Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Just for the Summer

What I liked:
– Justin
– The side-characters
– The curse premise

What I didn’t like:
– Emma

While I’ve read all of Jimenez’s books, I’m more of a “The Friend Zone” trilogy fan then “Part of Your World.” In general, I’ve like the banter and the characters, but I feel like in each of the Part of Your World books, we’re focusing on the trauma of the FMC, and I feel like the MMC’s arc gets a little shorted as he pines for her and waits for her to heal. In general, they’ve just been a little too heavy for me. But if you’re looking for a romance with deeper themes on trauma, familial relationships, and recovery, this is the book for you!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Do you ever wish you liked a book more than you did? I’ve got those feels.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Dungeon Crawler Carl Books 1-6

Well, since this series has pretty much been the highlight of my year, I’ve gathered all the reviews of books so far. Please know, I almost never get into series, especially one this long, AND I bought an audible subscription literally just for these audiobooks. So this is a pretty big deal for me. I’ve also gotten my dad, husband, and BFF into this series, and now my husband and I are (im)patiently waiting for book 7 to come out. (Ebook in November and Audiobook in January.) Seriously, it speaks volumes that I even know that. However, let’s just state up front that if you have pearls to clutch, this series isn’t for you. But enough chitty chatty. Without further ado, the actual reviews:

Dungeon Crawler Carl (#1): 5⭐

Okay Carl & Donut. You got me. This was incredibly entertaining.

What did I like:
Everything.

Recommended for anyone looking for a hilarious, action-packed time. This was my first LitRPG, and though I’m not a huge gamer anymore, I did play a few MMOs in my time, and I do have a general knowledge of dungeons, stats, buffs, etc. If you don’t I’m not exactly sure what your experience will be, but I didn’t think it was critical to appreciating the plot, characters, and banter.

And the fact that the audiobook is narrated by Jeff Hays (a Patrick-Warburton-sound-alike, read: Krunk) – perfection. I mean I basically feel like this is Krunk went on the Hunger Games with his diva pet cat. I got this audiobook from the library, but they didn’t have the sequels, so I literally got an audible subscription for the rest of the series.

This was an instant cure for my reading slump this year, and I already recommended to my Dad, my husband, and my coworker. So yeah. Definitely give this one a look and you can thank me later.

(Note: *Not* recommended if you have sensitivities to swearing, gore, or dark humor.)

Carl’s Doomsday Scenario (#2): 5⭐

Fantastic sequel that lives up to the first book in every way. I could not buy book 3 fast enough.

The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook (#3): 4.5⭐

This one felt just a little on the long side, with one too many technical battles. But I still really enjoyed the character growth, and some plot developments that really surprised me. Totally enjoyed and absolutely in for book 4! 

The Gate of the Feral Gods (#4): 4.5⭐

Another fantastic entry in the Dungeon Crawler series. I did feel like this one (similar to book 3) was a little longer than necessary with lots of intricate detail on smaller skirmishes and quests. But as always, I really enjoyed the plot and character development in this book, and I’m excited to read book 5. I honestly can’t remember the last time a series held my attention through book 5, and I’m super impressed with all the threads of this plot line. I’ve recommended this series to like 4 of my friends, and I’m super curious to see if the momentum can hold through 3+ more books!

The Butcher’s Masquerade (#5): 3.5⭐

This one dragged a bit for me. While it still employed a lot of the shenanigans that made the first four books great, here they started to feel repetitive, and I felt like this one lacked the twists and the character growth that really kept me turning pages earlier in the series. And, at 726 pages… it feels incredibly long. There was a lot of “this is the plan” and “but this is how the plan went,” and I didn’t feel as invested in the sideplots.

Which is all to say, I think I’ll be taking a break from Dungeon Crawler for a little while. Maybe I’ll pick up book 6 down the line, but for now, I think I need something different.

(note: the break only turned out to be about 3 audiobooks long before I couldn’t resist diving back in)

The Eye of the Bedlam Bride (#6): 5⭐

Dayuummm. Not going to lie, in book 6, I was worried I was getting tired of this series, but this one totally amped up the stakes. The new battle play was interesting, and the tension and pacing were tight through the end. My husband and I are both counting down the days until book 7!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Oh my. Are those… 5 glowing stars?!!? Why yes they are. Seriously cannot say enough good things.

Also, Google search, if this picture shows up as my author photo, we’re going to have words.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – The Fake Mate

I saw this floating on bookstagram and was looking for something light, fun, and different to get me out of epic bookslump of 2024. And even though this isn’t my typical read (I think this is my first alpha/omega book), it fit the bill in many ways.

What I liked:
Dual-POV romance
Fake Dating
Likable Characters
Fast read
Rom-Com feel

What I didn’t like:
Dirty talk always feels awkward to me
The spice:plot ratio was more skewed to spice than I prefer
Fated mates isn’t my favorite trope
The 3rd act break-up felt a little forced

But like I said, this was a light, fun read, and I would recommend for anyone looking for a spicy shifter rom-com.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Yep, we went there. Strangely, not as awkward as I was expecting, but not really my cup of tea either.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Finally Seen

I honestly didn’t think Middle Grade would be the solution to awful reading slump this year, but here we are with the second awesome MG read in a row!

The characters’ struggles, emotions, and heart really popped off the page, and I was so invested Lina’s journey as she learns to find her voice and to navigate a new country and her family dynamics. The voice really pops off the page, and the importance of the themes and topics really hits home. The audiobook narration was also fabulous, and I definitely recommend for readers of all ages. I enjoyed it so much, I immediately snagged Front Desk by Kelly Yang too and can’t wait to dive in!

Extra note: Unfortunately, Front Desk didn’t grab me, and I didn’t continue after the first chapter.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Middle-grade reading-slump-busters for the win this year.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

A Recommendation for Writers: The WriteHive Mentorship Program

If you’re a writer with a manuscript you’re trying to whip into shape for querying or self-publishing, this free program is for you! I was a mentee back in the 2023 with the wonderful E.J. Dawson as my mentor, and the help really transformed my manuscript. (And since then, I’ve gotten an agent and that manuscript is now on sub! 🎉)

Basically, you submit your query, manuscript, & synopsis, and if you get picked up by a mentor, you’re essentially getting a free critique/edit of your manuscript from someone who’s been in the publishing world for some time.

And the big news is, I’ll be joining the WriteHive team as one of the mentors this year! 🎉 I really love this program and I’m so excited to pay forward all I gained from it to a new mentee. I’ve included my bio, expectations, and MSWL wishlist below, but you can find the info on all the mentors here.

The big dates to remember are:
Nov 11-18: Mentor AMA
Nov 21-24: Mentee Submission Window
Jan 1, 2025: Mentorship pairings announced

So, be sure to check this one out, add it to your calendar, and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Swordheart

So I really enjoyed A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking, but this one totally solidified me as a T. Kingfisher fan.

What I liked:
-The characters’ voices are super strong and they pop right off the page
-Unique, awesome worldbuilding
-Quirky lovable characters
-Slowburn romance
-Writing that grabbed me straight from the first page
-Amazing narration

What I didn’t like:
-At about the 80% mark, a character made a choice that I thought wasn’t in line with their character for the sake of the plot – definitely a super frustrating moment.
-The pacing in the last 25% felt like it dragged to me.

Overall though, I highly recommend this to anyone looking for quirky fantasy with a side of romance, and I’ll definitely be reading more from Kingfisher!

⭐⭐⭐⭐¾

I’m still thinking about this one a couple months later. The voice and characters completely sucked me in!

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Book Review – The Maiden Ship Trilogy

Since I read books 2 and 3 and finished this trilogy this year, I’d figured I’d post all the reviews together!

The Maiden Ship

Magic on the high seas – definitely enjoyed this heartwarming, magical adventure on the sea with its huge found family vibes, colorful cast, a sweet slow-burn romance, and old lore. Will definitely be reading book 2!

The Lion of the Sea

A high seas adventure with magic and sweet romance – loved how the world expanded and the relationship developed in this sequel. Definitely recommend for fans of the book one.

The Rightful Bearer

An epic conclusion to a fantastical trilogy! Loved this epically satisfying conclusion to the Maiden Ship trilogy! Anyone looking for pirates, magic, romance, and a huge side of found family, this one’s for you!

Overall, I would describe this series as a fantastical but cozy nautical adventure with a side of romance and a classical feel.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hi, yes, hello, I’m ready for my magical high-seas adventure, please.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Out on a Limb

Aw this was such a cute (surprise pregnancy) romance, and I loved the audiobook narration.

What I liked:
– The characters- both Win & Bo were super likable, I enjoyed the development, and the side characters really popped off the page too
– Lots of light banter
– Just in general, a cozy, feel-good romance
– The disability rep (I especially appreciated the author’s forward)

What I disliked
– I felt like the tension in the last third of the book flagged a little bit and in general, this book felt a little longer than it needed to be.

Overall, if you’re looking for what I would classify as a cozy pregnancy romance with spicy bits, I highly recommend this one (especially the audiobook!)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

How to get started with Audiobooks

So, I’ve been hooked on audiobooks for years now, and I recently got a question from reader trying to get into them, so I figured I’d drop some tips.

I was first inspired to read audiobooks by Stephen King’s book, On Writing. With two elementary-school kids, a full-time job, and trying to write my own books, finding time to sit down and read was challenging.

But audiobooks opened up a whole new world of multitasking. Not to mention I was completely blown away by how much a narrator could bring the story to life, adding a completely new dimension. (And, as a bonus, I know how to pronounce all of the characters’ names right. 😂) Now, years later, I read 50-70 books a year, and about 95% of them are audiobooks.

So here’s a little guide to getting started in this format!

Where to find audiobooks (for free)

When most people think of audiobooks, they go straight to Audible. But… at $8 or $15 per month (as of this writing), Audible’s kind of expensive. While I recently got a subscription for a specific book series, I don’t have any intention of maintaining it. But, if you don’t have an Audible subscription, individual audiobooks can run you $20 a pop (eek!) Thankfully, there’s a better way!

Most local library’s now allow you access their audiobook collections with your library card number & the free app, Libby. This is where nearly all of my audiobooks come from.

If you’re a NetGalley reviewer (or would like to sign up to be one), you can also grab free audiobooks from their site in exchange for an honest review. Their audiobook selection pales in comparison to their ebook listings, but I’ve snagged a few listens.

Also, there are a few sites where you can grab free audible promo codes posts by narrators and authors. I have used a few of these as an author, but not really as a reader. Some of them also require that you leave a review in exchange for the code.
AudioFreebies.com
FreeAudiobookCodes.com
AudiobooksUnleashed.com

The last reliable audiobook source I can think of is Spotify. A Spotify Premium subscription gets you access to their library of audiobooks, but as Spotify is also expensive ($11.99 a month) and I can’t speak to the size of their collection, I’d only recommend this if you already have a subscription.

Bottom Line: Your best bet is to get a library card from your local library, download Libby on your phone, and BOOM. So many free audiobooks at your fingertips.

A note on the listening skills & listening Speed

When I first started listening to audiobooks, it was legit hard for me. I consider myself a visual learner and honestly I would rather read a transcript than watch a video. But, as someone who was looking down the barrel of a 24-hour out-and-back roadtrip, I was desperate.

So I persisted, and lo and behold, my listening skills improved. And when I got better at absorbing information through listening, it actually helped my professional life too. (Think meetings and telecons.)

But, if you’re a podcast listener, good news, you’re already there, and it’s only a small jump to the world of audiobooks!

One thing that did *DRASTICALLY* improve my audiobook listening experience was figuring out I could adjust the narration speed. I quickly learned that one of the reasons I was having trouble concentrating was the narration speed was just too slow for me. When I upped it up to 1.5x, it felt much more natural and kept my attention. And, after many years of my listening skills improving, I now comfortably read audibooks at 2.5-3x (depending on the narrator.)

Basically what I’m saying is, be sure to adjust the listening speed until it’s comfortable for you! (You can even make it slower – everyone is different!)

Bottom Line: Be sure to adjust the narration to a comfortable speed, and give your listening skills 1 or 2 books to get warmed up before you give up on the audio format.

When do I listen to audiobooks?

Basically anytime I can pop my earbuds in or when I don’t have anyone else competing for my listening-attention. In order of time spent listening:

  • Driving to & from work
  • Traveling (roadtrips or flying)
  • Watching my kids’ sports practices (they love when I watch them, but don’t mind if my earbuds are in.)
  • Chores! Mowing the lawn, doing the laundry, cleaning/tidying the house, doing the dishes… etc.
  • Exercising (especially running & lifting weights)
  • Walking the dog (Tula loves when I’m listening to a good book, because then we go on lots of walks 😂)
  • Waiting in line anywhere (seriously, as long as I have my earbuds, I’m happy)
  • Grocery shopping (or really any kind of shopping.)

Bottom Line: I’m so hooked on listening to audiobooks during my commute I actually start to get antsy when I don’t have one downloaded.

But what audiobook do i start with?!

Okay, well now that’s a seriously hard question. My advice is start with your favorite genre, and pick one you’ve been dying to read or that sounds absolutely amazing. If you’re still fresh out of ideas, here’s a few recommendations to get you started. And if I missed your favorite genre, let me know in the comments, and I’ll see if I have a recommendation to add in. Or you can check out my book reviews links here (which I try to update annually) to peruse one that sounds good. Good luck with you audiobook journey, and I sincerely hope you love them as much as I do!

Middle-Grade Fantasy: A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking

YA Fantasy: Where the Dark Stands Still
YA Sci-fi: Illuminae
YA Romance: Today, Tonight, Tomorrow

Fantasy: Swordheart
Sci-fi: Dark Matter or Recursion
LitRPG: Dungeon Crawler Carl

Contemporary Fiction: Anxious People
Romance: Book Lovers
Romcom: The Soulmate Equation or Life’s Too Short
Mystery/Romance: A Bad Day for Sunshine

Historical Fiction: Small Mercies
Nonfiction: Outliers: The Story of Success or The Devil in the White City

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Olivetti

This was *such* a charming Middle Grade story. I absolutely loved Olivetti’s POV, and it gave this story a light whimsical flavor even as it touched on a some hard topics. The audiobook narration was absolutely delightful, I enjoyed Earnest and Quinn’s budding friendship, and I love the middle grade voice really sparking from the writing. Overall, it really reminded me of what I love about middle grade books, and I would highly recommend!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thumbs up because who doesn’t want a talking typewriter as a friend?!

Thanks for reading!