LS

wow, narration does the actions (like laughing then saying "character laughed") and cheating.

Revisado: 03-23-24

If the narration didn't do the weird actions (clicks tongue the says "clicked tongue" or giggles then says "character laughed") that was not delightful.... which I hope she was required to do and it wasn't her idea.... she's fine.

Trigger warning, THERE IS CHEATING AND I HATE THAT! Why did the author make that choice? The characters are are almost 30 and inner monolog is more akin to 16. I don't return books, but if one was going to make me, this would.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

I tried to finish, I really did try, but nope.

Revisado: 09-05-23

Obnoxious characters, the worst lie ever, and continuity errors. I really did try to like this because I enjoy the author, but yikes in bikes.

Spoiler: Lady, you don't get to be pissed when your baby daddy finds out after 15 years and tells you you're selfish. and doesn't want to be friends. Bro, why are you "falling for her" after what she did in a matter of weeks? Then the female character and her sister are acting like they are back in middle school. They're in their 30s, and one of them should be in jail. DNF

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Good timeline with some issues

Revisado: 05-28-22

This seemed conversational, and easy to follow for the most part. The reason for 4 stars is that it needed at least one more pass by a line editor. The call back to things mentioned one or two chapters ago when most chapters are around 11 minutes long seemed excessive. While I appreciated the inclusion of Jessica and her story, it didn't "fit in" with the flow after 100 days or so and was basically forgotten for nearly half of the book. I don't know what I anticipated to discover about her, but I felt like there needed to either be more without constantly reiterating how she was dealing with the aftermath of 9/11 or a separate book where more of her story could get the attention and care it deserved.

Also, he called SEALs "soldiers" every single time he referred to them. You'd think Mr. Wallace would know better with his background. The line delivery when he was directly quoting people was also strange.

I'd recommend the book if hearing sailors called soldiers and f*ck (long pause) yeah or other awkward timing with quotes will distract you. If you have minor hearing issues, just be aware that I had to backtrack and turn up the volume frequently to figure out what he said.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Make it stop

Revisado: 10-09-20

I wanted to see what they covered, now I will never wonder because I can't make it stop.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

This isn't a good match of voice and message

Revisado: 05-04-20

Diddy trying to be soothing didn't do it for me here. If this had been more of a ten minute uplifting start-your-day motivation with more energy, sure, I could see that. This wasn't a good match. I've heard Diddy speak in a more relaxed and soothing manner, so I was really expecting this to be a good meditation to add to my library based on the description, bit this missed the mark.

At times, I had difficulty hearing him, it sounded like he turned away from the microphone here and there, so I'm struggling to figure out what he's saying too much to meditate with him, which was a shame because the message is probably helpful, but I was too distracted by rewinding to understand him to get it. I'm glad this was free.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

I tried so hard to like this

Revisado: 04-22-20

I really wanted to like this, especially with the interfering gaggle of senior women, a handyman and his cat, and the best friend. But I found myself playing other books instead. It took me three months to finish the first book, and I've been stopped at chapter three of the second for four months. I just found that I figured out the whodunnit early in book one, and didn't really care to know book two as the pace is just not for me, which is odd because I Love Agatha Christy, who I feel is a bit of an influence to the author.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

very helpful

Revisado: 01-20-20

very helpful as a reader to see what the author looks at when writing. Diana is a little fast when she speaks (if you've listened to interviews you know this) so I went to 75% speed and it was fantastic.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 5 personas

Get this. Just get this.

Revisado: 01-09-20

This book broke down a "formula" so to speak of what makes the bones of a good romance novel (or most novels for that matter would appreciate this structure). Shorter but no less helpful than Save the Cat Writes a Novel, this does have a few added value items.

First, everything makes sense, and approximate ranges for where readers want to see a certain kind of story element. Example: the grand gesture moment readers live for should be in the last 10% of the book. Sounds simple, but a great reminder.

Second, the references are HILARIOUS. Gwen has a complimentary play list of 80s songs to set the mood and feel of each section. Love it!

Third, but in no way least, she has instructions on how to download the beat sheet with the 4 main components and their subsequent beats. Each beat has a brief description to remind you what it should cover to jog your memory.

This is one of the best craft books I've found, and even if you only want to read/hear about the craft of writing as a consumer, it's still informative and light hearted enough to give you an insight on why certain books resonate to you. Loved it.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Could be good for beginners?

Revisado: 01-09-20

I felt like the author talked down to the audience a few times. Example: <line> is it cheesy? yes, but it will go right over your reader's head. Or: don't just throw in a love scene <next chapter> if you're stuck and don't know how to finish a scene or chapter, throw in a love scene.

It also felt like she was skipping around between advice for fiction in general and romance. Example of a compelling male lead is a man who isolates the heroine from friends and family under the guise of "protecting her". No, that's not a romance hero, that's abusive.

I expected more based on the reviews, but felt like maybe a third of the audiobook was helpful or reiterated what I've already found in other books in a way that could stick in my head. Gwen Hayes is a better deal for your money in my opinion.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña