Warning: if you liked this book, you’re probably not going to like this episode. The Buddies spent 45 minutes trashing Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben's new book collaboration "Gone Before Goodbye". A book so spectacularly bad that the Buddies are considering picketing Barnes & Noble. This literary dumpster fire had all the hallmarks of a ChatGPT fever dream: nonsensical plot twists, a plastic surgeon performing expert heart surgery, even the clever character names like "Pork Chop" and "Cinderblock" couldn’t save this one. So grab your Thumper 7 artificial heart, practice your most unrealistic dialogue, and join the other Buddies/listeners who can appreciate a good 0.5-star review. Fool us once, Reese - never gonna fool us again.

Intro/Book Report (0:00-3:52)

Stock Up/Down (3:53-34:15)

Favorite Scene/Character (34:16-39:46)

Love/Hate (39:47-44:37)

Conclusion (44:38-48:18)

NEXT BOOK: The Will of the Many by James Islington

The Buddies are once again revisiting their old pal Vince Flynn, in his 2003 thriller "Executive Power". This one had all the elements of a classic Mitch Rapp novel: fast paced, action packed, and a shockingly detailed description of Rapp's "tan scar-dappled muscly torso" that definitely moved something (in George Costanza's words). The Buddies got to chatting about whether this was actually a David book disguised as a Mitch book, how Austin Powers is definitely still alive and working for MI6, and the critical importance of Mitch lying to his wife for national security reasons. So crack open a Miller Lite, practice your sniper calculations with wind speed and dew point, and join the other disciplined listeners who ask for forgiveness not permission when downloading this pod.

Intro/Book Report (0:00-3:05)

Stock Up/Down (3:06-32:42)

Favorite Scene/Character (32:43-36:46)

Love/Hate (36:47-45:59)

Conclusion (46:00-48:58)

NEXT BOOK: Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Witherspoon & Harlan Coben

On this episode, the Buddies return to their YA roots with Marie Lu's 2011 dystopian novel "Legend". This one had all the elements of a classic YA novel, enemies to lovers, some love triangles, and of course a story that focuses on 15-year-olds that are the smartest people alive, Olympic-level athletes, AND models. The Buddies got to chatting about the difference between sociopath/psychopath/masochist, ChatGPT writing books, and the importance of not wearing jewelry/accessories. So, leave your neckless at home, but practice your Spider-Man climbing skills, and join the other Legends that listen to this pod, better known as Buddies.

Intro/Book Report (0:00-3:01)

Stock Up/Down (3:02-33:21)

Favorite Scene/Character (33:22-38:12)

Love/Hate (38:13-48:11)

Conclusion/Casting (48:12-52:07)

NEXT BOOK: Executive Power by Vince Flynn