Wild Love by Elsie Silver

Wild Love by Elsie Silver
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out over 4 days

Pages - 455

Publisher -

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

She's been driving him wild for years.

The good kind of wild. The bad kind of wild.

But mostly, the kind of wild that comes with wanting your best friend's little sister and knowing you can't have her.

Forbes may have labeled Ford Grant the World's Hottest Billionaire, but all he cares about is escaping the press and opening a recording studio in gorgeous small town Rose Hill. Something that comes to a screeching halt when he ends up face-to-face with a young girl who claims he's her biological father. Now, he spends his days balancing business with parenting a sullen twelve-year-old, all while trying desperately to keep his hands the hell off his best friend's sister, Rosie Belmont.

After living in the city, Rosie came blasting back into town like a storm. Beautiful, messy, and chaotic. And one wide-eyed, desperate plea for a job is all it takes for Ford to hire her. He vows to keep her at arm's length. Tries to stick to scowls and grumpy one-liners. But with her, verbal sparring is a type of foreplay―friction that soon turns to blistering heat.

Ford knows damn well he shouldn't cross this line. But shouldn't and can't are two very different things.

And the only thing he truly can't do is resist her.


My Review

Ford is minted and the worlds hottest billionaire I think they said, I don't even remember but he isn't into that at all. He only ever loved one woman and that was his bestie's wee sister who used to hang around with them growing up, Rosalie. Due to being sexually harassed at work and losing her job she heads back to their small town trying to get herself together and reevaluating everything in her life. She ends up bagging a job with Ford who is also dealing with a pre teen appearing in his life saying she is his daughter. It is all happening and of course tensions and feelings ramp up between Ford and Rosalie.

Firstly, Ford's wean, twelve years old, I actually really liked her, she is sharp, sarky, hard exterior and just trying to adjust to this new situation but she absolutely doesn't come across as twelve. She is really sharp, adulty and sure some pre teens can be but she just reads and vocalises far older. Her relationship with Rosalie was adorable and it was good she had someone she idolised and could lean on whilst Ford tried to figure out his place, role and how he should act.

Roselie and Ford, we get glimpses through Rosealie via her diary in the past so it was good to have those snippets, I do like a diary entry. I know some people will find the key thing cringe but I really liked that, I am a bit romantic potato though. The spicey stuff was a bit cringe and I did thing considering how the last job ended and the first contact like that with her and Ford was a bit oh, really, I mean I get it but I still gave it a side eye. Silver does do spicey scenes and body fluids so if you get embarrassed or a tad squeamish just an fyi. Did I like their relationship? Aye and she defo brought out a much more fun and playful side to him which was fun to read, overall 3.5/5 for us.

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Medea by Rosie Hewlett

Medea by Rosie Hewlett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out over 2 days

Pages - 432

Publisher - Penguin

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

Shunned by her mother. Beaten by her father. Separated from her sister. Medea has never fit in because she possesses a unique and dangerous power - witchcraft.

When the dashing young hero and leader on the famed Argonauts, Jason, arrives to claim the Golden Fleece that her father fiercely protects, Medea takes her opportunity to escape.

Her offer to help Jason overcome the trials set by her father sets in motion a journey that will test see her battle monsters, dethrone kings, fall in love and reclaim her power.

But when faced with the ultimate betrayal, just what will Medea be prepared to do for love?


My Review

Holding my hands up guys I do not know a lot about the Greek mythology but have found myself picking up and enjoying these retellings. I do feel I should probably get some of the originals but when I come upon these I will be picking them up. This one focuses on Medea and Jason of the Argonaughts. Medea first, her upbringing, how poorly she is treated and how her father uses her for her magic. So when Jason comes and is kind, attractive and promising all sorts Medea takes her chance to try and get some freedom, something for herself and of course love. In doing so she embraces her power for which she has always been judged, shunned, used and of course betrays her loved ones which is a huge no no in any civilisation.

So I liked it, I obviously don't know Medea's actual story nor how close to it this author kept, the few Greek mythology I have read the women have been powerful. Yes Medea is powerful, she is a powerful witch but I was so desperate for her to stand up for herself and I don't think she ever really did. Ok maybe once but I mean like really stood up for herself and Carrie White everyone who was bad to her. I don't feel like she really got her redemption although does anyone ever really in these stories.

And I know I know it happens in these stories, animal harm because of the sacrifices and offerings to the Gods but I really wish they wouldn't. It is just horrible and I hate that stuff, it does impact the enjoyment of the stories like come on, can't we offer other stuff.

Poor Medea couldn't catch a break and made so many bad bad decisions, I did feel sorry for her and a wee bit annoyed at times. It was good but not my fave and if you know her story I am not sure if you will love this or not because I don't know just how different it varies. Sometimes you love a retelling when things are changed for what you consider the better but it swings the other way too, overall 3.5/5 for me.

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The Post Office Girls by Poppy Cooper

The Post Office Girls by Poppy Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages - 353

Publisher - Hodder

Source - Review copy

Blurb From Goodreads

With the Great War raging, can they keep Britain going?1915. On Beth Healey's eighteenth birthday, she hopes that she will be able to forget the ghastly war and celebrate. But that evening, her twin brother Ned announces that he has signed up to fight.No longer able to stand working in her parents' village shop while others are doing their bit, Beth applies to join the Army Post Office's new Home Depot on the Regent's Park, and is astounded to be accepted. She will be responsible for making sure that letters and parcels get through to the troops on the front line.Beth is thrilled to be a crucial part of the war effort and soon makes friends with fellow post girls Milly and Nora, and meets the handsome James. But just as she begins to feel that her life has finally begun, everything starts falling apart, with devastating consequences for Beth and perhaps even the outcome of the war itself. Can Beth and her new friends keep it all together and find happiness at last?


My Review

So this one is different from the other type of books I have read and I am the first to admit I haven't read a whole lot in or around world war one. It seems more world war two so far but there is another book in this series so I will get that. Set in 1915 and everyone is doing their bit for the war, fighting, signing up and Beth wants to do her bit. As you know women in that time period has certain expectations, how to behave, act, family values and expectations. Beth helps out her parents in the family shop, her twin is away to fight in the war and they have just had their eighteenth birthday. Beth wants to do more, she wants to go work in the post office, helping process mail for the soldiers from their families. To do this she needs to disobey her family, lie, be brave and stand on her own two feet. Actions have consequences and with war on everyone is feeling it and emotional already.

So this is sedate paced, story building as we get to know Beth's life, routine, relationships so we can appreciate the personal growth and sacrifice to go against her parent's wishes. To put herself forward, something Beth has never done and in the location where bombs and war are very evident. Facing the disappointment of her family, confusion over her own feelings, drawn to another, learning about those against the war, suffragettes, campaigning, friendship it is a lot for this small town girl.

I really liked this, very centric on the people, their feelings, loved ones, love, loss, bravery, despair and doing what you feel is right when it puts you in a hard place and judgement and negativity from those closest to you. This is my first by this author and it was a debut, I checked Fantastic fiction and the second book is set at Christmas so I may get it and read in December, I do love a them, 4/5 for me for this one.

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On Wings of Love by Briar Boleyn

On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 3 days

Pages - 575

Publisher -

Source - Wishlist rak

Blurb from Goodreads

Time taken to read - 3 days

Pages - 337

Publisher -

Source - Wishlist arc

Blurb from Goodreads

I didn't sign up for this.

A half-fae in a school of highblood vampires? That's a recipe for torment.

I'm Medra Pendragon—last of the dragon riders, or so they tell me. Funny thing is, there are no dragons left. Not a single one. But somehow, that hasn't stopped the vampires from deciding I'm worth capturing. Now I'm stuck at Bloodwing Academy, where the highbloods run everything and blightborn like me? We're just blood in their veins, pawns in their games.

But that's not even the worst part. Enter Blake Drakharrow. Cold, arrogant, and way too gorgeous for his own good. He's been tormenting me since the moment we met, and now, thanks to some ancient ritual, we're betrothed. He acts like he owns me, but I'm not going down without a fight.

Bloodwing isn't just a school—it's a battlefield. Highbloods fight for power, and if you're weak? You're dead.

Between deadly competitions, lies that could get me executed, and a dragon-shaped secret looming over my head, all I have to do is survive. Easy, right? Except I'm starting to think the real danger isn't the academy—it's what I'm becoming in this twisted game of power.

And Blake? He might just be the one who pushes me over the edge.

They think they can control me. They think they can use me.

But they have no idea what they've awakened.


My Review

Do NOT come for me lol! There is so much I did enjoy about this book but I also was annoyed and eye rolled a fair few times. Medra comes to and she is in a dangerous position, surrounded by dead decaying bodies and a vampire wants a taste of her blood, She then meets Blake and gets took off to the Academy were her fate is sealed. She will behave, she will toe the line, she will obey, perform and fight for her place in there whether she wants to or not! Before long the attraction between the two is evident but obvs they hate each other, aye sure they do and it is a bit of a dance between them of I hate you but cannot deny to the inner self they actually are attracted to each other.

So! I liked it but I didn't love it and have since checked and it is book one of four book series, the fourth coming later this year. So Medra is human but has dragon rider blood which makes her a hot currency despite there being no dragons but the Highbloods (powerful vamps) don't want to believe they are truly gone. Medra is surrounded by vamps and humans, humans are treated like crap, the vamps are entitled, shady and some worse than others. Medra's blood is elite so she has a bigger target on her back not to mention Blake's love interest really doesn't like her and the vamps can be vicious anyway.

There are games, powers it was very reminiscent of other series with echoes of some of those rolled in. Like it is such a busy book, magic, powers, my fave question I asked over and over was WHERE ARE THE DRAGONS, love interest, enemies, classism, murder, betrayal, friendship, mind control, danger, monsters, some spicey scenes like it has A LOT going on.

I think it was a good foundation book, I am looking forward to seeing where it goes and hoping to see some karma, growth, back bone and DRAGONS PLEASE, 3.5/5 for me on this one.

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Alien Prototype by Tim Waggoner

Alien: Prototype by Tim Waggoner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages - 384

Publisher - Titan books

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

Dead cargo!

Venture, a direct rival to the Weyland-Yutani corporation, will accept any risk to crush the competition. Thus, when a corporate spy "acquires" a bizarre, leathery egg from a hijacked vessel, she takes it directly to the Venture testing facility on Jericho 3.

Though unaware of the danger it poses, the scientists there recognize their prize's immeasurable value. Early tests reveal little, however, and they come to an inevitable conclusion, they need a human test subject...

Enter Zula Hendricks.

A member of the Jericho 3 security staff, Colonial Marines veteran Zula Hendricks has been tasked with training personnel to deal with anything the treacherous planet can throw their way. Yet nothing can prepare them for the horror that appears - a creature more hideous than any Zula has encountered before.

Unless stopped, it will kill every human being on the planet.


My Review

Ooooh not Weyland-Yutani this time but their rivals who are equally desperate to get their hands on xenomorph, can you imagine. If they can get one of the aliens before Weyland they could finally complete if not take over. Anyone who could get that type of weapon (and actually manage to utilize it) they could rule the world. I LOVE the aliens franchise, even the movies that get panned, how could you not, the ultimate predator, I always thought the avp version was pretty brutal and scary, this takes it to a whole new level.

If you have never read or seen any of the books/movies you can pick this up as a standalone. The opposing company has sent out someone to infiltrate a pirate team, whilst they reveal is space spoils, food etc she is looking for the ultimate find, an alien. Accomplishing her mission they got to another space planet to conduct experiments because like Weyland-Yutani THEY NEVER LEARN. To be fair to these guys they only know of rumours et al. So we start off with an egg and then all chaos breaks loose HOWEVER this alien is different from any we have seen and is the deadliest so far!

I absolutely loved it, you think the alien cannot get anymore deadly, WRONG, it can and they manage to do it in this book. I always enjoy a synthetic, well a good synthetic, David and Ash are the worst and baddies, Bishop is my fave forever, I really like Andy and we get a newbie in this one.

We get the whole package in this one, from acquisition to outbreak and then the fight for life is truly on. We also have some of the human dramas, hang ups, bad behaviours like I always enjoy these books, how can you not but it is rare to have all the boxes ticked and for me, this one does. Some can also be a slow burner and let you get the build up before the chaos, this one we get action from the first few pages, 5/5!

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A Secret Cornish Wish by Ali McNamara

A Secret Cornish Wish by Ali McNamara


Time taken to read - 3 days

Pages - 362

Publisher - Sphere

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

What if one summer could change your life?

For Frankie and her five best friends growing up on the glorious beaches of Cornwall's St Felix, life couldn't get any better. Late one night, the friends discover an old box washed up on the shores and they learn the tale of the St Felix mermaid who grants wishes to those who find her treasure. Even though they know it's just Cornish folkore, the friends decide to make a wish for what they each want out of life - most importantly, they want to always be together . . .

Over the course of the next few decades, as weddings, funerals, birthdays and more bring the friends back together, lost loves, broken promises and buried secrets just as quickly tear them apart. But when they reunite one last time in St Felix, will it be for good? And will their wishes finally be revealed?


My Review

A group of friends in the 80s, growing up in Cornwall, beaches, teenage dramas and legends of mermaids. Frankie is the main character, we open in 2024 & back in St Felix at the sea. Frankie immediately thinks back to her group of friends and what it was like growing up there, the time and distance apart and now being back home. Leading us nicely back to the past, 1989 & meeting the friends, Eddie, Claire, Suzy, Mandy and Frankie's crush and new boy to the school, Robert. We are introduced to the group dynamics, things that are important to young adults and finding potential treasure, making wishes and is there really such a thing as mermaids or is it just small town lore? We then cross to present day and the group are reunited, now middle aged adults brought back together by life events.

It is a story about friendship, love, wishes, mermaid lore, past and present with duo timeline, young adult themes and angsts. I LOVED the mermaid stuff, I actually wish there had been far more to be honest. The book is very much about Frankie and her younger years then returning back as an adult and everything coming full circle, relationships, coming of age, who they are and who they became and splashes of mermaid magic, 3.5/5.

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Slenderman by Kathleen Hale

Slenderman: Online Obsession, Mental Illness, and the Violent Crime of Two Midwestern Girls by Kathleen Hale
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out over 4 days

Pages - 348

Publisher - Ebury Press

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

The first full account of the Slenderman stabbing, a true crime narrative of mental illness, the American judicial system, the trials of adolescence, and the power of the internet

The Slenderman stabbing of May 31, 2014, in the Milwaukee suburb of Waukesha, Wisconsin, shocked the local community and the world. The violence of Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier, two twelve-year-old girls who attempted to stab their classmate to death, was extreme, but what seemed even more frightening was that they had done so under the influence of a figure born by the internet: the so-called “Slenderman.” Yet the even more urgent aspect of the story, that the children involved were suffering from undiagnosed mental illness, was often overlooked in coverage of the case.

Slenderman: Online Obsession, Mental Illness, and the Violent Crime of Two Midwestern Girls tells that full story for the first time in deeply researched detail, using court transcripts, police reports, individual reporting, and exclusive interviews. Morgan and Anissa were bound together by their shared love of geeky television shows and animals, and their discovery of the user-uploaded scary stories on the Creepypasta website could have been nothing more than a brief phase. But Morgan was suffering from early-onset childhood schizophrenia. She believed that she had been seeing Slenderman for many years, and the only way to stop him from killing her family was to bring him a sacrifice: Morgan’s best friend Payton “Bella” Leutner, whom Morgan and Anissa planned to stab to death on the night of Morgan’s twelfth birthday. Bella survived the attack, but was deeply traumatized, while Morgan and Anissa were immediately remanded into jail, and the severity of their crime meant that they would be prosecuted as adults. There, as Morgan continued to suffer from worsening mental illness after being denied antipsychotics, her life became more and more surreal.

Slenderman is both a page-turning true crime story and a search for justice.


My Review

I watch a lot of true crime so I had heard of this case before but just the basics, two kids, pre teens had taken their friend and tried to kill her. It was a brutal crime made worse by the fact they were all kids and friends. This book is written by someone who lived in the small town before and a lot of the community wouldn't talk to outsiders although I am not sure how much more access/info this person had compared to others.

The book takes us to before the wean was born, her father and mothers meeting, her fathers mental health issues and then her being born. The issues she had and experienced and instead of her parents watching for the signs, getting her help and acknowledging what she was going through it was basically ignored so the wean suffered in silence and navigate what she was seeing and hearing. Her parents opted the route of not telling her about her fathers illness until she was sixteen which of course would be far too late.

The book goes through the history of the three kids, their families, upbringings, backgrounds and how they all met and interacted and the discovery of creepy pasta and the slender man. It then takes us through the lead up of the crime, the crime itself and what happened after until the girls are arrested and their incarceration and sentences. I still find it wild how things played out, charging them as adults, the one who carried out the physical attack was confirmed with a mental health condition yet still didn't get healthcare she desperately needed. They were more interested in making sure she knew and understood the law process (she was twelve and more accurately it was ensuring she parroted more than understood). The amount of red flags, missed opportunities and times my jaw dropped because of what I was reading, wild! I absolutely get that people want offenders to pay for their crimes especially when they are so horrific and violent but this wasn't someone pretending to be unwell and even when this was diagnosed and recognised she still had medication and treatment withheld. It is a wild one for sure, 4/5 for me for this.

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