Better Off Dead

Lily Harper, Book 1

By: H. P. Mallory

Narrated by: Betsy Hogg

From New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Urban Fantasy Romance Author, H.P. Mallory, comes The Lily Harper Series! If you like your books steamy (this is an adult fantasy romance, not for kids or teens!) and you aren’t easily offended by potty-mouthed, crass guardian angels, read on!

Better Off Dead is the first book in the Lily Harper urban fantasy series:

If there’s such a thing as luck, Lily Harper definitely doesn’t have it. Killed in a car accident before it’s her time to go, Lily learns that the hereafter isn’t exactly what she hoped it might be. First, there’s AfterLife Enterprises, the company responsible for sorting out the recently dead and sending them on their way to the Kingdom, (aka happily ever after,) or to the Underground City, (not so happily ever after.) Learning that Lily’s death was indirectly their fault (her guardian angel, Bill, was MIA during her accident and was one of their employees,) Afterlife Enterprises offers Lily the chance to live again. But, as with most things involving the afterlife, beware the fine print. Most notably, Lily will become a soul retriever, venturing into the bowels of the Underground City to retrieve souls that were mistakenly sent there by Afterlife Enterprises during a Y2K computer glitch. Second, there’s angel Bill. As if risking her second life in the Underground City wasn’t enough, Lily’s guide to the Underground is none other than her incompetent, alcoholic, womanizing guardian angel, Bill, the antithesis of anything wholesome. With only Dante’s “Inferno” and Bill to help her in her quest, Lily’s future isn’t looking bright.

Finally, there’s the legendary bladesmith, Tallis Black. As Scottish as his kilts and heavy brogue, Tallis Black is a centuries-old Celt who, for reasons only known to him, offers to train Lily and act as her escort into the depths of the Underground City. Dark, brooding and definitely dangerous, Lily knows she shouldn’t trust Tallis, but she also can’t deny her attraction to him. Between soul retrieving in hell, dealing with Bill and trying to figure out what’s in it for Tallis, Lily wonders if maybe she would’ve just been better off dead. To view the book trailer, visit: http://www.youtube.com/embed/cpDlXOdAv7sWant a sneak peek? Be sure to check out the “Look Inside This Book” feature at the top left of the page where you can preview the first three chapters!

©2013 H.P. Mallory (P)2013 Audible Inc.

Critic reviews

“H.P. Mallory has a quick wit, a fresh voice, and a clever way with words. If you like Charlaine Harris, you’ll love H.P. Mallory!” (Larissa Ione, New York Times Bestselling Fantasy Romance Author)

Nice listen, fun story

I had already read the electronic version of the book but decided to get the audible version to refresh my memory before the second book of the series was published.

This story is a fun new series from HP Mallory and has many fantastic characters as well as a very fresh and interesting premise. Lily Harper is killed but has the option to be reborn with a new life, a new body and a new job - to rescue souls wrongfully sent to the Underground City. In this story she has little time to struggle with the loss of her life and her family because she is immediately sent on a mission that might cut this new life short before it even begins.

I have to say that some of the funnier moments were a bit lost when I listened to it, because the narration simply didn't capture the male characters. This didn't stop me from listening to it, and it wouldn't stop me from recommending it either, but if you are considering reading the book (and not listening to it) I would go with that. This is just one of those times when the voices in your head might be the better option!

Good story

I enjoyed the story but not the narration. She sounds bored and I'm not a fan off all the swallowing and extra mouth noises.

Good book...bad narrator.

The choice of narrator for this series is just wrong, in every way! I would have ordered the next book in the series, but I see that it has the same person narrating. I will order the book & read it myself before subjecting myself to hours of having to listen to Betsy Hogg trying to do so many voices so poorly again!

Love her books.

Would you listen to Better Off Dead again? Why?

I'd probably listen to this again because I always revisit books I like.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Bill. He's hilarious. I love that he's an angel but has human problems. He has the most personality out of the characters that you're introduced to in the books.

Which scene was your favorite?

The ending scene, I think. After they were safe and the mission was done, that last bit of character interaction was the most fun for me.

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

No I didn't have an extreme reaction. I did laugh at a lot of Bill's antics, but not like extremely hard or anything. It was a fun listen but it wasn't emotionally moving.

An interesting new story

It's a bit different from her other paranormal stories and I quite like it. I did find it slow paced and short but I have high hopes for the continuation of this series.

boring.

if I had not rest H P Mallory books beforehand I would say do not read from this author. I usually enjoy her books but the was slow and very boring

Intriguing story line but falls short

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Where to start? Ever overweight young woman wants to be magically changed into a supermodel. Thinking that will solve her love life. Yeah right! Meets a giant Scotsman warrior. Who is every women romanticize dream. Her obnoxious guardian angel, Bill, is funny at times but very much useless character.

Would you recommend Better Off Dead to your friends? Why or why not?

Nope.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

It was okay. Ms. Hogg tries to do Scotch accent. But its off.

Do you think Better Off Dead needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Probably not.

Any additional comments?

I did like how Lily uses inspirational quotes. Specially when Bill tells her, she lives in reading inspirational self-help books, to better herself, but she Not really living her life.

Low Production Value

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The pacing. Six hours into the book they still hadn't left on their first mission.

If you’ve listened to books by H. P. Mallory before, how does this one compare?

This was my first by this author.

What didn’t you like about Betsy Hogg’s performance?

Everything. There were numerous pronunciation errors. For example, the word lichen is not pronounced "Leech-en". Ugh! It drove me crazy!! Also, you could hear every time Betsy Hogg swallowed. Both of these issues ruined the listening experience for me.

Was Better Off Dead worth the listening time?

The story wasn't good enough to balance out the low production value of this audiobook.

Very good!

A lil boring at first then it turns out to be really good and funny as hell!

HP Mallory wins again!

The story was absolutely wonderful. Ive had it for a while and hadnt listened necause the first time I tried the narrators voice got on my nerves. I wanted to give it a go ahead tho and Im happy to ne wrong about her. Adorable! Wonderful!