Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Mate

I enjoyed this! Not as much as Bride though. Characters were super fun, the voice pops, the banter is peak, the narration is awesome, and I liked returning to this fun world. But two kind big things I wasn’t crazy about: the beginning hops back and forth between present in past in flashbacks that I found kind of jarring (like at one point I had to check to be sure I hadn’t missed a chapter), but those stopped around the 20% mark. Secondly (and maybe more importantly) I feel like a couple of the main plot points were resolved with something like, “welp, turns out that wasn’t a problem after all” and there was a moment in the epilogue too that didn’t quite hit for me. While I didn’t love those moments, they didn’t bother me too much… because on the whole, I feel like this is a light cotton-candy read of a werewolf book

Overall though, definitely enjoyed the read. It’s light, it’s’ fun, the plot was… a largely unnecessary construct so readers could enjoy the characters, voice. and the world, but I think fans of Bride will probably enjoy this one too.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ ¼

Honestly, one of my favorite picks from book club this year. I was there for a fun ride, and it was a fun ride.

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – Fortune of Emerald and Salt

Great narration, the pirate adventure vibes were definitely here in force, and I enjoyed the idea of sibling captains, but the characters didn’t quite grab me. Recommended for those looking for a plot-driven pirate adventure.

⭐⭐⭐½

It’s been a long time since I’ve fallen in love with a pirate adventure. I think those might be a tough sell for me.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – My Hot Best Friend is An Irish Vampire

This story reminded me of Twilight + Boondock Saints. The duet narration for this was absolutely fantastic and I thought the idea of Irish vampire romance was a fun idea. The story took itself way more seriously though than I expected from the title, and I didn’t love the dynamic between the two main characters, and the Vietnam War era backdrop felt a little strange to me. But if you’re looking for an interesting paranormal premise with great narration, this may be for you!

⭐⭐⭐½

Not quite for me, but might be for you!

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – The Undermining of Twyla and Frank

Really enjoyed the characters, the writing, and this world. In general, it’s all so fun and light and unique, and it really just feels like a comfort-read. I also really thought the friends dynamic between the two main leads was well done. I feel like friends-to-lovers is a hard dynamic to pull off but you could definitely feel the tension between them (as well as a believable barrier) from the beginning. However, the ending resolution between the two of them felt a bit rushed though, and there was some miscommunication trope use which didn’t sit super well for me in the end. Otherwise, definitely an enjoyable read, and the narration is fantastic. I’d recommend this for anyone looking for a light fantasy that read likes a quirky romcom (Honestly I need WAY more books like this in my life.) I’ve got book 3 on my TBR as well and I’m excited to read it!

⭐⭐⭐⭐¼

Enjoyed the journey, but honestly, I’m still thinking about how I wish the ending would’ve gone just a little differently.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Jupiter Rising

Some book reviews honestly don’t need very many words. This felt less like a sequel and more like “part 2” of the first book. Which is to say, if the first book destroyed you, this one may put you back together. (At least a little bit.)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Nothing can destroy you and (maybe) put you back together like middle grade.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Hemlock & Silver

Loved this one. I’m such a huge T. Kingfisher fan. The voice, characters, and world all just seamlessly pop off the page in a way that’s such a joy to read. Though I’m not usually a huge fairytale retelling fan, this one is so original it works super well and the narration was fantastic. There was a moment in the middle where I thought we lagged just a little, but the resolution hit just the right spot. Though Swordheart & A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking are still my top 2 Kingfisher books, I think this one’s swooping in for a solid third. Definitely will be recommending to anyone who loves voicey fantasy with a hint of darkness and the warm fuzzies of a happy ending.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Love me some T. Kingfisher!

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Tales from the Half-Continent (Monster Blood Tattoo #3.5)

So this was an interesting find! For reference, I did not read the previous books in this series, so I read the two stories here as stand-alones. These books are well-written, with a classical fantasy feel, a nicely macabre vibe, and an impressive amount of world-building tucked into a small story. The audiobook narrator has pleasant voice that I definitely think adds to the stories, and the narrative takes its time unfolding the adventures. With the larger focus on the world and background in a small tale, I didn’t quite connect with the characters as much as I would’ve liked, but I would recommend this for anyone looking for a couple short grim, monster-y reads told in a descriptive, atmospheric writing style. Thanks so much to the author and publisher for the review copy!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’m just a monster girl, living in a monster world.

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – Orbiting Jupiter

Okay, I’m going to need 5-7 business days to process this book. Seriously, this is going to be one of those stories that haunts me forever. I’m SO glad I was kind of warned (thanks fellow reviewers) before getting into this that it was a “this will destroy you” type of book because otherwise, I probably would’ve been crying 5 minutes before having to coach U8 soccer practice.

It’s such a short read, but there’s just so much here. And it’s so visceral and raw, and yet with the amazing subtlety of Middle Grade. I can’t even right now. Between the lines about the angels and the “Jackie” line at the end.

Dang. I want to cry just thinking about it.

I loved this book. But… dude. You’ve been warned: when it comes to the best and the worst of humanity, this story isn’t pulling punches. Godspeed.

Also, this is my second Gary D. Schmidt book, and I can now safely say he’s friggin’ brilliant.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Like… What the crap did I just read? (in the best way.)

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Half a Soul

This was a cute, light read that I enjoyed, it just didn’t go quite as deep into the romance or fae elements as I was hoping, and I think it’s brought me to the realization that probably most regency era books aren’t really my thing. However, if you’re looking for a light, regency-era fae story with a light, sweet romance and solid audiobook narration, this may be for you!

⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Year 36: In which Hayley finds with some certainty that she’s not a fae person. And neither is she a regency person. The self-discovery continues.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – My Friends

I drank this book in. I love A Man Called Ove and Anxious People, and this will fit right up there with my favorites. The writing and characters just feel so real, they carry the story right along. Funny and poignant, there are so many lines here that absolutely just vibrated in my bones. I’m sure I’ll be carrying this story with me for a long, long time, and now I’ll be recommending it to pretty much everyone I know (and everyone I don’t too.)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My head exploding because Fredrik Backman is a genius and that’s all there is to it.

Thanks for reading!