Audible Book Review: You Can Thank Me Later by Kelly Harms

This is a story of family grief and love.

You Can Thank Me Later, A Novella
By: Kelly Harms
Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang

Length: 3 hrs and 5 mins
Release date: 10-31-19
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, Grief
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

About This Audible Original
A short and sweet audio novella that’ll leave listeners wanting second helpings, You Can Thank Me Later follows an unforgettable family over the course of three Thanksgivings.
When the Dickenson clan sits down for Thanksgiving dinner in 2016, it is the last holiday when their tight-knit family will ever be the same. Oldest brother Pete and his wife are expecting their first child. Youngest sibling Sophie is too busy running her restaurant, The Little Plum, to bother with any kind of social life. And middle child Charlie’s happy, uncomplicated life as a Midwestern science professor is upended when his wife Annette is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Knowing this will be her last Thanksgiving, Annette asks Sophie to look after Charlie after she’s gone. Which would be a lot easier if Charlie didn’t show up with an insufferable new girlfriend at the next holiday meal.
From the best-selling author of The Overdue Life of Amy Byler, this heartwarming novella embraces the spirit and gratitude of the holiday, and shows how a family’s love can endure anything.
©2019 Kelly Harms (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC

Review:
Sophie, is a busy restaurant owner who hosts the annual Thanksgiving family get together. The guests are her older brothers with their spouses, and an unremarkable ‘extra’ date for Sophie. For the 2016 Thanksgiving, eldest brother, Pete and his wife, Keiko, are expecting their first baby. Keiko is deep in nausea when facing most food. Middle child, Charlie is married to Sophie’s bff Annette. Charlie has been happy with his quiet professor life and the wife he adores. But Annette has arrived with bad news. She has had a reoccurrence of cancer and doesn’t expect to live for another Thanksgiving. She asks Sophie to take care of Charlie.

The group next meets in 2018. Keiko has her toddler in tow and is back to dealing with pregnancy nausea. Sophie brings a nice date although she is not so nice to him or Charlie’s date. Part of the family has wanted Charlie to move on to dating but Sophie isn’t ready. It isn’t the happiest of celebrations.

Sophie has to decide if she will even attend the get together in 2020 which is being hosted by Charlie and his girlfriend of the past two years. How will the interaction be in the latest meeting?

Each year begins with a unique feature of leaving messages on Sophie’s phone even though she wants texts, not messages. The listener gains information on the other siblings through these messages and I thought this was a clever writing style.

Keiko and her pregnancy and child issues adds humor and relatable family situations. Charlie’s new girlfriend initially appears to be a bit of a mess, but she contributes a special relationship, plus children of her own, to Charlie and the group. Sophie is the most difficult character with a certain arrogance and nastiness.

I felt some grief from the beginning, both from the cancer issues and the loss of my own husband this spring. Fortunately, the story was entertaining enough to push me beyond that point. I found Sophie’s attitude annoying but was glad for the way it changed for the ending. I do like how the story shares the message of how grief of one family member, a spouse, can impact others in the family. I recommend this as a good listen, particularly for those interested in movement through grief to a new place.

Audio notes: Lauren Fortgang does a good narration fitting Sophie’s character. She portrays the emotions that Sophie feels from grief to disdain and distress. Lauren also manages clear, distinct voices for the other characters. The narration enhanced the story for me.

Source: 11/25/19 Free Audible Originals. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: Tracking Magic: Rylee Adamson, Book 0.25 by Shannon Mayer

This is a quick prequel to help me decide on the series. The use of foul language overshadowed the story line for me.
Tracking Magic: Rylee Adamson, Book 0.25
By: Shannon Mayer
Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang

Length: 1 hr and 4 mins
Release date: 01-19-21
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 3.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.0; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
My name is Rylee, and I am a Tracker.
When children go missing, and the Humans have no leads, I'm the one they call. I am their last hope in bringing home the lost ones. I salvage what they cannot. A missing girl and a deadly item belonging to a power-mad demon need to be found before the killing begins.
The problem? This is my first salvage. And I have no idea what I'm doing. These were the moments that began to define me, my skills, and my drive to face down the darkest side of the supernatural in order to bring children home. This is where my journey began....
Tracking Magic is a prequel to the Rylee Adamson series.
©2015 Shannon Mayer (P)2021 Podium Audio

Review:
Rylee is a 17 year-old was put out by her parents who blame her for losing her little sister, Burget. Rylee is living with her mentor, Giselle, a witch who is trying to train Rylee until they can determine what her skill is. A man breaks into their house seeking a special stone that Riley doesn’t have. An FBI agent arrives determined to prove that Riley killed Burget. Rylee believes she can find her sister and senses she is out in the community. When Riley and Giselle go looking, they come across a young witch, Millie, who is wearing the magical stone. Millie is enslaved by a demon who first threatens to kill Rylee and Giselle but then changes his punishment.

I understand this prequel was written after several of the main books were released. I have not read any of the other stories, so all characters are new to me. So, we meet some primary characters, but it seemed disjointed to me and did not help me to understand what is anticipated. Perhaps it is not a good place to start the series after all. I like the premise of the tracking skills but my interest in learning more about the characters was diminished by the foul language, particularly the “F” word, that was used too much, IMO, especially since the series appears to target a younger audience. At some point I may try book 1, but if this is a taste of the series, I am not going to be rushing to read more.

Audio Notes: Lauren Fortgang does a fine job with the narration. She provides appropriate voices and energy. Unfortunately, the good narration did not help my feelings towards the book.

Source: 7/19/2021 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2021Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: Spider Bites by Jennifer Estep

This left me with mixed feelings. It is entertaining with a few positives, but not enough to make me continue the series.

Spider's Bite
Elemental Assassin, Book 1
By: Jennifer Estep
Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang

Series: Elemental Assassin, Book 1
Length: 11 hrs and 59 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 09-28-10
Language: English
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
They call me the Spider. I'm the most feared assassin in the South -- when I'm not busy at the Pork Pit cooking up the best barbecue in Ashland. As a Stone elemental, I can hear everything from the whispers of the gravel beneath my feet to the vibrations of the soaring Appalachian Mountains above me. My Ice magic also comes in handy for making the occasional knife. But I don't use my powers on the job unless I absolutely have to. Call it professional pride.
Now that a ruthless Air elemental has double-crossed me and killed my handler, I'm out for revenge. And I'll exterminate anyone who gets in my way -- good or bad. I may look hot, but I'm still one of the bad guys. Which is why I'm in trouble, since irresistibly rugged Detective Donovan Caine has agreed to help me. The last thing this coldhearted killer needs when I'm battling a magic more powerful than my own is a sexy distraction... especially when Donovan wants me dead just as much as the enemy.
©2010 Jennifer Estep (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Gin is better known as Spider, a feared assassin. Gin has been honing her skills since she was rescued off the streets by her mentor/handler, Fletcher. Gin is a stone elemental with some Ice magic. Although she has worked with her magic she prefers to rely on her physical dexterity and weapons, particularly knives.

Fletcher has an assignment for Gin even though she is asking for a break. He assures her that this assignment could be the final one and then she can retire. Instead, the job turns into a double cross with the murder framed back to Spider so the evidence can be eliminated with the target. As Spider tries to extricate herself from the job, she comes face to face with Donovan Caine, a hero type detective, whose partner Spider killed.

Fletcher is brutally tortured and slain and Gin has to save his son, Finn, before the Air elemental gets to him. Although Gin is on the run as a murder suspect, she soon has a surprising ally on her side. And the client who hired her has underestimated Spider’s skills and determination.

There is strong action as Spider takes down opponents, usually quickly, leaving bodies in her wake. I liked the premise of the fantasy and the elemental magic skills. I liked the secondary characters -- the older mentor, Fletcher, his young, almost flamboyant son, Finn, and the betrayed cop, Caine, as well as other friends who help Gin when she returns with injuries. I was glad for Caine as so many of the other cops were corrupt, child molesters.

Sadly, I couldn’t embrace Gin/Spider as a character. For a skilled assassin she makes careless mistakes and poor decisions. There are vulnerabilities and caring of those she considers family, but I think I found her just a tad too harsh and cold. That fits her assassin nature but doesn’t make for a warm, empathetic character. I also didn’t care for the sexual aspects of the story. It is mostly primal, pushy lust which is not my thing.

There is unnecessary repetition of trite phrases – descriptions of eyes and body shapes. I did find some humor in the repetitious “sloppy, sloppy, sloppy” and “MMmm” comments. Although the package didn’t quite grab me, there are many positive reviews. I think many urban fantasy fans would enjoy the series. Take a peek at the “inside” sample or listen to the audio sample to see what you think.

Audio Notes: Lauren Fortgang does an interesting job with the narration. I actually like her accents and drawls that fit the female character. I didn’t care for it as much with the ‘rugged detective’ who sounded growly or druggy most of the time. I can’t say the narration hurt the story but it didn’t help make it for me either.

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If anyone has read this series I would be curious to know if the writing got more mature as the series continued. What kept you interested?

Source: Audible 2012 Sale purchase. This qualifies for 2018TBR and 2018 Audiobook Challenge.