Shivani Faust

not as good as I hoped

Reviewed: 10-30-18

I struggled to finish this book. I love fantasy and mystery and somehow this book sounded like the perfect combination. it was not. I think it was too far fetched and the story just seemed to have constant "surprises" without any real sense. I won't spoil it, but at the end it gets even more frustrating when you've tried to understand and they throw in a twist that basically means none of what you read matters. The narrator I think, did the best he could with the material. Each character tried to have a different voice and attitude but sometimes there was a struggle just because of how many characters that were "important" existed.

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Not worth the $4 I paid

Reviewed: 10-25-18

I bought this as a daily deal after reading very negative reviews with a few that said to just give it a chance. So I did. Never have I been so wrong. The military lingo is blatantly incorrect, the plot is not believable, and the narrator...he doesn't see to understand the severity or seriousness of what he is reading. Just all together it made for a bad experience. I do like other titles from this author though, so don't count him out, just this book.

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Cute, easy listen, but somewhat predictable

Reviewed: 06-15-18

This book was a great relaxing change of pace to my usual murder mystery and slasher books. Being Indian myself I was curious to hear how well they read and represented the culture without overwhelming someone with it. This book did a great job of involving the Indian culture and making it clear how vital it is to our family unit without making it seem like we are crazy and unreasonable compared to American culture. The love story was classic and sort of predictable (spoilers ahead), girl meets boy, girl doesn't want a relationship with boy, girl pushes boy away, and then girl come running back in some big romantic gesture. Even though the story itself was a bit predictable it was still interesting and fun to listen how it all unfolded and there were a few good surprises for both main characters and some supporting ones. I was also really happy with the narrators pronunciation of Indian names etc. A great light hearted listen, with humor and romance.

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1 person found this helpful

Classic with extra love

Reviewed: 06-15-18

This book was exactly what I wanted and expected from the Molly Harper / Amanda Ronconi duo! They are always so well balanced with sass, humor, and honesty. This was a fun start to a hopefully great series and it was a little different to not have the supernatural element that is normally a Molly Harper classic. If you loved her previous books this is a great new start and has a lot of the fun southern charm and comedy that she is known for. The characters are developed well without becoming confusing and the story is predictable, yet really enjoyable. The "sexy" parts really weren't that bad and also were not happening all the time so they didn't seem to take over the book. Over all a great book and narrator team, and I can't wait for more from this series.

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Story and performance are good, but....

Reviewed: 10-27-17

This is a potentially great book. It has everything a normal YA reader wants; sarcasm, wit, clear story, multiple surprises, and some sex. However, I just could not warm up to it. I've read all the Molly Harper books from the "Nice girls don't" series and assumed after reading the reviews that I would love this series just as much. It was sort of a let down. I can't take away stars from the performance because the narrator did a great job of distinguishing characters and selling the book. But I guess I just felt like it was really immature and childish. It gives me a whole new meaning to "young Adult" genre.

There was SO MUCH cursing, and not the normal oh shit this happened, but the all the time for no reason sort of cursing. I'm no prude, but it was seriously too much and it was very middle school. Saying things like " what the fu" instead of just saying it and "holly blue balls what is this". The other part that really surprised me was that the amount of sex, or sexual explanations, or sexual speaking was completely overdone. I get it, they are attracted, they had sex, great let's move on, but instead not only was it so in detail that I felt I had bought an erotica book, it took forever to be done.

In all honesty, I was over the book in chapter 3, but had bought it for a road trip I was taking and figured, what the heck I'll give it some more time and it will get better, or I'll get used to it. That never happened. By chapter 8 I was so confused why EVERY type of immortal being had to be thrown into the book at random to make for more drama and confusion. The saddest part is that I thought it would be one of those things where the main character grows and develops and then you realize you are totally on her team and are rooting for her, but at no point in the book did I find myself wishing she would "win" or conquer or even just be happy. She was just a complaining, whinny, cursing, dramatic adult who acted like a horny child whenever the opportunity was given.

I don't think I've ever written a review this bad before, but I really want to warn people that though this book is and was enjoyed by many listeners it is not akin to other YA vampire novels that I've been listening to through Audible. It has a very specific audience and I'm just disappointed I didn't learn to love it like other listeners.

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Good story, sometimes distracting though

Reviewed: 01-10-17

Would you consider the audio edition of The Innocent Ones [Soundtrack Edition] to be better than the print version?

I don't know, I didn't read the print version.

Who was your favorite character and why?

To be fair there aren't a ton of characters that seem "good" to choose from in this situation, but I will say that the main character, Jen, grew on me throughout the book. At the beginning I just felt like she was not the sort of person you'd want to be friends with, but then more of her actual life was made apartment and I didn't feel sorry for her as much as I felt I understood her more.

What three words best describe Scott Brick’s performance?

Thrilling, Accurate, and Talented

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

"fact or fiction"

Any additional comments?

I would say to be aware that this book has a "soundtrack" that I wasn't a fan of most of the time. There were a few great instances where the sound track really helped the story to remind you where in the story you were, like the sound of the ocean or some gun shots.

However, throughout most the story I found myself getting pretty irritated at having to constantly turn the volume up or down to adjust. Turning it up repeatedly so I could hear the actual story over the soundtrack that was just distracting, or turning down because the soundtrack plus the story was all of a sudden too loud.

I understand the ultimate point of adding a soundtrack to an audible story, getting you more "into" the story and making a full "experience". However, for my personal taste it is unnecessary. To me the whole point of reading or listening to a book is to let your own imagination create and process the details.

Even though most of the time the soundtrack was party background music or police sirens, I wouldn't say that it helped the story and therefore, if it isn't helping, it isn't necessary. But again, that's just my style of listening, the story and narrator though, as usual, were fantastic!

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2 people found this helpful

Fun, flirty, and fantastic!

Reviewed: 09-30-16

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

Absolutely, if my friend liked the sort of YA books that I do. If you like Molly Harper, Amanda Ronconi, or similar things then you'll like this one.

What other book might you compare The Vampire's Mail Order Bride to and why?

Similar to some of the half-moon hallow series, but I will warn that it is not as witty or funny as those books. Not to say it isn't funny or has some great sarcasm, but just don't expect the same level of snarkyness.

What does B.J. Harrison bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

To be honest, I thought I wouldn't like a book like this narrated by a guy, but he does a great job. I have listened to books similar to this narrated by men and I don't know how to describe it except that it makes me uncomfortable... Mr. Harrison makes if light and easy, but sometimes also has the ability to make you pay more attention with his tone inflections and "sneaky" sounding reads. All in all, I would definitely try another book narrated by him specifically.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Grandma didn't account for her and her cat!

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended if you like the YA genre of books. Fun, easy, listened to it while I do household tasks and driving. Interesting enough to make me buy the next in the series, but also easy enough that I'm not on the edge of my seat waiting for the next thing to happen.

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Never disappointment with Molly + Amanda

Reviewed: 09-30-16

What did you love best about Big Vamp on Campus?

It gave us a great different point of view by having a book from Olivia. Didn't necessarily make me like her any less, but it did make the whole half-moon hallow universe seem more complete and understandable.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jane is still my favorite character of course, but she only appears briefly in this one. Getting to know Olivia though was also really entertaining.

Which scene was your favorite?

Spoiler alert**When Jamie breaks up with Olivia because of her antics, been waiting for that moment for a while, it was almost satisfying haha

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

How to Survive on more than blood

Any additional comments?

As usual Harper and Ronconi are amazing and bring characters we've already fallen in love or dislike with to life in a way that makes me want to know them, sometimes even think that I do know them. WWJJD? What would Jane Jamison do? That has been my moto sometimes after reading this spectacular series.

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Great and Snarky with Fantastic narration

Reviewed: 12-14-15

What did you love best about The Squad: Perfect Cover?

Honestly, what I liked best is that I liked it way more than I ever expected to. I bought it purely because of the narrator because she is my favorite, and because it received decent reviews. The idea of a secret agent cheer leading squad seems absolutely ridiculous. And even though the realistic idea of this still is silly, the book managed to make it, maybe not believable but at least very enjoyable.

What other book might you compare The Squad: Perfect Cover to and why?

I don't think story wise I could compare it, but the narration, tone, and overall performance I would compare to many of Ronconi's performances of Molly Harper's books. She puts her natural snarkiness and fun into her reading and really pulls you in without you noticing it.

What about Amanda Ronconi’s performance did you like?

I liked her performance as a whole, the fact that she can sound like a real teenager, not like someone trying to be a teenager, and that she can give each and every cheerleader their own voice is quite impressive. Especially since they are described as almost the same person, she gives each character life, not just the protagonist.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

From snarky to sparkly; a spies ability to be "cheery"

Any additional comments?

I would definitely say that buying this book is a great idea and if you are on the fence about it, buy it! You won't be disappointed. This book takes the typical story of turning an outsider into the "it" girl and elevates to a different level where it has a real purpose instead of so the hot guy will date her. Fun, and easy to listen to, but also interesting enough that I've already listened to it a second time just to see what little parts I missed.

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2 people found this helpful

Kept hoping it would get better...but it didn't

Reviewed: 12-11-15

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No I would not. This book really seemed promising, but was a let down. I kept listening hoping something a little more intriguing would happen and it never did. Also it ended as if at the end of a chapter, not the end of the book which I find irritating because it's just forcing you to buy and listen to the next one instead of letting you enjoy a series book on it's own, like any Molly Harper series for instance. I should be able to be happy with a book within a series as a stand alone without HAVING to download others in the series, they should just connect each other, not need each other.

Has Accidental Leigh turned you off from other books in this genre?

No it has not because I've listened to so many in the genre. Honestly this was a test of new material because I am slowly running out and I was disappointed at the amount of curse words. Don't get me wrong, Molly Harper and similar authors use vulgarity at times and sex scenes for sure, but this book used them so much and so unnecessarily that I almost turned it off already in chapter 2.

Which character – as performed by Hollie Jackson – was your favorite?

I think I would have liked the main charter, Leigh, if she had more tact, humor, and was able to use other words than curse words when anything happened to her.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Absolutely not, there was not real plot or subplot, or climax of the story, or even a resolution. It was just a girl doing things just for fun with no consequence or realism.

Any additional comments?

I originally bought this because I was hoping it would be a fun light read, and though it was definitely easy as far as a listen, it was definitely harsh as far as curse words repeatedly and such sexual vulgarity that I felt I should be listening to 50 shades or something, not a light, fun, magical adventure.

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