Amazon Customer

Self aggrandizing and disappointing

Revisado: 07-28-22

I tried a number of times to finish this book, which was recommended to me. Instead, I found it more and more boring as the author engaged in mostly talking about himself and keeping a brief log of daily activity. I was initially mildly annoyed by the coarse language, but it grew worse and less engaging as the book moved on.

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Fun!

Revisado: 12-15-21

From my perspective , this book seemed to have more possible realism than some other cozy mysteries I have read. I thought the character was realistic and did not change drastically during the story, which I really appreciate. There was intrigue and a pleasant amount of fun.

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I wanted to like it

Revisado: 04-02-18

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I just moved back to Wisconsin and hoped the story would help me remember what I love about this place. There's lots of discussion about food and locations

What could Amy E. Reichert have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

The characters don't seem compatible with each other; the story drags on and I just couldn't finish it,even though I kept trying.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator seems afraid of contractions and over-enunciated many, if not all, sentences.

Any additional comments?

It may be fun for others, but it wasn't for me.

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Interesting with compelling moments

Revisado: 12-03-13

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would recommend it to friends who are interested in stories about the Amish. The plot is ok, the main characters are well-developed and likable, and the mystery is not entirely obvious as in some romance-mystery mixes. I enjoyed that the characters developed interest in each other over time, but if you are looking for a steamy romance, this is not that type of novel. The author appeared to be still developing her ability to differentiate voices and and her attempts to distinguish the Amish speakers from the English by using different phrasing systems failed at times. At one point I actually wondered if the author grew up deaf because it seemed all characters cut off key parts of sentences! That was kind of annoying to me, as were some grammar errors, but overall it did not negatively affect my enjoyment of the book. The story seemed long- perhaps it could have been more suspenseful if shorter, but the author did a decent job of developing suspense.

If you’ve listened to books by Karen Harper before, how does this one compare?

This was my first Karen Harper and I got it because the second book in this series was on sale and I wanted to buy it. I thought I would need to read book one in the series before book two would make sense. Now that I have listened to both, I'd tell anyone the books could be read/listened to in any order. There are some connections, but nothing would have been lost. The second (which I listened to later) had better differentiation of characters by the author, and less romance. Overall, though, I think I liked this better than te second in this series.

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Stronger on mystery, light on romance

Revisado: 12-03-13

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

For me, this book was a somewhat pleasant way to be distracted while I did some otherwise uneventful tasks. The main characters are likable, if a bit dull, and the mystery isn't so simple you'd guess it right away. I enjoyed it, but wouldn't call it either a gripping suspense or a steamy romance. Appropriate for teen readers, I'd guess. This book does explore the theme of hate crimes against the Amish, with some conflict between the moral lessons of tolerance and turning the other cheek versus seeking justice. Clearly, the main female character enjoys heavy German food and the slow, country pace of Amish life despite some challenges to adjusting to it, and it's an interesting way to learn more about the Amish, though I really don't have any idea how realistic it is. I didn't in any way feel the same pull through listening to the story. It was easy to walk away from and a couple times I forgot I was listening to a book at all when the phone rang and I had to pause it. I felt like the suspense went on a bit too long, even though I did keep listening to find out who did it.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

The way the author handles the romance between the main characters was more complex and realistic than other books in the "happily ever after romance" type of novel. Still, a satisfactory ending!

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A disappointment

Revisado: 04-08-13

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I like lots of different kinds of romance, but I prefer original plots and characters with some personality. I can usually even listen through when the writing has clear flaws. But this was possibly the least enjoyable book I've tried in years; it had little storyline and poor dialogue. The sex was steamy though, if that's all you are looking for in a romance novel.

What could Bella Andre have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Fewer cliches, more realistic characters and dialogue.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

It sounded like melodramatic cliche after melodramatic cliche. Perhaps nothing could have saved it, but the narrator seemed to overplay much of the dialogue.

Any additional comments?

I read another in this series and really liked it; that was my first Bella Andre. Perhaps the series gets better after third initial book. But for me, this particular book wasn't worth a credit and I don't know if I'll waste another one on this author.

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Fascinating

Revisado: 09-01-09

I always enjoy historical novels, but I must say the author made the most of this material. There were a few short sections that dragged, but overall this book actually had me as excited to get in the car as a good mystery where I want to know who did it. The narrator's his voice and inflection added rather than detracted from the overall experience.

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Kept me in the car over and over

Revisado: 05-03-09

I didn't think I would be on the edge of my seat throughout but it was a captivating listen. Every day when I arrived at work I thought "I'll just listen a minute longer".

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Interesting account

Revisado: 05-03-09

I wanted to be fascinated and looked forward to learning about an experience I'd never explored before. In some sections of the book I was captivated, but other sections dragged on and I found myself wishing the editor had been more heavy handed.

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Read better on the topic

Revisado: 05-03-09

It was less honest and more showy than other accounts of recovery from drugs ad alcohol. Yes, it's intense and dramatic, but also has some element who of a braggart not truly reformed by his experience.

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