Lila

Very interesting fictionalized history of two famous beauty icons

Reviewed: 06-10-24

The narrator is extremely talented. She can do various accents and differentiate between numerous characters. Perfect diction, pacing, inflections.

The novel was a times a bit wearing due to the very lengthy entity between the two main characters over decades. But it was always interesting and included many Scenes in which the lives and the businesses evolved and developed over many years.

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Did not get past chapter 2

Reviewed: 01-02-24

Sorry, but I disagree with the reviews. The narrators in chapter 1 had voices so grating. The main male character,mbynchapter 2, was so annoying in his behaviors that I decided I wouldn’t force myself to endure the whole audiobook.

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A very engaging story, excellent narrator

Reviewed: 01-02-24

This novel has real substance. It didn’t feel like a “cozy” all sweetness and light. It was clever and insightful. The narrator did an excellent job of adopting different voices for the main characters. Hope offers motivation for those struggling with challenges and regrets. Highly recommend.

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Frequent profanity, self-obsessed main characters

Reviewed: 04-29-23

I tried 2 separate times to listen to this book. Both times I gave up after a few chapters. I was definitely turned off in the first chapter when the main male character lets loose with frequent gratuitous use of the f-word…. And goes on to insist that due to his goals and self-chosen workload, women are only useful as f*** buddies. Disgusting and misogynistic. Interesting that the audible samples don’t contain that profanity — I feel misled.

The main female character is a well-meaning person but expresses herself as someone with superior knowledge who is qualified to guide others on their sex lives. She comes across as arrogant and self-absorbed like the lead male character.

The male narrator is quite good and I’ve listened to his narrations before. The female narrator is new to me. To me, when she speaks to others it is speedily narrated with histrionic tones and a level of high urgency - repeatedly. As the chapters unfold, this is grating to the listener.

I gave up after investing enough time, twice, to give it a chance and “get my money’s worth”. Too unpleasant. I cannot return the book because I purchased it for $$ not a credit (Audible’s new policy).

Interesting that the full 5 star reviews that appear at the top of the review list for this book title are all from individuals who received it for free.

To me, this audiobook is definitely not worth a credit. My aim here is to share my reactions with others who may not want to listen to frequent unprovoked profanity or prefer main characters they can support and respect.

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Narrator so annoying i could not finish

Reviewed: 02-25-23

I was happy with her first novel so i easily used a credit in this audiobook. However, the sound sample was not long enough to reveal this narrator’s habits.

She over-emotes sentence after sentence. About every 2-3 sentences is articulated using sarcasm. It exhausts me to listen to the constant strident tones and over-acted negativity.

I gave up by chapter 3- just can’t force myself to finish this one.

Can’t really comment on the novel as a whole.

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Main character can’t cope, denies reality

Reviewed: 01-29-23

Could not finish this one. I can’t fathom how the book review could describe this as a “light as air” romance. The main charcter Marnie ignores reality and makes one bad decision after another. And it just continues, chapter after chapter, on and on. I can ‘t fathom how she persists in ignoring what’s really happening and seems so disconnected - like she’s living in her imagination of what her life should be rather than what it really is. It was too frustrating reading chapter after chapter while she allows others to mistreat her emotionally. I found it self-punishing to keep trying to slog through it.

Narrators were experienced and effective, although it was annoying that the main character lapses sometimes into a fake Southern accent. Do not recommend using a credit or $$ to purchase, The book is available on Kindle Unlimited but I am returning it before finishing. Not an uplifting or enjoyable experience.

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Descriptions of torture too graphic for me

Reviewed: 10-13-22

Could not finish - I’ll be sending this for return. Book description sounded more like a cozy mystery so I thought this one would be within my limits. But I can’t listen to numerous flashbacks and descriptions of torture on young teen girls. Narrator was decent, although silences between characters’ dialog are long and makes audible dialog choppy.

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So-o-o slow and drawn out

Reviewed: 02-24-22

The narrators were pleasant and effective and I’d enjoy hearing them again in a different novel. I skimmed along and barely finished this one. It was so slow, very little happened per hour of listening, and full of time-consuming flashbacks on their earlier partnership. I just wanted it to be over. I really don’t like audiobooks filled with lengthy flashbacks- so tediou in the audible format.

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Predictable pleasant story

Reviewed: 02-27-21

The female narrator was pretty bad - robotic phrasing and cadence. Male narrator was excellent. Storyline was predictable and a little ridiculous at times. Overall, this should be in the Plus catalog - it is not worth a credit or full price.

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Storyline interesting, narration really bad

Reviewed: 10-20-20

I did not finish this audiobook - got thru 2-3 chapters and found the style of narration to be so annoying that I couldn’t continue. I’ve not encountered this narrator before and would avoid her in the future. Tone of voice, changes of pitch, just not really professional or pleasant.

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