Not So Pure and Simple by Lamar Giles

Not So Pure and Simple by Lamar Giles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Del sees a way to get his kindergarten crush, Kiera, but never realizes how tough the Purity Pledge will both mentally and physically, tax him as a boy as well as spiritually. His new group of friends as a result of the Purity Pledge become important to him in a way he never thought would happen. He sees new aspects of his family dynamics and questions himself and his decisions; this book touched on the subjects of peer pressure, male dominance and sexuality, family dynamics, friendship, and religious ambivalence while using humor and introspection. Another must read by Lamar Giles; I will read everything Lamar Giles writes!!!

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The Shape of Water by Guillermo del Torro and Daniel Kraus

The Shape of Water by Guillermo del Toro
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated by Jenna Lamia, I was in love with the Devonian, Giles, Zelda, empathetic scientist Hostetler (really a Russian spy) and Elisa as they battled their lots in life and the mad man Strickland who was determined to tortured the asset until death. Elisa is a mute who works as a janitor, lives above a movie theater, and LOVES shoes! When she meets the asset, Elisa is drawn to the amphibious man and returns with eggs, record player, and sign language as often as she can sneak in. As time conspires (also Strickland conspires) for the asset, Elisa engages Giles to help her with saving the Devonian. OMG I could not stop reading this horror story suffused with magical realism. It was a race against time, would Elisa and her friends be in time to save this amphibious man??? I now must see the movie!!!

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The Hush (Johnny Merrimon, 2) by John Hart

The Hush by John Hart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Excellently narrated by Jeremy Bobb, this book follows The Last Child ten years later - Johnny Merrimon is a ghost living on the 6,600 acres, hiding from notoriety and remaining friends with Jack Cross. But there is something going on in the Hush and it manifests itself in lights, fires, lost people and dead people---all of which the sheriff wants to blame on Johnny. Now Jack is back, a practicing attorney but where he sees danger, fear and darkness in the Hush, Johnny will not entertain any of Jack's fears. What is going on in the Hush??? You won't believe it, I could not stop listening!!!

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The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand

The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Greg and Tess McAvoy sail off to celebrate their 12th wedding anniversary, little do their friends know that danger and death will come calling to Nantucket and the group of friends known as The Castaways. As the friends find out about Tess and Greg's death; the grief overwhelms and cripples Deidre, Addison, and Andrea while their spouses are helpless. As the story progresses the reader finds out more and more about this close knit group of friends who take trips together, fall in love with each other and sleep with each other. A great beach read; I could not stop turning the pages.

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Barefoot by Elin Hilderbrand

Barefoot by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Vickie, Brenda, and Melanie come to Nantucket with problems, children and endeavor to enjoy the sun and beauty of Nantucket away from the stark reality that caused them to flee. Vickie and Brenda are sisters that inherited the small cottage (Vickie has 2 kids and lung cancer while Brenda is a disgraced professor who had an affair with a student), Melanie is Vickie's friend who runs from a husband who is carrying on an affair. As they struggle, Josh Flynn, longtime Nantucket resident becomes their babysitter, lifeline, and so much more to each of the women. I just loved everything about Josh; he was empathetic, kind, happy, friendly and what Vickie's boys needed as they went to the beach each day, made friends, and became grounded with Josh's special brand of babysitting. I could not stop turning the pages, loved this story!!!

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Fence (Fence, #6) by C. S. Pacat

Fence by C.S. Pacat
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An unexpected defeat has everyone on edge!!!
As a result of reading HeartStopper, the Fence series jumped up in my similar reads and oh am I glad I have read them, Nicholas gets into an elite academy where he wants to fence and beat his long lost brother who doesn't even know he is alive, and once he meets his teammates he wants to beat Seiji Katayama too! A great graphic novel series where the first three books tell the story and the other volumes rehash different important parts of Nicholas' quest.

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Fence #5 by C. S. Pacat

Fence #5 by C.S. Pacat
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What is Seiji hiding?
As a result of reading HeartStopper, the Fence series jumped up in my similar reads and oh am I glad I have read them, Nicholas gets into an elite academy where he wants to fence and beat his long lost brother who doesn't even know he is alive, and once he meets his teammates he wants to beat Seiji Katayama too! A great graphic novel series where the first three books tell the story and the other volumes rehash different important parts of Nicholas' quest.

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