Anyway, I'm way behind on reviews again! Six full audiobook reviews to get done, all of these are adult contemporary romance titles. Without further ado, let's go!
RoomHate by Penelope Ward:
Source: Purchased from Audible.com
My rating: 4 stars
Overall this was a good one. Although there was something about the narrator's voice or the way she read, or maybe just the way it was written that made me want to speed the audio up. Eventually though, I got into it. The author kept us wondering for so long on just what it was that made the two of them have such a contentious relationship. I mean the flashbacks we got to start made him seem just so sweet, that I had no idea what in the world she could have done to make him hate her as much as he seemed to. There were really funny parts, like the song Justin wrote after he caught Amelia watching him when he thought he was alone in the house. And when they tried to go to the movie theater they used to go to when they were kids and it wasn't showing the same type of movies, you can guess what they were showing now. There were really sexy parts. Really sweet, emotional parts as well. But then the thing that really irritated me was when Amelia was afraid Justin had cheated on her. He honestly had never given her ANY reason to think he would do something like that. So it made me extremely angry. In the end it was a really good story, and I will definitely read/listen to more by this author in the future.
Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
Sharing a summer house with a hot-as-hell roommate should be a dream come true, right?
Not when it’s Justin…the only person I’d ever loved…who now hates me.
When my grandmother died and left me half of the house on Aquidneck Island, there was a catch: the other half would go to the boy she helped raise.
The same boy who turned into the teenager whose heart I broke years ago.
The same teenager who’s now a man with a hard body and a hardass personality to match.
I hadn’t seen him in years, and now we’re living together because neither one of us is willing to give up the house.
The worst part? He didn’t come alone.
I’d soon realize there’s a thin line between love and hate. I could see through that smug smile. Beneath it all…the boy is still there. So is our connection.
The problem is…now that I can’t have Justin, I’ve never wanted him more.
The Upside to Being Single by Emma Hart:
Source: Purchased from Audible.com
My rating: 5 stars
I freaking LOVED this one! If I didn't mention this on the first book I read by this author, I'm pretty sure Emma Hart is going to become a favorite author, one that I hope I get the chance to meet sometime so I can totally fangirl over her! First I loved this book taking place in New Orleans, as it has become one of my favorite cities to visit. The fact that they went on a ghost tour was really neat, because I did one of those this past summer when I visited NOLA myself! Then so much about her characters and their sarcastic sense of humor is just like me and the people I hang around with. This is one that I had so much trouble getting out of the car and having to stop listening because of how much fun it was, and how close to the edge of my seat I was as I listened. While there were a few chapters told from Jake's point of view, they were still narrated by the female narrator, so that wasn't my favorite, but I still liked getting those little glimpses into his thoughts. While it felt like the sexual tension was very much a slow burn, to be fair, the book basically took place only over a couple of weeks, so that didn't bother me too much. Also, loved the term "shark week" at the beginning. Had never heard, have no use for it myself these days, but loved it!
Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
If anyone asks, I knew better than to flash my boobs for Mardi Gras beads. I still don't know why I did it. Maybe it was the dare from my two best friends. Maybe it was the guys on the balcony saying they'd throw Fireball shots with the beads. Or maybe it was the quiet guy in the corner of that same balcony with piercing gray eyes, wavy dark hair, and a smile so tempting I wanted to climb up there and lick it off his face. Maybe it was because I never thought I'd see them again. Not that it matters. Not today. Because the hotel I manage was finally bought-and the guy who walks in and introduces himself as my new boss is Mr. Tall, Dark, and Silent. There are many upsides to being single. Your new boss knowing what your boobs look like? Not one of them.
Four Letter Word (Dirty Deeds #1) by J. Daniels:
Source: Purchased from Audible.com
My rating: 5 stars
Another one that I just loved by the time I finished listening to. It took a bit to get into. It didn't quite follow the storyline I was picturing in my head based on the synopsis. But the way it went was still good. Of course the fact that it was partially narrated by Sebastian York helped as well. There were so many details hinted at, but kept out of reach for our knowing throughout the book, that it kept me on my toes, guessing at why one of them was doing what they were doing. And then there's how long it took for the two of them to actually meet. The near-misses, which honestly, I loved, it kept me guessing at when they would finally meet, and if one or the other would be upset with the one who actually knew who they were first. Daniels knows how to write the steam, I don't need to tell you just how hot and bothered I got listening to certain scenes in this. Even though I knew lying, or you know, just not saying anything about the porn was going to be a big issue at the end, and that kind of getting upset is so irritating to me, in the end the author pulled it back from that issue for me. I can't wait to read on in the series.
Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
Fate. Hate. Love. Lies.
Which four letter word will change their lives forever?
Sydney Paige was never so mortified to hear the words "wrong number" in her life. She meant to tell off the guy who broke her best friend's heart but unleashed her anger on a perfect stranger instead. And now her world is turned upside down by the captivating man who wants to keep her on the line.
Brian Savage is living a life he's quickly come to hate-until Sydney's wild rant has him hooked and hungry for more. Soon the sexy woman on the phone becomes the lover in his bed. But Brian has secrets, and the closer he lets Syd get, the harder it is to shield her from the devastating mistakes of his past . . .
End Goal (Harris Brothers #3.5) by Amy Daws:
Source: Purchased from Audible.com
My rating: 5 stars
This is a really short review. I loved the short story, but obviously there was time to do a bit of editing and finessing before the audiobook. Plus, the audiobook had one of my favorite narrators, Will Watt, so just listening to him made it awesome. Love, love, love the Harris Brothers, and Camden is totally my favorite. I do also love Charlotte Cole's narration on this as well. You should totally read their original book Challenge, first. Check out my review of it HERE.
Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
A Harris Brother Scottish Wedding!
This short story was first published in the Cocktales Anthology. It reads well as a standalone but will be enjoyed better if you read Challenge first.
Only professional footballer, Camden Harris, is cocky enough to elope to Scotland with his fiancé and leave the Harris Family behind.
Screwmates by Kayti McGee:
Source: Purchased from Audible.com
My rating: 5 stars
At first I wasn't sure because the narrator's voice was a tad annoying, but by the end the voice totally worked for me. One thing I love about Kayti McGee's books, or at least the ones I've read so far, is that they're set in Kansas City, where I live. This book was hilarious. The awkwardness of the main character, I totally feel that way, still, even with past experience I've had with dating and sex, etc. There were a couple of really good lines in the book. One about how guys are so good at ruining your daydreams about them when you see them in person. And then when she talked about makeup being like having a coloring book on your face. However the character liked that, she was an artist. Me, so very NOT artistic, I feel like I'm a kid who can't color in the lines, and that's what it looks like when I put my makeup on. I don't know if I agree with the thoughts about FSoG, but it was a good aspect to add to the story. Lots of laugh out loud bits in this one.
Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
I knew from the first time I saw Marc Kirby that I was screwed.
Big eyes, scruffy face, brown curls – yes, yes, and yes. The man is wicked hot.
He’s also my roommate, and since I work nights and he’s at class all day – it’s like living alone at half the rent.
Then an unexpected night off turns into an unexpected morning in Marc’s bed, but it turns out we can't even figure out the screwing.
This is not great news for Marc who’s going on a “bangcation” at the end of the summer – a whole month in France that he’s planned to spend getting busy with the women of Paris.
It’s also not great news for me for obvious reasons.
With both of us needing work on our skills, there’s only one logical solution to our predicament.
Told you I was screwed.
Listen to Me (Fusion #1) by Kristen Proby:
Source: Purchased from Audible.com
My rating: 4 stars
I'd already read the latest book in this series. It's like I started at the end. But I'd wanted to start this series from the moment I first saw the cover of this one. Jumping back into the series like this was fun, because I kind of was familiar with at least one of the characters, even though I feel like she said something at the beginning that didn't match up with something I seem to remember her saying in her own book. You probably saw me mention above how much I love Sebastian York's voice, and I did enjoy listening to it. However, I don't feel like his voice fits that of a singer's voice. Just my opinion, probably I'm wrong, but I was still okay listening to him. I liked the line about having an observation deck at a gym to enjoy the hotties. I can even think of one romance book cover model that I already enjoy the pictures he shares of himself working out. How do I get a ticket to his gym? And what dropped this to 4 stars for me was just that both of them pulled stupid reasons for fighting at the end. And that made me mad. I get it, I get it, drama needed, but still, it always annoys me to fall back on those. But before you get me wrong, I still really enjoyed it, and can't wait to read more in the series. I'm especially looking forward to the book with Cami and Landon, Mia's brother.
Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
In New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby’s brand new series, five best friends open a hot new restaurant, but one of them gets much more than she bargained for when a sexy former rock star walks through the doors—and into her heart.
Seduction is quickly becoming the hottest new restaurant in Portland, and Addison Wade is proud to claim 1/5 of the credit. She’s determined to make it a success and can’t think of a better way to bring in new customers than live music. But when former rock star Jake Keller swaggers through the doors to apply for the weekend gig, she knows she’s in trouble. Addie instantly recognizes him—his posters were plastered all over her bedroom walls in high school—he’s all bad boy...exactly her type and exactly what she doesn’t need.
Jake Keller walked away from the limelight five years ago and yearns to return to what’s always driven him: the music. If he gets to work for a smart-mouthed, funny-as-hell bombshell, all the better. But talking Addie into giving him the job is far easier than persuading her that he wants more than a romp in her bed. Just when she begins to drop her walls, Jake’s past finally catches up with him.
Will Addie be torn apart once again or will Jake be able to convince her to drown out her doubts and listen to her heart?
