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Love in the 80s #6
1985: Careless Whisper
James Stryker, the bad boy of our neighborhood, had a voice that could put babies to sleep. His name still punches me in the gut, along with the lie he tried to hide.
James told me he would protect me forever and I entrusted him with all my deepest, darkest secrets. I was positive that I knew all of his too…until the end of summer, in 1985.
What I found out ruined me. I could only imagine the gossip.
So what did I do? I bailed.
Without another word to James, I left home and planned to never, ever return. I vowed that I’d never have to face James Stryker again.
Fast-forward seven years.
One simple phone call from home changes everything and threatens to silence all the promises I’ve whispered to myself.
Most of all, I can’t shake the gnarly feeling that the most careless whispers are the ones I haven’t even heard yet.
James told me he would protect me forever and I entrusted him with all my deepest, darkest secrets. I was positive that I knew all of his too…until the end of summer, in 1985.
What I found out ruined me. I could only imagine the gossip.
So what did I do? I bailed.
Without another word to James, I left home and planned to never, ever return. I vowed that I’d never have to face James Stryker again.
Fast-forward seven years.
One simple phone call from home changes everything and threatens to silence all the promises I’ve whispered to myself.
Most of all, I can’t shake the gnarly feeling that the most careless whispers are the ones I haven’t even heard yet.
Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2016
1 person is currently reading
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About the author
Misty Provencher
38 books333 followersMisty Provencher offers readers a shelf full of stories to enjoy.
Writing under Misty Provencher, her young adult genres include stories dealing in fantasy, including magic, sci-fi, vampires, shifters, and dark fantasy.
Writing under Misty Paquette, adult readers will enjoy contemporary beach-read romances, based-on-true event stories, a romantic 80s mystery, and even a sci-fantasy.
While Provencher can ride a motorcycle, knows how to Karate chop, and has learned enough French, Spanish, and Sign Language to get herself slapped, Misty's life is dedicated to connecting with, and understanding, the people who cross her path. She is totally enchanted with the world and spends her days trying to translate her everyday muses into words.
Misty Provencher lives in the Mitten. Knock on her internet blog door at www.mistyprovencherauthor.com and wherever great coffee is sold.
Writing under Misty Provencher, her young adult genres include stories dealing in fantasy, including magic, sci-fi, vampires, shifters, and dark fantasy.
Writing under Misty Paquette, adult readers will enjoy contemporary beach-read romances, based-on-true event stories, a romantic 80s mystery, and even a sci-fantasy.
While Provencher can ride a motorcycle, knows how to Karate chop, and has learned enough French, Spanish, and Sign Language to get herself slapped, Misty's life is dedicated to connecting with, and understanding, the people who cross her path. She is totally enchanted with the world and spends her days trying to translate her everyday muses into words.
Misty Provencher lives in the Mitten. Knock on her internet blog door at www.mistyprovencherauthor.com and wherever great coffee is sold.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 14, 2017
I am slowly getting through the 1980's series , you know how you feel in the mood to read something and then you keep flicking through as nothing is grabbing your attention ? Then something sparks in your memory, of a series you brought the whole collection of but never got around to finishing . I was searching for something to read and then thought of the Love in the 80's series and wham bam - I arrived in the year 1985. Well technically, the book is set seven years later in 1992. This was different to the previous books which are set during the year they were written. In 1992 , Grace's grandma Gada has passed away and now Grace has returned home to pack up her belongings and also as the will stipulates she must spend a week in her childhood home. Grace arrives , she hasn't been back to her hometown since 1985 when she left for New York. She left behind her life to start anew. She will get a surprise though as Gada stipulated that for a week a number of people will stay in the house and aren't allowed to leave. The people include James Stryker - Grace's ex boyfriend, Lisa and Evie - Grace's old friends and Paul - James's brother. Neither of the group have been in the same place or spoken to one another in the past seven years as they are all holding onto old grudges which they will be revealed to them , more complicated than they could ever imagine and the handiwork of one Gada. I have to admit though I enjoyed this story a little in parts, it felt unfinished and that after the week none of the characters fully got their issues resolved of what happened seven years ago and OMG why didn't we get to see what each one was left in the will ?
April 12, 2017
Review here!
April 13, 2020
I was tearing up at the beginning of this because I have a similar relationship with my own grandmother (at the time of writing this I am lucky she is still with me), without the meddling.
I was disappointed the eighties part of this happened in the past and this was set in 1992.
I loved the friendships that existed before Grace left for college and the antics they got up to. Grace's new boyfriend didn't last long, not that I expected him to.
The plot was an interesting one and I both enjoyed the short length but wished it was longer.
I was disappointed the eighties part of this happened in the past and this was set in 1992.
I loved the friendships that existed before Grace left for college and the antics they got up to. Grace's new boyfriend didn't last long, not that I expected him to.
The plot was an interesting one and I both enjoyed the short length but wished it was longer.
November 22, 2019
The ending and conclusion were both quite predictable, but nonetheless, the author made me so invested in the story I even almost cried at the end. Definitely an incredibly well-written installment.
August 9, 2016
This book is a lot different from the previous books found in the Love in the 80’s series, so far. The story begins in 1992, and is moved along based on flashbacks to 1987. Those flashbacks focus on the perceptions of each member, as to what broke The Band.
I feel that the first half of the story moves rather slowly. It takes quite a while for the real plot to unfold. I actually wish that the book had started closer to halfway in, and then have extended beyond the finish.
I like the characters, very much. Their personal misgivings, as well as their personal revelations, make them far more loveable. Provencher does an excellent job creating them and bringing them to life. She does a good job creating the drama near the end, and do I find it amusing that the second half of the story seems to follow the layout of a who-done-it.
Though I figured out ahead of time what had happened, I still couldn’t figure out how it was accomplished until the end. The ending of the book happens way to fast for my taste. I wish there was, at least, an epilogue that provides some additional information about the characters in The Band. Having gotten to know them during the course of the book, I would like just a glimpse of what happens to them next. 3 1/4 stars
I feel that the first half of the story moves rather slowly. It takes quite a while for the real plot to unfold. I actually wish that the book had started closer to halfway in, and then have extended beyond the finish.
I like the characters, very much. Their personal misgivings, as well as their personal revelations, make them far more loveable. Provencher does an excellent job creating them and bringing them to life. She does a good job creating the drama near the end, and do I find it amusing that the second half of the story seems to follow the layout of a who-done-it.
Though I figured out ahead of time what had happened, I still couldn’t figure out how it was accomplished until the end. The ending of the book happens way to fast for my taste. I wish there was, at least, an epilogue that provides some additional information about the characters in The Band. Having gotten to know them during the course of the book, I would like just a glimpse of what happens to them next. 3 1/4 stars
July 29, 2016
Unsure
I didn't know whether to give a 3 or a 4 * rating. The story was great especially the references that were appropriate for the era. We all make mistakes and learn from them. I was pretty much appalled at the grandmother she not only hurt the child she claimed to love but herself as well. I felt the middle to the end of the story was rushed. Like we needed to get the information out there before it combusted. What happened afterwards did they move on or have some resentment? We invest ourselves as readers into these characters and we want to learn how the story ends and get disappointed when that doesn't happen well I felt that way. I was mostly disappointed because the author left it unfinished in my opinion. I don't mind short stories I just mind that they aren't finished.
I didn't know whether to give a 3 or a 4 * rating. The story was great especially the references that were appropriate for the era. We all make mistakes and learn from them. I was pretty much appalled at the grandmother she not only hurt the child she claimed to love but herself as well. I felt the middle to the end of the story was rushed. Like we needed to get the information out there before it combusted. What happened afterwards did they move on or have some resentment? We invest ourselves as readers into these characters and we want to learn how the story ends and get disappointed when that doesn't happen well I felt that way. I was mostly disappointed because the author left it unfinished in my opinion. I don't mind short stories I just mind that they aren't finished.
December 25, 2016
So, this was something totally different. It wasn't story from the 80s, the main plot was set in 90s with some flashbacks from 80s. I'm pretty sure this book was titled as 1985 just because of that one sentence in which the year was mentioned. But this is just about the only thing I could fault this book.
It was perfect "second chance" love story—just not between two main characters, as I honestly expected, but among the whole group of friends who got separated by a few misguided actions and misunderstandings.
Careless Whisper will definitely belong to the absolute top of my favorites from this series.
It was perfect "second chance" love story—just not between two main characters, as I honestly expected, but among the whole group of friends who got separated by a few misguided actions and misunderstandings.
Careless Whisper will definitely belong to the absolute top of my favorites from this series.
September 6, 2016
2.5stars.
Quick read.
I actually enjoyed the way twisted past came untangled, but one particularly frustrating Gada and weak ending were huge minus points for me.
Quick read.
I actually enjoyed the way twisted past came untangled, but one particularly frustrating Gada and weak ending were huge minus points for me.
July 4, 2016
I loved this book. I couldn't stop reading until the end
The only thing wrong about this book is that I felt like it wasn't finished. They know the truth, but a lot of things were unanswered. What did the will say? Do James and Grace get back together? Do Paul and Lisa get together and/or talk about what she did?
In all honesty the story was great, but it left me with more questions than answers.
The only thing wrong about this book is that I felt like it wasn't finished. They know the truth, but a lot of things were unanswered. What did the will say? Do James and Grace get back together? Do Paul and Lisa get together and/or talk about what she did?
In all honesty the story was great, but it left me with more questions than answers.
July 25, 2016
The idea of this novel was unique, I quite enjoyed it and I just laughed so hard for Shari's fate in the end, I hated the girl from the beginning of her appearance, and funny I never hated Lisa despite her being bitchy all the time, she was just interesting. The most annoying part was that in my opinion James wasn't worth it, he was quite boring character, all the guys here even Emilio were boring when the girls were interesting.
November 10, 2016
This book lacked most the 80's nostalgia that the other books in the series had. While the plot reminded me a little of The Big Chill, the story itself takes place in 1992. The characters reminisce about their teenage years in the 80's, but a good portion of it was done through conversation and not actual flashbacks, which wasn't really effective at all.
June 26, 2016
I totally loved this book! It sucked me in and took me on such a great ride, that ended in what can only be described as a literary hug. Misty Provencher never disappoints me, and this is another must-read.
July 5, 2016
4.5 stars! Fun, emotional, and well-worth the read.
I do like the novella length, as I feel so accomplished when I read it fast, but I really wanted more once I was all hooked into the story!
That's my immediate finished thoughts. Longer review to come!
I do like the novella length, as I feel so accomplished when I read it fast, but I really wanted more once I was all hooked into the story!
That's my immediate finished thoughts. Longer review to come!
October 1, 2016
The most interesting plot in the anthology
July 11, 2016
Cliffhanger for me
April 14, 2017
Ok - I've given this 4 stars, but it is only because Goodreads doesn't allow 1/2 stars...it is a 4.5 for me.
Misty Provencher is one of my absolute favorites, so I was very excited to read this book! Imagine feeling so betrayed that you turn your life upside down in order to get away from those who have hurt you, only to find out that years later you have to face these people and the past you thought you left behind.
Leave it to Misty to turn one of my favorite songs into a great book! I absolutely love the characters, and I love the story line. I felt there was a great deal of character development, and the memories that were explored, were given in such detail that you could really experience the pain, the love, and the bonds that were build.
My only complaint was the ending. I really would have liked a little more detail at the end. Yes, the story is resolved, but we had so much build up to that point, that it just felt abrupt. Not a reason to avoid the book, it is still a good read, I just would have liked there to have been an epilogue or something that maybe went a few years in the future to let us know what happened after.
I recommend this book as a nice, easy read. It has some emotional moments, but I always want the books I read to make me feel something.
Misty Provencher is one of my absolute favorites, so I was very excited to read this book! Imagine feeling so betrayed that you turn your life upside down in order to get away from those who have hurt you, only to find out that years later you have to face these people and the past you thought you left behind.
Leave it to Misty to turn one of my favorite songs into a great book! I absolutely love the characters, and I love the story line. I felt there was a great deal of character development, and the memories that were explored, were given in such detail that you could really experience the pain, the love, and the bonds that were build.
My only complaint was the ending. I really would have liked a little more detail at the end. Yes, the story is resolved, but we had so much build up to that point, that it just felt abrupt. Not a reason to avoid the book, it is still a good read, I just would have liked there to have been an epilogue or something that maybe went a few years in the future to let us know what happened after.
I recommend this book as a nice, easy read. It has some emotional moments, but I always want the books I read to make me feel something.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews