Book Left Me Wanting More

What did you love best about The Fourteen Day Soul Detox?

I liked how this book hooked me from the very beginning. I just wanted to know what happened next to Jamie, Cameron, and her daughter, Sarah.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character is Jamie because she is human and very real to me. Jamie has so much going on in her life including her special needs daughter and dealing with her dead husband.

Which scene was your favorite?

There are so many good scenes in this book, it was hard to make up my mine. I love how Cameron treats Jamie and her daughter Sarah.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, it is a short book. What I would really like is to listen to all 6 parts at once.

Any additional comments?

I can not wait to listen to part 2.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Part 2 please!

So far I love this story. The way the characters develop & the emotions I felt listening. I'm not sure if it's that I can relate to the character dynamic's on a very personal level, (maybe we all can) ... Then again maybe it's just this author's ability to create a foundation of emotion, either way I already feel as though I know these people, I'm attached to this story and I'm over here biting my nails waiting for the next part to be released. I would recommend this book to most of my friends.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

First book from a fun new series

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook. The story is very captivating and I got hooked in and could not put it down.

The Author did a great job developing the characters & making them so real and likable. This is my third book from her and I have enjoyed all of them.

The narrator did a pretty good job bringing the story to life. There is a huge cliffhanger! I'll be reading the next book asap.

The story is told in Jamie's POV. Cameron and Jamei have a lot of baggage but I'm hoping they can work things out. He is so patient and helpful...

**This audiobook was provided free of charge in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion**

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Soul Detox

Any additional comments?

Entertaining and interesting story. Liked the idea of the 14 tasks.
This is a short story so of coarse it leaves you wanting more and it ends in a cliffhanger.

While I enjoyed the book this book only gets to the first day of her 14 day detox. For myself personally if I were to purchase the book I would wait until there were several installments compiled together into one book. Audiobooks are expensive and I am picky about what I purchase.

Jamie Scott has had a terrible year. In order to get her life back to where she wants it she decides to make some changes. Giving herself 14 days to complete her list. The author does a great job with the characters. Even though this is a short book you still get attached to the characters. Especially Cameron. You can feel their emotions and what they are going through.

No matter what you've been through in your life no one completely has their life together at the age of 30. Life is constantly a work in progress.

Audio quality sounds hollow, but it's still enjoyable.
Grace Clower did a really good job with the narration. Nice voice and easy to listen to. Good character voices for the children and females. There is no difference really between male and female characters. She does convey the emotions of the characters. She has a pleasant singing voice. Smooth delivery and clearly spoken. Would absolutely listen to more books narrated by Grace Clower.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Only a taste...

Any additional comments?

This novella does a very good job bringing the reader into the main character's life. Ok, so I'm not a widow, but there was something about many of the moments in Jamie's life that were maybe just too easy to relate to, whether that be financial difficulties, parents of neurotypical children who just don't get it, or unwanted attention from the older neighbor guy. I've never read a book with a more accurate portrayal of a child on the spectrum.

I am not sure that the serial format was the way to go for this story. Having read nearly all of Stradling's other published works -- I believe that her literary strengths shine brightest once the whole story is woven together. This isn't to say that reading this first volume was not enjoyable... it just cannot compare with her other novels. I also think that a better ending for installment one would have been either directly after the creation of the soul detox list... or after the first scene in the sneak peak of volume 2. The actual end of volume 1 is anti-climatic and simply not an ending and not a cliff hanger... it just ... is...

Despite not being "sucked in" at the end of this first novella - I will read/listen on. The characters are great and have some depth to them, and although I don't know what is coming... I know there is SOMETHING coming. And I don't want to wait for it.

The narrator does a very beautiful job with Jamie, and although her other voices were not necessarily perfected, she does an outstanding job with them as a debut narrator. The one piece that was somewhat problematic was the background noise throughout the recording. I first turned it off thinking, "is that the ice-cream man?" But no, silence. I listened again... I don't know exactly what the sound is, but I suspect we had someone playing video games in the background for most of the story.

I listened to this first installment free from the author after having read the first two installments via eArc.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Great story for such a short book

Reviewed honestly in exchange for audio copy.

I enjoyed listening to Jamie's story and the trials she was dealing with in her life. I loved how she tried to manage even dealing with a loss and having to take care of her precious Angel. Cam was by far my favorite character and I was really rooting for him. Patrick I like and want to see where things go with him and I loved Sarah and Basa they were really fun and quirky friends to Jamie. Overall it was a good read it just took at bit to understand the connection to the title and the timeline of the serial.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Very good

I thought this book was very good it did end on a sad note, I will read part two tonight, I did think the men voice sounded like a girl when Kris sang he sound like a girl lovely voice who ever was singing really had a very lovely voice I am looking forward to listening to the second installment tonight. I enjoyed the book very much. I received this book free from the publisher, narrator or author for a honest and unbiased review via audio book boom

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

Captivating and very entertaining

In this first audiobook in the series the author has managed to create depth in her characters, they have a reality to them that makes you quickly become invested in what is (and has been in the past) happening in their lives. You can see the complexity in these likeable charters and want to learn more about them. The narrator does a good job showing the chemistry created between Jamie and Cameron, it is both steamy and yet sad at the same time, both carrying baggage that has effects on their relationship. The everyday challenges and rewards of life and having a special needs daughter are realistic, beautiful and complex. The author slowly reveals snippets of insight and past happenings that captures you, while still creating mysteries that leave you wanting to know more. You get the feeling something is going to happen but you can't quite grasp what, the tension is created in multiple ways and it leaves you craving the next one in the series. The narration fits the characters and her voice is easy to listen to. I look forward to the next volume in the series

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

MULTIPLE Installments-Cliff Hanger-Fun & Smart BUT

Brilliant Marketing - Story Holds Promise IF You Don't Mind Multiple Downloads $

I thought this was to be a short novella from Rita Stradling and narrated by Grace Clower.

However, is a full length novel (or more,) separated into < 4 hour installments $

The story sounded smartly written. A great mix of 'dark humor,' sass, emotion and intrigue. There was plenty of introductory material for future installment $.

Grace Clower narrates brilliantly.

The only reason I'm not at 100% on board is that this is ONLY the first installment, it contains a 2 hour 'prequel/beginning.' Since this is only a 3 hour & 50 minute book, I was wary of how many of the 14 steps would be covered. It turns out that we only touch on the first step! $ The other 13 steps that will be forthcoming in future releases. $$$

This trend is both genius and troublesome.
~Genius because the author/publisher [based on the first two installments] at 3 hours and 50 minutes ($14.95 retail.) There are plenty more left to sell. There are 4 installments available on Kindle. At $14.95 each for a total $59.80!!!!!

~Troublesome because it is a burden to listeners. It began with trilogies [and adding multiple books to the trilogies] and has evolved into selling by the chapter! It is very expensive! $$$$$

Audible may or may not pick up the additional installments– this IS a way to keep the reader in perpetual wanting the next book. Thus far installments only 3 & 4 are only available in the form of Kindle. Volume 4 description have steps seven through 14 to go. These are inclusive and there will be another book or two remaining to finish the DETOX.

It is my hope that ALL of the volumes are condensed into one. If these are available in this form, I will consider listening to the rest of the volumes.

For now, I'm happy to review and listen to volume 1 and make note to watch for the complete set in one performance – if the author chooses to package it that way.

A- story, A Performance, A Overall

*I appreciate the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for this review.

~~~~~~~

If you found my review helpful, please select 'YES' below. Anyone who would like to use this review is welcome to do so...

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

I'm hooked!

I really liked this book. It has me hooked and looking forward to the next book. I was sad to see it end where it did because I wanted to know what was going to happen with the neighbor. This book was really realistic and had me invested in the characters and the situations. I listened to the Audible audio version and I liked the narration. I think the voice really matched what I was picturing in my head for Jamie's character. I really can't wait for the next book.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful