Ren: The Monster's Adventure

A Ren Novella

By: Sarah Noffke

Narrated by: Tim Campbell

Ren Lewis has seen it all, or so he likes to think. He's encountered every danger known to man. Due to his powers as a Dream Traveler and unstoppable work ethic, he's experienced more than any human alive. But Ren is about to have a brand new experience.

He's being dragged on a family vacation.

When a life altering event falls on Dahlia and Ren, he agrees to take a break from work and explore the west coast with his family. But since not everyone in the Lewis clan can dream travel, Ren is forced to endure regular travel in a car. This vacation from hell is actually a spiritual excursion meant to pull the demons out of Ren. The most powerful man in the world is stripped from his element and visited by three wise women whose jobs are to make him come to terms with his past, present, and future. This is a Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol retelling using a modern day Scrooge.

©2016 Sarah Noffke (P)2016 Sarah Noffke

More of Ren..

Any additional comments?

I'm glad that the author decided to write another book about Ren.

He has developed a lot since the first book and has gone from
an egotistical know-it-all,
to a bachelor
and now, to a spouse and is still growing and developing.

I don't want to say too much about this book and give anything away.

Overall, an entertaining and worthwhile read, the only problem,
now I want to read more about Ren..


I liked Tim Campbell as the Narrator, he did well.

Note:
"This audio book was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange
for an unbiased review."

Actually Enjoyed This Book

I got this book via audiobook boom. I have not read the three books that came before this one but I still enjoyed it. I loved the humor that was throughout the book. The adventure was very well written. Poor Ren stuck in a suit for the entire adventure. Having to get it cleaned at each hotel. I loved the family banter. He almost missed the point of the three ladies who gave him the wisdom he needed to enjoy his life right now and not dwell in the past. The narrator really brought the story to life.

"She's lucky I'm such a tolerant and patient man."

Any additional comments?

I have had the Ren series of books in my 'to read' pile for some time but somehow never picked them out. Until I was gifted an audible copy of Ren, the Monster's Adventure, by the author. What a joy this was - the archetypal opinionated, superior, disdainful and grouchy Brit. forced out of his comfort zone on holiday with, of all things, a child.
The narrator is superb - just the right level of callous distain combined with a perfect accent (even if the pronunciations of some words are rather odd). Very funny and a pleasure to laugh away boring grey days and early dark evenings. Now I must find the others in the series.
Recommended

Per the usual, I loved this story

One never realizes how much they’ve missed the incomparable Ren Lewis until Sarah Noffke puts out another book in his series. The Monster’s Adventure is an enjoyable novella that brings us up to date on Ren and into the family vacation from hell (well not really, but it’s torturous for him). Through the vacation adventures, Ren is forced to examine his past in order to create a better present and future as he deals with some unfortunate truths. Per the usual, I loved this story. It hit really close to home as I’ve had to deal with some similar experiences revealed in this book, so it was a good reminder about letting go and making the most out of every day. And it’s an even better reminder when the story is told through the voice and mind of the world’s most arrogant dream traveler. Good times!

utterly awesome novella

This utterly awesome novella should ideally be listened to after "The Monster Inside the Monster", book 3 of the Ren series. It was the ideal story to start off some festive holiday

This was the ideal story to start off some festive holiday listening this year, as Sarah Noffke provides an extremely hilarious but also very heartwarming Ren-version of 'A Christmas Carol'. Ren's girlfriend, Dahlia, forces him to endure a family vacation accompanied by his daughter, Adelaide, and grandson, Lucien. It turns into the most memorable road trip for Ren as he meets three wise women, a lot of goats, a laid back gas station attendant, and a cool surfer dude. In the process, he learns a lot about himself and comes to terms with aspects of his past and makes further progress as far as his personal development and his relationships with the people close to him are concerned. Ms. Noffke also drops quite a bombshell into the storyline, which made me rather desperate to get the next Ren book because surely after that announcement there has to be another one?! I have previously admitted to being head-over-heels in love with Ren, and while I'd rather not analyse what that must surely say about me, some of his observations about life and humankind are simply wonderful. Yes, Ren is still extremely rude and snarky, but there were scenes during Ren's vacation here where I found myself wholeheartedly agreeing with his opinions. I now love him even more after all that he has gone through on his first ever vacation. There were so many moments where I was laughing out loud throughout this.

Tim Campbell once again narrated this epic adventure in a perfect manner. I don't know what else I could possibly say that I haven't said before, but with his British accent, the timely pacing and the faultless delivery of the sarcasm and disdain he just embodies Ren perfectly. There were no problems with the quality of the production.

Definitely a must-listen for all Ren fans!

Audiobook was provided for review by the author.

Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog

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Shades of a Christmas Carol, an excellent story

A great novella in which Dahlia drags Ren, Adalaide and Lucien on a road trip to hell (if you believe what Ren has to say that is!) Ren's sarcastic humour and general disdain is once again in full flow in this novella and I loved every word of it. You can not help but love this caustic, but amusing, character as he tries to hide his emotions and fear behind repartee and arrogance. With shades of A Christmas Carol, 3 women push Ren forward on a journey of self discovery that will hopefully help him find some peace. Wrapped up within the humour, sarcasm and enlightenment, are whispers of future darkness, suspense and sadness. In the audiobook version, Tim Campbell does his usual great job of narration. His voice creates images of the story and characters in your mind, which enhances this great story even further. Ren's story pulls you in, captures your heart, makes you think and makes you smile. It is touching, humorous and revealing, but it also has an edge of uncertainty and fear threaded within it. I can not wait for the next part of the story. I received this audiobook at no cost and under no obligation.

There is always something new to see & learn

What did you love best about Ren: The Monster's Adventure?

Everything.

What did you like best about this story?

I laughed for the first part of the book Ren is quite a character. The mystic vibe of this book. Wonder who set the wheels in motion to help Ren grow and let go. The heart-wrenching news that Dahlia revealed.

Have you listened to any of Tim Campbell’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

The other Ren Books he has narrated. He is the perfect voice for Ren Lewis

Any additional comments?

Ren 3.5 By Sarah Noffke
Feb 15 2017

We start off with Ren Lewis addressing his agents at the Luciditie Institute telling them that after twenty years of being the Head Strategist he was stepping down. Ren who had never taken a day off from his duties in 20 years. Ren named his replacement as Agent Trent Reynolds. Raven asked Ren if he was going to get a life. Ren said “Something like that.” Ren’s reply was intriguing to me, made me wonder what was up.

Up until now Ren had refused to go on vacation with Dahlia, Ren just isn’t the relaxing vacation type person. Dahlia had decided they were all going to go on a real family vacation together, Dahlia, Ren, Adelaide, her son Lucian who is crawling now. Reynard “Pop’s”, will be joining them later.

For the first half of the book I couldn’t help but laugh at Ren’s response to just about everything and every one, in his true Ren Lewis fashion. He is so snarky , if I met someone like him in real life I would probably not find him so funny. I would probably break a chair over his rude head.

They start off with Dahlia driving. The E light came on, on the dash and neither Ren nor Dahlia knew what that light indicated, which amused Adelaide to now end. At first Adi thought they were kidding her. Dahlia told Ren to check the operations manual. Adelaide told them what it meant and that it had been on for a while. After they had ran out of gas , things got even more intriguing. An old blind women had approached him. She told Ren he was going to meet three wise women on his travels, that would give him advice that would benefit him greatly. That his future relies on him hearing the information given, putting it all together and following it through to the end. She told him these women would find him.

The first women they met when they stopped for directions her name was Colleen, “Leen” for short, she was a humanitarian who nourished people with food. Of course Ren distrust her because who takes strangers in and feeds them? Ren was having quite a bad time a goat had gotten into their car because Adi left her door open in her rush to find that wonderful smell. It at all and only Ren’s clothing.
The second women Stephanie Colemen, “Ephanie” for short. She was a rude Tour guide. They met after picking Reynard from the San Francisco air port.
The Third one was a flower child Jessica, “Sica” for short. Adelaide had met who was in need of a ride so Adi told her she could ride with them. It was a while before Ren had noticed her in the back seat of the car.As they were making their way to the Red wood State Park.
Something else with all three women and the old gypsy women he met first, they all instinctively knew his name.

We found out what had been weighing heavily on Dahlia’s mind. She and Ren had agreed not to discuss it while they were on their family vacation. Even Pop’s had been told what was going on. Adi was in the dark at this point. Ren is not sure how he can be there for Dahlia in her time of need. Emotions is not something Ren knows how to handle, he was so far out of his wheelhouse here.

I was breathless after reading this book. So many feelings and such growth for these characters we have come to love over the past several years. So many thought provoking turns. I am almost afraid to read book four, that will be out soon. I have got to say I just love this world that Mrs. Noffke has created. I love the morals and life lessons that are woven throughout her books.She doesn’t tell the readers what to think or how they should feel, it just happens in an organic way with her work. This is another win in the Ren series.

Another home run!

I began this novella super excited to hear all about my favorite little family, when slowly but surely things went from good to ugly over just a few short chapters. As I dove deeper and deeper into the story I knew, this isn't right! I don't listen to books like this! This isn't happening, this isn't happening! WHY I screamed!

Dahlia, the superstar pop diva has dragged Ren and his daughter Adalaide with her baby Lucian on their first family vacation. Great! This should be a belly full of laughs I say to myself. Not entirely wrong, but the story does take a very serious note from in the middle until the end. In the beginning of the vacation, they run out of gas and end up at a lonely gas station in the middle of nowhere. While Ren is trying to figure out how to get the attendant to pump the gas for him, without him indulging the fact that he doesn't know how, he is approached by an odd old woman. She warns him that he will encounter three wise women along his travels. These women give Ren cryptic messages about life, his past, present, and future. And with Ren's super paranoid personality to boot, the relationship between him and these women is hilarious!

I love this odd little family Noffke has created. They are the total opposite of my family, and what I secretly always wished for in parents as a child. Because of my love for this series, the turn this book takes really messed with me. I guess cause I forgot about the differences between Dahlia and Ren, and was so wrapped up in the latest arrival, Adalaide's baby distracting me from who these books are really about, Ren.

Narrator Review
Tim Campbell reprises his role once more for us as Ren Lewis. Ah Tim, how do I love thee, let me count the ways...1) Brilliant accent! 2) Comidic timing. 3) Zero filter, and telling people what you really think! 4) Vocabulary, and proper usage just at the right time, (see comidic timing!). 5) The fact that I can not tell the difference between you and Ren! Acting skills, like a boss! I could go on, but then I wouldn't have anything new and cool to say about you in the next review ;)

Audiobook provided by the author for an honest review.

Unexpected pleasure.

This was my first book by Sarah Noffke, so I came into this without knowing anything about Ren. He was not at all what I expected, given the "monster" description in the title. The dynamics between him and his family was delightful. The narration was very good. The is a slight similarity to "A Christmas Carol" in that Ren meets three wise women who give him advice, but it's not overwhelming. I'll listen to it again.

I received a free copy of this title from AudiobookBoom in exchange for an honest review.

Our beloved ren

Our beloved ren goes on a family vacation. He encounters odd things, starts to appreciate things that are in his life, new hardships are uncovered. This was a really nice short read. It took rens hate for trees and goats to the max. Lol