Movie Review: Dracula (2025)

Title: Dracula - A Love Tale

Length: 2h 9m

Released: 2025 (2026 US)

Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Romance
Rating: R
Where I Got It: Apple TV

SUMMARY:

When a 15th-century prince denounces God after the loss of his wife he inherits an eternal curse: he becomes Dracula. Condemned to wander the centuries, he defies fate and death, guided by a single hope - to be reunited with his lost love.

Trailer

REVIEW:

I saw this trailer a while back, and I have been waiting and waiting for it to arrive in the US. When it finally did, I dragged Hubby to the couch to make him watch this with me. I looove a good Dracula film!

Here we have Dracula, who was a prince in the 15th-century. He killed and did many bad things in the name of God. The only thing he asked for was protection for his wife. Well...she was murdered and died in his arms, so he turned his back on God, which in turn God gave him an eternal curse. Condemned to never die and to drink blood for survival. He hopes his beloved will be reincarnated since she was of a pure soul. 400 years later...he has found her and no one will stop him from reclaiming his love. 

What a lovely cast. What a lovely story. I really, really enjoyed it. The guy who played Dracula was amazing. 

This rendition certainly played up the love story and made this more of a romance. Still some horror elements, but certainly more romantic. 

That last scene literally broke me. SOO good. SOO perfect.

No issues for me. Hubby said he liked it, but he thought it had some weird elements. I disagree. I liked the change-ups. 

We have the romance and the horror. We also were given splashes of comedy that made me smile. 

I'll give this 5 stars. I want to watch it again!

Book Review: Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon

Author: Diana Gabaldon

Title: Dragonfly in Amber

Series: Outlander #2

Genre: Historical Romance, SciFi, Fantasy

Format: paperback

Pages: 947

Published: July 1, 1992

Where I got It: My shelf (Used book store that I am blanking on the name of)

Summary: 

From the author of Outlander... a magnificent epic that once again sweeps us back in time to the drama and passion of 18th-century Scotland...

For twenty years Claire Randall has kept her secrets. But now she is returning with her grown daughter to Scotland's majestic mist-shrouded hills. Here Claire plans to reveal a truth as stunning as the events that gave it birth: about the mystery of an ancient circle of standing stones ...about a love that transcends the boundaries of time ...and about James Fraser, a Scottish warrior whose gallantry once drew a young Claire from the security of her century to the dangers of his ....

Now a legacy of blood and desire will test her beautiful copper-haired daughter, Brianna, as Claire's spellbinding journey of self-discovery continues in the intrigue-ridden Paris court of Charles Stuart ...in a race to thwart a doomed Highlands uprising ...and in a desperate fight to save both the child and the man she loves....

Review:

I read book 1 ages ago, and I meant to go back, but just never did. I've been watching the show and loving it, so it was the push I needed to continue the series. 

We continue watching young Claire fight to try and stop the war, and "modern" Claire goes back to where it all began with her daughter in tow. 

I know this book was written in the 90s, and there is a show about it, but I don't want to spoil anything! 

The duo timeline was fun. We are mainly in the "flashback" following young Jamie and young Claire fleeing to France. There is still hope to change the future, but it seems like fate has other plans for them time and time again.

I enjoyed it. It was long and sometimes long-winded. But I gobbled up each page. There were some stretches of time I had to take a break. It is emotional, especially because you know what is coming. An impending doom for sure. Yes. I teared up a time or two with this one. 

The author does such a great job bringing the worlds and the characters to life! You just want all your beloved characters to live happily ever after. 

Can I say something...controversial? As much as I liked this book and the other one.........I think the show is better. There are some little changes they did that just worked better. Some character development that I really liked. Not saying this is bad, but the show is just a smidge better. I still want to read book 3 one day, though!

Honestly, I think I might do the audio of it. I want to try it!

But yes, this was good, but it is a heavy read. Length and emotions. You need to read book 1 first for sure or have at least watched season 1 of the show. 

All-in-all, it was lovely coming back to Claire and Jamie. It felt like old friends. I do so love them both. 

4 stars. 

Reading Challenges

-  Reading Romance Challenge #4 (series I meant to go back to)

Movie Reviews: Billy Madison, Murder Mystery, & Just Go With It

Sometimes I just need some silly and fun Adam Sandler movies in my life! I find myself needing a good movie marathon of his movies to lighten my mood. Weeee!

Simply a classic. One of my faves of his! 5 stars!

 

Had to rewatch this one! Still fun after all this time! 5 stars 

I never seen this one before!!! Not sure how this slipped through the cracks. But yes. Cheesy...unbelievable, but a huge laugh. 4 stars. 

Book Review: The Princess and the Pea by Victoria Alexander

Author: Victoria Alexander

Title: The Princess & the Pea

Genre: Historical Romance, Fairy Tale retelling

Format: Paperback

Pages: 354 

Published: January 1, 2009 

Where I got It: My shelf (Used book store)

Summary: 

A true American princess, Cecily White stood to inherit her father’s business empire. And with the twentieth century right around the corner, the independent beauty had no intention of marrying some foreign nobleman seeking her money. Then on a trip to England, Cece fell under the spell of a dashing peer who had more to recommend him than the length of his title and the size of his countinghouse. But Cece wouldn’t surrender her heart to the virile Earl of Graystone until he proved that the only treasure he wanted was her love.

Review:

I picked this up forever ago, and it has just been collecting dust on my bookshelf. Yayy for reading challenges to get me to pick up these dusty books!!

Here we follow Cecily and Jared. Cecily is a true American princess who stands to inherit her father's business empire. She is everything society wants: beautiful, rich, and polite. However, she is independent and has no desire but to marry for love. Especially those poor English peers that only have a title and debt in their pockets. However, there is something about Jared, the Earl of Graystone, that she can't resist. 

This story started off swell. I really enjoyed it. Cece was a gem, and I liked Jared. They were perfect for each other, but they literally "fell in love" like immediately. Luckily, there were a lot of issues, and Cece isn't an empty-headed fool. He needs to earn her and really show he loves her. GOOD. He's a fortune-hunter...no better than the girls of the ton. 

I think my biggest issue was how modern everyone felt. I get being "ahead of the times" and oddities, but sometimes it was a bit much. 

And the MIL? Omg. SURE she loves her son and wants the best, BUUUUT YOU ARE ABOUT TO BE IN THE POORHOUSE. Let him marry whomever he wants. Gah. I wanted to kick her. 

Plus the side romances drove me insane. I love when side characters find love too, don't get me wrong, but it was too much. It really bled into the story sometimes. 

Even with the issues, I did enjoy the journey of these two. 

I'll stamp this with 2 stars. 

 Challenge(s):

- TBR #11 (Change of Plans)

Movie Review: Beauty and the Beast (2014)

Title: Beauty and the Beast

Length: 1h 52m

Released: 2014

Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Thriller, Historical Fantasy
Rating: R
Where I Got It: Watched at friend's house (I think it was Hulu)

SUMMARY:

An unexpected romance blooms after the the youngest daughter of a merchant who has fallen on hard times offers herself to the mysterious beast to which her father has become indebted.

Trailer

REVIEW:

My friend suggested this as we were having a girl's night. Love B&B so yesssss. Plus made by the French? Okaaaayyyyy!

The story is as old as time, but with some different twists and turns. The youngest daughter of a indebted merchant sacrifices herself to the beast in order to spare her father. There is magic and mystery and Belle is determined to solve it. Little does she know she will fall in love with the beast. 

I would love to go back and re-watch this in the original French. We did the dubbed version and it was fine, but I really do prefer watching foreign films in the original language. But yes, the dubbed was fine. 

The twists and changes to the story were...great. I loved it. The "witch" is not at all what you think. I won't spoil anything because it is the big reveal on how and why he was turned into a beast. I honestly teared up. He wasn't a horrible man, but I get why he and his friends got got. 

OMG the little creature things were adorable!!!! I won't spoil what they are. BUT THOSE BIG OL' EYES! Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

My only real issue was the lack of romance. She hated him and hated him and there was barely any warmth or even friendship. And then suddenly she is in love? The beast and I were both shocked at her declaration of love. Oh? Really? Could've fooled me. 

I hate Belle's siblings especially her one dumb brother. Idiot. BUT they really did get what they deserved and it helped them get better. Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to change your ways. Look at the beast. Tale as old as time for sure. 

This was a gorgeous movie. Fun changes and I loved the ending. It was so very sweet. I wished we had some more warm moments from Belle though. She was just so mean and cold for so long.

I'll give this 4 stars. Def worth the watch. I want to watch this again in French though.

Book Review: The Masque of the Black Tulip by Lauren Willig

Author: Lauren Willig

Title: The Masque of the Black Tulip

Series: Pink Carnation #2

Genre: Historical Romance, Mystery, Chick Lit 

Format: paperback

Pages: 464

Published: December 1, 2005

Where I got It: My shelf (Some sort of bookstore - it's been so long)

Summary: 

Modern-day graduate student Eloise achieved the academic coup of the century when she unmasked one of history's greatest spies, the Pink Carnation, who saved England from Napoleon. But now she has a million questions about the Carnation's deadly French nemesis, the Black Tulip. And she's pretty sure that her handsome on-again, off-again crush, Colin Selwick, has the answers somewhere in his archives. When she finally comes across an old codebook, Eloise discovers something juicier than she ever imagined: an unlikely pair who were hot on the trail of the Black Tulip and had every intention of stopping him from killing the Pink Carnation and bringing down England. But what they didn't know was that while they were trying to find the Tulip--and stumbling upon something like love--the Black Tulip was watching them....

Review:

It's been YEARS since I read this little gem. I've been struck with the need to re-read this whole series so I'll be chipping away at this over the next few...whatever it takes. I'm so excited. 

We are back at it with Eloise digging for the truth. She unmasked the Pink Carnation and now she has a million questions about the Carnation's deadly French nemesis....the Black Tulip. Colin surely has the answers in his archives. While digging, she uncovers an unlikely pair who were hot on the trail of the Black Tulip. Miles and Henrietta have known each other since childhood. Miles is her brother's best friend and spy partner. She wants to help! But Miles wants her to stay home and out of danger.

Awww Hen and Miles. I adore this couple soooo much. I forgot how much I loved watching them go from friends to lovers. The chemistry was always there, but they never took that step. Mainly in loyalty to Richard, Hen's brother. 

I do like Eloise and Colin's story and POV, but I much prefer our heroes in history. I'm a sucker for historical romance and historical intrigue. Love old school spies. 

This book held up to the test of time! I loved it just as much as I did when I stumbled upon this series in High School! I remember checking this out from the library. I picked up this and the first book and sped through it. Honestly, I think this cemented my love for historical romances AND spy novels. Eeee!

But yes, still fun. A nice mystery. The Black Tulip and Pink Carnation are amazing foes. 

Miles is a hunk. 

Hen is a spitfire. 

You need to read this series. 

5 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Hen

Least Favorite Character(s): Mary (I know - I know - but I hate this young version of her. I kept telling myself, "She gets better someday") 

Movie Review: All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)

Title: All Quiet on the Western Front

Length: 2h 28m

Released: 2022

Genre: Drama, Historical, War
Rating: R
Where I Got It: Netflix

SUMMARY:

A young German soldier's eagerness to serve his country quickly fades when he witnesses the horrors of combat on the Western Front during World War I.

Trailer

REVIEW:

So I read the book a few years ago and I think I seen the 1930s version of the film when I was super young (or at least clips of it) so I was eager to watch this eventually. 

The story follows Paul and his friends. It is midway through WWI and they are eager to fight. However, they quickly realize war isn't pretty. Especially this war. While Paul and his friends struggle to stay alive and sane, the political world is on fire. Germany is losing the war and running out of bodies to send to the front. They will have to decide what to do.

I couldn't remember much of what happened in the book. There were a couple of things I remembered so I was prepared for some parts. 

You can't help but feel for Paul and his friends. War is hell....especially WWI. It was the dawn of a new age of fighting and they were being led by old folk used to the old style of war so the casualties were staggering. New technologies, new styles of fighting....no rules. This was war was a bloodbath. The film did a great job showing this. This was visually gorgeous. The music filled in the gaps and made this so intense. 

Now they did take away a few scenes of Paul going home at one point. I'm kind of bummed they did that because it shows how Paul is transforming. The beginning...he is a young dumb boy. The middle...he is losing his old self. The ending...he is the hardened soldier. Honestly, they could've compromised and just had him interact with civilians in some way just to show his realization he is not the old Paul anymore. 

However, they did add some political scenes which I did appreciate overall. It showed the bloated elite making decisions and being unsure if they should stop the war and sign the deal. The scene when they are all signing made me cry. That Armistice of Compiègne would seal the fate of Germany. Yes, the war is over which is awesome, but signing the armistice would begin a treaty that would be so harsh on Germany that it will lead to another and even more deadly war. The way they filmed that scene was so haunting and perfect.

This film was hauntingly beautiful. It was really good and I highly recommend it even if you haven't seen the past renditions or read the book.

I'll give this 5 stars. Yes, I was bummed they altered some scenes and removed Paul going home for a few, but the added behind-the-scenes political parts made up for it. Especially that signing scene. Oof. 100% recommend this film.  

Audiobook Review: Love, Rebooted by Kathy Summers

Author: Kathy Summers

Narrator: Emily Atack & Stuart Martin

Title: Love, Rebooted

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Humor

Format: Audiobook

Published: March 20, 2025

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

FRIENDS. RIVALS. LOVERS. Liv’s happy with life in her thirties. She has two cats, one BFF, and no boyfriend, which is just how she likes it. Plus, she loves working at a not-for-profit software company where she can be her authentically autistic self. This is her happy ever after.

But when her beloved firm merges with a repulsive rival, Liv finds herself competing with her sort-of-ex for the top job. Sure, Finn had been Liv’s best friend at university, with his nerdy good looks and their shared love of Tolkien, but there was that one night, their song, and … well, she doesn’t like to talk about it. In fact, she hasn’t thought about him since.

Unlike Finn who is delighted to have Liv back in his life. Could this finally be his chance to rescue their friendship after all these years? But he knows it’s only a matter of time until he wins the job and Liv gets laid off. He hates everything about it, but he’s a single dad with a daughter to support, so losing isn’t an option – not even to his soulmate.

But in the close proximity of a cut-throat corporate world, Finn finds himself falling first and soon his priority becomes breaking down Liv’s barriers. As the pair struggle to keep their professional and personal lives separate, Liv starts to think maybe Finn’s suggestion of a friendship reboot isn’t such a bad idea after all… And as for that funny feeling inside… no, that’s nothing. Nothing at all…

Review:

This sounded like a cute second chance story. Plus that cover is adorable!

Here we follow Liv and Finn. The two were university besties, but after an awkward evening....they stop talking. Years later Liv believes her life is perfect but that comes crashing down when her job merges with another company. She finds herself competing with her sort-of-ex and best friend for the same job. Finn, on the other hand, is delighted to have Liv back in his life so that he can finally save their friendship and maybe have more if she's willing. They are forced to work together through this merger and maybe find something more than just being close proximity co-workers. 

This was so refreshing!! Interesting characters and an interesting situation. They were friends but acted like BF/GF in school. After an awkward kiss and misunderstanding in a message...they fell apart. It was cute seeing their remeet-cute moment. Finn is determined to at least be friends again. Sure he wants more, but he'll take what he can. They are two peas in a pod and his life hasn't been the same without her. She wants more too, but she likes her life the way it is....plus she doesn't like messy and complicated relationships.

The two of them were so charming and entertaining. I loved watching them muddle their way through getting over the past, working through work stuff, working for something more. All the while being nerdy and geeky. The shared love of LOTR was adorable. 

There were SO many layers to this romance that I was worried it would be too much, but it all felt....natural and real. Life is muddy and complex. 

The narrators were so charming and I loved their voices. 

All-in-all, I highly enjoyed this one. I loved how muddy and complex everything was. It took forever for them to find their HEA, but it was well deserved. 

5 stars from me. 

- Favorite Character(s): Finn and Liv

- Least Favorite Character(s): Finn's boss

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #20

Book Review: The Lily Brand by Sandra Schwab

Author: Sandra Schwab

Title: The Lily Brand

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 310

Published: June 21, 2005

Where I got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Forever Marked

Troy Sacheverell, fifth earl of Ravenhurst, was captured in France. He'd gone to fight Napoleon, but what he found was much more sinister. Dragged from prison to an old French manor on the outskirts of civilization, he was purchased by a rich and twisted widow. And more dangerous still was the young woman who claimed him.

Lillian had not chosen to live with Camille, her stepmother, but nobody escaped the Black Widow's web. And on her nineteenth birthday, Lillian became Camille's heir. Her gift was a plaything: a man to end her naiveté, a man perfect in all ways but his stolen freedom. Yet even as Lillian did as she was told, marked that beautiful flesh and branded it with the flower of her name, all she desired was escape. In another place, in another world, she'd desired love. Now, looking into burning blue eyes, she knew there was no place to run. No matter if should she flee, no matter where she might go, she and this man were prisoners of passion, inextricably linked by the lily brand.

And while her heart remained locked in ice, his burnt with hate. Would they ever find true happiness?

Review:

Been meaning to read this book for a long while. I have enjoyed the author's other books but never got my hands. on it. Thank goodness for TBR challenges ;)

Here we follow Troy and Lillian. Troy was captured in France and his luck keeps getting worse when he finds himself as a prisoner in an old French manor on the outskirts of civilization. He was bought by a rich and evil widow who gives him to his stepdaughter. Lillian had not chosen to live with her stepmother but no one escapes the Black Widow's web. However, Lillian is done and plans an escape to get her and Troy out of there. After they seperate, they think they will never see each other again....until they are reunited in England in proper society. 

This was pretty dark at times. The characters went through hell at the hands of the Black Widow. I was hoping that they would see each other as fellow victims, but Troy has a lot of issues so it takes him a while. Trauma ya know. 

This was an interesting format to the a-typical romance. Which was super refreshing. Things happen (no spoiler) and they are forced to marry, but he hates her. He blames her for what happened to him and she blames herself. It took a LOT of time for them to see sense and find their love. It took time, talking, and friends to help. I loved this.

Awwww the side love story was adorable. I want to see more of them. They were sweet beans for sure. 

But yes. For sure some triggering topics so keep that in mind.

All-in-all, I liked this quite a bit. The beginning was dark for sure. I expected it but I was still like, "WHAT?" but I couldn't stop reading. I had to see how they would find each other and have their HEA. I'll give this 4 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Lillian and Troy's friends

Least Favorite Character(s): The Black Widow and Troy's cousin. Snakes. 

Challenge(s):

- TBR #4 (Interesting location) 

Movie Review: Downton Abbey A New Era (2022)

Title: Downton Abbey A New Era

Length: 2h 4m

Released: 2022

Genre: Historical, Romance, Drama
Rating: PG
Where I Got It: Peacock

SUMMARY:

The Crawleys go on a grand journey to the south of France to uncover the mystery of the Dowager Countess' newly inherited villa.

Trailer

REVIEW:

Yayy. Movie 2. I'm still not ready to say goodbye so I was itching to watch this. Finally got my friend to come over and we watched this!

The Crawleys are landing in more drama. Some will journey to the south of France to uncover the mystery of the Dowager's newly inherited villa. Others will hang back and monitor the film industry coming into their home to film a movie. 

Yes, there is the humor, the love, the drama, and charm that you love from the show. It was all there!

I did cry twice while watching this, especially during a scene near the end. Oh my heart! *cries* 

I enjoyed this a lot, but there were a couple of plot points that seemed SO unnecessary to the flow of the story. Like....really? Why add that extra drama? There is already stuff happening. I won't say anything additional to spoil it....but I will say....don't trust London doctors. That is one thing this show has taught me. ;) 

The ending was lovely. It felt like everything was tied up nicely and it could end and I'd be okay with it. There is some wiggle room especially with what we know of history to see what the family does and how they react. It would be good, but I would be okay if we stopped here. It was a lovely ending and I would be content. 

All-in-all, if you like the show, you'll like this one. Make sure to watch the previous movie though. There were a couple of plot points I felt wasn't needed for the story, but other than that I enjoyed myself. 4 stars. 

Book Review: Midnight in Venice by Meadow Taylor

Author: Meadow Taylor

Title: Midnight in Venice

Series: Olivia Moretti #2

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 256

Published: August 19, 2014

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Readers met and fell in love with Olivia Moretti in Meadow Taylor’s hugely popular holiday story Christmas in Venice, where Olivia is rescued by a gorgeous Italian cop, Alessandro Rossi, during an airport bomb scare. Now, as the new year begins, her joy at having landed her dream job in Venice’s thriving art world is surpassed only by the realization that she and Alessandro are falling in love—and her surprise that he turns out to be not just the son of a tycoon, but a gifted pianist and former racecar driver who is equally at home in the city’s bejewelled palazzos as patrolling its streets. Olivia can’t believe that her life now includes masked balls, exquisite music, romantic trips to Paris—and true love. But all this is put in jeopardy when a business trip to New York City finds her accused of a crime she didn’t commit—and not even Alessandro believes she’s innocent. Can her new love uncover the truth and keep Olivia’s Italian dream from becoming a nightmare?

A thrilling, passion-filled story set among the dazzling palaces, canals, and piazzas of one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Midnight in Venice is perfect for fans of Danielle Steel, Nora Roberts, and lovers of contemporary romance everywhere.

Review:

Read book 1 a while back and have been meaning to get started on this one, but life....yeah. LOL. 

Note - you can for sure read this one without book 1 (aka it was a short story). We get to pretty much re-read book 1 so no harm, no foul. 

We follow Olivia and Alessandro. Olivia has landed the job of her dreams and is starting a brand new life in Venice! There is a bomb scare where is rescued by a hunky Italian cop named Alessandro. They think their story ends there, but they can't get over each other and start spending time with each other. Everything seems to be going amazing and life can't get any better. Until this is all put in jeopardy when a business trip to New York City finds Olivia accused of a crime she didn’t commit. Will they be able to prove her innocence? Will their love be able to stand this?

This was wild....ridiculous....fantastical......crazy....but I enjoyed it. With all the wild and unbelievable scenarios, you can't help but follow along and have fun. Yes, I had fun watching this play out.

I wanna go to Venice now!!!!!!  

Alessandro is literally the perfect man to the point it makes me want to puke. He is smart, hunky, a good cop, ex car driver, and son to a tycoon? WHAT IS HIS LIFE? Luckily at the halfway-ish point he does show some flaws that made me happy. He isn't perfect. YAYY! No one wants a perfect character. 

Olivia is very sweet. Annoying at times, but sweet. You can't help but feel for her. She just wants to live her Venice life!  

I'm honestly shocked there isn't a 3rd book. I feel like we have some side characters that deserve some loveeeee. Or we could follow these two more and I would be fine with that. Olivia has great luck one minute and then it flips to the worst of the worst. I could enjoy another one even if it was a short story. Good lord. The wedding day could be madness. 

All-in-all, this was ridiculous to the point of entertaining. I had fun. I didn't take anything too serious. Fun romance in a beautiful city. I'm just glad our hero wasn't too perfect. I would've been mad. He does have a flaw...or two. 

3 stars from me.

- Favorite Character(s): Olivia

- Least Favorite Character(s): Oh man. I can't remember their name but there was a character that I want to boo forever. That is what I get for waiting a day to type this. 

 Challenge(s):

- TBR Challenge (January, New Year, Who Dis?) #1

- Romance Reading Challenge #3 (Non-US/UK setting)

Book Review: An Affair with a Spare by Shana Galen

Author: Shana Galen

Title: An Affair with a Spare

Series: The Survivors #3

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 416

Published: July 3, 2018

Where I Got It: Library

Summary: 

He's turned seduction into an art form...

Rafe Beaumont, fifth son of an earl, uses his irresistible charm with the ladies to glean dangerous war secrets. Now he's putting those skills to the ultimate test: capturing an elusive assassin by seducing his daughter. The problem? She's entirely immune to Rafe's flattery.

Never before has Collette Fortier met a man as attractive as Rafe. But her father's life is at stake, and succumbing to Rafe would be disastrous. But when Rafe turns the tables on her, offering support and friendship instead of a fleeting affair, Collette finds herself tempted in ways she never could have imagined...

Review:

Pushing through the series!

Here we have Rafe and Collette. Rafe is the fifth son of an earl and he uses his charms to glean dangerous war secrets. Now he's putting those skills to the test to capture an elusive assassin by seducing his daughter. The problem seems to be that she is immune to his charms. Collette has never met a man as attractive as Rafe, but her father's life is at stake. When Rafe offers friendship and support, Collette finds herself tempted to take his help and maybe more. 

Spies. Love. Usually up my alley! However....I was bored. So utterly bored. I found myself starting to skim just so I could be done. I wanted to give up, but I really like this author and this series so far. *cough* I also wanted credit for my library reading challenge *cough* I kept plugging along. 

Took me forever, but I finished it. Maybe it was Rafe...maybe it was Collette....maybe I just didn't care about either. I liked Rafe's little cameos in the past books, but here? Meh. 

Could I tell you what happened? Eh. Somewhat. My mind kept drifting.

The ending was okay and I am curious still about the next book. 

Maybe I need to try this again one day in audio format? 

Eh. 

I'll give this 2 stars, because I didn't hate it. I was just....bored. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Eh

Challenge(s):

- Library Love #23

Graphic Novel: Heartstopper V3 by Alice Osema

Author & Illustrator: Alice Osema
Title: Heartstopper

Series: Heartstopper Volume 3
Genre: Graphic Novel, LGBT, YA, Contemporary
Format: ebook

Pages: 320
Published: January 1, 2018
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Charlie didn't think Nick could ever like him back, but now they're officially boyfriends. Nick has even found the courage to come out to his mom.

But coming out isn't something that happens just once, and Nick and Charlie try to figure out when to tell their friends that they're dating. Not being out to their classmates gets even harder during a school trip to Paris. As Nick and Charlie's feelings get more serious, they'll need each other more than ever.

Review: 

This series is just so cute so far! I still need to watch the next season of the show. But full steam aheaddddddddd!

Nick and Charlie are finding their groove as a couple. However, coming out isn't easy and isn't something that just happens once. They will struggle to figure out when to tell their friends and family (who don't already know). It gets harder when the school takes a trip to Paris. The city of Love. 

What I love about this is that we do get a couple of side stories, but the main focus is Nick and Charlie. They are adorable and sweet and they deserve each other. 

There is some worry about Charlie by the end of this. Does Charlie have an eating disorder thanks to the year before when he was bullied relentlessly? Ugh poor kid. I do worry that this may throw in unnecessary drama. But we shall see. 

We get to see a little bit of Nick's relationship with some more of his family. F his brother and F that father of his. GRRR. Nick is a gosh dang angel. 

So very sweet and so very easy to read. I'm trying not to devour the series. 

The animation is adorable. 

All-in-all, this series is great. It is so very YA, but not cringey which is a huge bonus. Just a sweet tale of love. 4 stars for this one. 

 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Sweet

Challenge(s):

-  Library Love #19

Book Review: The Silent Hours by Cesca Major

Author: Cesca Major

Title: The Silent Hours

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance

Format: Paperback

Pages: 320

Published: June 4, 2015

Where I Got It: My shelf (Gift)

Summary: 

An epic, sweeping tale of love and loss inspired by heartrending true events in the Unoccupied Zone of wartime France.

The Silent Hours follows three people whose lives are bound together, before war tears them apart:

Adeline, a mute who takes refuge in a convent, haunted by memories of her past;

Sebastian, a young Jewish banker whose love for the beautiful Isabelle will change the course of his life dramatically;

Tristin, a nine-year-old boy, whose family moves from Paris to settle in a village that is seemingly untouched by war.

Beautifully wrought, utterly compelling and with a shocking true story at its core, The Silent Hours is an unforgettable portrayal of love and loss.

Review:

I honestly can't remember who gave this to me and for what holiday. *draws complete blank, eye twitches* I just remember I didn't buy it and it once belonged to someone. LOL. But this is right up my alley. WWII...love....sadness....yayy.

This story is inspired by a tragic moment in the war. We follow three people whose lives are bound together in ways we don't know. Adeline is a mute who takes refuge in a convent after the war. She is haunted and she can't speak a word. Sebastian is a young Jewish banker who is in love with Isabelle. Tristin is a child whose family moves out of Paris to settle in a little village that is seemingly untouched by war. 

This was sad. Extremely sad. I knew very little about this very real town. I had heard of it but never really knew the details. I waited until after the book was over to do some digging myself. 

This was a slow build-up. The stage is busy getting set to make you feel. I remember yelling at the book a few times in the last quarter of the book. I remember yelling, "NO NO!" Ugh! My heart. 

The main three POVs are Adeline, Tristin, and Sebastian. But we also get to see some of the letters Isabelle wrote to her brother and her brother's letters back. Near the end we got to see a glimpse of Paul (Isabelle's brother) and his POV. Very short but I'm glad we got to see a glimpse. 

Everyone and everything is tied together in some way. Some ties are not known until the very last page. SO heartbreaking. 

But yes. I really, really adored this book. I took my sweet time with it because it was slow to begin with, but you know eventually things will erupt and you'll miss when things were slow and okay(ish).  

If you love a good tragic story or WWII...I for sure recommend this book. I'll give it 5 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Compelling