the setup…
Jade’s father died ten years ago but it still feels like it was yesterday. They had a tradition on her birthday and this year she’s honoring it again, going out to dinner in New York. But this time, it’s got a darker purpose. Before she can execute her plan she suddenly sees a man illuminated in the window who is a dead ringer for her father.
the heart of the story…
Jade is sort of a mess and that’s an understatement. It’s revealed in parts and pieces, transitioning from past to present. I wasn’t sure what direction it would take and she was kind of…unlikeable. But the journey to find the man in the window became much more interesting, despite the drama.
the narration…
I thought Quay was perfect as Jade. She sounded a bit immature and off kilter, just like the character. Great choice!
the bottom line…
I love this duo writing team’s full length stories, never a miss. There’s an art to short stories where they achieve the same objectives as their lengthier brethren, just with brevity. I liked this story as it was saved by the ending but Jade needed many more pages to adequately flesh out her character. This was entertaining and I enjoyed it. But it won’t be a favorite.
Book Info
- Release Date: March 19, 2024
- Series: Never Tell Collection #1
- Narrator: Ellen Quay
- Audio Length: 1 hour, 16 minutes
- Publisher: Amazon Original Stories
Listen to a Sample!
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(I received a complimentary copy from Brilliance Audio. All opinions are my own.)
That’s a shame that the brevity came at the cost of character development. This sounds like a story that would hinge on that aspect. Excellent review, Jo!
Thanks, Tessa💜 It has all the good bones for a longer story. Writing short stories is hard.
Fab review Jo! I didn’t know that Liv Constantine was a writing duo, they say you learn something new everyday …
Thanks, Nicki💜 I didn’t know either for a long time! Read it a couple of years ago in a review.
Short stories are hard to master what is needed. While I am a supportive reader, I’m afraid I’ve also gotten more discerning in what I demand.
Anne – Books of My Heart
It’s definitely an art. My expectations were high because of the authors.
That is my complaint with short stories and novellas, the characters are often not well-developed. You’re right, it takes talent to be able to pen an exceptional short story or novella. Glad you still enjoyed this one though.