Wild With You

By now it's no secret that I adore Layla Hagen's writing. Whenever I'm in the mood for a sweet romance, she is my go-to author. Her books fill me with happiness. They have such a wonderful balance of humour, swoon-worthy romance, family, and a tiny bit of conflict. Everything a girl needs to get lost in the story. Layla writes so beautifully that you become invested in the characters' lives and once you start you don't want to stop reading...or listening, until it's finished. But, once it's finished you're itching for more. Will Connor, gimme Will's book. That protective big brother cop routine already has me swooning. He's going to fall so hard and I'm ready. Please, Layla, don't make me wait!

These characters are just everything. I adore them. If you've read the first Connors book, Anything for You, you'll know Lori Connor is a single mother. Now, single parent stories are my kryptonite, (okay, okay, so I have lots of kryptonite issues, just go with it.) so I was really looking forward to Lori's story and wondered how that would play out. Was she going to be resistant and against all men because she was wronged, or was she going to be open for anyone, etc? So many questions. I loved that she is a strong, independent woman. She's so used to doing things herself – taking care of her son, Milo, and running a successful business. And that doesn't change throughout the book, she's still that same woman at the end – now she just has a partner in life too. I loved, loved, loved that. Graham Frazier, the big bad owner of the soccer (yeah, yeah, I'm British and I can still call it soccer – it's okay!) team that Lori's brother plays for. He's rich, he's jaded after a divorce, and he's sweet and sexy – really, what is there not to like? No wonder Lori fell hard for him. I fell too, add in how he was with Milo and it was swoon-central. Is there anything more swoony than a sexy man spending time and caring for a child? I loved that he took Lori and Milo as a package deal, right from the get-go. He didn't need time to adjust, he didn't need countless dates to work up to it – he was all in. The way he couldn't say no to him was the sweetest thing. Then add in the scenes with Jeff and BAM! I was a goner – gone for Graham. My heart melted in a puddle at my feet. Then we have sweet, charming, cheeky Milo – I wanted to wrap that kid in my arms and give him a big squeeze. So sweet. I had such an emotional connection to the characters and I loved that.

The chemistry between Lori and Graham was there from the first meeting and it was charming. It was almost palpable, and I loved that they didn't really try to fight it. I think they were both ready for a relationship and they didn't realise that until they met each other. They acknowledged that connection and did something about it. It was such a nice change of pace from other books. The heat level when these two got together was pretty steaming. Although the little drama that was in the book could have been dragged out – it wasn't. It was understandably a part of their story, but it was never the focal point and both Lori and Graham worked to get it resolved quickly. The family aspect of this book... this series is always a big draw for me and that didn't disappoint.

Andi Arndt and Sebastian York performed this book perfectly. I thought they were superb as Lori and Graham. And Milo – oh heck, ok, so Sebastian narrating as a seven-year-old child is the cutest thing – there! I said it! Don't hold that against me. Andi has such a great range that it really is just such a pleasure to listen to her – every time. Nobody can deny the talent this duo has, and their voices complement each other really well. I thought the production was great, no real issues. The only thing and it was just something I noticed and it's the first time I've had it happen (or the first time I've noticed it) - after the first two alternate PoV chapters for the remainder of the book each chapter doesn't announce which PoV it is – it's obvious due to who is narrating that chapter, but, it took a while for me to adjust to it. Especially in the two chapters that contained both PoV – at first, I thought they had switched to duet style narration. This isn't me being negative, just pointing out something I noticed for those that might do a double-take as they listen.

TINY SPOILER AHEAD. KEEP SCROLLING IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE IT. It's only a spoiler if you've read my reviews of the Bennett Family series.

*Side-note: I was so freaking happy to see my favourite Bennett make an appearance. Swoon. I may have squee'd while walking down the street. What? I just love him so much. It was a small scene, but it just made my day. It was a super cute scene. I love that the Bennetts are mentioned and showing up, just like the Connors did in the Bennett series.