Chainsaw Honeymoon

By: Steven Ramirez

Narrated by: Valerie Mirarchi

Can Ruby save her parents’ marriage? Maybe, with a little help.

A year ago, Alan and Stacey Navarro separated, leaving their daughter, Ruby, to live with her mom and an over-caffeinated Shih Tzu. People split up all the time, and most kids might learn to deal. Not Ruby.

A bright, funny 14-year-old who loves shoes and horror movies, Ruby is on an insane mission to get her parents back together. But she can’t do it alone.

She needs her two best friends, a dog named Ed Wood, an arrogant filmmaker, a bizarre collection of actors - and a chainsaw-wielding movie killer. Yeah, it’ll be fine.

What reviewers are saying:

“In the form of Ruby, Ramirez imparts to readers all the confusion brought about by puberty; the emotional neediness camouflaged by sarcasm; the obsession and continuing frustration with boys; and the bonds female teenagers forge with one another.” (IndieReader)

“Whether your favorite form is surreal, tongue-in-cheek, word play or hysterical, you’ll find ample portions of each to keep you laughing. The pace is fast, told from several points of view, and full of surprises that make for an unforgettable read.” (Readers’ Favorite)

“The writing throughout the novel is sharp and smart, depicting the City of Angels like a key character, setting the stage for the plot to unravel, while also capturing some of the strangest sides of the film industry. Ruby is a precocious and fascinating narrator, and the supporting cast of friends, actors, and unexpected allies drive this novel forward.” (Self-Publishing Review)

©2018 Steven Ramirez (P)2018 Steven Ramirez

Cute

I liked this cute second chance type romance. I loved how the author orchestrates the 'second chance' for the couple. Interestingly enough, it is primarily from the perspective of the couple's daughter Ruby. Ruby is a very well developed character and she is easy to relate to.

My biggest and only complaint was that this novel was labelled as a 'romantic comedy', but I didn't really think it was funny enough to be placed in this category. I, as the listener, could very much be the problem. Perhaps I don't have the right sense of humor. Perhaps I didn't have a good understanding of the context or of references that would make it funny (kind of like not being in on an 'inside' joke). This does not mean that I didn't find some scenes grin worthy, I just thought that I would have genuinely laughed out loud. So, to me, this book kind of fails in the comedy department.

However, in the romance department, this book succeeds. I thought the structure of the book made it a really good second chance romance; and I was still very much entertained by this novel and I enjoyed listening. This was a very cute easy listen that kept my attention throughout.

I thought the narrator did a pretty good job, however, I don't think the narrator distinguished their voice enough when changing points of views or changing characters. I found myself thinking multiple times throughout "wait, which character is this supposed to be?", I didn't automatically know based on voice association.

I received a review copy at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review.

Chainsaw Honeymoon

Ruby is a typical teenager. She has her friends, her dog, her horror movies but what she really wants is for her parents to get back together. What lengths will she go to, to get what she wants?

This book was a little different from my typical listens. I found myself getting easily distracted. I did appreciate the twist at the end.

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

Super cute story!

This was a super cute, witty story about a spunky 14 year old named Ruby. She’s trying like all teens would to help get her parents back together.
Her dad has some wild ideas about how to win Stacy back. His brother is a bit of a con artist but must have some good in him.
I enjoyed all of the characters and the story.
Narration was good. It started with what I thought would be sound issues but that went away or I stopped noticing.
All in all a good clean, not scary, cute book that would also be good for teens or preteens.
I was voluntarily provided this review copy at no charge by the author, publisher and or narrator.

OH! MY! GAWD! BAD!

The description for this book sounded like it would be a lot of fun. Maybe it is as a read since you can set your own pace.

This book was juvenile, slow, and has a bad narrator. I found myself uninterested in what was happening and easily distracted, sometimes annoyed by the narrator. Long pauses in the middle of sentences or where commas should be, etc, making the meaning of the sentence different than intended. You'd have to say the sentence again in your head to realize what it really meant. The story is dull and not very interesting, also it shifts POV at times from first person (Ruby) to third person - not a good combination. If you're going to tell it in first person, keep it that way!

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

Chainsaw

First let me say I wanted to like this audiobook. I didn't make it past the first few chapters. I stopped and started many times. I found myself getting easily distracted.It felt juvenile and slow. Valerie Mirachi's voice in the sample seemed okay. Please believe me when I say I don't like giving negative reviews.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

I Never Knew That Chainsaws Could Be Fun

This is a funny, original, and quirky book (with a great title) that I really liked. Mix a precocious kid, Ruby, who loves horror movies and parents on the verge of divorce and you have a recipe for wacky mayhem. I feel that it is impossible for me to give a synopsis of the story. The book is so unique that a precis of the tale would not do it justice and it might spoil some of the fun.
Valarie Mirarchi did a great job as narrator.
A free copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Chainsaw Chuck!!!

This was a cute story. lol The story is told from a teenagers point of view. Her parents are separated and she's trying to help them. It was an entertaining story that I loved. I don't want to give too much away...But I really loved how things ended for people who might have been obstacles..hahahah Too funny. This was a great lighthearted book (despite what you may think based on the title) And I very much enjoyed listening to this on my commute to and from work.

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