I love Brooke! She is so fascinating and funny and articulate! I just love listening to her speak so I chose the audiobook narrated by her.
Brooke is aI love Brooke! She is so fascinating and funny and articulate! I just love listening to her speak so I chose the audiobook narrated by her.
Brooke is a little bit older than me but I feel I can so relate to her at this stage of my life. It was wonderful to hear her talk about women's health and menopause. YES! Thank-you! She also touched on her career and some "Hollywood" encounters and friends. That part was fun. I enjoyed her thoughts on the, "empty nest" (my youngest just moved across the country for school) and her changing relationship with her husband. I love how she's speaking out about ageism. She's helping to bring a voice and power back to women over 40 ...more
This was a book I thought I would love but in the end just ended up liking. I love the biography/documentary format in the style of, "Daisy Jones & ThThis was a book I thought I would love but in the end just ended up liking. I love the biography/documentary format in the style of, "Daisy Jones & The Six" so I was all in! Then the sports aspect like, "Carrie Soto is Back" and I was so excited!
The writing is good and the audio was excellent with multiple narrators. Katarina Shaw and Heath Roch meet as young teenagers and become figure skating partners ⛸️ This is their love story through the years. My main problem I think was it was very slow paced. Some repetition too. I was still engaged in the story especially with the competitions. It's advertised as an, "epic love story" but I didn't feel that.
To me this felt a little YA (the couple was young) and perhaps that's why I didn't enjoy it as much. Plus there are some aspects that I don't really care for in my romances. Overall for me good but not great. Looks like I'm an outlier!...more
I really enjoy WWII historical fiction. Add in the mix of ladies working in a library and it's got to be a hit! This is the first in the series and I'I really enjoy WWII historical fiction. Add in the mix of ladies working in a library and it's got to be a hit! This is the first in the series and I'll surely continue on. It's light and wholesome Wartime fiction but it does involve some serious issues.
Three ladies that come from different walks of life come together to work in an east end London library in 1940. Lady Cordelia is an educated and strong woman. She's an aristocrat who is the new head librarian for, "Silver Town" library in the east end of London. There she meets two other women who are working in the library. Mavis, is a single mother with a grown son who is troubled and is a soldier fighting in the war. Jane, is a married women with a small daughter whose husband is also away fighting on the front. Together these women will bond and become great friends.
I can't wait to read more about these ladies and the adventures that await them. A strong first book!...more
As I reflect on my reading choices for 2024; I can see I really gravitated towards Historical Fiction and Wartime stories. I was happy to see a great As I reflect on my reading choices for 2024; I can see I really gravitated towards Historical Fiction and Wartime stories. I was happy to see a great number of my favourites were authors from my home country ...more
My first Dilly Court and I loved her writing! I listened to the Audiobook and it was superbly narrated! I was deeply immersed into the story and couldMy first Dilly Court and I loved her writing! I listened to the Audiobook and it was superbly narrated! I was deeply immersed into the story and couldn't stop listening.
The story is set in London during the Victorian era and I could certainly feel the historical setting. The descriptions and details were vivid. Alice's father has recently died. Her Mother's health is failing and they have been left basically penniless except for a treasured "Christmas Card" that her Father gave her. She keeps it close to her as it depicts a happy family at Christmas and its illustrations are lovely. They are forced to move in with her strict Aunt who is very unkind. Alice begins to work for an affluent family and is put in charge of their naughty daughter, Flora. She also meets Flora's adored Uncle Rory and together they try to help Flora. Alice is a sweet person. She truly wants to help and set things right and that puts her in danger many times.
To me this book was reminiscent of a "saga" type of story although it was not set over many years but instead set over many months. A lot happened. There was never a dull moment and it was ever so heartwarming. There is some Christmas in this story but it is not the main focus. The "Christmas Card" later becomes an interesting aspect of the story. I will definitely read another Dilly Court novel in a heartbeat!...more
When I heard that this story had bits of inspiration from my favourite holiday movie, "Miracle on 34th Street" I was all in When I heard that this story had bits of inspiration from my favourite holiday movie, "Miracle on 34th Street" I was all in ...more
A heartfelt faith based Christmas tale. It's a short story that is set in Victorian times. About a candlemaker in a small village in England who receiA heartfelt faith based Christmas tale. It's a short story that is set in Victorian times. About a candlemaker in a small village in England who receives a visit from an angel who blesses his candle. He then gives it to a neighbour and the man's troubles are lessened. So this begins a tradition in the little village where an angel appears to a candlemaker every 25 years and blesses a special candle. When a new preacher arrives he is skeptical of this tradition. This is the year the angel is due back. Will the tradition continue and will he believe?
While I don't always read Faith based stories I do enjoy some at Christmas time. This was a meaningful message and it was a buddy read with Darla and that made it even more special. Please be sure to check out her beautiful review as I know this was a memorable story for her.
This is my second Jean Grainger novel and I love her writing! I listened to this one on audio and it included an excellent cast of three narrator4.5 *
This is my second Jean Grainger novel and I love her writing! I listened to this one on audio and it included an excellent cast of three narrators as well as the author herself! The book that I listened to had a different cover and was dubbed, "The Aisling Series" Book One. I think this series was previously called, "Cullen's Celtic Cabaret."
What a storyteller Grainger is! It's 1915 and we meet Peter Cullen. He's an aspiring actor from Dublin, Ireland whose family is very poor. His Father is a drinker and is merciless. Peter meets May Gallagher, a girl from the other side of Dublin. Her family is wealthy and she hides the fact she is seeing Peter. As the Great War looms Peter enlists and leaves his family (and namely his Father) behind. He continues to write to May and they keep in touch while he is away. At the Warfront he meets some interesting characters. Nick Gerrity, is an aristocrat from England who is fleeing his family as he is shunned because he has a stutter. He does not want anyone on the warfront to know his real identity but he is also a gifted pianist. There's a Spaniard, named Ramon who is also musically inclined. Also, a man from London named, Enzo who has Italian heritage and can dance. There's also a Scotsman affectionally called, "Two-Soups" who is a comedian. They become friends of sorts and begin to entertain the troops. After the war they all go to London and form, "Cullen's Celtic Cabaret." There they are joined by Celine, A French girl they had previously met, Aida, who is Ramon's friend who is a dancer and Betty who is, "Two-Soups" girlfriend.
I was completely immersed in this story from the beginning. It was a 5 star book right up until that epilogue. It left me confused and I rewound it a couple of times. It's random to introduce completely new characters but perhaps it's gearing up for Book 2 that I will most certainly read.
Audio Publication October 3, 2024
I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for granting me access to this Advance Listening Copy....more
This is my second Marybeth Mayhew Whalen book that I've enjoyed. She's a gifted writer who puts a lot of feeling into her stories.
In 1985 in a small-This is my second Marybeth Mayhew Whalen book that I've enjoyed. She's a gifted writer who puts a lot of feeling into her stories.
In 1985 in a small-town in North Carolina an 11 year old boy named Davy Malcor went missing. Now over 20 years later his jacket is found in an old abandoned shed. The police once again begin to search for his possible remains. The story goes back to that fateful night but also jumps to the present (2006) to the lives of the people that were most affected by his disappearance. His grief-stricken mother Tabitha, his older brother Thaddeus who was in charge of him that night, Anissa, a girl who he was with that same night, and a mysterious man named Gordon Swift. In between their stories we get "snippets" from a best-selling memoir that Thaddeus wrote in 2005 about his missing brother.
I listened to this audio and the narrators were perfect for the story. A little over half way through I also received a digital copy so I began to read as I listened.
This story is told slowly and it works quite well. There's a mystery to what really happened that terrible night that kept me listening and turning those pages quickly. This was an emotional read that left me somewhat forlorn at the end.
I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and Harper Muse for the Advanced Listening Copy and the Advance Reader's Copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
This is a different Jodi Picoult novel. Her first Historical Fiction I believe. It's a dual timeline about a playwright named Emilia Bassano in 16th cThis is a different Jodi Picoult novel. Her first Historical Fiction I believe. It's a dual timeline about a playwright named Emilia Bassano in 16th century England. The story goes with the assumption that she is the true author of Shakespeare's work. In present day NYC Melina Green as a female playwright is encountering obstacles in getting recognition for her work.
I credit Picoult with writing such a thought provoking novel. She's the ‘Queen of Research.’ It's a strong female driven story. I was mostly engaged in Emilia's story as it was heartbreaking. The book did mostly focus on her. Melina's story was not as engaging to me. I think the book was just too long. IMO it did need some editing. There was too much filler. I think for me this was an example of too much "telling" and not enough "showing." Some parts of the novel were closer to 3.5 *...more
This was exactly like a Hallmark movie! A cute enough story on audio with just a little bit of extra sugar coating.
Elena, works for a big cookie compaThis was exactly like a Hallmark movie! A cute enough story on audio with just a little bit of extra sugar coating.
Elena, works for a big cookie company called, "Sparkle Cookie" (think Crumbl) and Lawrence owns a small cookie bakery in a cute town called, New Hope. Sparkle is looking to expand its stores and Elena's boss sends her to the town meeting. Of course a rivalry begins between the two of them but then they join forces for the annual cookie competition. To me it was a bit of, "insta-love" that I don't care much for.
There's a lot of Christmas in this story (and cookies ...more
Alice Feeney is one of my favourite authors so when this audio became available on Libby skip-the-line I was so happy!
This one really started off3.5 *
Alice Feeney is one of my favourite authors so when this audio became available on Libby skip-the-line I was so happy!
This one really started off good. A missing wife and a grieving husband. He's offered some time away so he can write his book on a very remote Scottish island. Then he thinks he sees her there. Is she real or is he losing his mind? The first part was quite engaging but it did seem to slow down towards the half-way mark. The twists were good if very unbelievable. The book got a little too tangled for my liking.
The audio was excellent with Richard Armitage narrating most of it. I liked it but for me not up to par with Feeney's other works. "Sometimes I lie" continues to be my favourite by her.
This was the perfect book at the perfect time for me. That title and cute cover was calling me ☺️ This has a light mystery to it and the romance was sThis was the perfect book at the perfect time for me. That title and cute cover was calling me ☺️ This has a light mystery to it and the romance was surprisingly pretty spicy ...more
After visiting Nashville I decided I must finally read this book that's been on my TBR for quite a while. I decided to listen to this one. It's wonderAfter visiting Nashville I decided I must finally read this book that's been on my TBR for quite a while. I decided to listen to this one. It's wonderfully narrated by one of Loretta Lynn's daughters, Patsy Lynn Russell. How special as she was named after Patsy Cline!
I have to say that I really didn't know much about Loretta Lynn other than the obvious (she was a Country Music Legend) before reading the book. Now I'm intrigued to find out more about her. I read this one because it was also about Patsy Cline. I discovered Patsy Cline as a young child when I listened to one of my Father's albums. It was a greatest hits album that included a leaflet inside of it with her life story. I just loved her voice!
This is a relatively short book (only 5 hours listening time.) I have a feeling Loretta kept some things back and that's ok. I think she captured the essence of Patsy and their friendship beautifully. What a gutsy gal Patsy was! She really helped Loretta to come into her own. If you are a fan of Loretta or Patsy I highly recommend this book.
Loretta added her top 10 songs of Patsy's. Some of them are my favourites too. I'll include them here.
1. Walking after midnight 2. Half as much 3. Blue moon of Kentucky 4. Lovesick blues 5. Crazy 6. Back in baby's arms 7. Imagine that 8. I Fall to pieces 9. She's got you 10. Leavin' on your mind
I did find one mistake in this audio version from the library. She talked about other Country music stars that passed around the same time Patsy did. She mentioned Jim Reeves died in a car crash. I rewound it twice to make sure I heard that correctly. He did not die in a car crash. He died in a plane crash one year after Patsy. I'm wondering if this was a mistake by the narrator or if the print copy also said this? I can't believe this was not caught in the editing process. It's a pretty big mistake IMO....more
I liked this one! It's a slow building plot that kept me mostly engaged throughout.
A story about motherhood, grief and loss with some suspense and mysI liked this one! It's a slow building plot that kept me mostly engaged throughout.
A story about motherhood, grief and loss with some suspense and mystery. It's told in the alternating voices of Laurel and Corey. Both women are struggling. Laurel has moved into a new home on Cold Creek Lane with her husband and two very young children. She is trying to fit into the neighbourhood. Corey is living with her Mother at a Retirement Facility. She is not happy with her life.
I enjoyed the writing and the story. I listened to this one and both narrators were very good. Towards the end this one was more of a 3.5 stars. I liked the ending! It was an entertaining story and I'd gladly read another one from this author.
I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for granting me access to this Advanced Listening Copy.
I decided to listen to this one on Audio after I found out Netflix is releasing the movie in September. It was my first Elin Hilderbrand novel an3.5 *
I decided to listen to this one on Audio after I found out Netflix is releasing the movie in September. It was my first Elin Hilderbrand novel and I enjoyed it! She is always referred to as, "The Queen of Beach Reads" and I'm told this is her first, "Beach/Mystery" novel.
This is a light mystery about a couple and their family who gather in Nantucket over the July 4th weekend for their upcoming wedding. Hours before the wedding a body is washed ashore. Is it connected to the wedding?
This story has several characters and their past and present situations will all be explored. I think it will make a good movie. Very "whodunnit." I loved the way it ended!...more
A charming and heartfelt story with some elements of Christian fiction. I listened to the audible and enjoyed it.
This is a dual time line story. 3.5 *
A charming and heartfelt story with some elements of Christian fiction. I listened to the audible and enjoyed it.
This is a dual time line story. One taking place in 1976 and one in present day. The 1976 timeline was my favourite. I loved listening about Rebecca Saint James who was the 'Queen of Etiquette and dinner parties' in her little town of Beaufort, North Carolina. One day Rebecca and her husband, Townsend (who we hear from in a couple of chapters of his own) disappear after a dinner party. Their children are distraught and shut-up the home for almost 50 years. In the present time her Granddaughter, Keaton shows up to finally put the house up for sale. She walks into a home that has been untouched since 1976. She also finds her Grandmother's diary of recipes and etiquette and begins to read it. Keaton is dealing from a heartbreak and her Grandmother's diary and the small town will help her to heal and learn to live again and quite possibly love again too.
I loved reading about Rebecca Saint James' story. I couldn't quite put the pieces together about her disappearance until near the end. I also loved the town of Beaufort and all the sweet townspeople. Keaton's story was a little on the slower side and it took me a bit to warm to her. I'm still not quite sure I liked the way the story ended. It took away from the story a little for me hence minus the half a star.
I enjoyed the author's style of writing and the overall message left me with a warm feeling when I finished the book....more