Contrite

By: Kathy Coopmans

Narrated by: Kelley Hazen

Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Clove Calloway knew within an hour of picking up her husband, Turner, from the airport that something was different, yet she couldn't pinpoint what. Together since college, they know everything about each other...so why has she spent the last few days watching everything he does, hoping for a clue? What could have happened within the week he was gone?

One way or another, she's going to find out.

When Clove enlists the help of her brother, Zach, a police detective, she's afraid her suspicions of infidelity will be confirmed. Terrified that such news will crush her heart, she sets about preparing for the worst only to find it's much more than she could have imagined - there is no other woman.

Clove's life is about to descend into a web of deceit, lies, and betrayal.

Appearances can be deceiving...and only the master manipulator will be left standing.

©2015 Kathy Coopmans (P)2015 Kathy Coopmans

REAL SUSPENSE

This is a challenging and engaging story. When I imagine myself in this situation, wow, I'd lose it. I don't know what I'd do. I listened to this audiobook in one sitting I was so compelled to find out what would happen to Clove. Twists and turns. Lots of surprises.

A hard one to review...

Well, it definitely isn't an easy book for me to review... I was expecting a typical thriller, a mystery of a missing husband and a wife looking for him, with some unavoidable scenes of violence here and there... What I didn't expect was a lof of almost graphic sex scenes, which in my opinion were completely unnecessary, did not develop the plot or the characters in any way and very quickly felt repetitive and boring, so much so that I started skipping them very early in the book... I understand that one or two were needed in the first chapter to establish the situation and show the relationship between Clove and her husband and explain why she knew there was something wrong with Turner right from the start but even then they really didn't need to be so literal and full of vulgarisms. That's the problem I have with books containing so called "hot" sex scenes - too many vulgarisms in such scenes make me wonder: are they really a couple who love each other or are they just coupling like brainless animals? For me vulgarisms and love are complete opposites of each other; that's why I could not make myself believe in love between Clove and Turner...

The other two things that made me really struggle through the book was the amount of violence and the amount of Clove's inner monologues... I know, thrillers mean violence - but normally even in a dark thriller you would have some moments of relief, of normalcy, of rest... no such repose here, unfortunately. When Clove gets into trouble, she doesn't escape it even for a second, she only goes deeper and deeper into the darkness... As a reader/listener I just wasn't able to stand it for longer than an hour or two a day. And when it comes to Clove's inner monologues. well, how many times can you read/listen to someone telling you "I hate that son of a b...., I want my husband back"...? Again, very quickly it felt just boring and repetitive and instead of getting me engaged in the story, it just made me wish the book ended soon.

The only positive thing about that audiobook for me was the narration by Ms Kelley Hazen. I generally liked it, it did make the book at least bearable for me, with her acting skills and her ability to differentiate the characters. But even that good interpretation was not enough to keep me glued to the headphones to listen on for longer than a few chapters at a time. And it's a real pity because I feel that it may have been quite a good thriller as the plot itself sounded so intriguing right at the start, and some of the twists turned out really masterfully planned by the author.

Still, even though I really didn't like book one I will listen to book two as I made a promise to write a review of it - otherwise I'd probably skip it.

DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Sexy Thriller

Contrite was a sexy thriller, filled with suspense and I was immediately drawn in. However, as the plot started to evolve, I seriously questioned Clove's decision not to involve the police and to just go along with the situation. I also didn't believe that so many graphic sex scenes were necessary to the plot. Clove's inner dialogue was one of the most entertaining parts of this audiobook for me. I liked the suspenseful buildup to the story's climax, even though it ends on a huge cliffhanger. Kelley Hazen as narrator did a great job with the voices and emotions of the characters. I will be listening to Reprisal (Book 2) to see how it all ends. Overall, Contrite was an entertaining listen and I would recommend it.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This review is my honest opinion.

Twisted!

What a book! This story hooked me from the very beginning with all of its twists. I never saw some of the things coming. This listen is not the full story and somewhat of a cliffhanger. I thought the narrator did a very good job, but sometimes it was hard to distinguish all of the various characters voices. I requested this review copy audiobook and have voluntarily written this review. I am hooked with the story and will listen to the next book in the series Reprisal.

hot mystery, sizzling stuff

I wasn't sure what to expect but this is one of those stories you can't stop listening to. Clove's predicament is unthinkable, unimaginable. As the listener you feel kind of guilty that you are so into the connection between her and the guy - you go through what she goes through. It's kind of 'twisted' in a really erotic way. And I mean that in a good way. A really good way. From beginning to end this is a hot listen for all the right reasons, not just the erotica.

Wait! $ave your credit!

Struggled to finish this book and skipped as much as I could without missing too much, easy.
I didn't care for the writing or narrator, her voice was harsh and her version of male the voice were uninspired. Meh!

A Good Listen

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the narrator and found it very intriguing. The plot is fast paced with twists and turns, always making you wonder what will happen next to this perfect couple. The suspense just keeps building right to the last chapter. The suspense keeps you listening.

Left me Breathless..!÷

I cannot recommend this book enough. Seriously, if you want a great quick read that grabs you by the throat and does not let go until well after you are finished, get this book!

U GET EXACTLY WHAT IT SAYS

Mystery, thriller, suspense. I was intrigued by the storyline. My attention was held by the plot. The book is strangely voyeuristic. It's like you shouldn't be listening but you are. It's naughty. Held my interest. I'm getting Book 2.

No happy ending here!

Horrible performance and not even a good ending...who likes it when evil triumphs??? Performance was unconvincing.