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Goodreads Description

The latest from legendary master storyteller Stephen King, a riveting, extraordinarily eerie, and moving story about a man whose mysterious affliction brings a small town together—a timely, upbeat tale about finding common ground despite deep-rooted differences.

Although Scott Carey doesn’t look any different, he’s been steadily losing weight. There are a couple of other odd things, too. He weighs the same in his clothes and out of them, no matter how heavy they are. Scott doesn’t want to be poked and prodded. He mostly just wants someone else to know, and he trusts Doctor Bob Ellis.

In the small town of Castle Rock, the setting of many of King’s most iconic stories, Scott is engaged in a low grade—but escalating—battle with the lesbians next door whose dog regularly drops his business on Scott’s lawn. One of the women is friendly; the other, cold as ice. Both are trying to launch a new restaurant, but the people of Castle Rock want no part of a gay married couple, and the place is in trouble. When Scott finally understands the prejudices they face–including his own—he tries to help. Unlikely alliances, the annual foot race, and the mystery of Scott’s affliction bring out the best in people who have indulged the worst in themselves and others.

My Thoughts

Elevation is Stephen King’s latest release.  It’s a short book compared to most of his but it still packs a pretty big punch. What I admire about King’s writing is how he embroils you in his characters lives within minutes of starting one of his stories. This book is no different.

Scott Carey has been losing weight steadily even though to everyone else he looks the same. Even stranger he weighs the same in or out of his clothes even with the pockets weighted down. He confides in Doctor Bob Ellis but even he has no idea what’s going on with Scott. Will Scott continue to lose weight until he disappears entirely…

What I liked most about this novel is how it tackles things like intolerance showing us that it shouldn’t be. That kindness and generosity take us a lot further in life. How Scott’s illness brings together a group of people who never would have been friends otherwise.

The novel also includes a really short story at the end. At first I didn’t like it but in true King fashion he pulled me into the character of Laurie as well. This one had a bit more of the normal King horror in it.

Audio Thoughts

I enjoyed the audio. It is narrated by King himself and he has a really good reading voice. He adds emphasis in the most perfect spots bringing his story alive for the listener.

Recommendation

I can’t say this was a favourite of mine as far as King novels are concerned but I still enjoyed it and think King fans will as well. The added bonus of King’s narration is a true treat.

Source: Personal copy.

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Goodreads Description

The author of the bestselling novel The Party—lauded as “tense and riveting” by New York Times bestselling author Megan Miranda—returns with a chilling new domestic drama about two women whose deep friendship is threatened by dark, long-buried secrets.

Frances Metcalfe is struggling to stay afloat.

A stay-at-home mom whose troubled son is her full-time job, she thought that the day he got accepted into the elite Forrester Academy would be the day she started living her life. Overweight, insecure, and lonely, she is desperate to fit into Forrester’s world. But after a disturbing incident at the school leads the other children and their families to ostracize the Metcalfes, she feels more alone than ever before.

Until she meets Kate Randolph.

Kate is everything Frances is not: beautiful, wealthy, powerful, and confident. And for some reason, she’s not interested in being friends with any of the other Forrester moms—only Frances. As the two bond over their disdain of the Forrester snobs and the fierce love they have for their sons, a startling secret threatens to tear them apart…because one of these women is not who she seems. Her real name is Amber Kunick. And she’s a murderer.

In her masterful follow-up to The Party, Robyn Harding spins a web of lies, deceit, and betrayal, asking the question: Can people ever change? And even if they can, is it possible to forgive the past?

My Thoughts

Oh my I really liked this book! Of course it’s another psychological thriller. Eight and a half hours just flew by as I listened to this one. I promise to start reviewing something other than thrillers for you all though. It’s probably time for me to mix things up a bit before I hit a slump. I can’t see it though. This genre is right up my alley. Very few are boring and listening to them is like having a movie play in my head.

Anyhow let’s move on to the book. Frances Metcalfe has her hands full with her son who has a few issues. When he’s accepted into Forrester Academy she thinks that this will be the turning point for him. It’s an uppity school and Frances struggles to fit in with her low self-esteem. Things don’t get much better when her son does something that makes it even harder, if not impossible for her to ever fit in.

And then she meets Kate Randolph. Kate embodies everything that Frances would like to be. She’s beautiful, confident and couldn’t care less what others think of her. With Kate, Frances finally starts to feel better. They form a strong friendship as do their sons. Yet there’s another side to Kate that Frances struggles with. As time goes on it becomes clear that there are long buried secrets lurking everywhere. Is Frances who she seems? Is Kate? Or are neither of them really the women they portray to the outside world?

Audio Thoughts

This was a fantastic audio. Yet another one I couldn’t and didn’t want to stop listening to. It’s narrated by some fantastic narrators as anyone who listens to audios will know. They are definitely three of my favourites: Cassandra Campbell, Rebekkah Ross and Kirby Heyborne. Need I say more – no I didn’t think so but I will. These three made a really good book even better!

Recommendation

Yes! The audio version is great and I’m sure the book would be as well. I listened to The Party by this author a while back and loved it as well. She’s definitely on my list of authors to watch!

Source: Personal copy.

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Goodreads Description

You’ve got everything she wants …

Newly married Natasha has the perfect house, a loving husband and a beautiful little girl called Emily. She’d have it all if it wasn’t for Jen, her husband’s ex-wife who just won’t leave them alone …

Then Natasha returns home one day to find her husband and Emily gone without trace. Desperate to get her daughter back, Natasha will do anything even if it means accepting an offer of help from Jen. But can she trust her? And do either of them really know the man they married?

If you loved The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl or The Couple Next Door then this dark, twisting psychological thriller from Amazon chart bestseller Jess Ryder is guaranteed to have you gripped.

My Thoughts

The Ex-Wife was another great listen for me. I love the minds that think up these great storylines for psychological thrillers. I love the audios I can start in the morning and absolutely have to finish by the end of the day because I can’t stop listening.

Natasha is living the life she’s always dreamed of. She’s married to her wonderful husband Nick and now they have their daughter Emily not to mention a beautiful home. The only thorn in Natasha’s side is Nick’s ex-wife Jen who all of Nick’s family thought was perfect. A title Natasha does not hold in their eyes.

Everything in her life comes to a screeching halt when she learns that Nick has failed to drop their daughter off at pre-school. She rushes home  only to find that Nick is gone along with her daughter. Natasha has no idea where to turn but she’s even willing to turn to Jen for help if she has to but how can she trust that woman.

Audio Thoughts

I’ve seen the audio didn’t have the best reviews on Audible but I can’t figure out why. I really enjoyed it and thought the narrator, Annette Chown, did a great job. I liked her tone and enjoyed listening to her.

Recommendation

There are a lot of twists and turns in this book that certainly kept me guessing and trying to figure out just what was going on. It was an enjoyable listen for me and if you like psychological thrillers add this one to your list!

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