There are very few books that I will drop everything to read. This is one of those bookThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
There are very few books that I will drop everything to read. This is one of those books. I downloaded this book as soon as it became available and spent as much time reading it as possible. I seem to be reading slower these days so I downloaded the audiobook when it was released a week later even though I had reached the 80% mark in the book simply because I couldn’t wait to see how it ended. I was a fantastic reading experience from beginning to end.
The characters in this series come alive on the page. I think that Sarah Lyons Fleming does an amazing job of creating characters that you can’t help but love, making it very easy to become invested in the story’s outcome. This series is told from 4 unique points of view. Rose loves to take care of everyone, especially her father and 2 young adult children. She tends to worry simply because she cares so much. Tom is Rose’s boyfriend and Clara’s father. He is incredibly competent and tends to be a steady presence in the story. Clara is Tom’s daughter and the girlfriend of Rose’s oldest child. We get to see a bit more about how the young adults in the story deal with a world turned upside down. Craig is Rose’s childhood friend. He has stepped up as a leader in the group and is someone that Rose and everyone else can count on. These four characters tell the story but it is easy to fall in love with the whole group and I worried about them with each challenge they faced.
The group seems to be in a bit of a better start than they were in the past. They have a solid group working together, plenty of supplies, and a location that meets their needs. Unfortunately, this is a world full of danger. They must constantly work to keep their food supply up and stay on guard against the zombies that now roam the world. On top of that, they know that the threat of wildfire is a real one. And this is a world without a team of firefighters ready to act. This story took my heart and broke it at times. I have to wonder just how much these characters can face.
I listened to a portion of this book and thought the narrators did a great job with the story. Each point of view was voiced by a different narrator which made it very easy for the listener to know when the perspective changed. I thought that their voices were very pleasant and complimented each other’s nicely. They added just the right amount of emotion to their reading which added to my enjoyment of the story. I plan to tackle the full audiobook when I pick this book up again for an eventual re-read.
I would highly recommend this series to others. This is the fourth book in a series that really should be read in order so I wouldn’t start with this book. The first book World Departed would be a much better place to start. I can’t wait to read the next (and possibly final) book in this much-loved series....more
My Thoughts I have had this book on my virtual shelves for years! I am kicking myself for waiting so long to finally get around to reading it. I love KMy Thoughts I have had this book on my virtual shelves for years! I am kicking myself for waiting so long to finally get around to reading it. I love Kelley Armstrong's writing so I had a great feeling about this one and it did not disappoint. I loved getting to know Elena and the rest of her pack. There was plenty of excitement throughout the story. I listened to the audiobook and thought that the narrator did a fantastic job with this book.
My Thoughts I somehow missed reading this book earlier this year! It was great to see Helena, Jayden, Colt and all of the key character for one final iMy Thoughts I somehow missed reading this book earlier this year! It was great to see Helena, Jayden, Colt and all of the key character for one final installment. The mystery kept me guessing and I had a few chuckles over Helena's antics. All in all, this made for a fun read! I listened to the audiobook and thought that Johanna Parker did an excellent job with this story.
My Thoughts This was good! I tend to enjoy the fake dating trope so I was pretty excited to read this book and I was not disappointed. Emma and Sean weMy Thoughts This was good! I tend to enjoy the fake dating trope so I was pretty excited to read this book and I was not disappointed. Emma and Sean were great together and I loved getting the chance to check in on characters from previous installments in the series. I listened to the audiobook and thought that the narrator did a great job with the story.
My Thoughts Nothing earth-shattering here. This was a somewhat entertaining spicy gay Top Gun retelling. The parts of the story that reminded me of theMy Thoughts Nothing earth-shattering here. This was a somewhat entertaining spicy gay Top Gun retelling. The parts of the story that reminded me of the movie were fun. I didn't really feel like we got to know these characters all that well so I wasn't too invested. I listened to the audiobook and thought that the narrators did a great job with the story.
This was fantastic! I might even like Molly better in this installment than I did in thThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
This was fantastic! I might even like Molly better in this installment than I did in the first (and I liked her a lot in that book!). I love how much Molly has grown as a character and I was happy to see that things were going well in her life. Well, things are going great until there is another death at the hotel and Molly finds herself in the middle of another investigation.
The mystery in this installment kept me guessing, and I enjoyed the flashbacks to the past that were worked into the story. It was really interesting to me that Molly had a connection to the deceased author even though he didn’t seem to remember. Molly looks at the world a little differently and I thought that some of her insights into this case were very interesting. There were a few things that I was able to figure out but I found the book entertaining overall.
I listened to the audiobook and thought that Lauren Ambrose did an amazing job with the story. She did such a great job of bringing Molly and the rest of the cast of characters to life. I found her voice to be very pleasant and thought that she added just the right amount of emotion to her reading. I am certain that her performance added to my overall enjoyment of this story.
I would recommend this book to others. This is the second book in the Molly the Maid series and I would recommend reading the series in order if at all possible since the events from the first book are discussed in this installment. I found this mystery to be delightful and I hope that we see many more stories featuring Molly the maid.
I received a review copy of this book from Penguin Random House Audio....more
This was so much fun! I am a reader who is always looking for something a little differThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
This was so much fun! I am a reader who is always looking for something a little different that doesn’t fit nicely into a single genre. As soon as I heard that this was a serial killer rom-com, I knew that I needed to read it. It was gory, sexy, laugh-out-loud funny, and rather romantic. All the things that I love. Once I started reading this book, I couldn’t get it out of my head until I had reached the end.
I liked Sloane and Rowan and thought that they were perfect for each other. They were both killers and seemed to understand each other. Plus they were able to enjoy their hobby and even made it into a game that they play once a year. Some scenes are pretty intense so this may not be the right choice for every reader but I loved the way that the author was able to weave humor into the story along with the gory bits. The chemistry between the pair was incredibly well done and I wanted to see them work things out.
I listened to the audiobook and thought that Joe Arden and Lucy Rivers took the story to the next level. They were able to bring Sloane and Rowan to life through their narration. I loved the slight accent that Joe Arden used for Rowan’s character. I thought that the narrators’ voices complimented each other very nicely and I had no problem listening to this book for hours at a time. Their performances added a lot to my overall enjoyment of this story.
I would highly recommend this book to others. I found it to be a really well-done and rather unique story. I found myself rooting for this pair of killers and I loved that there were some pretty big surprises worked into the story. I can’t wait to get my hands on the second book in this trilogy!
I received a digital review copy of this book from Zando....more
This was wonderful! I am about the same age as the characters in this book, so I loved This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
This was wonderful! I am about the same age as the characters in this book, so I loved taking a peek back at the not-so-distant past. I have fond memories of life before everyone was tethered to a cell phone and enjoyed reading a romance set in the same period when I was young and going on dates myself. I found this story to be incredibly entertaining and had a very hard time putting it down once I got started with it.
Luke, a former child star, has come to town to work as a producing director on a television show. He does not drive anymore and wants to relearn the skill. Dani is certain that she does not want children after helping to care for her numerous siblings growing up. She cannot find a doctor willing to perform a tubal ligation because she is young and unmarried. The pair decide to help each other get what they want and grow closer than they expected in the process. I liked Luke and Dani and thought they were perfect together. The chemistry between them was incredibly well written and I loved how they were able to help each other through a few things.
I listened to the audiobook and thought Alastair Haynesbridge and Amy McFadden did a great job with this story. I found both of their voices to be very pleasant and thought that they complimented each other’s voices very well. I enjoyed the fact that both narrators were able to bring a lot of emotion to their reading which helped to bring the story to life. I had no problem listening to this audiobook for hours at a time and am certain that their performance added to my overall enjoyment of the story.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book to others. This is the third book in the Carolina Classics series but works perfectly well as a stand-alone. I had a great time getting to know this pair of characters and couldn’t wait to see them find their happily ever after. I am a fan of Karen Grey’s writing and look forward to reading more of her work in the future.
I received a digital review copy of this audiobook from the author....more
I enjoyed this one! I am a sucker for dark academia so I was very excited to give this This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I enjoyed this one! I am a sucker for dark academia so I was very excited to give this book a try. I loved the gothic feel of the story and liked Corvina right away. It took me a minute to warm up to Vad but I did end up liking his character as well. I loved that the story kept me guessing and there were a few twists and turns that completely surprised me. I had a hard time putting this entertaining book down once I started reading.
When Corvina is invited to attend the University of Verenmore, she doesn’t hesitate. Since her mother is no longer at home, nothing is holding her back. She is a little older than other incoming students but quickly starts to form a bond with her new roommate. Then she meets Vad, who just happens to be a professor, and they are immediately drawn to each other. Some strange things are happening at the university and Corvina and Vad hope to figure out what is going on before someone else disappears.
I wasn’t sure about Corvina and Vad at first but I was eventually convinced. He is a professor at the school but he is also a thesis student so the lines are a little more blurred. There isn’t much of an age gap between the pair but Corvina was a lot more innocent. I thought that the chemistry between the pair was palpable. The emotional connection between these characters felt authentic and I wanted to see them find their happily ever after.
I ended up grabbing a copy of the audiobook and thought that Aiden Snow and Scarlett Dorian did an amazing job with this story. I am not sure if I have listened to either of these narrators’ work in the past but I appreciated their performance with this story. I liked the fact that they were able to capture the characters’ personalities through their reading which added a lot to my enjoyment of the story. I would not hesitate to recommend this entertaining and atmospheric romance to others.
I received a review copy of this book from Bramble....more
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. Iris’s sister, Stella, disappeared a year ago and she This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. Iris’s sister, Stella, disappeared a year ago and she wants to know what happened. Everyone seems to think that Stella ran away but Iris doesn’t believe it. When her ex-girlfriend, Heather, goes missing, Iris knows that she needs to find out what is really happening. We get to experience the podcast Heather did about Stella’s disappearance while we follow Iris and her friends as they try to solve this newest crime.
I liked Iris and her friends. I appreciated the fact that they were determined to try to figure out what happened. Since the police were quick to label Iris’s sister a runaway the year before, I understood why they felt that they would need to take action. They do take some big risks, especially Iris. I liked the way that podcast was woven into the story. The mystery kept me guessing until the very end.
I listened to the audiobook and thought that Mia Hutchinson-Shaw and Gail Shalan did an amazing job with this story. I thought that the production was very well done and love how authentic the podcast felt. I felt like these narrators expertly brought this story to life which added to my overall enjoyment. I had a great time with this Young Adult mystery and will be recommending it to others.
I received a review copy of this book from Little Brown Books for Young Readers....more
Initial Thoughts I really enjoyed this story! Kip and Scott were great and I loved the chemistry that they shared. I listened to the audiobook and I haInitial Thoughts I really enjoyed this story! Kip and Scott were great and I loved the chemistry that they shared. I listened to the audiobook and I hate to say it but I had some problems with the narration. I couldn't stand the voice that the narrator used for Kip and it really took me out of the book. I still found a lot to like about the book but I really wish that the narrator would have used a different voice for Kip.
Initial Thoughts This was good! While this book is technically a stand-alone, I feel like I would have benefited from reading the previous books beforeInitial Thoughts This was good! While this book is technically a stand-alone, I feel like I would have benefited from reading the previous books before diving into this one. The mystery is completely contained in this book but there were a lot of other things going on with the characters that I think some background would have helped. I liked Rook, Jackaby, and the rest of the characters and was eager to see what was going on with all of the disappearances going on. I loved that there was some humor woven throughout the story as well. I listened to the audiobook and thought that the narrator did a great job with the story.
Review copy provided by the publisher. Full review to be posted soon....more
This was really good! I have been a fan of Sandra Brown’s writing for a very long time This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
This was really good! I have been a fan of Sandra Brown’s writing for a very long time and look forward to each new release so I was excited to have the chance to read her latest book. I was surprised to learn that this book dealt with a mass shooting but Sandra Brown handled the topic well as I trusted she would. The story took me on a bit of an emotional roller coaster since it was heartbreaking at times, and exciting at others, with just enough romance worked in to keep things very interesting.
My heart broke for some of the characters quickly after starting the book. Elle and Calder were both at the county fair when the shooting occurred and the danger may not be over. Everyone present when the shooting occurred lost something but Elle’s loss felt incredibly profound. Both Elle and Calder are committed to finding out who is responsible for everything that has happened. The story got very exciting as they encountered one dangerous situation after another while the police tried to find who was responsible for the tragedy. I liked the chemistry between Elle and Caulder and thought that they worked well as a couple.
I listened to the audiobook and thought that Kyf Brewer did a great job with the story. I believe that this is the first time that I have listened to this narrator’s work and wouldn’t hesitate to pick up other books that he narrates. I found his voice to be very pleasant and thought that he was able to add just the right amount of emotion to his reading.
I would recommend this book to others. I found this to be quite the page-turner and I loved that the mystery kept me guessing until the very end. The story ended on a hopeful note which I also appreciated. I cannot wait to read more of this talented author’s work in the future.
I received a review copy of this book from Grand Central Publishing....more
I enjoyed this book quite a bit! This is a darker romance and I would strongly encouragThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I enjoyed this book quite a bit! This is a darker romance and I would strongly encourage readers to check out all trigger warnings before jumping into this book. The story jumps right into the action. When Cora finds herself alone at a bar with no way to get home, she turns to her sister’s fiance, Dean, for help. Cora and Dean do not get along, but he comes immediately to help her. When they wake up the next day, shackled in a madman’s basement, they know they are in a dire situation.
I liked Cora and Dean and thought that the connection that they made in that basement felt authentic. I wanted to see good things happy for both characters and hoped they would find joy together. There are some serious low points for both characters in this story and my heart just ached for them. It seemed that they were the only ones who really seemed to understand each other and what they needed.
I thought that the narrators did a great job with the story. I believe this was my first experience with Laurie West’s and Christian Black’s work. It did take me a short while to adjust to the male narrator’s performance but once I got used to his voice, I had no issues. The bulk of the story was handled by the female narrator since Cora’s perspective seemed to be the dominant voice. I thought that both brought the emotional aspects of the story out with their narration.
I would recommend this book to fans of dark romance. I found this to be a book that was almost impossible to put down once I started reading. I felt so much for Cora and Dean and couldn’t wait for them to find their happily ever after.
I received a review copy of this audiobook from Tantor Media, Inc....more
I ended up really enjoying this book! I started out listening to the audiobook and founThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I ended up really enjoying this book! I started out listening to the audiobook and found that I was a bit confused so I decided to go back to the beginning and follow along in the book while a listened to the audio which proved to be a much better experience. I really enjoyed the magic of the carnival and couldn’t wait to see how things would work out in the end.
There is a pretty large cast of characters in this story. Charlotte’s guardian, Odilon Rose, brings her to Aurelius Ashe, who runs the Carnivale of Curiosities. Charlotte is in ill health and after exhausting other avenues Odilon has to to Aurelius for a possible cure. We get to meet all of the key players in the Carnivale with Lucien playing a key role. I liked the way that the story slowly unraveled allowing the reader to learn the backstories of the characters as we worked our way through the story. When all of the pieces fell into place, there were more than a few surprises. The Victorian London was incredibly well done and I liked that we got to see the poorer side of town in addition to the more wealthy area such as where Odilon Rose resides.
I believe that this was my first experience with James Langton’s narration. I thought that he had a very nice range and like the voices that he used while reading the story. I had trouble keeping up with the larger cast of characters with the audiobook alone but once I really got to know the various characters, I had no issue with the audiobook. I would not hesitate to listen to more of this narrator’s work in the future.
I would recommend this book to others. It was an entertaining story full of secrets, magic, and Faustian bargains. I thought that the book was incredibly well written and look forward to future works by this talented author.
I received a review copy of this book from Grand Central Publishing and Hachette Audio....more
This was such a fun book! I believe that this middle grade fantasy is a perfect read foThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
This was such a fun book! I believe that this middle grade fantasy is a perfect read for both younger readers and adults. We meet the sword Asperides right away once I realized a sentient sword would be one of the main characters, I knew that I was in for a good time. I was entertained by this fascinating tale from beginning to end.
Nack has been cast out by his family and hopes to prove his worth by completing a task to win back his place. I felt horrible for Nack since he was truly on his own with no place to go and even loses his sword right away. He decides to go on a knight’s quest where he finds Asperides and enters into a contract believing it is an angel sword. Nack was such a great character and I adored his interactions with Asperides. I found this story to be really exciting with quite a few surprises worked in. The characters all grow and change over the course of the story as they try to do what is right.
I listened to the audiobook and thought that Mark Sanderlin did a great job with the story. I have listened to this narrator’s work on a couple of adult romance novels so it was fun to see him tackle a different genre. I thought that he did a great job with the various character voices which helped to bring the story to life. I do believe that his narration added to my overall enjoyment of the story.
I would definitely recommend this book to others. It was an entertaining story featuring wonderful characters that should appeal to a wide range of readers. I would not hesitate to read more of this author’s work in the future.
I received a review copy of this book from Algonquin Young Readers....more
I had a great time with this book! This is the first book by Ashley Winstead that I havThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I had a great time with this book! This is the first book by Ashley Winstead that I have read but it will not be the last. I was hooked by this story from the very start. Ruth and Ever had a lot to hide and I couldn’t wait to learn all of their secrets. The mystery kept me guessing until the very end. I found this to be an incredibly entertaining novel.
Ruth and Ever were great characters who faced terrible, but very different, situations in their home life. Ruth is the daughter of the most powerful man in the town, Pastor James Cormier. Everett is the son of the town drunk. Their lives intersect during a tragic moment and they become best friends. I liked Ruth and Ever even though they were incredibly flawed characters. I was pulled into the story right away and loved the fact that there were a few unexpected turns. I could have never guessed the direction that the story would go.
I switched to the audiobook when I was about halfway done with the story and thought that Sarah Welborn did a great job of bringing the story to life. I believe this was the first time I have had the chance to listen to this narrator’s work and I was impressed. I found her voice to be very pleasant and I had no problem listening to this book for hours at a time. I am certain that her narration only added to my overall enjoyment of this story.
I would recommend this book to others. I found this book to be quite addictive and hated to put it down when I had other obligations. I loved the fact that this story was able to keep time guessing until the very end. I cannot wait to read more of this author’s work!
I received a digital review copy of this book from Sourcebooks Landmark and Tantor Audio....more
Initial Thoughts This was great! I thought that Ikenna was a great character and I really wanted to see her succeed in not only making it through the PInitial Thoughts This was great! I thought that Ikenna was a great character and I really wanted to see her succeed in not only making it through the Praetorian Trials but in finding out what really happened to her grandfather. The story was very exciting and often brutal. I loved that the story was able to keep me guessing right up until the end. I listened to the audiobook and thought that the narrator only added to my enjoyment of the story.
Review copy provided by the publisher. Full review to be posted soon....more
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