Paris Disappoints...

The Dilemma

By: B.A. Paris

Genre:  Realistic Fiction??

Pages: 384

Published: 2020

Read:  August

3.5 out of 5 stars

Did I enjoy the story? YES

Was it well written? YES

Was it B.A. Paris worthy? NOT AT ALL

 

If you are a thrill-seeking, edge of your seat, waiting for the Paris twist reader, you will NOT find it here. I am not even sure what genre this book belongs to – contemporary, family drama, maybe?  Most readers shelved it as Psychological thriller, suspense, or the like. I am guessing that is because of the expectation of Paris. I had it originally classified there AND her other books fit that genre. But this one is NOT. It will be a disappointment for Paris fans.  

 

Like I said, I did enjoy the book and appreciated the “dilemma”, but I can’t help comparing it to Paris’s other novels. “The Dilemma” is just not the same. If you are looking for complicated family drama and moral debates with well-developed characters, this is a GREAT one. Honestly, I did enjoy it. BUT if you want B.A. Paris’s gripping writing and plot twists with fantastic character development - skip this one.

 

Hope she goes back to her Thrill seeking, edge of your seat writing style with her next novel.

 

Very Romancy, But VERY Good!

Ugly Love

By: Colleen Hoover

Genre:  Romance

Pages: 324

Published: 2014

Audiobook: 9 hours 13 minutes

Read:  December

2 out of 5 stars

I don’t read romance novels, but after reading the fabulous Verity, Colleen Hoover’s first and only psychological thriller, I thought I’d give one of her other books I try. Her primary genre is romance, which is in Verity

as well, but not main premise.

My first reaction to Ugly Love was this is NOT my type of book. Where is the plot? It was all explicit love scenes. I wanted substance. The middle third of book I felt as though I was listening to porn.

However, the last third was Amazing and the writing of Hoover that I loved. I was very emotional and on verge of tears. I ended up falling in love with the characters and story. My star rating drastically increased. If you don’t mind a lot of romantic descriptions, give this one a try! I’m glad I read it, well listened to it.

SKIP THIS BOOK!!

Invisible Friend

By: Stephen Chbosky

Genre:  Horror

Pages: 720

Published: 2019

Read:  October

2 out of 5 stars

We have all read – or at least heard about – Perks of Being a Wallflower. If you read it as a teen, I can almost guarantee you loved it. As an adult, it’s a toss-up. Either way, many people were excited about Chbosky’s 2nd novel after 20 years. It didn’t matter if this one was an adult horror versus his YA coming-of-age debut novel. I know because I felt that way.

Well let me tell you, Imaginary Friend, started out Fantastic. The premise was great, the story engaging. I felt I was reading a Stephen King – totally engrossed. I couldn’t put it down; all I wanted to do was read. Until about halfway through – when it should have ended – but he went on and on and on. There were so many tangents and nonsense story lines, that my interest was lost. There were so many points it could have ended, but it was as though he was determined to write a tome. It was just a tiresome train wreck.

Honestly, I would have a difficult time explaining the ending – I’m not sure what happened.

And can someone explain the underlining of words and random capital letters – “Don’t leave the street. tHey can’t get you if you don’t leave the street.” Did the “H” denote the imaginary friend? And what was with the mailbox people? Just a confusing, poorly edited, pointless read.

What a FUN Read!!

Not Quite What I Was Planning

By: Larry Smith (Editor)

Genre:  Nonfiction

Pages: 225

Published: 2008

Read:  June

5 out of 5 stars

It's hard to rate this book as it is just a collection of 6 word memoirs. However, it is a great collection. Some are sad, some are happy, some are inspirational, some are funny, and some are just ridiculous, but all our meaningful - if not to you to the person who wrote them. I encourage everyone to write their own whether it signifies a time in your life or you life up to this point - It's all about you. 

As a bonus and a shock - my favorite actor and screen crush was featured - Josh Lucas
"Glory developing vital loving fighting life."

Mine - She read her life away (almost).

Let's Reach Everyone We Can!

Starworld

By: Audrey Coulthurst and Paula Garner

Genre:  YA Realistic Fiction

Pages: 352

Published: 2019

Read:  May

4.5 out of 5 stars

This book takes place in the real world at present time. However, it reaches another dimension when two very different girls start texting. Zoe and Sam find that they can be “themselves” and share their true feelings in the created world of Starworld. This book is uniquely written in two voices, by two different authors, in two different worlds. It crosses over from reality to fantasy and back again; giving the authors a unique opportunity to reach more readers. Starworld is very gripping, well-written and timely – adults can’t help but enjoy it too.

Great Narrator - Book not so much.

There’s Someone Inside Your House

By: Stephanie Perkins

Genre: YA/Mystery

Pages: 287

Published: 2017

Audiobook: 9 hours and 26 mins

Read:  June

2 out of 5 stars

I heard the audio on this one was great and really scary. Therefore, I expected that there would be a little spooky music perhaps? Not only could I not get into the story, kind of childish, it wasn't scary AT ALL. There are much better out there. I should have known since I also didn't care for Perkins book, Anna and the French Kiss, even though I know a lot of readers did.

On the fantastic side, the narrator is phenomenal - Bahni Turpin. She has narrated over 70 books, including The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas and Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon. Both are great audio. I love her.

What a Fun and Engaging listen!

Daisy Jones and the Six

By: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Genre: Realistic fiction

Pages: 368

Published: 2019

Audiobook: 10 hours

Read:  May

5 out of 5 stars

Do NOT read this book, you MUST listen to it!! I have listened to a lot of great audio books over the years, but this one blew me away. This is the best audio ever. The story is so engaging it almost feels interactive. I have never read a book like it. Told entirely through interviews of band members, their family and the media, you forget it’s a fictional story. One cannot help but love the music even though you never hear it. This book is so much fun!