Cooler By the Water

Cooler by the Water by PoppySeeds

Journalist Mara Gibson likes to get at the heart of a story. When local farm hand Elliot is less than accommodating, she becomes determined to figure him out. Until their tentative friendship,and undeniable attraction, begins to mean more than his past.
Banner Credit: Ali

Brittany Thinks: I think it says in my judges bio that I wanted to
be involved with ADoR to find those stories that would keep me up until 3 in the morning, gasping with anticipation, and anxious to get to the end. Considering it is 3 am as I type this, Cooler by the Water by PoppySeeds fits that bill to a T. I am so in love with this story. The characters are brilliant, the plot is thrilling and exciting, the conclusion is exactly what I wanted it to be from the moment I started reading. PoppySeeds writing is passionate and beautiful, giving the reader no choice but to get entirely lost in the world she's created. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, cursing the internet for not working instantaneously.

Mara, the heroine of the story, is an eager journalist who once dreamed of a high stakes career in New York, but discovered a passion for writing local interest stories for her small town newspaper. She's assigned a series of articles about local farms which brings in an adorable couple - Jack and Evie - and their sullen, stone-faced farm hand Elliot. Jack and Evie are great supporting characters and everything you'd imagine a pleasant farm couple to be. PoppySeeds introduces Mara into their lives and she shakes things up with her kindness, curiosity, and genuine interest in the people she encounters. Through seemingly innocent interactions, Mara unravels the story of Elliot and his mysterious past. Elliot's characterization was my favorite. His arc is flawless, his actions so well developed and planned to the smallest detail. I was as eager to discover him as Mara was. Another strong point of the story for me was the information about private farm life. I grew up in the suburbs of a major city and, while I driven past dozens of farms in my life, I'm naive to the realities of that existence. I found the information PoppySeeds provided interesting without being overwhelming.

This is another M rated story that warrants it's M rating, but the chemistry is so palpable. I'm warning you because, ethically, I have to, but this story is really too good to pass up. Believe me on that. I honestly have no major criticisms. The ending felt a bit rushed and I wish the story had been longer (because I selfishly hated having to stop reading it), but the conclusion is definitely satisfying. This is an intense, hot, beautiful love story worth the time spent reading it (and the inevitable exhaustion if, like me, you stay up all night to finish it).

Happy reading!

Waffle No More

Waffle No More by Lenni

Wendy the Waffle Girl is now Wendy the I-Couldn't-Give-a-Crap Waitress at a local Italian restaurant during the summer before college, and her quirky sarcasm seems to have caught the attention of cute coworker Vincent. He just might try to ask her out… but not if her wayward boyfriend Max has anything to say about it. 
Banner Credit: Rory

Brittany Thinks: Waffle No More is the delightful one-shot follow up to "Leggo my Eggo". I, like the author, suggest you read the original before Waffle No More as it really helps to establish the relationship between Max and Wendy!

Wendy is the kind of character who walks the delicate balance between sarcasm and true emotion. It's difficult to craft dialogue where sarcasm also carries the weight of genuine emotion, but Lenni is a master at this. I found Wendy as endearing as Max clearly did. Max is the kind of guy who will probably look back on his high school self one day and wonder why he behaved the way he did sometimes. He's a good guy at heart, but cursed with the unfortunate high school experience of being too attractive and popular to clearly know how to navigate social interaction at times. They are a great balance for each other as Max allows Wendy to come out from behind her harsh sarcasm and Wendy keeps Max a little more grounded than he would be without her. They have a sweet, easy chemistry that makes reading their back and forth incredibly fun.

As with most one shots, Waffle No More is a pleasant snap shot of one event in the complex realm of human experience. Still, there was just enough for me to fall so hopefully in love with Wendy in Max that I'm crossing my fingers that this two shot might become a trilogy. Lenni pens a great one-shot and you definitely won't regret checking this one out.


Happy reading!

A Touch of Sight

A Touch of Sight by cu-kid

For Lia, solitude equals safety and the past is best forgotten. A chance entreaty pulls her into a tangled web where nothing is what it appears to be and she can no longer hide from the one thing she fears the most.
Banner Credit: Melissa

Brittany Thinks: In high school, I devoured Anne Rice's vampire novels and became obsessed with the idea of mythical beings. Lately, vampires are a bit overdone and cliche at times for me and the repetitive story lines and character arcs can make modern day vampire lore a daunting read. However, if you're a lover of good vampire stories from back in the day like I am, A Touch of Sight by CU-kid is such a refreshing twist! As the author said herself, A Touch of Sight isn't a story about vampires, but a story with a few vampires thrown in for good measure.

This story has a bit of everything: old feuds, lost loves, magic, clairvoyance, mythology... the list goes on and on, but anything further would be a spoiler ;). Ophelia, our heroine, has legitimate fears and phobias brought on by her mysterious condition and past, but manages to seem strengthened by them rather than weak and needy. Rade, the male lead (kind of. There are a few to choose from), is so far removed from the obsessive, controlling bad boy character you expect him to be upon first meeting him. I loved that his character arc surprised me so much. I think my favorite part of this story honestly was the quirks developed in Ophelia from events in her past. It was fascinating to me how CU-kid played with the dilemma of psychological scars. Her characters were interesting, complex, and each one received equal treatment, which can be a challenge in a character driven story with so many important characters. Also, the mythology behind the plot was unique, well developed, clearly researched, and exciting. It comes to a satisfying conclusion that leaves few holes which impressed me to no end.

A warning before you jump into this enjoyable read: the story is quite graphic. It's rated M and it earns every bit of that rating. The most explicit chapter comes with a warning at the beginning, so if you're still wanting to read, you can avoid the most graphic bit. There is an age warning and I would be remise for not telling you of that ahead of time. I personally wasn't bothered by it, but to each their own.

My own issue with the story is that I do have some questions. While the plot of the novel was resolved, I find myself wondering what will happen after the story ends. I don't know if CU-kid is ever planning a sequel, but there is certainly room for one. However, I also kind of like the idea of an uncertain future. The future is always uncertain, after all. Also, there are a few instances where I was wanting a bit more information, but I think that came from being so deeply invested in the characters. I wanted those extra details to better understand their motivations and needs. This is a character driven work, in my opinion, with a detailed, enjoyable plot. If you have a few hours to escape into another world - one a bit more dark, sinister, and exciting than your own, I think A Touch of Sight is a story for you.

Happy reading!

Our Algebra

Our Algebra by A Perfect Sonnet
I live for hours as a cathedral when you breath your confessions into my skin until they fill me up and I become a sin balloon.
Banner Credit: Marta

Brittany Thinks: Our Algebra, to me, is about soul mates. It's about that first love; a person you are so connected to that you'd give anything if they could be with you forever, tucked in your pocket like a secret or a promise. At a short 150 words, I found myself swept away by the first line. I remembered those desperate moments when you somehow know everything is going to change and you cling even harder to the things that matter most. My favorite aspect of poetry is how open it is. A poem can awaken so many different emotions in people. Our Algebra, for me, is a world I want to live in, a time I miss.

The imagery and descriptions in this poem were simply breathtaking. I read it five times before I could even click away from the page. Poetry is a medium I can't touch, I've never been able to, but A Perfect Sonnet accomplishes what so many people can't: She weaves an entire world - deep, rich, and vibrant - with such clarity that it is awe-inspiring. There are no words to do this poem justice, - it's something you need to experience - but definitely, definitely read it.

Turbulence

Turbulence by sunshinedoll

Note to self: If you hate flying, don’t sit next to a ridiculous cute boy with a hitched smile, a freckled face, and an obnoxious laugh… especially if it’s a boy you dropped a suitcase on.

Banner Credit: Marta

Brittany Thinks: I've been fortunate enough to travel rather frequently and Turbulence is the fantasy I have every time that I'm bored in an airport. The story takes place entirely on a plane from Denver to Los Angeles. The protagonist is an unnamed speaker who has to be the clumsiest, most anxious person to ever exist. However, I found the predicaments resulting from how accident prone she is to be very endearing. I laughed each time she did something to dig herself an even deeper hole. The unnamed boy seated next to her on the plane is the unfortunate bearer of all of her mistakes and a huge source of comic relief.

There isn't much dialogue in this story, which I sometimes find daunting, but sunshinedoll does an impeccable job of establishing character connections through actions. The story is easy to relate to as sunshinedoll creates a narrative that is very human. Everyone has made a mistake before and become so frazzled by it that chaos erupts around them. The humor that is the end result of the speaker's tumultuous day makes the story, in my opinion. I still have a smile on my face. If you're interested in a cute, funny, one shot before school or work, give turbulence a try. May we all be so lucky the next time we're on a plane.

Somewhere Only We Know

Somewhere Only We Know by Scheherzade

Both of them were madly, ridiculously, dangerously in love. Then he broke her heart & went to war. But what happens when he returns and pops back into her life out of the blue? Comes back when both are scarred, broken and bruised.
Banner Credit: Brenda

Brittany Thinks: Something that very few people know about me is my deep and abiding love for romances about soldiers and the people who love them. I don't know any soldiers personally, nor do I know anyone who is married to a soldier, but I'm fascinated by the complex and never-ending emotions surrounding such a connection. Somewhere Only We Know approaches love, war, and healing from a very unique perspective. Sam and Chris were deeply in love, but their relationship fell apart after Chris left for Iraq. Sam was devastated by his decision to join the service and leave her. Stories about soldiers rarely focus on individuals who can't handle the separation and I enjoyed Sam's point of view and struggles, even though her reasoning wasn't always easy for me to understand. Chris followed a journey of emotion typical of soldiers returning from war, an often deeply psychological and painful process.

Scheherzade formatted the story in a very interesting way. I expected a 12 chapter novella, but instead discovered short drabbles spanning the relationship of Chris and Sam from when Chris reenters her life as they finally begin to heal together. Each chapter focuses on one line from the song 12 Days of Christmas, but this is not a Christmas story. It's about love, loss, forgiveness, and learning to begin again. Sam and Chris have a deep connection, obviously built over the course of many years, and I was caught up in their chemistry from the first moment. Scheherzade's prose are emotional and difficult at times, but, overall, absolutely beautiful. If I could request anything from this story, I'd wish for longer chapters to allow for a bit more plot development and character history. However, I liked how each chapter focused on a pivotal moment in their relationship - like snapshots of a life spent together. Somewhere Only We Know was also a SKOW prompt winner and, after reading it myself and falling for Sam and Chris' story, I'm elated to add it to ADoR as well. Definitely check it out if you're looking for a fast, lovely read!

Open Season

Open Season by ares the olympian

you never really realize just how much you appreciate something until its gone. In Jake's case, he doesn't realize he loves his best friend until she starts ignoring him.
Banner Credit: marta

Brittany Thinks: Open Season is fairly short, - only a little over 1,000 words - but ares the olympian manages to capture an entire

The first thing that captured me when I sat down to read this one shot was the wording. There's a comfortable flow to the story, almost like lyrics fit to a melody. A few of the sentences were so beautifully crafted that I found myself annoyed I hadn't written them. ares the olympian's author's note said she wrote the story in fifteen minutes, inspired by a song she was listening to. We all have those moments as authors where something needs to get out of us and we can't concentrate until it's down on paper. That kind of writing is always better, pure, developed from a place of complete artistry and need. I think that's why this story managed to resonate for me so quickly. Readers don't really know Jake except in his relation to Mel, but Mel is a fairly well developed character. By the end, you feel like you know her. It was fascinating for me to meet the character of Mel so fully through the eyes of her best friend. We should all be so lucky as to have someone who admires us so much and knows us so well. The only thing I find myself wanting after this story is more! Check it out for a quick, light read and happy reading!
friendship within a few paragraphs. Written as an open letter from a guy, Jake, to his best friend, Mel, readers fall in love with Mel through Jake's eyes. His words are part apology, part confession, and part total and complete admiration of a person obviously significant to him. I can't say too much else about this without giving spoilers, so you'll have to read to find out what happened between Mel and Jake.

Silence

Silence by stephayyyy

"We reinvented the English language, weaving whispers with the shadows between our bodies, entangled our limbs into a lifetime's worth of romantic prose and breathy poetry." 
Banner Credit: marta

Brittany Thinks: Sometimes while reading I will stumble across a turn of phrase and find myself flabbergasted by an author's abilities. In fact, it's one of my favorite things about reading; those lines that are beautiful and so eloquently encapsulate the emotional moments in life most difficult to verbalize. Silence, a one shot by stephayyy, is packed with such instances for me. It has an almost stream of consciousness feel, blending a plethora of metaphors and unique word choices - and an enviable and rich vocabulary. Stephayyy takes us through the pain of watching love die in a heart wrenching, devastatingly beautiful way. Our speaker - who remains unnamed, something that, in my opinion, adds depth and humanity to the story - faces the realization that her relationship has ended with bravery and emotional nakedness. I wanted to reach into the story and comfort her, but it was fascinating to follow her internal voice. Stephayyy's understanding of one of the darkest moments of human existence shines through almost suspensefully. I knew what to expect from the beginning and still hoped it would go another way. At times I felt slightly overwhelmed by the adjectives and metaphors, but overall Stephayyy composed this story so beautifully. I read it three times and discovered something different with each revisit. It's definitely one worth reading and bookmarking for future views. I think this author will be one to follow.

Letters to Mary McGraw

Letters to Mary McGraw by JaneBarrie
What's your name?" he asked, hand on the door knob. She smiled, "Mary." "Like the Virgin?" he laughed, stepping out of the restaurant.

Banner Credit: Casey

Brittany Thinks: I have never personally known anyone in the military, but stories about military men and women and the people who love them fascinate me. As a plot point, such stories delve into an aspect of the human condition that I've never experienced, but feel great compassion for. To be separated from someone that you love, unsure of when or if you will see them again requires a courage and strength of character that I greatly admire. For this reason, I was immediately drawn to Letters to Mary McGraw. Mary is a kindhearted, optimistic, small town girl who meets James three days before he embarks on his third tour of duty in Vietnam. Our two leads have little in common and barely knew each other, but Mary feels compassion for a lonely soldier in obvious emotional pain. They begin a tentative friendship through letters sent across the world, interwoven with the terror of war and the endurance of the human spirit. Where James is pessimistic and hardened by war, Mary is bright eyed and confident in his future. While Mary has trouble finding herself, James sees her clearly and offers a perspective on the world far surpassing her own naivety.

JaneBarrie manages to capture the emotions of a time of turmoil in American history truthfully and factually with an unbiased eye. I felt apprehensive at first that this story would sway too close to one side of thinking from that time more than the other, but was pleased to discover she paid credence to a true historical event without allowing it to define the story. Mary and James are well developed and the supporting characters - particularly their respective parents - offer a well rounded cast of interesting individuals. My main criticism is the letters sometimes felt too short and I didn't always feel the connection between the characters as strongly as I may have with face to face interaction. However, it allows the reader to know the two leads how they began to know each other. Also, sporadically characters used language, particularly slang, that seemed a bit too modern for the time, but I didn't find it overly distracting. I expected this story to follow a cliche more closely than it did and was surprised at how JaneBarrie made it her own. Be forewarned: have your tissues ready and be prepared for some crazy twists and turns. This is a lovely historical piece easily applicable to current times. Letters to Mary McGraw presents a story of friendship, love, survival, and how one person can change you forever if you only have the courage to let them.

It Can Always Get Worse

It Can Always Get Worse by Ollie May
Spies, roommates, scars, MCATS, kisses, mafiosos. Trust me, it can ALWAYS get worse.

Banner Credit: Melissa

Brittany Thinks: I love a story that's funny without really trying to be and that's what I found in It Can Always Get Worse by Ollie May. The plot is unique in that the heroine, Lana, opens up the story having already been kidnapped by a Russian Mob boss. He then forces Lana to tell the story of how she met and became close to her best friend Antony, though the Boss' interest in her life is not fully explained. Antony was characterized brilliantly and I found myself as desperate to know more about him as Lana was. I expected this story to carry a darker tone because of Lana's situation, but the story is split perfectly between her present predicament and flashbacks of her life and friendship with Antony. Plus, she's hilarious and snarky without being overly so. Ollie May invented wonderful characters that readers can easily fall in love with and wove a story of secrets, questions, and uncertainty that will have you guessing with every chapter. I was so enthralled that I couldn't stop reading!

Fair warning: This story is incomplete and hasn't been updated since 2010. I think it's still well worth the read because, at 26 chapters and 70,000+ words, we learn a lot about the characters and their experiences. However, it does end on a cliffhanger. I certainly don't regret reading it because what she has posted thus far is amazing. Lana and Antony have a great dynamic and the supporting characters are well developed with their own sub plots to flesh out a complete universe. There's enough foreshadowing to provide an idea of where the story would have gone had Ollie May continued posting. I have hope, honestly, that it may be updated some day because a few chapters were posted with at least a two year break in between. My opinion: it's worth the risk! If you're looking for a great read, a few laughs, and an escape to a world completely different from your own, this is a story for you.