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Cupidity
A new novel from the best-selling author of Lottery.
A coming of age story about greed, survival, and what's important in life.
At the bottom of the heap, there’s nowhere to go but up.
Waitress Tammy Tyree knows this intimately. Her life is a continual struggle of managing an eccentric uncle, looking after a younger brother who’s not quite right, and doing everything she can to keep her family together in the small town of Spring, Washington. But Tammy has a couple things going for her no matter how dire things become. She’s tenacious and has her own take on karma. Tammy believes the more unfortunate things that happen to a person, the more they’re due for a windfall. Each misfortune is further guarantee that opportunity for her is just around the corner.
When Tammy receives a confidential email about an inheritance that’s hers to claim, she’s certain her ship has finally come in. Just a few details need to be ironed out like a small matter of some fees to pay, bank forms to fill out, taxes to remit, but Tammy is sure each complication brings her closer to that golden goose of egg laying renown.
What starts as a personal quest ends up embroiling Tammy and everyone she holds dear in a scheme that could be the financial downfall of them all or the rescue of a small town that’s slowly but surely falling through the cracks.
A coming of age story about greed, survival, and what's important in life.
At the bottom of the heap, there’s nowhere to go but up.
Waitress Tammy Tyree knows this intimately. Her life is a continual struggle of managing an eccentric uncle, looking after a younger brother who’s not quite right, and doing everything she can to keep her family together in the small town of Spring, Washington. But Tammy has a couple things going for her no matter how dire things become. She’s tenacious and has her own take on karma. Tammy believes the more unfortunate things that happen to a person, the more they’re due for a windfall. Each misfortune is further guarantee that opportunity for her is just around the corner.
When Tammy receives a confidential email about an inheritance that’s hers to claim, she’s certain her ship has finally come in. Just a few details need to be ironed out like a small matter of some fees to pay, bank forms to fill out, taxes to remit, but Tammy is sure each complication brings her closer to that golden goose of egg laying renown.
What starts as a personal quest ends up embroiling Tammy and everyone she holds dear in a scheme that could be the financial downfall of them all or the rescue of a small town that’s slowly but surely falling through the cracks.
410 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 18, 2014
15 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Wood
32 books158 followersPatricia Wood was born and raised in Seattle, Washington She has served in the U.S. Army, has worked as a Medical Technologist, horseback-riding instructor, and most recently as a marine science teacher working with high risk students in Honolulu. Patricia is an avid SCUBA diver, has assisted with shark research, won the Hawaii State Jumper Championship with her horse Airborne, crewed in a 39-foot sailboat across the Pacific Ocean from Honolulu to San Francisco, and is now an author. Her debut novel LOTTERY was published by Putnam August 2007, and was named a Book Sense notable for October of that year. LOTTERY has been included in the Washington Post's Best Fiction 2007 list and is short listed for the 2008 Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction.
Currently a PhD student at the University of Hawaii, Patricia is focused on education and the study of disability and diversity. Patricia lives with her husband, Gordon aboard ORION, a 48-foot sailboat moored in Ko`Olina, Hawaii. She has one son, Andrew.
Currently a PhD student at the University of Hawaii, Patricia is focused on education and the study of disability and diversity. Patricia lives with her husband, Gordon aboard ORION, a 48-foot sailboat moored in Ko`Olina, Hawaii. She has one son, Andrew.
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September 15, 2016
THERE ONCE WAS ...
Stoppit. It's not that simple!
BUT WHAT IF...?!
Shush ... let's start again!
Waitress Tammy Tyree and her autistic fifteen-year-old brother, Jar, live with their irresponsible uncle E, in his trailer and do the best they can to face reality each day. Nothing comes for free and Tammy has four jobs to keep them safe and happy. She had her way of dealing with all the bills which constantly constipated her Two Spoons Café uniform's pockets. Those constipating mass of bills were the minor misfortunes in their lives. One thousand nine hundred and sixty eight major bad things had happened to their family in the past four years.
"It was all about karma", uncle E told her. "Karma is the way the world works," he said. "The more bad things happened to a family, the more they were due for something good. Misfortune is just nature's way of saying that a spectacular bonanza is coming in the near future."
With her sunny disposition, her ability to work hard at four jobs, she makes the world spin for them all. Tammy lets everything happen in her tan and brown Ford, which uncle E christened Dolly after Dolly Parton as he was impressed with the heft of her front bumper. Dolly, with her splutters and stutters, knocked bearings, and oil thirst, is the only way Tammy could deliver chicken eggs and homemade produce to customers. Uncle E's whirly-gigs are popular garden ornaments in town and allows him to whirl from one pub to the other as fast as they are sold out.
Uncle E, a judiciary expert with his name on the stamp at the country courthouse for his Bachus infatuation, always has a new scheme up his sleeve in their small town of Spring, Washington. He insists that he is an optometrist, that is, looking at the world through rose-tinted glasses. No, he is not an optimist as Marilyn of the town's book mobile constantly tries to correct him.
And then it happens. Tammy receives an email from Africa, promising her an inheritance if she will just send them some money for the administrative expenses. Confidential. Keep it confidential. The Tyree's break has come ...
The confidentiality spreads like wild fire through the town which is on the brink of collapse as a result of the bypass being constructed. Soon everyone is in on the secret and willing to invest. In fact, they all insist ...
Surreal meets insanity; friendship betrothed greed ; loyalty divorces integrity. Let chaos begins and blessed be the beeswax heating up. A spectacular bonanza promises to be the grand finale ...
My comments
If you still believe in fairy tales, this is a book for you. If optimism is your mantra, you will revel in this too-good-to-be-true ending. For those who are able to stomach a tragicomedy, this book will be a delight. Give or take a few too many repetitive moments, the story line otherwise offers a rainbow of personalities, all of them normal until fate redefines the concept completely. Tammy's chickens, Jar's stones, and Leo's weed and wonder food impact the inhabitants of Spring on a daily basis. Music and mayhem dictate the nocturnal ambitions of the eccentric souls. The book mobile harbors the best secret of them all.
The tale is beautifully presented in audio format by the narrator Michelle Babb, who graciously provided a copy for review. This is an ode to small-town idiosyncrasies and our own role in letting it happen, if only we could pick up a looking glass long enough, under the same circumstances, in the same frame of mind as the souls of Spring, Washington ... and grudgingly allow ourselves to laugh for the faces we don't want to recognize as our own.
I think this is a perfect rorschach-test. Our reactions to this book speak volumes. That makes this book a psychological masterpiece. It cuts much deeper than the eye could see.
And now I really smile. It was a really good experience. Don't let this book slip through your reading grid if you enjoy cozy southern prose!
A GOOD READ!
November 6, 2015
I think everyone who has ever signed up for an email account has received one of those messages from someone in a far off land seeking the heir to a fortune or just needing a little help processing a complicated banking situation. If you haven't received one, just check your spam folder...believe me, it's there. With these scams being such a common occurrence I'm surprised this is the first time I've seen it used in a book plot. It worked perfectly in this storyline and turned out to be a great platform to show how people can be your best friend when it benefits them but they can also be the first ones to kick you when you're down. In Cupidity, author: Patricia Wood did a great job building up the dynamics of a small, dysfunctional town and showcasing a likable (but gullible) heroine. I enjoyed her character and also really liked her brother and her late Uncle E who had a surprisingly strong voice in this story as his memorable quotes were peppered throughout.
I have to admit, the cover art on this novel had me skeptical. But the phrase “Don't judge a book by its cover” couldn't be more true. Cupidity is light and delightfully funny, but it also brings some other emotions along with it including loyalty, protectiveness, betrayal, suspense, and anger. Despite the title, this story is not a romance, but I ended up really enjoying it anyway and found it engaging and pleasantly entertaining. If you enjoy the chick-lit genre and are ready for a fresh plot, then consider reading Cupidity.
Audiobook review:
Narrator: Michelle Babb reminded me so much of Anna Fields, the fabulous narrator for all of Susan Elizabeth Phillips's audiobooks. So similar! Like vocal doppelgangers if there is such a thing! Narrators can make or break a book and Ms. Babb did a great job. Her narration really helped to bring out the unique personalities of each character. I'll be keeping my eye out for her other work!
My favorite quote:
“Blood is thicker than water. You start being ashamed of your family, next thing you know you're ashamed of everything in your life. And shame grows on you. It does. Pretty soon it's the only thing you feel.”
Note: I received a gifted copy of this audiobook from the narrator: Michelle Babb in exchange for an honest review.
10/28/15:
Don't you love it when you're pleasantly surprised by a book you initially didn't expect that much from???
Full review to come very soon!
December 6, 2015
Could a whole town be as backward? If you are able to suspend reality and go with the cute humor of this funny story about a town of feeble minded folk, then you may enjoy this escape from reality. An e-mail traps a young girl and eventually others into an inheritance scam that snowballs out of control.
I was not sure if I could swallow the dim witted behavior of the main character at first, but the further I got into the story the more believable and endearing she and her autistic brother became. The rest of the well developed, odd, original characters kept me interested and amused. A fun romp into Hicksville with just a bit of "Carl Hiaasen's like", type of strange humor.
Michelle Babb's narrative was excellent. She captured the essence of each character and added to each of their personalities.
I was not sure if I could swallow the dim witted behavior of the main character at first, but the further I got into the story the more believable and endearing she and her autistic brother became. The rest of the well developed, odd, original characters kept me interested and amused. A fun romp into Hicksville with just a bit of "Carl Hiaasen's like", type of strange humor.
Michelle Babb's narrative was excellent. She captured the essence of each character and added to each of their personalities.
February 21, 2015
Of course I love all the books I've written LOL!
September 15, 2015
(I'm the narrator of the Audio version)
This is(OK, mark my words, I'm saying this on Sept 15, & the audiobook's been out for 7 months) my FAVORITE of all the projects I've narrated to date.
The protagonist, Tammy Louise Tyree, is a female Forrest Gump. She is, in her own words, "not the brightest donkey in the barn," but she approaches her bleak situation in life with an inexhaustible optimism. Her naivete makes her an unreliable narrator, but a lovably unreliable one. I rooted for her, even as she plowed further & further into the doomed email scam. The minor characters add humor, absurdity & depth, as the story careens toward its thoroughly satisfying conclusion.
No spoilers, but my favorite passage is Chapter 14, containing Madeline's line "Sometimes your life doesn't turn out the way you think." Understatement. Of. The. Year.
This is(OK, mark my words, I'm saying this on Sept 15, & the audiobook's been out for 7 months) my FAVORITE of all the projects I've narrated to date.
The protagonist, Tammy Louise Tyree, is a female Forrest Gump. She is, in her own words, "not the brightest donkey in the barn," but she approaches her bleak situation in life with an inexhaustible optimism. Her naivete makes her an unreliable narrator, but a lovably unreliable one. I rooted for her, even as she plowed further & further into the doomed email scam. The minor characters add humor, absurdity & depth, as the story careens toward its thoroughly satisfying conclusion.
No spoilers, but my favorite passage is Chapter 14, containing Madeline's line "Sometimes your life doesn't turn out the way you think." Understatement. Of. The. Year.
August 9, 2015
Audiobook
Narration - Michelle Babb - Kick A$$
If you've read many of my reviews, I don't really give a lot of audiobooks the "Kick A$$" narration rating, but I've had a couple back to back listens that were really stellar, with this being one of them. Michelle does such a great job of embodying the character of Tammy Tyree! I don't own a kindle copy of the book, so I couldn't tell you if her narration of what 'bug' says is accurate, but it was terrific and natural and flowed as if you were listening to the actual conversations between Tammy and her very special little brother Jar (aka bug). She really captured the personalities of these folks from this small town. Fabulous job!!!
As for the book! OMG! This was a terrifically absurd story (Truly, I believe, enhanced by the narration). Tammy Tyree receives one of those emails claiming that she's due a substantial inheritance from a long lost missionary relative, complete with the broken but wordy explanations of the importance of the sender, his title, his role in assisting her in retrieving her inheritance and all the steps she must go through (which of course become innumerable) in order to rightfully claim the money she's due.
The book pokes fun at the naivety of Tammy, her family and some other gullible town folk who wish to invest in helping her claim her inheritance as well as the email scam community itself. I'm not going to say that I was laughing out loud while listening to this book, but I was, I don't know, Joyful? Most certainly smiling the whole time I was listening. (Except during the big Jar incident near the end) And I found myself telling anyone who would listen about the terrific book I was listening to. And I didn't do it justice, because alas, I'm not a writer. Patricia Wood, however, is! A very terrific writer and she had me loving this little gem from start to finish. Such a great listen! Highly Recommend!
I received this audiobook free of charge from Audiobookblast, in exchange for an unbiased review
Narration - Michelle Babb - Kick A$$
If you've read many of my reviews, I don't really give a lot of audiobooks the "Kick A$$" narration rating, but I've had a couple back to back listens that were really stellar, with this being one of them. Michelle does such a great job of embodying the character of Tammy Tyree! I don't own a kindle copy of the book, so I couldn't tell you if her narration of what 'bug' says is accurate, but it was terrific and natural and flowed as if you were listening to the actual conversations between Tammy and her very special little brother Jar (aka bug). She really captured the personalities of these folks from this small town. Fabulous job!!!
As for the book! OMG! This was a terrifically absurd story (Truly, I believe, enhanced by the narration). Tammy Tyree receives one of those emails claiming that she's due a substantial inheritance from a long lost missionary relative, complete with the broken but wordy explanations of the importance of the sender, his title, his role in assisting her in retrieving her inheritance and all the steps she must go through (which of course become innumerable) in order to rightfully claim the money she's due.
The book pokes fun at the naivety of Tammy, her family and some other gullible town folk who wish to invest in helping her claim her inheritance as well as the email scam community itself. I'm not going to say that I was laughing out loud while listening to this book, but I was, I don't know, Joyful? Most certainly smiling the whole time I was listening. (Except during the big Jar incident near the end) And I found myself telling anyone who would listen about the terrific book I was listening to. And I didn't do it justice, because alas, I'm not a writer. Patricia Wood, however, is! A very terrific writer and she had me loving this little gem from start to finish. Such a great listen! Highly Recommend!
I received this audiobook free of charge from Audiobookblast, in exchange for an unbiased review
October 9, 2015
This is one of those books that will make you laugh and cry. I had moments where the sheer stupidity of someone's actions that I forgot I was reading a book and felt bad for them.
This is a clean read- no cursing, no sex. It was refreshing and I loved how weird some of the people are...kind of reminds me of people you meet in real life!
Seeing the relationship between brother and sister was nice and I liked how mental illness was handled.
You could also say it's a Christian book. Not a 'shove it down your throat' religious book, but one where our main character respects her religion even if she doesn't go to church once a week. I'm not religious, but it was still a sweet, funny, inspirational read. This is something that can be enjoyed by anyone who's been in a tight spot before and appreciate it.
The narrator did a wonderful job giving different voices to the characters. Some of those voices are extremely unique- I'd definitely listen to something narrated by her again.
I received a free copy of this book from the author, narrator or publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is a clean read- no cursing, no sex. It was refreshing and I loved how weird some of the people are...kind of reminds me of people you meet in real life!
Seeing the relationship between brother and sister was nice and I liked how mental illness was handled.
You could also say it's a Christian book. Not a 'shove it down your throat' religious book, but one where our main character respects her religion even if she doesn't go to church once a week. I'm not religious, but it was still a sweet, funny, inspirational read. This is something that can be enjoyed by anyone who's been in a tight spot before and appreciate it.
The narrator did a wonderful job giving different voices to the characters. Some of those voices are extremely unique- I'd definitely listen to something narrated by her again.
I received a free copy of this book from the author, narrator or publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 17, 2022
Made me happy
A good book. It will make you feel like an optometrist.A very fun read. I recommend it. Tammy is my hero😂
A good book. It will make you feel like an optometrist.A very fun read. I recommend it. Tammy is my hero😂
December 11, 2015
Tammy Tyree, along with her uncle and brother, have been struggling to make ends meet. She works around the clock to earn money for her family and has several jobs that she is desperately trying to juggle. So, when she receives an email informing her that she inherited five million dollars from relatives she didn’t know she had, she’s more than a little delighted and more than willing to dig up all the fees she has to pay in order to get her inheritance.
When the rest of the people in the small town of Spring, Washington hear about Tammy’s good fortune, they immediately jump on the bandwagon. They want, and expect, to get a piece of the action as well. However, the situation becomes dire when everyone starts to financially suffer and it appears like nothing is coming in to help them.
What an interesting concept for a book and I’m surprised it hasn’t been done to death already. However, this is the first time I’ve seen this storyline used in a fiction book. Anyone who participates in cyberland has received some kind of e-mail with a scam in it – we’ve all been told we’ve won or inherited millions of dollars. I immediately delete them but Tammy Tyree believes every word of it.
Sometimes a character is almost portrayed as “too stupid to live”. In this case, I felt Tammy was so naïve, I just wanted to hug her. My heart went out to this young girl who is just trying to keep her family afloat. She’s so desperate that she falls for a scam that most people would see through in a heartbeat.
Now, the rest of the townspeople are another story. For people who have known Tammy all her life, they were just mean-spirited, selfish people. I thought they deserved whatever they got. LOL Tammy is a much nicer person than I am :)
This is a storyline that fits in with the way the world is today. A topic that we’ve all come across at some point in this day and age of computers – scammers. It’s a poignant tale. It’s touching with quite a bit of humor thrown in. I wasn’t sure I’d even like this book, but I ended up truly loving it. I listened to this on audio in the car and it struck several emotions – sadness, happiness, anger, annoyance…I felt it all as I listened to Tammy’s plight.
Patricia Wood has created a unique and quirky story. Michelle Babb did a spectacular job of making me truly care about Tammy. I really need to check into Patricia Wood’s backlist. She’s a new-to-me author. I loved every minute of this one. I was so disappointed when it ended. I already miss Tammy and her brother Jar. When I don't want a book to end, it rates high on my list.
FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
When the rest of the people in the small town of Spring, Washington hear about Tammy’s good fortune, they immediately jump on the bandwagon. They want, and expect, to get a piece of the action as well. However, the situation becomes dire when everyone starts to financially suffer and it appears like nothing is coming in to help them.
What an interesting concept for a book and I’m surprised it hasn’t been done to death already. However, this is the first time I’ve seen this storyline used in a fiction book. Anyone who participates in cyberland has received some kind of e-mail with a scam in it – we’ve all been told we’ve won or inherited millions of dollars. I immediately delete them but Tammy Tyree believes every word of it.
Sometimes a character is almost portrayed as “too stupid to live”. In this case, I felt Tammy was so naïve, I just wanted to hug her. My heart went out to this young girl who is just trying to keep her family afloat. She’s so desperate that she falls for a scam that most people would see through in a heartbeat.
Now, the rest of the townspeople are another story. For people who have known Tammy all her life, they were just mean-spirited, selfish people. I thought they deserved whatever they got. LOL Tammy is a much nicer person than I am :)
This is a storyline that fits in with the way the world is today. A topic that we’ve all come across at some point in this day and age of computers – scammers. It’s a poignant tale. It’s touching with quite a bit of humor thrown in. I wasn’t sure I’d even like this book, but I ended up truly loving it. I listened to this on audio in the car and it struck several emotions – sadness, happiness, anger, annoyance…I felt it all as I listened to Tammy’s plight.
Patricia Wood has created a unique and quirky story. Michelle Babb did a spectacular job of making me truly care about Tammy. I really need to check into Patricia Wood’s backlist. She’s a new-to-me author. I loved every minute of this one. I was so disappointed when it ended. I already miss Tammy and her brother Jar. When I don't want a book to end, it rates high on my list.
FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
March 2, 2016
This book was the funniest I have ever read (or listened to). Cupidity is the story of Tammy Tyree, a young woman in a small town just trying to do the best she can. She has four jobs to try to make ends meet for her, her less than reliable uncle and her younger autistic brother. Life just keeps pooping on her. I don't know any better way to say it. She is just dumped on over and over. Most of the story has to deal with an email she receives from someone in Africa saying she has inherited money from a missionary relative she'd never heard of. She is, of course, jumping through hoops to send the money "required to process her inheritance". She may be totally gullible, but I was really pulling for her as the book progressed.
The small town of Spring is packed full of eccentric characters. I just never knew what they were going to do. I had no choice but to laugh at their shenanigans, yet develop a little empathy for them, too. I loved how Tammy and her autistic brother, Jar, communicated. He was basically non-verbal, but Tammy understood all the different sounds he made. Ms. Wood took a sensitive situation and still made it funny as well as loving. Even the chickens had powerful personalities in this book Uncle E and the chickens in the woods had me howling!
This was another great performance by Michelle Babb. Not only were the characters voices interesting and spot on, but you can tell that she was really prepared (I hate it when you can tell the narrator has no idea what is coming at the end of the sentence). The performance was flawless.
I was given this book free in exchange for an honest review.
The small town of Spring is packed full of eccentric characters. I just never knew what they were going to do. I had no choice but to laugh at their shenanigans, yet develop a little empathy for them, too. I loved how Tammy and her autistic brother, Jar, communicated. He was basically non-verbal, but Tammy understood all the different sounds he made. Ms. Wood took a sensitive situation and still made it funny as well as loving. Even the chickens had powerful personalities in this book Uncle E and the chickens in the woods had me howling!
This was another great performance by Michelle Babb. Not only were the characters voices interesting and spot on, but you can tell that she was really prepared (I hate it when you can tell the narrator has no idea what is coming at the end of the sentence). The performance was flawless.
I was given this book free in exchange for an honest review.
June 29, 2015
I received this audio book as a gift in exchange for an honest and unbiased review, This audio book is freaking hilarious. A poor small town girl has always been looking for a break. She has been taking care of her special (autistic) brother since her parents were killed and her Uncle E took them in. One day she gets a lucky break, an email saying a relative died in Africa and left her 5 million dollars! It's a dream come true.... or is it?
This book is a laugh a minute! Only Tammy can understand her brothers speech and the chickens, and Uncle E's and so on... The author Patricia Wood wrote a fantastic hilarious book which kept me totally entertained from beginning to end! I freaking loved this book! The narrator, Michelle Babb, did such a a wonderful job on this book. I loved the voices she used, especially with Jar. What a talent it took to pull this narration off! I believe it its the narration that made this book so totally entertaining and enjoyable!!! A great author and a great narrator = perfection!!!
This book is a laugh a minute! Only Tammy can understand her brothers speech and the chickens, and Uncle E's and so on... The author Patricia Wood wrote a fantastic hilarious book which kept me totally entertained from beginning to end! I freaking loved this book! The narrator, Michelle Babb, did such a a wonderful job on this book. I loved the voices she used, especially with Jar. What a talent it took to pull this narration off! I believe it its the narration that made this book so totally entertaining and enjoyable!!! A great author and a great narrator = perfection!!!
September 19, 2015
Cupidity, by Patricia Wood, is a fun read (or listen to--I had the audio version). Small town waitress who wears a number of other hats and drives a rattle-trap truck named Dolly, is caregiver for disabled brother and keeps track of Uncle E, the town drunk. She has just gotten notice via email that she is an heiress to 5 million dollars and things just go downhill from there. Trailer homes, chicken coops, mental wards and jail, the reader is taken on quite the ride while wondering if Tammy will learn what really is important in life and if she ever gets any money from Botswana.. Tammy the main character is a karma driven, glass is half full person and the author does a marvelous job of keeping the reader empathetic towards her.The character interactions are hilarious and yet believable. The narrator, Michelle Babb, does a great job with the different character voices and inflections. All in all quite an entertaining book.
October 19, 2015
Cupidity, by Patricia Wood, has a story and characters that will stay in my memory. That's a strong statement for me as I listen to many books. While I may enjoy them, the story and characters lose their detail after a period of time. I really don't think that will happen with this one. For that, I'm giving it five stars. Intelligently written, it's quirky and unique, entertaining and a book I'd recommend. There were several times of unexpectedly laughing out loud while listening to this. It's not deep, but it's not trite, silly OR boring. It's a fun read and the ending surprised me.
I listened to this book in exchange for an honest review. Michelle Babb, the narrator who requested the review, was excellent. Great dialects and voices gave extra life to already strong characters. This is my favorite narration (so far) that Michelle has done. Smooth and flawless, I have no criticisms at all. Loved it!
This would make a great screen play.
I listened to this book in exchange for an honest review. Michelle Babb, the narrator who requested the review, was excellent. Great dialects and voices gave extra life to already strong characters. This is my favorite narration (so far) that Michelle has done. Smooth and flawless, I have no criticisms at all. Loved it!
This would make a great screen play.
October 16, 2015
This book had me on the verge of clawing my eyes out. But in a good way! I wanted such good things to happen to this bumbling family that when Tammy falls for the email scam I just want to scream. The writing is so fun and the town is so lively. Circumstances change at the drop of a hat and all I could think was "Please let the family make it out of this." And that's what you really want out of a book; the ability to totally connect with the central characters.
I listened to the audio version and I'm pretty sure Michelle Babb is my new favorite audio narrator. Generally, narrators have a difficult time with the voices for the opposite sex, but Babb can play anybody. Characters with a higher-than-thou attitude actually sound like they speak with their noses turned up. Fat police officers sound winded. It's just amazing.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
I listened to the audio version and I'm pretty sure Michelle Babb is my new favorite audio narrator. Generally, narrators have a difficult time with the voices for the opposite sex, but Babb can play anybody. Characters with a higher-than-thou attitude actually sound like they speak with their noses turned up. Fat police officers sound winded. It's just amazing.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
August 5, 2015
"Humorous, fun and a great listen!"
***I was given this in exchange for an honest review.
When I first started listening to this, I thought, this isn't for me. It started a little slow. I am so glad I kept going. Not much later, it certainly picked up and kept me interested. A book about greed, family and life, all things we are all interested in, you really just can't go wrong. We have all received those emails, just never acted on it. Tammy takes us on her journey, taking care of her brothers, her many jobs, and her the adventure of her scam email...or are they real?
Michelle Babb does a phenomenal job narrating this book, which is what kept me listening before becoming so engrossed in the story, I just couldn't stop. She was wonderful, bringing the characters to life, having me laugh out loud and kept the story moving.
Have some fun with this one!
***I was given this in exchange for an honest review.
When I first started listening to this, I thought, this isn't for me. It started a little slow. I am so glad I kept going. Not much later, it certainly picked up and kept me interested. A book about greed, family and life, all things we are all interested in, you really just can't go wrong. We have all received those emails, just never acted on it. Tammy takes us on her journey, taking care of her brothers, her many jobs, and her the adventure of her scam email...or are they real?
Michelle Babb does a phenomenal job narrating this book, which is what kept me listening before becoming so engrossed in the story, I just couldn't stop. She was wonderful, bringing the characters to life, having me laugh out loud and kept the story moving.
Have some fun with this one!
December 18, 2020
Where to start? I had a lot of issues with the idea of this story as well as the writing style. At first I found it interesting that someone would use their imagination to create a story based on those African-I-have-millions-waiting-for-you emails. Do people still get those? How people ever fell for them, fall for them, I have no clue. Let me be blunt: I didn’t like Tammy, at all! So was so gullible, stupid, annoying, stupid, living in denial, stupid… I mean how did she make it to however old she is? The author wasn’t expecting readers/listeners to like Tammy, did she? How? She and the town were way too unbelievable! I can’t put all the stupidity on her though because the townsfolk were almost as stupid. The fact she ends up getting the money just makes this story over the top, in my opinion. It’s just too unbelievable.
1. She believes she’s getting millions from some unknown African person in Africa.
2. She tries to hide this fact from those around her.
3. They find out and essentially beg to get a portion of it in exchange for some handouts in the meantime.
4. WITHOUT asking for proof!
5. Why didn’t those who wanted a part of the millions not have enough common sense to wait for the millions to come, instead giving Tammy hundreds here, thousands there?
6. “Once a Tyree always a Tyree.” So why were people offering her money if she was a Tyree? Hello!? How many times was the fact she was a Tyree brought up in a negative connotation? Many times!
It just baffled my mind.
BUT THEN!!!
1. Her cousin Lonny pops up. The criminal with a past.
2. Starts spreading lies about her and how she treats Jar and her scam about the millions.
3. WITHOUT any proof! It was Lonny against Tammy. Even the grocery store lady had no proof that Tammy did anything.
4. Everyone (minus Leo and the library lady) believes HIM! Not her who has never had issues with the law.
5. The social worker believes HIM! Even though Lonny has no proof that Tammy was abusing (really abusing) Jar.
6. The sheriff or whatever he was believes HIM! Again, a criminal who’s always getting into trouble over an innocent, in all sense of the word, person.
Again… Mind blown!
BUT THEN!!!
1. The cop shows up and Tammy thinks he’s going to help her.
2. Nope, he thinks Tammy (a young, very naïve woman) is a ringleader of… something?!
3. Even after hearing Lonny’s confession, he’s all eager to arrest her. What?
4. In the end, Tammy magically gets the money (where did the African guy get it? Why did he choose her?) and stays in the same town where everyone was against her except Leo and the library lady. No sense there!
While the narrator had a great accent for country-bumpkin Tammy, I can see her being limited in what she can narrate. Now, I don’t know if she can talk without the accent or not but… Overall, I wasn’t a fan because there was too much pausing between words and/or talking slowly, leaving me with the impression of someone just learning to read.
Questions/Comments:
I had a hard time with Jar’s “speech,” his sound effects he’d do instead of actually talk. I was believing that Tammy could understand or pick up on what he was saying based on what was going on in the scene, the fact they’d been together for years. I have a daughter with autism and whenever she speaks to someone (the majority of the time), they’ll look to me questioning what she was saying. Well that stopped when I realized that whenever he said “Okay dokey” and what he meant, per Tammy’s translation, it was completely different almost each time. Sorry but no. On another note, I’d be curious to know how the author wrote his dialogue given some of the “words” sounded more like sounds or noises.
There were issues with the dialogue tags. I’m all about dialogue tags if anyone who reads my reviews (does anyone read these or am I just talking/typing to myself?) should pick up on. For example, there was a time when Tammy “whined.” Then she spoke. Then Tammy “whined” again. Or when Tammy describes the jail guard as someone who “looks kindly.” The guard then talks, and it ends with “She says kindly.” See what I mean. I can’t stand stuff like this. There were other instances; these were just two I took note of. What about simple dialogue tags? I said. He said. She said. When there was only Tammy in the scene and “I said” was used… so… many… times! Those were so overdone throughout this story. The author seemed to choose unnecessary simple dialogue tags as opposed to using them with an action (which would have been better) or just not using them in general. It was crazy!
After experiencing the fun that is social services, after telling the caseworker she was innocent and getting Jar taken away, how in the hell did she believe that if she told the police officers when she was arrested for stealing and fraud that she was innocent that they’d let her go? That made no sense! Wouldn’t that be a contradiction to her stupidity?
I found it hilarious (in a negative way) that the author would have thrown in the word “cogitate” as in “[Tammy] I cogitate for hours.” Maybe I’m the stupid one because that seems like a “big” word in my opinion, one too big when used in reference to Tammy or this story for that matter.
The pre-arresting email she sent to the African doctor was ridiculous! I mean how stupid can she be when she hasn’t heard from him in how long? I have no clue. Yet, she still believes he’s sending her millions. This unknown person in a faraway country. Yeah… makes sense.
I was under the impression that Spring was a small country-type town. So when I heard that there were prostitutes who had pimps in this town… Yeah, it didn’t add up to me.
I received a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Please tell me I'm not the only one who didn't like this story....
1. She believes she’s getting millions from some unknown African person in Africa.
2. She tries to hide this fact from those around her.
3. They find out and essentially beg to get a portion of it in exchange for some handouts in the meantime.
4. WITHOUT asking for proof!
5. Why didn’t those who wanted a part of the millions not have enough common sense to wait for the millions to come, instead giving Tammy hundreds here, thousands there?
6. “Once a Tyree always a Tyree.” So why were people offering her money if she was a Tyree? Hello!? How many times was the fact she was a Tyree brought up in a negative connotation? Many times!
It just baffled my mind.
BUT THEN!!!
1. Her cousin Lonny pops up. The criminal with a past.
2. Starts spreading lies about her and how she treats Jar and her scam about the millions.
3. WITHOUT any proof! It was Lonny against Tammy. Even the grocery store lady had no proof that Tammy did anything.
4. Everyone (minus Leo and the library lady) believes HIM! Not her who has never had issues with the law.
5. The social worker believes HIM! Even though Lonny has no proof that Tammy was abusing (really abusing) Jar.
6. The sheriff or whatever he was believes HIM! Again, a criminal who’s always getting into trouble over an innocent, in all sense of the word, person.
Again… Mind blown!
BUT THEN!!!
1. The cop shows up and Tammy thinks he’s going to help her.
2. Nope, he thinks Tammy (a young, very naïve woman) is a ringleader of… something?!
3. Even after hearing Lonny’s confession, he’s all eager to arrest her. What?
4. In the end, Tammy magically gets the money (where did the African guy get it? Why did he choose her?) and stays in the same town where everyone was against her except Leo and the library lady. No sense there!
While the narrator had a great accent for country-bumpkin Tammy, I can see her being limited in what she can narrate. Now, I don’t know if she can talk without the accent or not but… Overall, I wasn’t a fan because there was too much pausing between words and/or talking slowly, leaving me with the impression of someone just learning to read.
Questions/Comments:
I had a hard time with Jar’s “speech,” his sound effects he’d do instead of actually talk. I was believing that Tammy could understand or pick up on what he was saying based on what was going on in the scene, the fact they’d been together for years. I have a daughter with autism and whenever she speaks to someone (the majority of the time), they’ll look to me questioning what she was saying. Well that stopped when I realized that whenever he said “Okay dokey” and what he meant, per Tammy’s translation, it was completely different almost each time. Sorry but no. On another note, I’d be curious to know how the author wrote his dialogue given some of the “words” sounded more like sounds or noises.
There were issues with the dialogue tags. I’m all about dialogue tags if anyone who reads my reviews (does anyone read these or am I just talking/typing to myself?) should pick up on. For example, there was a time when Tammy “whined.” Then she spoke. Then Tammy “whined” again. Or when Tammy describes the jail guard as someone who “looks kindly.” The guard then talks, and it ends with “She says kindly.” See what I mean. I can’t stand stuff like this. There were other instances; these were just two I took note of. What about simple dialogue tags? I said. He said. She said. When there was only Tammy in the scene and “I said” was used… so… many… times! Those were so overdone throughout this story. The author seemed to choose unnecessary simple dialogue tags as opposed to using them with an action (which would have been better) or just not using them in general. It was crazy!
After experiencing the fun that is social services, after telling the caseworker she was innocent and getting Jar taken away, how in the hell did she believe that if she told the police officers when she was arrested for stealing and fraud that she was innocent that they’d let her go? That made no sense! Wouldn’t that be a contradiction to her stupidity?
I found it hilarious (in a negative way) that the author would have thrown in the word “cogitate” as in “[Tammy] I cogitate for hours.” Maybe I’m the stupid one because that seems like a “big” word in my opinion, one too big when used in reference to Tammy or this story for that matter.
The pre-arresting email she sent to the African doctor was ridiculous! I mean how stupid can she be when she hasn’t heard from him in how long? I have no clue. Yet, she still believes he’s sending her millions. This unknown person in a faraway country. Yeah… makes sense.
I was under the impression that Spring was a small country-type town. So when I heard that there were prostitutes who had pimps in this town… Yeah, it didn’t add up to me.
I received a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Please tell me I'm not the only one who didn't like this story....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2015
The first book i read from Patricia Wood was Lottery and I loved it.
Cupidity I enjoyed as an audiobook read by the brilliant Michelle Babb.. I enjoyed the book as you could really feel the characters come alive as Babb breathed life into each character.
Similar tones / style of writing can be felt as you digest the story but that's the thing about Wood... her writing draws you in.
Can't wait to check out more books by Patricia Wood and more audiobooks as narrated by Babb.
Brilliant.
Cupidity I enjoyed as an audiobook read by the brilliant Michelle Babb.. I enjoyed the book as you could really feel the characters come alive as Babb breathed life into each character.
Similar tones / style of writing can be felt as you digest the story but that's the thing about Wood... her writing draws you in.
Can't wait to check out more books by Patricia Wood and more audiobooks as narrated by Babb.
Brilliant.
August 9, 2015
Cupidity: It was fun experiencing small town girl dealing with these trials and tribulations thrown at her. I really enjoyed the way the writer wrote these characters that felt very real. They reminded me of some of the people I met when visiting a small town in Texas. The main character was very positive, and I really liked that.
This was a nice, fun read.
This was a nice, fun read.
January 24, 2015
This book is hilarious. Enjoyed it as much as I did her first book. This author writes great books about something we all are interested in, greed.
October 13, 2015
love patricia wood's lottery
cupidity is written in a similar vein and Michelle breathes life into the characters which made this better. love it
5 stars for ms babb
cupidity is written in a similar vein and Michelle breathes life into the characters which made this better. love it
5 stars for ms babb
March 10, 2017
Review originally published at: http://www.lomeraniel.com/audiobookre...
I was offered a copy of this book in audio format from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.
A feel good book.
Tammy Louise Tyree lives in the small town of Spring with his Uncle E. and her autistic fifteen-year-old brother, Jar. Uncle E. makes a living by making worley gigs but spends much of what he earns on small scams and drinks. As the primary provider in the household, and having troubles making ends meet, Tammy has four jobs that keep her busy throughout the day. But Tammy is an 'optometrist', a word that her uncle has taught her, which means 'somebody who sees the world through pink spectacles', and a tough girl, and she will do anything to keep her family together and afloat. One day, checking her email at the cafe where she works, she receives a mysterious email mentioning an inheritance from her supposed family in Botswana, and quickly Tammy starts thinking about all the things she could do with the money. But there is a catch, and it is that she has to send some money in advance, a money that she does not have. She is asked to keep it confidential, but she lets it slip and soon all the town will lend her money so that she could receive her inheritance and invest in their business. But time goes by while Tammy waits for the money and needs to send more advances to Botswana.
This was one of the BEST novels that I have listened to lately. Not only the charismatic Tammy, which Michelle Babb describes as a female Forrest Gump, but also everything surrounding her. Her family is so special and with so many little details that they feel like real people. Secondary characters are not as developed as Tammy and his family, but Patricia Wood was able to bring them to life, and I felt that I was living in the small and colorful town of Spring with them all. Wood gave the characters a past and future prospects, even to the minor ones, which made me want to know more about them.
The style of the book was fresh and candid, and Wood gave wonderful personalities to the main characters. I love Tammy's special language, always using words taught to her by her Uncle E. The dialogs were brilliant and completely natural, and Tammy's relationship with her brother felt authentic. The dialogs between Tammy and Jar were endearing and hilarious at the same time.
Even though I was almost sure of the outcome regarding Tammy's inheritance, Patricia Wood knew how to keep my attention until the very end, as more and more people get involved in lending money to Tammy and how things get more and more complicated. A conundrum, or a caterpillar, as Uncle E. would say.
Michelle Babb did a SPLENDID job narrating this book, and her style was the perfect for it. She really became Tammy and made the words sound very natural, but she also interpreted the other characters in a very special way, making clear but subtle differences, so that the listener always knows who is doing the talking. My favorite impersonation was Jar's by far. At those moments I was not listening to Babb, I was listening to an autistic teenager arguing with his older sister, and some moments were quite funny. The freshness of the dialogs and Michele Babb's expressivity made this an really enjoyable experience.
This was a book that I could not put down, and a book that had me smiling all the time I was listening to it. The naivete and optimism of Tammy and her family was really contagious, and I wished to stay with them forever. For sure I will listen to it again some time.
I was offered a copy of this book in audio format from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.
A feel good book.
Tammy Louise Tyree lives in the small town of Spring with his Uncle E. and her autistic fifteen-year-old brother, Jar. Uncle E. makes a living by making worley gigs but spends much of what he earns on small scams and drinks. As the primary provider in the household, and having troubles making ends meet, Tammy has four jobs that keep her busy throughout the day. But Tammy is an 'optometrist', a word that her uncle has taught her, which means 'somebody who sees the world through pink spectacles', and a tough girl, and she will do anything to keep her family together and afloat. One day, checking her email at the cafe where she works, she receives a mysterious email mentioning an inheritance from her supposed family in Botswana, and quickly Tammy starts thinking about all the things she could do with the money. But there is a catch, and it is that she has to send some money in advance, a money that she does not have. She is asked to keep it confidential, but she lets it slip and soon all the town will lend her money so that she could receive her inheritance and invest in their business. But time goes by while Tammy waits for the money and needs to send more advances to Botswana.
This was one of the BEST novels that I have listened to lately. Not only the charismatic Tammy, which Michelle Babb describes as a female Forrest Gump, but also everything surrounding her. Her family is so special and with so many little details that they feel like real people. Secondary characters are not as developed as Tammy and his family, but Patricia Wood was able to bring them to life, and I felt that I was living in the small and colorful town of Spring with them all. Wood gave the characters a past and future prospects, even to the minor ones, which made me want to know more about them.
The style of the book was fresh and candid, and Wood gave wonderful personalities to the main characters. I love Tammy's special language, always using words taught to her by her Uncle E. The dialogs were brilliant and completely natural, and Tammy's relationship with her brother felt authentic. The dialogs between Tammy and Jar were endearing and hilarious at the same time.
Even though I was almost sure of the outcome regarding Tammy's inheritance, Patricia Wood knew how to keep my attention until the very end, as more and more people get involved in lending money to Tammy and how things get more and more complicated. A conundrum, or a caterpillar, as Uncle E. would say.
Michelle Babb did a SPLENDID job narrating this book, and her style was the perfect for it. She really became Tammy and made the words sound very natural, but she also interpreted the other characters in a very special way, making clear but subtle differences, so that the listener always knows who is doing the talking. My favorite impersonation was Jar's by far. At those moments I was not listening to Babb, I was listening to an autistic teenager arguing with his older sister, and some moments were quite funny. The freshness of the dialogs and Michele Babb's expressivity made this an really enjoyable experience.
This was a book that I could not put down, and a book that had me smiling all the time I was listening to it. The naivete and optimism of Tammy and her family was really contagious, and I wished to stay with them forever. For sure I will listen to it again some time.
March 29, 2018
( Format : Audiobook )
"I'm gonna be rich!"
Tammy Tyree lives in a trailer in the small town of Spring with her 15 years old autistic brother and the uncle who took the in when they were orphaned some years before. It's not easy to be a Tyree: the family has a reputation of being thrives and ne'er-do-wells. But Tammy works really hard to keep everything together. As well as being a waitress at the local café, she keeps hens to sell the eggs, cleans houses, moves trash - in fact anything to keep up with the incoming bills. But she's failing. Then, like a miracle, she receives an official looking email from someone in Africa telling her that she is to inherit five million dollars from a remote missionary family member. Trouble is, she first has to send him five hundred dollars ...
This delightful and silly story is simply delicious. Told in the first person from Tammy's perspective, the reader has full access to her hopes and fears, her optimistic naive belief in herself and her uncle and, above all, her love for her brother, who she alone is able to understand when he speaks and around whom her whole life is focused. The characterisations are well written and then further developed by Michelle Babb's superb narration. Her voicings of each of the townspeople as well as the main protagonists is distinct and individual but it is the ongoing conversations which Tammy has both with herself and others that really make her character come alive. A mention, too, must be made of Ms.Babb's wonderful interpretation of the speech of the autistic teenage brother.
A perfect pairing of the author's vision and the narrator's interpretation.
This is a fun book, easy to read, filled with humour but also looking at the way in which money, or the promise of it, can change people's perceptions. Like an iceberg, there is far more here than is shown. It felt as if the reader was simultaneously travelling internally with Tammy whilst looking down at the townsfolk and happenings of Spring. Sometimes laugh out loud, it is also poignant and, just occasionally, sad.
A lovely book which delivered far more than expected and which will stay with this reader well into the future.
Recommended.
"I'm gonna be rich!"
Tammy Tyree lives in a trailer in the small town of Spring with her 15 years old autistic brother and the uncle who took the in when they were orphaned some years before. It's not easy to be a Tyree: the family has a reputation of being thrives and ne'er-do-wells. But Tammy works really hard to keep everything together. As well as being a waitress at the local café, she keeps hens to sell the eggs, cleans houses, moves trash - in fact anything to keep up with the incoming bills. But she's failing. Then, like a miracle, she receives an official looking email from someone in Africa telling her that she is to inherit five million dollars from a remote missionary family member. Trouble is, she first has to send him five hundred dollars ...
This delightful and silly story is simply delicious. Told in the first person from Tammy's perspective, the reader has full access to her hopes and fears, her optimistic naive belief in herself and her uncle and, above all, her love for her brother, who she alone is able to understand when he speaks and around whom her whole life is focused. The characterisations are well written and then further developed by Michelle Babb's superb narration. Her voicings of each of the townspeople as well as the main protagonists is distinct and individual but it is the ongoing conversations which Tammy has both with herself and others that really make her character come alive. A mention, too, must be made of Ms.Babb's wonderful interpretation of the speech of the autistic teenage brother.
A perfect pairing of the author's vision and the narrator's interpretation.
This is a fun book, easy to read, filled with humour but also looking at the way in which money, or the promise of it, can change people's perceptions. Like an iceberg, there is far more here than is shown. It felt as if the reader was simultaneously travelling internally with Tammy whilst looking down at the townsfolk and happenings of Spring. Sometimes laugh out loud, it is also poignant and, just occasionally, sad.
A lovely book which delivered far more than expected and which will stay with this reader well into the future.
Recommended.
May 12, 2020
This is not my normal type of story but I really enjoyed it. I found I was hooked after listening to only a few words. I think it was because I liked the characters and I wanted to find out what was going to happened to them. Especially Jar and his made up words, I loved the way Tammy just told people what they wanted him to have said and he makes a rude noise, very amusing and very realistic. That was also what I liked the people were very real and it made you feel like it could have happened to someone you know (and with all the scams going around it might just have. I just hope if it has it didn't get as far as Tammy's did)). It might not be the type of story I would choose but I will definitely eye an eye out for this author again because her writing was so engaging.
Tammy is struggling to bring up her autistic brother after the death of her parents with the help of her Uncle E. Working four jobs is hard, especially when he keeping getting into trouble for breaking things and her uncle isn't a very good baby sitter or influence on him. So she is over the moon when one day she finds an email informing her a distant relative has died and she has been left an inheritance, all she needs to do is send some money in order to collect. Keeping a secret in a small town is very hard and despite being told to keep it a secret the news travels like wild fire. When emails keep coming in needing more money sent Tammy finds the towns people lining up to give her money in order for her to help them when it arrives. Is Tammy getting herself into something she can't get out of?
The narrator was the main reason I gave this book ago and I am glad I did because it is a feel good type of story about hope and togetherness which comes across really well with Michelle reading it. Oh and I loved the voice and sounds of Jar.
Tammy is struggling to bring up her autistic brother after the death of her parents with the help of her Uncle E. Working four jobs is hard, especially when he keeping getting into trouble for breaking things and her uncle isn't a very good baby sitter or influence on him. So she is over the moon when one day she finds an email informing her a distant relative has died and she has been left an inheritance, all she needs to do is send some money in order to collect. Keeping a secret in a small town is very hard and despite being told to keep it a secret the news travels like wild fire. When emails keep coming in needing more money sent Tammy finds the towns people lining up to give her money in order for her to help them when it arrives. Is Tammy getting herself into something she can't get out of?
The narrator was the main reason I gave this book ago and I am glad I did because it is a feel good type of story about hope and togetherness which comes across really well with Michelle reading it. Oh and I loved the voice and sounds of Jar.
June 18, 2017
Cupidity by Patricia Wood and narrated by Michelle Babb. This is a clean humorous novel about a naive girl named Tammy Tyree and her autistic Jareld “Jar” Tyree. The siblings were orphaned and live with their Uncle E. This story is about small town life, greed, scams, trusting nature, and overcoming a family’s bad reputation.
This book was recommended to me, although it is not my usually preferred genre, I decided to give it a try. At first I was unsure if this was a book for me, as some of the characters were very naive and at time almost stupid. But as I continued to listen the story drew me in. I began to not just feel sorry for Tammy and her brother Jar (which is almost non-verbal) but I began to root for them; for their situation to improve after all how can one family have so many things go against them without having something good happen. I can relate to this at time I have felt like the world was against me. This book teaches you that if you keep on going that eventually something good will happen in your life you just have to adapt and keep going.
This is a well written story, a little slow to start but the pace picks up after a while. This is my first book by Patricia Wood so I can not compare this one to any of her other books. However I have listened to several books narrated by Mrs. Babb and she never disappoints. She did a wonderful job with the different voices especially with Jar’s language and sounds. I am glad I stuck with the book, it made me laugh as well as tear up a few times. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys humorous women’s fiction.
I received a copy of this audiobook for my honest review. This is my honest unbiased review.
This book was recommended to me, although it is not my usually preferred genre, I decided to give it a try. At first I was unsure if this was a book for me, as some of the characters were very naive and at time almost stupid. But as I continued to listen the story drew me in. I began to not just feel sorry for Tammy and her brother Jar (which is almost non-verbal) but I began to root for them; for their situation to improve after all how can one family have so many things go against them without having something good happen. I can relate to this at time I have felt like the world was against me. This book teaches you that if you keep on going that eventually something good will happen in your life you just have to adapt and keep going.
This is a well written story, a little slow to start but the pace picks up after a while. This is my first book by Patricia Wood so I can not compare this one to any of her other books. However I have listened to several books narrated by Mrs. Babb and she never disappoints. She did a wonderful job with the different voices especially with Jar’s language and sounds. I am glad I stuck with the book, it made me laugh as well as tear up a few times. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys humorous women’s fiction.
I received a copy of this audiobook for my honest review. This is my honest unbiased review.
July 10, 2017
** Review of Audio Format **
Nowhere to Go but Up
This is a fantastic book about the realization of what matters most in life is not possessions or wealth but family and being accepted for who you are.
Tammy Tyree is a unique person and she's been told her whole life that the more bad things that happen to you, the more your eventual reward will be. And she knows what her reward is. It's a $5 million dollar inheritance from a distant relative in Nigeria! If only all the people in town will hold on for just a little longer, Tammy will take care of them all. The only problem is that the Tyree's are known for being not so respectable and doing things that are close to if not outright scams that cost the people of Spring, Washington. And small towns have long memories. Tammy is an optimist though and knows her ship is about to come in. If she can just keep Jar from pelting people with rocks and stop her cousin from taking everything she holds dear in life away from her, she knows things will turn right side up and she will be able to keep all her promises.
The humor in this book is brought to life by the excellent performance that Michelle Babb gives. The way she tells Tammy's thoughts is priceless and the way she develops the story of Tammy and Jar in the nuances of her narration is beyond words. The narration takes this somewhat silly book (which does take on serious topics) and brings the message home in a way that I rarely see a narrator able to accomplish. Well done!
I received this audiobook for free through Audiobook Boom! in exchange for an honest review.
Nowhere to Go but Up
This is a fantastic book about the realization of what matters most in life is not possessions or wealth but family and being accepted for who you are.
Tammy Tyree is a unique person and she's been told her whole life that the more bad things that happen to you, the more your eventual reward will be. And she knows what her reward is. It's a $5 million dollar inheritance from a distant relative in Nigeria! If only all the people in town will hold on for just a little longer, Tammy will take care of them all. The only problem is that the Tyree's are known for being not so respectable and doing things that are close to if not outright scams that cost the people of Spring, Washington. And small towns have long memories. Tammy is an optimist though and knows her ship is about to come in. If she can just keep Jar from pelting people with rocks and stop her cousin from taking everything she holds dear in life away from her, she knows things will turn right side up and she will be able to keep all her promises.
The humor in this book is brought to life by the excellent performance that Michelle Babb gives. The way she tells Tammy's thoughts is priceless and the way she develops the story of Tammy and Jar in the nuances of her narration is beyond words. The narration takes this somewhat silly book (which does take on serious topics) and brings the message home in a way that I rarely see a narrator able to accomplish. Well done!
I received this audiobook for free through Audiobook Boom! in exchange for an honest review.
December 26, 2020
Tammy Tyree is just trying to keep ahead of the bill collectors by working 4 jobs. Her Uncle E seems to spend most of his money at the bars and crazy get rich quick schemes. Then, there's Tammy's younger brother, Jar, who probably has a form of autism and is the brunt of people's jokes.
When Tammy gets an email from Africa promising $5 million from some unknown relatives, she thinks that this is an answer to all her problems. But, is anybody really naive enough to believe that they will get money through this type of scam? When the townspeople of Spring learn of her impending windfall, their greed starts to show.
I enjoyed this book with it's quirky characters, strange dialogue between Tammy and Jar, and it's poignant moments as Tammy tries her best to get ahead. The book was often hilarious and I loved the character's misuse of words and strange phrases. I even enjoyed Jar's strange dialect. Of course, there was a villain in the form of Cousin Lonny (doesn't every family have one?) and a few close encounters with the law.
The narrator did a great job with her voices without being over the top. All in all, if you are looking for a well-written, entertaining book with a few life lessons along the way, give this one a try. You won't be disappointed. I was given the chance to listen to this book by the author/narrator/publisher and chose to review it.
When Tammy gets an email from Africa promising $5 million from some unknown relatives, she thinks that this is an answer to all her problems. But, is anybody really naive enough to believe that they will get money through this type of scam? When the townspeople of Spring learn of her impending windfall, their greed starts to show.
I enjoyed this book with it's quirky characters, strange dialogue between Tammy and Jar, and it's poignant moments as Tammy tries her best to get ahead. The book was often hilarious and I loved the character's misuse of words and strange phrases. I even enjoyed Jar's strange dialect. Of course, there was a villain in the form of Cousin Lonny (doesn't every family have one?) and a few close encounters with the law.
The narrator did a great job with her voices without being over the top. All in all, if you are looking for a well-written, entertaining book with a few life lessons along the way, give this one a try. You won't be disappointed. I was given the chance to listen to this book by the author/narrator/publisher and chose to review it.
March 22, 2021
What an incredible story, great characters, very well written and definitely has you on edge wondering what's going to happen. I throughly enjoyed this book,
The narrator, Michelle Babb is just mind blowing, I have never heard so many characters spoken by one person and her voice changes for everyone. She truly has an incredible talent.
I received this audiobook for free from the author and wanted to give an honest review.
The narrator, Michelle Babb is just mind blowing, I have never heard so many characters spoken by one person and her voice changes for everyone. She truly has an incredible talent.
I received this audiobook for free from the author and wanted to give an honest review.
June 23, 2017
Cupidity by Patricia Wood was a great book. This is a story about greed and what could happen when you always just follow money. Tammy Tyree is a waitress who is always struggling with her younger brother and uncle. When Tammy gets an email about a family inheritance, she believes her luck has finally changed. I enjoyed reading this book.
April 12, 2020
The Kindle version needs some serious copy editing. I almost had to put it down the third time I read "lightening" for "lightning," a total pet peeve of mine.
May 31, 2020
Loved this.
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