Review: The Long Game

The Long Game by Rachel Reid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've enjoyed every book in this series, but I think this one was my favorite. We got to "see" couples/characters from the previous books (minus Kip, Kyle, and Eric) and that was a plus. This co-insides/overlaps with "Role Model."
Ilya and Shane are enjoying their relationship. I thought they could have talked more, but luckily no "big misunderstanding" in this one. I loved Hayden's kids (Ruby and Jade) impromptu wedding (they "married" Ilya and Shane). Easy acceptance (hate is taught!). I liked that they took the next step, even if the journey there was not quite like they planned.

Edited to add: Smart Bitches Summer Bingo: latest in series

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Review: Transcendent: A Memoir

Transcendent: A Memoir by Laverne Cox
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Amazing what she's been able to do. Her childhood was full of abuse, bullying, trauma, you name it, she lived it. Laverne Cox is truly an inspiration.
I think this book is out at a good time with the roll back of trans rights. The "dehumization" of trans people. So check it out. I got this from my public library!


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Review: On Courage: How to Be a Dissident in an Age of Fear

On Courage: How to Be a Dissident in an Age of Fear by Julia Angwin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a nice collection of stories of people from around the world who stood up to anthurarian regimes in their own way.  Emphasis on non-violence.  No job is too small (like handing out water or writing postcards).  It can get one out and meet other people and help form a community of people who can support each other.  Bottom line:  DO SOMETHING

They mentioned the wargame that occurred after Jan 6th to game out what could happen if the current president denied the election results and refused to leave office.  They also did a documentary on it and I recommend if you haven't seen:  War Game (2024).  

If you want to write postcards to help Democratic candidates win their election(s) here is the website:

https://turnoutpac.org/postcards/

It's easy, just supply the stamps (65 cents) and your time.  

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Review: Captured

Captured by Beverly Jenkins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Dominic's father had an English title and his 1/2 brother Eduard inherited everything (but the will might have been a fake).  As a result Dominic races home to Martinique and helps everyone escape so they are not re-enslaved by Eduard.  Everyone starts their lives over again in Cuba.  Dominic makes it his mission to capture and sick slave vessels.

Clare remembers beking kidnapped from Africa and the journey on the ship to the States when she is sold in Savannah.  She is with her enslaver, Violet, on a trip to England.  Her ship is caught by Dominic and his crew (the "Marie") and he frees her.  But she wants to go back to Savannah because her kids (Sarah and Ben) are there; they were sold to a neighing plantation.  Clare saw them once a week.  

The first third is good and there is a lot going on  The middle third is a bit slow; Dominc and Clare fall for each other.  The last third goes very quickly and I thought some things (mainly Eduard, Sylvie, and Vanweldt) happened too quickly (ie, they didn't suffer enough).  

Smart Bitches Trashy Books Summer Bingo:  Pirates

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Review: Manila Takes Manhattan

Manila Takes Manhattan by Carla de Guzman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Olivia is an actress and is working on a new indie musical with an established director know for her innovative work. Mon dreams of making music his career and is hired to do the music for the movie. She meets Mon when he is newly arrived and locked out of his apartment. They have a one night stand, he not knowing who she was and vice versa.
I didn't think this was a good "meet cute" (a famous actress fucking a random guy she met in the hallway; during a pandemic with Mon's face being partially obscured d/t his mask; it was a bit creepy IMO). However, get past that and this was 2 pretty cool people with goals for what they wanted. And they were consistentally drawn to each other. I thought they frequently checked in with each other and complimented each other well.

Smart Bitches Summer Bingo: One Night Stand, Artist/Performer, Flowers on the Cover. I will decide later which one to use.

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Review: Adult Braces: Driving Myself Sane

Adult Braces: Driving Myself Sane by Lindy West
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I enjoyed "The Witches Are Coming," so I was interested in this. This was, um, much different. Polyamory can be a viable way for some. I do think it needs to be consensual, consistently checking in, communicating wants & needs would be essential. This didn't feel like that. LW's relationship definitely did not start out that way (but maybe it is now) from what I read. Her husband's wants and needs were the only ones that seemed to matter.

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Review: Witches Get Stuff Done

Witches Get Stuff Done by Molly Harper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Riley was on her way to meet an aunt she never knew existed when she got sick on the ferry. Starfall Point is a picturesque island in Michigan's upper peninsula and is only accessible by ferry. She meets Alice, who she feels a connection too, when she pukes on the individual who was hogging the bathroom the entire ferry ride. Shortly after landing, she meets Caroline (who she also feels a connection too) and learns her long-lost aunt is deceased. She learns she inherits the house, which is home to hundreds (?) of ghosts and their objects that they have an attachment to.
This had good humor and a good paranormal aspect. I really liked the found family. Edison (the bathroom hog) was a good love interest and had his own trauma background. Despite not knowing her witchy heritage, she learns quickly. I did think the relationships (both with Caroline and Alice and then Edison) developed a bit quickly. There was the issue with the Wellings and the locks that was unfinished; the next book is Caroline's so maybe that will pick up (even though it's Riley's home, Caroline and Alice are a part of her coven and seem to have a bit of magic themselves). And the creepy blob on the ceiling was? Looking forward to the next!
Smart Bitches Summer Bingo: fav author

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