Beautiful Mistake by Vi Keeland
Narrated by: Andi Arndt and Sebastian York
Release Date: July 20, 2017
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased on Audible
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #AudioChallenge, #ShelfLove
Goodreads
Synopsis
The first time I met Caine West was in a bar.
He noticed me looking his way and mistakenly read my scowling as checking him out.
When he attempted to talk to me, I set him straight - telling him what I thought of his lying, cheating, egomaniacal ass.
You see, the gorgeous jerk had wined and dined my best friend--smooth talking her into his bed, all along failing to mention that he was married.
He deserved every bit of my tongue-lashing and more for what he'd done.
Especially when that lazy smile graced his perfect face in response to my rant.
Only it turned out, the man I'd just told off wasn't the right guy.
Oops. My mistake.
Embarrassed, I slunk out without an apology.
I was never going to see the handsome stranger again anyway, right?
That's what I thought...until I walked into class the next morning.
Well, hello Professor West, I'm your new teaching assistant.
I'll be working under you...figuratively speaking.
Although the literal interpretation might not be such a bad thing - working under Professor West.
This is going to be interesting...
I swear VKeeland rocks at delivering the best "meets". Caine and Rachel's first meet had me guffawing and giggle-snorting...loudly. But while the story did have its comic moments, it was serious as well. And so, so satisfying.
Highlights:
- Rachel and Caine
Rachel is a strong and independent woman who's also smart and loyal. She also often lets whatever pops into her head fly out of her mouth and that made for some humorous interactions between her and Caine. Caine is a bit older and maybe more sophisticated but that's questionable at times. He's a professor...she's his TA...and the sexual tension between these two is almost suffocating. As they get to know each other though, they realize their connection is more than chemistry. Character growth is something I truly appreciate and while Caine does the most - and it was amazing to watch - they both learn to let go of the past that's influenced and haunted them in order to move forward.
- Plot
VKeeland did an incredible job of weaving together the past and present threads, slowly disseminating pertinent facts and events so that we understood how it all tied together and how things affected both Rachel and Caine. I also liked how VKeeland incorporated music into the story.
- Romance
There was no question about whether or not they'd fall but being witness to it was an experience. Caine never saw it coming, I don't think, feeling he had his walls strongly erected. Realizing who Rachel was to him threw him for a loop but luckily he pulled his head out before it was too late.
- Narration
Seriously, Arndt and York are a dream team here. They keep the pace perfect, keep the voices distinct, and deliver on ALL the feels. They're two of my favorites.
I enjoyed doing a "look back at the year" in 2016 so I figured it'd once again be fun to bring 2017 to a close by listing some of favorites. I hope you enjoy reading about some of my favorites and I'd be happy to hear about any of yours!
*~*Narrators*~*
- Beverley A. Crick - she's become a favorite of mine for historical romance because she creates an aural dramatic presentation with her delivery and accents!
- Andi Arndt - I became a huge fan when I first listened to Kylie Scott's Stage Dive series - which Andi narrates. This year she made an impression in Playboy Pilot
- Johanna Parker - even though she struggled a bit in the third book in a series I've been enjoying, she's still done a tremendous job giving life to a range of characters as well as life in West Texas and the rodeo
- Shaun Grindell - I first listened to him last year and wasn't sold on his narration. But after listening to him again this year in books such as Smut and The Summer Games: Settling the Score, I'm a fan
- Heather Wilds - I've only listened to her twice but I quite enjoy her delivery and she brought the characters in Until Harry to life
- Dave Gillies - I was certain I'd enjoy an historical narrated by a man but he made me a believer in Highland Spy.
- Sebastian York - I'm pretty sure if I listen to him, he's gonna make this list! *wink*
- Roger Wayne - he impressed me in both a contemporary and a paranormal
Your Inescapable Love by Layla Hagen
The Bennett Family #4
Narrated by: Sebastian York and Lidia Dornet
Release Date: February 28, 2017
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from Tantor Media
Rating: 3 Bookworms
Challenges: #2017NewRelease, #AudioChallenge, #TakeControlTBR
Goodreads
Synopsis
Max Bennett was nine years old the first time he met Emilia. The two formed a tight friendship that lasted for years until she moved away. Now, years later, Max enjoys a successful career and loves his life: carefree and fun. He has everything he wants and does not intend to settle down anytime soon (even though his family might have other ideas). But when a chance encounter brings him face-to-face with Emilia, he starts questioning everything. Emilia Campbell has a lot on her plate, taking care of her sick grandmother. After practically being left at the altar, Emilia has sworn off men...until the childhood friend she hero-worshipped and hasn't quite forgotten steps into her clinic. Max is every bit the troublemaker she remembers, only now he has a body to drool over. They are both determined not to cross the boundaries of friendship. But as their chemistry spirals out of control, can Emilia trust her childhood hero with the key to her heart and accept she might have found her one true love? Contains mature themes.
Your Inescapable Love gives us Max Bennett's story. Now I'm a sucker for the friends-to-lovers trope so when I realized Max and Emilia had been friends when they were kids, I was eager to see how this would come together.
Max is a rather determined bachelor, believing he doesn't have time for romance since he's so focused on work. He's an excellent negotiator and makes Bennett Enterprises lots of money. Lest you think he's all work and no play, know that he and his twin, Christopher, are the pranksters of the Bennett clan, doing things like switching places to get out of dinner duty to kissing girls.
Emilia was raised by her Grams after losing her mother and having her father bail. Now she works hard as a physical therapist as well as caring for her Grams, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. She is driven in her career and with the demands on her time caring for her Grams, romance isn't on her radar.
Then Max walks into her clinic. And lucky Emilia is his PT. They immediately begin cathing up, not having seen each other for years. They also have an immediate attraction, something they both try to ignore until they can't.
I liked how their romance blossomed - Emilia having some baggage but Max being baggage-free and more than willing to take on helping Emilia shed hers. Some of Emilia's baggage felt a little contrived though. And I felt like their story could have had more depth in some ways. They had history and more could have been done with it.
The Bennett clan wasn't around as much in this installment and I found I really missed them. he dynamics between all the siblings adds more dimension to the stories and while they were present, they didn't have prominent roles and... well, I just missed that. I'm guessing Christopher will be the next to fall and I'm eager to witness that.
Lidia Dornet and Sebastian York narrated and were fabulous. They brought Max and Emilia to life and kept the story flowing. Dornet even added a bit of action in some scenes which better conveyed the emotions of those scenes. York is simply ear-candy. ;)
I decided it'd be fun to bring 2016 to a close by listing some of favorites from the year. I hope you enjoy reading about some of my favorites and I'd be happy to hear about any of your favorites!
*~*Narrators*~*
- Kirsten Potter - she can rock an accent making her a favorite for historicals
- Christian Fox - his delivery is so natural, and entertaining, I'd pay him to read my grocery list
- Robert Petkoff - his range of voices and delivery keep me chomping at the bit to listen to Immortals After Dark
- Mindy Kennedy - she *is* Teresa Drazen and her voice for Antonio Spinelli rocks as well
- Joe Arden - he does a great job at conveying the emotions of the heroes and makes a great duo with Maxine Mitchell
- Maxine Mitchell - she does well with conveying emotions as well and she and Joe Arden are one of my favorite narrating duos
- Sebastian York - his growly voice, well, it does nice things to me so listening to him is an absolute pleasure
- Nicole Poole - she amazes me! I'm always impressed with her ability to keep character voices distinct over a number of books, especially a series like Dannika Dark's Seven series where there is a large cast.
- Mason Lloyd - his delivery of the crusty men of According to Hoyle was so spot on it made the story even more enjoyable
