Book Review: All the ugly and wonderful things (2016)

Synopsis:

Wavonna Quinn is the daughter of drug dealer and addicted mother, She trusted no one, even her own parents. She hardly talk since young age. Oneday she met tattoed ex-con who also her father' thug named Kellen, she felt her whole life changed. She can feel how good his heart and they developed love for each other despite their differences.

Review:

I just finish this book. This book took longer than I expected. This is the first time I read book from Byrn Greenwood. The story is about a little girl named Wavonna Quinn who is the daughter of Liam and Val. Both Liam and Val has abusive relationship. Val is sick and hurt of Liam' cheating and abusive behaviour. Liam is drug dealer. Liam often hit her mother, so Wavy can't trust her own parents. Sometimes she'd been located at Val' sister, aunt Brenda together with her brother Donal.

Oneday, after staying at aunt Brenda place and when she and her brother get return to their home, they find Val and Liam are dead and Wavy herself found naked with Kellen at his desk and her brother Donal went missing. Kellen get arrested because of this and sentenced to six years in jail. Wavy had to live with aunt Brenda and Donal is claimed to be Sean Quin' child, so Wavy had to live without Kellen and Donal, the two persons that she loved the most.

She feel lonely and pain but she'd survived. Until oneday at college, she found out that aunt Brenda never told her about Kellen' last court hearing. After release from jail, Kellen had to report to sex registry in his area and he is banned from seeing Wavy. Yet, Wavy did not give up. She sent letters the to judge requesting to remove the ban, so she and Kellen able to see each other.

I liked the love between Kellen and Wavy and I liked how's the story written, it is beautiful and smooth. I was enjoying reading every chapter, it was told in several character point of view. This book leaves good impression and I think I am interest to read her other love novels.


Rating: 4/5


Kind regards,


Selene.

Book Review: Little Fires Everywhere (2017)

Synopsis:

Life in Shaker Heights are meticulously planned. From its road, its house color to the successful lives of its residents. Elena Richardson is one of its resident who's really hold her own rules to live her own life. Yet when her last child, Izzy burned their family house and peoples really talked about it. She and Shaker Heights's residents wonder what behind her daughter' actions.

Review:

This book just uniquely written by Celeste Ng. This is the first time I read her book. As other good fiction, this book provoke thought, yet the feelings are involved too. At beginning of one hundred pages, I started to get bored but after almost two hundred pages, things started to get interesting and what's makes this book good is the mystery that intrigue curiousity to whoever read it and this book has surprised ending.

This book is young adult story. It told many things that happens around us, like free sex, abortion, surrogate and adoption things. I think the main individual of this novel focus on Elena Richardson and Mia Wright. Mia Wright just move in to Winslow house, the asset that belong to Richardson family and having Elena as the landlord at first feel like a blessing because Elena gave cheap rent price because she always want to look good in front of peoples. She rent her asset to Mr Yang and Mia Wright.

Mark and Linda McCullough want to adopt chinese baby who originally named May Ling but they changed the baby' name to Mirabelle. The baby itself was found in front of fire station office and because they don't have baby on their own, Linda really want to adopt May Ling. The Richardsons went to Mirabelle/May Ling first birthday party hosted by Linda McCullough, Lexie was really love Mirabelle, how cute the baby is and gushed over the week after. Mia heard her when she's working at Richardson's house and she remembered her friend Bebe Chow who can't remember her baby. She told her the whole thing and tell Bebe to strive for her baby. Therefore, Bebe Chow pursue this case to local trial. Bebe wants to take her baby back, but McCullough who hired Billy Richardson, Elena' husband won't be easily give up the baby.

Elena Richardson did not this let go easily. With her will power, she tried to find out about Mia' dark background and she even asked Elizabeth her old friend to look the list of abortion patients in case that Bebe went of abortion. This request is illegal and Elizabeth rejected her request but somehow Elena still steal a glance at her computer while she's away and this was break their relationship, because Elena seems to asked Elizabeth to pay back her kindness in the past times. Nothing stops Elena, Elena seems try anything possible to make the case win for her husband and her friend, McCullough. She is an ambitious journalist who didn't give up easily and have her own rules to live her own life. She wants everything to be perfect on her own term, good education, good appearance, good husband, a lot of good children, good house and good life that makes her proud in the community.

As we know, something unpredictable can happen in life. Lexie, Elena' oldest daughter went to clinic and use Pearl' name to cover her. Lexie had abortion and asked Pearl to be her company. Trip, Elena's son was secretly screwing over Pearl. Moody, Elena' third child was Pearl' good friend and was dissapointed because he felt Pearl'd rejected his feelings by secretly dated his brother Trip and then Izzy, the last child that always makes Elena worried. Izzy is the most critical girl in the family. Izzy always fight with Elena because Elena is always restrict Izzy from anything yet give the freedom for the rest of her siblings. Yet Izzy feel connection with Mia and she wants to follow her path to be an artist and live in freedom like Mia did. Izzy know the truth about what happens, what her siblings did to Pearl and what her mother did to Mia. She can't stand the ugliness of her family, therefore she burned down their family house because she wants they all start a new life. After this fire incident by Izzy, their neighbourhood in Shaker Height still talking about it. After Izzy's gone, Elena found that beyond her bad attitude towards Izzy, she'll missed her and as mother' instinct, she determined to find her lost daughter.

This story also reminds me of a mother, however bad she is, she won't ever easily give up for her child. Like Elena, will strive to find Izzy. Like Mia who keeps running to different states just to survive with Pearl, her surrogate baby with Mr. Ryan. Like Bebe, who's sneaking at night at McCullough' house to steal May Ling and comeback to China, her home country. I personally think this book could be the best gift to mother on mother's day which just happens yesterday, this book also for everyone that likes young adult novels. This book really blow your mind with the details and ending.

Rating: 4.5/5


Kind 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: Dear Aaron (2017)

Synopsis:

Ruby Santos join the HaS program (Help a Soldier), she previously joined the program and help two other soldiers. What she didn't anticipated is that she falled in love with the new soldier, Aaron Hall the new paired she get from the HaS program.

Review:

As my previous promised, this book is what keeps me going to read and read until 4 am in the morning. My bad, but literally I just can't put this book down. This book are well written and had a nice idea and nice plot too. This is basically one of the best book of Mariana Zapata I ever read.

The idea of the story is pretty simple and really is something that naturally happened surrounding us. Ruby Santos joined the HaS program. She joined because her brother joined marine military and she know from her brother story that a soldier can be bored and lonely, she had urge to reach for them and just to care for them during their deployment. At first letters, Aaron didn't replied but later after 2 months, Aaron started replying her mails/emails and the emails between them are getting intense and both of them feel the need of each other' email just to keep going. Both of them support each other through the correspondences. Until one day, Aaron asked Ruby to join his holiday to Panama beach city in Florida. Ruby flied away from Houston just to meet Aaron and after their love making, they promised each other to make the relationship works and at the epilogue, I get the impression that they both live together and expected Ruby to stop her birth control pills so they can have baby together.

When I was young, I have pen pals, either male or female. That time, internet is not something that easily accessed, so I use postage mail to reply their letters. So basically, I did enjoy the idea of the book. I kind of enjoy reading their email correspondences, stories exchanges and their instant message chats. Aaron is a gentleman that every girl could asked for. He is a hero role for me too. Ruby often had panic attacks, she even had heart surgery because she had those palpitations. I can understand what Ruby'd been through and Aaron is someone who's Ruby can relied. He always calm her and asked her to breathe and relax. He is affectionate, nice, responsible and had good military career. They falled in love through their mails even before they're meet each other. Basically they falled in love with the personalities first before physical contact.

The plot is really good, it leads slowly until reach its climax at the end and had nice epilogue. By the time the story finished, I ended up wanting more.. story of Ruron. Mariana Zapata done it again, this writing also really capturing, it's funny yet sweet and full of emotion. I really enjoy reading it until time passed like blink of eyes. I think I will put this book in my re-reading shelves, so yes I will read again this book in the future. If you never heard Mariana Zapata or read The Wall of Winnipeg and me or you interested in military love story, please pick this book. You won't ever regret it :)

Rating: 4.5/5



Kind regards,


Selene.

Book Review: Keep Her safe (2018)

Synopsis: 

Grace determine to clear her father' name after his death 14 years ago.

Review:

I was feeling not well, I had bad flu, sneezing and chesty cough few days back and now still I had been not really fit, I just drink paracetamol. During this time, I holed myself with this book and the other book I will review later after I finish reading it. But I think it will takes time to finish the other book because the book is thick enough and a slow burner one, so I takes time indulging myself in that book. As I ever mention, I have bad habit, I read that book until so late last night, because that book was good to keep me reading it, I will review it later.

I finish this book quite fast, I bought this book from amazon in kindle version. I was expecting this book something like Until It Fades that I review it here. Yet, apparently this book is far from Until It Fades. This book is more like suspense thriller rather than romance. I mean, I understand maybe the author tried to mix the romance and the thriller suspense, but in my opinion, this book just did not sit well with me. I mean I didn't get the romance feeling from this book. The suspense thriller itself is just too slow and easily guessed with me. About 1/4 reading, I already guess, Silas as Noah' uncle is someone who is behind Jackie Marshall' death. No surprise for me. The writting itself is good.

Noah tried to find out what happened to her mother death. Her mother Jackie Marshall is the one who responsible for Abraham 'abe' Wilkies' death. Abe tried to find Betsy (Betsy is Gracie' mother twin) in one motel. Betsy who is underage prostitute is together with Silas that night, Silas called his fellow canning who called Jackie Marshall to come that night. Jackie herself just wanted to save his brother, Silas who eventually killed her. It's all just set up between DA officer, Mantis and Stapey and FBI officers who had call record evidences about Abe Wilkes and Jackie Marshall. Ah really why the FBI agent Klein didn't show all they had and wait until the last minute to show what they're actually know. I think the story plot is just way too complicated for the simple point.

I hoped her next book is not something like this book, because this book just something I didn't enjoy reading it, I prefer it something more like Until It Fades. Its not like this book is too dark, its just I didn't get any romance feeling or any curiousity feeling of the suspense thriller itself. It's just bring me boredom feeling. I still recommend this book if you liked K.A. Tucker like I do. I still have some hope in her to write more books like Until It Fades. Until It Fades is the best book of her and I think is best romance and sweet antidote if anyone's looking into one.

Rating: 3.5/5


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: Midnight Blue (2018)

Synopsis:

Alex Winslow had bad accident that caused his life in turmoil. He plucked the grammy statue from his fellow british singer William Bushell. He humiliate Will Bushell because he took Fallon his girlfriend from him. His agent hire a babysitter for him, Indigo Bellamy to take care his attidude during his world tour.

Review:

Alex Winslow arrested because driving under influence (DUI) and possession of cocaine. This guy is alcohol and cocaine addict. During one grammy award, he took the grammy statue from his fellow Will who won the grammy, he did it out of jealousy because he didn't win and he lost his girlfriend Fallon to Will.

As we can see, Alex' behaviour is uncontrollable. He hates Indigo because she restraint his freedom, she overlooked him at anytime. His drummer Lucas seems to like Indigo and Alex feel jealous and start to show his feeling to Indigo, he likes Indigo actually.

I think Alex has serious problem with his parents. He didn't have any respect for his parents. He didn't call them mom and dad, he called them by names. He cursed them many times, using the words like "fuck, shit, cunt, bloody hell, pig, pussy" Those are rude words he used in front of his parents.

He is also arrogant, he hate Lucas when Lucas tried to approach Indigo. He always said they are all on his payroll, he paid their salary. So, he has authority to do whatever he wants with them. Honestly, I don't know what Indigo'd seen in this guy, I personally think this guy is just asshole and is not reliable. I don't really care his wealth or his popularity, it all means nothing if you don't have good manners.

The book itself is boring for me, the plot is slow and I don't get any feeling from this story. I don't think I enjoy reading it.

Rating: 2.8/5



Kind regards,


~Selene.

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.

Goodreads Reading Challenge 2018

Dear all,

It's have been a long time since I last read my books. Then no wonder, I fail to meet 2017 reading challenge in Goodreads. I am affraid that I forget how many books I read in 2017 and my goals. Such a shame. I have no excuses. Many things have happened and I think I just lost a little passion to read a book. Instead I gained passion for playing visual novel games. But if you see it from another point of view, actually I am still reading. Still I hope that in 2018, I will read some books again. Hopefully more than 2017. 

Anyway, for Goodreads reading challenge 2018, my goal is 24 books. I know it was half from 2017 reading goal. But I think it was realistic for me right now. Of course, I can always adjust it later. Anyway, reading is good. So, for you book lovers, please keep up your reading, okay ?!

Best Regards, 

Angela

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 : 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 : 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

Book Review: Wait for it (2016)

Synopsis:

Diana Casillas inherit two boys from her brother, she is an independent woman who tough and does not take shit from anyone. She thinks she does not need a boyfriend or husband until she meet Dallas. Both slowly develop connection and feeling for each other.


Review:

This is the 3rd book I read by the author Mariana Zapata and I love it. I like the way she's telling the daily stories of Diana and Dallas. It's so natural and the case is pretty real, like how a woman gossip named Christy always confront Diana about how her dressed and judge her. Many woman like that when they don't like you at the first sight and they're jealous of you.

I like how helpful is Diana, though she did not know anyone that connects to Dallas. Slowly both of them develop feeling and connection each other. As two previous books, this is a slow burner love story. The strong passion just at the back chapters, you have to be patient to see a passionate scene or sexual scene.

I really enjoy the daily life of Diana, how she loves her job and the boys. Also I also understand the relationship problem between Diana and her mother. Sometimes, we can't always get mother that understands our way of thinking. Mother that always criticize whatever you do and seems never be proud and satisfy of you. This is the relationship between Diana and her mother. They love each other yet they often misunderstanding and hurt each other.

I really like how Mariana Zapata' telling the daily problem like when Diana and the boys have head lice problem and how Dallas help them get through it. The essence of the story is how someone stand by your side through all life problems and they still love to do so together. Love is not come at the first sight and gone by the wind, love is when you're connect to each other and find comfortness and friendship together.

If Zapata launch the new book, I will be the reader for sure.



Rating: 4/5



Kind regards,

Selene.

Book Review : New Dawn by Andrew J Morgan

Synopsis : 

When you're 200 trillion miles from home . . . 

With mankind on the brink of economic collapse, a population growing at an unmanageable rate and a limited supply of natural resources, there is only one place we can look to for our future . . . the stars. A deep space mining tug is sent to a planet codenamed New Dawn to begin a mission to relocate humanity.

. . . the only person you can trust . . . is you

The mission falls into chaos when a crewmember dies unexpectedly. Geologist Jake Brooks must keep his wits about him to uncover what really happened—but are the confines of the ship clouding his judgment? Is there really a sinister motive behind the death—and the mission—or is he letting his mind get the better of him? What really awaits him on New Dawn? He must push on to reveal the truth, no matter who or what stands in his way . . .

Review :

At last I managed to finish another book from Mr. Morgan. I can say that this book is better than the first one, even though the first one have better premise. 

I can see that this book is stronger in term of writing style. I don't know how to say it but it was written like diary so maybe that's plus for me. The story actually is very simple. It just that it was quite long and not to the point. The main character is Jake. He is geologist. For some, he looks like wishy washy between wanting to be hero and not. But at the end of the day, he choose to uncover the mystery. To be honest, I still don't understand what the machine suppose to do. Maybe I am too stupid to understand scince fiction jargon. Or maybe the author are just too incoherent with the plot. It was not an easy read if you want to follow the science part. 

One thing I can say is this book is better than Vessel. It has steady pace. Still a long and quite boring story though. But nonetheless one good learning experience about science fiction. The characters are quite ordinary and simple. They are there just for the sake of being there. You don't miss anything bypassing them. The ending is too weak for my liking. There's no wow factor in the ending. It is what it is. I recommend this story for people who  want to read simple story about science fiction because it is not thriller or mystery.

My rating : 3.5 of 5


Regards,
Angela