Amazon Customer

Worth it for the narration

Revisado: 07-18-24

The narration for this book is phenomenal and worth the listen for that reason alone. Both narrators were excellent. The story itself is fine. This is a much better fiction book than a romance. Each of the main characters has a strong personal journey in the book, but I wasn't sold on the romance between them. I particularly appreciated the depiction of grief and a working father learning the emotional labor to be there for his daughter.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Amazing narrator, fun story

Revisado: 04-01-24

I enjoyed this one, though preferred The Stand-in. This was too long and I wished Jihoon, the hero, had more page time. Lily Chu struggles with the 3rd act break-up - they always go on too long and are more focused on the heroine's journey than the romantic relationship. However, despite these weaknesses, this was charming and often funny. I loved the romance and found them so sweet together. I liked watching them grow together into who they wanted to be. I was mad at Jihoon for his behavior when the secret came out, but appreciated that it didn't get swept under the rug. And it is always fun to see the celebrity lifestyle and the wealth and its impact on romantic partners. I liked Ariadne's friends and family relationships - her supportive best friend with her boundary-less mother, her distant sister. Their sister dynamic felt soo real. I loved seeing them reconnect. I do wish we had gotten more growth in the father character but I guess that was too much to ask.

The audiobook was fantastic. Phillipa Soo is such an amazing narrator. She brings so many emotions, great comedic timing, and does male voices and accents well. I am excited to listen to Lily Chu's next book.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Likable characters and excellent narration

Revisado: 04-01-24

This was charming! I loved the first half as the main characters misjudged each other and then started getting to know each other. The middle dragged a little - it was a churn of the two main characters mainly hanging out and going to events - and the last quarter turned into a soap opera. But it was entertaining and I loved the two main characters' relationship. This was clearly written as audio-first and/or meant more as a movie: the ridiculous plot, the soap opera ending, and the quick relationship wrap-up after a devastating third act breakup. The relationship wasn't as much of a focus near the end and Gracie, the heroine, made some really bad choices and chose not to communicate with Sam. That frustrated me. Despite these downsides, I just had such a lovely time listening to this audiobook. The narration was excellent and the characters were so likable.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Fantastic audiobook and great PNR

Revisado: 04-01-24

So freaking charming! I was both hooked and also wanted to slow down and live in this book with this couple's journey as long as possible. I loved Mateo/Evie's friendship to relationship - wholesome and swoony. And Alpha was an excellent third to the relationship - hilarious and so focused on Evie. The only thing that could have made this better was MORE ALPHA. This book put my headspace in a happy mood for 4 days and helped me get out of a reading slump. The audiobook was fantastic!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Phenomenal narration, charming story

Revisado: 04-01-24

This was incredibly charming and well-written. The magic of Neverland and the growing relationship between Hook and Peter was fun to watch. While it wasn't perfect - the beginning was slow and, honestly, Pan is hard to like, but as the story revealed itself and the love story became more complex, the more invested I became. The more the story seduced me. If the beginning hadn't been so drawn out and Pan and Hook spent more time together, this would have easily been a 5 star.

I read this book in 2019 and then revisited it through audio in 2023. The narration is phenomenal - both at being an engaging fairy tale storyteller, but also doing different voices, and hitting real emotional beats. I cried near the end of this book, which I don't remember doing while reading it. Clearly the audio helped me experience the joy of the characters themselves.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

My least favorite in the series

Revisado: 04-01-24

3.5 stars. I liked both of the main characters separately, but I never understood why they loved each other. Early on, they were competitors ("enemies") who were attracted to each other, and then suddenly they were deeply emotionally invested. I never SAW them fall in love. Even while I enjoyed the book when they were together, I was struggling to feel emotionally connect to their romance.

I was intrigued by the grim magic and can't wait for Henry's story. I loved seeing all of the other couples and Gareth be accepted into a healthy and loving found family.

The narration by these two narrators was fantastic.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Sweet fantasy novella with excellent narration

Revisado: 04-01-24

This was adorable. I loved Mathior, the hero. So sweet and devoted with Halla. This had Dixon's usual humor and charm. I laughed gleefully a few times as Halla is told about Mathior's wedding customs and she demands similar concessions from him. The setup was unique and, as long as you're along for the wild ride, this is an amusing and romantic read.

Mason Lloyd is excellent as always. And Jillian Macie was new to me, but I'll be seeking out more by her. She fit the character so well, was emotive, and carried you through the story. How does Ruby Dixon find such amazing narrators?

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Adorable novella

Revisado: 04-01-24

Another adorable novella by Cara Bastone. This one wasn't quite as successful as the other two audiobooks I've listened to by the author, but was still a solid entry. I loved the setup for a college class project even if I don't care about proving if love at first sight is real. The two characters had good chemistry and cute banter. This story was 100% dialogue. I wish we had gotten some narration from each character's perspective. I think I would have felt more invested in their HEA by the end. But still a super sweet and cleverly constructed story that kept me entertained.

I loved the full cast narration. Einstein had great humor and emotion. The character clearly shined through. Santino was good, but a little too much. He made his character come off less charming and more attention-seeking.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Charming, quick read

Revisado: 04-01-24

This was charming! The humor worked for me, the chemistry leapt off the page. I loved the duet-style audio and the naturalistic conversation. The narrators were fantastic and gave the characters so much personality.

The only reason my story rating isn't higher is because so little happened - they were an adorable couple, it was a great listening experience, but I could pop in and out whenever up until the last hour. But it was still a great experience and I can't wait to listen to more of the author's audiobooks.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Somewhat weak series ending, still worth a read

Revisado: 04-01-24

I was torn on this book. I ended up really enjoying it, but was frustrated with some elements. There was no tension in the romance. Henry and Clara embraced their mated status and their emotions way too easily and it left me underwhelmed and not believing that these characters were real people. So many of their interactions felt like plot points rather than earned scenes of intimacy and love. The romance advanced too quickly and I wasn't sure how we got there. And everything that we had learned about Henry's character in previous books - his gruffness and standoffishness and stoicism - went out the door once he let Clara into his life.

Despite all of this, I still really enjoyed the book. The plot was interesting, I love Clara's bubbliness and all of the sisters interacting. I even chuckled at the trope I usually don't like showing up in the third act. There was plenty of joy and laughter in this book. It felt like a warm hug. And the final battle scene was the best of the series. This book felt the most like an epic fantasy and I loved how high the stakes were.

While this series didn't end on the strongest note, I am glad I read them all and got to experience each of the Savoie sister's story. I'm hoping Cross's next venture into dark fantasy will work even better for me.

I love the narrators for this series. They imbue so much personality and humor and chemistry into the characters.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña