audiblybooked's reviews
1195 reviews

Wayward Spirits by Wendy Wang

dark tense

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Haunting Charlie by Wendy Wang

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Ask for Andrea by Noelle W. Ihli

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I LOVE books written about the afterlife or from a ghosts perspective. They are my absolute favorite and there are far too few of them. I am so glad to have found this gem. This was SO good, it will probably be my favorite read of 2023. I hope this author writes more books like this this. The storytelling was beautifully done, I was completely emotionally invested with each of the characters as they struggled to come to terms with what had happened to them and what they were still capable of. The last hour of the audiobook had me literally gripping the arms of my chair waiting to see what would happen. Highly recommend this quick read. 

A Light in the Forest by Melissa Payne
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.

Terrible audio narration 

Paradise, WV by Rob Rufus

mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

 3.5 stars rounded up because of how much I enjoyed the character of Otis.
This is a story of the teenage children of a convicted serial killer who want to somehow prove their father is innocent.
I wish there would have been more of Otis and the friendship between the 3 teens. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, especially Otis' character and only wish there would have been a bit more character development. 

Vanishing Girls by Lisa Regan

mysterious medium-paced

3.0

Beneath Cruel Waters by Jon Bassoff

dark sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Where All Light Tends to Go by David Joy

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Satisfyingly dark and grim with just enough of a sliver of hope to keep you rooting for the mc to overcome the inevitable. How have I not dived into grit-lit before? This was beautifully written and brilliantly narrated. I am absolutely grabbing another book by this author and exploring more into this sub-genre. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Torture, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Gun violence, and Addiction

Every Little Breath by Keri Beevis

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

 

This started off so good, immediately grabbed my attention and had me invested in the story. After that tense beginning though - the story significantly slowed down and seemed to drag on. Then the rushed ending with a bunch of twists. I enjoyed it though for the most part. I just wish it would have lived up to what I thought it was going to be from the beginning.

 

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

reflective sad fast-paced

3.25