Carole Rae's Random Ramblings

Monday, March 9

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: I Love You Like It's 1999 by AJ Pine

By: A. J. Pine

Narrated by: Helen Laser, J.F. Harding

Length: 5 hrs and 44 mins

Release date: 08-21-25

Publisher: Audible Originals

Categories: Romance

Kendra is 40+ and suddenly finds herself in 1999 and being 19 again. Luckily for her someone spots her in Block Buster and realises that she is a fellow time traveller. See Jordan, also 40+, is 20 now and the thing is it is always -99, he has been there for quite some time and the year never changes, things never move forward. Life sort of just goes on in a longer time loop.

But how are they in -99? Kendra wants back home, Jordan is settled. And romance blossoms between them.

They both have things to learn.

I liked it. I wanted to know how they got there and if they could get back home? Or was it limbo? Were they dead? Maybe not since it is a romance.

Good narration too

Kate Kendrick is having an epically bad day when a glowing Blockbuster catches her eye on the commute home. She could have sworn there was an abandoned building there just yesterday, and didn't Blockbuster go out of business years ago? Curiosity piqued, she steps inside the bustling store and whoosh! She's transported back to the year 1999 with no idea how to get back to her old life.

Jordan Dale works at the One Hour Photo Processing Shop next to Blockbuster, and he can't believe it when their paths cross. A time traveler himself, he's been living in the '90s for a while now, and this is the first time he's met anyone else from the future he's been all too happy to escape. As he helps Kate adjust to their new reality, sparks fly. Trouble is, Kate desperately wants to go back to her time while Jordan wants to stay. Will they find their happily ever after in the past or the present, and what if the choice isn't theirs to make?

Wednesday, March 4

Audiobook Review: Turn of Fate by Anne Bishop

Author: Anne Bishop

Narrator: Jesse Vilinsky
Title: Turn of Fate

Series: Isle of Wyrd #1

Genre: UF, Paranormal
Format: Audiobook
Published: November 11, 2025
Where I Got It: My shelf (Xmas gift)

Summary:

Words have power. Intentions matter.

Most people come to Destiny Park for entertainment. They come to have their cards read to tell them a bit about their future. They come to walk through a beautiful park and to eat at the hotel’s restaurant. They come in the hope of catching a glimpse of the Arcana, the paranormal beings who rule the Isle of Wyrd.

But some people come to make a bargain with the Arcana—to change their fate. And some people come for dark purposes.

When Detective Beth Fahey is sent to Destiny Park to inquire about a “ghost gun,” she will begin a strange journey on which she must learn to navigate the Arcana’s unforgiving laws and dangerous attractions. Her search will draw her into seemingly impossible cases and the secrets of her own past as tensions rise between the Arcana and their human neighbors across the river.

For the Isle of Wyrd is a place where the dead ride trains to their final destinations, predators literally become prey, and seekers’ true natures are revealed in the ripples of destiny unknowingly stirred in their wakes.

Who will live? Who will die? And who will be lost in between?

Review:

I had my eye on this when it was first released. A lovely friend gifted me the audio for Xmas, and I finally got a chance to dive in!

The Isle of Wyrd is...well...weird. People on the other side of the river come by to get their tarots read or enjoy a day trip. Maybe catch a view of one of the paranormals that live on the island! There are some humans who arrive to strike a deal with the Arcana to help change their fate, and others come for darker reasons. Beth is the newest cop on the team that deals with weird cases that might be connected to the Arcana or the Isle. Beth draws the short straw and has to take on the case of the "ghost gun." This will lead her down a journey that will change her life forever.

Sadly, this is not connected to the other series I love by this author, BUT this has the beginnings of a series I might end up loving too. This is just so fresh and entertaining. I really didn't want to stop listening.

The Arcana and the Isle of Wyrd sound so scary, but if you follow the rules and aren't an asshole, you will be fine. But of COURSE there are humans that can't do it. They are just dumb and evil. *rolls eyes*

We had a lot of side characters and some subplots that don't seem related, but they are in some weird way. It was done so well that you don't lose focus and it actually helps push the plot. It helps the understanding of the story and the messages that the Arcana are not ones to mess with. "Fuck around and find out" should be the tagline to this story.

I loved the Arcana, and I loved some humans. I hope to see them in book 2!!!

The ending was lovely.

The narrator was fantastic.

I really, really fell in love with this book. 100% recommended.

5 stars.

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #6