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
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
My first Christina Lauren! I like this duo's writing capability. I chose to listen to this on Audible. I must say I loved Erin Mallon's narration. SheMy first Christina Lauren! I like this duo's writing capability. I chose to listen to this on Audible. I must say I loved Erin Mallon's narration. She really brought this one to life for me.
The story is good and I always wanted to keep listening. It's told in a then and now format. Elliot and Macy meet as teenagers and fall in love. We hear their backstory. They are quite sweet. In the present timeline they meet by a fluke encounter and eventually find their way back to eachother.
There were some aspects to this story that I do not care for in my romances. That brought it down a little for me. I was anticipating finding out why they broke up so long ago. Some of it did not sit well with me either. I think I'm left with some questions about this one. All in all it was a pretty good one for me and I'd still try another Christina Lauren book....more
I really enjoyed this one! It comes across as fun and light but delves into some serious issues. It's really entertaining on audio. The narration is tI really enjoyed this one! It comes across as fun and light but delves into some serious issues. It's really entertaining on audio. The narration is top-notch!
The book opens as Nora is awakening from a surfing accident. It's a Near Death Experience (NDR) and it really makes Nora evaluate her life now. She decides upon a "reverse bucket list." She's a lawyer and works at her family's Personal Injury Law Firm but she's not happy there. She vows to get a new job and learn new things and wants to tend to her late Grandfather's garden in his old apartment complex. She also wants to be more supportive of her sister and cousin. Before her NDR she was caught up in a Cornerstore Robbery and met a guy that she connected with. She vows to find him too.
Nora has a lot going on but she's found new strength and really wants things to change. You'll be rooting for Nora (and her mystery man) from the start. I really enjoyed this buddy read with my Darlin' Darla ...more
Oh this was a pleasant surprise! I really enjoyed this audiobook and always wanted to keep listening. I enjoyed both narrators and found them captivatOh this was a pleasant surprise! I really enjoyed this audiobook and always wanted to keep listening. I enjoyed both narrators and found them captivating. They definitely added to the story!
You don't need to play golf or really be a fan of it for this story. It's just in the backdrop. I personally found it pretty neat and especially perfect for this time of year ☀️...more
My first Bolton book! I listened to the audio. Good narration and great writing!
This is an intense police procedural that I buddy read with Darlin' DaMy first Bolton book! I listened to the audio. Good narration and great writing!
This is an intense police procedural that I buddy read with Darlin' Darla! That was seriously the best part. This was dark and as Darla said it was great to "have someone hold my hand while sitting in the dark!" ...more
Just love that cover! At first glance it looks like it might be a ChickLit book but this book is so much more.
The story starts out dramatically as MolJust love that cover! At first glance it looks like it might be a ChickLit book but this book is so much more.
The story starts out dramatically as Molly Monroe wakes up with a wicked hangover. She was at her work Christmas party the previous night and does not remember anything. Then she glances over and there is a man in her bed with her. They are fully clothed but he is a stranger. Things get dramatically worse as Molly soon discovers just what exactly she was up to last night. I was mortified for her. I was not expecting that! Things get worse. Her roommate and best friend Posey is found dead in the bathtub. The police do not suspect foul play but Molly does and goes on a quest to find out who killed Posey.
This one touches on a lot of important issues and I was drawn into the story right from the first page. There are some good surprising twists. This was another buddy read with Darla. She read the book while I listened to it on Audio. I was highly entertained. Did we feel the same way about this one? Please make sure to read her review to find out.
I'm so glad I gave this debut novel a chance. Great writing and narration! A perfect summertime 'second chance' love story I'm so glad I gave this debut novel a chance. Great writing and narration! A perfect summertime 'second chance' love story ...more
This is my first book by this author. It's good but IMHO not spectacular.
I loved how the book started out. So much intrigue. It caught my attention rThis is my first book by this author. It's good but IMHO not spectacular.
I loved how the book started out. So much intrigue. It caught my attention right off the bat. I loved the setting of the shabby motel turned low income apartments. It set the mood and the descriptions of the place and people were interesting. I felt the book was quite slow moving and a little too OTT for me. It was hard to suspend my disbelief this time 'round.
Good writing and good narration and I'd try another one by this author again....more