Title: The First Time I Saw Him
Author: Laura Dave
Series: Hannah Hall #1
Genre: Thriller
Format: Audio
Pages: 288
Length: 7h 25m
Narrator: Rebecca Lowman, and more
Source: Owned
Reason: Just Because
Rating: Romance Rating:
My Thoughts
I was happy with how The Last Thing He Told Me had ended. I wasn’t going to read The First Time I Saw Him because I didn’t feel like I had to. Then, I started watching season 2 of the show and I wanted to read the book before I watched the last few episodes. I wanted to know how it ended the “legit” way. To my surprise, season 2 and this book were written in tandem and both took different directions. I’m a bit disappointed because I’ve been enjoying the show.
I thought the story was good, but not as good as the first story. I did enjoy reading from Bailey’s, Nicholas’, and Owen’s POV as well as Hannah’s this time around. I also liked learning more about Frank, his family, and the organization. While I’m happy about the outcome, the story wasn’t as suspenseful and felt a bit rushed. I think I’m probably going to enjoy season 2 better than the book this time around.
Additional Narrators: Tessa Albertson, Colin Donnell, C.J. Wilson
A Song to Drown Rivers
Author: Ann Liang
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Audio
Pages: 324
Length: 10h 22m
Narrator: Natalie Naudus
Source: Owned
Reason: BotM Backlist
Rating:
Romance Rating:
My Thoughts
A Song to Drown Rivers is a story that’ll stay will me for a long time. It’s a beautifully tragic story about love, loss, betrayal, politics, and war. I’ve loved Asian folktales since I was a child and this one did not disappoint. Xishi, Fanli, Zhengdan, and Fanli’s friend (I don’t know how to spell his name and can’t find it on Google). The ending felt a bit rushed and the end end reminded me of the movie Eternity. It made me wonder if it was really hopeful or actually more tragic. So much to think about.
Imperfect Women
Author: Araminta Hall
Genre: Thriller
Format: Audio
Pages: 294
Length: 11h 2m
Narrator: Helen Keeley
Source: Owned
Reason: Just Because
Rating:
Romance Rating:
My Thoughts
Imperfect Women was a very intriguing story about the ups and downs of life, love, and friendship. It’s not quite a thriller. Instead it’s more of a commentary on what it’s like to be a woman, the good and the bad. It reminded me of the monologue America Ferrera gives at the end of Barbie. Even though I didn’t necessarily like any of the characters, I stayed for the compelling look at the human condition.
March 2026 Wrap-Up
Books Read
Favorite: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
Least Favorite: Deep End
Stats
March
Books Read: 10
Rereads: 2
Pages Read: 4,107
Hours Listened: 126h 26m
Average Rating: 4.1
Average Pages Read Per Day: 132
Year-to-Date
Books Read: 23
Rereads: 11
Pages Read: 10,505
Hours Listened: 322h 4m
Average Rating: 4.4
Average Pages Read Per Day: 117
The First Time I Saw Him
Author: Laura Dave
Series: Hannah Hall #1
Genre: Thriller
Format: Audio
Pages: 288
Length: 7h 25m
Narrator: Rebecca Lowman, and more
Source: Owned
Reason: Just Because
Rating:
Romance Rating:
My Thoughts
I was happy with how The Last Thing He Told Me had ended. I wasn’t going to read The First Time I Saw Him because I didn’t feel like I had to. Then, I started watching season 2 of the show and I wanted to read the book before I watched the last few episodes. I wanted to know how it ended the “legit” way. To my surprise, season 2 and this book were written in tandem and both took different directions. I’m a bit disappointed because I’ve been enjoying the show.
I thought the story was good, but not as good as the first story. I did enjoy reading from Bailey’s, Nicholas’, and Owen’s POV as well as Hannah’s this time around. I also liked learning more about Frank, his family, and the organization. While I’m happy about the outcome, the story wasn’t as suspenseful and felt a bit rushed. I think I’m probably going to enjoy season 2 better than the book this time around.
Additional Narrators: Tessa Albertson, Colin Donnell, C.J. Wilson
We Who Will Die
Author: Stacia Stark
Series: Empire of Blood #1
Genre: Romantasy
Format: Audio
Pages: 432
Length: 17h 12m
Narrator: Meg Sylvan, Troy Duran
Source: Owned
Reason: BotM Backlist
Rating:
Romance Rating:
My Thoughts
We Who Will Die was such a fun intense story. I loved the world-building and magic system. I thought the “Gladiator” feel of the story was a fun idea. I really liked Arvelle, her brothers, Tiernon, Rorrik, Leon, and Maeva. I’m curious to see if this will turn into a Vampire Diaries situation. Right now, I’m very happy with Arvelle and Tiernon together, but I think I could be happy if she were with Rorrik instead.