Tag Archives: audiobook review

Audiobook Review: Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry

Posted in Book Reviews by

Title: Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing
Author: Matthew Perry
Narrator: Matthew Perry
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Publication date: November 1, 2022
Print length: 250 pages
Audio length: 8 hours, 49 minutes
Genre: Memoir
Source: Library
Rating:

Rating: 4 out of 5.

“Hi, my name is Matthew, although you may know me by another name. My friends call me Matty. And I should be dead.”

So begins the riveting story of acclaimed actor Matthew Perry, taking us along on his journey from childhood ambition to fame to addiction and recovery in the aftermath of a life-threatening health scare. Before the frequent hospital visits and stints in rehab, there was five-year-old Matthew, who traveled from Montreal to Los Angeles, shuffling between his separated parents; fourteen-year-old Matthew, who was a nationally ranked tennis star in Canada; twenty-four-year-old Matthew, who nabbed a coveted role as a lead cast member on the talked-about pilot then called Friends Like Us. . . and so much more.

In an extraordinary story that only he could tell—and in the heartfelt, hilarious, and warmly familiar way only he could tell it—Matthew Perry lays bare the fractured family that raised him (and also left him to his own devices), the desire for recognition that drove him to fame, and the void inside him that could not be filled even by his greatest dreams coming true. But he also details the peace he’s found in sobriety and how he feels about the ubiquity of Friends, sharing stories about his castmates and other stars he met along the way. Frank, self-aware, and with his trademark humor, Perry vividly depicts his lifelong battle with addiction and what fueled it despite seemingly having it all.

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing is an unforgettable memoir that is both intimate and eye-opening—as well as a hand extended to anyone struggling with sobriety. Unflinchingly honest, moving, and uproariously funny, this is the book fans have been waiting for.

Reviewing a memoir often feels like a weirdly invasive endeavor. Who am I to praise or criticize the author? Sure, we can talk about how the book made us feel or what we think of of the writing, but a memoir is such a personal creation that it’s difficult to say much more than that.

In the case of Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, it’s an extraordinarily bizarre and uncomfortable experience to read this memoir — and especially, to listen to the audiobook narration by Matthew Perry himself — only a few short months after his tragic death.

As the synopsis shows, the opening lines of the book are eerie, and the following paragraph even more so:

If you like, you can consider what you’re about to read to be a message from the beyond, my beyond.

I was a big fan of Friends back in the day, and always adored Chandler. I knew very little about the actor behind the character, other than the gossip and scandals that cycled through the headlines over the decades — tales of addiction, destructive behavior, and rehab after rehab.

Here, in Matthew Perry’s memoir, we get a personal tour of his life, from childhood through his early 50s (just two years prior to his death) — and it’s profoundly sad in so many ways. Surprising too — I’d assumed that he was yet another example of someone destroyed by fame, but as we learn in this book, Perry’s drinking and addiction started many years before he became a break-out star.

Blending a recounting of his childhood and teens, his early years in the show biz industry, his phenomenal success in Friends, and beyond with interludes where we get uncomfortably up close and personal with the horrid details of the torment he inflicts on himself through his excessive use of drugs and alcohol, the memoir lets us inside his life and shows us the person behind the tabloid stories.

Perry comes across as smart, funny, and deeply wounded. His is a fascinating, tragic story told by someone living the addiction, and it’s not pretty (although he manages to inject his sense of humor even into the most harrowing of episodes).

I occasionally felt that it was all too much. I didn’t need to know quite that much about his ups and downs, the vast quantities of pills, the physical impact of his addictions, and his sex life. But then again, this is his truth that he’s sharing — as I said, it’s hard to criticize a memoir. Could he have toned it down or shared a bit less? Sure. But this is his story, and that’s what I signed up to experience.

I know he also got quite a bit of flak for some of his attempted jokes that fall flat in delivery, in particularly a passage where he laments the too-young deaths of brilliant talents like River Phoenix and Heath Ledger, then follows up by saying “but Keanu Reeves still walk among us.” And then repeats the Keanu Reeves line again later after talking about Chris Farley’s death. Dude, why do you have it in for Keanu Reeves? (Perry apparently apologized for this after the book came out and said the line would be removed from future editions… but it’s definitely there in the library book and audiobook I borrowed.)

I imagine that listening to this audiobook six months ago might have been a very different experience. Listening now, after Perry’s death, is truly like listening to a voice from beyond the grave. Every time he talks about barely surviving or how lucky he is not to be dead, it’s a shock.

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing is an intimate look into the life and psyche of a complicated, troubled, unhealthy person who was also insanely talented, incredibly funny, and apparently, a person with a very loving heart. Hearing his voice sharing his story made me very sad for the loss of him as a person and as a talent. If only his next performance were still to come, rather than this book being his final good-bye.

I do recommend Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. It’s sad and difficult, but I’m glad that Matthew Perry chose to share himself with the world in this way. We’ll never know what else he might have done.

Audiobook Review: Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

Posted in Book Reviews by

Title: Part of Your World
Author: Abby Jimenez
Narrators:  Julia Whelan & Zachary Webber
Publisher: Forever
Publication date: April 19, 2022
Print length: 400 pages
Audio length: 10 hours 5 minutes
Genre: Contemporary romance
Source: Library
Rating:

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

After a wild bet, gourmet grilled-cheese sandwich, and cuddle with a baby goat, Alexis Montgomery has had her world turned upside down. The cause: Daniel Grant, a ridiculously hot carpenter who’s ten years younger than her and as casual as they come—the complete opposite of sophisticated city-girl Alexis. And yet their chemistry is undeniable.

While her ultra-wealthy parents want her to carry on the family legacy of world-renowned surgeons, Alexis doesn’t need glory or fame. She’s fine with being a “mere” ER doctor. And every minute she spends with Daniel and the tight-knit town where he lives, she’s discovering just what’s really important. Yet letting their relationship become anything more than a short-term fling would mean turning her back on her family and giving up the opportunity to help thousands of people.

Bringing Daniel into her world is impossible, and yet she can’t just give up the joy she’s found with him either. With so many differences between them, how can Alexis possibly choose between her world and his?

The New York Times bestselling author of Life’s Too Short delivers a refreshingly modern fairy tale perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Emily Henry.

After seeing rave reviews for Abby Jimenez’s books for a few years now, I decided to borrow Part of Your World when it popped up as “available now” in my library app. What a treat! Sometimes a spontaneous borrow is exactly right.

In Part of Your World, a driving mishap in the middle of nowhere (okay, not exactly nowhere — rural Minnesota, about two hours from Minneapolis) introduces Alexis to Daniel when he comes to her rescue and tows her car out of a ditch. Hungry and rather amused by this nice, charming guy, Alexis accepts his offer of grilled cheese, especially when there’s an opportunity to meet his “kid” (the baby goat he’s fostering). One thing leads to another… but then Alexis goes back to her regular life, never expecting to see him again.

Alexis is an ER doctor working at the hospital her family founded 125 years earlier. In the world of high-profile medicine, her family is royalty. A Montgomery has always led the hospital, and with her parents retired and her elder brother suddenly deciding to continue his medical work overseas, the mantle is passing to Alexis, whether she wants it or not.

But she can’t get Daniel out of her mind, and he can’t stop thinking of her either. Daniel runs a B&B in his small town (where he’s also mayor), works as a carpenter/woodcrafter as a passion, and is deeply embedded in the lives of his neighbors. His life is in Wakan; hers is in Minneapolis. They’re incredibly different. There’s no way they fit together… and yet, as Alexis visits again and again, their chemistry is undeniable, and it’s soon clear that their connection goes well beyond physical.

While this may sound like a sweetness-and-light romance (and parts of it certainly are), there are heavier, more serious themes running through Part of Your World. Most significantly, the book deals substantially with abusive relationships. While there’s a background storyline involving domestic violence woven into the plot, the piece that most severely affects Alexis and her self-esteem, her outlook on life, and her self-criticism and stress is the emotional abuse she suffered for years in her relationship with her ex-boyfriend. It was never overt and certainly never in public, but the consistent demeaning and gaslighting left Alexis with deep wounds and insecurities that color how she moves through the world. Also, importantly, the behavior she lives with for years is both affected by how she interacts with her father and the burden of expectations she places on herself in order to fulfill her parents’ wishes, and this also severely impacts her relationship with Daniel.

In a nutshell, the pressures on Alexis to be what her family expects narrows her worldview to such an extent that she can’t even imagine doing anything but what’s demanded of her — and with that limitation, she can’t envision any possible world in which Daniel fits into her life. I ached for Daniel, who — not understanding Alexis’s experiences or knowing her history — is left feeling that he’s an embarrassment and not good enough for her. I often felt angry with Alexis, but that’s not really fair either. The abuse she lived with scarred her, and while Daniel is hot and kind and amazing, that doesn’t automatically erase everything that came before.

There’s a touch of magical realism in Part of Your World which startled me at first, but I ended up really loving. Nasty people who treat Daniel shamefully are suddenly pelted by acorns falling from the trees in the yard, despite it being the wrong season. A lightning strike, seemingly out of nowhere, knocks a branch from a tree and prevents Alexis from leaving in a moment when she feels all is hopeless. It’s not so frequent as to feel heavy-handed, just a nice, subtle touch that lends a bit of a “forces of nature” element to the love story.

One reason I was eager to listen to this audiobook, once I stumbled across is, is that Julia Whelan is the narrator for the Alexis chapters, and she’s as amazing here as always. Zachary Webber voices Daniel, and he captures his sensitivity and sense of fun to a T.

Part of Your World is romantic and full of small-town charm, but there’s plenty of heartache and sorrow too. The light and dark elements work together very well, and overall, this is a lovely, relatable, and uplifting novel. Highly recommended — and if you’re an audiobook listener, don’t miss out on these terrific narrators!

There’s a companion book set in the same fictional world, with Alexis’s best friend as main character. Can’t wait to read it!

Audiobook Review: The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

Posted in Book Reviews by

Title: The Woman in Me
Author: Britney Spears
Narrator: Michelle Williams
Publisher: Gallery Books
Publication date: October 24, 2023
Print length: 277 pages
Audio length: 5 hours, 31 minutes
Genre: Memoir
Source: Library
Rating:

Rating: 4 out of 5.

The Woman in Me is a brave and astonishingly moving story about freedom, fame, motherhood, survival, faith, and hope.

In June 2021, the whole world was listening as Britney Spears spoke in open court. The impact of sharing her voice—her truth—was undeniable, and it changed the course of her life and the lives of countless others. The Woman in Me reveals for the first time her incredible journey—and the strength at the core of one of the greatest performers in pop music history.

Written with remarkable candor and humor, Spears’s groundbreaking book illuminates the enduring power of music and love—and the importance of a woman telling her own story, on her own terms, at last.

The Woman in Me needs little introduction — I can’t imagine there’s anyone unaware of Britney Spears and her deeply personal memoir, published in the fall of 2023.

In her memoir, Britney takes us through her childhood memories, her early years as a performer, and her rise to pop stardom. But as she describes so clearly and powerfully, there was an obsession with her — her body, her behavior, her sexuality — that plagued her from the start of her massive popularity, objectifying her in ways that are shocking yet sadly not terribly surprising.

A young woman of huge talent, she was subjected to endless questions about inappropriate topics — are her breasts real? is she a virgin? what did she do to poor Justin? — from a very young age, and in a way that was never applied to the male stars associated with her. The paparazzi hounding is scary, and as she explains her experiences having two babies within a year of one another, then being pressure to perform when she was still in the throes of post-partum exhaustion, it’s easy to see that this is a woman who was pushed to the edge.

Britney is candid about her struggles and mental health crises, but it’s also clear that she was never incapacitated to the extent that a permanent conservatorship would have been justified. As The Woman in Me makes perfectly plain, the same people who controlled Britney because she was supposedly incapable of managing her health, body, and finances profited hugely from her during the thirteen years of conservatorship — and it’s amazing to think about the fact that throughout all these years (again, while she was supposedly incapacitated), she performed in sold-out Las Vegas shows and world tours, released new material and new albums, and and made millions of dollars.

Britney reads a short introduction to the audiobook (explaining that it’s all too painful for her to narrate fully); Michelle Williams narrates the book itself, and does a very good job of conveying Britney’s words — so much so that I often forgot that I wasn’t listening to Britney herself. This can be a tough listen. There’s a lot of raw honesty here, and the manipulation, abuse, sexism, and outright misogyny inflicted on Britney is awful to hear about, even while most of it isn’t new, considering how much media coverage (and gossip) the star has always generated.

The Woman in Me is a powerful, emotional book, and I applaud the author for sharing so much of herself. After years of being controlled — physically, emotionally, financially — it’s wonderful to see her taking back her own power and her own voice. All I can say is — I wish Britney Spears joy and health, whatever she decides to do next… and hope the world will someday finally realize how poisonous the media and paparazzi frenzy can become, especially for young women.

A final note: After finishing The Woman in Me, I watched the New York Times documentary Framing Britney Spears (available to stream via Hulu). The documentary was produced prior to the end of the conservatorship, and there’s a follow-up (Controlling Britney Spears) that I have not watched yet. It was interesting to watch, especially for the sake of seeing archival footage of some of the interviews, performances, and incidents that Britney describes in the book.

(Around the same time the NYT documentary was released, a Netflix documentary (Britney vs. Spears) was also released. This one has pretty harsh reviews and seems to be consider exploitative. I haven’t watched it, but I believe this is the documentary that Britney is upset by in her book, as it involves people she’d confided in spilling secrets and private correspondence, among other betrayals. (Again, I haven’t watched it, so I’m basing this on reviews and commentary by those who have). )

Audiobook Review: Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman

Posted in Book Reviews by

Title: Funny You Should Ask
Author: Elissa Sussman
Narrator:  Kristen Sieh
Publisher: Dell
Publication date: April 12, 2022
Print length: 352 pages
Audio length: 7 hours 52 minutes
Genre: Contemporary fiction
Source: Library
Rating:

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Then. Twentysomething writer Chani Horowitz is stuck. While her former MFA classmates are nabbing book deals, she’s in the trenches writing puff pieces. Then she’s hired to write a profile of movie star Gabe Parker. The Gabe Parker–her forever celebrity crush, the object of her fantasies, the background photo on her phone–who’s also just been cast as the new James Bond. It’s terrifying and thrilling all at once… yet if she can keep her cool and nail the piece, it could be a huge win. Gabe will get good press, and her career will skyrocket. But what comes next proves to be life-changing in ways Chani never saw coming, as the interview turns into a whirlwind weekend that has the tabloids buzzing.

Now. Ten years later, after a brutal divorce and a heavy dose of therapy, Chani is back in Los Angeles, laser-focused on one thing: her work. But she’s still spent the better part of the last decade getting asked about her deeply personal Gabe Parker profile at every turn. No matter what new essay collection or viral editorial she’s promoting, it always comes back to Gabe. So when his PR team requests that they reunite for a second interview, she wants to say no. She wants to pretend that she’s forgotten about the time they spent together, years ago. But the truth is that those seventy-two hours are still crystal clear, etched in her memory. And so… she says yes.

Chani knows that facing Gabe again also means facing feelings she’s tried so hard to push away. Alternating between their first meeting and their reunion a decade later, this deliciously irresistible novel will have you hanging on until the last word.

A restless young journalist with big dreams interviews a Hollywood heartthrob–and, ten years later, it’s clear that their time together meant more than meets the eye in this sexy, engrossing adult debut novel.

I’ve never considered myself a fan of the celebrity romance trope… but here I am, absolutely devouring my second book by Elissa Sussman, and I gotta say — it’s working for me.

In Funny You Should Ask, author Chani Horowitz gets her big break at age 26 when she’s assigned an interview with movie star Gabe Parker. He’s just been named the next James Bond, kicking off a media frenzy of negativity, and his publicists are hoping that a positive profile will turn things around. Chani has been writing about the film industry, but hasn’t really hit her stride yet, so this is an unprecedented opportunity for her. One interview turns into a weekend of movie premieres and parties, and the article she writes catapults her into the spotlight and does wonders for Gabe’s career. Yet after the two part, real-life scandals crop up, and they go their separate ways.

Ten years later, despite her success as a published non-fiction writer, Chani has never quite shaken the gossip that’s surrounded her ever since the Gabe article. And for Gabe, the ten years have brought success as Bond, a viral public downfall, rehab, and now sobriety. As his first new movie in years is about to be released, his team asks Chani to do another interview — a chance to put Gabe back in the spotlight and give him an opportunity to show who he’s become. Chani agrees, with trepidation, but is not prepared for the deluge of feelings and memories that being with Gabe again sparks.

This book has so much to love! The “then” and “now” plotlines are interwoven skillfully, so that we only see the past events in little bits and pieces, leaving the big questions about what exactly happened and what might have gone wrong unresolved until close to the end of the book. What’s clear is that Chani and Gabe connect with one another right from the start, and while she is plagued by doubts about whether he sees her as just another fawning fan, it’s obvious to readers how much more is going on between them.

Gabe is portrayed with sensitivity. He’s a gorgeous Hollywood star, but we’re shown his vulnerable side, as well as his alcoholism and the downward spiral he falls into. Chani is flawed as well — funny and talented, but quick to jump to conclusions or read a situation incorrectly. It’s lovely to see them connect, and heartbreaking to see them misread one another, time and time again.

I really enjoyed the writing, and especially the dialogue. I mean, how can you not love a book that includes lines like this:

“I thought we’d established that I’ve read everything you’ve written.”

It’s one of the hottest things anyone has ever said to me.

The romance is, of course, central to the plot, but It’s Funny You Should Ask is also both moving and keenly interesting when focusing on Chani’s writing career, the obstacles she encounters, the negativity she encounters from people who should be her biggest supporters, and the self-doubt that plagues her no matter how well her essays and books are received.

The “then” and “now” narrative is also sprinkled throughout with excerpts from Chani’s articles and blog posts, movie reviews, gossip columns, and inside-Hollywood thought pieces. These help ground the story and show how public perceptions feed into Gabe and Chani’s personal situations.

The audiobook, narrated by Kristen Sieh, is bright and engaging. It’s a fun, upbeat listen, and the narrator’s expressiveness captures the characters’ dynamics and their inner lives very well.

I picked up It’s Funny You Should Ask after listening to the author’s more recent book, Once More With Feeling, just a few months ago. It’s safe to say that I’ll be back for whatever Elissa Sussman writes next.

Audiobook Review: Get Lucky by Katherine Center

Posted in Book Reviews by

Title: Get Lucky
Author: Katherine Center
Narrator: Morgan Hallett
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Publication date: April 6, 2010
Print length: 288 pages
Audio length: 8 hours 13 minutes
Genre: Contemporary fiction
Source: Library
Rating:

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

How do you change your luck? Katherine Center’s marvelously entertaining and poignant new novel is about choosing to look for happiness—and maybe getting lucky enough to find it.

Sarah Harper isn’t sure if the stupid decisions she sometimes makes are good choices in disguise—or if they’re really just stupid. But either way, after forwarding an inappropriate email to her entire company, she suddenly finds herself out of a job. 

So she goes home to Houston—and her sister, Mackie—for Thanksgiving. But before Sarah can share her troubles with her sister, she learns that Mackie has some woes of her own: After years of trying, Mackie’s given up on having a baby—and plans to sell on eBay the entire nursery she’s set up. Which gives Sarah a brilliant idea—an idea that could fix everyone’s problems. An idea that gives Sarah the chance to take care of her big sister for once—instead of the other way around.

But nothing worthwhile is ever easy. After a decade away, Sarah is forced to confront one ghost from her past after another: the father she’s lost touch with, the memories of her mother, the sweet guy she dumped horribly in high school. Soon everything that matters is on the line—and Sarah can only hope that by changing her life she has changed her luck, too.

After reading and loving Katherine Center’s five most recent novels plus one from her backlist, I decided to listen to another backlist book via audio when I stumbled across it on Hoopla. And while Get Lucky was a fun, engaging listen, it’s clear to see that this is an earlier work from an author whose books just keep getting better and better.

In Get Lucky, Houston-born Sarah is thriving at her New York ad agency. Well, okay, she got passed over for promotion in favorite of the less-qualified jerk she’d been dating… but still, her ideas have resulted in a huge campaign (more on this later) that’s getting loads of attention. Unfortunately, when an email from her sister has her spiraling in the middle of the night, she shares a link with the rest of the company (never hit Send on an all-staff email in the middle of the night!!) that’s deemed inappropriate, and she’s abruptly fired. By her jerky ex. Whose nickname is Mr. Dynamite, in case you’re wondering.

Getting fired right before Thanksgiving is not ideal, and things get worse for Sarah when she boards her flight back to Houston for the holiday and ends up seated next to her high school ex-boyfriend, who (a) has gotten incredibly hot and (b) has apparently never forgiven her for dumping him in a truly thoughtless and cruel manner (which she regrets, but of course, you can’t undo the past).

Arriving home, Sarah’s sister Mackie immediately informs her that she’s done with trying to have a baby. After yet another miscarriage related to endometriosis, Mackie is giving up on her dreams of becoming a mom. And Sarah — adrift, jobless, and without plans — has an idea. Her uterus is just fine, after all. Why not become Mackie and her husband’s gestational carrier? After a tiny pause to consider, Mackie and Clive are in, and in practically the blink of an eye, Sarah is living in Mackie’s nursery/guest room, and pregnant.

The book delves into Sarah and Mackie’s past, the death of their mother during their teen years, and how that’s affected (and continues to affect) their openness toward love, connection, and commitment. While their father continued to care for them after their loss, he was so befuddled by his own grief that his parenting was always distant and ineffectual, so the girls had to rely on one another for everything that mattered. As Sarah lives with Mackie and moves forward with the pregnancy, she also is confronted by the feelings from her past that bubble up, complicating an already complicated situation.

There’s also a love story, of sorts, which is more of a background plot thread than a front-and-center focus, which is why I wouldn’t classify this book as a romance. Sarah also deals with career choices, rebuilding a relationship with her father, and finding a new outlook on life thanks to the outrageous-but-awesome new woman in his life.

Get Lucky is enjoyable, but some elements feel especially dated or jarring, even though it was only published 13 years ago. The ad campaign launch that kicks off the story is truly atrocious — it’s a campaign for a new line of bras, and the tagline is “boob ’em”… and I won’t even go into all the ways this plays out and how awful it sounds. Later, there’s an extended plot element revolving around Sarah’s involvement with the young woman who was the ad campaign’s bra model — all of which feels unnecessary and distracting, and does nothing to move the plot forward.

Overall, I’m not sure that the story truly holds together. There are a lot of random plotlines, and Sarah’s journey sort of meanders through them all. That said, there’s also plenty of humor, some very funny dialogue, and sneaky little moments that are suddenly quite emotional and pack a punch.

Morgan Hallett’s narration is quite good, capturing Sarah’s inner voice, the zaniness of some of the side characters, and the array of voices and situations. I found this a light, entertaining listen that didn’t demand a whole lot of attention, which was perfect for my life this week.

If you’re a Katherine Center fan, or simply enjoy a sister-centric story, it’s worth checking out this backlist title.

Audiobook Review: The Vintage Village Bake Off by Judy Leigh

Posted in Book Reviews by

Title: The Vintage Village Bake Off
Author: Judy Leigh
Narrator: Phyllida Nash
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Publication date: December 4, 2023
Print length: 336 pages
Audio length: 10 hours 24 minutes
Genre: Contemporary fiction
Source: Library
Rating:

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Living in happy solitude with his cat Isaac Mewton in the Devon village of Millbrook, entertained by his mischievous chickens and goats, Robert has never figured out the rules of romance. But as the local ladies vie for his company, it soon becomes clear that Robert’s Victoria Sponge cake is the lure, and as his baking prowess grows, so does his confidence.

Cheesecakes, meringues, puddings, Robert can do it all, but his real masterpieces are his scones – ginger, rosemary, coconut, fruit, his recipes are inspired and soon come to the attention of the local media. Which county does the best cream tea – Devon or Cornwall? It’s time for an age-old debate to be settled with a competition.

Robert’s sisters Bunty and Hattie are both at crossroads in their lives, so news of their brother’s baking competition is the perfect excuse to bring them to Millbrook. And as the siblings relish each other’s company, and Robert relishes being at the heart of his community, a summer of scones may just light the way to long-lasting happiness for them all.

Enjoy Judy Leigh’s wonderful world of family, friendship and feasting in this perfect feel-good story for all fans of Maddie Please, Dawn French and Caroline James.

This is my 3rd Judy Leigh book, and it definitely won’t be my last. The Vintage Village Bake Off is a feel-good, warm-hearted book about second chance love, sibling support, small town communities… and lots and lots of scones.

The main character, contrary to what the synopsis above implies, is not Robert Parkins, but his sister Hattie. Hattie’s bully of a husband ran off with another woman after fifty years of a miserable marriage. Newly divorced and on her own, Hattie is finally starting to reemerge from the protective shell she’d tucked herself into so long ago.

When Hattie’s sister Bunty arrives unexpectedly, having left her husband for a fling with another man who paid her some attention, Hattie’s patience wears thin. Finally fed up, she leaves Bunty and her ill-advised lover in her own home and heads to their brother Robert’s home in Devon.

Robert is delighted by Hattie’s arrival. The siblings hadn’t spent much time together while Hattie was married, and this is a chance for them to reconnect and simply enjoy one another’s company. Robert lives a peaceful bachelor life with his cat, goats, and hens, and has become a “babe magnet” (as the vicar describes it) thanks to the delicious desserts he brings to the local gardening club’s meetings.

When a reporter describes Robert’s scones as the best in the entire region, she inadvertently kicks off a war, as a rival reporter in Cornwall takes offense and challenges Robert to a showdown. The Scone Wars are on! While presented as a way to generate media buzz and some local pride, Robert is less than enthused about the idea of going to war over baking… but when he meets his opponent, a lovely teashop and bakery owner named Tressy, the competition becomes a lot more enticing.

Ah, this book is a delight! The Scone Wars storyline doesn’t actually kick in until much later, and meanwhile, it’s quite a lovely story following the three siblings — Robert, Hattie, and Bunty — with chapters from each of their perspectives, learning more about their lives, their disappointments, and their hopes for new beginnings. All three are in their seventies, and while they may each in their own way feel that they’ve missed out during their lives, they’re all ready for new adventures and are open to learning and changing their ways.

Hattie, especially, is wonderful. While it’s sad to see how diminished she became through her marriage to a domineering, emotionally abusive man, her road to self-discovery and empowerment is terrific. As Hattie rediscovers her love of music, allows herself to try new clothing, styles, and activities, and opens herself to new friendships, she finds courage and hope after a long, dismal stretch of years.

Bunty is flighty and harder to like at the start, but as we get to know her, we see too how her poor decision-making and silliness are just some aspects of her loving personality, so I did eventually warm up to her as well.

Robert is a gentle soul, lovably befuddled by the women who clamor for his attention and continually show up at his doorstep asking for jam or for help with recipes. He’s a dear man who’s live a solitary life, and is a great example of how it’s never too late to find love, even when least expected.

Judy Leigh once again delivers a story of sweetness, connection, and humor — I adore her gentle touch with a story and the mix of silliness with deeper emotions and the occasional sadder memories.

Phyllida Nash’s narration is spot on, providing the voices of the main characters as well as the cast of characters making up village life — each person is distinctive, and I love how well she brings the quirks and personalities to life.

Sweet and savory (just like Robert’s scones), The Vintage Village Bake Off is a tasty little treat that left me hungry for more (and yearning to savor some delicious home baking). I’m looking forward to enjoying more of Judy Leigh’s wonderful books in the coming year.

Book/Audiobook Review: Clanlands in New Zealand by Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish

Posted in Book Reviews by

Title: Clanlands in New Zealand: Kilts, Kiwis, and an Adventure Down Under
Authors: Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish
Narrator:  Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish
Publisher: Mobius
Publication date: November 7, 2023
Print length: 288 pages
Audio length: 8 hours 8 minutes
Genre: Travel/adventure/history/non-fiction
Source: Purchased
Rating:

Rating: 4 out of 5.

With a forward by Sir Peter Jackson. 

Buckle up, grab a dram, and get ready for another unforgettable wild ride.  
  
They’re back! Stars of  Outlander, Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish are no strangers to the rugged beauty of Scotland. But this time they’re setting their sights on a new New Zealand. 
  
Join our intrepid Scotsmen on their latest epic adventure across The Land of the Long White Cloud in this thrilling follow-up to  Clanlands . Setting out to explore a country that Graham calls home, and that Sam has longed to visit, these sturdy friends immerse themselves in all that New Zealand has to offer — stunning landscapes, rich history, world-class food and drink, and – much to Graham’s mounting anxiety and Sam’s deep satisfaction – famously adrenaline-fuelled activities! As ever there’s not nearly enough space in their trusty camper van and with plenty of good-natured competition and tormenting to go around, Sam and Graham’s friendship is put to the test once again. Along the way we learn about the length and breadth of this jewel of the Southern Seas, exploring the fascinating story of its people while testing the very limits of Graham’s sanity. 
  
Like the very best buddy movie sequel, this latest installment is full of unforgettable experiences and loveable characters and promises to be an even more memorable ride with two of the most entertaining travel companions around. 
  
So, say goodbye to your inhibitions and kia ora to New Zealand like you’ve never seen it before. 

If you’re a fan of Outlander, Men in Kilts, buddy road trips, or simply two likable guys who banter a lot, Clanlands in New Zealand will likely tickle your funnybone.

Actors Graham McTavish and Sam Heughan are back with another silly, over-the-top road trip, this time in New Zealand. The two friends (who play at being adversaries) travel all over New Zealand, experiencing history, culture, food and drink, and tons of pulse-pounding adventure (much to Sam’s delight and Graham’s dismay).

They come off as an odd couple — the young daredevil and the older, stodgier gentleman who just wants to enjoy his lattes and a good wine. But clearly, beneath the bickering, they really enjoy each other’s company and are having a blast.

Their first Clanlands book followed the two Scottish actors around (of course) Scotland, serving as a sort of narration and accompaniment to the filming of their TV series Men in Kilts. Here, it’s a similar approach while they film season 2 of Men in Kilts. The season was — sadly — quite abridged, being only four 30-minute episodes (vs the 10 episodes of season 1). From reading this book, it’s clear that they filmed much more material, so perhaps Starz just didn’t want to commit to a longer show.

In any case, Clanlands 2 is a fun, somewhat rambling account of their odyssey, as they try rocket boats, ziplining, Zorbing, shark cage-diving, and more. They also spend time visiting places of historical significance and learning about Maori culture, as well as sampling the foods and wines of New Zealand.

I listened to the audiobook, which is definitely the way to go. The two actors/authors narrate the book in somewhat alternating sections, each getting a chance to tell their version of each day’s events — often depicting their adventures very, very differently. They also interrupt each other a lot, offer insults and comments, and altogether just never, ever stop bantering and bickering. It’s silly, but very fun.

Graham narrates many vignettes from New Zealand’s history, and these can be quite interesting, although they tend to be somewhat shoehorned in amidst all the adventures. Overall, it’s a bit of an uneven experience, going from adrenaline-spiking outings to stories about Maori and British encounters from the 1800s… every part is interesting or entertaining, but the flow can be a bit weird.

But look, we (I) read or listen to Clanlands for the personalities and their charm. This isn’t a serious history book. It’s the story of two guys on a road trip! The New Zealand setting is wonderful to hear about, and while I had the pleasure of visiting New Zealand about 10 years ago, listening to Clanlands make me itch to go back and spend more time.

While I recommend the audiobook, it’s also worth checking out the print edition, so as not to miss the photos and illustrations, which are part of the terrific whole.

A final note: Listening to Clanlands in New Zealand made me sad that we didn’t get to see more of this adventure in season 2 of Men in Kilts (and there’s no indication that there will be more episodes at some future date) — but if you haven’t had a chance to watch this silly show, here’s a little taste:

Fun, right?

Audiobook Review: The Takedown by Lily Chu

Posted in Book Reviews by

Title: The Takedown
Author: Lily Chu
Narrator: Phillipa Soo
Publisher: Audible Originals
Publication date: November 2, 2023
Print length: n/a
Audio length: 10 hours 55 minutes
Genre: Contemporary fiction
Source: Audible download
Rating:

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Dee Kwan’s secrets for a happy life:
• Always remain positive, no matter the cost.
• Realize that every setback is a hidden opportunity.
• Accept compliments graciously, especially when given by mega-hot rivals.
• Never, ever question whether any of these mantras actually work.

For Dee Kwan, every day is the perfect day. No, really. She has a house she loves, a job she adores, and a ridiculously attractive “nemesis” who never seems to mind when she wins their favorite online game. How can life possibly get better? (It can’t, obviously. It can only get much, much worse.)

Soon Dee is forced to share her adorably cozy home with her parents and prickly estranged grandmother. Then she’s tossed into the deep end at work, tasked with cleaning up a scandal for the intimidatingly chic luxury fashion firm Celeste. If that weren’t enough, she discovers her hot nemesis works there, too… and Teddy is nothing like the man she thought she knew.

Before she can cry foul, Teddy comes clean about his double life: He’s the heir to the CEO, and he needs her help to make Celeste a better place—for everyone. But that means taking down the old guard—including his father—intent on standing in their way. Now in the center of a dizzying corporate coup, Dee is forced to decide whether she’s ready to stop watching the world through rose-colored glasses and instead face the truth: about herself, about her feelings for Teddy, and about what she’s willing to do to truly make a difference.

For the third year in a row, author Lily Chu has a new release offered as an Audible Original… and for the third year in a row, it’s a smart, upbeat romantic comedy with heart.

In The Takedown, main character Dee Kwan rises each morning with a daily affirmation. If she sends positive energy out into the world, positive results will manifest. Right?? Dee enjoys her position atop the leaderboard for the urban puzzle Questy, battling against the competitor in the #2 spot to keep one step ahead. And even beyond Questy, life is good: She lives in the cozy Toronto house that she bought from her parents when they moved to a rural setting, and she enjoys her new role as a diversity consultant with a well-regarded consulting agency.

Unfortunately for Dee, she suffers a couple of hard knocks in a row. First, she’s asked (told) to welcome her parents and her unloving grandmother to her home while her grandmother recovers from an injury. Second, her company’s owner has decided to close the business, and suddenly, Dee is back on the job market. On the positive side (must always be positive!) she runs into her Questy competitor on a puzzle adventure… and he’s not only hot, but totally charming.

Soon, Dee finds herself sleeping on a cot in her own home while her grandmother takes over the living room, her mother redecorates (and grows weed), and her grandmother’s pet chinchilla keeps her up all night with his squeaky exercise wheel. She does land a new job, but with a consulting firm that takes a very different approach, and is assigned as a junior consultant working on damage control at the fashion company Celeste.

Celeste is famous for its high-end luxury handbags and clothing, but their reputation has taken a hit after demographics showing the company’s lack of diversity leaked to the fashion press. Dee and her new boss are brought in to do an assessment and make recommendations, but it’s clear from day one that Celeste’s execs are interested in fixing their publicity problem, rather than making actual change.

Further complicating Dee’s worklife is the fact that Teddy, her Questy competition (crush), is both the son of the Celeste CEO and one of the company VPs. At first, Dee doesn’t understand Teddy’s passivity — how can he sit by and tolerate what’s happening? But as Dee learns, Teddy’s role in the company is more complicated than it first seems, and he’s been waiting for the right moment to start making change.

The story involves Dee and Teddy’s romance, but also focuses quite well on Dee’s personal growth and development. Dee is the biracial daughter of a Chinese father and white mother, and her grandmother treated Dee, her sister, and her father with disdain for as long as Dee can remember. As Dee now shares a home once again with her family, she’s able to question the unrelenting positivity that her mother has insisted upon all her life, and starts to reconsider how daily affirmations and unceasing cheeriness might actually keep her in a passive, static state.

Scenes at Celeste are fascinating, if sometimes over the top. From day one, Dee encounters and witnesses practically textbook examples of everything even the most basic diversity trainings teach you NOT to do. When Dee enters the conference room with her supervisor Vivian, a Black woman, the execs present persist in directing their questions to Dee, despite Vivian having clearly been introduced as the senior consultant. Vivian’s input seems to be ignored, until one of the male execs rephrases one of her statements as an idea of his own. And the white woman CFO is very clear that she represents diversity both at work and in her private life — after all, she sends her children to a public school with a large Asian population, and she really appreciates the positive example their work ethic sets for the “regular” students.

In addition to the barrage of microagressions, there are egregious examples of sexual harassment, not to mention abusive conduct toward the few people of color working behind the scenes. While Dee is eager to advocate for change, her good intentions end up thwarted by her company’s data-driven methodologies — but when she learns the depth of one exec’s misconduct, she decides to partner with both Teddy and another ally at Celeste to plot his downfall from within.

The plot of The Takedown is engaging and fresh, and the storytelling nicely blends romance, humor, and more serious issues around family, forgiveness, and honesty. It’s heartening to see Dee evolve from someone who embraces a sunny outlook at the expense of digging deeper, to a person who listens and supports without trying to sugarcoat. Additionally, I appreciated Dee learning how to confront troubling elements of her own family’s history and work toward fixing them, navigating conflict without walking away.

The romance is central, and the sparks between Teddy and Dee are sweet — I loved that they are originally drawn together by their love of trivia and playing Questy. Yes, there’s instant attraction once they meet face to face, but by then, they’d already developed a friendly rivalry and appreciation for one another’s personality and brains — which makes this a very dreamy romance indeed.

The corporate takedown storyline is fun to watch unfold, and it’s satisfying to see bad guys get what they deserve… although the resolution feels a little too neat and tidy to be possible in real life.

The audiobook is narrated by Phillipa Soo, who excels at bringing characters to life and giving them distinct voices full of personality. As a little treat for fans of Lily Chu’s previous two audiobooks (The Stand-In and The Comeback), there are teeny little references that show that this story takes place in the same general world. The Takedown is by no means a sequel and you don’t lose anything by not having listened to the other two… but it’s just fun to catch a reference to a celebrity or singer and know who they are, and one earlier book’s character does appear here in a more involved way — but as I say, these familiar elements just add to the fun, and won’t leave new listeners feeling like they’ve missed something.

Overall, The Takedown is an entertaining, light, engaging story about identity, standing up and making a difference, love… and trivia! Definitely worth a listen.



Audiobook Review: Slayers: A Buffyverse Story by Amber Benson and Christopher Golden

Posted in Book Reviews by

Title: Slayers: A Buffyverse Story
Authors: Amber Benson and Christopher Golden
Narrators:  Amber Benson, Charisma Carpenter, James Charles Leary, Emma Caulfield Ford, Juno Dawson, Laya DeLeon Hayes, Anthony Head, Juliet Landau, James Marsters, Danny Strong
Publisher: Audible Originals
Publication date: October 12, 2023
Print length: n/a
Audio length: 8 hours 2 minutes
Genre: Supernatural
Source: Purchased
Rating:

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Original cast members from the beloved TV series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, reunite for an all-new adventure about connections that never die—even if you bury them.

A decade has passed since the epic final battle that concluded Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV). The game-changing spell that gave power to all potential Slayers persists. With new Slayers constantly emerging, things are looking grim for the bad guys. Rebellious vampire Spike (James Marsters) is working undercover in Los Angeles with his old pal Clem (James Charles Leary) when he meets feisty, rookie Slayer, Indira (Laya DeLeon Hayes), who wants Spike to be her mentor. Stakes intensify as Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter) emerges from an alternate reality where she alone is the Slayer, and Buffy Summers doesn’t exist. Cordelia enlists Spike’s help with a classic big bad terrorizing her world…his ex, Drusilla (Juliet Landau). Giles (Anthony Head), Anya (Emma Caulfield Ford), Jonathan (Danny Strong), and Tara (Amber Benson) also return, but through the years and the vastness of the multiverse, not everyone is who they used to be…

Slayers: A Buffyverse Story is written and directed by Amber Benson and Chris Golden, and co-directed by Kc Wayland.

I’ll keep this short and sweet: If you love Buffy and wish you could return to that world once again, Slayers is a must-listen.

In this full-cast recording, years have passed and our world is pretty much under control. Sure, Sunnydale is still a sinkhole and there are still vampires, demons, and other assorted nasties, but there are also thousands of slayers worldwide, and they keep the bad buys in line. But apparently things are not quite as good in other worlds: Alternate-reality versions of Cordelia and Anya show up seeking Spike’s help — in their world, Drusilla is the big bad, and only Spike can stop her evil plot for total vampiric domination.

Accompanied by new teen slayer Indira, plus Clem and a very reluctant Giles (who’d been happily enjoying his retirement), the gang magics their way back to the other dimension, where Cordelia is the Slayer (and there’s only one), Tara is indulging in very dark magic, Spike was killed long ago, and no one has ever heard the name Buffy Summers. With this new, somewhat jaded version of the Scoobies, the action kicks into high gear, with spells, battles, possessions, and more.

It’s a total blast to hear the original cast members bring their beloved characters back to life. I’ve been needing a little Spike in my life! They’re all terrific, and the story just zips by.

A minor complaint is that the action sequences tend to be just a lot of “oooo” “owwwww” “ooooof” and punch-y sounds, and it’s not always easy to tell what’s going on based on sound effects alone. Similarly, as the story jumps from scene to scene, it would take me a few beats to figure out whether Tara, Anya, or Cordelia was speaking — they sound enough alike that it’s not consistently obvious at any given moment who we’re hearing.

Listening challenges aside, this is completely enjoyable and just oodles of fun. The story is zippy and original, the characters are true to themselves as we know them, but with years more living under their belts. It’s like revisiting old friends and figuring out whether the years have been kind to them.

The story ends with a few good twists, and is certainly left with some tantalizing loose ends that I’m hoping are laying the groundwork for a volume 2. There’s clearly much more adventure waiting for the gang, and I want to get to experience it!



Audiobook Review: Once More With Feeling by Elissa Sussman

Posted in Book Reviews by

Title: Once More With Feeling
Author: Elissa Sussman
Narrator: Jaime Lamchick
Publisher: Dell
Publication date: May 30, 2023
Print length: 416 pages
Audio length: 9 hours 12 minutes
Genre: Contemporary fiction
Source: Library
Rating:

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Then. Katee Rose is living the dream as America’s number one pop star, caught in a whirlwind of sold-out concerts, screaming fans, and constant tabloid coverage. Everyone wants to know everything about her and her boyfriend, Ryan LaNeve, the hottest member of adored boy band CrushZone. Katee loves to perform but hates the impossible demands of stardom. Maybe that’s why she finds herself in the arms of another CrushZone member, Cal Kirby. Quiet, serious Cal, who’s always been a good friend to Katee, is suddenly Cal with the smoldering eyes and very good hands. One unforgettable night is all it takes to blow up Katee’s relationship with Ryan, her career, her whole life…

Now. Kathleen Rosenberg is okay with her ordinary existence, and leaving her pop star image in the past. That is, until Cal Kirby shows up with the opportunity of her dreams–a starring role in the Broadway show he’s directing and a chance to perform the way she’s always wanted. The two haven’t spoken since the joint destruction of their careers, and each of them blames the other, making their reunion a tense battle of wits and egos. Katee reluctantly agrees to the musical, as long as she keeps her guard up around Cal. But rehearsals are long, those eyes still smolder, and those hands are still very good. Despite everything, Katee can’t deny the chemistry between them. Is it ever a good idea to reignite old flames? Especially if you’ve been burned in the past?

A former pop star finds herself back in the spotlight–along with an old flame from her past–in this “friends to lovers” meets “enemies to lovers” romance from the bestselling author of Funny You Should Ask, the sensational Tik Tok romance!

Kathleen Rosenberg has spent a decade living in the shadow of regret. Once the biggest pop star in the world — Katee Rose — her career and popularity were burned to the ground after a cheating scandal, when seemingly overnight she went from hugely loved to terribly despised. Her contracts were cancelled, her reputation was destroyed, and since then, she’s lived off her royalties and stayed out of the spotlight, with only her best friend Harriet and her cat Fish for company.

When Harriet’s newly written musical seems destined for Broadway — a huge breakthrough for her own career — Kathleen seems about to achieve her long-awaited moment to shine. The lead role was written for her, after all. But the show’s director and choreographer is Cal Kirby, her summer camp crush and a contributing factor in her career implosion all those years ago. To live out her dream and finally get a shot at Broadway, Kathleen will have to find a way to work with Cal, even as old resentments (and much warmer feelings) start to bubble to the surface.

Once More With Feeling is told through a dual timeline, with a primary focus in the “now” sections, as the Broadway show is developed, rehearsed, and prepared for its premiere. There are also “then” chapters woven throughout, which follows Kathleen, Harriet, and Cal’s first meeting at a summer camp for theater kids, to Katee Rose’s stardom, the rise of boy band CrushZone (which includes both Cal and Katee’s boyfriend Ryan), and then the scandal that ruined it all. We don’t truly find out what happened “then” until close to the end of the book, but there are plenty of clues, and having seen the aftermath through “now” Kathleen’s experiences, it’s clear there’s a trainwreck coming from early on.

The storytelling and dialogue is snappy and propulsive. Even when Kathleen is wallowing with edibles and ice cream, she’s interesting to be around, and I enjoyed both the “then” and “now” sequences. As a Broadway fan myself, I really got caught up in the show prep and all its tensions (and seriously, I wish that Riveted was a real show — I’d love to at least hear the soundtrack!)

Adult Kathleen still has Katee’s propensity for terrible decision-making when it comes to her personal life, and some poor choices threaten to torpedo both her life-long friendship with Harriet and her chemistry with Cal, not to mention sinking her best (and perhaps only) chance at a new stage in her failed career.

Although I enjoyed the book, I had some quibbles with the plotting as a whole. My main complaint is that the timeline takes quite a bit of effort to figure out (which perhaps is made worse by listening to the audio version — it takes much longer for things to unfold that way). It really isn’t clear early on what happened when. How long after summer camp did Katee become a pop star? How long did that last? How long ago was the scandal? When did Katee’s career fall apart? How many years has it been since? Eventually, I pieced enough together — my assumption is that after camp (age 14), Katee got a break and was cast in a teen variety show, then from there launched her solo career and became a breakout star; then at about age 25, things fell apart, and ten years later, Kathleen gets her shot at Broadway. But I wish the book had just told us this, rather than making readers guess.

A few other minor complaints: Kathleen’s camp nemesis shows up at a few key points in the Broadway casting and rehearsal process, and I expected there to be some major confrontation or crisis involving this person — but no, that element just fades away. Also, as mentioned, Kathleen really makes some poor decisions, and we can see the fall-out coming from miles away. As the ultra-processed/managed/autotuned popstar, it’s maybe understandable that she’s not able to control her own relationships and actions, but as a 30-something adult, there’s much less of a rationale for why she makes certain choices.

If you’re reading all this and thinking Britney and Justin… well, yes, I can only assume that the comparison is entirely intentional. Not everything in Katee/Kathleen’s story directly mirrors the early years of Britney Spears, but it’s clear that Katee is meant to be that level of pop star. It’s both entertaining and sad to see a young woman getting — theoretically — what she’s always wanted, and yet end up a prisoner of her own success.

The romance in Once More With Feeling is an important plot element, but not the only one. I appreciated the balance between the romantic storyline and the plot threads focusing on Kathleen as a person with frustrated dreams and deep, unresolved hurt stemming from public humiliation and abandonment.

The audiobook, narrated by Jaime Lamchick, is quite fun, with the narrator providing great personas for the characters. Her voice changes for teen Katee vs adult Kathleen, and I think it’s a sign of the narrator’s talent that we can identify that this is the same person, just at different stages of her life.

Overall, I enjoyed Once More With Feeling, and recommend it for theater kids, fans of popstars and boy bands, and anyone who appreciates a good comeback story!