Review: Never Tell by Stacey Abrams (writing as Selena Montgomery)
Never Tell
by Stacey Abrams
(writing as Selena Montgomery)
(writing as Selena Montgomery)
narrated by January LaVoy & Stacey Abrams
Thanks so much to Libro.fm for this #giftedaudiobook
Publisher: Macmillan Audio/St. Martin's Griffin
Publish Date: January 25, 2022 (first published June 14, 2004)
Audiobook
9 hrs 48 min
Standalone
Genres: Thriller, Romantic Suspense
Criminal psychologist Dr. Erin Abbott wants nothing more than to live a quiet life. That means no danger, no intrigue-and absolutely no romance. But when Erin suspects a serial killer is roaming New Orleans, her investigation throws her straight into the arms of the only man who can help her.
Journalist Gabriel Moss is hot to find his next huge story-and he knows Erin is on to something big. From the moment they meet, Gabriel senses that Erin is hiding something. One thing is certain: Erin's boxy suits and sensible shoes hide a delicate beauty waiting to emerge...and Gabriel is just the man to reveal the woman inside.
As they join forces to find the killer, Gabriel slowly seduces Erin with his soft kisses. But Erin knows their love can never be. For she is hiding a terrible secret-and if Gabriel reveals the truth, Erin's life will be shattered forever...
My Review:
Ok, we all know who Stacey Abrams is and how inspiring and amazing she is... which is why I wanted to try this book. Thriller? SOLD! Romantic suspense? Erhm... not my usual cup of tea (and definitely not my glass of whiskey) but I like to dive back into genres that may not have hit home previously because maybe, just maybe, it'll turn my head. Alas, such is not the case here.
I'm going to let a lot of things go within this book since I just realized after listening to it, that it first published in 2004. Unfortunately I don't think that it aged well. I think this will definitely throw some people off and while I'm trying to give it that leeway because it was written so long ago, I still find myself pursing my lips and giving it the side eye.
The biggest issue from me is on the romance side. Shocker, I know. But I didn't feel ANY chemistry between these two. AND considering her past and the way he acts towards her sometimes... W T F. I wanted to reach through my headphones to throttle him at times. I also think the romance part took over the thriller part and found my attention waning further and further as I listened more. I also think it was a bit wordy and some of the descriptions gave me that pucker face I talked about earlier. Um, please do not consider your penis sheathed if you put condom on. I don't know why that bothered me so much. But there definitely needs some more editing.
This book just didn't work for me. I love the concept over all, wanted more thrills, less weird adjectives and less romance. I think I'll stay away from Romantic Suspense as I find it's just not my thing. As this was one of the first books written by her, you can see there's SO much potential and it seems Abrams/Montgomery has lived up that potential (I wouldn't expect anything less) with the many books she's since written. I think I'll switch over genres and pick up While Justice Sleeps as I've heard amazing things about this one.
★★
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