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A review by dogoodwithbooks
This Time It's Real by Ann Liang
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Book Rating: 3.5/5
Audiobook/Narration Rating: 2/5
Final Verdict: 3/5
After being swayed by all the hype surrounding Ann Liang's second novel, This Time It's Real on GoodReads, I was able to check out an audiobook version of this title through my local library. While this book does meet some of the hype that several people on here have acclaimed, that hype was not translated into the audiobook version.
For the audiobook version, I was not impressed. I didn't particularly cared for the narrator and she simply just read the book in an almost monotone voice. There were times that I got lost in the book because there was no way to differentiate each of the characters when she's reading for them since she just reads it all the same. The end result is that you have a monotone narration that seems to drag out the over 9.5 hour length of the audiobook.
I feel that if the narrator was able to provide some distinction between the characters she reads for or if there was another narrator to help offset the distinction between each characters' voice, I feel like this would have been better listening experience for me.
Now, the actual content of the book I didn't had an issue with. Liang is able to write a sweet romance that provides a sort of escapism for readers and I did like Eliza and Caz's relationship. You can tell that Liang is talented as a writer and is able to connect with readers throughout the book.
Overall, while I did like This Time It's Real and feel that it's perfect for any hopeless romantic out there, I believe that you're better off reading the print/e-book version instead of listening on audio if given the choice.
Audiobook/Narration Rating: 2/5
Final Verdict: 3/5
After being swayed by all the hype surrounding Ann Liang's second novel, This Time It's Real on GoodReads, I was able to check out an audiobook version of this title through my local library. While this book does meet some of the hype that several people on here have acclaimed, that hype was not translated into the audiobook version.
For the audiobook version, I was not impressed. I didn't particularly cared for the narrator and she simply just read the book in an almost monotone voice. There were times that I got lost in the book because there was no way to differentiate each of the characters when she's reading for them since she just reads it all the same. The end result is that you have a monotone narration that seems to drag out the over 9.5 hour length of the audiobook.
I feel that if the narrator was able to provide some distinction between the characters she reads for or if there was another narrator to help offset the distinction between each characters' voice, I feel like this would have been better listening experience for me.
Now, the actual content of the book I didn't had an issue with. Liang is able to write a sweet romance that provides a sort of escapism for readers and I did like Eliza and Caz's relationship. You can tell that Liang is talented as a writer and is able to connect with readers throughout the book.
Overall, while I did like This Time It's Real and feel that it's perfect for any hopeless romantic out there, I believe that you're better off reading the print/e-book version instead of listening on audio if given the choice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Bullying
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail