the setup… Kara is new to the neighborhood and has only made friends with her next door neighbor Mindy who shares her fears about her husband’s possiblthe setup… Kara is new to the neighborhood and has only made friends with her next door neighbor Mindy who shares her fears about her husband’s possible philandering. Kara decides she’ll look out for her whenever she’s away from home. When she sees someone there through the window while Mindy is out, Kara decides to do some closer snooping and gets the surprise of her life.
the heart of the story… What is it they say about good fences make good neighbors? Definitely something Kara should have kept in mind as things quickly got dangerous. The cat and mouse game that later ensued was filled with tension and surprises. The alibi? Well, that’s a spoiler.
the narration… Amara Jasper (new to me) was fabulous! She did a great job of storytelling and characterized Kara perfectly. It’s five for five with the narrators in this collection.
the bottom line… This one is a winner! It grabbed me right away and never let go. And, I couldn’t believe how quickly the time went because I was completely immersed in the story. Well done.
the setup… A woman is cycling around the dairy farmland near Burlington, Vermont when she’s distracted by the sight of two skydivers. Recalling her ownthe setup… A woman is cycling around the dairy farmland near Burlington, Vermont when she’s distracted by the sight of two skydivers. Recalling her own great experience, she stops to watch. But then she sees that one of them changes course and starts heading towards an active forage harvester. She watches in horror at the impending disaster. Brothers Pete and Leo Hamilton have returned home following their father’s death to settle his estate but disagree on what to do with the farm. They both agree to his request that they sprinkle his ashes over the fields and are the skydivers seen by the cyclist.
the heart of the story… Even though the cyclist is the alibi, she comes from a background that makes her an exceptional witness and knows something was off. One of those brothers died and given their disagreement about the farm, suspicion is cast on the survivor. We get a tiny glimpse about the two when it transitions back to before it happened and pick up a few clues. Nothing was as it seemed.
the narration… Eric Altheide, Soneela Nankani and Pete Simonelli give voice to the brothers and the cyclist. All were great at their storytelling, especially the cyclist who sets up the skydiving scene perfectly.
the bottom line… I wish this was just a smidgen longer because I just couldn’t get a good sense of the brothers before the skydiving disaster. However, the epilogue wrapped things up nicely with a sweet little twist. I liked it but had to rewind to make sure I heard things right. 3.5 stars
the setup… William Homberg is the son of Stockholm’s beloved baritone opera singer, Knut. He was raised solely by him following his mother’s death. Knuthe setup… William Homberg is the son of Stockholm’s beloved baritone opera singer, Knut. He was raised solely by him following his mother’s death. Knut lived in excess…alcohol, women and lavish spending on himself and sadistically cruel to the women who adored him. William has lived his life dedicated to not be like this man and rarely sees him. However, when his beloved girlfriend Ebba encourages him to reach out to Knut with her at his side, he agrees and it’s life changing.
the heart of the story… This was on the bleak side but compelling in a foreboding way. When Knut turns up murdered, all the evidence points to William, who has an alibi but is reluctant to reveal it. I had a feeling where this was going and my heart began to ache for William who was losing the struggle to not be the man his father was.
the narration… Graham Halstead made all the difference in my enjoyment of this story. I would encourage everyone to listen to this one versus reading. He completely captures William and his storytelling is superb.
the bottom line… This one will haunt me because William is such a tragic character, trying to not be his father and sort of failing in the attempt. I saw betrayal coming and just wanted to save him.
the setup… Ian Curley is a renowned chef and restaurateur with a thriving restaurant in Melbourne. His three ex-wives, Anita, Mary-Jane (MJ) and Rosie,the setup… Ian Curley is a renowned chef and restaurateur with a thriving restaurant in Melbourne. His three ex-wives, Anita, Mary-Jane (MJ) and Rosie, meet there every Friday in the same corner booth to share their past marital woes (he foots the bill). His two children, Max and Daisy, work for him. When Ian is discovered dead in his commercial freezer, there’s no shortage of suspects, including his new child girlfriend Emma. But, they all seem to have rock solid alibis.
the heart of the story… Detective Charlene Li and her hapless partner Adrian Collins are tasked with figuring out who murdered Ian and untangling the suspects’ whereabouts. I loved getting everyone’s point of view and Detective Li’s follow up interrogations. It was intriguing from the onset, especially after each gave color to who Ian was, really.
the narration… I loved Anthea Greco’s voice tone, accent and storytelling! She was part of the “thing” that hooked me so quickly.
the bottom line… Despite its brevity, there’s a lot of meat here. I got a strong sense of every character, tough to accomplish in a short story with this many characters. Thought I had it solved but that twisty little ending caught me off guard. This so perfectly fits in with the collection and Hepworth does it again.
the setup… Veterinarian Evie Williams gets the surprise of her life when she returns home early and finds her fiancé in her bed…with another woman. Shethe setup… Veterinarian Evie Williams gets the surprise of her life when she returns home early and finds her fiancé in her bed…with another woman. She kicks him out and also quits working at his practice, now jobless and broken hearted. Evie turns to the Sanctuary for solace, a nonprofit animal rescue center operated by her college mentor. While she gets the puppy love she needed, she also got a snootful of an old love that got away. Bryson Mitchell, a nationally renowned veterinarian surgeon, has returned to town, standing right in front of her and she’s not ready for that. She exits rather quickly with new pug-beagle mix Waffles in tow but only later must work with Bryson to save their beloved Sanctuary.
the heart of the story… I rarely choose a book because of its cover but must admit that this one did it, along with the title and description. Happily the story lived up to their promises and I had a really good time. Evie comes from a prominent and affluent family who had different plans for her. Bryson comes from very different circumstances that he lets come between them. Meanwhile, he and his papillon Bella bond with Evie and Waffles as they work to save the Sanctuary.
the narration… Marissa Hampton delivered a fun and lively performance that met the spirit of this story. She managed a host of distinctive voices, including secondary friends and family along with Evie and Bryson.
the bottom line… I didn’t realize this was the second in the series and thankfully it didn’t matter much, though I can tell when secondary characters have a backstory I’m missing. No matter because I had a lot of fun with the canine aspects and a very substantive romance. Bryson had to dig out of a hole to win Evie’s trust and he made that journey interesting. I’ll be reading the first book and highly anticipating the third.
the setup… TV news reporter Trinity Payne is sidelined by her network because of an awkward on air comment she made and she’s hiding out at her sister the setup… TV news reporter Trinity Payne is sidelined by her network because of an awkward on air comment she made and she’s hiding out at her sister Detective Josie Quinn’s home. Determined to win her job back, Trinity is working on what she calls her next big story and is secretive and tight lipped about it. After Josie expresses concern, Trinity packs up and escapes to a remote hunting cabin. When three weeks go by without a word, Josie seeks her out only to find she’s vanished without a trace, leaving behind all of her belongings, including her car, phone and clothes. However, Trinity did leave behind a series of cryptic clues as breadcrumbs for Josie and her team to follow.
the heart of the story… This was one chilling story as the team soon discovers they’re chasing a serial killer and aren’t even certain if Trinity is still alive. Up to this point, we’ve only learned about Josie’s tragic childhood but this was all about Trinity. Her childhood wasn't all sweetness and light and that was enlightening, especially how Josie’s abduction shaped her. The connections and parallels were fascinating.
the narration… Kate Handford is now the voice in my head for the series and it’s a good thing. I’m committed to listening to every book through the end as her storytelling elevates the story.
the bottom line… Yet another gnarly mystery that kept me off balance and in the dark most of the time. I enjoyed following the clues and developing theories, some right on the mark and others off the deep end. As compelling as the mystery element turned out, I was more invested in learning about the real Trinity, the young girl before the glamour of her career. I can’t wait to see how her relationship with Josie is redefined now that they’ve delved far below the surface.
the setup… College student Casey Caldwell is one of the bridesmaids in her friend’s upcoming wedding. She’s suddenly paired with the groom’s rock star the setup… College student Casey Caldwell is one of the bridesmaids in her friend’s upcoming wedding. She’s suddenly paired with the groom’s rock star brother, Jake McKallister and is a little thrown by it. While she’s well known for being direct and outspoken, the extremely famous and talented Jake has a reputation of being quite the opposite, shaped by a traumatic event that happened to him when he was thirteen years old. Their meeting at the rehearsal dinner was unremarkable until she does something that not only gets his attention, but has him connect with her in a way he’s never experienced and she never saw coming.
the heart of the story… Jake keeps most people other than his big, loving family on the perimeter after surviving that horrific experience. He’s never had a meaningful relationship with any woman, unable to open his heart that way…until Casey. I really liked her spirit and outlook and while she was initially awestruck by Jake, that lasted about a minute following their introduction. Their attraction developed fast and furious over that weekend but didn’t have that typical instalove feeling. She introduced him to a whole new spectrum of emotions and he let her into his crazy world to her. While tragedy stunted his growth emotionally, it also was the foundation for his artistry.
the narration… Andi Arndt has long been a favorite and she nailed all that was special about Casey. Joe Arden gave Jake a voice that captured his reticence and personality. I enjoyed both of their performances.
the bottom line… It’s been a long time since I’ve read a rock star romance but this was on a different level. Jake’s world was insane and I have a new appreciation for the demands put upon famous people. Casey was his refuge and I loved how their differences made the relationship work. Jake’s demons were real, even after ten years, and adds weight. His family plays an integral role here, too, including four brothers and two sisters. I not only loved this story but am now hooked enough to continue the series. You’ll have to read it to understand the title.
the setup… Twenty years ago when Nola Strate was eight years old, she experienced the trauma of a lifetime when she came face to face with the serial kthe setup… Twenty years ago when Nola Strate was eight years old, she experienced the trauma of a lifetime when she came face to face with the serial killer known as The Hiding Man in her home in Portland, Oregon. She’s the only one to have seen his frightening, eerie mask. Now she’s the late night radio host of Night Watch where callers relate their experiences with paranormal events. Her father Chick previously originated and hosted the show before turning it over to her. While she’s come to terms with her childhood experience, lately Nola’s feeling like someone is watching and stalking her. Then a woman calls in, terrified that someone is in her house, the description so similar to Nola’s it brings all of the memories back to the present. She’s convinced that after all these years, The Hiding Man has resurfaced.
the heart of the story… We get the points of view from Nola, Detective Jack De Lacey who investigated the murder twenty years ago and The Hiding Man. Nola’s instincts are dead on and even though she’s surrounded by well meaning people who tell her she’s imagining things, she never lets her guard down. I was trusting no one and my list of suspects kept shifting as well as my theories.
the narration… Helen Laser and Will Collyer are wonderful storytellers and this one needed all their skills. Laser kept the tension high and Collyer kept me off balance. They delivered a great performance.
the bottom line… The hype was earned here and I was uncomfortable from start to finish. It’s creepy and highly atmospheric. Nola made some risky moves, the kind where you want to scream, “no, don’t go in there!” which I found nerve wracking. While the ending wasn’t as twisty as I would have liked, it still was exciting. I’m now an instant fan. 4.5 stars
the setup… Cora Atkin is on her way to register the name of her newborn son. Her husband Gordon wants him named after him; nine-year old daughter Maia the setup… Cora Atkin is on her way to register the name of her newborn son. Her husband Gordon wants him named after him; nine-year old daughter Maia suggests Bear, and Cora likes Julian. Whichever her choice will have a consequence, both for the child and her family. Over the next 35 years, the story provides alternating experiences of each choice.
the heart of the story… Cora means “core of the story” and she is central to everything and each alternate experience. She’s also the victim of extreme physical and emotional abuse by her sadistic husband. It’s the reason she doesn’t want her child named after him. Each story explores the consequences of the name choices, not only for Cora but but her children and the family dynamics. Gordon is an esteemed physician so outwardly the world sees him as a wonderful doctor, husband and father. The abuse is horrid and hard to take in and may be triggering. It brought equal moments of rage and tears for me.
the narration… Dervla Kirwan delivered an outstanding performance, hands down. Her storytelling was skillful and I hung onto to her every utterance.
the bottom line… This is a stunning debut and was nothing like I’d imagined it to be as it was miles high better. Each experience was poignant and explored how a name can drive the trajectory of a person’s journey in life. I thought I might prefer one story over another but I found elements in each that touched me. It still haunts me and will for weeks to come. 4.5 stars
the setup… Rowan Gallagher is an architect and single mother with a 16-year old daughter, Natalie. She lives in Portland, Maine and is working on a twothe setup… Rowan Gallagher is an architect and single mother with a 16-year old daughter, Natalie. She lives in Portland, Maine and is working on a two-year contract to restore an historic mansion for the influential Wincott family. She loves the project but her personal life just hit the skids. The man she’s been dating suddenly and inexplicably dumped her. But! He’s forgotten to turn off his location tracker and Rowan can’t resist taking a peek every now and then. However…a few nights later, she sees he’s parked in front of the mansion, a spot they used to use. Rowan decides to takes her dog Lickie for a walk and perhaps stroll by that spot. Unfortunately, what she finds isn’t a new girlfriend but a dead ex-boyfriend.
the heart of the story… Even though Rowan was traumatized and called the police, she still manages to stay on their suspect list. Things get even more complicated when her ex and daughter’s father shows back up in town and lands on that list, too. I really liked Rowan and even though she sometimes made some curious choices, she was smart, talented and did better investigating than the detectives. Then there’s a mystery involving the mansion that seemed to be connected.
the narration… I’m a big fan of Kathleen Early and her storytelling skills and she was great here as Rowan. Caitlin Kelly was perfect as the sometime bratty teen Natalie and Sarah-Mollo Christensen was wonderful as the mysterious Wincott secretary. I enjoyed the performances individually and collectively.
the bottom line… This is my first by the author, someone I’ve wanted to read for a while and I chose a good one. The characters were well developed and the mystery nicely designed and connected. And, there’s a romance element I wasn’t expecting. I’ll definitely be checking out Bowen’s backlist.
the setup… Cynthie Taylor’s career is in serious trouble. She’s a well-regarded, famous actress now caught up in a scandal that may just level her carethe setup… Cynthie Taylor’s career is in serious trouble. She’s a well-regarded, famous actress now caught up in a scandal that may just level her career. Her agent and her best friend approach her with a project that just might be the solution…if she can bear having Jack Turner-Jones be the leading man in the sequel to the film that launched their careers. Thirteen years ago, A Lady of Quality was Cynthie’s first role and the one that distinguished Jack from his famous theatrical parents. Problem was they couldn’t stand each other back then and haven’t seen one another since. Can they pull this off?
the heart of the story… The story begins with Cynthie’s current woes and transitions back thirteen years to where it all began. I appreciated the dual timeline because there was so much more texture to the complicated relationship between Cynthie and Jack. There’s truly a thin line between love hate and these two personify that. Part of the PR from the first movie required them to be in a fake relationship and they were going to have to do it again for the new film’s promotion. Jack needs this movie, too, so both want it to work while struggling with those competing emotions.
the narration… Heather Long and Sam Stafford were delightful as Cynthie and Jack, as well as giving great voices to the wonderful secondary characters. I loved their performances.
the bottom line… There’s a lot to love here with two highly engaging characters trying to grapple with their complicated feelings for each other. It’s funny and romantic, poignant at times, and has a wonderful cast of secondary characters. Theo & Clementine make an appearance, too, which brought back some special memories. I certainly hope there’s more to come in this series as I’m enjoying being in this world’s orbit.
the setup… It’s 1996 and Jane Williams is turning seventeen. She and her father Frank live in a remote cabin in Montana, off the grid with just the mosthe setup… It’s 1996 and Jane Williams is turning seventeen. She and her father Frank live in a remote cabin in Montana, off the grid with just the most basic of necessities. It’s the only life she’s known and it’s her normal, homeschooled by him and subjected to his extreme philosophies based on 19th century theorists. The occasional visits to Boseman and the bookstore operated by her one friend’s mother have started to stir a restlessness for something more. One day her father takes her on a different kind of venture, one that forever changes the trajectory of her life.
the heart of the story… This is so much more than a coming of age story. It begins near the end and then rewinds back to Jane’s origins, which provides essential foundations for understanding both her and Frank. He later dupes Jane into helping him commit a serious crime, the catalyst for her finally leaving the mountain permanently. Before she escapes, Jane discovers documents that brings question to her entire identity. Just imagine a seventeen year old girl unleashed into a world she’s never experienced, and on her own, landing in Silicon Valley during its infancy.
the narration… Helen Laser is one of my favorite narrators and she was outstanding in her characterization of Jane and in her storytelling. Peter Ganim sounded exactly as I’d imagined him, bringing him to life.
the bottom line… Jane is exceptionally bright and stumbles into situations that steer her towards answers and relationships that will serve her well, and some not so much. I was riveted throughout her entire journey as she struggles to create her own truths and question everything she’s known. Some of Frank’s fears about technology were prescient and you can’t help seeing some of the destructiveness he predicted. Jane was a marvel and where she landed felt authentic. This is an extraordinary story I still can’t seem to let go.
the setup… Sybil Van Antwerp is a retired lawyer of distinction. When her story begins, she’s 73-years old, divorced, living in Arnold, Maryland and hathe setup… Sybil Van Antwerp is a retired lawyer of distinction. When her story begins, she’s 73-years old, divorced, living in Arnold, Maryland and has two children; daughter Fiona married and living in London and son Bruce also married with two children. Every morning she begins her day at her desk, organizing her correspondence, preparing to write her letters…to brother Felix, her children, her best friend Rosalie, to authors of the latest books she’s finished and loved, any anyone else she needs to communicate with about matters simple or complex. It’s a life, one shared through all of her correspondence over the years.
the heart of the story… One of the reasons I love the epistolary form is because it’s unembellished and exquisitely simple and freeing in its storytelling. Sybil’s letter writing is more like an art form in its directness and expression. You truly see the woman she is at that moment. It didn’t take long for me to be swept into her world and enthralled by it. She’s imperfect even if her writing is grammatically correct. There were times I found her rigidity frustrating but then I experienced her growth even at her advanced age.
the narration… A multiple cast of performers were used to narrate the letters and it was spectacular! Some managed multiple roles but they all sounded different to me. I especially loved Maggi-Meg Reed’s performance as Sybil as she completely captured this complex woman. It was a special listening experience.
the bottom line… The premise suggested that Sybil might be the most memorable characters I’d encounter and it delivered on that statement. Letter writing is becoming a lost art and Sybil was a master. But it was the woman who I deeply connected with through her own words. I felt her losses, her grief, joys and disappointments, surprises and contemplations; laughing with and crying for her. This is indeed a gem of a novel and Sybil a character I’ll never forget.
the setup… Elise Dunnett is a married mother of 8-year old twins Lewis and Luke and husband Michael is a highly successful neurosurgeon practicing in Mthe setup… Elise Dunnett is a married mother of 8-year old twins Lewis and Luke and husband Michael is a highly successful neurosurgeon practicing in Manhattan. She’s devoted to her family and is head of the PTA at The Garden School, the children’s private school. Elise has a carefully crafted image and resists participating in the standard Mom gossip. Enter Harriet Tierney, the single mother of daughter Kyra. She’s an artist who recently moved to New York from Austin and has more of a bohemian style. Harriet and Michael are pretty chummy at the school’s social the day before the start of the semester and it puts Elise on edge. Her hyper vigilance is noticed by Harriet who wasn’t flirting…initially…and stokes the fire. But she’s moved there to be with her child’s father Allan who has a serious health crisis.
the heart of the story… What starts as something rather innocuous morphs into some really bad behavior. It’s clear early on that Elise is tightly wound, fitting beautifully into a Stepford wife stereotype. Where she departs from that is her unwillingness to engage in the catty behavior and gossip of many of the other mothers…until she feels threatened. Harriet isn't part of that world and has Kyra in the school solely at Allan’s request. She takes some pleasure in rattling the perfect Elise. Under different circumstances, these women might have been friends. Making matters worse, their children become friends and get swept up into this nonsense.
the narration… Lisa Rost-Welling and Madeline Pell captured the essences of their characters perfectly. I felt Elise’s neuroses and Harriet’s nonchalance throughout. It was a fine performance.
the bottom line… To be clear, this is not a mystery or thriller as the synopsis insinuates. No matter, I was fascinated by the unnecessary trauma these women inflicted upon each other, fueled by the mean gossip by deeply insecure women who find it necessary to strike first before the spotlight comes their way. But it’s the tragedy of how it affected their family relationships and children because it got serious. I feel certain this sad state of affairs is not unique and is a cautionary tale.
the setup… Jack and Jill Tingley (yes, it’s cute) have been married since they met in college. To their Southern California world, their marriage is enthe setup… Jack and Jill Tingley (yes, it’s cute) have been married since they met in college. To their Southern California world, their marriage is enviable and rock solid. But behind closed doors, they’ve grown apart, especially now that their daughter is off at college. Jill decides that a road trip to Utah will be the thing to reignite their relationship. Jack reluctantly agrees even though he’s got more than one foot out the door having met with a divorce lawyer. He’s only stayed because of a shared deadly secret and you better believe Jill will use that as leverage.
the heart of the story… You learn early on that Jill is all kinds of cray-cray but the smart, cunning type that does it with a smile. That trip to Utah had danger written all over it, knowing that if Jack fell down that proverbial hill Jill probably pushed him. Throughout the story the secrets of their past are slowly revealed and I got why Jack felt he needed an escape plan.
the narration… Marnye Young was perfect as Jill, capturing that gleeful veneer covering the diabolical planning. I wish there’d been a second narrator for Jack as it was sometimes hard to distinguish the two. But the storytelling was top notch.
the bottom line… Get your popcorn ready because this was one hard to tear away psychological ride. Jill is über clever and I was rooting for her to get caught. Every time I thought I knew what was coming she threw a change up and then a curveball. The twists just kept on coming and Jack seemed clueless at times. I had such a good time and nothing prepared me for that ending.
the setup… Lucy Sinclair, formerly McBride, left North Hampton Beach fifteen years ago after her father Mick was accused and convicted of the murder ofthe setup… Lucy Sinclair, formerly McBride, left North Hampton Beach fifteen years ago after her father Mick was accused and convicted of the murder of three people. She was only seventeen and suddenly on her own. One of the victims, Aurora Clark, was perceived to be her “rival” for the affections of her then boyfriend Ford Wagner and she became a pariah herself. Now she’s back because Lucy has reason to believe that maybe Mick was not responsible for Aurora’s murder. Coincidentally, Ford is also back in town for the summer, separated from his wife and headed for divorce. He has lots of regrets for how he handled his relationship with Lucy and wants to make amends. Their partnership in seeking the truth is ruffling quite a few feathers in the town.
the heart of the story… It’s clear from the start that something isn’t right about how those murders were investigated. The town is divided about Lucy and Ford’s meddling but the more they dig, the more their instincts seem to be on target. Lucy and Ford were also given their second chance. Older, wiser and free from family pressures, they resurrected feelings that never died, equally unpopular.
the narration… Courtney Patterson is a new voice for me and I loved her storytelling skills! She has a great tone and her male voices were excellent.
the bottom line… This had everything…mystery, suspense, romance, family drama…creating a wonderful brew of a story. I admired Lucy for her perseverance, making something of herself from ashes and having the strength to face a hostile town to find justice for her father. Ford turned out to be honorable and his persistence was just as admirable. It has Novak’s signature style that makes every story riveting. I just wish this was the start of a series as I’d like to see more of these characters.
the setup… It’s the spring of 2014 in Pondville, Massachusetts and Paul (PJ) Halliday was reading the obituaries and saw that his old friend and rival the setup… It’s the spring of 2014 in Pondville, Massachusetts and Paul (PJ) Halliday was reading the obituaries and saw that his old friend and rival Gene Bartlett had died. Gene married Michelle Cobb, “the one that got away,” and PJ is inspired to drive across the country to the Tender Hearts Retirement Community in Arizona and marry her. Never mind that at 63-years old, PJ hasn’t driven for eight years, is an alcoholic and has had three heart attacks. As he’s figuring out the trip, he’s contacted by social services who wants him to take in his late brother’s grandchildren, 10-year old Luna and 9-year old Ollie, who he never knew existed (they live in the same town) as he hadn’t spoke to his brother in over 40 years. And, a stray named Pancakes, a nursing home therapy cat, turned up near PJ’s home.
the heart of the story… There’s every reason to write off PJ but it’s impossible. He won $1.5 million in the state lottery years ago and spent most of it charitably. PJ’s relationship with his ex-wife and her boyfriend is extraordinary (they breakfast together everyday) but not so with his 25-year old daughter Sophie who is reluctantly dragged into this road trip. Everything about this adventure screams disaster but somehow this motley crew just deals with every challenge and manages to find solace and healing along the way.
the narration… Mark Bramhall does all the heavy lifting and is the primary voice of PJ as well as the others. I wasn’t sure at the onset but it didn’t take long for me to adore his storytelling.
the bottom line… There’s a sweetness to this story while tragedy, despair and sadness surround the travelers. There’s hilarity, poignancy, dark moments and unpredictability but always a sense of hope lurking in the background. And Pancakes? He understands language and has a gift for knowing who will die next. I was hoping for something special…this is that story.
It’s a short postscript to Ask for Andrea, April’s story forty years later.
I didn’t even know I needed this epilogue-ish addition. It is in step withIt’s a short postscript to Ask for Andrea, April’s story forty years later.
I didn’t even know I needed this epilogue-ish addition. It is in step with the essence of the first book, a small glimpse into what happened beyond, here and otherworldly. Nice sense of closure and a continuing tribute to the victims. ...more
the setup… Dr. Laurel Harlow has signed on as the therapist for a reality TV show where all the participants are former child stars. They’ve struggled the setup… Dr. Laurel Harlow has signed on as the therapist for a reality TV show where all the participants are former child stars. They’ve struggled with addiction and Laurel’s experience as a chemical dependency counselor is a great fit. But when one the participants suspiciously dies on camera, she soon becomes the focus of the police investigation.
the heart of the story… Laurel’s approach to substance dependency is a bit different as she doesn’t agree with some of the AA approaches. She also had an alcohol dependency herself and has lived their reality. At the beginning, I felt like I was dropped in the middle of the story and struggled to find my way until things evened out. It soon becomes clear that she’s being set up as the fall guy for the death and when this takes a turn, it gets a bit diabolical.
the narration… Saskia Maarleveld and Brittany Pressley are two favorites and were great here. Tessa Albertson is a new voice for me and made her character sympathetic and believable. I enjoyed the collective performances.
the bottom line… There’s a then/now timeline with the narrator of “then” unidentified until nearly the end, which added some mystery and intrigue. That twisty turn had me in knots through the end. All I have to say is I want/need a sequel!!! Yes, I can use my imagination but I don’t want to.
the setup… Christine (Pris) Greene has crushed on Tagger Grange since she was sixteen but to him she was his best friend’s little sister and off limitsthe setup… Christine (Pris) Greene has crushed on Tagger Grange since she was sixteen but to him she was his best friend’s little sister and off limits. He left Peachtree Pass, Texas to find his fortune and did so, now an investment manager in New York. Tagger is also a divorced single father to six-year old Beckett and has returned home to his hometown for the first time in years. Their first encounter in years was meet-cute worthy and Christine realizes her old feelings never died and have just intensified. Tagger is suddenly aware that the little sister of his best friend who he used to tease is all grown up and the feelings he’s experiencing are definitely not brotherly.
the heart of the story… Even though a lot has changed in ten years, Christine’s feelings for Tagger haven’t. It was stronger than a crush and the man he became was someone she admired even more. Tagger achieved the success he’d sought but felt something was missing for him and his son Beck. Returning home to his roots settled him and he was dazzled by Christine who is running the family ranch. I loved how there was never any pretense about their mutual attraction, the only potential conflicts being her brother and Tagger having no plans to stay in Texas. But their romance was just lovely…and steamy.
the narration… Samantha Summers beautifully captured the sass and angst of Christine. I loved her storytelling, too. Ryan Hudson sounded dreamy as Tagger and fit the character like the proverbial glove. I highly enjoyed their performances.
the bottom line… I was hoping for a good single father, slightly taboo friends to lovers romance and got that and more. Christine and Tagger were both interesting characters and I felt their genuine love for each other. The narrators elevated all of that, making this a special love story, made even stronger by the family and friends in their orbit.
(Thanks to the author and Hambright PR for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)...more