Carole Rae

A Must Listen!

Reviewed: 11-28-22 Listener received this title free

I read this book in the past and I was so excited when the author asked me to check out the audiobook version. I had to say yes...of course.

We follow Harley who loses everything when his beloved owner dies. He finds himself on the streets and alone with an empty tummy. Across town, we also follow Rachel who has an alimony hearing looming and a make-or-break deadline for work heading her way. On top of that, she is trying to take care of her autistic son who has severely withdrawn since his father left. Luckily, life is full of surprises that no one ever sees coming.

Awwww! This was just as good as it was when I first read it. This time I did the audio, but it was still just as good. This is technically part of a series, but this does well as a standalone.

All the feels! Joy, happiness, sadness...all of them.

You can't help but want to cuddle a dog! You can't help but love Harley and his people. They are great characters that you fall in love with so quickly.

Oof and that ending? Still hit me as hard as it did the first time I read it.

Yayy! I adore this narrator! I've listened to some of her works in the past. She is very good! She was perfect for this story I think. So yesss an extra bonus from me for the excellent narrator. Love this story and this narrator.

All-in-all this was just as good as when I first read it! Maybe even slightly better because I adore the narrator. She is really good. Read this (or do the audio). It will give you all the feels! 5 stars again.

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All the feels!! You have to listen to this!

Reviewed: 09-26-22 Listener received this title free

I read the ebook of this 2 years ago, so the author recently asked for me to check out the audio version of this, and of course, I said yes! This book really stayed with me from when I first read it back a couple years ago. Heck, it even won Best Book of the Year for 2020!

The story follows a young, desperate dog who has not had a lot of luck. A young girl finds him suffering in a moldy old box and takes him home. Little do they realize that they need each other. They quickly form an unbreakable bond that will last forever.

Doing the audio of this scared me JUST a tiny bit. I had adored this soooo much when I first read it...I was worried the narration might ruin it or I question why I had liked it so much. However, my fears were for naught.

This had me scrambling to find my tissue box still. In a way...the narrator brought the story to life even more. She added so much feeling to her words and I must bow down to the narrator. Fantastic job. So much happiness...so much sadness...so much joy...all the feels. I feel like I have heard the voice before, but I was skimming through some previous works and I didn't see anything I have listened to but she seems to be popular and there are SOOOO many books she has read for.

My feelings for this book have not changed in the last two years or with a different format. This is a fantastic read and I highly recommend it. I still want Dad to have his own book someday. I feel like there is more to his story. He deserves to find some peace.

In the end...I loved this. The narrator was fantastic...the story is wonderful. It has all the feels and then some. 100% recommend. 5 stars yet again from me.

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Perfect for the holiday!

Reviewed: 02-10-21

Yayy! A Valetine's book just in time for the holiday! I wish we had more stories like this!

The annual Valentine's Day party has been a big money-maker for Eloisa's winery. However, Eloisa is a Valentine's Day Grinch who thinks it is a lame holiday so she decides to throw two parties. One for those Valentine's Day lovers and another one called the Anti-Valentine's Day party. When her sidekick gets sick, she has to host and run both parties...at the same time. Eloisa is thrown another curveball when a sexy and self-described hopeless romantic shows up. She is captivated....but can he change her mind about the holiday and love?

This was a lot of fun. I liked Eloisa. I've always been meh about the holiday even when I'm in a good relationship. It just feels like such a Hallmark holiday. Do I hate the holiday like Eloisa? No, but I can see her points and why she hates it...especially when you get to know her more.

I loved Alex. He was a hunk.

This was very cute and I had no issues. I do wish we had gotten more with our couple. It seemed like she fell too easily into his arms. I would've loved to watch them actually fall in love. First date. First kiss...marriage? Etc.

Awwww I adore this narrator so much. I didn't realize it was her right away and then I realized I KNEW that voice. She is soooo good. :D

Overall, this was short and sweet. I wanted more and I think we needed more. I'll give this 4 stars. Totally worth it for the big V day coming up!

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this was really good and informative!

Reviewed: 01-18-21

This was one of the choices for the book club I am apart of. It might be selected for Jan's book choice but I still wanted to read this even if it doesn't get picked. It was on Audible as one of the freebies I can borrow.

Here is another self-help book that really does dig more into the brain and what "triggers" us. Dr. Faith is a legit doctor and therapist who has a deep understanding of the brain and the science behind these mental illnesses we all know about and have suffered with in same way shape or form.

This was super duper informative. I really did learn a lot about not only tips, tricks, and ways to help battle our way through our problems, but the actual science behind and WHY our brains react the way they do. It was like a behind-the-scenes in a way. But it was done with language that we all can understand. Very casual-like and there is some swearing. Heck - look at the title ;)

People on Goodreads were divided about if the swearing added or hindered the story. I personally liked it. It felt like I was having a conversation with the narrator (who is also the writer). It felt casual and I could really understand what points she was trying to make.

My only issue and it was a biggie.........the narration. Don't get me wrong. I loved the narrator herself. She was interesting to listen to. However....the actual recording itself SUCKED. Super sucked. Sucked so much I was tempted to stop when it first started. I did get used to it, but ugh. Did she film in her closet? Sighs.

Overall though, this was really good and informative. I want her to be my therapist please. I highly suggest reading and not listening to this version. Super crappy recording. 3 stars is what I shall stamp this.

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I enjoyed it overall - the narrator as okay

Reviewed: 01-18-21

Randomly stumbled upon this while looking for a book with "love" in the title for a reading challenge I am apart of and it's set in Scotland. Count me innnnnn!

We follow Molly and Alex. They had been a couple a long time ago and they used to work with each other. Alex is a photographer and Molly is a writer. They had been perfect until Alex messes up big time and ruins Molly's career. Time has passed and now Molly's new boyfriend left her and runs off to a Buddhist monastery. Molly is stuck with an extra ticket for a bed-and-breakfast trip through the Scottish Highlands. Not wanting to waste the fare, she sells it in an online auction and low-and-behold it is Alex. Will the Scottish Highlands weave its magic and heal the past wounds and bring them back together?

I have a love-hate relationship with second chances. Sometimes it can work and sometimes it can't. Like normal I was worried about this one.

At first I was totally ANTI Alex. Nope. When we find out what he really did to ruin their love and Molly's career I was not at all on his side. I wanted Molly to kick him in the knee and run away screaming. However....I did forgive him and I wanted them to patch it up and realize they need each other. Yes, he was an ahole BUT he was dumb and young and selfish. People can change...but they really have to prove it.

The last couple chapters had me in tears and I wanted to scream for Molly to wait! SOBS! Yes, yes, they do have their HEA (of course it's a romance novel) but I was so scared for them.

I will say the last scene made me roll my eyes. The epilogue was fun, but the chapter before that was so dramatic. Sure, I was excited but all the cheese. This scene alone was 100% a Hallmark movie scene.

The narrator was fun. Her Scottish accent was a wee bit off but you get used to it. All her other accents were fine but the Scottish one needed a little bit of work.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. I was back and forth about this second chance, but in the end, I was rooting for them. The narrator's Scottish accent needed some work, but she worked for the story and brought the story to life. I'll give this 3 stars.

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A Great Listen for the holidays

Reviewed: 01-18-21

Stumbled upon this one while looking for a short and sweet audio. This fit the bill and I love a good Sherlock mystery for sure.

The epic duo is flagged down by an Inspector who needs help with an aristocratic mystery. Lady Whitebread was hosting a party for the holiday. Her jewel that was donning the holiday table was snatched in front of everyone and she needs help finding it and figuring out who did it at her party.

This was short and fun. A nice little mystery of whodunit and where the jewel is. For sure recommend this if you want an Xmas mystery. It's only about 30 mins long.

Ooooo Lady Whitebread...your name is lame BUT I adored you. Thanks to her and her smart actions she made the job for Sherlock a hair easier. Still a lot of people who had motive and opportunity to steal the priceless jewel.

The narrator was fun. His voice for Lady Whitebread was scary good. It didn't even sound like him. Bravo sir!

In the end, this filled the need I needed. I wanted a quick and fun xmas story. Even better that it was with our epic duo. 5 stars.

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Perfect and sweet for the holidays.

Reviewed: 01-18-21

Back in my favorite town! I am going to be sad when it is all over. SOBS!

But we are back and we are following Charlotte and Leonard. Charlotte has just accepted the job as a midwife for a dragon and a phoenix shifter. Oh dearie. Being a fairy midwife, she has seen it all but even this has her a little nervous. While preparing for the big event, the handsome town resident catches her eye right away. Leonard is a kind and charming man who is suffering from a curse brought on by an ancient fairy curse. This fairy cursed his entire family for generations. He is a little wary of Charlotte but he can't stay away.

Oh Leonard. I felt so bad for him earlier on, but even more so now when you find out what had caused the family curse. Dang spiteful fairy!! I get cursing the ahole but why his whole family forever until he apologies. WHICH he's been dead for a LONG while...shouldn't everyone else be let off the hook? Sighs.

I'm so happy he found Charlotte and that Charlotte is sweet as peaches. She is adorable!! I was worried there would be more drama since she is a fairy and all, but they worked well.

This was quick but perfect. They still have some stuff to work out, but I'm sure we'll see them in the next one since there is another preggo! Won't spoil nothin' more ;)

The narrators are perfect of course. I love their voicessss!

I can't wait for more! MORE PLEASE!

I'll give this 5. Perfect and sweet for the holidays.

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I liked this one a lot!

Reviewed: 01-18-21

Couldn't wait to get started on book 2! Book 1 was so good and it left on a cliffie of sorts.

We now follow Myra who was sent to the future to hide from the evil witch who wants her virgin druid blood. Also, Myra needs to find her sister-in-law's sister, Liz, and nephew to warn them and let them know that Tara is okay. She finds herself in the path of Officer Todd Blakely who knows Myra is hiding something and may know where the missing Tara is. But he is oddly also attracted to her and wants to help her.

I am loving this series so far. I can't wait for book 3.

This was good and again slightly different than the a-typical time travel books. We get to see the aftermath of book 1 when Tara left the modern age all of a sudden. The cops are looking for her and Liz is a mess. I am bummed we didn't get to re-meet up with Tara's old friend. Poor thing must be a mess too. We rarely see the ramifications and it made me worried for Myra because the cops know she knows something but she won't say.

I was a little unsure of Todd at first and it took me near to the end when he finally man's up and admits he loves Myra. I don't blame her brothers for wanting to knock his head off. LOL. But yes - he does finally man up when things get really real.

This does add more of a witch element. Yes, we have the time travel element, but there is also a lot more magic used in this one. I liked it. I am curious to see how far it goes.

That evil witch, Grainna, really is true evil and she worries me. She is getting stronger. Oh boy. We get a better look into her powers. I feel bad for her followers who are mind-controlled for sure and/or severely lied to.

The narrator is the same as before. I like him even though his young American voice still needs a touch of work, but I feel like it was a hair better this time around.

Overall, I liked this one a lot. I am itching to get a start on book 3! Everything is coming to a head and I need to know what will happen next. Plus we get to see Liz's story with Fin. They have a lot of chemistry but a LOT of differences they will need to settle. I'll give this 4 stars.

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I really did enjoy!

Reviewed: 01-18-21

I've enjoyed this author's book last year and I found this randomly, so why not?

The story follows Abby and Michael. Abby had been in love with Michael since her childhood. When her father dies, she sails to England to finally reunite with him and marry him. She grew being told that Michael was her betrothed and he was waiting for her for many years. The time comes for them to get married when Abby's father passes and she is old enough. When she arrives she is reintroduced to Michael who is anything but a man in love and excited to marry her. He rushes her to the alter and leaves the estate as quickly as he can. Michael, aka the Devil of Darfield, has no need or want of a wife especially this girl who was a hellion back in the day when he worked for her father on his ship. He resents the fact he HAS to marry her in order to save his ancestral home. Even though he wants nothing to do with her...he can't stop thinking about her.

What a big ol' pickle for the two of them. They both were victims of Abby's father. He for sure manipulated both of them. Abby grew up thinking Michael loved her too and couldn't wait until she was old enough and ready to marry. While Michael was shackled into marrying her because of a contract. Poor things.

Even though I felt bad for Michael I wanted to hit him. Yes. He was a total ASS. I get he thought she was part of the trickery from that old man, but good lord you can tell she wasn't! She just wanted to be loved and she was equally lied to.

I did love Michael's friend Sam. I hope he gets an HEA! He was adorable. A part of me wanted Abby to run away with Sam ;)

The ending was good and I'm glad Michael had to REALLY earn her back because he was an ass. Sure...again....I get his distrust because he has been tricked and used SO much over the years BUT she LOVES you man!!!! GAH.

The narrator was new to me. I adored her voices. She really fit the bill and I enjoyed her! Her changing accents was flawless.

Overall, I really did enjoy this even though I wanted to smack Michael. I just wanted them to finally get their HEA. They both deserved it, but I am glad Abby didn't forgive Michael at the end there (I would have been livid). He had to really work for it and pray she would love him again. I am slightly curious about book 2. We'll see. I do not think it is about Sam so I'm not crazy interested. LOL I just want Sam to be happy next. I'll give this 4 stars. Not a bad way to start the year!

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a unique story with a unique characters!

Reviewed: 01-18-21

I stumbled upon this while looking at the mystery section in Audible. I had enjoyed a previous audio I listened to by this author, so I decided to give a whirl.

It is 1926 and Toby Keats is an American newspaper reporter in Paris. He was a veteran of the Great War and loves this city. He loves his quiet life until he comes into a possession of a rare 18th century automate. It is a very strange and somewhat scandalous mechanical duck. It is highly sought after by an American banker, European Criminals, and Elsie Short. The duck is rumored to hold the key to opening a new frontier in weapons technology for the German army. Toby will risk it all to find the truth.

This was for a unique story with a unique set of characters and a weird mechanical duck. I had no idea what to really expect and I liked that. I really felt like anything could happen at any point.

I did go back and forth on how I felt for Toby. I think I had a love-hate with him if I am to be frank. There were times I had to roll my eyes at him but I enjoyed his tale and he was a good egg. I was rooting for him to succeed and get the girl and the duck.

That poor mechanical duck ;)

There were some slow parts here and Toby seemed to ramble a bit. Which fit his personality. He was for sure a rambler and thorough. I mean - he is a writer after all and this is his writings and accounts of what happened during that weird time in his life.

I adored the narrator. He was really good and his accents were fantastic from what I could tell.

Besides for the slow parts, I really enjoyed this. It was for sure a unique story with a unique characters. I was not sure how it was all going to end and I will say the ending got me there! WOAH! So good. I would love to see more Toby and his adventures.

I highly recommend this especially if you need a fun mystery. I'll give this 4 stars.

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