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Silly premise, silly plot, silly me...

Revisado: 01-04-25

Silly me for not reading the reviews. While not actually dreadful, this was a remarkably ditzy tale. Really? Secret agents in the kitchen, cracking cases by consulting a gossip diary? Because the local constable was kind but too stupid to solve crimes? There were endless passages about food orders, furniture, and dithers over an unlikeable boyfriend. Other than a brief prologue, the mystery didn't appear until past the halfway point, whereupon it was guessable from the moment it was presented. And the method used for the crime was pointlessly complicated, proving the crook was as dimwitted as the rest of this fluff. Pass. Only listened to the first story.

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Seriously needs a content warning

Revisado: 06-18-23

I really wanted to like this series. The book was well-written, but the resolution was stupid, gratuitous, and - fatal (heh) to a mystery - almost completely unsupported by the narrative thrust. The amount of mayhem flowing from the "motive" beggars belief, as any perp would have simply left town rather than kill half the village. Also, although doing so would result in spoilers, there really should have been a content warning - one expects sex and violence in mysteries, but the contract with the reader implies some puzzle, some clever twist, or failing that, some point to it all. This was just a meaningless slap with a not-recently-dead fish. I felt like I needed a bath after listening. Which I took right after returning the wretched thing. Yuck.

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Completely Gratuitous Nastiness

Revisado: 03-06-23

I have listened to the first four books of this series (including #0.5), and in general find them to be well-written cozies, and I really enjoyed the first two. However, in this book and the previous one (Black Cat Murders), there is a non-traditional male character who is singled out for such gratuitous nastiness that it completely took me out of the story, and left a lingering bad taste. In Braeburn, there is a small man with a high voice, who is so unrelentingly ridiculed by the author each time he appears that by the time he receives just recompense for his actions, one is actually rooting for the poor fellow. In Black Cat Murders a minor character who is (irrelevantly) gay is heaped with abuse for his mannerisms and appearance, completely unrelated to the story or his place within it. While there is humor in the books, these characters do not appear to be meant to be funny, nor do the mean-girl swipes in any way advance the story or illuminate the characters. The author appears merely to be working out some personal issues, in a way that is ultimately so distasteful that I will take a pass on the rest of the series.

Sam Dewhurst-Phillips is outstanding, and I will look for his work elsewhere.

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Completely Gratuitous Nastiness

Revisado: 03-06-23

I have listened to the first four books of this series (including #0.5), and in general find them to be well-written cozies, and I really enjoyed the first two. However, in this book and the previous one (Black Cat Murders), there is a non-traditional male character who is singled out for such gratuitous nastiness that it completely took me out of the story, and left a lingering bad taste. In Braeburn, there is a small man with a high voice, who is so unrelentingly ridiculed by the author each time he appears that by the time he receives just recompense for his actions, one is actually rooting for the poor fellow. In Black Cat Murders a minor character who is (irrelevantly) gay is heaped with abuse for his mannerisms and appearance, completely unrelated to the story or his place within it. While there is humor in the books, these characters do not appear to be meant to be funny, nor do the mean-girl swipes in any way advance the story or illuminate the characters. The author appears merely to be working out some personal issues, in a way that is ultimately so distasteful that I will take a pass on the rest of the series.

Sam Dewhurst-Phillips is outstanding, and I will look for his work elsewhere.

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This is an abusive relationship in the making

Revisado: 07-12-22

Early in this book, I thought it could have been vastly improved by a good editor. There were frequent grammatical errors and the pacing was off - long, angsty dithering interspersed with rapid movement of the plot, almost without notice. Most scenes could have been halved in length and be the better for it.

BUT.

The overall story arc of a difficult bi-awakening was completely compromised by serious problems with the characters. One MC was thoroughly dislikable - angry, rejecting, jealous and sociopathically selfish - and the other, although generous and demonstrative, did not protect himself at all from the vicious cycles of seduction and rejection. This is the start of an abusive relationship. The creep was also a lousy parent, alternately jerking his child away from the man who had virtually co-parented her, and encouraging the relationship when it worked for him. This was particularly cruel since the child had lost her mother.

At the point of the creepiest seduction scene ever (MC1 walks unannounced into MC2's house where he is crying over a particularly brutal rejection, kisses him and asks him to babysit so MC1 can go on a date. MC2 is crushed, but surprise! the date is intended to be with MC1 and his child. MC1 then initiates sex as though MC2 is getting a great prize), I checked to see if this nightmare was almost over, and realized that I was only halfway though the book! I stopped listening, so I can't tell you if the ballplayer eventually grows a pair and ditches the jerk. This being Romance, I suppose not. But this kind of personal violation should not be held up as an example of how love works.

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Absolutely Delightful

Revisado: 07-06-22

I honestly loved this book. It started a little slowly, but unfolded in a charming, insightful, and creative way. The characters were genuine, even the quirky ones. They were kind to each other even in conflict, relatably fallible, and frequently wise. The story arc was uncontrived even though the dispute originated in thoughtlessness, and it resolved beautifully. I liked the freshness and humor in the portrayal of several of the friend/family relationships. Maybe we could have heard a little less about nail polish, but the universe free of homo- and transphobia was refreshing

Pete Cross did a stunning job of conveying emotion - wistful, whimsical, wretched, loving - and the characters were easily distinguished. I especially liked that he did not pair gender with tone in a stereotypical manner, but the thing that really stood out was the utter sincerity in his voice during the conflict and resolution scenes.

I will certainly look for more by this author and narrator.

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Almost...

Revisado: 10-26-21

LA Witt does excellent research, so I am not at all surprised that she absolutely nails it with regard to the dynamics of a relationship with an alcoholic - the concealment and defensiveness, the soaring honeymoon phase and charming assurances that everything is absolutely finefinefine, the despair and self-loathing when it isn't. Odd, then, that the recovery phase is so unrealistic. It wouldn't have been incompatible with a HEA to acknowledge that recovery is a long and bumpy road. It's disappointing, especially in such an otherwise gritty, spot-on story, that fairytale stereotypes creep in. For example, an alcoholic is absolutely not served by a partner who rushes to their side to reassure them when they relapse, and major relationship decisions like moving in together are strongly discouraged for the first full year (it's eight months in the story, which would have been a very easy fix). Fortunately, the recovery phase is really only covered in the epilogue, and it may be that the author was rushed to finish.

Otherwise, this is an excellent addition to the Anchor Point series, which addresses real-life military issues with hope, and features male bonding that feels overall pretty authentic. Nick Russo is outstanding, as usual.

Clever title, btw.

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Wonderful Holiday Story

Revisado: 12-19-20

I have read the kindle version of this gentle, loving book a couple of times and was thrilled when it appeared in audio. I love all of Eli Easton's work, but she has a special gift for seasonal stories. In addition to a delicious slow seduction, this one includes a group of friends of various queer identities providing safety and warmth for each other in a particularly perilous era. The angel moves on through time, facilitating happiness in other authors' books in this series, but this is the story of her creation.

J.C. Love did a great job of narration, but there is something odd about the production - it seemed unnaturally slow to me. I have never changed the speed of a recording before, but I played this one at 1.3x, which sounded more like the narrator's natural cadence. Maybe it was just my download, but if it seems delayed to you, try that. In any case, enjoy this lovely historical.

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Michael Ferraiuolo sparkles again

Revisado: 11-04-20

This is another witty entry in the Forbidden Desires series, with a couple of hints of another in the works. But the real joy in listening to this audiobook is Michael Ferraiuolo's stunning talent with characters' voices. His narration blends seamlessly into the background, just as it should, carrying the content of the story, but when the characters speak - oh my. He whips through dialog among several characters with wildly different voices, never missing a beat. There is even one character who is attempting to hide his background, and Michael's voice flows through three different, recognizable accents within single sentences, all while conveying a sort of bumbling rage. And the tailor's assistant recommending underwear! Okay, the man is a genius. And is it me, or does the cover model look suspiciously like him?

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An Absolute Jewel

Revisado: 10-28-20

I really like all of Kim Fielding's books, but this one is exceptional. The story, the message, the chemistry, the subtle nuances of pacing; everything worked for me. K.C. Kelly did a great job with the character's voices - I particularly liked the slight catch in his voice when Colby was being impish or vulnerable, and the longing in the voices of both of the Williams. This is one to treasure and re-listen to.

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