Audible Book Review: Let Her Be by Lisa Unger

This is a dark, rather depressing, but ultimately intriguing listen.
Let Her Be: Hush Collection
By: Lisa Unger
Narrated by: Chris Andrew Ciulla

Series: Hush Collection
Length: 2 hrs and 15 mins
Release date: 07-30-20
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories
Genre: Domestic Thriller, Psychological, Suspense
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
A writer’s misguided suspicions ruined his life once before. This time he plans to prove he’s right in a New York Times bestselling author’s haunting short story of what happens when seeing is not believing.
Will, an aspiring novelist, can’t stop parsing his ex-girlfriend’s popular social media accounts for clues that her ideal new rural life with the perfect man has a dark side. After all, nobody he knows has actually seen the blissful blogger in the flesh for nearly a year. When Will draws a wary friend into his “investigation,” the real question becomes who’s truly in danger.
Lisa Unger’s Let Her Be is part of Hush, a collection of six stories, ranging from political mysteries to psychological thrillers, in which deception can be a matter of life and death. Each piece can be read or listened to in one truly chilling sitting.
©2020 Lisa Unger. (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Review:
The story opens with Will describing his depression and attempted suicide. He was upset by the apparent rejection and abandonment by his ex-girlfriend. Her social media posts would make it seem she is enjoying a simpler lifestyle in seclusion with her new boyfriend. Will is obsessed with her and begins to think that the blog posts are faked. One of his ex’s best friends is trying to help Will work past his obsession and depression. She begins to believe there may be something in his suspicions and she travels with Will to investigate a location they think has appeared in the posts.

The best friend has long had a crush on Will. But her interest in him may put her in danger she doesn’t suspect as the web of deception gets more clouded.

I was a little bit uncomfortable with the negative emotions…but perhaps that is the author’s intent and a sign of successful story telling. I did appreciate the twist revealed in the end. To that point, I recommend this quick listen to fans of dark, phycological stories.

Audio Notes: Chris Andrew Ciulla seemed to provide spot on narration. The tone fit the dark nature of the primary character and the female voices worked as well. I enjoyed the audio presentation.

Source: August 2020 Audible Plus. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

#NetGalley Book Review: The New Husband by D.J. Palmer

This is a creepy thriller.

The New Husband
by D.J. Palmer

File Size: 3611 KB
Print Length: 379 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1250270553
Publisher: St. Martin's Press (April 14, 2020)
Language: English
ASIN: B07SBQ9VZM
Genre: Domestic Thriller, Thriller
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

What makes Simon Fitch so perfect?
-He knows all her favorite foods, music, and movies.
-Her son adores him. He was there when she needed him most.
-He anticipates her every need.
-He would never betray her like her first husband.
The perfect husband. He checks all the boxes.
The question is, why?
Nina Garrity learned the hard way that her missing husband, Glen, had been leading a double life with another woman. But with Glen gone—presumably drowned while fishing on his boat—she couldn't confront him about the affair or find closure to the life he blew apart.
Now, a year and a half later, Nina has found love again and hopes she can put her shattered world back together. Simon, a widower still grieving the death of his first wife, thinks he has found his dream girl in Nina, and his charm and affections help break through to a heart hardened by betrayal. Nina's teenage son, Connor, embraces Simon as the father he wishes his dad could have been, while her friends see a different side to him, and they aren't afraid to use the word obsession.
Nina works hard to bridge the divide that’s come between her daughter and Simon. She wants so badly to believe her life is finally getting back on track, but she’ll soon discover that the greatest danger to herself and her children are the lies people tell themselves.

Review:
Nina is the mother of two teens. Her husband Glen seems to be absent more than at home. Then one day he turns up missing under dark circumstances. Nina discovers more evidence of betrayal and isn’t sure if Glen is dead or faked his disappearance. As she is struggling to get her life back together, a new man appears. Simon is a widower and a teacher at her children's' school. Simon seems to quickly know all of Nina’s favorites. She is on shaky ground and vulnerable to his charm.

Nina’s elder teen son, Connor, is quick to find an attentive friend in Simon. But Nina’s daughter, Maggie, isn’t ready to give up on her father and she isn’t ready to trust Simon. Nina’s friends are worried when Nina begins to cancel plans with them after she moves in with Simon. Nina doesn’t see the signs as easily as those who are a step away. Is Simon really “perfect” or are there unrevealed problems?

When the true situation is revealed to the reader it is likely to catch your breath. From that point, the suspense is thick as the dangers increase.

I did enjoy the intense ride. I liked how Maggie develops a new relationship and was able to question appearances. This made a good contrast element. The writing moved along well and kept me wanting to find out how events would play out. I recommend this to readers who enjoy a good domestic thriller.

Source: 2019 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2020TBR, 2020NetGalley and 2020Alphabet goals.