Take a photo of a barcode or cover
2.16k reviews by:
wordsofclover
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publishers/author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Tully Athens dreams of being a jockey just like her mother. But due to a tragic accident that claimed her mom’s life, Tully is both scared to ride a horse again, and dissuaded from doing so by her dad. When they come close to losing the family farm, Tully finally musters the courage to race again - even if her father is against it.
This book had a lot of great potential, and I did enjoy just the general horsiness of the book, and the bond between horse and rider. I don’t know a whole lot about the horse-racing world, so I love books that give me a glimpse into the inner workings of the behind the scenes show.
However, this book fell into so many horse book cliches I swear I could hear my eyes rolling at what was happening so many times. And not just that, but the romance in the book took over at many points and it was so quick and laughable. Tully basically fell in love with the guy after a five-second meeting and then was heartbroken for over a year when all they’d done was share a brief kiss and a few texts. COME ON.
The first 40% of this book was really slow to get moving, and didn’t really contain much horse racing or anything as Tully really quickly became consumed with her crush and it was sooo boring. I almost DNF’d it several times. Then it picked up when she began her apprenticeship as a jockey and I really enjoyed that part but then the timeline seemed to go on double speed and we raced through so many events and all of a sudden her apprenticeship was over and it was just a bit too quick. I would have liked more time to live in that world.
There were a few events that happened in the last 10-20% of the book that were so ridiculous it made me laugh out loud. Like literally so many things went wrong at the same time, it was unbelievable when just one of these things would have been enough to carry the story to the end.
I think there was potential here, and in terms of editing (I think this is self-published), I didn’t see any glaring errors such as grammar or spelling that would normally annoy me. But the entire story as a whole needed a lot more tightening and focus, and I think a lot could have been scrapped for the benefit of the plot.
Tully Athens dreams of being a jockey just like her mother. But due to a tragic accident that claimed her mom’s life, Tully is both scared to ride a horse again, and dissuaded from doing so by her dad. When they come close to losing the family farm, Tully finally musters the courage to race again - even if her father is against it.
This book had a lot of great potential, and I did enjoy just the general horsiness of the book, and the bond between horse and rider. I don’t know a whole lot about the horse-racing world, so I love books that give me a glimpse into the inner workings of the behind the scenes show.
However, this book fell into so many horse book cliches I swear I could hear my eyes rolling at what was happening so many times. And not just that, but the romance in the book took over at many points and it was so quick and laughable. Tully basically fell in love with the guy after a five-second meeting and then was heartbroken for over a year when all they’d done was share a brief kiss and a few texts. COME ON.
The first 40% of this book was really slow to get moving, and didn’t really contain much horse racing or anything as Tully really quickly became consumed with her crush and it was sooo boring. I almost DNF’d it several times. Then it picked up when she began her apprenticeship as a jockey and I really enjoyed that part but then the timeline seemed to go on double speed and we raced through so many events and all of a sudden her apprenticeship was over and it was just a bit too quick. I would have liked more time to live in that world.
There were a few events that happened in the last 10-20% of the book that were so ridiculous it made me laugh out loud. Like literally so many things went wrong at the same time, it was unbelievable when just one of these things would have been enough to carry the story to the end.
I think there was potential here, and in terms of editing (I think this is self-published), I didn’t see any glaring errors such as grammar or spelling that would normally annoy me. But the entire story as a whole needed a lot more tightening and focus, and I think a lot could have been scrapped for the benefit of the plot.
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publishers/author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
At the start of a new apprenticeship in Edinburgh in the 1847, William Raven is distracted from his studies into midwifery by a money lender on his tail for a repayment he can’t cough up, as well as the mystery of women who keep showing up dead - seemingly murdered in a painful, gruesome way. Raven, with the help of clever housemaid Sarah, start to investigate the murders and their discovery leads them closer to home than they thought.
The writing in this book suits what I believe the atmosphere of the story is - it’s a bit dark and moody but also holds a lot of intelligence and elegance behind this. The medicine in this book is written very well and the authors definitely knew what they were talking about when they were writing the methods used by the doctors - and the medicine was explained in ways that made it easy enough to understand as well.
I did like the characters of Raven and Sarah though I do think they were both cliche in their own ways - Raven being humble, and striving to rise up from his modest beginnings and Sarah being smart and plucky, and desperately frustrated by her lack of opportunity because of her gender. The things Sarah faced as a woman desperate to learn but not given the opportunity was done well at first but sometimes felt a bit forced down the reader’s throat and became a bit repetitive.
The book was just a tad boring for me at parts. There was nothing in it that really thrilled me and made me want to pick it up to finish. I didn’t have that urge to dive back into the story at any point so it took me longer to finish than I would have liked.
I also WOULD NOT recommend this to readers who are pregnant or may have recently given birth as obviously the main medicine applied in this book is midwifery and some of the methods used are utterly appalling because of well, the lack of knowledge at the time. Some stuff is very upsetting and gruesome and is explained in a little bit of detail and could upset someone currently carrying!
At the start of a new apprenticeship in Edinburgh in the 1847, William Raven is distracted from his studies into midwifery by a money lender on his tail for a repayment he can’t cough up, as well as the mystery of women who keep showing up dead - seemingly murdered in a painful, gruesome way. Raven, with the help of clever housemaid Sarah, start to investigate the murders and their discovery leads them closer to home than they thought.
The writing in this book suits what I believe the atmosphere of the story is - it’s a bit dark and moody but also holds a lot of intelligence and elegance behind this. The medicine in this book is written very well and the authors definitely knew what they were talking about when they were writing the methods used by the doctors - and the medicine was explained in ways that made it easy enough to understand as well.
I did like the characters of Raven and Sarah though I do think they were both cliche in their own ways - Raven being humble, and striving to rise up from his modest beginnings and Sarah being smart and plucky, and desperately frustrated by her lack of opportunity because of her gender. The things Sarah faced as a woman desperate to learn but not given the opportunity was done well at first but sometimes felt a bit forced down the reader’s throat and became a bit repetitive.
The book was just a tad boring for me at parts. There was nothing in it that really thrilled me and made me want to pick it up to finish. I didn’t have that urge to dive back into the story at any point so it took me longer to finish than I would have liked.
I also WOULD NOT recommend this to readers who are pregnant or may have recently given birth as obviously the main medicine applied in this book is midwifery and some of the methods used are utterly appalling because of well, the lack of knowledge at the time. Some stuff is very upsetting and gruesome and is explained in a little bit of detail and could upset someone currently carrying!
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publishers/author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Gawky, tomboyish Jana Novak has never truly felt beautiful, and so she (and many people in her life) is surprised when she is scouted by a model agency during a school trip. Before long, 16-year-old Jana is fast becoming the UK’s new top model but the dark world of the fashion industry threatens to swallow Jana whole.
Juno Dawson honestly can’t do any wrong in my opinion. Every time she writes a novel, she manages to deliver something modern, relatable but a story that packs a punch with so many big issues. This book tackles so many brilliant things from self-love and body confidence to eating disorders, addictions and sexual assault. There’s a lot of dark in this book but there’s also a lot of fun too.
It’s obvious that Juno put a lot of thought and work into creating the world of fashion Jana enters. It feels very real from the fun, bouncy part to the shady, behind the scenes part when the the girls are fretting about wait and popping pills to stay awake. There’s times, as a reader, I felt frustrated at Jana for being so naive about certain things but she is so young in this book so I had to try and understand.
There is a sexual assault scene in this book that sparks something reminiscent (and was inspired by) the #MeToo movement and the Harvey Weinstein scandal and it’s tough and important but thankfully, for me, it wasn’t too graphic or disturbing to read. Especially with Jana’s age, I’m glad Juno was able to bring such an important issue and movement to light without having to write something extremely graphic (take lessons every TV writer who uses rape as a plot device*).
The end of this book was a little bit too much wrapped in a neat little bow, happily ever after for me that it just didn’t seem very realistic but that’s also just me being cynical. I loved this book, I couldn’t put it down. Juno Dawson is officially on my list of favourite, auto-buy authors!
Gawky, tomboyish Jana Novak has never truly felt beautiful, and so she (and many people in her life) is surprised when she is scouted by a model agency during a school trip. Before long, 16-year-old Jana is fast becoming the UK’s new top model but the dark world of the fashion industry threatens to swallow Jana whole.
Juno Dawson honestly can’t do any wrong in my opinion. Every time she writes a novel, she manages to deliver something modern, relatable but a story that packs a punch with so many big issues. This book tackles so many brilliant things from self-love and body confidence to eating disorders, addictions and sexual assault. There’s a lot of dark in this book but there’s also a lot of fun too.
It’s obvious that Juno put a lot of thought and work into creating the world of fashion Jana enters. It feels very real from the fun, bouncy part to the shady, behind the scenes part when the the girls are fretting about wait and popping pills to stay awake. There’s times, as a reader, I felt frustrated at Jana for being so naive about certain things but she is so young in this book so I had to try and understand.
There is a sexual assault scene in this book that sparks something reminiscent (and was inspired by) the #MeToo movement and the Harvey Weinstein scandal and it’s tough and important but thankfully, for me, it wasn’t too graphic or disturbing to read. Especially with Jana’s age, I’m glad Juno was able to bring such an important issue and movement to light without having to write something extremely graphic (take lessons every TV writer who uses rape as a plot device*).
The end of this book was a little bit too much wrapped in a neat little bow, happily ever after for me that it just didn’t seem very realistic but that’s also just me being cynical. I loved this book, I couldn’t put it down. Juno Dawson is officially on my list of favourite, auto-buy authors!
I received this book for free from Titan Press in exchange for an honest review.
Viking warrior Eelyn is fighting alongside her tribe, the Aska, when she sees her brother - who she believed to be dead - fighting with the enemy. When Eelyn attempts to find out the truth, she finds herself becoming a slave to the Riska. But a bigger threat looms, that might force Eelyn to convince everyone to work together for survival.
This was a really perfect standalone for me with all the right amount of action, friendship and romance to really bring the story along and didn’t leave me with any burning questions or regret. It’s rare now to get a good standalone book that’s not forced into a eulogy and Adrienne Young did a stellar job with Sky in the Deep.
I really loved learning all about the background of this world that Eelyn lives in - which is very reminiscent to what we know of Viking culture. It’s a violent world, full of warriors (male and female, yes!) who are ready to wield an axe at any given moment and spill blood and gods that thirst for vengeance on enemies based on stories from long ago. I loved that the author did not shy away from the fact that Eelyn was a warrior and had killed, and would kill again. One of my pet peeves is when a character is made out to be fearsome and then she never actually does anything to prove this - all talk, no action. Well Eelyn does it all and more! There’s an eye-plucking scene!!
The romance in this book was very sweet and I did really love it and the characters it centred around but I think I would have liked even more build-up for it as the move from slightly friendly to love was a bit quick for me. I also would have liked more explanation as to why Eelyn’s brother chose to fight with the Riska against the Aska - essentially killing the people he had grown up with and who had never mistreated him in any way. His reasoning for staying with them was sound - but not killing his family tribe!
I recommend this as a good standalone if someone is looking fro something fresh and easy to read with a bit of action.
Viking warrior Eelyn is fighting alongside her tribe, the Aska, when she sees her brother - who she believed to be dead - fighting with the enemy. When Eelyn attempts to find out the truth, she finds herself becoming a slave to the Riska. But a bigger threat looms, that might force Eelyn to convince everyone to work together for survival.
This was a really perfect standalone for me with all the right amount of action, friendship and romance to really bring the story along and didn’t leave me with any burning questions or regret. It’s rare now to get a good standalone book that’s not forced into a eulogy and Adrienne Young did a stellar job with Sky in the Deep.
I really loved learning all about the background of this world that Eelyn lives in - which is very reminiscent to what we know of Viking culture. It’s a violent world, full of warriors (male and female, yes!) who are ready to wield an axe at any given moment and spill blood and gods that thirst for vengeance on enemies based on stories from long ago. I loved that the author did not shy away from the fact that Eelyn was a warrior and had killed, and would kill again. One of my pet peeves is when a character is made out to be fearsome and then she never actually does anything to prove this - all talk, no action. Well Eelyn does it all and more! There’s an eye-plucking scene!!
The romance in this book was very sweet and I did really love it and the characters it centred around but I think I would have liked even more build-up for it as the move from slightly friendly to love was a bit quick for me. I also would have liked more explanation as to why Eelyn’s brother chose to fight with the Riska against the Aska - essentially killing the people he had grown up with and who had never mistreated him in any way. His reasoning for staying with them was sound - but not killing his family tribe!
I recommend this as a good standalone if someone is looking fro something fresh and easy to read with a bit of action.
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publishers/author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Samantha Reed has spent almost her entire life watching the family next door and can’t help but want to know what they’re like despite her mother’s snobbish objections. When Sam finally meets Jase, her next door neighbour it’s not long before love blossoms.
UGH THIS WAS SO CUTE AND JUST EVERYTHING I DIDN’T KNOW I NEEDED!
This is a wonderful summer contemporary that you can curl up with anywhere (the couch, bed, sun lounger, the pool) and get sucked into. I loved this little world of the Garrett household and easily it was for Sam to be accepted and made one of the family - I feel like everyone knows a family like that, and I definitely saw the one I know in the Garretts. They were almost Weasley-like in nature and what’s not to like about that.
The romance in this is just so organic, it was refreshing. The chemistry between the characters was so naturally done, it was sweet as hell, and their dialogue and dating scenes were written perfectly. Nothing seemed rushed or written for the sake of it and there were times they really felt like real people to me.
One of the things that made me happiest in this book was the approach to safe sex and consensual sex. It was fantastic. Sam and Jade have a conversation about their first time together a while before it happens, and they even go to a pharmacy together to pick out condoms. Something so normal and not stigmatised is great to see in a book that could be read by teenagers in the same way - and a healthy, happy approach to safe sex is a must and I really commend Huntley Fitzpatrick for this. Thank you!
There is the YA trope of neglectful parent in this one as Sam’s mom is really something. Very much the invisible parent until Sam does one thing wrong and she’s grounded for life. Her mom was not really a nice person and, for me, didn’t really get a redeeming arc either. The storyline with Sam’s friend Nan also felt a bit unresolved and we didn’t get closure there but I appreciated the storyline with Nan’s brother Tim who had addiction issues.
Samantha Reed has spent almost her entire life watching the family next door and can’t help but want to know what they’re like despite her mother’s snobbish objections. When Sam finally meets Jase, her next door neighbour it’s not long before love blossoms.
UGH THIS WAS SO CUTE AND JUST EVERYTHING I DIDN’T KNOW I NEEDED!
This is a wonderful summer contemporary that you can curl up with anywhere (the couch, bed, sun lounger, the pool) and get sucked into. I loved this little world of the Garrett household and easily it was for Sam to be accepted and made one of the family - I feel like everyone knows a family like that, and I definitely saw the one I know in the Garretts. They were almost Weasley-like in nature and what’s not to like about that.
The romance in this is just so organic, it was refreshing. The chemistry between the characters was so naturally done, it was sweet as hell, and their dialogue and dating scenes were written perfectly. Nothing seemed rushed or written for the sake of it and there were times they really felt like real people to me.
One of the things that made me happiest in this book was the approach to safe sex and consensual sex. It was fantastic. Sam and Jade have a conversation about their first time together a while before it happens, and they even go to a pharmacy together to pick out condoms. Something so normal and not stigmatised is great to see in a book that could be read by teenagers in the same way - and a healthy, happy approach to safe sex is a must and I really commend Huntley Fitzpatrick for this. Thank you!
There is the YA trope of neglectful parent in this one as Sam’s mom is really something. Very much the invisible parent until Sam does one thing wrong and she’s grounded for life. Her mom was not really a nice person and, for me, didn’t really get a redeeming arc either. The storyline with Sam’s friend Nan also felt a bit unresolved and we didn’t get closure there but I appreciated the storyline with Nan’s brother Tim who had addiction issues.