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Monika F.

@driveandread

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I listen to audiobooks while driving to work, walking and cooking. 🚙📚🎧📚🚙
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Dolly All The Time by Annabel Monaghan 🎧

I finished this as my last summer read, and it was such a fun way to wrap up the season! ☀️📚

The story follows Dolly, who returns to her childhood home in Rhode Island to spend the summer helping her dad. Of course, while she’s back home, she gets herself caught up in a fake-dating situation.

I found this book cute, light, and engaging. The characters were fun to follow, and it was an easy, quick read that didn’t require too much from me. Definitely a good choice if you’re looking for something light. The audiobook is narrated by Julia Whelan which is always a plus

⭐️⭐️⭐️

#dollyallthetime #annabelmonaghan #bookrecs #bookreview #audiobook by @driveandread

6

0

20 days ago

The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson 🎧

This was a selection for my summer book club, and it turned out to be a great pick! It’s a funny and engaging beach read with surprisingly complex and flawed characters. There were many complicated relationships and multiple perspectives, which gave us plenty to discuss.

The book started out slowly, especially with the introduction of, many characters, but once I got settled into the story, I ended up really enjoying it. I liked hearing from the different points of view because it helped me understand the characters better and have more empathy for them.

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚 My Book club average: 3.5 stars

#bookreviewer #bookrecommendations #audiobooks #theshampooeffect #jennyjackson by @driveandread

8

5

a month ago

The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff 🎧

We had such a great time discussing The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff at our book club meeting last week. This book is definitely lends itself to rich book club conversations.

After April and Leo lose their home in a fire, they move in with April’s parents. Both couples are facing their own serious struggles in addition to dealing with the aftermath of the fire.

I found this book incredibly emotional and relatable. The characters felt real, flawed, and deeply human, which made their choices and relationships especially interesting to discuss. Definitely a great book club pick!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#theburningside #sarahdamoff #bookrecommendations #books #audiobooks by @driveandread

10

3

2 months ago

This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum 🎧

This book is a story of two longtime friends, Joy and Benny, who also cohost a survival podcast. When Joy goes missing, Benny is trying to figure out what happened.

It is part love story and part thriller. I loved the premise, the characters, and the twists. The audiobook is really well done, too!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#thisstorymightsaveyourlife #tiffanycrum #book #bookreviewer #audiobook by @driveandread

10

2

2 months ago

Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser 🎧

Lady Tremaine is a retelling of the Cinderella story from the stepmother’s point of view. It’s a story you think you know, until you realize you don’t.

I really enjoyed this fresh take and how it explored the themes of marriage, grief, motherhood, and what it means to be a woman. The first half took its time but the second half is what really elevated this to a 4 star read for me.

🌟🌟🌟🌟

#ladytremaine #rachelhochhauser #book #bookreview #audiobook by @driveandread

8

1

2 months ago

Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashiro 📖

I finished Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino last week, and what a wild ride it was! Full of dark humor, sharp satire, and plenty of twists, it completely pulled me in.

The main character, Margo, becomes obsessed with buying her dream house in the middle of an incredibly competitive housing market. Margo goes to increasingly shocking lengths to beat her competition. Her determination slowly turns into obsession, and I couldn’t look away.

This was one of those books that had me staying up well past my bedtime just to read a bit more.

🌟🌟🌟🌟

#bestofferwins #marisakashino #bookrecommendations #audiobook #book by @driveandread

10

3

2 months ago

The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett 🎧

The Calamity Club is a historical fiction novel set in 1933 Mississippi. The story is filled with memorable female characters, and I especially loved Birdie, Meg, and Mrs. Tartt. However, I found the book too long. I don’t think the plot justifies a 29 hour audiobook, and despite its length, the ending still felt abrupt.

The audiobook version of this book is excellent so if you plan on breading it, I would definitely recommend this format.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.75) by @driveandread

9

2

3 months ago

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke 🎧

Yesteryear needs no introduction. It’s everywhere right now, and it might be one of the most polarizing books of the year. Some people love it, some people hate it, but it seems like everyone is talking about it.

A few random thoughts: Natalie is so unlikeable that she almost becomes a caricature. That said, I did enjoy being inside her head. Her inner monologue is as unhinged as it is entertaining. The plot twist is so ridiculous that it is almost genius. The social commentary is interesting but not as good as I hoped.

So, did I like it? No. Would I tell you not to read it? Also no. I actually think you should read it… just be prepared to possibly hate it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (?)

#yesteryear #caroclaireburke #book #bookreview #audiobooks by @driveandread

13

2

4 months ago

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower 🎧

Let me start by saying that I don’t read series. The Beartown trilogy and The Henna Artist trilogy were rare exceptions. I much prefer standalone books.

That said, I just finished Volume 6 of The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, and I’m already stressed that there are only eight volumes available so far. Even though Beth Brower has promised around twenty books in total, there’s still no release date for Volume 9!

Why is this series so addictive? It’s the perfect blend of Anne of Green Gables and Gilmore Girls, set in Victorian London. Emma is witty, resourceful, and endlessly entertaining, but what truly makes the series special is the neighborhood of Saint Crispian’s. Much like Stars Hollow in Gilmore Girls, the community becomes a character in its own right, filled with quirky, lovable people you can’t wait to spend time with again.

And don’t even get me started on the audiobooks. Genevieve Gaunt’s narration is absolutely outstanding. If you’re an audiobook lover, I cannot recommend this series highly enough in that format.

#theinselectedjournalsofemmamlion #bethbrower #bookrecommendations #books #audiobook by @driveandread

9

2

4 months ago

The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett

The Road to Tender Hearts is a warm, uplifting story that follows PJ Halliday as he sets off on a road trip with two orphaned children, his adult daughter, and a cat 🥞. Their journey is filled with twists, heartfelt moments, and plenty of surprises along the way. I laughed, I cried, and then I laughed some more. It reminded me a bit of a Fredrik Backman novel, full of quirky characters, humor, and heart. I absolutely loved it!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#theroadtotenderhearts #anniehartnett #bookreview #bookrecommendations #audiobook by @driveandread

15

0

4 months ago

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth 🎧

Once in a while, I get so excited about a book that I can’t help recommending it to everyone I know. This is me telling you to read Mad Mabel. If you loved A Man Called Ove and The Correspondent, you will absolutely fall in love with Mabel.

I saw a video where Sally Hepworth said Mabel is her favorite character she’s ever created, and I can see why. Mad Mabel is now my favorite Sally Hepworth book. 🙌

Summary:
Mad Mabel is a mystery about an 81-year-old woman named Elsie who is hiding a dark secret from her past. Years ago, she was known as “Mad Mabel,” the youngest person in Australia ever convicted of murder. When a neighbor dies and questions begin to surface, Elsie is forced to confront the truth about what really happened all those years ago.

This story is a beautifully written mix of mystery, humor, and heartfelt moments. Don’t wait, grab a copy and enjoy!

#madmabel #sallyhepworth #bookrecommendations #bookreviewer #audiobook by @driveandread

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13

5 months ago

Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden 🎧

Strangers is a memoir of a woman whose seemingly happy marriage suddenly falls apart when her husband unexpectedly leaves her and her kids during the COVID-19 pandemic. As she deals with a heartbreak and confusion, she looks back on their relationship, tries to understand what went wrong, and slowly rebuilds her life and confidence. This book focuses on betrayal, family, healing, and finding your voice after loss.

The story was very raw and emotional but also quite slow. I originally gave it 3 ⭐️ rating but the number of times I thought about a certain 🥪 sandwich scene might just elevate the rating to 4 stars. I believe many women will find it insightful and relatable.

#strangers #belleburden #bookrecommendations #booksbooksbooks #audiobooks by @driveandread

9

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5 months ago