Taking Charge

Review:

Lucy, introduced earlier in this series, took a loan from someone with a questionable reputation. This individual takes advantage at a time where she is down. David falls in love at first sight. With Lucy and during a period where she was down.
I could have gotten on board with this. Instead, it just pissed me off. I'll start with Lucy. I got tired, so tired of her inner monologue. I really, really didn't see why David fell head over heels. Her self-esteem is so low, with little improvement throughout the book. She also puts up with a liar, who supposedly did all of the "for her own good." Bullshit. And that leads me to David.
I could have gotten behind David, but his behavior at times was stalker-ish. He also lied to Lucy. Repeatedly. When he had an opportunity to come clean, he lied again. He even involved her friend, Sarah. Presumably, "for her own good." And guess what? All is quickly forgiven.
FAIL.

 

 

 

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1570811/taking-charge

It's Not Okay: Turning Heartbreak Into Happily Never After

Review:

Okay, I admit it. I watch the Bachelor and Bachelorette. I liked Andi when she was on Juan Pablo's season (worst Bachelor ever). Excited when she was picked to be the Bachelorette. Her break-up was public and I liked reading her version of events.
The Brand name dropping got old. So did the drinking. Props to her break-up playlist (excellent songs on it). I admit to not being crazy about her pick during her season. Nor did I like his behavior on BIP (of course I watch that too! Guilty pleasure) last summer. So, never been a Josh fan.
After reading this: Andi: 1 Josh: 0

 

 

 

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1570775/it-s-not-okay-turning-heartbreak-into-happily-never-after

Outpost

Review:

Picks up where Enclave left off. Deuce and the gang now live in Salvation. Salvation is a completely different place from where she grew up. I thought Salvation was also a dark, depressing place. I could argue its even worse since they have traditional gender roles and anyone who is outside that proscribed roll is treated badly.
I did like how Deuce was willing to try to learn and fit in. She was loved and accepted, just as she was, by her foster family. By the end, she did find her place, but events happened and this ended in a cliffhanger. I have to decide if I want to read book 3. It's been dark and depressing and I'm not sure I will be in the right mood for it.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1570777/outpost

Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions

Review:

With all the shit going on in the world, this should be required reading. It's not that long and can be easily read in an evening. Written in first person, this is a letter to a friend by the author. She gives suggestions for raising a strong, feminist girl (and these suggestions could also be used to raise feminist boys too).
Highlights:
"Share child care equally." "...you both made the choice to bring a child into the world, and the responsibility for that child belongs equally to you both." Preach.
"We judge powerful women more harshly than we judge powerful men." A good, recent example of this is Hillary Clinton and all the criticism that got thrown her way last year.
"I have kept my name because it is my name. I have kept my name because I like my name." Loved this since I didn't change my name when I got married. I got a lot of criticism for that choice too. I remember my mom saying something like, "why bother to get married?"
"Teach her that she is not merely an object to be liked or disliked, she is also a subject who can like or dislike." Growing up, it was always be nice!
"The shame we attach to female sexuality is about control. Many cultures and religions control women's bodies in one way or another."
"Teach her about difference. Make difference ordinary. Make difference normal. Teach her not t attach value to difference." I loved this one.

 

 

 

 

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1569570/dear-ijeawele-or-a-feminist-manifesto-in-fifteen-suggestions

Dazzling

Review:

Siobhan is an artist who takes a hostess job at an upscale bar. Derick is a billionaire (aren't they all?) who patronizes the bar. Siobhan literally falls down (seriously- she HAS to be clumsy) in front of him. But wait! He catches her and is instantly interested.
This was predictable and boring. Luckily, this was short, so I didn't waste a lot of time on it or money (Thanks to the library!). It's also part of a trilogy- cliffhanger ahead! No HFN (much less a HEA). And guess what? I really don't care and won't be reading further.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1569069/dazzling

Ever After

Review:

Olivia gets caught and arrested while spray painting graffiti on a local factory farm. It's funny, because the phrase "chicken assassins" ended up being "chicken ass" because she got caught. Pete is the deputy that arrested her. That's how she spend her 29th birthday.
I think I liked this one the best in this series. Olivia owned up to her mistake and learned from it. She's passionate about animal welfare and I liked that plot line. She did come across as immature; mainly because she doesn't stand up to her parents. They are both lawyers and dream of her becoming one too. Except, she doesn't want to, so rather then tell them no and do something about it, she dropped out of law school. By the end of the book, she's much more mature and owns it.
Pete dreams of making detective. Divorced and has been BIG parental baggage too. He is stuck in a rut. Olivia gets him out of that rut.
I really liked the animal rights/welfare take in this book (and series). And Hallie was a white kitten and Timber is a German Shepherd- so the cover got it right!

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1569068/ever-after

Trinity

Review:

Renee is mated (or imprinted) to Galen. She literally bumps into Jack on her way home. Jack, a werewolf, realizes Renee is his mate. He finds out she is imprinted with Galen.
I thought this was decent. I liked the dialogue between the three and how they worked it out. I thought they communicated well and talked things out. Of course things moved at a fast pace. I would have liked more development with Galen and Jack's relationship.
What drove this done in rating, was there was just too much going on and not enough time to devote to anything. There's Renee not knowing anything about her heritage/not knowing anything about her powers, her mother's murder, her bitch of a stepmother and asshole father, a stalker who tries to kill her, secret family...woo, I'm out of breath! If the focus was on a few of these things and explored more, this would have been so much better. Not to mention there is a fricking CLIFFHANGER.
I probably won't be picking it up, since this one just had too much going on, and the next one is about someone else close to Renee (I will not say who as it is a bit spoilery).

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1568225/trinity