AudioBook Review:

There is a reason why I’m unusually hesitant about the “new adult’ romance genre, and sadly, this title seemed to typify most, if not all of them.  While I was excited to see a new release from McGuire after many people suggesting Beautiful Disaster and Walking Disaster to me, this was my first opportunity to give her stories a try.

Presumably a ‘stand-alone’ although it does take a major character from the first book and set him into a new story, there were so many plotting holes and unanswered questions that I never actually felt a complete character. All of the characters were sadly stereotypical and overly attached to manufactured drama and self-sabotage: from infidelities and half-truths to a ‘secret’ that was purported to be major but was only a major yawn, I found no connections or reasons to want to know more about these characters.

Those who loved the first two in the series may find this to their tastes, but having no other information than this story, I would be hesitant to dash out and grab another title from this author.

Phoebe Strole is the narrator in this story, and her management of the performance was solid and professional.  With efforts made to create singular voices for each different character, and her ability to add some emotional oomph to her delivery without overreach.  Her performance was promising and I can only believe that a more compelling story with characters that are fully developed and solid in convictions and self-knowledge would make her shine.

Stars:  Overall 3 Narration 4 Story 2