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Smash Hit

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Smash Hit

Written by: Sarah Richards
Narrated by: Sarah Gadon
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From Sarah Richards, the best-selling author of The Worst of You, China White and Born Winners, comes a riveting psychological thriller performed by award-winning actress Sarah Gadon.

Rhonda’s dream of becoming a best-selling author has turned into a nightmare of shattered hopes and writer’s block. But when a free-spirited young teacher candidate named Emi offers her a chance to ghostwrite her shocking memoir, Rhonda sees an opportunity for redemption.

Little does she know, this project will plunge her into a dark web of secrets, lies, and deadly consequences. When Emi’s body is discovered and Rhonda’s husband is accused of having an affair with the victim, Rhonda finds herself unearthing a trail of dark secrets that someone is willing to kill to keep buried. As the shadowy figures responsible for Emi’s murder set their sights on Rhonda, she must race against time to prove her innocence and prevent her own story from ending in a tragedy.

©2025 Sarah Richards (P)2025 Audible Originals LLC Domestic Thrillers Mystery Thriller & Suspense Emotionally Gripping Exciting
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This story sucks butt. The writing is so cheesy, the overuse of the word gangster and “you’ll scare all the birds away” during a high stressed situation with a teenager, really takes you out of it. And the main character sucks, so incredibly selfish. She’s even called out on it but still she just thinks about her failing career, meanwhile someone is a hostage and a teenager is grieving his mother he barely even got to know, but eh-oh she had a concussion and now she’s a bad author so it’s all about her. Really hard to finish but I was bored at work and it was free

Cheesy af writing

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unexpected twists & turns. Just when I thought I had figured it out there was another revelation. Hard to put this book down finished it in a day & half .

Great book

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Well, after reading some reviews I didn’t know what to expect. After reading some of the reviews I was skeptical about this book.
I’m so glad I went with the majority. I found this plot twisted and diabolical and had me glued to my listening device.
I really loved it. I get some of the comments about the narcissistic main character. But I believe that was intended by the author for us to decide whether we identify with her or dislike her character.
I believe this is a brilliantly written book and brilliantly narrated as well. Please choose to
listen to this book.
So Happy it was included in my library.
Thank you Audible Plus.

Suspenseful and Gripping

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The story kept me guessing and ratcheted up the tension and suspense as it went on. The characters also developed in interesting ways, so that by the end, your investment in them and the story really pays off. The novel converted me to the psychological thriller genre.

Gripping Story and Satisfying Characters

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I have read a number of Sarah Richards Crime Thrillers and have found them to be mature, well-planned - if ocasionally overdramatic - tales. This one is much less polished.. even a little juvenile. I appreciate that Richards attempts to follow the "write what you know" rule (penning a story featuring a struggling writer) and her protagonist is acting the distinctly "amateur" sleuth.. but she delivers a book that sounds like a creative writing night-course submission. The characterization is strikingly sub-par.

Reader Sarah Gadon is a capable narrator but doesn't help the situation, either. To be sure, Gadon's diction, timbre, cadence, and voice-acting are creditable.. but her tone betrays an indifference - sounding consistently like someone reading a text sitting open on her lap.

In toto, 'Smash Hit' rates 6 stars out of 10. It was a reasonable distraction as an "included with my membership" catalog option, but I can't recommend spending a Credit. This author's other books are far better than this one.

Surprisingly Amateur-ish

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