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  • Better Off Dead

  • Lily Harper, Book 1
  • By: H. P. Mallory
  • Narrated by: Betsy Hogg
  • Length: 9 hrs and 37 mins
  • 3.3 out of 5 stars (7 ratings)

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Better Off Dead cover art

Better Off Dead

By: H. P. Mallory
Narrated by: Betsy Hogg
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Publisher's Summary

From New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Urban Fantasy Romance Author, H.P. Mallory, comes The Lily Harper Series! If you like your books steamy (this is an adult fantasy romance, not for kids or teens!) and you aren’t easily offended by potty-mouthed, crass guardian angels, read on!

Better Off Dead is the first book in the Lily Harper urban fantasy series:

If there’s such a thing as luck, Lily Harper definitely doesn’t have it. Killed in a car accident before it’s her time to go, Lily learns that the hereafter isn’t exactly what she hoped it might be. First, there’s AfterLife Enterprises, the company responsible for sorting out the recently dead and sending them on their way to the Kingdom, (aka happily ever after,) or to the Underground City, (not so happily ever after.) Learning that Lily’s death was indirectly their fault (her guardian angel, Bill, was MIA during her accident and was one of their employees,) Afterlife Enterprises offers Lily the chance to live again. But, as with most things involving the afterlife, beware the fine print. Most notably, Lily will become a soul retriever, venturing into the bowels of the Underground City to retrieve souls that were mistakenly sent there by Afterlife Enterprises during a Y2K computer glitch. Second, there’s angel Bill. As if risking her second life in the Underground City wasn’t enough, Lily’s guide to the Underground is none other than her incompetent, alcoholic, womanizing guardian angel, Bill, the antithesis of anything wholesome. With only Dante’s “Inferno” and Bill to help her in her quest, Lily’s future isn’t looking bright.

Finally, there’s the legendary bladesmith, Tallis Black. As Scottish as his kilts and heavy brogue, Tallis Black is a centuries-old Celt who, for reasons only known to him, offers to train Lily and act as her escort into the depths of the Underground City. Dark, brooding and definitely dangerous, Lily knows she shouldn’t trust Tallis, but she also can’t deny her attraction to him. Between soul retrieving in hell, dealing with Bill and trying to figure out what’s in it for Tallis, Lily wonders if maybe she would’ve just been better off dead. To view the book trailer, visit: http://www.youtube.com/embed/cpDlXOdAv7sWant a sneak peek? Be sure to check out the “Look Inside This Book” feature at the top left of the page where you can preview the first three chapters!

©2013 H.P. Mallory (P)2013 Audible Inc.

Critic Reviews

“H.P. Mallory has a quick wit, a fresh voice, and a clever way with words. If you like Charlaine Harris, you’ll love H.P. Mallory!” (Larissa Ione, New York Times Bestselling Fantasy Romance Author)

What listeners say about Better Off Dead

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Better dead than read

I normally love HP Mallory but this book was destroyed by the narrator to the point that I could not find one ghost of a reason to continue past the first few chapters.

If the narrator's grating accent and nasal tone isn't enough to have you yawning with boredom, her impression of Bill is predictable and pedestrian. Listening to her was like listening to a 3rd grader read aloud. She pauses in the middle of phrases, her voice seems tired and strained 80% percent of the time and the only thing she was able to pull off we'll always the imitation satnav voice in the Audi. Ironically, listening to this story was about as entertaining as listening to street directions so there you go. And there I went. Sorry HP but this one sucked and I can't bear your narrator's voice to find out if your story picks up.

Waste of a credit.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Better off listening to a different book.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

It kept me occupied while driving to & from work but so would have any book.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

When it ended all I could think, 'is that it?'.

Do you think Better Off Dead needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

There is a follow up book, but I doubt I will be continuing on.

Any additional comments?

The story was ok but never really grabbed me.I don't know if it was the written slang of the character Bill or just the voice the narrator was using, but was getting annoyed & over it halfway through. The story never really picked up steam or had any big moment. Lily could have been a good character but hard to really get to know her. She dies & gets to pick her new body & spends the book mooning over why the cute blade smith doesn't seem to be attracted to her. I wont be continue with this series. This book seems like it was to set the universe for the series, but was not exciting introduction.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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It grows on you

At first I thought it would be boring but as I listened on i got hooked on the story, it's a simple plot about Lily a dead girl's soul in the after life because she died as a result of her guardian angels neglect. Enters the said guardian angel Bill who is loud, obnoxious and vulgar but has funny moments. The only thing I don't like is the voice of the narrator imitation of a scotsman which is cringe worthy, but all in all the story has potential:)

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