Sophie Smeenk
- 77
- reviews
- 59
- helpful votes
- 470
- ratings
-
Christmas Wish List
- Hartbridge Christmas Series, Book 2
- By: N.R. Walker
- Narrated by: Glen Lloyd
- Length: 6 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 86
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 76
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 76
In need of work and a change of scenery, Aussie expat Jayden Turner agrees to a short-term chef position at a bed-and-breakfast over the Christmas holidays. What he finds is a grand old house in a beautiful town, and his new boss is gorgeous, gay, and single. After his divorce, Carter “Cass” Campion bought his great-aunt’s run-down country manor in his hometown, and he’s determined to get it ready for the busy holiday period. Recently out as gay, he’s been focused solely on his business and hasn’t had time for a man. Not that many gay men come through Hartbridge...
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
lovely christmas story
- By Sophie Smeenk on 11-30-24
- Christmas Wish List
- Hartbridge Christmas Series, Book 2
- By: N.R. Walker
- Narrated by: Glen Lloyd
lovely christmas story
Reviewed: 11-30-24
I loved this story and also the narration. The only reason I gave the narration 3 stars is because Glen Lloyd has an irritating, caricaturesque voice for women, especially when the author has described them as "older". Then he basically changes his voice to that from the witch in Hansl and Gretl. Glen, I don't know if you listen to women's voices sometimes, but they sound pretty much the same from 30 to 70, provided there's no Parkinson's disease.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
All the Light We Cannot See
- A Novel
- By: Anthony Doerr
- Narrated by: Zach Appelman
- Length: 16 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 65,421
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 58,194
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 58,152
Marie-Laure lives with her father in Paris near the Museum of Natural History, where he works as the master of its thousands of locks. When she is six, Marie-Laure goes blind and her father builds a perfect miniature of their neighborhood so she can memorize it by touch and navigate her way home. When she is 12, the Nazis occupy Paris and father and daughter flee to the walled citadel of Saint-Malo, where Marie-Laure’s reclusive great-uncle lives in a tall house by the sea. With them they carry what might be the museum’s most valuable and dangerous jewel.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Afraid to Write a "Less-Than-Positive" Review
- By Elizabeth on 08-06-14
- All the Light We Cannot See
- A Novel
- By: Anthony Doerr
- Narrated by: Zach Appelman
Incredibly beautiful
Reviewed: 12-21-23
This was an incredibly beautiful and expertly narrated book. I sometimes had a bit of difficulty with the flash backs. The narrator was sensitive in his reading and has an unusually good pronunciation of German and French. The story moved me profoundly. Seven stars out of five.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Davo
- By: N.R. Walker
- Narrated by: Glen Lloyd
- Length: 4 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 129
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 123
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 123
When Fergus Galloway takes on a research trip to a tiny mining town in the far Western Australian outback, he’s as far from Sydney as he can get. Which is entirely the point....
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Very sweet story away from stereotypes
- By Rodolphe on 09-21-24
- Davo
- By: N.R. Walker
- Narrated by: Glen Lloyd
Glen Lloyd is my fave Aussie narrator!
Reviewed: 01-01-23
The brilliant way he did the cockatoo, I fell from my chair laughing; the wonderful different Aussie accents. And of course this book is such a lovely, lovely story. I really cannot recommend it enough.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
On a Midnight Clear
- By: Lily Morton
- Narrated by: Joel Leslie
- Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 102
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 95
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 95
It can safely be said that Lord Barnaby Greenwood is not having the best of Christmases. He’s penniless, up to his eyeballs in debt, and about to lose his estate. Therefore, it’s hardly surprising that when a local property developer offers a lot of money to buy King’s Wood from him, Barnaby is very tempted. But his father had always impressed on him that the green wood was sacred and must be protected at all costs, so he finds himself saying no.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
enjoyed it
- By Sue 🎧 on 12-23-22
- On a Midnight Clear
- By: Lily Morton
- Narrated by: Joel Leslie
A brilliant Christmas story...
Reviewed: 12-27-22
brilliantly narrated by Joel Leslie again. I will read or listen to this tale of magic and love, or magical love, for many Christmases to come, hopefully. The story is exceptionally British, atmospheric and as always imbued with Lily's wonderful brand of humour and snark.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Red Dirt Heart 4
- By: N.R. Walker
- Narrated by: Joel Leslie
- Length: 9 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 310
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 295
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 295
Moving from a Texas ranch to an Australian Outback station was a life-changing decision for Travis Craig. Though it wasn’t really a decision at all. Something in his bones told him to go, though he had no clue as to why. Until he met Sutton Station’s owner, Charlie. Loving Charlie shouldn’t have been easy. The man was stubborn and riddled with crippling self-doubt. No, it shouldn’t have been easy at all. Yet somehow, falling in love with Charlie was the easiest thing in the world.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
I Love This Series! 🎧❤️
- By Belen on 04-02-18
- Red Dirt Heart 4
- By: N.R. Walker
- Narrated by: Joel Leslie
Such a brilliant narration of a great story
Reviewed: 12-18-22
This is probably the 5th time I've listened to the Red Dirt Heart series and it won't be the last. It's a gripping, totally relatable story, narrated beautifully by the one and only Joel Leslie. Thank you N.R. Walker for the beautiful story and thank you Joel for your inspired narration.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Better than People
- By: Roan Parrish
- Narrated by: James Cavenaugh
- Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 531
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 480
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 480
Simon Burke has always preferred animals to people. When the countdown to adopting his own dog is unexpectedly put on hold, Simon turns to the PetShare app to find the fluffy TLC he’s been missing. Meeting a grumpy children’s book illustrator who needs a dog walker isn’t easy for the man whose persistent anxiety has colored his whole life, but Jack Matheson’s menagerie is just what Simon needs. Being with Jack—talking, waking, making out—is a game changer for Simon. And Simon's company certainly…eases the pain of recovery for Jack.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Why did I wait?
- By Cranky Reader on 01-06-21
- Better than People
- By: Roan Parrish
- Narrated by: James Cavenaugh
James Cavenaugh for the win!
Reviewed: 12-07-22
I've read this book in kindle some time ago. Now I'm so glad I bought the audio too. James Cavenaugh brings it beautifully to life. It's such a lovely and for me very recognisable story.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
The Last Green Valley
- A Novel
- By: Mark Sullivan
- Narrated by: Will Damron
- Length: 16 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 6,831
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 6,179
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 6,156
In late March 1944, as Stalin’s forces push into Ukraine, young Emil and Adeline Martel must make a terrible decision: Do they wait for the Soviet bear’s intrusion and risk being sent to Siberia? Or do they reluctantly follow the wolves—murderous Nazi officers who have pledged to protect “pure-blood” Germans? The Martels are one of many families of German heritage whose ancestors have farmed in Ukraine for more than a century.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Too Religious
- By Laurie N. on 06-02-21
- The Last Green Valley
- A Novel
- By: Mark Sullivan
- Narrated by: Will Damron
Breathless
Reviewed: 11-28-22
This can be short. A very realistic, well-researched story of war and post-war Europe, with historical characters who become your family.
A brilliant book, and brilliantly narrated.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
The Ghost Slept Over
- By: Marshall Thornton
- Narrated by: Jason Frazier
- Length: 6 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 211
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 200
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 200
When failed actor Cal Parsons travels to rural New York to claim the estate of his famous and estranged ex-partner, he discovers something he wasn't expecting - the ghost of his ex! And, worse, his ex invites Cal to join him for all eternity. Now. As Cal attempts to rid himself of the ghost by any means, he begins to fall for the attractive attorney representing the estate. Will Cal be able to begin a new relationship, or will he be seduced into the ever after?
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Good narration. Fun story.
- By Dana Piazzi on 03-13-18
- The Ghost Slept Over
- By: Marshall Thornton
- Narrated by: Jason Frazier
A delightfully funny story!
Reviewed: 11-05-22
Do not miss this one. When Marshall Thornton decides to be funny, he really is very funny. And always, always his characters are nicely rounded out.
The narration was spot-on! I loved the way this story was brought to life. Absolutely recommend it.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
The Comeback
- By: Lily Chu
- Narrated by: Phillipa Soo
- Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 16,529
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 15,250
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 15,179
Ariadne Hui thrives on routine. So what if everything in her life is planned down to the minute: That’s the way she likes it. If she’s going to make partner in Toronto’s most prestigious law firm, she needs to stay focused at all times. But when she comes home after yet another soul-sucking day to find an unfamiliar, gorgeous man camped out in her living room, focus is the last thing on her mind. Especially when her roommate explains this is Choi Jihoon, her cousin freshly arrived from Seoul to mend a broken heart. He just needs a few weeks to rest and heal.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
I LOVED this!!!
- By Khb1870 on 07-19-22
- The Comeback
- By: Lily Chu
- Narrated by: Phillipa Soo
Nice story!
Reviewed: 10-08-22
I struggled with the principal character at first, because I wanted to shake her through 3/4 of the story. She deeply irritated me, letting her life be comducted by her father and her disinclination to look at herself. But further on in the story I got to understand her better, although she would never be my friend irl.
All in al a nice story of personal growth.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
The Cuckoo's Call
- By: Lily Morton
- Narrated by: Joel Leslie
- Length: 10 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 211
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 190
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 190
Wren Roberts thought he’d found his fairy tale when he met Mateo Rossi on holiday in Majorca. The wealthy and successful older man swept him off his feet, and before he knew it, he’d thrown caution to the wind and was living in Mateo’s waterside apartment in Venice. It’s a far cry from his harsh upbringing and crummy flat in London. But as the summer turns to autumn, cracks begin to show. Mateo’s family aren’t welcoming, and there doesn’t seem to be a place for Wren in Mateo’s world.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Okay
- By leks on 09-26-22
- The Cuckoo's Call
- By: Lily Morton
- Narrated by: Joel Leslie
Such a stunning story. Again!
Reviewed: 10-01-22
Lily Morton's books are always "click without looking" for me. She writes such beautiful, witty, funny, snarky characters. Wren is another one. And Joel Leslie brings him to life with his usual flair for accents and his insight in characters. He never disappoints! I loved the book and I adore the narration.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!