If You'd Just Listened to Me in the First Place...

By: Barbara Venkataraman

Narrated by: Carrie Lee Martz

"Nagging just sounds so negative, and I am not a negative person. Truth is, I'm the kind of person you'd ask for directions if you were lost, or tell your life story to while waiting in line at the grocery store, which has happened on more than one occasion, believe me."

Sure, Ella Boudreaux is great at nagging - in fact, she's the best - but where has it gotten her?

Nowhere, that's where.

She can't hold onto a job and she can't find her true calling, but she knows it's out there. Could a handsome stranger help her find her destiny? Or maybe he was her destiny...

©2013 Barbara Venkataraman (P)2015 Barbara Venkataraman

Another Venkataraman gem!

Only talented, versatile author Barbara Venkataraman (and fabulous narrator Carrie Lee Martz) could put so much fun and wit into a 42-minute audiobook. ‘If You’d Just Listened to Me in the First Place’ is so funny, Ella Boudreaux crazily charming, every word so perfectly chosen. All of which made this story perfect for my daily walk: grins became chuckles which turned into guffaws and belly laughs. The perfect thing to make you start your day with a smile.

Ella is one of those people you see talking to someone near you in the grocery store, and you’re kind of afraid to make eye contact, because you are pretty sure that once she starts talking she won’t stop. Ella has a lot to say, just ask her, has lots of opinions, whether you ask her for them or not, and she’s not afraid to share. She says she’s not a negative person, and it’s true, she’s not, but she comes with a lot of warnings and cautions and absolutely no filter on what she tells you. Ella may be a real nagger, but really, who among us hasn’t thought at some time, “If you had only listened to me in the first place . . . . ”

Good thing Ella’s not a negative person because she’s been through almost every job imaginable, culminating in her current job, the job to beat all jobs: cleaning barnacles. Somehow she’s always gotten sidetracked on the job and it just doesn’t work out. But even when it doesn’t, she finds the bright side and some little snippet to take away. And she shares those snippets with us, as well as delightful little glimpses into her talking to and talking about husband Charlie and why that barnacle-cleaning job might have been the best one of all.

Everything Venkataraman writes is supremely readable, engaging, and deceptively thoughtful. The accents, the comical scenes, the you-are-there feeling you get with every single thing this author writes just brighten your day. So my recommendation is that you read every single thing this author writes. I was given an audio copy of ‘If You’d Just Listened to Me in the First Place’ from the author. Absolutely delightful. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

Chuckles

Would you listen to If You'd Just Listened to Me in the First Place... again? Why?

Yes, it is amusing and I will laugh again.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Captain as that is the only name that immediately comes to mind.

What about Carrie Lee Martz’s performance did you like?

Her Southern accent added charm to the stories.

If you could rename If You'd Just Listened to Me in the First Place..., what would you call it?

Why I married Charlie. Another name came to mind.

Any additional comments?

More, please. Reduces road rage. I can't be angry at other drivers while laughing.

Laugh your chores away!

I listened to this fun while doing chores and it was like having a friend from NOLA on speakerphone! The narrator added the right touch to the first person ramble about some of the jobs she's had and how she met and managed her husband, especially the way she turned aside to ask him for verification on a few things. It's really a hoot and a howl!
I got it as Whispersync on the cheap.

Funny Book

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

Another funny book written by Barbara Venkataraman. I found her audiobooks very relaxing to listen tol

Cute story

Funny short story about a young woman looking for her perfect job and finding a husband too. From scrapping barnacles to selling magazines as a telemarketer, each episode is told with humor and a willingness to try new things.

Because of the length of this audio book, I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it as opposed to listening.

Fun!

Light, quick read. Very good short story. Love author's tone and style. Will look for more of her work.

Most enjoyable thing I’ve read in years.

In the interest of full disclosure I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

I rarely give a book 5 out of 5 stars. This was absolutely deserving. It’s hilariously funny and very cute.

The audio performance was excellent. Just flawless. A great short story with a great audio performance. What else can one ask for?

I love the ending I was laughing and crying and just happy. It’s just a really good short story. I’m so glad to have had the opportunity to have listened to it. It’s absolutely one of the best things I’ve read in a long time.

Get yourself a copy and enjoy it!

Spoken like a true southern lady

Where does If You'd Just Listened to Me in the First Place... rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's a cute short story, it would rate in the upper tier of short stories

What other book might you compare If You'd Just Listened to Me in the First Place... to and why?

I don't know if there is another book I'd compare it to, but I would certainly compare it to a few ladies that I know LOL

Would you listen to another book narrated by Carrie Lee Martz?

I would. I'm not sure about her Louisiana accent though, sounded more from Georgia (too picky? ;-))

Who was the most memorable character of If You'd Just Listened to Me in the First Place... and why?

Cap'n Jack is by far the most memorable. Although my dad does not live on the Bayou (he's about 3 hours Northwest of Covington), my dad and Cap'n Jack could be the same guy!

Any additional comments?

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Ella & Barnacle Removal

Ella Boudreaux tells her tale of one failed attempt after another at finding and holding on to a job. Her mouth and chatty ways seems to have something to do with it. One summer, her friend, Jen, and her decide to give barnacle removal a try at a Louisiana marine. Ella is in for a surprise!

This was a fun short story about a woman trying to figure out her place in this world. She’s comfortable with trial and error, which is good since finding her true calling didn’t come easy. Chatty and friendly, her words can stray into the realm of nagging. But never fear, there is actually very little of that in this tale, so the reader doesn’t weary of the main character.

For those who like a touch of romance, there is Charlie, who is Captain Jack’s son. Captain Jack runs the marina and is quite attached to the old way of running things. His son has new ideas, but the two of them could come to rough words over them.

I can see the author continuing on with Ella. She was very likable and I believe she definitely has the penchant to get into the thick of things. That would make her an exciting center for mysteries or mayhem. If you’re looking for great little tale to keep you company over lunch, then this is worth your time!

The Narration: Martz, who also narrates Venkataraman’s Jamie Quinn mysteries, was great as Ella. She was able to put her southern drawl to good use in this Louisiana story. She also had great voices for Charlie and Captain Jack. Another great performance!

Always a fun read!

Another fun read from Barbara Venkataraman. She has an incredible way with words, so much do that you feel everything quite personally. The story is so true to life and certainly something we're all inclined to think, if not say. The narrator has a lovely voice and her impersonations are great to listen to. One feels as if you are sitting with a friend having a great chat with lots of laughs. Certainly great for a fun, quick laugh while going about your daily errands.