Blodeuedd's Monday Review: The Dream Guy Next Door by Lauren Blakely

 Narrated by: Vanessa Edwin, Shane East

Length: 6 hrs and 38 mins

Release date: 11-30-20

Publisher: Audible Originals

Categories: Romance, Contemporary

To review

A sweet short audiobook, without any major drama. I really liked that.

January is a single mum living in a town with mostly women in it. She loves her job, she loves her life, she loves her daughter. Life is good.

In moves a hunky British neighbor, a single one. And the town is a buzz with talk, everyone wants a date with Liam.

They meet, they see sparks, they become friends (she fears he wants kids and all that and she is happy as she is now.)I liked they slow yet fast romance, they are just meant to be, and when they see it then they see it.

Cute romance

It had two narrators. I did like the male narrator cos his Liam accent was gooood. The female narrator gave Liam a weird posh accent, not as sexy. I liked both their January voices. I did like the two POV view, one chapter here, one chapter there. It does work so well 

Just my luck - my new next door neighbor is a unicorn. Yep, the British hottie is clearly a mythical man because - get this - he's a sexy, witty, charming, big-hearted single dad. Who, wait for it, wants to find Mrs. Right and get hitched. He’s a once-in-a-blue-moon kind of man, and it’s a darn shame I’m not on the market. If I were, his accent alone would melt me. Add in the fact that he's a veterinarian, and my animal-loving heart would be flip flopping.

But my heart's on the mend. I'm a single parent like him, and raising my teenage daughter is my top priority. Plus, falling for a guy who shares your property line is a line you shouldn’t cross. Still, I'm an outgoing gal, so I do the neighborly thing and offer to be his dating insider. Surely, I can help this small town’s most eligible bachelor ever navigate his way through all the fantastic single ladies eager to make his acquaintance.

What could possibly go wrong in helping the dream guy next door find his one true love?

So I set him up on one date, two dates, three dates -- and I’m about to find out exactly how dangerous my offer is.

Book Review: My One and Only Duke by Grace Burrowes

Author: Grace Burrowes

Title: My One and Only Duke

(Rogues to Riches #1)

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: paperback

Pages: 442 

Published: November 5th 2018

Where I Got It: My shelf (Used book store)

Summary: 

A funny thing happened on the way to the gallows...

One minute, London banker Quinn Wentworth is facing execution. The next, he's declared the long-lost heir to a dukedom. Quinn has fought his way up from the vilest slums, and now he's ready to use every dirty trick he knows to find the enemy who schemed against him.

There was just one tiny problem...

Jane Winston, the widowed, pregnant daughter of a meddlesome prison preacher, crosses paths with Quinn in jail. Believing his days are numbered, Quinn offers Jane marriage as a way to guarantee her independence and provide for her child. Neither thinks they'll actually have a future together.

They were wrong.

He's a wealthy gutter rat out for vengeance. She's a minister's daughter who must turn a marriage of desperation into a proper ducal union. Are they doomed from the start or destined for a happily-ever-after?

Review:

This author is fun! I've enjoyed previous novels and I seen this one and the summary sounds so different!

We follow Quinn and Jane. Quinn is a London banker who fought his way up from the bottom. However, his enemy has framed him for murder and now he is facing execution. He has made peace with this, but Jane comes along. Jane is widowed and pregnant and is being forced to go to the Newgate prison with her meddlesome prison preacher and help comfort those who are facing execution. After talking, Quinn decides to offer Jane marriage to help her guarantee her independence and provide for her child. Neither think they'll actually have a future together, but they are wrong when Quinn is able get off of death row. 

What a fun and different romance! They are married right at the beginning and they are forced to say goodbye thinking Quinn is going to executed. Things happen and they now forced to get to know each other and become really man and wife while she is preggo with her late hubbie's child. AND he is given the Dukedom. Lots of changes!

It was fun getting to watch them learn about each other and fall in love. I also loved watching Jane become a part of his crazy family. Those Wentworths are cra-cra! They didn't come from a normal upbringing and they all went some through a really rough past so they are a little...off. But I liked them and I want them all to be happy. 

The side characters were fun! I am curious to see if we get to see them more in the next books. 

The lust is instant, but they don't act on it for numerous reasons. The love took a while too, but it worked well. They have a lot of baggage to get through. Plus, Quinn has a lot of his mind...finding the person who want him dead. 

This did drag a little bit here and there. A few lulls so it took me a while to get through it.

In the end, there were some lulls here and there, but I did enjoy it. I love our characters and the story. It was for sure unique and different. I am curious about book 2. I want to see the Wenthworths find love. I'll give this 3 stars. 

Challenge(s):

- #7 for Romance Bingo - "Lady in Red Dress on cover"

Audiobook Review: A Vineyard Valentine by Nina Bocci

Author: Nina Bocci

Narrator: Amanda Ronconi

Title: A Vineyard Valentine

Genre: Romance, Short Story/Novella

Format: Audiobook

Published:  February 4th 2021

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

The annual Valentine’s Day singles soiree is always a big money-maker for Eloisa Giordono’s winery. What could be more romantic than looking for love at a quaint family vineyard on the most romantic night of year? Well, just about anything as far as Eloisa is concerned. She’s a Valentine’s Day Grinch who thinks it’s the lamest, most clichéd holiday ever invented.

Fortunately, she’ll get to hang out with like-minded folks this year by hosting an Anti-Valentine’s Day party on the same night. She’ll just need to alternate between events to keep them both running and she’ll be raking in the profits. But Eloisa is thrown for a loop when a sexy, self-described hopeless romantic shows up at the singles soiree and keeps her captivated. Will he change her mind about the holiday...and about love?

Review:

Yayy! A Valetine's book just in time for the holiday! I wish we had more stories like this!

The annual Valentine's Day party has been a big money-maker for Eloisa's winery. However, Eloisa is a Valentine's Day Grinch who thinks it is a lame holiday so she decides to throw two parties. One for those Valentine's Day lovers and another one called the Anti-Valentine's Day party. When her sidekick gets sick, she has to host and run both parties...at the same time. Eloisa is thrown another curveball when a sexy and self-described hopeless romantic shows up. She is captivated....but can he change her mind about the holiday and love? 

This was a lot of fun. I liked Eloisa. I've always been meh about the holiday even when I'm in a good relationship. It just feels like such a Hallmark holiday. Do I hate the holiday like Eloisa? No, but I can see her points and why she hates it...especially when you get to know her more. 

I loved Alex. He was a hunk. 

This was very cute and I had no issues. I do wish we had gotten more with our couple. It seemed like she fell too easily into his arms. I would've loved to watch them actually fall in love. First date. First kiss...marriage? Etc. 

Awwww I adore this narrator so much. I didn't realize it was her right away and then I realized I KNEW that voice. She is soooo good. :D 

Overall, this was short and sweet. I wanted more and I think we needed more. I'll give this 4 stars. Totally worth it for the big V day coming up! 

Challenge(s):
- #9 for Audiobook challenge

- #6 for Romance Bingo challenge for "non Xmas Holiday setting"

 

Audiobook Review: Highland Shifter by Catherine Bybee

Author: Catherine Bybee 

Narrator: David Monteath

Title: Highland Shifter

(MacCoinnich Time Travels #4)

Genre: Historical Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, & SCI FI

Format: Audiobook

Pages: 296 

Published:  February 5th 2012

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

A mysterious Druid book and Helen’s sixth sense send her to Scotland in search of a missing boy. After being attacked by strange men dressed in medieval garb, a handsome, desirable hero answering to the boy’s name rescues her. No one is more surprised than she to find herself in sixteenth century Scotland. Unable to deny the reality of time travel, Helen discovers smoldering passion with a man destined to leave her.

Simon has lived his Druid life in two very different worlds, two vastly different times, and when Helen practically lands in his lap, he knows his life is about to change forever. There are enemies in California lying in wait for her, and an army in Scotland closing in on his family. Simon is the only person who can protect her. But when she learns his most guarded secret, will she still want him? Can Helen love a Highland Shifter?

Review:

Decided to dive in. Couldn't help myself ;) 

In book 4, some time has passed and Simon is all grown up. He has lived in two very different worlds. He grew up in the 2000s/2010 USA and then his young adult life he grew up a Druid Highlander in the 1500s. Things have been calm for a few years until Helen pretty much lands in his lap. Thanks to a mysterious Druid book and Helen's strange sixth sense, Helen finds herself in search of a missing boy. After an accident, she wakes up in a strange forest in Scotland and she finds herself in a story for the ages. Can Helen and Simon be able to save everyone they care about from enemies in modern day California and an army hellbent on destroying MacCoinnich clan? 

This was the book I was worried about. One - because it is the first book in a new arc. Two - it is pretty much "next gen". Simon is Liz's kid and the oldest of the next generation to take the helm pretty much. We still have our old faces, but it has been 15 years or so and they are old and happy in their love. So yes - worried I was........

WHICH was silly. This was really good. Not as good as the last book, but the last book was a hard one to beat. The last one was still my favorite so far. Alas, there is only ONE more book. BOOOO. Give us moreee. 

But yes, this was really good. It was exciting to see Simon all grown up and in complete control of his shifting gifts. He really has become a powerful Druid and I would want his gift for sure. Controlling animals, talking to animals, and even being able to shift to ANY animal you want? Epic. That is what I want. 

I was bummed we really didn't get to play around with Helen's gift and have her strengthen it. Maybe next book we'll get to see hers get better? Sure her ability to find what she wants thanks to her "sixth" sense is cool, but I'm sure there is a lot of potential there. We shall see. 

Poor Amber. Sobs! I feel so bad for her. I am excited for the next book because we get to see her find love and maybe be able to get comfy and find away to live with her ability. Poor thing. 

What I loved about this book was how much time travel we got. It was fun to jump back and forth more so then in the other books. Loved that! 

Now....I didn't like how easily the big baddie was dealt with. I was hoping for more of a...fight? I guess after such a bad baddie in the last three, this one felt super meh. Not really an issue and easily dealt with compared to the threats in the last ones. Sighs. I wasn't even remotely worried about the baddie in this. Very predictable sadly. 

The narrator is the same so that made me happy. His American girl keeps getting better so that makes me happy. 

Overall, I did really enjoy this, but it wasn't as good. The baddie wasn't a real threat compared to the last one and the baddie was super predictable and easily resolved. Still...though...this was good and my worries were for naught. I'm sad there is only one book left. Maybe I should hold off? I do not want to say goodbye! I'll give this one 3 stars.   

Challenge(s):
- #8 for Audiobook challenge

- #5 for Romance Bingo - "Highland in Title"