Tag Archives: new adult

Audiobook Review: The Allure of Dean Harper by R.S. Grey

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The Allure of Dean Harper by R.S. Grey

The Allure of Dean Harper by R.S. Grey
Series: The Allure #2 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: June 7th 2016
Length: 5 hours and 37 minutes
Narrated by: Sara Ragsdale & Aaron Roberts
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

From: LilyNBlack@Gmail.com
To: JosephineKeller@VogueMagazine.com
Subject: You’re a flippin’ idiot

Good morning my dear, naive friend,

I hope you’re enjoying a breakfast of regret and sorrow.

Why?

Because you sent me to work for Dean Harper, aka a control freak in a tailor-made suit. Sure he owns the trendiest restaurants in NYC, but c’mon Jo, his ego makes Kanye West look like the Dalai Lama.

He’s the type of guy that only hears the word “no” when it’s followed by “don’t stop.”

Working for Dean Harper would be like selling my soul to the devil…and before you say anything, I don’t care if the devil has punch-you-in-the-gut brown eyes and an ass to match. My soul isn’t for sale.

Regretfully yours,
Lily

The Allure of Dean Harper is one of my favorite reads from R.S. Grey – she writes the BEST rom-coms, and this one is a fantastic, hilarious enemies-to-lovers one. I’d been eagerly awaiting for the audiobook release, and I enjoyed listening to it as much as I did reading it. If you love listening to romances with endearing, witty characters, and several laugh-out-loud moments, then I highly recommend getting this audiobook!

Lily Black has just moved to New York to follow her dreams of making something of herself in the food industry, and her best friend Josephine (from The Allure of Julian Lefray) gets her a job at her friend Dean’s restaurant. Lily is making a killing at the restaurant’s bar, but when Dean comes in, he doesn’t like the way she’s taken over what belongs to him… and he doesn’t like the lustful feelings he feels for her. So sparks fly, tensions run high, witty banter ensues – R.S. Grey has such a talent at writing fun-filled, hilarious stories that crack you up and you can’t help but enjoy. If you’re a fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope, you definitely don’t want to miss this one.

This was my first time listening to either narrator (though I do think this is their first audiobook narration), but I have to note how much I really loved Aaron Roberts’ narration for Dean! He was really perfect for that character, and I would definitely listen to more audiobooks narrated by him. Sara Ragsdale was a good female narrator, though she did get a little nasally and high-pitched at times. It did fit with Lily’s character, so I’m not complaining too much – I did enjoy for performance overall.

I wish this audiobook could’ve been longer – I didn’t realize how short the story actually was! It’s a little longer than half the length of a normal sized audiobook I usually listen to. So I don’t know if the length is quite worth a credit, but if you own the ebook, the audiobook is only $1.99, so I’d definitely recommend going that route. Otherwise, it’s an incredibly fun audiobook to listen to.

THE ALLURE OF DEAN HARPER is now available on Audible: http://amzn.to/28NSDZQ

4 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: The Allure series

The Allure of Julian Lefray by R.S. Grey The Allure of Dean Harper by R.S. Grey

#1 ~ The Allure of Julian Lefray: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Allure of Dean Harper: Book Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

Here’s an audio excerpt from The Allure of Dean Harper!

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Audiobook Review: The Allure of Julian Lefray by R.S. Grey

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The Allure of Julian Lefray by R.S. Grey

The Allure of Julian Lefray by R.S. Grey
Series: The Allure #1 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: June 7th 2016
Length: 7 hours and 40 minutes
Narrated by: Renee Givens & BJ Pottsworth
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

From: JosephineKeller@LLDesigns.com
To: LilyNBlack@gmail.com
Subject: Justin Timberlake Nudes!

Lily, you predictable perv. I knew you’d open this email faster if I tempted you with a glimpse of JT’s “PP”. Well, put your pants back on and grab some bubbly because I have much better news to share.

I GOT A JOB!

As of tomorrow, I’ll be the new executive assistant at Lorena Lefray Designs. I am SO excited, but there’s one itty bitty problem: I won’t be Lorena’s assistant. I’ll be working for her older brother, Julian.

I know what you’re thinking- “But Jo, what’s the problem?”

Google him. Now. He’s the man in the fitted navy suit whose face reminds you that there’s hope yet for this cruel, ugly world. Keep scrolling…Do you see those dimples? Yup. That’s the Julian Lefray I will be reporting to tomorrow morning.

Lord, help us all…

XO,
Jo

I adored reading this rom-com of R.S. Grey’s, but I enjoyed it just as much, if not a little more, as an audiobook! I’m totally the type of listener who likes to get audiobooks of books she’s already read and loved, so The Allure of Julian Lefray was right up my alley. It’s a sweetly romantic listen, with tons of laugh-out-loud moments and main characters who have great chemistry. Renee Givens and BJ Pottsworth were wonderful narrators for Jo and Julian – I’d definitely listen to them again!

Josephine Keller is a fashion blogger who has just moved to NYC in the hopes of making a career in the fashion industry. Landing a job is her first priority, as she’s practically broke and all alone in NYC, but she’s lucky enough to score a job working not for famous fashion designer Lorena Lefray, but Lorena’s very attractive brother Julian. Julian himself is highly intrigued by and attracted to his new assistant, though he knows he shouldn’t feel the way he does about her. A romance between is pretty forbidden, so they become close friends instead, trying to ignore the underlying chemistry. Jo can’t risk losing her job if she enters into a relationship with Julian, her boss, but they spend so much time together that their friendship quickly, genuinely turns into something more.

I loved Renee Givens’s narration! She does a really good job not just voicing Jo and her narrative, but also the different accents of people Jo encounters in NYC. BJ Pottsworth has a deep voice that’s easy to listen to and fits perfectly for Julian. Whoever chose the narrators for this audiobook were spot on!

A great narration and a fun story made The Allure of Julian Lefray a fantastic listen. It’s a feel-good office romance that is sweet and hilarious. If you’re in the mood for an quick, fun, sweet audiobook, you should definitely spend a credit on this one!

THE ALLURE OF JULIAN LEFRAY is now available on Audible: http://amzn.to/28QILxe

4 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: The Allure series

The Allure of Julian Lefray by R.S. Grey The Allure of Dean Harper by R.S. Grey

#1 ~ The Allure of Julian Lefray: Book Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Allure of Dean Harper: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

Here’s an audio excerpt from The Allure of Julian Lefray!

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ARC Review: Stealing His Thunder by Sparrow Beckett

Posted in 3 hearts, Reviews by

Stealing His Thunder by Sparrow Beckett
Series: Masters of Adrenaline #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: June 21st 2016
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

From the author of the Masters Unleashed series, Sparrow Beckett revs things up with two lovers on a collision course in the first Masters of Adrenaline novel.

Nothing gives Addison Kennedy a rush like stealing cars. The Lexus was the perfect target, but before she can get its engine purring, she’s cold-cocked unconscious. When she comes to, she finds herself on a bed with a blonde, tattooed god standing over her.

Fox Larson is shocked to discover the thief he knocked out is actually a hot girl. Bringing her home may not have been the smartest move, but he wasn’t about to leave an unconscious and defenseless woman in a parking garage. Besides, if she’s part of an auto theft crew infringing on his territory, he needs to pump her for information.

However, Addison has personal drive that won’t be denied and she’s desperate to prove Fox’s group needs her skills. Submitting to his kinks in the bedroom is a hot yet complicated bonus. When a big job goes bad, and Addison finally gets her chance, will she succeed in stealing his thunder?

I recently binged on the Original Sinners series, so I’d been in a BDSM mood when I picked up Stealing His Thunder. This is the first book I’ve read by Sparrow Beckett, and I don’t usually pick up new-to-me authors these days unless they’re highly recommended to me, but I’d been excited to read Stealing His Thunder nonetheless. It ended up being a good read, though not anything particularly special or unique. It’s a surprisingly light-hearted read, given the BDSM and car-stealing theme – so if you’re in the mood for something quick and hot, I’d recommend giving this book a try.

Addison is just a normal girl going to college… except for her extracurricular activity of stealing cars. She’s new at it but incredibly skilled, until one night she’s knocked unconscious and wakes up in an unfamiliar man’s bed. That man is Fox, and it turns out she was stealing a car HE was meant to steal. Fox is the leader of a ring of car thieves – stealing cars is his livelihood, and now Addison wants in so she can support her parents and grandparents. If there’s a hot chemistry between them, well, that’s an added bonus. So begins a dance of taunts and flirts and dares as Addison and Fox play with the attraction between them and enter an erotic relationship.

Addison and Fox felt pretty one dimensional to me. The attraction was hot, sure, but I never really connected with their characters, nor did I feel anything as their romance played out. The kink was fun, but nothing I’d never read before. I really enjoyed the first part of the book, with Addison meeting Fox and getting to know him and his car-stealing ways, but things flatlined a bit when sex was involved, because then it became ALL about the sex. I had to skim over quite a bit of the sex scenes because the story just wasn’t moving forward fast enough for me. I really wish that we could’ve focused more on the story and romance rather than the kink and lust.

All in all, Stealing His Thunder wasn’t a bad book, but it wasn’t something I fell in love with either. I probably wouldn’t continue with the series, but that’s not to say no one would enjoy the series either. Again, if you’re looking for something chock-full of steam and not too serious, then Stealing His Thunder just might be for you!

3 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: Masters of Adrenaline series

 

#1 ~ Stealing His Thunder: Ebook • Goodreads
#2 ~ Fueling His Hunger: Ebook • Goodreads (Oct. 18, 2016)

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Audiobook Review: The Fire Between High & Lo by Brittainy C. Cherry

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The Fire Between High & Lo by Brittainy C. Cherry
Series: Elements #2 (full reading order below)
Audiobook Publication Date: June 19th 2016
Length: 9 hours and 3 minutes
Narrated by: Graham Halstead & Emily Woo Zeller
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

There once was a boy, and I loved him.

Logan Francis Silverstone and I were complete opposites. I danced, and he stood still. He was quiet, while I ran my mouth. He struggled to find a smile, and I refused to frown.

The night I saw the darkness that truly lived inside of him, I couldn’t look away.

We were broken together, yet somehow whole. We were wrong together, but always right. We were the stars that burned across the night sky, searching for a wish, praying for better tomorrows.

Until the day I lost him. He threw us away with one hasty decision–a decision that changed us forever.

There once was a boy, and I loved him.

And for a few breaths, a few whispers, a few moments, I think he loved me, too.

I’d been excited for The Fire Between High & Lo to come out in audio after listening to The Air He Breathes, and I was hoping to get the same narrators, but the two narrators for The Fire Between High & Lo turned out even BETTER than those in the previous book! I absolutely LOVED listening to Graham Halstead and Emily Woo Zeller – they voiced and embodied Logan and Alyssa perfectly. I really hope they narrate more books together, they were that amazing.

The story of Logan and Alyssa though… I didn’t love quite as much as the narration. We begin the story with them as teenagers and becoming best friends, and then eventually something more – this was definitely my favorite part of the story. The connection and deep friendship between them warmed my heart, especially since even though they’re both a little broken, when they’re together, nothing can bring them down. And the slow burning romance that develops makes everything even better. These were two characters I couldn’t help but root for a HEA, or at least SOME happiness, because they both deserved it.

Then tragedy strikes, because the hand they’ve already been dealt with isn’t bad enough. My heart broke for both Alyssa and Logan, but at the same time, I didn’t like the way they handled the tragedy, Logan especially. He becomes someone a little bit despicable, so he ruined the story for me. Alyssa becomes a doormat, unfortunately, so things quickly go downhill in the second half of the story.

The Fire Between High & Lo had such promise, especially with the fantastic narrators – I’d give them a 5 star rating alone. But the story just didn’t work out for me, but I’m sure I’m in the minority for this. If you loved either one of the Elements books, then I highly recommend you give the audiobook of The Fire Between High & Lo a try, because I have a feeling you’ll love it. The story wasn’t for me, but the narration was – I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more audiobooks narrated by Graham Halstead and Emily Woo Zeller!

THE FIRE BETWEEN HIGH & LO is now available on Audible: http://amzn.to/28XpgSY

3 hearts
lacey

Reading Order: Elements series

 

#1 ~ The Air He Breathes: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Fire Between High & Lo: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ The Silent Waters: Goodreads (release date TBA)

Here’s an audio excerpt from The Air He Breathes, book 1 in the Elements series!

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Release Day Review + Author Interview: Bittersweet by Sarina Bowen

Posted in 5 hearts, Exclusive, Reviews by

Bittersweet by Sarina Bowen
Series: True North #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: June 14th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

Farmers make the earth move.

The last person Griffin Shipley expects to find stuck in a ditch on his Vermont country road is his ex-hookup. Five years ago they’d shared a couple of steamy nights together. But that was a lifetime ago.

At twenty-seven, Griff is now the accidental patriarch of his family farm. Even his enormous shoulders feel the strain of supporting his mother, three siblings and a dotty grandfather. He doesn’t have time for the sorority girl who’s shown up expecting to buy his harvest at half price.

Vermont was never in Audrey Kidder’s travel plans. Neither was Griff Shipley. But she needs a second chance with the restaurant conglomerate employing her. Okay—a fifth chance. And no self-righteous lumbersexual farmer will stand in her way.

They’re adversaries. They want entirely different things from life. Too bad their sexual chemistry is as hot as Audrey’s top secret enchilada sauce, and then some.

Warning: Contains sexual situations, gourmet yumminess, a steamy outdoor shower and proof that farmers don’t mind getting dirty.

Holy freaking CRAP, I loved this book SO DAMN MUCH!!!! Bittersweet is the type of book that went above and beyond anything I ever expected. This is that first straight romance I’ve read from Sarina Bowen and it will definitely not be my last. I honestly can’t handle the amount of love I have for this book. IT. IS. AMAZING!!! Charmingly hilarious, amazingly sexy, and utterly heartwarming, Bittersweet swept me away and made my heart so happy. It’s one of the best books I’ve read all year!

Audrey and Griffin hooked up once in college but haven’t seen each other for years since. Audrey went off to become a chef and Griffin went off to play ball, only to go back home to the ranch help out his family. Now, both are struggling with their careers, but a twist of fate brings them back together, and they find that they can help each other out job-wise. Except the crazy hot chemistry they used to have back in college is still going strong. Should they get involved with each other again when they’re living two completely different lives… Or do they have something worthwhile to pursue?

She and I were a dangerous combination. We needed cautionary signs like the ones hanging in the tractor shed over the cans of diesel fuel. WARNING: COMBUSTIBLE.

Audrey and Griffin are absolutely AMAZING together!!! They are wonderful as individuals, both so strong, independent, funny, and lovable, but together is when they truly shine. They might not have been meant for each other in college, but fate has brought them together again for a reason, and you can clearly see that they are absolutely meant to be together. Griff is all big, sexy, protective, and caring, while Audrey is charming, witty, gorgeous, and ambitious. Their growing romance (and the hot, hot, HOT sexy times) was phenomenally written. Sarina Bowen has written a beautiful love story I rooted for from start to finish.

Whether it was convenient or not, Audrey and I just fit. We’d always been good together. It’s just that I’d never allowed myself to imagine a future where we shared everything. A bed. A home.
A name.
Hell. That got me panting. I wanted everything. There was nobody else who got under my skin like she had. To think of her as mine seemed like an impossible luxury.
It’s the only luxury I’ve ever been greedy for.

What I also loved about Bittersweet besides the romance was the farming life! The author was able to integrate everything related to farming in a cohesive, understandable, and relatable way, and I applaud her for it. Really, there was no part of this book that I didn’t enjoy or love. I never wanted Griffin and Audrey’s story to end! No joke, I couldn’t stop smiling as I read this book, giggling at all the witty banter and grinning at the delicious tension between the main characters. It was a fantastic start to the True North series, and I’m already dying for more. I can’t wait to read the next two books!

5 hearts
lacey

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Author Interview: Sarina Bowen

Bittersweet is one of my favorite reads of the year! What inspired you to write it?

Thank you! Farmers really are sexy. True story! I am surrounded by interesting growers where I live. They’re young activists who want to change the shape of our food supply, and they are really inspiring.

Did you have to do some research on the farming aspect of the story?

Yes, and I enjoyed every moment of it. The organic-or-die Cedar Circle Farm in Thetford, VT is one of my favorite stops, and we buy hard cider in growlers from Poverty Lane Orchard in Lebanon, NH.

I’m in LOVE with Griffin – do you have a model inspiration for him?

Not really! Finding that photo for the cover, though, was some excellent luck. I thought: there he is!

Who was your favorite character to write?

I love them all equally. 😉

What was your favorite scene to write?

The cider-tasting scene! I cracked myself right up when Audrey would think the cider tasted like sex.

I know Jude will be getting his story next in Steadfast, but will Zach be book #3? *cough* Male virgin alert! *cough*

Oh you better believe it! Zach is totally book #3.

Will we see more of Griff and Audrey in the upcoming True North books?

Absolutely. I promise!

What are you currently working on now?

I’m writing Brooklyn Bruisers #3 (even though #1 hasn’t come out yet) and putting final touches on STEADFAST.

Thank you so much, Sarina, for the interview!

Reading Order: True North series

  

#1 ~ Bittersweet: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Steadfast: Ebook • Goodreads (July 12, 2016)
#3 ~ Keepsake: Goodreads (Oct. 2016)

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