Helen S

Love This Series- New Narrator is Great

Revisado: 12-11-24

I was delighted to discover that the rest of this fun series has finally been recorded! I absolutely loved the first three books and was disappointed when it seemed there would be no more audiobook versions. I had even purchased the Kindle version of the fourth book and was slowly making my way through it.

I noticed that some reviews are critical of the new narrator, but I think she does an excellent job. While her style is different from the previous narrator, who had a more dramatic approach, I personally prefer the new narrator’s understated and crisp delivery. The way she voiced the characters made them a little less snarky or whiny than before, and therefore more likable.

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Miss Marple Meets Crazy Rich Asians

Revisado: 06-30-23

I am on Book 3 right now but returned to leave this review here in hopes of inspiring more people to enjoy this series. It's so fun and addicting to become immersed in Aunty Lee's world! I appreciated how all of the characters seemed at first to be simple and even stereotypical, but then they turned out to be layered and interestingly complicated people. The mystery was also unexpectedly complex. I was so struck by the ending that I immediately started listening again from the beginning. The author introduces us to Singapore's life and culture with humor and love and does not dumb it down or caricature anyone. The narrator is great, though there's a recurring character who is so loud and shrill (which is what she is known for) that I had to turn down the volume every time she was in the scene. I'm happy to report that the narrator takes it down a notch for the rest of the series.

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Charming!!!

Revisado: 06-30-23

If you like Clueless and Legally Blonde, you will love this feel-good book. The main character Maddie grew up an army brat with designer clothes, yet she is immediately likable because she is smart, self-aware, and unexpectedly funny just like Cher Horowitz and Elle Wood. I absolutely loved that the book featured multi-cultural characters (like in real life!). The story is fast-moving and fun, fun, fun but it wasn't slapstick wacky. The narrator is fantastic. Yes there nonstop hashtags but they are important part of Maddie's personality and the book's humor. I found them hugely entertaining but if you are turned off by hashtags, then this book is not for you. I want this series to go on forever!

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Original and Joyful Fun

Revisado: 06-17-23

I loved following Lindsay's journey of opening her Caribbean bakery. It was so fun to read a cozy that is set in a Brooklyn neighborhood that I am familiar with. And as an immigrant myself, I appreciated and related to Lindsay's multi-generational close-knit (sometimes stiflingly close!), always loving and supportive family. The story was surprisingly fast-moving, suspenseful, and exciting. Lindsay is easy to like and I wanted to champion and cheer for her throughout the book. The narrator does a fantastic job of voicing female, male, old and young characters. A thoroughly enjoyable listen!

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Not Much of a Story

Revisado: 06-17-23

Yes, the title and book cover art will have you thinking this is a copycat of "Thursday Murder Club". I wish! The only thing they have in common is that several British people are solving a murder mystery together. Otherwise, this book is totally different and more of a traditional small village cozy. I liked that all the main characters were female and had distinct and interesting personalities, but they were like good actors stuck with a weak script. I am a cozy fan and will cheerfully embrace a far-flung plot if there's a good story, but there was very little story here. Just a lot of descriptions of characters doing this and that but leading nowhere. And saying things that were so obvious or repetitive that the words felt like fillers. For example, more than half way through the story, someone says "There's a killer out there somewhere. If only we can figure out who it is." Sigh. There's a lot of that kind of thing. The narrator was amazing and the only reason I finished the book.

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Enjoyed Every Minute

Revisado: 03-03-23

I couldn't stop listening once I started. which is not something I would say about most cozy mysteries in my library. The story is face paced, exciting, and unexpected. The writing is all fun and lightness but it still drew me in with well drawn-out characters and smart, often funny dialogue. The Hollywood setting was refreshingly different. The main character Dayna and her friends are all LA-superficial, obsessed with designer clothes and chasing fame yet somehow I found them more and more likable as I listened on. There's a way the writer describes people that is funny yet never mean or disrespectful. It's strange to say given the Hollywood setting, but I found the book to be very "wholesome" in the best way. I related to how much Dayna loves her parents, how her friends take care of each other, and most of all how much integrity Dayna has. Immediately after I fished it, I purchased the second book.

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A Nice Escape

Revisado: 01-21-23

I loved the narrator's fabulous Scottish accent so much that I'm not sure how much I would've enjoyed the story without it! All the characters are quite likable and made me look forward to the next book to find out what happens to them. The plot is interesting without being too far-fetched or too obvious. Worth a listen for fans of gentle small-town cozies.

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A Refreshing and Lovable Cozy

Revisado: 12-02-22

I listen to a lot of cozy mysteries and have a long list of pet-peeves when it comes to certain will-worn tropes in this genre. It's been a while since I listened to a cozy that is so all-around likable as this one. The main character, Kate, is smart, resourceful, and very believable. Each of the side characters has a distinct and subtly interesting personality without being a caricature- well, except for the rather obvious villain and the requisite bumbling cop but even they were tolerable because they are not that central in the book. I enjoyed the fast-moving plot and the dialogue, especially between Kate and her new friend Maxi, which was natural and often VERY funny. I also appreciated all of the diversity in the characters both in their age range and heritages. Those who like their cozies to have instant love interests, wacky personalities, or snarky humor will be disappointed in this book but it was perfect for me. I can't wait to listen to the next in this series and am keeping my fingers crossed that it is as wonderful as the first.

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Fun and easy listen

Revisado: 11-15-22

This book had all the usual cozy elements - a woman starting a new chapter in life, a feisty best friend, a handsome neighbor, a dog, and of course lots of baked goods. But it still managed to be somehow different and uniquely interesting. I enjoyed the "trendy New Yorkers in a small town" angle- it was done in a way that was entertaining without overly stereotyping. The main character is smart and self-sufficient. The narrator did a great job bringing various personalities to life.

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Disappointed

Revisado: 11-08-22

I left a raving review for the first book and thoroughly enjoyed the next two in this series. This one was shockingly disappointing. The main character, Robbie, has become annoying and unlikable because she's so pushy in the way she questions people. She also just says whatever comes to her head then says "oops". Where did the smart level-headed Robbie go? It felt as if the author was trying to fill the pages as quickly as possible. The quaint country aphorisms were occasional and charming before but now we have 3-4 of them in the same paragraph. Not sure if I dare to continue with the series.

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