Off to My Happy Place

Well, if you need me . . . feel free to knock on my tent door:

I'm off in the boonies for a while, loving life and loving the peace only found in nature.

Book Review: Long Story Short by Serena Kaylor

When I was offered a chance to read this cute summertime rom-com, I jumped at it. Scroll down for my complete review.

Long Story Short

by Serena Kaylor

Published by: Wednesday Books

Publication date: July 26, 2022

ISBN: 978-1250818416

Description from the Publisher:  Beatrice Quinn knows that she belongs at Oxford University and has spent sixteen very serious years studying to get in. Homeschooled and a whiz at statistics, she thought the hardest part would be getting accepted, not convincing her parents to let her go. To get their permission and prove that she can conquer her social anxiety, Beatrice will have to attend a Shakespearean theater camp and complete a detailed checklist of teenage milestones. With Oxford on the line and a new enemy in the form of the camp founders’ popular son, it’s too bad there’s no textbook for being a “normal teenager.”

About the Author: Serena Kaylor likes to write about that first flush of summer love, whispered conversations at midnight, and endings happy enough to make your toes curl. She grew up running wild as a changeling through North Carolina swamps, and as an adult, has wandered from libraries into medicine. When she’s not writing, she can be found experimenting in her kitchen, wallpapering any blank surface, and hugging every dog that will let her. Long Story Short is her debut novel.

My Review:

This was a fun read!

Serena Kaylor's debut, Long Story Short, offers up a terrific summertime adventure for all of us who are nervous to step outside our comfort zones. 

Yes, this story is promoted as a rom-com, but it's not only that. It's a fun adventure about a socially awkward girl trying to learn more about people and the world around her while discovering more about who she truly is and what she likes in life. 

And yes, it is funny. There were several laugh-out-loud moments for me. For example: "I imagined that like most skills, there would be a learning curve to kissing, and I could anticipate poor performance until given the opportunity to receive some instruction."

While overall, I loved the book, there were a few hard to believe moments: when her finger "slipped" and she accidentally applied to Oxford; when her parents, who are therapists, discussed clients by name and issue (huge violation of HIPPA laws and gives therapists a bad rep), and when the physical touching aspect of her new-found relationship happened too fast. But none of these criticisms overshadowed my enjoyment of the book.

If you're looking for a fun, light, summer read, pick up a copy of Long Story Short by Serena Kaylor.

Some of my Favorite Lines:

"I nodded , always a beat behind as the conversation moved forward before I could organize my thoughts enough to contribute."

“It’s easy not to care what other people think of you, when you obviously don’t care either.”

[I received an early copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influenced my opinion.]

Insecure Writer's Support Group: Challenges Associated with Audiobooks

Happy April everyone! I love seeing the spring flowers blooming and the never-ending blue skies of Idaho. It's the first Wednesday of the month, which means it's time for another installment of the Insecure Writer's Support Group.

This month's question: Have any of your books been made into audio books? If so, what is the main challenge in producing an audiobook?

My answer: My first book, Who R U Really?, was made into an audiobook, but I did not produce it. My agent sold the audio rights to Audible. They produced it. They chose the narrator. They oversaw all the production responsibilities. The only part I played in the process was to speak with narrator prior to the recording to review pronounciation of certain words, like Skadi and Thea. Other than that, I had no input. And that was the biggest challenge for me. Letting go of the control and hoping for the best. I was super nervous to listen to it the first time, because it was already post production and no changes could be made. Thankfully, the narrator did a terrific job, and I was thrilled with the final product.

For more information about the Insecure Writer's Support Group visit their website.