the setup… Ginette Cox is an off Broadway actress who was temporarily hospitalized after an episode where she was thought to have had a nervous breakdothe setup… Ginette Cox is an off Broadway actress who was temporarily hospitalized after an episode where she was thought to have had a nervous breakdown. She’s released soon after but moves from the city to a small suburban New York town, renting a house at 19 Howard Avenue. It’s 1959 when women were often diagnosed as such but it isn’t clear whether Ginny truly has a problem or is just high strung. But when she develops a fear that prevents her from leaving the house and hears noises from the cellar that paralyze her, it seems that maybe she does have a more serious problem.
the heart of the story… Is she crazy or is something more sinister going on? Ginette spends her days watching the neighbors from her window (serious shades of Rear Window), creating her own narratives about them. There was a part of me that didn’t take her seriously until some creepy things started to make me believe it wasn’t just her. There aren’t a lot of really dramatic moments, just a series of routine interrupted by possible paranormal phenomena.
the narrator… Pressley is a favorite and she proves why here with her superior storytelling skills. She made a creepy story even more unnerving.
the bottom line… I liked this story, a lot. Ginette is a perfect unreliable narrator because even she isn’t sure of her own mind. She’s highly imaginative, dramatic and proud of it, which muddles things even more. But I loved the neighborhood she created in her head, as it added to the mystery. For a short story, it engaged me quickly and kept me hooked through the very satisfying end. 3.5 stars
the setup… Felicity (Fizzy) Chen is a revered and successful romance novelist who, until recently, was loving her life. Now she’s suffering from writerthe setup… Felicity (Fizzy) Chen is a revered and successful romance novelist who, until recently, was loving her life. Now she’s suffering from writer’s block and the sudden realization that she’s never experienced the love she so skillfully has written about in her books. Enter Connor Prince, a renowned documentary filmmaker and single dad who is suddenly faced with a professional crisis…help his company boost profits by creating a reality show or lose his job. That’s well out of his wheelhouse but karma is on his side when a chance encounter with Fizzy sets in motion a clever idea for a show, which also involves her at center stage. What evolves is the True Love Experiment that is destined to succeed…for all the wrong reasons.
the heart of the story… I was a Fizzy fan (such a great nickname!) from The Soulmate Equation and was over the moon when I learned she’d be the headliner in this story. True confession, though…I’ve never watched any of these dating reality TV shows, nor wanted to, so I was a little apprehensive about that being the focus. Not to worry though because this show was in the hands of a really skilled producer and a writer who understood the heartbeat of romance. I loved everything about it, how it was designed to be honest and authentic, lacking all the contrived elements I typically loathed. And, the chemistry between Fizzy and Connor was lovely, sexy and romantic. What could go wrong when she was supposed to be finding her “true love” from the show’s crop of men who Connor personally selected?
the narration… Both of the narrators fit their characters perfectly, or at least the way I’d imagined them. Kay captured Fizzy’s spirit, nature and wit while Cole sounded delicious as Connor. They lifted a fabulous story off the pages, as if these characters were real life.
the bottom line… I had high hopes for this story and loved every minute of my listening experience. Even though I knew there’d eventually have to be a reckoning, I didn’t care because getting to that point was so much fun. Prepare yourself for a steamy, fun romance and a reality show you wish was streaming in real life. This was special and the listening experience just put me in a happy place.
the setup… When Stella Bloom bought the beloved Christmas tree farm that holds cherished childhood memories of times spent there with her late mother, the setup… When Stella Bloom bought the beloved Christmas tree farm that holds cherished childhood memories of times spent there with her late mother, she never envisioned it would become a money pit. Despite her skills and that of her staff, inexplicable disasters now have put her in a financial bind. Desperate to save it, she enters a contest sponsored by social media influencer Evelyn St. James with a $100,000 cash award and free publicity. To increase her chances, she promotes it as a romantic destination that she and her “boyfriend” jointly own. Now, she’s got to convince her best friend Luka Peters to fill the role for a week.
the heart of the story… I got excited when I saw that this story merges two of my favorite romance tropes…fake boyfriends and friends-to-lovers! What I didn’t expect was how much I loved the friendship between Stella and Luka. It was one of the best aspects of the book so of course that romance was going to work. While Stella was fearful it would end their friendship if it didn’t, Luka had no such misgivings. It was sweet and hilarious how the town embraced their new relationship status. Stella’s got some serious family baggage that gets in her head and it made me want to shake her but that wasn’t too protracted.
the narration… This was my first experience with the narrator and I liked her characterizations and storytelling, particularly the voice she gave Stella. She drew me in and never let me go.
the bottom line… I was looking for a palate cleanser between my true crime and thrillers and this surpassed my expectations. I loved Stella and Luka…individually, as best friends and as a a romantic couple. Even though Stella’s angst made me cranky at times, everything else hit all the best marks. The added bonus of well developed secondary characters made this a delightful listening experience and a great start to a series I plan to soon continue.
the setup… Keera Duggan is a former Seattle prosecutor who left to join her family’s criminal defense law practice after her relationship with a high pthe setup… Keera Duggan is a former Seattle prosecutor who left to join her family’s criminal defense law practice after her relationship with a high profile colleague turned toxic after she broke things off. It’s not a choice she would ordinarily have made despite her father Patrick (Patsy) having a formidable reputation. Keera has a complicated relationship with the man whose unacknowledged alcoholism is now affecting the firm. Her two sisters, Ella and Maggie, also are in the family business and things are prickly. That is until Keera accepts a call late one evening from Vince LaRussa asking for representation. He’s a highly successful wealth manager who discovered his dead wife that evening and though he’s not yet been charged, things seem to be headed in that direction. Even though he asked for Patsy, Keera takes the reins, seeing the opportunity to prove herself to family and the lead prosecutor…yeah, that former “colleague.”
the heart of the story… While Keera is the youngest and the most recent sibling to join the family practice, she’s actually the one who’s most like Patsy. She’s also a former chess prodigy and that skill serves her well as she develops courtroom and defense strategies with that same thoughtfulness and tactical precision. Miller Ambrose, the lead prosecutor, is determined to see her fail, counting on her inexperience to make that happen and letting his bitterness drive his strategy. In the middle of all this is LaRussa who is quite the enigma, a man that Keera believes is innocent of the crime but senses something else “there.” But it’s her relationship with Patsy who is sitting as her second chair that’s interesting and compelling, him seeing himself in her and she using his counsel but fearing he’ll slip during the trial.
the narration… Saskia Maarleveld is one of my favorites and was ideal for the role of Keera. Her tone, pacing and voice were pitch perfect not only for her but the host of other players. She far surpassed expectations.
the bottom line… There was a lot of chess moves going on here and that made this one heck of a courtroom drama. Keera has extraordinary instincts and was so much like her father, described as the “Irish brawler” but she had a bit more finesse. Figuring out what actually happened to LaRussa’s wife was equally intriguing and kept me guessing. Fans of the Tracy Crosswhite series will be pleased as I was to see a few crossover characters though this is a very different landscape. The ending was exciting and a bit twisty, just the way I like them. I want much, much more of this character and her complicated family as this is a grand start of a new series.
the setup… Alex is a thirty-year old woman living in New York and working for an educational publishing company. What she really wants to be is a writethe setup… Alex is a thirty-year old woman living in New York and working for an educational publishing company. What she really wants to be is a writer and was on track with pursuing that dream until her friendship with Wren, her roommate and writing partner, fractured horribly. Since then, she’s suffered from writing block and separation from all of their mutual friends. It’s when she decides to attend a book release party for one of those former friends that her life seems to turn around. That interaction leads to an invitation to attend a coveted month-long writing retreat with author Roza Vallo, a feminist horror writer who happens to be Alex’s idol. The one downside…Wren is also one of the participants.
the heart of the story… It’s an oddity that may be meaningless but Roza is the only character in this story with a given last name and she happens to be the most enigmatic one, too. Alex is the narrator so everything is from her point of view. As soon as she arrives at Blackbriar Estate, the site of the retreat in the New York Adirondacks, I sensed the creepiness of the setting and easily bought into the sinister history of the house maybe resurrecting itself into the present. I felt the bogeyman around every corner and knew that at some point, everyone in the story could be a potential suspect for something. For most of the book, I was utterly hooked, with my imagination running amok. But near the end, things took a turn into the absurd and it became difficult to accept some of the over-the-top occurrences.
the narration… I very much enjoyed the performance as Shalan added to the mystique and bizarre nature of the story. She nailed Roza, too, perfecting not only her Hungarian accent but all the things that made her difficult to read. I’m glad I chose the audio version.
the bottom line… I have such mixed feelings about this book, which felt brilliant until the last 20% of the story. The outcome was well designed but the final journey there seemed to undermine what preceded it and followed with the ending. I’m still glad I read it because locked room mysteries always present interesting challenges and this one exceptional. There were other themes presented that defined Alex and her conflict with Wren, which I found meaty, complex and relevant. You should definitely judge for yourself and I highly recommend the audiobook. 3.5 stars
the setup… It’s been one year since Isabelle Drake’s life shattered. Her son Mason was abducted from his room in the middle of the night, without a trathe setup… It’s been one year since Isabelle Drake’s life shattered. Her son Mason was abducted from his room in the middle of the night, without a trace. Neither she or her then husband heard a thing and relentless searches to find the toddler have been fruitless. But Isabelle has never given up her search, attending true crime conventions, telling her story and tracking the attendees. To make matters worse, she’s plagued by insomnia, existing solely on catnaps and troubled by disturbing memories from her childhood. When she meets a podcaster at one of these events, she agrees to be interviewed. However, Isabelle begins to question the wisdom of that decision.
the heart of the story… One of the reasons I dragged my feet in starting this story is the insomnia element. It’s really painful being in the mind of someone who’s sleep deprived and Isabelle owns the only point of view, which made her an unreliable narrator. Yes, it was all that I hoped it wouldn’t be but there was much more clarity as well. I didn’t mind the transitions between time frames that ranged from her childhood to when she first met her husband Ben through the present. It was tricky and managed well. But what did drive me crazy was the extensive effort to bog down the story with excessive descriptions of everything to create atmosphere. It weakened a really good story and was a constant distraction.
the narration… I’m a fan of Karissa Vacker and she delivered a wonderful performance, helping to keep the storytelling element at the forefront despite the weight of all those descriptions of inessential details. She kept the mystery alive.
the bottom line… There are really good bones to this story and compelled me to stick with it. The circumstances of Isabelle’s childhood certainly loomed over the horror of Mason’s abduction. Losing a child like this is unimaginable and Isabelle’s trauma was well depicted. And the suspicions created around Isabelle, her husband Ben and the podcaster had my imagination running amok. I just wish the magnitude of all those unnecessary words used to describe everything in a scene wasn’t so great as they interfered with the story’s pacing and bogged down the mystery. Without that? This would have been a much better experience. And that ending? Saved the story for me, making it worthwhile in the end. 3.5 stars (1/2 star for the ending)
the setup… Brandi Maxwell is a student at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) and an intern at the Simon Van Doren fashion house. Even though she’s wthe setup… Brandi Maxwell is a student at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) and an intern at the Simon Van Doren fashion house. Even though she’s working like crazy, Brandi doesn’t look like the mold of the other girls and staff. She wants to be included in Simon’s upcoming Milan trip though and when her star football player and legacy boyfriend Nate Robinson volunteers to reach out to Simon’s it-girl model daughter Taylor for help, it makes a difference. She facilitates a meet with Simon who is impressed but Brandi later overhears Taylor and her friends plotting something sinister. Her life gets forever linked with Taylor’s and not in a good way.
the heart of the story… I liked Brandi’s heart as she beat incredible odds to end up with that internship. She’s young, an orphan, beautiful and obviously talented but being Black in a world of highly privileged young White women presents unique challenges as well. I admired her relationship with Nate who is following in his famous football father’s legacy but is successful in his own right. Taylor, however, is pretty damaged but is infamous as an influencer, too. She feels entitled to a trust fund her father won’t release until she has a clean drug test, which is more difficult than it sounds given her lifestyle. Their relationship fractured when her mother died and she wants her money now. We see the depths of her depravity masked behind a beautiful veneer that she uses with the public, police and friends and against the unsuspecting Brandi, who is no match for Taylor…until she was.
the narration… This wasn’t my first experience with both narrators so their stellar performances came as no surprise, one of the reasons I wanted this story on audio. Shayna Small made me believe her as Brandi and Brittany Pressley was delicious as Taylor. If you have a choice, listen to this book!
the bottom line… This was no ordinary tale of duplicity as it took quite a few bends leading up to a surprise conclusion. I really thought Brandi was no match for Taylor and Nate’s wavering drove me mad. The authors finely portrayed the imbalance between the privileged powerful and those with less means and standing. That power leverage was often subtle but also included those less influenced by it, able to see it through clearer lenses. Brandi sometimes did things that were ill advised but that seemed realistic. One thing was for certain, I was always off balance because despite some predictable paths, that road would suddenly shift off that beaten path. This was one interesting ride and quite the page turner. I got more than I expected in this debut novel and highly recommend the audio version.
the setup… Finley McGowan is a subcontractor who specializes in flipping houses and is guardian to her eight-year old niece Aubrey. They live with her the setup… Finley McGowan is a subcontractor who specializes in flipping houses and is guardian to her eight-year old niece Aubrey. They live with her mother Molly because three years ago her sister Sloane was the cause of her financial ruin and turned her daughter over to Finley, establishing her as legal guardian. Sloane’s been sober for almost a year now and Finley fears that she may want her daughter back. To make matters worse, her grandfather is coming to live with them because of poor health. Lester abandoned them twenty years ago and she’s not interested in forgiving the man that threw the girls’ lives into chaos. Meanwhile, home contractor Jericho Ford is facing his own sibling battle. His brother Gil destroyed his marriage by having an affair with his wife. Now, he wants him to forgive them both and is using their mother to apply pressure. When he meets Finley who is working on one of his houses, they find their common bond and a friendship is born.
the heart of the story… The overwhelming theme in this story is forgiveness and it becomes rather obvious early on. But how can you forgive someone who hasn’t really asked for it, at least in the opinion of the one who was wronged? While Sloane keeps telling Finley she’s sorry, it doesn’t ever resonate or feel genuine. Lester does a better job of it but he later does something that calls his credibility into question. Jericho’s situation was even harder as his brother and ex-wife pretty much demanded he forgive them, move on, without ever really taking responsibility for their duplicity that doesn’t have a “but” accompanying the apology. I loved how Finley and Jericho were able to share their misery with each other, unknowingly finding an outlet and a sympathetic ear that ultimately helped them move forward. Their friendship eventually shifts to something more but by that time, they’d created a wonderful foundation.
the narration… Tanya Eby is the reason I only listen to the author’s books because she’s such a wonderful storyteller. She delivered another great performance and gave distinctive voice to a host of characters.
the bottom line… The forgiveness theme was therapeutic for me as I experienced similar disappointments in my life. I found myself bonding with Finley and Jericho, wanting them to hold out until…what? There were lots of lessons to be learned here, including for Sloane and Gil. This turned out to be an instructive but lovely story that even now I’m still thinking about. Job well done. 4.5 stars
the setup… Detective Beau Hebert is trying to investigate the latest in an alarming series of unexplained deaths of young women in St. Augustine, Louisthe setup… Detective Beau Hebert is trying to investigate the latest in an alarming series of unexplained deaths of young women in St. Augustine, Louisiana the last three years. But with a corrupt police department and legal system thwarting his every move, he’s worse than nowhere. He reaches out to his friend Michael Harris, an FBI agent with the Mobile Response Team, for much needed help. They mobilize in nearby Lafayette and quickly determine that this will be one of their most challenging and dangerous assignments because no one in law enforcement wants them there or to solve any of these crimes.
the heart of the story… St. Augustine is what you get when criminals, law enforcement and city leaders decide to team up. Even FBI Special Agent Matt Costa and his outstanding team are severely challenged as normally they have the cooperation of the local police who welcome the help with confounding cases. Trying to covertly investigate and protect Beau’s involvement was nearly impossible but not totally so. LAPD Detective Kara Quinn’s undercover experience was invaluable as she’s a chameleon with fantastic instincts, able to blend in and read people skillfully. Normally the job centers around figuring out the bad guys. In St. Augustine? Figuring out the good guys was tougher than navigating their bayous.
the narration… I’m continuing to enjoy Fortin’s excellent storytelling skills and she was effective here at providing voice distinctions for lots of characters with speech dialects and age diversity.
the bottom line… I felt edgy through the entire story because the team was so exposed and vulnerable, especially Kara who had several tough encounters. The mystery of who killed all these young women was confounding and when it was revealed, I was stunned. But, it was so fitting considering the number of people in leadership with either dirty hands or blind eyes. Still, there were a few more surprises I had a sense of but had me shaking my head. This is the ultimate in police procedurals and political navigation as the team rose to the occasion. I was also pleased at how Matt and Kara are navigating their personal relationship with all the pitfalls that entails. And, the bayou setting brought all the atmosphere I expected…alligators, humidity and unique charm.
the setup… Sheriff Bree Taggert and investigator Matt Flynn are called to a strange crime scene where the victim was bound and smothered with his face the setup… Sheriff Bree Taggert and investigator Matt Flynn are called to a strange crime scene where the victim was bound and smothered with his face plastic wrapped and carved with one word. He was also a reptile collector, making the scene dangerous for law enforcement as well. The closest clue to a suspect was his robust activity on a dating app. As they’re pursuing that angle, another victim is discovered the next day in an almost identical manner, this time with a different word carved on his forehead. As they close in on a suspect, Bree receives a strange warning, causing her to wonder if she’s on the right track.
the heart of the story… I am a fan of misdirection and there’s a lot of that here. But first I had to get around the snakes. My fear of them is beyond description so I had to claw through my own repulsion to stay focused (just a heads up!). We get the killer’s point of view early on and I’ve learned to pay close attention to subtle clues and doing that paid off, somewhat. That killer is clever and therein lies the misdirection at times.
the narration… I’m still loving Traister’s storytelling skills and how she creates character distinctions. I’ll always opt to listen to this series.
the bottom line… This was a gnarly, cleverly designed mystery that kept me thinking throughout. Bree and her family continue to bond and grow stronger, even including Matt as part of that unit, along with their menagerie of pets. The danger was a bit close to home this time, heightening the tension dramatically. I’m enjoying the balance between the character development, mystery, romance and excitement, all woven together to create a pretty compelling listening experience. 4.5 stars
the setup… Country music star Colton Wheeler experienced a life changing moment with immigration attorney Gretchen Wheeler after the wedding reception the setup… Country music star Colton Wheeler experienced a life changing moment with immigration attorney Gretchen Wheeler after the wedding reception of Liv and Braden Mack. What was for him the start of something wonderful turned out to be something completely different for her as she woke and bolted. A year later, after endless attempts to reach out to her, Colton suddenly gets a visit and a business proposition from her. What he didn’t know was she is one of those Winthrops, that wealthy family who owns the ultimate whiskey brand. If ever Colton needed help from the Bromance Book Club, now was the time.
the heart of the story… I immediately liked Colton from earlier stories and highly anticipated this one. Gretchen was the woman who dumped Braden so I always wanted to know more about her. Her abandoning Colton after their one night of passion was inexplicable but after getting to know her family, clarity prevailed. They were over the top awful, their treatment of her even more inexcusable. I enjoyed the romance journey between Gretchen and Colton, how he came to appreciate her qualities despite her history and prickly nature and she slowly removed a lot of walls. She brought out the best in him and he gave her much needed courage and confidence. But, I was disappointed about her predictable behavior near the end and it didn’t ring authentic, putting a stain on an otherwise lovely romance.
the narration… I enjoy Eiden’s storytelling, especially those moments when the Bromance Romance Club is in full throttle. He not only does a great job with the male voices but handles the female characters nicely, not falling into that falsetto trap.
the bottom line… Colton and Gretchen’s romance was one of my favorites until that unfortunate moment near the end, leaving it on sort of a sour note despite them working through it. But there was so much to love about this story that it didn’t negatively change my overall opinion. Her family dynamics, his career issues and the Bromance Book Club shenanigans added many layers to this engaging story, having me experience a full range of emotions. If this is the last in the series (I hope not!), it’s been a great reading experience, especially on audio, and I got exactly what I hoped for in seeing men not only reading but embracing and promoting the romance genre.
the setup… Emily Sheridan is the author of the Petal Bloom cozy mystery series and she’s struggling with the next book. She’s only recently recovered fthe setup… Emily Sheridan is the author of the Petal Bloom cozy mystery series and she’s struggling with the next book. She’s only recently recovered from a baffling illness and her husband Matt left her in the midst of all that. Out of the blue, she receives a call from her estranged childhood friend Jessica Chandler, who now is well known as the successful self help author Chess Chandler. When they were teens, they’d attempted to write a book together but it failed. Chess not only wants to resume their relationship but make another try at co-writing. And, she’s agreeing to fund a vacation in Italy, renting the Villa Aesta. While it’s against Emily’s better judgment, she’s enticed by the possibility of breaking her writer’s block. But when she learns about the villa’s dark past, Emily becomes consumed by that history and that’s the book she begins to secretly write.
the heart of the story… The story presents a dual timeline featuring the points of view of Emily and Mari Godwick, a writer famous for one highly successful horror novel who was one of the people occupying the villa the summer of 1974. It was rented by rock star Noel Gordon and where musician Pierce Sheldon was murdered. At the time, Mari and the married Pierce were living together with her stepsister Lara Larchmont, a budding songwriter and singer, all Noel’s guests. Emily finds clues Mari left behind and becomes obsessed with their story, questioning whether the real truth of what happened is yet to be revealed. There were so many parallels between Emily & Mari and Chess & Lara, at least in my mind, making this one of the more complex mysteries I’ve read in some time. While I was highly interested in the past, it was the relationship between Emily and Chess that consumed me. I was terribly suspicious of Chess from the start and those parallels were guiding me strongly, seeking to confirm or alleviate my concerns.
the narration… I’m convinced the über talented narrators contributed to my emotional connections to this story from start to finish. All inhabited their characters skillfully and were expert storytellers. Definitely opt for the audio version if you have a choice as they served the writing extremely well.
the bottom line… I inhaled this story, mentally and emotionally. When I wasn’t listening to the book, I was thinking about all the potential angles. It was clear there would be a twist at some point but it wasn’t what I thought it would be…at all! I’m left speculating about the implications, changing my assortment of the facts and actions, wondering about some of the stuff not completely made clear. This would be an ideal book club pick because you’re gonna want to talk about it. I certainly do! And, if there’s a chance for a sequel…
the setup… Harriet (Harry) Reed is a British expatriate, a novelist living in New York with one successful book under her belt and behind on the secondthe setup… Harriet (Harry) Reed is a British expatriate, a novelist living in New York with one successful book under her belt and behind on the second. A chance encounter at her publisher’s event has her now engaged to Edward Holbeck, the heir to the family fortunes, but currently estranged from them. He’s old money with the proverbial eccentric family that typically entails. But the Holbecks take that to a new level with their tradition of game playing, spearheaded by the magnetic patriarch, Robert Holbeck. Edward’s parents and three siblings seem to welcome Harry with open arms, reaching out to her directly. But at the end of their first meeting, Robert secretly gives her a cassette tape that reveals shocking information. Let the ultimate game begin!
the heart of the story… Well, now. This family takes the strange to a new level. Everyone, on the surface, seems friendly and welcoming but I never could shake off the feeling that it was just a veneer to mask an agenda. Harry’s desire to embrace them when her fiancé seemed diffident about them at best was also unsettling. Suffice it to say that I wasn’t trusting anyone pretty early on and knew I should keep my wits about me. When Harry finally got around to listening to that cassette tape, it was a game changer. Why did Robert give it to her; why reveal what he did, and why did it take her so long to listen to it???
the narration… The story is narrated by the author and I had some initial trepidation about that but from the start, she showed she had not only the skills but knew how she wanted this story told. Steadman kept me off balance through the last sentence.
the bottom line… This was one weird story with a mystery I couldn’t organize into neat little pieces for the life of me. Was Harry an unreliable narrator? Was someone trying to do her in? Why was Edward estranged from his family? Every time I thought I’d figured it out another wrench would be thrown into my theory. In the end, though, my initial misgivings were confirmed, but I was completely off base with the “why.” The story completely lived up to my expectations and turned out to be a confounding mystery with an explosive conclusion. Loved it on audio.
the setup… Albert Entwistle leads a very simple life. He’s a postman serving the Lancashire district, living alone with his beloved cat Gracie. He’s frthe setup… Albert Entwistle leads a very simple life. He’s a postman serving the Lancashire district, living alone with his beloved cat Gracie. He’s friendly to the people on his route but not so much as to engage with anyone, even his workmates. A few months before his 65th birthday, he receives a letter from Human Resources notifying him of his upcoming mandatory retirement. With that notice, everything for Albert begins to unravel, making him question his chosen isolated life because without work, he struggles for meaning. He decides that he’s going to make some changes, start to live and reach out to the people around him. And, his most important decision emerges from that plan…to seek out the once love of his life from 40 years ago, a boy named George Atkinson. That also means he will need to also emerge from the closet he’s hid in all his life.
the heart of the story… Boy, did this turn out to be the story I didn’t know I needed to read! Albert tells his story in the present but revisits his past for context. I had no idea that it was illegal to be a homosexual in the UK until 1967 in England and Wales, 1980 in Scotland. It made Albert’s decision to stay closeted much more understandable, especially as his fear was bred from his own parents. What made the story so lovely were the responses of those around him when he “came out,” not only as a gay man but as someone who was compassionate, thoughtful and kind. His journey was enlightening as I learned about others’ personal experiences, particularly those brave souls who laid the groundwork for changing not only the law but community attitudes.
the narration… I enjoyed the narrator as he sounded like who I thought Albert to be, including his voice. He was incredibly believable.
the bottom line… I found this to be a thoughtful story on so many levels. Albert was a great character you couldn’t help but adore and root for in his journey to create a life for himself and find his beloved George. His journey became my own enlightenment and education, one I didn’t know I was lacking. The people he encountered along the way were just important to that education as Albert. It’s a beautiful story, even when it was predictable at times, which didn’t seem to matter in the long run.
the setup… When former US Marshal Regan Merritt’s 10-year old son Chase was gunned down in her home in Northern Virginia, it not only destroyed her butthe setup… When former US Marshal Regan Merritt’s 10-year old son Chase was gunned down in her home in Northern Virginia, it not only destroyed her but also her marriage to attorney Grant Warwick. He blamed her job for what happened to Chase and evidence seemed to support that someone related to one of her cases was responsible. It’s been a year since she quit her job and joined her family in Arizona but now she’s returned to Virginia after Tommy Grainger, her former partner, left her a cryptic voice mail message and moments later was murdered at his front door by a sniper. He was investigating Chase’s shooting and was convinced that he had new information to re-open the case. Regan is determined to to learn what it was he uncovered that not only got him killed but now had her and others in serious peril.
the heart of the story… In the previous story, we only knew that Chase had died tragically and Regan blamed herself so I was thrilled that we’d finally learn the details of what happened. Tommy’s investigation was “off the books” so no one at the US Marshal’s office had any of the information he was on his way to present. But Regan knew her former partner well and where to probe. As she slowly finds bits and pieces of his investigation, things start to point in interesting and curious directions. I really enjoyed how challenging it all was as Regan was pretty much on her own with limited support from Charlie North, Tommy’s friend and colleague. Her ex-husband Grant is also involved and the more I got to know him, the more I was glad for Regan that she’d walked away from him.
the narration… There are a lot of characters here and the narrator was skilled at not only providing good voice distinctions but was great at the storytelling. I liked her performance.
the bottom line… This wasn’t an easy story to keep up with as it was a tangled web of lies, intrigue and corruption. I loved seeing Regan in action even though she no longer had her credentials as a US Marshal but still had the skills, instincts and smarts. It was a tough case and she was up against some pretty powerful people. I enjoyed the story and while I had some of it figured out, there were still interesting revelations I hadn’t anticipated. I’m not sure if we will get more of Regan Merritt or if her story ends here but I certainly hope we get more of this intriguing character and what’s next for her as she explores that herself.
the setup… Simon Dobias is a law professor living in the outskirts of Chicago with his wife, Vicky Lanier who works at a center specializing in domestithe setup… Simon Dobias is a law professor living in the outskirts of Chicago with his wife, Vicky Lanier who works at a center specializing in domestic violence. They have an amicable but passionless marriage. He’s seeking tenure but there are a few obstacles he has to first consider, one involving his troubled past. One day while waiting at a streetlight, Simon suddenly sees a woman from that past and is thunderstruck. Everything that happens next is tied to that pivotal moment, which would forever be life changing.
the heart of the story… I’m not going to talk about a lot of the details because that ground is a spoiler minefield. Just know that Laurant, the woman Simon sees on that street, sets off a series of actions by Simon, then later Vicky, that take you down a twisted and complex path of lies, intrigue, seduction, greed and murder. Told from the points of view of Simon, Vicky, Detective Jane Burke who is investigating the murder and one other character I won’t name, you soon grasp that someone is lying and several cons seem to be in play. I vacillated in my like/dislike of everyone throughout the story, changing my theories many times until I had my “aha” moment. Still, there were more twists I missed.
the narration… Four narrators were used to tell this gnarly story and each one of them voiced their character wonderfully. Hillary Huber is one of my favorites and I was happy she had Jane’s point of view. But now I have three new performers to add to my list, especially Steve West who I’d heard about and now understand the hype. They were all exceptional storytellers.
the bottom line… If you like clever and diabolical, you’ll love this story! What you think you know gets tossed around with each new chapter, getting replaced with a new belief that’s subject to shift with the next one. I absolutely believed I’d figured everything out before all truths unfolded but there were a couple more revelations that were eyebrow raising. It’s one of the wildest mystery rides I’ve experienced in a long, long time. If you can opt for the audiobook, do so because they lifted an already great story to new elevations.
the setup… There’s utter chaos at the animal rescue center when Andre Monroe and Janelle Johnson each show up to claim their adopted dog. Problem is, athe setup… There’s utter chaos at the animal rescue center when Andre Monroe and Janelle Johnson each show up to claim their adopted dog. Problem is, a rogue fired employee assigned the same animals to multiple people and things are pretty ugly at the scene. Andre and Janelle were assigned the lovable Zeus and both work hard to appeal to the other to be the dog’s new parent. When someone suggests they consider co-parenting, it’s their only option as both really need and bonded with this pet. And, their immediate attraction to each other sweetens the proposition.
the heart of the story… I was hoping this would be the story promised by the cover and it far surpassed my expectations. What I hadn’t anticipated was both Andre and Janelle’s need for the dog to move forward after individual heartbreak, in addition to being completely devoted to Zeus’s well being. It’s a short story and I don’t typically expect a lot of character development but these two were so well crafted I adored them as much as the dog!
the narration… Both narrators were new to me and it didn’t matter as they fully engaged with their characters. They made me want to be friends with both Janelle and Andre and served up the story nicely.
the bottom line… If you’re looking for a feel good moment, one where when you reach the end of the story and are still smiling, then give this little gem a chance. Their co-parenting was lovely and the developing romance was sweet. What could be better than two people wanting to give a dog his best life in the meantime?
the setup… Grey’s Hollow Sheriff Bree Taggert is asked to do a welfare check on a widow living at an isolated farm. When she enters the house with the the setup… Grey’s Hollow Sheriff Bree Taggert is asked to do a welfare check on a widow living at an isolated farm. When she enters the house with the woman’s neighbor, Bree finds a gruesome sight. Not only has the woman been murdered but her son was also a victim. Bree’s second surprise was the identity of that man…Eugene Oscar, her former deputy sheriff who she had forced out.
the heart of the story… Bree inherited a department that was formerly led by an extremely corrupt sheriff who ended up taking his life rather than face his consequences. He left behind a host of enablers that Bree continues to sift through and out. Her investigation of Oscar’s murder, along with his mother, immersed her deeply into that corrupt nest of conspiracy theorists, survivalists and others who were on the other side of law enforcement. Things got really nasty after she’s attacked using deep fake images that threaten her reputation. It got even scarier when her chief deputy was abducted, seeming as if she’s being assaulted from every angle. As insidious as it all was, it was equally fascinating to see the depths to which these groups will sink and the difficulty in combating their tactics.
the narration… Traister was at her finest in this one as there were so many nasty characters hiding behind conventional veneers who she handled well. I especially enjoyed her storytelling skills as there were so many angles.
the bottom line… There was a lot of ugliness here and I liked how Bree met the challenges while figuring out who and what was most important to her. It guided her decision making, keeping her from succumbing to the futility of fighting invisible attackers who make false accusations that stick. The fact that this mirrors real life was chilling. I was riveted by the story and liked how the investigation flowed, including the appearance of characters from past connected series. It’s not all wrapped neatly with a bow, which made it all the more authentic. Still loving this series.
the setup… Sheriff Bree Taggert is called to the scene of an abandoned car that’s near Scarlet River and had been sighted there for at least two days. the setup… Sheriff Bree Taggert is called to the scene of an abandoned car that’s near Scarlet River and had been sighted there for at least two days. It belongs to Holly Thorpe, a married bookkeeper and Bree soon discovers a body near the riverbank that appears to be the missing woman. At first considered a suicide, Bree and her team soon learn Holly was murdered and the investigation leads to a host of secrets, suspects and danger.
the heart of the story… I’ve learned to pay attention to the details in this series because things aren’t always what they seem on the surface. That was particularly true in this story because of the number of potential suspects, their murky backgrounds and obvious motives. But it was the victim herself that was often an enigma. I loved being immersed in the challenge, knowing there was probably a good twist but was unprepared for it being a great one! Bree’s a skilled investigator and is also showing strong leadership chops. Her team is shaping up and it’s becoming obvious that they’re starting to respect her as the new sheriff. And, her relationship with Matt Flynn is evolving nicely.
the narration… Traister has a no-nonsense approach to narrating this series that seems to fit Bree’s character and the story, softening some now as she grows into her new role. I’m loving her style and performance.
the bottom line… I have to admit I was a bit stymied by the case but not because the clues weren’t there. It was an excellent mystery with lots of misdirection but completely solvable. Bree’s growth in her new job seems natural but it’s her embrace of her family that is most lovely. She’s bonding not only with her niece and nephew but her brother Adam, too. Grief and tragedy brought them back together and they are all contributing to being a family, slowly becoming whole again. It’s bringing the best out of Bree and allowing her to see the possibility of a romance with Matt. This was a complex case balanced by these tender moments. Still loving everything about this series.
the setup… Nora Stephens is a highly successful literary agent who lives in New York and fights hard for her clients. She lives for her work, books andthe setup… Nora Stephens is a highly successful literary agent who lives in New York and fights hard for her clients. She lives for her work, books and her younger sister Libby. But, her love life is a massive fail. You know the romance trope where the guy who represents a big company comes to town to take over a small business and falls for the lovely owner, leaving his city slick girlfriend/fiancée behind? Well, Nora’s that girlfriend who was left behind by three past beaus. So, when Libby arranges for the two of them to spend a month in Sunshine Falls, North Carolina, the setting in her client’s latest bestselling novel, Nora reluctantly agrees because she needs the time with her sister, despite the crazy bucket list that comes with the trip. It gets off to a strange start when she runs into Charlie Lastra, the broody and scowling book editor who turned down that bestselling book featuring this town.
the heart of the story… There’s a lot to admire about Nora who is completely devoted to her sister’s well being because never in a million years would she have agreed to a trip like this. They were raised by an artistic and whimsical single mother and it became Nora’s mission to keep Libby happy and thriving after her death. Libby’s married with two young daughters and another child on the way. But it’s Nora’s encounters with Charlie that are the heartbeat of this story. Both of them are book lovers and that connection can’t be ignored despite their prickly encounters and barbed banter. And underneath all of that is a developing attraction that neither seems to want or acknowledge. I loved the scenes of “oneupmanship” that were über witty and clever but never mean. Libby’s efforts to find Nora her own small town hero brought hilarity as well.
the narration… This was the fabulous Julia Whelan at her finest! From the characterizations to the storytelling, she captured the essence and magic of this story.
the bottom line… I could kick myself for putting off listening to this book because I was captivated from the prologue. Every aspect of it worked for me…the romance, Nora & Charlie individually, all the book connections and references. There’s an underlying concern for and mystery about Libby that is in the background that takes an interesting and unusual turn, adding even more layers. This was a wonderful reading experience elevated even more by the narrator. I get why it won the Goodreads Romance Choice Award as it far surpassed the hype.
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