Tag Archives: audiobook review

Audiobook Review: Sweet Home by Tillie Cole

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Sweet Home by Tillie Cole

Sweet Home by Tillie Cole
Series: Sweet Home #1 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: October 4th 2016
Length: 10 hours and 9 minutes
Narrated by: Anna Parker-Naples
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

At age twenty, Molly Shakespeare knows a lot. She knows Descartes and Kant. She knows academia and Oxford. She knows that the people who love you leave you. She knows how to be alone.

But when Molly leaves England’s grey skies behind to start a new life at the University of Alabama, she finds that she has a lot to learn—she didn’t know a summer could be so hot, she didn’t know students could be so intimidating, and she certainly didn’t know just how much the folks of Alabama love their football.

When a chance encounter with notorious star quarterback, Romeo Prince, leaves her unable to think of anything but his chocolate-brown eyes, dirty-blond hair and perfect physique, Molly soon realises that her quiet, solitary life is about to dramatically change forever…

If you love new adult sports romances and audiobooks, you definitely need to pick up Sweet Home! I’ll admit, the first time I read this book, I wasn’t the biggest fan, but listening to it as an audiobook has made me enjoy it a little more (which is what usually happens with a good narrator). If you like opposites-attract romances, especially those where the popular quarterback falls for the quiet nerd, then you’ll probably enjoy Sweet Home.

Molly Shakespeare moved from England to the University of Alabama to complete her Master’s. She’s incredibly smart, but her social skills aren’t exactly the best. She keeps to herself, until one day she can’t – Romeo Prince storms into her life and turns it upside down and for the better. The quarterback and heir to an oil fortune, Rome sweeps Molly off her feet in a whirlwind romance. He’s intense, sexy, alpha – and there is no one but Molly for him. But family pressures have him locked in a cage, and they definitely don’t want to him end up with someone who isn’t of the same wealth and status. Can Molly and Rome find a way to be together, or will Rome’s family find a way to tear them apart?

I love romances where the main characters are IT for each other, and I felt this was very much the case in Sweet Home. Rome goes a little over-the-top with his alpha tendencies and Molly caves too easily, but if you don’t mind that, then you’ll most likely enjoy this audiobook. It’s very romantic (Rome can be seriously sweet sometimes) with a good dose of steam. Anna Parker-Naples was a great narrator, given that there were different accents for her to voice. The Southern accent wasn’t too cringeworthy, which I consider a plus. Even though it wasn’t a complete win for me, Sweet Home was a great listen that fans of the author and audiobook lovers should still give a try. I’m looking forward to listening to the rest of the series in audio!

SWEET HOME is now available on Audible: http://amzn.to/2eAFoJT

3 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: Sweet Home series

Sweet Home by Tillie Cole Sweet Rome by Tillie Cole
Sweet Fall by Tillie Cole Sweet Hope by Tillie Cole Sweet Soul by Tillie Cole

#1 ~ Sweet Home: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#1.5 ~ Sweet Rome: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Sweet Fall: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Sweet Hope: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Sweet Soul: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

Here’s an audio excerpt from Sweet Home!

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Audiobook Review: Pretend by Riley Hart

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Pretend by Riley Hart
Series: Blackcreek #3 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: September 27th 2016
Length: 6 hours and 52 minutes
Narrated by: Luke Itzvic
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

Mason Alexander thought all he wanted in life was something to call his own—something without the family name attached. He got that when he bought his bar in Blackcreek…but then a hard truth opens his eyes that he’s been lied to his whole life, and he’s tangled amid the family that loves him, a truth that haunts him, and torn between the life he wants for himself and the obligation he feels for his family.

Gavin Davis knows a thing or two about living a double life. Being a gay man with strict Christian parents who believe he’s going to Hell, has never been easy. Instead of dealing, Gavin lost himself in his career. Teaching music gives him solace. So when he loses his job at a private school for helping out a gay kid, he feels like he lost more than a job. He lost his identity.

Blackcreek is a new start for both of them, two men, loyal to a fault, who both feel obligated to people in their lives. What Mason and Gavin don’t expect to find in each other is the place where they can be real. They know they want each other, it’s the rest of it they can’t figure out. Caught between loyalty, obligation, fear, tragedy and family, Mason and Gavin’s lives threaten to pull them away from each other if they don’t get real, and stop playing pretend, for good.

Riley Hart’s Blackcreek series continues to be a hot, romantic M/M series that I’m enjoying listening to. I think the first book is still my favorite so far, but the rest of the series is still fun to listen to, especially with Luke Itzvic narrating all the books. Pretend features Gavin Davis, the ex-boyfriend of Braden, one of the main characters from book two of the Blackcreek series, and Mason Alexander, the new owner of Creekside bar. Both men are in Blackcreek to avoid family drama and their problems, while finding solace in each other.

Gavin has lost his position as a music teacher, so he’s in need of a job. What a coincidence that Mason needs help running his new bar, right? Plus, there’s the side perk of the two of them being wildly attracted to each other. They lose themselves in each other to avoid their current problems – Mason, not wanting to deal with his revelation of being adopted by his wealthy family, and Gavin, not wanting to deal with his religious family not accepting of his sexual orientation. The chemistry between them is fantastic – Gavin and Mason are insanely hot together! This might be the hottest of the series yet. And I loved how dominant Mason was even as a bottom (hello, power bottom!).

Riley Hart did a wonderful job balancing out the drama with the romance, though I do think the conflict dragged on for a bit too long. I didn’t feel as deep a connection with this story as the other two in the series, which is why I didn’t LOVE it, but I did adore the ending, which was perfect for the main characters. Luke Itzvic once again did an incredible job with narrating Gavin and Mason, and I’m really happy that he narrated the whole series. If you love audiobooks and M/M romances, I would definitely recommend you give this series a try!

PRETEND is now available on Audible: http://amzn.to/2eCcrPo

3 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: Blackcreek series

   

#1 ~ Collide: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Stay: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Pretend: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3.5 ~ Return to Blackwater Creek: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

Here’s an audio excerpt from Pretend!

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Audiobook Review: Stay by Riley Hart

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Stay by Riley Hart
Series: Blackcreek #2 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: September 27th 2016
Length: 7 hours and 14 minutes
Narrated by: Luke Itzvic
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

Wes Jensen just lost the sister who raised him, and gained custody of his niece. The last thing he needs to add to his full plate is dealing with Braden Roth, the one-night-stand who continues to try to push his way into Wes’s life. He has a kid to raise now, and Wes isn’t great at getting close anyway.

Braden has never had a woman or a man sneak out on him the morning after. From the start, Wes intrigues him, and Braden isn’t one to deny himself something he wants. And he wants Wes. The more time he spends with Wes and the little girl who constantly keeps them on their toes, the more Braden realizes this isn’t just about getting the guy who walked away.

As their lives intertwine more and more, Wes discovers Braden isn’t as shallow as he thought. But after everything Wes lost in his life, he isn’t sure he can risk his heart, and truly want Braden to stay—and if he did, would Wes’s quiet life be enough for Braden?

I’d been excited for Wes and Braden’s story ever since listening to Collide! They were such an interesting couple – I couldn’t wait to see how the man raising his sister’s daughter and the consummate playboy would fall for each other and make a relationship work out. This book was surprisingly sweet, especially with the adorable Jessie. I didn’t fully connect with the story, but I appreciated that there was so much heart in the romance and characters. I enjoyed listening to Stay, but I do think I liked the first book a little more.

Wes Jensen lost his beloved sister, but gained her daughter instead. Getting custody of Jessie was never in his plans, but he’ll do anything to care for and protect his niece. She’s his number one priority at the moment, which means his personal – and romantic – life has to take a step back. But Braden, his one-night-stand, won’t stop trying to push himself into Wes’s life. Can Wes believe that Braden truly wants more with him, or will he keep his heart forever guarded against this man?

I adored Braden and how hard he tried to make Wes see that he genuinely wanted more with him. This playboy fell hard and fast, and it warmed my heart to see him act in such a caring way with Wes and Jessie. Wes’s struggles and his back and forth with Braden were understandable but frustrated me a little. Overall, this story was a pretty mellow listen with little drama, which I appreciated. Luke Itzvic once again did an incredible job with narrating the two male characters, and I would definitely listen to other audiobooks he narrates Even though I didn’t love Stay, I’m still looking forward to listening to the rest of the series!

STAY is now available on Audible: http://amzn.to/2eeCkGZ

3 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: Blackcreek series

   

#1 ~ Collide: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Stay: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Pretend: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3.5 ~ Return to Blackwater Creek: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

Here’s an audio excerpt from Stay!

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Audiobook Review: Collide by Riley Hart

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Collide by Riley Hart
Series: Blackcreek #1 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: September 27th 2016
Length: 7 hours and 44 minutes
Narrated by: Luke Itzvic
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

At ten years old, Noah Jameson and Cooper Bradshaw collided mid-air when they dove for the same football. For three years, they were inseparable…until one day when Noah and his parents disappeared in the middle of the night.

Noah and Cooper never knew what happened to each other. Now, seventeen years later, after finding his boyfriend in bed with another man, Noah returns to Blackcreek looking for a fresh start. And damned if he doesn’t find his old friend grew up to be sexy as sin. Coop can’t believe Noah—the only person he trusted with the guilt over his parents’ death—is back. And gay… Or that Cooper himself suddenly wants another man in his bed for the first time.

There’s no denying the attraction and emotion between them, but can they overcome the ghosts of their pasts to have a future together?

Collide is the first M/M audiobook romance I’ve listened to, and I totally adored it! I love friends-to-lovers romances too, so Noah and Cooper’s story was pretty much the perfect listen for me. It was surprisingly sweet, with heaps of sexy to balance it out. If you’re a fan of M/M romances, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a listen!

Cooper and Noah were childhood best friends, until Noah and his family disappeared from town. Now, seventeen years later, they’re reunited, but Cooper is in for a shock when he finds out that his childhood best friend is actually… gay. It throws Cooper off, but it doesn’t stop him from offering Noah a place to stay at his house. But when Cooper sees Noah getting intimate with another man, he struggles with the jealousy that arises in him. Cooper knows he’s straight… right? So why doesn’t he like the idea of Noah with another man?

What starts off as a tentative sexual exploration for Cooper turns into so much more. For Noah though, he’s always been in love with him best friend, and he’s happy to take whatever Cooper can give. But what happens when Cooper still wants to keep his sexuality – and their relationship – in the closet? Will it be enough for Noah anymore?

Collide was a great mix of angsty, sexy, sweet, and heartwarming. I loved Noah and totally felt for him. Cooper was frustrating at times but he won me out by the end. The story is told in alternating third person, and Luke Itzvic was the perfect narrator for Noah and Cooper. I was hoping he would be able to distinguish between the two male characters’ voices, and he did just that, so I have no complaints. I’m so excited to listen to the rest of the Blackcreek audiobooks!

COLLIDE is now available on Audible: http://amzn.to/2eeHkeO

4 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: Blackcreek series

   

#1 ~ Collide: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Stay: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Pretend: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3.5 ~ Return to Blackwater Creek: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

Here’s an audio excerpt from Collide!

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Audiobook Review: The Score by Elle Kennedy

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The Score by Elle Kennedy

The Score by Elle Kennedy
Series: Off-Campus #3 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: September 27th 2016
Length: 11 hours and 41 minutes
Narrated by: Savannah Peachwood & Andrew Eiden
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

He knows how to score, on and off the ice

Allie Hayes is in crisis mode. With graduation looming, she still doesn’t have the first clue about what she’s going to do after college. To make matters worse, she’s nursing a broken heart thanks to the end of her longtime relationship. Wild rebound sex is definitely not the solution to her problems, but gorgeous hockey star Dean Di Laurentis is impossible to resist. Just once, though, because even if her future is uncertain, it sure as heck won’t include the king of one-night stands.

It’ll take more than flashy moves to win her over

Dean always gets what he wants. Girls, grades, girls, recognition, girls…he’s a ladies man, all right, and he’s yet to meet a woman who’s immune to his charms. Until Allie. For one night, the feisty blonde rocked his entire world—and now she wants to be friends? Nope. It’s not over until he says it’s over. Dean is in full-on pursuit, but when life-rocking changes strike, he starts to wonder if maybe it’s time to stop focusing on scoring…and shoot for love.

Y’all, the audiobook of The Score is SUCH an improvement from the last two Off-Campus audiobooks. I’m so glad that they decided to go with a male and female author instead of one female author who sounded nothing like two college-aged students. So if you weren’t a fan of The Deal and The Mistake in audio, I can promise you will enjoy listening to The Score SO much more. Good narrators make all the difference in the audiobooks I listen too, and it made a huge difference in The Score. I loved listening to it this time around, and I’m hoping that the next book will also have dual narrators!

Allie Hayes has broken up with her boyfriend Sean for the last time, and she’s in need of someone to keep her from taking Sean back. Enter Dean Di-Laurentis, resident manwhore and hockey player. Dean lives by his own rules, doing what he wants, when he wants, and for the moment, what he wants is Allie. But one night of drinks leads to sizzling-hot passion and Dean can’t quite seem to get Allie off his mind or stop wanting her… And soon enough, when Dean falls, he falls hard, and my heart swooned like crazy over the love he gradually grows to have for Allie.

If you haven’t already read The Score, it’s amazing as an audiobook – or you could be like me, and have read AND listened to it! It’s another great installment to the Off-Campus series – it’s got the usual laugh-out-loud humor (I literally laughed out loud while listening to this), fantastic sexy-times, amazing bromances, even some Twilight references, and a romance that warm your heart and leave you smiling and wanting more. Dean and Allie are perfect together, and what’s even better, their narrators are spectacular as well. The male narrator, Andrew Eiden, was PERFECT as Dean, and though it took me a little while to warm up to Savannah Peachwood, Allie’s narrator, since she spoke really slowly in the beginning, I enjoyed her narration by the end of the audiobook. So if you’re thinking of getting an audiobook in the Off-Campus series, I highly recommend The Score – it’s got the best narration of the series.

THE SCORE is now available on Audible: http://amzn.to/2e2IfN3

5 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: Off-Campus series

The Deal by Elle Kennedy The Mistake by Elle Kennedy The Score by Elle Kennedy 

#1 ~ The Deal: Book Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Mistake: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ The Score: Book Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ The Goal: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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