Review: The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles

The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles by Aimee Boorman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Interesting read about Simone Biles old coach. As life happens their paths diverge; each going their own way presuming new personal goals/achievements. She does talk about Larry Nassar and the massive cover up. Human being sometimes can see only what they want to see at times; we can be so blind. And then realizing later (most anyway) of how we fucked up. She always talked about the Karolyi's toxic training environment at their camp (and how they were welcomed when the defected by USA Gymnastics). Some coaching styles are cruel, abusive and were considered "normal" and "okay." This was enlightening.

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Review: That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf

That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf by Kimberly Lemming
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is Brie (she makes cheese and is Cin's best friend) and Felix's (he was introduced in book 1, he is a werewolf) story. Cin and Fallon (from book 1) are happily together and have a strong part to play in this one. Felix imprints on Brie at the same time she accidentally hits him with a love potion. How much is the potion vs he really imprinted? That remains to be seen.
Meanwhile someone/something is kidnapping young, single women from town. People are still getting used to having demons (any supernatural creature) around. Like humans, most are good, but some have bad or murky intentions.
This was funny. It doesn't take itself too seriously, but still served up a fun and engaging story.
Smart Bitches Summer Bingo: Paranormal romance OR magic square

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Review: The Witches Are Coming

The Witches Are Coming by Lindy West
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Covers many subjects from DT's first term to Adam Sandler movies. No topic is off-limits. Insightful.

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Review: The Next Day: Transitions, Change, and Moving Forward

The Next Day: Transitions, Change, and Moving Forward by Melinda French Gates
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A good reminder that our lives are full of transitions and changes. How do we handle them? That is up to us. Gates is a strong, opinionated woman. Good for her.

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Review: Just a Girl

Just a Girl by Alyssa Cole
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tiana is just starting college and Covid hits. During this time she started posting on social media about cooking and college life. She gained a loyal group of followers. Now it's time to actually live on campus and dip into the dating pool. This starts when she says no to a man who feels like he's entitled to a woman's attention.
From online harassment that includes the dude and other dudes who feel entitled to women's attention to swatting, Tiana had to deal with it. There were many who supported her and were sympathetic. And many who felt she shouldn't have posted the original exchange (with identifying info crossed out) and brought this on herself.
Excellent (but short) read.
Smart Bitches Summer Bingo: Cover without people

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Review: Who Is Government?: The Untold Story of Public Service

Who Is Government?: The Untold Story of Public Service by Michael Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bottom line: individuals who chose to go into public service do so to serve their fellow humans and to make the world a better place. This was well done with a variety of points of view.

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Review: Perfect Addiction

Perfect Addiction by Claudia Tan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sienna walked on on her boyfriend having sex with her sister. She wants revenge and this drives her from that point forward. She happens to be a MMA trainer and is good at what she does. She's also in college (with very little page time devoted to said college education).
An opportunity comes up to train Kayden, a fighter too, just like her ex Jax. A complication is Jax beat Kayden in a previous fight. Sienna stikes a deal; she will train Kayden in exchange for his spare bedroom. It's a win-win; she needs a place to stay & he needs a trainer.
I thought Sienna held on to her need for revenge for way too long. While I liked that she was kick-ass in her job, she was a bit too perfectly accomplished for being so young (she couldn't legally drink).

Smart Bitches Summer Bingo: sport other than hockey, baseball, football (American).

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