2-in-1 Audiobook Reviews: A Match Made for Thanksgiving & The One Night

Author: Jackie Lau

Narrator: Khristine Rivière
Title: A Match Made for Thanksgiving

Series: Holidays with the Wongs #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Novella
Format: Audiobook
Published: October 8, 2019
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

Advertising executive Nick Wong enjoys living in Toronto. He loves late nights partying and taking women back to his penthouse. And so it is with great reluctance that he returns to his boring hometown of Mosquito Bay for Thanksgiving.

This year, however, is even worse than usual. His interfering parents and grandparents, frustrated with the lack of weddings in the family, have invited blind dates for him and his three siblings. Nick’s brother Greg has been set up with Lily Tseng, who just so happens to be Nick’s latest one-night stand, the one he can’t get out of his mind.

Although Nick has never been interested in settling down, Lily has him reconsidering. Perhaps he’s good for more than a single night of sex, dumplings, and bubble tea after all. But first, he has to get through this painful weekend with his family and convince her that she should be with him, not Greg…

Review:

I meant to read this at Thanksgiving, but I totally forgot all about it. I then meant to save it for Thanksgiving later this year, BUT I couldn't resist. I needed a nice and spicy read for March. Weeee!

Here we follow Nick and Lily. Nick has loved his bachelor's life and doesn't plan to change now. Until he meets Lily. After a wonderful one-night stand with her, he can't get her out of his head. It's Thanksgiving, and he returns to his small hometown to his loving but interfering family. Enter his family, who set up some blind dates for him and his siblings. Lo and behold, Lily walks in, but she is set up with his brother. He will need to spend the weekend convincing her that she should be with him. 

I had a lot of fun with this one. It was cute and sweet. Love watching a womanizer and rogue finally settle down. It's always fun. 

I liked Nick and Lily. You could see the chemistry right away. I loved how different but similar they were at the same time. They are adorable. 

Nick's family was very sweet. Yes, they are a LOT to handle, but they love him, and they fall for Lily, too. So sweet.

My biggest issue was the narration at times. There were times it felt and sounded so robotic. The performance was so stiff at times. It took me out of the story a couple of times because of how stiff and robotic it was.

I really want to read the next book, but I might have to settle for either the ebook version or the physical version. The same narrator reads that one too. 

All-in-all, I did like this a lot. Loved the set-ups. Loved the characters. The spiciness was well done. My only issue was that I struggled at times with the narrator. 

I'll give this 4 stars.  

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #11

- Reading Romance Challenge #8 (Non-Christmas Holiday)

Author: Meghan Quinn

Narrator: Laurie West & Teddy Hamilton
Title: The One Night

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Novella
Format: Audiobook
Published: December 14, 2021
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

Recently divorced Cooper Chance knows he’s officially in a rut when his parents take him barhopping in the hope of resuscitating his love life. At first, he’s skeptical. How could a gritty dive bar possibly solve his problems? But then he runs into Nora McHale.

Nora isn’t at the bar looking for love. She’s there to unwind after yet another exhausting day at her bakery. And even if she were hoping to meet someone, it sure wouldn’t be Cooper—her best friend’s ex-husband.

According to the unwritten rules of romance, Cooper and Nora are completely off limits to each other. But after a fun, flirty night at the bar, they can’t ignore the wild attraction between them.

Is this the beginning of something real, or will their passionate night together be their one and only?

Review:

I needed a Meghan Quinn book, and I picked up this little guy. I'm glad I read a review or two because this is technically a prologue to the next book. Oooo

So Cooper and Nora have known each other for years. They are completely off limits to each other. After a flirty night at a bar and a funny situation....the two realize that their is not just lust between them but something more. However, will their passionate night be their only one? 

This was fun. Cooper's parents were the stars of this little number. I love them so much. I can't wait to see what shenanigans they cause in the next book. Hilarious!!!!!!!!!

I did like Cooper and Nora. The ending was sad. Super sad. I wonder how this will all be resolved. 

The narration team was amazing. I hope they do the next book. 

But yes, adorable with an ending that really isn't an ending. It is a teaser to make you read the next book. And yes, I have it downloaded already. 

4 stars from me. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #11

- Reading Romance Challenge #8 (Non-Christmas Holiday)

Blodeuedd's Monday: Wed for Their Royal Heir by Jackie Ashenden

By: Jackie Ashenden

Narrated by: Julia Eve

Series: Three Ruthless Kings, Book 1

Length: 6 hrs and 21 mins

Release date: 03-31-26

Publisher: Tantor Media

Romance/to review

I decided to give Harlequin a go, I have not read one in ages. And I must say, were they always this passionate? I do not remember it like that since I read these at 10. Not like anything more than normal, but these two really have the hots for each other.

Solace had a one night stand, she was a virgin, they always are, she got pregnant, and omg the babydaddy is a king! And then she was tired, and she did not know she was pregnant and she signed away the rights to her child. 6 months later she is back with a plan to get her child back.

First, the kid is a bastard, he should not be heir, so forget about that plothole. I am sure they have it written in their constitution and like in the olden days when a king married and had kids they were not at all jealous that the bastard got the throne, lol.

King Galen is really alpha, I mean really alpha. He meets Solace again, sparks fly. She wants her son back. He does not want scandal as he told everyone the mother was dead. There is an uncle who wants the throne.

We all know they will get their HEA, and Galen is so alpha so he will make sure he gets his HEA, without scandal.

I did enjoy it. It was short, passionate and I always like fake royal countries

The narrator worked well and did a good job with this book

In a moment of dark despair, a destitute Solace Ashworth gave up her newborn to palace officials. She was sure his wealthy father, King Galen Kouros, could provide the life she never could. Now she’ll do anything to get her baby back—even blackmail the king!

Facing the woman he shared one reckless night with, Galen experiences the same lightning bolt of desire. Then shame at discovering the terrible mistake that tore Solace from their son. There’s only one acceptable option, and it starts with claiming Solace at the royal altar!

Book Review: Don't Forget to Write by Sara Goodman Confino

Author: Sara Goodman Confino

Title: Don't Forget to Write

Genre: Historical Fiction, Chick Lit

Format: ebook

Pages: 334

Published: September 1, 2023

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

In 1960, a young woman discovers a freedom she never knew existed in this exhilarating, funny, and emotional novel by the bestselling author of She’s Up to No Good . When Marilyn Kleinman is caught making out with the rabbi’s son in front of the whole congregation, her parents ship her off to her great-aunt Ada for the summer. If anyone can save their daughter’s reputation, it’s Philadelphia’s strict premier matchmaker. Either that or Marilyn can kiss college goodbye. To Marilyn’s surprise, Ada’s not the humorless septuagenarian her mother described. Not with that platinum-blonde hair, Hermès scarf, and Cadillac convertible. She’s sharp, straight-talking, takes her job very seriously, and abides by her own rules…mostly. As the summer unfolds, Ada and Marilyn head for the Jersey shore, where Marilyn helps Ada scope out eligible matches—for anyone but Marilyn, that is. Because if there’s one thing Marilyn’s learned from Ada, it’s that she doesn’t have to settle. With the school year quickly approaching and her father threatening to disinherit her, Marilyn must make her choice for her future: return to the comfortable life she knows, or embrace a risky, unknown path on her own.

Review:

This was picked for our book club!!! Never heard of it so I was excited to read it. It sounds good and look at that cover!!! 

Here we have Marilyn, who wants to do what she wants and be free. After being caught kissing the rabbi's son and declining to marry him, she is sent to her great-Aunt's for the summer. Her aunt is described as being humorless and tough, but Marilyn is pleasantly surprised. Yes, Ada can be all of those things, but there is more to her. With Ada's help, Marilyn will have to find the courage to make her own choices for her future. She will have many decisions to make before the end of summer. 

I am feeling lazy. I'll divide and conquer this review.

The Good

- Loved our cast here except for Marilyn's parents. I wanted to shake them. 

- I loved the setting

- The vibes of this book were intoxicating. I didn't want to stop! 

- We have a few twists, and they were great. 

- That last twist!!! I had a feeling, but I didn't think it would happen! EEEEE!

The Bad and the Ugly

- My only real issue was the very end. HOW CAN YOU LEAVE US LIKE THIS!?!?!?!?! Are we going to get a book 2? Short story? POV shift? SOMETHING?

Conclusion

I really, really liked this book. I didn't want to stop reading, and I wanted more. Maybe an epilogue or something. SOMETHING. But other than that, I have no real issue. I'll give this 5 stars even with the ending. It might be me being selfish. I loved everything else. 

Audiobook Review: Goddess of the Hunt by Tessa Dare

Author: Tessa Dare

Narrator: Neil Hellegers
Title: Goddess of the Hunt

Series: The Wanton Dairymaid Trilogy #1

Genre: Historical Romance
Format: Audiobook
Published: July 28, 2009
Where I Got It: Borrowed from Library

Summary: 

Every earl knows the one lady he shouldn't seduce is his best friend's little sister . . .

Lucy Waltham is hunting for a husband, but she needs some target practice. She turns to her brother's cold-as-ice best friend, Jeremy Trescott, the Earl of Kendall, to test her seductive wiles on him before setting her sights on another man. But her practice kisses spark a smoldering passion-one that could send all her plans up in smoke.

Jeremy has an influential title, a vast fortune, and a painful past full of secrets. He's always kept a safe distance from his own emotions—and from Lucy, who wears her heart on her sleeve. But to save his best friend's little sister from certain heartbreak, he can't stay at arm's length anymore. Their sensual battle of wills is as forbidden as it is delicious. The closer Jeremy gets to taming his temptress . . . the nearer he comes to losing all control.

Review:

Love me some Dare! Been slowly going through all her works. She certainly has a lot, and I'm not complaining!!!!

Here we follow Lucy and Jeremy. Jeremy is friends with Lucy's brother. Lucy has been in love with her brother's friend for a long time, but it isn't Jeremy. It's another friend who is in love with someone else. However, things don't go as planned, and Lucy finally realizes maybe, just maybe, Jeremy is the one for her. He's been the one who has always been there for her. Sure, he is cold, but there is a secret warmth there.

This was adorable and entertaining. I loved Lucy and Jeremy. Both are so different but at the same time so similar. Stubborn and love to vex each other. Loved it!!!

Jeremy has some demons, so he keeps his emotions close to his chest. He is a tough wall to climb, but Lucy loves a challenge. You could tell they were meant for each other in their first interaction. 

I loved watching them finally get on the same page and stop being so stubborn. It was lovely!

They get married fairly quickly, and I loved watching them deal with marriage and finding their love. It was nice. 

The narrator was lovely. The men's voices all sounded similar sometimes, but they worked if you are paying attention. Little difference. 

My only issue is the subplot with the tenants. I hope that is resolved later, because it certainly was not resolved fully here. Jeremy has a lot to do. 

But yes. I was entertained from page 1 until the very end. I want to read book 2 asap. I need to see where our side character ends up. She wormed her way into my heart! I did want more of a resolution with the subplot that seemed to be left dangling and not fully resolved. Maybe we'll see it later on.

4 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #10

- Library Love #7

- Reading Romance Challenge #7 (Sunset/Sunrise on the cover)