Short Story Sunday: Audiobook Review: The Heart of a Mother by Julie Clark
The Heart of a Mother
Series: Obsession Collection #4
Author: Julie Clark
Narrator: Susan Dalian
Published: July 25, 2023
Audiobook: 1 hour 16 minutes
Reviewed By: Jessica
Date Listened To: April 27, 2024
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Short Story Description:
A fateful decision from the past haunts a wealthy Californian. Desperate to make things right, she risks everything in this tense short story from New York Times bestselling author Julie Clark. Hillary Jean leads an enviable life. She has a loving husband, a beautiful home, caring friends, and meaningful work planning fundraisers. Yet she’s always felt incomplete. After a DNA website emails her a match, Hillary sets out to find the daughter she gave up twenty-five years ago. But her hunger to reconnect threatens to destroy the very thing she hopes to gain.
The Heart of a Mother is part of Obsession , a collection of compulsively readable short stories about people pushed to their extremes. So addictive you won’t be able to put them down—read or listen to each story in a single sitting.
Jessica’s Review:
Whoa! I’m not a mother but this short story gives you an idea of what a mother goes through when she puts a baby up for adoption. And how much it can affect her many years later.
You definitely experience a mother’s turmoil where she questions herself on what she should do. It shows a mother’s love above all else.
I knew the direction the story was going, but that did not stop me from ‘enjoying’ it. I would be interested in seeing what else Julie Clark writes. The narrator Susan Dalian did a great job with her portrayal. And do listen or read this in one sitting, I did!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Short Story Sunday: The Father Does Not Die at the End by Adam Silvera
The Father Does Not Die at the End
Series: Death-Cast
Author: Adam Silvera
Published: November 1, 2022
42 Pages
Reviewed By: Jessica
Date Read: January 2, 2023
Jessica’s Rating: 5 stars
Jessica’s Review:
The Father Does Not Die at the End is the short story fans of They Both Die have been waiting for! It was recently published with the special Collector’s Edition of They Both Die at the End and continues the story with Mateo’s father coming out of his coma and finding out what happened to his son.
I was conflicted with reading it as I have been anticipating this short story, but knew it would become emotional as it deals with a father finding out his son has passed away (and how) while being in a coma. And it was emotional. Silvera masterfully captured Maeto “Teo” Torrez’s emotions and feelings while continuing the story. Though sad, the ending was still optimistic. I had read that Silvera wants to continue in the world of Death-Cast and he has this reader (among many others) that will definitely be reading those!
Purchase Links for the Collector’s Edition:
Amazon US
Barnes and Noble
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Short Story Sunday: The Matchmakers by Carolyn Brown
The Matchmakers
Author: Carolyn Brown
Narrator: Bailey Carr
Published: April 7, 2022
Audiobook: 2 hours
Reviewed By: Jessica
Date Listened To: October 24, 2022
Jessica’s Rating: 3.5 stars
Book Description:
Three mischievous matchmakers. Two lonely hearts. And one last chance at a happily ever after. Don’t miss this heartwarming short story from New York Times best-selling author Carolyn Brown.
Meet Minnie, Dotty, and Stella—all retired and year-round residents on a cruise ship, they have dubbed themselves the unofficial matchmakers aboard. Minnie can ferret out a lonely woman by the second day of the cruise. Dotty can spot an openhearted man all the way across the Lido Deck. And Stella is great at putting a plan together. Together they’ve been every bit as successful as one of those online dating sites, and they can watch the romance unfold right before their eyes.
The trio face their biggest challenge yet when an unusual pair makes it onto the 10-day cruise to Alaska. Ava and Vince are on the verge of a divorce and have no idea that they’ve each booked the same cruise to think things over. Now, with a little help from the Matchmakers, they’re about to discover that every great voyage has its storms—and love means weathering them together.
Jessica’s Review:
This is a cute one, where you know from the beginning how it will end, but that is chick-lit for you: It can be a nice refresher from all the thrillers I read. It was short and I was able to listen to it during my commute to/from work in one day.
The narrator went a bit out there with the southern accents. Not all southern women have distinct southern accents, I am one of those as I am from Georgia. Once I got used to the way the narrator was portraying them, I was able to enjoy this audiobook.
The ladies remind you of the Golden Girls so you know you are in for a ride! They are such a fun group, I would love to see more of their adventures on cruise ships!
Purchase Links:
This short story is only available on Audible or audio cd
Amazon US
Amazon UK