So Long, Lollipops

By: Sarah Lyons Fleming

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

Length: 3 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's Summary

**WARNING**

This novella contains major spoilers from the novel Until The End of the World. It's suggested you read the novel before you hear So Long, Lollipops. Unless you're someone who likes to read the last page of a book first - in that case, enjoy!

Peter watched his new family drive away, certain it was the last time he'd ever see them. But sometimes plans go awry in the best way. Now, the plan is to get back to them. But sometimes plans go awry in the worst way.

Sometimes the only plan is to believe it will be all right, even when it's almost impossible to believe.

©2014 Sarah Lyons Fleming (P)2014 Podium Publishing

✫✫ 5 Stars ✫✫

I was so happy when this book started and it was Peter! I needed to know what happened to him after the way book 1 ended. He was my least favorite character in book one until the end and now he might just be my favorite. I love a characters that grows and changes throughout a book and he grew so much! Maybe it was him all the time but he finally let it out. The story of his rescue was exactly what I wanted it to be. Thank you to the author for adding this novella!

Julia Whelan is AMAZING. I don't think I need to say anything else since this book was a male POV and she did t perfectly!

12 of 12 people found this review helpful

So Long, Lollipops

I was NOT expecting to get this story, but I am sooooo glad we did. I loved seeing Peter become more and more of a man of survival and how he was so much more than he was from book 1.

He gets tested a lot but comes out it stronger or at least I felt he does. Kinda loved that he read the twilight books in this one “for Bits.” ;)
I liked that we also get a glimpse into other survivalists and what they are doing to keep going in such a trying time.

Again Fantastic Narration!

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Zombie, Chick Lit

WHY DID YOU BREAK UP? DETAILS
Yes, this has Zombies or Lexers. It also has white lace curtains, sewing, Twilight, best friends and more. It is well written, but in the style more appreciated by the romantically inclined. No sex.

I GUESS WE JUST CALLED THEM ZOMBIES, THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE, I DON'T SEE NO REASON FOR ANTOHER NAME.
Finally, someone who thinks like me. I wanted to love this story for that statement alone. The military was calling them Lexers and I am probably spelling that wrong.

The narrator is pleasant to listen to, but does not change her voice per the action in the book. The few times the Zombies attack, I almost missed it. Tone of voice does not change.

109 of 125 people found this review helpful

Surprisingly excellent and captivating .

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

As someone who shuns the poplular as a rule of thumb and not even tempted to get into the the newest pop culture of Dark and Occult , Werewolves, Vampires Zombies have NEVER been a choice I would make.
That said, I was completely captivated by this book and its story and people. The theme was presented in such a way as to make the impossible very real and plausible.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and cannot wait to start book 2 . I thank you Audible for offering this book as I might never have experienced such a heartwarming and gripping tale otherwise.
Clear your calendar and settle in for the read and enjoy.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I would naturally have chosen Peter if I had not listened to the excerpt from book 2 and now I am torn between the two leads of him and Cassie.
I really appreciated how real the monologues are as they let us into their worlds and minds and hearts. It was so endearing to see that these two protagonists have all the failings of every single person on earth and are not some kind of superhuman.

Which scene was your favorite?

I guess the bridge scenario where Peter appears to lose everything in an attempt to avoid the zombies.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, as a matter of fact, the scene with the child in the mobile home was heart wrenching, and I tried to imagine the feelings I would have experienced in Peter's place.
The early scenes when he meets the Father of the young girl are priceless.

Any additional comments?

Just to add another thank you for offering this book. I would not have chosen it on my own, for two reasons, 1. the name gives the impression it is about children or for children, and 2. Had I seen a review that mentioned Zombies I would have skipped it. That would have been a bad choice! Thank you !!! :D

13 of 16 people found this review helpful

A Free, Middle- of- the- series Novella

Free listens are wonderful.. thank you Audible. As far as this Novella enhancing Fleming's "End of the World" series? No. When you read the first book of this series, the other books are much of the same. " So Long Lollipops' is actually a "slice of life" that further explains the attack of one the main characters by zombies, which occurs in book one. I am undecided on this series. What's different, even odd, about the series is that it has your typical post-apocolyptic, graphic, zombie violence, but is equally full of warm, fuzzy, relationships that are a little over the top. It didn't quite fit in with the end-of-the-world devestation and zombie massacres that are occuring at the same time. It seems directed toward the YA and/or female audience.

8 of 11 people found this review helpful

Fantastic!

Read this after Book 1 "Until the End of the World". It is a great story, fast read, great bridge book in between book 1 & book 2.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

YOU NEED TO.....

YOU NEED TO READ THIS SERIES IN ORDER OR THIRD NOVELLA WILL GIVE AWAY SPOILERS!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS SERIES!! THE NARRATION IS SPOT ON & I CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF THIS SERIES!!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

More please! :)

I loved this story & can't wait to read more survival stories! I'm especially interested to learn more about the virus.

4 of 6 people found this review helpful

A peek into a larger story

I haven't listened to the series but the way this story is written seems like a side story about a character from something larger. It was entertaining but I can't say I really got into it. The writing was good, the narration was great and usually this is the type of story I love, however this one didn't make me go wow!

I like to feel the characters dilemna and I can't say I really felt for Peter. At times I did as he battled zombies and was at times in situations that couldn't get much worse. The author didn't drag me into his mind and struggle. It was decent though and the series it belongs to might be a stronger read.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Hidden gem of books

What made the experience of listening to So Long, Lollipops the most enjoyable?

So Long, Lollipops isn't as good as the first and not completely necessary to listen to if you could care less of Peters struggles as he was missing. I enjoyed it and he had done so much in the time he was gone.

Who was your favorite character and why?

This book was all about Peter and his journey.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

This whole book gave more insight. It doesn't really bring much more into the story moving forward but helps understand Peters thoughts and struggles. This might be more useful in the next book.

Any additional comments?

I suggest listening to this book also. Great story. Ready for the next!

5 of 8 people found this review helpful

One of the BEST Free books I've come across!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes definitely, it's a fantastically written story and I was hooked by it from very early on. I just love the story and how the author has written it. It's done so well from all the small details to the bigger ones. As you read (well listen) you really feel for the characters, in fact I felt like I was with them and along for the ride or even like I was them. This author is very talented and I'd recommend this book and anything by her any day!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I think it would have to be Peter for this one, he is the main character in this story and it's hard not to fall in love with him. He has such a kind heart and he is an amazing guy, I love how he kept going even when the odds were really against him.

What about Julia Whelan’s performance did you like?

She is a great narrator and I feel she plays each character well, you never get confused which character is which as she has her own way of doing each one. To be honest at times I'd forget it was just one narrator reading this book.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes and actually I did. I listened to it when I was going through a really bad time and I was up most of the night due to pain. This book was an excellent find for me, it really distracted me and took me away from everything that was happening to me. I got completely lost in the story and before I knew it it was finished.

Any additional comments?

I was actually naughty, I'd read the warnings about not listening to this book until I'd heard the first one but I did it anyway. I'm glad I did though as it got me completely hooked on this series, I just wanted to keep going as I became totally addicted.

For me I didn't feel it ruined the first book that much to be honest, I listened to it after this one and I didn't regret it. It meant as I was listening to the first book certain things would add up or fall into place. I actually listened to this book twice, as after this book I went onto the first in the series and then I came back and listened to this one again. This was all I a short period of time and I partly came back to it again as I had a few days until my next credit. I was so hooked on this series I couldn't wait. I have to say I enjoyed this book just as much each time :) and second time around I obviously knew more so it gave me a different view of it all.

I can highly recommend this book and just know if you choose to listen to this one first you'll become truly hooked and you'll be addicted to listening to the rest of the books in this series as soon as possible. So WARNING you will get hooked on these!

Thank you Sarah for writing these amazing books and for helping me through a really hard time in my life, your books really helped me and I'll forever be grateful for that. My words cannot truly express how thankful I am, I'm now one of your biggest fans and I look forward to seeing what you do in the future as your truly talented!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

A really good short story

One of the best freebies I have come across. Was never confused as to who was speaking (a peeve of mine), narrator did a good job there. The story kept me going and the pace was just right.Zombie-related stories like these are in no short supply, but the execution made up for parts that were slightly predictable. May check more out by this author.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

wonderfully scarry

this is a fantastic performance and story. I am now looking for a small island what a wonderful escape

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Love and family in a dying world

There are commendable bits of plot and description in this. It has the grounds of a classic zombie novel with an infusion of romance added in.

However, one can be distracted by how the female narrator attempts to narrate male dialogue in a way that it's hard to distinguish which male said what. They all sound like a child impersonating an adult; which as an adult can be quite irritating and distracting. Given that the protagonist of the initial story is a male, it's peculiar that this choice was made.

Additionally, there is a lot of milling around in safe areas that felt unnecessary. A mention to Twilight provides an exact reaction to how I felt about the romance.

In conclusion, it's alright. Could be better. The snippet added at the end is better as it's from a first person female perspective but again the males sound all the same; like a child putting on an adult voice.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

i never put 5 stars

loved it, good narration and easy to follow. i reccomend this book to people over 12

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A sickly interesting sci fi

Would you consider the audio edition of So Long, Lollipops to be better than the print version?

Not read but just had audio which is good.

What was one of the most memorable moments of So Long, Lollipops?

Opening scenario when he is trying to escape from ever extending hands of zombies.

Which character – as performed by Julia Whelan – was your favourite?

None

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Not worth a movie... it will be a sick movie.

Any additional comments?

None.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Enjoyed it.

This is a nice listen. The Peter character keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Fell in love with his character.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Nice to get to know you better!!

It was really good to know what Peter got up to while away from the group! I won't go into spoiler alerts but it was also nice to get to know him better and it was lovely for him to redeem himself after book one's spoilt little rich boys routine! Yet again though I had emotions galore , ugly crying and goonish laughing, as I listen to yet another well crafted listen, that is amazingly narrated, to give me another 5☆ listen.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Fantastic

This isn't usually something I would read/listen to but I couldn't turn it off. I listened from start to finish.

Peter is stuck and gets help from a unlikely bunch.

He has a long struggle to get to kingdom come but a very interesting one.

Fantastic and looking forward to listening to the second book.
Thank you

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Gripping story

It's a great story a bit short only 3 hours however it's well written.
Keeps you on edge till the end

1 of 1 people found this review helpful