Lisa Hines

Review: The Guys Who Got Away 2: The What If Guy

Revisado: 08-02-20

The What If Guy by Lauren Blakely is the second book in her latest series, The Guys Who Got Away . A story of an office romance mixed with single dad story line. Bryn is a successful business woman who knows what she wants, is good to everyone and is just what single-dad Logan never knew he was looking for. Logan is a single-dad with a desire to be with someone honest and real, who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to ask for it. When these two meet by kismet over a struggle for a Snoopy lunchbox their fates are forever intertwined. Too bad they didn't know that they had more in common than Snoopy, mainly the lifestyle blog that Bryn is content manager for that Logan just purchased. Told in mostly dual POV from Bryn and Logan we do get a few small chapters from their feline companions Bruce and Queen LT. Enjoy!

The audio narration was a wonderful performance - duet narration (which I love) where the girl reads all the girl parts and so on - even if it isn't their chapter. Plus the special appearances for Bruce and Queen LT - Loved it! You can't go wrong with Andi Arndt and Joe Arden, ever!

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Review: Rebel Hearts 2: Savage Hearts

Revisado: 07-31-20 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Savage Hearts by Lili Valente is the second and concluding book in her Rebel Hearts series. This is the story of Danny and Samantha. We first met Danny in the To The Bone series as Caitlin's younger brother. You do not have to read the previous series to thoroughly enjoy Danny & Sam's story.

Picking up from the cliffhanger ending in book one, Rebel Hearts, Danny and Sam find themselves separated. A lot has happened in the time they have been apart - they have both had their own journey of recovery from the secrets Sam was hiding. Their journey, unexpectedly, finds them both in the same small Costa Rican town in search of revenge. Sam wants it done and has no plans beyond that, but Danny wants it done and then wants to move forward, together, never having to look back. When these two put their minds to it, anything is possible but will their souls be able to recover from their actions? Loved it! Enjoy!

The audio narration was engaging and on-point for the characters. Both performers managed to be both vulnerable, fierce and vengeful at the right time throughout this story when needed. They really brought Danny & Sam to life!

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Review: Rebel Hearts 1: Rebel Hearts

Revisado: 07-31-20 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Rebel Hearts by Lili Valente is the first book in her Rebel Hearts series. This is the story of Danny and Samantha. We first met Danny in the To The Bone series as Caitlin's younger brother. You do not have to read the previous series to thoroughly enjoy Danny & Sam's story.

Danny and Sam have been inseparable since they were 13. But things have happened in their lives since then. Sam is in College in LA and Danny is running his own extreme tours company in Croatia. They spend time together when they can and remain head over heels for each other but the distance is growing between them. Sam has a dark secret she is running from and Danny just can't quite work out what isn't right but he knows it is something. Told in dual POV, this book ends on an emotional cliffhanger and will leave you eagerly waiting to jump into book two, Savage Hearts. Emotional, gritty, and a lot sexy and romantic. Enjoy!

The audio narration was engaging and on-point for the characters. Both performers managed to be both vulnerable and fierce at the right time throughout this story when needed. They really brought Danny & Sam to life!

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Review: The Rock Star's Baby Bargain

Revisado: 07-01-20 El oyente recibió este título gratis

The Rock Star's Baby Bargain by Lili Valente is the fourth full-length standalone story in her Bangover world.

This is the story of Zackary Jenner Halloran and Colette Claude Blanchett. Told in dual POV, we join their story as Zack overhears Collette's ex at a bar talking smack and decides to go check on his besties bestie. He knows Theo isn't in town to be there for Colette and even though he and collette are not overly close, he worries for her. So enters Colette, a sad mess of tears and marshmallow Fuff indulgence, and despite it all - the sparks fly between them. Not insta-love but not far from it. Now that Colette is single she sees Zack with single-girl glasses and it's the same for Zack. he has always known her to be in a relationship but now that she isn't... well, she's always been beautiful and wonderful and now she is NOT in a relationship.

The back and forth between these two, their decision to go on a trip together, the retreat they go to, the backstory of the house, it all flows effortlessly together to create a beautiful love story with some moderate level-angst and some seriously juicy heat. The only thing I'm missing is the backstory of the pirate - I REALLY wanted to know about the Pirate! Well-paced and well-written, an absolute pleasure to read! Enjoy!

Audio review addition:
With Sebastian York and Lili Valente narrating it is hard to go wrong. The only thing that could have made this audiobook better would have been an audio duet. You know, where the girl reads the girl lines even in the boys chapter. Let's put that on my wishlist. Both narrators manage to embody the characters personality perfectly and made the story a wonderful thing to listen to.

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Review: Lonesome Point, Texas 2: Saddles and Sin

Revisado: 06-23-20

Saddles and Sin by Jessie Evans is the second book in her Lonesome Point, Texas series.

This story is about Bubba (Robert Lawson) and Marisol Medina. We initially met Bubba in the first book, Leather and Lace as Mia's close friend and partner in crime. We learned then that he sang and had a chance at a recording contract.

Marisol is Bubba's manager and is dead set on making him successful and famous and getting him signed into a great recording deal. His success equals her success and that's what she has been working so hard for. The only hiccup in this plan is the attraction they have towards each other. Bubba's resistance is due to his gentleman-like manners, Marisol's is because she is both gun-shy and afraid of messing up the working relationship they have.

When opportunity presents itself, Bubba lands a kiss on Marisol that surpasses all kisses, ever. She plays it off as inconsequential but is only lying to him and to herself.

When Bubba gets the phone call from home that he's needed on the ranch as a flu-bug has temporarily wiped out most able bodied males in his family, he takes Marisol with him back to Lonesome Point so they can continue to "work" on building his career and finishing some songs they were working on together. What happens in Lonesome Point, however, will change both their lives irrevocably.

Another beautiful romance with just enough heat to start the panties sizzlin'. I am excited to read the next book, Diamonds and Dust. Enjoy!

The audiobook... Narrated by David Ledoux, he manages to embody some of the aww shucks persona of Bubba without making him sound like a dumb-hick and also gets that alpha male streak Bubba has down-pat. A pleasure for the ears, I enjoyed the audio version immensely. listening to the description of Bubba and Marisol's karaoke scene gave me goosebumps in the best way!

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Review: Royal Elite 1: Deviant King

Revisado: 05-26-20

Deviant King by Rina Kent is book one in her Royal Elite series and the first of three books surrounding Aiden King and Elsa Quinn. Aiden is the younger (by one year) cousin to Levi King from Cruel King, and is, quite possibly, a complete sociopath. Not sure why I was so completely absorbed in these books, but there you have it - Elsa was Aiden's obsession and their story is mine.

It is now senior year at RES for the four horsemen, the nickname given to a group of four friends and top soccer players, Aiden King, Xander Knight, Ronan Astor and Cole Nash, are ruling the school. Elsa was targeted her first year there by Aidan, appropriately nicknamed "Frozen" and has spent the last two years doing her best to remain invisible and make it through the days and enjoy her best friend Kimberly. Senior year is here and then she is off to Cambridge and away from all these jerks. But that is where she is wrong. Something happens to pull Aidens attention towards her and she isn't happy about it. But when family secrets, missing memories, lost time and a heart condition literally put her life at risk, Aiden is the surprising hero, albeit seemingly reluctantly. But he has his own darkness that he is dealing with.

Ends of a cliffhanger - Book two, Steel Princess is already available, is also told from Elsa's POV throughout book one.

Some of the author's turns of phrase felt off to me and this has continued throughout the series. I don't know if there is a language or regional barrier where these are correct, and that was somewhat off-putting at times, enough that I feel the need to mention it, but not enough that I would rate the book lower. This hit all the buttons on taboo and dark for me and I absolutely devoured this book and this series. Enjoy!

The audio narration was really well done. As the whole story is told from Elsa's POV, the male narration kicks in when the male characters are speaking. well balanced and easy on the ears!

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Review: My Favorite Souvenir

Revisado: 04-28-20

My Favorite Souvenir by Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland is their brand new standalone contemporary romance that borders on a love triangle without ever actually being twisted up in one. Told in dual POV between Hazel/Maddie and Matteo/Milo, this book is equal parts hilarious, heartbreaking and heartwarming. Maddie & Milos beginning is fun, adventurous and totally carefree. The interaction with Zara in Nola left me with chills. The conflict with Brady was exhausting. As a reader on both sides of the story, I just knew he HAD to GO, but watching Hazel work through her emotions was exactly why I read romance and love these authors so much. Milo/Matteo - swoon! Sweet and thoughtful but also possessive and slightly alpha - yes please. With outrageously awkward moments for each of these characters and some super steamy times too, this was another spectacular romance from one of my favorite co-author teams! Enjoy!

The audio performance was stellar - as always - and to be expected with two professionals such as Andi Arndt & Sebastian York reading. They seamlessly manage to embody the character they are reading for and make the listening experience completely immersive and enjoyable.

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Review: Seasons 1: The Lying Season

Revisado: 04-27-20

Lying Season by K.A. Linde is the first full length interconnected standalone story in her Seasons series. The full story of second chances and fated love when Larkin St Vincent and Sam Rutherford meet again in the re-election campaign offices for Mayor Kensington. After a bitter ending, Lark isn't sure how to handle seeing Sam again. She has all these feelings that she hasn't dealt with and seeing him brings everything back to the surface and leaves her feeling raw. Sam is living in New York, somewhere he didn't think he'd ever be, especially when Lark and he ended abruptly five years ago. But moving here with his girlfriend a couple of years ago placed him in New York and then his new job landed him in Larks world, once again.

Angst-ridden, filled with emotion, heartbreak, passion, and pain, this story was a slow build to a great ending, and the perfect introduction to Lark's crew from the Upper East Side which we will meet more of in the upcoming books in this series. LOVED IT! Enjoy!

Audio narration was, as expected with these two super stars, beyond perfection. Jason & Erin's ability to embody the character they are reading is spectacular! Loved the audio!

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Review: Royal package

Revisado: 04-13-20 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Royal Package by Lili Valente is a brand new story with a royal them (I LOVE THESE!!!). Welcome to the fictional royal world of Baden Bergen & Gallantia! Prince Andrew is on a mission to effectively "dissuade" his betrothed from wanting to marry him. They have nothing in common after all and an arranged marriage is NOT how he wants to spend his future life. He loves the outdoors, she is asthmatic, he will be King and be around many people, speaking publicly as will his wife, the future queen, and she has a stutter made worse the larger the crowd. Do you see his point here? Meanwhile, back in Gallantia, Princess Elizabeth (the betrothed) is convincing her identical twin sister to take her place for the good of their kingdom. Just temporarily, until before the wedding, so she can work on her project and bail the family out of debt. Feeling like her hand has been forced, Princess Sabrina agrees. She isn't dissuaded by Andrew's terrible table manners and is enjoying her time outdoors with him, even while trying to pretend to be Lizzy. But, alas, secrets this big can't stay secret for long and between Lizzy, Jeff, Sabrina, Zan and Andrew - there are a horde of secrets. Sweet, funny, romantic with a slow build to the sexy stuff. I LOVED this book and want, desperately, MORE ROYALS from the wonderful Ms. Lili!!! Enjoy

The audio version was spectacularly narrated by Lili Valente and Shane East. I mean - Swoon! Their voices embody the comedy of some of the situations they find themselves in as well as they do the more serious parts of the story. Loved the Audio!

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Very Irresistible Bachelors 1: You're The One

Revisado: 04-01-20 El oyente recibió este título gratis

You're The One by Layla Hagen is the first book in her Very Irresistible Bachelors series. A beautful story of best-friends to lovers and the delicate issues that arise when you risk moving your friendship to the next level. Hunter and Josie met as teenagers in private school and became friends after Hunter defended Josie and she decided they were besties. She is an integral part of his life and is deeply immersed in his weekly family events with his aunt and cousins. The story of their friends to lovers arc is well-paced and well-written. A slow-build that explores all the issues they face. Telling their family, the risk of losing their friendship, everything they face in addition to the risks of starting a new relationship. But the chemistry between them won't be denied. Once Hunter decides to make Josie his, she really didn't stand a chance. Told in dual POV, the story is a slow burn of two awesome people with wonderful and supportive families that take a risk and turn friendship into more. Loved it! Enjoy!

The narration was spot on - with both male and female voices doing a great job of embodying the characters and their emotions.

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