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!

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 – Do Your Worst

Picked this up on impulse at the recommendation of a friend who was also reading it.

What I liked:
– A fun, paranormal flavor

What I didn’t like:
– I just felt like there wasn’t a whole lot else that stood out for me here. I don’t even feel like I disliked anything in particular, but more like that it just didn’t stand out for me, and to me, a few of the plot points felt contrived.

Recommended for those looking for a light paranormal with friendly enemies-to-lovers and some spice.

⭐⭐⭐½

Eh, not really for me, but my friend liked it enough to recommend it, so it might be for you!

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook and Graphic Novel Review – The Innkeeper Chronicle Series

This may be my favorite series of all time, and though I read them a long time ago, when I saw that there were graphic novels and graphic audio adaptions, I knew I had to reread them.

Friends, here is my confession: I NEVER reread books. Honestly, I don’t think I have ever reread a book (other than to edit or revise it.) Judge me as you will, that’s just a fact.

But I absolutely LOVED diving into these again. I loved the graphic novels. Loved the graphic audio. However, please be aware that the graphic audiobooks are abridged, so they’re better for a reread than for your first read. Same with the graphic novels. Though they are wonderful, I don’t think they quite capture everything in the books. As a whole though, I found the series even better than I remembered, and I was so excited to learn the authors are planning on continuing it! I honestly cannot recommend these enough. Seriously one of my all time favorites.

Six glowing stars. The highest rating I can bestow, and I will absolutely consume every adaption of them in the future. TV SHOW PLEASE?!?!?!?

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Honestly, more people need to read these! I can’t believe they don’t get more attention!

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches

Oh my goodddddd, I LOVED this book. Legitimately made me happy to be driving so that I could listen to it. Definitely one of my favorite reads of the year so far, and I will be recommending it so hard. If you want a cozy paranormal, whimsical magic, SO MUCH FOUND FAMILY (like, maybe one of the best executions of found family I’ve read ever? I’ll have to think about it), a brilliantly sweet & swoony Sunshine/Grump couple, and a lovable ensemble cast, dude, read this book. And the audiobook narration was absolutely delightful. I will definitely be looking to read more by Mandanna!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

So good. Definitely going to be a top read of the year.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Sweet Nightmare

This book left me feeling strangely conflicted.

What I liked:
– The premise. I love the idea of paranormals hanging out at (essentially) a reform school with monsters in the basement.
– I liked the idea of Clementine, Jude, & all of their paranormal friends
– I’m usually a sucker for monsters, time travel, & tons of action

What I didn’t like
– I think my main issue was that I felt like none of the elements I liked were fleshed out as much as I needed them to be. I feel like we barely scraped the surface of Jude & Clementine. And there was so much intense stuff going on (like their classmates dying) but we kind of breezed past it without giving them time to react.
– Also, at times, I found Clementine a little frustrating in what she was or was not sharing with others

Overall I really liked the concept and found this an entertaining paranormal YA read, but I’m not sure I’ll grab the sequel.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’ve heard this is like a spin-off of the author’s more popular series, so I might check that out and see what it’s all about.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Halfway to the Grave

Loved Bones but Kat drove me crazy sometimes.

What I liked:
– Lots of vampire killing vampire action
– Bones. He is pretty much everything you’d want in a vampire trainer / love interest
– Fun banter

What I didn’t like:
– Kat sometimes drove me a little crazy about her mom
– Not a huge fan of the ending. Definitely depends on a book 2 to be satisfying, and I didn’t feel like it was a great choice from Kat.

Still, I think I’m game to see what book 2 is all about! Recommended for those looking for a vampire romance with action and spice.

Update: I tried book 2, but it was produced by a different narrator and I could not *stand* Bones’s voice. Had to DNF.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I do wish Graphic Audio had also produced the sequel, so I could give it a solid shake, but what can you do?

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – The Best Thing You Can Steal

I’m pretty much always down for a heist in a magical world. The narration was fantastic, it had a quick pace to it and a satisfying end… but the characters didn’t quite pop for me. Not quite for me, but if you’re looking for a fast-paced magical heist, this one might be for you !

⭐⭐⭐½

Not quite for me, but it might be for you!

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Priceless (Rylee Adamson)

I picked this audiobook up from Audible because it was included in my subscription and it was produced by Graphic Audiobooks. (They include sound effects and a full cast and legit sound like a movie.)

And it was basically everything I could ever want from an urban fantasy. Bamf FMC, excellent chemistry with the MMC, a magical world that keeps you guessing, and some excellent fast-paced action. I am SO here for book 2 and recommend to basically everyone. *chef’s kiss*

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Yep – this was perfectly for me. Highly recommend.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Jackaby

I picked up this one on the recommendation of a friend, and I would describe it as Sherlock meets a paranormal-flavored Doctor Who in the late 19th century. It’s a fun premise and was a quick read, but the characters just didn’t quite shine for me. This is one of my friend’s favorite though, so if the premise calls to you, I recommend you give it a look!

⭐⭐⭐½

Not really my cup of tea, but it could be yours!

Thanks for reading!