4.15⭐ Genre ~ new adult Setting ~ New York Publication date ~ July 25, 2023 Page Count ~ 492 (74 chapter + p&e) Audio length ~ 13 hours 13 minutes Narrators4.15⭐ Genre ~ new adult Setting ~ New York Publication date ~ July 25, 2023 Page Count ~ 492 (74 chapter + p&e) Audio length ~ 13 hours 13 minutes Narrators ~ James Fouhey, Rachel F. Hirsch POV ~ dual 1st Featuring ~ 3 part story, multiple timelines, musician, rich girl/poor boy, teenagers, coming of age, first love, virgins, second chance, minimal steamage
Jace & Andrea (Andy) meet and have an instant connection. They just know they're meant to be together forever. Ahhh first love, you think you'll be together forever and nothing can get in the way.
I'm not a fan of YA romance much these days, but I actually enjoyed this one because it was on the clean side. I thought them losing their virginity to each other was well done.
After they graduate from high school, Andy joins Jace and his brothers as they go on tour. I mostly liked Jace's relationship with this brothers. They are really close due to losing both their parents in a tragic way. But one brother made a selfish choice that changed the course for these love birds.
The story jumps 8 years and Jace & Andy finally see each other again. They've never stopped thinking about each other for all these years. Could this be fate and their second chance? Or did the author give us a heart wrenching twist that'll make you shed a tear or two?
In case you needed one more twist ~ wowza with the culprit of Jace's parents death, I didn't see that coming at all.
Then we have a 5 year jump that ends in the second chance we have been waiting ages and ages and ages for.
Overall, a lovely coming of age story, on the longer side, that'll yank your heartstrings, make you sad and put a smile on your face when it all comes full circle.
Narration notes: They both did a great job. Their voices sounded perfect for their age.
*Thanks to the author, W.W. Crown and NetGalley for the audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Our narrators are Emily in the present and Mari in the past.
BFF's and author's Emily and Chess head to Italy to reconnect and write. They stay at a Villa where a murder took place decades ago that involves Mari, who is an author too. Emily is fascinated by this and wants to figure out what happened. It's a book within a book since we have multiple authors putting their two cents in. Wasn't super in love with any of the characters really.
Regarding the infidelity ~ I called who it was with and I didn't like it and I didn't like how Emily dealt with it.
Had a bit of an eye roll at this part "So, maybe it wasn't completely crazy to think Mari came back here to hide one last thing. Maybe I just misinterpreted the riddle. That's when I spot it." seemed like she was in the right place at the right time to have this thought.
Overall, it was fine, not mind-blowing, with an eye catching cover.
I was fortunate enough to receive a kindle copy and the audiobook to review. Both ways were fine, but I did more listening than reading. The narrators are Julia Whelan, Kimberly M. Wetherell and Shiromi Arserio for 7 hours and 57 minutes and 44 seconds. I was very pleased with all of them and so happy there were three.
*Thanks to the author, St Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for my audio and ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Secrets run deep with childhood friends Naomi, Cassidy and Olivia and they're still haunted 22 years later. There were some nice twists I didn't see coming ~ whoop whoop! This was a solid suspenseful thriller with a shocking conclusion and this author is on my radar now. From what I gather this is her debut in adult fiction as she normally writes YA, so job well done.
BTW ~ I liked that Naomi never wanted to cover up her facial scars.
I was fortunate enough to receive a kindle copy and the audiobook to review. Either way was great. Narration notes: Karissa is a well seasoned narrator and did a fantastic job as always.
*Thanks to Kate Alice Marshall, Macmillan audio, Flatiron Books and Netgally for my audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Featuring ~ single 1st person & 3rd person POV, dual timeline ~ now and 10 years ago, death, pedophilia references
We've got some amateur sleuthin3.5⭐
Featuring ~ single 1st person & 3rd person POV, dual timeline ~ now and 10 years ago, death, pedophilia references
We've got some amateur sleuthing going on by Kate when she comes back to town to care for her mother and her old BFF, Emma, dies. Initially deemed a suicide, Kate isn't so sure. And then she learns other men have turned up dead throughout the years in the same manner as Brad 10 years ago. BTW ~ Brad's death is the reason she hightailed it outta town, which was weird.
The now timeline is in the 1st person and 10 years ago is in the 3rd, which was really the only way I knew which timeline we were in. I could have went for it to be titled or something. Maybe it's easier to decipher in a print version? With that said I did enjoy this one for the most part. The dual timeline helped build the suspense of how Brad really died. There were some secrets and twistaroos I hadn't guessed.
I gotta round my 3.5 down because after Kate reads Emma's note it felt like I heard her wonder who she could trust like 87 times. I didn't really care for any other characters either, except for Kate's mom and Jimmy.
Narrated by Kate Handford for 10 hours and 57 minutes. She sounded robotic at times, but overall did a fine job.
*Thanks to the author, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for my audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Featuring ~ single 1st person POV, dual timeline ~ now & then, missing child, infidelity
Baby, Mason, was taken from his crib while Isabelle and Ben4⭐
Featuring ~ single 1st person POV, dual timeline ~ now & then, missing child, infidelity
Baby, Mason, was taken from his crib while Isabelle and Ben slept down the hall. I was pretty pleased with most of the realisticness of it all ~ I probably wouldn't ever be able to sleep again either and I wouldn't rest until I knew what happened, however I wouldn't speak at the true crime conferences because I hate public speaking. I gotta say that I am getting pretty tired of husband's that are like Ben.
We have the 'then' timeline of Isabelle's childhood that revealed a few surprises that kept the story moving at a nice pace. I was also surprised about how Mason's disappearance played out, so jackpot with that. Overall, a pretty great psychological thriller.
Narrated by Karissa Vacker for 9 hours and 55 minutes, easy to follow at 2-2.5x. She did a lovely job. When she was in the 'then' she made her voice sound more childlike and I appreciated that.
*Thanks to Stacy Willingham, Macmillan Audio and Netgally for my audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Book 2 in the Getting Shipped series ~ yes a standalone, but Lexi and Trevor are heavily involved in this installment. We see how their life is p4.35⭐
Book 2 in the Getting Shipped series ~ yes a standalone, but Lexi and Trevor are heavily involved in this installment. We see how their life is progressing, so I suggest reading Friendshipped first.
Featuring ~ dual 1st person POV, childhood sweethearts, break~up, second chance, small town, no steamage, parental infidelity
Laura & Rob Rob broke up with Laura right before he left for college leaving her heartbroken. Flash forward 6 years and Rob is back in town. He realizes he was a dope, but Laura isn't falling for his antics so easily. Girl, make him work for it!
Most characters were delightful, except for Rob's mom who was really awful to Laura and I didn't like it. I liked how the town came together for the salon.
Narrated by Amy McFadden and Will Damron for 9 hours and 29 minutes, easy to follow at 2-2.5x. They did a fine job.
Overall, this was another cute addition to the series. As I said above, Lexi and Trevor are heavily involved and I loved that we got to attend their wedding. I'm looking forward to reading/listening more about Aiden in Townshipped.
*Thanks to Savannah Scott, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for my audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
CAAAAUUUUUTTTTTEEEEE! Lovedy love love!! It's like being wrapped in my blankie while bacon is being smoked over the fire or sand between my toes or neCAAAAUUUUUTTTTTEEEEE! Lovedy love love!! It's like being wrapped in my blankie while bacon is being smoked over the fire or sand between my toes or new baby smell delightfulness.
Book 2 in the Pride and Pranks series ~ fine as a standalone.
Featuring ~ dual 1st person POV, childhood crush, best friend's brother, sister's best friend, boss's sister, small town, farm life, slow burn, no steamage, sweet, fun
Tessa & Logan I really enjoyed this one so much! I can't possibly list everything I loved because I would essentially be giving the whole book away. They were the most adorable couple ever. Fun banter, fun dates, all around FUN! And that epilogue, I can't take it!
Delightful supporting characters, especially Jake. He came up with some fun dates for them to go on, so I bet his book will be just as delightful.
Narrated by Stacey Glemboski and David Bendena for 10 hours and 32 minutes. Stacey did a wonderful job, even her male voices. David was fine, as well, but he sounded a bit older than I think he should.
*Thanks to Cindy Steel, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for my audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Featuring ~ multiple 1st person POV, suicide references, crime, police procedural, revenge, betrayal, secrets, lies, infidelity up the wazoo
Our n4.25⭐
Featuring ~ multiple 1st person POV, suicide references, crime, police procedural, revenge, betrayal, secrets, lies, infidelity up the wazoo
Our narrators are ~ Simon, Vicky, Jane & Christian.
A tagline that came true! It certainly was a wickedly clever and fast-paced novel of greed, revenge, obsession--and quite possibly the perfect murder.
With an average rating of 4.34 here and 4.5 on Amazon you know this one is a winner, so I don't have to say too much except sneaky sneaky sneaky!
Narrated by Will Damron, Hillary Huber, Elizabeth Garrett and Steve West for 13 hours. They are all well seasoned narrators and did a great job. I am so happy we had 4!
Book 3 in the LoveLight series ~ although a standalone, previous characters made quite a few appearances.
Featuring ~ dual 1st person POV, sunshin3.5⭐
Book 3 in the LoveLight series ~ although a standalone, previous characters made quite a few appearances.
Featuring ~ dual 1st person POV, sunshine/sunshine, bakery owner, teacher, no strings dating, small town, secret crush, good amount of steamage
Layla & Caleb Wasn't super dupes in love with this one like I thought I'd be. I enjoyed book 1, I skipped book 2, but that shouldn't really matter since we've got a different love story happening here. I really hate going out of order, but it's too late now. Yeah they had good chemistry, but I did not care for how the ending of the no strings dating played out. Eventually it works out, of course, but the journey there was just okay for me.
Narrated by Pippa Jayne and Julio Maxwell for 10 hours and 16 minutes, easy to follow at 2-2.5x. Julio was alright as Caleb, but pretty awful with any other voice he tried. Pretty sure Pippa narrated Lovelight Farms too, and she did a fine job as Layla, but not her male voices.
I'll probably go back and listen to book 2 if I can find it on Libby so I can see what Beckett and Evie have to offer.
*Thanks to Dreamscape Media, the author and NetGalley for my audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Featuring ~ dual 1st person POV, characters in their early 20's, secret feelings, best friends to lovers, next door neighbors, wo4⭐ for the audiobook.
Featuring ~ dual 1st person POV, characters in their early 20's, secret feelings, best friends to lovers, next door neighbors, workmates, small town, slow burn, no steamage, sweet
Lexi & Trevor Holy slow burning me. These two have been bff's for years and each harbor secret feelings towards the other, but are too scared to make a move because they don't want to rock the friendship,...more
Saskia is back home after her mother's death. There are some shocks when the will is read, so Saskia sets forth to get what's rightfully hers.
I liked that this was written with a multiple timeline that took us through Saskia's childhood, which led us to why the house was not left to her. She took matters into her own hands in a big way and I liked the reasoning behind why of why her mother did what she did. Wasn't loving Evelyn's 'fairy tales for little feminists' stories at the beginning of the chapters.
There's an inappropriate relationship between 14 year old Saskia and her much older teacher, Patrick, that some might not enjoy reading about. Being a mother with a daughter around the age of when Saskia was being manipulated might be reflecting on how I feel about this one. The story was well written, but that's a tough topic to read about for sure.
Narrated by Stephanie Willis for 12 Hours, 18 Minutes, 56 Seconds, easy to follow at 2-2.5x. It is on the longer side, but she did a good job keeping me listening. I was growing annoyed with the way she said Evelyn Harper Kreis though.
*Thanks to Macmillan Audio, Rachel Kapelke-Dale and NetGalley for my audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
3⭐ Genre ~ murder thriller Publication date ~ December 6, 2022 Est page Count ~ 276 Audio length ~9 hours and 23 minutes Narrator ~ Adam Lazarre-White POV ~3⭐ Genre ~ murder thriller Publication date ~ December 6, 2022 Est page Count ~ 276 Audio length ~9 hours and 23 minutes Narrator ~ Adam Lazarre-White POV ~ single 1st Featuring ~ suicide references, death, crime, dark, violence, graphic, small town, some steamage
This is a debut re~release.
Nathan is an ex-cop and retired military currently working in a funeral home, and his violent abilities definitely show in this one. It is pretty graphic and action packed which kept me engaged. There were some intense moments and the pace remained steadily fast.
This is my first experience with this author and I'd give him a whirl again.
Narration notes: He did a fine job. I definitely got a southern vibe from him.
*Thanks to Macmillan Audio, the author and NetGalley for my audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
4.25⭐ Genre ~ romantic comedy Series ~ Donovan Family #1 Setting ~ not sure Publication date ~ June 3, 2022 Est Page Count ~ 358 Audio length ~ 9 hours 31 m4.25⭐ Genre ~ romantic comedy Series ~ Donovan Family #1 Setting ~ not sure Publication date ~ June 3, 2022 Est Page Count ~ 358 Audio length ~ 9 hours 31 minutes Narrators ~ Melissa Moran and Jason Keller POV ~ dual 1st Featuring ~ grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract, forced proximity, one bed, office romance, boss/employee, slow burn, no steamage
Annie & Liam I thought these two were great! There were some funny moments that I actually laughed out loud about and I rarely do that. OMG when he was singing to One Direction ~ what a hoot!!
Most of the side characters were great, except there's always a few of course. Liam was the perfect doting uncle to Legs and she was a great addition to the story. Speaking of Legs I am glad that Annie didn't have to wait too long to get clued in on who she was. I was afraid that was going to take ages and make me mad, but nope all good. In fact, there was really no conflict between them, which is rare.
So I tagged this one as an office romance ~ boss/employee, but there technically wasn't much going on in their relationship when they worked together.
I love how the grand gesture was as adorable as the meet cute. I'd be really interested in reading more from Katie in the future.
Narration notes: Jason's voice was great for Liam, but I wasn't a super big fan when he did other impressions, even males. He gave proper emotion when he was talking about his mom though. I don't have any complaints about Melissa's narration.
*Thanks to Dreamscape Media, Katie Bailey and NetGalley for my audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Featuring ~ multiple 3rd person POV, dual timeline, family drama, childhood bullying, controlling husband, abusive husband, infidelity, secrets a p4⭐
Featuring ~ multiple 3rd person POV, dual timeline, family drama, childhood bullying, controlling husband, abusive husband, infidelity, secrets a plenty, psychological thriller, suspense
Our narrators are ~ Eve, Lydia and Chloe.
Eve and Dom have a baby, Kai, in our present timeline. Lydia and David are Eve's parents in the past timeline. There are some on page scenes of domestic violence by David. Chloe has been Eve's best friend since childhood and she's married to Steve. Chloe wasn't a great friend and wasn't always nice to Eve.
Despite all the unlikable characters, infidelity, secrets, lies and cover ups, I liked this one. The dual timeline allows for everything to slowly unfold to keep up the suspense. As I said the characters were all unlikable, with Chloe being the cream of the crop for awfulness.
Narrated by Tamsin Kennard for 9 hours and 25 minutes. She did a fine job, but I do wish for multiple narrators when there are multiple POV's, since she didn't even try to differ her voice between the women. She did give a go at male voices and that was fine.
*Thanks to Sheryl Browne, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the advance audiobook. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
I don't read too many biographies/memoirs, but if I do it's on a celebrity. Since my daughter and I read the Harry Potter books together a few years aI don't read too many biographies/memoirs, but if I do it's on a celebrity. Since my daughter and I read the Harry Potter books together a few years ago I thought it'd be nice to read this one together.
Sometimes we think actors are really just like their characters and I will admit I wasn't a fan of Draco ~ he's the character you love to hate. And I'm not really sure if I have seen him in any other films. Luckily he wasn't the big meany pants that we were used to seeing on screen. I loved reading how they were really all a big family.
He tells his story of being in the public eye and his struggles with alcohol and drug use. Of course I wasn't aware of his struggles, since I don't follow him, so I appreciated his candor and willingness to get help.
I love what he said about Neville and how he very much looked the part, until "each year, when we all congregated to make the next film, Matthew was ever so slightly hunkier, which meant that -physically speaking - he was ever so slightly less Neville-like." They had to give him a wedge behind his ears, fake teeth and a little fat suit to stop him looking like the hunk he was becoming. I mean HELLO, have you seen him lately? If not, google Matthew Lewis if you need some 33 year old eye candy. Luckily I'm not too old that I sound creepy saying that.
I grabbed a physical copy from my library too so I could leaf through it. I enjoyed looking at the pictures that showed his life growing up with his family, and on sets, and the lifelong friendships he made along the way.
I love that it was narrated by Tom. I feel it gives his story a little more oomph. It's 6 hours and 36 minutes. I am used to listening at 2-2.5x, but my daughter is not, so we mostly were around 2x. With his accent it is a little difficult to understand him at super speed, so 2x was a sweet spot.
Daughters thoughts ~ it was good. She's a lady of many words ...more
Featuring ~ single 1st person POV, dual timeline, death of fiancé, secrets
Our main characters are: Colbie ~ surviving fiance Phi3.25⭐ for the audiobook
Featuring ~ single 1st person POV, dual timeline, death of fiancé, secrets
Our main characters are: Colbie ~ surviving fiance Phil ~ deceased fiance James ~ Colbie's BFF Eric ~ Phil's BFF Miles ~ a close friend
One year after the wedding day death of Phil, Colbie goes away for the weekend with James, Eric and Miles in order to open letters written to the bride and groom. There's one letter in there that opens up a whole can of worms.
I did like the plot and the dual timeline of the present and a year before on the wedding day. I wouldn't say it was super suspenseful, but it kept me intrigued and patiently waiting to know how Phil died and what his secret was. The secret was on the meh side for me. For the most part I didn't really mind any of the main characters. I hated the characters I was supposed to ~ Phil's parents and Colbie's sister. I was surprised about the ending, not the death part but the end end, and I'm not sure I liked it.
Narrated by Subhadra Newton for 6 hours on the dot, easy to follow at 2x. She did a lovely job and I didn't mind her male voices.
*Thanks to Dreamscape Media, the author and NetGalley for an audiobook copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
3⭐ Publication date ~ November 14, 2022 Page Count ~ 240 Audio length ~ 7 hours 6 minutes Narrator ~ Anne-Marie Piazza POV ~ dual 3rd Featuring ~ dual tim3⭐ Publication date ~ November 14, 2022 Page Count ~ 240 Audio length ~ 7 hours 6 minutes Narrator ~ Anne-Marie Piazza POV ~ dual 3rd Featuring ~ dual timeline, slow start, pregnancy, IVF, secrets, these triggers kind of make for a (view spoiler)[teen pregnancy, rape references, death of baby (hide spoiler)], so view at your own risk.
Jackie is the midwife and Lauren is the mother. Secrets from the past intertwine in the present.
Unfortunately, this was super slow going for me and I didn't really care for either main character, or the side characters for that matter. The flashbacks back to 1995 kept me listening so I could how it would all play out.
I didn't write down specifically what was written, but this had me like what?? ~ she smelled smoke, so she grabbed a knife. Do ya plan on stabbing the flames?? Perhaps she should concentrate on getting her preggers self out of the house before the smoke inhalation kicks in.
Narration notes ~ so when she was speaking in whichever POV character we were on she did a fine job, but when she had to do other voices she totally slowed down her speaking like she had to concentrate on it. I could've went for a second narrator for some distinction.
*Thanks to Bookouture Audio, the author and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
3⭐ Publication date ~ book ~ September 19, 2022, audio ~ November 8, 2022 Page Count ~ 338 Audio length ~ 7 hours 21 minutes Narrator ~ , Leslie Howard POV3⭐ Publication date ~ book ~ September 19, 2022, audio ~ November 8, 2022 Page Count ~ 338 Audio length ~ 7 hours 21 minutes Narrator ~ , Leslie Howard POV ~ dual 1st Featuring ~ dual timeline, snowed in, rich husband, psychiatrist, missing person, mystery
Told in the now by Trisha and in the before by Adrienne with some transcripts thrown in for fun. This approach was a good call to build up the suspense.
Adrienne is a psychiatrist and seemed a little cray cray. Trisha was really getting on my nerves being so scared of the house and she seemed a little cray cray, too. Plenty of secrets to go around. Also, if you're snowed in and don't know when you'll be able to get out for food why are you throwing away perfectly cooked eggs?? wasteful.
So I am going to put this one in the middle. It wasn't a perfect thriller ~ I liked some things and didn't like some other things. I'm still wondering how the twist didn't dawn on me sooner cuz it's rather obvious looking back. Interesting ending though.
Narration notes ~ fine job, but wish I could've sped it up some more without it skipping. Her voice was a little slow and I really wish there were 2 different narrators or some distinction between characters. I'm wondering if I would've enjoyed it a tad more if I read it rather than listened.
*Thanks to the author, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the advance audiobook. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
A rare full on 5⭐ from me. Genre ~ contemporary romance Series ~ The Dalton Family #3 Others in the series ~ The Lawyer, The Billionaire Setting ~ CaliforA rare full on 5⭐ from me. Genre ~ contemporary romance Series ~ The Dalton Family #3 Others in the series ~ The Lawyer, The Billionaire Setting ~ California Publication date ~ June 28, 2022 Page Count ~ 364 Audio length ~ 10 hours and 26 minutes. Narrators ~ Summer Morton and Wayne Mitchell POV ~ dual 1st Featuring ~ single dad, boss/nanny, lawyer, age gap, forced proximity, fast burn, lotsa steamage
Ford & Sydney They meet at a bar, make googly eyes and are off to explore their instant attraction. Then Sydney discreetly applies to be his nanny and the brakes are put on their exploration.
Break out the fan cuz these two will give you 2nd degree burns with their smoking hot chemistry.
I am usually not a fan of children in my romance books, but Ford makes me second guess that. He's such a great dad with Everly and she has him wrapped around her precious little finger. Sydney is so patient and great with her. I love that Dominic and Jenner are doting uncles too.
I really can't think of anything I disliked and that's super rare ~ maybe I could have went for a more clever title, there that's something. Between the steamage, shocking revelation and an adorable epilogue it was all around perfection.
Series notes: A standalone, but do yourself a favor and read the first two.
Narration notes: They did a perfect job, even with their opposite sex voices.
*Thanks to Marni Mann, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the advance audiobook. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
4.15⭐ Genre ~ friendship fiction Series ~ Sunshine Island Publication date ~ May 25, 2022 Page Count ~ 278 Audio length ~ 6 hours 44 minutes Narrator ~ Emm4.15⭐ Genre ~ friendship fiction Series ~ Sunshine Island Publication date ~ May 25, 2022 Page Count ~ 278 Audio length ~ 6 hours 44 minutes Narrator ~ Emma Powell ~ a fine job POV ~ single 3rd Featuring ~ island life, small town, slow burn, clean romance ~ just some smooching, sweet, references to physical abuse
I was excited to find this available on Hoopla since I agreed to read the next book in the series before I realized it was a series. I'm glad I read this one first since there's an introduction to who book 2 will revolve around. It doesn't sound like I had to read them in order though, but it's just a personal preference.
Piper & Alex Piper runs a BNB on Sunshine Island with her Mom and Gran. One day she checks in and checks out, ha ha, Alex, who is there to visit his Grandpa, Colin. Piper has been quite content with her life and not looking for love after a broken engagement. She has a sea glass mosaic business that keeps her busy. But Piper and Alex slowly start to spend some time together when touring the island and grow quite fond of each other.
I absolutely LOVED the 3 generational women's bond. Jax was a delight too and they had a great cousinly connection. Alex's relationship with his Grandpa was super sweet. I have a soft spot for older gentleman and I bet Colin was just absolutely adorable.
Sometimes you just need a heartwarming, sweet story and this one fits the bill. I'm always glad when there's a fun dog to round things out. The ending came on rather quickly and I wonder if these two will be heavily involved in the next book.
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