USA-Mississippi

Great narration; storyline is 10.5 hours of boredom

Reviewed: 07-01-24

Kristin Hannah’s Nightingale- great WWII story. THIS book, Winter Garden, very hard to grudge through and boring (so boring). Storyline is not good, almost Elementary in nature (5th grade reading level). If a child could listen for 11 HOURS this is what I would…. Scratch that- it’s bad. Got interesting 10.5 hours into it and that lasted about 3 minutes- no buildup, no hook, just random “makes no sense and doesn’t fit with the buildout” happiness and then…. Talks past that ONE interesting moment like it was nothing of interest. It’s just not an interesting book. Reviews are saying the same thing over and over…. Trust them (I wish I had). Save your money/credits- or you’ll be writing the same review. One of the most disappointing stories I’ve heard in a while. Spent too long on this review- that’s how bad this book is.

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Main character is awesome- Fiesty, sarcastic, witty murderer

Reviewed: 05-07-24

Most of us have witty personalities that a narrator can’t seem to quite emulate in the characters. This narrator captures all of it with the precise inflection that a comedian, or one of your funniest girlfriends would have. I was laughing out loud, because that’s exactly how I would’ve said the things that the character is saying. oh, and you can’t beat her feisty grandmother with a drinking problem quite the libido for 80.

This book was gooooooooood. Narrator is now my new favorite. I forgot that one person was doing all of the voices. That’s how good she was. Every man and woman had a different voice and a different personality. She is amazing.

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Perfect. Not political. Just historical fiction

Reviewed: 05-06-24

Get it- you won’t regret it. Narrators killed it.

I was worried that this book was going to cater to today’s political environment and the media’s agendas (bet you’re wondering if I’m a Republican or Democrat. lol). . So I was hesitant to read it. I myself, love history- whether it be America’s history or Europe’s history. This book was phenomenal. It was a tear-jerker. it gave a great story and realistic insight into the lives of Southern Americans post World War II and Vietnam. This book was really good. I couldn’t put it down. I expect nothing less from this author.

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Suspended from the start- trust the reviews

Reviewed: 04-23-24

Best book I’ve heard in YEARS. I can’t tell you how many books upset me because I’m 16 chapters or 7 hours into a a book and the book is still “getting into it”- boring, uninteresting, frustrating, waiting for the “hook”. This book takes off IMMEDIATELY . You will love it in chapter one. And the narrator, Saskia, is one of the best- you just love listening to her voice and her different characters (wonderful development), and she does well at male characters and accents. She’s amazing. I love her WWII narrations (great German accent).

Get it. You’ll love it. You’ll wish it kept going.

I wish this was a series- best book IN YEARS.

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This book will make you feel things!!!

Reviewed: 01-26-24

Narrator is the best female narrator I’ve ever heard4 she’s my favorite. WWII books cover a lot of the same premises, but this one is original. It covers what the people of London went through to survive the London bombings- the death and destruction and loss and carnage, the old folks, the orphans, etc. and what that they saw and endured on their own streets. One of the previous commenters stated they cried and laughed and went through a barrage of emotions….which is why I chose it. She/he was right. Such a good book, can’t wait to read the one that comes after.

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Narrating will blow you away.

Reviewed: 06-17-22

This may be the best narration I’ve ever heard. From French and German accents, male and female differentiation, age differences. So authentic and easy to follow.

If you like WWII spy stories, you’ll love this book. French, Nazis, Americans…. Just buy it. Just do it. ( I teared up at the end- I’ll admit). Just, wow.

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Good idea poorly written on paper

Reviewed: 07-08-21

The idea of writing about the surviving Anastasia Romanov is compelling if you love history. The plot and good vocal skills of the narrator make this an okay read…. But I’m being generous.

It is very slow. The chapters bounce around in a similar manner to the shuffling of cards- I.e. ch1- 1916, ch2, 1970, ch3- 1917, ch4-1968… and it does this until they somehow meet back in 1919 at the end.

The descriptions of the times, dress, world events, etc are so inaccurate and poorly depicted that you genuinely get confused “is this 1970 or 1922?…big difference!. the wars are basically ignored as she gallivants across one of the most dangerous continents during WWII WITH A AS RUSSIAN ACCENT. But the author includes a very random- irrelevant- conversation with hitler. Out of nowhere.

It’s just not a good book. I was bored. But…. The ending is even worse. You can have a surprise ending, but the author mocks you for reading to the end and being so foolish and simple for believing or being hopeful for such an obviously false and fanatical tale. You won’t be happy. I wish I hadn’t listened to this book.

The narrator is good, though. I’d listen to another book she narrates. But that’s it.

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shockingly anti-climactic and slow

Reviewed: 12-26-19

If you like WWII centred novels full of suspense and history.... this is not your book. That being said, this narrator is wonderful (Almost everything she narrates is good), but there are, what seems to be, 30 different characters she attempts to give some form of authenticity to, but it's too much; she ultimately fails to help us keep up with the different characters.

I am so frustrated they I spent such an obscenely long amount of time on this book. There is NO climax in the story. 40 chapters of describing characters, 1 incident of 5 minute resistance exchanging a suitcase (it's so fleeting) and then... arrested.

This entire book seems to describe characters, connections, feelings for their friends and their education and then the only resistance activity is rushed and so fleeting; I'm so frustrated that I wasted this much time on this book.

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female narrator was kryptonite to my ears

Reviewed: 09-05-19

I love audio books and have LOVED Huntings' books - but this was my first experience with Rose Dioro as narrator. I was cringing and had that 'the sun is blinding me' look on my face or 'someone just coughed in my face' look as the narrator's made me hate every second. I couldn't concentrate oh the storyline or premise. I tried to convince myself that I just needed to give it an hour to settle into the story.... and then I ripped the ear buds out of my head. I can't take the whiny, slow voice. whiny ama pathetic is a no-go.

Sometime there's a narrator you love and Will purchase an unknown book BASED on their skills, some you will go out of your way to never hear again. I will never again purchase a Rose Dioro narration. period.

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8 people found this helpful

you won't regret this purchase

Reviewed: 09-05-19

wow. Just...wow.

Full of romance, some impressive, seriously distracting, sex, genuine love, witty humor, genuine heart ache (really made me mad, actually), fun characters, and just all around great book. I may actually listen to this a second time.

I listened to this at home, in the shower, making dinner, the ENTIRE time I was at work.... I COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN.

I gave this a shot bc I liked her book "Meet Cute", but this one blew that one out of the water....torpedoed the shit out of it.

I loved this book; I'll be purchasing another right after I submit this review. 👍

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4 people found this helpful