KJK Reads

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Historical Fiction, Romance, Regency Thoughts: I knew I’d enjoy this book because I already loved Hyacinth from the small tidbits of her we saw throughout the rest of the series and her personality really shines through in her story. Gareth seems to be a perfect fit for Hyacinth and they really fit well together. I also think it’s almost poetic with the first epilogue showing that Hyacinth’s daughter grew up just like her and the troubles she reveled in giving to her own mother.  Favourite Quote: "It is of no concern. I don't mind that I am not universally adored. If I wanted everyone to like me, I'd have to be kind and charming and bland and boring all the time, and what would be the fun in that?"

Rating: 2 Stars  Themes: Contemprary Fiction, Romance, Scotland, Animals Thoughts: I was kinda disappointed by this one. It felt like such a long build up and even after not much happens. I thought this was a sweet concept and could have been really good but it didn’t seem to be fully developed or realised.  Favourite Quote: "I wonder now if, as well as those millions of scent receptors, dogs also have the ability to love a whole bunch of people unconditionally, with no limits on numbers."

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Romance, Fantasy, Cozy, Witches, Contemporary, Halloween Thoughts: This was a cute and cozy read. I was looking forward to diving back into Graves Glen but wanted to wait till October for the full impact of the Halloween vibes and I’m happy I did. The romance was a more complex one than in many stories going from hate/dislike (one from each party) to confused lust and ending up in a relationship rather than a straightforward courtship which I have noticed threw a few people looking at other reviews but going in knowing that it’s not a standard relationship may have helped. I can also see how some people thought the ending and wrap up of the magic mystery was rushed but from the few cozy mysteries I think it wasn't any more so than any other in the genre and fit well.  Favourite Quote: "(...) but this was, he was quickly learning, the issue with small towns and families in said small towns - secrets didn’t really exist."

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Classic, Horror, Vampires, Fantasy, Paranormal Thoughts: I remember that I read this back in primary but couldn’t remember anything about the book or it’s story so I wanted to give it another go. I really enjoyed it and can see why there’s such a cult following around it. The story is complex but not impossible to follow, delving into areas such as human nature, duty and human relationships. I also liked the way the story was told through diary entries, articles and the like as it made it feel more like I was there living it with them than I have with other horror style books I’ve read. Favourite Quote: “It is really wonderful how much resilience there is in human nature. Let any obstructing cause, no matter what, be removed in any way, even by death, and we fly back to first principles of hope and enjoyment.”

Rating: 2 Stars Themes: Screenplay, Crime, Thriller, Drama, Play Thoughts: I didn’t realise this was a screenplay when I picked it up but I had heard great things and has read plays before so I continued nonetheless. However, from the off it felt like the story was relying on shock value, which explicit violence and sexual content remained throughout the whole book. The story also seemed to lack a proper rise and resolution that most thrillers have although this may have been a more realistic concept in a film instead.  Favourite Quote: "I think that if you ransacked the archives of the redeemed you would uncover tales of moral squalor quite beyond the merely appalling."

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Nonfiction, Memoir, History, British Literature Thoughts: I am well aware that this is a one sided account of life events and there are always three sides to every story (one persons, the other persons and the truth) but this book really made me think more about what I thought about it all. I personally went into this book dubious as I have had issues believing everything from Meghan (claiming to pay her own way through uni in women’s summits when her dad has the statements proving he paid) but I am also well aware that everything we see from HRH and the crown is severely controlled and managed in the best way for them. I did really feel for Harry as it’s understandable that having to do that walk at only 12 and having to process everything so suddenly he would struggle (as many who lose parents at a similar age do without the public and media pressure) and adding on his experiences in the army, his trauma and traumatic responses to things, especially paparazzi,...

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Mystery, Thriller, Crime, Suspense, Scotland, Dual Timeline Thoughts:  This book was really conflicting for me. It was a slower suspense story with dual timeline which I generally like and enjoy guessing and I did accurately guess the stalker which I was proud of. However, I felt that the characters were all really horrible people and at one point I was saying I don’t know who is killed but they all deserve it. I also really hated the ending as it feels like such lazy writing to blame it all on mental illnesses and I thought as a society we had agreed to stop blaming and stereotyping mental conditions in this way. Favourite Quote: "Some people, given just the right amount of pressure, taken out of their usual, comfortable environments, don’t need much encouragement at all to become monsters. And sometimes you just get a strong sense about people, and you can’t explain it; you simply know it, in some deeper part of yourself."

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Self-Help, Psychology Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book is a great explanation of mental health and trauma for lay people with claims backed by research. I thought the quotes at the beginning of the chapters was a nice touch and appreciated the summaries at the end as some topics were somewhat complex for those not already educated in the area. 

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Fantasy, Young Adult Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I read this as the stand alone book and it was a great short story that really shows the way in which children view war, especially civil wars. I appreciated the content warning at the beginning and thought the way in which the story was told in a letter by a twenty year old but as if it was still happening when she was only 13 was quite unique and a great style. Favourite Quote: "I don’t believe war makes people cruel when they were not so before, but I know it can make them weak. Wicked people use those who are vulnerable or conflicted."

Rating: 2.5 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Buisness Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.  This book was chock full of information on surviving and hopefully more so in the business world. I thought the craft cocktails were a great twist and I loved that the bartenders were credited at the end for their unique ideas. However, the muse sections did seem a little odd to me and I struggled to wrap my head around them. 

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Romance, Forbidden Love, Single POV Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.  I appreciated the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book as well as a steam/spice level as it allows us as readers to assess whether this book is appropriate to our tastes and potential triggers before we start to invest in the story. This was an interesting short story with complex backgrounds for the story which I hope does continue into the next (full) book in the series which is mentioned at the end.  Favourite Quote: "A heavy silence enveloped them and her heart swelled with a cautious love. It was a love that had taken root in the most unexpected of places, blossoming amidst their shared vulnerability. She didn’t need to face her battles solo, not anymore."

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Horror, Middle Grade Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I really enjoyed this book. As a middle grade book I think it left a really important message with me after I’d put the book down with the reaching repercussions of bullying showing the worst case scenario to show why we need to make better choices. I also loved the description of echoes of the initial event and how that tied back to the title and really appreciated the trigger warnings at the beginning. Favourite Quote: "I never could understand bullies. Why did they feel like they had to tear everyone else down in order to feel good about themselves?"