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jenbsbooks's Reviews (2.41k)
I found a physical copy of this book, well, it was called Merry Alaska and included TWO short stories, the first one being the one in the blurb here. The kindle copy was included in KU. No audio available. I'll admit, I only read the first one (so this one here on Storygraph works for my records). A little too "cutesy" and unbelievable for me.
3rd person/past tense, the 14 chapters switched between Leah and Ben, both spending the holiday in remote (but close to each other) cabins in Alaska. Leah is actually moving in, making it a permanent home, Ben is in-between situations. I didn't quite get why Ben automatically assumed someone had broken into the cabin next door, rather than to more logical "maybe the owners decided to come" ... I felt like the stress over the kitten, escaped outside for 15min, was an overreaction "could she have hypothermia? I know I have to be careful about giving her something hot to drink because that can be a shock to the system, at least in humans. I feel helpless!"
The "oh he's cute/she's cute but NO relationship" was a little annoying, especially as that was obviously where this was headed. A little too much, the setting up of the picture perfect Christmas scenes (was this for an article for NEXT Christmas? Are magazines really a full year out in advance?) Ben thinking he'd go from a manager to buying a hotel for multi-millions (just get some investors) ... it just felt like a bit of a leap to me.
The epilogue ... such the stereotypical "one year later, they are married and have a baby" ... and Cocoa jumped up on a counter and Leah picked HIM up and set HIM on the floor, after getting HER a treat. Um, how did the author make that mistake (Cocoa was a girl the whole book) and how did it get missed in editing, or did the "bonus epilogue" just get hurriedly jotted off without anyone proofreading it?
3rd person/past tense, the 14 chapters switched between Leah and Ben, both spending the holiday in remote (but close to each other) cabins in Alaska. Leah is actually moving in, making it a permanent home, Ben is in-between situations. I didn't quite get why Ben automatically assumed someone had broken into the cabin next door, rather than to more logical "maybe the owners decided to come" ... I felt like the stress over the kitten, escaped outside for 15min, was an overreaction "could she have hypothermia? I know I have to be careful about giving her something hot to drink because that can be a shock to the system, at least in humans. I feel helpless!"
The "oh he's cute/she's cute but NO relationship" was a little annoying, especially as that was obviously where this was headed. A little too much, the setting up of the picture perfect Christmas scenes (was this for an article for NEXT Christmas? Are magazines really a full year out in advance?) Ben thinking he'd go from a manager to buying a hotel for multi-millions (just get some investors) ... it just felt like a bit of a leap to me.
The epilogue ... such the stereotypical "one year later, they are married and have a baby" ... and Cocoa jumped up on a counter and Leah picked HIM up and set HIM on the floor, after getting HER a treat. Um, how did the author make that mistake (Cocoa was a girl the whole book) and how did it get missed in editing, or did the "bonus epilogue" just get hurriedly jotted off without anyone proofreading it?
Book 1 ... 3.5 stars. My favorite of the three. The text was included in KindleUnlimited, the audio in AudiblePlus. This was a quick little read/listen (I went primarily with the audio). A little beyond Hallmark (proFanity x 24 and some steaminess). Not overly Christmas, the season just played a small part (it could have been set at another time of hear without losing much). Pretty much insta-love, although it was a slight re-connection (they knew each other slightly in high school, she'd crushed on him). Things went pretty "easy" ... Natalie winning over Violet so quickly (32 failed in one year), the attraction between Natalie and Maddox, working things out. Really wrapped up in the epilogue (one year later).
12 chapters plus an epilogue ... the POV switched between the two MCs, Natalie and Maddox. In audio, the POV was listed in the Table of Contents (I appreciate that ... I don't know why they didn't include it in the Kindle copy).
AND ... I while I didn't originally plan too, I went ahead and finished the other two in the series. They were both, ahem, "spicier" than the first, past my comfort zone for enjoyment. I'm a little more of a closed door romance in books. The 2nd and 3rd books had stuff/words that I'd be embarrassed to even document in my review.
Book 2 ... the title (Three Bells, Two Bows and One Brother's Best Friend) was too long and over the top and not worth all the words. I actually really enjoyed Stella's unique phrases (tomato/potato, hit the straw, costing a hand and a foot, disagree to agree). We'd already seen one scene between Heath and Stella doing a little more than making out at the Christmas Eve party in Book1. I got frustrated with the "relationship" and them (or Heath) hiding it, even though there was some logic, but he came off badly (I once had to "hide" when a girl came to drop something off to my boyfriend, he didn't want her to feel bad ... ) I liked the closer look at the homebuilding business (my Hubs works in it as well). 3*
Book 3 ... here, the title (A Partridge and a Pregnancy) was tied into the story. Again, we were already somewhat familiar with the situation (Tobias telling Maddox that Ava was pregnant and going to move away) as it had been said in Book1. Again, the Holiday brother doesn't come off that great, but still gets the girl in the end. 3*
All three relationships/romances result in marriage and a baby.
The whole "Holiday" brothers was kindof a cute way to tie it into the season.
Just an easy/no-brainer book ... which is actually why I ended up continuing on. I'd started another book and was struggling a bit, needed to re-read to understand before finishing, so I switched back to this series as I had it on hand.
12 chapters plus an epilogue ... the POV switched between the two MCs, Natalie and Maddox. In audio, the POV was listed in the Table of Contents (I appreciate that ... I don't know why they didn't include it in the Kindle copy).
AND ... I while I didn't originally plan too, I went ahead and finished the other two in the series. They were both, ahem, "spicier" than the first, past my comfort zone for enjoyment. I'm a little more of a closed door romance in books. The 2nd and 3rd books had stuff/words that I'd be embarrassed to even document in my review.
Book 2 ... the title (Three Bells, Two Bows and One Brother's Best Friend) was too long and over the top and not worth all the words. I actually really enjoyed Stella's unique phrases (tomato/potato, hit the straw, costing a hand and a foot, disagree to agree). We'd already seen one scene between Heath and Stella doing a little more than making out at the Christmas Eve party in Book1. I got frustrated with the "relationship" and them (or Heath) hiding it, even though there was some logic, but he came off badly (I once had to "hide" when a girl came to drop something off to my boyfriend, he didn't want her to feel bad ... ) I liked the closer look at the homebuilding business (my Hubs works in it as well). 3*
Book 3 ... here, the title (A Partridge and a Pregnancy) was tied into the story. Again, we were already somewhat familiar with the situation (Tobias telling Maddox that Ava was pregnant and going to move away) as it had been said in Book1. Again, the Holiday brother doesn't come off that great, but still gets the girl in the end. 3*
All three relationships/romances result in marriage and a baby.
The whole "Holiday" brothers was kindof a cute way to tie it into the season.
Just an easy/no-brainer book ... which is actually why I ended up continuing on. I'd started another book and was struggling a bit, needed to re-read to understand before finishing, so I switched back to this series as I had it on hand.
I happened upon this one while browsing Audible ... it had high reviews, and was narrated by Julia Whelan. It isn't one carried by the library. The text is included in KindleUnlimited, and when I had that for a month, and this was on sale again, I decided to give it a go.
Lots of violence (to people and animals) as I'm sure was the case back in the day. Even more than Follow the River, which also starts with an Indian attack and has white captives. Here, the story is more on Jane, who survives the attack and is determined to avenge her family and rescue her little sister. She dresses as a boy. There is a character nicknamed Shakespeare, who quotes the bard, and tells the others the story of Twelfth Night ... where a girl pretends to be a boy. There are a few sticky situations (one of the fellows takes the MC to visit the "soiled doves" to get that experience).
While the story kept my attention, I wasn't overly pulled in ... until closer to the end. Then I had a bit of an emotional gut punch. I don't know that it's one I'd really recommend, maybe only to someone who wanted a western and could deal with the violence (also proFanity x 21 and some sex). Nothing really that I felt like highlighting. I feel like if this was for book club, or even if there were some discussion questions included, I might delve a little deeper, but none were included and I couldn't find any online with a quick Google search. There is a sequel, but I don't think I'll continue on.
Lots of violence (to people and animals) as I'm sure was the case back in the day. Even more than Follow the River, which also starts with an Indian attack and has white captives. Here, the story is more on Jane, who survives the attack and is determined to avenge her family and rescue her little sister. She dresses as a boy. There is a character nicknamed Shakespeare, who quotes the bard, and tells the others the story of Twelfth Night ... where a girl pretends to be a boy. There are a few sticky situations (one of the fellows takes the MC to visit the "soiled doves" to get that experience).
While the story kept my attention, I wasn't overly pulled in ... until closer to the end. Then I had a bit of an emotional gut punch. I don't know that it's one I'd really recommend, maybe only to someone who wanted a western and could deal with the violence (also proFanity x 21 and some sex). Nothing really that I felt like highlighting. I feel like if this was for book club, or even if there were some discussion questions included, I might delve a little deeper, but none were included and I couldn't find any online with a quick Google search. There is a sequel, but I don't think I'll continue on.
This was cute enough. Very Hallmark. 3.5 stars. Not really "Christmas" ... I mean, the MC is purposely getting away at Christmas so she doesn't have to spend it with family, and there is the Christmas decor/parties, but I felt like the whole story could have taken place without Christmas being center stage. So the title/tagline(s), even the picture, just didn't really match? The "It's a match made in heaven ... almost?" really has nothing at all to do with the story, and the "An Utterly Perfect Christmas Romantic Comedy" (on Amazon/Kindle copy) ... blech.
I was a bit confused at the beginning of the book, when it talked about Cassie looking at her wedding video. We/the reader, know SOMETHING happened. There's no mention of a husband currently. Did he die? Oh, he stood her up at the altar. Even though it was addressed fairly quickly, it still took too long in my opinion. And just like Christmas, doesn't really have much to do with THIS part of the story (her moving on, choosing between two guys).
There was the dreaded "love triangle" ... both guys were nice guys, and I honestly wasn't sure which one was the "match made in heaven" that the cover touted. While they were both very likeable, I didn't feel a super strong pull towards either.
This had the stereotypical "outsider comes in and saves the town" scenario ...
1st person/Present tense. Simple/straightforward chronological setup ...
Cute and Clean. The text was included in Kindle Unlimited (paid for one month for December) and the audio was on Hoopla.
I was a bit confused at the beginning of the book, when it talked about Cassie looking at her wedding video. We/the reader, know SOMETHING happened. There's no mention of a husband currently. Did he die? Oh, he stood her up at the altar. Even though it was addressed fairly quickly, it still took too long in my opinion. And just like Christmas, doesn't really have much to do with THIS part of the story (her moving on, choosing between two guys).
There was the dreaded "love triangle" ... both guys were nice guys, and I honestly wasn't sure which one was the "match made in heaven" that the cover touted. While they were both very likeable, I didn't feel a super strong pull towards either.
This had the stereotypical "outsider comes in and saves the town" scenario ...
1st person/Present tense. Simple/straightforward chronological setup ...
Cute and Clean. The text was included in Kindle Unlimited (paid for one month for December) and the audio was on Hoopla.
While I generally enjoy spy thrillers when watching a TV series or movie ... it's not one of my usual genres for reading. With a one-month KU membership, I thought I'd try to branch out a bit. This was read and listen, and I went primarily with audio, although I did need to refer to the text ... so many characters, I got a little lost! I literally had to take some notes. Sometimes with names, I struggle to remember, and just recall "it started with A" or a vowel, which wasn't as helpful here as we had Aldreich, Edgar Augustin, Ambassador Eichberg, Elias and Amirouch.
Caspian was the MC ... ish. Really, it felt like Edgar got about as much POV time (all 3rd person/past tense). He is a assassin/spy, like Caspian, but different bosses (same target though). While I pushed through and finished, I still don't know that I'm 100% on who worked with/for who and what exactly happened. Lots of cross-over connections.
While the blurb mentions a Mr. and Mrs. Smith feel ... that's NOT 90% of the book. That only comes into play the last little bit. No headers in the Table of Contents (just the basic chronological chapter listing). Locations were given at the start of each chapter (I thought POV would have been more helpful). Zermatt/Switzerland is where the first nine chapters take place, switching focus between Caspian, Edgar & Eichberg (& Aldreich as the target). Chapter 10 shifts to New York, and Liesel (who has only been referenced as Caspian's girlfriend thus far) and Ch11 is back to Switzerland, Ch12 New York, Ch13/14 Switzerland, Ch 15 New York. It was a while before the two storylines combined.
This seemed very ... "man written" (I know that's a stereotype that isn't really true) ... just all action, fact, not much descriptive language. I felt disconnected the entire time. Never really pulled in, didn't care about the characters or what was happening.
So ... eh ... I didn't love it, I won't be continuing on with the series.
Profanity x22
Caspian was the MC ... ish. Really, it felt like Edgar got about as much POV time (all 3rd person/past tense). He is a assassin/spy, like Caspian, but different bosses (same target though). While I pushed through and finished, I still don't know that I'm 100% on who worked with/for who and what exactly happened. Lots of cross-over connections.
While the blurb mentions a Mr. and Mrs. Smith feel ... that's NOT 90% of the book. That only comes into play the last little bit. No headers in the Table of Contents (just the basic chronological chapter listing). Locations were given at the start of each chapter (I thought POV would have been more helpful). Zermatt/Switzerland is where the first nine chapters take place, switching focus between Caspian, Edgar & Eichberg (& Aldreich as the target). Chapter 10 shifts to New York, and Liesel (who has only been referenced as Caspian's girlfriend thus far) and Ch11 is back to Switzerland, Ch12 New York, Ch13/14 Switzerland, Ch 15 New York. It was a while before the two storylines combined.
This seemed very ... "man written" (I know that's a stereotype that isn't really true) ... just all action, fact, not much descriptive language. I felt disconnected the entire time. Never really pulled in, didn't care about the characters or what was happening.
So ... eh ... I didn't love it, I won't be continuing on with the series.
Profanity x22
This had high reviews, and I had it marked to read if I subscribed to Kindle Unlimited again ... I got a KU subscription (just for a month), and Hoopla has the audio. I liked this a lot, and it would be a good bookclub book (there were some included questions at the end)//lots of issues, and lots of books mentioned.
It felt a little TOO much, trying to have our MC recognize "privilege" and the acceptance of others, just the slightest bit preachy. Sally (the mother) seemed a bit too perfect (although her daughter sure didn't see it).
There were 44 chapters, plus a prologue and epilogue. Within the book, the chapters were clearly marked with the POV and timeframe. In the audio Table of Contents, the POV was listed (which was appreciated) ... nothing in the Kindle copy, just the chronological chapter list. As a reader, I like to look at the TOC and see the POV if it's changing, so I felt the Kindle TOC was lacking. I didn't have a physical copy ... probably NO TOC at all, per usual publishing standards today. Here, it's dominantly Ella, with just a few from Sally. Sally's are from various times in the past, while Ella's are all "now". All 3rd person/Past tense. Two different narrators in audio (which was appreciated, I needed that voice distinction, even with 3rd person).
Personal connections ... even with the separation between mother and daughter, there was a time when Ella was thinking "when was the last time I called my mom? It's been 13 days ..." So ... BAD daughter, I rarely(almost never) call my mom. I'm just not a phone person. I'll text and email. I'm also not good at visiting (there are some driving issues too) but ... it does make me feel bad. Another funny connection as Ella looks at her mother's phone "The phone must have been at least five years old. It still had the button at the bottom for fingerprint" um ... I still have that OLD phone myself!
ProFanity x 4 ...
In the Kindle copy, it has a little line after the title ... The Memory Library: A Brand New, Must-Read Novel of Family, Friendship and the Power of Storytelling to Leave You Feeling Hopeful and Inspired in 2024...
Blech ... that might have turned me off. I don't like when there is a tagline to the title. If it's part of the blurb, or a shoutout from an author/publication, okay, but when it's stuck there like it's part of the title, I feel like that's a cry for attention and I HATE it. This also had a "Note to Readers" about accessibility features ... ??? That was a basic "ereaders can do these things" and wasn't anything about THIS book. I found it strange.
It felt a little TOO much, trying to have our MC recognize "privilege" and the acceptance of others, just the slightest bit preachy. Sally (the mother) seemed a bit too perfect (although her daughter sure didn't see it).
There were 44 chapters, plus a prologue and epilogue. Within the book, the chapters were clearly marked with the POV and timeframe. In the audio Table of Contents, the POV was listed (which was appreciated) ... nothing in the Kindle copy, just the chronological chapter list. As a reader, I like to look at the TOC and see the POV if it's changing, so I felt the Kindle TOC was lacking. I didn't have a physical copy ... probably NO TOC at all, per usual publishing standards today. Here, it's dominantly Ella, with just a few from Sally. Sally's are from various times in the past, while Ella's are all "now". All 3rd person/Past tense. Two different narrators in audio (which was appreciated, I needed that voice distinction, even with 3rd person).
Personal connections ... even with the separation between mother and daughter, there was a time when Ella was thinking "when was the last time I called my mom? It's been 13 days ..." So ... BAD daughter, I rarely(almost never) call my mom. I'm just not a phone person. I'll text and email. I'm also not good at visiting (there are some driving issues too) but ... it does make me feel bad. Another funny connection as Ella looks at her mother's phone "The phone must have been at least five years old. It still had the button at the bottom for fingerprint" um ... I still have that OLD phone myself!
ProFanity x 4 ...
In the Kindle copy, it has a little line after the title ... The Memory Library: A Brand New, Must-Read Novel of Family, Friendship and the Power of Storytelling to Leave You Feeling Hopeful and Inspired in 2024...
Blech ... that might have turned me off. I don't like when there is a tagline to the title. If it's part of the blurb, or a shoutout from an author/publication, okay, but when it's stuck there like it's part of the title, I feel like that's a cry for attention and I HATE it. This also had a "Note to Readers" about accessibility features ... ??? That was a basic "ereaders can do these things" and wasn't anything about THIS book. I found it strange.
A cute and quick little novella, included in KU, read and listen. The audio was fun with the accents. I'm NOT a big Brigadoon gal, just familiar enough to recognize the similarities here.
The original setting is contemporary, (first person/past tense) with our MC making a trip to Scotland ... dying mother's wish, her brother had disappeared years before. Even the MC says "I seriously doubted I'd be able to find any clues ..." ya think? A 20 year cold case that the police couldn't solve? This memory/conversation with mom also sets up the insta-love, because the MC's mom&dad had insta "You fell into a pool at a party and he rescued you and it was love at first sight." "Even though we'd never met, it was if I'd always known him. Like we'd been in love in some other life ..."
So - in Scotland, lost in a snowstorm, MC is saved by a guy, the most incredible-looking man, something familiar, as if she'd always known him ... he happens to be a Scottish lord, in a mysterious/magic time-slowed town in 1647. Like the town in Brigadoon, the town only appears to the "real/contemporary" world occasionally. The town is very aware the world goes on without them, they even "trade" (silver coins for modern conveniences with descendants in the outside world). Life goes on for them between appearances, just a lot slower.
SPOILERS now ...
So low and behold, our MC does find out what happened to her uncle who disappeared! He's at the castle! He's still just in his 20s as it's only been a couple years for him. He's happy and getting married. Of course, the MC and Duncan (her rescuer, the Lord) are in insta-love, but she can't stay, as she can't disappear on her mom, and Duncan can't leave, as the place depends on him. So how can this be a HAE? It is solved a little too easily. Maren goes back, tells her mom about her brother. Mom dies. Maren decides she'll try to go back and hope the castle appears ... and it does (even though it's just been a year for her, and often the castle would go hundreds of years between appearances. It's only been five days for Duncan.) In the epilogue, we get a peek at the future. Maren and Duncan are married with a little boy and another about to pop, when a new visitor arrives. It's Maren's best friend's son, now grown up (so 20+ years have passed on the outside), so some fun closure for both those characters.
I don't know that I'd heard that Christmas had been outlawed in Scotland in 1640 and that ban lasted until 1958. It's the reason behind the "magic" castle disappearing, to protect them and their Christmas celebrations. Ironically, turned on a random Hallmark-Christmas movie "A Merry Scottish Christmas" and ... there this "law" was pointed out. I enjoy serendipitous connections like that ...
Our MC is also in veterinary school, so had a couple "All Creatures Great and Small" moments. I had JUST read a sci-fi, not time travel, but again, someone with contemporary knowledge in a "past" time, introducing that knowledge (a little "Outlander" ... also had that feeling here, and "someone did call me sassenach" ...)
Dais -- pronounced with the I long (98% of the time, "correct" is with long A).
Cute and clean. Really appreciate the cover ... the snowglobe is a perfect representation of the castle caught in its own little space in place and tim
The original setting is contemporary, (first person/past tense) with our MC making a trip to Scotland ... dying mother's wish, her brother had disappeared years before. Even the MC says "I seriously doubted I'd be able to find any clues ..." ya think? A 20 year cold case that the police couldn't solve? This memory/conversation with mom also sets up the insta-love, because the MC's mom&dad had insta "You fell into a pool at a party and he rescued you and it was love at first sight." "Even though we'd never met, it was if I'd always known him. Like we'd been in love in some other life ..."
So - in Scotland, lost in a snowstorm, MC is saved by a guy, the most incredible-looking man, something familiar, as if she'd always known him ... he happens to be a Scottish lord, in a mysterious/magic time-slowed town in 1647. Like the town in Brigadoon, the town only appears to the "real/contemporary" world occasionally. The town is very aware the world goes on without them, they even "trade" (silver coins for modern conveniences with descendants in the outside world). Life goes on for them between appearances, just a lot slower.
SPOILERS now ...
So low and behold, our MC does find out what happened to her uncle who disappeared! He's at the castle! He's still just in his 20s as it's only been a couple years for him. He's happy and getting married. Of course, the MC and Duncan (her rescuer, the Lord) are in insta-love, but she can't stay, as she can't disappear on her mom, and Duncan can't leave, as the place depends on him. So how can this be a HAE? It is solved a little too easily. Maren goes back, tells her mom about her brother. Mom dies. Maren decides she'll try to go back and hope the castle appears ... and it does (even though it's just been a year for her, and often the castle would go hundreds of years between appearances. It's only been five days for Duncan.) In the epilogue, we get a peek at the future. Maren and Duncan are married with a little boy and another about to pop, when a new visitor arrives. It's Maren's best friend's son, now grown up (so 20+ years have passed on the outside), so some fun closure for both those characters.
I don't know that I'd heard that Christmas had been outlawed in Scotland in 1640 and that ban lasted until 1958. It's the reason behind the "magic" castle disappearing, to protect them and their Christmas celebrations. Ironically, turned on a random Hallmark-Christmas movie "A Merry Scottish Christmas" and ... there this "law" was pointed out. I enjoy serendipitous connections like that ...
Our MC is also in veterinary school, so had a couple "All Creatures Great and Small" moments. I had JUST read a sci-fi, not time travel, but again, someone with contemporary knowledge in a "past" time, introducing that knowledge (a little "Outlander" ... also had that feeling here, and "someone did call me sassenach" ...)
Dais -- pronounced with the I long (98% of the time, "correct" is with long A).
Cute and clean. Really appreciate the cover ... the snowglobe is a perfect representation of the castle caught in its own little space in place and tim
I found a physical copy of this book in a Little Free Library and picked it up. Checking online, I saw the reviews were just so so, but that it was included in KindleUnlimited, read and listen. As I'd just signed up for one month of the KU program, and I like to have read books I pass on in my own LFL, and this was short, I figured I'd give it a go.
It felt longer than 200 pages ... it was an ordeal to push through. I was rolling my eyes so much, this was really not good. I kind of liked one final reveal, but that was not enough to save it.
From the prologue scene (I really dislike these little peeks into a future event ... spoiler much?), I guess it's honestly the very end, although it doesn't really line up. The prologue and epilogue are both present tense, Elise POV, 1st person. Most of the other chapters are also Elise's POV, but past tense (still 1st person), with a few chapters here and there from Chantal (the neighbor's) POV, 3rd person. These switches felt SO strange and disjointed.
The whole thing, every character was just a caricature, and "really???" everything, all the action and dialog and unfolding events were so over the top.
Probably should have been a DNF (but then I don't give a rating) ... but it was so short, I figured I'd push through.
Profanity x 11. Another word I noticed was "panoply" (have seen it a couple times before, I like it!). Short but extreme focus on a couple birds (woodpecker and jay) which I probably wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't read [book:The Backyard Bird Chronicles|194803881] recently ... great book!) Also the mention of PNW, Orcas Island specifically (has been a family vacation spot).
I'll put the book back out in the LFL ... maybe someone else will like it?
It felt longer than 200 pages ... it was an ordeal to push through. I was rolling my eyes so much, this was really not good. I kind of liked one final reveal, but that was not enough to save it.
From the prologue scene (I really dislike these little peeks into a future event ... spoiler much?), I guess it's honestly the very end, although it doesn't really line up. The prologue and epilogue are both present tense, Elise POV, 1st person. Most of the other chapters are also Elise's POV, but past tense (still 1st person), with a few chapters here and there from Chantal (the neighbor's) POV, 3rd person. These switches felt SO strange and disjointed.
The whole thing, every character was just a caricature, and "really???" everything, all the action and dialog and unfolding events were so over the top.
Probably should have been a DNF (but then I don't give a rating) ... but it was so short, I figured I'd push through.
Profanity x 11. Another word I noticed was "panoply" (have seen it a couple times before, I like it!). Short but extreme focus on a couple birds (woodpecker and jay) which I probably wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't read [book:The Backyard Bird Chronicles|194803881] recently ... great book!) Also the mention of PNW, Orcas Island specifically (has been a family vacation spot).
I'll put the book back out in the LFL ... maybe someone else will like it?
I signed up for a one-month KindleUnlimited subscription and figured I'd binge as many books as I could. Fairly high ratings, interesting premise ... just the text included in KU, but Audible was having a sale, so I paid $3 or so to add on audio.
As this started up though, I wasn't sure if I'd continue ... a bit of a jumpy start. Begins as the plane is going down, then jumps to a few hours earlier to give the reader background on the MC, then back to the crash, then awakening - survived/saved by aliens who have healed him but won't return him home (it's been a couple Earth years regardless), but instead drop him off on a different planet which is very like Earth, just more 17th century primitive. The conversation between Joseph and the alienAI just felt really stilted and eye rolling.
I did get enough into the story to continue once Joseph was placed on ground ... it had the slightest tinge of "Outlander" with our MC coming "from the future" (even if it isn't really Earth's past) and with knowledge (instead of being a nurse with a medical background, he's a chemist). He's also been "enhanced" by the aliens, so that he can learn the language quickly, has perfect recall of what he learned on Earth, won't get sick, etc. He tentatively starts to contribute based on his knowledge, "inventing" a bunch of things that will help, having all these wonderful ideas ... some suspension of disbelief required here ...
The world was apparently transplanted from Earth, so still humans, many of the same plants/animals, although there are some unique species too. Some things have developed similarly, some differently. Always a bit interesting to see what an author comes up with to differentiate this "other world" ... I think one of the main things that stood out was the "week" ... a "six day" (not seven) so their "years" happen more quickly. There are little communities, a bit of trade, some Viking like invaders, wanting to plunder/rape/kidnap for slaves. While the reader mainly stayed with the MC/Yoseph(Joseph), we'd also get peeks at some others in the community, and the "bad guys" in other lands.
Some different names ... and I can struggle with names in general, often just remembering "it started with C" which wasn't as helpful here with Carnigan, Caedelli, Keelan, Culich, Clengoth, Caernford, Kiltar, Kulvin, Kalcan, Cadwulf. Some other names ... Narthani, Elwin, Lanthan, Selfcell, Preddi, Eyewell, Maera, Luwis, Vortig, Filtin, Willager, Norla, Dyllis, Beynom, Musfar, Shamir, Yorm, Hetman, Dyfeld, Buna, Halla, Sistian, Diera, Vegga, Yonkel ... just to name a few.
Too many times we get the inner commentary of the MCs mind (just a little annoying).
So, I finished, but I don't think I'll continue on with the series (it's totally setting up MC and Maera to get together though, that's feeling obvious!)
ProFanity x8, some sex
Other words: Dais, cacophony, SURREY (boy, I haven't ever heard that one outside of "Oklahoma" and believe me, I started singing "surrey with a fringe on top" ...)
As this started up though, I wasn't sure if I'd continue ... a bit of a jumpy start. Begins as the plane is going down, then jumps to a few hours earlier to give the reader background on the MC, then back to the crash, then awakening - survived/saved by aliens who have healed him but won't return him home (it's been a couple Earth years regardless), but instead drop him off on a different planet which is very like Earth, just more 17th century primitive. The conversation between Joseph and the alienAI just felt really stilted and eye rolling.
I did get enough into the story to continue once Joseph was placed on ground ... it had the slightest tinge of "Outlander" with our MC coming "from the future" (even if it isn't really Earth's past) and with knowledge (instead of being a nurse with a medical background, he's a chemist). He's also been "enhanced" by the aliens, so that he can learn the language quickly, has perfect recall of what he learned on Earth, won't get sick, etc. He tentatively starts to contribute based on his knowledge, "inventing" a bunch of things that will help, having all these wonderful ideas ... some suspension of disbelief required here ...
The world was apparently transplanted from Earth, so still humans, many of the same plants/animals, although there are some unique species too. Some things have developed similarly, some differently. Always a bit interesting to see what an author comes up with to differentiate this "other world" ... I think one of the main things that stood out was the "week" ... a "six day" (not seven) so their "years" happen more quickly. There are little communities, a bit of trade, some Viking like invaders, wanting to plunder/rape/kidnap for slaves. While the reader mainly stayed with the MC/Yoseph(Joseph), we'd also get peeks at some others in the community, and the "bad guys" in other lands.
Some different names ... and I can struggle with names in general, often just remembering "it started with C" which wasn't as helpful here with Carnigan, Caedelli, Keelan, Culich, Clengoth, Caernford, Kiltar, Kulvin, Kalcan, Cadwulf. Some other names ... Narthani, Elwin, Lanthan, Selfcell, Preddi, Eyewell, Maera, Luwis, Vortig, Filtin, Willager, Norla, Dyllis, Beynom, Musfar, Shamir, Yorm, Hetman, Dyfeld, Buna, Halla, Sistian, Diera, Vegga, Yonkel ... just to name a few.
Too many times we get the inner commentary of the MCs mind (just a little annoying).
So, I finished, but I don't think I'll continue on with the series (it's totally setting up MC and Maera to get together though, that's feeling obvious!)
ProFanity x8, some sex
Other words: Dais, cacophony, SURREY (boy, I haven't ever heard that one outside of "Oklahoma" and believe me, I started singing "surrey with a fringe on top" ...)
I've been a fan of the Middle Falls stories ... the "what if" and alternate life plans (also seen in The Midnight Library, Dark Matter, Maybe in Another Life and more). Inmon has made a whole series based on this premise, and it's an easy world to slip back into. On the one hand, it's new characters (although there are some familiar names thrown in here and there), but we know the general idea of what will happen (reliving a life, making different choices), and the Universal Life Center is something readers are familiar with by this point (the "helpers" looking down, resetting things).
Nothing really stands out for me in this one ... it was an easy and quick listen. I borrowed the text copy with KU, and I had purchased the audio during an Audible sale (can't remember the price point).
Some Spoilers ...
Things just seemed a little too ... easy this time? The first few lives Effie lives aren't great. It's not until she's reset even earlier, to change a significant event (the death of her high school boyfriend) that she lives a full live. She manages to stop his death, they get married, have kids, and HEA. So for me, it wasn't as much about personal growth and change (although it was still there), but instead more of a "if only that hadn't happened, I could have been happy" ... and look, it was true!
I recognized a couple of the Easter Egg name drops from previous books ... but didn't really remember those stories (it's been a while) so it was a moot point really, just a "oh, yup, that's a name from one of the earlier books" ... One has to wonder with EVERYONE seemingly reliving lives in Middle Falls, whose life is now drastically different (or ended) because Effie saved Bobby (and someone else was killed during the robbery in his place)?
Nothing really stands out for me in this one ... it was an easy and quick listen. I borrowed the text copy with KU, and I had purchased the audio during an Audible sale (can't remember the price point).
Some Spoilers ...
Things just seemed a little too ... easy this time? The first few lives Effie lives aren't great. It's not until she's reset even earlier, to change a significant event (the death of her high school boyfriend) that she lives a full live. She manages to stop his death, they get married, have kids, and HEA. So for me, it wasn't as much about personal growth and change (although it was still there), but instead more of a "if only that hadn't happened, I could have been happy" ... and look, it was true!
I recognized a couple of the Easter Egg name drops from previous books ... but didn't really remember those stories (it's been a while) so it was a moot point really, just a "oh, yup, that's a name from one of the earlier books" ... One has to wonder with EVERYONE seemingly reliving lives in Middle Falls, whose life is now drastically different (or ended) because Effie saved Bobby (and someone else was killed during the robbery in his place)?