Not SEP's best work

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Find some way to down play the puppets. For the most part I really didn't like them. I understand the role they play, but I think they could have been written in without being such an integeral part of Annie's life that she constantly heard their voices in her head and she talked to them as if they were real? I found it annoying and it creeped me out a bit and made me question her sanity.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I enjoyed the flash backs to Annie's youth so that you understood the history, as she knew it, between her and Theo (her love interest). I also enjoyed slowly uncovering the truth about Theo and his life. The mystery of who was trying to get her to leave the island was interesting as well.

Did Erin Bennett do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Yes. Very distinct voices. Would happily listen to another of her narrations.

What would have made this romance irresistible?

Lack of puppets. Did I mention I really didn't like them?

Any additional comments?

This book is a little over 12 hrs long. If you can force yourself to get through the first 4 hrs or so, then it starts to change and gets better. I have to say that I really haven't enjoyed the last two books SEP has written. I found that I was forcing myself to continue on and finish them. If this trend continues I will drop her from my "must read" authors list.

20 people found this helpful

Different

As a rule Susan Elizabeth Phillips writes humorous stories. This one is somewhat of a mystery with not as much humor in it. Actually I found it took me awhile to really get into the story. But was very glad I stayed with it. There were twists and turns in who the real villain was going to end up being. Along with the little mute girl and the hand puppet's. Will I listen to this book again? You bet I will. Erin Bennett did a great job narrating as well. If you are looking for another laugh out loud story? Do not buy this one. If however you would like to read a good light mystery? This Book is the one to buy.

17 people found this helpful

Disappointing!

What would have made Heroes Are My Weakness better?

The creation of multiple puppet characters to represent the heroine's thoughts and emotions was distracting, slightly creepy, and weakened the overall story.

What could Susan Elizabeth Phillips have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Injected humor and more likable protagonists. Never warmed up to the heroine or hero, and thus just didn't care what happened to either.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

The performance was excellent. The narrator performed unique voices for multiple characters, and had great acting ability. However, the story was too weak to be retrieved by the performance.

17 people found this helpful

One of my favorite authors has really let me down

Would you try another book from Susan Elizabeth Phillips and/or Erin Bennett?

Yes

What do you think your next listen will be?

JDRobb

What three words best describe Erin Bennett’s performance?

It's ok for what she had to work with.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Heroes Are My Weakness?

The whole book is weak. I would not have published it. I feel they would not have had it not been an established author.

Any additional comments?

This is my one of my favorite authors. I have read and listened to her books many times and had her name not been on this book I would have thought someone else wrote it. I just could not wait for it to be over. I usually read and listen to this author for the great characters and their smart back and forth. Not this time. It's like she just pumped something out to hit a deadline. So disappointing.

24 people found this helpful

A change

If you could sum up Heroes Are My Weakness in three words, what would they be?

Not the same

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

not really

Any additional comments?

I love SEP books, but this one is not the same as her others. But I still liked the story, I have all of her books and I think they all are Great, so if this is your first book that you have tried and you didn't like it, Then you need to try another one, they are really good.

10 people found this helpful

Finally Got Past the First Chapter

I've started this book a couple of times. But I could never get past the first chapter, because I found the puppet usage very annoying. This surprised me because I am generally a fan of SEP. It wasn't until after I finished her most recent book, First Star I See Tonight, that I committed to finishing Heroes are My Weakness. And I finally did.

The book does get better. The puppet voices are used less frequently as the story progresses and by the last half of the book, they are primarily used appropriately, as puppets, not as the inner voice of the heroine.

Beyond the fact that this book stands totally alone, with no overlapping characters from other books, this is in many ways a departure from her other books. You can tell she fashioned it after the gothic romance genre that the heroine enjoys so much. And there is typically very little dark, scary or gothic about her books. There is still quite a bit of humor, but she tries to include suspense and foreboding. And she almost succeeds.

If you are new to SEP, I would not recommend this book as your first read. It isn't her at her best. If you are a long term fan though, I recommend reading this book, even if it is a departure from her normal niche that doesn't quite work.

6 people found this helpful

Fabulous!

I stumbled across Susan Elizabeth Phillips' books when a good friend recommended her Chicago Stars serried to me. I proceeded to blaze through all her novels while I studied abroad in Europe without my family or boyfriend. They kept me in excellent company. This book has been livening up my commute to law school, and I don't know how anyone could fail to love Theo and Annie. Ms. Phillips' wry humor and pop culture references have me giggling on the ferry every day. The twist at the end was wonderful; I definitely didn't see it coming! My favorite part of all her books is the empowering nature of all her heroines. They take charge of their own lives, and become the strong women they were meant to be, while finding a man who lets them be exactly who they are and loving them all the more for their strength and quirks. I highly recommend this book, and all of Ms. Phillips' other stories.

5 people found this helpful

Pleasurable

Typical Susan Elizabeth Phillips - a fun read. I'm already for the next book! She has interesting twists and turns to keep you enthralled.

2 people found this helpful

Another great from SEP!

I love all her books and this was another. Good story, good performance. I only wish she could write them faster...

2 people found this helpful

Heroes are my weakness too...

I had a little trouble getting by the puppets at the beginning but my faith in SEP kept me going and I ended up really loving this quirky tale - the narrator was perfect as well and that always helps! Thank you, Susan! 😘

2 people found this helpful