Eleanor dash is a high flying author. Her best selling Vacation Mysteries series has been going for 10 years and has nine books so when her publisher Eleanor dash is a high flying author. Her best selling Vacation Mysteries series has been going for 10 years and has nine books so when her publisher decides that a promo tour through key locations in Italy is just the thing to celebrate a decade on the best seller lists Eleanor doesn't think twice! But she was not counting on rival authors, a stressful relationship with her sister (who is also her assistant), two ex-boyfriends, passionate fans, a stalker, oh, and someone trying to kill her!
Dazzling scenes set in the tourist hotspots and glitzy places on the Italian coast serve a backdrop for Eleanor and her fellow authors to puzzle out the mystery of who wants her dead before someone actually succeeds.
This is a fun beach read, or if like me you are here in the Victorian winter and you want to dream of hotter climes, the undemanding story and colourful cast of characters make it easy to enjoy the setting.
Like in Benjamin Stevenson's books (Everyone in My Family has Killed Someone & Everyone on This Train is a Suspect) the narrator is constantly breaking the fourth wall to let the reader know little extra things about themselves or others in their life, and Eleanor straight out tells us she is an unreliable narrator.
I did find the authors constant asides (I was listening to the audio version so couldn't skim over the footnotes), inane pop culture references (I think this was meant to make it feel "current" but honestly is just going to date the book really badly), and their recaps (like an American reality TV show you could hardly go a chapter without some sort of recap) just a tad obnoxious. But I don't know, maybe I am in the minority?
I didn't find the "twist" particularly surprising, but I enjoyed the journey....more
OMFG how is this a best seller! I don't care if this is ground-breaking statistical concepts I could feel my brain trying to escape my ears to get awaOMFG how is this a best seller! I don't care if this is ground-breaking statistical concepts I could feel my brain trying to escape my ears to get away from the boredom. If it wasn't for having to lead a book club discussion I would not have finished this and I would have zero regrets. This book represents hours of my life I will never get back
If I had to pick a single word to describe this book that word would be 'convoluted'. While things get tied together at the end it is not a plot that If I had to pick a single word to describe this book that word would be 'convoluted'. While things get tied together at the end it is not a plot that would hold together in anything other than book-land. This is still a YA read (older YA, but YA) with some older themes (sex is implied not explicit), a death, and lots of family angst. ...more
This is actually the first Ali Hazelwood I have read but it won't be the last! This is a fabulous contemporary romance with strong lead characters whoThis is actually the first Ali Hazelwood I have read but it won't be the last! This is a fabulous contemporary romance with strong lead characters who aren't afraid to demand what they need - in and out of bed. Rue is a successful bio-engineer at Kline. A job that has given her financial stability, a good friend and the freedom to pursue her dream project; which is finally almost ready to take to market. Dating isn't her thing, however sex definitely is. With a few rules: He has to follow her lead in bed and never, ever meet up again. So when she connects to Eli for a no strings attached evening she doesn't expect to see him heading up the hostile takeover of Kline the very next day. Eli is as surprised as Rue. He never expected to see her again and isn't going to let this lucky chance get away. But taking over Kline has been years in the making and nothing can get in the way as it is not just his financial investment that has to be recouped. But the attraction is undeniable and as long as they keep this tryst on the downlow there is no reason not to act on it, is there?
Here is a steamy romance with minor angst and a believable plot. Lots of sex scenes which were more imaginative than most romances (all respectful/ consensual - which I am currently finding is not always guaranteed in contemporary romance so that was nice) and female centred. Rue is clearly neuro-divergent and it is great to see an author who has not made neuro-spiciness the character's entire personality. Eli and Rue have great chemistry and the minor characters were fleshed out enough that I actually had to check that some of them had not turned up in previous books (they have not). Points off for repeated use of the words 'filthy' and 'obscene' while doing things that were not actually that...more
I enjoyed the artwork and narrative style of this story. The blend of Classic European and Asian fairy-tale narratives mixed into the story of Tein, aI enjoyed the artwork and narrative style of this story. The blend of Classic European and Asian fairy-tale narratives mixed into the story of Tein, a 14-year old Vietnamese American boy who is struggling to find the words to come out to his mum. At the same time Tien is dealing with his sexuality and being different to his friends due to being a first generation new American - bridging the old world and the new and the gaps between his parents' views and his own are the fairy-tales he reads with his mum to help them both improve their English. I loved the clarity of the artwork and the two different colours used to differentiate between the fairy-tales and the main story....more
Fun and funny historical romance in the wilds of 1880's Montana. Junebug McBride is sick of being the only girl in a family of annoying and bossy big Fun and funny historical romance in the wilds of 1880's Montana. Junebug McBride is sick of being the only girl in a family of annoying and bossy big brothers when she learns about a newspaper dedicated to Matrimonial matters she decides that it is the perfect way to get one of her brothers a wife. With honestly only little sisters can have her advertisement attracts the attention of fortune hunter Willabelle Lascalles who arrives in town with her maid Maddy Mooney in tow. Maddy has only followed Willabelle this far because she has been promised that back wages owed will be paid by Willabelle's new husband-to-be. A few misunderstandings later and Willabelle has found herself a better prospect - abandoning Maddy with some dirty dresses, a dog, and absolutely no money. Maddy feels she has no choice but to approach Willabelle's mail order husband to explain what happened and beg for enough money to get back to civilisation. An accident, a snowstorm and Junebug are all determined that one of her brothers is getting a wife and Maddy is going to stay!
I really enjoyed the language in this book, Junebug and her brothers seem to be the most literate frontier family in the west! This book has classic rom-com vibes and lots of romance without any spicy scenes. Fun characters and a good story will leave you wanting to know more and I will be reading the next book as soon as it comes out!...more
This one wasn't bad, it just wasn't riveting. I feel the story could have done with a few less "snarky / sarcastic" comments from Fran and more actualThis one wasn't bad, it just wasn't riveting. I feel the story could have done with a few less "snarky / sarcastic" comments from Fran and more actual plot - the main one really doesn't make a lot of sense even after all is revealed. ...more
I was not sure what to expect from this new Brandon Sanderson. It is a bit of a departure from his usual epic fantasy, instead it is a sort of time-trI was not sure what to expect from this new Brandon Sanderson. It is a bit of a departure from his usual epic fantasy, instead it is a sort of time-travel/ buddy cop adventure - a fun romp with lots of action.
A man with no memory lands in a scorched field outside a medieval English village - his only clue is an exploded book "The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England" of which he only has about half and some of that is also scorched. Is our protagonist a hero or a villain? Is he a detective or a thief? Is there really magic going on or are the local people's superstitions getting the better of his common sense? This is a white-room mystery with the reader discovering the world along with the protagonist, but there is lots of action, a touch of romance, a few twists and turns before our protagonist works out his true role in the world he has entered. I enjoyed the medieval world and the "local" characters as well as the world's mythology.
To my mind this story felt almost YA. The protagonist's journey of self-discovery felt like that of a teenager (but then I have met an awful lot of juvenile adult men so maybe it is just being a man). I would happily recommend this one for 13+ audience. There is some violence (not overly graphic), no sex. I enjoyed the story but wasn't wowed by it, which might explain why Sanderson had to crowdfund this one in spite of his history of best-sellers, maybe his publishers felt the same?
Started this. The first one wasn't bad but not brilliant. Had medium hopes but they were too high. Can we please stop romanticising male protagonists Started this. The first one wasn't bad but not brilliant. Had medium hopes but they were too high. Can we please stop romanticising male protagonists with the emotional intelligence of a 3 year old?...more
Another fun and silly story from David Walliams. It is the early 1960's and on a little farm Ruth and her little dog Yuri dream of the excitement of tAnother fun and silly story from David Walliams. It is the early 1960's and on a little farm Ruth and her little dog Yuri dream of the excitement of the space race and getting away from her awful aunt Dorothy. As she watches the sky one night she sees a UFO! Not only does it crash on the farm but there is an actual ALIEN who stubles out of the crash!! HIding Spaceboy from her aunt is one thing but when the government gets involved there plenty of shenanigans as Ruth and Spaceboy try to escape. Will they ever manage to get to outer space?
This is a blend of lots of slapstick comedy, a sprinkle of history and lots of action and it is sure to have young readers laughing their heads off. Lots of illustrations, plenty of silliness, and a great layout will appeal even to reluctant readers. ...more
This started okay, a basic opposites attract, ditzy girl meets surly guy romance. I will start by saying this was a fill-in audio book for me while waiThis started okay, a basic opposites attract, ditzy girl meets surly guy romance. I will start by saying this was a fill-in audio book for me while waiting for one I wanted and I admit American narrators are not my jam in general, but this narrator was fine. Perfectly acceptable and if you have an American accent I am sure it wont be as (mildly) annoying to you as it is to me. No, in this instance the issues I had were 95% to do with the material.
The level of oft repeated cringey phrases really got to me by the end. I think I started physically wincing with secondhand-cringe whenever "recharging station" was said. Maybe I am getting too old an cynical for romance books but can authors please stop treating a 4-week old relationship as though it is life and death? These characters are in their 20s-30s but are acting like love-struck teens! Have they never had to compromise? Or commute? Heaven forbid the heroine have a life outside of her relationship! Also can we talk about the major plot hole of the fact everyone seems to forget how to call or message at dramatic moments? Ok, so I can buy that he gets no reception on the sea, but he apparently can't take 30 seconds when offloading to explain that he was delayed by a couple of hours and realises he has been a jerk? No one in the town, including the two women organising the party at the bar, thinks to flick a text explaining why they are late? Neither of the sisters thinks OMG! this is weird that no-one has come, maybe I should call someone?! Instead of checking they just assume that the WHOLE TOWN hates them, in spite of all other evidence. Also at the end he sneaks off to just pack up all her stuff in the middle of first time visiting her parents?! WTF! Is it me? Is that considered romantic? I'd be like get the fuck back in the living room dude! Don't wander around someone else's house randomly packing stuff, how did he even know which room is hers? I could go on but I think this one has put me off Tessa Bailey for a while and certainly listening to romance for a bit - I think the cringe factor is magnified when it is narrated as opposed to read. ...more
This was a fun, odd-couple romance with some sexy scenes. I read this in a single day as I was nursing a cold and it was the perfect level of undemandThis was a fun, odd-couple romance with some sexy scenes. I read this in a single day as I was nursing a cold and it was the perfect level of undemanding escapism. Chaotic gardener Hallie has had the hots for Julian since she was in high school. A few years older than her Julian is everything Hallie isn't. Julian has a 10-year plan, a 24 hour plan and a schedule for everything in between. Taking a sabbatical from his lecturing job at an Ivy league University to write a book Julian has returned home to his family's winery for peace and quiet but between the winery's financial woes and Hallie's chaotic energy Julian's plans are about to get massively derailed. This has all the tropes you expect in a romance novel but manages to be entertaining and fun. ...more
I did something I rarely do when listening to audio books with this one. I put the play on 1.5x speed. Honestly even that was a little slow at times. I did something I rarely do when listening to audio books with this one. I put the play on 1.5x speed. Honestly even that was a little slow at times. There is a way that Americans, particularly those that think they have something truly, deeply, profound to say, like to speak and it does my head in (I'm looking at you Elizabeth Willard Thames and the painfully voiced and self-indulgent "Meet the Frugalwoods"). I'm not saying that there are not some good points in this book and if you are interested in minimising your life or just streamlining your belongings this isn't the worst place to start but there is nothing really earth-shattering in this book that you won't hear from any other minimalist. There is a nice guide to tackling your home and Becker gives good suggestions on how to responsibly dispose of unwanted items.
Listing to the audio I do wish he had employed someone else to voice the testimonials as there times when I got confused (briefly) between personal anecdotes and the testimonials of others. There are elements of evangelicalism creeping into the book. His history of religious (American Megachurch - which we learn about at the end of the book) experience very clearly shows through - several times while I was listening I did wonder if I was getting preached at. Like religious evangelicals Becker is certain his way is the best way. Like an evangelical he desperately wants to convert the unconverted and bring his "truth" to the world. Nothing wrong with the passion but it does result in an overly wordy and quite frankly unnecessarily long book (over 10 hours on audio) which really could have been easily 5 hours or less. Also, the author comes across as smug, patronising, and honestly just judgy: In short, he comes across as a privileged middle-aged white man who has never experienced anything less than everything falling into place when needed, or being judged for his appearance in a professional setting. He is also incredibly smug about people being insecure about measuring up to the expectations of others (a failing he is clearly above) without really delving into the social pressures and economic experiences that truly drive that mindset.
If I had to sum this book up in one word, that word would be: SMUG....more
I loved this as a fun read with truly awesome vocabulary for middle primary students. Flora is a comic-book obsessed, quirky child. Her mum is a romanI loved this as a fun read with truly awesome vocabulary for middle primary students. Flora is a comic-book obsessed, quirky child. Her mum is a romance writer convinced her daughter should read "real literature". Her father used to read comics with her but since her parents got divorced he has lost his sense of adventure. What this family needs is a superhero. What they get is Ulysses - a squirrel who has suddenly acquired amazing powers after being accidentally sucked up into the neighbour's powerful new vacuum cleaner!
I enjoyed the audio so much I am getting a copy because I know I will be able to employ this in a primary school classroom....more
I loved this AND it kept me guessing right up to the final pages! Australian author Sarah Smith has crafted an intriguing mystery with a twist. At firsI loved this AND it kept me guessing right up to the final pages! Australian author Sarah Smith has crafted an intriguing mystery with a twist. At first glance Stacey seems to have life sorted out, everything a young woman in Los Angeles should have: A growing business styling houses, nice house shared with her fiance, good friends... but then Stacey dies. Was it a car accident? Was it murder? As detectives Beaufontaine and Garafino investigate they discover that Stacey's life was not as picture perfect as it seems. At the same time Stacey suddenly realises that maybe death isn't as straightforward as she always assumed. For a start she is still here...witnessing her fiance, friends and parents react to her death. Stacey isn't sure why she is still hanging around but she knows she has to try to work out what happened to her or she's going to be stuck here. Dark humour and Stacey's apparent ditziness make this fascinating from the start, and as the plot reveals more of Stacey's life it only becomes more fascinating as Stacey examines everyone in her life and faces what is really keeping her here.
If you want a great mystery to keep you guessing the whole way through this is the book for you!...more