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Title: The Old House on the Corner

Author: Maureen Lee

Narrator: Maggie Ollerenshaw

Format: Unabridged

Length: 14 hrs and 52 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-27-05

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 76 votes

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

Publisher's Summary:

Victoria Macara is 27 and lives alone in the old house on the corner that was once home to the family removal business. When the land is sold, she finds herself surrounded by a small estate of new properties called Victoria Square. The newcomers who move in around her bring with them their own dramas. The mismatched Kathleen and Steve are lovers with broken marriages behind them; Rachel is attempting to escape from a terrible tragedy; upper-class Sarah arrives with her children after running away from an abusive husband; while Anna and Ernie are just after a quiet life. For Marie Jordan, Victoria Square is a refuge from the men who murdered her husband; for Judy Moon, it means a fresh start after 40 years of marriage to a man she'd thought she'd love forever. But it is to Gareth, trapped in a hopeless marriage, that Victoria is particularly drawn. When Rachel decides to hold a barbecue, the scene is set for confrontation, truth-telling, and the revelation of long-held secrets that will touch the lives of all these characters.

©2004 Maureen Lee; (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Members Reviews:

Warm book with many interesting characters

The many characters in this book may be hard to keep track of at first, but you'll soon know each of them very well. I enjoyed the method in which the author takes you back into the lives of the major characters. The narrator did an excellent job and gave each of the many characters a distinct voice and of course I especially enjoyed the British accents. I didn't want this book to end and it will one that I will enjoy again in a few years.

The Old House on the Corner

one of the best books I have read. I would like more from this author.

This book got me started on Maureen Lee

If you could sum up The Old House on the Corner in three words, what would they be?

Great Story!!

What other book might you compare The Old House on the Corner to and why?

None

What does Maggie Ollerenshaw bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

Good characterization

Who was the most memorable character of The Old House on the Corner and why?

All of them

Any additional comments?

This book was so good that I need to listen to it again - it has been a long time. I recommended it to several people which is something I don't often do. I even gave a couple away for gifts to readers rather than listeners.

A jolly good listen.

I wanted to give this book half star more, but half a star wasn't an option.

This book it had loads of great characters in it and the narrator was very good. I personally found the accents a little too akky sounding but the characters easily made up for that as the narrator made them really come alive.

I loved Anna with her lovely elegant voice and zest for life and her big burly loving husband Ernie, it was very true to life, sad and happy at times and rather romantic, it also provoked feelings and thoughts of how one might feel in some of the characters heart felt situations. I found that I wanted to find out what happened next.

All in all it was thought provoking and a jolly good listen.

A fabulous read

This book is all engulfing, I could hardly bear to stop listening. The characters and writing drew me in and rescued me from my stressful life. I only recently discovered audio books and now cannot imagine life without books like this.

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Title: What Comes After Crazy

Author: Sandi Kahn Shelton

Narrator: Fran Tunno

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 4 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-22-05

Publisher: Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 77 votes

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

Publisher's Summary:

Maz Lombard is a single mother with two high-strung daughters and an even more high-maintenance mom, the all-seeing, all-knowing, many-times-married Madame Lucille. Maz is struggling to put her life together after her unfaithful husband, Lenny, never managed to find his way back home after going off to Santa Fe to build condos two years ago. All she wants is a normal life with ordinary people around her. Once afraid of taking risks of any kind, Maz suddenly finds herself going overboard, even falling in love with a much younger man from the daycare center all to the dismay of her troubled, sad, adolescent daughter, who is beginning to believe she has inherited the family psychic gene and is terrorizing the kids on the playground.

When Madame Lucille, her new husband, and Lenny all land on her doorstep one day, Maz decides it's time to stake out what she truly stands for, especially when Lucille and Lenny cook up a plan that throws all of their lives into turmoil, forcing Maz to face a new round of betrayals by the people she once trusted. In the process, Maz learns that it's not enough to simply reject your past and attempt to cut yourself off from it. The crazy, unhappy parts of our lives have much to teach us. By learning to forgive, Maz is able to define herself on her own terms, and finally live that authentic life she has always wanted.

Critic Reviews:

"Sheldon's best by far...tense, exciting courtroom drama...poignant love story...suspense and terror." (Dallas Morning News)

Members Reviews:

A great beach book!

A very simplistic and easy listen that will have you relating with the main character Maz. The author does a fine job of telling about Maz crazy life with her messed up family. These characters are well drawn, intriguing, annoying, and laugh-out-loud funny. They absolutely remind you of someone in your own family. The only issue I found with this audio was the reader. The reader was a little annoying at times, but tolerable!

A great first novel from Sandi Kahn Shelton. I hope there are more to come!

A big FAT ZERO

If this is romance...I don't want anything to do with it. And the insipid voice of the narrator trying to imitate male voices like a teenage boy...thinking he's "Oh...sooo kewl!" is just ridiculous. After 5 hours of listening I had to tear the headphones of my ears and scream NO MORE!!! There is one redeeming part of the book. The mother's narcisism was truly funny...and actually the sarcasm of the author could be used for better topics. This book was childish and innane. I have never given a book such a poor review. What a waste of half my day.

AWFUL

I couldn't even finish the book- too much whining by the teenager!!! This kind of story is not why I buy books!!! listen at your own risk

Waste of time

Is there anything you would change about this book?

It wasn't bad, it just wasn't good. I found the narration sort of overbearing.

Did What Comes After Crazy inspire you to do anything?

Probably not to read anything by this author again.

kathie

I did not particularly like this book, I found it rattled on and on and took forever to get anywhere

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Title: Impossible

Author: Danielle Steel

Narrator: David Garrison

Format: Abridged

Length: 6 hrs and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-17-05

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 21 votes

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

Publisher's Summary:

For Sasha, it's a matter of keeping Liam hidden from her grown children and well-heeled clientele as she commutes between New York and Paris and two thriving galleries. For Liam, it's about creating chaos out of order and bringing out the wild streak that Sasha barely knows she has. That is, until tragedy alters Liam's life, and forces a sacrifice that neither one of them could have expected. But from the snow falling on the Tuileries to the joy of eating ice cream by candlelight, the artist and the art dealer have tasted perfection. And giving up now might just be the most impossible thing of all.

With unerring insight into the hearts of men and women, and into the soul of the artist, Danielle Steel takes us into a world of glamour and genius, priceless art and dazzling creativity. From the luxurious galleries of Europe to the endless beaches of the Hamptons, Impossible weaves an extraordinary tale of love and compromise, of taking chances and counting blessings. With brilliant color and breathtaking emotion, Danielle Steel has written her most compelling novel to date.

Critic Reviews:

"Steel knows what her fans want, and this solid, meaty tale will not disappoint them." (Booklist)

Members Reviews:

Light

If you want a quick escape, it's ok. If you want something deep ... forget it. It's IMPOSSIBLE!!

Bad

I have read/listen all Steel's books and this, I am sad to say, is her worst. If you just want to have background noise this is the one for you. If you want a good listen you'll have to look elsewhere.

impossible

Danielle Steel's stories are always great. We never know what could work for us.

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Title: Another Song About the King

Author: Kathryn Stern

Narrator: Karen White

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-12-04

Publisher: Books on Tape

Ratings: 1.5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

Publisher's Summary:

Frustrated by her life as a housewife in the '60s, Mimi names her daughter "Silvie", the closest anagram she can find for Elvis. Caught up in a fantasy world of the King and fame, Mimi remains mired in unfulfilled artistic ambitions and the need to dominate her family. As Silvie begins to free herself from Mimi, a family crisis draws her back.

Critic Reviews:

"This audio demonstrates the excellence possible when a good book meets the right reader." (AudioFile)

"An insightful, well-written look at a difficult mother-daughter relationship." (Library Journal)

Members Reviews:

O Stars!!

A Tale of Two Cities begins something like...it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. "Another Song About the King" describes only the worst of times. I felt like wringing this whining author's neck! If you are looking for comfort and joy, certainly don't choose this book. Utterly depressing with no redeeming qualities. ZERO STARS!!

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Title: The Christmas Surprise

Subtitle: A Rosie Hopkins novel

Author: Jenny Colgan

Narrator: Lucy Price-Lewis

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-23-14

Publisher: Hachette Audio UK

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

Publisher's Summary:

Includes mouth-watering recipes.

Rosie Hopkins, newly engaged, is looking forward to an exciting year in the little sweetshop she owns and runs. But when fate strikes Rosie and her boyfriend, Stephen, a terrible blow, threatening everything they hold dear, it's going to take all their strength and the support of their families and their Lipton friends to hold them together. After all, don't they say it takes a village to raise a child?

Treat yourself and your friends to Jenny Colgan's heartwarming new novel this Christmas.

Members Reviews:

Easy Listen, lovely to catch up with Rosie.

I love these stories. They are easy to listen to. Predictable but at the same time just lovely to get lost in. This book had me going through all the emotions. Definitely worth a listen.

A classic Jenny Colgan novel.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

A classic Jenny Colgan novel. Excellent, heart-warming Christmas novel. It follows the Rosie Hopkins story.. what will the Christmas surprise be?

Who was your favorite character and why?

Rosie is so down to earth and honest. Got to love her!

Have you listened to any of Lucy Price-Lewiss other performances? How does this one compare?

All of Rosie Hopkins stories

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Heart-warming

Love stories about Rosie Hopkins

What made the experience of listening to The Christmas Surprise the most enjoyable?

Meeting everyone again from the little village of Lipton was magical. I look forward to see what happens with Rosie ' s children and the sweet shop.

What other book might you compare The Christmas Surprise to, and why?

Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe.

In this story we are served lots of yummy recipes and meet lots of wonderful people.

What does Lucy Price-Lewis bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you had only read the book?

She brings the story to life

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

Oh yes

Tribute to the others that came before

In the world of books, unlike certain films, you want 'them' to keep making more and more. This book, a part of the Rosie Hopkins series, is definitely one of those books you want more of.

The story was beautifully written and so well-read by Lucy Price-Lewis.

Characters sprang to life and scenes were perfectly laid out in front of me.

I found myself predicting what a character would say or do, purely because they had been so well described that I felt I knew them.

I am such a big fan of Jenny Colgan, well done yet again x

Loved the series of stories about Rosie Hopkins.

Hope this wasn't the last book about Rosie and Stephen. Can imagine so many more tales to tell. Think this might be my sixth Jenny Colgan read and have loved everyone. A fabulous author.

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Title: That Summer in Ischia

Author: Penny Feeny

Narrator: Tricia Kelly

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-02-15

Publisher: Lamplight Audio

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

Publisher's Summary:

In her early years, Allie and her bohemian mother, Helena, were always on the move. Now Helena keeps people at arm's length: relationships never last, and old friends have slipped away. But when Allie inherits Helena's childhood home, she begins to see snatches of the tormented past her mother has been running from.... Determined to find out what keeps driving her mother away from people, Allie follows a lead to the beautiful island of Ischia.

Critic Reviews:

"Vivid and gripping - a most accomplished first novel." (Barbara Trapido)

"Sun-drenched, dark and intriguing. I loved the way she painted Italy." (Kate Long)

Members Reviews:

Narrator is not cut out for this, sorry!

Definitely different for me. Enjoyed it. Growing up in a different culture, I took issue with one of the character's sense of values. I'm sorry to say, she got what was coming to her. It was Lady Karma.

Intriguing

I kept listening as I wanted to know the outcome but it was quite predicable.

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Title: Finding Hannah

Author: Fiona McCallum

Narrator: Miranda Nation

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 13 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-01-17

Publisher: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

Publisher's Summary:

A tender story of one woman's journey through grief and learning to live life again.

Hannah Ainsley has the perfect life - an adoring husband, a close relationship with her parents, a wonderful job and amazing friends. Best of all, it's Christmas - her favourite day of the whole year! It's a time to share with her family and friends and enjoy the festivities.

But this year will be like no other. Tragedy strikes, and Hannah's world is shattered. If she's going to cope, she's going to need all the support she can gather and draw on every bit of her strength. Life will never be the same again, but it's soon clear she has no alternative but to pull together a future from the remaining fragments. As Hannah heads towards the next festive season, she will have to make a decision - should she stay with the people who have supported her, or should she leave? Could the answer lie in a delayed gift?

Fiona McCallum's most touching novel so far is a rich tapestry of deep emotions that is sure to capture the hearts of many.

Members Reviews:

Thought Provoking Read

Make time in your weekend to pick up this book by Fiona McCallum and be engrossed. I struggled to put it down. Looking forward to the second installment April 2018.

Thank you Fiona for a wonderful read.

Four Stars

A very interesting tale on a subject not many authors ant to write about.

Good read.

Fantastic book to read hard to put it down.

Heart wrenching and sad! Highly recommended!

The tradition of Christmas day had been passed from Hannahâs parents to her when they moved into the retirement village, and Hannah took it on with relish. Alongside her husband of five years, Tristan, Hannah would prepare for weeks and the hot cooked pork and turkey with all the trimmings was prepared whatever the weather. Though in Melbourne, it was a jackpot â and it was looking to be hot this particular Christmas. All their close friends along with Hannahâs parents were coming for Christmas lunch â it would be so much fun.

But with devastating force, tragedy struck. Completely out of the blue â Hannah was shattered; she would never cope â life would never be the same. Sam, Hannahâs best friend stayed by her side; everyone was kind. But could she piece her life back together? Hannah had no idea how she would do it â or even if she wanted toâ

Finding Hannah by Aussie author Fiona McCallum is a beautiful, sad and heart wrenching story of tragedy and deep, soul searing grief; the story of how one person copes with lifeâs harsh lessons and how the support of friends is vital. Filled with emotion, joy, heartache and love, Finding Hannah is a lovely story which I have no hesitation in recommending. I love the cover too, and once I discovered the association, found it extremely fitting.

Good Reading 4 Stars

Finding Hannah by Fiona McCallum was at times a devastatingly heart wrenching read. Strong friendships with a few surprises through the course of the read. A story that was effectively written with emotionally affecting moments within. Readers keep a box of tissues handy.

Review copy received from Harlequin Australia

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Title: Dream a Little Dream

Author: Sue Moorcroft

Narrator: Julie Teal

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 33 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-07-13

Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 10 votes

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

Publisher's Summary:

Liza Reece has ambitious dreams. When the opportunity arises to take over the Holistic Centre she works at, she jumps at it. Problem is, she needs funds. Dominic Christy has dreams of his own. Suffering from a rare sleep disorder, dumped by his girlfriend and discharged from his job, he has money, and plans for the Centre that doesnt include Liza.

Members Reviews:

Cheesy title, but cute story

What did you like best about Dream a Little Dream? What did you like least?

I liked the relationship between Liza and Dom, but did sometimes find it taxing because Liza was so ready to find fault with him. When they get along, they do really well, like any normal couple. What I liked the least was how trite their talk was of dreams. "I have a dream. You have a dream." That sort of thing.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Probably less use of the word "dream." I think it was overused. They each had their dreams, but actually Dom's seemed more realistic and better thought out than Liza's.

What about Julie Teals performance did you like?

I wasn't crazy about her performance but it's better than other narrators. I don't have anything good or about to say about it. I would recommend that potential buyers listen to the sample.

Was Dream a Little Dream worth the listening time?

I've listened to it twice. I liked it enough to listen in the car and in bed, and I will listen to it again in the future.

Any additional comments?

I think Dom's medical condition really added a different aspect to the typical chick lit/rom com book. And I like how Liza treated him. Like a normal person and didn't push him away or try to mother him.

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Title: London Bound

Subtitle: A Heart of the City Romance

Author: C. J. Duggan

Narrator: Edwina Wren

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 49 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-28-17

Publisher: Hachette Australia Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

Publisher's Summary:

Like so many of her university friends, Kate Brown is London bound, but unlike her friends - who had the chance to enjoy the beer, sights and attractions of the UK - Kate is instead visiting her grandmother (who may or may not be the devil). Wanting nothing more than to be a normal, independent 20-something living it up in ol' London town, Kate finds herself a prisoner in her grandmother's Kensington terrace, daydreaming about the holiday that could have been.

But when Kate is almost run over by the ridiculously good-looking Jack Baker, it leaves her wondering if being out and about is such a good idea after all, especially when she catches herself laughing at his jokes. One thing Kate knows for sure is that she has to avoid Jack at all costs. But with her balcony facing his, you can pretty much guarantee Kate's London adventure is going to be anything but boring....

Members Reviews:

My favorite of the series

When Kate Brown left Melbourne, headed for the wonderful, historical city of London she had grand plans. Walks in the greenest of gardens. Meals in the most rustic of pubs and of course immersing herself in the wealth of riches the city has to offer a fashion lover such as herself.

What she found though, was a virtual prison. Living upstairs in her Nana's house the tension between the stifling 'my house my rules' credo and the virtual necessity of free rent has her cooped up most hours of the day, either hiding in her own rooms, or acting the part of Nana Joy's live-in slave.

That is, until the obnoxious man who almost ran her over and a forbidden door change her outlook on everything London has to offer.

If you look really closely, you can see more tying the three Heart of the City novels together than simply the premise of a Melbourne girl finding her way in an exotic city, but for all intents and purposes they're pretty much standalone novels.

Told first person solely from Kate's point of view, the story finds her learning to spread her wings, confront her insecurities and, of course, get entangled with the arrogant man who drives an Aston Martin that looks like it came straight out of a James Bond movie.

With an engaging style that permeated the whole of the series, I found this book to be the most satisfying of the three as the tensions and secrets, misunderstandings and dramas left me, at the end of it all, with a smile on my face

London Love

London Bound is the third book in CJ Duggan's Heart of the City series and I totally read this one first. But that's okay, because it's a standalone!

Kate is a young Aussie woman who has decided to have a holiday in London, only to find herself trapped in her nana's home and a sexy neighbour whom she is attracted to (and wishes she wasn't). I was frustrated with her at times, and I wanted to yell at her to "toughen up and stand up for yourself, girl!" This is a good thing! I like a book that gets reactions out of me like that. Jack is smooth, classy, intelligent and sexy. I swooned so much for him.

This is a fun, fast paced story and the fact that it's set in London is an added bonus (this chick LOVES London). 5 stars.

Vlog to love

The third book in the A Heart of the City series is Kate and Jack's story.

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Title: The Secret Recipe for Second Chances

Author: J. D. Barrett

Narrator: J. D. Barrett

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 13 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-04-16

Publisher: Wavesound Audio

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

Publisher's Summary:

Lucy Muir is leaving her husband. It's complicated. They're joint owners and chefs at one of the best restaurants in town, but a woman can take only so much cheating, recipe stealing and lack of good grace.

Despondently driving around the backstreets of Woolloomooloo one night, Lucy happens upon an old, empty terrace that was once the city's hottest restaurant: Fortune.

Members Reviews:

A delightful book -- romance, intrigue and food

JD Barrett's debut novel is a fantastic read. If you are interested in romance, intrigue and food this is the book for you. You quickly develop a strong bond with the main characters and since all the action in the book centers around a restaurant/food, I found myself salivating over each chapter. And bravo to the author for coming up with an ingenious structure in which many chapters end with the actual recipe that was featured in the storyline of the chapter. It is a quick, delightful read that will transport you away from the grind of daily life. I actually found myself slowing down how quickly I was reading the book as I want to savor every last morsel! Highly recommended read!

Very good.

A good read.

Three Stars

Light, entertaining read

A delightful confection of a book

The Secret Recipe for Second Chances is a charming, fresh and funny ghost story/romance/mystery.

Lucy Muir, reeling from the breakdown of her marrige to the awful Leith, stumbles across a restaurant that was once famous and is now derelict. Rather impulsively, she decides to lease it as a three month pop-up restaurant - only to discover its resident ghost, Frankie - the former chef who died in the 1980s. He will help her make the Fortune a success - and in exchange, she'll help him find out who murdered him.

Lucy and Frankie become friends, working partners and then something more, though the chances of their love getting anywhere seems pretty minimal, given that one of them is a ghost.

There's a joyfulness in the tale, despite all the obstacles and heartaches. There's progress too, and redemption for people both in the present and from Frankie's dramatic past. Even for Frankie, who grows in spite of not being corporeal.

Food and recipes as an expression of love are a big part of it (the way Leith stole Lucy's recipes without giving her credit is a perfect metaphor for how he's treated her; and how she's let him). Periodically, recipe for the dishes Frankie and Lucy cook are offered to the reader too.

The nod to 'The Ghost and Mrs Muir' is made explicit at one point, but Secret Recipe remains its own story too. It's a fun read which zips along with flawed but likeable protagonists, and a sprinkling of quantum physics along with the ghostiness. The mystery of Frankie's death is not as important as the love story, in the end, because it's not his death that's important.

What's important is his and Lucy's second chance.