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.)
Blue Mood Café 
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!
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Thanks, Tessa💜 It has all the good bones for a longer story. Writing short stories is hard.
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Fab review Jo! I didn’t know that Liv Constantine was a writing duo, they say you learn something new everyday …
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Thanks, Nicki💜 I didn’t know either for a long time! Read it a couple of years ago in a review.
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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
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It’s definitely an art. My expectations were high because of the authors.
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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.
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