Thank you to NetGalley, Lori Roy and Brilliance Audio for an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review. This review is wholly my own & may not be reproduced.

I was very intrigued by the premise of a very loose story involving Marilyn Monroe. I’m also a fan of Lori Roy’s work.

However, this one was just so-so for me. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it. Once I finished, my thought was “Ok. Done with that one. Moving on.” I didn’t give it another single thought after I finished it & honestly, am failing to remember specific details even now. To sum it up in one word: Forgettable.

I feel like it had a great concept with intriguing characters – Marilyn Monroe, mobsters, but the execution was lacking. Nothing about this book was thrilling or suspenseful. Original? Yes. But that’s about it. Even Roy’s writing didn’t feel up to par with what she normally writes. Not really sure what happened here.

It was super hard to get into & stay focused on & moved along relatively slow. There were so many times that very dull points in the book were expounded on at length & other parts that could have used a bit more attention didn’t get it.

In reality, this was probably a 2-Star read for me, but I admire the author & can’t give her less than a 3. I chalk this one up as a fluke & will look forward to her next one!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

Sorry this book was not for me. I DNFed it. I really wanted to like it but just couldn’t get in to it.

While definitely a novel concept, I didn’t really understand the inclusion of Marilyn Monroe- or at least, some general idea of her- in this story. If anything, it took away from an otherwise potentially entertaining mystery. But it’s possible I’m just not the right audience and others might love this fictional historical mystery.

Marli Watson and Aaron Shedlock did a decent job narrating the audiobook.

Thank you Lori Roy, Brilliance Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

I just finished reading Lake County by Lori Roy - Narrated by Marli Watson; Aaron Shedlock

Addie Anne Buckley wants to follow in her aunt's footsteps… Aunt Jean has made a splash in Hollywood under the name Marilyn Monroe. When Jean comes to get Addie to take her on a trip to Hollywood, she sees it as her way out of her small town.

Truitt is angry, He wants Addie to stay and marry him. When she doesn’t choose him he makes the kind of mistake that has the Tampa mafia after him. He has until midnight to come out of hiding or they will take it out on the people he loves.

This was definitely a nice historical fiction that takes Marilyn out of Hollywood and puts her in a more family orientated role. The book is told from Truitts and Addie's POV and it weaves a tale of two kids who love each other but have dreams that don’t match up. One incident sets in motion things that neither of them are prepared for.

The narrators were decent, they did a good job of keeping the story going. I am always a fan of Historical thrillers and this one did a great job of adding some Hollywood style in a small town without anything being overshadowed. I really enjoyed the plot and the book is really well written. I did feel it was a bit padded in places and had about 30 pages been cut out, it would have been the best book of the year for me.

It definitely had some excellent moments and if you like historical thrillers, you have to pick this one up.

4 stars

Thank you @brilliancepublishing and @netgalley for my gifted ALC

Lake County - A Novel by Lori Roy , narrated by Marli Watson & Aaron Shedlock is a stunning reimagining of the life of Marilyn Monroe, primarily with her relationship with her neice by proxy Addie Anne Buckley, her little brither and parents and the small rural town in which they live

The story takes us from the interactions with Marilyn Monroe (who insists that she is only called Auntie Jean when she is at home in Lake County), to observations into why she returns to Lake County, her behaviour, her mental illness and history. However, this is the backdrop to an intriguing, fast-paced thriller authentic to the 1950s, small town community and gangster culture from Florida, all revolving around illegal bolita games. LIves are lost, lives are at risk, and at the centre of it, a young couple makiing mistakes

The writing is utterly astounding and so well thought out and researched and the character development is wonderful. Wiley and Truitts mother along with Addies parents were wonderful. The nefarious villains well rounded and beautifully set

Addie is in love with Truitt, but she also has big dreams to follow her aunt back to Hollywood for a trip for her birthday. She is planning on staying there and making a career in the movies. However, when Truitt stops to help a couple with a flat tyre, a series of events steamrollers through their lives, like a tornado ripping through a rural town. Unalivings, DA's, mystery, the mob and intrigue, this was a belter of an audiobook and hugely anjoyable

Thank you to Netgalley, Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio, the author Lori Roy and narrators for this outstanding ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

3.5 Stars

As someone who not only grew up in Lake County Florida, but is a fifth generation Lake County Floridian, I HAD to give this tory a chance!

It was really fun to read about a fictionalized town in Lake County (I'm convinced it is either Tavares or Sorrento, MAYBE YALAHA????) surrounded by actual places I knew, and giving me history of Central Florida and Tampa from the 50s that I wasn't entirely aware of.

Obviously this is a fictionalized history, as I am unaware of Norma Jean aka Marilyn Monroe, ever having lived in or having ties to Lake county, but her story mixed in with the family members who are from Lake County was a really interesting way to tie the whole story together.

We have Hollywood, we have secrets, we have Cuban mafia, kidnapping, murders, and romance. It was a wild ride and one that I enjoyed reading. The audiobook was an excellent choice and the narrators handled their alternating parts quite well!

Lori Roy is always great, and Lake County is no exception. I loved the historical dive while preserving her page turning style with plenty of edge of your seat, gasp out loud moments.

Listening to an audiobook that masterfully blends history and mystery was an absolutely fascinating experience. From start to finish, I felt like I was just going with the flow, completely absorbed in the narrative. The way historical elements were intertwined with an intriguing mystery kept me on the edge of my seat, eager to discover what would happen next.

The narrator did an exceptional job, bringing the characters and the story to life with such vivid detail that I felt as though I was right there in the midst of the action. It was easy to lose track of time as I got lost in the rich storytelling.

One of the standout elements of this audiobook was its portrayal of strong, empowered women. The female characters were not only central to the plot but also depicted with great depth and resilience. Their intelligence, courage, and determination added an inspiring layer to the story, making it even more compelling. It was refreshing and motivating to see women in such pivotal and impactful roles.

The historical context added depth and authenticity to the mystery, making it all the more engaging. I appreciated the well-researched background that not only educated me but also enhanced the plot's complexity. The twists and turns were perfectly timed, keeping the suspense alive throughout.

Overall, this audiobook was a delightful journey that combined the best of history and mystery, with a powerful message of female empowerment. It was a wonderful escape, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted story that keeps you guessing and entertained from beginning to end.

Thank you NetGalley and brilance audio for the ALC of Lake County" by Lori Roy.

this audio was a captivating thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. The story's unique twists and turns added a refreshing twist to the typical thriller genre, and I particularly appreciated the satisfying happy ending.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, there were a few minor drawbacks. Some elements felt repetitive at times, which slightly impacted the pacing of the story. Additionally, I found myself struggling to fully grasp the significance of the bolita game within the context of the story.

However, despite these minor issues, I would still highly recommend "Lake County" to fans of thrillers looking for something different. Lori Roy's storytelling prowess shines through, creating an immersive and suspenseful reading experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression.