Listen to Best Sellers Audiobooks in Teens, Romance & Friendship

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Title: Independent Study

Author: Joelle Charbonneau

Narrator: Elizabeth Morton

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-07-14

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 507 votes

Genres: Teens, Romance & Friendship

Publisher's Summary:

Seventeen-year-old Cia Vale survivedThe Testing, as has Tomas, theboy she loves, and they have both gained admission to the University. She has apromising future as a leader of the United Commonwealth and no memory of her bloody testing experience, thanks to a government-sanctioned memory wipe.Cia should be happy but is plagued by doubts about the past and future.

Determined to find the truth, she embarks on a path of studyforbidden by the government delving into the Commonwealth's darkest secrets. What she finds is the brutal reality lurking behind the friendly faces of her classmates and the unbearable realization that leaders chosen to protect us can be our greatest enemy.

Members Reviews:

Great story, left me wanting more.

This book/audiobook was very entertaining and kept wanting more. I travel alot for work and this has given me much entertainment on those long drives. Definitely a cliff a hanger at the end. Glad the 3rd book was already out so I could listen to it right after. Enjoy.

Decent Follow Up

Independent Study is not a bad book per se; however, quirks that didn't bother me as much with the first book became problematic by the second. Yes, Cia is a bit too smart and figures everything out. But ultimately, that the characters talk like textbooks with very few colloquialisms made the story and characters feel very artificial to me. This was exacerbated by a narrator on Audible who also couldn't make the words sound natural and instead felt like she was reading off a card, with odd breaks in the overly wordy dialogue.

Story: Cia has passed the testing but now faces the challenges of induction. She's been chosen as a leader for government and her life is just as perilous and decisions just as critical as during the Testing. Lives will be lost, she will face betrayal, but she will also be given hope for the first time. Cia will have to learn quickly: for every mistake she makes, someone will die.

Unlike most dystopian books, the government isn't all evil nor populated with moustache twirling bad guys. Characters are good and bad and each have their own motivations for what they do. While this book did not peg my implausibility meter quite as frequently as other dystopians, there were still some questions about why the government is so stupid/allows Cia the chances she gets to learn more about them. The old "hiding behind an object just in time to overhear incriminating words from the bad guys' was more than a bit too much.

As noted before, the dialogue here became very stilted by book two. I didn't mind it as much in book one - I greatly appreciate a character who acts with maturity and thoughtfulness. But when every character seems to be the same way, it does lead to monotony. I began to wish for a character who would actually speak in sentences less long than an entire paragraph. It's the type of writing that sounds good in your head but when said outloud, you soon realize how stilted and unnatural it sounds. On the audible version, it really became problematic.

I will continue to read the series through to the last book. I've read some really poor YA dystopians lately and this is definitely not among them. But at the same time, I would have liked this better without the endless textbook dialogue or supernaturally gifted main character.

held my breath the whole time listening to this

I love this story! It just keeps getting better and better.

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Title: Ash

Author: Malinda Lo

Narrator: Malinda Lo

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-17-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 197 votes

Genres: Teens, Romance & Friendship

Publisher's Summary:

"Cinderella" retold.

In the wake of her father's death, Ash is left at the mercy of her cruel stepmother. Consumed with grief, her only joy comes by the light of the dying hearth fire, rereading the fairy tales her mother once told her. In her dreams, someday the fairies will steal her away, as they are said to do. When she meets the dark and dangerous fairy Sidhean, she believes that her wish may be granted.

The day that Ash meets Kaisa, the King's Huntress, her heart begins to change. Instead of chasing fairies, Ash learns to hunt with Kaisa. Though their friendship is as delicate as a new bloom, it reawakens Ash's capacity for love - and her desire to live. But Sidhean has already claimed Ash for his own, and she must make a choice between fairy tale dreams and true love.

Entrancing, empowering, and romantic, Ash is about the connection between life and love, and solitude and death, where transformation can come from even the deepest grief.

Members Reviews:

It is a fairy tale in every way

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

It was too simplistic and was just an elaborate fairy tale. The gay aspect was never explored really. .The two women's attraction just touched the surface. The author didn't have the courage to really explore it.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The failure to develop the two women's relationship left the story wanting.

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

I was disappointed that she didn't really develop the relationship

Sweet book :)

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I liked the story, I thought it was a neat reference to Cinderella. The author narrates the story however and she doesn't have very much energy in her voice. She sort of sounds tired. She doesn't do voices so it's just a person, reading you the book, as if you were at circle time in school. I think it's cool that an author would also narrate their own story but I think you'd need to be able to act or at least learn different voices. And put some emotion into it for goodness sakes!

What other book might you compare Ash to and why?

Cinderella

Could you see Ash being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No, I don't think it's a strong enough story for a movie. Especially because it's similar to the Cinderella story and that's been made over a few times already.

The Author Should Not have Read this Story

Any additional comments?

This book is much better then I would have expected. The characters are full and the plot is well thought out. The author managed to keep the story Cinderella, but through in enough twists that it is still exciting. She keeps the stepmother and stepsisters evil, but they are still full characters with both good and bad in them. I also personally enjoyed the addition of the price, and the use of the Faye.

Choosing to have the author narrate was a mistake. As the author Malinda Lo may have a good insight into the story, but she is a terrible narrator. She over does the voice acting so that it feels like someone talking to a small child. Also the way she voices Ash makes her sound like a young spoiled kid.

The story is well worth getting past the narration, especially if you are a fan of fairytale retellings.

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Title: Origin

Subtitle: Lux Series, Book 4

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Narrator: Justine Eyre, Rob Shapiro

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 33 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-28-13

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 490 votes

Genres: Teens, Romance & Friendship

Publisher's Summary:

After the successful but disastrous raid on Mount Weather, Daemon's facing the impossible. Katy is gone. Taken. Everything becomes about finding her. Taking out anyone who stands in his way? Done. Burning down the whole world to save her? Gladly. Exposing his alien race to the world? With pleasure.

Surrounded by enemies, the only way Katy can come out of this is to adapt. After all, there are sides of Daedalus that don't seem entirely crazy, but the group's goals are frightening and the truths they speak even more disturbing. Who are the real bad guys? Daedalus? Mankind? Or the Luxen?

But the most dangerous foe has been there all along, and when the truths are exposed and the lies come crumbling down, which side will Daemon and Katy be standing on? And will they even be together?

Members Reviews:

The Series Gets Richer and Ricer in intrigue

In order to appreciate this novel you have to start at the beginning. In Origin, the DoD takes the stage front and center. I will not say more about this; but what is outstanding is the way Armentrout continues to widen the the plot. In the first novel, you get lulled into thinking this is a trite YA romance about aliens, and by this book she has widened the scope and brought many serious issues to bear. She masterfully brings up relevant issues that affect us in society today. If you look beyond her story for her message, I think you'll be impressed with the questions she raises and her opinions she has offered so far.

In this book, Eyre reads from Kat's POV and Shapiro from for Daemons's. This narration is especially potent in the audio book, I am not sure it would be as good if you were reading it. The author's ability to use dialog to move the story forward is excellent as is her character development. I highly recommend the book and I can't wait for the final outcome. If the last four books are any indication, it should be a hit. I hope so, because book three of Divergent and Hunger Games were such a disappointment. That said, on to book 5.

Great addition to the series! :D

5 stars

Wow...this was a great addition to the series! I loved Katy and Daemon in this story. Katy is taken captive by a government agency that deal with (aka experiments on) aliens and the hybrids that the Luxen can make from humans. Daemon puts himself in a bad situations and at great personal risk to be with Katy and they find out a lot but it's hard to tell what's the truth and what's lies when it seems like everyone is so sincere while double crossing you.

After a lot of pain and drama, Katy & Daemon are reunited with their friends/family. They're able to escape the gov but the fight brings their race firmly "out" to the public. The story ends with a major cliffy as an invasion force of thousands in Luxen land of planet Earth and seem to have control over the Luxen already there. I can't wait to see what happens next!

I enjoyed this story immensely! Daemon and Katy are so good together in this book. They go through so much and I can only hope that they'll eventually get their HEA. This story had a good amount of action and suspense in it as well so it kept me well engaged. I'd recommend this story/series. :D

* note - There were 2 narrators, a female for the parts from Katy's PoV and a male for the parts from Daemon's PoV.

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Title: Ignited

Subtitle: Volume 1

Author: Desni Dantone

Narrator: Lisa Larsen

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 15 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-28-13

Publisher: Desni Dantone

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 262 votes

Genres: Teens, Romance & Friendship

Publisher's Summary:

Seventeen year old Kris Young is on the run from a throng of superhuman golden-eyed freaks hell-bent on seeing her dead, and she doesn't know why. Good thing she has her guardian angel to protect her...sort of. Kris is aided by Nathan, the mysterious man that ends up being anything but angelic when he rescues her for the fourth time in fourteen years. Even if the handsome hero illusion is shattered by his harsh treatment of her, he knows how to fight this strange enemy and is determined to keep her safe at all costs. As the body count rises in their wake, Nathan introduces Kris to a world in which not everyone is human and the battle lines between good and evil are clearly drawn. Kris's piece in the puzzle is something neither is aware of and, as they uncover the truth, neither is prepared for what they find. Overcoming twists and revelations that shatter both of their lives, they discover that nothing is as it seems and nothing, least of all their hearts, are safe. From debut author, Desni Dantone, Ignited is the first novel in a tale of first love, mystery, and adventure that will introduce you to an exciting new world as Kris discovers how she fits in it.

Members Reviews:

Narrator is torture!!!

Struggle with the narrator, I think that the story had a good plot but the narrator ruined this book for me.

Good story narration needs help

I really enjoyed this book however the narration left something to be desired. It is difficult to picture a horrific car crash when the person telling you about it is upbeat and happy.

love but

the story was good but it skip and get stuck in some places however it still a good book

This is an amazing book. A must read

I loved getting to know the characters of thus story and the bond between them. A story of good and evil with lines crossed, so amazing. Kris and Nathan have so much chemistry but don't really know if they should act on it. A story of protection and love. Don't miss out on this one and the narration for the audio book is fantastic

Just okay

This book was interesting enough that o finished it but not so great that I would go out of my way to recommend it to friends. I will go on to the next book in the series because I hate unfinished stories and the second book did get better reviews.

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Title: Emerald Green

Subtitle: The Ruby Red Trilogy, Book 3

Author: Kerstin Gier

Narrator: Marisa Calin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 42 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-01-13

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 887 votes

Genres: Teens, Romance & Friendship

Publisher's Summary:

In Kerstin Gier's Emerald Green, Gwen has a destiny to fulfill, but no one will tell her what it is. Shes only recently learned that she is the Ruby, the final member of the time-traveling Circle of Twelve, and since then nothing has been going right. She suspects the founder of the Circle, Count Saint-German, is up to something nefarious, but nobody will believe her.

And, shes just learned that her charming time-traveling partner, Gideon, has probably been using her all along. This stunning conclusion to The Ruby Red Trilogy picks up where Sapphire Blue left off, reaching new heights of intrigue and romance, as Gwen finally uncovers the secrets of the time-traveling society and learns her fate.

Members Reviews:

The end!

What a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. May contain minor spoilers.

I love how neatly everything about Gwen's family was tied up - it was an excellent decision on Gier's part to head in that direction.

I love that the butler gets in on the adventurous action!

Nothing in the world is going to convince me to get behind Gideon, however, but that's mostly because I'm really bored of the Darcy trope. I get it, he's mean because he loves you. I did like their ending, it was sweet and well-deserved.

A little unrealistic, but thoroughly enjoyable

Any additional comments?

I have to admit that this series was a bit of a guilty pleasure - I felt a little ashamed to be listening to a teeny-bopper romance at my age, but I couldn't resist.

I love the whole series.

to me it was like a futuristic pride and prejudice. the performance was well done. Enjoyed it, wish they should make a movie!

Final book, predictable but entertaining

Originally posted at: A Girl that Likes Books

First impressions

I started reading this series mostly because Audible was having a sale on first of a series books. The premise of time travelling seemed appealing and so I went for it. The first installment, Ruby Red, was good enough, I liked the fact that Gwendolyn wasn't just a boy driven character, even though it was obvious that they were going to get together and hence I went for the second one.

The second one, Sapphire Blue, was ok, but I think I fell more for Xemerus than the other characters. I did want to know what the whole mystery was, but the love part felt a bit forced, sadly enough.

So here we are, at the end of the series, and I am giving it a round and final 4, even though I was a bit disappointed at certain points.

Final thoughts

Let us start with the things I liked, both in general and in the series.

As I mentioned the premise of time travelling was appealing to me. The whole building of it around a secret society as well as the workings of the chronograph was nice additions, and I would've liked a bit more of background there. We didn't have it, the whole references to the "gene" and the need of blood for the chronograph to work are not explained, but maybe this is a better option than bad science.

The descriptions of the dresses, and hence Madame Rossini, were delightful. If you follow my blog or my reviews, you probably know that I am a sucker for period dressing. If you didn't know that...well now you do.

There were a couple of twists at the end of the series, a couple as in two major ones, at least from my point of view.

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Title: The Burning Sky

Subtitle: The Elemental Trilogy, Book 1

Author: Sherry Thomas

Narrator: Philip Battley

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 40 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-25-13

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 566 votes

Genres: Teens, Romance & Friendship

Publisher's Summary:

It all began with a ruined elixir and a bolt of lightning....

Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation - or so she's been told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of the Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the most powerful tyrant and mage the world has ever known. This would be a suicide task for anyone, let alone a reluctant 16-year-old girl with no training.

Guided by his mother's visions and committed to avenging his family, Prince Titus has sworn to protect Iolanthe even as he prepares her for their battle with the Bane. But he makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the tyrant closing in, Titus must choose between his mission - and her life.

The Burning Sky the first book in the Elemental Trilogy - is an electrifying and unforgettable novel of intrigue and adventure.

Members Reviews:

The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas Audiobook

The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas is a fantasy series that has been getting a crazy amount of hype. When the second book, The Perilous Sea, came out earlier this year, I knew I needed to find out what everyone was gushing about. Therefore, I turned to audiobooks because how else was I supposed to fit it in in a timely manner?? Fortunately, there was pretty good narration, so I now have happily started The Burning Sky series and am just one book away from being all caught up! While I wouldn't say it blew my mind, I can definitely see where The Burning Sky has the potential to begin a truly ground-breaking fantasy series, and it has that whole girl-disguised-as-a-boy thing that so many of you love ;-).

Note: I listened to The Burning Sky which inarguably influences my reading experience.

Strengths:

The fantasy world of The Burning Sky is actually multiple worlds, ours as one and at least one, perhaps multiple others that have magic. The Burning Sky is one of those books that will confuse you initially because there is a lot of lingo to pick up and the characters have basic assumptions about how the world works that they don't share with you, but figuring all that out is half the fun!

I never felt that The Burning Sky was dumping information on the reader in order to make sure we got all the details of how things work between the teleportation (called vaulting), the elemental magic, the other kind of magic, the shadow government somehow connected to the magic world which is also then connected to our world, etc. Instead, you as the reader get to discover things and slowly put the pieces of the puzzle together. Just be warned that you don't have all the pieces by the end of book one, but that just leaves more fun for book two :D.

There was a danger to my listening to The Burning Sky because the male MC, Prince Titus, acts like a complete jackass most of the time, but very early on he makes a reference internally to having to keep up the act. If you miss that part, you'll hate him, but instead, I loved him because of the complexity of teasing out which parts are really him and which parts are him playing a part so hard his life depends on it. I'm not shipping these kids or anything, but I love their depth ;-).

There is a chosen one trope in The Burning Sky, but the twist on it is simply marvelous.

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Title: Two Boys Kissing

Author: David Levithan

Narrator: David Levithan

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-27-13

Publisher: Listening Library

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 177 votes

Genres: Teens, Romance & Friendship

Publisher's Summary:

While the two increasingly dehydrated and sleep-deprived boys are locking lips, they become a focal point in the lives of other teen boys dealing with languishing long-term relationships, coming out, navigating gender identity, and falling deeper into the digital rabbit hole of gay hookup sites - all while the kissing former couple tries to figure out their own feelings for each other. This follow-up to the best-selling Every Day showcases David's trademark sharp-witted, warm-hearted tales of teenage love, and serves as a perfect thematic bookend to David's YA debut and breakthrough, Boy Meets Boy, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2013.

Critic Reviews:

"A landmark achievement from a writer and editor who has helped create, in literature, a haven for queer youth." (Publishers Weekly)

"The novel has genuine moments of insight and wisdom.... Inspiring." (Kirkus Reviews)

Members Reviews:

Two boys kissing

Amazing. One of a kind book. Made me cry but also feel the pain of what the characters felt. If you buy this book, also buy a box of tissues.

A Powerful Book with a Unique Voice

Two Boys Kissing is a powerful book with a unique voice. Its narrated by the spirits of gay men who died of AIDS and watch and wonder over the current generation of gay males. A series of character vignettes intersect to show the contrast between then and now- how things have changed and how they have remained the same. The backdrop of the two boys kissing for the Guinness Book of World Records is the link that binds the characters together.

We follow several teen boys throughout the book: The two boys kissing are exes Harry and Craig, Neil and Peter are in a long-term relationship, transgendered Avery meets Ryan, and Cooper is getting lost in the digital dating world. Each person has their ups and downs over the course of the book, and there are examples of good and bad parenting and coming out experiences. Coopers story probably got to me the most, and like the narrators of the book I wanted to reach out and help him through his crisis.

The ghost narrators see the familiar and unfamiliar in the world of todays gay teens, from bullying and unaccepting parents, to gay proms and the rally of support of two boys kissing. I remember the early days of the AIDS pandemic so that colored my reading experience and made it hit home all the more. The voices from the past give contextual relevance to the events taking place in the present, and you can feel the collective sorrow, joy and hope in their words.

I listened to the audiobook, read by the author himself, David Levithan. I think its my first time hearing the authors voice, and theres always a part of me that worries when an author chooses to read their own work rather than leave it to the professionals. But, in this case Levithan delivers the books narration expertly, and I cant imagine anyone else reading it. When an author can do voice work I think its great that they narrate their work- who else knows the book better, right? Levithan expertly conveys the emotional state of mind of the different personalities and brings the stories to life. There are several generations of voices and personalities in the book, and Levithan gives each a distinct delivery.

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Title: The Beginning of Everything

Author: Robyn Schneider

Narrator: Dan John Miller

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 16 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-27-13

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 292 votes

Genres: Teens, Romance & Friendship

Publisher's Summary:

Golden boy Ezra Faulkner believes everyone has a tragedy waiting for them; a single encounter after which everything that really matters will happen. His particular tragedy waited until he was primed to lose it all: In one spectacular night, a reckless driver shatters Ezra's knee, his athletic career, and his social life.

No longer a front-runner for Homecoming King, Ezra finds himself at the table of misfits, where he encounters new girl Cassidy Thorpe. Cassidy is unlike anyone Ezra's ever met - achingly effortless and fiercely intelligent.

Together, Ezra and Cassidy discover flash mobs, buried treasure, and a poodle that might just be the reincarnation of Jay Gatsby. But as Ezra dives into his new studies, new friendships, and new love, he learns that some people, like books, are easy to misread. And now he must consider: If one's singular tragedy has already hit, what happens when more misfortune strikes?

Robyn Schneider's The Beginning of Everything is a lyrical, witty, and heart-wrenching novel about how difficult it is to play the part that people expect, and how new beginnings can stem from abrupt and tragic endings.

Members Reviews:

Keep Looking...

You know how when you search and/or purchase a book and the recommendations display at the bottom. Well, this one has been popping up for months, maybe even a year, and my instinct was to ignore it. Always go with your gut.

This book wasn't horrible and I didn't return it, but I wish I hadn't spent my credit on it. The author tried to put a twist on it with newly fallen popular boy navigating "nerd" territory after being shunned for reasons beyond his control. Enter new girl, liking him as he is and the inevitable twist. Predictable time waster, but not worthy of purchase. Many clever YA titles abound, skip this one.

One last thing...the female voices are cringeworthy. If you're still interested, do yourself a favor and listen to the entire sample.

The Beginning of Everything Audio Book Review

Would you listen to The Beginning of Everything again? Why?

Sometimes I think that everyone has a tragedy waiting for them, that the people buying milk in their pajamas or picking their noses at stoplights could be only moments away from disaster. That everyones life, no matter how unremarkable, has a moment when it will become extraordinary-a single encounter after which everything that really matters will happen..

Ezra believes that within everyones life a tragedy lies waiting, and that only after said tragedy occurs does ones life truly begin. Or, maybe, that is just how he wants to see the world since tragedy has befallen the once golden boy of Eastwood high school, a fictional school in a fictional Orange County town that seems very much like the Irvine I grew up close by to. Ezras tragedy changes his life drastically, and it is now up to him to decide how it changes him within that life.

This is more than the typical coming-of-age story, and it is more than the young adult label may suggest, this is a book about living at any age, about loss and love, and about figuring out who you are deep down inside, and not just who you are to the world around you. It will most likely be categorized on the if you like John Green shelf, which is not a wrong summation, but I think it is unique in its voice, style and character, as well.

My initial love for this book came to me because of location.

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Title: Keeping You a Secret

Author: Julie Anne Peters

Narrator: Rebekah Levin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 26 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-11-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 248 votes

Genres: Teens, Romance & Friendship

Publisher's Summary:

First time I saw her was in the mirror on my locker door. I'd kicked my swim gear onto the bottom shelf and was reaching to the top for my calc book when she opened her locker across the hall. She had a streaked blonde ponytail dangling out the back of her baseball cap.... We slammed our lockers in unison and turned. Her eyes met mine. "Hi," she said, smiling. My stomach fluttered. "Hi," I answered automatically. She was new. Had to be. I would've noticed her. She sauntered away, but not before I caught a glimpse of her T-shirt. It said: IMRU? Am I what?

Editorial Reviews:

Author Julie Anne Peters is best known for writing young adult books about gender queer youth, and Keeping You a Secret is penned in the same vein. In this audiobook, popular Holland Jaeger's life (and sexuality) is thrown into question by the arrival of a new girl in the corridors of her high school.

Rebekah Levin performs this coming-out story in the authentic voice of a conflicted teenager. She is able to capture the exaggerated theatricality of high school students, as well as the shrill, authoritarian tones of teachers and parents. The overt drama of the performance complements the action-packed storyline in a way that deepens the listener's understanding of the obstacles facing queer youth.

Members Reviews:

A story of how not to love

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes for the perspective of what love isn't. The relationship between the two girls is abusive. Cece is abusive of Holland and when you love someone you just aren't. As an attorney who has helped many women in such relationships with men the fact the other person is a woman doesn't change the situation.

Would you recommend Keeping You a Secret to your friends? Why or why not?

Obsessive love is not love. It is possession and selfish. As an example of this yes.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Yes.

Did Keeping You a Secret inspire you to do anything?

Yes to write this review. I had not written any before reading this book. It took me six months to get around to it and I even wrote other reviews prior to this one but reading this boom left me with a desire to say what happened in the book was not true love.

Enjoyed this coming out story ALOT

If you could sum up Keeping You a Secret in three words, what would they be?

Inspirational, Motivating, Factual.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Keeping You a Secret?

When Cece finally told Holland the real reason she did not want her to meet her friends or come out of the closet. The fact that she was afraid to lose Holland is the real reason she lied to her. Though lying to your partner is still wrong. I absolutely love how Cece stuck with Holland through her being kicked out of the house as well. True love.

Have you listened to any of Rebekah Levins other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I have not, but I will definitely be checking some more out.

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

Yes, there were parts that made me tear up. And there were parts that made me mad. Like the part where Hollands mom was hitting her for being inlove and being who she is.

Any additional comments?

This book is great for LGBT's who are going through the coming out phase.

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Title: The Testing

Subtitle: The Testing, Book 1

Author: Joelle Charbonneau

Narrator: Elizabeth Morton

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 12 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-07-13

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 782 votes

Genres: Teens, Romance & Friendship

Publisher's Summary:

The story in which a 16-year-old is chosen by her government to undergo The Testing, which decides if she gets to go to The University. The University is for the countrys best and brightest teens and puts the rebuilding and future leadership of the United Commowealth in their hands. During The Testing, extreme psychological and physical trials pit them against one another to determine which teens have what it takes to become a leader.

Members Reviews:

Narration is ruining this for me

Only half-way through listening to this book and I'm not sure I will finish. The narration is awful. The narrator is so slow and deliberate that it sounds like she's at "read to me" day at Kindergarten. Please tell me it gets better.

Another great dystopian series!

What made the experience of listening to The Testing the most enjoyable?

This was a very engaging story and I can't wait to read the rest in the series. There were some similarities between this and the Hunger Games, but the story stands on its own. Some of the twists I didn't see coming and the characters were interesting. The narrator was good and didn't detract from the story.

Have you listened to any of Elizabeth Mortons other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't listened to her before. She is one of the better narrators. My only complaint is that she pronounces the "o" in opossum. Most people just day "possum". It was a little jarring every time she did it.

Excellent!!

A very engaging story. Well written and well read. It is reminiscent of the Hunger Games series and the Divergent series in theme and tone but stands very well on its own. The characters are well developed. I highly recommend this book. I will definitely purchase the next in the series.

If Divergent and The Hunger Games had a baby...

What did you love best about The Testing?

Cia. She is soooooo smart. A great heroine. Never gives up and inspires. The things she does for her friends is just wonderful. She's one you want on your team.

What other book might you compare The Testing to and why?

It had elements of Divergent, elements of Hunger Games. A good blend, which people may not like, but I loved it.

Any additional comments?

Oh man, what a messed up society. I can't wait to see what's next. What an ending!!!

Purely CRAZINESS!

What other book might you compare The Testing to and why?

It had moments similar to The Hunger Games and Divergent. Only cause they are put through trials and it's a twisted government.

Any additional comments?

Holy flippin crap! This book was downright craziness! Im having the shakes right now thinking about everything that happened in this book, and Im having severe separation anxiety because I want Independent Study (book 2) now! If I were put in The Testing, I dont think I could control my temper one bit; I think Id probably hemorrhage right then and there and start acting like a raving lunatic. In fact, while reading The Testing, in one moment Id feel like I wanted to jump right through the pages and go on a frenzied rampage, and then in the next moment Id feel the complete opposite and I wanted to curl up in a ball and have an internal freak out.

In the very beginning of the book I wasnt fully invested in the story, and it took me a few tries to get drawn into the story, as Id start and stop reading.