Tag Archives: R.S. Grey

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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Audiobook Review: Chasing Spring by R.S. Grey

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Chasing Spring by R.S. Grey

Chasing Spring by R.S. Grey
Series: Standalone
Audiobook Publication Date: June 7th 2016
Length: 6 hours and 16 minutes
Narrated by: Alia Tavakolian, Ricco Fajardo, Jeannie Tirado
Links: Audible • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an audiobook in exchange for an honest review

I thought I’d left Blackwater, Texas behind for good. I didn’t belong in the small town, but my dad wouldn’t listen. He dragged me back home in his beat-up truck and dropped a bomb along the way: Chase Matthews was moving in with us. He was the golden boy of my high school, my former best friend, and the last person I wanted sleeping across the hall. His presence was too great a reminder of the ghosts I was trying to forget.

I didn’t ask for a hero. I don’t want to be saved.

To me, Lilah Calloway meant late nights sneakin’ out, moonlit hair, and sparklers in July. She was my best friend until the day she left and I’d assumed Blackwater had seen the last of her. Then, like a tempest, she rolled back into town for the final half of senior year. The chopped hair and dark devil-may-care attitude warned most people away, but I knew if I fought hard enough, I could find the lost girl.

I didn’t want to be her hero. Some girls don’t need to be saved.

I’m a big fan of R.S. Grey’s rom-coms, but I knew going into Chasing Spring it would be a little different from what the author normally writes. It’s a YA book, not new adult, and it’s much more serious that her usual fun and flirty books. I wish I could say I loved Chasing Spring as much as I loved her previous books, but the execution of the story just wasn’t up to par. I really enjoyed listening to the three narrators, but the story wasn’t cohesive enough for me to truly appreciate the narration. I do applaud the author for venturing out of her normal genre, and wouldn’t mind giving a try at another of her YAs.

Lilah Calloway and Chase Matthews used to be childhood best friends before tragedy tore them apart. They haven’t seen each other for years, but Lilah has finally come home for their senior year of high school, but she’s not the same girl she used to be. She’s dyed her hair black, turned a little emo and grunge… she’s a bit of a mess and not at all happy. Chase is his usual shining, star athlete self… except looks can be deceiving. Chase’s mother is dead and his father is an alcoholic – but Lilah’s father offers him a place to stay in his home. Once again, Chase and Lilah will be together again, but not as close friends anymore.

Here we have coming-of-age YA, as Lilah struggles to deal with her problems and Chase trying to help her while saving himself. The romance between them kind of went on the backburner, which is a shame because if the author had fleshed out the love between Lilah and Chase more, it would’ve been so sweet and heartwarming. But the main focus was on Lilah’s problems, especially with drug and alcohol abuse. It was a little tiring and boring as I listened to Lilah NOT deal with her problems even though she wanted to, and Chase trying and failing to help her because she didn’t want his help. I lacked a connection with the characters and story, which impacted how I felt as I listened to the audiobook.

Luckily, the narrators did a great job at voicing the main characters. I was a little confused at why there were three narrators instead of just two, but I eventually found out that besides Lilah and Chase, there is a third POV, Lilah’s mother Elaine, who is also central to the story. I found her story to be the most intriguing and I really wish we’d gotten more of her POV than we did.

Chasing Spring had potential, but the story just wasn’t executed very well. I loved the narration, but it wasn’t enough for me to enjoy the story like a wanted. I still love R.S. Grey and will read more of her NAs, but this one is not one of my favorites of hers!

CHASING SPRING is now available on Audible: http://amzn.to/1Yt0g99

3 hearts
lacey

Also by R.S. Grey

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

Scoring Wilder: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Settling the Score: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
With This Heart: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
The Allure of Julian Lefray: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
The Allure of Dean Harper: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
The Duet: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
The Design: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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Release Day Review: Settling the Score by R.S. Grey

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Settling the Score by R.S. Grey
Series: The Summer Games #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: May 2nd 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

As an Olympic rookie, Andie Foster has spent far more time in her cleats than between the sheets. For 21 years, her Friday nights have consisted of blocking shots rather than taking them. But now that she’s landed in Rio, she’s ready to see for herself if the rumors about the Olympic Village are true:

  • The athletes are all sex-crazed maniacs…
  • The committee passes out condoms like candy…
  • The games continue long after the medals have been handed out…

As Andie walks the line between rumor and reality, she’s forced into the path of Frederick Archibald, a decorated Olympic swimmer and owner of a sexy British accent–too bad he’s unavailable in a way that “it’s complicated” doesn’t even begin to explain.

In other words: off limits.

It doesn’t matter that he has abs that could bring peace to the Middle East and a smile that makes even the Queen blush; Andie fully intends on keeping her focus on the soccer field. But the Village is small. Suffocating. Everywhere Andie goes, Freddie happens to be there–shirtless, wet from the pool, and determined to show her a whole new meaning of the phrase “international affairs”.

I’m a sucker for sports romances!!! I absolutely adored R.S. Grey’s previous one, Scoring Wilder, so when I heard there would be a spinoff, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it! And then I saw the gorgeous cover and needed it even more. Settling the Score is the first book in the brand new The Summer Games series, and I have to say, I think it might be my favorite R.S. Grey book yet. There was something so fun and fresh about it – I started it early one morning and finished it hours later the same day, I was THAT hooked onto it. If you love sports romances or if you loved Scoring Wilder, I highly recommend you give Settling the Score a try!

Soccer goalie Andie Foster has made it to the top – she’s playing for Team USA in the Olympics, and she’s dying to win the gold. She has no time for men, wanting to focus on her soccer career, but on her very first day in Rio, she sees the gorgeous Frederick Archibald. He’s British, the most decorated Olympic swimmer, a duke… and did I mention gorgeous? Andie tries to stay away from him, because she knows he’ll be a terribly good distraction, but as their paths cross again and again, their chemistry gets hotter and hotter, and soon enough, they can’t resist each other. Except there’s one pesky thing… Freddie is supposedly engaged to someone already.

Freddie was thrust into dukedom when his older brother died, and he’s been trying to hold off on all responsibilities ever since. His mother also forced an engagement on him, one he’s hasn’t accepted and won’t to go through with, and that decision only solidifies when he gets to know Andie. She’s unlike any other woman he’s ever met – she’s easy-going, adorable, and so dedicated to her sport. They have a wonderful connection that makes it so easy to fall for one another, even when they shouldn’t.

To the world, she was Andie Foster, beautiful American girl ready to take on the world. … To me, she was more.

I. Loved. These. Two!!! Freddie and Andie are ridiculously sweet and adorable together. There’s so much tension between them since they can’t really be together, but when they ARE together, it’s the most heart-warming thing. I fell so hard for their characters and their lovely romance – these two are definitely meant to be together, and I was rooting for them so hard even when things turned sour.

Andie is a wonderful heroine, strong, independent, and hilarious. If you’ve read Scoring Wilder, then you should know that Kinsley, Becca, and Liam play a big role in Andie’s life. Kinsley and Becca are also HILARIOUS – this book isn’t as funny as Scoring Wilder, but I still giggled a bunch whenever the soccer duo appeared on the page. And Freddie – oh my god. He’s perfect. He’s not a manwhore, he’s not ridiculously alpha – he’s just a dedicated athlete who’s thrust into a role he never wanted to be a part of. Then he falls SO hard for a girl, and I swooned every time he opened his mouth. I loved the way Freddie was with Andie!

I stood and dragged my hand over her chest and pressed it down against her rapidly beating heart.
“This heart, Andie…”
She let go of her bottom lip and inhaled a shaky breath.
“I want this heart all for myself.”
“Freddie…”
I didn’t give her time to push me away. “This smile. This is what unwound me. I’m powerless when it comes to this smile.”

R.S. Grey wrote the perfect balance of sports and romance in Settling the Game. I loved that it was dual POV and that we get both Andie and Freddie’s perspectives. I really have no complaints about it, besides the fact that I hated Freddie’s ‘fiancée.’ Seriously, this book is just wonderful! Fun, flirty, and sexy, it’s definitely a top rec for sports romance lovers. Now I’m dying to read the next Summer Games novel!

5 hearts
lacey

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

Reading Order: The Summer Games series

 

#1 ~ Settling the Score: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Out of Bounds: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

The Summer Games is a spinoff of Scoring Wilder, whose main couple are secondary characters in Settling the Score. Check out Scoring Wilder for another fantastic standalone soccer romance – featuring Kinsley and her coach/forbidden love Liam!

Scoring Wilder: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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Release Day Blitz: Chasing Spring by R.S. Grey

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Chasing Spring release

Happy Release Day to R.S. Grey – Chasing Spring is live!

Chasing Spring by R.S. Grey

Chasing Spring by R.S. Grey
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: February 1st 2016
Add to Goodreads

I thought I’d left Blackwater, Texas behind for good. I didn’t belong in the small town, but my dad wouldn’t listen. He dragged me back home in his beat-up truck and dropped a bomb along the way: Chase Matthews was moving in with us. He was the golden boy of my high school, my former best friend, and the last person I wanted sleeping across the hall. His presence was too great a reminder of the ghosts I was trying to forget.

I didn’t ask for a hero. I don’t want to be saved.

To me, Lilah Calloway meant late nights sneakin’ out, moonlit hair, and sparklers in July. She was my best friend until the day she left and I’d assumed Blackwater had seen the last of her. Then, like a tempest, she rolled back into town for the final half of senior year. The chopped hair and dark devil-may-care attitude warned most people away, but I knew if I fought hard enough, I could find the lost girl.

I didn’t want to be her hero. Some girls don’t need to be saved.

Buy Links:
Amazon Ebook • Amazon Paperback

about the author button

I am a lover of books, chocolate, reality TV, black labs, and cold weather. Seriously, if I had it my way, I would be curled up on the couch with all of those things… everyday.

I live in Texas where I spend my free time writing and reading. My favorite authors include Mindy Kaling & Jonathan Safran Foer. I’m a comedy geek and love all things “funny”. Women like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Mindy Kaling are definitely the biggest inspirations for my writing, though I think my work tends to skew a bit smuttier than theirs.

Website • Instagram • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

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