Peeking Between the Pages

...escape into the pages of a good book

Audiobooks

The Awoken by Katelyn Monroe Howes (Audiobook)

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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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The Retreat by Sarah Pearse (Audiobook)

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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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The It Girl by Ruth Ware (Audiobook)

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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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Look Closer by David Ellis (Audiobook)

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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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Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney (Audiobook)

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Alice Feeney has long been a favorite author of mine. I’ve loved every book she has written but I have to say she has outdone herself with Rock Paper Scissors. An amazing plot and great characters equals one very awesome book!

Adam and Amelia win themselves a weekend away in a remote part of Scotland. They arrive to find they’ll be staying in a very old church. The place is downright creepy especially when they find the bedroom that has been made up for them looks exactly like theirs at home. Add to that Amelia is certain someone is watching them. Still the weather has come in and they’ve got to spend the night. Since both know that the purpose of this weekend is to try and save their marriage they try to make the most of things. It’s really hard to do that though when you feel you may be in danger of something but what that something is … you have absolutely no clue.

Oh my Alice Feeney once again pulled the wool over my eyes. I was sure I had things figured out and then I literally stopped listening and had to backtrack all the while thinking to myself – what just happened??? Then of course it hit me and became clear and the twist at the end was most interesting as well. Well done Alice Feeney! I can’t wait to see what you come up with for your next novel. I had listened to this on audio and it was fantastic with narration by Richard Armitage and Stephanie Racine who are superb at portraying the characters in this story. If you’re looking for a page-turner to lose yourself in look no further. Rock Paper Scissors was a 5 star listen for me!


Personal copy

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The House Guests by Emilie Richards (Audiobook)

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I read The House Guests as a buddy read with one of my book club friends and it was an enjoyable listen for me. I’ve only read one other of Emilie Richards books but I’ll definitely read more. They feel like comfort reads to me and we can all use one of those once in a while.

Cassie is a stepmom to Savannah. Both are struggling with the recent death of husband and father and it isn’t made any easier by the rocky relationship the two seem to be in. Adding to that is Savannah blaming Cassie for her dad’s death. Needless to say an unhappy teenager sometimes gets into trouble and Savannah does something that leaves single mom Amber and her teenage son Will homeless. Cassie not knowing how else to fix things invites the two to move in with her and Savannah. Lucky for all they seem to get on together and begin to form real relationships. As time goes on Cassie is not only troubled by issues that are coming up with her husband’s death and their finances but also with whatever secrets Amber is hiding. And oh yes, Amber has secrets; a lifetime of them and sooner or later she fears they may catch up to her.

This was a good story. I loved the references to Greek culture and food and the huge sense of family and responsibility. I liked the characters as well despite their flaws. It was an easy story to listen to and escape into. The audiobook is narrated by Vanessa Johansson who I’ve listened to many times. She has a nice voice to listen to and she was the perfect choice for a story about these two women. For those that like women’s fiction The House Guests is a good one to add to your reading list!


Scribd copy

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