The Literary Puff

Wow. Wow. Wow. I’m writing this review after a reread (it’s been a long time) and I was as on the edge of my seat as much this time, as I was when I first read it years ago. This book has everything—EVERYTHING—I could want from a book. The character development, the slow reveal, piece by piece you start to understand what’s going on and who is involved. It’s still sexy, but in a different way to the other books. I actually think this book is, thus far, the most brutal and if it’s wrong to admit it, I’m okay with it— I loved every second of it. And then it ends. And what an ending. Absolutely phenomenal.

One heart. One body. One life. I'm no novice when it comes to Pepper Winter’s marvellous mind and the worlds she creates, but this is the first book for me that’s not ‘exclusively’ dark. Firstly, I want to take a moment to mention the dedication in this book. When I first tapped my kindle screen and started to read it (I do not understand people who DON’T read the dedications at all!) I actually got goosebumps. It is the best dedication I have ever read—pure, beautiful, heartfelt, unapologetic love and I absolutely adored it! Now on to what thought about LUNAMARE. I’m not sure how to start this review if I’m honest, because I adore Pepper’s writing and consider her one of the best dark authors there is and because of that, I really wanted to love every aspect of this story … but I can’t say I did wholeheartedly did. There were aspects within this story that I loved a lot—the fact that Nerida’s world was so filled with water (I love the water and it’s where I’m happiest, most alive ...

I feel like The Siren made such an impact on me that I didn’t really expect The Angel to be able to follow it. I was wrong. Baring in mind this review comes after another reread and not after my first read, (also taking into consideration that I have gone on to read the entire series so I know where it’s going) it’s in this story that the plot starts to take shape and breadcrumbs begin to gather in earnest. This book cleverly covers characters we briefly meet in The Siren and some we don’t. It most definitely throws you into the darkness from the beginning and will test your tolerance for all things kink—hold on tight, I promise you it’s worth it. This book has some truly heartbreaking moments and there was more than one occasion I was left with tears streaming down my face and struggling to take a breath. Søren’s compassion bleeds from the pages and will remain with me forever. Not for the first time, I find myself wishing with my whole heart that he was real and that I could seek co...

The Chamber of Secrets picks up where the  The Philosopher's Stone ends.   We find Harry on his summer holidays from Hogwarts and having, as we have come to expect, a horrible time back at No4. Much to Harry’s surprise, he’s rescued by the Weasley’s in the middle of the night and whisked away to stay at the Burrow for the remainder of the summer holidays. Can I please spend the summer at the Burrow, too!? Nothing in this book seems to go smoothly, Harry has a lot to deal with and the story progresses a little deeper and a little darker. We meet the young Lord Voldemort for the first time and learn a little more about Hagrid and why he was expelled from Hogwarts. This book includes some much loved characters—mainly Dobby—and has some funny and heartwarming moments. As with the first, the tapestry of Harry’s world is richly woven and you’re left wanting more and more. On to Prisoner of Azkaban we go!

This was a bit of a slow starter for me and I’ll be completely honest and say, although I was interested in reading about Marcus and Phoebe’s story - I was mainly going into it because I craved more Matthew and Diana. I’m really pleased to say that after a couple of chapters I was not just invested in the book for Matthew and Diana   - I found myself completely intrigued about Marcus’s story and as usual the history was wonderful to read especially being from the UK and not really knowing anything about American history. I enjoyed Phoebe’s journey in this book. I know a few reviewers have said they didn’t care for her character at all, but I wasn’t one of them. I really liked how different she was to the others and how she adapted to the changes in her life. It would be boring, after all, if every character was the same and really, with a book series with so many different people, there should be a broad spectrum of people and personalities—some you’ll like, others you won’t just l...

As a ten year old girl in desperate need of escape, I first discovered the world of Harry Potter.   At the time, it was to my ten year old brain, exciting and very much a world I wanted to be a part of. It was packed full of everything I craved—friends, mischief and magic. As an adult, it’s remained   that but with a much more complex understanding of what all those things mean. When we meet Harry he doesn’t have a place. He’s bullied by his cousin, ignored by his aunt and uncle and desperate for someone to see him, to really see him and to listen. When strange letters begin to arrive his world gets turned upside down and finally, after a giant of a man named Hagrid, tells him he's a wizard, his life begins to fall into place. He heads off to Hogwarts and embarks on a journey of not only magical discovery, but a personal one too. There is layer upon layer of heartbreaking discovery for Harry. He learns not only about this new, exciting world but he also learns about himself an...

I have almost reached the end of the Bridgerton series and I’ll admit—I’m a little sad. Book seven was Hyacinth’s book and it was a mixed one for me—parts were brilliant but there seems to be a bit of a running theme with these books--they start slow, then they get good, then around about the middle you’re thinking it’s slow again but it picks up once again at the end. Hyacinth and Gareth were most definitely a good match. They complimented each other really well and their story had a lot of fun and mischief. Perhaps if I hadn't read When He Was Wicked before this and fallen in love with Michael, I'd have thought Gareth St Clair more devilish ... but in comparison, he's not. Or at least, we don't see that side of him. I enjoyed ‘the hunt’ and the moments that created, I loved that Gareth learned the answer to 'the secret' and I’m glad Hyacinth found someone who she could be herself with and who loved her because of it. Again, it was an easy, light-hearted read ...