The Groves

A Novel

By: J.V. Lyon

Narrated by: Shannon Purser, Jerrie Johnson, Chelsea Rendon, Renee Rapp, Tanis Parenteau, Molly Quinn, Aisha Dee

For fans of campus novels from Tartt and McCarthy to Real Life comes this captivating debut novel following a diverse cohort of socially influential queer women students as they investigate the darker side of their picturesque New England college.

Returning to rural Vermont for her senior year after time abroad, New Yorker Daphne Howard just wants to make it to graduation. She’s still processing the sting of her social circle moving off-campus under the thrall of Serena Vigil, a talented poet from Texas who happens to be Daphne’s nemesis. But when a gruesome story overheard at a local bar leads Daphne to consider an unusual artifact discovered on campus in a new light, friends, lovers, and others unite to confront the collision of present and past, political, and personal.

The Groves introduces listeners to an unforgettable ensemble of characters: a college-hopping drifter whose journalistic instincts drive the group’s investigation, a Virginia equestrienne turned intersectional feminist, the only Black lesbian majoring in art history...and more make up this eclectic, sharp-witted cast.

Through the shocks and revelations of one momentous year, these bright 20-somethings on the cusp of independence fall in and out of love, make plans and change course, and learn from each other what it means to be yourself.

Please note: This production contains strong language and mature themes. Discretion is advised.

©2022 J.V. Lyon (P)2022 Audible Originals, LLC.

Meh

It has an interesting plot, but the focus is on sex. Wish the plot was expanded and developed. Had potential. Not my thing.

Not worth your time

Maybe just not my type of book, but I don’t recommend it. Subject matter not interesting. I did stay with it to the end.

Mixed feelings

The voice acting cast was great. The plot...not so sure. Found a body, investigate how it got here. Opps party time, drugs, drama, drama. Yeah detectives these ladies are not. So why would they care about finding a body. It would have been a story they told, as they got on with life.

Story 4 stars; Performance a mystery

A complete and compelling story of college friends, lovers and frenemies at a precious New England college. With a mystery storyline that often sits in second place to the drama of all the complex ( and sometimes tedious) relationships. The real mystery with this one is the inconsistency of the vocal performances, from spot on to amateurish. Several of the voice actors appear to be reading the material for the first time, as if they have no idea when the sentence might end or how to modulate their emotions. Honestly, feels like a class project at the fictional Bromley.

Just didn't quite make the A list!

I think this could have been a much better book, definitely a better audio book. Fell flat, I found myself lost in my own thoughts, normally I would rewind so I didn't miss something, but not in this book. Storyline and lead up to the point of the story was so drawn out with attemps to build characterization of young lesbian women I became bored. Being lesbian I found it hard to relate and the usage of certain vocabulary unrealistic. Was very glad I made it to the end so I could move on.

I want my time back

It might have been easier to listen to if not for the narrator voicing Sabrina. It sounded as though she was reading lines for the first time, with some major congestion going on. This kept distracting me from the story.

Uber Woke Nancy Drew Queers

Not so good. I really tried to finish this. The characters are basically over-sexed, nasty, shallow and not nearly as clever as they think. The un-empathetic characters act more like high school kids than college students. The author attempts to stitch together some pithy lines and “Wokeness”, along with a Nancy Drew-like plot in a mostly failed attempt. As far as performances…. Let’s just say that one of these gals pronounced the word “Lie-berry” for “Library!” Need I say more? PS. I do my best to use the pronouns “They-Them” when asked, but it sure makes for confusing reading. I’ll keep trying.

Found nothing to peek my interest.

Could not stay awake & found myself reading chapter after chapter over & over again, only to resize there was no story to interest me. I tried but could not finish!

A bit of a struggle!

Really struggled to finish this. It never made me wonder what was coming next but went on in the same dry tone throughout. Not a good choice for me at all!

stick with it

At first I wasn't going to finish this book, but I stuck with it and did learn some new things and appreciated the good story.