Tag Archive for: 4 Stars

The Girls I’ve Been

The Girls I’ve BeenTitle: The Girls I've Been
Author: Tess Sharpe
Series: The Girls I've Been #1
Genre: Contemporary
Format: Audio
Pages: 356
Length: 9h 48m
Narrator: Tess Sharpe
Source: Library
Reason: BC Backlist
Rating:

My Thoughts

My book club read THE GIRLS I’VE BEEN a few years ago and I wasn’t able to read it at the time. I’m really glad I decided to keep it on my TBR and read it. It was a very intriguing story. At times, it was very difficult to read. The ordeals Nora and her sister had to face because of their mother were horrific. It was interesting to see how Nora’s experiences shaped her into the person she is and how it helps her do what it takes to survive. The only thing that got on my nerves was the repetitive “here’s what I’m working with” at the beginning of most chapters.

, ,

The Guest List

The Guest ListTitle: The Guest List
Author: Lucy Foley
Genre: Thriller
Format: Audio
Pages: 320
Length: 10h 22m
Narrator: Jot Davies, Sarah Ovens, and more
Source: Library
Reason: Recommended
Rating:

My Thoughts

THE GUEST LIST was a really fun, intriguing thriller. I loved the setting, the different POVs, and the different audio narrators. Even though this was published first, it reminded me of THE UNWEDDING by Ally Condie. I loved that we don’t find out who died until almost the very end. I also liked seeing all the threads and different events come together. 

Additional Narrators: Chloe Massey, Olivia Dowd, Aoife McMahon, Rich Keeble

,

The Last Mrs. Parrish

The Last Mrs. ParrishTitle: The Last Mrs. Parrish
Author: Liv Constantine
Series: Mrs. Parrish #1
Genre: Thriller
Format: Audio
Pages: 550
Length: 12h
Narrator: Meghan Wolfe, Suzanne Elise Freeman
Source: Library
Reason: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

I decided to read THE LAST MRS. PARRISH because my book club read THE HOUSEMAID and I saw the controversy surrounding McFadden’s novels. I wanted to see for myself what all the hubbub was about. I can definitely see similarities in the two stories, but I’m not convinced that McFadden did what readers are accusing her of. Most stories, music, and other art are heavily influenced by existing media. The words, characters, and even the plot are different enough that they’re not the same.

Anyway, I really enjoyed THE LAST MRS. PARRISH. I, of course, can’t help but compare it to THE HOUSEMAID. Both kept me on the edge of my seat. Both ended fairly satisfactorily, although I liked THE LAST MRS. PARRISH’s story and ending better. While I liked both narrators in THE HOUSEMAID, I hated being in Amber’s selfish/narcissistic head in THE LAST MRS. PARRISH. But, it made the ending that much more satisfying to see her get what was coming to her. I’m glad I read this book and that the controversy lead me to it. I’ll definitely read more books written by the author duo Liv Constantine.

The Housemaid

The HousemaidTitle: The Housemaid
Author: Freida McFadden
Series: The Housemaid #1
Genre: Thriller
Format: Audio
Pages: 338
Length: 9h 41m
Narrator: Lauryn Allman
Source: Library
Reason: Book Club
Rating:

My Thoughts

That was some next-level gaslighting. Holy crap! Great twist and well executed. I tore through THE HOUSEMAID. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I didn’t want to put it down. I’m really excited to watch the movie now. (I’m going to read THE LAST MRS. PARRISH by Liv Constantine next to see what all the controversy is about surrounding Freida McFadden’s books.)

The Wild Huntress

The Wild HuntressTitle: The Wild Huntress
Author: Emily Lloyd-Jones
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Audio
Pages: 432
Length: 11h 49m
Narrator: Moira Quirk
Source: Owned
Reason: BotM Backlist
Rating:

My Thoughts

THE WILD HUNTRESS was awesome. I loved the story and the characters so much, especially Palug. He reminded me of my cats, Cassie and Izzy. (I’m so glad the dedication let me know he survives so I didn’t have to worry about him.) I also loved the mythology. The author’s twist on the Welsh folklore was so intriguing and the magical elements were fun to read and experience. I also really enjoyed listening to the audiobook. As an American not accustomed to Celtic languages, it was awesome to hear all the correct pronunciations of the Welsh words and names. My only hangup is that I wish the last chapter didn’t feel as rushed as it did. I would’ve preferred an epilogue instead of an overview of future happenings.