Audiobook Review: Spies, Lies & Alibis by Natalie Walters
Spies, Lies, & Alibis
Author: Natalie Walters
Narrators:
Andrew Eiden
Dominique Salvacion
Published: May 19, 2026
Audiobook: 10 hours 13 minutes
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Listened To: June 17-25, 2026
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
They were each other’s first love. Now they might be each other’s last hope.
Cybil Langford has spent years hiding behind her polished, professional facade as the executive assistant to a powerful real estate mogul, where she’s perfectly positioned to collect intel on her boss’s criminal network. But when her mission leads her into the path of Lorenzo Ramirez—a ruthless crime boss with deadly plans—she’ll need every ounce of cunning and charm to stay one step ahead.
Then he walks back into her life.
Ben Bradley is deep undercover for the FBI, living under an alias, as a financial advisor with a reputation for helping the wealthy and corrupt launder their money. His target? Lorenzo Ramirez, a dangerous crime boss with his hands in everything from smuggling to murder. But when a familiar face from his past suddenly reappears, things get…complicated.
The last time Cybil saw Ben, he was an annoying prankster—and her first crush. The last time Ben saw Cybil, she stole a piece of his heart. Neither expected to run into each other at a high-stakes fundraising gala where crime, corruption, and undercover agendas collide. Now, they’re both keeping dangerous secrets–and working dangerously close to blowing each other’s cover.
Forced to work together to stop a catastrophic deal that could arm America’s enemies, Cybil and Ben must face ruthless criminals, hidden agendas, and the ghosts of their past. Trust is a luxury they can’t afford—but love? That just might be their undoing.
The intel is classified. The trust is fragile. And their covers are one lie away from blowing wide open.
Jessica’s Review:
This was a fun read! It seems like Spies, Lies, & Alibis is being marketed as a no spice romance, but the romance is on the back burner as the story is all about the mystery and spy centered. For me it was reminiscent of the 1994 film True Lies with Arnold Scharzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis, except our ‘book couple’ are not married. They knew each other as kids, and what’s worse: They recognize each other! What’s wrong with running into an old school pal? Well see, Ben is an undercover FBI agent and has been this way for 18 months! Now he has to worry about his job and Cybil ruining his cover. Cybil also has secrets as she is a spy and Ben is trying to figure out if she is actually a ‘bad guy’ or not! As a side character we get Ben’s entertaining grandmother who you can’t help but love and adore! She should have her own spinoff novel, I would listen that one!
We have dual narrations for Ben and Cybil, so we get both of their perspectives and pasts. And their past feelings for each other! This no spice novel has humor to it as well which makes it clean and entertaining read. It’s a book you don’t have to worry about passengers accidentally hearing something they shouldn’t!
Andrew Eiden and Dominique Salvacion were the narrators and did a good job. Eiden’s voice was unique for me, so I had to get used to his voice. But once I did both narrators kept the story entertaining.
This was Walters first novel for me and since I enjoyed it, I will be looking at what else she has written.
Thanks to the publisher for having the audio available on NetGalley!
Novella Review: The Purpose of Life by Jason Hershey
The Purpose of Life
Series: To Die To Life #3
Author: Jason Hershey
Published: May 26, 2026
Kindle: 117 pages
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: June 7-8, 2026
Jessica’s Rating: 5 stars
Novella Description:
Thelonious Mitchell came to Kansas to start over. A college freshman who walked away from a football scholarship, he found new purpose working with at-risk youth at Riverside Learning Academy — mentoring kids like Tommy, who needs someone to believe in him, and DeMarco, whose anger is really just grief wearing a different face.
Then a broken taillight that wasn’t broken changes everything.
After a racially motivated traffic stop leaves Theo humiliated, handcuffed, and carrying wounds he doesn’t know how to name, the man who taught kids to control their feelings can no longer control his own. The trauma spreads — into his work, his relationships, and finally into the one place it was never supposed to go: the gym where the children who trust him are just trying to play basketball.
The Purpose of Life is the story of what happens when the person who holds everyone else together starts to fall apart — and what it takes to put yourself back together without losing who you were trying to become.
Jessica’s Review:
The Purpose of Life is the third novella in the To Live To Die series with Theo Mitchell as our protagonist. This part of Theo’s story takes place just two months after Book Two: The Chosen Path, which was left on a ‘To Be Continued’ note all the way back on May 3, 2017. Theo is a college student who has given up football to help at-risk kids, much like he was. He is now working as an after-school youth counselor.
This series is true-to-life and these novellas do not end in a ‘happy ever after’. This time in Theo’s life he is going home from work (like we all do) and he is pulled over by a police officer and extremely mistreated. The rest of the novella deals with the after-effects that Theo is having to deal with. Theo’s life is permanently changed from this pullover. It affects all aspects of his life including his job with the at-risk kids he is trying to help.
Theo recognizes he needs help and I know he will work to overcome his experience and become a better man for it! Many thanks to Jason Hershey for introducing me to his novellas. If I wasn’t before, I am now fully invested in what happens with Theo next! The Purpose of Life ends in another ‘To Be Continued’, but fortunately we only have to wait until the fall of this year to get the next story. There is even a teaser included with the Prologue and Chapter One after the end of Purpose.
This novella realistically focuses on racism, the impact of decisions and actions that are taken, and PTSD. If I had to give any kind of critique, I would have liked to have seen more of what happened with officer Kowalski after the fact.
Please note that you do not have to read the series in order, these novellas can be read as standalones; but I insist that you should read them all. They are not long, just a little over 100 pages and you can’t help but become attached to Theo. Hershey just has a way with words to completely pull you in to the realness of each situation that Theo finds himself in.
I will be looking forward to The Long Road Home in the Fall!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Audiobook Review: The Chosen Path by Jason Hershey
The Chosen Path
Series: Thelonious Mitchell #2
Author: Jason Hershey
Narrator: Jacob Ross
Published: May 3, 2017
Audiobook: 1 hour 47 minutes
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: May 4, 2026, re-listen: May 18, 2026
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
Thelonious “Theo” Mitchell thought he’d finally found his spark. After losing his mother and best friend, Draven, college was supposed to be his fresh start—a chance to play football, chase his dreams, and maybe even fall in love.
Then he meets Sabrinna. Beautiful, broken, and guarded, she becomes the person who makes him feel whole again. For the first time since his mother’s death, Theo allows himself to hope, to trust, to open his heart completely.
But Sabrinna carries wounds of her own—a painful past that makes her push away the one person who truly sees her. As their relationship spirals through passion, confusion, and heartbreak, Theo must confront an impossible question: How do you hold on to someone who’s determined to let you go?
When a devastating encounter forces Theo to face the truth about their relationship, he’s left with a choice that will define his future. Walking away might break him, but staying could destroy him.
Raw, honest, and achingly real, The Chosen Path is the second book in the Theo series—a powerful story about first love, self-discovery, and learning that sometimes the most important person you need to save is yourself.
Jessica’s Review:
Jason Hershey is back with the second novella in the Thelonious Mitchell series. Theo is starting his college career which includes playing football. Of course a girl comes into the picture, so we have a novella that includes Theo’s first love and everything that encompasses. The novella is realistic in that not everyone gets a ‘happy ever after’, but that is life and Theo takes life as it comes to him. He learns about life and experiences some self- discovery and that sometimes that he himself is the most important person.
I didn’t like Sabrinna from the beginning, something about her did not sit right with me. Because of that I felt more emotions for Theo as he experienced his first love. In some ways I think I identified with Theo’s experience, just a female perspective. And I am just attached to Theo after To Die To Live!
I have to add that I really love the cover to this one! Life is a journey for us all and we have to choose our life path and take what it brings. The cover is just perfect for this part of Theo’s life. I myself have experienced going down a different life path than expected with my divorce almost two years ago.
We have a new narrator with this story, Jacob Ross. Theo comes off older with Ross’s narration, and his voice felt perfect for portraying Theo this time around. The only issue I had with the audiobook was the transition between chapters. When one chapter ended and the next began, it felt pieced together too quickly. For me, the narration needed an extra second or two of pause before Ross started the next chapter and said “Chapter X,” and went into the new chapter.
The Chosen Path is a quick read/listen and Hershey just brings Theo’s story to life for me. Now, be forewarned that this one ends in a bit of a cliffhanger as Theo makes a decision for himself. This novella was written back in 2017, and fortunately I do not have to wait years to see what happens next in Theo’s life as the third novella will be coming out very soon!
Many thanks to Jason Hershey for sending me an audiobook copy to listen to and review!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
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