This was a giant leap out of my usual genre(s) but the premise sounded so interesting that I just had to take a chance on it. I wasn't disappointed atThis was a giant leap out of my usual genre(s) but the premise sounded so interesting that I just had to take a chance on it. I wasn't disappointed at all. It was truly a nice palate cleanser from the dark romances I'm used to reading.
Maddie's life has been tossed topsy-turvy in the past couple of months and she finds herself back home in Cockamamie, Tennessee. Truly I laughed out loud at the name of that town. I could absolutely hear the southern twang whenever it was said too! Anyway, back to the story.
Maddie takes up a job as an Uber driver while she cares for Aunt Deidre, whom has dementia, as an extra side job as well as working as a barista at a coffee shop. She has a lot going on, a lot to juggle, and honestly, she never thought that this would be the road that her life would take but she's determined to make the best of it.
Of course, Maddie finds herself in trouble because of her Uber job, which lands her in Detective Noah Langley's crosshairs. The push and pull between Maddie and Noah was really well done. I absolutely loved Aunt Deidre too. She's so funny and sweet! Let's also not forget the unique residents of the town of Cockamamie, yeah?
The audiobook was very well narrated I thought. I had never listened to a narration by either Shannon McManus or Chris Brinkley before but I was not disappointed. Shannon brought Maggie to life in such a way that you'd want to listen again. Chris did a fantastic job with Noah as well.
Goddess! This book! I feel like I've been drug around from hither and yon. I'm bruised and broken and I'm not entirely sure I've been put back togetheGoddess! This book! I feel like I've been drug around from hither and yon. I'm bruised and broken and I'm not entirely sure I've been put back together.
I absolutely LOVE Cade! She is the badass that I've always wanted for a bestie. Like, she would know just how it hurts when life kicks you while you're down and bleeding but she also will hunt down and unalive anyone who hurts those she loves.
Redix is all of that tortured man that women like me are so sure we can fix but somehow we really never can. He had it all, lost it all, got it all back again, but it's just not what he needs.
The fact that these two are obviously soulmates, perhaps star-crossed, takes this story to a whole different level. It's not a simple tale of friends to lovers to enemies to lovers. It drags you through a whole gamut of emotions that I assure you that you are NOT ready to process.
There's sort of two storylines going on, it felt like. Cade & Redix and then the mystery part. I know that they're intertwined, but I felt like I was getting a double feature. I'm not at all mad about that.
It's romance, angst, mystery/suspense, tangled web, action. Thankfully, though this is the first book in a duet, the author didn't leave me dangling off a cliff in a chokehold. Am I waiting to see what happens next? Hell yes! However, it wasn't one of those type of cliffhangers that makes you want to throw your Kindle across the room. It's a nice transition....more
Not really sure where to start here. I really didn't feel that this was a horror novel at all. I'm not a horror reader and this didn't feel anything mNot really sure where to start here. I really didn't feel that this was a horror novel at all. I'm not a horror reader and this didn't feel anything more than suspense at most. I suppose that is left to the reader's viewpoint.
I was disappointed in Mallory's character depth, or lack thereof. For a recovering addict, she sure did seem to have an easy time of it. No temptations, very little need to reach out to her sponsor or anyone else for that matter in times where it felt like she would need to. Her character felt very...whitewashed to me. Her relationship with Teddy was great though.
I don't do spoilers in my reviews, so I will be vague. So much of the storyline was very clear for me from about 50% or so. That may just be my true crime addict brain solving the mystery too soon though. How Mallory didn't see the signs that were there in front of her drives me crazy.
It was a challenging read to get through for me, but it wasn't awful. I doubt I will do a re-read....more
I went into Pen Pal 100% blind. I read the blurb and that is all. I didn't read any reviews because I didn't want to spoil any tiny detail of this booI went into Pen Pal 100% blind. I read the blurb and that is all. I didn't read any reviews because I didn't want to spoil any tiny detail of this book. That being said, my review will not contain any spoilers. I don't think that it will do a reader any favors to ruin their reading (or listening) experience.
First and foremost, there is a giant CW/TW that deals with mental health issues. Please be aware of this. It is dealt with in a sensitive way and accurately portrayed.
Kayla is our FMC and has just lost her husband. She's learning to navigate life as a widow and struggling hard. She meets Aidan via a call out for a roof repair. What happens after this meeting is a cascade of events that make Kayla FEEL and it's rocked her teetering little world.
Does the blurb have anything to do with the actual story? Ehhh depends on how you look at it. I think that it does, but it's vague and that's the cool thing about it. The author allowed the reader to dive in completely blind and come out the other side with a different reading experience. Unfortunately, due to the kind of thinking process that I have (and can't seem to stop), I had the base premise of the storyline figured out at about 65% or so. However, it didn't diminish my want to continue reading. There was plenty of meat left in the plot for me to sink my teeth into.
Is there a HEA? Yes. Is it your typical HEA that everyone generally wants? Nope. ~shrugs~ So what? I think it's a refreshing change. Kayla got what she NEEDED. Sometimes what we need isn't always pretty or wrapped up in a tidy package. It isn't always beautiful to anyone else but ourselves.