Brendan horn

The audio is a little weird.

Reviewed: 06-25-24

There were some points where lines repeat like multiple takes were left in. And in the final "time jump" chapter one of the characters names seemed to have changed from Brook to Melanie, so when that chapter started it was very confusing and made it seem like Krista and Brook broke up somewhere in the time jump and Krista was with someone new. And the time jump was confusing because the chapter is called "3 Years Later" the narrator clearly says "18 Years Later" (which is very confusing when Krista and Brook/Melanie's 18 year old Grandson is being introduced) then Krista and Brook/Melanie talk about how it's been 50 years.
And no disrespect to the narrator she seemed to do a fine job, but she seems an odd choice to voice characters who are primarily in their 40's and 50's, because she sounds much younger. For all I know she just has a young voice and is 40 or 50 herself. She just didn't really sound like it.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Wow.

Reviewed: 06-04-24

I am kinda stunned at how wonderful the communication between the two main characters is. Even if there is a miscommunication, it is almost immediately dealt with. And the honesty both showed towards each other as the relationship developed was incredible. They actually talk honestly about the feelings and fears they have about each other and whats growing between them and it kinda blows my mind. And definetly a HEA guaranteed. This is the first book I've gotten from the author and narrator and Im definitely coming back for more.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Britton may be my favorite character ever.

Reviewed: 05-07-24

I love this book. This may be the best thing I've read all year. The narrator's performance was amazing and I'm definitely gonna find more of her work. I love these characters, I love found the family dynamics, I love that the relationship once started stayed steady and solid with only small understandable and believable hiccups that made sense and didnt overly frustrate me.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Well it made me cry at work, so good job.

Reviewed: 12-03-23

Ive read several of Ashley Herring Blake's adult centered books, so this one has been on my radar for a while. Now that Ive finally given in and listened to this one Im kicking myself for waiting so long.
Im having funimagining a companion book or novella that covers the adult characters perspectives in this story.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Sometimes its nice for the stakes to be low...

Reviewed: 10-17-23

I've dropped a few books recently for being too fraught and angsty, So its nice to find a story that while it still has serious moments and moments of conflict between Elsie and Jones, it never strays too deep into it them before coming back. I'm also tired of formulaic "2nd act break up/3rd act make up" story beats. So whenever I find a book or an author who manages to write a story Im very happy.
Do I even need to say that Abby Craden is amazing? Because she is.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Im very pleased.

Reviewed: 10-08-23

This book was a really enjoyable experience. it has a really good balance of lighthearted and playful comedy, romance, and just enough drama to keep things interesting but never goes full bleak. i quite enjoyed it, and the ending was exactly what I had been hoping for.


The only quibble is that I know of a particularly important historical event that also kicked off in June of 1812, involving Britain and America, which I was kinda holding my breathe for through most of the book, waiting to see if it would be addressed, but I understand that the timeframe might allow for all the events of the book to take place without the news of that particular event having reached the area of Britain the book is set in. But it was always on my mind, so fellow history buffs beware, there wont even be a reference to the War of 1812.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

One of my favorites now

Reviewed: 09-09-23

Any time a book doesnt do the "2nd act break up/third act reconciliation" trope, they instantly become one of my favorites. Mad at myself for not giving this book a try sooner, its been floating around in my recommended for a while.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Was a little tough to get through, but I am glad

Reviewed: 08-27-23

I finished it. I had to take multiple day long breaks through the middle of the story. I would get so worked up at Sana's friends being so pushy about certain aspects of her love life and weirdly dismissive of her sexuality. It feels gross to hear anyone say things along the lines of "Maybe you only think you're gay because you haven't been with the right man." I would
get even more worked up at Sana's giving in to the weird pushiness and making very obvious bad decisions.

I was pleasantly surprised by the direction the story took with Sana's conflict with her parents. It was a genuinely pleasant surprise how it all worked out.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A fun little lesbian romance with some heartbreak

Reviewed: 08-23-23

and healing.
I enjoyed the banter between the leads a lot. They have that "old married couple" vibe of constantly bickering and teasing each other, but also getting more and more caring towards each other as they progress.
There are some dark spots, too. Shani has a lot of self hate and shame to work through, and goes a good chunk of the story being super down on herself, even about really terrible thing that other people have down to her that were in no way her own fault.
But the story isnt all doom and gloom and there is a pretty sweet resolution so dont worry to much about a depressing ending.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Not a fantasy story...

Reviewed: 08-15-23

I went into this book kinda expecting a fantasy element to it. It's tagged as ¤"Sword and Sorcery" in the description, after all. But it's not that kind of story where a plucky outcast discovers her hidden magic power and fights the forces of darkness, using fireballs or lightning bolts. If there is actual magic occurring, it's up to the reader/listener's interpretation. Its really a story about a brokenhearted girl who made a bunch of mistakes and was hurt by the girl she loved, learning to let go of that hurt and self hate and let her love herself and someone else again.


It was a little painful to listen to some parts as she recounted her downward spiral and eventual crash. As a listener, you can see the crash coming and know its nots going to be fun, and its a little hard not to get mad at the character for not being able to see it too, not see how the decisions she is making can only end badly. But you also have to remember she's a lonely 17yo who fell in love for the first time and who felt like nothing would ever be good again if she couldn't hold on to that love.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful