Jennifer

This book has a lot of charm; it keeps you interested through storyline and a terrific narrator. I wrote for "tweens and up" because there are a couple of violent parts that you only understand by "reading between the lines" My 13 y.o. would get it but my 8 y.o. would be lost - which is okay because if my 8 y.o. understood what was happening, he wouldn't sleep in his own bed for a month!

This book was a blast! I was quickly engaged and had tons of fun imagining the world(s) Cline created. I listen to audiobooks as I clean the house or in the car. I loved this book so much I had to "find" things to clean and "remember" errands to run. Five stars all the way for this one!!!

Well, I wasted a credit and I can't blame anyone but myself because I read several of the reviews. This truly is a ROMANCE novel. We're talking HOURS of the rescuing prince being overly concerned about the heroine's well-being and emotional state, HOURS of the heroine being overly concerned about the prince's well-being and emotional state, HOURS of descriptions of physical contact including back rubs, foot rubs, hugging, snuggling, embracing, biting, holding hands and a little bit of sex. The actual story might have been 5 hours without all the romance.

I suppose I am most disappointed to find out it is part of a series. Sigh. Part of the reason I didn't give up on the book was because I wanted to find out "what happened".

So, like the other reviewers... if you love romance, you'll love this book.... if not, you are probably going to hate it.

Ahhh.... Every spring I anticipate the release of another installment of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency story. This series is a beautiful mix of mystery, philosophy, and fascinating interplay between characters. All of your favorite characters are here - including a surprise guest. I loved every minute of it!!!

The description sounded so interesting and the book had nice, high reviews so I downloaded it. It started slow and I immediately heard some red flags... the main character is a nurse during the war and doesn't recognize a blood stain? No, her husband is the one who has to tell her what it is. Gasp! I should have turned it off right then because it only got worse. This modern, strong woman turned into an idiot as I listened. This is nothing more than a smutty romance novel, complete with manufactured drama, abuse and co-dependency. I am sad to have wasted a credit.

I debated heavily before buying this book. I love satire and it won the Pulitzer prize... and yet the reviews were not that great. (I rely quite a bit on listener feedback in book choice.) Finally, I decided to get it.

I did not like it at first. At all. About 2 or 3 hours into it, I thought about abandoning the book and that is rare for me. I listened on and the story/characters grew on me, but I never loved it.

There are two main reasons I did not like this book:
1. It was depressing - characters fighting nearly all the time - screaming at each other. It is hard to take 13+ hours of people hating each other, even if it is satirical.
2. I did not care for the narrator's voice or interpretation of characters.

I just finished the book and I feel ... relieved.