As is the case with most mystery stories I've read lately, this started well but fizzled out about half way through.
I found the story very predictablAs is the case with most mystery stories I've read lately, this started well but fizzled out about half way through.
I found the story very predictable and easy to guess. I had a hunch early on and every little thing that was revealed along the way proved that I was right. I'm not that good at guessing, but the author makes sure to repeat the clues more than once, just in case you didn't connect the dots the first time around.
The story lost its intrigue in the second half, as I was waiting for the characters to catch up. I can enjoy seeing how things will be revealed, but here it was frustrating and the story dragged for me towards the end. Especially when I had to listen to the villain monologuing for half an hour or more. The reasons behind what happened felt odd and far fetched. Also, writing characters like Dan's boss is getting old.
On the positive note, I liked the characters, I liked the ending and I enjoyed the narration....more
I was completely invested in the story from the beginning. I liked the multiple POVs, the characters were intriguing, there was a lot going o3.5 stars
I was completely invested in the story from the beginning. I liked the multiple POVs, the characters were intriguing, there was a lot going on, and I was looking forward to see how everything would come together in the end.
Things did come together in the end, but the last part of the story when everything is revealed felt very farfetched. There were too many twists and turns, and while unexpected they didn’t feel believable. Personally, I didn’t find the ending satisfying. ...more
This sounded good in theory. Witches are tied to one of the seasons, when their powers are the strongest, while Clara, our main character, is tied to This sounded good in theory. Witches are tied to one of the seasons, when their powers are the strongest, while Clara, our main character, is tied to all four seasons and she has to learn how to control her powers. The concept and the magic system might not be that original, but I still found them intriguing.
What didn't work for me is the execution. The story is simplistic, repetitive and dull. It feels very generic and there wasn't much depth to the worldbuilding or characters. Clara's love interest, Sang, is nice enough, but I never felt any chemistry between them. It's an ok story, but nothing about it pulled me in. I finished it mostly because I was listening to the audio version. ...more
5 stars for the audiobook. Hugh Grant is brilliant as the narrator.
I've watched several adaptations of the book, but this was my first time reading i5 stars for the audiobook. Hugh Grant is brilliant as the narrator.
I've watched several adaptations of the book, but this was my first time reading it. It's a classic and I'm glad I finally read it, or rather listened to it, but I have no idea how to rate it, to be honest. Hugh Grant made it a wonderful listening experience, though....more
This story is told from Holly's POV and, while I like her, I missed more of Tog. I also enjoyed the storyline in the previous book, Diary of a ChristmThis story is told from Holly's POV and, while I like her, I missed more of Tog. I also enjoyed the storyline in the previous book, Diary of a Christmas Elf, more. It was still enjoyable enough.
Ben Miller’s narration makes it a wonderful listening experience. ...more
A cute and heartwarming children’s story about an elf named Tog, whose only wish is to work in Santa’s workshop. There’s some magic, a lot of toys, reA cute and heartwarming children’s story about an elf named Tog, whose only wish is to work in Santa’s workshop. There’s some magic, a lot of toys, reindeer and a mystery to be solved. Great for Christmas time.
The audiobook is narrated by the author and I thought he was excellent. ...more
This is a sweet short story about two guys who want completely opposite things when it comes to relationships and it was fun watching them fa3.5 stars
This is a sweet short story about two guys who want completely opposite things when it comes to relationships and it was fun watching them fall for each other, without ever meaning to. Both characters are lovely, especially Kai who can't be left alone for fear he might end up with a boyfriend.
The audiobook is narrated by Teddy Hamilton, and while I usually love his narration, the voices he gave the two characters weren't always distinct enough and I had to go back to check who is talking. I'd like to read this story in e-book format at some point.
Thanks to the author for offering the audiobook for free via BookFunnel....more
This was my first read by this author and I didn't really enjoy it. The premise sounded promising, but it's too sugary sweet and cheesy for m1.5 stars
This was my first read by this author and I didn't really enjoy it. The premise sounded promising, but it's too sugary sweet and cheesy for my taste.
We only get one POV, Livy's, and unfortunately I found her character very annoying. She is 22, but reads like a 12-year-old fangirling over Landon. She overanalyses everything that Landon does and jumps to conclusions. She constantly switches between being insecure or jealous and seeing herself as different and special. I cannot count how many times I’ve heard the latter two words in relation to both characters and their relationship. "Landon did this and that just to prove how different and special I am." ...more
The story was very intriguing when I started it, but around half-way point I started losing interest. The book is well written, there's not doubt abouThe story was very intriguing when I started it, but around half-way point I started losing interest. The book is well written, there's not doubt about it, so it's probably me having wrong expectations.
(view spoiler)[It's told in two POVs and two timelines, and the pace is very slow. The two main characters experienced a tragedy when they were kids, which affects their adult life gravely. Throughout the majority of the storyline we go through their experience with them. Over and over again. It felt repetitive, exhausting and traumatizing, to be honest.
I found the story very sad, but there was nothing that mysterious, thrilling or suspenseful about it. It almost felt like reading a fiction book and getting lectured on motherhood, morality and experiencing trauma. Nothing wrong with that, but it's not what I expected or wanted. There is one reveal that I didn't anticipate, but at the same time it didn't come as a surprise to me.
The female narrator was really good, but the male narrator wasn't my favourite. (hide spoiler)]...more
(view spoiler)[This was an interesting and easy read. I liked the setting and the atmosphere. I didn't expect it to be a bit spooky, so it tu3.5 stars
(view spoiler)[This was an interesting and easy read. I liked the setting and the atmosphere. I didn't expect it to be a bit spooky, so it turned out to be a perfect read for October.
The story is very predictable, though, both when it comes to the 'mysterious' events and the relationships between characters. I didn't find the reveals surprising, but it was still interesting to see the reasons and motivations, no matter how improbable they are.
I liked how the story ended, even though I saw that coming right from the start. (hide spoiler)]...more
Based on the cover and the title, I expected a cozy fall read. Well, that lovely tree with autumn leaves is very misleading, because the majority of tBased on the cover and the title, I expected a cozy fall read. Well, that lovely tree with autumn leaves is very misleading, because the majority of the story takes place in August and it feels very summery, except for the last few chapters towards the end.
As for the story, it took me a while to warm up to Noah and Hazel. It felt too insta-lovey on Hazel's part, while Noah has been pining after her for a long time, which is at odds with his anti-relationship-sleeping-around behaviour.
As the story progressed, I enjoyed it more. I liked the small town vibes and everything book related. Their treasure hunt was kind of fun, though it felt repetitive as neither of them were being honest about how they felt and just kept assuming things. It takes them a really long time to finally communicate, but once they do, it's my favourite part of the book.
This started really well for me. I found the story interesting and intriguing. I really enjoyed multiple POVs and multiple timelines. I have to say thThis started really well for me. I found the story interesting and intriguing. I really enjoyed multiple POVs and multiple timelines. I have to say that the story is so well written, that I never felt lost and I knew exactly whose chapter and timeline I was listening to.
However, (view spoiler)[as the story progressed, it started to drag a bit and my feelings for the majority of characters changed. I feel that the more I got to know them, the more I disliked them. Especially the female characters.
Most of them are complete pushovers who make stupid decisions and let men treat them badly without doing anything about it. Even for the 60's and the 70's, when the story takes place, it felt too much. I couldn't bring myself to care or root for such characters.
Even Judyta, who I liked, let that creep Jacob ask her completely inappropriate questions. She is the investigator, she asks the questions and she sets the tone. Not the other way around. Needless to say that almost all male characters in this story are horrible.
The mystery part and the ending are ok. But the story overall is not edge-of-your- seat suspenseful. It’s slow paced and character driven, and I probably would have enjoyed it more if I had found the characters more likable or compelling. (hide spoiler)]...more
For a book that deals with quite a few heavy topics, this feels very uplifting. The writing is beautiful and the characters are well developed and comFor a book that deals with quite a few heavy topics, this feels very uplifting. The writing is beautiful and the characters are well developed and complex. They are flawed and messy, but I loved their conversations, the connections they built and the impact they had on each other's lives.
Helen Laser did a wonderful job narrating this book and bringing all the characters to life....more
This was my third attempt at trying to read this book and I finally did it! I've recently re-read the previous books on Graphic Audio and I loved the This was my third attempt at trying to read this book and I finally did it! I've recently re-read the previous books on Graphic Audio and I loved the production so much that I thought it would help me go through this one. And it did.
Why push myself to finish this book? Firstly, I really liked/loved the books in the original trilogy and a lot of characters are very dear to me. Secondly, I wanted to be prepared for the next book, in case I want to continue.
The reason I struggled with this one in the first place is because I've never been a fan of Nesta. I liked her in this book even less, if that's even possible. Whenever I thought that I'd finally start to grow fond of her at least a little bit, she would do something that made me dislike her all over again.
I do still love Cassian. He is wonderful and the narrator's voice makes him sound even more swoony. I enjoyed seeing all the other characters I love, though I feel that they weren't as flashed out here as in the previous books. They were just there, or barely there, and I found that very disappointing. The only exception are the new characters, Emerie and Gwyn, who I liked.
The overall plot wasn’t that exciting to me and I feel like half of it was smut, which I didn’t care about. The last part of the book was a chore to go through. I’m sure it’s meant to be intense and emotional, but the way it’s written just made me cringe and eye roll, to be honest....more
I liked the mystery set up, it was interesting and a bit different from the usual, and I always love spending more time with Ellery, Jack and3.5 stars
I liked the mystery set up, it was interesting and a bit different from the usual, and I always love spending more time with Ellery, Jack and Watson.
However, this book ended up being my least favourite in the series so far. The mystery was quite predictable and weak, but what bothered me way more than that is how rushed it felt towards the end. There was no real development there and it felt like it just solved itself. I found it very underwhelming.
Personally, I feel that the mysteries in books 5-7 were not as good as in the first four books, but at least the relationship development between Ellery and Jack made up for it, as well as the presence of all the lovely side characters. This one was lacking on all fronts....more
Initially, the story intrigued me and I was invested in it for a while. However, I found it quite predictable. I guessed all the major things2.5 stars
Initially, the story intrigued me and I was invested in it for a while. However, I found it quite predictable. I guessed all the major things, so there were no twists here that I didn't see coming.
I was still curious to how everything would be resolved, but the ending was very underwhelming. It felt unbelievable, I didn't see the the motivation behind certain characters' actions, and there were a number of questions that remained unanswered.
I enjoyed this for the most part. The story has an interesting premise and it managed to keep me invested from start to finish.
There are a couple reaI enjoyed this for the most part. The story has an interesting premise and it managed to keep me invested from start to finish.
There are a couple reasons why I’m not giving it a higher rating. Firstly, I found most of the characters one dimensional and it didn’t help that the narration felt flat and lacked the emotion. Secondly, the ending was too far fetched and unbelievable, and I don’t think that certain characters’ actions made sense. ...more
A great addition to the series. The mystery was enjoyable. I liked that it was more personal to Jason, though the resolution felt a bit rushed.
I likeA great addition to the series. The mystery was enjoyable. I liked that it was more personal to Jason, though the resolution felt a bit rushed.
I liked the dynamics between Jason and Sam. I was only a bit disappointed that they didn't spend that much time together, both professionally and privately. Or maybe book 3 spoiled me and I expected more. There were a couple situations when I wanted to slap them both, but I'm very satisfied with the ending.