The Worst Best Man by Lucy Score is an enemies-to-lovers romance. They met at a wedding. Franchesca “Frankie” Baranski is best friends with Pru, the bride, who is a doll and her maid of honor. Aiden Kilbourn is best friends with the groom, Chip, who is a perfect gentleman and the best man. The rest of the wedding party are nightmares, rich, vapid, rich and very immature. However, the one who cannot stand the most is Aiden with a big attitude. Frankie takes her maid of honor duties seriously. With every crisis, she jumps into action. Busy ruling the business world where there hasn’t been a challenge he cannot win, Aiden Kilbourn doesn’t do long term relationships as he can’t stand a woman for more than a couple of months at most. However, he meets Frankie and he soon realizes that he may have met his match with this smart-mouthed girl from Brooklyn.
I am a new fan of Lucy Score as her books are filled with fun banter, steamy romance with plenty of drama scheming. While I have read her book series, I haven’t read any of her standalones. The Worst Best Man is everything I expect from her books. I loved Frankie’s spunk and determination. Aiden is a kindhearted man hiding behind a cold facade and it takes his relationship with Frankie for it to break through. I enjoyed seeing their growth as a couple as well as individuals. Yes, there is a third act break up; however, the grand gesture is great. I also enjoyed the supporting characters which enhanced the banter. I especially loved the sibling interaction between Frankie and her brothers which was fun and so relatable. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I look forward to more of her standalone books. If you enjoy fun banter, steamy romance, I highly recommend The Worst Best Man.
The Worst Best Man is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook
Not You Again by Terri Osburn is the first book in the NOT series. Becca Witherspoon has agreed to four blind dates in five days. She only agrees to get her four best friends off her back. They are worried about her and if a few dates will convince them that she is fine, then she’ll do it. How bad can a few blind dates be? Apparently, very bad. Each date is worse than the last. And none of them compare to her former fiance. Becca needs to prove she doesn’t need a man to move on. However, on each date, a beautiful stranger keeps saving her from the awful dates. Jacob Kim keeps crossing her path and the more time she spends with him, the more she wishes he was one of the dates. With one date left, will Becca get her wish? Are the odds in her favor?
From the opening chapter to the last page, Not You Again, is a fun, sweet clean romance with plenty of laughs, emotions and a few tears and hard-hitting moments. I loved the recurring statement that it is okay not to be okay as Becca lives life just going through the motions. It is a lesson Becca needs to learn. The reason why Becca’s friends think she needs to move on from her former fiance isn’t revealed until near the end and it is a doozy! I loved Becca’s growth as she learns to speak up, to heal and to find and give forgiveness. I loved Jacob’s character and I loved how their paths kept crossing. The supporting cast of characters are loving and willing to call out Becca’s excuses. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I highly recommend Not You Again.
Not You Again is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook
Catching Quinn by Jennifer Bonds is the second book of the Waverley Wildcats series. Quinn Mowery is determined to lose her virginity. She is on a mission and focused. What she didn’t account for was Copper DeLaurentis, a teammate and friend of her brother’s. With his misguided sense of bro code, he is constantly putting an end to her possible hookups. He seems to think it is his mission to keep her from hers. As Waverly’s star wide receiver, Cooper is also the most notorious player on campus. He’s arrogant and sexy as hell. However, Quinn is no pushover and two can play this game. As the two go toe to toe, they become friends and learn about each other's dreams, hurts and plans for the future. Neither factored in falling in love.
Catching Quinn is a fun, sweet romance with dramatic heartbreaking moments and heartwarming scenes. The events of this story occur alongside with the events of the first book, Claiming Carter (which I highly recommend). I love Quinn as a quirky college student who is trying to find herself and sense of purpose. Cooper is dealing with a painful past and a family dynamic that he hides from the rest of the world. Cooper shows Quinn that she is worth more than just random, meaningless hookups. Quinn shows Cooper that he is not doomed to repeat the patterns of the past. There was great banter, tearful moments and a great grand gesture. I am looking forward to the rest of the series. If you enjoy enemies to lovers, sports romance, I highly recommend Catching Quinn.
Catching Quinn is available in paperback and eBook
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center is a romantic comedy on the page. Emma Wheeler desperately longs to be a successful screenwriter. She writes romantic comedies and good ones that win contests but she is also the sole caretaker of her father who needs full time care. When a long time friend calls with an opportunity to re-write a script with the famous screenwriter Charlie Yates, she feels it's too good to be true. As her younger sister takes over the caretaking duties, Emma moves to LA for six weeks. However, when she arrives, Emma quickly learns that she is not wanted. Charlie Yates doesn’t want to write with anyone and doesn’t really care about this script, it was just a means to an end. And worst, he doesn’t believe in love. Emma isn’t going to give up. She is going to fight for herself, for rom-coms and love. She is determined to change Charlie’s mind about love. Of course, life is often stranger than fiction. Will their script come true?
Katherine Center is an auto-buy author for me. Her stories are often fun, filled with laughs and great moments. The Rom-Commers is no different. It is so good! I laughed. I cried. I grinned from ear to ear as I could not put it down! It is a grumpy-sunshine, enemies to lovers romance with humor and drama. Are these characters perfect? No, Charlie and Emma are deeply wounded people with pasts that Ms. Center does not sugarcoat or gloss over and do not have easy or simple solutions. No one wants to read characters who are perfect. We want to see characters who change and grow throughout the story and end up changed for the better. Real life people are flawed and yet still lovable which are the type of characters Ms Center writes. The story goes through the highs and lows of falling in love. I loved The Rom-Commers and I closed the book with a sigh and a happy heart. I highly, highly recommend The Rom-Commers!
The Rom-Commers is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook
Moonlight, Murder and Small Town Secrets by KC Hart is the first book in the Katy Cross Cozy Mystery series. By day, Katy Cross is a home health nurse. By night, she is the lead guitarist for her band, The Moonlighters. As she and the band prepared to play at the annual Peanut Patch Festival, she discovers a body during the mic check. As the investigation begins and a suspect is named, Katy is determined to investigate as well, compelled to snoop around. Katy sees that something doesn’t add up with the suspect and the evidence against him as the small town rumor mill is in full swing. When a second body is discovered, she knows the real killer is still out there. Will she be able to discover who the killer is before more lives are lost?
Moonlight, Murder and Small Town Secrets is my first book by KC Hart and I was not disappointed. It was a fun cozy mystery with lots of laughs, intrigue and southern charm. It was an easy to read, fast paced story which kept me engaged and reading. I loved the southern charm of the town and the characters. I could even hear their accents in my head as I read, which is unique and added to the fun of the story. I also enjoyed all the characters as Katy’s friends eagerly help with her sleuthing. The identity of the killer was a complete surprise and the motive was interesting as well. The story had a great ending. If you are a fan of cozy mysteries with amateur sleuths and small towns, I highly recommend Moonlight, Murder and Small Town Secrets.
Moonlight, Murder and Small Town Secrets is available in paperback and eBook
Sugarcoated by Erin Nicholas is the first book in the Hot Cakes series. Aiden Anderson and Zoe McCaffery practically grew up together. Everything was fine between them until she showed up in his bedroom in lingerie and asked him to take her V-card. It surprised him that she asked and it surprised her when he refused. Embarrassed and humiliated, Zoe threw herself into the family’s bakery business, determined to forgive Aiden and the whole incident. Now five months later, he is back in town, realizing his mistake and determined to tell her he has fallen in love with her and wants to make her his forever. However, there is a snag in his plan. He also has to tell her that he bought her biggest competitor. Aiden realizes he has his work cut for him.
Sugarcoated is my first book by Erin Nicholas. It is a fun brother’s best friend romance. It was a fun and fast read. Zoe is spunky and sassy. Aiden is sweet and sexy. Their banter and flirting was fun to read. When it came to their spicy, sexy moments, it wasn’t as sexy. I literally skimmed over that part. Their flirtation was much better. The issue of Aiden buying her competitor and it’s revelation to Zoe was slowly built, yet over and forgiven a little too quickly. I enjoyed the secondary characters and their interactions with Aiden and Zoe. The story gives hints as to who pairs off in future stories in the series. Overall, I enjoyed it and wouldn’t mind picking up the rest of the series. If you enjoy fun romance, I recommend Sugarcoated.
Sugarcoated is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook
Make Me Wilder by Serena Bell is the first book in the Wilder Adventures series. In the small town of Rush Creek, Oregon, Gabe Wilder and his brothers operate the Wilder Adventures. Offering everything from fishing, hiking, survival camping and more, they have done well. That is until new businesses came to town and the new tourists have no interest in getting dirty in the woods. Enter Lucy Spiro, a city girl sticks out like a sore thumb. She has been hired to give Wilder Adventures a bit of a makeover and help the family business thrive once again. Gabe and Lucy have an instant connection and while they are on the opposite ends of the ideas for the business, they cannot fight their attraction. Lucy is there to do a job and go back to New York City. Can Gabe show her that life in a small town with him would be worth it?
Serena Bell is a new author to me. Make Me Wilder is a fun, sweet, sexy romance. I could not put it down. The banter and head butting between Lucy and Gabe had me smiling and the grand romantic gesture at the end made me sigh. I loved Gabe as the strong, older brother who felt a duty to take care of the family and the family business. I loved Lucy as a woman out of her element and yet willing to prove she can be as rough and tumble as the small town. Their banter and spicy moments were wonderful. I also enjoyed the secondary characters and look forward to reading their own stories. Every character felt real as their strengths, flaws and fears were relatable. If you enjoy easy to read, page turner romances with great banter, I highly recommend Make Me Wilder.
Make Me Wilder is available in paperback and eBook
Countdown to a Kiss by Piper Rayne is a prequel novella introducing the Hockey Hotties series. Three professional hockey players from the Florida Fury attend a New Year’s Eve party given by the team’s owner. Each man comes across a woman who sparks their interest. As the countdown to midnight begins, each man is hoping to start the new year right with a kiss. What’s the harm? They aren’t going to see these women again, right?
Countdown to a Kiss is twelve short chapters and yet, it is such an engaging read that I immediately put the first book of the series higher on my TBR list. I can’t wait to read what happens with the first couple of the series. They are talented men with chips on their shoulders and the women they meet aren’t swayed by their status as professional hockey players. The banter between each man and woman is fun, flirty and so electric. If you love quick, engaging stories, I highly recommend Countdown to a Kiss.
Countdown to a Kiss is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook
The Cupcake Cottage by Jean Oram is the first book in the Hockey Sweethearts series. Maverick Blades could have any woman he wants. Handsome, talented and labeled a bad boy. However, the one woman he wants is off limits because, you know, the bro code. Daisy-Mae Ray is the ex-girlfriend of his best friend and most likely would want to stay away from a guy like him. Little does he know that she has harbored a long time crush for him. Daisy-Mae knows Maverick doesn’t deserve the reputation but how to help everyone see him as the man she knows he is? After joking about faking dating her to help his image, Daisy Mae finds herself in the middle of a publicity stunt. Can this fake relationship turn into something real or will her heart be broken?
The Cupcake Cottage is a sweet, fun romance. I loved Daisy-Mae and Maverick from the beginning. Two people who are attracted to each other but stay apart because of some rules or boundaries that just don’t exist. I loved that they were longtime friends and felt comfortable with each other. The banter between them was highly enjoyable. As their romance became real, it was really heartwarming and sweet. I smiled as they began to open up to their true feelings. I’m not a hockey fan but the story gives enough hints to get the feel for the game for fans and non-fans alike. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Daisy-Mae and Maverick’s romance. It flowed at a great pace and it was fast paced. If you enjoy fun, sweet sport romances, I highly recommend The Cupcake Cottage.
The Cupcake Cottage is available in paperback and eBook
Dare to Love My Grumpy Boss by Ellie Hall is the first book in the Forever Marriage Match series. Cora Albright has found her perfect guy, Mr Right, if you will. However, she doesn’t know his real name. They met online and exchanged rather nerdy, flirty messages and it was leading to possibly meeting in real life? Before she can think about it, Cora learns her company is merging with another and the two companies are hosting a wilderness survival retreat. A series of events, she is left behind with Shaw Dawson, Mr Wrong. Shaw had worked his way to the top and after a series of betrayal, he found it hard to trust. As the merger goes through, Cora learns that Shaw is now her boss. Mr Grumpy and Ms Sunshine learn that they met before, not just in real life. Can Mr Wrong become Mr Right?
Dare to Love My Grumpy Boss is a sweet, fun, clean romance. It was a quick read. Cora and Shaw were fun as people and together as a couple. They were sweet, flirty with a bit of sarcasm and nerdiness that I appreciate and relate to. The story also gave me You’ve Got Mail vibes with the fun and flirty messages between Cora and Shaw. I loved Cora’s friends who will probably have their own romances in this series, which I look forward to reading. There were a lot of laugh out loud moments. Warning though! Do not read while hungry. Cora is a foodie and she discusses food a lot and it was making me hungry. This story is a great quick romance to read during a lazy afternoon. If you want fun, sweet, clean romance, I highly recommend Dare to Love My Grumpy Boss.
Dare to Love My Grumpy Boss is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook
The American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas is the sequel to The Spanish Love Deception. Rosie Graham has a problem, make that “problems”. She quits her high paying job as an engineer to focus on her romance writing career. Her first book was a success and now the deadline for her second book is just weeks away and she has writer’s block. Then the ceiling of her New York apartment falls down around her. She simply packs up and heads to her best friend’s empty apartment. Lina is on her honeymoon and probably wouldn’t mind if Rosie crashes there. What Rosie doesn’t know is that Lind has promised the apartment to Lucas Martin, her visiting cousin from Spain. They come to an agreement to share the apartment. When Rosie confesses her writer’s block, Lucas offers to take her on a series of experimental dates meant to fuel her muse. What does she have to lose? Lucas’s stay has an end date and her deadline is looming.
I enjoyed The Spanish Love Deception so much that when I saw Ms. Armas had written a sequel, I grabbed it. The American Roommate Experiment is the same slow-burn, steamy and swoon-worthy romantic comedy as its predecessor. On the About the Author page, Ms. Armas states she hopes to “make your heart skip a beat or two, your palms a little sweaty, and your cheeks flush in that rosy pink that makes other people want to peek at the page you are reading.” And boy does she succeed! Wow! This story has it all. There are sexy flirting moments. Moments with deep hurt, heart and healing. And moments that would make any reader sigh. I loved Rosie. I loved Lucas. And I loved them together. I smiled. I laughed. I sighed and I even blushed. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story! I highly recommend The American Roommate Experiment. Although it is not necessary to enjoy this book, I also recommend The Spanish Love Deception.
The American Roommate Experiment is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook
Body in the Books by Heather Huffman is the first book in the Nora Jones Mystery series. Nora Jones inherits her estranged uncle’s estate which includes a dusty old bookshop, a Greyhound named Margo, and a murder. She moves to St Augustine, Florida to settle the estate and meets a quirky group of people including a ghost hunter and a charming homicide detective. When her uncle’s death is determined to be a homicide, there is no shortage of suspects including a local mob boss, a hostile neighbor and a tenacious real estate developer. A group as quirky as the Scooby Doo gang, Nora and her new found friends band together to search for clues, could the killer be closer to home than she realizes?
Body in the Books is a fun, humorous cozy mystery novella. A quick read to kill a lazy afternoon, reader will follow the clues with Nora and her new friends as they deem themselves the Scooby Doo gang on the hunt to solve the mystery. Who the killer was surprising and not at all on my radar. Overall, I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of Nora, her friends and their adventures. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, I recommend Body in the Books.
Body in the Books is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook
Maid for Love is the first book in the Gansett Island series by Marie Force. Single mom Maddie Chester has been the source of rumors and innuendos on the Gansett Island for years. She has been determined not to let them affect her. One day, on her way to work, she is knocked off her bike by Gansett’s “favorite son,” Mac McCarthy. The son of her bosses at McCarthy’s Resort Hotel. Mac is back in town to help his father sell the family resort and has no intentions to stay. But when he accidentally injures Maddie when she falls, he feels moved to help her as she heals. As he gets to know Maddie and her young son, he learns her history with the people and the island, he is moved to correct the misconceptions. He realizes that his heart has been lost to Maddie, but can Maddie allow herself to love despite her past hurts?
Maid for Love is a cute, sweet romance. It was great for a lazy afternoon. The romance between Mac and Maddie was wonderfully sweet. As Mac tries to convince Maddie that he is sincere, she desperately attempts to keep him at arm’s length. She doesn’t think she deserves the love of the island’s Golden Boy and she definitely knows his mother wouldn’t approve. But little by little, she feels her resolve fade as Mac proves he’s not like his family and he certainly doesn’t believe the rumors. While Maid for Love is a predictable romance with a happy ending, there were some surprising twists and turns that kept my attention and rooting for Mac and Maddie. Overall, I enjoyed it. Maid for Love was a cute, sweet and sexy story. It is a great story to the series and I look forward to reading other love stories on Gansett Island. If you enjoy romances, I recommend Maid for Love.
Maid for Love is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook
Six Months in Montana is the first book in the Sweet Western Romance series by Pamela M. Kelley. Molly Bishop loves living in Manhattan and soon she’ll have her dream job as General Manager of a luxury hotel. However, there’s a snag she never sees coming. Back in Beauville, Montana, Christian Ford discovers that his late grandfather put a last minute clause in his will. In order to inherit the family ranch, he must marry Molly and stay married for at least six months. Molly and Christian haven’t seen each other in over ten years, what was his grandfather thinking? Will Molly agree to leave her life and put her dreams on hold for six months?
Six Months in Montana is a cute, fun and quick marriage of convenience romance. While the story is predictable, it was still enjoyable. One complaint is there was very little, if any, conflict. There was great potential for conflict but it seemed to be brushed aside fairly easily. I would have loved to have seen a bit more conflict especially from Molly’s rival, Isabella. Overall, I wasn’t expecting much but a fun romance and that’s what it was. I enjoyed Christian and Molly as well as their supportive cast of characters. I look forward to reading the rest of this series. If you are looking for a fun, sweet romance for a quick afternoon read, I recommend Six Months in Montana.
Six Months in Montana is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook
Prince Not Quite Charming by Liz Talley is a novel in the Morning Glory series. The story picks up right after the events of book 2, Perfectly Charming. A city girl can survive…she hopes. Frances Genovese agrees to stay in Morning Glory after her brother’s wedding in order to finish the remodel of his new pizzeria. She may not know small town Mississippi but she does know the restaurant business. What she doesn’t bargain for is a country boy contractor naysaying her every decision. Clemson “Clem” Aiken III knows two things: what it means to be a country boy and the small town market. When he and Frances clash on ideas for the restaurant, he knows he needs to teach her a thing or two about country life. Frances reluctantly gives Clem three days to teach her country life and change her mind about the restaurant design. What can be so hard about fishing, frying chicken and line dancing?
Prince Not Quite Charming had me laughing and smiling from the opening chapter. There were many laugh out loud moments and moments that left huge smiles on my smile. Frances, the hard nosed Italian New Yorker, spends a few weeks with Clem, But there’s more to the country boy Clem than meets the eye and as the two spend time together, the attraction is obvious from the start. I loved the flirty banter between the two especially from Clem, reminds me of my husband and I. There were sweet moments of heart-to-heart talks between the two. One of my favorite moments is when Frances and Clem were frying chicken with Ida Mae Robinson and Frances made a comment about being a woman and doing things on her own. To which Ida Mae replies, “Well, baby, I can do it too but why would I want to?” I highly recommend Prince Not Quite Charming. Opposites certainly attract in this fun novella.
Prince Not Quite Charming is available in eBook and audiobook.
Perfectly Charming is the second book in Liz Talley’s Morning Glory series. Jess Culpepper is desperate to move on from her divorce. When the chance to get out of Morning Glory for a while comes up, she takes it. She takes a temporary nursing job in Pensacola, Florida, And thanks to the bequest of her late friend, Lacy, she rents a condo right on the beach. Little does she know she is in for the surprise of a lifetime. Living a few doors down from her is Ryan Reyes, her old high school chemistry lab partner. Once known as “The Brain,” Ryan has worked hard to be more than the shy nerd. Walking away from a brilliant science career, he now runs a charter fishing business and spends his time catching up on the debauchery he missed. He is thrown for a loop when the girl of his teenage fantasies enters his life. At first, their relationship starts as old friends catching up but soon turns into an attraction neither can deny. Their no-strings-attached fling becomes complicated when they return to Morning Glory for a friend’s wedding and they are forced to confront the painful past. Can they find their happily ever after? Or will old wounds keep them apart?
After reading a previous book that was deep and depressing, I needed a light, fun pick-me-up and Perfectly Charming delivered. It is a very sweet story filled with sexy fun and heartfelt moments between friends and lovers. There were a lot of sighs, smiles and laughs. I loved Jess’s vulnerability and hesitation moving forward from her divorce. She doesn’t trust herself to feel again and is determined not to get hurt again. She decides a good, fun fling is what she needs and she decides that Ryan is good for that. I also loved Ryan who I identified with as the shy nerd. While I wasn’t bullied as he was, I was known as the brain among my classmates and was looked to for the answers. I understood and related to his desire to be more than “the smart guy.” Their inevitable conflict was believable and the resolution was sweet. I loved Jess’s friends, Rosemary and Eden, and their tough love as they help Jess realize her fling has become more than that. I’m loving the Morning Glory series and can’t wait to dive into book 3. I loved Perfectly Charming and recommend it as well as Charmingly Yours, which I recommend reading first.
Perfectly Charming is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook.
Book 1, Charmingly Yours, is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook.
Cage to Rattle is
Daughtry’s fifth studio album, released on July 28, 2018, it was released five
years after their last album, Baptized
(2013). It received predominately positive reviews from music critics with some
calling the album the band’s strongest and most mature to date. Working with a
new producer, Jacquie King, the band explores “new musical styles far away from
the earnest, polished pop-rock of its predecessors” (Gary Graff, www.billboard.com).
Cage to Rattle has been called a
crossroads of sort as it is devoid of the usual angst and has “an honest, open,
encouraging effort that’s ready to rattle” (www.pluggedin.com). The album speaks
to the anxieties and pressures we all face daily but encourages listeners to
face them head on, to keep going.
I have been a fan of Daughtry since 2013 when their song, Gone too Soon,from their 2011 album, Break
the Spell, helped me through my darkest days after the loss of my newborn
daughter. I received this album as a Christmas gift and immediately was drawn
to four songs which became my favorites. First, Deep End is a message of love and encouragement in times of need.
It is very emotional and when I heard it for the first time I immediately
thought my husband and I with lyrics like “We're all swimming into the light/I
want you by my side/And I'm right here waiting for you/Right here waiting for
you/We're all living on borrowed time/I've been holding my breath all night/Waiting
for you.” Second, Death of Me is
where the album gets its title. The song is filled with emotion and frustration
at the difficulties of life’s obstacles: “We're all under pressure/Can't stand
the weather/For the worse and not for the better/Please, this ain't the way to
live/Something's got to give.” But the song offers hope to hold on: “Blood is
thicker than water/But love is even stronger/Hold out a little longer/Until we
found ourselves/Again, again…” I also enjoy the song, Back in Time as a call to memories of the newness and excitement of
a relationship when we were “doing things that Momma said don't do.” Lastly, White Flag closes out the album as an
anthem with spiritual aspects to keep fighting through hard times: “With one
hand, we're reaching for the sky/And one hand, holding on for life/I won't
raise my, I won't raise my white flag.”
While researching the album for my review, I found other
reviews which weren’t very glowing and downright hated the album. I understand
that Daughtry’s type of music isn’t for everyone. Just like with beauty, music
is in the ear of the listener. If you are a fan of Daughtry, you will enjoy
this new album. It has the heart and soul of their previous albums as well as
an added depth and maturity to the topics which the songs cover. I find some
songs to be fun and others to be the encouraging anthems I look for when I was
to rock out my frustrations and cry out my fears. I highly recommend Cage to Rattle.
Thor: Ragnarok is
the fifth chapter of Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). It is also
the first Thor film which takes place in the other realms besides just Earth
and Asgard. When we last saw Thor in The
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), he left to find the remaining Infinity
Stones as four have now turned up and he senses a greater plot afoot. The
official synopsis reads: “Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe
and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop
Ragnarok, the destruction of his home world and the end of Asgardian
civilization, at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela.”
There are many things I liked at the film, a few things I didn’t and I will
respond to a few of the critics’ issues with the film.
First, what I liked about the film. First, the cast. Every
actor filled their role very well. Chris Hemsworth as Thor as always brings the
God of Thunder to life. In this film, Hemsworth was allowed to show more of his
comedic side as well as the dramatic and action packed sequences. Tessa
Thompson as Valkyrie was great. I knew very little about the character when I
saw the film and I was pleased to see how she fit in the story. Thompson brought
great heart and depth to the character. Cate Blanchett as Hela was amazing! She
seemed to be tailored made for this role. Her portrayal of Hela is definitely
an improvement in Thor villains over Malekith in The Dark World. Second, the story with all the humor (there were a
few laugh out loud moments), the drama (which I will not discuss in case you
haven’t seen it yet) and the action from beginning to end kept me entertained
and on the edge of my seat. The movie didn’t feel like it was over two hours
which is good. If I watch a movie and I am aware of how long it is, then it
didn’t hold my attention. I should be so engrossed in the story that I am
unaware of the passage of time and Thor: Raganrok did that. Lastly, the music.
I loved the use of Led Zeppelin’s Immigrant
Song which fits perfectly with the Viking/Norse mythology which inspired
Thor and his adventures.
Second, there wasn’t much I didn’t like about this film.
However, what I didn’t like about the film were a few of the comedic scenes
which were uncomfortable to watch. I cringed like “ewww really?!?” There is one
joke in particular which features how Thor returns to Asgard and every time
they said it, I cringed. I was glad when he finally returns to Asgard and this
particular joke could stop. These types of jokes are so juvenile and
unnecessary. They belong in a different comedies like Dumb and Dumber. Thankfully they weren’t the majority of the jokes
in the film. While Jeff Goldblum is a great choice for the Grandmaster, some of
his scenes were a bit tedious and cringe worthy. However, these awkward scenes
were really few and far between so it’s something I could overlook when enjoying
the film.
Third, many critics both professional and viewers had quite
a few things to say about this film. One criticism I read is that the plotline
of Ragnarok was an afterthought and wasn’t central to the film. I didn’t see
that at all. While Ragnarok isn’t discussed at length in the film, it is Thor’s
motivation to free himself from the Grandmaster and return to Asgard and defeat
Hela. So I feel Ragnarok was not a side plot especially in the final act, when
you see the final you may understand what I mean. Sometimes I think people
wanted the Ragnarok storyline to be used to bash the audience’s head and remind
them over and over that the end was coming. Not necessary. I think it worked in
the film as they portrayed it. Second, many critics had a problem with the
humor. There was too much. While I enjoyed the majority of the humor and didn’t
enjoy some of the jokes, I don’t see why a superhero film can’t have humor. Iron Man did. Both Avengers films did. Captain America: Winter Soldier did. Maybe
not to the extent of Ragnarok but it was there. Looking back on the first two
Thor films, there were quite bit of humor in those films too.
In conclusion, I loved Thor:
Ragnarok. It had great acting. The story was good and for the most part the
humor fit. Despite finding some of the humor awkward and hard to watch, I look
forward to watching it over and over again as part of the MCU. In my opinion,
every movie will have flaws. No matter how much they try to cover all the
bases, mistakes will be made and ideas will falter. However, this film is a
great film which its flaws can be ignored. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly
recommend it.
Oh, Susannah: Things
That Go Bump by Carole P. Roman is the second book about a young girl named
Susannah who is learning about life and herself. In this book, Susannah is
reluctant to go to a sleepover at her friend’s Lola’s house because the house
is old and scary. But she’s afraid to tell her parents and Lola why she doesn’t
want to go so she goes anyway. While there, she and Lola start to have fun
while Susannah tries to push aside her fears. Until something happens that she
can’t hide her fear anymore. She learns that everyone has fears and just
because something is old and scary looking doesn’t mean that it is.
I enjoyed this book as it is a lesson for children with
fears. Like my 5 year old is afraid to be alone in the dark and I’ve been
trying to help her overcome this fear. I will be reading this book to her in
the hopes that she can relate to Susannah and understand there is nothing to
fear. I enjoyed Ms. Roman’s illustrations that everyone has a fear of something
and not let fear keep them from enjoying life and having fun. I highly
recommend Oh, Susannah: Things That Go
Bump for any family or school library.
Trolls was
produced by DreamWorks Animation and voiced by an all-star cast. The Trolls are
small creatures who love hugging, dancing, and having a good time. They lived
safely hidden from the Bergens for 20 years until their village is discovered. Some
of the Trolls are captured and taken to Bergentown as a meal for the miserable
Bergens, who believe their happiness comes from eating a Troll. The main
character, Poppy (voiced by Anna Kendrick), the positive and upbeat princess of
the Trolls, who sets off to rescue her friends. She is joined by Branch (voiced
by Justin Timberlake), a paranoid survivalist Troll. They meet Bridget (voiced
by Zooey Deschanel), a kind hearted Bergen and scullery maid in King Gristle’s
castle. They form a friendship which will change their lives forever. Poppy and
the Trolls are able to teach the Bergens that true happiness comes from within.
I loved the message of the film is that happiness comes from
within. It is not something you put inside your body as the Bergens thought. It
is deep inside you. You only need to turn it on. It’s been engrained in our
culture that you must search for happiness. It’s stated in the Declaration of
Independence: “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” However, happiness
isn’t a destination, it’s a part of the journey. I think it’s a great message
that we can find happiness in the here and now instead of in a future event or
achievement.
I also loved the music. There were a lot of covers of popular rock
and folk songs. From True Colors
(1986) to The Sounds of Silence
(1964) to Clint Eastwood (2001), the
cover songs are fun additions to the humor and action of the story. As well as
do the two original songs Can’t Stop the
Feeling (written by Justin Timberlake, Max Martin and Shellback, performed
by the cast) and Get Back Up Again
(written by Beri Pasek and Justin Paul, performed by Anna Kendrick).
My one complaint is the gross humor that filmmakers seem to
think must be in a children’s movie. One character, Guy Diamond (voiced by The
Big Bang Theory’s Kunal Nayyar) farts glitter. Another character, Cooper
(voiced by Ron Funches) poops cupcakes when he’s scared. When I saw it for the
first time, I thought seriously?!? Was that necessary? Even my daughter, who
loves Poppy and the movie, says eww, gross!
I must admit when the movie was first released in theaters,
I resisted taking my daughter to see it because I wasn’t really sure it was
going to be appropriate. I didn’t read any of the reviews but I was certain
that someone just took a toy and made another unnecessary movie. So we waited for
the DVD. After the first viewing, myself, my daughter and my husband loved it.
I decided to write a review for it and search online for what other viewers
thought of Trolls. Many of the
reviews I read either loved it or hated it. Those who hated it, I think, went
into the movie determined to hate it. One reviewer says it promotes
cannibalism. Cannibalism? Really? If it was cannibalism, it would be Troll
eating Troll or Bergen eating Bergen. And by the way, no actual eating is in
the movie, it’s just talked about. Other reviews didn’t like the cover songs.
One reviewer that the use of The Sounds
of Silence was inappropriate. However, when you see the movie, the song
fits the scene.
While no movie is perfect and will not appeal to everyone’s
tastes, I recommend Trolls. It is a
fun adventure movie with great music and a great message. The music will have
you dancing and singing along. As for the criticisms of the movie, while
DreamWorks often doesn’t compare to Pixar, the studio still puts our great
movies. How to Train Your Dragon movies,
Despicable Me, and the first two Shrek movies. Trolls 2 was recently announced. It is set to release in 2020. If you are concerned about
the appropriateness of the movie for children, I recommend viewing it for
yourself first and then decide.
