L-L-L-Little Reviews: Nine Adult Contemporary Romance Audiobook Reviews

As usual it seems I am behind on my audiobook reviews since they are just ones I'm listening to for fun, not for tours or anything.  Four of them below are part of a series, but really, they all kind of equal one book when put together because they are shorter stories.


Shopping for a Billionaire #1 by Julia Kent:

Release Date: June 1st, 2014
Source:  Borrowed from Audible.com as part of Audible Escapes program
My rating:  4 stars  

I loved the books I read by Julia Kent starting with Fluffy, so I thought I'd better get back to reading this series which I had heard of and seen around a lot, but never got to.  I saw it was available in Audible Escapes, so I got it that way to check it out. And I really adored it!  So funny all the things that Shannon got into.  And I loved that there was a reference to Sam Heughan in the book, because all of us Outlander show fans adore him.  It was a blast and so much fun, but it was very short, I guess maybe these are serials?  So anyway, that was my main issue with it, was the length.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
When mystery shopper Shannon Jacoby meets billionaire Declan McCormick with her hand down a toilet in the men's room of one of his stores, it's love at first flush in this hilarious new romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Julia Kent.


 Shopping for a Billionaire #2 by Julia Kent:

Release Date: May 19th, 2014
Source:  Borrowed from Audible.com as part of Audible Escapes program
My rating:  4 stars  

This next part of the story had some really good pop culture quotes and references. For example, loved the Glee references, Caddyshack, and even Ivan Denisovitch bit.  That last one is a book the students at my school read every year for their summer reading, so it was funny to hear a book I'd never even heard about until I got here be referenced like that.  Not to mention there was a hilarious tampon joke in the story as well.  Once again, I'd wished it was longer!
 
Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
New York Times bestselling author Julia Kent continues her Shopping for a Billionaire series as mystery shopper Shannon and (near) billionaire Declan explore a relationship (and each other).

The pair deal with a jealous ex-boyfriend, a new perk at work that makes Shannon rethink her job, and a cat that offers up quite a present when Declan takes Shannon out for their first non-business date.

**Part 1 can be found in A Sweet Life, a New York Times bestselling, 14-author boxed set. All proceeds from that boxed set go to diabetes research.**
 


Shopping for a Billionaire #3 by Julia Kent:

Release Date: June 29th, 2014
Source:  Borrowed from Audible.com as part of Audible Escapes program
My rating:  3.5 stars    

This book started out pretty good, but it got kind of boring about halfway through.  Toward the end however, it picked back up and I was eager to start the final book and find out how everything was going to go.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
I don't turn every date into a medical emergency, but when I do, I nearly castrate my man... Shannon and Declan's first real date ends with an ambulance trip and yet another test of their madcap relationship. Ex-boyfriend Steve insists on dinner with Shannon while Declan is overseas on business, but a surprise return leads to plenty of romance as Declan whisks her away for a ride over Boston (in more ways than one...). Just as life and love look good, a misunderstanding takes on a sinister tone as a conspiracy brews to keep them apart. Julia Kent's hilarious Shopping series continues. Part 3 of a 4-part series.
 


Shopping for a Billionaire #4 by Julia Kent:

Release Date: August 15th, 2014
Source:  Borrowed from Audible.com as part of Audible Escapes program 
My rating:  4.5 stars   

So we got a lot of the things that totally irritate me in romance books, the jumping to conclusions, not knowing why someone is acting the way they are. And then the stupid reasons for not dating someone.  But, Kent makes all of that okay in my book in the end because of the hilarious situations she puts the characters in.  I mean the luxury shopping job at the hotel, all of that was so funny!  The vibrator that took off out the window, the trash can dumping on the car, so funny.  Now I think those Dr. Pimple Popper type of shows are disgusting, so I don't get why people would watch that when they were depressed. Because ewwwwwww!!!   But in the end, the whole series wrapped up perfectly for me.  That's why I ended up with a 4.5 instead of just a 4 star rating for this one.  Now I know I'll have to find all the other books that are extras for this series and catch up with Shannon and Declan.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
A confusing fight, a garbage-covered car, and a mom who shares her past as a stripper all drive Shannon to the edge of madness. When her big shot at mystery shopping luxury properties leads to another crazy toilet incident, it’s Declan to the rescue...but can they take the “plunge”? The Shopping series from New York Times bestselling author Julia Kent reaches its conclusion with heart, heat, and hilarity.



Beauty and the Beard (Winston Brothers bonus content #2) by Penny Reid:

Release Date: July 15th, 2019
Source:  Author gave away through newsletter on Authors Direct app
My rating:  5 stars   

I loved this really short story about Ashley packing up and waiting for Drew to come help move her to live with him.  All of it was sweet, and also we definitely got the steam at the end.  While it was still pretty darn short, there was so much of what I love in a Penny Reid book, that I had to give it the full 5 star rating.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
Beauty and the Beard is a short originally included in the lminited release Scenes from the City in 2015. It is now included in Neanderthal Seeks Extra Yarns.
 


Dear Beau (Winston Brothers bonus content #3) by Penny Reid:

Release Date: June 28th, 2019
Source:  Author gave away through newsletter on Authors Direct app
My rating:  3 stars     

Very, very, very short.  A letter for sure.  Fun, but just too short. When it comes to anything to do with the Winston brothers, I will always want more.



Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
In 2017 Kindle Direct Publishing posted a call for goodbye letters from characters and I felt inspired to write this letter from Duane to Beau before Duane leaves for Italy.



Dear Jess (Winston Brothers bonus content #4) by Penny Reid:

Release Date: August 19th, 2019
Source:  Author gave away through newsletter on Authors Direct app
My rating:  4 stars     

Still pretty short.  A letter for sure.  I liked it a little better than the letter to Beau, maybe the romance comes through better since this was to his woman.




Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
In 2016 True Story Book Blog requested I write a love note for a blog feature from one of my characters. I wrote this letter from Duane to Jess while they are in Italy.



The A.I. Who Loved Me by Alyssa Cole:

Release Date: December 3rd, 2019
Source:  Borrowed from Audible.com as part of Audible Escapes program
My rating:  3.5 stars  

So it took me a bit to get into it.  I'm not sure we really needed all the different narrators they had for this.  Because on some of the chapters, the main narrator just did all the voices.  I did love when we got Mindy Kaling though to do the house's A.I. system voice.  At times I did get a bit bored because the narrator's voices were kind of slow at times, or maybe it was how the story was written.  There were also sound effects from flashbacks, something weird that you don't usually hear in audiobooks, so that pulled me out of the story a bit too.  Overall I enjoyed it, but don't know if this is one author who I should read the physical books instead of listening to them on audio, if they are available as print books that is. 

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
A captivating romantic comedy with a thrilling sci-fi twist by award-winning author Alyssa Cole!

Trinity Jordan leads a quiet, normal life: working from home for the Hive, a multifunctional government research center, and recovering from the incident that sent her into a tailspin. But the life she’s trying to rebuild is plagued by mishaps when Li Wei, her neighbor’s super sexy and super strange nephew, moves in and turns things upside down. Li Wei’s behavior is downright odd—and the attraction building between them is even more so. When an emergency pulls his aunt away from the apartment complex, Trinity decides to keep an eye on him…and slowly discovers that nothing is what it seems. For one thing, Li Wei isn’t just the hot guy next door—he’s the hot A.I. next door. In fact, he’s so advanced that he blurs the line between man and machine. It’s up to Trinity to help him achieve his objective of learning to be human, but danger is mounting as they figure out whether he’s capable of the most illogical human behavior of all…falling in love.




The Hook-Up Experiment by Emma Hart:

Release Date: March 13th, 2018
Source:  Purchased from Audible
My rating:  5 stars  

I feel like really this is part of a series with one of the first Emma Hart books I read, The Upside to Being Single.  And if you read the whole synopsis below, it does say that our main character, Peyton, is in that story.  But I guess it isn't technically a part of a series with that one.  Doesn't matter though because I still loved it!  The characters were so great.  A lot of things about Peyton totally reminded me of myself.  Also, I think her bet is possible, three times without falling in love, but not with someone you already have such a history with!  Someone you'd had a crush on, and then when we find out he has a daughter?  An adorable little daughter?  How is that not just totally something you wouldn't automatically fall in love with?  There was so much fun in this story, and I totally loved the scenes with Chloe and Peyton's brother as well, so I can't wait to read their story at some point too.  Once again Emma Hart totally makes me love her stories and pretty much has sealed herself as one of my all-time favorite authors, probably auto-buy!

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
1. Hate-screw my high school nemesis.
2. Remember to hate him.
3. Prove my brother wrong.
It should be easy.
It isn’t.

As the owner of Pick-A-D*ck, New Orleans’ premier hook-up website, my job is simple. Connect two people for a no-strings, no-expectations hook-up. The plus for my clients is that I’m the one who gets to sift through the d*ck pics—except this time, they're required.

My problem? My brother, co-owner of Pick-A-D*ck’s sister dating site, doesn’t believe it’s possible to hook up with someone three times and not fall in love.
I disagree. I know it’s possible.

And my disagreement is exactly how I end up reconnected with my high school nemesis, Elliott Sloane. The guy who asked me to junior prom and then stood me up. Who egged my car when I rejected him, and convinced my senior homecoming date to ghost me.

It should be easy to hate-screw him. If only he was still that person, instead of a hot-as-hell single dad, working as a builder to make ends’ meet, fighting for custody of his daughter.

Three hook-ups.
One outcome.
Right?

(The Hook-Up Experiment is book one of the Experiment duet. If you've read The Upside to Being Single, this is Peyton's story.) 

L-L-L-Little Reviews: Six Favorite Adult Contemporary Romance Series Audiobook Reviews

So, while I'm pretty caught up on most things I've been reading, because most of them are for blog tours, I am behind on my audiobook reviews that are ones I'm just listening to for myself.  I've been going through the Knitting in the City series and the Winston Brothers series, the ones that were available on Audible Escape and I hadn't read yet, so those are what I mostly have to share with you today. 

Beauty and the Mustache (Knitting in the City #4, Winston Brothers #0.5) by Penny Reid:

Release Date: August 21st, 2014
Source:  Borrowed from Audible.com as part of Audible Escapes program
My rating:  5 stars  

Since I had already read some of the Winston brothers books before I got to this one, it was fun to read through their actual introduction.  Although it would have been hilarious to have my first introduction to Beau as how it happens in this book.  We got some awesome lines in this book, for instance:

"Bearded masturbating hillbillies!"

And since I hadn't at the time, or still haven't read all the brothers' books, I have one or two more still, I was wondering and guessing if any of the characters in the book were ones they'd end up with.  Now, there were a couple times with the whole Jackson James bit that I felt the story maybe contradicted something it had said earlier. But I need to grab a physical copy to go back and see if what I heard was right, or if I wasn't paying attention that well.  Like when Ashley says that Jackson James was her first and he used to be her best friend, but then she said she wasn't attracted to him either.  

There was a scene where Ashley overhears her mom and Drew discussing her, and I love those scenes if they're done right.  A great book, both for tying into to the KITC series and getting the Winston brothers going as well.  

Now the cover above is for the paperback version not the audiobook version, but I like this one better.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
There are three things you need to know about Ashley Winston:1) She has six brothers and they all have beards, 2) She is a reader, and 3) She knows how to knit. 

Former beauty queen, Ashley Winston’s preferred coping strategy is escapism. She escaped her Tennessee small town, loathsome father, and six brothers eight years ago. Now she escapes life daily via her one-click addiction. However, when a family tragedy forces her to return home, Ashley can’t escape the notice of Drew Runous—local Game Warden, bear wrestler, philosopher, and everyone’s favorite guy. Drew’s irksome philosophizing in particular makes Ashley want to run for the skyscrapers, especially since he can’t seem to keep his exasperating opinions— or his soulful poetry, steadfast support, and delightful hands— to himself. 

Pretty soon the girl who wanted nothing more than the escape of the big city finds she’s lost her heart in small town Tennessee. 

Beauty and the Mustache is book #4 in the Knitting in the City series, and book #0.5 in the Winston Brothers series. Each book is a standalone, full length (110k words), contemporary romantic comedy novel, and follows the misadventures and exploits of seven friends in Chicago, all members of the same knitting group.

 Happily Ever Ninja (Knitting in the City #5) by Penny Reid:

Release Date: January 19th, 2016
Source:  Borrowed from Audible.com as part of Audible Escapes program
My rating:  4.5 stars  

I wasn't sure if I'd read this one because I'm not really a fan of reading romances about married couples since I am single, never been married.  It's just hard for me to feel sorry for them when I want what they have.  However I feel like the author did a good job in grabbing my interest and making me feel for these characters anyway.  Now one reason I went ahead was also because Will Watt was one of the narrators and I love his voice. Although he really didn't have that many chapters.  I also feel like maybe I need to go ahead and listen or read the prequel to this one as well.  But once again there were some of the best lines in this book. For instance, Greg would always tell his kids to end arguments by saying:  "That sounds like something Hitler would say."  Another funny line was "Angry oral sex."  lol.  But Greg, who was away for his work all the time, also had this rule that they couldn't let their kids do things that were just for girls for the girl or just for boys for the boy.  So their son couldn't play soccer unless his sister wanted to, and she didn't get to take dance unless her brother did.  So he didn't want things to be sexist for the kids, but then he was totally sexist about not letting Fiona do things that she was much more qualified than he was to do!  So in the end, I liked this one enough to bump it up to a 4.5, but towards the end we did get a little of the stuff that is the reason I don't like to read about married couples.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
There are three things you need to know about Fiona Archer… I would tell you what they are, but then I’d have to kill you. 

But I can tell you that Fiona’s husband, the always irrepressible and often cantankerous Greg Archer, is desperately in love with his wife. Yet as the years pass, Greg has begun to suspect that Fiona is a ninja. A ninja mom. A ninja wife. A ninja friend. After fourteen years of marriage, Greg is trying not to panic. Because Fiona’s talent for blending in is starting to resemble fading away. 

However, when unexpected events mean Fiona must take center stage to keep her family safe, her response stuns everyone—Greg most of all. It seems like Greg’s wish has come true. Except… not.


Dating-ish (Knitting in the City #6) by Penny Reid:

Release Date: May 16th, 2017
Source:  Borrowed from Audible.com as part of Audible Escapes program
My rating:  5 stars    

This book started out hilarious and didn't stop.  It is the perfect book to read for any single woman.  I mean I have a new line when I want to date someone, but they can't seem to get it, "Step back from the stupid dehydrated horse."  You need to read the book, but it makes sense when you do.  This book also made me want to look into a professional cuddler as well as the other professionals she was looking into.  This is the book that I just totally wondered how the author can always seem to write characters that have so much "me" in them!  It's like she knows exactly how my mind works!  Some fun things at the beginning of each chapter was some kind of AI or other technology that seems way out there, but from asking the author on Facebook, all of it is true, which in some of the chapters is kind of scary to think of.  Another thing I love about Reid's stories is that there always seems to be someone talking about books to someone, or giving them a book, etc.  I just love it!  They're so my people!  One moment that is totally relatable is when Marie thinks about how she's so happy for her friends, but it's also hard to not be jealous or sad for yourself.  Like in the movie Bridesmaids, how she felt when her best friend tells her she's engaged.  She's happy, but it still hits her.  And then there is the line about how when you tell a single person there is someone out there for them, it's like telling an X-Files fan that you have proof of aliens, but no way to show them the evidence.  The last term I have to say that I'm stealing for my own use is "whore-mones".  Yep, it's a perfect way to phrase it.  Marie and her horrible blind date are one of my favorites in this world and I loved this book to death!

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
There are three things you need to know about Marie Harris: 1) She’s fed up with online dating, 2) She’s so fed up, she’s willing to forego the annoyance and consider more creative alternatives, and 3) She knows how to knit. 

After the most bizarre first date in the history of dating, Marie is looking for an alternative to men. With the help of her friends, she quickly identifies a few possibilities: Need a cuddle? Use a professional cuddler. Need affirmation? Get yourself a life coach. Need an orgasm? Try orgasm meditation! Why does she need the hassle of a romantic partner when she can meet all her needs with paid services? 

But then her irritating date resurfaces. And he’s not at all the person she thought he was. And he suggests a different—and crazier—solution to her dilemma . . .


Grin and Beard It (Winston Brothers #2) by Penny Reid:

Release Date: March 21st, 2016
Source:  Purchased from Audible.com
My rating:  5 stars   

I've been jumping around it seems with this series, and this was me now just reading #2.  Everyone seemed really protective of Jethro, his family, his friends, etc., well except his brother Billy of course.  So much that they were warning Sienna off from him.  I really liked Sienna.  I did not like her sister though.  So much to love about Jethro and his family from this book.  I love that he wanted to watch Marx Brothers movies with her, especially since I love those movies!  This was such a sweet book, and Jethro is just perfect in how he dealt with all of the issues that Sienna's famous life caused.  The sexy scenes were steamy, and yeah, just a really great book. I did like the little glimpses into Claire/Scarlet in this book, especially as I was in between the two last books in the series at the time and waiting to see how it would all end for her and Billy.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
Sienna Diaz is everyone’s favorite “fat” funny lady. The movie studio executives can’t explain it, but her films are out-grossing all the fit and trim headliners and Hollywood’s most beautiful elite. The simple truth is, everyone loves plus-sized Sienna. 

But she has a problem, she can’t read maps and her sense of direction is almost as bad as her comedic timing is stellar. Therefore, when Sienna’s latest starring role takes her to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park she finds herself continually lost while trying to navigate the backroads of Green Valley, Tennessee. Much to her consternation, Sienna’s most frequent savior is a ridiculously handsome, charming, and cheeky Park Ranger by the name of Jethro Winston. 

Sienna is accustomed to high levels of man-handsome, so it’s not Jethro’s chiseled features or his perfect physique that make Sienna stutter. It’s his southern charm. And gentlemanly manners. And habit of looking at her too long and too often. 

Sienna has successfully navigated the labyrinth of Hollywood heart-throbs. But can she traverse the tenuous trails of Tennessee without losing her head? Or worse, her heart?


#Heart (Hashtag #6) by Cambria Hebert:

Release Date: November 4th, 2015
Source:  Borrowed from Audible.com as part of Audible Escapes program
My rating:  4 stars   

I do love Romeo and it was nice to be back in his world.  This was a continuation of Romeo and Rimmel, as well as Braeden and Ivy's stories.  I loved being back in the world, and it definitely kept me going, but it was a lot of the same kind of things happening again, and definitely some unrealistic happenings in the world of NFL I'm sure.  But it's fiction and fun, and so it's all okay.  Definitely a good read after the rest of the series to know how things are going with the crew!  I do know that now I need to read Trent and Drew's books.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
Family isn't always defined by blood. Sometimes family is born of love, loyalty, and choice. Sometimes the bond that comes from someone having your back through the shittiest of times is stronger than anything you get from genetics, and sometimes you find that piece of your soul you didn't even know was missing. I'm a lucky guy like that. I found a love that will never fade. I found a group of people who aren't just my friends; they've become my family. There's only one place to go from here. I'm gonna bind myself to Rimmel in every possible way. I'm gonna bring our family even closer together. The past has taught me it won't be easy, but that's okay. Family doesn't quit each other. Love like ours never dies. Happily ever after isn't just for storybooks.


Back in the Game:  A Dating by Numbers Novella by Meghan Quinn:

Release Date: April 30th, 2018
Source:  Borrowed from Audible.com as part of Audible Escapes program
My rating:  5 stars     

This was short, hence the novella right in the title.  And I didn't like the male narrator's voice.  And for a while I was worried we wouldn't get one of the author's signature steamy scenes, but we did in the end.  A cute and fun addition to this series.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
Single dad and hockey star, Calder Weiss has put his love life on the back burner for the past five years, raising his daughter and keeping up with the demands of his profession. But all that changes the minute Rachel Perry runs into him in the most unlikely of places, right outside the men's bathroom. 

Vibrant and enchanting, she captures his attention, making it impossible for him to walk away without scoring her number. Their connection is immediate, their attraction palpable, and their relationship undeniable. 

But Rachel isn't the only girl in Calder's life, which scares him, because Calder's daughter already lost her mother. He doesn't want Shea to lose someone close to her again, making Rachel's task of breaking through Calder's wall that much more difficult.