Zaddy

by Sarah Ramos

Twenty-five-year-old fitness-instructor Elle has been toiling away in the LA rat race since her teen years with nothing to show for it but a “vintage” apartment (with a permanently clogged toilet), an “alt-comedy” (unemployed alcoholic) boyfriend, and an anorexic coworker who’s constantly surpassing Elle at work because her dad owns the place. While Elle might not have a rich daddy to fall back on, her luck changes when she finds herself being aggressively pursued by a hot, rich 45-year-old man, a.k.a. a zaddy.

Zack is a tech millionaire many times over with an irresistible smirk and abs that could shatter your phone screen. After Elle flirts with Zack on his buddy’s yacht, it feels like every area of her life has a glow-up. Literally. Her skin is glistening, she’s madly in love with her well-connected, smoking-hot boyfriend, and soon enough, she’s opening her very own fitness studio for A-list clientele. But when mysterious tragedies strike, Elle is forced to wonder if she can truly afford the good life or if the cost is too rich for her blood after all.

A sexy, twisty thriller written and performed by Sarah Ramos, featuring Chris Messina as Zack.

Genres: Audiobook, Fiction, Thriller, Novella, Contemporary, Suspense, Romance

105 pages, Audiobook

Published May 5, 2022

Reviews

[Joanna Spicer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wowowowowow obsessed with Zaddy!!! Listened to it all in an afternoon I couldn’t stop.

[Camy · Rating 2 out of 5]

YMMV.

Yeahhhh, no.

This story showcased well the ways in which an abuser can and does insert himself into the life of his victim and grapple onto her like an unflushable tapeworm. The stages of abuse could have been more subtly rendered for better story telling, but this was a short audiobook. So. And the increments were presented well, alongside the ways in the victim doubts herself and excuses the abuser who makes sure to manipulate her trauma and to forge a trauma bond with her through alternating loving reward and vile misuse.


What was disturbing was the ending. I personally found it incredulous and reprehensible. But when I think about it further, there are people like this. I know people like this. I just don’t talk to them anymore and my revulsion over the end re-clarifies why.


Beyond that, overall, it was okay. The writing itself could have stronger. It leaned too much into trendiness. There were also some parts that were rushed, while others were over cooked. Different tone between part one and part two. And part 1 is more engaging.


Also, calling this a sexy, little thriller is sick. There’s nothing sexy about any of this.

[ᒪᗴᗩᕼ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3¼⭐
NARRATED BY🎙️Sarah Ramos (Author) & Chris Messina
NARRATION 📣This was fantastically performed. The sound effects were very realistic, in fact, at one point I thought I hit something.😍

I didn't know what a Zaddy was until this...apparently, it's sort of like a sugar daddy but one you're actually attracted to.

Was this good? Meh, it was okay, especially for a short story that was free. The ending kind of lost me, maybe??? I'm not really sure.

[MissBecka Gee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is sooo f**ked up!
For such a short book, there is a mountain of stuff going on in here, and it doesn't feel rushed.
Very rare in short stories with this much plot.
Highly recommend this super weird book!

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun ride. I loved the writing style (overall), I was hooked on the story from the very beginning, and the performances by Sarah Ramos and Chris Messina were brilliant. By the end of part 1, I for sure thought this could be a new favourite of mine. As a result, I maybe went into the second half with expectations that were too high, as I was a bit disappointed that it then started to feel more formulaic and less original. Even so, I was still hooked and enjoying it.

Then came the ending:

I think the author just didn't trust the reader to put the pieces together and connect the breadcrumbs she had dropped throughout the book. Instead it was painfully over-explained, which was frustrating and took away from the smart tone the rest of the story had. This could've been a book that I kept thinking about and mulling over after finishing it, realising different connections and coming up with different theories, but instead I felt everything was spoon-fed to me at the end.

I think I'm being harsh about the ending because my enjoyment of the first half was SO high, but I did still really enjoyed this and look forward to seeing what the author releases next.

4.25/5

[Kortney Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh! I picked this up randomly to listen to while I worked on Monday and what a weird book. I don't even know how to describe it. It was a quick read on audible and a thriller. I thought it was going to be something totally different I recommend this book but don't want to say too much about it because I don't want to spoil it. If you have a couple of hours to listen to the audible, I recommend it.

[Jo · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't typically write reviews, but this is gonna be an exception.

This book was marketed as "a sexy, twisty thriller" and to that I have to say absolutely NOT.

This is a book about a woman falling into an abusive relationship, about the fucked up standards and goals of the boutique fitness industry, and nothing about either of those things are sexy.

I appreciate that the author highlighted fitness studios that prey on vulnerable people, that thinly veil their praise of EDs and unhealthy relationships with exercise, but the ending of the story completely undercuts Elle's goals and ideals. It felt like a twist for the sake of a twist, rather than anything organic.

The pacing also leaves something to be desired. Part 1 is a lot stronger than Part 2, and some of the plot points near the end of the book started to blur and felt rushed, though they were arguably the most important information you receive as the reader! The highlight of this book is the narration via Audible, Sarah Ramos and Chris Messina (!!!) delivered great performances and it is a quick read, but I wouldn't recommend it, the way the abusive relationship is treated gave me the ick.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is high art. Pure camp.

[Jazmin Bendezu Peña · Rating 3 out of 5]

WTF?! Definitivamente la parte 1 se lleva las palmas y es la mejor parte. Las voces de Sarah Ramos y Chris Messina son todo lo bueno del audiolibro sin importar que.
La parte 2 debo admitir que me dejó algo desconcertada y sin entender mucho y no, no por el idioma es porque me quedé con cara de poker face por como terminó.
Manipulación y lavado de cerebro al 200% para Elle.
Como para pasar el rato, desde mi punto de vista, está super. Además es un audio corto.

P.S. This is not a drill! Repito, this is not a drill!! Chris Messina debería hacer más audiolibros. Su voz es preciosa!!... Ujum... creo que Zack si me lavó un poco el cerebro.

[nico · Rating 4 out of 5]

an entertaining and well executed psychological thriller. this is not a romantic love story.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

All audio books should feature Hands Down by Dashboard Confessional!!!

[Tonya Johnson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Free on Audible....DNF.....it just irked my nerves!! The Zaddy's anger about a picture was crazy and the only part that kept my attention!!

[Sarita Hammond · Rating 1 out of 5]

Listened to this on audible and I have to say I almost gave up on it several times but kept thinking it'll get better, but it never did, it got worse. I'm not even sure why I listened to the whole thing, but since I made it to the end I have to say the ending was the worst part of the whole thing!! Horrible ending...it's like the author had an okay story line but got bored with it so just said okay i'm done and blurted out two sentences to be done with the whole book.

[Robin Coomer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so fun and crazy

[Vicki Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, fun, over the top read with social stereotypes about beauty, health and wealth, some steamy sex scenes and an unexpected ending.

[January · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zaddy by Sarah Ramos
2h 58m narrated by Sarah Ramos and Chris Messina, 105 pages

Genre: Psychological, Thriller, Suspense, Contemporary, Novella

Featuring: Los Angeles, Cosmetic Surgery, Fitness Instructor, Music, One-Percenters, Violence, Sex - Detailed, Audible Originals

Rating as a movie: NC-17

Songs for the soundtrack: "Dancing In The Dark" Bruce Springsteen, "Hands Down" by Dashboard Confessional

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½

My thoughts: So my radar is way off lately. I thought this was going to be a smutty rom-com but it's a mild thriller. I'm not mad at it, but it wasn't great. I appreciated the narration from the author, she did better than the guy, I could barely understand his whispers.

Recommend to others?: Yes. It's a quick read if you need a palate cleanser.

[Dawn Currie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[Linda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think I made it 20 minutes into this story and just had to stop. The vulgarity of speech, shallowness of character and worse just didn't make it a story for me. Never have been fond of gold diggers or fake people.

[Page Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short, zany and creepy read. I was locked in from beginning to end with the way the story was told. It was not very predictable and the plot was just as menacing as it was amusing. Good read.

[Nicole*bookaholic* · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listened to on audible. Meh. Kinda weird.

[Brie Bajus · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrendously unlikeable protagonist. No character growth. I do appreciate that this was a short, fast paced listen. It was cringe-worthy in several places due to the use of "Gen-Z" vernacular, but really, what else should I expect from a book with this title. Also, I didn't expect the abuse. If you're looking for good smut, look elsewhere. WTF was that ending? Twisted.

[Kara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Despite the perfect set up for what I thought was going to be a great retelling of Faust or Dorian Grey set in present-day Los Angeles - or something perhaps Joker-esque, instead we get just a re-tred of old early 90's Lifetime plots, with just a smidge more money and tech involved.

And an absolutely horrible ending - if I want to see a rich white guy win and successfully and thoroughly oppress/kill/enslave/assault/mutilate women, I'll just turn on CNN.

[Krysta Angotti · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will admit I started this book because it was called Zaddy and I assumed it would be filled with smut. But boy I was surprised. Like yes there were some things but when I started seeing there was going to be a twist…I was shocked and even more excited. I think the whole story is a little rushed, hence the 3 stars, but it was enjoyable and all but I also figured out the twist early on and didn’t know if I enjoyed El’s decisions.

[Leanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Went into this blind and it was not what I expected. Read this for a little breather in the middle of a intense series I’m ready.

I moved quickly which is expected for a shorter book. I have to admit It had me hooked wondering what is going to happen. I was not happy with the way it ended but thinking about how someone IRL probably would have had the same ending. Not all books are HEA I guess.

I struggled between 3 and 4 stars. I liked the book but hated the ending I thought about the other 4 stars i gave to other books and didn’t think this reached that level for me so I pushed it to 3.

[Zsanelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧


3.5 Stars

To start, I totally get all the mixed reviews. You either love the cringey, gloriously ridiculousness of this novella or you just plain hate it. Luckily, I’m the former.

This was so fun! I really enjoyed the raunchy, sexy, twisted details of the relationship between Elle and Zack. It was so insane and strange!

The narrations were fantastic and very on point. Be aware of sudden loud sounds such as gasps and gunshots as these sounds can be triggering for some people, myself included.

Overall, a really deliciously fun read!

[Angel Chiou · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will admit I was attracted by the bold title and the cover art. But as a book with such bold premises, it is surprising quite tame. I really like its initial setting and storytelling. Unfortunately it kind of lost its allure once the final mystery is about to be unveiled. I really like the depiction of the female protagonist Elle (though I think the her final decision is somewhat uncharacteristic). And sadly, the performance of the male narrator is not strong enough for me, I was not convinced that he could be a zaddy.

[Nicole Machelski · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was recommended based on my reading and I’m genuinely not sure why. It was fine, and because it was a short story I finished it (if this had been a full fledged novel I would have given up.)
It was tagged with the following descriptors “thrilling storyline, unexpected twists, original pilot, great twist ending” so I chalked it up to a thriller/mystery. But it didn’t feel that way until 75% in, and had a very predictable ending.
Ramos writing was enjoyable and fun, but the characters just didn’t do it for me.

[Booked.Shaye BWRT · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was short, and actually not bad. It’s not what I thought it was at all. Lol. Which I’m kind of happy about.
This man was crazy. — I hope that’s not a spoiler.

I listened to the audio, and it’s so quick — but it’s doooo damn much to unpack. lol. Like a lot of stuff going on in here, but at the same time it’s done well & it doesn't feel rushed.

The plot was wildT.
I promise it’s not what you think it is , it’s a super weird book lol but I’d recommend it!
& that last 3 mins ? Omg 😳 😱

[Wynette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elle is a 25 year old fitness instructor with a dream. The dream is to provide access to fitness classes under her own brand, The Elle Method. She has multiple barriers to this goal including her job's resident nepo baby, her stagnant and alcoholic boyfriend and of course finances. She meets Zack at a party and he pursues her despite her boyfriend. Door begin to open to her like never before, but is it all for the best? Zack has secrets and no Google search history whatsoever.

It's a classic cautionary tale with a twist, well with a few twist actually.

[Meredith Molloy · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎧: Zaddy by Sarah Ramos
⭐️: 3.5/5 (rounding up on #goodreads)

Maybe it’s as a guilty pleasure, but I really enjoyed this listen. Are the characters insufferable? Yes. Is this “Zaddy” absolutely the worst toxic dude? Also yes. Is the ending COMPLETELY UNHINGED? Yes again.

Bonus points for really great audiobook production. And a rounded up score for the 45 year old Zaddy’s Dashboard Confessional obsession alone. 😂