Friday, February 4

Audiobook Review: One Heart to Win by Johanna Lindsey



Author: Johanna Lindsey
Narrator: Meredith Mitchell
Title: One Heart to Win
(Callahan-Warren #1)
Genre: Historical Romance, Western
Format: Audiobook
Published: January 1st 2013
Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 
Some young ladies marry for money and social standing, a few lucky ones marry for love, but Tiffany Warren is marrying to end a feud. Honoring her mother's promise, Tiffany reluctantly travels west to meet her estranged father and his enemy's eldest son, rancher Hunter Callahan. Once the Warrens and the Callahans are united by marriage, both clans will stop squabbling over a disputed strip of land.

In the chaos of a train robbery, Tiffany seizes a golden opportunity: By assuming the identity of her father's new housekeeper, she can live with the father she never knew and assess his true character, as well as that of the neighboring cowboy to whom she is betrothed. But, too late, Tiffany discovers that the rivalry between the Warrens and the Callahans has escalated when the Callahans steal the Warrens' housekeeper as soon as she steps off the train!

Now, Tiffany, who is pretending to be Jennifer Fleming, finds herself living in the enemy camp, under the same roof as her fiancé. All too soon she learns her intended is a handsome, sweet talking charmer whom she has to fight off because he can't keep his eyes—or his hands—off Jennifer.

After Tiffany's charade is exposed, she refuses to marry Hunter to end the feud.

As Hunter goes about claiming his rightful bride-to-be, he knows that although he loves two women—proper, elegant Tiffany as well as spunky, passionate Jennifer—he has only one heart to win.


Review:
Picked this one because 1) who doesn't love a Western Romance 2) it fits a couple reading challenges and 3) it sounds fun. 

Here we follow Tiffany Warren who was born into a family that is in the middle of a feud. She and her mother moved away from the feud when she was naught but a baby. In order to end the feud, she was promised to the oldest Callahan boy. Tiffany reluctantly travels West when she turns 18. She makes a promises her mother to at least MEET her intended and the father that she never had a chance to know or even see. She comes across the golden opportunity to meet both but under the guise of a housekeeper. Pretending to be Jennifer...she finds herself working for the enemy.

Loved the idea of it all. How crazy. BUT I feel like I would do the same if I was in her shoes. She is getting a chance to see her fiancé in his own house. 

Of course she gets exposed. She had met her brothers a few times, but never the father. So when her brothers see her....yea. You can imagine. But I did love the ruse. It was fun. Plus, I felt like it was good for her. She grew up all fancy in the city as a rich gal. Now, she has to learn to cook and clean. It for sure helped her character development. 

Now....I did have my issues with Hunter. The gal has told you NO a few times. Back off pal. He was def being pushy because she's giving mixed signals. But one...she is the help....two, she did technically say no multiple times....and three YOU ARE ENGAGED to another woman (we all know Jenny is Tiffany...but HE doesn't). Sighs. Men. HE DOES get better, but still. Too pushy for my liking here. 

I did adore Degan. Tiffany was weary of him, but he was always a gentleman. He gets his own HEA in book 2 so I'm down for that. 

UGH and I didn't like the reveal of the who feud. How did anyone want to keep up the hatred after that??? I won't say...but like get over it folks. It honestly felt overblown WHICH that is the norm for these type feuds I guess....but it still irked me. Wah. 

I liked the narrator. She did a good job with all the voices even the male ones. I never found myself confused. Yes, we have a decently large cast here. 

In the end, I did enjoy this. I had a couple big-ish issues, but I could still enjoy overall. Can't wait to start book 2! I want Degan to find loveeeee. I'll stamp this with 3 stars. 







Challenge(s):
- #5 for Audiobook challenge
- #4 for Romance Reading Challenge ('Heart' in title)















4 comments:

Jen Twimom said...

I am not a big western romance fan, but this one sounds decent. Glad you enjoyed.

Carole Rae said...

I have to be in the mood for a western.

Blodeuedd said...

Hmm about that guy

Carole Rae said...

He was too pushy. Boo