Hal
- 53
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- 20
- helpful votes
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- ratings
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Queen Charlotte
- By: Julia Quinn, Shonda Rhimes
- Narrated by: Natalie Simpson
- Length: 12 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
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In 1761, on a sunny day in September, a King and Queen met for the very first time. They were married within hours. Born a German Princess, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was beautiful, headstrong, and fiercely intelligent...not precisely the attributes the British Court had been seeking in a spouse for the young King George III. But her fire and independence were exactly what she needed, because George had secrets...secrets with the potential to shake the very foundations of the monarchy.
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Lady Charlotte
- By Tardis on 10-05-23
- Queen Charlotte
- By: Julia Quinn, Shonda Rhimes
- Narrated by: Natalie Simpson
The perfect love story
Reviewed: 30-06-24
My favourite couple in the Bridgerton world, as they represent a raw & realistic love, diversity and the nuances of an arranged marriage. I adored how it set the scene for the TV show. My favourite parts include Lady Danbury though and a cute side couple dancing at the final ball (won’t give any spoilers). Overall, a fabulous, emotional and entertaining story!
The audio narration is brilliant too.
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Glow of the Everflame
- The Kindred's Curse Saga, Book 2
- By: Penn Cole
- Narrated by: Amanda Dolan
- Length: 20 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
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The threat of war has arrived at Diem's doorstep, along with a new discovery that could save her people. To use it, she must survive the next thirty days by forming a devil's bargain with the people she hates most: the royal family of House Corbois. As she dives into the world of the Descended elite, Diem quickly realizes good and evil aren't as simple as they seem. Old prejudices are challenged, and new loyalties blur the line between friend and foe.
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Nice flow, well built characters
- By Gabriel on 14-07-24
- Glow of the Everflame
- The Kindred's Curse Saga, Book 2
- By: Penn Cole
- Narrated by: Amanda Dolan
Stunning!
Reviewed: 17-06-24
Loved everything about this story! Penn is a phenomenal writer! And narration was brilliant and engaging. A full review to come.
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Spark of the Everflame
- The Kindred's Curse Saga, Book 1
- By: Penn Cole
- Narrated by: Amanda Dolan
- Length: 13 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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In a mortal world colonized by the gods and ruled over by their cruel offspring, the Descended, Diem Bellator yearns to escape the insular life of her poor village. Her mother's sudden disappearance—and the discovery of a dangerous secret about her past—offer Diem an unexpected opportunity to enter the dark world of Descended royalty and unlock the web of mysteries her mother left behind.
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Brilliant skill in character development and immersion
- By Little Miss Fitness on 13-07-24
- Spark of the Everflame
- The Kindred's Curse Saga, Book 1
- By: Penn Cole
- Narrated by: Amanda Dolan
A Stunning hidden gem
Reviewed: 14-06-24
Loved loved loved this! Devoured the book within 24 hrs and couldn’t stop thinking about it when away from it. I just wanted to read and read!
This book is phenomenal. The characters, the world building, the magic, the captivating writing - everything! Penn’s writing is enthralling and addictive.
The narrator, Amanda Dolan is brilliant too!
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Sing Me to Sleep
- Sing Me to Sleep, Book 1
- By: Gabi Burton
- Narrated by: Dami Olukoya
- Length: 12 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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Saoirse is the last siren in her kingdom. With a deadly melody, she can sing any man to an early grave. By day, she's disguised as a fae in her kingdom's army. By night, she's an assassin for dangerous mercenaries. When she's forced to accept a job guarding Crown Prince Hayes, she expects to despise him. Instead, she finds herself increasingly drawn to him - especially when they must work together to find a deadly killer plaguing the city. The only problem: Saoirse is that deadly killer.
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A beautiful and thrilling siren song
- By Hal on 05-04-24
- Sing Me to Sleep
- Sing Me to Sleep, Book 1
- By: Gabi Burton
- Narrated by: Dami Olukoya
A beautiful and thrilling siren song
Reviewed: 05-04-24
Sing me to sleep by Gabi Burton
Step aside, Little Mermaid, because “Sing Me to Sleep” introduces a captivating Siren queen (Saoirse Sorkova ) who steals the show. This book is nothing short of amazing—I was constantly on the edge of my seat, never knowing what twist would come next, yet eagerly anticipating every moment with our super morally grey female protagonist and our charming prince.
As well as romance, there’s also political intrigue, rebellion, the topics of prejudice and racism, and, of course, a brilliantly written dangerous combination of enemies to lovers.
The descriptive elements are simply fabulous, striking the perfect balance between immersive and overwhelming. The slow-burn romance is beautifully executed, leaving me always yearning for more. The world-building is masterfully crafted, drawing readers into a richly detailed setting.
Highly recommend this book. If you’re even remotely interested in this genre, don’t hesitate to grab it ASAP—it’s a must-read that you’re bound to love.
4.6 stars
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Where Sleeping Girls Lie
- By: Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
- Narrated by: Natalie Simpson
- Length: 16 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
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Sade Hussein is the new girl at the prestigious Alfred Nobel Academy. She has no idea what to expect of her mysterious new boarding school–an institution steeped in tradition and secrets. But she certainly didn't imagine her roommate, Elizabeth, to go missing on her first night. Or for people to think Sade had something to do with it. Suddenly everyone is talking about Sade, including the Unholy Trinity: the three most popular girls at school. Swept up in their circle, Sade can't shake the sense that there's more to Elizabeth's disappearance–especially as the teachers don't seem to care.
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Grateful I did not attend a boarding school
- By Chidinma Ogbonnaya on 03-04-24
- Where Sleeping Girls Lie
- By: Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
- Narrated by: Natalie Simpson
Eerie, thrilling and captivating
Reviewed: 02-04-24
4.7 stars for a wonderful, impossibly addictive read
“Where Sleeping girls lie” follows Sade Hussein as she navigates the mysteries of Alfred Nobel Academy after experiencing significant losses. As she integrates into the school, the disappearance of her roommate propels her into dangerous territories, prompting her to fight against losing another person. The novel expertly explores themes of reputation & abuse of power in elite education, as well as dangerously toxic masculinity, and the impact of microaggressions on young women, while maintaining a thread of hope throughout the narrative.
I really enjoyed this book. The pacing sometimes felt slow at times but the overall story was gripping and immersive. The narrative, the world-building, and encountering the diverse characters were all elements that I adored. I was fully absorbed and found it impossible to put down.
Highly recommend to Mystery Thriller fans. (Please check trigger warnings).
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1 person found this helpful
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An Education in Malice
- By: S. T. Gibson
- Narrated by: Stephanie Cannon
- Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
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Deep in the forgotten hills of Massachusetts stands Saint Perpetua's College. Isolated and ancient, it is not a place for timid girls. Here, secrets are currency, ambition is lifeblood, and strange ceremonies welcome students into the fold. On her first day of class, Laura Sheridan is thrust into an intense academic rivalry with the beautiful and enigmatic Carmilla. Together, they are drawn into the confidence of their demanding poetry professor, De Lafontaine, who holds her own dark obsession with Carmilla.
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A mess that forgets its own plot points
- By Katy on 30-05-24
- An Education in Malice
- By: S. T. Gibson
- Narrated by: Stephanie Cannon
Sumptuous, immersive and addictive
Reviewed: 22-02-24
I found immense pleasure in "An Education in Malice," relishing Gibson's masterful creation of a captivating Gothic atmosphere. The story was both gripping and lush, providing a compelling escape during a challenging time for my reading habits and life in general.
Despite not having read the original Carmilla, I was drawn into the characters of Laura and Camilla, appreciating their complexity even when they displayed recklessness and naivety. Their vulnerability, easily manipulated nature, and yearning for love invoked a strong desire to protect them (especially as the mom & teacher in me). The dual perspectives allowed me to delve into their individual experiences and understand the morally ambiguous character of De Lafontaine.
While thoroughly enjoying "An Education in Malice," I did notice occasional off pacing and some aspects, particularly the ending, felt a bit forced – the only flaws that slightly detracted from an otherwise captivating experience.
In essence, the book weaves a beautiful narrative within the backdrop of gothic academia, featuring a rivals-to-lovers theme. Its darkness, bloodiness, and addictive quality make it a highly recommended read.
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A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty
- Kingdom of Lies, Book 2
- By: Stacia Stark
- Narrated by: Tim Paige, Meg Sylvan
- Length: 13 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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In a world darkened by deceit, the truth is a light that won’t be dimmed—even when it illuminates Lorian’s betrayals more starkly than I could ever want to see. They call him the Bloodthirsty Prince. His reign of terror has left a trail of blood across this continent, a trail that intertwines with my own past—not even my parents were spared from his merciless slaughter. To save my brother’s life, I agreed to another bargain with the fae prince. Now, I’m forced to work with him, to travel to the fae lands, to spend my every waking moment with the man who betrayed me.
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I always want it to keep going
- By Clara on 12-01-24
- A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty
- Kingdom of Lies, Book 2
- By: Stacia Stark
- Narrated by: Tim Paige, Meg Sylvan
A gorgeous sequel
Reviewed: 11-02-24
A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty (Kingdom of Lies Book 2) by Stacia Stark
In this fast-paced sequel, this enchanting slow burn romantasy gave me all the feels!
The story expands beyond Eprotha as the quest begins and new characters and lands are introduced. Prica/Nayala discovers her role in leading her people to freedom, but faces unexpected obstacles from unlikely sources. With unexpected twists and turns, the story keeps readers hooked and guessing. Prica/Nayala's growth and self-discovery add depth to the narrative, reminding us of the power of resilience. This thrilling installment explores heroism and the complexities of human nature, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next chapter.
To speed up my reading I started listening to a few chapters here and there. Note on audiobook: The narration was good but didn’t do the actual story justice. Meg Sylvan is a good narrator but really off putting when she attempts to do the male voice. She has done a lot of my favourite stories in the past but always ruins it by that voice. I preferred reading the ebook on KU.
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A Broken Blade
- The Halfling Saga
- By: Melissa Blair
- Narrated by: Kyla Garcia
- Length: 13 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
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Keera is a killer. As the King’s Blade, she is the most talented spy in the kingdom. And the king’s favored assassin. When a mysterious figure moves against the Crown, Keera is called upon to hunt down the so-called Shadow. She tracks her target into the magical lands of the Fae, but Faeland is not what it seems—and neither is the Shadow. Keera is shocked by what she learns and can’t help but wonder who her enemy truly is: the King that destroyed her people or the Shadow that threatens the peace.
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not lesbian
- By Archer on 08-08-22
- A Broken Blade
- The Halfling Saga
- By: Melissa Blair
- Narrated by: Kyla Garcia
Amazing, captivating, immersive
Reviewed: 28-01-24
I loved everything about this book and Keera. The story captivated me from the start and the narrator was brilliant.
The characters, the writing, the world building was all phenomenal! I’m in awe that this is a debut!
The story is uniquely refreshing and I think I’ve found my new favourite fantasy romance series!
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The Two of Us
- By: Taylor Torres
- Narrated by: Stacy Gonzalez
- Length: 10 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
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If there's no place like home, that's more than okay for Mara Makinen. In fact, she prefers it that way. Going back to the place where she made the worst mistake of her life? Not ideal. So when a family emergency forces Mara to return home to her small lake town in Maine after seven years, she knows there's only one way she'll get through it unscathed: avoid Ambrose King at all costs. But that might prove difficult considering he lives right across the street.
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Stunning, beautiful & Utterly heart wrenching
- By Hal on 18-01-24
- The Two of Us
- By: Taylor Torres
- Narrated by: Stacy Gonzalez
Stunning, beautiful & Utterly heart wrenching
Reviewed: 18-01-24
Gosh!! I started listening to the audiobook because I thought it would be a nice, simple small-town romance - a way to escape the painful grief I’m experiencing at the moment and a way to help me out of my reading & life slump. Little did I know that this story, these characters, the stunning writing and gorgeous narrative would take me on its own journey of true love, loss and grief!! I cried so much that it all felt cathartic. The story is simple yet breathtakingly beautiful- I listened to it throughout the day and so raw with emotions right now!
This book has plummeted to the top of my favourite contemporary romances - a love story for the ages (Ginny & Sally).
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Priest: A Love Story
- By: Sierra Simone
- Narrated by: Jacob Morgan, Elena Wolfe
- Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
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There are many rules a priest can't break. A priest cannot marry. A priest cannot abandon his flock. A priest cannot forsake his God. I've always been good at following rules. Until she came. Then I learned new rules.
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WOW
- By Trisha on 03-07-17
- Priest: A Love Story
- By: Sierra Simone
- Narrated by: Jacob Morgan, Elena Wolfe
Forgive me God, for I have sinned. And this is my confession:
Reviewed: 17-12-23
I started Priest late last night and didn’t stop until I finished it. I enjoyed it in all its smut, fun and glory! The plot was simple but thrilling and addictive and I loved Father Tyler Bell!
Highly recommend for adult readers looking for an easy, enjoyable and steamy read.
I rarely enjoy books like this but Sierra Simone’s writing is just my thing! And I will indeed be continuing with the rest of the series.
4.5 stars
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