BizzyB23

A really fun, escapist romp

Revisado: 01-24-25

Has all the elements of Austen-based escapism with some steamy fun and a challenging mystery. I really enjoyed it from start to finish.

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Ridiculous and stereotyped

Revisado: 09-25-24

This is one of the most ignorant depictions of witches since Hocus Pocus, but at least that movie was entertaining. I'm only listening because these are free and don't require much concentration.

The Hallmark sentimentality, provincial mindset, narrow-minded morality, and overly simplistic, repetitive narrative style make this series one I love to hate. I complain but I'm still listening.

There is a childlike escapism in the simplistic story-telling. I grind my teeth if I think about it too hard - the plotting drives me crazy, especially Walt's body-snatching, handy abilities, and conveniently dna-re-generated, ripped physique despite his constant consumption of junk food. I do give her crefit for throwing more obstacles his way in recent installments.

If you treat the series like cotton candy and consider she's writing for a specific type of audience, then it's bearable.

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Really jumped the shark

Revisado: 09-25-24

This one was awful. Don't get pregnant, Danielle. Being pregnant will make you vulnerable and your baby will be an easy target for the multitude of ppl trying to kill you and Walt.

Not to mention that the product of a body-snatching could have some really screwed-up dna. You could end up with a baby vampire or something.

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Very predictable series

Revisado: 09-06-24

I miss Walt as a ghost. This feels wayyyy to convenient, especially how he suddenly has his own perfect body back. Apparently he's not only ripped after eating all those cinnamon rolls and hobbling around in a cast for months, but he's still got his powers.

I did like the hippie scene

I used to be Team Chris, but I have to admit there is enough chemistry to keep me wanting Danielle and Walt together. I just keep hoping Dani will be the next ghost and they'll be star-crossed lovers again.

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Enjoyable at Hallmark movie level

Revisado: 09-06-24

These stories are so cheesy but oddly enjoyable. The young characters have very old-fashioned dialogue and the purses are everywhere: being set down, picked up, opened, closed, placed on the table. Small actions are over-described, like saying someone "crossed one leg over the opposite knee" and plot details repeated ad nauseum, while other things are under-described. Bad guys exist mainly for silly humor.

Yet I'm still listening. There are good nuggets in the scenes and it keeps moving. A light listen to accompany exercise or chores.

The quaint, WASPy morality, and the convenient way that no one ever has to really work at their jobs, plus Walt's miraculous body and abilities and immediate literary success, make it a series of escapist fairytales. Reading level is about 5th grade.

The narrator has a cartoonish voice which probably contributes to the fairy tale feeling. I keep imagining cartoon characters, or trying to imagine the scene in a different voice.

Another reviewer bemoaned the lack of diversity but there are so many stereotypes it's probably a good thing if only hetero WASPs are featured.

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Still Team Chris!

Revisado: 08-30-24

Glad a certain villain was caught, but still annoyed by the cartoonish voices and still rooting for Chris. Still hoping the dynamic will flip and Danielle is the next ghost. Walt having his powers and an awesome body without exercising, and while eating all that junk food, is just not believeable. Do these people ever eat anything besides pizza, soda, and cinnamon rolls?

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Hoping Danielle is the next ghost

Revisado: 08-24-24

It spoils the dynamic having them both living. Walt keeping his powers and getting his old body back is way too easy. They need more real challenges and tension between them. I'm editing the dialogue and actions in my head as I listen.

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So predictable, stigmatizes suicide

Revisado: 08-20-24

I saw it coming from the very beginning. I don't really understand all the rave reviews. It's a clean, fluffy story full of cliches and overwriting, but enjoyable like a Hallmark movie. The narrator can be annoying, has a high-pitched voice, and her inflections and pronunciations are off at times but at least she's animated and keeps things interesting.

I don't care for the way suicide is treated in this one. Major lack of empathy for people struggling with that issue.

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So much summarizing

Revisado: 08-07-24

So much of the action is summarized, it's hard to stay interested in the story. I feel like it's a good basic idea but not told very well. Everything is explained multiple times. The dialogue is predictable. The characters act and speak much older than they're supposed to be. The narrator places emphasis in odd places at times. I can't tell if it's how it's written or how she's reading it, but the characters are always sighing, shrugging, frowning, or smiling the dialogue. She has a squeaky voice but I've gotten used to it, and speaks clearly. It's like a mediocre TV show with likeable characters. Fluffy entertainment to pass the time, but nothing more.

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All the Millenials act like Boomers

Revisado: 07-25-24

This series is a prime example of a cozy mystery where the youngish characters act like old people. They use expressions like "dead as a doornail," "a bit hinky," and "take my word for it." Joe finds out about the murder while listening to the news on the radio, while on vacation. Because one must always listen to the news and he's never heard of a smartphone or earbuds.

But I figure these books are written for Boomers by Boomers. I think they're meant to be nostalgic, like a throwback to those black-and-white comedy/mystery movies. Clearly she churned out a lot of books, and the writing, while clean, isn't very inspired. It's like reading a long-running TV show with familiar characters.

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