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Just for Me
- A Rugby Romance (Escape to New Zealand, Book 15)
- By: Rosalind James
- Narrated by: Emma Wilder
- Length: 7 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
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What’s it like to be the first All Black to come out while he’s still playing rugby? Luke has spent more than 30 years not wanting to find out, but hiding has become so hard. He’s a man who doesn’t get tired, but now, he’s soul-weary.
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Excellent new installment in the series!
- By Deor on 09-29-23
- Just for Me
- A Rugby Romance (Escape to New Zealand, Book 15)
- By: Rosalind James
- Narrated by: Emma Wilder
Yet another winner from Rosalind James
Reviewed: 09-26-23
This is the story of Luke, pro rugby player, who is captain of England's national team and brother of Kane and stepbrother to Nyree, and Hayden, brother to Zora, who is married to Rhys, another famous player. While there are many players that we see from prior novels, it is a stand-alone.
The protagonists are a same-sex male couple, with Hayden being out, for the most part, and Luke just starting to come out, both personally and professionally. I found the discussion of this topic to be very emotional, making me think about how the young people in my life have felt when I was supportive or, by my silence, not supportive. There is an act of violence and talk of "gay bashing" that is very sad and disheartening to hear, but also very moving.
I love the way that Rosalind James writes about the crushes that teenage boys have, with such tenderness and sweetness. The way that she wrote about these two men falling in love was also so gentle and romantic, also. There were several sex scenes, so I would suggest this for grownups, as I have for most of her books.
I really enjoyed this audiobook and give it an enthusiastic five stars!!
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
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Yours Truly
- By: Abby Jimenez
- Narrated by: Kyla Garcia, Zachary Webber
- Length: 11 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
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Dr. Briana Ortiz’s life is seriously flatlining. Her divorce is just about finalized, her brother’s running out of time to find a kidney donor, and that promotion she wants? Oh, that’s probably going to the new man-doctor who’s already registering eighty-friggin’-seven on Briana’s “pain in my ass” scale. But just when all systems are set to hate, Dr. Jacob Maddox completely flips the game . . . by sending Briana a letter. And it’s a really good letter. Like the kind that proves that Jacob isn’t actually Satan.
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Heartfelt!!
- By Myranda on 04-19-23
- Yours Truly
- By: Abby Jimenez
- Narrated by: Kyla Garcia, Zachary Webber
OMG, so good!!
Reviewed: 09-26-23
This is the story of Dr. Briana Ortiz. Her life is not going well -- her divorce is about to be finalized, her brother needs a kidney donor ASAP, and she just found out that she may not get the promotion that she was counting on because the jerky new doctor that started in HER ER today is best friends with her boss. Except, that "jerk," Dr. Jacob Maddox, isn't really such a jerk after all. He wrote her a letter. A really nice letter. Who does that? Just writes people letters?
Oh! This is a great listen!! You should spend a credit. You will not regret it. There are a few steamy parts, so adults only. It is heartbreaking and heartwarming and it is very fun.
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The Littlest Library
- A Novel
- By: Poppy Alexander
- Narrated by: Karen Cass
- Length: 9 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
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Jess Metcalf is perfectly content with her quiet, predictable life. But when her beloved grandmother passes away and she loses her job at the local library, Jess’ life is turned upside down. Determined to pick up the pieces, Jess decides it’s time for a new beginning. Unable to part with her grandmother’s cherished books, she packs them all up and moves to a tiny cottage in the English countryside. To her surprise, Jess discovers that she’s now the owner of an old red phone box that was left on the property.
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An entertaining read.
- By Kim Meseck on 11-10-22
- The Littlest Library
- A Novel
- By: Poppy Alexander
- Narrated by: Karen Cass
Really makes you think, but in a good way!
Reviewed: 09-26-23
This is the story of Jess Montgomery, a young woman who was raised by her grandmother after losing her parents at a young age. When she is laid off from her librarian job not long after her grandmother dies, she decides to sell her home in the city and move to the country, rather impulsively. Once there, she realizes how lonely and isolated she's become and starts making an effort to branch out. She makes friends with people in her community, starts a tiny library (see the title), and starts to heal from the trauma that she's experienced. However, she still needs to find a job, which is very difficult in her small community. Also, there is some unexpected opposition to her library! I won't spoil any more, but I highly recommend this delightful and touching story,
I especially like that it looked at issues like loneliness and isolation, which are far to common. It is really easy for people to become isolated from one another and it is so hard to break those patterns, one they are ingrained. There were so many sweet relationships referenced in this book -- parent/child, friendships, romances, grandparent/grandchild, siblings, pets, and even dear companions. It is well worth a credit.
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This Place of Wonder
- A Novel
- By: Barbara O'Neal
- Narrated by: Coleen Marlo, Amy Landon, Alaska Jackson
- Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
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When famed chef Augustus Beauvais dies, he leaves behind a celebrated reputation—and four women grappling with loss, anger, pain, and the question of how the world will turn without him...
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Wish I would have waited to purchase
- By Admirer of great books; critic of bad books. on 07-25-22
- This Place of Wonder
- A Novel
- By: Barbara O'Neal
- Narrated by: Coleen Marlo, Amy Landon, Alaska Jackson
SUCH a great book!
Reviewed: 09-26-23
I bought this book and the accompanying audiobook right when they were released, last year, but for some reason, I let them both sit in my library for a whole year, until I finally got around to listening/reading (yes... when I get obsessed, I go back and forth between both versions of a book). Well, something finally got me to start this one and once I got going, I could barely take a break! The story begins with the death of famous chef Augustus Beauvais. He is a well-known chef, but also a philanderer, a terrible husband and father, and a poor businessman. His daughter, Maya is fresh out of rehab, trying to figure out her next move and to reconcile her anger with her larger-than-life father. His ex-wife, Meadow is also is close friend, but she seems to have secrets of her own, like who is the actual father of her adult daughter, Rory? And why is Norah, Augustus' last girl friend (who he was cheating on) still hanging around?
I loved this book and have thought about the story and the various characters a lot since I finished it. Absolutely recommend.
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Kiwi Sin
- New Zealand Ever After, Book 5
- By: Rosalind James
- Narrated by: Emma Wilder, Calum Gittins
- Length: 14 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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When you walk out of a cult with a driving license and the clothes on your back, you can face some challenges. How does a cooker work, and what do you cook on it? Is microwave pizza actually food, and how many times can you eat sausages before you never want to smell them again? And what do people put in all those bathroom drawers?
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More than your typical mindless romance
- By DZA One on 09-09-22
- Kiwi Sin
- New Zealand Ever After, Book 5
- By: Rosalind James
- Narrated by: Emma Wilder, Calum Gittins
Excellent Addition to the Series
Reviewed: 09-07-22
Loved this book, the 5th in the New Zealand Ever After series. This is the story of Oriana (originally Obidience) who escaped from the Mt.Zion cult with her older sister Daisy’s help in the previous book and her step-cousin Gabriel. We see them learning to adjust to life on the “outside” - Oriana, at first is 16, is going to high school, with limited success. Gabriel, age 24, starts working as a laborer, but is trying to navigate cooking for himself, working a television, learning of the modern quirks of life. We follow the two of them over the next year as their relationship develops. Their families do not approve, but for very different reasons. So many questions come to mind — What does it mean to be worldly? What occupations are worthwhile? How old is “old enough”? The two narrators, Emma Wilder and Callum Gittins, are excellent.
Trigger warning: there are themes of misogyny, religious trauma, domestic violence, sexual assault, and child molestation in this story. However, I still absolutely recommend it! Five stars from me!
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
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The Family You Make
- A Novel (The Sunrise Cove Series, Book 1)
- By: Jill Shalvis
- Narrated by: Erin Mallon
- Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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During the snowstorm of the century Levi Cutler is stranded on a ski lift with a beautiful stranger named Jane. After strong winds hurl the gondola in front of them into the ground, Levi calls his parents to prepare them for the worst…but can’t bring himself to say goodbye. Instead, wanting to fulfill his mother’s lifelong wish, he impulsively tells her he’s happily settled and Jane is his girlfriend—right before his phone dies.
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A great start to a new series
- By Macy on 01-16-22
- The Family You Make
- A Novel (The Sunrise Cove Series, Book 1)
- By: Jill Shalvis
- Narrated by: Erin Mallon
Romantic, quirky, touching… excellent!
Reviewed: 09-07-22
Have you read anything by Jill Shalvis, because she is great! “The Family You Make” is the story of Levi and Jane. They meet when they are stranded together in a broken ski gondola during a terrible snowstorm in Lake Tahoe. While calling his mother, Levi impulsively tells her that Jane’s his girlfriend, thinking that they may not survive. Of course, they do survive, but many other situations ensue… This is such a good story, with storylines about grief, family estrangement, chosen family, and how adult romantic love really happens. I love reading works by Jill Shalvis and listening to them on audio is even more fun. Five stars from me!
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Kiwi Gold
- New Zealand Ever After, Book 4
- By: Rosalind James
- Narrated by: Emma Wilder, Tom Janson
- Length: 14 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
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Rescuing a woman dressed in a nightdress at a costume ball? That worked for me. And holding her up against the wall, to shield her from the cops, was pure enjoyment. Driving with her to a barbecue, a fruit salad in my lap, and her twins - her girl twins - in the back seat? Out of my comfort zone. And that was before she started asking me for dating lessons, and wondering how to explain that she couldn’t have sex before marriage. I had it under control, though. I was coping. Until four sisters of mine decided to go looking for their sperm donor.
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The Audio Version Was Even Better
- By JigsawGirl on 04-05-22
- Kiwi Gold
- New Zealand Ever After, Book 4
- By: Rosalind James
- Narrated by: Emma Wilder, Tom Janson
Heartfelt Kiwi Romance
Reviewed: 04-14-22
At the start of Kiwi Gold, we meet Laila, widowed mom to twin six year old twin girls. She runs a photography studio out of her home and is barely making ends meet, even that is debatable, really. Her late husband was a famous climber who died in a very public way that brought shame to himself and their family. Laila is also starting to question the strict Muslim upbringing in which she was raised, pushing back against some of the constraints.
She meets Lachlan at a costume party and they share an interesting evening together, talking and getting to know one another, without her realizing that he is her next-door neighbor! Also, neither one realizes that they have many friends in common, or that that her father is his business rival. We soon see that their families are even more interconnected.
There are many twists and turns in this book, like all of Rosalind James' writings. It's never "just" a romance novel -- there are heavier topics like religion, sexual education, grief, addiction, perinatal/infant loss, and feminism openly discussed in this book in a respectful way and I really loved it. I enjoyed the both of the narrators and think that having a male and female narrator brought a lot to the enjoyment of the book.
Technically, this is part of a series, and if you have read the other books in the New Zealand Ever After series, you will recognize some characters, but I do think that this definitely can be read as a stand-alone. I am happy to recommend it and to give five stars, across the board.
I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review and was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
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2 people found this helpful
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Psychic Dreams: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel
- Glimmer Lake, Book 3
- By: Elizabeth Hunter
- Narrated by: Ava Lucas
- Length: 7 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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It’s been four years since Monica lost the love of her life to a sudden and devastating heart attack. She’s held her family together and picked herself up with the love and help of her two best friends. Now Monica has a new business, a new wardrobe, and a new vision for the future. As in actual psychic visions. Dreams that manifest in reality? Monica’s still not sure why or how it happened, but she’s been seeing everything from unexpected visitors to visions of fire and destruction.
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Love this Series
- By Sandy M on 10-27-20
- Psychic Dreams: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel
- Glimmer Lake, Book 3
- By: Elizabeth Hunter
- Narrated by: Ava Lucas
Such a good, satisfying end to a great trilogy!
Reviewed: 04-14-22
Oh, Monica! I really enjoyed the finally installment of the Glimmer Lake trilogy series. Monica and her friends, Val and Robin, had a car accident where they all emerged with paranormal abilities. Monica's gift is that she began to see visions in her dreams, basically prophesies of the future. Her visions were always very dream-like, though, and she needed the help of her friends to interpret them and to work out what steps to take and how to best move forward. She is also still dealing with the sudden loss of her husband Gil, only 4 years earlier, to a heart attack, and the entry of a new man into her life, fire inspector Gabriel Peralta. There are so many heavy topics in this story -- teen pregnancy, grief, family alienation, adult child/parent relationships, small-town gossip, and the power of the chosen family. I truly cried during this book and was sorry to have it end, but in a good way. Well done, Elizabeth Hunter and Ava Lucas!
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Psychic Dreams
- Glimmer Lake, Book 3
- By: Elizabeth Hunter
- Narrated by: Ava Lucas
- Length: 7 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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She’s feeling the heat. Or it might be a hot flash. Sometimes it’s really hard to tell. It’s been four years since Monica lost the love of her life to a sudden and devastating heart attack. She’s held her family together and picked herself up with the love and help of her two best friends. Now Monica has a new business, a new wardrobe, and a new vision for the future. As in actual psychic visions. Dreams that manifest in reality? Monica’s still not sure why or how it happened, but she’s been seeing everything from unexpected visitors to visions of fire and destruction.
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Dreams
- By Steph M on 11-19-20
- Psychic Dreams
- Glimmer Lake, Book 3
- By: Elizabeth Hunter
- Narrated by: Ava Lucas
Such a good, satisfying end to a great trilogy!
Reviewed: 04-14-22
Oh, Monica! I really enjoyed the finally installment of the Glimmer Lake trilogy series. Monica and her friends, Val and Robin, had a car accident where they all emerged with paranormal abilities. Monica's gift is that she began to see visions in her dreams, basically prophesies of the future. Her visions were always very dream-like, though, and she needed the help of her friends to interpret them and to work out what steps to take and how to best move forward. She is also still dealing with the sudden loss of her husband Gil, only 4 years earlier, to a heart attack, and the entry of a new man into her life, fire inspector Gabriel Peralta. There are so many heavy topics in this story -- teen pregnancy, grief, family alienation, adult child/parent relationships, small-town gossip, and the power of the chosen family. I truly cried during this book and was sorry to have it end, but in a good way. Well done, Elizabeth Hunter and Ava Lucas!
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Semi-Psychic Life: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel
- Glimmer Lake
- By: Elizabeth Hunter
- Narrated by: Ava Lucas
- Length: 6 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
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Who says you can’t live the rock and roll life after 40? You just need a lot more vitamins and a bigger bottle of aspirin. Valerie Costa was pretty sure she was rocking her 40s. She had an amazing coffee shop, two cool teenagers, and a new superpower that gave her insight into any random object she touched. Okay, she wasn’t thrilled about that last one. Ever since Val and her two best friends had driven their car off the edge and into Glimmer Lake the year before, Val has struggled with her new abilities.
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Love the midlife books
- By stephani on 09-27-20
- Semi-Psychic Life: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel
- Glimmer Lake
- By: Elizabeth Hunter
- Narrated by: Ava Lucas
Even the cool mom has problems, or so I hear!
Reviewed: 04-14-22
This is the second book in the Glimmer Lake trilogy and I would not recommend it as a stand-alone, but otherwise, I really would recommend it! It is the story of Valerie Costa, single mom to two teenagers, living her life in Glimmer Lake, getting by as best as she can, until she has a car accident with her two best friends and emerges with the psychic ability to "read" objects by touching them. Now, she suddenly is wearing gloves all the time, because, do you really want to know that the creepy guy from your coffee shop is cheating on his wife or exactly what your teenage sons have been doing in their rooms? Yikes! And, there's the slight problem of her deadbeat ex going missing... And her flirtation with the hunky sheriff. Yes, this is a great follow-up to the first book in the series with a combo of clean romance, paranormal, and mystery, with over-forty protagonists! Loved it and am excited for the third in the series.
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