I look forward to a new Kate Burkholder book every year. Once again, Linda Castillo transports us to Amish territory to the sceneBook #90 read in 2024
I look forward to a new Kate Burkholder book every year. Once again, Linda Castillo transports us to Amish territory to the scene of a grizzly murder: an Amish man burned at the stake. Kate's brother is one of the suspects, and Kate is taken off the case, but she does not stop trying to find the answers. Kathleen McInerney is once again brilliant as the voice of this series. I'm looking forward to the next one!
Thank you to the publishers for the complimentary ebook and audiobook....more
The title of this book makes it seem like a mystery, but in reality, it's a journey of self-discovery and recovery. Lenny is reclBook #87 read in 2024
The title of this book makes it seem like a mystery, but in reality, it's a journey of self-discovery and recovery. Lenny is reclusive and introverted. She likes control and has trouble with social situations. At first, I wanted to compare her to Molly in The Maid, but Lenny was just harder to like. Once there was some context as to why Lenny was the way she was, it became easy to fall in love with her character. Lenny couldn't remember her childhood for the longest time, and when she does, we are treated to a heartbreaking and emotional journey of healing. Annie Maynard does a great job as Lenny's voice! If you loved The Maid, this one is for you.
Thank you to the publishers for the complimentary ebook and audiobook....more
Gosh, I love Tansy and this series! Once again, Tansy finds herself at the center of another murder in Cedar River. With the helpBook #50 read in 2024
Gosh, I love Tansy and this series! Once again, Tansy finds herself at the center of another murder in Cedar River. With the help of her supporting cast of characters, Detective Beau and hunky Teddy, she sets about trying to solve the case. The growing love triangle is so fun. What was missing was more interaction with the sisters and their mother. We didn't get nearly enough of Juni and Maggie. I can't wait for the next installment in the series!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the complimentary ebook....more
The premise of this one is interesting. Told in first person as if the narrator is reading a journal or having a conversation witBook #43 read in 2024
The premise of this one is interesting. Told in first person as if the narrator is reading a journal or having a conversation with the reader, I was a lot lost. When I first started the audiobook, I listened to nine chapters before I realized I had no idea what was happening. So I put myself on hold for the ebook at the library and when it came in, I started the book again reading in tandem with listening. This helped me keep things in order in my brain and allowed me to follow the story. I ended up liking it way more than I thought I was going to. It is very twisted and that's what makes it so interesting. Definitely worth a read or listen once you adapt to the writing style.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the complimentary ebook....more
Daisy is having a bit of a rough go at life. She loses her job and is dumped on the same day, plus she's on the outs with her motBook #35 read in 2024
Daisy is having a bit of a rough go at life. She loses her job and is dumped on the same day, plus she's on the outs with her mother and sister. Enter Archie and his kids, Bailey and Cara. Daisy decides to apply for a job as a nanny to this family on a whim, even though she is not remotely qualified.
In this sweet romance novel, the kids, Cara specifically, steal the show. I fell in love quickly with Archie's little family and I wanted so badly for Daisy to find her place with them. I really enjoyed the friendship between Archie and Daisy as it developed. Daisy also grew throughout the novel and really found herself.
I listened to the audiobook for much of this and the narration was great, but the quick timeline switches were jarring. It sometimes too me a minute to realize we were in a flashback and then I'd have to rewind to listen again.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, SMP Romance, and Netgalley for the complimentary audiobook an ebook....more
I knew going into the book that it was going to be hard to read. The little I knew about the Vietnam War was always difficult to Book #31 read in 2024
I knew going into the book that it was going to be hard to read. The little I knew about the Vietnam War was always difficult to process. When you drop characters, especially a naive girl like Frankie, into the middle of the war, it's bound to be a strong learning curve for those characters. Frankie lived up to the challenge and throughout all of the brutal and graphic injuries she dealt with as a nurse, she thrived.
When Frankie got home and faced not only the vitriol of the public for the soldiers, but also the total disregard from her parents of what she had been through, it lead to major upheaval and heartbreak in her life. Thank goodness for the lifelong friends she made in Ethel and Barb, who understand exactly what went though and were there for her through her obvious PTSD.
Hannah shines a light on what the veterans actually went though in a war that was largely misrepresented to the American public. She is a masterful and realistic storyteller.
Julia Whelan's narration is suburb as always. She brought Frankie to life as well as all the other characters.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the complimentary ebook....more
I'm a sucker for a book that has a built-in Podcast, especially if it's True Crime. Lucy's story -- believing she murdered her beBook #30 read in 2024
I'm a sucker for a book that has a built-in Podcast, especially if it's True Crime. Lucy's story -- believing she murdered her best friend, Savvy, but not remembering it -- drew me in from the beginning. I knew this would be a tale of discovery as Lucy struggled to remember what happened on that fateful day. Enter podcaster Ben Owens, who is determined to find the truth no matter what it is. Lucy decides to work with him despite her family feeling that she is making the wrong decision. As each podcast episode dropped, interviews revealed more and more of the story until the shocking ending! This was my 3rd five star read of the year and definitely worth the hype!
The wife and husband team of January Lavoy and Will Damron rocked the narration. The exchanges in the podcast interviews made it seem like I was listening to a real podcast. Kudos!
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Celedon, and Netgalley for the complimentary ebook and audiobook....more
Carola Lovering is the master of writing the most unlikable characters in a story that you can't help enjoying. Billie and CassieBook #27 read in 2024
Carola Lovering is the master of writing the most unlikable characters in a story that you can't help enjoying. Billie and Cassie have been friends forever, but their recent lives have them drifting apart. Cassie is all about appearance and sharing her perfect life on social media while Billie is just hanging on by a thread in her own life leading her to do something drastic. As the past began to be revealed, Billie's actions become more understandable. Told in alternating viewpoints, this is a tale that is suspenseful and riveting. I will continue to be first in line to read anything Carola Lovering writes.
When I saw that Karissa Vacker was a narrator for the audiobook version, I knew I definitely needed to listen. Karissa Vacker can narrate no wrong for me! I took advantage of having both the ebook and the audiobook to enjoy.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, St. Martin's Press, and Netgalley for the complimentary audiobook and ebook....more
After I finished reading this book, I really thought it was a book about nothing. Not much that is noteworthy happens. However, IBook #22 read in 2024
After I finished reading this book, I really thought it was a book about nothing. Not much that is noteworthy happens. However, I did love the characters or Mille and Agatha. Both were exceptionally developed and demonstrated strength through difficulty. I loved when the characters intersected in a more prominent way. Kennedy, whose story and character was also developed, was a little more difficult to like. But I also didn't really connect with her or her story.
I loved Such a Fine Age and was very excited to read this book. I was not disappointed because Reid really can write beautiful words and has a way of making me connect with the characters. If you loved the last book like I did, you should definitely read this one as well.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Audio, Penguin Putnam, LibroFM, and Netgalley for the complimentary ebook and audiobook....more
Book that take place in an academic setting are a draw. This seemed like a story that has been done many times: mean girls, someoBook #21 read in 2024
Book that take place in an academic setting are a draw. This seemed like a story that has been done many times: mean girls, someone who isn't who she says she is, and overall bad behavior. The addition of the equine sport and tarot cards made it unique. I have never really been interested in tarot readings or cards, but I found the explanation of the cards fascinating. The pacing was good, so i never really got bored and I liked the way it wrapped up. Stephanie Cannon's narration was great and I will definitely check out the backlist from Rachel Kapelke-Dale.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the complimentary audiobook....more
Every time I read this author, I wonder why I haven't read everything she has ever written. I think this may be my favorite of heBook #20 read in 2024
Every time I read this author, I wonder why I haven't read everything she has ever written. I think this may be my favorite of hers so far. I loved the set up of a crisis management expert, Arden, trying to rehab the reputation of a client. The only character I fully trusted was Arden, and it was clear she was going to have to wade through a ton of secrets, lies, and betrayal to get to the truth. Although I guessed one of the people who was the master of deceit, the rest came as a surprise. This book was so exciting, and the narration of Gail Shalan, a new to me narrator, was great.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the complimentary audiobook....more
This book had a ton of promise for me. I loved the premise and it started out strong. Then it kind of fell apart. The characters Book #18 read in 2024
This book had a ton of promise for me. I loved the premise and it started out strong. Then it kind of fell apart. The characters were unlikeable, the pacing was slow, the mystery was confusing. I think because I listened to this mostly on audio, I robbed myself of the full experience. It wasn't because of the narration, which was great. Instead I found myself frequently confused and I think that's where reading this fully on ebook might have helped. I can see promise in Jenny Hollander's work and I will happily read her next book.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Minotaur Books, and Netgalley for the complimentary ebook and audiobook....more
This is dark and psychological story. I had a lot of trouble connecting with or even liking the main character. She is deeply flaBook #14 read in 2024
This is dark and psychological story. I had a lot of trouble connecting with or even liking the main character. She is deeply flawed, but also made a lot of reckless decisions. After listening to the author interview after the story, I made more sense of those decisions. I almost wish I had heard that before. The one bright spot for me was the narration.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the complimentary audiobook....more
This was one of my most anticipated reads this year. I loved All the Dangerous Things and the writing style of Willingham. Set onBook #10 read in 2024
This was one of my most anticipated reads this year. I loved All the Dangerous Things and the writing style of Willingham. Set on a college campus, the books opens with an investigation of a missing person and death. Based on the flashbacks, it's clear we are dealing with unreliable characters and that made the plot and the outcome even more convoluted. Stacy Willingham has become a must-read author for me and Karissa Vacker is quickly becoming a favorite narrator!
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, St. Martin's Minotaur, and Netgalley for the complimentary ebook and audiobook....more
Maybe because I had just read The Guests by Margot Hunt, which was a nearly identical premise, I was underwhelmed by this. Right aBook #8 read in 2024
Maybe because I had just read The Guests by Margot Hunt, which was a nearly identical premise, I was underwhelmed by this. Right away I suspected there would be trouble during the hurricane and I guessed who was bringing it. There was a twist near the ned the did bring some surprise. I definitely think this would be an enjoyable read for anyone looking for a closed door thriller.
Thank you to Penguin Group Dutton and Netgalley for the complimentary ebook....more
I was immediately drawn into this story. I knew from the beginning that the truth was not what it appeared but I was totally throwBook #5 read in 2024
I was immediately drawn into this story. I knew from the beginning that the truth was not what it appeared but I was totally thrown by the twists. I thought this was going one way and it veered in a direction I didn't expect. Karissa Vacker is an excellent narrator and really made the character come alive. Such a great read!
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the complimentary audiobook....more
At first, I was overwhelmed by the number of characters in this book. I was listening to the audiobook and I decided to follow aloBook #3 read in 2024
At first, I was overwhelmed by the number of characters in this book. I was listening to the audiobook and I decided to follow along with the ebook and that made a huge difference. Once I learned all the names of the expectant women and their significant others, I began to enjoy the book more.
There was a lot of wittiness in the dialogue and I found myself enjoying the interplay between Alice and her friends. Helen, the dog, was my favorite though. I can relate to crazy pets.
The mystery in this was pretty convoluted. There were so many moving parts that I found myself not even really caring so much about "whodunit" or what they did. It's like there were so many things to solve at once: the murder(s), why Alice's husband was acting strange, the disappearance of a woman long ago, the current husband of one of the women maybe cheating, etc. Too much in one book.
I liked the way it wrapped up and I liked the characters so much I'm willing to give the next in the series a try. ...more
Emma Lord delivers again with fun characters that one can imagine as friends. Riley's decision to visit her friend Tom and tackle Book #2 read in 2024
Emma Lord delivers again with fun characters that one can imagine as friends. Riley's decision to visit her friend Tom and tackle the remainder of the Getaway List they made before he moved made for an interesting adventure. I love the focus on the friendship between Riley and Tom. While it is obvious they have feelings for each other, they took a backseat to the support they needed to give each other over their relationships with their moms. I really enjoyed the narration and found myself not wanting to turn it off....more
Sophie Sullivan is a must-red for me because she always writes great characters and fun romance. This is no exception. While theBook #146 read in 2023
Sophie Sullivan is a must-red for me because she always writes great characters and fun romance. This is no exception. While the situation Presley finds herself in is kind of unbelievable, I like the Hallmark Movie premise. I really liked the characters in this one and Beckett is swoon-worthy. The narration of this was great!
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the complimentary audiobook....more
Rachel Hawkins is hit or miss for me but this was definitely a hit. I knew there were secrets but the twisty suspense in this waBook #144 read in 2023
Rachel Hawkins is hit or miss for me but this was definitely a hit. I knew there were secrets but the twisty suspense in this was even more than I saw coming. Camden's family was so unlikeable that you couldn't help but root for Camden. Even his wife was suspect. Poor guy! I definitely recommend this one as it was hard to put down.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the complimentary ebook and audiobook....more
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