Kelly
Surprise baby that isn't your standard surprise. Single dad/ nanny romance. Sold! Knox and Quincy are goals. I loved them so much. Their relationship builds in such a wonderful and believable way. I loved how Knox was so clueless when it came to raising a baby and some of the things that happened. The way he didn't just put the responsibility on Quincy but learned from her and grew really made my heart swoon for him. The way that Quincy grew with her family too really put a smile on my face.
Carly Robins and Ryan West were fantastic. This was my first Ryan book and it definitely won't be my last. I love how their voices complemented each other in this dual narration. The way they conveyed all the different emotions was such a joy to listen to.
I was excited to head back to Dragonfly Lake, and it did not disappoint. This second chance romance will keep you listening until the very last page and will leave you with smile on your face. This series is such a feelgood series, even with the grief the heroine experiences.
Cash and Ava have been apart for 17 years. It wasn't a pretty breakup but when she comes back to town for her aunt's funeral, they quickly rekindle their friendship and, soon after, relationship - it has a short shelf life, but when do things ever go as planned?
I'll admit as I was listening towards the end I was getting a little frustrated at all Ava was giving up, but then as it progressed, you find out her reasons, and I simmered down a tad lol.
Samantha Brentmoor and Patrick Zeller were the perfect combo for this story. The way they conveyed the grief and past heartache, especially Samantha, was beautifully done. But you also had their great comedic timing and lightheartedness of the characters friendship and relationship.
Sometimes you have to dive into the dark side of romance and this book is definitely that. Please pay attention to the trigger warnings in this book...if you need more specific info, please ask!
Honestly, I saw the trigger list and thought this book wasn't going to be for me. But I gave it a whirl anyway because I'm a firm believer in trying things...we can always DNF, right? But I didn't need to. I was completely hooked by this story and these characters. Alana has such a tragic backstory, and we find out about that through what she implies and flashbacks. It is not an easy subject for sure. The scenes with Reid and JD had me feeling all the emotions. And Mav...I just can't.
This is a great first book, which focuses on setting the groundwork and introducing all the main players and their connections in this twisted tale. Although there are several spicy scenes, the why choose doesn't really show up. So be prepared for that going in. I loved how we got to see the changes occurring in the characters as they reveal more about each other and their motives. I see fun things afoot.
If you're anything like me, you'll get to the end and that cliffhanger and be itching for the next book.
This was a cute and fun story. I loved the characters, although I didn't quite understand Casey's nervous tick and think it could have been explained more, plus it kind of just disappeared. Gareth was swoony even with his own hang ups. The progression the characters go through was shown really well. I do think the book dragged on a little and it was often difficult to know the age of the characters, especially the side characters. This is one of those books that will be a comfort read for people because it is an easy happy-go-lucky read.
Callie Dalton and Lee Samuels were perfection. They were such a joy to listen to. Their voices complement each other perfectly.
Side note. The title and cover may make you think this book contains Scottish characters, and you'll hear some Scottish accents. That is not the case. A small portion of the book is set around Highlands Games. Hence the play with the title and cover. Personally, for me it wasn't enough of a central part for it to warrant it.
3.5 stars.
This small town, single dad romance (although it is listed as a nanny romance, it is more a babysitter romance) is a cute easy read. It does drag on a little longer than I thought the story needed and then seemed to rush at the end. Everything happens on such a short amount of time. But overall, it was an enjoyable book. I loved Megan and her relationship with Kennedy was really lovely. Chase was okay, but he won't be zooming to the top of my book boyfriend list, although part of that could have been due to the narration. I am intrigued about Chase's brothers and would definitely consider checking their books out.
I thought Maxine Mitchell was fantastic, and I throughly enjoy her performance. Unfortunately, Tor just didn't work for me. And I did find myself wondering if I should just read the hero's chapters because it was quite distracting. The production was great with no issues of note.
4.5
This book was such a joy to listen to. It felt like a warm blanket on a cold day, wrapping me up in all the goodness and giving me a toasty hug.
The characters were fun and entertaining. I loved the communication between Seth and Everly and how they went after what they wanted and supported each other. The side characters were engaging and made you want to know more about them and their stories...those told and those that hopefully will be coming in the future.
This was my first Amy Knupp book but it will not be my last.
Tim Paige and Stacy Gonzalez were enjoyable to listen to with this story. The only down point for me was that some of the female side characters (in Stacy's chapters) sounded a little whiny and it was a bit tough to know if they we're supposed to be likeable. That aside, I enjoyed the main characters and would listen to this book again. This was my first Stacy book, and I would listen to her again.
This was such a great book. I am so invested in these characters and this story. I need the next part already. That cliffhanger! As is normal for me, I refuse to pick a guy. I will take all three, please and thank you! The suspense. The spice. The characters. All of it. I love when Meg and Kim come together, there is just something so captivating about their writing.
You know, some books you need to reread again to remind you of what happened when you are about to dive into book two. That wasn't the case with this book. More with You was engraved on my heart, and I was able to dive right in and remember everything...including how I felt.
I sit here having just finished listening to Evermore with You with the biggest smile on my face. It was such a beautiful story about grief, living with it, and carrying on with your life. If you read/ listened to More With You, you will know that book tore at the heart. And this one does too, in a different way. But this one gives us the happy ever after we were craving. Although, there was a moment there when I thought Erin Spencer was seriously trying to destroy my heart. Thankfully, she pulled me through, as I knew she would. Erin's writing is raw, beautiful, and captivating, and to know it is based of her real life makes it that much more special.
Ava Erickson is back and joined by Jason Clarke. I don't think I could have picked two better voice actors for this story if I tried. They were both fantastic but Ava steals the show. The way she conveyed the grief the character was feeling, especially the scene in the water, was enough to have me crying in public. But they also brought a smile to my face.
When I saw the run-time of this book, my first thought was, wow, that's a long book. I don't know that a contemporary romance of that length will keep me engaged for the duration. I've never been happier to be proven wrong. This grumpy-sunshine/ single dad/ second chance/small-town romance was everything I didn't know I needed in my life. It was captivating and sweet. Funny and compelling. Emotional and uplifting. The whole package. If I could give this book more than five stars, I would.
Not only was the storytelling on point, but the narration too. I loved how Kate Canterbary wrote this story and these characters. The moments they shared. The positivity. Whether that be in how they handled Gennie. The way they compromised when Shay admitted to not liking a certain act (trying not to get banned here) or that the people around them supported them in a wonderful way. It was all so captivating.
Shay is vulnerable but still the sunshine in everyone's lives. Even after she gets left on her wedding day, she pushes through and opens her heart to Noah and Gennie, even if she thinks it has an expiration date. Her willingness to open her heart, all while beating herself, was so endearing. I just loved her.
Noah is grumpy and shy and a dirty-talking alpha in the bedroom. His love knows no bounds. And let's not get started on his term of endearment—wife. swoon He was playing for keeps. The way he is with Gennie will melt your heart. I just fell for him hard. No regrets.
Speaking of Gennie, yes, she is getting her own little write-up. This little pirate stole my heart. She has experienced so much trauma in her short years, and her coping mechanisms are unconventional but endearing, to say the least. She had me laughing throughout this story...and crying too.
Kit Swann and Jason Clarke were all the things in this dual narration. Both were so compelling as their respective characters. Add in their portal of Gennie, and I was done for. Single dad Jason may be my favourite type of Jason performance, but then we also get grumpy Jason too. What is not to like? His kid voice was on point. And, of course, he made me feel all the feels. There is one scene where he is voicing both Noah and Gennie that was extremely emotional, and I ended up crying with them on the school run. If any parents avoid me now, it'll be because I'm the weird cryer on the way to school.
Kit Swann was perfection as Shay. The way she conveyed Shay's vulnerability whilst still being the sunshine to Noah's grumpy was just fantastic. How Kit voiced Shay when she was finally admitting her feelings had me in tears. Unfortunately, now my child knows I wasn't actually watching Numberblocks with him and was listening to my audio. But it was worth it.
Jason and Kit's voices really complement each other, and I would love to hear them paired up more frequently. Plus, they both have excellent opposite-sex voices.
And a friendly reminder, this is why we need human voices. They make the difference in these emotional scenes. It's not just the words but the performance these voice actors bring to the production. Thank you, Kit and Jason, for bringing all the feels.
love Ava Hrrison's writing. She is one of the best at blending twists and turns and emotion together, making you keep turning the page long into the night, and this book is no different. I was hooked on Drew and Bailey's story. I laughed. I cried. I shouted at my kindle. I swooned.
Bailey has an addictive personality, so putting herself in a situation where she could be tempted isn't the best option but the only one she has. Enter her soon to be brother-in-law setting her up at a bar with renowned club owner, Drew Lawson. Drew has demons of his own and although he has his own reasons for hiring Bailey. Soon they realise their attraction is undeniable. Sparks fly when they are around one another and although they try to fight it, soon they are having delicious encounters that can only be described as kindle melting. There is a fair amount of angst in this story so if that isn't your thing, you may want to pass on this one. But if you love all the feels and seeing twists and plots comes together, you will love it!
Andi Arndt and Joe Arden are fantastic. They were the perfect voices to bring this story to life. They both carried so much emotion in their voices that it felt palpable. That they were enduring these trials as the characters. I was beautiful to listen to. The production was great with no issues.
Merged review:
love Ava Hrrison's writing. She is one of the best at blending twists and turns and emotion together, making you keep turning the page long into the night, and this book is no different. I was hooked on Drew and Bailey's story. I laughed. I cried. I shouted at my kindle. I swooned.
Bailey has an addictive personality, so putting herself in a situation where she could be tempted isn't the best option but the only one she has. Enter her soon to be brother-in-law setting her up at a bar with renowned club owner, Drew Lawson. Drew has demons of his own and although he has his own reasons for hiring Bailey. Soon they realise their attraction is undeniable. Sparks fly when they are around one another and although they try to fight it, soon they are having delicious encounters that can only be described as kindle melting. There is a fair amount of angst in this story so if that isn't your thing, you may want to pass on this one. But if you love all the feels and seeing twists and plots comes together, you will love it!
Andi Arndt and Joe Arden are fantastic. They were the perfect voices to bring this story to life. They both carried so much emotion in their voices that it felt palpable. That they were enduring these trials as the characters. I was beautiful to listen to. The production was great with no issues.
arrison has once again written an incredibly angst-filled, emotional rollercoaster of a story that will leave you begging for more. Let's take a minute to just thank all the higher powers that this woman decided to become a writer. And that she writes all the words. I'm going through her back catalogue because her words just affect me so much and I need them all. The new releases hooked me, but I need more. It's rare that I read a book by Ava and don't cry, don't laugh, and don't have those connections to the characters. Having that sort of reaction is fantastic, and it's such a testament to her skill as a writer. That it makes a person want to read and listen to all her work. Her stories always have a deeper meaning/ theme running through them and no matter what it is they are always amazing and hit you right in the gut. Squeezing every ouch of feeling from you. I swear, I'm giving her a jar of my tears to savour.
Are British accents your thing? If they are Deceit is for you. It's a wonderful story. It has a British character, obviously. Oliver Blackthorn. And an American, Addison Price. When we met Olly in Intention (very briefly, and not needed for this story) I was intrigued and jumped for joy when I realised Deceit was about him. It's amazing how a little peek at a character can grab your attention and make you want more. And more we got. Oliver is so much more than I ever thought he'd be. Deceit was everything I never knew I wanted in a book. As I said above, I'm going through Ava's back catalogue and recently finished Clandestine, (also not needed for this story) where I met Addison, I gotta say, I wasn't enamoured with her...which is what makes this book so good. Because I adored her. She, like Olly, was so much more than I ever anticipated.
I thought Olly and Addison were perfect together, I got so frustrated at parts where I just wanted to bash their heads together. But that's what makes it such a great book, that you become invested in the story and the characters. Olly is charming as anything, no lie. This guy could charm the pants off a nun. Honestly, he is so good. You are going to love him, even in his deceit you can't help but love him because you know, he has a reason for his actions you just don't know fully what they are. Other than an obligation to his family. But on top of that you also know that it's not something he truly wants, he doesn't want to deceive her but it's a means to an end. Addison, I wasn't sure I was going to like, but actually, I thought she was lovely. She's this strong independent woman that is letting her emotions rule her and I don't think she truly realised how much she was until the deceit. And seeing her come to the realisation that actually, she's strong and better than this. That she needed to focus on what's good for her. I think once she realised that, she makes the decisions that are best for her. I liked the banter between Addison and her brothers, I mean, they drove me crazy, at one point I was like, just tell them to mind their own bloody business you're a grown arse woman. lol. But, that's just me. I'm hoping we see more from them.
This story is full of angst and emotions. The book is called Deceit...so that kinda gives it away. You know, I don't really like books where I feel a character is being manipulated, I don't know what it is, I have a very visceral reaction to it. I'm like, this book isn't for me, I don't like that they're being manipulated and misled, it just makes me feel wrong. And that the characters aren't being treated as they should. That wasn't the case with this book, I think because we had Olly's PoV as well, we kind of understand more about what was going on. If you enjoy stories that have a hard-fought happy ever after, this is the book for you. They fight, they go through a lot of ups and downs, where they just can't seem to resist one another, even though they should. Ultimately, they have a lot of outside influence where they do what they need to rather than what their hearts want and are telling them. I think once they start listening to their hearts it's over. And I thought that was great. There is a big reveal towards the end that pulls everything together and explains things, it was shocking. All the things I expected, that wasn't it. I love that. I often figure out twists and what not, so when I don't and it just comes out of left field, I just love it. It's such a great feeling to know you can still be surprised. That is really something that worked really well and how it fed into the story worked fabulously, often you don't really see it. This book hit me in the heart and gut. It made me laugh and shed a few tears. Yeah, it totally made me swoon too. This was everything I wanted in a book. It was a joy to listen to and I loved every second of it.
As stated previously, each book has a theme running throughout it and maybe Ava has her own idea of that and it might differ to mine, but this is how I interpreted it. , I felt this book was very much about learning to stand on your own two feet, and realizing that you can be strong and vulnerable at the same time. That the mistakes of our past shouldn't define us. We make mistakes and it's learning from them that shows the type of person we truly are. Another key point is about the lengths we'll go and what we're willing to give up for our family ties. Definitely a five star must listen. Let's talk a minute about the Britishness of the story, I know I've said this before, but it bears repeating. Ava does such an incredible job of making it believable. We live in a very multicultural world these days, language has and is evolving, whether that's through books, tv shows, movies, knowledge, who knows, but the limitations that we once had have lifted and words are used worldwide that once was very much based on location. Ava does an incredible job of making it obvious the character is British without overselling it. She has a very good balance and I love the attention to detail she has. The cover of this book is Olly. No doubt about it. I'm not a huge fan of shirtless men covers, but this one is just, insert all the heart eyes. I love it so much, and all I see is Olly.
Shane East was perfection as Oliver. Ava just needs to write all British heroes from now on. So that Shane can narrate ALL THE BOOKS. He has such a wonderful tone that it's easy to listen to, and it really works well for the story and the alternating between charming, funny quips and emotion are done with such ease. Shane's accent is fantabulous. There is a reason he is the number one go-to for British characters. He just nails it, with every single performance. As someone that doesn't swoon over the accent, and will even avoid it, at times, I seek out Shane performances, and that should tell you a lot about how good he is. Not only that, but it's not just his voice, it's how he performs it. This story has emotional moments, it has swoon moments, it has angst-filled moments and he delivers each and every one of those emotions, so well, that you believe it. And I think that's the difference. It's believable. You believe that this character is experiencing these things. You can feel the conflict through the performance. I've already read the book, so I know what happens and what's coming and listening to it gives it a whole new feel.
I struggled a little with Lucy Rivers' performance. I ended up having to increase the speed as the words were drawn out and it was difficult to stay focused on the story and not get distracted by the narration. The British accent was not as I'd hoped, perhaps because I'm British and I'm always harder on people doing the accent, as opposed to it being their accent, or maybe it was because not only was she having to do the accent but in a male voice too. I don't know. I just know I really struggled but it did get easier to listen to once I increased the speed. I hate having to say this, but at the same time, I'm always going, to be honest about what works for me and what doesn't (emphasis on ME) I will say that the emotion she put across in the Addison scenes, especially when the deceit came to light, and she was upset and dealing with the betrayal was really well done. I thought that came across really well. That was probably the highlight of the performance for me - the emotional connection. I cannot stress enough that this is a personal preference and that anyone reading this might think something completely different. I'm a firm believer in that we all hear things differently, and we all interpret it differently, and we all have different likes and dislikes. I've listened to Lucy in other books and enjoyed them, so I think this must just be a case of wrong time/ mood and wrong book.
The production was great, with no issues, a line did repeat twice on one occasion, although, in all honesty, I'm sure most wouldn't even notice. I'm just weird like that. Other than that, it was a typical top-notch Lyric Audiobook production.
Merged review:
arrison has once again written an incredibly angst-filled, emotional rollercoaster of a story that will leave you begging for more. Let's take a minute to just thank all the higher powers that this woman decided to become a writer. And that she writes all the words. I'm going through her back catalogue because her words just affect me so much and I need them all. The new releases hooked me, but I need more. It's rare that I read a book by Ava and don't cry, don't laugh, and don't have those connections to the characters. Having that sort of reaction is fantastic, and it's such a testament to her skill as a writer. That it makes a person want to read and listen to all her work. Her stories always have a deeper meaning/ theme running through them and no matter what it is they are always amazing and hit you right in the gut. Squeezing every ouch of feeling from you. I swear, I'm giving her a jar of my tears to savour.
Are British accents your thing? If they are Deceit is for you. It's a wonderful story. It has a British character, obviously. Oliver Blackthorn. And an American, Addison Price. When we met Olly in Intention (very briefly, and not needed for this story) I was intrigued and jumped for joy when I realised Deceit was about him. It's amazing how a little peek at a character can grab your attention and make you want more. And more we got. Oliver is so much more than I ever thought he'd be. Deceit was everything I never knew I wanted in a book. As I said above, I'm going through Ava's back catalogue and recently finished Clandestine, (also not needed for this story) where I met Addison, I gotta say, I wasn't enamoured with her...which is what makes this book so good. Because I adored her. She, like Olly, was so much more than I ever anticipated.
I thought Olly and Addison were perfect together, I got so frustrated at parts where I just wanted to bash their heads together. But that's what makes it such a great book, that you become invested in the story and the characters. Olly is charming as anything, no lie. This guy could charm the pants off a nun. Honestly, he is so good. You are going to love him, even in his deceit you can't help but love him because you know, he has a reason for his actions you just don't know fully what they are. Other than an obligation to his family. But on top of that you also know that it's not something he truly wants, he doesn't want to deceive her but it's a means to an end. Addison, I wasn't sure I was going to like, but actually, I thought she was lovely. She's this strong independent woman that is letting her emotions rule her and I don't think she truly realised how much she was until the deceit. And seeing her come to the realisation that actually, she's strong and better than this. That she needed to focus on what's good for her. I think once she realised that, she makes the decisions that are best for her. I liked the banter between Addison and her brothers, I mean, they drove me crazy, at one point I was like, just tell them to mind their own bloody business you're a grown arse woman. lol. But, that's just me. I'm hoping we see more from them.
This story is full of angst and emotions. The book is called Deceit...so that kinda gives it away. You know, I don't really like books where I feel a character is being manipulated, I don't know what it is, I have a very visceral reaction to it. I'm like, this book isn't for me, I don't like that they're being manipulated and misled, it just makes me feel wrong. And that the characters aren't being treated as they should. That wasn't the case with this book, I think because we had Olly's PoV as well, we kind of understand more about what was going on. If you enjoy stories that have a hard-fought happy ever after, this is the book for you. They fight, they go through a lot of ups and downs, where they just can't seem to resist one another, even though they should. Ultimately, they have a lot of outside influence where they do what they need to rather than what their hearts want and are telling them. I think once they start listening to their hearts it's over. And I thought that was great. There is a big reveal towards the end that pulls everything together and explains things, it was shocking. All the things I expected, that wasn't it. I love that. I often figure out twists and what not, so when I don't and it just comes out of left field, I just love it. It's such a great feeling to know you can still be surprised. That is really something that worked really well and how it fed into the story worked fabulously, often you don't really see it. This book hit me in the heart and gut. It made me laugh and shed a few tears. Yeah, it totally made me swoon too. This was everything I wanted in a book. It was a joy to listen to and I loved every second of it.
As stated previously, each book has a theme running throughout it and maybe Ava has her own idea of that and it might differ to mine, but this is how I interpreted it. , I felt this book was very much about learning to stand on your own two feet, and realizing that you can be strong and vulnerable at the same time. That the mistakes of our past shouldn't define us. We make mistakes and it's learning from them that shows the type of person we truly are. Another key point is about the lengths we'll go and what we're willing to give up for our family ties. Definitely a five star must listen. Let's talk a minute about the Britishness of the story, I know I've said this before, but it bears repeating. Ava does such an incredible job of making it believable. We live in a very multicultural world these days, language has and is evolving, whether that's through books, tv shows, movies, knowledge, who knows, but the limitations that we once had have lifted and words are used worldwide that once was very much based on location. Ava does an incredible job of making it obvious the character is British without overselling it. She has a very good balance and I love the attention to detail she has. The cover of this book is Olly. No doubt about it. I'm not a huge fan of shirtless men covers, but this one is just, insert all the heart eyes. I love it so much, and all I see is Olly.
Shane East was perfection as Oliver. Ava just needs to write all British heroes from now on. So that Shane can narrate ALL THE BOOKS. He has such a wonderful tone that it's easy to listen to, and it really works well for the story and the alternating between charming, funny quips and emotion are done with such ease. Shane's accent is fantabulous. There is a reason he is the number one go-to for British characters. He just nails it, with every single performance. As someone that doesn't swoon over the accent, and will even avoid it, at times, I seek out Shane performances, and that should tell you a lot about how good he is. Not only that, but it's not just his voice, it's how he performs it. This story has emotional moments, it has swoon moments, it has angst-filled moments and he delivers each and every one of those emotions, so well, that you believe it. And I think that's the difference. It's believable. You believe that this character is experiencing these things. You can feel the conflict through the performance. I've already read the book, so I know what happens and what's coming and listening to it gives it a whole new feel.
I struggled a little with Lucy Rivers' performance. I ended up having to increase the speed as the words were drawn out and it was difficult to stay focused on the story and not get distracted by the narration. The British accent was not as I'd hoped, perhaps because I'm British and I'm always harder on people doing the accent, as opposed to it being their accent, or maybe it was because not only was she having to do the accent but in a male voice too. I don't know. I just know I really struggled but it did get easier to listen to once I increased the speed. I hate having to say this, but at the same time, I'm always going, to be honest about what works for me and what doesn't (emphasis on ME) I will say that the emotion she put across in the Addison scenes, especially when the deceit came to light, and she was upset and dealing with the betrayal was really well done. I thought that came across really well. That was probably the highlight of the performance for me - the emotional connection. I cannot stress enough that this is a personal preference and that anyone reading this might think something completely different. I'm a firm believer in that we all hear things differently, and we all interpret it differently, and we all have different likes and dislikes. I've listened to Lucy in other books and enjoyed them, so I think this must just be a case of wrong time/ mood and wrong book.
The production was great, with no issues, a line did repeat twice on one occasion, although, in all honesty, I'm sure most wouldn't even notice. I'm just weird like that. Other than that, it was a typical top-notch Lyric Audiobook production.
I wondered what sort of story we would get for Ren and Scarlet seeing as they were already in love...from those little mentions of them in the previous Corium university books. This is nothing I could have imagined. If you want to read something unique, dark, sexy, and intriguing, this is the book for you!
Kim Loraine is a one-click author for me, and this book just shows why. It is fun and sweet and steamy. It grabs your attention from the start and keeps you enthralled until the last page.
I loved this story. I loved the execution. I loved the characters—okay, there were some I wanted to sucker punch! Everything about it filled my heart with happiness. It was just what I needed.
Shane East and Stella Hunter perform this book in duet, with J.F. Harding popping in every now and then. Shane has really improved his Scottish accent and it shows in this book. It was a joy to listen to him. J.F. Harding was great and put a smile on my face hearing some familiar characters from previous books. Stella Hunter is stellar! I just love her voice and the way she performs all the different characters. Together, these narrators made this a fantastic listen. The production was brilliant with no issues.
A sleeping beauty retelling that is an MFM and contains dragon shifters from K. Loraine? Yes please!
This novella did not disappoint. It was everything I wanted and more. I loved how the retelling played out and made it original.
Stella Hunter and J.F. Harding perform in duet. I'll be honest, I had worries over their not being a third voice for this MFM, but I didn't need to. J.F. Harding is fabulous and made both voices so distinct that it was clear who he was voicing and when. Stella Hunter was brilliant as always. She never ceases to amaze me.
The book I have been waiting for. Rose finally gets her own story and it did not disappoint. I absolutely loved it. It was sweet and funny and steamy. With emotion and heart. I loved that their was also some diversity in this book. Samantha Brentmoor and Lee Samuels were fantastic and have done such a wonderful job with this entire series.
Why did it take me so long to find this series? Smart girl romance is my jam. I loved so much about this story. The characters. The writing. The humour. The narration. Both Samantha Brentmoor and Lee Samuels were new to me, and I throughly enjoyed listening to them.
I am crossing my fingers for a Rose book because I loved that girl so much.
I struggled with some aspects of this book and loved others. There was a lot of setup in this book, so I'm wondering if it may have just been my mood, and I just needed something to dive in than building. So I'm going to give the next book a try. Kit Swann and Jason Clarke were wonderful. I loved their performances.
It did include a bonus novella that I absolutely loved.
The queen of the cliffhangers is back! Meg Anne never fails to pull me in. I keep saying I don't do cliffhangers and then here I am, pressing play on another of her books.
If you love epic fantasy romances. This is the series for you. The twists and turns keep you listening well after you should have hit pause, you know, to sleep, or care for your family...I'm not saying I almost forgot to pick my child up from school, but I was transfixed while listening.
This guy. The things he's doing. The reasons. I just can't, my heart. I love him so much.
Although this is the start of a series, it is a spinoff from another series. You don't need to have read/ listened to that as you are given all the information you need. However, what happened to me was I wanted to know all the things, so I went on a buying spree.
Stella Hunter, Shane East, and James Joseph narrate this book in duet, and it is an amazing example of why duet is my favourite narration style. Each of them brings something so unique to the story and the characters. There is a whisper-off between Shane and James that I thought had been over exaggerated until I heard it. Credit worthy just for that.
Erin Mallon never fails to entertain me. Every book...or play is filled with layered in thought-provoking subjects with the comedy, and she does it so well. Sharkbait was no different. I loved every second of this book. It was funny, as we have come to expect from Erin, it was charming, sweet, and steamy. I loved Louise and James's journey. I went through the gambit of emotions with this book. I laughed. I swooned. I was even brought to tears.
This book is slightly different to the others in the series. A little more serious and has POVs from the heroine and the hero, which is my favourite, so I loved that change. Without doing a disservice to the previous two books, I do feel this book had more depth to it. There is still the comedy elements, but with more. It works. Trust me.
Teddy Hamilton as James was genius casting. The way James is written is how I imagine Teddy to be in his personality. Erin brilliantly voiced Louise...it is always a joy to listen to her. Together, Erin and Teddy are superb and a joy to listen to. A+
This book is a brilliantly crafted, devastatingly beautiful love story. It's been added to my top reads of 2022 list.
Erin Spencer's first book, co-written with Emma Sable, The Yes Factor was a huge hit for me. I loved the story and the writing. So when I found out Erin was writing another book, I was here for it. Of course, I didn't know what I was getting myself into.
I got myself into a lot. My heart was not prepared for the emotional rollercoaster, but it was worth every moment.
If you love good storytelling, a love story that will have you swooning and leaving your heart battered and bruised but also hopeful. Definitely make sure you grab this book.
Summer and Ben are almost the opposite of each other but the same. Both struggling to find their place and break out of the trauma their parents inflicted on them. Just when things are starting to heat up, a bombshell is dropped, and in walks Grace, Ben's daughter. Watching Summer work through her emotions and come out the other side and build a relationship with Grace was just beautiful.
I loved how the story is told from Summer's point of view with journal entries from Ben to give us an insight into him and his thought processes. And this worked really well for the audiobook narration too. The family family aspect of the story really hit me in the feels. Knowing that this story is in part about Erin Spencer's life adds to the depth of the story.
Speaking of the audiobook. Oh, my goodness. Ava Erickson and Zachary Webber were the perfect choices to bring this story to life. Ava obviously carries the bulk of the story and does so spectacularly. And Zachary, his portions were so beautifully and almost delicately performed. They definitely elevated this story for me...even when they broke me. The mark of an excellent performance.
Content information/ warnings below. Read if you need the information.
Tropes. Small-town. Single dad. Rich man/ poor woman. Found family.
The book does contain some triggering content. Threat of SA. Past trauma—Child Abuse/ Neglect. Death of a partner. Alzheimer's. Grief.
When I heard Karen Grey talking about this book on a recent live with Erin Mallon (check Erin's IG for the playback) I knew I had to listen. Set in the late 90s with connections to my teenage heart's favourite show, Dawson's Creek? Sold!
It did not disappoint. Violet and Nate sign up for a one-night-stand. But get so much more than they bargained for. It turns out they are both casting directors vying for the same show. That instant attraction turns into a story of rivals to lovers that will have you glued to your device wanting to know how they are going to overcome their differences. I loved that this focused on the behind the scenes staff as I often feel like they are unsung heroes in the world of movies and TV. You get a good mixture of romance, backstory, friendships and family dynamics. It is a heartwarming and sweet story with some ‘moments' that will have you thinking otherwise.
I loved this friend group. I need all of their stories and now! You can read more about them in the prequel ‘I'll Stand By You.' I am so ready to read more about them. Especially after that ending. Karen Grey knew what she was doing!
Fans of Dawson's Creek will smile every time they notice a connection...and there are a lot. Nothing overpowering, but more little things that make you remember certain episodes and scenes. Since finishing this book my Spotify has been filled with 90s music, and I regret nothing.
Maxine Mitchell and Jack Calihan perform this book in dual narration. They gave each character a unique sound and switched from male to female characters with ease and the change was obvious. Maxine's male voice is all the things. This is the first time I've listened to Jack, and I thought he was great.
I was sent an advance copy of this book, and I'm voluntarily leaving this honest review
Starting this book was so bittersweet, just like ending it. I wanted to get to the end to know what happened, but I also never wanted it to end. These characters and their story captivated me from book one and will stay with me long after finishing book four.
K. Loraine and Meg Anne dragged me into their worlds of paranormal and magic, and I'm never leaving. Anyone who knows me will tell you that PNR isn't my go-to genre but after hearing so much about Obsession, I dived in, and I went down a rabbit hole. First devouring all K. Loraine had to offer before moving on to a Meg Anne series—I still have more Meg to devour. I regret nothing and as this Mate Games series has progressed it's showcased everything I love about their writing, both individually and together. They have this wonderful way of combining strong storylines and even stronger characters with heart and moments of levity. It's an enticing mix.
Temptation is the final book in the Mate Games series and it came out swinging. I did have a little frustration with Sunday in the beginning of this book, (I blame her pregnancy brain) but she soon came back to the strong badass I know her to be. We find out so much more about Caleb in this book, and it really does make you understand him and his actions more. The banter between the guys, especially Kingston and Noah is so brilliant and had me laughing out loud in public.
What I love about this series the most is how rooted the storyline is. I was invested and captivated from the get go. I love how everything came together in this last book and the answers to our questions were revealed. Yes, it is super spicy, but it is so much more than that. It's the story. The emotion. The connection each people have and the lengths they're willing to go for each other. Superb.
Stella Hunter continued to be a showstopper throughout this series, and this book is no different. She not only voices Sunday but all the female characters, and each of them sounds so unique. The depth of emotion, and at times, despair she conveyed was phenomenal. Jason Clarke as Caleb is something I didn't know I needed. If the Irish brogue wasn't enough, the way he performed the guilt-riddled Caleb was a masterclass in emotion. And yes, just when I thought I was spared, he came in at the last hurdle to make me shed a couple tears. (Damn him!) J.F. Harding and James Joseph were brilliant as Kingston and Noah, their bromance was something I didn't know I needed. Aaron Shedlock rounds out their why choose romance as Alek, and he tugged at my heartstrings. Also includes cameos from Shane East, Jacob Morgan, and Teddy Hamilton, and if you've done any of Kim or Meg's other books, you'll recognise some familiar characters voiced by them.
This is a must listen Why Choose romance, and I urge you to pick up book one today and binge the entire four-book series.
I am so excited for the next series. Pestilence. Starting with Deal with the Demon. Is it January yet?
Just when you think K. Loraine and Meg Anne have done all they can to these characters and to you, they go and take it up a notch. I had so many emotions listening to this book. I laughed, I cried, I swooned, and I almost threw my phone. (Yes, I'm still mad about something that happens...I might never be over it.) I love how Kim and Meg have woven such a fantastic story, giving each character time to shine. I am deeply in love with all of them. If you like spice, worry not; this book has got you! There is one scene in particular that will have you reaching for an ice pack. That's one of the things I love about this book/ series is how it's a little bit of everything. You have the spice and the heart and a brilliant storyline. All combined into one explosive read.
I cannot wait to see what book four has in store. I don't know what I'm going to do once this series is over.
The performances in this book...this series are phenomenal. Stella Hunter cements herself as one of the top female performers in the romance genre with her work on these books. She captivates the listener and, using her skill and talent, immerses them in a fantastical world. The way she gives each female in this series such a unique sound is nothing short of astounding. She most definitely steals the show. Aaron Shedlock, James Joseph, J.F. Harding, and Jason Clarke are brilliant in their respective roles. Each brings something wonderful to their character and captures the listener's heart. Shane East and Jacob Morgan pop in for a little surprise treat, and that was fun. The production is fantastic. The recording smooth with no issues.
Quinn and Finley's story is finally here. And it was nothing like I expected. Throughout Lina and Nord's story we could count on Quinn and Finley to lighten the mood and give us the fun banter, what we didn't know is what was lying underneath. In Bound by Danger, we find out everything. It is a lot deeper and emotional than we could ever have imagined. Meg Anne had done such an amazing job of weaving these stories and making us love these characters so much that any hurt they feel we react to. One chapter in particular is incredibly emotional, and you can't help but feel for Finley and what he was going through. We've had the tension building for what feels like forever between these two and in this book, it finally explodes and man, what an explosion it is. I thought my phone was going to melt.
Stella Hunter and Shane East perform this book in duet, and they're both fantastic. Both captivating the listener and taking them on a wild ride. However, I have to give credit where it is due, and Shane East absolutely blew me away with an incredibly emotional scene that he just nailed. The raw emotion he performed was outstanding and really grabs the listener by the heartstrings.