Audiobook Review: Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare

Author: Tessa Dare

Narrator: Carmen Rose

Title: Romancing the Duke

Series: Castles Ever After #1

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: Audiobook

Published: January 28, 2014

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

As the daughter of a famed author, Isolde Ophelia Goodnight grew up on tales of brave knights and fair maidens. She never doubted romance would be in her future, too. The storybooks offered endless possibilities.

And as she grew older, Izzy crossed them off. One by one by one.

Ugly duckling turned swan?

Abducted by handsome highwayman?

Rescued from drudgery by charming prince?

No, no, and… Heh.

Now Izzy’s given up yearning for romance. She’ll settle for a roof over her head. What fairy tales are left over for an impoverished twenty-six year-old woman who’s never even been kissed?

This one.

Review:

I picked this one up because I want to read book 2. I'm sure the two can be read as standalones, but the sounds of this had me intrigued. 

Here we follow Izzy who is the daughter of a famed author. When he passes away, she is left with nothing. Her father never changed his will. A miracle happens when she inherits a castle after a fan of her father's passes away too. She may never find love as an improvised 26-year-old spinster, but at least she will have a home of her own. Until...she meets the Duke who owns the home is still there. They both want the castle and both have legitimate claims on it so they are forced to work together to get to the bottom of what happened. 

I felt so bad for both of them! Izzy's dad was an idiot and never changed his will so EVERYTHING went to her sleazeball of a cousin. And then there is Ransom. He is partially blinded after a certain event (I won't spoil how he received his wounds - that is a big event). He sometimes can make out shapes and muted colors, but other than that he is pretty much blind.

Ransom is a very bitter man and with good reason, but there were times he was too much. I wouldn't have dealt with him at all. He certainly was an ass to Izzy. I get him being mean to her at first, but then when they realize they both realized they are victims...he should've relented. All she wants to do is help. He is stubborn and doesn't trust anyone...which I get...but it bugged me. HOWEVER, Izzy isn't some wilted flower. She wasn't scared to stand up to him. She was my favorite character by far. Poor thing thinks she is ugly though which broke my heart. But I loved her. She deserves the world!!!!!!!

OMG the "cosplayers" who love her and the stories melted my heart! Yes, fans can be annoying, but they actually do worship her and the stories.

I will say there were parts that made me roll my eyes. Cheesy....and unrealistic. Too many smexy scenes WAY too early. Don't get me wrong...I love a good smexy scene, but this felt like fillers.  

I read a couple of reviews and I guess this is supposed to be a nod to 'Beauty and the Beast'? A bit of a stretch. Sure he has the grumpy 'tude and he has a hideous scar...but that is where the similarity ends for me. 

The narrator was okay. I liked her male voices better. Some of the girl voices seemed super similar to each other. 

Overall, this was fun. Some unrealistic bits, but enjoyable. I loved, loved, LOVED Izzy. I hope we can see her in the future books of the series. Even a glimpse or a mention will be enough for meeee. In the end, I'll give this 3 stars. 

Challenge(s):
- #38 for Audiobook challenge

Best of August

Here are our best for August!

Best Book of the Month:

Blodeuedd - Mad about you by Mhairi McFarlane

"This was my best book because it was just so much more than I thought it would be."

Carole - A Day Like This by Kelley McNeil

"Had a couple goodies...but this one will hit you in all the feels. So good."

Best Movie of the Month:

Carole - Prey (2022)

"This movie was just freakin' awesome!"

Blodeuedd - Wedding Season (2022)

"This movie was funny, cute and just the perfect rom com."

Best TV show of the Month:

Blodeuedd -  Never Have I Ever (S1-3)

"I have watched a lot of tv, and I do recommend this one"

Carole - Gilmore Girls (Season 3-6)

"Been binge-watching this show. Literally can't stop."

Best Cover of the Month:

B: It looks sweet and the colors are perfect!

C: There is just something about this cover that catches my eye!

Movie Review: The Gray Man (2022)

Title: The Gray Man

Length:  2 hr and 2 mins

Released: 2022

Genre:  Action, Thriller
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Netflix

SUMMARY:

When the CIA's most skilled operative-whose true identity is known to none-accidentally uncovers dark agency secrets, a psychopathic former colleague puts a bounty on his head, setting off a global manhunt by international assassins.

Click here for the trailer

REVIEW:

Heard this was a fun watch with a fun cast, so why not?

Six was once a convict in jail for murder and he is hired by the CIA to be their assassin. When his psychopathic former colleague puts a bounty on his head...it sets off a global manhunt by international assassins.

This was a fun movie. Lots of action. Sprinkle of humor and some serious moments. 

OMG the cast is fun too! It was fun watching these guys and gals duke it out. I was a little disappointed in the dialogue sometimes. It was sparse and lacking sometimes. 

But yes, this was a pretty overused plot. Crazy killer for the government and the government turns on him and send other killers to kill him. It was cool that he actually had to try especially when follow professionals came in to try and take him down. But yes. He knows something and they want him dead. 

A nice action movie if you are in the mood for it. 

3 stars from me. 

Joint Review: The Making of Her by Bernadette Jiwa

Hello all! Blodeuedd and I will be discussing "The Making of Her" by Bernadette Jiwa. Blodeuedd is in red and I am in orange.

Author: Bernadette Jiwa
Title: The Making of Her
Genre: Historical Fiction
Published: August 9th 2022
Format: ebook

Pages: 352

Provided to us by Netgalley

Summary:

Dublin 1996. Joan Egan lives an enviable life. She and her husband, Martin, and daughter, Carmel, are thriving in Dublin at the dawn of an economic boom. But everything changes when Joan receives a letter from Emma, the daughter who she and Martin gave up for adoption thirty years before, asking for a life-or-death favor.

While Joan grapples with the guilt over giving up her baby long ago, she must confront her present as the cracks in her marriage become impossible to ignore and simmering tension with Carmel boils over. Meanwhile, Carmel and Emma must come to terms with the perceived sins of their mother, to imagine a future for their family before it is too late.

Discussion:

This was just a random book I said yes to and made Carole read it too.

Awwww! It sounded too good to not check it out. I’m glad we read it! This is for sure an excellent book club book.

I thought the whole preggo in Ireland in the 60s sounded good cos of all those scandals and all. But there was almost nothing about the effed up things the Catholic church was up to back then. And I still wonder about her siblings?!?!

I do wish we had more seeing her journey when she was young and preggo. We only got glimpses. And yessss I would’ve liked to see what happened to the siblings. Maybe there will be a sequel with her finding all her family?

I did feel a bit disappointed personally, I felt there were many roads that could have been taken. Like did she never look or wonder about them? I’d wonder about my siblings! And yes I felt the whole pregnancy journey should have been more. Now it was more a boring middle-aged couple where the husband was a d*ck.

I think it would’ve been more…. heart-wrenching if we got to see her before, during, and then after. And then all the drama with Emma and Ben. I think it would’ve been more impactful. And ugh damn Martin and his venomous mother. 

Yes, it should have been more gutwrenching. I did not even like Emma, I felt she was too oh if my mum had been alone then poor mum, but now she was not so f her.

I get Emma being a little bitter because she didn’t know the story. You finally get a chance to learn and hear Joan’s side, but she was still f her. It’s tragic how it all went down. I felt bad for Joan and Emma and even Carmel. They deserved more. Again…f Martin and his mom. LOL that is all I kept saying the whole time. 

I get bitter, but one thinks that after hearing the story she would understand, like hello, your dad?!? Doesn’t that tell you anything? I felt really sorry for Joan. Being stuck with Martin and his toxic mum for 30 years. The ending too was so meh, it needed more impact.

For real. Joan was so young and she was pretty much a prisoner in that house….a bird locked in a gilded cage. I did cheer at the end when Joan did what she did. Good for her. Good for Carmel. I’m mad at Emma for what she did. I am hopeful there will a second book. I feel like there is more story to tell. Like we get to see Joan’s siblings. The ending just ended. Too many loose ends.

Hmm, I wonder how Catholic the author is, maybe she doesn’t want to say too much about 60s practices of taking kids and such. Delve deeper you know. But yes I really wanted to know more. Maybe there were no records, but still, go find them! See, what this book left me was that question.

To be fair…Joan may not know anything about that. If there is another book maybe the author can dive into with Joan looking for her siblings that were taken. I’m sure those poor kids have horror stories!

I do wonder….but hey at least Martin did stand by her. This book could have taken a much much bleaker turn. Her ending up in some home run by nuns, and shunned by her friends.

I’m very, very surprised Martin stayed by her. I still don’t fully get why he just didn’t marry her in London. He was an ass and only wanted to do things on his and his mother’s schedule. Grrrr Martin. Maybe Joan could’ve found a nice fella to take her and her baby in.

Nah, that baby would have been taken from her and adopted, and maybe she finally had made it somewhere to start a new life. But yes I am surprised Martin didn’t just say bye and leave. At least he tried that asshole. And they could just have pretended to have married earlier, but hhh scandal. Well fu Martin, you coward.  Be a man!

Yes. That was his biggest flaw. He was a coward. I like to think that maybe Joan could’ve found another man. Even if they took the baby…maybe when Emma showed up that man would’ve been all “YES! LET’S HELP HER!!!!” IDK. I’m so glad Joan and Carmel womened up. 

That other man would totally have been, let’s help her at once! And then it would have taken a happier turn. And maybe they would have hunted down Martin, and he would still be a bitter old man. But this time Joan and Emma would have been all f that guy.

Wishful thinking! I hope there is a book 2. I am invested in these characters…especially Joan, Carmel, and little Ben. I need more of a closure.

I need more closure too.

More is needed, but def a good book for book club. Lots to talk about lol.

Agreed.

The end?

The end! Until next time friend.

About the Authors

Carole and Blodeuedd have been blogging for a long while now. The last few years the epic duo has been discussing books, watching movies, and even wetting the pen and sharing their stories with the worldwide web. They both love cats, chocolate, and a good story.

2-in-1 Short Story Reviews: Tree Love & Sweet Christmas

Author: Cassandra O'Leary

Title: Tree Love

Genre: Short story, Contemporary Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 32

Published: February 13, 2018

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

If your first love fell out of a tree. . . would you catch him?

Natalia Bianchi is a botanical artist, who finds herself accidentally working for the city's Parks Department in admin and also accidentally engaged to her boss. It's not what she had planned.

One day she checks on 'her' tree in the botanical gardens, and her first love, Dan "The Man" Mancini falls at her feet. Literally. Almost like it was meant to be. But that's what she thought ten years ago when they were friends at university.

Should Natalia shake up her entire safe, convenient life to climb Dan like a tree? Could this be her second chance at love that could last forever?

Review:

Gotta love Amazon freebies. 

Here we follow Natalia who is a botanical artist. She finds herself working for the city's Parks Department in admin and engaged to her boss. Not the job she wanted and not really the man she saw herself with. One day she checks on her tree and her first love, Dan, falls at her feet. Literally. Should Natalia follow her heart and take a risk on Dan?

Gotta love second chance stories done right. This was done right. I loved seeing Dan and Natalia find love all over again. 

The scene with Natalia telling her fiancé was cringy...mainly because it was too simple and easily resolved. 

I enjoyed this one even with the meh scene with Natalia and her old beau. This was super cute and a perfect short story for poolside reading. 4 stars.

Author: Reina M. Williams

Title: Sweet Christmas

Series: Montana Matchmakers

Genre: Short story, Contemporary Romance, Xmas

Format: ebook

Pages: 64

Published: December 5, 2019

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

All Dean Manning wants for Christmas is a second chance with his first love...

For Maya Perry, Christmas Eve in Loving, Montana is just another lonely closing at the café where she works. Worse, her truck won’t start, and the only person there to help is Dean Manning, her childhood friend, and first kiss at thirteen. They’re both back in town forging new lives, but Maya has no time to rekindle a relationship. She has big plans to open her own bakery, and Dean’s adorable smile is already too much of a distraction.

Dean’s Christmas improves when he gets to spend it with Maya, but she doesn’t seem to feel the same. He wants her in his life, but not if she doesn’t want romance. Santa delivers Maya and Dean a chance at a sweet Christmas, if they can see the gifts right in front of them.

Spend Christmas in Loving, Montana, where the Matchmakers are always at work!

Review:

Another second chance short story! Plus some Xmas joy. Awwww I love Xmas. 

All Dean wants for Christmas is a second chance with his first love and he might get that chance when Maya is back in town. They are both in town forging new lives. Maya wants to open her own bakery and doesn't have time for Dean. 

Awww this was as sweet as sugar cookies. I thought about saving this for Xmas time, but I couldn't resist getting a taste of Xmas. 

I do think that this needed to be longer. I felt like they had some more issues to deal with.

But yes, a very nice Xmas second chance romance. 3 stars. 

Audiobook Review: The Heart Forger by Rin Chupeco

Author: Rin Chupeco

Narrator: Emily Woo Zeller & Will Damron

Title: The Heart Forger

Series: The Bone Witch #2

Genre: Fantasy, YA, Romance, Paranormal

Format: Audiobook

Published: March 20, 2018

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

In The Bone Witch, Tea mastered resurrection―now she's after revenge...

No one knows death like Tea. A bone witch who can resurrect the dead, she has the power to take life...and return it. And she is done with her self-imposed exile. Her heart is set on vengeance, and she now possesses all she needs to command the mighty daeva. With the help of these terrifying beasts, she can finally enact revenge against the royals who wronged her―and took the life of her one true love.

But there are those who plot against her, those who would use Tea's dark power for their own nefarious ends. Because you can't kill someone who can never die...

War is brewing among the kingdoms, and when dark magic is at play, no one is safe.

Review:

Finally decided to read book 2. I read book 1 a while back for book club. Been meaning to get started on this one. 

We continue on Tea's journey. Tea is a bone witch who can resurrect the dead. She is done with her self-imposed exile and has her heart set on revenge. With the help of her beasts and some friends..she can finally enact her revenge on the royals who wronged her and took the life of her true love. There are those who plot against her and want her dark power for their own nefarious ends. War is brewing. 

Again we get to see two different POVs. One is Tea in the past recounting her journey and story. One is in the "present" and the Bard takes her story and follows her as she builds her army and power. 

I liked book 1 better. This was still okay, but I struggled at the beginning and the middle. The last 30% or so had me absolutely hooked. But the beginning 70% was a little effy. Yes, there were some good fights and some drama...but I just want to be done with the past. I am fully invested in seeing Tea in the "present". 

There was a lot of blood and fighting here which was exciting. We also get to see more romance which I am happy about. About dang time!

This didn't feel YA at all and that made me happy. Some YAs can be brutal. 

The ending has me itching for book 3. Lots of drama and war coming our way. Eeeee. 

The narrators are still fantastic. I am glad I did the audio. I think I would've been bored with the ebook/print. The narrators pulled me through the parts I was meh about. 

In the end, I am intrigued about book 3 even though I did struggle with some parts here. This was for sure a transition book. I'm sure book 3 will be littered with drama and war. I'll give this 3 stars. 

Challenge(s):
- #37 for Audiobook challenge

Book Review: Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs

Author: Patricia Briggs

Title: Dead Heat

Series: Alpha & Omega #4

Genre: PNR, UF, Fantasy

Format: ebook

Pages: 336 

Published: March 3, 2015

Where I Got It: Borrow from library

Summary: 

For once, mated werewolves Charles and Anna are not traveling because of Charles’s role as his father’s enforcer. This time, their trip to Arizona is purely personal, as Charles plans to buy Anna a horse for her birthday. Or at least it starts out that way...

Charles and Anna soon discover that a dangerous Fae being is on the loose, replacing human children with simulacrums. The Fae’s cold war with humanity is about to heat up—and Charles and Anna are in the cross fire.

Review:

Couldn't resist getting started on the next one for Charles and Anna. I'm trying to read these two series the recommended way. 

Charles and Anna are traveling to Arizona. It is not a trip for Charles's role as the enforcer, but a trip for their personal pleasure. Charles plans to buy Anna a horse for her birthday and to visit some old friends. At least...that is how it starts. Charles and Anna soon discover that there is a dangerous Fae on the loose. It is replacing human children with simulacrums. The Fae's cold war with humanity is starting to heat up and the werewolves are in the cross fire. 

I simply adore Anna and Charles. They are literally perfect for each other!!! It took me a couple of books to start loving Anna, but I love her now. She is truly growing into a badass but with a heart of gold. Charles is just so dang sweet and it hurts my heart that he has to have big walls around his emotions because of his role as an enforcer. He needs a break. 

We didn't get to see Bran much. We only got some phone calls. Boo. I love him!

I felt like this was a roller coaster for me. I was hooked and then I was bored. Then hooked again...and then bored. The flow seems jarring at times. By the last few pages I couldn't wait to get off this ride. 

Don't get me wrong...I loved seeing and meeting some folks from Charles's past but there were scenes that dragged. I loved Joseph and his family. I hope we get to see more of them. I feel like we will. *fingers crossed* 

OOOOOO the Fae. I don't fully blame them for hating the humans. Humans suck!! But leave the children alone guys. :/ Things are certainly bubbling up and I am super curious to see what is going to happen next. 

Overall, I did like this. I love seeing Charles and Anna. However, I did have some issues. There were a lot of lulls scattered throughout, but then some really exciting parts that had me staying up waaaay to late reading. It was pretty jarring. Can't wait for the next books. In the end, I'll give this 3 stars. 

TMST: Length of a Series

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

8/23/2022 Does length of series matter for you when you are picking out books to read?

Nah. Not at all. It might feel a little overwhelming at first but I don't mind long series. I do get anxious when it is a good series and I want to catch up so I overread it and then need a break for a bit. LOL 

But if I get bored with a series I'll let it go and quit. 

I quit when I quit.

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins

Release date: 08-02-22

Publisher: HarperAudio

Romance /to review

I am usually not a fan of author narrating their own books, but this author IS a narrator, so this works. She knows her stuff!

This book also made me think of narrating since it is a book about an audio book narrator. All the time that goes into it. I found it so interesting because I was reading this article about audiobooks here, and they clearly do not know their stuff here. They do not do their research like Sewanee does. The article in question was how narrators were butchering words and city names because they just read them, without knowing how to. Ok story time over. It was just so fascinating seeing what goes into it. I love audiobooks, but I do not know audiobooks.

To the story! Sewanee is a former actress turned audiobook narrator after an accident. We do not learn why she uses an eyepatch until later on, and damn! She gets this huge opportunity to narrate a romance and cash in. With the romance nr 1 Brock McKnight. They have not met, but sparks fly through emails. And I liked that, they really got to know each other without even knowing what they looked like.

There is romance, but also so much more. Her wanting to care for her grandmother with dementia. Her relationship with her best friends who is making a name for herself. Her relationship with romance (there is none, she have given up.)

A good book that had me laughing out loud. And as I often take walks while listening, well, it must have been a sight.

Good narration, obviously Wheelan knows what she is going. I'd love to read that other book she wrote too. It would be interesting.

For Sewanee Chester, being an audiobook narrator is a long way from her old dreams, but the days of being a star on film sets are long behind her. She’s found success and satisfaction from the inside of a sound booth and it allows her to care for her beloved, ailing grandmother. When she arrives in Las Vegas last-minute for a book convention, Sewanee unexpectedly spends a whirlwind night with a charming stranger.

On her return home, Sewanee discovers one of the world’s most beloved romance novelists wanted her to perform her last book—with Brock McNight, the industry’s hottest, most secretive voice. Sewanee doesn’t buy what romance novels are selling—not after her own dreams were tragically cut short—and she stopped narrating them years ago. But her admiration of the late author, and the opportunity to get her grandmother more help, makes her decision for her.

As Sewanee begins work on the book, resurrecting her old romance pseudonym, she and Brock forge a real connection, hidden behind the comfort of anonymity. Soon, she is dreaming again, but secrets are revealed, and the realities of life come crashing down around her once more. If she can learn to risk everything for desires she has long buried, she will discover a world of intimacy and acceptance she never believed would be hers.

Book Review: Night Broken by Patricia Briggs

Author: Patricia Briggs

Title: Night Broken

Series: Mercy Thompson #8

Genre: PNR, UF, Fantasy

Format: ebook

Pages: 353

Published: March 4, 2014

Where I Got It: Borrow from library

Summary: 

An unexpected phone call heralds a new challenge for Mercy. Her mate Adam’s ex-wife is in trouble, on the run from a stalker. Adam isn’t the kind of man to turn away a person in need—and Mercy knows it. But with Christy holed up in Adam’s house, Mercy can’t shake the feeling that something about the situation isn’t right.

Soon her suspicions are confirmed when she learns that Christy has the furthest thing from good intentions. She wants Adam back, and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to get him, including turning Adam’s pack against Mercy.

Mercy isn’t about to step down without a fight, but there’s a more dangerous threat circling. Christy’s stalker is more than a bad man—in fact, he may not be human at all. As the bodies start piling up, Mercy must put her personal troubles aside to face a creature with the power to tear her whole world apart.

Review:

Slowly but surely chipping away at this series. 

A new challenge finds Mercy after an unexpected phone call. Her mate's ex-wife is in trouble. She is on the run from a stalker. Adam and Mercy are not the type to turn away a person in need especially the woman who is the mother of their kid. However, with Christy holed up in Adam's house, Mercy can't shake the feeling that something about this situation isn't right. Her suspicions are confirmed when she learns that Christy has the furthest thing from good intentions. Not only does she want Adam back, but she wants Mercy gone and she hopes to turn the pack against Mercy. On top of that, they will learn that Christy's stalker is much more dangerous than they all expected. 

Let Christy burn for all I care. I get that Jesse loves her...it's her mom after all, but I would've gotten her a hotel and a gun and said "Good luck...go to the cops." Am I heartless? Sure. I would've been nice at first but with all the crap Christy started pulling in MY house. NOPE. Byyyyeeeee. Adam and Mercy are much nicer than I am. Especially after learn who/what the stalker is. NOOOOPPPPE. Byezzzz. 

But yes. Christy is trying to turn the pack and trying to seduce Adam. There is a big baddie out there. 

We learn more about Coyote. We get to meet Gary who I adore. I hope we see more of him!

I like Honey now. Her house is cool. 

Curious to see how things play out with Joel in the next. I'm sure it's going to be...something. LOL. 

I didn't do the audio this time around. My library only had the ebook and I'll take what I can get. I enjoyed it but I for sure heard the narrator in my head while reading. She is perfect for these characters and world. 

The ending was my only issue....the "solution"...mmmm. I'll leave it there so I don't spoil. It just....didn't settle with me. It seemed....lacking? Anti-climatic? I can't put my thumb on it, but I wasn't a fan. 

Overall, I enjoyed this quite a bit. I had some issues with the ending though. Curious to see what happens next. 4 stars from me. 

TMST - Friends and Family

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

8/16/2022 What do your family and friends think of your blogging?

I don't really go around talking about my blog. Just rarely comes up. Those of my friends and family think it's cool and is super supportive about it. I think a couple follow me? Not really sure though. LOL 

My hubby has been supportive but I don't think I told him about it until year 2 of dating? He's not much of a reader but he never really gives me crap about all my books. He has never suggested I downsize. This is wise because my books are my babiessss. 

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Mad About You by Mhairi McFarlane

Narrated by: Heather Long

Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins

Release date: 08-09-22

PubSlisher: HarperAudio

Fiction / to review

So this is not a romance if anyone thinks that, but, it does have a happy ending. The author does manage to sneak in some romance finally in the last few chapters. Because we all need happiness.

Harriet was nice, but oh the trauma from a previous relationship. The more I heard the more I felt for her, and then when that thing happened. Omg, my heart broke. My heart broke! Her ex is the world biggest asshat. And if that wasn't the worst, her latest ex might not have been the worst, but still an idiot.

After a breakup she finds a new place to live. It happens to be with a hottie, but they are both coming out from relationships, and they have their issues to work out.

I enjoyed the book. It was a hard one to put down.

Great narration.  I was there with everyone. A good range of voices and a book that really pulled you in.

There are some heavy subjects in this one. I could not put it down. I wanted to Harriet to be happy, but destiny kept throwing things at her. I raced towards the end. I could not put it down.

Harriet Hatley is the most in-demand wedding photographer in town, but she doesn’t believe in romance, loathes the idea of marriage, and thinks chocolate fountains are an abomination. Which is why, when her long-time partner proposes, she panics. Suddenly Harriet is single…and living down the hall from her ex. She needs a new apartment, like, yesterday.

Enter Cal Clarke, a hopeless romantic who just experienced his own wedding-related disaster. Harriet and Cal are like chalk and cheese, but as they go from strangers to roommates to friends, it becomes clear they’re both running from something. When Harriet’s most heavily guarded secret comes to light, her world implodes. And Cal, with his witty humor and gentle advice, is a surprising source of calm at the center of the storm.

With her career, friendships, and reputation on the line, Harriet must finally face her past in order to take control of her future. Because if she’s willing to stop playing it safe and risk everything to share her truth, real love and happiness may be waiting on the other side....