Slow Burn Romance at its Finest!

Jessica Hawkins captured the excitement, anxiety, confusion, and butterflies of falling in love so perfectly. This slow burn, coming of age story will captivate you right from the start. Andi Arndt and Zachary Webber couldn't have been more perfect to narrate Lake and Manning. They are my favorite narrating duo and their voices complement each other so well. Arndt narrates the majority of the book phenomenally, but Webber's heart wrenching performance really stole the show for me.

Lake was such an intelligent and mature heroine, but at the same time she was vulnerable and girlish, teetering on the cusp of adulthood. Manning was brooding and dark, but behind the walls and hurt was a man trying to rise above the circumstances of his life. Honestly, all the characters were so genuinely imperfect that you couldn't help but relate to them and root for them to overcome the odds.

Even if you've read the book, I HIGHLY recommend listening to the audio. Every emotion, touch, and feeling is amplified and electric. The audiobook really took this story to the next level. Please keep in mind that this is book 1 in the Something in the Way series. I can't wait to listen to the rest of the books when they're available!

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25 people found this helpful

Simply Beautiful

This is the first Jessica Hawkins book I’ve read/ listened to. I have a couple but as of yet, haven’t listened to them. I’m going to have to rectify that pronto. This book gave me all the feels… and I do mean all. So many different emotions with this story. It was beautiful, and it was heart-breaking, and it is only the beginning. Jessica gutted me in the most perfect of ways. I’m not sure how I’m going to survive two more books but I’m also looking forward to it. This is one of my favourite books of 2017, I listened to it in one sitting, I just couldn’t pull myself away, I was so invested in this story and these characters.

I’ve not read a lot of forbidden romances, so I wasn’t quite sure how this story was going to play out. I really enjoyed the pacing of the story, it didn’t feel rushed or too slow, it felt like everything was happening as and when it should. The story needed to be told and Jessica’s writing is incredibly engaging and on point that it immerses you into the story and the lives of these characters. I am so tempted to eyeball the remaining two books in the series but I’m going to hold off for the audio because this audiobook was something special and I have a feeling the next two will be as well and it’ll be worth the wait.

The characters in this book were enchanting. I adored Lake, she was sweet and innocent and a little naïve but that just made her all the more appealing. The way her character developed and starting questioning things that were a given in her life. It was beautiful. Her feelings for Manning started innocent enough, but seeing the change in her, as her feeling developed was something that I think many women are going to be able to relate to.
Manning, sigh, I just loved him so much. He was so endearing. The way he was with both Lake and Tiffany, he gave them both something they were lacking. He didn’t take any crap, and obviously cared about them both a great deal and it showed. His past is heart-breaking, and I couldn’t help but shed a tear for him.
Throughout the story my opinion on Tiffany kept changing, it ranged from thinking she was a horrible person, to feeling sorry for her, and back to disliking her. It was also tough, due to how she was really a means to an end. Manning saw in her things that I wasn’t able to until they were obvious. I did love how Manning put her in her place in regards to Lake. The way he was helping her to become a better person.

The progression of the relationship between Manning and Lake was beautiful to watch unfold. The way Manning’s feeling developed and how he fought it, and in turn, how Lake’s feelings developed, and she tried everything not to fight it. They were on opposite sides, but it worked. The touch of forbidden gave it an air of angst that I wasn’t expecting, and it worked perfectly.
The meeting between Lake and Manning was sweet yet awkward. Lake is young and naive. Manning is older and gruff. Together they made such a cute couple, even though they shouldn’t have. I was rooting for Lake throughout, I cannot wait to see where their story goes next.

This dual narration was wonderful. I’ve listened to many audiobooks narrated by Andi Arndt and Zachary Webber – both together and separate, however, I think this might be my favourite. It was so beautifully performed, I even raved to my husband who wasn’t interested but he let me go on about it for 20 mins lol. Andi Arndt is fabulous. I wasn’t sure what to expect with Lake only being 16 but she pulls it off perfectly. It’s incredibly believable. Zachary Webber was the perfect choice for Manning. He is wonderful at delivering a sweet but gruff performance. The way they both conveyed the emotions the characters were experiencing was stunning. The whole audiobook was a riveting experience and I cannot wait for books two and three to do it all over again. The production was fantastic with no issues.

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21 people found this helpful

unsure how to feel about this.

good writing but im not really sure how to feel about this story. its a bit too weird. the age gap is too big between them it wouldnt matter so much if she was 20+ but shes barely 16 and its just weird... the split narration was done really well. i usually get annoyed when it has separate narrators for different characters but it worled in this case.

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1 person found this helpful

Not worth 4 credits for whole series!

Meh’. Only reason I didn’t give it all 2’s is because my favorite narrators performed it. MAYBE it would be worth it IF the whole series came together as one credit. It really should. Slow, plot could’ve been summed up in a couple of hours for this book. One I almost was apathetic about finishing but I spent $ so… doubt this author will be a go-to for me.

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I meet him first

I met him first Lake said! She & her sister Tiffany meet Manning the construction site next door to her house. Lake loses her bracelet so she goes back the next day to look for it & Manning has it. They talk for a while until Tiffany shows up. Over the next several weeks Manning becomes friends with both girls.Lake is 16 & Tiffany is 19. Tiffany is by no means innocent but on the other hand Lake is. Manning feels the need in the beginning to protect Lake due to things that happened in his past. Gifford course is attracted to him. Lake fell for him the first day. As Lake & Manning 's friendship grows they both develop deeper feelings for one another. But Tiffany seems to have a way of getting who she wants.
What happens when they all go to camp will forever change their lives.
I have read this series & wanted to refresh my memory before Lake+Manning is released, so i decided to listen to the series! So glad I did Thanks Jessica this audible version is awesome🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟💕

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Phenomenal

God... this book. Amazing writing, amazing narrative. Will definitely be buying the next books!

Jessica Hawkins creates love stories like nobody's business. The depth to every character, no matter how big their role is extraordinary. A book is simply a book when you have characters that the reader cannot connect with. It doesn't matter if you hate then or love them; Each will feel as if they're a real person.

Along with the complex cast, this author takes a fairly popular trope and creates this completely unique experience. One reason I try not to judge a book on it's trope: the same line can be drawn a hundred times by a hundred different people and the results don't always match.

I'm not typically a fan of slow burn romance, but this is definitely an exception to that rule. There's no other way Lake and Manning's love story could go and still have such validation. It only adds to the strength of their bond.

As it's said, good things come to those who wait.

Let's just hope we're not left waiting too long!

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Different Than I Expected - 5 plus Stars

I started to listen to the three book series on a Friday and by Sunday morning about 3 am, I finished it. I literally could not stop listening. This has been one of the most intense series that I have ever read/listened to this year. I still can't get this story out of my head.

I am generally not a fan of a "Lolita" type of books, but fortunately that is not what this book is. It is still a forbidden love story about a 23 year old young man who becomes captivated by a very sheltered 16 year old girl. Clearly not wanting to hurt her, he resists his true feeling and tries to stay away. "Try" is key word because the forbidden develops because he can't stay away from Lake, who is only 16. So he is sucked into Lake's beautiful and sexualy experienced 19 year sister, who is considered the black sheep in the family. Even though, Tiffany realizes that Lake has her first crush on Manning, Tiffany purposely pursues him in order to "one up" Lake. Lake is the sole focus of their dad's attention because Lake is destined to follow their dad's dream for her to go to USC. Tiffany knows that by dating Manning, she will piss their dad off because Manning appears to be somewhat of a dead-beat that comes from a troubled background. So when Tiffany proclaims that she is dating Manning, the girls troubled relationship only gets more complicated because Tiffany closes her eyes to the relationship that is building between her sister and Manning.

This first book is intense, and beautifully written. You will feel for all the characters involved. It is a bit slow at times because it is setting up the other 3 books that will follow. It starts in the 90's but is a story that takes years to unfold. I would not say this book is your traditional love story type of book. That will follow in the books 2, 3 and 4. There is no sex in book 1. There are only a few kisses, but lots of intense moments leading up to ....... in the upcoming books. As an extra bonus, the audio has two of the best narrators in the industry. Zachary Webber who is amazing at showing the depth of pain and emotion that Manning goes through over the years. Andi Arndt who is also amazing at changing her voice from an 16 year old to a mature woman as the series progresses. This is a 5 star book. Worth every penny if you are ready for a deep emotional book and forbidden love story.

Please note: there is no underage sex in this book.

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Love

I can't wait to read the next one. I stayed up listening into four o'clock AM. Both narrators were fabulous.

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Amazing love the Narrator's voices.

Love this story so much. Jessica's words and story are absolutely amazing. Zachary Webber and Andi Arndt are perfect in brining Manning and Lake to life. Love this series. It's a must listen. Loved everything about this audio book. Five stars.

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Love this Star-Crossed Lovers Romance!

This poignant and touching love story is not your ordinary romance. It is a forbidden tale about Star-crossed lovers and their epic love for each other. It starts at the beginning when a 16 yr. old Lake Kaplan first meets mysterious and rugged, Manning Sutter. Lake has always done what she is told and still idolizes her father. He wants great things for her, so she is totally focused on achieving those goals. Lakes older sister, Tiffany, is rebellious, wild and carefree. She sees Lake talking to Manning and decides that he will be her next conquest. Manning is a flawed and broken hero who works hard and wants to be better. Something about Lake calls to him and he is torn by his need to protect her and stirrings of feelings he doesn't want to acknowledge. Lake has never thought about love and lust, like her sister, but Manning causes sensations to surface that she doesn't quite know how do handle. She does know that they have a special connection and they grow to genuinely care for each other. But there are those that would not understand their friendship and it is dangerous for both of them. I really cared for all the characters, even tho they would frustrate me at times, they were well developed and honest. The story line was so engaging I couldn't put it down.
Andi Arndt and Zachary Webber's narration was fantastic. They really captured every nuance of these characters. Their depth of emotion, and delivery created a realism that was completely captivating, I was totally mesmerized by their performance.
This is a moving and emotional story of love, redemption, trust, sacrifice, and consequences. It brought out so many extreme emotions and I loved every minute of it! I did not see the twist this would take and it left me stunned! I can't wait for the next book!

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