Review of Aeryn's Choice

[Stephanie Runyon]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Aeryn's Choice" by Lynda Ashley.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Lynda G. Ashley’s Aeryn’s Choice is a mystery thriller. Jamie Aeryn is a successful business owner who values being independent. A single mother of two daughters and one son, Jamie has bought her first home without anyone’s help. However, she has caught the scrutinizing eye of Detective Collins. For years, Detective Collins has tried everything he can think of to catch Jamie in a criminal act. Jamie owns a professional escort service, but Collins suspects she is involved in something more sinister.

One evening, after refusing to assist Detectives Collins and Jacob, Jamie scheduled a meeting between Marissa and a new customer. The two detectives wanted her to help with investigating a criminal organization making snuff films. When Marissa doesn’t call to check in, Jamie begins to panic. She calls the police, and two officers are dispatched to the address provided by the customer. Inside the vacant house, the officers discover Marissa, beaten and bound.

Aeryn’s Choice builds suspense from the first page. In the first scene, police surrounded her home. Her thoughts point to the possibility that she is hiding something. This makes the tension rise throughout the rest of the story. I felt Jamie made poor decisions throughout the story. For instance, she decides to go out to a nightclub two days after Marissa was attacked. Detective Jerry, who worked separately from Collins and Jacob, made Jamie feel uncomfortable. His bad-boy persona drew Jamie towards him, despite her intuition telling her that something wasn't right about him. Jamie’s choices made the plot unpredictable.

Aeryn’s Choice could use some minor editing. I found over ten errors in the book. There were some formatting issues in the Kindle version. For instance, Some sentences would have long spaces between them. The sentence would give four words before suddenly finishing on the following line with a large gap between them.

I rate Aeryn’s Choice four out of five stars. The editing would increase the quality of the book. The perfect blend of danger and the question of whom to trust intensifies the suspense. Including vivid detail in the relatable scenes was captivating. Jamie’s character portrays her strengths and flaws effortlessly. I was able to read the book without taking a break. There are several valuable lessons in the novel. The main theme was how your decisions could affect others.

Fans of a realistic thriller featuring a female protagonist will enjoy Aeryn’s Choice. The questionable profession of a paid escort service and description of snuff films could overwhelm younger people. I recommend this book to mature readers. Do you trust your instincts, or do you help the police?

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Aeryn's Choice
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[Louis Donald]

The plot seems to really pull you in with its suspense and unexpected twists. I can see how Jamie's choices create a complex dynamic, making the story unpredictable. The theme of trust and how decisions impact others sounds like it adds a lot of depth to the thriller.

[Pearl Flourish]

The tension of being constantly watched by a detective while running a business with a moral gray area sounds intense. Jamie’s questionable decisions make her feel real, and the unpredictability of the plot adds to the suspense.

[George Bastem]

Jamie sounds like a complex and flawed character, which makes the suspense even more gripping. The mix of danger, tough choices, and blurred lines between right and wrong seems like a thrilling ride.

[NetMassimo]

Certainly, choices have consequences. Jamie's choices seem to have important consequences and I wonder what will happen to her. Detective Collins is investigating her and I'm curious to see what he'll uncover. I hope the author corrects the editing errors, as that might make this novel excellent. Thank you for your great review!

[María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda]

The life of an escort (or the ones who direct them) is pretty intriguing. It seems to be a tightrope between legality and criminality. And I love a good thriller! I hope the author improves the editing, though. Those minor issues can be really frustrating when you are enthralled in a story.