This book was all kinds of fun! When I saw this cover, I just knew that I needed to havThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
This book was all kinds of fun! When I saw this cover, I just knew that I needed to have this book in my life. I have appreciated John Scalzi's humor in the past and I just had a good feeling about this book. I am happy to report that I was not disappointed. The book was funny and kept me on my toes because nothing was impossible in this quirky little tale. And if you are wondering if cats play a role in this story, I can assure that they do indeed.
Charlie is down on his luck. After losing his journalist position and getting divorced, he moved back in with his father, who has now passed, and is trying to make ends meet by working as a substitute teacher. When his estranged billionaire uncle dies, he is asked to stand up for him at his funeral where the mourners seem rather enthusiastic. Before long Charlie is swept away by a world of supervillains who all seem eager to outmaneuver him.
The story was rather exciting and kept me guessing until the end. I loved the fact that there were some pretty big surprises in the story. Charlie was at a serious disadvantage in the world of supervillainy so I was really hoping to see him succeed and he did hold his own - at least most of the time. The humor worked into the story was incredibly well done which took the story to the next level. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this fun little book to others and cannot wait to see what will come next from this talented author.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Tor Books....more
This was fun, just like I expected it to be. Finlay and Vero are in trouble again. TheyThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
This was fun, just like I expected it to be. Finlay and Vero are in trouble again. They need to get to Atlantic City to save Vero’s friend and work something out with the loan shark after Vero. As soon as the whole family decided to join in on the road trip, I knew things would get interesting. Yes, the book was over-the-top silly at times but it was a whole lot of fun.
Finlay and Vero decide to go on a road trip so what could go wrong, except everything? They end up traveling with the entire family in tow, including Finlay’s ex-husband and mother. It doesn’t take long for these two ladies to find themselves in a whole heap of trouble. When Finlay’s cop boyfriend shows up, I wonder how they would keep things together. This book had all of the humor that I have come to expect from the series, along with a fair bit of action, and a mystery that kept me guessing.
I would recommend this book to others. I would recommend that this series be read in order since the events of the previous books lay the groundwork for this installment. I did feel like this would be a natural place to stop the series since many of the plot threads from previous books were wrapped up nicely in this installment, but if the author decides to continue the series, I wouldn’t hesitate to read more of Finlay Donovan’s adventures.
I received a review copy of this book from Minotaur Books....more
I have a fantastic time with this book! I listened to the entire book in a single day, This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I have a fantastic time with this book! I listened to the entire book in a single day, which is somewhat unusual for me. I was enjoying the book so much that I didn’t want to stop listening which is such a great feeling. I loved the sense of humor present throughout the book and I really enjoyed spending time with all of the characters. Apparently, this is the third and final installment in the Sunshine Vicram Trilogy and while I am sad to see the series end, I must say that it was a great finale.
Sunshine once again has her hands full. There is a girl found in a ravine that has been left for dead which leads Sunshine to discover that other girls may have also gone missing. Despite her promise not to do any investigating, Auri is once again trying to solve crimes. Plus there is the small issue of Sunshine’s relationship with Levi. I was so glad to finally see things getting resolved between Levi and Sunshine and was happy with how it worked out. I thought that this book was very exciting at times and I loved that the action was balanced out with a nice dose of humor.
Lorelei King is one of my favorite narrators and I thought that she did an amazing job with this story. I really like all of the character voices that she uses to help bring the story to life. I thought that her delivery of the funnier moments of the story was perfectly done and I liked that she was able to add more excitement to the action-packed scenes. I do feel that her narration added to my overall enjoyment of this book.
I would definitely recommend this book to others. This has been such a fun series with a lot of laughs, some romance, great characters, and solid mysteries. My only complaint is that it doesn’t look like there are any more books planned in this series. If that changes, I will be first in line to get my hands on a copy of the next book in this series.
I received a digital review copy of this audiobook from Macmillan Audio....more
I was in the mood for something fun and this one definitely hit the mark! The situationThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I was in the mood for something fun and this one definitely hit the mark! The situations that Finlay and Vero find themselves in will never cease to amaze me. Spending a week in a citizen’s police academy was a very interesting decision, especially for a pair of women with a questionable history. What made it even better was the fact that Nick was front and center for much of the book. I was thrilled to finally get some progress in Finlay’s and Nick’s relationship.
While at the citizen’s police academy, Finlay and Vero are trying to figure out who the contract killer is to stay out of hot water with the mob boss pulling the strings. I had so much fun as Finlay and Donovan worked through the various activities in the academy and sometimes stood out just a bit too much. The story had all of the action and excitement that I had hoped for, along with more than a few laughs.
I would highly recommend this series to others. You could read this as a stand-alone but the events of the first two books do impact the events in this one so I would recommend reading the series in order if at all possible. If you are looking for a serious book, this isn’t it, but if you are looking for an entertaining story that will make you laugh, you are going to want to grab a copy of this one. I cannot wait for the next installment in this entertainment series.
I received an advanced review copy of this book from Minotaur Books....more
I enjoyed this book! I have read several books written by C.T. Phipps and Michael SuttkThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I enjoyed this book! I have read several books written by C.T. Phipps and Michael Suttkis so I had a pretty good idea of what to expect when I went into this book. This was a lighter listen filled with pop culture references galore and a healthy dose of humor. I liked that the book is set in space and thought that the mission was very well done. This was definitely an entertaining listen.
Vance drops out of space academy only to end up as part of a crew on a different mission. Not only is he being forced on this new mission, but he is also almost immediately made second in command on the ship. Before long, he is the man in charge of this mission and the leader of the colorful crew on the ship. I had fun with their mission and loved seeing the various members of the crew interact. The banter between the crew was fun and some of the situations added to the humor of the story.
Jeffrey Kafer did a great job with the narration. I thought that the voices that he used for the various characters worked really well, including male as well as female characters. I thought that his delivery of the humor in the story was spot on and that he really helped to bring this story to life. I had no problem listening to this book for hours at a time.
I would recommend this book to others. I thought that this was a really well-done story with enough humor to keep a smile on my face until the very end. I also got a kick out of all of the pop culture references scattered throughout the story. I look forward to reading more of this writing pairs work in the future.
I received a copy of this audiobook from the author/publicist....more
This was fun! I bought this book months ago at a local independent bookstore but didn’tThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
This was fun! I bought this book months ago at a local independent bookstore but didn’t get around to reading it until a few weeks ago when I decided it was exactly the kind of book that I was in the mood to read. It was exactly what I needed. It was incredibly entertaining and rather funny. I am so glad that I finally picked this book up.
Finlay Donovan does not have it all together. She has two small children that she is trying to take care of on her own after her husband left her for another woman. She is an author but she really isn’t writing and her life is basically falling apart. When Finlay is meeting with her agent about her book, someone overhears and mistakes her for a hitman. She most definitely does not kill people for a living but it wouldn’t hurt to check out the man she is asked to dispose of, right? It takes about 5 minutes for Finlay to be in way over her head.
This really is a fun light read. As light as a book about killing people can be anyway. I liked Finlay and Vero a lot and thought that they made a fantastic team. I was drawn into the mystery and couldn’t wait to see how things would work out for Finlay. I was amused by this book from the very first page and before long, I found it next to impossible to set aside.
I would recommend this book to others. This book was incredibly well done with fantastic characters and just the right amount of humor. I cannot wait to read more of this entertaining series!...more
It's no secret that I love dogs. There is just something I cannot resist when it comes This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
It's no secret that I love dogs. There is just something I cannot resist when it comes to these furry little (or not so little) beings. I am lucky enough to live with three of these wonderful animals and my life revolves around them. It probably is no surprise that I felt like I needed this book in my life. I found this to be an enjoyable and sometimes rather humorous book.
This book is a collection of short essays dedicated to the author's dog, Peter. The author's love for her pet was very clear throughout this book. I was able to relate to so many things in this book. We have a large collection of chewed up pieces of dog toys in our house, similar to Peter's. I haven't tested the DNA of any of my dogs but I could understand her desire to do so. All three of my dogs are mixes and one dog is so mixed that the vet told me I could just pick a breed for the chart because she had no idea. There were also a few things that I couldn't see myself doing. Dance lessons would be a prime example. The world does not need to see me or my dogs trying to perform a dance routine.
There were some really amusing moments in the book. When the author described the sweater she bought for Peter and his reaction to it, I couldn't help but laugh. I liked the way that she tackled pet psychics and thought it was great that she really explored just about every possible aspect a dog owner might encounter. There were some more emotional parts of the book when the author was worried about her dog that really hit home for me as well
I would recommend this book to dog lovers. This is a lighter read that I found quite entertaining. I am happy to report that the book ends on a very positive note. I wouldn't hesitate to read more of this author's work in the future.
I received a review copy of this book from Grand Central Publishing....more
Oh my gosh, this book was so much fun! This book caught my eye when I saw the cover priThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
Oh my gosh, this book was so much fun! This book caught my eye when I saw the cover prior to its release. It sounded like a funny story so I was somewhat interested. When I noticed that Andi Arndt narrated and co-authored the book, I knew that I would have to give it a try. I am so glad that I did. I am not sure what I expected but there was a certain magic to this book. It is safe to say that I enjoyed the time that I spent with this book.
I like funny books. I like them a whole lot but I rarely find myself actually laughing. I might crack a grin or feel amused but full out laughter rarely happens. It happened with this book. I had a really hard time controlling myself at work while I was listening. I expected some humor in this book but I did not expect full-out laughter-inducing magic.
Heidi is in need of a new job since she just lost her position as a kindergarten teacher. She is able to find a position a local studio but she isn't quite ready for the type of books being recorded in this studio. Heidi ends up with some equipment that the studio is giving away, opens a box of wine, and the next thing you know she has her own podcast, Heidi's Discount Erotica. Heidi uses her podcast to try to come out of her shell a bit and try to make things happen with her sexy next-door neighbor.
I liked Heidi a lot. She is smart and funny. She shows a lot of growth during this story and it was fun to watch it happen. Her mom was a bit over the top but I thought that her character not only added to the humor but helped to demonstrate how her life has been up until this point. It was fun to see Heidi's relationship with her mom grow during the book as well.
The story did lose a little steam for me during the second half and especially towards the end. The big conflict between Heidi and Brent didn't seem like a big deal to me at all. Heidi's reaction was completely over the top. I enjoyed the whole book but the first half was a bit more enjoyable for me.
Andi Arndt nailed the narration. I think that one of the reasons this book was as funny as it was is because of her performance. I thought she did a great job with all of the character voices and I thought that her drunk Heidi was amazing. I definitely think that this is a story best experienced through audio.
I would definitely recommend this book to others. This story was funny, original, and completely entertaining. I hope to see more from Tara Sivec and Andi Arndt very soon.
I received a copy of this audiobook from Audible Originals.
Initial Thoughts This was fun! I couldn't help but laugh my way through this book. Heidi was a lot of fun and it was great watching her grow throughout this story. The story was over the top at times but I didn't care because I was having so much fun. The book did lose a little steam for me before it came to an end but I still enjoyed it overall. Andi Arndt did a great job with the narration and I really feel like this is a book that has to be listened to in order to be fully enjoyed....more
This was a great little audiobook! This is the third book in the Mystic Bayou series buThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
This was a great little audiobook! This is the third book in the Mystic Bayou series but I was pretty confident that it would work well as a stand-alone. It did work very well on its own but now I kind of want to go back and read the earlier books. Funny how that works. I thought that this book was fun from beginning to end and I had a great time meeting some of the residents of this strange town.
Sonja can handle just about anything. She works for the League and seems to be able to get things done. She is given the task of being the liaison for the town's new doctor. Will has taken the position as the new doctor but he wasn't expecting to see the ailments that seem to be popping up around town. He hasn't lived in Mystic Bayou for a very long time and it is obvious that some things have changed.
Sonja and Will were great together. I thought that they had really great chemistry and seemed to mesh really well. It was fun to watch them work with each other and I really enjoyed it when they opened up to each other. Will had quite a few hang-ups in regards to starting a relationship which made sense considering his history.
I loved the way that this story was written. It had all of the humor that I have come to expect from Molly Harper which kept things really light. The story also had a lot of heart with the characters dealing with some real issues and moving forward in their lives. I thought that the characters in Mystic Bayou were very well done. I especially enjoyed getting to meet Will's brother.
Amanda Ronconi and Jonathan Davis did a fabulous job with the narration. I really thought that their voices worked well together in this story and it is always nice to have two narrators for a story that is told from two different points of view. I thought that they both did a great job with the characters voices and were able to add some emotion into the story. I wouldn't hesitate to listen to more from this pair of narrators.
I would recommend this book to others. I thought that this story was funny, original, romantic, and exciting. I couldn't stop listening because I just had to know what else could happen in the strange town of Mystic Bayou. I can't wait to read more from this delightful series.
I received a copy of this audiobook from Audible Originals.
Initial Thoughts This was fun! I have not read any of the previous books in this series and I can confirm that this book works very well on its own. I thought that the relationship between Will and Sonja was well done and I really enjoyed the friendship between Jillian and Sonja. This was rather comical with a lot of fun references worked into the story. I thought that the narration was great and added a lot to the story. ...more
Initial Thoughts This was fun! I felt like a shorter read today so I decided to finally give this book a try. I loved the humor worked in throughout thInitial Thoughts This was fun! I felt like a shorter read today so I decided to finally give this book a try. I loved the humor worked in throughout the story. Kennedy has known Griffin forever it seems and she is less than happy about the fact that her dad has paired them up to find catch a man that skipped bond. These two were great together and I thought that they were well matched. Amy McFadden did a great job with the narration. Just an all-around fun read!
These books are just a lot of fun. I have read quite a few of these books by Lisa ScottThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
These books are just a lot of fun. I have read quite a few of these books by Lisa Scottoline and her daughter, Francesca Serritella, and have really enjoyed all of them. The stories in this book are each very short and can be read in a couple of minutes but are highly addictive. I couldn't seem to read just a few of the stories but found myself reading this book like it was a marathon or something. I just cannot get enough of these glimpses into Lisa and Francesca's lives.
I found it so easy to relate to Lisa and Francesca. Lisa Scottoline is an author that I really enjoy and have been reading for a number of years. While I was at one of Lisa's book signings, another fan recommend that I read the books in this series. So I did and the rest is history. Though these books I really feel like I have had the chance to really get to know Lisa and Francesca. I feel almost like I could pull up a chair at their table for a nice chat because they have really let me into their lives through these books. In the previous books in the series, I found myself relating to Lisa much more than Francesca but I this book I think it has evened out a bit. Maybe it is because Francesca didn't really talk about dating as she has in previous books because she is on a hiatus from men. I am an old married woman and barely remember dating so I am happy to read about other things.
This book covers a little bit of everything. Seriously everything. There are stories about yoga, bridal showers, snakes, dogs, doggy diapers, family members, building furniture, remote controls, exercise equipment, buying trucks, and the list goes on. Really these stories are just about navigating through life and all of the things that are encountered on a daily basis. These stories are told with a good dose of humor and many mentions of Bradley Cooper. Lisa has a series thing for Bradley Cooper. Not all of the stories are pretty and some made me squirm. Hello...snakes!! Some stories were more serious and heartfelt but all of them were very real.
I would highly recommend this book to others. I think that just about any woman that has made it to adulthood will find something to relate to in this book. I can't wait to read more of their work in the future.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley.
Initial Thoughts This was an entertaining group of articles. I related to most of what both authors talked about and found myself chuckling a few times. ...more
Overall, I liked this one. I will be honest and tell you that I didn't find all of the pictures This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
Overall, I liked this one. I will be honest and tell you that I didn't find all of the pictures in this book to be all that funny. There were others that had me laughing so hard that tears were pouring down my face. That is pretty high praise since I don't often laugh that hard. [image] The idea behind the book wasn't really a new one for me. I go on social media so I have seen many photos like these in various places online. I noticed that many of the photos used in the book were originally from Instagram and other websites. The photos are funny but what really cracked me up were the captions on the page that went along with them. [image] The photos that I found really funny were the ones where someone really screwed up and didn't even seem to realize it. I do suspect that some of the photos were the result of a language barrier more than anything else. I would recommend this book if you looking for a funny little book to take a look at for a bit but I would probably suggest that you grab this one at the library. [image] I received an advance reader edition of this book from Andrews McMeel Publishing via NetGalley for the purpose of providing an honest review....more
I love these books! The best way to describe this book is a collection of article length storiesThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
I love these books! The best way to describe this book is a collection of article length stories loosely tied together. This book really does read like scenes from Lisa and Francesca's life. You know the funny little observations, or the not so funny ones, that make up your day and your conversations with your friends. In a lot of ways, this book feels like a conversation with a friend. Every time that I picked this book up to read for just a few minutes, I would end up reading huge sections of the book because it was just so hard to put down.
The majority of the stories in this book come from Lisa's point of view. Francesca is also well represented but just looking at numbers, Lisa authored more of the chapters. I love their sense of humor! Both of these ladies are just plain funny at times. I love that most of their funny stories remind me of the stories that I share with my friends and family. I didn't laugh out loud while reading this book but I did have a grin on my face quite often.
I love how these two ladies really let us readers into their life in this book. Not everything in their life has been pleasant and they make mistakes. They own their mistakes and share their pain. Anytime the story was a bit more emotional, I could completely empathize with them. I like how they both shared their perspectives on similar stories. Their bond with each other is obviously very strong and it is a joy to see how much they are there for each other.
I am always amazed by how much I am able to relate to these authors. I do relate to Lisa just a bit more but only because I have to think kind of hard to remember what it was like to be young and in the dating scene like Francesca. I really think that almost every adult woman will find something to relate to in this book. There are stories of growing up, dealing with family, getting older, dating, and finding your way each day.
I would recommend this book to others. Lisa and Francesa do a fantastic job of telling quick stories that really pack a punch. They have written quite a few of these books together but they can each be read as a stand alone. This is a perfect book to curl up with when you want something light that feel like being with an old friend.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley for the purpose of providing an honest review.
Initial Thoughts I like these books by Lisa Scottoline and her daughter, Francesca Serritella. It is really more of collection of article length stories and observations. The bulk of the book was written by Lisa's point of view which is fine because I am old enough to relate to her more. Some parts are funny, some serious and all were hard to put down. ...more
I have a lot of mixed feelings about this series at this point. I used to absolutely love it. SteThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life
I have a lot of mixed feelings about this series at this point. I used to absolutely love it. Stephanie Plum is what got me reading again after not picking up a book for several years when my kids where little. I devoured every book in the series that was available and when a new one was released, I would drive to my local Borders to get a copy. I pushed these books on my mom and anyone else that would listen.
Several years ago, I stopped caring about this series. I realized that I could give a summary of just about any book in the series even if I hadn't read it yet.....because they are all the same. Yes there are small differences but the similarities are overwhelming. I bought this audiobook years ago and decided to pull it out because I wanted to feel a little bit of the magic before Stephanie Plum became boring.
I have read this book at least two or three times before listening to the audiobook. I even watched that horrible movie - at a theater. I know the story and I know it well. Unfortunately, I didn't feel any kind of magic this time. The story was okay. It has its moments for sure if you are looking for a little bit of silly fun in book form. It is really a pretty simple story without a whole lot of complexity to the mystery.
I didn't love the narration. C.J. Critt did a good job with Stephanie which was really the bulk of the story. I really didn't care for the voices used for the other characters in the book. I guess that I have a definite idea about what Ranger, Morelli, and the rest the gang should sound like and the reality of this audiobook just didn't measure up. Benito voice was just odd. Some of the voices used seemed so wrong to me that I found myself being pulled out of the story. I don't think that any of my issues were the fault of the narrator. I just went into the book with definite ideas of what I wanted to hear and this was just different. Not wrong...just different. I would listen to another book narrated by C.J. Critt.
I do think that readers looking for a fun silly story will enjoy the Stephanie Plum series. I have a lot of fond memories of reading these books but I don't think that I will be reading this one again. I may try the next book in the series soon to see if it works better for me because I really want to find some of the magic I felt years ago.
Initial Thoughts I bought this audiobook years ago and decided that I should probably go ahead a listen to it. I have read the book at least twice but this was the first time I listened to any books in the series on audio. I used to love this series but it has lost a its magic for me. I was a bit underwhelmed by this audiobook and really didn't care for a lot of the voices used. It was silly at times but it just didn't feel all that funny this time around.
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life. [image] I have seen these comics floating around the internet and have enjoyed them. When I saw tThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life. [image] I have seen these comics floating around the internet and have enjoyed them. When I saw that there was a whole book of this comic, I knew that I had to take a look. A lot of the comics featured in this book were the same ones that I had seen online but I thought that this was such a fun little book of comics. [image] The thing that I love about this comic is that not only are they funny, they are easy to relate to. I have kids and I could see myself on just about every single page in this book. My youngest is in high school so I am at the point in my life where I am not dealing with some of these issues anymore but I will never forget what it was like when they were younger. Don't get me wrong - My children are still frustrating but in different ways now that they are older. [image] I highly recommend this book to all parents or really anyone who has spent a lot of time with young kids. I think that this book would be a wonderful gift for parents of toddlers who probably need a good laugh. I will definitely be on the look out for future installments of this comic strip. [image] I received an advanced reader copy of this book from Andrews McMeel Publishing via NetGalley for the purpose of providing an honest review.
Initial Thoughts I loved this little book of comics. ...more
It has been ages since I picked up a book of comic strips. I saw a couple of positive remarks abThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
It has been ages since I picked up a book of comic strips. I saw a couple of positive remarks about this book and grabbed it immediately. Once I started reading these comics, I couldn't put the book down. I had never seen the Sarah Scribbles character before and was really excited to see what this was all about. [image] I was surprised by how much I was able to related to this funny little book of comics. There were entries about books, being an introvert, clothes, and all kind of little things that come up in life. Some of the comics made me glad that I am not the only one that has noticed some of these things. These were comics that I found myself constantly sharing with my husband. He likes it when I try to make reading a group sport. [image] The artwork in this book wasn't complex but it worked well. I think that art really was perfect to illustrate this imperfect little character. I would recommend this wonderful book of comics. I think just about everyone can find something amusing in this awesome little book. I will be keeping my eye out for other Sarah Scribbles adventures. [image] I received an advance reader edition of this book from Andrews McMeel Publishing via NetGalley for the purpose of providing an honest review.
Initial Thoughts Such a fun little book of cartoons. It put the smile on my face that I needed to day.
I am terribly disappointed by the fact that I did not fall in love with this book. When I was chThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
I am terribly disappointed by the fact that I did not fall in love with this book. When I was choosing a book to read, I took one look at the ratings for this book on Goodreads and knew that I had to read this book right away. Seriously, every single one of my friends on Goodreads gave this book either a 4 or 5 star rating. And they said it was funny. I love funny. I knew that I would just love this book.
I didn't love it. I was actually bored for most of this book. I do admit that this isn't the kind of book that I usually read but a humorous non-fiction story about hiking the Appalachian Trail sounded fabulous. I really did enjoy the parts of the book that focused on Bill and Stephen's adventures on the trail. I just wish that the focus of the book would have stayed with Bill and Stephen.
The problem was that there was just too much other stuff crammed into this book. I sometimes felt like I was reading a textbook....a well-written textbook...but a textbook nonetheless. In this short little book, I learned about the history of the Appalachian Trail, some geology, information about bears, trees, the National Park Service, birds, and various other things. A lot of the time the book just felt dry and information packed. I was glad that some of this information was shared in a fun way that actually put a smile on my face. All too often, I felt like skipping entire sections of the book so that I could get back to the actual hike.
I had hoped that this was going to be one of those side splitting funny kind of books. It had its moments of humor but nothing that made me do anything more than crack a smile. There was no laughing out loud and the parts that were funny seemed to be rather sparse. Don't get me wrong, I can tell that Bill Bryson is a very funny guy but I need a lot more of those kind of moments to offset the parts of the book that were dry.
I did notice that there is a movie based on this book that is soon to be released. I actually am looking forward to that movie because I suspect that it will focus on the parts of the book that I really enjoyed....the actual hike. I don't think that there will be too many geology or history lessons found in the film. I am thinking that I actually want to go an see the movie when it comes out and I never go see movies.
I am not going to be recommending this book but I am seriously in the minority with this one. I would tell readers to pick it up if it sounds interesting to you. You may be one of the many who really love it. I still really wish that I was one of the many readers who love it.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Blogging for Books for the purpose of providing an honest review....more
I am absolutely amazed by how closely I can relate to these authors. This collection of humorousThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
I am absolutely amazed by how closely I can relate to these authors. This collection of humorous essays made me chuckle often and tear up occasionally. I have read quite a few of Lisa Scottoline's books and have even stood in line to have her sign my book exactly twice. Both of these authors have a phenomenal sense of humor.
If you are looking for a book with a plot, this isn't that kind of book. This a collection of very short stories that share a few observations and give you just a peek into their world. This is the perfect book to read just a bit at a time. Each story takes just a few minutes and can put a smile on your face almost instantly. I actually think that this would be the perfect book to load on a smart phone and read anytime you find yourself waiting somewhere.
I could relate to both author's writing almost equally. I have been out of the dating scene for a while and although I may sometimes think fondly of that time, this book reminded me that it really wasn't all that much fun. When they talked about Mother Mary's hospice care, I couldn't help but tear up but not because the story was told in a depressing manner. They both talked about that time in such an honest and realistic manner that it brought back a lot of memories and I like to remember so that's a good thing.
Most of the book is a light and fun. I would bet that most women will find something to relate to in this book because they hit on a wide range of subjects. This book talks about friends, diets, movies, dogs, cats, Bradley Cooper, boyfriends, fitbits, subways, ponies, and a whole list of other topics. There were even a few pictures that helped bring the story to life. I love pictures. There were sections of the book that I read aloud to my husband - not because he cares about what I am reading but I just loved what was being said so much that I felt like I had to share it with someone and he was available.
I would highly recommend this book to others. I have read a lot of Lisa Scottoline's work but only one other humorous novel which I also enjoyed. I plan to work my way through the rest of these books soon and hope that there are a lot more to come in the future.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley for the purpose of providing an honest review. ...more
I have enjoyed Lisa Scottoline's writing for quite some time. I would have to say that I became a pretty big fan of hers when I went to an a3.5 Stars!
I have enjoyed Lisa Scottoline's writing for quite some time. I would have to say that I became a pretty big fan of hers when I went to an author event at my local library when she was touring for Look Again. I couldn't believe how much fun I had listening to her. She was funny and she threw snack cakes at the audience which is always a plus. I went home that night with a huge grin on my face, a snack cake to devour later on, and a brand new tote bag that she gave me for buying several of her novels. I don't really know what I waited until now to read this book since I know how funny she can be.
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Just a couple of weeks ago, Lisa made a return visit to my town to promote her new book Every Fifteen Minutes. This event was just as much fun as the first. There weren't any snack cakes this time...but there was wine and cheese so I don't think any missed the snack cakes. I spent some time talking to other fans at the event and learned that Lisa actually narrates the audiobooks for her humorous books. I had just finished an audiobook so I downloaded this book and started listening right away.
This is a compilation of articles, some of which I think I may have read before when they were originally published in a newspaper column. Some of the stories were laugh out loud funny. Some made me chuckle just a little bit. One story actually made me cry which is crazy. I hardly ever cry and especially not on my way to work over an audiobook. I was really very impressed that this book was able to bring out so much emotion. I am amazed by how much I could relate to Lisa Scottoline and in many ways her story felt like some of my own.
I liked the fact that this book was really 90 different stories. Yes, there were 90 chapters in my audiobook and each chapter was a completely different story. You learned a lot about many of the people in the book and the stories did build upon that knowledge but any of the stories could be listened to independently without any problem. This was a perfect set up for me because I work just a few miles from my house so I could listen to a couple of stories in the car on the way to work and not worry about stopping in the middle of a chapter. I even listened to it when my family was in the car and felt no embarrassment. My daughter was embarrassed but I had no problems and I even caught my husband and daughter laughing a couple of times.
The narration was perfect. I wish that she would narrate all of her books because she is a fabulous narrator. Her daughter even authored and narrated a few of the chapters and it was nice to hear her perspective. Generally, I have found that authors can be the best narrators because they know how they envisioned the story be told. This book is really Lisa Scottoline's life told through stories and I can't think of anyone else I would have wanted as a narrator.
I would recommend this book to others. I know that my mother will love this book and I plan to help her get it on her kindle the next time I see her. I will definitely be reading more from Lisa Scottoline in the future. ...more
I absolutely loved this book! I listened to the audible version of the story and I havThis review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
4.5 Stars!
I absolutely loved this book! I listened to the audible version of the story and I have to say that if you have a choice as to how you experience this book, I would definitely go for the audio. It was fantastic. This was a book that made me actually want to stay in the car to hear a little more just so I could hear a little more of the story. I almost pushed the kids out of the car so I could turn it back on (you do NOT want to try to listen to this book with your kids in the car - trust me!). I did make my husband listen to it with me for a little while and I caught him laughing at it more than once.
This isn't the kind of book that I read all that often and I have to admit that I am a little ashamed that I liked it so much. If someone had told me all about Drew Evans, I would have said he sounds like an asshole and you know what - Drew IS an asshole! Drew is everything I should have hated in a male lead...but I loved him anyway. This is entirely Drew's story - told from his perspective. I know that there are other books told from the man's point of view but I think this may be the first one that I have had a chance to read and I really enjoyed the change.
The narrator on the audio, Sebastian York, nailed the delivery on this audiobook. He was perfect and I fell in love with his voice. I actually spent a day trying to figure out what the man looked like because he is Drew Evans. He has to be there is no other explanation as to how he could so perfectly tell this story. If you can experience this story via audio, I think you will find that it is really the way to go.
As we have already covered, Drew is an asshole. He is a player and a king when it comes to one night stands. And then he meets Kate. Kate is a new employee at Drew's firm and she is proving to be a challenge. They have a lot of chemistry together and it was just fun anytime they were together. Drew has a total change of heart in this book and his turn around was dramatic.
I loved the originality of this story and how it is told through humor. People love to laugh (at least I do) and this book is just plain funny. I liked that Drew is paired with a woman who will not tolerate his crap in this story. Kate is exactly what Drew needed. The story never felt boring and the humor never grew old. It was trashy at times but it was fun.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a humorous romantic story. This was the first book that I have had a chance to read by Emma Chase but I will be reading the rest of the series in the very near future. ...more
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