A Masterclass in Emotional Storytelling
5 out of 5 stars
Not for a Moment by Cheyenne Blue, narrated by Cat Gould, is an emotionally charged journey through the complexities of relationships, heartbreak, and the unexpected bonds that form in desperate situations.
Cheyenne Blue tackles profound and heartrending topics with a gentle touch, weaving a narrative that is both realistic and brutally honest. I’ve been sitting here for a couple of days trying to recover and find all of the thoughts that this book brought out. It truly speaks to the depth and authenticity of the themes explored. Blue’s ability to address deep and challenging subjects with sensitivity and realism is a testament to her skill as a storyteller.
The emotional impact of the story is palpable and brought me to tears multiple times (let’s be honest here, lots of times – mostly happy tears but some sad ones too). Blue’s writing delves into the intricacies of Andi’s story, creating a character whose struggles and reasons for avoiding certain aspects of life feel not only believable but also profoundly (personably) relatable. The authenticity in Blue’s writing resonates, making the characters and their journeys feel genuine and heartbreakingly accurate.
Sarah’s battle with her ex’s parents adds another layer of emotional intensity to the narrative. The portrayal of the ex-in-laws is particularly noteworthy, as Blue captures the nuances of their interactions with a level of detail that adds depth to the story. The dynamics between the characters, especially the contrasting personalities contribute to the story’s richness and authenticity.
Noa, the seven-year-old at the center of the custody battle (and let’s be honest the whole story), is a brilliantly written character. The intricacies of the topics explored through Noa’s perspective tugged at my heartstrings, and had tears rolling down my cheeks. It just speaks to the emotional impact of Blue’s portrayal of this character (and Gould’s performance).
Cat Gould’s narration elevates the audiobook to a masterpiece. Her performance, especially in capturing Noa’s character, emphasizes the crucial role a narrator plays in bringing a story to life. Gould’s ability to convey the emotions of the main characters adds depth and resonance to the overall listening experience.
Overall, Not for a Moment is a poignant and masterfully crafted work that navigates the complexities of life, love, and unexpected connections. Cheyenne Blue’s storytelling, coupled with Cat Gould’s stellar narration, creates an audiobook that leaves a lasting impression, capturing the essence of the human experience in all its raw and beautiful intricacies.
It’s one of those books I may never recover from and that’s okay.
I legitimately wrote a lot more and had to pair it down into a less emotional review, but know that this one brought me to my knees a few times and I’ve never had such swings of emotions in a book.
Book Description:
Desperate situations call for desperate lies in this charming, fake-relationship lesbian romance.
Andi Barrons has no time for kids or the chaos they bring—certainly not when she runs a high-end decorating business. Mischief and little fingers around expensive materials? No thanks!
But then her gorgeous friend, Sarah Santoro, winds up in a custody battle with Sarah’s former in-laws and now . . . Well, somehow Andi’s agreed to pretend she’s Sarah’s live-in partner.
She’s still not quite sure how she got stuck playing a role she’s so utterly clueless about and that’s everything she doesn’t want in life. But as long as Sarah and Noa, the world’s cutest seven-year-old, don’t get a hold of her heart, she’ll be fine.
Easy, right?
Contains mature themes.
Not for a Moment by Cheyenne Blue
Narrator: Cat Gould
Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins
Published by Tantor Audio on September 19th 2023
Genres: Fauxmance, Friends to Lovers, LesFic/Sapphic Fiction
Format: Audiobook
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Also by this author: The Number 94 Project
- Cuffing Season by Monica McCallan (Narrated by Lori Prince) - December 8, 2023
- Bit Rot (Bit Rot #1) by Jason Baronette (Narrated by Bill Davis) - December 6, 2023
- Muted (Silence Jones #10 by Erik Carter (Narrated by Gary Bennett) - December 4, 2023
