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Peeking Between the Pages

Peeking Between the Pages

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2022 Audio Reviews

The Awoken by Katelyn Monroe Howes (Audiobook)

August 9, 2022 by Darlene

The Awoken is the debut novel of Katelyn Monroe Howes and quite impressive! The concept of cryogenics is fascinating to me although I can’t imagine being preserved and then awoken into world that would likely be completely foreign and terrifying to me.

Alabine Rivers is one of those people who chose to undergo cryogenic preservation when she died because of a terminal cancer diagnosis. Her hope was that sometime in the future a cure would be found and they will wake her up and she can carry on with her life. A century later though finds the world in turmoil over these people who have been frozen, dubbed the Awoken. Essentially a war on them is occurring all over and buildings where they are preserved are being destroyed. Alabine ends up being awoken into a world she doesn’t want to be in. A world where the Awoken are illegal beings and should be shot on sight. As Alabine struggles to figure out how to survive in this world she is also battling lucid memories of the man she loved.

I listened to the audiobook which is so well done! This is one of those novels that are so great in audio because the action packed scenes and the high emotions of everyone are brought to life in such vivid detail. The audio is narrated by Sarah Naughton who I have listened to many times and she was a perfect choice. She is very talented with different voices and the emotion she brings to the story and the characters captures the reader and lands them squarely in the story itself.

I very much enjoyed this book and I’m hoping for more from the author. I love the kind of story that speculates on the future of the world. This novel is one of turmoil, strength, perseverance, loyalty and love. The Awoken releases today and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it!

Review copy provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Filed Under: 2022 Audio Reviews, 2022 Book Reviews, Audiobooks

The Retreat by Sarah Pearse (Audiobook)

August 8, 2022 by Darlene

I have to say to start that I love this cover. It is dark and brooding and I’d love to be in that house on top of the hill. The Retreat is the second book in the Detective Elin Warner series although both books stand alone. The first book, The Sanatorium was a Reese’s Book Club Pick and I enjoyed it so I was anxious to listen to this one as well.

The Retreat finds Elin on an island retreat off the English coast. The retreat has a dark past , once being home to a serial killer. Elin is called there after a young woman’s body is found on the rocks below the yoga pavilion. At first Elin believes it to just be a tragic fall but then another guest drowns the next day. Of course it can’t be a coincidence. Something is going on and Elin begins to investigate. Why is someone targeting the guests? Can it be another serial killer?

I listened to the audiobook which is narrated by Elizabeth Knowelden. She is one of my favourites and narrated the first book as well. I know I’m in for a treat when I see she is the narrator. I love listening to her and she always makes a book that much better with how she portrays the characters and brings a story to life.

I enjoyed The Retreat although I think I’m still more fond of The Sanatorium. I adore the settings of these novels so Im looking forward to the third book to see where it takes Elin and her investigations. If you want a good mystery to immerse yourself in pick up The Retreat and be sure to add The Sanatorium to your reading list as well!

Review copy provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Filed Under: 2022 Audio Reviews, 2022 Book Reviews, Audiobooks

The It Girl by Ruth Ware (Audiobook)

August 5, 2022 by Darlene

I have been a huge fan of Ruth Ware from the her first book to this one. She is an amazing storyteller and I always love that moment I settle in with her new book in audio or paper form. The It Girl was yet another novel of hers that had me in its grip from the first word to the last and I struggled to put it aside to take care of anything else.

There are several characters in this novel but Hannah is the narrator of the tale. The It Girl was her friend April when they were in school but tragedy strikes and April is gone. Someone is put in jail for her murder and years later, after Hannah is married, he dies and this sets off a chain of events due to a reporter digging into it again. This leaves Hannah questioning everything that happened. Did they arrest the right person? She doesn’t know. As she delves deeper and deeper into the past the one thing that becomes clear is that she never really knew the people who surrounded her that she called friends.

I listened to the audio format of course and it was fabulous! It is narrated by Imogen Church and she was amazing. I didn’t expect anything else as she is one of my favourite narrators. She’s great with portraying different characters and using different voices and it adds so much to the story. I always love any novel she narrates and she made The It Girl all the better!

If you love a good psychological thriller you’ve got to read one of Ruth Ware’s novels and The It Girl is a great place to start. It’s one of my favourites of hers so far!

Review copy provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Filed Under: 2022 Audio Reviews, 2022 Book Reviews, Audiobooks

Look Closer by David Ellis (Audiobook)

August 4, 2022 by Darlene

My Thoughts

This was the first book by David Ellis that I read and I really enjoyed it. It’s a fast paced, twisty thriller that kept my attention throughout. The main characters Simon and Vicky are quite the pair and as I followed them throughout the novel I can honestly say I had no idea what either of them might do next. One thing for sure is every time I thought I knew what was going to happen it turned out I was wrong! The plot twists in this novel come out of nowhere and I loved every minute.

The Audio

I listened to the audio version of Look Closer and it is so well done with a host of narrators including Will Damron, Hillary Huber, Elizabeth Garrett, and Steve West. Of the group I’ve only listened to Hillary Huber who I really like but all of the others had easy voices to listen to as well and I wouldn’t hesitate to listen to any of them again. The audio comes in at 13 hours and there is never a boring moment! A very well done audio that really lends itself to bringing this story to life!

Recommendations

I would definitely recommend this book and most definitely to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers. I enjoyed it from the first chapter to the last and again I have to say I loved the twists and turns Look Closer took!

Review copy provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Filed Under: 2022 Audio Reviews, 2022 Book Reviews, Audiobooks, Uncategorized

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley (Audiobook)

April 7, 2022 by Darlene

I’ve listened to a few of Lucy Foley’s books and really enjoyed them. I initially hesitated on her newest because I had heard that some hadn’t liked it but then I thought I’d see for myself. I’m so glad I did as I really enjoyed it! Also look at that cover – it’s great! It sets the premise for a creepy apartment building with residents who have plenty to hide.

Jess is desperate to get away from her life so she sets out to stay with her half brother Ben in Paris. She recieves a message from him telling her what apartment it is and that he’ll be waiting for her. Yet when she arrives he isn’t anywhere to be found. He isn’t answering his phone and the apartment is empty. She starts asking around only to find that the residents aren’t all that friendly nor are they too eager to help her. Something is wrong. Jess can feel it. She’s determined to find out what has happened to her brother and she quickly discovers that doing that could prove dangerous.

I listened to the audio of course and it was fantastic with a full cast of narrators bringing the story to life. The narrators include Clare Corbett, Daphne Kouma, Julia Winwood, Sope Dirisu, Sofia Zervudachi, and Charlie Anson. Wow! They are all great and they drew me fully into this story. I love audios for this very reason – when you have really good narrators they can make you feel as though you’ve got a movie playing in your head.

The Paris Apartment is a twisty tale that keeps you wondering what will be coming around the corner. For me it was another great book from Lucy Foley!



Scribd copy

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Filed Under: 2022 Audio Reviews, 2022 Book Reviews

My Darling Husband by Kimberly Belle (Audiobook)

April 6, 2022 by Darlene

I have listened to almost all of Kimberly Belle’s books and My Darling Husband was one of her best. It’s faced paced and full of action that kept me hooked from beginning to end.

Jade and Cam are that couple. They’ve got it all – the perfect marriage, family, house and on top of that Cam runs five very successful restaurants. What could go wrong? Unbeknownst to the couple someone has been watching them. Someone with a huge grudge and revenge on their mind. Someone who knows they have lots of money. The home invasion occurs when Jade is home alone with the kids and it’s beyond terrifying. The perpetrator has asked for a very specific sum of ransom money which in itself is weird. Cam is given a certain amount of time to get the money as well. This is where we learn that all may not be as perfect as it seems. As the day wears on Jade begins to learn that her perfect life is crumbling down around her in a mess of secrets.

The audiobook was really well done! It is narrated by Natalie Duke, Seth Podowitz, and Charlie Kevin. They did an awesome job with this story and buidlng the tension of a home invasion. My heart was pounding at many points in the story and I just couldnt stop listening!

If you’re a fan of domestic thrillers as I am you’re going to love My Darling Husband!



Library Copy

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Filed Under: 2022 Audio Reviews, 2022 Book Reviews

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