Europa im Jahr 1158: Vom royalen Hof von Eleanore von Aquitanien verstoßen, wird Marie von Frankreich, die Halbschwester der Königin, nach England geschickt. Die 17-Jährige soll die neue Priorin eines verarmten Klosters werden. Marie ist über diese Entscheidung entsetzt. Aber sie muss sich fügen…

„Matrix“ ist ein Roman von Lauren Groff.

Meine Meinung:
Der Roman besteht aus drei Teilen, wovon zwei wiederum in Kapitel untergliedert sind. Die Geschichte umspannt etliche Jahre. Erzählt wird im Präsens aus der Sicht von Marie.

Die Sprache ist ungekünstelt, manchmal sogar etwas grob, gleichzeitig aber eindringlich und mit poetischer Note. Der Schreibstil sticht definitiv heraus.

Zwar ist die Handlung im Mittelalter angesiedelt. Bei der Geschichte geht es aber nicht um einen typischen historischen Roman. In mehrfacher Hinsicht ist das Buch ungewöhnlich. Das trifft auch auf den Inhalt zu.

Mit Marie steht eine interessante Protagonistin im Vordergrund, die mir zwar ein wenig fremd blieb, aber authentisch wirkt.

Besonders angesprochen haben mich - neben der reizvollen Figur - die feministische Komponente und andere provokante Themen, die ich hier nicht vorwegnehmen möchte. Leider fehlt eine Einordnung oder ein Nachwort, um den Wahrheitsgehalt und die historischen Fakten ohne eigene Recherche von der Dichtung trennen zu können.

Auf nur etwa 300 Seiten ist das Erzähltempo mal gemächlich, mal gestrafft. Langeweile kam für mich, auch dank mehrerer Überraschungen, nicht auf.

Das Cover ist unkonventionell für diese Art von Roman, gefällt mir unter optischen Gesichtspunkten aber sehr gut. Der Titel ist wortgetreu aus dem englischsprachigen Original übernommen.

Mein Fazit:
„Matrix“ von Lauren Groff ist ein ungewöhnlicher Roman, der mich zwar nicht in allen, aber in vielen Aspekten überzeugen konnte.

The cover got me on this one as I was at the library volunteering.  I’m not one for romance but the Gotham in the title swayed me and I liked the illustrations.  After reading this graphic novel, I couldn’t believe this was actually, the one and only Mr. Freeze.  I was floored!  No way!  This story was actually about Mr. Freeze and his future wife. I think that there’s a great story inside this book but the way that the story is delivered could have been better. The writing felt choppy and the story felt awkward as the characters cope with what life has given them and they find that perhaps there is more to life.  The illustrations were fantastic and they saved the book for me.

When we meet Victor, he’s visiting his younger brother again, like he does every year, at the cemetery.  Victor is proving to be quite the successful cryogenics cold tech and his work on perfecting his Accela-Freeze compound is coming along. Oh, what that compound could do, if he could just get everything perfect.  Victor is proud of his accomplishments and he conveys everything to his brother as if his brother could actually hear him from beyond.  Nora interrupts Victor’s talk when he spots her in the distance.  She’s also at the cemetery, visiting her mother’s grave, a surprise since Victor normally sees no one. 

Nora.  This girl got on my nerves.  She was a total flake.  Between her words and her actions, I didn’t know what to think of her.  The words that came out of her mouth were all over the place.  “So, come here often?” yep, that’s what you say to someone that you meet at the cemetery.  It doesn’t get better than this for a while and then, she starts to get all romantic with Victor.  What’s wrong with her?  I knew that she had a disease but I doubted that caused her to act like that.  Victor is hesitant at first (and he should be) yet he continues to hang around Nora when he should be running for the hills.  Nora does look amazing with her flowing hair, her spaghetti-strapped shirt, and her spunky attitude but is he really listening to her?  He needs to take off his glasses and really see her. 

The illustrations are great!  With attention to detail, the illustrator has created some wonderful text boxes that showcase the story.  I appreciated his attention to detail and the colors that were used, provided the atmosphere that I expected for this story.  These fantastic illustrations make this a good book for me but I felt that the writing alone didn’t work for me.  3 stars    

This is book # 2 in the Men Of Summer series.  This book can be read as a standalone novel.  To avoid spoilers, and to get full enjoyment - I recommend reading the series in the order intended.

Declan has a new team and its far away from the love of his life.  When he runs into Grant its almost like their strangers.  Will he give him a second chance?

Grant knows he must focus and be the best he can be for his team.  He makes a point to get to know his teammates and be a better friend.  At night he still longs for the man that makes him whole.  Is it worth it to try again?

Grant is moving on. Declan is moving on. Can they find the courage to be together again?  This is an amazing installment for their story.  I cannot wait for the next book that is coming out soon.  I give this a 5/5 Kitty's Paws UP!

Rough Country by Lauren Landish

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Rough Country puts a catchy tune in your heart that quickly seems to go to your head. Landing drafts an inspiring message of hope. When life knocks the world off it's axis, it's the music from within that points emotions in the right direction. Bobby and Willow are dreamers. They never lose sight of the dream, but are at a loss when it comes to carrying it out. What ensues is heartwarming chaos that will sweep you off your feet and run away with your heart.



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THE WHAT IF GUY by Lauren Blakely

Audio Release Date: July 21st

   eBook Release Date: July 24th  

Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52905542-the-what-if-guy

The What If Guy, an all-new sexy romantic comedy standalone by #1 New York Times Bestselling author Lauren Blakely is NOW AVAILABLE!

THE WHAT IF GUY is a sexy single dad standalone romance you can escape into!   AVAILABLE NOW!

AVAILABLE NOW!

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✦BN ➜ https://blkly.pub/NookWhatifGuy

✦Google ➜ https://blkly.pub/GoogleWhatIfGuy

✦Audible ➜ http://blkly.pub/AudibleWhatIfGuy

✦Paperback ➜ http://blkly.pub/PBWhatIfGuy  

Blurb: A sexy standalone romance with a single dad you'll fall hard for!

It should be an easy rule to follow - don't bang your boss...

But I didn't know who he was when I met him. And the first time I saw him, our connection sounded like the stuff of romantic legends -- that whole "their eyes locked across a crowded room" moment that turned into more.I didn't believe it. . . . until it happened to me.

Fine, the charming, clever, sexy-as-sin guy in the tailored suit was only trying to buy the same Snoopy lunchbox (as a gift!), but still, our eyes totally locked, and my lady parts definitely tingled as we vied for the prize. Naturally, I did what any badass business woman would do. Negotiated for the lunchbox, then found my what-if guy online and made plans to see him the next night. One night only -- that was the deal we made.

But one fantastic night had us both changing our minds in the morning. And making plans for another. Until I walked into the office to learn he just bought my company. And here's the biggest rule of romantic legends -- no matter what, don't bang your boss.

Especially if you're already falling for him.

THE WHAT IF GUY is a sexy standalone you can escape into! The other standalone romances in The Guys Who Got Away series include The What If Guy!  

The What If Guy by Lauren Blakely
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the 2nd book in The Guys Who Got Away series. This book can be read as a standalone novel. For reader enjoyment and better understand the series, I recommend reading the series in order.

Bryn is pleasantly surprised to meet someone with whom eye contact can give her tingles. Can she take it to the net level? Can this connection be sustained? She will find out if its the last things she does.

Logan's eye meet the woman who is wanting to buy the same item he is. If he didn't need this for his daughter, he would happily let go and give in to the instincts that are kicking in. Sparks that fly between two people like this are rare. He should know.

This book was literally one sexy surprise after another. I will not spoil such talented content. I will however, let you know I have read almost all of this author's titles. This is her absolute best on content alone. The revelations from each chapter for the reader are well worth this amazing read.


***This early copy was given in exchange for an hones review only.

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About the Author:

A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that's sweet, sexy and witty. She also writes red-hot, ultra-steamy romance for her Lauren Blakely After Dark line. She'd love to give you a free book today! Check out her web site to grab your free read: https://laurenblakely.co/one-free-book 

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Website: laurenblakely.com

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