OYENTE

SmithFamily

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  • 58
  • votos útiles
  • 222
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Joe, Jacob and Josh all in one book?

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

Revisado: 03-02-25

All the 'J' names don't help when there are too many moving plot points. I've had mildly negative feelings about this book since I started it. Penny Andrews is a narrator I try to avoid, but that wasn't the problem here. It's that there is not one likeable character. Rosa is a good time party girl with a rough background--a perfect character to begin with--as long as there is some development along the way. I'm on Chapter 46 and there have maybe been some glimmers of change in her but not much. Ditto the other characters. Some are just outright disagreeable. The ones who aren't are just mildly likeable.

All of the elements of a good story are here: gorgeous, seaside location, an orphaned main character who's single, and a mystery inheritance. Unfortunately, the unlikeable charters, lack of character change in the arc of the story, some clumsy plotting with too many elements topped off by the voice of this narrator make this sadly, a disagreeable book. Not sure if I'll try another by this writer. A development editor might be transformational here.

As far as the narrator is concerned, I don't know if Rosa's voice is Penny Andrews' natural speaking voice or not. I'm guessing not, as she does a good job with some of the characters. Rosa sounds like a silly Valley Girl--not a thinker and of questionable intelligence.

At least there's a cute dog!

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Great characters, plot and narration!

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

Revisado: 02-08-25

Love this narrator--perfection! I enjoy Jenny Colgan's Scottish novels. Characters are complex with just enough quirks to amuse. Humor is always there, again just enough. She also does an excellent job bringing the Scottish landscape--both human and natural--to life. Will listen again I'm sure!

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Something odd about the narration.....

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

Revisado: 01-20-25

I think this may be a good story, but I can't tell. I couldn't figure out why I could not get caught up in it and finally reached the conclusion that it's something about the narration. I wish I could put my finger on it. Maybe not enough inflection in the reading? Not enough variation in tone and rhythm? Seems like the narrator isn't interested or engaged herself. (I listen to audiobooks constantly and have more than 3000 in my library.) Very disappointed.

Update: I just listened to the first book in this series--yes, backward, I know--and it was an entirely different experience. Much, much easier to get engaged and to follow. Different narrator. I still can't put my finger on just what it is about the narration that ruins this novel for me. It feels rushed and as though some words or ends of sentences are almost "swallowed."

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Different narrator!

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

Revisado: 11-20-24

Like this series. The previous narrator was just about perfect, a challenge when main characters are from different countries! This new narrator just doesn't fit, especially for Jason's American accent. The narrator's accent is all over the place regionally. Just doesn't work at all.

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Terrible narration!

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

Revisado: 10-27-24

Can't do it. Narration is a cross between childlike and chipmunk. Very unfortunate, as the first book gave me hope for a great new series.

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Simplistic and obvious

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

Revisado: 09-07-24

Simplistic and obvious. Perhaps the intended audience is....I don't know, maybe people who don't often read and/or don't interact with others very often. I prefer books that do not spell out the minutiae of character's obvious thoughts.

The narrator does a nice job.

Not for me.

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More complex than most of this author's books

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

Revisado: 06-09-24

I listen to Shipman's books mostly because of the Michigan settings. Usually the sweet, over-the-top language is barely tolerable, violating "show don't tell" constantly, grating on my ears. While the overall story in this novel was predictable, that's not a problem for me as long as the characters are realistic and well-developed. In this Shipman novel I found more complexity than in "her" other novels, which was much appreciated.

A number of reviews mention being put off by the element of religion, but that's to be expected in a Shipman novel. If it's a big problem, find another author.

I hope this new complexity is a taste of things to come.

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Like the feeling....

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

Revisado: 04-09-24

There are some inaccuracies here, but it's clear that Carlin's intentions are good. The thing I had the biggest problem with were the atrocious accents of the narrator. Really awful.

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Great depth and complexity, excellent writing

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

Revisado: 03-23-24

This is the best new-to-me book I've listened to in a long time, and I listen A LOT. Yes, the DV is tough, but it's quite realistic. (I'm a psychotherapist and a fiction writer.) The fox was a clever and touching device to advance the story, as was the setting. Both added a tiny touch of magic! Highly, highly recommeded! Narration is perfect. I would so love a sequel!

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Usually love Carole Matthews but....

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

Revisado: 02-04-24

This story had great possibilities. Unfortunately, the personality of the heroine completely spoiled it for me. By about 1/2 way through I was listening in astonishment at her selfish idiocy. Seriously. There are two hours left, though, so maybe she'll finally use the brain I've seen glimpses of. Even her seeming generosity and care of her son is selfish. It's all about her, though I'm sure she'd be astonished to hear someone say that.

On the other hand, the narration is great!
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