Audio Book Review: How My Neighbor Stole Christmas by Meghan Quinn

How My Neighbor Stole Christmas by Meghan Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a fun listen. I enjoyed the humor with the romance in this story. I thought the writing was well done with the Christmas competition in Kringletown. The Christmas events were fun to live through. I'd love to see this as a movie. I think the humor would be great on screen too.

There's dry humor in Storee's thoughts. Off the bat, I like her humorous thoughts and kind of exasperated tone and feel. Cole is a grumpy one on the outside, but doesn't feel as such when you're in his head.

Storee and Cole knew each other when they were younger, but had a bad winter individually one year and they lost contact. So they know things about each other and they've lived through things that help with the other one. I like how they start out competition but things turn and they become amicable then friends and help each other all the way to more.

It's fun getting the story from both of their view points. And I love the who cast of friends and family around them. It's a hoot.

Be prepared for romance to come into the story. And have fun with the characters.

I listened to the audio and loved the cast of narrators! They had a great sound and blend together.

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Audio Book Review: Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the 2nd book in the series. This review may have items in it that could spoil the ending of the first book. I try to keep things vague, but this is your warning.







King Benedict has The Villain in his grasp and he's going to expose him to the public for the story of the land to come true. Evie Sage has her own plans.

I love the beginning of this with what Evie has planned on how she'll get into the king's castle to rescue The Villain. But, keep an eye on this event. It's fun buuuuut, there could be more to it than realized.

I think Trystan and Evie make a great duo. They work well together. They are out on adventures as there's more to the story of the land and it's connection to them. We start down the path of learning about Evie's family. Her mother and brother and what really happened that day. Then we learn about her mother and father. Oh wow. It's a wonder Evie and Trystan found each other. But then again... there maybe a reason they met.

I really enjoyed the writing in this book. I like how things are starting to fit together. We have our cast of people and seeing them all interact and help is great. They each have a piece or connection to share with getting to the end. Interesting seeing the world outside of the estate and Evie's home town.

There's a mention of undoing which has me curious. I also think it could be a different view than it's interpreted as in the book. So I want to see where it goes. I have a feeling....

I'll be listening to the next book when I can get it. (I'm thinking Spotify will be the fastest way.)

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Audio Book Review: Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I knew I was going to enjoy Evie's character in Chapter 1 after her response to the d3ad body on her desk. lol

Evie has a fun view of life. She has some great responses that are out of norm for characters to say. It's fun not knowing what she'll say next. Although, knowing what the topic is I got to the point I could guess what she would attach to and have fun with. Her responses eventually work on her boss too, and he smiles from time to time. Or he walks away because he knows he's going to smile, and villains don't smile.

Evie accidentally stumbles upon The Villain in the woods and ultimately is offered a job as his assistant. She's in need of work to take care of her sick father and baby sister, so she takes it.

The friendship that grows here between Evie and The Villain takes time, but we see it happening. I was looking forward to seeing their friendship becoming stronger. And meeting all the characters in the estate he has. Wow, The Villain has a whole business happening here. A whole office at work and more on the grounds along with guards. All this and what we learn about those here, The Villain isn't as bad as people think he is.

When someone tries to blow up The Villain but almost gets Evie instead, The Villain is on the case to find who it is that's out to get him. He even has Evie join him on a few outings. This is fun seeing Evie out and what we learn.

We ultimately get to meet The Villain's family, as they could be of the guilty party with the clues left. We also see Evie's family and learn the past with her mother, brother, and an ex-employer.

I want to say, Kingsley is the best sidekick. He's a frog! With Signs. lol.

Fun story and I have questions about things that I want answers to. I'll be continuing the series. :)

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Audio Book Review: Trouble Wore Red by Chris Lewis

Trouble Wore Red by Chris Lewis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

PI's know not to get attached or emotionally involved with a case. But... What if you take a case for an old flame. Things could get a little confusing and distorted in what you interpret.

This book has an old style mystery feel with a new age twist to it with a science fiction setting.

Rocky is on his home station closing up a case. And chatting with friends he's kept contact with. Then Penny walks in. There's lots of history with Penny. With them all, really. But the feelings are there and Rocky wants to help Penny, even knowing it's against his best interest.

I like how we follow along with Rocky as he investigates. We get the tips with him and can start to connect the dots as we collect more information. We also see the personal affect the case is having on Rocky and his trusted colleagues, and friends, along with his friends from the past.

I had a feel of friendships and returning home to get to spend time with and know old friends again. It's hard returning to where you grew up after decades. There was a log that happened here and we get to learn of the past as we go through the story too. Rocky has lots to work through from the past to see if Penny and others are who he thinks they are. Or have they changed that much over the years?

One more thing I enjoyed with this book... The main character is older. Rocky's 47 and dealing with aging and a body that he's abused over the years. (Yeah, I feel your pain Rocky. lol)

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Audio Book Review: Hex Around and Find Out by Molly Harper

Hex Around and Find Out by Molly Harper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The books set on this island are a treat for me. They are fun and I know how things are going to go with the characters, but it's the supernatural that's around them that makes for great scenes and wonder in their lives. I'm enjoying these so much.

This is Cora's and Iggy's story. They seem like complete opposites on the outside, and with the way they doing things. But they are a perfect pair to help each other. They both have their quarks that make them who they are. I love seeing these.

Iggy has come across as a little flakey in the first series. As this book evolves, we see Iggy deeper and why he's the way he is. And even a little bit of becoming his true him too, making decisions he wasn't ready to make before.

Cora is becoming herself too. For so long she only had her sisters, and the ghosts around their home, but now she's expanding her friendships. And to see her magic grow too! Wow. Cool.

Oh and that egg we knew about in the first book... Yeah, it's a whole big thing here. I love it!

I feel like this book is more in depth with having read the first trilogy and then this one. Lots of past events to lead to here with the characters and actions. I love it!

I can't wait for the next book. I think we've been leading up to it. :)

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Audio Book Review: Hunted in Holly by Leann Belle

Hunted in Holly by Leann Belle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Do you like steamy reads? And holiday fantasy? This one would be for you.

This is how Nicolas met his wife, Caroline. King of the North and now Queen of the South.

Caroline has recently lost her family and all in her home from an attack that she believes Nicolas was behind. She's going to make him pay.

Breaking into Nicolas's home, Caroline is caught. So if she can evade him for three days out in the land, he'll let her go. But, there's an attraction there. Between them both. And there's steamy moments as Caroline fights and is determined.

In the end, we learn the answers to our questions. It's a really short book that's steamy fun for the holiday.

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Audio Book Review: Charmed and Dangerous by Lindsay Buroker

Charmed and Dangerous by Lindsay Buroker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This series has been a fun, easy listen for me.

I did listen to books 2 through 5 one after the other. The storyline has kept moving forward with each book picking up shortly after the previous one.

This whole series as been about Morgen finding herself. She inherits her grandmother's home and learns so much about herself in the process of figuring out who her grandmother was too. She really needed to experience life differently after losing her job and her husband divorcing her. And, this is a lot different from "normal" life styles.

This book is about Morgen finding a way to earn money with her new found gifts of being a witch. However there's still an "enemy" out there after Morgen. Along with Morgen's building for her business being haunted or cursed, or both?

We get to see a conclusion with the pack rivalry in this book. And a few people in town who aren't fans of Morgen's...we'll see something come of them too. But what about Olivia? That woman is a problem. Is that really solved here? Mmm.

But the way life goes for Morgen, I'm happy with where she ends up. She seems happy here at her grandmother's old home, now her home. This is her place to be. She has quirky friends and so much more.

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