Audiobook Review: When We Were Friends by Jane Green

Author: Jane Green

Narrator: Lucy Rayner
Title: When We Were Friends

Genre: Short Story, Novella, Chick Lit
Format: Audiobook
Published: 1, 2024
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

By all accounts, Lucy’s handled her divorce well. She’s finally in the cozy, plant-filled house of her dreams. And although she doesn’t fit in with the other divorcées—all busy looking for their next ex—she’s excited to get down to earth and savor the small joys of life.

When Lucy meets Elle, a hip younger woman who shares her same passions, their connection is instant. Taking a chance on kismet, Lucy forges a friendship that fills her days with meaning. She and Elle are inseparable, from sunup to sundown, enjoying the immediate ease and familiarity of each other’s company.

But as Lucy introduces Elle to her circle, a new side of her friend appears. And try as she might, Lucy can’t ignore her misgivings. Who is Elle really? And can their all-consuming friendship survive closer inspection?

Review:

I've enjoyed this author before and so why not try out this one? Plus I needed a nice short anyway. 

Here we follow Lucy who has dealt with her divorce well-enough. She lost herself during her marriage and now that it is over, she is trying to find herself again. One day during an event she didn't really want to attend, stumbles upon Elle. They seem to connect so easily and fit together so nicely. Maybe this is the sister and friend she has been looking for all her life. However, when Lucy introduces Elle to her circle, Elle doesn't seem like the Elle she knew. A whole new side appears and can their friendship survive?

This one made me terribly sad. I hate how it ended. I get WHY it ended the way that it did and Lucy had to do what she had to do. But I hated it. 

I enjoyed the story well-enough and there are some lessons to be had. I get that, but man. :/ And I'm sure we all have had a friend like Elle or have been the Elle. Life is about lessons and Lucy (and Elle) learn some tough lessons about life and friendships. 

The narrator did well. I enjoyed her accents and voices. 

Maybe we will get some sort of sequel with Elle. 

Rating? Oh boy. Ummmmmmm..........errrr..........3 stars methinks. 

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #57

Movie Review: Nuremberg (2025)

Title: Nuremberg

Length: 2h 28m

Released: 2025

Genre: Drama, Legal Thriller
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Theater

SUMMARY:

A WWII psychiatrist evaluates Nazi leaders before the Nuremberg trials, growing increasingly obsessed with understanding evil as he forms a disturbing bond with Hermann Göring.

Trailer

REVIEW:

Rarely do I go to the theater anymore, but when I do it is for a movie that I've been itching to see. This is one of them. I took my fellow history-loving friend and Hubby. I'm so glad we did. 

The movie follows Dr Kelley as he is tasked with being a psychiatrist for the Nazi leaders arrested. They will be facing trial. One of the main leaders is Hermann Goring who is 2nd in charge of Nazi Germany. Dr Kelley becomes obsessed with learning and understanding the evil in front of him. 

This movie is haunting me. I want to go back and see it again. The way they filmed this was great. They really dig into the minds of these Nazi bastards. Especially Goring. Goring and Kelley form a weird friendship until Kelley sees something that cannot redeem these men. 

The first half you can see how Goring got to where he was in life. He was charming and sauve and he felt like you could have a beer with him. He was an amazing maniuplator. There were times I started to feel bad for him, but then the court scene. Oh.My.God. I was in tears. It was hard to watch but it was a HUGE reminder that these men were evil. Pure evil. Sure they are human at their core and maybe didn't start evil, but they were just as bad as Hitler. 

I loved how complex this was. It was so layered and I couldn't look away. The acting was amazing and if they don't receive an award....then I don't know what a good movie is. 

But yes, trigger warning....I'll put a spoiler alert here: There are ACTUAL scenes from the camps that they show at the trial. [End spoiler] I felt these were super important to display to remind viewers of the terrible events that transpired and that our pity for these men could and should only go far. 

The scene where Kelley gets in Goring's face was Oscar-worthy for both men. Damn. You could feel the hatred. 

100% worth the watch. This movie came out at a good time to remind us that evil is great at hiding. Evil men (and women) are amazing at charming their way to the top. They are great at tricking and lying straight to our faces. Bad people can do a lot of damage. Sure, they may have not started off as evil, but power is a nasty, nasty thing.

5 stars. 

Audiobook Review: Blind Date with a Werewolf by Patricia Briggs

Author: Patricia Briggs

Narrator: Holter Graham
Title: Blind Date with a Werewolf

Series: Alpha & Omega
Genre: UF, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy
Format: Audiobook
Published: October 21, 2025
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

Dear Asil:

We are worried about you. A werewolf alone is a sad thing, especially at Christmastime. So we have a challenge for you: five dates in three weeks. We have taken the work out of it and connected you with five people from online dating sites. You should also know that we have informed the whole pack and instigated a betting pool. Have fun!

Sincerely,

Your Concerned Friends

Review:

Weeee been wanting more from this series and/or world for a bit now. One negative about being caught up. ;) 

Here we have a collection of short stories following Asil taking on the Christmastime date challenge. A "concerned friend" has lined up 5 dates for Asil to go on. He has not been right in the head or heart in years...many, many, years. In a weird way he's excited to get out and prove his friends wrong that he can act normal. 

This is technically "standalones" but I totally encourage reading the other books of the world first before this. 

I simply and utterly adored this collection. Asil is a gem and I'm so glad we got to follow him find himself and maybe love. ADORABLE. We got to see a side of Asil never shown in the other books. He's been rotting away as a side character that we all love (find me one person who doesn't like him...I have a presentation to show them hehe). He's such a deadly werewolf, but man is he kind. He love protecting those who cannot protect themselves. 

But yes. 5 dates. 5 people who may be friend, foe, or more. Each date was soooo different but they each had a lesson for our Asil. 

That ending???? EEEEEK. ADORABLE!!! I hope we see more. 

The author did a lovely job. His voices for everyone was fitting. I believe he did the others in this series. He's good. 

Did I say this was adorable? I may have. 

But yes, I loved it. 

5 stars. 

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #56

Books and Reviews: The Pumpkin Spice Spell by Erin Branscom

Author: Erin Branscom

Title: The Pumpkin Spice Spell

Series: Wisteria Cove #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Paranormal

Format: Ebook

Pages: 326

Published: September 10, 2025

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

In Wisteria Cove, love is messy, magic is real, and pumpkin spice fixes almost everything… almost.

Willa Maren has a bookstore café, two meddling sisters, a witchy mother who swears by candle spells… and a big Tate Holloway is back in town.

Her first love. Her heartbreak. The boy next door, who left, is now back, looking entirely too hot in flannel.

The whole town is matchmaking, her sisters are firmly on Team Tate, and even their mother, Lilith Maren seems to stir up a love spell or two.

But this time, Willa’s determined to protect her heart, even if it takes every ounce of magic she’s got.

For readers who believe in second chances… and a little small-town magic.

Review:

Grabbed this because of the cover and it was labeled as a Halloween romance which I wanted and needed in my life. 

Here we follow Willa and Tate. Tate was Willa's first love and her first heartbreak. When he left, she decided love may not be for her. She only needs her bookstore cafe and her family even if they like to meddle. Years later....Tate is back. And it will take all her willpower and magic power to protect her heart. 

Was there magic? Sure. It was so limited it didn't feel like a paranormal/witchy book at all. We needed more. 

Also, we needed more Halloween-ness. It was there but again...lacking. 

I also didn't buy the chemistry between Willa and Tate. Sure it was there...but we needed more. 

This was entertaining overall, don't get it twisted....but it needed more of everything. It was light on everything. 

All-in-all, I'll give this 3 stars. Not bad. Loved the town and the characters, but it simply needed more on a lot of things.

 

 Challenge(s):

- Library Love #30

- Romance Reading #24 (Non-Xmas setting)