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erinbrings's reviews
280 reviews
Taken to the Cleaners by Dolores Johnson
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
Taken to the Cleaners
By Dolores Johnson
Narrated by Emily Ellet
Publishes April 15,2025
Dolores Johnson’s Taken to the Cleaners originally written in 1997 was a book filled with nostalgia for me as I am a 1990’s baby. This release is for the audiobook. The audiobook brought this to life, I felt like i was right there beside Mandy Dyer for all that she goes through.
Mandy Dyer ends up owning a dry cleaner in Denver Colorado after the passing off her Uncle. Life was sailing along with no issues until the “Bag LadY” Betty came in with a bag she found from the dry cleaners. Little did Betty know that the bloody suit she found was evidence in a murder. This suit ends up putting Mandy in the center of the murder investigation who happened to be investigated by Detective Foster the hunky detective Mandy finds attractive.
I love this type of cozy mystery, romance action filled book. There were many unexpected twists and turns and it kept me hooked and having to keep listening because I needed to know what happened next. There are plenty of red herrings that allow you to slowly piece together who the murderer was. But overall I enjoyed this book, it was a great pallet cleanser after listening to a few heavy reads. I felt like Mandy was so relatable and I really connected with her, because she’s always trying to piece together the puzzle and notices so many small details. The perfect neighborhood sleuth.
Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for the ALC audiobook. All opinions are my own.
By Dolores Johnson
Narrated by Emily Ellet
Publishes April 15,2025
Dolores Johnson’s Taken to the Cleaners originally written in 1997 was a book filled with nostalgia for me as I am a 1990’s baby. This release is for the audiobook. The audiobook brought this to life, I felt like i was right there beside Mandy Dyer for all that she goes through.
Mandy Dyer ends up owning a dry cleaner in Denver Colorado after the passing off her Uncle. Life was sailing along with no issues until the “Bag LadY” Betty came in with a bag she found from the dry cleaners. Little did Betty know that the bloody suit she found was evidence in a murder. This suit ends up putting Mandy in the center of the murder investigation who happened to be investigated by Detective Foster the hunky detective Mandy finds attractive.
I love this type of cozy mystery, romance action filled book. There were many unexpected twists and turns and it kept me hooked and having to keep listening because I needed to know what happened next. There are plenty of red herrings that allow you to slowly piece together who the murderer was. But overall I enjoyed this book, it was a great pallet cleanser after listening to a few heavy reads. I felt like Mandy was so relatable and I really connected with her, because she’s always trying to piece together the puzzle and notices so many small details. The perfect neighborhood sleuth.
Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for the ALC audiobook. All opinions are my own.
The Sideways Life of Denny Voss by Holly Kennedy
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Sideways Life of Denny Voss
Written by Holly Kennedy
Narrated by Andrew Elden and Holly Kennedy
Publishes on April 8,2025
Trigger Warning: Gun violence, sexual assault, class issues, wrongful accusations, Assault
I absolutely loved this book.5 stars just is not enough for me to rate this book it was THAT good. We follow a story that is told in Denny’s point of view. Denny, a 30 year old developmentally delayed man who is so honest and has a massive heart of gold. I don’t think anyone could do a better job with writing Denny’s thoughts and just how he internally processes things. Even thought Dennys IQ is only a 72 he is so smart and really not seen by others for just how intelligent he is on many things.
Holly Kennedy wrote Denny in such a way that really showed so many aspects of who Denny is especially during really tough times and during tough issues. I have never seen an author write a character in such a way as Holly wrote Denny, and honestly I don’t think I’ve ever read another book whose main character was developmentally delayed.
This book really pulls at your heart and you really feel Dennys emotions when going through these hard events. I felt like this was an extremely well rounded and written book and it flowed. It left me satisfied at then end. Dennys character really made me feel and think about how many developmentally delayed people don’t have a support system like Denny and would have struggled extremely hard in the situations Denny was in. Denny was the most heartwarming, funny and interesting character I’ve read in this type of book. This has become one of my top 10 books of the year, because I can’t just pick 5. I highly recommend this to everyone.
Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ALC audiobook. All opinions are my own.
Written by Holly Kennedy
Narrated by Andrew Elden and Holly Kennedy
Publishes on April 8,2025
Trigger Warning: Gun violence, sexual assault, class issues, wrongful accusations, Assault
I absolutely loved this book.5 stars just is not enough for me to rate this book it was THAT good. We follow a story that is told in Denny’s point of view. Denny, a 30 year old developmentally delayed man who is so honest and has a massive heart of gold. I don’t think anyone could do a better job with writing Denny’s thoughts and just how he internally processes things. Even thought Dennys IQ is only a 72 he is so smart and really not seen by others for just how intelligent he is on many things.
Holly Kennedy wrote Denny in such a way that really showed so many aspects of who Denny is especially during really tough times and during tough issues. I have never seen an author write a character in such a way as Holly wrote Denny, and honestly I don’t think I’ve ever read another book whose main character was developmentally delayed.
This book really pulls at your heart and you really feel Dennys emotions when going through these hard events. I felt like this was an extremely well rounded and written book and it flowed. It left me satisfied at then end. Dennys character really made me feel and think about how many developmentally delayed people don’t have a support system like Denny and would have struggled extremely hard in the situations Denny was in. Denny was the most heartwarming, funny and interesting character I’ve read in this type of book. This has become one of my top 10 books of the year, because I can’t just pick 5. I highly recommend this to everyone.
Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ALC audiobook. All opinions are my own.
Lake Burntshore: A Novel by Aaron Kreuter
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
Lake Burntshore
By Aaron Kreuter
Publishes on April 22,2025
Lake Burntshore is a coming-of-age story that is set in the summer of 2013 at a Jewish sleep away camp. We follow Ruby a 21 year old counselor and committed anti-Zionist as she navigates through a summer that is filled with political and social and cultural changes. When multiple staff are let go after being caught breaking camp rules they bring in Israeli soldiers to help fix the staffing shortage. Ruby is troubled with her moral values that could result in her being let go from the camp if she doesn’t watch how she approaches issues.
The camp experience these kids get are filled with many different elements including one that all summer camps deal with is camo romances. I really liked the complexity of all the layers that Aaron wrote into this book, for both campers and the counselors and even some of the higher up staff members who run the camp. There was a division amongst staff about the land that borders the camp and ma y have strong feelings on the issues causing a divide.
This was well written and it really made me feel that summer camp vibe.
Thank you NetGalley and ECW Press Audio for this ALC audiobook. All opinions are my own.
By Aaron Kreuter
Publishes on April 22,2025
Lake Burntshore is a coming-of-age story that is set in the summer of 2013 at a Jewish sleep away camp. We follow Ruby a 21 year old counselor and committed anti-Zionist as she navigates through a summer that is filled with political and social and cultural changes. When multiple staff are let go after being caught breaking camp rules they bring in Israeli soldiers to help fix the staffing shortage. Ruby is troubled with her moral values that could result in her being let go from the camp if she doesn’t watch how she approaches issues.
The camp experience these kids get are filled with many different elements including one that all summer camps deal with is camo romances. I really liked the complexity of all the layers that Aaron wrote into this book, for both campers and the counselors and even some of the higher up staff members who run the camp. There was a division amongst staff about the land that borders the camp and ma y have strong feelings on the issues causing a divide.
This was well written and it really made me feel that summer camp vibe.
Thank you NetGalley and ECW Press Audio for this ALC audiobook. All opinions are my own.
Bent But Not Broken by Mary Monroe
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Bent But Not Broken
By Mary Monroe
Narrated by Shari Peele
Published March 25,2025
Mary Monroe had from in a hold from start to finish of this book. Set in Lexington Alabama in 1918,
Naomi is one of thirteen children where unfortunately her mother died during her birth leaving her with only her father.
Naomi agrees to marry to have financial security after her father’s girlfriend was overheard talking about her. They spoke of how she needed a job, and to be married and move out of the house so that they could live alone in peace. Unfortunately once Naomi got married she had to deal with a cheating husband, a rude unruly daughter and a lover who is obsessive. Naomi gets a job working for a wealthy white family cooking and doing other things around for them, Reverend Spivey, his wife and Annie Lou who is half black but passes for white. Not only is Naomi’s husband Jasob a cheater, hes also abusive verbally, physically and mentally.
Naomi would head off fishing just to get away from it all at her home and she meets a nice, so she thought man Homer who she begins to have an affair with since her husband is a cheating abuser. Their affair lasted for some time and only ended because her husband Jacob had a massive stroke leaving him unable to do anything for himself so Naomi and Ethel Mae to care for him.
Mary puts so many twists in her books you never know what is going to happen next. I absolutely loved him book and cannot wait to read more from Mary Monroe in the future.
Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia | Recorded Books for this ALC Audiobook. All opinions are my own.
By Mary Monroe
Narrated by Shari Peele
Published March 25,2025
Mary Monroe had from in a hold from start to finish of this book. Set in Lexington Alabama in 1918,
Naomi is one of thirteen children where unfortunately her mother died during her birth leaving her with only her father.
Naomi agrees to marry to have financial security after her father’s girlfriend was overheard talking about her. They spoke of how she needed a job, and to be married and move out of the house so that they could live alone in peace. Unfortunately once Naomi got married she had to deal with a cheating husband, a rude unruly daughter and a lover who is obsessive. Naomi gets a job working for a wealthy white family cooking and doing other things around for them, Reverend Spivey, his wife and Annie Lou who is half black but passes for white. Not only is Naomi’s husband Jasob a cheater, hes also abusive verbally, physically and mentally.
Naomi would head off fishing just to get away from it all at her home and she meets a nice, so she thought man Homer who she begins to have an affair with since her husband is a cheating abuser. Their affair lasted for some time and only ended because her husband Jacob had a massive stroke leaving him unable to do anything for himself so Naomi and Ethel Mae to care for him.
Mary puts so many twists in her books you never know what is going to happen next. I absolutely loved him book and cannot wait to read more from Mary Monroe in the future.
Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia | Recorded Books for this ALC Audiobook. All opinions are my own.
Cheddar Luck Next Time by Beth Cato
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
Publishes April 8, 2025
Written by Beth Cato
Narrated by Dominique Salvacion
This book was written for me, cheese, cats, mystery what more could a girl want. I really loved the main character Bird who has an adult diagnosis of autism and how she was working her way through life after loss. Bird knew so much about cheese, and her cheese business. After her parents loss and a year later loosing her grandmother it was really hard on her and cheese seemed to get her through it. Bird inherited her grandmothers home after her death and the first day she is there she kicks Chase the town nuisance off her property. But little did she know he would be found dead soon after. This put her right in the middle of the murder investigation, so much motive and no alibis, even for Bird.
This was such a cozy murder mystery book. Every character had something that just made me smile. i was really surprised at the end to find out who the killer was. I didn’t see it coming and I was shocked. I really hope that Beth Coto writes a sequel or another book with Bird, her cheese and her cats in it. Last the name had me immediately I knew I needed to read it.
Thank you Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing for this ALC audiobook. All opinions are my own.
Written by Beth Cato
Narrated by Dominique Salvacion
This book was written for me, cheese, cats, mystery what more could a girl want. I really loved the main character Bird who has an adult diagnosis of autism and how she was working her way through life after loss. Bird knew so much about cheese, and her cheese business. After her parents loss and a year later loosing her grandmother it was really hard on her and cheese seemed to get her through it. Bird inherited her grandmothers home after her death and the first day she is there she kicks Chase the town nuisance off her property. But little did she know he would be found dead soon after. This put her right in the middle of the murder investigation, so much motive and no alibis, even for Bird.
This was such a cozy murder mystery book. Every character had something that just made me smile. i was really surprised at the end to find out who the killer was. I didn’t see it coming and I was shocked. I really hope that Beth Coto writes a sequel or another book with Bird, her cheese and her cats in it. Last the name had me immediately I knew I needed to read it.
Thank you Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing for this ALC audiobook. All opinions are my own.
The Summer Guests: A Thriller by Tess Gerritsen
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Published March 18, 2025
By Tess Gerritesen
Narrated by Hillary Huber
WOW! I was not expecting the twists and turns and events that took place to happen. Set in Purity Maine, where those who lived there lived a quiet life with breathtaking views. But life was far from quiet, especially for Maggie Bird, a retired former spy. Her wits and her circle of her ex CIA cocktail loving bookclub is how she survived. The book focuses on the Conover family who has vacationed every summer in Purity Maine. Being the first summer in a long time, Ethan finally goes back to spend time. Newly married to Susan who was a single mom with a 15 year old daughter, he brings his family, thinking something would be different. Ethan never liked the cabin as a kid. He planned to spend quiet time with his new family on the lake and getting that much needed time to write his second book.
Sheriff Jo Thibodeau is called to the Conover family home, when Zoe Conover disappears after playing with a local girl Callie and visiting her cow. This was the families first full day on the lake. The police all look at Callies grandpa’s the bad guy. Cue Maggie and her retired CIA friends. They need to find out what happened, and the need to prove their neighbors innocence. As much as Jo doesn’t like the Martini club getting involved they really do provide a special talent insight that can help solve the case.
Tess Gerritsen’s writing is incredible and it sucks you in to the point where you can’t put it down! It’s complex without being confusing. Tess knows how to write a mystery because I NEVER saw the ending coming at all, my jaw dropped to the floor when I heard what truly happened up at that cabin many years ago and all the secrets and lies the family was keeping.
I need more books in this series asap because this was just THAT good!
Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for this ALC. All opinions are my own.
By Tess Gerritesen
Narrated by Hillary Huber
WOW! I was not expecting the twists and turns and events that took place to happen. Set in Purity Maine, where those who lived there lived a quiet life with breathtaking views. But life was far from quiet, especially for Maggie Bird, a retired former spy. Her wits and her circle of her ex CIA cocktail loving bookclub is how she survived. The book focuses on the Conover family who has vacationed every summer in Purity Maine. Being the first summer in a long time, Ethan finally goes back to spend time. Newly married to Susan who was a single mom with a 15 year old daughter, he brings his family, thinking something would be different. Ethan never liked the cabin as a kid. He planned to spend quiet time with his new family on the lake and getting that much needed time to write his second book.
Sheriff Jo Thibodeau is called to the Conover family home, when Zoe Conover disappears after playing with a local girl Callie and visiting her cow. This was the families first full day on the lake. The police all look at Callies grandpa’s the bad guy. Cue Maggie and her retired CIA friends. They need to find out what happened, and the need to prove their neighbors innocence. As much as Jo doesn’t like the Martini club getting involved they really do provide a special talent insight that can help solve the case.
Tess Gerritsen’s writing is incredible and it sucks you in to the point where you can’t put it down! It’s complex without being confusing. Tess knows how to write a mystery because I NEVER saw the ending coming at all, my jaw dropped to the floor when I heard what truly happened up at that cabin many years ago and all the secrets and lies the family was keeping.
I need more books in this series asap because this was just THAT good!
Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for this ALC. All opinions are my own.
Tell Me Something Good by Court Stevens
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Publishes June 3, 2025
The lies and secrets that spanned over twenty years, in a small Southern town that just wants to forget about its bloody past. As we all know, the past NEVER stays hidden, and the lies and secrets always come out. I found this writing to have southern charm. There were ALOT of characters in this, which at times did confuse me because I was like wait who? The characters were messy and real and really helped to build the mystery.
This book was jam packed, with events and characters. At points I was overwhelmed and had to rewind and relisten to parts to figure out who and what was going on. This is a book that I definitely have to go back and listen to again to really pick up on things I may have missed. But right up until the very end I was on the edge of my chair and trying to guess what was going to happen next. I did not see the end coming.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for this ALC. All opinions are my own.
The lies and secrets that spanned over twenty years, in a small Southern town that just wants to forget about its bloody past. As we all know, the past NEVER stays hidden, and the lies and secrets always come out. I found this writing to have southern charm. There were ALOT of characters in this, which at times did confuse me because I was like wait who? The characters were messy and real and really helped to build the mystery.
This book was jam packed, with events and characters. At points I was overwhelmed and had to rewind and relisten to parts to figure out who and what was going on. This is a book that I definitely have to go back and listen to again to really pick up on things I may have missed. But right up until the very end I was on the edge of my chair and trying to guess what was going to happen next. I did not see the end coming.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for this ALC. All opinions are my own.
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by Jessica Guerrieri
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Publishes May 13, 2025
WOW! I don’t think I can really even put into words how amazing this book was. It was so beautifully written in a dark and heartbreaking way. The story takes you along with Leah’s journey of motherhood. Leah reminisces about the life she could have had if she hadn’t become a mother and it really gets to her. She is constantly romanticizing the life that could have been but it often stays in this state of mind with the help of liquor or wine. Her feelings are raw, you really feel how she is feeling about her motherhood journey.
The narrator Mia Hutchinson-Shaw was amazing. Her voice made you feel something alot of narrators don’t. Her soft tone, was relaxing to listen to. I really hope I can listen to more books narrated by Mia. I also look forward to reading/listening to more works from Jessica in the future because her style of writing is so amazing to read.
Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins Focus for the ALC audiobook. This review is voluntary and all my own words.
WOW! I don’t think I can really even put into words how amazing this book was. It was so beautifully written in a dark and heartbreaking way. The story takes you along with Leah’s journey of motherhood. Leah reminisces about the life she could have had if she hadn’t become a mother and it really gets to her. She is constantly romanticizing the life that could have been but it often stays in this state of mind with the help of liquor or wine. Her feelings are raw, you really feel how she is feeling about her motherhood journey.
The narrator Mia Hutchinson-Shaw was amazing. Her voice made you feel something alot of narrators don’t. Her soft tone, was relaxing to listen to. I really hope I can listen to more books narrated by Mia. I also look forward to reading/listening to more works from Jessica in the future because her style of writing is so amazing to read.
Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins Focus for the ALC audiobook. This review is voluntary and all my own words.
My Husband's Mistress by Willow Rose
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Publishes March 28, 2025
My Husband’s Mistress by Willow Rose Narrated by Lauryn Allman and Barbara Barnes. This was a fast paced psychological thriller, I never knew where the next turn was going to take me. Darcy, a detective, who just happens to show up to a crime scene for a case she is set to work, only to see that it involves her husband’s mistress. The fact that Darcys husband and his mistress didn’t know that Darcy knew about their affair or that she was working this case. Darcy has an ethical dilemma of what to do and really added more challenge to the book to leave you wanting more.
This was a very quick read. I enjoyed the dual POV of Darcy and
Charlotte(Bradley’s Mistress) who happens to be Darcys husband. The final twist of this book had my jaw on the floor. I couldn’t believe it, and if this is how all of Willow Rose’s books are I will be adding more to my TBR pile!
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the ALC audiobook. This review is voluntary and all my own words.
Middle of the Night by Riley Sager
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Billy and Ethan best friends have a sleepover in Ethans backyard in a tent, they both go to bed together and when Ethan wakes up Billy is missing. There is a slice In the side of the tent and Billy is gone leaving his shoes and belongings. Ethan slept through the whole thing and didn’t hear any struggle and they didn’t find any signs of it. No clues were found and 30 years have gone by and Billy is still missing and on the national missing list. Still struggling with Billys disappearance Ethan has to unexpectedly move back home when his parents retired to Florida. Ethan did not want to move back because of the hurt from Billy disappearing. Problem is Ethan has insomnia which he’s had since Billy went missing. Not being able to sleep left Ethan up to so much including watching what goes on in the neighborhood. What he sees is the neighbors homes motion lights going on one by one, but what is setting it off? The creepy thing is the next morning Ethan woke up to a baseball in his yard, which this was Billys way of asking to play.
I could not believe everything that happened in this book. The twists, the shocking new information. I did not expect what happened at the ending and I really thought I had it figured out, I was SO wrong. Riley Sager does it again thought. I highly recommend anything by him. Im hopeful to go to a book signing for him in June!