Christie H

Sexy and Swoony

Revisado: 01-13-23

I haven’t been reading or listening to much for quite some time due to some stressful family issues. Things will be fine, but with all that has been going on, I have struggled to find a book that could hold my attention. Tempt by Melanie Harlow is just what the doctor ordered. Tempt is Book 4 in the Cloverleigh Farms Next Generation series. Fortunately for me it can be read and or listened to as a stand alone.

This is the first time I have listened to a book by Ms. Harlow and now I can see I have been missing out. There is so much to like about this story. Having mature characters is at the top of the list. Zach is mid/late 40s and Millie is early 30s. What is even more exciting is they actually communicate! It’s so refreshing.

Another thing that I love is the body positivity element present here. It’s clear Millie is beautiful and curvaceous. She is a wedding planner and one of her client’s struggles to find a dress that highlights her figure is the impetus for her to consider a change in career. Her mother (who is no longer in her life) constantly shamed her for her weight. So she has empathy for her client and it becomes a goal of hers to help others who are not magazine model-thin feel beautiful when shopping for their wedding gowns. What I particularly like is that her figure is presented matter of factly, as just one aspect of her character, and not a singular focus. So it never becomes a distraction to the love story.

Zach has not had it easy, he had a family tragedy in his youth and a difficult relationship with his parents as well as a failed marriage. A former Navy SEAL, he now works in private security. Both Millie and Zach characters are written very well. They are not one dimensional. They have had life experiences that have made them into the people they are, they have friends that support them, and it’s clear that they are good people. It makes you want to root for them to find their happily ever after, hopefully in each other.

As with most good romances, there are obstacles in the way. In this case, it’s more than a simple misunderstanding. There are very valid reasons why their coupling could be problematic. But again, these are adult concerns and they are handled in a thoughtful way. I also appreciated the glimpses into the close relationship Millie and her sisters have and also Zach’s close bond with his friends. They each have people they turn to for advice and it’s nice to see that as well.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the sizzling chemistry between these two characters. The sex scenes scorching hot and also wonderfully detailed. Despite the initial encounter between Zach and Millie, you get a sense even from the very beginning that their relationship will be much deeper than just sex.

I have been a fan of Sebastian York for years. If his name is attached to a book, there is very high probability that I will listen to it. I was excited when I saw that Lucy Rivers would be paired with him. I have not heard them together before and they really sound great here. Ms. Rivers is a wonderful actress and was a perfect choice for Millie. Mr. York always impresses me but I especially appreciate him when he is cast in a more age appropriate role. He is the perfect Zach. This is one of my favorite performances by him and I already can tell it will be a repeat listen. I am looking forward to catching up on the rest of this series soon.

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Melanie Moreland delivers a beautifully compelling and sexy second chance romance.

Revisado: 07-11-22 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Melanie Moreland writes some of the most beautiful stories. If you are ever feeling down or doubtful that true love exists, just find one of her titles, and by the last page you will be completely convinced that love is all around us. Shifting Gears is no exception.

Shifting Gears is Book 3 of the Men of Reynolds Restorations series. Breaking the Speed Limit (Book 2) gave us a few hints about something brewing between Brett and Kelly and I was happy to see they would be getting their own story.

When two people drawn to each other agree to have a strictly physical relationship, what could possibly go wrong? With such a strong connection it’s impossible to prevent feelings from developing. But when they do, Kelly’s first instinct is to run. Her job as a photographer gives her a perfect excuse as she's always taking off for assignments in far away places.

After the scene replays itself one too many times for Brett, who is ready to build a real relationship with Kelly, he’s done. But when Kelly arrives back in town in a bad situation and in need of friends, he can’t help but be drawn back into her orbit, despite his own promises to himself to keep his heart safe from her. And let me tell you, when Brett finally gives in to his desires, be prepared! The chemistry between the two of them off the charts!

John Lane and Maxine Mitchell do an absolutely wonderful job portraying Brett and Kelly. It really does seem that they were made to speak Ms. Moreland’s words. Both easily navigate the busy family scenes giving distinct voices to each character and when it’s time to turn up the heat they more than deliver!!!

What I absolutely love about this series is the attention Moreland gives to family bonds. And not just family by blood, but friends like family too. Charly and Kelly’s friendship runs so deep and she shows just how far she is willing to go to help her friend in need. The interactions between Brett, Stefano, Maxx, and Chase are hilarious and also real. The teasing, the exasperation, and most importantly, the love is all there. And Theo, of course, is back with his innocent observations which had me chuckling on more than one occasion. I also loved seeing feelings develop between Brett’s father and Rosa and the struggle for the “boys” to accept their parents' desire for companionship at their stage in life.

Shifting Gears is a perfect second chance romance! I’m so glad that the next book in the series is coming soon. I can’t get enough of the Reynold’s Restorations crew.

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Beautiful and heartfelt romance with excellent narration

Revisado: 06-23-22

Dirty Curve was my first Meagan Brandy book and I loved it! When I saw the blurb for Say You Swear I knew I would have to check it out.

Sarah McEwan, who portrays Arianna, is new to me, and all I can say is, “Wow!” Her character has such an emotional journey and she does a wonderful job conveying it all. And boy, does Ms. Brandy give her some challenging material.

I confess part of my draw to this title was seeing Lee Samuels was on board. He does not disappoint! He is the perfect Noah. Noah goes through so much and you feel it all: sweetness, lust, devotion, sorrow, determination, and of course most important, love.

Although this is a very long audiobook, I didn’t feel like it dragged on at all. The pacing was excellent. Early on, I thought it was going in one direction and then it took a turn I wasn’t expecting. I like how there was plenty of time given to really explore the depth of the feelings of all the characters. I also appreciated the concept of friends that grew to be family.

Arianna grew up in a loving home with an equally supportive network of friends. This is in stark contrast with Noah’s experiences. I loved how detailed the family interactions were. As a listener, I was completely invested in the outcome of the story.

I would highly recommend this story and think the excellent narration definitely adds to the experience.

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Zeus in a modern setting is so much fun!

Revisado: 05-25-22 El oyente recibió este título gratis

When I saw the trailer for Zeus, the latest in Carly Spade’s Contemporary Mythos series, I knew I had to check it out. This is my first Carly Spade book and I can already tell it won’t be the last. Bringing a Greek god into a modern setting is such a intriguing concept and I loved the humor and wit of this story.

I’ve been a fan of Thomas Locklear for a while and his portrayal of Zeus/Zane is absolute perfection. He nails the arrogant yet somehow still charming aspect of the role and really gets to display his comedic chops as well. You can really feel the exasperation in his voice when Zeus has to deal with his “family” issues. Locklear often does solo narration roles, which is no problem as his female voice is top notch. I really enjoyed the back and forth of the duet style narration here. He and Stella Bloom as Kiera work so well off of each other.

Ms. Bloom is new to me and she is terrific as Kiera. Her character was so well developed. I loved the idea of her as an empath which makes perfect sense given her career path. She also shines equally in both the emotional and comedic aspects of the story. I also loved how well she differentiated the voices of the female characters, especially when it came to her bestie, Olivia. Olivia is such a great comic foil for Kiera. She should have her own story!

I loved the story arc and the interplay of all the characters from Greek mythology. Although I had not read the other books in the series first, I was still able to keep up with the story. I’ll definitely be adding the rest of this series to my list. Zeus was such a fun ride!

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Terrific enemies to lovers romance

Revisado: 05-12-22

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The meet cute was perfect. Roark, our devilishly handsome Irish bad boy gets into a fight and in the process collides with southern belle, Sutton. In the confusion they end up with each other’s phones. Then the games begin! Roark is holding
Sutton’s phone hostage much to her frustration.

This makes for great banter as they both get to know each other over texts. When they finally do meet again the chemistry is white hot but there is of course one big complication… Sutton’s father is one of sports agent Roark’s biggest clients.

This is such a fun enemies to lovers story but with emotional heft as well. As with many bad boy heroes, under his tough exterior, Roark is a sweet, protective, and emotionally damaged man. His struggle to see himself as worthy of a girl like Sutton is beautifully played out.

The narration was terrific. I have listened to a few John Hartley titles before but this was my first time listening to Lauren Ezzo. She did an admirable job handling the Irish accent when she had to voice
Roark. They both handled the fun and flirty moments as well as the emotional ones with ease. I look forward to hearing more from both of them.

This is only my second Meghan Quinn title and I’m already looking to rectify that situation. All in all this was a really enjoyable listen.

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A soccer star’s moving journey to find love and the missing pieces of his family tree

Revisado: 05-05-22 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Beautiful Game is book 5 in the Stag Brothers series by Lainey Davis. Although it would have enhanced the story to have read the other books in the series first, I got enough of a background of the entire Stag family to thoroughly enjoy Beautiful Game. Book 5 focuses on soccer star Hawk Moyer. We get Hawk’s path to find love as well as the missing pieces of his own family tree.

In addition to the author being new to me, this was the first time I listened to narrator Nikola Muckajev. He is terrific here. He has such a smooth and soothing voice and does a great job giving each character a distinctive voice.

Ms. Davis gives Muckajev so much to work with in this emotional story. Hawk has been recently traded to Pittsburgh. So naturally the one woman who has caught his attention is hired by the team as their fitness coach. Their chemistry is off the charts and Hawk is determined to pursue Lucy. Lucy is a single mom who has just come out of an abusive relationship. What I loved here is how Hawk understands her hesitancy to jump into a new relationship and respects her need to take things slow. He is willing to take his time with her and adapt to her pace so that she feels safe and cherished which is beautiful to watch unfold. I also loved how quickly he took to Lucy’s son, Wyatt. Wyatt is her world and Hawk doesn’t hesitate at all in embracing him and playing the role of protector of both him and his mom.

In addition to the love story, a big part of the book is Hawk’s own need for answers to questions he has always had about his father. His mother raised him alone and has been unwilling to discuss who his father is. His journey to get the answers he needs isn’t an easy one but in the end it’s well worth it when he finally has the family he has always longed for.

All in all, Beautiful Game was a very enjoyable story and I look forward to more from both the author, Lainey Davis, as well as narrator Nikola Muckajev.

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A soccer star’s moving journey to find love and the missing pieces of his family tree

Revisado: 05-05-22 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Beautiful Game is book 5 in the Stag Brothers series by Lainey Davis. Although it would have enhanced the story to have read the other books in the series first, I got enough of a background of the entire Stag family to thoroughly enjoy Beautiful Game. Book 5 focuses on soccer star Hawk Moyer. We get Hawk’s path to find love as well as the missing pieces of his own family tree.

In addition to the author being new to me, this was the first time I listened to narrator Nikola Muckajev. He is terrific here. He has such a smooth and soothing voice and does a great job giving each character a distinctive voice.

Ms. Davis gives Muckajev so much to work with in this emotional story. Hawk has been recently traded to Pittsburgh. So naturally the one woman who has caught his attention is hired by the team as their fitness coach. Their chemistry is off the charts and Hawk is determined to pursue Lucy. Lucy is a single mom who has just come out of an abusive relationship. What I loved here is how Hawk understands her hesitancy to jump into a new relationship and respects her need to take things slow. He is willing to take his time with her and adapt to her pace so that she feels safe and cherished which is beautiful to watch unfold. I also loved how quickly he took to Lucy’s son, Wyatt. Wyatt is her world and Hawk doesn’t hesitate at all in embracing him and playing the role of protector of both him and his mom.

In addition to the love story, a big part of the book is Hawk’s own need for answers to questions he has always had about his father. His mother raised him alone and has been unwilling to discuss who his father is. His journey to get the answers he needs isn’t an easy one but in the end it’s well worth it when he finally has the family he has always longed for.

All in all, Beautiful Game was a very enjoyable story and I look forward to more from both the author, Lainey Davis, as well as narrator Nikola Muckajev.

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Prepare to be swept off your feet!

Revisado: 04-19-22

I am very much a mood reader. Sometimes I just need to see a girl get completely swept off her feet. Filthy Rich delivered! I love how Caleb does not hesitate when it comes to his feelings. From the moment he meets Brooke, he knows deep in his soul she’s “the one”. He has never experienced a real love before and he knows this time it’s different.

It’s fun to see how Brooke turns Caleb’s world upside down. He’s a billionaire and his world is so different from her simple life. I love the scene where she has him take her to Target. He is so out of his element, but he will follow her anywhere.

He understands her hesitation to dive into a relationship so quickly because of how she was physically and emotional damaged from a painful accident and previous relationship. He will wait her out. But who could resist the charm and patience of Caleb Blackstone? Not me!

Jeremy York is outstanding as Caleb. He has such an easy charm about him that works perfectly here. This is my first time listening to Sienna Frances and I enjoyed her. I thought she handled the the more emotional aspects of Brooke’s character quite well.

I had read the ebook of this story several years back and I’m so glad I decided to revisit the story as the audiobook definitely enhanced the experience.

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Totally awesome nostalgic romance

Revisado: 03-11-22 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Child of Mine is a heart warming second chance romance and the latest in the Boston Classics series by Karen Grey.

If you haven’t read any of the other books in this series, this book will have you reconsidering it. The books are all set in the 80s and if you grew up in that era, you will love the sense of nostalgia that you experience as you fall in love with the world Ms. Grey creates.

Child of Mine centers on Bella and Henry. 7 years ago they had a moment of passion that, due to a complicated series of events, ended as quickly as it began. Their lives went on different paths and neither anticipated seeing each other again.

Bella became a single mom after that encounter, and when she crosses paths with Henry again she struggles with how to tell him the truth about the child he didn’t know he fathered.

Honestly, I’m not a fan of the surprise baby trope. But Ms. Grey deftly handles the emotional toll that keeping such a big secret takes on Bella and makes her character sympathetic, which is no easy feat! Although there are elements of comedy in all her books, what impresses me the most is the way she tackles big issues in such a detailed way.

I particularly enjoyed the attention focused on Lilah. She is the center of Bella’s world and it’s only natural her character should be well drawn out and not considered an afterthought. It was also sweet to see how Henry slowly grows to see children as more than an annoyance, which will be critical when he’s faced with the knowledge that he is a father himself.

When the truth is finally revealed, the pain and resentments are not glossed over. The struggles that Bella and Henry go through made me invested in seeing them achieve their happily ever after.

The narration of this audiobook adds intensity to the emotional elements of the story. Erin Mallon is the perfect choice as Bella. Her character is so complex as she deals with competing inner voices. The fact that I was able to sympathize with Bella even when I strongly disagreed with her choices, is due in part to Ms. Mallon’s moving portrayal. She captures Bella’s strengths and vulnerabilities beautifully.

This is the first time I’ve listened to Tom Taylorson and I was so impressed. I absolutely loved his performance. He has such an appealing voice and with an everyman quality that was perfectly suited to Henry. He captured the vast array of emotions so well! I particularly enjoyed his handling of the scenes with his mother as well as Henry’s efforts to bond with his newly discovered daughter, Lilah. I can’t wait to hear more from him.

Child of Mine has definitely earned its space in what has become one of my favorite romance series.

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Delicious enemies to lovers romance

Revisado: 02-13-22

As far as one-click narrators go, Sebastian York is at the top of my list. Knockout by Jessica Prince is a perfect showcase for his talent. I’m a huge fan of enemies to lovers romances and this one is so much fun. Narrators are usually what lead me to discover new to me authors and I have no regrets here!

SebYo and Desiree Ketchum are paired up perfectly. As Layla, Ms. Ketchum gives as good as she gets. I love a feisty heroine that takes no shit and speaks her mind. SebYo is perfect as Jude. In addition to fighting his growing attraction to the woman he’s supposed to hate, he has to deal with his meddling grandmother which allows his comedic skills to shine.

I loved this story and can’t wait to read more from Jessica Prince.

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