Darlene

John Marrs fast became one of those authors that I follow after I listened to The Passengers ( review still to come) and The One (review to follow). The latest I’ve listened to is When You Disappeared. His books have a way of grabbing me from the get go and not letting go. This one was no different.

Upon waking one morning Catherine finds her husband Simon has already left. She doesn’t think much of it until Simon’s business partner calls to say he hadn’t made it into work. Then she discovers his running shoes still by the door, his keys on the table, and his vehicle still in the garage. Something must have happened to Simon – something bad. He wouldn’t leave her or the kids … or would he?

Simon, meanwhile, has indeed left. He leaves to travel the world and live a whole other life. Simon has his reasons for leaving. Reasons only he knows and he can’t live with them and his old family. I have to say how much I despised Simon. He was a narcissist and just a horrible human being. It wasn’t only the fact that he left his family to struggle. It was just him as a whole. There wasn’t one likeable quality about the man.

Twenty-five years later would find Simon on Catherine’s doorstep. He needs to tell her the truth of what happened all those years ago. What Catherine learns brings her to her knees in disbelief. This novel really highlights how one wrong perception of something can lead to utter devastation and ruined lives.

I listened to the audio of course. It was almost 10 hours and I made it through it quickly. It is narrated by Simon Mattacks and Elizabeth Knowelden, both of whom I have listened to before. They are both really easy to listen to and they did a great job with this story.

When You Disappeared was a good listen for me. I had trouble with Simon as I disliked him so much but I really liked Catherine so it evened it out plus I always like a book that throws a few twists in at the end that I haven’t figured out beforehand.

Source: Scribd

He Said/She Said by Erin Kelly is a psychological thriller that kept me guessing and even threw me a curve I hadn’t expected. It’s interesting the lengths people will go to cover up a story or protect themselves and this novel is a prime example of that. The story alternates between past and present which I don’t always like but it worked well for this novel.

The story for Kit and Laura starts at a festival for eclipse chasers. Kit will go anywhere to view an eclipse and Laura goes with him. Little do they know that their lives will change forever after that night. That is because Laura ends up witnessing an incident between Beth and a man. This leads to a trial and then years of Kit and Laura being afraid. So much so that they make the decision to live off the grid. Still life always has a way of catching up with us, doesn’t it? Soon enough things begin to spiral out of control and long buried secrets come to light that threaten to shatter everything.

I listened to the audiobook which was thirteen and a half hours. It’s narrated by Jonathan Broadbent and Helen Johns. I’ve never listened to either but they did a great job with this story. They really bring the characters to life for the listener.

He Said/She Said by Erin Kelly was a good listen for me. I love psychological thrillers and can’t seem to get enough of them. This one was a winner for me!

Source: Library copy

A Constellation of Roses was one of those books I wasn’t sure was for me and then I ended up loving it. It is a story of hardships and sorrow but also of hope and magic. And that cover! I think it’s just beautiful!

Our main character Trix hasn’t had an easy life. After her mom walked out on her Trix has had to make it on her own and she doesn’t do it in a very reputable way. You see she has a gift for magically being able to steal people’s things off them without them ever being any the wiser. She figures she’s set for life until she gets caught and is given a choice of jail or some relatives she didn’t even know about. Knowing she has no choice she goes with the later.

This is how Trix finds herself with her father’s sister; keeping in mind that Trix never knew her father. This family of hers seems a little strange at first but she soon feels as though this might be the first place she’s ever really felt she belonged. Yet Trix wonders if she’s doing the right thing staying with them and sooner or later she will have to face either going back to her old life or taking a chance on this new one.

I listened to the audiobook which was eight and a half hours and it’s narrated by Katherine Littrell. I haven’t listened to her before but she has a beautiful voice that was very well suited to this novel.

A Constellation of Roses is a heartfelt story that I really enjoyed. I have Miranda Asebedo’s debut novel The Deepest Roots to read and I’m looking forward to it!

Source: Library copy

I fast became a fan of Mary Torjussen after reading a few of her previous books. So when I saw The Closer You Get I didn’t hesitate to grab the audio and get at it. I was not disappointed in this domestic thriller that flew by for me.

Ruby and Harry work together. They are also in love. They are also both married to other people. The plan was to finally tell their spouses they were leaving them so they could be together. Well Ruby does just that. She tells Tom, her husband who she has wanted to leave due to his controlling nature, that she’s leaving him. She goes to the hotel to meet Harry but he never shows up nor can she get a hold of him. She can’t imagine what has happened.

Soon enough she realizes something is wrong as her life is suddenly spiralling out of control. She gets fired from her job and needs to find somewhere to live as she’s left her home. Then weird and scary things start to happen to her. She’s sure she’s being followed. What is going on? Is she even safe?

I listened to the audiobook which came in at eleven hours. It is narrated by Elizabeth Knowelden who I have listened to before and I enjoy listening to her. It is also narrated by Susan Duerden and Steve West who I haven’t listened to before but I enjoyed listening to them both and would again.

The Closer You Get is another good book with some interesting twists and turns from Mary Torjussen and I’ll be on the lookout again for her next one!

Source: Library copy

I have read several books that these ladies have written together and loved them all. Needless to say You Are Not Alone is another one to add to that list. I didn’t find it as good as the two previous ones I’ve read but I still enjoyed it.

Shay is our main character and she’s one of those women who can’t seem to hit the jackpot in getting what she’d like in life. She can’t find love, she can’t seem to find a job she can see as a career, and she really doesn’t have any friends other than her roommate. Truthfully as a character she’s kind of pathetic and I guess I would say too trusting and naive or her need to belong to something is that great.

Shay manages to meet the Moore sisters who are the opposite of what she is. They seem to have everything. They are successful and have a tight circle of friends. Even better they seem to want to be friends with Shay. They start inviting her out and give her a makeover. They even find her someplace to live. Shay is on top of the world but the old saying holds true – be careful who you trust. Shay may find that out the hard way.

I listened to the audiobook which came in at eleven hours and is narrated by Barrie Kreinick and Dylan Moore. I’ve not listened to either but both were easy to listen to. I’ve seen a few not so good reviews for this one but it was a fast listen for me. Shay, the main character, was annoying at times but I still enjoyed the story.

Source: Personal copy.