Audio: Heidi's guide to four letter words by Tara Sivec and Andi Arndt

By: Tara Sivec, Andi Arndt

Narrated by: Andi Arndt

Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins

Original Recording Audiobook

Release date: 09-03-19

Language: English

Publisher: Audible Original

Contemporary romance

For review

I like a book that can make me snort! This was funny, her family was, omg, so embarrassing! But in the best way to listen about.

It is only my second listen by Andi, but she is is great! Maybe putting them in Minnesota was the right call (sorry Minnesota people), but the accent was perfect for how her family acted. Also are they like the Canadians of the US?  So yes Andi did a great job with everyone and I could feel Heidi's embarrassment to my soul.

Heidi has lost her job cos of budget costs, but does she really want to be a teacher? She also wants to be bolder, to take charge, to get her sexy neighbor to notice her. But she is not these things, she looks like a kindergarten teacher, she can't even say balls, and she would rather hide in a bush than go and talk with him.

So she starts working for an audiobook company. She starts a podcast. She drinks too much wine. And she learns to say balls and so much more.

Oh and Brent was lovely, freaking lovely.

Laugh out loud moments (mostly cos of her family), and a nice story that let's her take charge of her own love life.

I liked it! A lot :D I also listened to it in a day cos S is sick. SO yay, a listen in a day book.

Narration

Well I already talked about that. Great!

Nothing good ever comes from drinking a box of wine alone. So when I decided to entertain my drunken self by setting up some hand-me-down podcasting equipment and reading the steamy parts from romance novels, I never thought anyone would actually listen. The fact that I admitted my huge crush on my sexy next door neighbor made the whole thing even more mortifying. But sometimes life surprises you, and that’s how my podcast, Heidi’s Discount Erotica, was born.

Now I, Heidi Larsen, a sweet former kindergarten teacher in Waconia, Minnesota, lead a scandalous double life reading erotic novels to the listening world. And with each episode, I find myself embracing my new alter ego more and more. Now I’m starting to feel more comfortable in my own skin and do things I never would have dreamed of - like kissing my neighbor.

Look out, Waconia, because Heidi’s on the loose! She’s in your ears, in your hearts, and down your pants...wait, that didn’t sound as good as it did in my head. Well, you get the picture, don’tcha know!

Carole's Monday: You Me and Other Stuff by LM Barrett

Author: L.M. Barrett

Title: You, Me and Other Stuff

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: ebook

Expected to be Published: September 28th 2019

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given it to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

A witty, coming-of-age, romantic comedy about friendship, unrequited love and betrayal.

Declan's a tad annoyed; not only has the love of his life run off with 'Superman' but she's also unwittingly caused his current hostage status.

Find out what Sarah did to cause this unusual situation.

Can Declan overcome his hatred for Sarah and can Sarah overcome her doubts to end up with the right man?

I could not resist picking this up and reading it! I enjoyed a previous book by this author and this just sounded so good. 

The story follows Declan and Sarah. They have been friends for years and have been in love but didn't really know it. Years pass and now Declan is held hostage and it is Sarah's fault. Will they get it figured out and finally end up together? 

Oooooo Declan and Sarah. I wanted to shake them and kick them. You love each other! But they don't realize it and make stupid, stupid decisions that end up blowing up in each others' faces. Especially Sarah's. Girl! NO!

I did really enjoy this even though the two drove me bananas. There was some humor and sadness. It was a nice balance of those things. Wonderful writing! Hooks you in from page one.  

The format of telling the story was fun and I didn't expect it. It worked well for these characters to tell others about their sides of their story. They needed to talk it out with others I think in order to get some perspective. 

My only issue was the bits with Lisa near the end there. I didn't hate her but I sure didn't like her. I also feel like her part made the story go a bit longer then I wanted. I could be biased because I just wanted the two knuckleheads to FINALLY get it and be together, but yea...not a fan of Lisa and her part. 

Besides that, I really enjoyed this story. I wanted to shake our main characters, but shake them with love. And I didn't really care about the Lisa bits. I'll give this 4 stars. Really good and a fun story. Humor and sadness all mixed in. 

Audio: Cowboy Summer by Joanne Kennedy

By: Joanne Kennedy

Narrated by: Johanna Parker

Series: Blue Sky Cowboys Series, Book 1

Length: 11 hrs and 23 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 06-25-19

Language: English

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Contemporary romance

I got this in exchange for an honest review

Oh these two, it is time to take out the slap on the head thing. *slaps both over the head* I need a gif like that *ponders this*

Jessie is living the big city life, but then her dad has a heart attack, and she goes back. She loves the ranch, but it needs to be sold cos her dad can't handle it.

She is having issues with her new stepmum, why I do not know, cos Molly is great! Tsk, Jessie!

She is avoiding her old boyfriend that she left behind and she is upset that he married someone else, Jessie, Jessie! Like he would pine forever.

She believes something even when he tells her the truth (they need to be locked in a room for two days and talk things through) *slap in the head*

Cade is a cowboy, that does say it all. Yes he married an idiot, but he was sad and drunk. He did divorce her sorry behind. She was a piece of work. Poor guy has issues, drunk dad, girlfriend left, married an idiot. Poor Cade.

Though then he does believe something that does not make any sense so he gets a slap on the head for that too.

These two love each other, but they have so much to work through. And they belong together, everyone knows it.

I liked her dad and Molly. They were fun.

I enjoyed it (even if they really needed to be thrown in a room together). It also built something interesting for the next book.

Narrator

I like her style and I really get the feel of living there. She has great female and male voices. I have listened to her before, and I will again. She fits western so well.

Jess Bailey broke Cade Walker's heart when she left for the city - but she was just trying to find her own way in the world. When Jess's dad calls her home and tells her he's selling the ranch, she realizes she's about to lose the life she was born to live. And when she sees Cade again, she knows how much she's lost already.

As their nearest neighbor, Cade is always trying to help. But he's got his own ranch and his horse training business to think about. Even though his heart fills with hope for a second chance when he sees Jess, she left him once when things got tough. And she knows he moved on without her.

As the sale of the Bailey ranch looms over them, Jess and Cade start looking to the future. But can they ever trust one another again?

Audio: Pride Prejudice and other flavors by Sonali Dev

By: Sonali Dev

Narrated by: Soneela Nankani

Length: 15 hrs and 8 mins

Release date: 05-07-19

Series. The Rajes #1

Publisher: HarperAudio

Romantic fiction /PP variation

To review

I am not the biggest fan of modern adaptions, because most of the time I see nothing of the story in them, but here it shone through in a wonderful way. She did pp justice and managed a great adaptation. 

Trisha is the proud surgeon. But her family ties are not the best because of something that happened 15 years ago. 

Arghh, Wickham, he was loathsome in PP, and here she is a bitch. Evil calculating bitch. It was a very fitting modern Wickham, smile and dagger in the back.

DJ is a great chef, but his sister is really ill and he quit everything to take care of her. But he needs money. He is the prejudice then, and Trisha does make it easy for him. Of course I did like Trisha, her pride in her work was justified. Of course she could have seen that other do just as important things. And DJ just saw a rich girl, but she was so much more. But that is PP.

They clash, a lot! They argue, he despise her, she starts to fall. There is Wickham lurking and spreading lies.

I so want to read about Trishas brother, all I am saying. But I am thinking her cousin and younger brother might get their books and not him.

Also her other cousin was really fascinating!

Back to the story. It does follow PP, so you know they will have their fights and reconciliation, and slowly fall in love. They just really have to work for it.

A good story, a really nice PP version.

Narrator

I have listened to Soneela before and liked her. She is great with accents as she juggles British, American, Indian, and they all work well. As well as the different voices for everyone,

Only in a family like the Rajes could San Francisco's most acclaimed neurosurgeon be considered the black sheep. Dr. Trisha Raje has developed groundbreaking technology and won the respect of her peers and the life-long gratitude of her patients. Still, her large, close-knit family-descended from old Indian nobility-has certain rules to uphold. Trusting outsiders is frowned upon. Disloyalty of any kind is unacceptable. Trisha never intended to jeopardize her brother's political aspirations, yet her long-ago actions inadvertently did just that. At last she has a chance to turn that around.
Up-and-coming chef DJ Caine has known people like Trisha before-people who judge his background and find it lacking, who put pedigree above character. He may need the lucrative, career-making job the Rajes offer, but he has little time for Trisha, especially when he learns that she's the arrogant surgeon who wants to perform an untested procedure on his sister, Emma.
As the two continually clash, their assumptions shatter like spun sugar on one of DJ's stunning desserts. Drawn to DJ's steadiness, humor, and passion-as well as his extraordinary food-Trisha begins to reexamine her view of the world, while challenging his beliefs about the nature of family. But there's a past to be reckoned with before they can hope to savor a future bursting with delicious possibility.

Audio: Cowboy stole my heart - Soraya Lane

Narrated by: Callie Beaulieu

Series: River Ranch Series, Book 1

Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 05-14-19

Language: English

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Contemporary romance

To review

Sam is a horse whisperer, and Mia has a horse that needs help. A perfect match.

Mia is a rich girl, who has made a path of her own. She is an accomplished show-jumper who tries to prove herself to others. Her weakness is her dead friend's horse, a demon that can not be tamed anymore.

Sam is the horse whisperer with scars of his own. Demons in his past and he has lost the will to love.

Mia, oh Mia. She really should have said everything at once. She put his life in danger. Idiot! I also found something that happened later on idiotic too. I wanted to slap her again. I got it at first, but then, why oh why? She does not deserve him. I am very I will slap you happy lately.

Ok so these two have their worked cut out for them. First there is the whole is she only a rich girl thing to get over. Then things heat up but they both do not want a relationship. And then there is more drama.

I must say that I was really curious about how Sam's sister ended up with his best friend. That must have been quite the story. Also Mia's brother seems up next and that looks to be promising too.

Anyway, yes Mia did have her spot of weakness, but overall it was a good book that felt fast. I liked their shared love of horses and they did seem like a great fit.

Romance, horses and drama.

It takes true grit to build a billion-dollar dynasty like the Ford family ranch. But when it comes to finding love, all it takes is one handsome cowboy to steal a woman's heart.  
She's riding solo.  
As one of the heirs to the River Ranch fortune, Mia Ford is practically Texas royalty. But that doesn't mean she's some pampered princess. She can saddle up and ride a horse as well as any man, even a hard-working cowboy like Sam Mendes. For years, she's harbored a crush on the strong, silent horseman. But how can she make a move when she's his boss?  
He's taking the reins.  
Sam Mendes is through with love - or so he thought. Still recovering from a breakup, he's doing everything in his power to resist Mia Ford. It's bad enough she's the kind of beauty who drives men wild with desire. It's even worse she's got him so worked up, aching to kiss her lips, when he's supposed to be working her ranch. Is this lovestruck cowboy willing to risk losing his job - and breaking his heart - to win the girl of his dreams?  

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

Paperback, 336 pages

Expected publication: June 6th 2019 by Corvus (first published May 7th 2019)

Series: The Kiss Quotient #2

To review

Contemporary romance

I do think I enjoyed this book even more than the previous one! I do love when that happens. When the books just grow stronger. Which means I can't wait for the next one. Ohh Quan's book, thrilling!

We met Khai in a previous book for a moment, but I would say that this one works perfectly as a stand alone. You do not need to have read it to understand this new one.

Khai has aspergers. And his mum goes to Vietnam to find him a wife *headdesk, mum!* But she means well and se wants him to be happy. And he just kind of goes along with it when his mum tells him look here, you have 3 months with her, marry her or do not marry her.

I loved Khai. Just loved him.

Esme worked cleaning toilets when she met Khai's mum, who saw something in her. And gave her a chance to win his love. She took the chance and ran with it.

Obviously there are hurdles to overcome. He does not do emotions, he does not want to be touched. Things should be as they are. While Esme is forward, sweet and cheerful. And they are exactly perfect for each other.

But this is so much more than two people finding love. She finds her own path, which is more important. She wants to make something of herself, to create a better life for her daughter.

I really enjoyed this book. It felt light and I read it in no time at all.

Sweet, with passion on the side. Fun, with drama thrown in. And most of all, delightful.

Khai Diep has no feelings. Well, he feels irritation when people move his things or contentment when ledgers balance down to the penny, but not big, important emotions—like grief. And love. He thinks he’s defective. His family knows better—that his autism means he just processes emotions differently. When he steadfastly avoids relationships, his mother takes matters into her own hands and returns to Vietnam to find him the perfect bride.

As a mixed-race girl living in the slums of Ho Chi Minh City, Esme Tran has always felt out of place. When the opportunity arises to come to America and meet a potential husband, she can’t turn it down, thinking this could be the break her family needs. Seducing Khai, however, doesn’t go as planned. Esme’s lessons in love seem to be working…but only on herself. She’s hopelessly smitten with a man who’s convinced he can never return her affection.

With Esme’s time in the United States dwindling, Khai is forced to understand he’s been wrong all along. And there’s more than one way to love. 

Audio: The Cowboy and his baby - Jessica Clare

Narrated by: Abby Craden

Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 05-07-19

Language: English

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Contemporary romance

It has been a while since I wanted to slap a heroine this badly...and a lot. So that might be the wrong thing to start a review with, bu hey it was a fun book, I just wanted to slap some sense into her!

Abby meets Dustin, a hot cowboy who has a player rep. She is a dog trainer on a set from hell, he is a local cowboy and they have a fling.

And then she does something stupid. She listen to someone else and leaves. She does not even talk to him. Come on girl, whyyy!?

Then she has to return for reshoots and decides to tell him that she is 7 months along. Not cool girl, not cool!

He takes her back cos he is freaking wonderful and he had fallen in love with her. She keeps listening to other people and thinks she knows what is best for him. You are the best for him, you!!!!! I get that people are insecure, but this man needs looove!

So she keeps backtracking and he is always there. Dang, that man was wonderful. So wonderful. Gotta love a cowboy.

I enjoyed it, slapping aside, lol

Narrator

I enjoyed her narration. She does different voices well and I think she is a good fit for romance. She takes the slow and the fast well. The romance and the drama.

Dustin is a ranch hand with a reputation around town as a ladies' man. He loves flirting and the thrill of the chase. When he tilts his cowboy hat just so, no one can resist his charms. It's all fun and games for Dustin until he meets a woman who sparks real feelings in him, and he's blindsided by love.

Annie is an animal trainer working on set for a film. Other than her furry, canine coworkers, she hasn't connected with the rest of the crew working on the movie. It's only when a certain cowboy catches her eye that Wyoming becomes interesting. She intends for their romance to be a fling, but by the time filming wraps up, she's unexpectedly pregnant. 

While Annie is prepared to walk away and raise her baby by herself, Dustin isn't so ready to say goodbye. He has to prove to Annie that she has a future in Wyoming and capture her heart before it's too late.

Audio: The Austen playbook - Lucy Parker

Narrated by: Billie Fulford-Brown

Series: London Celebrities, Book 4

Length: 10 hrs and 22 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 04-22-19

Contemporary romance

To review

My Thoughts

Being a Austen fan I do admit to wanting more actual Austen stuff. They kept rehearsing for this play that I wanted to know more about.

And as for our characters, hmm, maybe he is price and she prejudice ;)

Freddy is a rising star of the west end, just as her father wanted. To carry own the legacy of his mother. But all these drama roles are just so so, meh. Freddy carried this stupid guilt around and I wanted to tell her to let it go and do what she wanted!

'

Griff is a critique, and he is feared by all. Someone has to say what others do not. You go Griff.

Anyway, Freddy takes part in an Austen mingle play, it takes place at Griff's estate. He is doing a movie about her gran. They meet, they argue, they fall in love. Other cast members cause havoc, family members cause havoc and there is a scandal brewing.

Like I said, more Austen please. Not we got a mystery surrounding her gran instead. And I did not actually feel these two fall in love. It just suddenly happened, chemistry was rather low.

But it was  a amusing one and it did not feel US romance like, more Britain romance wise (the author seems to be NZ so I guess that makes sense then).

Narrator

I did like the narrator. She did a great job keeping my attention on things , and she played different characters well. She really made the book better for me.

Freddy Carlton knows she should be focusing on her lines for The Austen Playbook, a live-action TV event where viewers choose the outcome of each scene, but her concentration’s been blown. The palatial estate housing the endeavor is now run by the rude (brilliant) critic who’s consistently slammed her performances of late. James “Griff” Ford-Griffin has a penchant for sarcasm, a majestic nose, and all the sensitivity of a sledgehammer.
She can’t take her eyes off him.
Griff can hardly focus with a contagious joy fairy flitting about near him, especially when Freddy looks at him like that. His only concern right now should be on shutting down his younger brother’s well-intentioned (disastrous) schemes - or at the very least on the production (not this one) that might save his family home from the banks.
Instead, all he can think of is soft skin and vibrant curls.
As he’s reluctantly dragged into her quest to rediscover her passion for the stage and Freddy is drawn into his research on a legendary theater star, the adage about appearances being deceiving proves abundantly true. It’s the unlikely start of something enormous...but a single revelation about the past could derail it all.

Audio: A prince on paper - Alyssa Cole

Narrated by: Karen Chilton

Series: Reluctant Royals, Book 3

Length: 11 hrs and 57 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 04-30-19

Language: English

Publisher: HarperAudio

Contemporary romance

To review

My Thoughts

I have no idea what it is this redheaded prince fascination, I mean Harry, come on, not handsome. But for you all who think so then this is a treat for you. A redheaded playboy prince who gets in trouble a lot and whose philanthropist mother is dead. And whose name is Johan.

Johan who has fancied Nya from afar. Sheltered Nya whose dad is a traitor and who told everyone that Nya is sickly and can not do anything. Yes her dad was a real piece of work.

Back to the start. Yes this is book 3 but it works perfectly as a stand alone. She attends her cousin's wedding and I guess that was book 1? And then she has this other friend there and that I do know is book 2 because I listened to a novella about that one.  I do love a good stand alone.

I liked Johan because he did not want to be a playboy prince. He does it all to keep the attention on him and not his brother. 

Nya kept playing this mobile game and as I am currently addicted to one, then hey I get that girl! I liked how she wanted to become something else, but at the same time, there was nothing wrong with being her and she had to learn that.

They meet, they flirt, there is family drama and they live happily ever after. I enjoyed it.

Narrator

I liked her Nya voice and Johan's accent, but the Scottish one, even if I did not hear a lot, it was pretty bad. She had nice distinctive voices and her voice was nice listening to.

Romance always rocks in audio

Nya Jerami fled Thesolo for the glitz and glamour of NYC but discovered that her Prince Charming only exists in her virtual dating games. When Nya returns home for a royal wedding, she accidentally finds herself up close and personal-in bed-with the real-life celebrity prince who she loves to hate.

For Johan von Braustein, the red-headed step-prince of Liechtienbourg, acting as paparazzi bait is a ruse that protects his brother-the heir to the throne-and his own heart. When a royal referendum threatens his brother's future, a fake engagement is the perfect way to keep the cameras on him.

Nya and Johan both have good reasons to avoid love, but as desires are laid bare behind palace doors, they must decide if their fake romance will lead to a happily-ever-after. 

Audio: Can't escape love - Alyssa Cole

Narrated by: Karen Chilton

Series: Reluctant Royals 3,5

Length: 4 hrs and 23 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 03-19-19

Publisher: HarperAudio

Contemporary romance

Thank you Harper for this review copy

My Thoughts

Another novella in this series, and I have not read a single actual book! But hey it truly works! I even enjoyed this one more than the last one, as that one was a talking book, and here they did spend days together.

Reggie has created a nerd site that is gaining popularity. That site is her whole life. I liked Reggie, she was work oriented, and she loves anime and well nerdy things. All those fun things in life. And yes like the cover shows, she is in a wheelchair. ANd like that has ever stopper her

Gustave was adorable. Puzzles, design and logic are his things. And I like how he truly fell for her.

There are information about what is going on in book 3, but it works out like any other short sidestory. And what can I say, I like Reggie more.

They need each other's help, they fall in lust. It might be a novella, but it feels like an entire book.

Short and fun. I liked this

Narration

I liked her voices and she made this novella work great. You are really there with them.

Blurb

Regina Hobbs is nerdy by nature, businesswoman by nurture. She's finally taking her pop culture-centered media enterprise, Girls with Glasses, to the next level, but the stress is forcing her to face a familiar supervillain: insomnia. The only thing that helps her sleep when things get this bad is the deep, soothing voice of puzzle-obsessed live streamer Gustave Nguyen. The problem? His archive has been deleted.

Gus has been tasked with creating an escape room themed around a romance anime...except he knows nothing about romance or anime. Then mega-nerd and anime expert Reggie comes calling, and they make a trade: his voice for her knowledge. But when their online friendship has IRL chemistry, will they be able to escape love?

Audio: Birthday Suit - Lauren Blakely

Narrated by: Andi Arndt, Sebastian York, January Lavoy, Julia Whelan, R.C. Bray, Shane East, Joe Arden, Erin Mallon, Dion Graham, Savannah Peachwood, Jason Clarke, Robin Miles

Length: 7 hrs and 16 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 01-14-19

Language: English

Publisher: Lauren Blakely Books

Category: Romance, Contemporary

Thank you Audible for this copy!

My Thoughts

Why do not books come with food? I mean omg the chocolate they were talking and drooling about. And then I am left with no choco at all! So cruel. So cruel.

Yes Leo, who is just wonderful, works for a chocolate company. His problem is that he has been in love with his best friend's wife for 10 years. But hey he is a good guy, he has never made any move. They all met at the same time, but hey only one can get the girl. So is problem is more that he wants more but he can not have it, even though said best friend is dead. But hey I get it.

Lulu makes chocolate, drool worthy chocolate. And then she meets Leo again, her great friend, the best man at her wedding. And I did like this, she never had a thought about him. He was just a good friend through out the years.

But yes of course they will fall for each other. And there will be chocolate. And friendship. And more chocolate.

Conclusion:

It was a fun and cute story.

Narrators

SO many narrators! But I never thought of how well a full cast can be. Everyone has a truly distinct voice. You are just swept away and feel more present than ever. I do love all forms of audiobook, and they all have their own charm. And this one sure did well as a full cast. The side characters gets to shine.

The two narrators of Leo and Lulu were great. I liked Leo's voice and I like Lulu, she made her sound fun.

Blurb

There is no rule in the Man Code as unbreakable as this: no matter how beautiful, smart, clever, and witty she is, do not—under any circumstances—fall in love with your best friend’s woman. 

Yeah. So there’s that. Look, it’s not like I didn’t know I screwed up by falling for her. 

Also, for the record, unrequited love sucks big time.

And, I might have cut myself some slack by now, given everything that went down in the last few years, but Lulu just walked back into my life in a big way.

***

There are three things I've never been able to resist—my friends, my family, and chocolate.

Leo Hennessy? He was nowhere on that list. He's been a true friend—a friend who walked through hell and back with me.

Now, I'm stepping into my new future. I didn't expect it to include a riddle-filled, race-against-the-clock scavenger hunt across New York City.

With Leo.

Suddenly, I'm looking at this man with new eyes...

But my life spun out because of a man once before, and I can’t risk my fresh start, no matter what the temptation. And Leo is most definitely a temptation of the sexiest, sweetest, and most dangerous variety. 

More irresistibly delicious than chocolate...

Carole's Sunday Review: Trade Me

Author: Courtney Milan

Narrator: Xe Sands & Sean Crisden

Title: Trade Me

(Cyclone #1)

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction

Pages: Audiobook

Published: January 19th 2015 

Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Tina Chen just wants a degree and a job, so her parents never have to worry about making rent again. She has no time for Blake Reynolds, the sexy billionaire who stands to inherit Cyclone Technology. But when he makes an off-hand comment about what it means to be poor, she loses her cool and tells him he couldn’t last a month living her life.

To her shock, Blake offers her a trade: She’ll get his income, his house, his car. In exchange, he’ll work her hours and send money home to her family. No expectations; no future obligations.

But before long, they’re trading not just lives, but secrets, kisses, and heated nights together. No expectations might break Tina’s heart...but Blake’s secrets could ruin her life.

I've enjoyed other books by this author so this was a no-brainer. Plus I would love the concept of this story. 

Tina is striving to get her degree and find a good job so she can take care of her parents and sister. Blake is trying to get a degree too so he has something of his own. He is a billionaire who is going to be inheriting his father's company some day. Things happen and Tina opens his eyes and inspire him to offer her a trade. Tina gets his income, house, car, and part of his duties. Blake will get a job like Tina's, her hours, budget, and her obligations. Things happen and they fall for each other, but they are both broken and terrified. 

The author really knows how to write a people story. They talk, they share, they grow, they feel, and they love. It is really sweet, but it wasn't all rainbows and kittens. I think what I really loved was that these two characters are sooo flawed even pretty boy billionaire. Even their families are flawed which added to the story as well. 

I really liked Blake. I didn't think I was going to, but he was much more complex than I was expecting. His big "problem" really made me like him more. It was sad, but it really made him more human. 

Now, I did feel for Tina. She has the poor girl and poor family thing going on. She is pretty much the adult for her family. She also had a crappy ex who made her doubt herself. However, I did get really annoyed with her. Her constant "not safe" mentality killed me. Love is always risky and he OBVIOUSLY loves you and he has money. And you love him! Sighs. C'mon woman!

The ending was too easy. SMH. Hopefully, it really isn't AS easy as the author is making us think. There are other books in the series...soooo who knows? But some of the issues seemed to be too quickly resolved. Mmm

Now, I really liked the narrators. They had one for Tina and one for Blake. They both did a good job with their characters. The accent they gave Tina's parents seemed a little off though. 

Overall, I did like this story. The next book isn't about Tina and Blake, but I am curious about it. I think Tina and Blake come back in book 3? I do want to check out book 2 though. Some issues I had, but I liked this overall. I'll stamp this with 3 stars. 

One line done for Billionaire!

Audio: Flare up - Shannon Stacey

By: Shannon Stacey

Narrated by: Tatiana Sokolov

Series: Boston Fire, Book 6

Length: 6 hrs and 21 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 01-29-19

Language: English

Publisher: Harlequin Audio

Contemporary romance

My Thoughts:

There was a whole lovestory that we missed, instead the book opens with them meeting again. And what a meeting. Grant saves Ren from a burning building.

I get why Ren broke up and ran from him. Sometimes the answer is s silly but here, I got that she was scared and needed to run. Yes she should have talked to him, but I understood. And she was such a great person!

Grant, poor guy, he was all heartbroken and still he was willing to help her out after the fire. He as such a great guy, the best! Awww, oh Grant, yes he was a keeper.

So they start things again. And that danger is still there, that running away from danger. I actually expected it to get really dangerous, but it never truly did. But then this is not suspense, this is romance.

This is book 6, and yes there are a lot of couples nearby, but you do not feel lost. It did make me want to read about them though. It is such a great tight knit friendgroup.

Conclusin:

Romance, firemen and great friends. Makes for a sweet story.

Cover

Nothing to complain about

Narrator Tatiana Sokolov

I am so sure I have listened to her before, but then I looked at her books and found nothing. A real mystery. But hey I guess that is a good thing, I felt at home with that voice.

Ok so I am not a Bostonian and I do not know if she did it justice, but I certainly liked it. I do not know why but I really enjoy hearing the Boston A. 

She worked well with the different voices, and big A for the A

Story:

Meet the tough, dedicated men of Boston Fire-and the women who turn their lives upside down. 

Nursing a broken heart while everybody around him seems to be drowning in happiness has Grant Cutter wondering whether staying with Engine 59-or even Boston Fire-is in his future. It's tempting as hell to pack up what fits in his Jeep and hit the road. But then a 911 call brings the woman who shattered his heart back into his life, and he knows he won't ever be able to fully leave her in his rearview mirror. 

For a few months, Wren Everett had thought the nightmare of her past was behind her and she might live happily ever after with Grant. Until she got the phone call letting her know the time her ex had spent in jail for assault hadn't cooled his temper or determination that she belonged with him. Cutting ties with Grant was the hardest thing she'd ever had to do, but it was also the only way to keep him safe.Now that Grant is back, he's not letting Wren push him away again. And even with the trust issues between them, Wren dares to hope she and Grant might have a future together after all...if they're willing to fight for it. 

Carole's Sunday: The Cowboy's forgetful bride - Leslie North

Author: Leslie North

Title: The Cowboy’s Forgetful Bride

(Brothers of the Cooper Ranch)

Genre: Western, Romance

Pages: ebook

Published: December 27th 2018

Where I Got It: My shelf (Netgalley)

Bella Whitmore is the heir to the Whitmore Shipping fortune. Refusing to be pigeon-holed into the socialite box, Bella has worked her entire life to show her father that she can be the son he never had and take over the Whitmore Shipping Empire. So when she wakes up, on a ranch in Montana, missing the memories of the last month of her life, you’d think that would be the worst case scenario. And it is…until she realizes the devil she’d worked so hard to avoid for the last year is now her husband. 

Sawyer Cooper knows he’s a devil. Handsome, charismatic, and with an eye for feeding people’s vices, Sawyer’s reinvented himself as a shark in the business world, but very few realize that he’s actually a Cooper of the Country Coop fortune. But rather than resting on the laurels (and red-neck reputation) of Country Coop, Sawyer wants to show the world exactly how important farming can be. To do this, he needs Bella Whitmore’s help. Every bit as beautiful as her name suggests, and smarter than everyone else in the room, Sawyer knows that she could make his dreams come true, both inside and outside of the bedroom. And after a year of pursuing her, she’s finally said yes -- to everything. 

But after a horseback riding accident, Bella’s brain has reset back to the beginning, and Sawyer was never good at starting a game over. Especially not after he’d already won. Now, Sawyer needs to figure out how to woo her for a second time. Because this time around it’s not just his professional pride on the line: it’s his heart.

Who doesn't love a nice cowboy ;)? 

So the story follows Sawyer and Bella. Sawyer is a hunky cowboy who has an amazing business idea. Bella is the daughter of a business mogul who is a complete jerk and doesn't fully appreciate Bella and her brains. He just wants her to be a dumb socialite and marry a man he can leave the company to one day. Things happen, but we don't get to see them because one minute Bella goes to bed and wakes up a month or so later and she is now married to Sawyer in Montana. She can't remember a thing...

I wanted to slash the tires of Bella's dad. He was an absolute sexist jerk. Grr! *shakes fist* 

Sawyer was hunky and Bella was sweet and sassy and smart. Everything a cowboy businessman needs. 

The drama was good. Not over-the-top. I enjoyed seeing some of the business drama unfold as well. Bella and Sawyer were sweet together and I felt bad. However....I hated Sawyer at first. Sure, everyone has their weaknesses and whatnot, but his original reaction to Bella's memory loss threw me off. Ummmm....she is your wife. I would've slapped him. He gets better and makes up for his moment of selfishness, but still. I was not amused. 

I also wasn't 100% in love in how everything was resolved and "fixed". I GET IT. But....I don't know. I think it was a waste of time and money honestly. 

Overall, this was a cute one with some drama. Sawyer took a while to earn my love and the ending I wasn't really in love with it. However, the rest of the story was good. That would really stink to lose your memory!! D: I'll stamp this with 3 stars.