Publisher: Double Day/Random House Audio
Release Date: June 11, 2013 
Format: Hardcover/MP3 Download
Pages: Hardcover: 403 | Audio Length: 13 hrs 53 mins
Narrator:​ Lynn Chen
Source: Scribd
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 4 bookmarks

​Synopsis:  Crazy Rich Asians is the outrageously funny debut novel about three super-rich, pedigreed Chinese families and the gossip, backbiting, and scheming that occurs when the heir to one of the most massive fortunes in Asia brings home his ABC (American-born Chinese) girlfriend to the wedding of the season.

When Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home, long drives to explore the island, and quality time with the man she might one day marry. What she doesn't know is that Nick's family home happens to look like a palace, that she'll ride in more private planes than cars, and that with one of Asia's most eligible bachelors on her arm, Rachel might as well have a target on her back. Initiated into a world of dynastic splendor beyond imagination, Rachel meets Astrid, the It Girl of Singapore society; Eddie, whose family practically lives in the pages of the Hong Kong socialite magazines; and Eleanor, Nick's formidable mother, a woman who has very strong feelings about who her son should--and should not--marry. Uproarious, addictive, and filled with jaw-dropping opulence, Crazy Rich Asians is an insider's look at the Asian JetSet; a perfect depiction of the clash between old money and new money; between Overseas Chinese and Mainland Chinese; and a fabulous novel about what it means to be young, in love, and gloriously, crazily rich.

The synopsis is true to the plot of the story. No hidden agenda here, you know going into it what type of book you're going to get. With all of the hoopla from the recent movie release, let's keep it real. You already know this is going to be a mostly light hearted, fun, dramatic, and a bit funny take on the extravagant lives of the "crazy rich" asians of Southeast Asia. If you go in expecting exactly that, you won't be disappointed. Is there vast and memorable character growth and reflection...no, not really. Is there lots of drama, fancy locations, romantic moments, and family drama...YES! Crazy Rich Asians takes you a fun and quick ride through the mega rich lifestyle many of us will never know.

When it comes to the characters, while I liked the main story of Rachel and Nick, I really enjoyed some of the characters that filled the subplot, mostly Astrid. Astrid's character almost steals the show in my opinion. I can't wait to find out what happens with her in the next book.

Publisher: Atria Books/Simon & Schuster Audio
Release Date: June 12, 2018
Format: Hardcover/MP3 Download
Pages: Hardcover: 352 | Audio Length: 13 hrs 6 mins
Narrator:​ Corey Brill, Rebekkah Ross
Source: Booksparks/Audiobook Publisher
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 3 bookmarks

Synopsis: Lucy Albright is far from her Long Island upbringing when she arrives on the campus of her small California college, and happy to be hundreds of miles from her mother, whom she’s never forgiven for an act of betrayal in her early teen years. Quickly grasping at her fresh start, Lucy embraces college life and all it has to offer—new friends, wild parties, stimulating classes. And then she meets Stephen DeMarco. Charming. Attractive. Complicated. Devastating.

Confident and cocksure, Stephen sees something in Lucy that no one else has, and she’s quickly seduced by this vision of herself, and the sense of possibility that his attention brings her. Meanwhile, Stephen is determined to forget an incident buried in his past that, if exposed, could ruin him, and his single-minded drive for success extends to winning, and keeping, Lucy’s heart.

Alternating between Lucy’s and Stephen’s voices, Tell Me Lies follows their connection through college and post-college life in New York City. Deep down, Lucy knows she has to acknowledge the truth about Stephen. But before she can free herself from this addicting entanglement, she must confront and heal her relationship with her mother—or risk losing herself in a delusion about what it truly means to love.

*This audiobook was provided by  the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This is not a love story. This book is not romantic. This is a story about dangerous and obsessive love with a strong statement about mental health. From lack of empathy to low self-esteem and eating disorders, there is a lot of internal conflicts that feed into this unhealthy relationship from both sides. I'm sure the ongoing drug use didn't help things. Consider this story more a cautionary tale of young and dumb love.

The characters are so realistic that when bad things happened, it promoted an audible reaction from me. Lucy and Stephan have the type of relationship that I wouldn't wish on anyone. Very dysfunctional. If you've ever dated even a mild sociopath, then you will be jarred by some of the things that Stephen does and that Lucy accepts.

I am a huge advocate for audiobooks. I love them so much! The fact that I consume so many allows me to share my favorites in any season! Today I am sharing my top 5 audiobooks perfect for Summer. Whether you're a seasoned audiobook listener or brand new to the audio world, these will make your summer extra fun!

They are great to keep you entertained on long car trips and lengthy flights. If you're not going on vacation, no worries, these suggestions will have you pulled into the story on your daily commute or while working at your desk. 

Don't forget to enter the giveaway before you go. ​Get excited! One Shelf Addiction reader from the US will win a copy of ALL 8 audiobooks mentioned below courtesy of the APA and the respective publishers.

These recommendations are in no particular order and there's something for a wide variety of fiction readers! Comment and let me know if you have plans to listen to any of these or if you already have.

Check out the latest Shelf Addiction interview! On today's podcast episode I'm interviewing audiobook narrator Jennifer Ledford. ​Come along as she shares with us some of her experiences recording Out of the Soylent Planet by Robert Kroese. 

Publisher: Ballantine Books/Random House Audio
Release Date: February 6, 2018
Format: MP3 Download
Pages: Hardcover: 400 | Audio Length: 12 hours 57 mins
Narrator:​ Jon Lindstrom
Source: Audiobook Publisher
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Rating: 2 bookmarks

Synopsis: Nate McHale has assembled the kind of life most people would envy. After a tumultuous youth marked by his inexplicable survival of a devastating tragedy, Nate left his Adirondack hometown of Greystone Lake and never looked back. Fourteen years later, he's become a respected New York City surgeon, devoted husband, and loving father.

Then a body is discovered deep in the forests that surround Greystone Lake.

This disturbing news finally draws Nate home. While navigating a tense landscape of secrets and suspicion, resentments and guilt, Nate reconnects with estranged friends and old enemies, and encounters strangers who seem to know impossible things about him. Haunting every moment is the Lake's sinister history and the memory of wild, beautiful Lucy Bennett, with whom Nate is forever linked by shattering loss and youthful passion.

As a massive hurricane bears down on the Northeast, the air becomes electric, the clouds grow dark, and escalating acts of violence echo events from Nate's own past. Without a doubt, a reckoning is coming--one that will lay bare the lies that lifelong friends have told themselves and unleash a vengeance that may consume them all.

*This audiobook was provided by  the publisher in exchange for a honest review..

​The story begins with Nate McHale, aka “The Storm King”, taking the bus back home to Greystone Lake after being away for fourteen years. He is taking the bus because hurricane Medea is making her way toward his boyhood home and riding the bus is safer than flying. We learn that during his absence he has become an oncologist, a husband and father. He is weary about returning, but there are some questions he needs answered. The town and the lake hold terrible memories from his youth and Nate is unsure about what will be revealed during this reunion. Nate’s parents and baby brother drowned in the lake when their car was hit by another driver and Nate was the sole survivor.  The lake is also the keeper of fond memories, secrets and tragedy that he once shared with his high school buddies and his first love, Lucy Bennett.

​I adore audiobooks. I always recommend and encourage readers to try consuming a book audio style. Audiobooks are like fries... you can never stop at one! I'm happy to be sharing with you winning titles from my favorite genres!

Once again I'm partnering with Audiofile Magazine to share with you the 2017 Best Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Horror audiobooks! Be sure to head over to the AudioFile EZine to get access to the complete 2017 list!   

Get a closer look at the winners in the Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Horror categories! Listen to a few audio snippets and click on the audiobook covers to be taken directly to the AudioFile reviews. Enjoy!
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*If you are viewing this post in a RSS feed reader or email, you may need to click through to the Shelf Addiction website to view and/or click the audio players.

Publisher: Hutchinson / Random House Audio
Release Date: November 7, 2017
Format: MP3 Download
Pages: Hardcover: 288 | Audio Length: 8 hours 52 mins
Narrator:​ Karissa Vacker
Source: Audiobook Publisher
Genre: Suspense, Thriller
Rating: 4 bookmarks

Synopsis: It has been ten years since Abby Williams left home and scrubbed away all visible evidence of her small town roots. Now working as an environmental lawyer in Chicago, she has a thriving career, a modern apartment, and her pick of meaningless one-night stands.

But when a new case takes her back home to Barrens, Indiana, the life Abby painstakingly created begins to crack. Tasked with investigating Optimal Plastics, the town's most high-profile company and economic heart, Abby begins to find strange connections to Barrens’ biggest scandal from more than a decade ago involving the popular Kaycee Mitchell and her closest friends—just before Kaycee disappeared for good.

Abby knows the key to solving any case lies in the weak spots, the unanswered questions. But as Abby tries to find out what really happened to Kaycee, she unearths an even more disturbing secret—a ritual called “The Game,” which will threaten the reputations, and lives, of the community and risk exposing a darkness that may consume her.

With tantalizing twists, slow-burning suspense, and a remote, rural town of just five claustrophobic miles, Bonfire is a dark exploration of the question: can you ever outrun your past? 

*This audiobook was provided by  the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

​The story opens up beautiful Kaycee Mitchell having what may be a seizure and collapsing during mock elections in the last year of high school in the small rural town of Barrens, Indiana. Kaycee’s illness has spread across the campus and mass hysteria (think Salem Witch Trials) has taken over amongst the clique of mean girls. Eventually the other girls confessed to lying about their illness, but Kaycee never did.

With Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner, so many of us are traveling between now and the end of the year. Whether you're traveling a short or long distance, audiobooks make the ideal travel companion. Sitting around for during a layover? On a flight? Driving to to see family or friends in another state or up the road? On a train or bus? Want to block out the noise of your fellow travelers? Keep yourself entertained and press play on an audiobook!

I am an avid audiobook advocate. I enjoy a good book regardless if it's consumed by my eyes or ears. There are so many reasons why a audiobook appeals to me and one reason is that a good narrator can make the experience memorable and take the story to the next level. A narrator can make or break s story. If you're new to audiobooks or are looking for some recommendations, I'm sharing with you my top go-to narrators to get you started on your holiday listening, All of the narrators that I've selected have narrated a variety of genres, so no matter what your favorite genre is, one of these awesome voices will lure you into putting on the headphones!

Before you go, enter the awesome audiobook giveaway at the bottom of this post. Enter to win a fantastic selection of 10 audiobooks that have been generously donated by Galaxy Press, Hachette Audio, Harper Audio, High Bridge Audio, Macmillan, Penguin Random House Audio, and Post Hypnotic Press, Scholastic,Simon & Schuster Audio, and Tantor Audio.  This giveaway is US/Canada only and will close at midnight (11:59 pm ET) on November 30, 2017. Be sure to visit the other bloggers on this blog tour, check out the schedule here.

​I have some awesome suggestions for you to get your fiction audiobook experience kicked off in the right direction! I'm sharing my top 5 audiobook narrators (Fall 2017 edition)!  I'm always listening to audiobooks, so this list tends to morph and grow over time, but right now these are my favorites and I recommend them all.  Pairing these amazingly skillful voice talents along with a great story make fiction audiobooks irresistible.