much attention to her daughters. Eventually they forgived each other and continue their marriage instead of end it.

I also get friendship rivalry between Erika and Clementine. Tough they claimed to be best friends. But still, sometimes Erika did not want to admit that Clementine do better. I can feel Erika jealous to her best friend, Clementine. Until she did not care about Clementine' feeling and beg her to be her egg donor, because she also wanted a family with kids like Clementine had. This book exposed the ugliness behind each character. There is jealousy between marriage couple too. Like when Tiffany caught her husband Vid staring at Clementine, she felt jealous. Even we all know Clementine is mother of two daughters and wife to Sam.

This book makes me realize that peoples are complicated tough they wants to be displayed as simple by others. There always be ugliness in every people, because human is not perfect. Guilty is not the solution, it is the begining to regretful life. Try to forgive people and let it go like Clementine did eventually. If you liked Big Little Lies or you like very detailed characteristic book, This book definitely should be in your shelf. This book is complicated but hard to be put down.

Rating: 4/5 


Best regards,


Selene.

Book Review: Stuck-up Suit (2016)

Synopsis: 

Soraya Venedetta saw suit guy in the train which he left his phone behind, when Soraya returned his phone, he figured out that Graham Morgan does not even want to thank her in person. Both of them engage in a relationship. Later Graham found out that he had a daughter from his ex fiance and his ex fiance is just being a widow. Graham need to sort out his mess between his feeling as being a father to Chloe and his feelings to his ex fiance who betrayed him and his love for Soraya.

Review:

The beginning of story was interesting, I get caught up in the beginning when Soraya had trust issue to Graham over her past trust issue with her father. Soraya' father left her mother to remarry and had new family. She still had pain in her heart when her father chose to accompany Briana, his step-daughter over to accompany her to school event.

When finally, Soraya feel she can trust Graham. Problem comes from Graham side, that he just found out he had a daughter named Chloe from his ex-fiance Genevieve. Genevieve betrayed Graham and marry his best friend, Liam. Genevieve hide the truth that Graham is the father of her child for four years. After Liam' death, Genevieve tried to get Graham to be a family again with Chloe as his biological' daughter.

Soraya had to decide whether she can accept Graham and Chloe or to cut Graham from her life and move on. Soraya did not want what happened to her life, happened to Chloe. Soraya felt that her father forget about her and her sister and give more care to his new family and Soraya did not want that happened to Chloe. She wanted Chloe feel safe and loved from her and Graham.

I have to admit the writing and the storyline is pretty interesting and caught me up. I read this quite fast, because it is a easy reading novel and what Soraya do will have my mind wandered time to time. There are few things I wondered about the main man, Graham Morgan.

Graham is an asshole, no doubt. He is no hero role for me. he had changed 42 secretaries in 2 years! What a prick, of course. This man is not capable of respecting other people, can't even keep someone capable under his wing. Mostly his subordinates just resigned within short period of time and he keep nagging there is no one competent to work for him. His receptionist just work for 2 years. I get the impression that 2 years is impressive period of time to work under Graham.

Honestly, I don't believe that a man who can't treat his staff with respect can give his respect much to his girlfriend. I don't talk about love here, I talk about respect here. You don't need to be in love to respect someone else. Although the receptionist mention that he changed a bit while in good relationship with Soraya, but keep his anger and hard attitude back once he is in bad mood and causing his staff to resign. I mean, for real how long the sexual tension between Soraya and Graham can last? Seriously, this guy need to sort his shit out, better have professional if needed and not sex.

I am happy when the story ended with them having a son together, but still I can't believe Graham really changed to be less asshole or less prick. Soraya just accept it when Graham said, he did not treat her like he acted asshole to his staff. I mean, can you really just trust the asshole acted man in short period of time? I still wonder how they assume they are soulmate for each other in short period of time and a lot of sex.

The conclusion is Graham is not my favorite hero character. This book is worth to read, you will get caught up in the story and the plot and writing will never get you bored, it will get you hooked. Yet, since Graham is not my favorite hero man, I decide to write this right away because I think I might want to forget him soon as I can.

Rating: 4/5


Best regards,


Selene.

Book Review: Until it fades (2017)

Synopsis: 

Catherine Wright save Brett Madden' life from tragic car accident. Later she found that Brett is Hockey captain star and her life is changed much after that. Although being chased by reporter is not a life for Catherine yet she could not resist her feeling for Brett Madden.

Review:

I want to write this book review after I finish this book, I keep the feelings for days because I have not find right time to write this review. Let me start now..

Catherine is a 24 years old single mother who works as a waitress, she has difficult past time, she dropped out from high school due to incident with Scott Phillips, her art teacher. Which caused her to drop out from high school and works as waitress because she found out she pregnant with baby girl Brenna.

Seven years laters, she saved Brett Madden in tragic car accident after her horrible blind date with Gord Mayberry. She lost her car because her car is burned together with the accident car and her wrist is sprained, so she find hard to continue work as a waitress. Later, Brett Madden come to her house personally and show his grateful.

Since then, they keep contacting each other. It's just sweet looking their text each other. Brett is handsome and flirty, while Catherine is careful because she does not want to fall in the same hole like her past. Catherine does not want Brett to be her side because he feel obligated. She wants Brett by her side because he wanted to.

I really like Brett Madden character, he is kind, funny, generous and flirty. This is a fairy tale romance but it is well written and good story line. I think this is one of the best romance book I read in 2017. K.A Tucker is definitely one of my favorite author.

Rating: 4.5/5


Best regards,

Selene.

Book Review : Quantum Space by Douglas Phillips

Synopsis :

A trillion neutrinos just passed through your body. You might want to buckle up...

High above the windswept plains of Kazakhstan, three astronauts on board a Russian Soyuz capsule begin their reentry. A strange shimmer in the atmosphere, a blinding flash of light, and the capsule vanishes in a blink as though it never existed.

On the ground, evidence points to a catastrophic failure, but a communications facility halfway around the world picks up a transmission that could be one of the astronauts. Tragedy averted, or merely delayed? A classified government project on the cutting edge of particle physics holds the clues, and with lives on the line, there is little time to waste.

Daniel Rice is a government science investigator. Marie Kendrick is a NASA operations analyst. Together, they must track down the cause of the most bizarre event in the history of human spaceflight. They draw on scientific strengths as they plunge into the strange world of quantum physics, with impacts not only to the missing astronauts, but to the entire human race.

Review :

It have been long time since I last read and review any book. Maybe I am just too tired or what. Don't feel like reading much, let alone review it. But now I am back with this book.

First I have to say that I don't really like the cover. Too simple for my liking but I like the tittle. The story itself is quite simple. It was about missing Russian Space capsule when trying to reentry earth after some time in the space. Everyone was waiting for the ship to arrive but it just missing and no radar can find it. It was as if they just vanished out of nowhere. Our main characters job are to investigate it. There are 2 main characters. The first are Dr. Daniel Rice, scientist and Marie Kendrick, NASA analyst. Why not law enforcement ?! Maybe you ask. You have to read the novel to know why. Hehe

Anyway, I really like the novel. I will concede that it doesn't really hook me because the story is very simple. I really mean it. Despite one or two mysteries and "bad things", nothing really happen. I kind of understand why. This is not crime thriller novel after all. The focus are into the investigation and the science fiction technology. Still it was quite unpredictable and twisted regarding the ending. Some will like it and some will not. Personally for me, I don't really like it. But I respect the decision. The characters itself are quite nice (except canon fodder bad guys). Not the best but okay, no super human, one man team. I see that this novel have side story aka novella. But right now I am not too incline to read it because of the ending. The ending made me realize that it was not my typical science fiction novel that I usually read. Different taste. Over all, I recommend this story for science fiction lovers that want to read about science fiction technology and not too invested with crime aspect of it.

Rating : 4 of 5 stars


Regards, 

Angela

Book Review: In flight (up in the air series) (2012)

Synopsis:

Bianca Karlsson meet James Cavendish in the first class cabin. They immediately attract each other sensually. Bianca has violent childhood and she determine to overcome her fear and be with James.

Review:

This series is BDSM love stories between James and Bianca. James Cavendish is womanizer and strongly attracted to first class flight attendant Bianca Karlsson. I thought I would enjoy this book like I enjoyed Fifty Shades series or Crossfire series, but seems I did not enjoy this series as those two series.

Here are my points:

• James Cavendish is not a hero man for me, he seems to be a good business man according to his conversation to his subordinates yet is not clearly mention what the nature of his business. I only feel he is just sex maniac.
• It only mention that James' guardian had sex assault him by giving him something like sleeping pill so he will not realize what his guardian did to him. Is this affect him much to be BDSM addict? If yes, he should go to shrink like Christian Grey or Gideon Cross. Yet he does not have any shrink and either so Bianca. Bianca herself is child abuse survivor by his father' violence behaviour. Both of them should go to shrink in my opinion. Yet both of them just buried their past and have constant sex as their release. I don't think this is healthy for their future relationship.
• The books itself is BDSM theme like Fifty Shades series. Yet this series is more hardcore BDSM. BDSM is not my scene, yet I still enjoy Fifty Shades series. I feel disturbed by this hardcore BDSM in this series. I really think both of them just purely lust to have sex, I don't feel any love only lust. If you don't like BDSM, I don't think this series for you, especially this is hardcore BDSM. James himself is addict to threesome according to his ex submissive and he likes to pierce sensitive part of his favorite submissive, can we trust him to be good lover? honestly I don't think this guy could 180 degree change by couple of months.
• I think this series is lack of actual problems. I know Bianca' father still hunting her and Bianca even contact police and the police even release Bianca' father. She finally decide to tell the truth about his father' crime toward her mother and there are some annoying James ex' submissive like Jolene or Jules. I still feel there are no serious danger in this series. 
• If you like steamy and hot sex, this series just for you. This series contain of very much dirty talks rather than romantic words.

The series itself has good writing and will keep you going if you don't mind with hardcore BDSM or constant sex and dirty talks, this series is for you. This book is all about BDSM and sex.

Rating: 3.5/5

Best regards,

Selene.

Book Review: The Air He Breathes (Elements #1, 2015)

Synopsis:

Both Tristan and Elizabeth lost their love ones. Tristan lost his wife and son in the accident that he think he is the who's responsible and Elizabeth lost her husband and her father. They met in unfavourable condition and they hope they can overcome their past and find happiness together. could they?

Review:

I found this story is too dramatic and dragging. I want to love the book, but there are couple of things I wonder..

1. If Tristan is so fucked up and isolated and keep feeling big guilty emotion in himself, why he don't tried to talk to someone or therapist? Why he just being asshole to peoples as one of his release?

2. Elizabeth also same either, she thought therapist were supposed to help you move on, and I didn't want to move on. I yearned to go backward (chapter 15), I thought Elizabeth better seek therapist too? At least Elizabeth is better, she realized she need therapist just did not want to.

So, I get both of them don't want to move on and tend to stay in their past memories. First, I thought I start to enjoy the story when Tristan and Elizabeth start to make love each other as if they did with their old lovers. But then, Problems comes like Tanner who pursued Elizabeth like crazy and Elizabeth husband is the one who drives car and crash Tristan' wife and son. I don't like how dramatic and emotional Tristan. He is not my favorite character. He is too childish to overcome his own issues. I think he needs time to settle himself before he can take care and settle with Elizabeth. Honestly, I am not sure that if Tristan loves Elizabeth if he can't love himself well.

I am thinking to read other books in this series.  This first book does not really convince me to read the others.

Rating: 3.5/5


Kind regards,

Selene.

Book Review : Dangerous Brains by Erik Hamre

Synopsis : 

Brilliant computer scientist, Vladimir Sorovis, is packing up his office when his day is interrupted by a military helicopter carrying a highly unexpected guest.

Ushered to a secret location deep in the Nevada desert, Vladimir learns how his former employer, billionaire and serial-entrepreneur Andrew Kevorkian, has been siphoning off hundreds of millions to fund a clandestine deep tech research lab.

Now the Government holds grave fears for what Kevorkian may have created at his lab.

With world order as we know it at stake, Vladimir and a select team of AI-experts are catapulted into a race against time to understand exactly what they are dealing with.
Things, however, are not always what they seem…

Review : 

This is the first time I read story from Mr. Hamre and I can say for sure not the last time. Really great science fiction story.

First I want to talk about the characters. Actually I like all the characters except their names. But of course it was just me. Anyway, the main character is Vladimir Sorovis. He is star engineer working at defunct Neuralgo, brain mapping company. One day he get surprised visit from Head of DARPA because of his involvement with Kevorkian. And the rest they say is history.

Well, I will be honest. At first this story doesn't really interest me. You can say that I have reader block at the time. Don't know why I just cannot finish it, until one day I decide that I have to finish this. And I can tell for sure that I am glad I did it. The story is unique and interesting. It keeps you hook until the end. The ending is really unpredictable. Still there's some mystery left but I can tolerate it because I really like the story. My only critique is the story was quite narrow. I mean I can understand that it want to focus the story only for certain things. But it was done at the expense of making it less grand and quite unbelievable. And the lack of epilogue doesn't help either. Still I appreciated the author efforts to make great science fiction and unpredictable story.

I really recommend this story for all science fiction lovers. Cannot wait for Mr. Hamre next book.

Rating : 5 of 5 stars

Regards, 

Angela

Book Review : Infinity Born by Douglas E Richards

Synopsis : 

A breathtaking near-future thriller. The new novel by the NY Times bestselling author whose books have been downloaded over a million times.

When DARPA’s billion-dollar program to create Artificial Superintelligence is sabotaged, US operative Cameron Carr is tasked with finding the culprit. He’s been on high-stakes missions before, but this time the stakes are nothing less than the future of humanity. Because the race to evolve a superintelligent computer is on, and power players around the world will stop at nothing to get there first.

In the right hands, Artificial Superintelligence could lift humanity to towering heights. But in the wrong hands, this technology could represent the greatest threat humanity has ever seen . . .

Ripped from tomorrow’s headlines, Infinity Born is a roller-coaster ride of a thriller that explores the deadly perils and mind-blowing possibilities that await the human race—including both extinction and immortality.

As our phones and computers become ever smarter, Infinity Born takes an unblinking look at a technological tipping point that is just around the corner. One that will have a profound impact on the future course of human history.
 

Review : 

At last, I really love the cover and tittle. Very science fiction. It really shows what the story is all about.

I respect Mr. Richards for being able to make great story. I have no doubt about all his science fiction story. It is a must read for me. This is stand alone story. Not continuation from his Nick Hall series. The main character is Cameron Carr, Naval lieutenant and special ops, in USA. He was tasked with the job to solve who sabotaged US efforts to develop AGI program. The other characters are couple David Bram and Riley Ridgeway, Isaac Jordan, etc. To be honest I think all of them are interesting characters if not a little bit bland. I don't mean it's not interesting. It just your typical hero and genius characters. And I like the bad guys. I mean it was quite rare to have smart bad guys.

The story is very interesting. It was about AI. I won't tell you the detail because the science was a little bit too heavy for me. Mr Richards craft the story expertly. Unfortunately I don't quite like the opening. Not bad but a little too hasty for my liking. And the ending doesn't help either. Unlike his previous science fiction stories, this one is quite straightforward and predictable. After you read certain part, you kind of know how it will end. All in all, it was a little too long for its own good. I don't know why but the narrative and several change point of view is quite not smooth. It is jumping but it was all explained at the end.

Anyway, the themed was quite similar with Split Second. But I prefer Split Second much more than this one. It just that Mr Richard should tone his science a little bit and make the story unpredictable. Still it is great story and make you wanting for more. I really recommend this story for science fiction lovers.

Rating : 4.5 of 5 stars

Regards,

Angela