Dear Kate

Hello Laddies and Lovelies, 

This review has been long overdue. I have not been writing reviews other than scientific review papers and reports that are needed for work. My last book-related review was 7 years ago. Now, I have a long list of backed up review in my to-do list and an even longer to be read list as well as to be watched movies and tele series. Getting back in the review business, I would start off with a gift from Ms Felisha Caldeira the narrator of the book herself for an exchange of an honest review. Also, I have heard very good reviews about the book so it thought ‘why not?’. 

I am not usually a person who reads religious novels (says the girl who found Angel Time from Anne Rice interesting), but the mystery and the plot twists are interesting. 

When I first started listening to the audiobook, I swear I could sleep at the pace the reader was reading (I kind of did the first time around for about an hour or so, but I re-listened to it) and at the speed, the story was progressing. The good thing was that I was doing something else while listening to the book. Her pace was a little too slow for me in the beginning but it picks up midway (not really but I just got used to it) but her voice is just so good. I have no idea how to explain it but her voice is very enjoyable. Her accent too, I would not say it spot on, but it was a nice touch. 

About the book. I am not a fan of the religious-based book, and this book has a very heavy Christian theme going on. Though if you look beyond it, the characters are quite relatable to a certain extent. Such as how usually a person only is reminded of God when the person is either in trouble or in a bad place. Yet, Kate too often needed the reminder to always ask from God, to ask for the right path and to be shown the right thing to do. 

The start of the story started very slowly and pick us towards a third of the book. The middle part was interesting but then it started to become a little too redundant with the use of plot twist and turns which happens too much towards the end. Also, when I was listening to it I felt that the book has an open ending. I understand that the author wants the reader to fill in the ending with their own thoughts and speculation, but because of the twists and turns, it felt that it ended too abruptly and hanging. Felt like it was not complete was all. 

Though the reveal that James is her brother was interesting because I could have sworn that by the way the two of them were interacting in the beginning, I thought they would be star-crossed lovers of some sort. But I was wrong. 

One thing I like about her style of writing is that her attention to detail of her characters was amazing. They felt real. They were filled with emotion and weighted. It almost felt like her character is real people. They are not too perfect or too flawed. They have their strength and flaw. 

However, this is my first Hannah Duggan book and I would love to read more from her. Preferably something that is not very religious. As for the reader Felicia Caldeira, her rendition of the book is pretty and soothing which is a great fit with the theme of the book, but it would be much better if she could have read the earlier part with a little more excitement (though it might just clash with the theme a little bit) just to keep the listener’s attention. 

I have a mixed feeling to rate this book as I have not read it but only listened to it. So I am rating this book by the audible version and not the written version. I am giving this book a fair three out of five (3/5) because of the exciting mid-story plot and the amazing characterisation

Loads of hugs and kisses,

Cáit