NetGalley Reviewer nix21230

The Unbalanced Equation is the first book in the Hot Mess Trilogy, an enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy, written by H. L. Macfarlane. Fun, fast-paced and enjoyable read in an academic STEM setting! Writing your PhD is no easy feat, especially not when your assigned assessor is doing his best to make your life a misery; challenging everything you do and forcing you to redo research to the Nth degree. Thomas F*cking Henderson is your man and he made Liz' life a complete hell for four years.  With her PhD behind her, she has successfully secured a research post, but to her horror she ends up having Professor Henderson as her a bench partner, thanks to ever so slightly meddling Professor Ito, the best friend of Professor Henderson's.  The next shock for Liz, is that her father and Professor Henderson's mother have decided to get married. Add in an eviction, a meddling ex, some partying and you have a fantastic hard-to-put-down story. Tom is frustratingly stupid at times, and so...

Cousins Tabby and Ellie Mae have recently taken over their aunt’s beachfront bed-and-breakfast in Sandcastle, Texas, and they are planning to redecorate the various rooms when finances allow it. Their plans are put on hold when a hurricane is coming their way and the B&B is suddenly turned into an old people's home. Guests include two estranged sisters with personalities to make you chuckle and pull your hair interchangeably. Then we have two Vietnam veterans who have been best of friends since they came back from the war. Finally, add into the mix good looking handyman and builder Alex and his business partner Ricky, as well as a cat, some kittens and a stray dog. Cue the hurricane and all gets a bit topsy-turvy.. This is a thoroughly enjoyable beach read; preferably with no hurricanes in sight! #TheSandcastleHurricane #NetGalley

All that we are is the third book in the Wyndham Beach series by New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author Mariah Stewart. It can be read stand alone, although you may like to go back and read the previous two books too! In this book we get to know Emma's story; how she's trying to find meaning in her life ten years after her husband, a banker in the local town, passed away.  Together with her two best friends Maggie and Lydia, friendships that have stretched half a decade, she tackles what life throws at her. When some lovely cabins come up for sale in the town, her world famous son Chris secures them for his mother and this summer is the first time she's organising a residential for promising artists. Thankfully her friends are there to help her with all the planning and getting the cabins ready for the guests. An old acquaintance from years back adds some romance to the story.  This was an enjoyable beach read; perfect to disconnect the brain f...

Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace by Phil Simon is the book I wish all old-school managers were given and forced to read, to open their eyes and make them move away from the mindset that it's impossible for anyone to do a good job if they are not sat at a desk in the office where said manager can see them.  The book is split into three parts. The first part takes us through the massive forced changes that happened to many workplaces since the pandemic rocked the world and how this has fundamentally changed the way we run projects. The second part provides a whistle stop tour of the world of project management; a good introduction for the beginner or a refresher for the more experienced. In the third part, which for me couldn't come soon enough, we get the key part of the book - how to run projects successfully in a hybrid / remote workplace and what traps to look out for. Technology is a must in a hybrid work place, and it's crucial that everyone is agreeing on whi...