This was a dark story, but well told. I was interested and didn't want to stop reading. The characters are all very well written and interesting, though I sometimes was curious why they did certain things. The ending was great, it made me want more stories from this family's continued adventures.

This books was NOT for me. I continued to listen to it in it's entirety because I was really intrigued by the plot but the story itself missed the mark for me.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was fine. I tried to get into this one but ended up DNF at 55%. I didn't like how so much was going on and jumping around seemingly sporadically. The generational family dysfunction added to it just made it too much for me to continue. I'm sure others may love this one, but it wasn't for me.

The book seemed uninspired with many of the characters motivations not believable. I dislike a book where the plot is the driving factor rather than the characters. Sometimes if the characters are well developed, it's alright, but this was not the case.

Worse, there wasn't enough difference between characters voices to always make this easily distinguishable. Granted this was because they were twins but also they were very different people. inflection and even accent shpuld have been different enough to determine them to be different characters.

I did not finish at 25%

Although I was very intrigued by the cover and description, this book fell flat for me. I had tried to give it a good listen a few times but had lost interest every time.

The narrator was great and expressive, I just couldn't get hooked into the story. I felt like it was missing something to pull me in.

I am, however, grateful for NetGalley and Hatchette Audio for giving me the opportunity to check this one out in advance. However, it ended up not being a winner.

A well-paced story told across dual timelines, then and now across dual POVs from the Pool family. It got a little confusing with the back and forth, and the changing in location. I lost track a few times and reading this in print might be easier to follow. Three stars.

Audiobook production and narration. Amanda Troop did a fantastic job with all the voices and accents throughout the story. 4 stars.

Thank you Hachette Audio, Mulholland Books + NetGalley for allowing me to listen to Hard Girls before it was published! Hard Girls is out tomorrow, 20th February 2024 ✌🏻 #HardGirls #NetGalley

Book Review: "Hard Girls" Audiobook by J. Robert Lennon, Narrated by Amanda Troop

In the riveting audiobook "Hard Girls," author J. Robert Lennon takes listeners on a dark and suspenseful journey alongside estranged twin sisters, Jane and Lila, as they embark on a quest to track down their elusive mother. Narrated with skill and depth by Amanda Troop, this gripping crime novel delves into the complexities of family dynamics, secrets, and the shadows of the past.

Jane Pool, a woman content with her ordinary suburban life, is suddenly thrust into a world of mystery and danger when Lila reappears, claiming to hold the key to their mother's whereabouts. As the sisters delve deeper into their family's history, they confront long-buried secrets, deception, and a darkness that threatens to consume them.

Through a blend of genres including chase novel, espionage thriller, and domestic suspense, "Hard Girls" captivates listeners with its intricate narrative, unexpected twists, and atmospheric storytelling. J. Robert Lennon's masterful writing, combined with Amanda Troop's compelling narration, creates an immersive and unforgettable audiobook experience that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Such an unusual, high octane and entertaining family drama involving a CIA operative turned drug Kingpin mother and her two daughters who have an equally gray code of morals and reunite to track her down and get answers.

Full of complex characters, lots of action and unexpected twists, this book kept me guessing right to the end but was extremely enjoyable and good on audio too. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hard Girls by J. Robert Lennon, an audiobook narrated by Amanda Troop is a busy crime story/family drama full of secrets and discoveries.
It started strong! My interest was so intense, I wanted to know what the hell happened. But halfway through it started to fall a bit flat, felt a bit too stretched and I could not wait to find out the answers.

All in general I really enjoyed the storyline and how intense and active the book was but I would prefer if the book would be shorter and stay on focus.
I loved the narrator Amanda Troop! She was just perfect for this book! Her reading was clear and full of intonation and I loved her voice, it suited so much to this book!

Jane lives her quite ordinary life until her estranged twin, Lila, makes contact. Lila claims she knows where to find their mother but Jane can't decide if this is important enough to leave her daughter for the time being as she knows how it feels when a mother walks out.
Curiosity takes over and Jane is ready to meet Lila but she doesn't know how much changes this visit will bring to her life.

Thank you, NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Mulholland Books for this copy!

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley. I am providing an honest review.

The basics:
Twenty years ago, Jane Pool’s mother abandoned her family and all she’s ever known. Ten years later, her twin sister Lila did the same. In the present day, Jane is an exhausted mother. Her marriage is in shambles, her in-laws are toxic, her father is dependent on Jane’s support, and Jane is stifled by her routine and corporate job.
When Lila sends Jane a cryptic email with information on their mother, Jane drops everything for the chance to heal from her past.

My thoughts:
I listened to the audiobook version of this novel and I absolutely loved this narrator. She was energetic, dynamic, and entertaining. There was a very clear difference between the past and present, as well as clear differences in character perspective. Despite being a long novel, the narration was so interesting that it flew past

Additionally, I loved the plot basis of this novel. To me, the novel was reminiscent of Karin Slaughter’s style. I also thought each character was extremely unique and multi-dimensional. They each had a very distinctive personality. I loved the power dynamics between Lila and Jane, as well as Harry and Annabelle. I would definitely read a sequel to this!

I do have a few criticism. I felt that some of the details on Lila and Jane’s backgrounds really dragged. For example, I don’t think it was necessary to hear so much about their theatre summer camp, their mother’s affair, or their interest in spy toys. I also think their time on the run really could’ve been cut down, as it dragged in a lot of places. I also don’t think Harry’s chapters were needed at all (I think it would’ve been a larger plot twist without those chapters too).

Overall, I would highly recommend this novel to anyone that’s looking for a great thriller!

I didn't really enjoy this story, for the most part I"m not sure what the point was of the events that occured.

It was my first audiobook from Netgalley and the experience was very pleasant. The narrator’s performance is smooth and engaging. The plot is quite original and well-plotted. The two main characters are intriguing and their relationship dynamic is gripping; it is probably my favorite part of the story.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Mulholland Books, and Hachette Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of this intriguing novel by J. Robert Lennon and perfectly narrated by Amanda Troop - 4 stars!

Jane Pool is trying to live a normal, quiet life, working in admin at the local college where her father is a professor. She's trying to keep her aging dad's life together as well as be a good mom to her daughter, despite constant criticism from her mother-in-law. Then she gets a cryptic call from her estranged sister, Lila, who says she has info on their mother, who left them years ago. So begins a clandestine adventure to find the truth.

This story is told from the past and present timelines. It has a little bit of everything - family dysfunction and loyalty, coming-of-age issues, espionage, cat-and-mouse chases, with lots of family secrets thrown in the mix. All of the Pool family members seem to be quite detached and a bit unfeeling, but I liked how the sisters were there for each other no matter what. A good read!

Thank you NetGalley and Mullholland Books for this ALC.

It has been a long time since I have seen this level of originality in a novel. This novel sweeps time periods and locations and is the perfect mix of mystery and family drama. This novel is layered and poignant, while funny. Through a feminist lens, the reader will examine ideas of sexuality, maturity, motherhood, sisterhood, self-identity and fulfilling one's goals.

It is a dizzying ride at times, as this novel moves quickly and there are numerous timeline and point of view jumps, however, there is never a dull moment. The way these various pieces come together is masterful and adds to the overall superb nature of this mystery!

University students are being addressed as "kids", mother-daughter relationship is nothing like any I've seen before, more like a sister-to-sister, a child is being tested for ADHD just to be diagnosed with sarcasm, a creepy professor who eavesdrops on his student and finds the university's mascot bear "strangely sexual".

Either the humour is lost on me or this book scores really low on the authenticity scale.

With all fairness, a lot of the initial creepiness and dysfunction is being explained in the plot but the book overall is written with a cartoonish quality and the narration only emphasizes that quality.

The writing is detached and unemotional and the plot uninspired and half baked. In plain words the book just didn't hold my interest. I couldn't help thinking that with the type of dark humour, aloofness, and a simplistic way of writing "Hard Girls" was meant to be a comic book and not a full size novel.

Super cool cover art though.

p.s. In this book withholding information from the reader while constantly alluding to said information is used as a plot device. A huge pet peeve of mine.

I was intrigued by the description of Hard Girls by J. Robert Lennon. Sisters, Jane and Lila, reconcile to find their absentee mother and unravel the secrets that bind them together. Unexpectedly, the plot began with the makings of a very cool spy thriller.

Jane Pool’s past has had a huge effect on her marriage and family life. As an ex-con she is beholden to her husband and mother-in-law’s heavy-handed approach to the raising of her daughter. She is unhappy with her life, her parenting, and her relationships. One day she gets a cryptic email from her estranged sister Lila. Lila has found their mother and believes they must seek her out together to put the missing pieces of their childhood together.
The novel progresses through the past and present, developing the backstories of the sisters and their relationships. Jane’s story takes the longest to develop and do not expect to find out why she spent time in prison until the final third of the book. Lila remains much of an enigma and there is a whole section of her story that is never developed.

I listened to the audio production of this book and the narration was extremely well done by Amanda Troope. Due to the narration, I remained captivated until the end. However, I felt no personal connection to any of the characters. I also did not care either way about Jane’s home-life predicament or her relationship with her daughter. This type of unfeeling may have been intentional, as Jane herself is unfeeling, but it felt more underdeveloped. Despite this, the story is worth the read.

Did-Not-Finish @32%

I tried 3 different times to really get into this, and I just couldn't.
I seemed to get lost every, damn time.
IDK maybe it was the narrator, maybe it's the story, maybe it's me.

Some people seem to enjoy this book; however, I cannot make it past this point.

I do want to thank #Netgalley and #Hachetteaudio for an advanced copy of this audio, I wouldn't have even made it to 30% otherwise.

Two twin sisters follow a scavenger hunt that seems like it will lead them to their long lost mother, but they get more than they bargained for. This book was wild and never for one second did I know where it was heading or whose side I was on.

Enjoyed this book very much—it was a thrilling dash, back and forth in the timeline, through lives of twins, Jane and Lila Pool. Had all the tropes I like: women rescuing themselves and each other, women doing crimes, women and espionage, etc. It was a lot of fun and seems to be the start of an exciting series.

The story is fine. There’s too much mundane details to hold my attention for either timeline. I like the characters and the story is easy to follow. I wish the author spent more time in the present and explored more of the current relationship of the sisters (some aspects didn’t ring true considering what happened in the past) and upped the urgency and thrills.

It looks like this book worked for a lot of people so if the synopsis sounds interesting to you, check it out.