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  • REVIEWS+RECS
    • MANGA
    • BOOK REVIEW
    • SOUNDTRACK
    • QUOTE
    • TRAILER
    • DESERT ISLAND CASTAWAYS
    • BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
    • Reviews A-Z
    • MINI MOVIE REVIEWS
  • MEMES+TAGS
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    • LAST YEAR I WAS READING
    • FLICKer FADE SUNDAY
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    • MISC POSTS
    • PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
    • FIRST LINES FRIDAY 56
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  • manga,  Uncategorized

    MANGA: Online Game Nakama to Sashi Off shitara Shokuba no Onijoushi ga Kita

    April 23, 2021 / 1 Comment

    Online Game Nakama to Sashi Off shitara Shokuba no Onijoushi ga Kita – Nmura

    In which the (satanic) boss you often dis about to your Online-BFF is actually your Online-BFF. (??`) And yes, they both are oblivious about the ironic fact…until they decide to have an offline meeting that is.

    Arranged an Offline Meeting with My Online Game Friend, but My Demon Boss Came Instead is ridiculously, ridiculously cute!!!

    Hashimoto is an avid gamer who frequently complains about his demon boss to his online friend Uma-san. Little did he know, Uma-san is the very same boss, Shirase, he complains about. They both didn’t know the other’s identity. Then they decided to meet offline. Awkward!

    They also met another gamer they didn’t know was another online friend. This third guy, high schooler Kumada, overheard rather suggestive parts of their conversation and that started a series of huge misunderstandings between all three people.

    The manga depicted the progress of Hashimoto and Shirase’s relationship as well as the involvement of Kumada, in 20 chapters. I appreciate that they were short and to the point. I loved how we see Shirase’s feelings mostly through Hashimoto’s rather dense POV as well as Kumada’s. I really liked it that it was Shirase who fell in love first.

    Hashimoto is a spectacularly oblivious guy who thinks everything is about the game. So oblivious that he was confessed to by two different people and he thinks they were asking about joining their guild or going on a quest.

    That this has a love triangle and I didn’t even mind it one bit is testament how great this story is. Even the misunderstandings, normally considered annoying, worked so well to the its advantage. Hashimoto’s reactions during the reveals were pretty funny.

    Everyone who has played an online game and made online friends (and/or girl/boyfriends) would really relate to this manga.

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    neverhollowed

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  • book,  Uncategorized

    REVIEW: Shadows Deceive by S.C. Wynne

    April 23, 2021 / 1 Comment
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    Psychic Detective Mysteries: Shadows Deceive – S.C. Wynne

    If I could have put off meeting Thompson’s family forever, I would have. But he made it crystal clear it was important to him, and I got the feeling if I blew it off again, I’d lose him.

    So, like a good boyfriend, I accompanied him to the rustic city of Big Bear, hoping for the best. I expected awkward moments, and funny looks from his family. What I didn’t see coming was having to hang out with his perfect ex-lover, Alexander, and for dead bodies to start piling up.

    Working and living together, Thompson and I formed a bond I didn’t think could be broken. But when he starts doubting my abilities, and pulling away, simply because he doesn’t like what I’m saying, I start to realize maybe we were never as tight as I’d thought.

    Thompson needs to decide if he wants to protect the past, more than he wants to join me in the future. He thinks I’m just scared of commitment, and so I’m causing trouble. But the reality is, Thompson is the person with one foot out the door.


    Shadows Deceive is the third installment of the psychic procedural series, Psychic Detective Mysteries. It follows psychic/police consultant Liam Baker and his partner/boyfriend, Detective Kimball Thompson as they solve murders with the help of Liam’s ability to talk to ghosts.

    The first two books were about Liam and Thompson trying to catch a powerful evil psychic, Stephen Pine, who was killing several people and was out to get Liam. Meanwhile, Liam was grieving the loss of his late boyfriend, Will, while Thompson, Will’s partner, patiently waited for Liam to notice him.

    Book 3 sees the two men as an established couple which means it was time to meet the family.

    The story is from Liam’s POV and you really had to feel it for the guy. Our boy is most definitely not a people person. Not only does he have to stay with Thompson’s family for two weeks, he has to deal with Thompson’s very attractive, very accomplished, very charming ex, Alexander, who the family considers one of their own. The man even ate dinner with them almost everyday Liam was there. And, the poor psychic also stumbled upon a dead body near the family house. So you could see his pain here.

    His situation is the bane of introverts everywhere. And you got to hand it to Liam, he was really, really, really trying. He sucked it up and played nice. The book did a great job laying out Liam’s insecurities and the valiant way he tried to be a good boyfriend and to do his job professionally no matter how compromised his partner was. He has grown so much as a character. He came a long way from a grief-stricken man to someone who can hold is own against evil forces. I was neutral about him before but he really won me over here.

    Thompson’s family was awesome. His mom especially. The part that made her stood out for me was that she was very perceptive. She knew Liam was hurting. She wasn’t blind to her son’s faults and Alexander’s manipulative side.

    Meanwhile, Thompson needed to grovel more because he was being extra obtuse to how much he was hurting his beloved boyfriend by being chummy with the ex. Liam and Thompson’s relationship was tested almost to the breaking point. It was excruciating to watch. Don’t get me wrong, Thompson adores Liam. I liked him in the past 2 books. This Alex thing just wasn’t his shining moment.

    The story is a great blend of romance, mystery and paranormal. The mystery didn’t hold much surprises. It was glaringly obvious who the killer was, especially with another dead body popping up. Far from making it boring, I liked how it worked well with the plot, adding another layer of insidious evil for Liam to conquer. I did wonder though if it would have been better or worse, story-wise, if he knew the identity of the killer right away and had to convince Thompson about it.

    The plot also connects to the main villain, Stephen Pine. He is currently in jail. I wish that was the last we see of him because I’m not looking forward to his repeat performance. Alas, it is hinted we should expect a comeback in future installments

    Shadows Deceive is a story about trust, family, standing up for one’s self and holding on to what’s important. It was emotional and engaging and still suspenseful even with the element of predictability. This is the best book so far. I am eager to see more of Liam’s curmudgeon-y self getting together with ghosts, serial killers, co-workers, in-laws and who knows what. Expecting better of Thompson this time.

    P.S.

    Psychic Detective Mysteries should be read in order. Find out more about this Stephen Pine business in the first two books, Shadow’s Edge and Shadow’s Return. I read both but didn’t review Book 2. Check out my review of Book 1, Shadow’s Edge here.

    Rating:
    4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits

    Soundtrack: Nearly Lost You
    Artist: Screaming Trees
    Album: Sweet Oblivion


    If you like my content, please consider using my Amazon affiliate links below to buy your copy of Psychic Detective Mysteries. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying Amazon purchases at no additional cost to you.

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    neverhollowed

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  • song,  Uncategorized

    SOUNDTRACK: Nearly Lost You by Screaming Trees

    April 23, 2021 / 1 Comment

    Soundtrack to Psychic Detective Mysteries: Shadows Deceive by S.C. Wynne

    A song for Liam and Thompson’s relationship that nearly broke apart but held on and came back stronger than before.

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    neverhollowed

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  • quote,  Uncategorized
    April 23, 2021 / No Comments

    Did you hear the distant cry
    Calling me back to my sin
    Like the one you knew before
    Calling me back once again

    I nearly, I nearly lost you there
    And it’s taken us somewhere
    I nearly lost you there
    Let’s try to sleep now

    Drag me far enough to know
    I’m blind every mile that you burn
    There’s a rider that’s fallen and
    It’s clear there’s no time to return

    I nearly, I nearly lost you there
    And it’s taken us somewhere
    I nearly lost you there
    Well let’s try to sleep now

    Did you hear the distant lie
    Calling me back to my sin
    Like the one you knew before
    Calling me back once again

    I nearly, I nearly lost you there
    And it’s taken us somewhere
    I nearly lost you there
    Well let’s try to sleep now
    I nearly lost you there
    I nearly lost you
    I nearly lost you there
    I nearly lost you there
    I nearly lost you there
    Oh yeah, nearly lost you there

    Read More
    neverhollowed

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  • trailer,  Uncategorized

    MOVIE FEATURE: Ripples Of Water

    April 23, 2021 / No Comments
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    neverhollowed

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  • Uncategorized

    COVER REVEAL: Our First & Last by Becca Seymour (Giveaway)

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