Tag Archive for: Series

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The First Time I Saw Him

The First Time I Saw HimTitle: 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:

My Thoughts

I was happy with how THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME had ended and 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 TV 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, lol. 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 TV show a lot.

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 more rushed than the first book did. I’m pretty sure I’m going to enjoy season 2 better than the book this time around.

Additional Narrators: Tessa Albertson, Colin Donnell, C.J. Wilson

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We Who Will Die

We Who Will DieTitle: 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:

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 very 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.

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.

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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.)