Tag Archive for: Stand-Alone

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Deep End

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:

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. 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.

It also might have been the BDSM aspect of the sex that had me past my limit. 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.

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The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

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:

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.

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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

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The Spectacular

The SpectacularTitle: The Spectacular
Author: Fiona Davis
Genre: Historical Fiction, Thriller
Format: Audio
Pages: 368
Length: 12h 20m
Narrator: Kimberly Farr, Rachel L. Jacobs
Source: Owned
Reason: Book Club
Rating:

My Thoughts

I really love the historical aspects of Fiona Davis’ novels. In THE SPECTACULAR, I loved the setting of the mid 1950s and early 1990s, and I loved learning some of the history about the Rockettes and Radio City Music Hall. I had no idea about the Mad Bomber (or Big Apple Bomber in the novel) and I had no idea it was the case that put criminal profiling on the map. That was all fascinating. I thought the mystery aspect of the book was a bit far-fetched, but it kept me interested and reading. The romance disappointed me as it was quite a bit lacking.

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry

The Storied Life of A.J. FikryTitle: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry
Author: Gabrielle Zevin
Genre: Contemporary
Format: Audio
Pages: 260
Length: 7h 3m
Narrator: Scott Brick
Source: Library
Reason: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

THE STORIED LIFE OF A.J. FIKRY is a beautifully written bittersweet story about love, loss, grief, healing, and second chances. At first, I didn’t really like A.J. He was too curmudgeonly for my taste, but he grew on me. I loved his relationship with Maya and Amy, his friends, and his patrons. I loved his enthusiasm for books and reading, even if his tastes were a little too hoity-toity for me. I loved reading his character growth.