I am listened to an abundance of audiobooks lately and just really feeling so lucky there are so many excellent books in my queue. Here’s a review dump of four recently listened to audiobooks.
Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor
Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor is set during the Belle Epoque era — the time frame is loosely 1871-1880 according to google. It’s this young adult book about a magical hotel and a young woman who would do just about anything to be a part of that hotel. Jani has always wanted more than her life gave her. She has had big dreams. However, her life is ordinary. She works at a tanner in the town of Durc taking care of her younger sister Zosa. One day, the world brims with possibility when the Hotel Magnifique comes to town. Jani and her sister apply for jobs at the magical hotel — but turns out the jobs come with cost. Once you start working for the hotel — you can never leave. Jani has to find out the hotel’s secrets in order to save her sister, Zosa. She only really has one friend at her side — the doorman Bel.
I listened to the audiobook version of Hotel Magnifique. It is narrated by Suzy Jackson — who I do genuinely like as a narrator. However, as I have been just flying through the Volumes audiobooks before the app basically stops functioning, I just was not able to give this audiobook it’s full due. I listened to it sped up. This book did not really hold my attention. I found it hard to concentrate on or really care about any of it. Even if I didn’t listen, I don’t know that I would have enjoyed this more. In theory, I should have loved this given the comparison to The Night Circus. In reality — it had a cool concept, just lacked oomph for me.
Wintering by Katherine May
Wintering by Katherine May is basically a memoir about hunkering down and relaxing during times of hardship and difficulty. It goes into how rest and retreat can be powerful in healing. Also, talks about trips to the north as being quite restorative. The book does go into depth on the author’s experiences. I did think there was a certain privilege to be able to “winter” so to speak. After all, you need to be able to have the finances to take such a break to retreat and leave your job. But, I liked the idea. Personally, I do something similar every year and take a lot of my leave during December not just for the holiday — but to reset. The audiobook of Wintering was a super quick listen — 6 hours and 54 minutes, listened at about 2x speed. The narrator is Rebecca Lee who has a pleasant, easy to listen to voice. This audiobook is good for a relaxing listen while you commute.
Just Another Love Song by Kerry Winfrey
I will forever and always prefer to listen to Kerry Winfrey’s books. I started reading her work via audio and it just stuck. Everything she’s released so far I’ve experienced via audiobook. Just Another Love Song, Winfrey’s latest, was verification that I am set in my ways when it comes to this. Y’all, I just loved the audiobook of Just Another Love Song. Sandy has always wanted to leave Baileyville and go on to art school. She always thought she would bounce from town and go on to bigger and better things at college with her boyfriend, Hank. As it turns out, those plans fall through. Sandy and Hank also break up post-college. Sandy ends up stuck in Baileyville, which she has made peace with. She owns the greenhouse/garden store and lives right by her best friend. Hank went on to become a famous country star and have a son.
Fifteen years later, Hank is back in town. It’s summer. Sandy is happy with her life, but wishes she had someone to share it with. Unfortunately, she’s already dated through the eligible men of Baileyville. She keeps busy though — especially with planning the fair. This time around, Hank volunteers beside her. It may just be Sandy’s second chance. Also, she adores Hank’s son. Y’all, I loved this audiobook. The fair part did really give me Pawnee Harvest Festival vibes, however. But, I just loved the path that Sandy and Hank’s love story took. And all the tropes. Also, all the characters. The audiobook of Just Another Love Song is narrated by Justis Bolding. It is 9 hours and 51 minutes long. I found the audiobook to be utterly captivating and am so glad I listened.
The Hookup Plan by Farrah Rochon
Farrah Rochon is one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. I love her plotting and her characters are so relatable. The Hookup Plan is the final book in the Boyfriend Project trilogy and what a finale! This book is London’s story. London is a pediatric surgeon resident who works at the county hospital in Austin. She is much beloved by the staff and only really butts heads with a few people. It is important to her that county not go private and that they be able to serve those who need it most rather than become a for profit venture. Enter Drew. Drew was London’s rival for valedictorian back in high school. She disliked him, but he had a thing for her. Now they’re all grown up and run into each other at the class reunion. Oh, and it turns out Drew’s company is auditing the hospital London works at.
Sparks fly though. Turns out London and Drew have a lot in common. They are both so driven. Also, they both have a philanthropic bent. It also turns out there’s a whole lot of physical chemistry. So, to relieve some tension and stress, London and Drew begin hooking up. If London can get out of her own way, what her and Drew have just might be the love of a lifetime. The Hookup Plan was a fabulous listen that kept my interest from beginning to end. The narrator is different from The Boyfriend Project, which I also listened to. This audiobook is narrated by Marissa Hampton and is 10 hours and 15 minutes long. I definitely recommend picking these books up via audio or just regular print form. They are well worth getting into. There’s no way you won’t fall in love with London, Samiah, and Taylor.
@aprilbooksandwine Five books I recently read #booktokover30 #bookreview #ShowOffLandOFrost #over30booktok #bookwrapup
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