Book Review: The Life Revamp (Love Study) by Kris Ripper

The Life Revamp is the third book in the Love Study series by Kris Ripper. It can be read on its own, but returning readers will have more knowledge of Mason and most secondary characters. 

All Mason wants to do is fall in love, get married and live happily ever after. The hunt is beginning to wear him down…until he meets (slightly) famous fashion designer Diego. Everything sparks between them—the banter, the sex, the fiery eye contact across a crowded room. There's just one thing: Diego is already married and living his happily-ever-after, which luckily (or not) for Mason includes outside courtships. But not quite in the way he'd always imagined. Mason thought he knew what would make him happy, but it turns out the traditional life he'd expected has some surprises in store.

The Life Revamp is a wonderful addition to the Love Study series, and a charming romance as a stand alone. I loved Mason's character, but while the author does a good job of describing his backstory and friend group, I think returning readers will not be as invested or understand all the history and connections Mason has. I liked the way non traditional relationships were discussed and shown, helping those that have never known anyone in a poly relationship understand at least one way it can all happen and work, since like any kind of relationship each can be different. I loved the emphasis on communication and understanding what you really want versus what we have pictured for ourselves since the two do not always match up. The secondary characters were very well done, and as usual I want more of them. I loved the support systems, family, and found family here. I wish everyone had the kind of support these characters did. The only thing I wanted but did not get from this book is multiple points of view. I really wanted to see the story from the eyes of Diego or even Claris at certain points of the story to get a bigger picture view of what people were thinking and feeling.  However, I know not all readers like the switching viewpoints so I get why they might not be used. 

The Life Revamp is a wonderful romance with complex characters. 

Book Review: Love, Only Better by Paulette Stout

Love, Only Better by Paulette Stout is a contemporary romance. For Rebecca, sex is a joke missing a punchline. No crashing waves. Only pangs of inadequacy. At twenty-eight, shouldn’t she have had one by now? Her snickering ex thought so. As did every guy who came before him. No way she’s dating anyone again. At least, until she can take “clueless in bed” off her dating resume.  When Kyle moves in across the hall, his blue eyes and black motorcycle are magnetic. Sparks flew from the moment he rescued her takeout dinner from hitting the lobby floor. It’s the worst time for Rebecca to meet someone this dreamy. But how can she resist love notes taped to her apartment door? Hallway kisses? Sitting behind his hotness as the world zips by? It’s risky, though. To get past whatever’s blocking her in bed, Rebecca needs expert help. Sure, it’s unorthodox, but she’s desperate for answers. Rebecca doesn’t expect anyone to understand—least of all Kyle. If he learns her secret, he’ll think she’s a freak and bolt. Just once, Rebecca wants to get the guy and everything that comes along with it. Would she forever have to choose between feeling whole and being loved?

Love, Only Better left me with mixed feelings. I enjoyed the set up, and thought there was so many ways this story could go. I loved the frank discussion of sexuality and how much more complicated achieving satisfaction can be for some people. I think this is a very important topic, and one that is left behind for a variety of reasons. I think the entire book could have been about Rebecca's journey in that arena and have been a wonderful book. I found the characters in general to be a little one dimensional, and many of the interactions to be pro functionary rather than interesting. So much more could have been done with Rebecca and her circle of friends, more could have been done to build the relationship with her and Kyle as well. It felt more like the other character were after thoughts rather than important to the story, which is why I think it could have been more about just Rebecca or given us more depth to the other characters (especially Kyle). There were some really good moments, but as a whole the read left me a bit meh. 

Love, Only Better is a good book about a woman understanding her own sexuality and needs. 

Book Review: My Next Play (On My Own) by Carrie Ann Ryan

My Next Play is the third book in the On My Own series by Carrie Ann Ryan. It can be read on its own, but returning readers will have a head start on understanding the characters and relationship dynamics. 

What happens when you fall for your best friend, but they fall in love with someone else? Nothing is what it seems in this unrequited love, new adult romance. Miles knew Nessa never had eyes for him. Only when someone new tries to hurt her, he knows he can’t stand back any longer. It’s time she finds out the man he is behind the glasses and beneath the shell he wrapped himself in. But now he has to hope that once she sees the real him, she’ll stay. Because he doesn’t want to let go, even if someone else tries to make that choice for them both.

My Next Play is a contemporary romance with dynamic characters and high tension on a number of levels. I have not read the previous books in this series, but I have read other books by the author set in the same area, and recognized some of the secondary characters. I think that dedicated readers of the author in general, and series in particular, will already know about the tension between Nessa and the guy roommates in the series as well as some of the more serious issues that are mentioned. However, the author does a good job of giving enough information to remind returning readers with out rehashing past plots too much and giving new readers the information they need to get context for current story lines. This balance can be hard, but Ryan nailed it here. I liked the tension between Nessa and Miles, and really enjoyed the use communication, consent, and heat between them. The worries and issues they each had to face, not even including their relationship, were hard and a big part of their characters even when they tried not to share it. The character depth and growth was very well done. I thought the tension level of the book was high, I spent most of the book waiting for the big moment, and there were a couple time jumps that had me going back a page worried that I had missed a clue or big moment. I also loved the secondary characters, and now I want to go back and catch up on what I missed, and see what happens next with the whole group.

My Next Play is a highly engaging romance with great characters.

Book Review: Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day: 366 Elevating Utterances to Stretch Your Cranium and Tickle Your Humerus by Sue Macy

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day: 366 Elevating Utterances to Stretch Your Cranium and Tickle Your Humerus by Sue Macy was inspired by Merriam-Webster's popular Word of the Day digital feature.  This book builds knowledge one day at a time with 366 masterful words. Each Word features clear and helpful illustrations for readers and are introduced with a pronunciation guide, definition and interesting trivia about the world. Each month contains an introduction, one word per day individually or in thematic groups plus an end-of-the-month story that includes all of the words. It includes 12 Free Downloadable audio stories. The audio will be available as a download through the QR codes printed in the book, and also as a separate audio collection.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day is a charmingly illustrated collection of words to learn and use. I like that it is not year dependent, so it can be shared or revisited. I liked the trivia and information that was with the words, and they way that themes and monthly wrap ups are used to bring everything together. I think this collection will appeal to upper elementary school students through adults, to word nerds and smart alecks alike. I could see this being a great addition to family or classroom traditions since it can easily be both fun and educational. This would be perfect as part of a holiday gift for the right person.

Book Review: Embroidery for Everyone: Easy to Learn Techniques with 50 Patterns! by Kelly Fletcher

Embroidery for Everyone: Easy to Learn Techniques with 50 Patterns! by Kelly Fletcher guides readers through an array of stitching techniques and decoration ideas. The patterns offer a wide variety of subjects to choose from like cute animal patterns, Boho chic borders and motifs, winter snowflakes and snowmen, Thanksgiving turkey, and springtime bunnies and flowers. You will learn to embellish clothing, create beautiful needlecraft art with nature and folk images, and make handmade heirloom seasonal decorations.

Embroidery for Everyone offers readers exactly what the title promises. There is a well done stitch guide, basic instructions and information, and more before readers are shown the first design. The designs are neat and clean, getting slightly harder and more complex as the book goes on but never getting too hard for beginners. As a crafter that is just getting back into needle work this year, after mostly working with tarn for the last decade, this book offers some good reminders and practice designs for me. The instructions are well written and I think the book works well as encouragement and instruction for those new to embroidery and for those looking to refresh or enhance their skill set.  

Book Review: Whatever He Needs by Mia Kerick

Whatever He Needs by Mia Kerick is a contemporary romance. Trigger warning, Whatever He Needs includes instances of physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault, and kidnapping.

Heir to the McAllister Construction fortune, Liam is focused on maintaining the myth that he is exactly the son his father wants. When he falls for Dimmy, a heavily inked go-go dancer, he fears revealing the romance, certain it won't go over well with his upper-crust family—especially his father, who seems obsessed with building a family legacy. Dimmy’s father, Gregory, is bent on making Dimmy earn his keep by any means, no matter how unsavory. He puts his barely legal son to work dancing provocatively at the seedy bar he runs and finds Dimmy work on the side providing masseuse services—and more—to club clientele. Gregory has Dimmy twisted into believing he can do no better, and Dimmy does it all in hopes of a pat on the back from his dad. Though Liam is but a few years older, Dimmy sees him as a man who might take care of him as his callous father never has, and reluctantly lets his guard down. But Liam, though he’s falling hard and fast for Dimmy, still hides his blossoming relationship from his family. A crisis ensues when a clash between the two fathers’ business interests puts Dimmy at serious risk. When the right side of the tracks meets the oh-so-very wrong side, will Liam set his priorities straight in time to keep Dimmy from harm, or will fear shatter their lives?

Whatever He Needs is a tough read emotionally. Dimmy  is in a very though situation, and has never had it easy in the best of days. The abuse from his father and everything he goes through is hard to read, but his character is extremely well written. Liam has his own issues, and dos not handle everything as well as readers might hope- past and present. The relationship is a journey, and not always healthy, but I was fully engaged and invested as they each figured out their worth and how to move forward. There were moments of the book that reminded me how fully awful people can be and moments that pointed out that people can carry just as much kindness and grace- and those qualities are not dependent on circumstances. I loved the supportive secondary characters, and viscerally hated some of the characters that made life so hard. They were all well written, and invoked very strong responses from me. In fact, I plan on reading more from the author in hopes of catching some of the characters I loved one more time. 

Whatever He Needs is a hard be very worthwhile read. 

Book Review: Modern Crochet Style: 15 Colourful Crochet Patterns for your and your Home, Including Fun Sustainable Makes by Lindsey Newns

Modern Crochet Style: 15 Colourful Crochet Patterns for your and your Home, Including Fun Sustainable Makes by Lindsey Newns is packed full of crochet makes for you and your home. Designer Lindsey Newns, of Lottie and Albert, has created 15 different projects to  inspire throughout the seasons. From t-shirt yarn bath mats and raffia beach bags, to Christmas stockings and leopard-print cowls. With advice on yarns, detailed stitch descriptions, and step-by-step photo instructions, the projects are accessible to all, including beginners.

Modern Crochet Style is something I was happy to see, as I love getting to look at crochet designs I might not have seen yet. I thought the techniques and related information was well explained in the beginning, including the specifics of UK terminology since there are some difference between that and US terminology. I thought the patterns and instructions were well written, and the corresponding photographs well chosen and placed. Some of the patterns included were similar to those I have seen before, and some were just not something that I would make. However, I know people that would happily make or receive those very projects as gifts. I think the book would be great for crafters that are still building their pattern library, but I think this is best suited for library collections. 

Early Book Review: Blowholes, Book Gills, and Butt-Breathers: The Strange Ways Animals Get Oxygen by Doug Wechsler

Blowholes, Book Gills, and Butt-Breathers: The Strange Ways Animals Get Oxygen by Doug Wechsler is currently scheduled for release on December 7 2021. This is the latest installment of the How Nature Works series. 

Explores a question unasked by any other book for young readers: What can we learn about nature and evolution from the bizarre and exotic ways some animals have evolved to get life-giving oxygen? It is an inquiry-based book designed to stimulate active minds; a STEM offering from a celebrated nature photographer and writer, featuring some spectacular nature photography. Weird and wonderful, as only nature can be!

Blowholes, Book Gills, and Butt-Breathers is more straightforward and scientifically presented that I expected from the title and illustrated cover. I was expecting more  puns and jokes about the more unusual ways animals get their needed oxygen. I started the book expecting it to be an easy, fluffy read, and was happily surprised to see some detailed explanations about how bodies use oxygen, and just why it is such an important part of life on this planet. I found the information to be well written and accessible to the middle grade and older crowd. There are moments that might give readers the giggles, because of the subject matter. I found the photographs to be extremely well done, and their placement helps keep the reader's focus and attention on the subject matter. I loved that the author included a glossary and list of materials foe further reading. That always makes my geeky little heart happy.

Book Review: Ocean Planet: Animals of the Sea and Shore by Ben Rothery

Ocean Planet: Animals of the Sea and Shore by Ben Rothery explores ocean life.  Pacific walrus, king penguin, narwhal, great white shark, squid, seahorse, moray eel, humpback whale, manta ray, orca, and many more are rendered in great detail on the pages of the book. It includes shore dwellers who depend on the sea: Polar bears and otters of course, but also ring-tailed lemurs, Bengal tigers, and British Columbia wolves. It also explores extreme ocean environments: Tropical reefs and polar seas, islands and open oceans, surface waters and the ocean abyss, kelp forests and mangroves.

Ocean Planet is a visually fascinating book that had me looking closer at many images to be certain they were not photographs. The illustrations are highly detailed and of wonderful quality. The artistry, skill, and attention to detail is evident on every single page, regardless of the general size or popularity of the subject. It is well structured and organized, helping to make the book engaging and accessible to readers.  I liked the information that was given about the included subjects, and the clear message that the ocean and it's health is key to our planet. I think this book is wonderful for library, school, and personal collections. Nature and animal lovers will want a copy, and artists and art lovers might want a copy to study and enjoy as well. 

Book Review: Next Door Nightmare (Shut Up and Kiss Me, Book 3) by Jaqueline Snowe

Next Door Nightmare is the third book in the Shut Up and Kiss Me series by Jaqueline Snowe. You do not need to read this series in order, but there are references and characters from the previous stories so returning readers will get a bit more from the experience than newcomers. 

Leanora “Nora” Atwood has never grocery shopped or taken public transportation, but to access her trust, she’s required to live in the real world for three months—or marry. Nora has no interest in love, so a paper-only marriage is the obvious solution. And she knows the perfect groom—Anthony Carter, a fellow heir who owes her a huge favor. Fritz, rarely known as Anthony these days, takes advantage of his beard and Nora Atwood’s cluelessness when she mistakes him for a chauffeur. The eccentric socialite thinks her plan to cash in her chip with Anthony and marry him is brilliant, but Fritz almost got trapped in a loveless marriage once before, and it’s not going to happen again. Letting her think he’s someone else seems harmless until she turns out to be his neighbor. Nora, a total fish out of water, suckers Fritz into helping her navigate her newfound independence, and he learns the hard way that opposites attract, but if he doesn’t tell her his true identity before she stumbles on the truth, he’ll risk losing her forever.

Next Door Nightmare is a romance that started off great for me. I liked the quirky Nora, and the wounded Fritz. I liked the initial slow burn and actually really getting to know both of the characters. I liked that Nora general stood up for herself and that Fritz is very thoughtful and so close to the women in his life. I thought he was also a little manipulative, on occasion pushing for something Nora or others just were not comfortable with. The story had some really wonderful moments, and some that fell a little flat for me. I think fans of the series will enjoy it, and I am glad I read it because of the moments that I did love. However, I do not think I will go looking for more.   

Next Door Nightmare is a fun romance.