Exceptional - Tough Plot Line

This is the first book in the 'Most Likely to' series. As with a first series books, you have to establish the cast of characters. You know who the follow-on books will be about, you just don't know the order or plots. The great news about this first one is, you will like the entire cast. Melanie and Wyatt are the stars. Melanie is a single mom with a broken-down car who comes home. She was voted most likely to succeed in high-school, but her life has been anything but. Now she comes home and ... (no spoilers). Bybee did an outstanding job of characterizing her seven-year-old daughter Hope who you will instantly like.

Another great pair will be Zoe and Luke. The drama has already been setup in this novel for a later novel. I can't wait to listen to how she will disentangle that mess, let alone figure out how Jo will get her happily-ever-after and solve her father's murder -- that will be a doozy.

Bybee has a great track record in series having penned the 'Weekly Brides' series which is fabulous and a must listen. This book has suspense and some pretty tough times that you may find hard to get by. This is not a feel-good-all-the-way-though novel -- it has grit. I give it a big thumbs up.

16 people found this helpful

Disappointing...

I won't be wasting my time on the rest of this series. The story was great but the foul language was excessive and unnecessary. I've enjoyed this author in the past. Hopefully this issue will be confined to this series.

15 people found this helpful

Language ruined it for me, didn't finish listening

Any additional comments?

Could have been a good story and series, but the language ruined it for me, was completely unnecessary and distracting. I'll put this author on my list of ones NOT to listen to again.

15 people found this helpful

Dull story about another woman making poor choices

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

The performer was certainly fine but the story line was dull and unimaginative. Rather tired of reading about yet another woman who ends up a single mom due to poor life choices and continues to make bad choices. Spoiler alert: Melanie was supposed to be intelligent with a bright future. She makes a very bad choice in the beginning of the book and still doesn't learn from her mistake. Let's take our little child on a road trip knowing our car won't make it. Let's put her in danger at the beginning of the book. " Let's jump into bed with the first guy that is nice to me." What's to like about this woman? If the author had given a better beginning of the story I might have had a reason to like Melanie. The story line never improved. Waste of money.

Would you ever listen to anything by Catherine Bybee again?

Not unless the book had merit

Which scene was your favorite?

Seriously? None of them.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Nope.

Any additional comments?

Can someone write an intelligent and interesting book with a creative storyline. I get that for many this is a great "summer" read. Why? Another book about a stupid woman getting involved with the first man that she meets. She hops into bed with a guy she barely knows and doesn't consider the implications of bringing a stranger into her daughter's life. So tired of these storylines. Is there any authors out there that can write a decent book?!

11 people found this helpful

Language!

The story was very good also the performance. The language was so bad. I normally never listen to books with that kind of stuff. I hate that because I would like to read more books by this author. I will not because of f word especially and taking the Lord's name in vain.

9 people found this helpful

Teen romance

Would you try another book from Catherine Bybee and/or Cristina Panfilio?

No

What do you think your next listen will be?

Something that isn't of an adolescent nature.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

It was warm and sweet; well written. I'm just not the right audience for this particular storyline.

4 people found this helpful

really great

great listening. great
ending. I really enjoyed this story
it was just like I was living the life.

3 people found this helpful

Most likely to love..

This was a great series to read.loved the characters,storylines,and the fact that there were little mysteries involved..More like this please,Ms .Bybee

2 people found this helpful

Life Happens

Great story. Action, adventure and romance abound in this beautiful and heartwarming story. After years of being away from home and struggling Melanie decides to return to her small hometown for her high school reunion accompanied by her smart and sassy little girl. This new beginning starts out well but for Melanie but quickly her past begins to catch up with her. Secrets and a man from her path with dark and dangerous intentions show up and things get very scary and interesting. Melanie may have found a man to be there for her and her little girl after being on their own for years but will love overcome or will the people out to destroy them win. I couldn't stop reading and can't wait until the next book in this series. I love small town stories and the characters and community that comes with them and this book went above and beyond my expectations. The narrator did an amazing job with this story and I hope she continues to narrate this series.!

5 people found this helpful

Loved it!

I thought this was a sweet romance with a bit of mystery and suspense thrown it. It was also a story about strong friendships. I enjoyed the narrator's performance and look forward to continuing the series.

1 person found this helpful