Graphic Novel Review: Heartstopper V4 by Alice Osema

Author & Illustrator: Alice Osema
Title: Heartstopper

Series: Heartstopper Volume 4
Genre: Graphic Novel, LGBT, YA, Contemporary, Romance
Format: ebook

Pages: 320
Published: May 6, 2021
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Charlie didn't think Nick could ever like him back, but now they're officially boyfriends. Charlie's beginning to feel ready to say those three little words: I love you.

Review: 

I'm loving this series SO much. It's so dang sweet and....real. 

We continue following Charlie and Nick on their journey of young love. Things get a little heavier in this one. 

Not only do they want to scream "I LOVE YOU" to each other, but both are so scared and unsure.....we also get to glimpse at some of their demons. They both don't have the perfect family life. Charlie's mom is having a hard time trusting him. Nick's brother is a monster and his dad is absent. He's a 1 time a year father. 

We also dive into Charlie's mental health issues and eating issues. I'm sure a lot of it stems from that whole year he was bullied to the point the police should've been involved. Poor kid....Charlie is so sweet and didn't deserve that at all. :( 

Don't get it twisted...even with the heavier plotline here it is still light and YA. It just made their world seem more real....and it makes you adore them even more. You want them to be happy and have the perfect life. We all know life isn't like that though......

But yes. This is still really good and I want more! MORE PLEASE!

5 stars. I loved that it went a little darker and we get to see more behind each character. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Beautiful

Challenge(s):

-  Library Love #22

2-in-1 Review: Of Swine and Roses & Retribution Clause

Author: Ilona Andrews

Narrator: Hillary Huber 

Title: Of Swine and Roses

Series: World of Kate Daniels

Genre: Short Story, UF, Paranormal Romance, YA, Novella

Format: Audiobook

Published: August 13, 2009

Where I got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

A young adult short story about a girl, a pig, some magic, and the worst date ever.

Chad Thurman is a thug, who carries brass knuckles in both pockets and lays magic traps for intruders into “his” neighborhood. The last thing Alena Kornov wants to do is to go on the date with him. But when her family pressures her, she can’t say no. Now the ice-cream is absent, the pig is running for its life, and we won’t even mention the dead guy…

Review:

That title!!!! I snorted like a piggie. I was excited to get started on this one. 

We have poor Alena who is being forced to go on a date with a dude named Chad (you know it's going to go bad based on the name alone). He is a thug and his morals are questionable. After a crappy movie and no ice cream...she finds herself trying to save a pig that Chad is out to murder. 

This was rough in the beginning. I get you don't want to upset a local family, but forcing her to go on a date with Chad? Ew. Bad parenting right there. 

The date was crappy and I was so worried she was going to fall head over heels in love with this punk. Bleh. Spoiler....she doesn't. Yayy!

Things got better but the beginning was rough because I was so worried about our girl. 

The narrator did a great job. Perfect for everyone. 

This was cute. Not my favorites of the shorts, but I loved the ending. 

3 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Cute

 

Author: Ilona Andrews

Narrator: Michael Glenn

Title: Retribution Clause

Series: World of Kate Daniels #6.7

Genre: UF, Short Stories, Paranormal Romance, Novella

Format: Audiobook

Published: June 5, 2012

Where I got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

Saiman's cousin, Adam—a frost giant and also an insurance adjuster—and his enigmatic partner, Siroun, set out on an impossible mission to enforce a client's Retribution Clause; that is, to kill the person who killed her.

Review:

Chipping away at all the shorts from the Kate Daniels series!! I came across this one next. Slightly worried because they are new characters.

We have Adam who is Saiman's cousin. He's a frost giant and also an insurance adjuster. His partner is Siroun. They are set out on an impossible mission to enforce a client's Retribution Clause....kill the person who killed her. 

How fun!!!! Adam was cool and I liked Siroun. I hope there are more of their stories out there! 

What a cool concept. I guess even in worlds like this we need insurance adjusters ;) 

Loved every moment of this story. 

The narrator was wonderful and brought everyone to life. 

All-in-all this was cool and fun. Slightly different, but in a refreshing way. 5 outta 5. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Lively

Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #39 & 40

B's Tuesday Review: Just a Cowboy and his Baby by Carolyn Brown

396 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

Series: Spikes & Spurs (#6)

Format: 396 pages, Kindle Edition

Published: August 6, 2024 by Sourcebooks Casablanca

Contemporary romance/western romance/netgalley

So this was actually by mistake, I saw it on Netgalley (and I am never there), and I went for it. Half way through I realised that I had actually read it 10 years ago. Ooops.

Gemma and Trace are doing the rodeo circuit and they are head to head. But only one person can win. Sure, I was rooting for Gemma, girl power and all that. Sorry Trace. They are in competition, but slowly something grows there and they start spending time together in private too.

I liked their families and the whole rodeo thing. The drama comes rather late and is quickly resolved because omg they talk about it and are there for each other.

I enjoyed it

Gemma O'Donnell was incensed when she wasn't the first woman to win the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Championship Association) buckle for bronc riding. This year, she heads out on the PRCA ProRodeo Tour burning to be the second.

First stop is Cody, Wyoming where her stiffest competition is Trace Coleman, who already has a jump on her. A tall, dark-haired cowboy with a sexy grin and a swagger, he doesn't really give a damn about the trophy belt buckle—he wants the purse to buy a ranch he has his eye on. He damn sure doesn't have time for a sassy bit of Irish baggage who can evidently ride anything with four legs and make anything with two legs want to take her to bed.

Gemma wins a few; Trace wins a few. In the end they both qualify for the final cut in Las Vegas. But when it comes down to the wire, only one can win the bronc-riding competition and take home one helluva prize. But in this competition, it just might be loser takes all...

Best of August

Here are our bests from August!!!! 

Best Book of the Month:

Blodeuedd -  Daughters of Olympus by Hannah Lynn

"Best cover and it can get best book too!"

Carole -  Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews

"This was just too good to NOT give it best book."

Best Movie of the Month:

Carole - Nadda this month. Nothing stood out over 3 stars. 

Blodeuedd - No movie stood out. 

Best TV show of the Month:

Blodeuedd - Solar Opposites, Geek Girl, Monk, Love is Blind UK, & Umbrella Academy

"I watched a lot of tv in August. Solar Opposites because fun. Geek Girl because it was new. Finally finished Monk. Love is blind uk for drama and the final season of Umbrella Academy."

Carole - Schitt's Creek

"Hubby wanted to watch so I'm re-watching! SOOO good."

Best Cover of the Month:

B's favorite

C's favorite