OYENTE

Ashley

  • 16
  • opiniones
  • 2
  • votos útiles
  • 18
  • calificaciones

Spicy Holiday Fun

Total
3 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
3 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 12-28-24

Well… Where to begin…

If you’re looking for a deep, substantive story with complex characters and intricate plots, Tangled in Tinsel is not the book for you. But if you want a fun, spicy read—and I mean spicy through and throughout—then this book is definitely for you. It had me blushing, and that says a lot! The intensity of the scenes had me taking breaks while reading, and frankly, quite naughty moments like these make it all part of the fun. If you’re looking for a sizzling, light-hearted holiday escape, this book delivers all the heat without any of the emotional depth.

I also think this book is better on Audible. While I actually really enjoy the author’s writing style, the voice for the male characters felt a bit cheesy at times. That being said, it adds to the fun and charm when you’re listening to it, giving the story a playful vibe that works really well in audio format.

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Lost in the Setting, Flat in the Story

Total
2 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
3 out of 5 stars
Historia
2 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 12-19-24

This second-chance romance set at a river ranch in Montana fell flat for me. The story focuses too much on the main characters, leaving me unable to connect with either of them. Despite the picturesque setting, it fails to bring the location to life or add anything compelling to make the romance truly engaging.

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Between Pages and Time: A Heartfelt Journey Through Love, Loss, and Healing

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 12-17-24

***SPOILERS***

The beginning of this book introduced Ashlyn, a rare-book store owner and so-called “book empath.” It started out a little heavy by introducing Ashlyn’s interpretation or feelings rather of her parents, where her mother denied cancer treatment after a diagnosis and chose death over her family, and her father blew out his brains while she was blowing out birthday candles. That caught me off-guard, but nonetheless, explains Ashlyn’s reason for clinging to books.

This tragic backstory is not just a setup for Ashlyn’s character but serves as a catalyst for her deep connection to the past, particularly the books she restores. Her work is more than a job; it’s a form of therapy, a way for her to process her own trauma. This obsession with the past ties directly into the book's central themes, where history, memory, and loss play pivotal roles in the emotional arc of the story.

I really appreciated the adaptation of the two lovers' perspectives—Belle and Hemi in the past and Ashlyn in the present. The concept of two love stories unfolding side by side is a compelling narrative device, and it worked brilliantly in this book. The historical sections about Hemi, a writer, and Belle, his muse, were rich with atmosphere. Their romance was both tender and tragic, shaped by the harsh realities of their time during WWII. Their story felt timeless, yet rooted in the particular historical and social context of the period.

What I particularly liked was the shift between the past and present. The alternating timelines kept the story dynamic, always offering fresh perspectives while maintaining a sense of continuity. As we move between Ashlyn’s investigation of the manuscript in the present and the unfolding romance between Hemi and Belle in the past, the contrasts and connections between these two worlds felt seamless. The tension between the two timelines added emotional weight, creating an immersive experience that allowed me to understand not just the history, but also how it reverberates in the present.

Listening to the audiobook really helped me get a sense of that time period and the class of the characters. The voice acting, tone, and pacing made the characters’ struggles feel all the more poignant. As Ashlyn uncovers more of Belle and Hemi's love story, it's impossible not to draw parallels to Ashlyn’s own emotional journey. Just as Hemi’s words leave an indelible mark on Belle, so too does the book Ashlyn restores leave its mark on her, revealing not just the story of a couple lost in time, but also Ashlyn’s own healing process.

The dual narratives—one filled with love and hope, the other marked by loss and reflection—are skillfully woven together, showing how the past never truly leaves us. It's a story about memory, healing, and how we, much like the books we cherish, are shaped by the stories that came before us.

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A Fun, Heartwarming Holiday Read with a Dash of Spice

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 12-15-24

I absolutely loved The Neighbor Who Stole Christmas! The story was cute, the characters were fun, and the humor had me laughing out loud. The contests in the book were super clever and added a unique twist to the holiday cheer. While the writing itself felt a bit plain, the audiobook really brought the story to life, and I highly recommend listening to it. The narrators added so much to the experience, especially with the humor and some unexpectedly spicy moments in chapters 21 and 22. I can't wait to read more from Meghan Quinn—her characters and humor have definitely won me over!

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It may take some time to grab your attention. It’s cute and spicy.

Total
3 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
3 out of 5 stars
Historia
3 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 12-13-24

I’m glad I continued reading the series as Book 2 kept me more engaged than the first. The pacing is smoother, and I found myself more invested in the characters, especially with the added humor in the audiobook performance. While the story’s "spice" is still a highlight, it might not grab you immediately in the first book, though it picks up later. The narration is generally strong, but I would have preferred a different voice for Simon to give his character more depth and distinction. Overall, I enjoyed the book and look forward to seeing where the story goes next.

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Well-Written and Engaging, with Room to Grow

Total
3 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
3 out of 5 stars
Historia
3 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 12-10-24

I enjoyed this book overall and thought it was well-written, but I did find the pacing to be a bit slow at times. I appreciated the "spice," though it came a little late in the story. The characters were interesting, but I felt they could have been developed more deeply. For example, there wasn’t much backstory on Vivian, and Julia’s history wasn’t explored much either. I also would have liked more insight into what made Vivian’s character seem so cold, as it wasn’t fully explained.

Another issue I had was with the audiobook narration. While the overall performance was good, I think a different voice for Simon would have added more depth

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Lacking Holiday Spark

Total
2 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
1 out of 5 stars
Historia
1 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 12-04-24

I was excited to dive into The Holiday Cottage, especially after reading the glowing reviews that promised a perfect holiday read. Unfortunately, this book didn’t quite live up to my expectations, despite being well-written. While the prose itself was smooth and engaging, the overall experience felt lackluster, leaving me with little more than a sense of disappointment.

The characters were one of the biggest letdowns for me. None of them felt particularly compelling or relatable, and I struggled to connect with their motivations. It’s hard to enjoy a story when the characters don’t evoke any real emotion, whether it's empathy, excitement, or even frustration. This lack of connection made it difficult for me to care about the events unfolding in the book.

As for the plot, it never really stood out. While I had hoped for an engaging, heartwarming story that would be the perfect companion for a cozy holiday break, the narrative lacked any real spark. The story didn’t offer anything particularly memorable or exciting, and by the end, I was left with a feeling of indifference.

That said, I do recognize that the author has a knack for writing, and I’m open to giving some of their other works a try. There was nothing in The Holiday Cottage that would deter me from exploring future books by this author, but for now, this one simply wasn’t the charming holiday escape I had hoped for.

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Better than I Expected

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
3 out of 5 stars
Historia
3 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 10-27-24

I had no dislikes. Let me first start off with that. I read a lot of Memoirs. This is a good one. The tone is very positive, and I love the Chris Paul narration. It was a really good book. I highly recommend it. I even found some of the moments referenced in the book on YouTube.

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Not what I expected!

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 06-12-24

In the beginning, I thought this was going to be a super depressing read. After about 20-30 pages, I realized, it’s actually quite the opposite. I thought the book was very creative, and the author has a very vivid imagination. I thought the book was very thought-provoking. I really enjoyed this book. Give it a chance. The Audiobook pairs nicely with this book.

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This is a valuable book! Wow!

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 03-02-24

I really enjoy the fresh perspective. This is a memorable book that have been recommending for years. I only realized today that I forgot to write the review. I highly recommend this book. I listened to the narration and used the book for a class. I’m so happy we used this book.

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