Tag Archive for: Stand-Alone

A Song to Drown RiversTitle: 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: 1 Flames

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 WomenTitle: 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: 1.5 Flames

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.

Deep EndTitle: Deep End
Author: Ali Hazelwood
Genre: Romance
Format: Audio
Pages: 446
Length: 13h 45m
Narrator: Thérèse Plummer, Ben Holtzmuller
Source: Library
Reason: Just Because
Rating:
Romance Rating: 4.5 Flames

My Thoughts

There’s a lot to unpack with Deep End and I don’t quite know how to do it in review form. I liked the story and the characters, but Deep End is the spiciest book I’ve ever read and I reached my limit after the fourth or fifth very detailed sexual encounter. I love spice, but I want more than just graphic sex. It might have been the BDSM. aspect of it that had me past my limit, but I also want connection, romance, character development, and plot in my spicy books. I don’t feel like a story focused mainly on the sex gives me what I’m looking for in a story. It’s the main reason I don’t really read erotica. Despite the overabundant graphic content and that I have no inclination toward BDSM. style relationships, I did appreciate the look into what a healthy and consensual BDSM. relationship could look like. Although, I do feel like Scarlett and Lukas using the word “deviant” to each other because of their inclinations wasn’t necessary.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRueTitle: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
Author: V.E. Schwab
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Audio
Pages: 444
Length: 17h 10m
Narrator: Julia Whelan
Source: Owned
Reason: Book of the Month, Recommended
Rating:
Romance Rating: 3 Flames

My Thoughts

I absolutely loved reading The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. It was such a fun, unique story. I adored the characters, setting, and history. I loved being a part of Addie’s story. I especially loved the cat-and-mouse game between her and Luc. I thought their relationship was intriguing and delicious. I also loved her relationship with Henry and wished they could’ve had more time together. I felt for and related to Henry the most. I understood why he felt the way he did and made the decisions he did. I’m glad he found Addie and that she could help him in the end. I also enjoyed the bittersweet ambiguous ending. It felt right for this type of story.

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:
Romance Rating: 1.5 Flames

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