H.M.S. Brown

Such a sweet and hopeful story

Revisado: 08-27-24

Hugh, a Single Dads of Gaynor Beach story is the first book I've read (Listened to) by Gabbi Grey.

This was just a nice, happy, low-angst book that made me happy. It was very slow-burn with a couple of steamy scenes toward the end that paired up with their happy ending.

Seriously - it was such a nice story that began with a young man grieving the sudden loss of his best friend along. In addition with single fatherhood being thrust upon him, he had to deal with a jerk of a social worker who only thinks the worst.

Enter another man in the prime of his life who never even knew he was a father, to begin with, discovering he was not only a father, but also a grandfather.

Teaming together out of necessity, they form a loving bond centered around this little infant girl who changes their lives. I love how they communicated and worked together to form a new family based on love and mutual respect.

Yes, they formed an actual family, but I loved reading about the supportive circle of friends who were always there for them. Everyone should have that. Everyone deserves that. :-)

I picked this up on Audible yesterday after hearing the narrator, the ever-awesome Michael Ferraiuolo, do a short reading with his FB group last week. I'm thrilled to discover a new author thanks to his having narrated this book. I definitely want to delve further into Gabbi Grey's stories!

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My Favorite Bergman!

Revisado: 06-10-22

This is my favorite book so far from Chloe Liese!!

I absolutely adored Gavin’s grumpiness and Oliver’s never-ending optimism. What a beautifully-written story that gave me all the feels from the time I started it yesterday evening through finishing it this morning. I may need to go back and listen to it again since I didn’t want it to end!

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It’s a frigging cliffhanger?

Revisado: 01-12-22

Seriously?


Review says I need to type at least 15 words. Story just finished, correction - story just ended. It’s not finished. And it’s a cliffhanger.

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Terrific story!

Revisado: 10-17-21

I'm not crying. You're crying. This started out a little slow and slightly annoying, but I think that had more to do with the narration than the story itself. For the first few chapters, the female lead was read like a petulant little child by the female narrator and the male narrator read any female roles like they were all fairy godmothers or something. You have to get past the annoyance - and the British pronunciations used by American characters.

After that... it's golden because the story was fantastic and while it's a terrific romance, it also touched on some really emotional events - such as the true reason Rowan's parents went on hollibags. It's a wonderful story with the happy ending all romances have filled with fun characters.

I've already picked up a couple other audio books by this author, but secretly hope we'll return to Scotland for a book about the twins!

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Ilanna's Adventure is not to be missed!

Revisado: 04-17-20 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Listening on Audible as part of the Queen of Thieves trilogy. Narrated by Rebecca McKernan.

I’ve been watching this author for a while now, but this is my first book. I’m already listening to book #2, but wanted to share a few thoughts here first. This book covers the childhood Viola and her entry into and initial training of the Night Guild. The Night Guild is a thieves guild in the city of Praamis. Children are brought there – for whatever reasons, (orphans, children sold by parents to pay debts, etc) and are trained to forget their former lives as well as to be pick pockets. Training is based on sensory deprivation and other cruelty, their only comfort coming from each other through that shared experience.

Once finishing the initial “training” the children are tested and chosen by houses within the Guild to learn their specific skill set as apprentices. As Viola learns her new skills, she makes new friends / allies in her house and becomes quite skilled. Throughout the book she learns new skills, gets to better know the other thieves in her house and has to continue dealing with the bully from her original training group.

The book ends with Viola, now Ilanna, does the Undertaking – a self-chosen challenge to “graduate” her apprenticeship and become a Journeyman. It involved a very steep climb that made me, the reader, incredibly nervous as I listened! At one point, I hit pause just to calm my nerves! Oh it was fantastic!!!

Side observations:

• The title of the book seemed to have been yelled, but once the actual story started, that wasn’t the case. Just the title.
• I found it confusing from time to time not really able to gauge how old she was. Time passed and occasionally someone’s name day would be mentioned, but she was 8 at the beginning and I’m guessing late teens at the end. In between – it was a little hard to gauge.
• The narrator was terrific. I really enjoyed listening to her. I have no idea how she kept track of all the voices, but she did a fantastic job with them. Rebecca McKernan did a great job and I look forward to listening to her in the next two books of the trilogy.

Trigger Warning: The story includes a violent sexual assault towards the end of the book. (Admittedly, using both violent and assault in the same sentence is redundant) While it is intensely-written, it is not gratuitously described.

Audio Book was sent to me as an ARC for which I’m voluntarily leaving an honest review.

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