Audiobook Review: His Royal Bride Replacement by Lynne Graham

Title: His Royal Bride Replacement

Author: Lynne Graham
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 
His Royal Bride Replacement is a royal, stand-in bride, marriage of convenience romance from USA TODAY bestselling author Lynne Graham.

A life-changing ring…
from His Highness!

Crown Prince Alessio drowns out each exploit with outrageous behavior! Even his wedding is hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons—his reputation-repairing fiancée has pulled out! Leaving him urgently seeking a replacement bride. Enter Rosalia Castelli…

Innocent Rosy is merely a palace art restorer. How can she even think of becoming Sedovia’s queen? Yet to save her family from financial peril, she must accept Alessio’s shock proposal. And as she spends more time with her husband, she begins to catch glimpses of the man beneath the rebellious facade…and to crave his touch!

From Harlequin Presents: Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.

Review:

I wasn't sure if I'd be into royal escapades, but this quick read/listen proved me wrong. The characters are endearing, but I found the story to be lacking in oomph. It just seemed to rush through everything so quickly that I was left wanting more, and not it a good way.

I'm not sure if I would want to read another book by this author in fear that all of her books are this brief. I did however enjoy Melanie Crawley's narration of this book. She did a great job.

I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.

Audiobook Review: Life Derailed by Beth Merlin and Danielle Modafferi

Life Derailed by Beth Merlin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book told you a story about how AI could affect us, even when we don't realize it. It's a story of a widow wanting to find her way back into her life and is ready to let someone in again. But when she finds out what's behind her success story in potential online dating, she's hurt.

I love how well the authors brought in the current craze of AI and showed us what it could eventually be, if we allow it. The characters are great. I loved the banter, and the hope showed throughout.

The narrator Caroline Hewitt did a great job with this book. I'd love to listen to more books read by her.

I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

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Audiobook Review: What Not to Do on Vacation by Rachel Magee

What Not to Do on Vacation: A Novel by Rachel Magee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While there are only 3 sisters to follow on this journey, at the beginning of the book, I had a heck of a time trying to separate them and keep the facts straight. But once I did, the book flowed, and the characters came to life for me and became friends. I hated seeing any of them in pain, and I was so happy to see that love won out in the end. (What's a rom-com without a happy ending?)

Karissa Vacker, the narrator, did a great job keeping each voice separate and giving us characters we could tell apart and fall in love with.

I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

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Review: Late to Love by Valerie Pepper

Title: Late to Love

Author: Valerie Pepper
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 

She’s a woman with a tool belt and a dream. He’s the grumpy bartender who falls head over heels.

Darcy Belle is full of contradictions. At twenty-four, she’s the beach town’s best carpenter with plans to launch her own custom furniture store online. The only thing she loves more than furniture is irritating the grumpy bartender at her weekly all-female bowling team practice. And when said grump agrees to let her flex her skills by renovating his loft? Life just took a turn for joy, folks.

Anthony Hall has lived a life of consistency and hard work. Owner and bartender at Hall’s Balls, he’s every bit the town grump people think he is. It’s not until Darcy Belle barrels into his life at full tilt, all luscious curves with power tools to boot, that he understands he’s got more to give. A lot more.

Forced to see each other almost daily, Darcy and Anthony slowly realize there’s more to their arguments than meet the eye, despite their seventeen-year age difference. But age is just a number, until years of hurt reveal that Darcy isn’t the one who needs to grow up.

Late to Love is an age gap grumpy-sunshine romcom where he falls first with a guaranteed happily ever after.

Review:

As a woman who likes a man who is "more mature" this age gap romance really spoke to me. True to form, Ms. Pepper has given us characters who are both flawed and redeemable all in the same breath. I love that Darcy is a capable woman who can do more and fix more than most men. Proof positive that not all women NEED a man. But knowing Darcy needs what Anthony has to offer makes her just that much more loveable.

My favorite line of the book was: Considering my age begins with the number four, I think it's a safe bet that I should keep my eyes the hell off her t*ts.

I laughed quite a bit at that. This book kept me laughing and cheering on the characters. Another hit for Valerie Pepper! Kudos. And I'd like to thank the author for the great recommendation for music. Noah Kahan is great.

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I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.

Audiobook Review: Friends With Benefits by Marisa Kanter

Title: Friends With Benefits

Author: Marisa Kanter
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 
Lifelong best friends say 'I do' to a marriage of convenience, trading vows for a financial safety net and benefits. Perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Katherine Center.

Evie Bloom pays attention to the details. Her very job depends on it—as an aspiring Foley artist, she’s responsible for every crisp footstep, smacking kiss, and distinct sound in film and television. So when she’s selected for a fellowship opportunity that would make all her career dreams come true, she’s quick to spot the catch: there are no health benefits, and for someone with a chronic illness, that’s a non-starter.

Theo Cohen is an elementary school teacher who can't afford to live on his own in LA, and is facing eviction after his roommates couple up and move out of their rent-controlled apartment. But there is one loophole in his lease: each tenant must meet an income threshold, unless the tenants are married.

For Theo, the answer is obvious. Marry Evie, his best friend since forever. It’s not as if they don’t spend all their free time together anyways. Not only will Theo be able to keep his apartment, but Evie can be added to his insurance plan so she can accept her dream fellowship. It’s such a logical, practical solution. Never mind that Evie doesn’t really want to be married—not to Theo, not to anyone—ever. Or the small, complicating fact that Theo has always been a little bit in love with Evie.

But it doesn’t have to be a big deal. Marriage. It will just give them space to breathe, and much-needed relief from the daily financial stress. It won’t change anything.

It’s . . . going to change everything.

Review:

Can you trust yourself to make the best decisions when you're a little bit in love with your best friend? Probably not! But when your worst decision turns out to be the best decision for everyone in the long run... even if they don't know it... can it still be considered bad?

I loved the chronic illness rep in this book. The author did an exceptional job portraying it and its struggles. Ms. Kanter did a great job showing emotion and love in this book as well.

I've never read a book in which the character was a Foley artist, so this too was a real treat learning about the job and how it worked. I'm thankful the author put so much work into the research into this book.

I enjoyed listening to Gail Shalan and GM Hakim read this book. It felt like friends reading to me.

I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

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I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.

Audiobook Review: Not So Fast by Karen Booth

Title: Not So Fast    

Author: Karen Booth
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 
“Of the recent crop of Formula 1 romances, this one’s way out in front.”  -- Publishers Weekly Starred Review

When the curves are this dangerous, only a race car driver will do… A sizzling, high-octane Formula One rom-com you can read in one sitting!

Mia Neal is a champion overthinker. Find something, fixate on it and spiral down. Fortunately, she puts that energy to good use: in a podcast about Formula One, her favorite sport in the world. There’s nothing about racing Mia doesn’t adore. The speed. The drivers. The fierce competition. The single-minded ambition. Ironic for a woman who’s changed careers more times than she can count.

Only now, her salty takes on gorgeous Brit driver Xander Bishop have gone viral, and the podcast feels more and more like what she’s meant to do… Then Xander’s teammate invites her to the Miami Grand Prix to see F1 up close—and get in Xander’s head. He’s not exactly delighted at the shade she’s been throwing his way.

It should be all-out war. Instead, Mia and Xander are stunned by the sudden crackle of…something sexual arcing between them. It’s irresistible, unbelievably hot—and Mia’s warning flags are waving. Because this reckless attraction is coming at Mia all too fast…

Review:

While sports romances have not always been at the top of my TBR pile (unless it's hockey), this book has put Formula One books on my radar. (Or perhaps just books by Karen Booth?) So, for all of you who have the need for speed, it's time to pick up Not So Fast. Karen shows us that she's quite capable of crossing the finish line!

My only problem with the book was the multiple POV switches in the same chapter (but it didn't bother me enough for me to lower the rating on the book). While this may be denoted by scene/POV change graphics in the paperback/ebook, there is no such thing in the audiobook.

Talon David did a great job with the voices and narration in this book.

I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

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I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.

Review: Warrick by Liza Bee

Warrick: Rocky Mountain Pack by Liza Bee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Even without having read book one of this wonderful series (or so I'm assuming since this one was so good) this book gave me everything I needed to catch up on the happenings of the last book as well as giving me a full and captivating look at Aspen and Warrick's story.

I felt everything that Aspen was going through in this book. How did she deal with such heartbreak over and over from Warrick and still find love? (You'll have to read to find out, won't you?) I loved watching Aspen grow from someone who wasn't willing to face the hard stuff to someone who stood up for what she needed.

And Warrick... I wanted to bitch slap him a couple of times in the book, but once he pulled his head out of his butt and started doing the right things... well... I fell in love. Way to go, Warrick. You can teach an old wolf new tricks.

I'd like to thank the author and Happily Booked PR for the opportunity to read and review this book.

View all my reviews