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Audiobook Review: Hold On by Kristen Ashley

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Hold On by Kristen Ashley

Hold On by Kristen Ashley
Series: The ‘Burg #6 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: September 1st 2015
Length: 21 hours and 20 minutes
Narrated by: Erin Bennett
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

Since she was young, Cher Rivers knew she was not the kind of girl who got what she wanted. A girl who could hope. A girl who could dream. She knew a happily ever after just wasn’t in the cards for her.

In love for years with the last bastion of the ‘burg’s eligible bachelors, Garrett Merrick, Cher worked hard at making him laugh. Being one of the guys. Having him in her life the only way she could. All this knowing he was in love with another woman.

The Merrick Family is known for loving deep. So when Cecelia Merrick was murdered, it marked the Merricks in a way none of them recovered. Both Cecelia’s children found love. Both turned their backs on it. But Garrett “Merry” Merrick knew in his soul the woman he divorced years ago was the one for him.

Until the night when Cher took Garrett’s back and things changed. The Merrick family loves deep. They also protect fiercely. And with his eyes finally open, Garrett sees the woman who truly is for him and he goes after her.

It’s been a long while since the last time I read a Kristen Ashley book, and this is the first time I’ve listened to an audiobook of hers, but listening to Hold On reminded me of just how much I love KA and her kickass books. It’s just so easy to get sucked into her writing and her wonderful cast of characters. Hold On is the sixth and final book in The ‘Burg series, though it can be read as a standalone. This is Cher and Merry’s story, one that’s heartfelt, romantic, and absolutely fantastic to listen to.

Kristen Ashley’s books are long, which means the audiobooks are loooong, and I love it. I love getting to spend so much time in her world, with her characters, because everything is so detailed and fleshed-out. Hold On is 21 hours of KA goodness, and I couldn’t be happier about it. It took me quite a few days to finish it, but I was happy about the time I spent with this book, because listening to this practically lifted my spirits. Cher and Merry’s romance is one about fighting for one another, about holding on to the best thing that could happen to them, and not letting go.

“You got it good, you don’t let it go. It lets you go, you hold on. It slips through your fingers, you pull out all the stops to get it back. You got somethin’ worth fighting for, you fight for it. You do not sit on your ass waitin’ for it to come back to you. You show whoever that is they mean something and you go all out on that, and the only way you go down is doin’ that shit swinging.”

Cher Rivers’ life has been through the wringer, but she comes out stronger on the other side. A single mom, she’s got a boy to take care of, so she’ll do whatever it takes to give him a good life. THIS is the kind of woman who never lets anything bring her down, and I admired her so much for it. After the mess that happened with serial killer Dennis Lowe, she doesn’t have room for romance in her life, but it doesn’t stop her from unrequitedly loving Garrett “Merry” Merrick.

Cher and Merry are great friends, but Merry is oblivious to Cher’s feelings for him, because all he can feel is regret at losing his ex-wife. But one night, when he’s drowning in his sorrows, it’s Cher who’s there for him, and he quickly realizes she’s always been there for him. And that one night together for them is enough to make Merry open his eyes and see what’s been in front of him all along.

I really enjoyed listening to Cher and Merry’s wonderful romance. This is a bit of the friends-to-lovers trope, which I adore. Cher is a fantastic, strong, independent woman who is definitely a one-of-a-kind heroine. Merry is also an incredible hero – alpha (as KA’s hero’s always are), fiercely protective, and unwavering in his loyalty, he’s certainly the perfect man for Cher and her son. Their romance is slow, but heartfelt, full of laughter, sexytimes, and love. And Ethan, Cher’s son, is a definite highlight of this book – he’s absolutely adorable and hilarious!

“It happens … For people like us, baby. It happens, eventually. Just as long as we hold on.”

Erin Bennett’s narration meshed perfectly well with the tone of this book. She did a fantastic job conveying both Cher and Merry’s POVs, and it was easy to distinguish between the dialogue of different characters. I would most likely listen to another audiobook of hers.

Overall, Hold On is an entertaining book that fans of KA should not miss. It wasn’t perfect – I felt like the suspense and action in this was a bit lacking compared to the romance – but it was a great listen all the same. Now I’m very much looking forward to listening to KA’s other audiobooks!

4 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: The ‘Burg series

For You by Kristen Ashley At Peace by Kristen Ashley Golden Trail by Kristen Ashley
Games of the Heart by Kristen Ashley The Promise by Kristen Ashley Hold On by Kristen Ashley

#1 ~ For You: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ At Peace: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Golden Trail: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Games of the Heart: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ The Promise: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ Hold On: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

Here’s an audio excerpt from Hold On!

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Audiobook Review: A Love Called Simon by Sandi Lynn

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A Love Called Simon by Sandi Lynn

A Love Called Simon by Sandi Lynn
Series: Standalone
Audiobook Publication Date: August 25th 2015
Length: 5 hours and 50 minutes
Narrated by: Erin Mallon & Mark Boyett
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

No more men.
No more rich men.

That was what I vowed when I left New York and moved to Seattle until I met Simon Young, CEO of Young International, one of the largest luxury hotel chains in the world. He desired me and I let him. I was fully aware of his love for women and his hatred for relationships but I decided to play his game. I had a void that needed to be fulfilled and Simon Young was the man who could do it. Entering into a physical relationship only was the plan. No strings and no emotions allowed. But plans are made to be changed and rules are meant to be broken. We grew closer and I was falling in love, but Simon had a secret. A secret that would destroy everything. He was about to lose me and I was willing to walk away.

A Love Called Simon is the first book I’ve read by Sandi Lynn, and it’s a fairly short and sweet audiobook that I enjoyed for the most part. I find myself enjoying audiobooks so much easier than I would if I read the same book, and I generally bump up the rating if I love the narrators, which I did for A Love Called Simon. So while I loved the narration for this book, the story was a bit over-the-top and unbelievable, though I really enjoyed the heroine’s character.

Gabby has been with her boyfriend, Brendon, for six years, even though he mentally and verbally abuses her. My heart went out to Gabby from the beginning, since she has such low self-esteem. She can’t seem to leave Brendon, though, because he’s the only man to have shown her love, in his twisted way. When they’re on a flight home from Vegas, Gabby makes eye contact with a handsome stranger who witnesses Brendon being horrible to Gabby, and ends up showing her kindness and helping her out on the flight. When she’s back home, she can’t stop thinking about the gorgeous gentleman, even though she knows she’ll probably never see him again.

Gabby’s life starts to unravel when she gets laid off from work, only to come home and find Brendon cheating on her in their bed. She rightfully dumps him and runs to Seattle, where her best friend Gianna lives. Gianna was an interesting character, since she had a more prominent role than just that of a secondary character. As we follow Gabby’s story, we also get to see Gianna’s, who is in a relationship with a married man who supposedly will leave his wife for her.

It’s in Seattle that Gabby once again sees the handsome stranger from her flight, but she’s not about to trust him – or any man – since she was burned by Brendon. Gabby finds herself a job at Young International and is completely shocked to find out the CEO, Simon Young, is actually the man she never stopped thinking about. Gabby tries to keep a safe distance from him, but Simon is determined to have Gabby, and what Simon wants, Simon gets.

Simon is very much that rich, dominating, alpha sort of hero, and while Gabby fell for him, I… didn’t. He was just too alpha and controlling. He’s a millionaire and CEO, sure, but he was too entitled to things and very unreasonable with Gabby. Thankfully, he learns to compromise at the risk of losing the woman he’s fallen for. Their romance is very quick but passionate – I liked it, but I wish there could’ve been more to their story that was fleshed out.

The best part of this audiobook was definitely the narrators. I’m a huge fan of Erin Mallon, since she narrates the Addicted series by Krista & Becca Ritchie. Here, she does a great job of conveying all of Gabby’s up-and-down emotions in this book. Mark Boyett only had one chapter in Simon’s POV to narrate, which is a bit disappointing, since I would’ve loved hearing more of his narration.

If you’re a fan of rich, alpha heroes, you might enjoy A Love Called Simon. It’s a quick, sexy, sometimes sweet read with a heroine who grows to stand up for and believe in herself, all the while falling for her irresistible boss.

3 hearts
lacey

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Audiobook Review: Never Never: Part 2 by Colleen Hoover & Tarryn Fisher

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Never Never Part Two by Colleen Hoover & Tarryn Fisher

Never Never: Part 2 by Colleen Hoover & Tarryn Fisher
Series: Never Never #2 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: August 11th 2015
Length: 2 hours and 39 minutes
Narrated by: Kevin Free & Elizabeth Evans
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

“Never forget that I was your first real kiss. Never forget that you’ll be my last.
And never stop loving me between all of them.
Never stop, Charlie.
Never forget.”

Silas races against time as more truths unravel, while others twist tighter together. And now, the stakes are higher as Silas’ control slips and others begin to point fingers. Charlie is in trouble and he must be the one to bridge the chasm between their past and their present. Because somewhere between I love yous and Never Nevers and Never Agains, a truth they can’t imagine, beckons to be found.

“Where are you, Charlie?”

I was seriously addicted to the first part in Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher’s Never Never series, so I of course I’d be incredibly excited for the second! I was hoping to get some answers in this second part, since the first left me with so many questions. Although I wasn’t quite satisfied with the story in this book, I once again enjoyed Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher’s fantastic writing and storytelling. The two of them write in such a compelling way that I didn’t want to stop listening to this audiobook.

Never Never: Part Two picks up right where Part One left off: Silas has once again forgotten all his memories. This time around, he has the help of quickly getting access to the letters he wrote to warn himself and Charlie about losing their memories. Charlie is missing, and even though Silas has never really met her, since he has no memories, he still has a desperate need to find her and help her.

This novella is super quick and super short. I adore Silas, who seems like such a good, sweet guy. I love that he cares for Charlie, even though he doesn’t know who she is, because deep down he knows he’s always loved her. And I really liked that Silas’ brother Landon gets involved, because I absolutely love him!

The story, though, is just TOO short. The writing is fantastic, of course, but I was hoping for something more. The audiobook is only 2.5 hours, almost half as long as the first part. As much as I like the narrators, I just wasn’t as satisfied with the book as much as I wanted to be because I wish it was longer. We only get tiny scraps of clues that still don’t lead us to how or why Charlie and Silas keep losing their memories every 48 hours.

Still, if you were a fan of Part One, you most likely won’t want to miss Part Two. Just a warning though, that this ends in a cliffhanger again! If you don’t mind the cliffie, then I recommend you keep reading this series to see where it goes!

3.5 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: Never Never series

Never Never by Colleen Hoover & Tarryn Fisher Never Never Part Two by Colleen Hoover & Tarryn Fisher Never Never Part 3 by Collen Hoover & Tarryn Fisher

#1 ~ Never Never: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Never Never: Part 2: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Never Never: Part 3: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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Audiobook Review: Never Never by Colleen Hoover & Tarryn Fisher

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Never Never by Colleen Hoover & Tarryn Fisher

Never Never by Colleen Hoover & Tarryn Fisher
Series: Never Never #1 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: August 11th 2015
Length: 4 hours and 23 minutes
Narrated by: Kevin Free & Elizabeth Evans
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

Best friends since they could walk. In love since the age of fourteen.

Complete strangers since this morning.

He’ll do anything to remember. She’ll do anything to forget.

I love dual narrator audiobooks and I love Colleen Hoover, so I couldn’t not listen to the Never Never audiobook! This book was quite the experience – I almost have no clue what I just listened to (I was left with so many questions!!!!) but I know that I enjoyed it. Never Never is mysterious, dark, and complex, with a storyline that keeps you reading and wanting for more.

Silas and Charlie wake up one day with no idea who they are. As they navigate through the mystery of why they have no past memories, they slowly learned clues that reveal who they are to each other. I’m not going to say much about the plot, because I highly recommend going into this blind. The blurb doesn’t tell you much, and that’s exactly the way it should be. All I will say is that even though it’s highly suspenseful and heart-pounding and you’re literally going “What is going on” the entire time – at its heart, Never Never is a love story, a love story that’s captivating and heart-wrenching. I fell in love with the Charlie and Silas. Especially Silas. The two of them together are a hot mess and yet they’re perfect for each other.

This audiobook was fantastic to listen to. The narrators perfectly matched the characters and overall, they were just really easy to listen to. Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher’s writing is spectacular, so I have no complaints about that. However, even though I know this is a series of novellas, I do wish Never Never longer – the audiobook is about 4.5 hours long, half as long as what I usually listen to, so I finished this pretty quickly. And when I finished, I was left with so many questions that I’m really hoping will be answered in the next book.

If you’re in the mood for something that will get your mind revving and leave you hanging for more, I highly recommend Never Never. I loved the writing, the narrators were great, and I couldn’t get enough of the characters.

4 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: Never Never series

Never Never by Colleen Hoover & Tarryn Fisher Never Never Part Two by Colleen Hoover & Tarryn Fisher Never Never Part 3 by Collen Hoover & Tarryn Fisher

#1 ~ Never Never: Shirley’s Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Never Never: Part 2: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Never Never: Part 3: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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Audiobook Review: Kaleidoscope Hearts by Claire Contreras

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Kaleidoscope Hearts by Claire Contreras

Kaleidoscope Hearts by Claire Contreras
Series: Hearts #1 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: June 23rd 2015
Length: 8 hours and 52 minutes
Narrated by: Christy Romano & Vikas Adam
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

He was my older brother’s best friend.
He was never supposed to be mine.
I thought we would get it out of our system and move on.

One of us did.
One of us left.

Now he’s back, looking at me like he wants to devour me. And all those feelings I’d turned into anger are brewing into something else, something that terrifies me.
He broke my heart last time.
This time he’ll obliterate it.

I enjoyed this audiobook so, so much! This is my first read – well, listen – from Claire Contreras, and it certainly won’t be my last. Mainly because I NEED the sequel, and I just love Claire’s writing! Kaleidoscope Hearts is a combination of two of my favorite tropes: second chance romance and the best friend’s little sister. So YAY for that alone! But I’m glad to say that this book won my heart because of more than just those tropes – I adored it because of its gorgeous writing and the heart-wrenching romance.

Every second counts. Live in this moment. This is life. This is what matters.

A year after her fiancé’s death, Estelle is finally moving on. While Wyatt may not have been THE love of her life, Elle still loved Wyatt all the same and was devastated by his death. Now, she’s moving in with her brother, Vic – but Elle’s first love, her brother’s best friend, the boy who shattered her heart so many years ago, is back in her life.

He was the one I loved first. He was the one who broke my heart first, and here he is again. For how long this time, I wonder? Does it matter? My heart bleeds.

Elle and Oliver kept their love and relationship a secret, because they didn’t want Vic, Elle’s brother and Oliver’s best friend, to find out. Plus, while Oliver may have loved Elle back then, he had so many problems and just wasn’t ready to settle down. I really loved the way Claire Contreras slowly revealed to us about Elle and Oliver’s former relationship. Kaleidoscope Hearts is told in dual POV, with Oliver’s set in the past and Elle’s set in the present. My heart broke for Elle after all the pain Oliver caused her. Theirs is a one-of-a-kind love, but it just wasn’t meant to be at that moment of time in their lives. Now, though, everything’s different – yet the same, because it’s obvious that Oliver and Elle never stopped loving each other.

“I always thought you were mine,” he says.

I liked Elle, surprisingly a lot more than I did Oliver. I loved the way Elle shoots Oliver down when he comes back in her life, because Oliver seriously needed to do some ass-kissing before he even deserved another chance with her. She’s been through so much pain, first with Oliver, then with Wyatt’s death, but she comes out stronger than ever. Elle is an artist with a talent for creating kaleidoscope hearts, building shattered pieces of glass into hearts that are now whole. It’s pretty meaningful and symbolic – the whole book is pretty meaningful, actually. Claire Contreras wrote a fantastic book about second chances, about living life to the fullest, because you never know which moment may be your last.

I loved Elle’s narrator, Christy Romano. She did an excellent job of conveying all of Elle’s heartbreak and strength. The voice of Oliver’s narrator, Vikas Adam, didn’t really seem to match up with what I thought would be Oliver’s voice, but it grew on me later on.

Oliver’s character, unfortunately, is the reason I can’t give Kaleidoscope Hearts 5 stars. Sometimes, I really was skeptical of Oliver’s love for Elle, because of how much he kept hurting her. He doesn’t really prove his love when he comes back into her life either. It wasn’t until the very end that I was finally sold on him as a hero, because Oliver finally takes action and becomes the man who deserves to be with Elle.

“My mind is yours. My hands are yours. My heart is yours. Everything I have is yours. Everything I am is yours.”

Overall, Kaleidoscope Hearts is a fantastic second chance romance full of heartache and emotion. There’s quite a bit of back and forth between Elle and Oliver that only grew slightly tedious, but I really did like the way their romance developed this second time around. It was also so lovely as an audiobook – I love dual narrations, so this one made me really happy. If you’re in the mood for a second chance romance with a ton of feels, I highly recommend this one!

4 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: Hearts series

Kaleidoscope Hearts by Claire Contreras Paper Hearts by Claire Contreras 

#1 ~ Kaleidoscope Hearts: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Paper Hearts: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Elastic Hearts: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

Here’s an audio excerpt from Kaleidoscope Hearts!

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