Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Sounds Like Love

This felt like a sweet, fun summer romance book, but something about the pacing felt a little off to me. I think I was expecting more development from the main characters, and the end felt like it came too quickly and didn’t quite have the punch I was expecting. But the narration was solid, and the concept was fun, so I’d definitely recommend to anyone looking for a sweet romance with a lower spice level, especially one with a song-writer and a ex-boy-band member. Heads up though, there are deeper themes as the MC processes her mom’s dementia.

⭐⭐⭐⭐¼

I mean, who doesn’t love a cute summer romance.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Heart the Lover

I’ve been picking audiobooks randomly to listen to off of Libby without any prior knowledge of them, so this is definitely not my usual read, but, dang, it ensnared me. This book read like an echo of some of my own college experiences and just hits hard in such a poignant way, moving quickly and taking me along with it for the whole heartbreaking ride. There were some plot points that didn’t fit as well for me, and the ending didn’t have as much impact on me as I thought it would, but the writing style was lovely and flowing and the characters felt so utterly real. Definitely makes me want to read more outside my comfort zone.

I think I originally said 4.5, but I’m still thinking about this one, so I’m upping it to 5.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Honestly, sometimes you don’t even know the type of book you need to read next.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – A Sorceress Comes to Call

I love T. Kingfisher’s voice, but this one didn’t make the top three for me on her list. It’s a solid read with great narration, but the pacing was a little on the slower side, and I think I was hoping for more character development by the end. I can’t shake the feeling it didn’t quite pack as much punch as it could have. Recommend for readers looking for a solid fairy-tale retelling in class fairy-tale setting.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Still a huge T. Kingfisher fan and have more of her books on my TBR!

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Simultaneous

This was an interesting, fast-paced read. I liked the premise and the characters, but I had the distinct feeling it read like a screenplay adapted quickly into a novel. Though everything was easy to visualize, I feel like the characters and their relationships didn’t quite have the depth that I’m used to. And although it was a fun ride and sets up for a sequel, at the end, I just found myself not really satisfied.

At the 90% mark, I felt like I should be approaching the halfway mark rather than the end, and at the end, I feel like the characters’ development hadn’t made the significant strides I would’ve expected. I also felt like the audiobook narration read a little mechanically so I’m not sure how that affected my experience either. But if you’re looking for a plot-driven, fast-paced thriller with a fantastical edge, this might be for you!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kept me turning pages, and I think I’d def still recommend it to sci-fi fans. I’m def curious to see what my husband thinks of it.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – The Goddess Games

This was such a fun audiobook listen! It reminded me of a sci-fi version of The Selection. Though the world here firmly carries us into the far future with spaceships and a prince from another planet, the tech and language come off as very accessible with the narrative emphasis on The-Bachelor-style competition and the relationships between the characters. Though it doesn’t read as a stand-alone, the story is fast-paced and ends on a satisfying note. Recommended for fans of the Selection who want to travel to the stars. Thanks to the author for the audiobook copy, and you can grab your own here!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’m always here for some gameshow dating shenanigans.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Warrior, Princess, Assassin

I haven’t finished an unputdownable book in a while so this was so refreshing. I’ve never read a why-choose romance, but the voices & relationships of the characters felt so real, and the background of political intrigue was fantastically woven. I honestly wish we had picked this one for our romantasy book club, but I’ll definitely be recommending it to all of them! Can’t wait for the sequel!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The sequel comes out this fall and I’m pumped for it!

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Listen for the Lie

Loved this read! The voice was fun, the tension was tight throughout, there’s a seed of romance, the narration was amazing, and I honestly didn’t know who did it until the end. Honestly this may be my favorite read of the year so far, and I highly recommend for anyone looking for a fast-paced whodunnit!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was so fun! Definitely a good find!

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – And Tango Makes Three

My 7-year-old and 9-year-old were having a discussion about why books are banned, so we listened to this audiobook (which is delightfully narrated by Neil Patrick Harris), and which is also banned in an adjacent county. I’d actually read it to them when they were younger and we found it on their daycare shelf, but they don’t remember.

It’s an adorable, charming book with sweet pictures that they enjoyed when they were young.
As older children, discussing why someone would want to ban this book (and others) was invaluable. Highly recommend.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

And just in case it needs to be explicitly said, our family stands passionately against book banning.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Lianna and the Hombit

I really enjoyed this heartfelt middle-grade fantasy! Going through a difficult time in her life, Lianna is an easy protagonist to root for as she untangles her late father’s legacy, comes to terms with her grief, and adapts to her new life. Her magical, birdlike Hombit companion is definitely a source of light and fun in the story, and it was a pleasure to follow them as they untangled some of the secrets around them. Told in a very classical style with a magical flavor and solid narration, I recommend to anyone looking for an enchanting middle grade story with undercurrents of mystery (especially for fans of Troy’s Lucky Diamond series.) Thanks so much to the author for the Audible ARC, and you can grab your own copy here!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’m always here for a sweet middle-grade read!

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – ZomRomCom

A very quirky, light paranormal romance with zombies, vampires, witches, fae, and the lot. The narration was excellent, the voice was cute, and the world was interesting, but the romance felt very fast, and some of the ongoing jokes didn’t quite hit for me. Recommended for those looking for a quirky, light romance in a modern, paranormal world.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Honestly, I’m always on the look-out for more excellent zombie stories.

Thanks for reading!