Thank you to A. Atkins, Victory Editng NetGalley Co-op, and NetGalley for an audio eARC of Them Bones.

A 90's grunge, dark-ish romance retelling of Romeo & Juliet? Sign. Me. The. F*ck. UP!

I was entirely enthralled with this book from the get go. The varying perspectives were a little hard to follow at first, but after we get into Shane and Laney's story, the pieces being to fall into place. Shane is a homeless teenager who is offered refuge in Laney's house. Throughout the next year, we learn their story and how try as they may to stay away from each other, the pull together is too strong to ignore.

I could not stop listening to this story. I loved the perfectly imperfect characters all around. The author did an amazing job illustrating the innate pull of all the characters to one another and I adored the little found family they made for themselves. This made me equally as angry when Laney's brother and mom would reappear and screw things up.

I also really enjoyed the random side perspectives the author threw into the story. We occasionally get the perspective from a side character and, while not always integral to the story, these quick snippets helped to illustrate the scenes and show how others perceived certain situations. It shed and extra light on the story and helps the reader develop a more well rounded understanding as the scenes unfold.

I cannot wait for book 2! 4.5./5 stars rounded up.

I really enjoyed this Audiobook. It was gritty, addictive and the narration was fantastic. This book covers so many topics and gives so much emotion, I literally felt every feeling! It made me excited for my commute to work so I could listen to it more. Also being set in the 90’s was just perfect, so much nostalgia.

The ending has left me craving the next instalment.

I’ll start by saying that Them Bones has some very heavy themes including underage (teen) substance use, abuse and explicit but consensual sëx scenes. Check content warnings before diving in.

I thought Them Bones was really well written. I found that I couldn’t stop listening and was eager to see how all of the intertwining POVs would come together and wrap up. Each character was so complicated and broken, but so well-crafted and will have your heart breaking for them as your celebrate their wins and struggles. Fair warning though that this does end on a cliffhanger.

The narrator did a great job with Lainey’s POV, however, I think the audio could have benefitted from at least a second male narrator to bring those POVs to live. With just the single narrator and more than four different perspectives weighing in, the audio was at times challenging to follow.

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op and A. Atkins for an early listening copy. These are my honest thoughts.

White Oleander meets The Women meets the grit of Razorblade Tears.

Them Bones… do not sleep on this one! An absolute bombshell of a debut novel.

While I’m not generally a lover of with 2+ POVs Atkins did a phenomenal job of utilizing this method. Each character had a purpose to move the story along and the short interjections of minor characters POVs were absolutely necessary.

This book is pure 90’s nostalgia. As someone who remembers them well (was only like a decade ago right?) I was totally pulled back into the era. I could see everything play out like a movie in my mind.

Gritty and uncomfortable at times, Them Bones paints a picture of two characters brought together seemingly by fate. The push and pull between them was brilliant and created tension that left me as frustrated as they were at times. They belong together but there are so many obstacles in their way, both legal and personal ones.

The narration by Jessie Elwyn was spectacular and I’ll happily listen to anything she narrates. The PERFECT voice for this book.

I’ll be waiting impatiently for book 2 now which I will no doubt devour the minute it’s available.




This book deals with several incredibly dark and/or disturbing themes so if you are someone who requires content warnings, please seek them out.

Thank you Victory Editing and NetGalley for providing me with the copy of this book!
First I would like to say, that describing it as mystery-thriller is very misleading (the reason why I asked for a copy). There are not more than 2-3 percent of the book that have those elements and it is at the very end.
So about the actual plot. It should be called "Them bon#rs" instead. It is 80% horny teens, and the sexual things they do to each other, 10% drug abuse and 10% anger and punches.
Maybe for other readers it will be a good read, but for me unfortunatelly was not.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Parts of this book I absolutely struggled with (addiction, abuse, drug use in underage, sibling... attraction), but I couldn't stop listening and truly enjoyed the overall story.

🎧 Audiobook Review

Them Bones (To The Grave Duet 1) by A. Atkins
Narrated by Jessie Elwyn
Provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op
Published 11th July 2024
Available on audio, Kindle; paperbacks coming soon!

When the audio of Them Bones started, I thought I knew what I was getting: a tale of young love against the odds. How right, yet how wrong was I? This book is so much more than that.

Sofa surfing Shane (17) meets close siblings Dustin (11) and Laney (14) and the trio bond quickly over their shared tough lives and easy way of communicating. Each character springs to life with the combination of Atkins' words and Elwyn's narration; each is believable, has a distinct voice, and makes their personality felt, even with words unspoken. They grew larger than life inside my mind.

The author's attention to detail and foreshadowing are outstanding. The more sensitive aspects of the story are dealt with delicately, whilst narration of the spicier scenes feels intimate and completely appropriate for the characters, in the circumstances.

You really cannot help but take Dustin, Shane, and Laney to your heart. There are a range of other characters to get to know along the way, but no spoilers from me on that! Atkins' clever writing style pulled me in immediately, and I was absolutely absorbed by this spellbinding story.
Oh...the ending! I'm pleased there is a book 2, because I need to know what happens; I hope we don't have too long to wait!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to A. Atkins and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ALC; this is my honest review.

Them Bones is a gritty, slow-burn romance that unfolds over several years in the late nineties. Laney Hawton, burdened with caring for her younger brother Dustin due to her unreliable mother, meets Shane Mathers, a man perpetually between couches. Their chemistry is undeniable, but fate plays a cruel hand.

Pros:
Raw Emotions: Atkins masterfully captures the intensity of first love, making the reader feel every ache and longing.
Nostalgia: Set in the nineties, the book evokes memories of that era, adding depth to the story.
Realistic Characters: Laney and Shane are flawed, relatable, and utterly human.

Cons:
Pacing: While the slow burn builds tension, some readers might find it too leisurely.
Cliffhanger: The ending leaves us hanging, craving more—a testament to the book’s power.

Overall, Them Bones is a poignant journey of love, sacrifice, and timing.

WHOA! This book was super nutty but in the best way possible! I couldn't stop listening to it so I basically just did nothing but listen for hours! Definitely some trigger worthy stuff for those who are triggered by incest, underage sex, different types of abuse, drugs but man it was good! Great narrator!

5 stars!

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reader copy!

Publish date: 07/10/2024

Finally I’m getting my review up! HOLY CRAP!! This audiobook…omg this audiobook and story was soooo good. I was hitting ALL the feels, nostalgic energy, slow burn angst, and tension! I don’t think I’ve ever been so emotionally invested into characters like I was during this listen. Dustin, Laney, and Shane had a crap hand dealt to them and my disgust and frustration with Carey and the mom….ugh. A. Atkin sure knows how to write a horrible villain. I was so immersed in the audio that I completely blanked on it being set up as a murder mystery from the very beginning…so my was gagged and played with the ending.
Shout out to diana for recommending, A. Atkins and NetGalley for allowing me to listen!!

I listened to this as an audiobook ARC. I wasn't sure what I expected, but it definitely wasn't what I heard- and that's not bad. This book is engaging and emotionally charged. Each chapter is from a different character's perspective, so the whole book felt like a roller coaster of empathy and intrigue brought on by the vast amount of character viewpoints. Because it involves the "forbidden" intimate love story of two teenagers I struggled listening to the very detailed descriptions of their sexual relationship at times. Still, every other detail made me want more. I was consumed by the trauma of Laney Hawton (age 15) and her brother's struggles growing up without proper guidance in the revolving door of a "home" that was filled with addiction, Laney's abuse from her drug-dealing brother, and an absentee parent who popped in and out only when it suited her. When Shane coincidently steps into the picture after developing a friendship with Laney's younger brother her entire world is turned upside down by his presence; however, Shane fears all that Laney is but longs to protect her and her brother from all the wickedness they are forced to endure. This whole story is heavy and full of heartache. The ending threw me for a loop and left me wanting so much more!

Thank you to A. Atkins and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing me with this audio ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is my first NetGalley audio ARC approval, and I'm hoping to be given the opportunity to review so many more!

This audio was perfection from start to finish.
The narration from Jessie Elwyn is absolutely stellar. The story features multiple POV’s, a wide cast of characters, and even newspaper articles - and she nailed every single of one of them. Her voice is amazing and I can’t t wait to get my hands (ears) on more of her work.

Then there’s the story. The writing and the journey of these people completely blew me away. This will live rent-free in my head for the rest of my life.
Shane and Laney take us on a roller coaster of a ride that I would let wreck me again and again. Add in a heavy dose of awesome musical references, Buffy (shut up take my money), 90’s grunge, and angsty tension for DAYS.
Or perhaps more accurately - years?

A more perfect book does not exist. Fight me.

This audiobook was amazing, I read the book and the audio just helped me follow along easier, it was great, it was intense, it was fun, and I was feeling all the feels. This audio really brought the book to life and I loved every second of it!

*Them Bones* by A. Atkins is a dark and deeply emotional novel that captures the essence of the cozy '90s era. The story unfolds with a haunting intensity, blending nostalgia with a powerful emotional depth. Atkins' writing pulls you into a world that feels both familiar and unsettling, making this a compelling read for those who appreciate a mix of warmth and darkness.

90’s Grunge, Teenage-GRIT, Totally GUTTING…


Unputdownable tale of FORBIDDEN, young LOVE, ANGST, and real life that looks different from most of what we see on TV or in the movies… A. Atkins devises a singularly intricate plot. She not only outlines to readers the the various characters’ perspectives from as far away as a fly on the wall, but she also eventually briefly details the impact of global events on her very human characters’ lives.

This book kept me on edge (in one way or another) until I finished it. When the narrator said “The End,” I instantly thought there was NO WAY it just turned out like THAT. I even replayed the last chapters to ensure I understood. WOW! SO UNPREDICTABLE! And it honestly ends on a cliffhanger because this is BOOK 1, and there’s no chance BOOK 2 won’t pick up the thread. At least give us some for crying out loud! ;)


#ThemBones #netgalley #romanticsuspense #suspense #thriller #mystery #anticipation @ALEXATKINSWRITES @BookShell_F

Homeless teenager Shane meets a 14 year old Laney under peculiar circumstances. They are instantly drawn to each other but their age makes keeps them apart and their trauma bond keeps them tethered. Right one, wrong time. I absolutely loved this book. It’s been so long that a book could make me feel nostalgic. It made me feel like a teenager again reading a book I shouldn’t be. Can’t wait to read the next installment.

Thank you A. Atkins and NetGalley for the ARC.

I’ll be honest, I requested a copy of this audiobook because I thought it was written by another A. Atkins, forename Ace. However, I quickly ascertained that the mood of this novel was distinctly different, in both pace and tone, to what I’d expected. That said, I still initially found this tale featuring a young cast battling sexual frustration and angst to be engaging enough to hold my interest.

Shane is 17, and he’s drawn to Laney, who is only 14, when the story begins. Gradually, their interest in each other becomes sexual, though Shane is defiantly determined not to consummate their relationship until it’s legal to do so. In many ways, this is the story, pretty much the whole story it seemed to me. There are side issues concerning Laney’s flighty mother and bullying elder brother, and also a sub-plot built around a group of seedy drug dealers, but really the focus keeps coming back to Shane and Laney – will they or won’t they?

It’s a lengthy story, which I found to be repetitive to the extent that the same scene of temptation and denial just seemed to play over and over again. I pulled the plug on it at around the 70% mark, unable to take any more.

I’d normally give any book I fail to finish one star, but there are some mitigations here.

1. I truly believe that I stumbled into a story that really didn’t suit my tastes or my age bracket – it really feels like this is one written for a YA audience.
2. The audiobook is competently narrated by Jessie Elwyn.

I’m therefore going to award two stars. Sorry, it just really wasn’t for me.

Laney Hawton, who is a young girl (still at school) with a lot on her plate. She has to juggling the responsibilities of looking after her younger brother, Dustin.
She also has to deal with a messy family situation made even more complicated by her older brother, Cary and her Mother.
Just when she thinks she’s ‘got this’, she meets Shane Mathers.

Their encounter flip’s her world upside down, leaving them both to wonder if….. their meeting is a lucky break or just another challenge thrown their way.

As they navigate growing up, the crazy - that is their world and of course - LOVE. Their survival, and destiny. they face some tough questions. Will they be able to get through it all?

Them Bones is packed with angst, drama, and a nostalgic '90s vibe. Get ready for an emotional ride with this gripping mystery, the first book in the To The Grave Duet.

The cliffhanger has me eagerly anticipating book 2.

Thank you to NetGalley and Audio ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op.

Absolutely loved this audiobook!! It had me guessing to the end. The story was so nostalgic. Please check trigger warnings and it does end in a cliffhanger. I need the next book!!

I absolutely loved this book it was perfect till the ending I'm a little sad about the ending I was speechless I literally gasped and didn't want to believe it was the end I hope there is another book planned after this one. One thing I thought was interesting and it made the story so immersive was it was multiple Pov besides Shane and Laney. throughout the story I wanted to punch Shane for being so stubborn, I understand that the age thing is controversial, but they liked each other before he turned 18 so it gets a pass for me. I'm so glad that Shane had took up for Dustin and he Had helped Shane poor kid, they became the perfect found family for each other I felt bad for Laney and there unfortunate meeting. This book had me glued I did not want to put this book down.

I received a free audio copy from netgalley for my honest opinion
I posted on amazon, but it hasn't been approved yet