Carole does Audiobook Month

And today's guest is Carole!!!!!!! :D

As long as I could remember, I have been neutral to audiobooks. I would listen to one every now and then. I had issues listening to these unless it was a story I really wanted to listen to or had to (i.e. school). This is the first year where I realized that maybe I should try audiobooks and really and truly give them a chance. Plus, I had a ton of credits in Amazon for some free ones. Being a working woman with a long commute to work also really encouraged this decision.

My original goal was to listen to 2 this year. A nice goal, but I have blown past this goal. I am at 9 now and it is only June. This is a lot for me. I have really surprised myself. Maybe being old now has made me wiser. 

I’ve really enjoyed listening to these. I have such a bundle left to listen to! Blodeuedd actually gave me a huge stack for Christmas and I haven’t even started that stack yet. I’m slowly getting through these freebies from Amazon Audible. Nearly there. I’ll probably start the bundle Blodeuedd sent to me next month or August. She certainly gave me a ton and I am excited. 

Blodeuedd actually asked me to write this post to share my thoughts and opinions, so here I am. She honestly is to blame for my sudden liking of audiobooks. I am now getting addicted. I am not 100% addicted yet, but I am getting there yet. Lately, I have been listening to audiobooks outside of my normal times I listen. 

Here are some that I liked and I recommend seem to be better listened to than actually reading. The narrator really brought this story alive and I really feel I enjoyed the book because of the narrator: 

Sometimes the story can be amazing and the narration can be amazing. There are two audiobooks that I LOVED and are some of the best stories I have listened to this year:

I am excited to see what I will listen to next!

Audio: Freakling - Lana Krumwiede

In twelve-year-old Taemon’s city, everyone has a power called psi — the ability to move and manipulate objects with their minds. When Taemon loses his psi in a traumatic accident, he must hide his lack of power by any means possible. But a humiliating incident at a sports tournament exposes his disability, and Taemon is exiled to the powerless colony. The "dud farm" is not what Taemon expected, though: people are kind and open, and they actually seem to enjoy using their hands to work and play and even comfort their children. Taemon adjusts to his new life quickly, making friends and finding unconditional acceptance. But gradually he discovers that for all its openness, there are mysteries at the colony, too — dangerous secrets that would give unchecked power to psi wielders if discovered. When Taemon unwittingly leaks one of these secrets, will he have the courage to repair the damage — even if it means returning to the city and facing the very people who exiled him? 

Audio CD, Unabridged, 7 pages

Published October 9th 2012 by Candlewick on Brilliance Audio (first published July 1st 2012)

Psi Chronicles #1

Fantasy Middle Grade

My thoughts:

'Another MG one, but I was really surprised when I read that this one was MG. There was violence, death, threats of violence and even a hint of a threat of sexual violence (or am i to assume that the person just wanted to kill the other person for fun which is still horrific). I get that the main character is 13 so I guess that makes it more MG then, but, since it is labelled as MG some really young readers could read it. But maybe kids these days are more used to things. Still, I would say this one is more for younger YA readers. Cos no, there is not that much violence. YA has more, but I still feel like it was a bit to dark for MG. I mean an 8 year old could read this and they just kill a kid like that and torture people so...maybe I am the only one that feels like this. It was just such a change from the other MG I just listened to.

Speech over. 11 up absolutely. Not under that. But older YA would find it too simple so yes it lies there in the shadow land of upper MG, lowerYA

Is this a fantasy world? Is it our world? No idea. I do like when things are clearer cos I always wonder. Is it dystopia? Sci-fi? Interesting mix at least. A world where a group of fanatics (yes I will call them that) left and made a mountain (why no one come over the sea and takes a look I have no idea), and then they live there using psi powers they got. Which to me seems to exhausting. They can do NOTHING by hand. Not eat, not going to the toilet I assume. NO lifting. Nothing. I wonder how they make babies, I guess they can touch then...or? Cos the kid keeps saying that no one touch each other. You do not want to know what I am thinking now. Touch is a sense. Why take away that completely?

Anyway, this kid Taemon loses his powers and is sent away. I liked him, though he really should just have killed his psycho brother. That does make it MG, he was so damn nice.

There is an evil guy who is evil and Taemon will obvi save the world.

Interesting world and a nice story, even if, I mean come on people, touch is a sense!

Narrator Nick Podehl

I liked his voice and omg the voice for Tae's sociopath of a  brother, yes he sounded evil!

Audio: Love Story - Lauren Layne

When Lucy Hawkins receives a job offer in San Francisco, she can't wait to spread her wings and leave her small Virginia hometown behind. Her close-knit family supports her as best they can, by handing over the keys to a station wagon that's seen better days. The catch? The cross-country trip comes with a traveling companion: her older brother's best friend, a.k.a. the guy who took Lucy's virginity hours before breaking her heart.

After spending the past four years and every last dime caring for his sick father, Reece Sullivan will do just about anything to break free of the painful memories—even if it means a two-week road trip with the one girl who's ever made it past his carefully guarded exterior. But after long days of bickering in the car turn into steamy nights in secluded motel rooms, Reece learns that, when it comes to Lucy, their story is far from over. And this time, they just might have a shot at a happy ending.

My thoughts:

These two were idiots. Total idiots. Who even goes on a 2 week car trip with someone you hate!?

Yes I actually had issues with this one, and it is a Lauren Layne! It just did not feel like a Lauren Layne. They acted like teenagers, and that is being nice to teens! If this has been a YA book and they had been 17 and 18, then I could forgive them. But a 24 and 25 year old who is stuck 2 weeks in a car and can't communicate. Instead they start a million times and never finish. Just talk! TALK. But nope, they act like sulky teens instead.

Oh and do not even get me started on Reece! He had NO reason to hate her, no reason at all. I have no idea why she kept running after him. I was all for cutting him loose and leaving him stranded somewhere. After  I finished it I was still all for her ditching Reese.

But now it sounds like I did not like it at all. I did like it. But that is all because of Amy Melissa Bentley, she is my favorite female narrator. She saved this book for me and I looked forward to her voice.

As for Rudy Sanda...yeah, I had issues. His Virginian accents annoyed me to death. His voice for Lucy was so *sorry*! redneck and like she was the kind that marries her cousin. His normal narration was fine, but when he played Lucy, or any female *cringes*

Omg, I am just complaining! It was still a good book!.

But his Lucy just kept nagging at me. And if I picture this as a YA road trip instead it works so much better. She missed her mark there. Should have been YA with a few changes.

Conclusion:
All in all, It was still good. It is worth it cos AM Bentley saves the book. Her voice is always fun.

A road trip from hell becomes a second chance at love. 

Audio CD, 7 h 10 minPublished June 12th 2018 by Tantor Audio (first published February 14th 2017)Love Unexpectedly #3Contemporary romanceFor review

Audio: This could change everything - Jill Mansell

All it takes is one email to end her relationship, get her kicked out of her apartment, and just about ruin her life. Essie Phillips never meant for her private rant about her boss to be sent to everyone in her address book, but as soon as it goes viral, her life as she knows it is over. Solution: move to a new town, find a new job, make new friends. If only it were as simple as that...

My thoughts:

Review Essie writes something for fun, but then something happens and everyone knows her mistake. Her boyfriend, his mum, and she looses everything. Her job, her boyfriend and her home. But honestly, her boyfriend was not that special and his mum a horror. Even if it takes Essie a while to realise this.

So she needs a place to live, an a new job and all POVS come together. As for Essie, she was normal and likable.

Then there is Cilla, a 83 year old with a taste for fashion, and omg she was so cool.

Connor, who left a good paying job to find his passion. A nice guy.

Then there is Lucas, a bar owner, and Essie's BFF Scarlett who sounds like a hoot.

They all have their spot in the limelight and I do not know how she does it. The book is not that long, but the story takes place over some months so people have time to become friends, find romance and find new things to like. It all works really well.

Conclusion;
A nice story about many stories. Friendships are made and romance is found

Narrator Esther Wane

Oh her voice of this annoying person cracked me up, and I liked her Connor voice. It made me lol.

She did a great job with it all 

Audio CD, 11 pages

Published June 5th 2018 by Tantor Audio (first published January 25th 2018)

Romantic fiction

For review

Tmst: What is worse

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog.

June 26th: What is worse: cliffhanger, abrupt ending or open ending?

I think I have to go with open ending...

Cliffhangers are bad, they suck, but, if there is a cliffhanger you at least know that in the next book you will find out what happens. It sucks it was made that way, but at least you will know.

Abrupt endings, well they do sound bad, but it depends. If they just end, but everything worked out, then sure it sucks, but again, at least you know what happened. If they just end and you have no conclusion at all, then they are worse than open endings!
So abrupt can be worse, but it all depends on where they leave the reader.

While open endings always made me go all arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I do not think I have ever read an open ending that I liked. They always make me wonder what the f happens then? I really hate them. They feel like the author did not know what to do and just took the easy way out. Ugh, even thinking of open endings makes me mad.

Booooooo open endings!

I have been bad at taking Luci's pic lately! Only S this time

Audio: Must love babies - Lynnette Austin

This baby's not the only one in need of a cuddle...

Brant Wylder is a bachelor and loving it! He's in Misty Bottoms, Georgia, property-hunting for his vintage car repair shop when he gets the call. His sister's been in an accident, and Brant has to drop everything and take care of his five-month-old nephew. That's the end of the bachelor lifestyle.

Bridal boutique owner Molly Stiles is all business all the time, until she sees that Brant's in trouble. In this Southern town, nobody ever has to go it alone. And besides, how can she resist that beautiful baby in the arms of a beautiful man...?

Audio CD, 10 h

Published June 5th 2018 by Tantor Audio

Must Love Babies #1

Contemporary romance

For review

My thoughts:
I adore this cover, it brings out all the feels in me. That baby! That guy! Awwwwwwwww.

Brant is the one that looks after everyone else. He is awesome really, but he puts so much on himself. Nothing bad to say about this guy.'

Molly on the other hand has a list. Now at 28 she will focus on her business and no detours! I mean, Molly please, there must be a little wiggle room. Cos at 30 she must meet her man, and marry him and have a kid by 32. That is cutting it. It's like some guy will magically appear then. And yes that is the drama, she does not want a relationship. She has a plan.

Oh and there is a baby! Brant has to care for his sister's son. She has a bad accident. And this guy is so clueless and I love how he makes his mistakes, how he gets that yes it is hard and how he grows to love this little guy. And how much he grows to like Molly too who is trying to get away.

Taking care of a baby, meeting the perfect woman. That is this story.

Conclusion:
Romance, diapers and cuteness.

Narrator Erin Michael Summerer

She played all the voices well and lol, yes even the baby's voice

Carole's Sunday Review: The Gilded Shroud

Author: Elizabeth Bailey

Title: The Gilded Shroud (A Lady Fan Mystery #1)

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, and Romance

Pages: ebook

Expected publication: 1992

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my unbiased opinion)

When the marchioness is found murdered at Polbrook mansion, the Dowager Lady Polbrook's new companion, Ottilia Draycott, finds herself in a house of strangers and every one of them a suspect. Only she can unmask and outwit a desperate killer and keep a Polbrook family secret buried.

Mysteries are so fun especially a good one like this!

The story follows Ottilia who is the new companion for the Dowager Lady Polbrook. The first morning after she arrives, Emily (the daughter-in-law) is murdered and her husband disappears around the same time. Chaos indeed! However, this family is in luck because Ottilia enjoys good mysteries and decides to help them solve this murder. 

I am very surprised this family was so kind to allow Ottilia to help. She is a virtual stranger and is a woman. She makes some good points so I guess it makes sense to let her loose. What is the worst that could happen? 

Ottilia was an interesting character. She was smart, but she had her moments of silliness. There were times I was surprised they kept her on. 

The romance aspect was done well I feel. It didn't at all take over the story. It was SOOO slow and took a back seat when it had to. It also felt real for these two characters because they have more important things to worry about. I do wish there had been a couple of other moments to feel the chemistry. There was chemistry missing between the two. Maybe the next book will show this more. 

The mystery was good. I guessed who it was but I was not confident in my guess. Much like our heroine. The hints were there, but I was unsure until a certain scene. When it was revealed I huzzahed. I was happy I got it. 

In the end, I really did enjoy this. I wanted more chemistry between Ottilia and Francis, but I liked how the romance was mixed in with this murder mystery. I am curious to read the next one. I'll stamp this with 4 stars. 

Audibook Month. Narrators

Today I thought I would talk about narrators. I am SO not the person to ask. I am very new to all of this and I do not feel it is fear to say someone is great if you have only done one book by them.

But since I did try another one of Vikas Adam's books I can say that yes, he is lovely to listen at.

Amy Melissa Bentley has such a fun voice and she is perfect for YA and romance.

James Langton has this lovely voice for historical romance, all proper and perfect for Grace Burrowe's books

Justine Eyre is a new one that I kept thinking I like this voice and it always took a while to realise where from I had heard her.

Ruth Urqhart is someone I would like to listen to more...(could not find her on soundcloud)

There you go, a few that stood out. Sure there are other voices I like, but these are the ones whose name I remember :)

I am still Celebrating Audiobooks

I am borrowing this from Sophia over at Hot Listens, and she took it from Books and Thing's youtube channel.

1. Have you always listened to audiobooks or when did you begin?

To be honest, I am an oldie! But I had a long long break. When I was little I used to listen to anything the library had, Astrid Lindgren and stories from Greek mythology. I used to fall asleep to those and I loved them.

Then I stopped. I can not say when that was. Was I even in elementary school? But yes it took me ages to start again and mostly cos awesome bloggers around me kept raving about audio. That was like 2-3 years ago.

2. What is your favorite audiobook?
I think everyone knows that by now. Tadaa, Heartstrikers! DO not make me pick one. But if I must I will only narrow down to 2 3 and 4. Maybe 3?

 Check out my great audiobooks post


3. What is my least favorite thing about audiobooks?
I need a good voice. Most of the time I like the voice. But there has been instances when I just could NOT. It got on my nerves.

They also take longer even though I up the speed


4. What do you think is the difference in experience between physically reading a book and listening to it?
I seem to feel the books more in audio format. As you have noticed I have listened to a lot of YA nd I have given out a LOT of 4s. Would those books still be 4s if I read them...I doubt it.  I have given out so many 4s and 5s since I started listening to audio so yes there must be something that just grabs my attention more than a physical book



5. How and when do you listen?

When I take S out for her nap, I try to walk for an hour. MIL keeps telling me that I should like push the stroller for 5 min and I am  all I need my audio fix woman! lol. But yes then. And when I am putting her to sleep and if I wake before her but just want to chill. See, all my listening time is focused around her.

6. What style/genre do you prefer?
Romance is just lovely in audio! And YA fiction keeps surprising me. Who knew YA was this good!


7. What are some audiobook/narrator recommendations?
I really like Vikas Adam cos he voice is soooo lovely. (Heartstrikers!!) When it comes to female voices I like Amy Melissa Bentley because she is great in YA, Starry eyes! and I love her romance voice (Her Lauren Layne ones)
.......................................................

Also check me out today on Hot Listens! I am answering a rather well known question by now ;)

Also read all their June posts as they are celebrating Audiobook month :D

Iron and Magic - Ilona Andrews

Hugh d’Ambray, Preceptor of the Iron Dogs, Warlord of the Builder of Towers, served only one man. Now his immortal, nearly omnipotent master has cast him aside. Hugh is a shadow of the warrior he was, but when he learns that the Iron Dogs, soldiers who would follow him anywhere, are being hunted down and murdered, he must make a choice: to fade away or to be the leader he was born to be. Hugh knows he must carve a new place for himself and his people, but they have no money, no shelter, and no food, and the necromancers are coming. Fast. 

Elara Harper is a creature who should not exist. Her enemies call her Abomination; her people call her White Lady. Tasked with their protection, she's trapped between the magical heavyweights about to collide and plunge the state of Kentucky into a war that humans have no power to stop. Desperate to shield her people and their simple way of life, she would accept help from the devil himself—and Hugh d’Ambray might qualify. 

Hugh needs a base, Elara needs soldiers. Both are infamous for betraying their allies, so how can they create a believable alliance to meet the challenge of their enemies? 

As the prophet says: “It is better to marry than to burn.” 

Hugh and Elara may do both. 

ebook, 322 pages

Expected publication: June 26th 2018

The Iron Covenant #1, Kate Daniels #9.5

UF PNR

For review

My thoughts:

Aaaaaaargh, Baby S deleted my review. SIGH. I so do not want to write this again. I am already two days behind on writing it.

What else to do then to write it again. Now 3 days late.

I did not like Hugh at first, but then something changed. I liked him even though he was evil. Aint that always the story. 

Here he is messed up cos Roland dumped him. Until his people tell him to shape up and save them. So he tries. 

I liked that we got a bit of his backstory and understood why he is all Roland is my god! And get to see that there is still light in there.

Elara was pretty cold as Hugh said. I get that she has a lot of responsibilities, protecting her people, living in their castle, hiding from baddies. So it took a while to warm up to her, if I ever did, but I get why she and Hugh fit together. I can not tell you, cos spoiler. But she has another side to her.

She hires him. He goes fighting. There are baddies. They argue. The end.

I do like Hugh ;) 

Nice story, Even if not as good as Kate, but then neither of the sidestories has been to me

Audio: What happens in Summer - Caridad Pineiro

She knows the kind of man he is;

The kind who breaks hearts.

But a hot summer at the Jersey Shore

Might be just what they need to light up their lives . . .

As the only daughter of a single mom, Connie Reyes swore she would never put herself or her child in a similar position. But when she runs into oh so tempting Jonathan Pierce at a wedding, she knows she must stay away. She'll fall for him—hard. And he's not the type to stick around.

Ever since he left town after their teenage fling, Jonathan hasn't been able to forget about Connie. He can't wait for the wedding—to show her the man he's become. And when the night finally comes, their mutual desire will lead to unexpected consequences neither of them were prepared for . . . 

Audio CD, 8 pages

Published June 5th 2018 by Tantor Audio

At the Shore #2

Contemporary romance

For review

MY thoughts:

Oh Connie! I get that your dad left, but that does not mean that Jonathan is just like him. Walking out on your family is not the same as travelling the world and finding your passion. But hey a book needs drama so let us begin.

Connie and Jonathan shared a summer long ago. But he dropped out of College and she went on to become a lawyer cos she wanted stability.

But they always meet again since her BFF is neighbor to his family, and cos her BFF Maggie and Owen, J's brother hooked up in book 1. 

They banter, they want each other. I want her to let loose and forget about her big plan. I like how he does not give up because he know they are meant to be. I do like a man who gives chase and is not the one running away.

The book actually takes place at the same time as book 1 did. So the big thing I already guessed there. It makes me wonder if book 3 takes place at the same time too since they seem to be doing a dance around too.

But cute and nice

Narrator Veronica Worthington

I was not totally on board with book 1, I felt like her voices blended together and everyone sounded the same. But here they do not. Maybe she got better. Cos here everything fits and i like her narration and voices

Sample

TMST: Cliffhangers

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog.

June 19th: Cliffhangers: Do they compel you to read more or steer you away?

I do not know how to answer this one. I would rather not have cliffies. Sometimes they are so unnecessary!  I get it, you want us to read more, and then it takes like 3 years before the next book is out, or the book never comes cos the series was put on ice. When I only have to wait a year it is better, but the cliffie does not make me buy it. Of course, if it is a great series I would buy it, cliffie or not. When that year has gone by the cliffie is forgotten and I only get the book cos I want to see how the series progress.

I have read semi interesting books with cliffies, if the book is not good, then screw the cliffie. Nope. Not getting the book. In the end the cliffhanger does nothing for me, except making me really worked up for a week and then it is forgotten.

Audio: Love and First Sight - Josh Sundquist

On his first day at a new school, blind sixteen-year-old Will Porter accidentally groped a girl on the stairs, sat on another student in the cafeteria, and somehow drove a classmate to tears. High school can only go up from here, right? 

As Will starts to find his footing, he develops a crush on a charming, quiet girl named Cecily. Then an unprecedented opportunity arises: an experimental surgery that could give Will eyesight for the first time in his life. But learning to see is more difficult than Will ever imagined, and he soon discovers that the sighted world has been keeping secrets. It turns out Cecily doesn't meet traditional definitions of beauty--in fact, everything he'd heard about her appearance was a lie engineered by their so-called friends to get the two of them together. Does it matter what Cecily looks like? No, not really. But then why does Will feel so betrayed?

Audiobook, 6 h 25 min

Published January 3rd 2017 by Hatchette Audio

YA fiction

Own

My thoughts

This is written by a youtube personality...never heard of him. Moving on.

Will is blind but he wants to go to a mainstream school and try to make it on his own. I did like Will, and I do get that he gets tired of his mum. But at the same time I really understood the mum, she just wants what is best for him. She wants to be in the office when he talks medical issues, I mean I would want to be there, even if my kid wasn't blind. So this time I did connect wit the mum. I got it. 

I can not know for sure since I am not blind, but it did feel like the author did his homework. Many think they know what is best, or how to help someone who is blind. But Will in his inner voice shoots down all those things people think they know. And how people often just make it worse. There were many aha moments. Cos how could someone who is blind understand depth? And so many other things.

Will gets friends, meets a girl and thinks about having an operation that might give him sight.

But, there was this one thing that bothered me and since it is in the blurb you have guessed it. How can he be upset cos someone did not tell him about their "defect". I mean whatever man, maybe you are ugly too! But at the same time, it is written well so I forgive him.

A good story that gave me lots to think about

Narrator Pat Young

I have the most boring things to say, I always say the same thing. He did a good job...well he did do a good job!

Audio Discussion: When Dimple met Rishi

Hello all! Carole and I will be discussing "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon. I am in orange and Carole in red. 

Author: Sandhya Menon
Title: When Dimple Met Rishi
Genre: YA & Romance
Pages: audiobook
Published: May 30th 2017
Where I Got It: My Shelf (Freebie)

Dimple Shah has it all figured out. With graduation behind her, she’s more than ready for a break from her family, from Mamma’s inexplicable obsession with her finding the “Ideal Indian Husband.” Ugh. Dimple knows they must respect her principles on some level, though. If they truly believed she needed a husband right now, they wouldn’t have paid for her to attend a summer program for aspiring web developers…right?

Rishi Patel is a hopeless romantic. So when his parents tell him that his future wife will be attending the same summer program as him—wherein he’ll have to woo her—he’s totally on board. Because as silly as it sounds to most people in his life, Rishi wants to be arranged, believes in the power of tradition, stability, and being a part of something much bigger than himself.

The Shahs and Patels didn’t mean to start turning the wheels on this “suggested arrangement” so early in their children’s lives, but when they noticed them both gravitate toward the same summer program, they figured, Why not?

Dimple and Rishi may think they have each other figured out. But when opposites clash, love works hard to prove itself in the most unexpected ways.

Look, for June is Audiobook month Carole and I will try our first Audiobook together! We chose this one cos I had heard great things about it. And yes, it was actually that good too, at least I thought so ;)

Happy Audiobook month! And yes! I enjoyed it a lot!! Good pick ;)

We did good for once, phew! I guess this was the only good book this year then. WHat should we discuss first?

Yess the first really good one of the year so far and we are in June! WOAH! But let us see….let’s start with the narrators. We had two of them. One for Dimple’s POV and one for the cutest guy “alive”. I adored the narrators. What did you think?

Obviously I am not the person to ask, I have the BIGGEST voice crush on Vikas Adam *happy sigh* I kind of wanna make babies with his voice. There I said it. I love his voice. Love love love love it. Hihi. Ok yes I am smitten. So yes he was good, ahem.

*serious face* The other narrator whom I can not even recall the name of, sorry! But Vikas! Was good too.

Omg yes. His voice was beautiful and smexy. Hehe. He really was the best pic for our male hero. His girl voice made me chuckle though. 

I thought the same when I listened to a certain other series he narrated, and then I got used to it, but yes they are still amusing ;) I did like that they did it this way. Cos it really was HIS and HERS pov so they could not have done it any other way.

Agreed. I must listen to more by both of them. They really brought the characters alive! I did not feel like I was listening to an audiobook. It felt like I was listening to a show. So good, so good.

Then we both agree, great narration :) And sure, maybe I would have liked it as much if I read it, or maybe I would not have. I feel like the narration pushed it for me to great.

Yes. The story was good, but I feel the narration gave it an extra star for me. The story was good from page one. Those darn parents ;) I felt bad for Dimple, but she made me mad being all mean to Rishi!!!! HE IS AN ANGEL YOU WICKED WOMAN! *shakes fist*

I did wanna slap her at the end. Rishi loves you you stupid idiot! *shakes fist too* But I did like her parents, sure, it was not cool what they did, but they would never have forced her. They just tried to nudge her and it gave us the BEST opening. Omg I snorted when they met.

I did fall for her parents and especially her dad. They are just trying to help wicked Dimple. It was rude not to tell her, but they know she would’ve just said forget it. And yes, that meeting was the best in romance history. And he still wanted to stick around!!!???? Love him.

Oh yes, adore him! If I had met a Rishi, awww, a cute nerd! Gold! He tried so hard, gotta love him. I liked how he loved his own culture.

Yes, I liked that too. They are sooooo different, but so similar that they are the perfect couple. What did you think of his brother and Dimple’s roomie?

I was not sure about him at start, but then we saw this other side to him and I got him. The roomie, well I wanted to kick her too. Stupid idiot. But then I forgave her.

Agreed. A part of me thought the brother was going to fall for Dimple and Rishi would have to kick his little butt. Hehe. But yes, the roomie was sweet but blinded by lust for the “cool” kids. Sighs. Poor girl.

I did love how they called them Aberzombies (the bad peeps in the story). Hehe, cos they so were! Ugh, I hated them

Me too. They made good “baddies” though. I was hoping one of them who seemed to be not TOO bad would change sides and lead the charge against them. Not real life though. WHICH I must say...the author did a good job keeping this realistic. All the awkward 18 year old moments and dramas that seem so serious but isn’t.

It did give good normal drama. I got why the roomie wanted to be cool. It was all well written and felt real.

Yes, I understand her wanting to be friends with them. Things change out of High School...but at the same time they don’t.

I am stuck now, nothing more to say, ugh, think think…..heeeeelp!

Ooo. I was reading some reviews on Goodreads. There were some complaints about how people felt that the author didn’t spend enough time with the app and their development about it. They complained that the author glossed over it just to get to the romance parts. What do you feel? I felt it was well balanced and I came to read a romance...not a story about how to code an app….

They did not spent a lot of time on the app no, I mean they did, but not in the story. Though would we really want page after page about coding? I was fine with the romance. They still talked about it.

Yes, there was a good balance. The author would spend a couple of pages throughout the book about their class and app and whatnot. Also, this is a YA, but it never felt YA.

I guess it is NA *eyeroll* I just do not get NA! Sorry NA lovers. The edges tend to be so blurry there.

NA?

New adult. Out of HS and in the world. Which they were, but it still could be YA. But not really adult.

Ahhh I am so out of the loop sometimes...I swear I live in a cave. Hehe. But yeah...IDK. It was a good story. The ending had me mad...and then happy...but then mad again because I WANT MORE! I want a short story or maybe Rishi’s bro’s story. That would be fun.

Same. MAD, and then happy. A story about his brother, hmmm, dunno, since we know things that might happen. No surprise there for me.

I am just curious how the bro’s chica (will not give spoilers here) will fit in. I am curious about that aspect mainly. She is not someone the parent’s would’ve picked for him.

True, but then he is not really the “perfect” son either so maybe they are lenient. But yes in that way it would be interesting. But you know we would just get mad if they did not like her. Cos they like each other and they are happy so they should be happy.

I agree. I think the parents will like her after a couple of meetings...but the rest of the family? That will be a bumpy ride. Even a short story will settle my curiosity for sure.

Narrated by Vikas then sure ;)

It better be! He can play the brother. Or just do the whole narration. Haha. I would be fine with that.

Yes! Lol, are we done? Next book will suck for sure now

Don’t say thatttt!!!!!!! LOL! But yes, this was a good one and I am happy our first audiobook discussion ended well.

Yay, yes I am glad it worked out.

The end?

The end, Kaj is looking at me with narrow eyes cos he has waited for us to go grocery shopping. He skipped Coffee for it ;)

Hehehe sorrrrrrrrryyyyyy Kaj! *sips on my own coffee*

Running now, byeeeee

Byezzz

About the Authors

Carole and Blodeuedd have been blogging a long while now. The last couple of years the epic duo have been discussing books, watching movies, and even wetting the pen and sharing their stories with the worldwide web. They both love cats, chocolate, and a good story.