50 Acts of Kindness

By: Ellyn Oaksmith

Narrated by: Wendy Rich Stetson

Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's Summary

From acclaimed romance author Ellyn Oaksmith comes a novel of change, challenges, and ultimately kindness....

Being overly kind isn't in Kylie Harrow's nature. This has never been more evident than when Kylie vents her frustrations to an innocent employee - and the whole scene is posted online, tanking her career and earning her the dubious distinction of "world's worst boss". But when she flees home to the South, Kylie finds her childhood home has changed. The high school quarterback is now the hot and handsome sheriff. Her mother has turned her home into a nudist colony. And, worst of all, having heard about her daughter's exploits, her mother won't let her in the door until Kylie completes 50 kind acts in 50 days.

The task seems easy enough at first - and may even help repair her media image - but it quickly turns into a hilarious quest that leads Kylie down a bumpy road filled with new challenges. What started as a gimmick to save her career evolves into a mission to save a spunky old woman and her little dog from homelessness. As Kylie learns about the nature of kindness, she finds the path to happiness and, for the first time ever, maybe even love.

©2015 Ellyn Oaksmith (P)2016 Ellyn Oaksmith

Totally crazy and entertaining fun

This book was highly entertaining. While I thought that the main character, Kylie, was a piece of work, the book was thoroughly entertaining. It was full of interesting characters and laugh out loud moments. While I can't imagine Kylie could ever change enough to be a more caring person, she does try. And, I loved the dynamic between her and her friend. The friend knew her and loved and accepted her for the flawed person she was. That's a friend.
This book is hard to describe without giving great things away. But, this is a full bodied book that will keep you engaged and entertained from beginning to end.
I'm a huge fan of Wendy Rich Stetson, which was why I jumped at the chance to try out this new author. Wendy did not disappoint, and I really like Ellyn Oaksmith's storytelling. I can't wait to see what's next.

Wonderful delightful funny listen

Any additional comments?

When picking this up I had a hard day at work and just needed to smile. It did so much more than make me smile I found I was laughing out loud think oh no she didn’t what else could go wrong. When your world falls apart and you hit rock bottom what do you do you run home to mother only to find the whole world has went mad.


How can it be so hard to be kind for one women it seem pretty hard. She can’t do anything right even when she tries the hardest. Every time her world falls apart the hot hunk of a sheriff shows up seeing her down fall. Can life get any worse it does seem so for Kylie as she takes you through her day to day act of 50 acts of kindness. Hold on tight as this wonderful author and narrator take you through a trip of laughter, smiles and love that will keep you laughing. This is one audio you will want to listen to over and over again.


Wendy Rich Stetson has a voice I could listen to all day. Her male voices are as wonderful as her female voices. I know when I see her name she is going to deliver a wonderful listen which will keep me entertained. She always gives a clear audio with no background noise as she delivers an even tone with no high or low places. I love her male and female voices they are so rich and clear. You are never guessing who is talking or what emotions they are feeling. The voices fit the ages of the character as well as the person. Ms. Stetson really brought this audio to life for me. No doubt this book is worth reading but the audio blows the book away. The narrator had me hooked from the first page never letting go as I laughed my way through. I found things to do so I could listen and enjoy I didn’t want to put it down. Ms. Stetson is one of go to narrators I know she will always deliver a wonderful listen.


Kylie loses everything when she is labeled the world’s worse boss nationwide. When you hit rock bottom there is only one way and that is up unless your name is Kylie than you find nothing you do is right. I loved this character as she learned and grows into the person she wanted to be. Once she got her act together and started doing things because she wanted to not to get something she truly became a wonderful person with her smart sassy mouth which does get her in trouble. She truly made this a wonderful entertaining read. If things could go wrong they sure did for her no matter how much she tries to give it her all it always seems to back fire on her.


Chet with his easy going ways just make him that much funnier as he tries to keep the peace in this small town. He knows Kylie’s wants to show the world she has changed for all the wrong reason. He is hoping she will come out of her shell and see what is right in front of her face. A wonderful town with a wonderful man. I just loved him from his soft ways to his manly ones. He is truly a knight who could ride up and save me any day. There is nothing not to love about this characters who is the most even tempter man I know.


Sparks fly when Kylie and Chet get together the attraction is strong as these to go head to head again and again. Kylie just can’t keep her mouth shut as she deliveries sassy remarks time and time again which gets her in major trouble. I just loved how he turns the tables on her over and over again getting the last laugh. He loves baiting her and seeing her tempter fly.


This author is new to me when I picked this audio up I wasn’t expecting it to be so entertaining. The author writes a wonderful story with an outstanding plot. She delivers a story that will keep you laughing throughout with scenes that leave you with your mouth open thinking OH NO SHE DIDN’T only to find she sure did. I loved all these characters from her wonderful mother to the crazy cranky old lady. The author deliveries a powerful message that I think we all need to learn again and again. One must do from the heart not to see what they can get. The author gave a lot of thought to this read as she puts her heart into giving you a story that will stay with you for a long time. This is one I will listen/read again and again. If you are looking for a story that is well written, one that will keep you smiling that you can’t put down with a wonderful narrator who gives so much to the listen this is the book for you. I HIGHLY recommend this.

Acts of kindness

Any additional comments?

This book is very funny, it follows Kylie as she is called into see her boss. Kylie thought it's for a raise or promotion, but is somewhat different. The antics that follow are funny and poignant as she faces her past and tries to make sense of her future. I enjoyed this audiobook.

This Is Hilarious! Ellyn Oaksmith is One To Watch

Kylie is not the nicest person in the world. She sets goals, works on achieving them, without regard to the feelings of anyone else. She's not a bad person, just misunderstood. When one of her "classic" rants is recorded by a coworker & when the coworker loads it onto the Internet and the video 'blows up' to a million or 10 million views, she is fired from her position.

Kylie has no place to go, so she goes to the only place she knows, home. But home is not really the same as she remembers it.

Her understanding mom welcomes her home, a renovated, made over bed-and-breakfast for naked people (nudists.!!) That is just the beginning of the changes… this is a hilarious book from the time you turn it on until the very end. I do not laugh out loud when reading/listening, but I was letting out unladylike snorts at the antics, misfortune & hilarity throughout.

I am super stingy when it comes to my credits, but I would handover two or three to own this smart and witty work by Ellen Oakes Smith. Fortunately, you only have to use one!

I am also super stingy with my stars, but I give 50 Acts of Kindness 5 stars.

50 Acts of Kindness is narrated by Wendy Rich Stetson. I have listened to her on several different books and she is near perfection. This is a perfect match for her talents, absolutely fantastic!

If you like Marian Keyes or Sophie Kinsella you will love Ellen Oakes Smith and her 50 Acts of Kindness! This is the best 'Chick Lit' I've heard in YEARS. It is smart, funny, quirky & unexpected.


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LOL! Out loud!!!

I listened to this while painting and my husband kept asking what I was laughing about. Loved the story, the narrator was a bit flat but still wonderful!

A light-hearted, laugh out loud kind of read!

Vikki’s Musings
This is the first time I have read a book by this author, but it is not the first time I have listened to Wendy Rich Stetson. When she asked me to listen to 50 Acts of Kindness, I agreed, even though, the book is not my usual type of read. As always, Ms. Stetson delivers another stellar performance with this book.

The story:

3.5 Stars

While I struggled to like Kylie, her character did keep me on my toes and interested in what the next outlandish thing she would do. Underneath her tough exterior, I was able to find some redeeming characteristics.

I did like Chet, the sheriff, quite a lot. He has many qualities I enjoy in a hero. I also liked his determination to not give into lust, even though he found Kylie very attractive. That is not something you find in many romances.

This is definitely Chick-Lit with romantic elements. While it is quite humorous throughout the book and had me laughing out loud several times, it did go over the top a few times. The bottom line for me was Kylie’s unlikable character. Even at the very end, I still didn’t truly warm up to her. I also did not feel a strong sense of attraction between Kylie and Chet. Nonetheless, I did enjoy this book, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it.

Narrative:

4.5 Stars

Wendy Rich Stetson does an outstanding job with this one. Her narrative always brings the characters to life. She did a fabulous job with the multitude of secondary characters, especially the cantankerous Margaret. I marvel at her ability to give so many characters a distinctive voice. If you enjoy a narrator who reads with plenty of emotion, then you will love Ms. Stetson. It’s truly a delight to listen to her performance.

If you enjoy romantic comedy with a zany heroine, and a book with plenty of action, along with an adorable animal that almost steals the show, then you will want to read 50 Acts of Kindness. The moral of the story alone makes it worth your time. Happy reading!

Hilarious!

Author is well on her way to writing comedic situations like Tina Fey or Amy Poehler! *Standing ovation*

Funny and wholesome!

Pleasantly surprised by how funny and warm this story was, thoroughly enjoyed the performance and it was great that the story was about her growing as a person, dealing with her past and with family issues, and not just about a guy

Loved it!

This book had me laughing out loud so many time!! If I could give it more stars I would.

Awesome

One of the best feel good books I have read. Makes you laugh and warms the heart!