November 9

Not the story I was expecting. This was not my cup of tea. To look at it, it looks like a nice romance between Ben and Fallon. But the more I read it became unbelievable. Kids of that age, age 18 usually don't have that deep of understanding for love. 

Ben and Fallon came together from a fire that happened @ Fallon's dad's house. And in Ben's life he lost a mother. And copes on his own with his brothers. They both had something tragic happen. Fallon wore her scars outside. Where Ben wore his inside.

The concept of this story was interesting. Where they were to meet same day each year. Like a Grace Kelly movie.November 9 was a date that was bad became good. Both Ben and Fallon lived their lives. Fallon to go on with her acting. Ben writing a novel. Each finding their own way and trying to get back to each other. Being on the mature side for Fallon. But there was just something that became creepy with Ben. His drive to force Fallon physically and emotionally to bend what he wanted was a bit too much. I just don't see in real time that 18 year old kids think on that deep of a level. Ben tried to keep her from her friends. Even though he didn't say so much about Fallon's father. There was lost time with those two.

Toward the end a twist. Interesting. Now how would Ben know about the fire Fallon was in? If what Fallon's mother read about from Ben's novel, why would she be so emotional about it? And why did Fallon's father visit Ben's mother's grave?

The positive I find is that Ben and Fallon did lean on each other. They did in their way help. Fallon did have some relationship with her dad. And Ben now needs to be able to be the person that his nephew can look up too.

I give November 9 

                                     3 

Just not for me. Reminds me of a mixed up YA book. I hear good things from her other book. Maybe I'll try that.

 

Brimstone

 

I like the Virgil Cole and Everette Hitch books. The characters are not deep. What you see is what you get.  Westerns are really for entertainment. Not much to think about, a lot of cliches. The chapters are many. But short, makes me want to read on and a bit of faster pace.

Brimstone is #3 in the series next to last book Robert B Parker wrote. I was saddened to hear that he passed. I will give the writer that has taken over the series a chance.

You have Virgil Cole who goes from town to town. And making wrong a right in Cole and Hitch's style.  In this case he is looking for his love? Allie. This story deals with religion maybe not really religion as to who thinks their God.

You have your bad and badder Pike and Percival. Who will win? Maybe not anyone. Except the person who took the a lot off of them, Laurel.

Anyway you have at the end Cole, Hitch, Allie, and Laurel riding away back to the town they started out in, Appaloosa.

I think it might be a time to read Appaloosa. Tie it all in up to now.

I give Brimstone 5 

Can't wait to read #4

One Day in December

I'm not into romances. But this book I took a second look at.

 I read the first paragraph and it gave me hope .

"It's a wonder everyone who uses public transport in winter doesn't keel over and die of germ overload. In the last ten minutes I've been coughed on and sneezed at, and if the woman in front of me shakes her dandruff my way again, I might just douse her with the dregs of lukewarm coffee that I'm no longer able to drink because it's full of her scalp."

So I kept reading. Good storyline of Laurie, Jack and Sara. A bit on the cliche side. Best friends have good time. Best friends have a falling out. One friend in middle. It was on the funny side at times. Sad @ times too. In between beginning of book to the end was good. But I felt I had to keep pushing through. The end was unexpected. With a nice touch. Nice to have a happy ending.

Although as I was reading I kept picturing this book as a movie. It very well may be. 

Also I believe the setting is in the UK. Which I was surprised at first because it didn't read as one. Although you pick up the wording here and there.

All in all good story. Glad I read to end. I give One Day in December 4