If looking at the average on Goodreads is anything to go by, I am not in the minority when it comes to my experience with When WeAudiobook Rating: 5/5
If looking at the average on Goodreads is anything to go by, I am not in the minority when it comes to my experience with When We Were Silent by Fiona McPhillips. However, I do seem to be in the minority among my friends. So, I will just preface my review by saying I am not going to say I recommend this to everyone, but I am sure it will be for lots of readers, so don't let my review deter you. I thought the idea for the book was fantastic with Louise facing her past at the school and everything that happened there, but then things get messy. I understand that this is a debut novel, but the timelines were incredibly confusing, and I found it almost impossible at times to know if I was reading in the current or past timeline. There were also times when the author would jump ahead without any preamble, and it made me wonder where the time went.
The bright side to my experience came from the audiobook and I loved India Mullen's performance for Lou. She was easy to understand even at the higher speed I listened at, and she did an incredible job bringing the character to life along with all of the emotions she experienced throughout the story. This is a fairly heavy read, but it brought up some important things and would make a great book club pick. When We Were Silent had some pretty wild shock value at the end and while some people can figure out what's coming, I did not, and my jaw almost hit the floor. The premise was there even though the execution was lacking, and I would definitely give McPhillips another chance. ...more
The Guncle has been my favorite book by Steven Rowley among the few I have read, and I was so happy to be revisiting those characters in The Guncle AbThe Guncle has been my favorite book by Steven Rowley among the few I have read, and I was so happy to be revisiting those characters in The Guncle Abroad. Patrick (known as GUP) is my favorite, and he was just as dynamic in this book as he was in the first. It is hard not to love any of the quirky characters we get here, and it was such a humorous, uplifting, and delightful read. While this is lighthearted overall, that doesn't make it fluff, and Rowley devoted plenty of time and attention to important subject matters. I got all teary, especially at the end, and I REALLY enjoyed the Italy setting where the wine was flowing.
As always, the audiobook is narrated by the author, and it is all things amazing. Rowley makes an excellent GUP, and he is of course the best person to bring his characters to life especially when it comes to the ones in The Guncle Abroad. I would love to see this made into a further series as they never get old, and I am waiting very impatiently for The Guncle movie to come out. The themes of family and rediscovery shine bright in this story and Patrick coming to terms with certain things about himself was frank and inspiring at the same time. I dare say Maisie and Grant discovered some things about themselves as well! If you loved The Guncle, you will love The Guncle Abroad just as much and I would do a reread of both of these in a heartbeat.
I received an advanced listening copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
The Best Life Book Club by Sheila Roberts made my heart so happy and while it is only the second book of hers I have read, it is also my new favorite!The Best Life Book Club by Sheila Roberts made my heart so happy and while it is only the second book of hers I have read, it is also my new favorite! I loved how Roberts dove into each character's life and how well we got to know each one along with their triumphs and struggles. The friendships and romance were touching and real, and the story is bookish beyond the book club which I loved. Karissa, Alice, Margot, and Alice’s sister Josie were all unique and well-characterized which made it easy to keep them all straight. Plus, their interactions provided lots of laugh-out-loud moments, even some I wasn't expecting.
The audiobook is narrated by Ann Marie Gideon, and I can't say enough good things about her narration. She did a wonderful job will all of the different viewpoints, and at times it felt like I was listening to more than one narrator! I would 100% recommend the audio for how talented she was, and I think it made the characters and emotional moments feel that much more vivid. The Best Life Book Club was a #BookstagramMadeMeDoIt that I went into totally blind, and it worked out perfectly for me. Roberts's articulate writing style combined with her blend of humor, wit, and emotional subject matters made for the perfect combo here and I loved everything about it. I would even go so far as to call it a lovely comfort read. ...more
Last House by Jessica Shattuck has big literary fiction energy and it was a family saga as well making it a perfect comparison to the novel The Dutch Last House by Jessica Shattuck has big literary fiction energy and it was a family saga as well making it a perfect comparison to the novel The Dutch House. I definitely got the same vibe from both of these novels, but LH was very focused on oil especially. There is a partial list of products made from oil at the beginning of the book (thankfully read in the audiobook), and some of the items completely surprised me. Granted there are lots of types of oil, but pantyhose...?! ...more
I can FINALLY say I've read a book by Kevin Kwan and this dramatic, over-the-top read was a ton of fun. I hBook Rating: 5 ⭐️/5 Audiobook Rating: 1 ⭐️/5
I can FINALLY say I've read a book by Kevin Kwan and this dramatic, over-the-top read was a ton of fun. I have no idea if I was supposed to read Sex and Vanity first since apparently, they are both in the "Cities" series? world? but I didn't feel like I was missing anything. The book starts out in a very thrilling and shocking way, and I love how Kwan expertly ties it back into the ending/climax. I loved almost all of the characters (some more than others), but Eden was probably my favorite of them all. She has a good head on her shoulders and is the steady voice of reason throughout the storyline.
The only thing I found fault with was the audiobook and I honestly think it is the worst audiobook I have ever listened to. Jing Lusi's narration was erratic, inconsistent, and hard to understand at times making the audio a complete dud for me. I would definitely recommend reading over listening, but I will say I enjoyed the way she narrated Rufus's mother, so I guess that's something. Thankfully, I was able to not let this take away from my enjoyment of the book itself, and I will have to do a reread at some point with my eyes. After all the drama, Lies and Weddings had a pretty surprising revelation that I wasn't expecting, and I was very happy with how everything wrapped up. I would read this if you are looking for an escape from real life and love nonstop drama in your books!
Thank you to the publishers for my advanced listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own....more
I Will Ruin You is my first time reading Linwood Barclay, and boy he did not disappoint! The story is told from a few different viewpoints, and I loveI Will Ruin You is my first time reading Linwood Barclay, and boy he did not disappoint! The story is told from a few different viewpoints, and I loved the way they set the pacing and tone of the book. The pacing was whip quick and there was literally never a dull moment between Richard being blackmailed after saving his school from a student with the intent to kill, drug dealers, and a host of secrets. Barclay even threw the subject of book banning into this timely and heart-racing storyline, making it full of substance as well as suspense.
The audiobook was fantastic and narrated by George Newbern & Johnathan McClain. I have listened to both of them before and they are insanely talented which came through perfectly in I Will Ruin You. I would highly recommend the audio, but it will be a quick read any route you decide to go. I wasn’t sure if there would be any gore, and minus the part in the beginning, there really wasn’t anything too awful, so squeamish readers should be fine. I couldn’t believe where the climax took us, and it raised the hair on my arms it was so mind-blowing! This definitely won’t be the last of me reading Barclay, and I must get to his other books now. ...more
I decided to finally start making my way through more of Elin Hilderbrand's backlist, and while now I am going to go back to the very beginning (6 booI decided to finally start making my way through more of Elin Hilderbrand's backlist, and while now I am going to go back to the very beginning (6 books ago), A Summer Affair was still a good place to be. While this isn’t my favorite by the author and it is generally full of not very likeable characters, it was still an engrossing read that brought Nantucket to life. You get that feeling of small-town gossip where everyone knows everything, mixed with tough decisions, people finding themselves, and even a dash of crime! I loved that Claire was a glassblower and that part of the book amidst all the drama was probably my favorite part. The book focuses on multiple characters including Claire’s sister-in-law Siobhan and Claire’s friend turned famous rocker Max West. I enjoyed the various viewpoints, and I loved how no-nonsense Siobhan was. She was my favorite character by far, though I did find her to be a bit judgmental of Claire (not that it isn’t relatable because it is!).
The audiobook was okay for me, and I didn’t love Isabel Keating’s narration. I did love her voice and could have listened to her forever, but her actual narration was very stilted with oddly long pauses, and it was just not great. I think I would have gone with reading A Summer Affair knowing that, but it didn’t affect my rating of the book itself. I was a bit thrown off by the exceedingly long chapters (especially seeing them that way on the audiobook), but that didn’t end up bothering me. I did enjoy the way they were titled and how each title applied to the chapter as well. There was quite a bit going on in the storyline, but I would call it a slow burn overall. It would be a good read for a long day at the beach or as a patio read with a glass of white! Despite the unlikeable characters and bad behavior, A Summer Affair was worth the read and I really enjoyed it!...more
Well, okay Ruth Ware! While I can't say this is my favorite of hers (saving that for The Woman in Cabin 10), it was a uniquely and expertly plotted gaWell, okay Ruth Ware! While I can't say this is my favorite of hers (saving that for The Woman in Cabin 10), it was a uniquely and expertly plotted game of survival where the twists were endless once we got to the end. I loved the reality show aspect of One Perfect Couple as they are one of my favorite things to watch (drama, drama, drama after all), and Ware also managed to give us someone in STEM which was great! I will say though, despite the awesomeness that is Lyla’s job, I just did not like her or any of the other characters all that much. Her boyfriend is clearly a tool, and I could not understand what she was doing with him being how smart she is. I did find certain characters with some redeeming qualities, but my favorite person was probably Santana by the time I got to the end.
The audiobook was everything I hoped it would be thanks to our narrator Imogen Church. She is one of my favorites and never disappoints, including this time around. I loved her narration for both the journal entries as well as Lyla, and I would recommend the audio as my preferred method of reading One Perfect Couple. And speaking of the journal entries, they were such a great addition to the book and kept me guessing the entire time. It was like having an unreliable narrator and I ended up having no idea which perspective I should be trusting. The ending threw a major twist at me and needless to say, I was completely shocked by the revelation. I think this would make a great mini-series or something, and the tension was palpable!
Thank you to the publishers for my advanced listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own....more
I have been a fan of Sarah Morgan for quite some time now, and I know that every time I pick up one of her books I am going to laugh, cry, and wish I I have been a fan of Sarah Morgan for quite some time now, and I know that every time I pick up one of her books I am going to laugh, cry, and wish I was on a beach. The Summer Swap fulfilled all of those things once again and I loved this multi-generational family story! It took me a minute to figure out who everyone was to each other, but once I got the hang of it, I was set, and I got lost in the drama, secrets, disappointments, and laughter. There are a handful of viewpoints which is standard for one of her books, and I loved the way they all came together and built off each other. I felt instantly transported to Cape Cod, and this was the epitome of a beach read in every way.
I still generally prefer a full cast for audiobooks with multiple viewpoints, but I thought Dara Rosenberg did a superb job with the audio and bringing the various characters/viewpoints to life. I purchased a copy on Libro.fm, and I definitely plan to revisit it at some point since it was just that good. I also highly enjoyed the art/artist aspect of the storyline, and it brought about some shocking revelations that I wasn’t expecting. I loved the blend of humor along with an air of mystery and the romance that was brought by more than one set of characters. The Summer Swap is a beautiful tale of healing and second chances that I would recommend to any women’s fiction and contemporary romance reader!
I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill is what first introduced me to Abbi Waxman, and I have loved her ever since. Even though I didn't love Christa Comes OutThe Bookish Life of Nina Hill is what first introduced me to Abbi Waxman, and I have loved her ever since. Even though I didn't love Christa Comes Out of Her Shell quite as much, it has a lot of great qualities. For one, I will always enjoy Waxman’s writing. It is consistent, sharp, and clever, and I love the way she tackles things like rocky family relationships, the importance of therapy, and exploitation which are all discussed in this story. The plot for this book is definitely out there as many readers have mentioned, and Christa’s age doesn’t quite match up to her current situation, but these are things that I didn’t even think about, and I found myself lost in the story and characters.
I listened to the audiobook which was very enjoyable, and I loved Jesse Vilinsky & Jonathan Todd Ross as the narrators. Vilinsky sounded a little young to be the voice of Christa, but I kept forgetting that she is only mid to late 20s, so ultimately, she had the perfect voice for her. There is some spice and a lot more romance than I was expecting, but the banter between Christa and Nathan was adorbs and I wanted them to be a couple. There are annotations in the book which was a nice little touch that I’ve been seeing a lot recently, as well as all chapters having a unique title (mostly animal-related) with their scientific names below. Despite all of the book's great qualities, there was still something missing for me, and I can’t quite pinpoint what it was. I do however wish it had been about 50 pages shorter. This is still an entertaining and interesting read though, and I definitely recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor was pure magic, and I can't believe it took me so long to get to this stunning debut! I saw it on #Bookstagra4.5/5
Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor was pure magic, and I can't believe it took me so long to get to this stunning debut! I saw it on #Bookstagram, and after reading The Night Circus back in 2022 I became obsessed with all things magical, so this sounded right up my alley. Obviously, it was since I loved it, and it was everything I had hoped it would be. There is a lot of action going on throughout the storyline, and the only reason I am rating it a 4.5 instead of a full 5 is because I did feel like there were weird lulls that would drag out a bit too long for my liking. I know nonstop action isn't always a thing, but the pacing felt off in those areas compared to the rest of the book.
I loved the audiobook narrated by Suzy Jackson & Simon Hedger, and they definitely brought the talent. The majority of the story is told through Jani's eyes, so Jackson has to narrate the most and I loved how she took the characters and brought their emotions to life. The imagery in Hotel Magnifique was spectacular, and Taylor's writing instantly pulled me in. This was pretty dark considering it is YA, and it is creepy, atmospheric, and exhilarating! I loved that a big focus was on the relationship between Jani and her sister Zosa, and the way she would do anything to free them was touching and courageous. This is filled with unique characters, magic, and suspense and I will be keeping my eye peeled for more books from this author!
I received an advanced listening copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
I freaking LOVE Sara Goodman Confino and Behind Every Good Man was everything I could have hoped it would be. It might be set in 1962 but Beverly is nI freaking LOVE Sara Goodman Confino and Behind Every Good Man was everything I could have hoped it would be. It might be set in 1962 but Beverly is not letting anyone walk all over her, and that includes her no-good cheating husband. The storyline has politics at its heart, but it is also about making your dreams come true and not taking any crap. There is a dusting of romance that was a lovely addition to the plotline, and it brings up so many issues that we can still see present today. In fact, this would make a fantastic book club selection since there is a lot to talk about.
I oohed and aahed over so many moments, and I probably laughed out loud just as many times if not more. I also have to make a special mention of the audiobook which is narrated by Helen Laser and available on Kindle Unlimited. She truly nails Bev as well as the entire vibe of the book and was such a joy to listen to. Once I started, I couldn't put it down, and I listened to this baby in a single day. SGC always has such emotive and authentic characters, and I felt that to the max in Behind Every Good Man. You will be rooting for Bev and Michael the entire time, and I dare say learn some things along the way. Be sure not to miss the author's note!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
I have officially found yet another author to love with Don't Ask, Don't Follow by Mary Keliikoa. This was a jaw-dropper if there ever was one, a4.5/5
I have officially found yet another author to love with Don't Ask, Don't Follow by Mary Keliikoa. This was a jaw-dropper if there ever was one, and I loved how wonderfully twisty it was! The quick pacing kept me on my toes, and I was thoroughly engrossed in Beth's mission to find her missing sister. There was just a tiny touch of romance to this one as well, though nothing happens on the page, but I loved that, and I wanted these characters to have a happy ending. Family drama and secrets abound, and Beth finds out some shocking revelations as the storyline progresses.
The audiobook for Don't Ask, Don't Follow is a good one, and I was a happy camper with Emily Lawrence as the narrator. She did an excellent job voicing the book and I especially loved her for Beth's character. There is plenty of action to keep the narrative going and I was completely shocked by the twists. And I wouldn't be a very good cat lover if I didn't notice the inclusion of Murphy, Craig's cat. For some reason, I just loved that Keliikoa thought to include this little guy and that Beth went to the lengths she did to keep him with her after her boss's death. This is the perfect beach read if you are in the mood for something quick and twisty!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
I love Kerry Lonsdale and her books, so I was extremely excited going into Find Me in California. The gorgeous cover caught my attention immediately aI love Kerry Lonsdale and her books, so I was extremely excited going into Find Me in California. The gorgeous cover caught my attention immediately and I still can't look at the title without thinking of the song Gone to California by P!nk. The secrets revealed through the various viewpoints in the book were shocking, and I couldn't believe how wild this story actually was. I normally love magical realism which this book has a dash of, but it wasn't an element I loved here due to it feeling weird and awkward to me. Other than that, I couldn't get enough of this complex plot, and I was especially engrossed in Magnolia Blu's dairy POV.
Amanda Leigh Cobb narrates the audiobook and I thought she did a lovely job, especially when it came to differentiating her voice between Julia and Magnolia Blu in the dairy. I would have liked to see a male narrator for Matt's POV for a bit more diversity, but I absolutely enjoyed the audio overall and would recommend it. There is a little bit of everything in Find Me in California when it comes to themes and genres, and it would make an excellent beach read! Heartbreaking secrets and tragedy got me in my emotions, and Lonsdale created a touching romance and family story with a trace of humor to take the edge off.
Thank you to the publishers and author for my complimentary listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own....more
I loved Liz Alterman's previous novel The Perfect Neighborhood, and I feel like I have been waiting forever for a new release from her. So, I wasn't wI loved Liz Alterman's previous novel The Perfect Neighborhood, and I feel like I have been waiting forever for a new release from her. So, I wasn't wasting any time starting The House on Cold Creek Lane, and I'm glad I didn't! I was hooked from the very first page and I wish I would have had more time to read it because it would have been an easy one-sitting read. The story alternates between Laurel and Corey and each one brings something different to the table. I HATED Laurel's husband Rob and was upset I had to wait the entire book for her to get a backbone, but things worked out in a very pleasing way for me, so I was finally happy.
I think I liked Corey's viewpoint the most, and even though I really wanted her to work through her grief differently (support group or therapy), she was well-fleshed out and felt so real and relatable. I especially enjoyed her no-nonsense personality and her bluntness. I loved the way Alterman ended up tying the two storylines together, and even though I had an inkling of what was going on, I still got a couple of fantastic twists. There are certain parts I wish would have ended a bit differently (one real one), but it was quite the climax and left me feeling satisfied. The House on Cold Creek Lane had lots of foreshadowing which I loved and was tense the entire way through. My new favorite from Alterman!
I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
Reading Mister Lullaby made me want to go back and read The Nightmare Man and though I could have sworn some of the same characters made an appearanceReading Mister Lullaby made me want to go back and read The Nightmare Man and though I could have sworn some of the same characters made an appearance, per the acknowledgments everyone was new! That being said, the world felt very similar and that is clearly why it gave me similar vibes. I love J.H. Markert's writing, and this book is terrifying, violent, and eerie in all the best ways. We have multiple viewpoints that never confused me and a shocking ending I never saw coming!
I do always love a full cast for audiobooks, but David Bendena & Lauren Ezzo were such great narrators for Mister Lullaby that I was perfectly content with just the two of them. The pacing of this book never quit, and I have no idea how Markert thinks these things up but I'm glad he does. The paranormal elements and horror are top-notch, and it even made me tear up in a couple of places. This author is so talented and his books under this pen name are perfect for thriller and horror fans alike! If you love the creepy and supernatural, you must pick this up!
Thank you to the publishers and Libro.fm for my complimentary listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own....more
Even though Suzanne Park's debut was a bit of a miss for me, I am so glad I decided to read her again and got to experience One Last Word! This book fEven though Suzanne Park's debut was a bit of a miss for me, I am so glad I decided to read her again and got to experience One Last Word! This book focuses on Sara who creates an app called One Last Word which allows you to send messages to people after you die. It throws us headfirst into the world of venture capital, and as you can guess it is an area dominated by men. The romance between Sara and Harry was cute and sweet, but the main focus was on Sara and her finding her voice which I loved. All of the characters are diverse and approachable, and the family dynamics, especially between younger and older sisters, were spot on.
Catherine Ho is a great narrator, and though it felt like it took a little bit for her to find her footing with the audiobook, she eventually did, and I loved her as the voice of Sara. Women in STEM is something I haven’t read enough of, and I’m glad that’s where Park decided to take this storyline. Sara’s app and her decisiveness stole the show making this a real treat to read, and the way it all wrapped up was perfect and had me pumping my fist. One Last Word makes for an excellent summer read and how the author mixes humor, culture, romance, and fighting for what you want is enlightening and delightful!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
I am having a next-to-impossible time coming to a rating for Such a Bad Influence by debut author Olivia Muenter, and I don't even know if this one wiI am having a next-to-impossible time coming to a rating for Such a Bad Influence by debut author Olivia Muenter, and I don't even know if this one will stick. I loved all of this book until the very end which sent me into a spiral that made it hard for me to figure out what I felt. I didn't have any of the issues other readers had with repetition or being disappointed in one of the reveals, and if anything, my only other complaint is I think it could have been a bit shorter. THAT ENDING THOUGH!! *Shakes fist*
I loved the use of mixed media in the book as well as the spotlight on how being a social media star can impact a family. This is ALL about social media and what it means to be an influencer, and maybe even more so than the actual mystery itself. I also adored the audiobook which is narrated by a full cast and is way too many to name, but trust me when I say they were all excellent. I fully believe the audio is the way to go with this one.
Back to the ending, I actually had to read it with my eyes because I thought I missed something, and it just makes me so mad. It also didn't quite make sense to me and left me even more frustrated. Do I recommend this? Maybe... Probably? I'm not sure. But don't let me stop you if you think it sounds good, and you best believe I will still read any other book this author writes....more
Another #BookstagramMadeMeDoIt, I went into I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue not knowing what to expect since I hadn't read the synopsis. YetAnother #BookstagramMadeMeDoIt, I went into I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue not knowing what to expect since I hadn't read the synopsis. Yet I still thought I was in for a lighthearted debut that focused on ironic things about working in an office building and everything that comes with it. What I got was a whole lot more, and I was not expecting to get so emotional. This was a funny but also heavier read, and I had no idea what to expect for the ending. Jolene is a flawed and relatable character, and my heart went out to her even before we learned the extent of her traumatic past. I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same things as she did, but having the power to see what everyone is saying about you doesn’t sound great either. It’s like a train wreck you can’t look away from, and it seriously influenced our FMC as the book goes on.
The audiobook is narrated by Nasim Pedrad who I absolutely adored as the voice of Jolene. She was especially funny when it came to doing the voice for Jolene’s mom and impersonating the aunties, and her narration along with the dialogue just cracked me up. You could tell she put her all into voicing this story and I loved every moment. I Hope This Finds You Well also has a romance buried in its pages that was so achingly touching that I really wanted it to work out. I laughed, I cried, my mouth fell open… literally all the things and I couldn’t put this book down. Sue put a spotlight on how you never really know what is going on below the surface, especially when it comes to your coworkers and people in general. We are all dealing with something, and I loved Sue’s exploration of humanity in the workplace. ...more
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