3.5⭐Light Pick
I nearly DNF'd this early on due to the slow, monotonous pacing. I hung in there due to the narration. It‘s performed like a duet but with multiple narrators, and that is where it shines. Eventually, the pace picks up with a thickening plot interspersed with adrenaline-infused action sequences. The ending was a tad confusing, and the whole thing was a little OTT, but overall, not bad.

2.75⭐
While the compelling premise kept me engaged, the execution ultimately fell short. The writing needed some polish; some of the characters' actions often felt inauthentic or just plain wrong. Worst of all, the ending left countless loose threads dangling. Why introduce plot elements you have no intention of resolving?

4.75⭐
This has an interesting time-travel aspect that doesn‘t get bogged down with the science of it. So it‘s perfect for someone who gets tripped up by too much technical jargon. It also leaves you feeling like it‘s completely feasible in the near future. I may have hoped for different fates for some characters, but ultimately everything worked out exactly as it should.

3.5⭐Light Pick for me
I loved Every Last Lie by RV, so I thought I‘d give this a try even though I knew there was a good chance I wouldn‘t care for it. Urban Fantasy doesn‘t always work for me, and while this was filled with reasons for readers to love it, I just wasn‘t one of those readers. Despite my reservations, I did like it…it delivered a solid message in a remarkable way.
🎙️Gabra Zackman gave a remarkable performance with lots of voices.

4.5⭐
If you enjoyed the chill, playful vibe of Zombieland, this is probably your kind of zombie book. But if you want something serious and graphically intense, this might not be for you. For me, this zombie apocalypse style was perfect, and the dynamic between the MCs was entertaining. I will be continuing the series. The narration was performed perfectly by Cassandra Campbell.

3.75⭐
Sure, the slow-burning plot burned a little too slowly, and the characters were unlikable…but this book is wild AF. Super-graphic-nasty scenes, shit-tastic husbands, shady deals, one bat-shit crazy grandma, a book club that likes to read trashy crime novels (what's wrong with that?), and one deplorable vampire are just some of what you'll find within these pages. All that, and it still manages to be funny, too.⬇️⬇️⬇️

2.5⭐
• fantasy historical • magic • light dark academia vibes • ya friendly content • awkward romance • folklore/urban legends • single POV •

Was this adult, because it felt ya? Was it historical or modern times, because everything was so underdeveloped that I couldn‘t tell? Was this magical because they threw the word magic around a whole lot? This was my first Stephanie Garber novel, and it didn‘t really impress me much. The narration was fine.

3⭐
The writing was solid, so I can't say this book was terrible. It just wasn't for me. The book dragged on with an overwhelming cast of characters, leaving me struggling to keep up with the intricacies of the plot.
🎙️While Jeremy Carlisle-Parker narrated well, different narrators for each POV might have made it easier to follow.

4⭐
This blends darkness with humor effectively. I mostly enjoyed it, though the pacing dragged in several spots and I found my attention wandering. Still, it's a solid effort that some readers will absolutely love.
🎙️•Pete Cross's narration suited the story and character perfectly.

4.5⭐
I enjoyed this more than Bride, and I think that maybe I went into Bride with an attitude that I wasn‘t going to like it, but I ended up doing so, anyway. For Mate, I went into it knowing what I was getting, and I think I let myself enjoy it more. Ali Hazelwood can write some angst…angst that even my cold, dead heart felt. I have to give her props for that. Not going to lie, though; the knotting thing still freaks me out.⬇️⬇️⬇️

3.5⭐(Light Pick)
A wildly inventive concept with a twisted ending, but the writing left me feeling like I was on the outside looking in instead of in the thick of it. This only served to make it feel like it dragged on too long—especially given how it ended.
🎙️•James Babson was okay, not sure if he contributed to my feelings on this one or not.

3.75⭐
Well, that was an experience. I'm not saying it was all good—for the majority of the book, you have to just go with it despite not having a damn clue WTF is going on. The ending brings enlightenment that makes it all worth it, somehow.
🎙️Stephanie Nemeth Parker‘s narration was excellent; she definitely nailed the tone.

4⭐
The first time I read this, I gave it 3 stars because it was difficult to follow. I recently watched the TV show on Prime, and I loved it, despite knowing the crazy twist ahead of time. The show gives the story everything the book is lacking. It has backstories for characters, fills in the gaps of the story, and essentially gives it much more depth. I‘d give the show 5+ stars easily.⬇️⬇️⬇️

4.25⭐
I really enjoyed this one. I found myself relating to some of the characters' feelings and was genuinely engaged throughout. I jokingly guessed, “watch it be blankity blank,” and I ended up being right. Did it lessen my enjoyment? Not at all; in fact, it was more like the opposite, as it easily kept me second-guessing.
🎙️A different narrator for Rose's past POV sections would have reduced my confusion. Aaron Shedlock was great, though.

3⭐(could be a Pick for some)
I wanted to like this more than I actually did. It often felt like action scenes occurred without explanation for how we got there. It has a cool concept, and at a different point in my life, I might've loved this. As it stands, though, the execution fell short.
🎙️•Both Tiffany Bache and Neil Thorne could use improvement, though neither was outright bad.

2⭐
• mystery thriller • P.I. amateur sleuthing • psychological aspects • disappearing orphans • fast-paced • single POV •

There could've been a decent story here, but the inept private investigator, the sloppy writing, and the wholly unbelievable situations left me unable to see it.
🎙️Michelle H. Lee‘s narration must‘ve been working on some level since I kept listening to this.

3.5⭐Light Pick
I thought the snowstorm would play a bigger part in the plot than it did, which disappointed me. Who knew this was going to go in the direction it did, especially towards the end, not me. While I‘m always for a good cult story, things definitely get dicey in this one and take a one wild ass turn, which is unfortunately difficult to follow and possibly swallow.
🎙️Isabella Tugman is a “new to me” narrator, and she was decent.

My OCTOBER #bookspinbingo board is ready to go.

@TheAromaofBooks

4⭐
This features a slow-burn romance with satisfying buildup and occasional steamy moments, all set against an apocalyptic fantasy backdrop. I sensed where the story was headed and was relieved to be right—it could have crashed and burned so easily.
🎙️It feels like this was a waste as a GraphicAudio production since it essentially only has two characters for the majority of the story. But I still enjoyed it nonetheless.

3.75⭐
The story alternates between the evil Aunt Clara's perspective, whom you'll love to hate, and her newly orphaned nieces, who move in with her. While the nieces' viewpoints gave the story a YA feel, they're what kept me engaged and made the story worthwhile. Unfortunately, the pacing dragged at times, and I found myself wishing it would move along more quickly.
🎙️The narration was fantastically performed.

My OCTOBER #bookspin list.

The first 9 books are for Halloween Bingo. Not picking actual books yet for the remaining squares because I've been DNFing so many books, lately.

@TheAromaofBooks

My final results for September #bookspinbingo. A decent month of books. I finished all except one (In the Veins of the Drowning). Including my #bookspin and #doublespin.

Six of these were DNFs, plus 3 more DNFs that are not pictured. I'm clearly in my DNF era.

I also finished 3 additional books not on the board.

@TheAromaofBooks

4.25⭐
I loved Tasha Coryell‘s debut. While this one didn‘t hit quite as high as Love Letters to a Serial Killer did, it still brought the same unhinged energy and put yet another unconventional twist on the serial killer thriller.
🎙️Sarah Mollo Christensen did a decent job with the narration. She isn‘t a fav, but I don‘t dislike her, either.

4⭐
Despite its unbelievability, it ended up being wildly binge-worthy and quite thrilling.
🎙️Renata Friedman grew on me as I listened.

4.75⭐
I flew through this story and was genuinely moved by it. Although many readers share my positive reaction, I have noticed that there are quite a few who disliked it. I saw common complaints about disliking the MC, her repetitiveness, and believability issues. I'll admit the MC's thoughts were repetitive, and some story elements strained credibility, but neither bothered me much—I was too invested in the story for it to diminish my enjoyment.

2.5⭐• body horror • literary contemporary • the dark underbelly of wellness culture • racial and cultural identity • a music prodigy • with an edgy tone • single POV •

This isn't a novel to be read lightly—it's well-received by many readers, so take my rating with a grain of salt. It certainly conveys an indelible message. Unsurprisingly, the flowery prose pulled me out of the story. By the end, I wasn't even sure how we'd gotten there.

5⭐
This is one of my two all-time favorite series (Hunger Games is the other). My fourth reread is now complete…I‘m sure I‘ll be back for another. This last book ties everything together and comes full circle. Our characters have a newfound family vibe going on that I love—and wouldn‘t mind seeing more of.
🎙️The narration is the icing on a perfect cake or pie if you prefer that.

2.5⭐• true crime inspired fiction • an atmospheric Vermont setting • dark history • ghostwriting • child abuse • single POV•
While the story draws from the real atrocities at St. Joseph's Orphanage in Burlington, VT—which gives it important historical weight—the execution was painfully slow & ultimately a chore to get through. Additionally, I found it a drag to be inside the MC‘s head—like she was trying to pull me down into her pit of depression.

3.25⭐ (Honestly, the cover is what made this a Pick over a So-So)
This kept bringing me to the brink of terror, only to pull back each time. The creepy atmosphere would build beautifully, then dissipate before reaching its full potential. Additionally, the closer it got to the conclusion, the more confusing and outrageous it became.
🎙️Brittany Pressley‘s narration is ultimately what kept me listening even when the story was disappointing me.

4.5⭐
What we have here is a septuagenarian with anti-hero/morally gray energy of the serial killer variety. Her macabre wit alongside her proclivity for killing undeserving people may not be for everyone, but despite that, she is wildly entertaining and weirdly likable.
🎙️Elizabeth Wiley was, without a doubt, the perfect narrator for this. She nailed it.

5⭐
This is my fourth time through this series, and my love for it remains strong. While I didn‘t love this quite as much as Illuminae, due to the confusing time warps, I still found it gripping. The newcomers—Nik, Hanna, and Ella—brought excellent chemistry and perfectly complement the already loveable crew of Kady, Ezra, & Aiden from book one.
🎙️The narration in this book brings the same🔥as book one.

4.75⭐
This was genuinely unsettling—the combination of that cursed toy dread (totally Jumanji vibes) and raw emotional power made it stand out in the horror genre. Despite a disappointing conclusion, the overall narrative had a profound impact on me. It‘s also safe to say that I won‘t ever buy a toy train set for my grandchildren.
🎙️Eva Kaminsky was fantastic.

5⭐
Why hasn‘t this been made into a TV show already? I think this is my 4th reread of this series, and I never get bored with it. For first-time readers, I suggest starting with the print version because it‘s easier to comprehend, and then try it on audio later. Both formats offer a unique experience and shouldn't be missed, though.
🎙️The narration is🔥🔥🔥

4.75⭐
This author has a way of pulling you in and keeping you there until the end. The misdirections were misdirecting, and the suspects were sussing. Every time I thought I had it figured out, she'd throw in another curveball.
🎙️January Lavoy knocked it out of the park with this one.

4⭐
This loose retelling of Snow White is darker (and more adult) than the original, but it maintains a cozy feel through heart and humor. The plot incorporates familiar elements, such as poison and a magic mirror, but reimagines them in a unique, sometimes unsettling way. While I didn't enjoy it as much as Nettle & Bone, I'd still recommend it to fans of that earlier work by the same author.
🎙️Jennifer Pickens performed swimmingly in this.

3.5⭐
This was an interesting take on a reality show. It starts rather slowly, but it still manages to keep my interest for the most part. However, the billionaire's motivation for bringing these kids to such a remote location was rather laughable. I definitely prefer this author's adult fiction to her YA work.
🎙️•Jess Nahikian‘s narration was a little breathy, but overall not bad.

3⭐
This story could have been genuinely creepy, but the writing style didn't work for me. The weak atmosphere, political diversions, and constant interruptions to the backstory prevented me from connecting with it, though I really wanted to. I rewound several times to try to figure out what I missed when my mind wandered, but it didn‘t work.
🎙️Amara Jasper‘s voice was pleasant to listen to, maybe too pleasant.

3.5⭐Light Pick
This kind of shifting isn't what you generally think of when you hear the word 'shifters'—it's different, in a kinetic way. I'll leave it at that. It did tend to feel like a fast-moving stream of consciousness that wasn't always easy to follow. While certain elements resonated with me, I found I really dislike this author's writing style, though it took me two books to recognize the pattern. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

2⭐
• novella/short story • science fiction • murder mystery • futuristic horror • eerie architecture in the form of AI house • multiple POVs •

The premise seemed so promising that I was genuinely excited to dive in. Unfortunately, as a mystery, this failed unless you like mysteries that ask more questions than they answer. The sci-fi horror elements were present, but they created more confusion than satisfaction.

3.75⭐
While it didn't grab me the way a full-length novel might, it was a decent one-day listen and a solid addition to the series.
🎙️The narration by Hillary Huber was decent as always.

My #bookspinbingo board is ready to be filled...I've already finished When the Wolf Comes Home and three-quarters of the way through Cold Eternity.

@TheAromaofBooks

August's top book is The Reality of Everything by Rebecca Yarros, with a rating of 4.5 stars. I didn't have any 5-star books this month.

Top books are Sunrise on the Reaping and Atmosphere.

#readingbrackets #readingbrackets2025 #favoritebook2025

4.5⭐
I‘m never disappointed by this series of books by Yarros. However, I am a little bummed that I read this one out of order, because I should‘ve read Hallowed Ground first. I feel like it would‘ve had some lead-up to this book. Either way, I love these characters, and I especially love Samantha from book 3 of the series, who plays a significant role in this.
🎙️Teddy Hamilton always delivers top-notch narrating, and CJ Bloom was decent, also.

4⭐
That ending was positively savage. It was OTT at its finest. Which could be viewed as good or bad depending on how the over-the-top writing style hits for you. While it was a slow burn throughout, that ending made it all worth it for me.
🎙️The narration by Andrew Joseph Perez grew on me as I listened.

My #bookspinbingo list for September. I had to keep some openings for last-minute change-ups for Halloween Bingo, which runs from September through October.

@TheAromaofBooks

My #bookspinbingo board for August is looking pretty good with several bingo's going on. Unfortunately, five of these books were DNFs—some by authors I usually love, which is disappointing to say the least.

I only had three books unfinished (faded covers). I finished my #bookspin (Hello, Juliet) and #doublespin (Rose/House).

@TheAromaofBooks

4.5⭐
I love the characters and story, but the writing could use some polish. Some lines require multiple readings before they make sense, which disrupts the flow. Still, I can't lower my rating significantly because I'm so invested in these characters and their journeys. Just one more book left...

4.25⭐
Although the character development was somewhat lacking, the story's premise and excellent narration easily drew me in. You could probably find flaws if you looked hard enough, particularly the similarity to another popular book, but I enjoyed it overall.
🎙️The narration by Cassandra Campbell and Karissa Vacker was phenomenal.

2.25⭐
• psychological thriller • murder mystery • Hollywood‘s underbelly of fame • supposedly adult but felt ya • past & present timelines •
This ultimately failed to engage me. Between the lackluster writing and the jarring timeline shifts, I never managed to connect with the story. That said, this book has received plenty of rave reviews, so perhaps it's just a me thing.
🎙️I was not a fan of Kira Fixx's narration.

4.5⭐
If you're looking for a fun listen with a twisted ending you won't see coming, I highly recommend this. The electric performances made it absolutely unputdownable.
🎙️While this is a full-dramatization, Shailene Woodley knocks this one out of the park.