Member Reviews
"Just Jones" was my first Andy Andrews book and audiobook. The characters could be a bit out there and the plot could have been better written but it was an overall good listen and easy to follow along with.
This was my first Andy Andrews book and I had no idea what I have been missing all this while.
I’d agree that its not all parts good. I felt like some characters were a little too far fetched and the link of realism was somewhat lost.
It’s a delightful story that kept me hooked, as is the narration. The beginning was a little tough for me but once I got into it, I listened for hours before I even considered taking a break.
This is a part of a series and has some missing elements. I wish I had read those before I picked this up. This works fine as a stand alone but I could identify elements that may have been explained in depth in the previous books.
Regardless, this was a fun read and I am intrigued enough to try the other books, starting with the previous instalments of this serious.
This is a great book. It is an easy read but full of life lessons. All of the characters are well developed but Jones is a mystery.
A wonderful addition to my Andy Andrews collection of books. The author narrates the audiobook so we get to hear how Andy hears Jones, a welcome addition to the picture of Jones in my head.
If you've not read any of the Noticer books, you should. They contain the antidote to today's stressful life and tomorrow's questions. Listening while Jones sets the while town on it's ear with a table....yes, a table...was an experience. Sometimes the conversation just needs a place to start and someone to listen without judging.
This audiobook really deserves much more than 5 stars but that's all I'm allowed to give. I will tell you I'm definitely on the watch for the next visit from Jones, Just Jones.
I haven’t read a book by this author that I didn’t like. Always so much to think about when I read his writing. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher an advanced copy.
This is my first book by Andy Andrews and now that I know what I was missing I am going back for more. It took me a few starts to finally get into this book. I’m not sure why, but I am so deeply gratified that I pushed through for missing out on this really well written interesting tale would have been a big loss for me. Everyone should know a Just Jones. He seems to pop up just when he is needed most and inject some much needed humor, kindness and love into everyones world. His life experience and wisdom are never ending and though always practical they are laced with humor and of course common sense. He is like the human version of your favorite blanket to snuggle up with on a cold winters day. So many different people and their stories intersect and continue on life journey all better having known Jones. I don’t really know how to explain this book other than to say do yourself a favor and treat yourself to this lovely sweet feel good book of life lessons, love, kindness and humor.
Ok so, I don't get it... Maybe I'm not clicking with the sense of humor, maybe it's all the multiple storylines that veer off from each other... Idk maybe it's just that I didn't know this book was part of a series and this is the latest book so I'm lost on what's going on, what happened before and who the hell any of these characters are. I didn't enjoy it, I'm sorry, I feel like I just watched a 3hr movie that I didn't understand.. kinda dazed and asking myself what in the world I'm going to write about it. Normally I wouldn't in this situation, I'd just mark it as read, give the appropriate gold stars and skip the review, but I can't do that...not with an ARC u received from Netgalley. I appreciate the privilege of being able to read and listen to books before they're released, it soo fun!! So no way am I going to disrespect the system by doing a 'Will Not Review' I think that should be reserved for special circumstances, not just"oh I didn't like it" because books you got for free that you end up not liking still deserve that review, a review of WHY you don't like it. In saying that, I can't even really say I didn't like Just Jones, it's not that... My official review is that I didn't really understand it and felt lost. The highly rated reviews are from people who are familiar with the Jones character and love him to bits, but I've not even heard of this series before this book, so this book is all I have to go on. The writing is well done, I just didn't enjoy the story... wasn't for me.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me the audio book so that I can share my opinions with y'all 💛
What a delightful story! Although it is listed as the return of a favorite character, it can stand on its own without the reader feeling they missed part of the story in previous installments. (It did, however, provide enough intrigue for me to want to read the other books.) Sometimes a parable, sometimes just resplendent writing, the narrative moves along at a comfortable pace. As the reader, I was forever guessing at what would happen next while wondering who Jones really was and how he did the things he does. Andy Andrews narrates his own book and is fabulous - easy to understand and adopting different voices for his characters. I couldn’t put it down and can’t recommend this book highly enough.
How have I missed this author?!?!? We went on vacation while I was in the middle of this audiobook; and I so wanted to finish listening, but family time is family time. (Kicking myself, because this audiobook would have been a perfect book to have listened to AS A FAMILY while driving!)
This is the perfect book for 2020, quotes from the Just Jones and/or the Bonus Interview:
"I did not create your hearts for trouble"
"The theme of Peacemaking ... a theme that runs through the entire book."
" ... people from all walks of life who don't necessarily see things the same way ... we understand that while we may not always agree, we can disagree in an agreeable way."
It really doesn't get anymore wholesome than this.
Part way through Just Jones, I was so sure that Orange Beach was fictitious. Nope! Orange Beach is an actual location. The author interview at the end of this audiobook provides is a wonderful addition and I loved finding out even more about about the people, places, things from Just Jones. Don't miss it! I've added a visit to Orange Beach to my travel plans within the next year.
I loved the story and all the characters.
This is a book that I'm considering purchasing as a gift for my Mother and/or my Godmother. Just Jones is a good wholesome book that you just want to share with people that you love.
Chapter 19 lists many of the books that support the Peace Table; and there grows my To Be Read list! And then added more to my TBR list in the Bonus Interview.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the author, Andy Andrews for an advance copy of the audio. Wonderfully narrated by the author. I can't wait to start reading additional books by Andy Andrews!
5⭐️
Loved this audiobook book. Yes yes, I know. I’ve really liked a lot of books lately. I can’t help it. This was good. Really good. The narrator was the author and he might consider doing it full time. He did a fantastic job. I jumped right into this and loved every minute. Heartfelt and charming, reading the book was a pleasure.
I was sorry to see the story end.
Just Jones is a character worth knowing. This author is a wonderful storyteller. He richly details the characters so that you have a very clear visual of each person and their situation. I watched people learn, grow and forgive.
I highly recommend this audiobook.
“An elderly person at home [is like] a living golden treasure.”
– Chinese saying
Thank you NETGALLEY and the publisher for this audiobook ARC, in exchange for my honest review. ♥️
Thank you NetGalley, author, and publisher for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.
As a newbie audiobook world, I have learned that the narrator can make a difference.
This Audio was read by the author within surprised me.
His southern drool accent reminded me of like Matthew McConaugney, charming, and friendly, and a bonus to this audio.
The characters are well described I felt that you can connect with them on a human level, whether they are love or hate them.
It's these characters that enable you to truly engage with the plot, particularly when it gets deeper and starts to get gritty.
I felt like everyone needs little Jones in their lives. Jones is a calming source of wisdom and I took away life points and found him to pointiont with his life lessons.
This book 100% gives good advice and makes the reader/listener think!
This would not be my usual choice but I actually enjoyed it.
I am an impulsive reader. If a trusted source recommends a book to me, I will put it on my TBR without even knowing what it is about. This is how I was introduced to Just Jones.
This work of fiction revolves around the main character Jones. He appears in very unlikely and even hard to believe scenarios for an old man. At various points in the book he is in jail or behaving in a way that could land him there. All the while, Jones is a calming source of wisdom.
Although Jones always seems to be near the center of discord, he has an uncanny ability to see things differently than everyone around him. He is all knowing, forgiving, and willing to sacrifice himself to help others.
Jones quickly becomes a magnetic force. He could easily be reimagined as a father, grandfather, uncle, preacher, religious leader, professor. One might perceive symbolism as God, all knowing and patiently imparting wisdom while allowing His flock to err while learning to improve themselves. Jones is referred to as The Noticer but he seems so much more than that.
Jones seems unrealistic in his never ending patience and omnipresence. While listening to the bonus interview with the author, I was shocked to learn that Jones and many other of the Just Jones characters actually exist in the author’s life. The bonus interview was lots of fun, so don’t skip it! If you fall in love with Jones, you can find him in additional books by the author.
As an audiobook lover, I have learned that the narrator can add too or take away from a story. This audiobook was read by the author. His southern twang was endearing, pleasant, and friendly, and was an asset to this story.
Just Jones is a feel-good story that is part small-town drama and part life lesson. Everyone should have a little Jones in their lives.
Thank you NetGalley, author, and publisher for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.
I don't normally listen to audio books. I'm not an auditory learner, and find I don't concentrate on the plot of the characters as much if I'm just listening.
That being said, I requested this audio book (thanks Netgalley!), as the description really intrigued me, and the written version wasn't available for review at the moment.
I loved the way Andy Andrews has created his characters. They are real, in the fact that you can connect with them on a human level, whether they are likeable or not.
It's these characters that enable you to truly engage with the plot, particularly when it starts to dig a little deep.
After listening to this I'm actually really intrigued to read the book and let me imagination truly run wild!
I'm only giving this review 3 stars. No detriment to the plot etc, as a whole, but it's not the right format for it in my personal opinion.
This was my first venture into the world of audiobooks, and while I learned that I am not a fan of the genre, I truly did enjoy the narration and the book itself. Andy Andrews has written a delightful, yet deep in its own way, book that is sure to have you thinking on deeper matters. His characters may be a bit over exaggerated, but they are all very likable or humorously, purposefully, unlikable. I’ve met “Just Jones“ in other books by this author, and after reading this one, I look to meeting him again in the future. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance read copy.
This is my first novel from Andy Andrews and let me say wow! I had the privilege of getting the story early through audiobook and let me say I was in enchanted. The book on its own is amazing, and I looked it up and this is the third in the series so I really have to get the first too. Andy Andrews is a very detailed story teller so his characters just latch on to you, I loved them all. The audio though, is beyond amazing. Andy Andrews narrates his own story and I swear I could listen to him read a phone book. He is a fantastic story teller and I felt like I was in the story itself. Can not recommend this audiobook enough.