Geri’s Comments

Geri’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Note: Geri is not currently a member of this group.

Moderators of NBRC wrote: "Updated for you Geri.

I'm in the midst of the thankless task of trying to sort out teams now, so
NO MORE CHANGING OF BOOK NUMBERS!!!

Also, any sign ups after now are not guaranteed to be placed o..."

Not thankless. We all appreciate the work that has to be done!

Geri wrote: "Hi Mods! I have rethunk my monthly book count. LOL I’d like to change it to 12. Thank you!😁"

Reposting. May have gotten lost in the shuffle.

Hi Mods! I have rethunk my monthly book count. LOL I’d like to change it to 12. Thank you!😁

Rajiv wrote: "can I join too ? :) I just purchased the ebook and cant wait to start reading"

Sure, you can join us!

I’ve got my copy too!

Can I get a buddy read thread for starting June 3rd? TY!

Cat wrote: "In general it was very emotionless writing for a story about two Grand Romance relationships. Barely even telling, let alone showing!

I've finished now, and whilst I didn't hate the read, it was a..."

I agree with everyone’s complaint of the writing. It could have been better. The story suffered. I didn’t feel any grand romance at all!

DQs - Chapter 24-end

10. Were you surprised by the Aurora/Rick twist? Do you think Luke really did this to make Sandra happy? Did this change your opinion of Luke?

11. What do you think about the various incarnations of Marchant? Do you think he deserved Juliet/Nora/Sandra/Helen’s love and devotion?

12. What did you think of Luke’s sacrifice in the last chapter? Were you satisfied with the ending of the book?

13. This book has an MPG of romance. Did you like the romance in the book? The book is also tagged historical fiction. Do you think the author brought the time periods to life?

14. Will you read more by this author?

I agree with you both, Fiona and Cat, the curse thing is a mess!

And yes, Cat, is Marchant really suffering?

I do like both your ideas that Helen will use her power somehow to get herself out of the curse. It seems logical. But we don’t know much about it.

DQ Set 2: Chapters 14 - 23

5. We discover more about the curse in this section. What are your thoughts on it? Want to venture any predictions for how it will be resolved?

It was crazy that Juliet’s mother cursed Merchant and in the process her own daughter too! She had to be so angry to do that!

I was surprised Luke was basically a servant of a demon.

I am bad at predicting what will happen. LOL So I won’t bother. I am very interested in how it ends!

6. Helen remembers Juliet's death, and Nor(m)a's life. Did you enjoy meeting a different version? Did you like the Hollywood setting?

Actually, I did really enjoy learning about Nora and how all 3 men keep being a part of her life/curse.

7. Nora and Luke seem to have a decent life together? Did this section change your view /understanding of Luke?

I wasn’t as irked at Luke in Nora’s story. In Juliet’s timeline, I felt that both Luke and Juliet acted so recklessly and foolishly at times. Very immature too. Like Luke marrying another and Juliet for prostituting herself out of anger at Luke.

8. Mickey is enjoying Helen's suggestive power a lot! Would you use the power if you had it? To do what?

Good gosh, having the power of suggestion could be fun but also frightening. As the book has illustrated both scenarios. A person would have to be careful. And I’m not sure my conscience would let me do much. LOL

9. The book deals with a lot of issues - infatuation, sexual grooming, rape, domestic abuse ..... Do you think the author's decision to have these hard issues in the story made it better?

I was surprised at all the violence and mature subjects. It definitely stressed me for sure! I usually read as an escape so this isn’t my usual light fare. But it didn’t cross over the line into too violent territory, thank goodness.

1. We open with a first date that doesn't start off promisingly and then veers into the strange. Did you like this introduction to the characters?

It definitely set the tone for the book. Right away I knew Helen had lived other lives and there was plenty of mystery in her past.

2. Chapter 5 opens with the comment, reflecting on the historical chapter "I woke up satiated, like I'd had sex all night". For me the choice of wording was strange, did you notice it? Have a view on how the book was going to progress?

I have to say the writing is just okay to me. The story is interesting enough for me to keep going, but the writing could be better.

3. Do you have a preference for either of the time periods we visit? Normally the question would be if the different characters have sufficiently different personalities, but I guess here it is whether the periods are reasonably authentic?

I am enjoying the Juliet timeline more. Mostly because there is more information about how everything began. But if Juliet has lived other lives, why are we only following one? At least so far we are only following one past life.

I have been both stressed out about Juliet’s betrothal to the violent, horrible neighbor boy. And also annoyed at Juliet for her spoiled behavior since she was taken in by Lucien. LOL But I guess I am enjoying the book. I am invested in Juliet.

4. What do you think the connection is between Lucian and Juliet's mother? What do you think about the Luke / Lucian character?

I do like Luke so far. Taking in Juliet like that was generous. I was thinking maybe Juliet’s mom was part of a society for witches. And Luke was also part of it. I was also thinking Juliet must have powers too. And that is why she was taken in by Luke but not her other siblings. But I am curious why Juliet’s mom didn’t tell Juliet about being a witch and then try to educate her at a much younger age. That seems like it would have been a good thing to do!

Oh, I’d like to join the discussion! I have several books going at once so I may be a day or two late. I can help with DQs if you need me. Maybe last day since I need to catch up?

Sorry I forgot to come back when I finished. Too busy posting completion posts and making sure things are in order!

LOL A spin off of Agnes and Roy would be hilarious! I enjoyed the book too. There was good story and character development. Some exciting parts and heartwarming parts. And I liked the chemistry between Calla and Jonah. Their banter did make me chuckle. At times, though, Calla did seem a little immature and spoiled. But she did grow. I really liked the sense of community the book ended on too. I need these type of feel good reads right now!

Up to chapter 25. Yes, some parts make me laugh too, Laura. I am enjoying meeting all the neighbors, even the curmudgeon! LOL (view spoiler)[ Yeah, Calla does seem young for a 26 almost 27 year old. She really freaked when she thought she might be pregnant, even though she is in a loving relationship. I’m not surprised at their fights. They really didn’t know each other when they started living together and bought a house. That part of the story does feel real. But Jonah taking a job where he would be away for a month does seem too much. That’s a long time for Calla t be alone! Not sure how they will compromise there. (hide spoiler)]

Up to chapter 12. I agree. I am enjoying the book too. Calla and Jonah are good together. I love the Alaskan setting too. (view spoiler)[ As far as their new house goes, I knew something would go wrong. I can commiserate since my husband and I have bought homes where the previous owners left their stuff they didn’t want. Not as bad as in the book. But still it is a pain! Some people probably think they are nice leaving things. But it just means more work to get rid of the stuff. Taking things to Goodwill, etc.. (hide spoiler)]

After reading your spoilers, I agree that Gabby and Hannah had a great relationship. And that family doesn’t need to be a relative by blood.

Not sure why but I didn’t prefer one storyline over the other. I think I was too busy comparing what happened and what the similarities were. I liked how Reid did interweave some similarities throughout the book. I actually liked that Gabby’s story did end the same in both storylines.

But the theory that every decision we make creates another timeline gives me a headache! LOL

I definitely agree that there are more than one right person for everyone. And that was ultimately what the book was about. Hannah found her happy ending with different men. I think I’ll be thinking about this book for a bit.

I will see the movie Sliding Doors this weekend too.

Yes, not able to see friends and family is tough too. But I am talking, texting and emailing them.

And yes, my husband and I got takeout from a favorite restaurant last weekend. And it was definitely NOT the same! LOL

I am trying not to shop online too much. But staying at home makes it too easy. I recently ordered orange ginger bath set from Amazon. Only because Hannah in Maybe in Another Life mentioned it. I love both orange and ginger, so I had to have it! LOL

I don’t think the book mentioned a library. So not sure how much access to books there would be. Let’s hope there would be a library. Otherwise, things would be too uncivilized!

I finished. I really enjoyed how everything came full circle. And some things were the same in both storylines. (view spoiler)[Hannah’s pregnancy from her married lover, Michael. And Gabby finding true love with Jessie. (hide spoiler)]

The book definitely made me think about knowing when you have found “the one”. I do think it is special when you find the right person. When I met my husband, I remember feeling like we had known each other for years. An instant feeling of being comfortable and happy. It worked for us. We have been friends and partners in crime ever since. But I do wonder what everyone else thinks. Do you just “know” when someone is right for you?

I will definitely be watching Sliding Doors this weekend too. We should all come back and post our thoughts on the movie too. I remember liking the movie. Saw it so many years ago now.

Yes, I laughed when Jonah’s beard was shaved too. They were cute together. And I like that it took time for their relationship to develop. I read the book description for book 2 and it gives too much away. UGH! Don’t read it if you haven’t already.

I think I would probably miss not having nice restaurants or shops to go to. So yeah, with all that is going on right now and everything being shut down, isn’t easy for me. But other luxuries I would probably order online like gourmet foods or coffee or high end lotions etc..

What would you miss?

I’m about 1/3 through. Ethan and Hannah just found a dog. I agree with Brooke, the different stories are interesting.

(view spoiler)[ The “with Ethan” story is sweet and lighthearted. But I wonder if it will stay that way. The other story where Hannah gets injured is a little sadder. I am irked with Ethan for so easily forgetting about Hannah to sleep with someone else. Doesn’t make me feel like he deserves Hannah. But of course a new door/romance seems to be opening for Hannah. And maybe that is the point? When one door closes another opens. (hide spoiler)]

I also like Gabby. It’s nice that she is a constant in both stories.