Hey, all! Happy Monday. I’m sorry I’ve been so MIA. I was just a teensy bit under the weather after my latest review, and then I was bombarded at work. I’ve been neglecting not only my reading, but my blogging as well, but this time, I promise it will change. Things at the office are shifting around a bit, so I think I’ll be able to get some time to get back into the swing of things and bring all of you some proper reviews. Fingers crossed, because that’s my plan from here-on-out!

Anyway, Today was a bad day on my end, but I’m finally able to bring you a review! I finished two books within the last day, but right now I only have time to review one for you. I’ll get to the second one soon! I just have the whole bedtime thing going on because, you know, corporate America.

Since today was a massive thumbs down, it’s a good thing I’m able to rant a bit, because I’m ready to bitch about this latest read. I’m talking about The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena. I wanted to love this story, I swear I did, but I couldn’t do it with this one, and for that, I’m sad.

I almost never do this, because I try to give every story a fair shot. I gave it two stars simply because I finished it, and nothing more.

I listened to this one on Audible, and there were several points when I wanted to turn it off. Mostly because of all the “says”. If you read or listened to this book, you know what I’m talking about. When you’re writing dialogue, and your character is asking a question, you don’t say “says”. There was no variation or any synonymous wording used at all in this story, and it drove me absolutely batty. I got to the point on numerous occasions where I just tuned small aspects out because I just wound up lost.

Also, I couldn’t handle the plot or characters. The summary sounded captivating, and I was drawn to the book the minute I read what this one was about, and I absolutely regret it. There’s a six-month old baby missing, and the characters are so absorbed in themselves and their problems, that I wondered if they forgot they were even looking for a baby.

Lastly, I just couldn’t with the whole wasp-y aspect of this tale. I know it wasn’t anyone’s fault, but the mediocre story coupled with the narrator’s voice, and it was just endless droning.

I could probably bitch on-and-on, but I’ll wind up rambling mindlessly. So for now, I’m going to sign off and sleep off this day, and I’ll catch you guys on the next review which is coming shortly! Happy reading!

My Final Rating: two out of five stars