Emily

Flawless Dual POV narration and Abby’s best yet!

Reviewed: 04-05-24

I absolutely loved this book, and it happens to be narrated by two of my absolute favorite narrators! I love how this book brought in so many characters and threads from Abby’s two prior novels, and the incredible nuance and depth of the characters. They felt so real and fleshed out, and the writing flowed as though I was hearing a story told to me by friends. I loved every minute of it!

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Excellent narration & worthwhile, but NOT a romance

Reviewed: 02-08-24

I love romances and romcom novels, and I also love sci fi, so I loved the idea of a story that was both — however, I think this one lands firmly in the sci fi camp, as the “romance” aspect is very minimal. Perhaps in a screen adaption, actors with great screen chemistry could make the romance element work, but there simply wasn’t any chemistry between these two characters on the page. That said, it was a fun story, and if I’d read it *not* anticipating for or craving a romance, then I might have rated it higher.

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6 people found this helpful

Spectacular writing, moving narration, a perfect coming-of-age novel

Reviewed: 12-19-23

The prose and the character development both blew me away in this gem of a novel. This story made me gasp and cry, and made me feel so deeply. The narration was impeccable and brought even more emotion to the story. Ai and her journey to figure out who she is and where she fits are both so messy, and relatable, and moving. I can’t recommend this book highly enough!

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Perfect Narration and a new favorite!

Reviewed: 11-23-23

The narration was flawless and the story a simply perfect rivals-to-lovers story! More new adult than YA, which I think I enjoyed even more than if it had been truly YA.

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Riveting & compulsively readable

Reviewed: 06-06-23

If not for job and my toddler, I’m sure I would have listened to this in one sitting. I didn’t want to stop reading. Incisive, brilliant, stomach-churning satire. Flawless audiobook narration. You will cringe and gasp and cackle straight through till the end.

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Correction to prior review!

Reviewed: 06-04-23

Cindy Kay* narrates this one — loves her narration. (I’d referenced Catherine Ho’s narration but Ho narrates Lauren Ho’s debut novel, Last Tang Standing)

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Cozy, charming, and heartfelt story

Reviewed: 12-03-22

Romance aside, I especially loved the descriptions of the foods and ingredients, cozy interiors, and the vermont countryside

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A modern classic, and exquisite narration

Reviewed: 06-08-22

Julia Whelan is simply the best narrator ever — and when the writing and story are incredible, too, it’s just audiobook magic.

This is a book about loss and longing and beauty. About searching for beauty; creating it, sharing it; healing through it; and discovering bright, painted layers of it in the homes we make, and the people we find to love.

I loved the structure of the story — vignettes of these two women’s lives across a decade; their meandering paths through trauma and self-discovery, making their way towards each other.

I loved the imagery of redwood forests, ferns, and spiky blossoms and branches in urns; of bold vintage wallpapers full of birds; of brass light fixtures, colorful cocktails and tablescapes…

I loved the descriptions of food and drink — layered hues and flavors I could see and taste through the words — and the interior spaces, textured and vivid.

This is a book that brims with humanity and color and heart; that nourishes the soul.

A modern classic. A new forever favorite.

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Loved this quick romcom read and its vibrant characters!

Reviewed: 03-03-22

I listened to this one in roughly 24 hours and loved it! One of my absolute favorite aspects of this read was the cast of charming, vibrant, believable friends/side characters, which were just as integral to the story as the 2 leads. I could clearly envision and hear this group of millennial NYC friends, and appreciated that they got such substantial air time; had real problems, jobs, etc.

Also, as someone who loves all things art, aesthetics, and interiors, I also relished the descriptions of beautiful interior spaces and florals, and the vivid imagery they sparked in my mind.

Do certain things [and financials] fall into place for the main character a tad too seamlessly to be *entirely* realistic? Sure. But when I sip a yummy latté or pick up a beautiful bouquet of flowers — or open a romance read — charm & escapism with depth of flavor is precisely what I’m looking for; and Lease on Love gives us just that.

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1 person found this helpful

A MUST-LISTEN! Absolutely loved this!!!

Reviewed: 07-27-20

I’m shook. I’ve just finished Slay and IT IS AMAZING. I will note, first, that this is NOT an Own Voices review, and that my specific perspective as a white millennial female should be taken with a grain of salt—but bottom line: I LOVED this book. Slay tells the story of a brilliant Black teenage coder who has built an online multiplayer virtual reality game that is, at its essence, an ode to Black culture and excellence—designed specifically for the Black gaming community—that has garnered hundreds of thousands of gamers worldwide. Keira’s Slay world is a secret, though, from her family and friends—an online double life she lives from the privacy of her own room, unbeknownst to her loved ones. When Keira comes up against a dangerous troll inside of Slay, she needs to make decisions to protect herself, her global Slay community, and the virtual world that has become a cultural safe haven—a refuge for Black gamers of all ages, around the world and across the diaspora. I went into this read knowing very little about online gaming (my experience is limited to having played The Sims in middle school and having read Ready Player One) and still, as far as I’m concerned, this book should be required reading for all. This books provides a rich window into the infinite range and scope of the Black experience, deftly weaving in nuanced and varied Black cultural references the way Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One ties in ‘80s pop culture. Though I intended to alternate between hardback and audiobook for this one, I got completely swept up by the incredible audio narration and ended up “reading” almost entirely via audiobook and almost entirely in one sitting, because I could not tear myself away from the world of Slay and Keira’s fantastic journey. This book was so very engaging and magical and eye-opening. Read it!!!

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3 people found this helpful