Tag: audiobook

Book Review: Single All the Way by Portia MacIntosh

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 267 pages
Author: Portia MacIntosh
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Release Date: August 18th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Will Dani find love this Christmas? Or will she be Single All The Way…?

When Dani’s boyfriend (and boss!) dumps her for a younger model, the only silver lining she can see is to be able to spend Christmas at home with her family after years away.

Determined to surprise them, Dani turns up unannounced in her hometown, excited to see that the festive season in Marram Bay is in full swing with Christmas lights twinkling on every corner. But disaster strikes when she finds her parents’ house is empty and they appear to have gone away on holiday!

Christmas alone and single is not ideal, and when Dani starts bumping into old friends, neighbours and potential love interests, she can’t face telling them the truth. So in a panic she claims to be home to throw a Christmas party for the whole town – easier said than done with 12 days to go before Christmas…

As the fake party approaches, little does Dani know that there may be someone there under the mistletoe for her, if she can just let her guard down and see them…

A laugh-out-loud festive romantic comedy from top 10 bestseller Portia MacIntosh, guaranteed to put a smile on your face this Christmas.

A FUN HOLIDAY READ.

This one was a quick, light, good holiday time. I love finding great holiday books for the season and I’d easily add this to my recommendations list. The audio was a good listen and gave the edge to British humor that I got a laugh out of.

I wasn’t sure initially how I felt about the romance. The hero isn’t exactly charming or endearing, BUT he really grew on me. I ended up thinking he was sweet and I thought the chemistry between Dani and him was endearing.

The plot is exactly what you expect of a Christmastime read. A cobbled together holiday party set in a small town. I have no qualms over this because I feel like it’s the spirit of the season for these reads.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Holiday Romance
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: closed door

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Book Review: The Belle of Belgrave Square (Belles of London #2) by Mimi Matthews

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Rating: ★★★★★
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: 406 pages
Author: Mimi Matthrews
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: October 11th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A London heiress rides out to the wilds of the English countryside to honor a marriage of convenience with a mysterious and reclusive stranger.

Tall, dark, and dour, the notorious Captain Jasper Blunt was once hailed a military hero, but tales abound of his bastard children and his haunted estate in Yorkshire. What he requires now is a rich wife to ornament his isolated ruin, and he has his sights set on the enchanting Julia Wychwood.

For Julia, an incurable romantic cursed with a crippling social anxiety, navigating a London ballroom is absolute torture. The only time Julia feels any degree of confidence is when she’s on her horse. Unfortunately, a young lady can’t spend the whole of her life in the saddle, so Julia makes an impetuous decision to take her future by the reins—she proposes to Captain Blunt.

In exchange for her dowry and her hand, Jasper must promise to grant her freedom to do as she pleases. To ride—and to read—as much as she likes without masculine interference. He readily agrees to her conditions, with one provision of his own: Julia is forbidden from going into the tower rooms of his estate and snooping around his affairs. But the more she learns of the beastly former hero, the more intrigued she becomes…

OH MY GOSH I LOVED THIS SO MUCH.

I don’t feel like I can accurately put into words how much I loved this book. One of those “no notes” situations where gosh dang I am in a book slump over it.

This is now one of my favorite regency romances and one of the best Beauty and the Beast retellings I have come across. Add in MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE and I am SOLD. The entire book was filled with alllllllll of the swoon. I was a puddle over Jasper and his story and how he wooed Julie. It has some instant attraction vibes that flat out worked beautifully. It may seem low angst but I felt everything dang feeling watching these two come together.

I wish I had a physical/digital copy (I read the audiobook) to highlight many passages. Matthews creates gorgeous stories that melt your soul and make you fall in love with the characters. I loved the way Julia stood up for herself and found two strong feet to stand out with the faith of Jasper behind her. And I loved that she was shy AND strong.

The plot with the children and family and friends pushed the main romantic plot line perfectly. I am in awe of this read. It was stunning. I’m writing this review right after finishing it and I really just want to yell at everyone TO GO READ IT NOW PLEASE.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: very vague fade to black / closed door
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: physical, emotional, and psychologically abusive parents, grief, recounting war themes

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Book Review: Sweet Talk (Love Lines #2) by Cara Bastone

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 238 pages
Author: Cara Bastone
Publisher: Audible Originals
Release Date: April 22nd, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Listening Length: 5 hours and 42 minutes

Stay up all night with this funny, surprising romantic comedy from Audie Award-nominee Cara Bastone — scripted exclusively for audio!

It’s officially booty o’clock, I’m alone again in my kitchen choking down a slice of terrible chocolate cake…and I’m pretty sure I just got drunk texted by the man I have a ginormous crush on.

I’ve been daydreaming about Eliot Hoffman’s dimples for two months, and even though I’m sure this was a mistake on his end, it doesn’t mean it’s not an opportunity on mine. It’s the middle of the night, and I just wanna talk to him. So I text him back.

And then somehow we keep talking…ALL NIGHT. We’re both insomniacs, so talking all night soon turns into talking EVERY night.

And talking about nothing soon turns into talking about something.

And here we go from in-depth analysis of reality TV to my relationship with my family to his amazing artwork. There’s no topic we don’t cover…

Except for who I really am. It’s the only question of his I won’t answer.

As my crush turns into an avalanche of Eliot, I think of him all the time now. But if he knew who I was, the entire house of cards we’ve built this relationship on would come toppling down. I want him to be mine, but we might never be more than just a sweet dream.

ADORABLE.

I’ve been seeing this book floating around on the Audible Originals page and needed something quick and light. THIS WAS THAT BOOK (I also believe it is available in ebook format now?).

The production for this was perfect. I loved the way everything sounded and I truly felt this story come to life. I would love if more audio books used a bit of sound effect to enhance the reading.

I adored Jessie and Elliot! Immediate chemistry from that first text and the subsequent late night chats had me laughing and smiling from ear to ear. This book just makes you feel good and I love that. I like the way the conflict/drama was handled. In a short read it didn’t take up unnecessary page time and really let Jessie and Elliot build up their relationship. All of these digital interactions made the in person moments all the better.

It’s a sweet read. The ending was everything I hoped for in the progression of this story. No overreaching for a relationship just beginning, but all the ooey-gooey-ness your heart can handle. Definitely one to pick up!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: parent with terminal cancer, gun violence

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ARC Book Review: A Very Merry Bromance (Bromance Book Club #5) by Lyssa Kay Adams

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Lyssa Kay Adams
Publisher: Berkley Romance
Release Date: November 1st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Tis the season for a Bromance Book Club matchmaking mission! This time, they’re pulling out the mistletoe for everyone’s favorite country music star, Colton, and his second chance at love.

Country music’s golden boy Colton Wheeler felt the most perfect harmony when he was with Gretchen Winthrop. But for her, it was a love him and leave him situation. A year later, Colton is struggling to push his music forward in a new direction. If it weren’t about to be the most magical time of year and the support of the Bromance Book Club, he’d be wallowing in self-pity.

It’s hard for immigration attorney Gretchen not to feel a little Scrooge-ish about the excess of Christmas when her clients are scrambling to afford their rent. So when her estranged, wealthy family reaches out with an offer that will allow her to better serve the community, she’s unable to say no. She just needs to convince Colton to be the new face of her family’s whiskey brand. No big deal…

Colton agrees to consider Gretchen’s offer in exchange for three dates before Christmas. With the help of the Bromance Book Club, Colton throws himself into the task of proving to her there’s a spark between them. But Gretchen and Colton will both need to overcome the ghosts of Christmas past to build a future together.

Thank you to PRHAudio for the gifted audiobook.

WISHING FOR MORE.

This is the first in the Bromance series that didn’t quite hit for me. And it’s a Christmas book?! I was hoping for a home run.

I did adore Colton. He was the perfect sunshine MMC and had me straight SWOONING. I loved many of his sentiments towards Gretchen and trying to help her see the greener side of the life she’s been through. The holiday vibe isn’t as heavy here, but is present enough for me to say it is good for the season.

My personality clash with Gretchen was the downfall. I struggled with some repetitive notions that constantly spiraled to the same basic story. I could understand why she was making those decisions but it got old and I got frustrated.

I did adore all of the cameos from the Book Club. I love how tight know and found family they all are with each other. It’s the kind of group I’d love to be apart of too.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Holiday Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: open door; med-high explicit
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: emotionally absent parents, physical altercation, sibling abuse

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