Colleen

Kept me interested from beginning to end.

Revisado: 01-23-25

(slight spoilers) I really enjoyed this book - I was rooting for Grace to find her feet through the whole thing. There were a few parts where I became frustrated by her lack of action, and was curious as to how it would end, and was hoping I wouldn't be disappointed, and I think the story wrapped up nicely. I always pay attention to reviews of the narrator - and I almost didn't listen to this book based on narrator reviews. I will say this, while I get the feedback that the narrator was very monotone, I found that it completely fit Grace's personality, she wasn't bubbly and initially completely lacked confidence, and I think the narrator reflected that. Not my favorite narrator - but I enjoyed it well enough to rate her performance highly. So, if I can impart anything with this review, I say do not be deterred by the negative narrator reviews - give it a chance, and I am willing to bet you will agree that it fits the personality of the book.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Love this series - with a few caveats!

Revisado: 09-25-24

Love the continuation of this series, truly one of my favorite Cozy's. The story is always cute and fun, love seeing all the characters, and read by one of my favorite narrators. There were 2 things that I was a bit annoyed by, very minor, but enough to mention. I don't like being lectured midway through a book on social issues. I could have done without the rant/lecture on recycling and using plastic. I am a conscience recycler - it doesn't mean I want to be lectured about it in the middle of a fun read, leave the civics lesson for another genre. Secondly, the whole Tricia/David relationship bothers me. First of all, why is there a need for Trisha to be in a relationship? It doesn't bring anything extra to the series, secondly, if the characters were reversed - and Trisha was 21ish, and David was in his late 40's - we would be discussing the ick factor of a man going after a younger girl - it is no less icky when a woman goes after a younger boy. I definitely was skeeved by any of the references of intimacy with the couple. Not sure what point the author was trying to make, but it missed the mark. Overall, the murder storyline was good - still love the series, and these 2 things will not keep me from continuing to enjoy the series.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Exactly what I needed for a summer read

Revisado: 07-09-24

First of all, I am a huge fan of Susan Boyer, and read all of her Liz Talbot mystery series, so I was looking forward to this new series. I go back and forth between Historical Fiction and Cozy Mystery, and after finishing a heavy read, I needed something light, and this worked perfectly. All of her books make me want to visit the Sullivan's Island area, she does a really good job of immersing you right into the vibe of the area. The story, yes it is a murder mystery, is original, and clever. The ending is not obvious, or too far fetched - which sometimes a cozy mystery can be unbelievable - and this is not it. I couldn't wait to listen get back in my car and keep listening. It was exactly what I needed, a perfect beach read, you won't be disappointed if this is your genre. Can't wait to see what is up next for this new series!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Overall good, but dragged in some spots

Revisado: 05-28-24

I enjoyed it overall, Sara Donati is one of my favorites- but I feel like it dragged in some places. The story spent way too much time with the ride to New Mexico. I thought the Markum plot began and finished too quickly, as well as the plot involving the half sister. Also Carrie spent so much time being angry, it made the love story almost unbelievable. Also- the narrator - I generally love her narration- but her voice made both Carrie and Eli seem very old, when in fact they were not. The book sort of just ended, rather than wrapping up a story, which leads me to think this is another series in the making. It was good, and worth the credit- just not my favorite by this author.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Kate Quinn never dissapoints

Revisado: 02-22-24

I love anything by Kate Quinn, and the narrator Saskia Maarleveld - and this did not disappoint. I wondered if I would be ok with the 2 authors and 2 narrators, but I definitely enjoyed Janie Chang and Katherine Chin as well. It had my attention from the start, a few twists and turns, and I loved anticipating how the earthquake was going to affect the story. Maybe not as intense as some of the other Kate Quinn books, but that is ok - it was very good, and I would highly recommend it.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Overall enjoyed, but was a little flat at the end

Revisado: 10-26-23

*SPOILERS* This story grabbed me right from the beginning. It was interesting, and fascinating, the narrator is one of the best there is, and I couldn't wait to listen to it each day. You knew there was going to be a climactic ending, and it was, but I was so disappointed in how Ruth handled turning in her husband. She turned back into a little girl who was meant to sit in a corner and be quiet, and she didn't fight back. It also wasn't very believable, she was a hospital administrator - for years - you can't tell me that she didn't know how to suspend a Dr., or report a Dr. for any wrongdoings. The police? I am not surprised they reacted how they did, given the time period, why would she go to them? She could have gone to the Board, and I am sure drawn from the assistance of any number of colleagues for guidance - but again, as a hospital administrator, she should have (and would have in a realistic setting) known exactly how to handle a rogue Dr. She retreated back into being the weakling little girl that her parents thought she was, it was disappointing after such a long exceptional career. Also, one minor plot question, at the very, very end, in the epilogue - it says she has now converted the Carriage House into a - specifically stated - one bedroom home - where she and Edward lived together. What? You waited to reveal to the very end that Edward was gay and had a long time partner (Stephen) that he lived with - so why would he be living in a one bedroom home with Ruth? I wish I had the hard copy so I could go back and read that part again, as I feel like I must have missed something, or maybe I didn't and it was just bad editing. Minor complaints overall - I would definitely recommend the book, just a few of those caveats that I wish they had improved on.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Brave and honest

Revisado: 10-04-23

I highly recommend. Jill is honest and vulnerable in telling her story, The story is sweet and sad, brave and disturbing, loving but brutally honest. It takes a lot of guts to put yourself out there, and I am happy that she was finally able to tell her story. It couldn't have been easy, and I thank her for that.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Narration could have been better

Revisado: 11-28-22

Narrator did a horrible job alternating voices, the main character Betty was perfectly fine, but any other voices sounded like a bad cartoon. Definitely was a distraction. The story was adequate- at times slow, but I think that is because I knew the background of the story and wanted to get to the end. I really wanted to love it, but the narration definitely took away from being able to enjoy the book.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Another great Booktown read - with a few critiques

Revisado: 08-15-22

I enjoyed this book in the series as much as I have enjoyed them all. A cute cozy mystery, a return of all the series favorites, tied up neatly at the end. This is one of my favorite Cozy Mystery series, so I feel I need to comment on some of the negative reviews I have seen. First of all, Cassandra Campbell as narrator. She is one of my favorite narrators in all of audible, but I will agree, that Karen White did a better job with the characters. When you are doing a series, pick one narrator, and stick with it. It is not enjoyable to get used to how one narrator portrays characters, and then have to alter that getting used to a different narrator. If you are going to pick one, please pick Karen White. Secondly - I was a bit surprised to see other reviewers refer to the book as political - or having a political agenda. I didn't think she delved too far into politics at all and when she did, I feel she presented her opinion, as well as alternate opinions. It was a very small short piece of the book. It was an overreaction I thought to refer to this book as having a political agenda - you really had to look for it - a sad testimony to how sensitive people have become. It was a great addition to a wonderful series - I recommend to all those who are fans of the series to give it a try.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

I highly enjoyed it...with just one *but*

Revisado: 06-07-22

I am a huge fan of everything Melissa Gilbert. I loved her on LHOTP, I loved her first book, I am now going to look for her cookbook. I love that she narrates herself, because I am pretty sure I would be content to listening her describe paint drying. I was curious to hear about her transition to living out of the grind of LA, and how she got there - and I love Tim Busfield, so I was wondering how that relationship happened. I was also curious how other people spent lockdown - I know what I did, I wondered what everyone else was doing. It satisfied and answered all of these questions - it was a great story. I do have to comment on some of the negative reviews about her political opinions. To the naysayers, I want to ask, are you really surprised that Melissa Gilbert is a liberal, and is not actually Laura Ingalls? (rhetorical). I completely agree with her POV - but even I found it to be a bit preachy at times - although I get it. I think given the negative reviews, it illustrates perfectly where our country is right now - we either agree, or we disagree, and we meet no where in between. Overall I think the book was worth the credit, and worth listening too - and if you don't want to here someone's autobiographical thoughts while writing an autobiography - then maybe you should have rethought your choice on spending credits.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 3 personas