book blogger – Writerly Bookish Stuff

Book Review: Angel Tears by Brianna West

March 10, 2021 Kjchapman

Angel Tears by Brianna West 5/5

Review:

ARC review: due for release April 2021

I never say no to a Brianna West ARC. So much so, I even preordered a copy before getting an ARC. West is known for her Promiscus Guardians world, so when I heard that Angel Tears was a different series and it’s own world, I just had to read it.

There’s still the strong theme of angels and demons and light and dark that she does best. West’s strong point is her world building without a doubt. Once again, she has set the foundations for a great group of paranormal characters, and her MC is a strong eighteen year old woman who can kick ass and bag herself a hunk.

The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties. All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman. K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review.

Content belongs to KJ Chapman

Book Reviews

Book Review: Art and Soul by Claire Huston

February 14, 2021February 14, 2021 Kjchapman

Art and Soul by Claire Huston 5/5

Review:

Art and Soul is the perfect read for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy a cosy, heartwarming tale with realistic characters and expectations.

The story is perfectly paced and the character’s lives interweave effortlessly. Becky is a single mum and life coach, and Charlie is a floundering artist who needs all the help he can get to pull himself out of the hole he fell in during the 6 years since his wife left. The way the two back and forth, become entwined in each other’s lives, yet still can’t see what’s right in front of them, is what I read romance books for!

The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties. All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman. K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review.

Content belongs to KJ Chapman

Book Review: Of Beast and Beauty by Chanda Hahn

February 12, 2021 Kjchapman

Of Beast and Beauty by Chanda Hahn 4/5

Review:

A retelling that truly twists the original. I thoroughly enjoyed reading a new take on an old fairytale. I’m not a fan of retellings that stay so close to the original narrative that they become predictable, but this was a page turner.

Every single character is flawed, and that makes the storytelling more believable. The tale of Rosalie and Xander is dark with plot twists and a bigger plan that brought them together.

I would recommend this tale for anyone who enjoys retellings and dark narratives with darker characters.

The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties. All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman. K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review.

Content belongs to KJ Chapman

Book Review: Awakening by Leigh Walker

January 20, 2021January 20, 2021 Kjchapman

Awakening by Leigh Walker 4/5

Review:

This book has everything you want from a paranormal romance: brooding, rich hunk of the paranormal variety, magic, supernatural beings, and a lovely romance.

Yes, there is heavy reliance on the usual paranormal romance tropes, but I do love a good trope when done well. The only reason I marked this. 4* is because it went too close to Twilight on occasions.

All that being said, I will be reading the next in the series.

The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties. All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman. K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review.

Content belongs to KJ Chapman

Book Review: Some Kind of Wonderful by Giovanna Fletcher

January 16, 2021January 17, 2021 Kjchapman

Some Kind of Wonderful by Giovanna Fletcher 3.5/5

Review:

This book is more women’s fiction than the romance I was expecting. The whole premise is about Lizzy, who thinks her boyfriend is about to propose after 10 years, getting dumped. She has to reevaluate, find her footing in her new life, and rediscover who she was before the relationship.

This is definitely a feel good, positive book that focuses on self love and empowerment. It took me a little while to get stuck in, but the ending was the saving grace for me. I’m so glad that Lizzy stayed true to everything she had learnt and discovered about herself throughout the story and didn’t just shack up with the new hunk who shows a fancy to her.

The sub characters are amazingly well written. I think the world building and backstory make this book enjoyable.

In summary, the book is well written, but felt a little slow gaining momentum at first. I’m happy to have read it to the end, as it definitely grows on you.

The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties. All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman. K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review.

Content belongs to KJ Chapman

2 in 1 Book Review

September 21, 2020September 21, 2020 Kjchapman

How to Survive a Pandemic by John Hudson 3/5

If you want some straight forward facts about Covid 19 without forced opinions, then try this book. I wouldn’t say that this book had much that wasn’t common knowledge, but maybe it can help you build a little on coping strategies if you are suffering from anxiety due to this pandemic.

Minimalism by Jens Boje 3/5

If you are a total beginner to minimalism, then this book may be helpful to you. I am not new to this concept, so I feel that it didn’t offer much more than I already knew, but it does offer some reasoning in what minimalism means to different people and how it isn’t a one size fits all process.

The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties. All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman. K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review.

Content belongs to KJ Chapman

2 in 1 Book Review

August 22, 2020September 21, 2020 Kjchapman

Allotment Gardening by Jez Abbott 3/5

An easy read with some useful tidbits. I wanted a little more detail on certain areas, but a great book to start with.

The Allotment Book by Andi Clevely 4/5

This book was exactly what I was looking for. A lot more information that is specifically useful for me and my veggie patch. I especially appreciate that this book is a little more detailed and in depth than some others I have purchased.

The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties. All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman. K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review.

Content belongs to K.J. Chapman

3 in 1 Book Review

August 18, 2020August 21, 2020 Kjchapman

Wedding Hells by Jennifer Gilby Roberts 3/5

Always the bridesmaid never the bride. Melanie’s younger sister is getting married before her and the family make sure she knows it. I’m not entirely sure if this is a comedy as I feel awful for Melanie all the way through and the ending isn’t much better. At least there is Will.

Before the Garden on Holly Street by Megan Attley 3/5

An introduction to the series, but no real stories with conclusions. I do want stories (even introductions) to have some kind of narrative and conclusion.

However, Attley offers good insight into the various characters and their lifestyles. The rest of the series promises to be good.

Nikola Tesla by Sean Patrick 2/5

I found this a little like a rambling self help book with some biographical content in regards to Nikola Tesla. The majority of the book is about ‘what it takes to be a genius’ rather than about Nikola Tesla.

The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties. All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman. K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review.

Content belongs to K.J. Chapman

Find me on:

3 in 1 Book Review

June 9, 2020August 18, 2020 Kjchapman

Dare by Lucia Jordan 3/5

An erotic short story that hints at sex clubs, extreme initiations etc. It doesn’t quite get to that point (I guess the next book is for that), but worth a read if you like that kind of thing. I found the protagonists sudden dramatic change in confidence a little jarring, but overall, a quick read that is currently free from Amazon.

I Don’t Have a Bucket List, but My Fuck It List is a Mile Long by Ruby Rey 3/5

As you can tell from the title I have written, this cover is just a clean version of the real title.

It’s a quick, pleasant read. I enjoyed the way the author recounts personal experiences and how they have shaped her, but I wasn’t overly blown away by the humour.

This is labelled a self help book, and I can see how Ruby Rey has improved her own life and way of thinking, but it doesn’t feel so much a self help book as it is an evaluation of the authors life.

The Lamplighter’s Love by Delphine Dryden 4/5

Lamplighter’s are basically human computers in charge of controlling and directing London’s traffic in an intriguing steampunk world.

Nicholas is portrayed as an old soul despite his young age of twenty nine due to the toll the job takes on the person. Mary is naive and works as Nicholas’ apprentice. This is the perfect set up for a sexy, steampunk romance.

This book is free from Amazon at the time of this review, and if you are a steampunk lover, then definitely give this a go.

The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties. All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman. K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review.

Content belongs to K.J.Chapman

Find me on:

Book Review: The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

May 5, 2020May 5, 2020 Kjchapman

The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black 3/5

Faeries. Knights. Princes. True love. Think you know how the story goes? Think again…

Near the little town of Fairfold, in the darkest part of the forest, lies a glass casket. Inside the casket lies a sleeping faerie prince that none can rouse. He’s the most fascinating thing Hazel and her brother Ben have ever seen. They dream of waking him – but what happens when dreams come true? In the darkest part of the forest, you must be careful what you wish for…

Review:

A creepy fairytale vibe that I enjoyed, but was not love-struck with.

I love a good fantasy and this book had it in abundance. I can’t quite pinpoint why I wasn’t enthralled with this book, but it took me a good few attempts of picking it up and putting it down over the course of a few weeks to finally read the story in length.

The characters were well rounded. I especially liked Jack, the changeling. Hazel, the MC, was suitably flawed, and that was important for this story due to the fairytale premise.

It was the world building that clawed this book back for me. Black definitely has the imagination and storytelling ability for this type of fantasy.

The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties. All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman. K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review

Content belongs to K.J.Chapman

Find me on: