by Jessica Park
Narrator: Arielle DeLisle
Length: 10 hours and 39 minutes
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Heat Level:
Narration: 4 cups
Stella Ford’s grasp on reality is already loose, and it’s about to come undone. When the college junior flees Chicago and leaves her toxic family behind, she heads for coastal Maine to find the one person who brought her peace years ago: Sam Bishop. But the Sam she once knew now has painful secrets. Stella is determined to heal them both. Healing, however, is a challenge when the walls of her everyday existence collapse. And when Sam’s best friend is his worst enemy. When the line between life and death blurs. When an end is just a beginning. When lust and rage rule. Yet during extraordinary chaos, there can be extraordinary love, even if that love comes with a twist. Welcome to death tripping. A thriller, a paranormal, and a passionate romance, CLEAR crosses genres and breaks boundaries.
Clear: A Death Trippers Novel by Jessica Park was a trippy, unique, suspenseful story with a paranormal element I have not yet encountered. The synopsis promises a romantic thriller with paranormal elements. Park succeeded was this genre bending tale creating a tale that kept me engaged.
Caffeinated Aspects
- The writing is quite good and Park delivered a unique storyline that allowed me to slip into the story. Park delivered a compelling and unexpected tale. I’ve never run across anything like it, and was completely intrigued by the concept.
- Death Tripping- unique, dark, edgy and a very new element for me. Park created a weird paranormal thread that she weaved sexual elements into. Trippers ride a high kind of like an addiction. It was some freaky shit. Bizarre and addictive it kept me engaged as I tried to understand the complexities and powers of death tripping.
- Park weaved in a compelling reason for the characters tripping that added suspense to this thriller. I kept listening needed to know if they would succeed in their quest.
- The setting, world-building and vivid descriptions allowed me to imagine, and feel what was transpiring around me.
- Arielle DeLisle did a wonderful job of narrating. She added depth to the romance between Sam and Stella as well as their relationship with Costa.
- The characters are all unique and their relationship is dynamic, complicated. Lines are blurred and crossed bringing an edginess to their relationships) but still shares their trust. Secondary characters added darkness, and depth to these flawed characters.
- Costa was a darker character and created intense scenes. I could feel all of his emotions, but never quite knew what he would do next.
- This is a standalone with a satisfying “wrapped up in a bow ending” that will please listeners and readers alike.
- If twisted, unique, dark and edgy are words that make you drool, I recommend giving Clear: A Death Trippers Novel a listen.
Decaffeinated Aspects - As much as I enjoyed each of the complex characters, I did not really feel the insta-love romance between Stella and Sam. While there is romance, the focus of this story is the overall plot involving the Death tripping. Park fleshed out the characters but the romance suffered from true development due to the other elements. I would read this for the thriller/paranormal aspect first.
- The story has some dark elements. Death is sexy, intoxicating and some may find this squeamish. While this does not fall into a ménage the relationship factors between these three friends is blurred.
- While the tale has a successful conclusion there are some elements involving family, abuse and death that some may find difficulty dealing with.
Clear: A Death Trippers Novel was a freaky listen that kept me plugged in,
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Ksenia
Being a romantic, for me romance in books comes first and thriller aspect second, so I’m not sure this book would work for me… Though, you made this story sound very appealing, Kim. Great review!
Cyn
Hmm, not sure if this book is for me, but it does sound like a very unique read that crosses into many genre! Glad you enjoyed it. Lovely review, Kim!
The Bibliophile Babe
Sounds like one I may have to try! I’m not a fan of insta-love, though. Great review!
Sophia Rose
Well this sounds different. Sometimes I’ll read a book for that alone even if the romance isn’t as satisfying.
Kathy
I loved her Flat=Out Love and still have Flat-out Matt to read. I’m not a big fan of insta-love at all; insta-attraction I can handle. I didn’t realize she had released this one.
Melissa (Books and Things)
Oh this sounds different and you have me very curious. So much that I made sure my library has it when I want to try it. Brilly review!
Angela Adams
From what I’m reading here, I’m getting a feel that there isn’t a romantic chemistry between the characters. Have a great weekend!
Heidi
I don’t think this one is for me, I don’t like the sound of the insta love romance. I loved her Flat Out Love books, but I was so disappointed in her follow up book, that it kind of turned me off to her work, and this is not the one to reestablish my faith in her. Hugs headed your way, Kimberly.
Candace
I like that it’s kind of twisted and that it’s unique. I’m not sure if I would like it, but I have to admit that I’m curious about it!
Lorna
This one kinda sounds interesting but I am not sure. I like books that have unique paranormal premises but the romance in this one doesn’t sound that promising. Great Review!
Tracy Terry
Huger? Huge, even.
Tracy Terry
Oh dear, not a huger fan of romances to start with (and yes I know this is only one aspect of this book but even so) I’m afraid I tend to fare even less well with the insta love/lust scenario. That said, other aspects of your review have me convinced that this is a read I should make a note of for future reference. Great review, thanks.
Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
Huh…I was almost hooked by Maine Coast…now I’m not too sure…
Debbie Haupt
ok you’ve caught my interest in a very (un)Clear novel 😉
Aubrey Wynne
Oh this sounds really different. Thanks. And so glad it’s on audiobook.
Lekeisha
Insta-love is something that can make or break a story for me. The fact that the thriller/paranormal aspects overshadowed the romance, this may be a perfect read for me. Great review!
sherry fundin
I love when books cross genres. They usually contain some wonderful surprises. Glad you enjoyed it K.
Bookworm Brandee
I’ve not read anything from Park as of yet but I like the sound of ‘some freaky shit’. 😉 You have me very curious, Kimberly, but I’ll keep in mind the Decaffeinated aspects you mentioned when I pick up this one. Happy Friday! 😀
Jenny
Ooo romantic thriller with paranormal elements? Sounds like something I would love Kim! Plus, I live for endings that are wrapped up with a bow, I don’t do well with open endings or cliffhangers!
kindlemom1
This definitely sounds interesting and believe it or not, I have yet to try this author. Great review Kim, I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Nick
Yeah insta-love is one I can’t really handle. I haven’t read anything by this author, but I won’t be starting here for sure.
Thanks for the detailed review, Kim!
melliane
It’s always so great to have something a bit unique. I also like the fact that we have different genres there! I’m curious!
blodeuedd
Hmmm, hmmm, all hmm today