New Release Audiobook Review: The Accidental Dating Experiment by Lauren Blakely

 

The Accidental Dating Experiment by Lauren Blakely
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was so excited when I saw that Lauren Blakely's latest romantic comedy was included with my Audible membership so I rushed to download it, especially since the narrators were two of my favorites- Andi Arndt and Jacob Morgan. As with all Blakely books, the banter and spice was on point. Juliet and Monroe's chemistry was so great and I loved the setup with the romance podcast cohosts working together on a renovation of a cottage in a darling small town. Narrators Arndt and Morgan were fantastic and added so much to the story for me.

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New Release Audiobook Review: The Surrogate by Penelope Ward

 

Title: The Surrogate

Author: Penelope Ward

Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance

Tropes: Age Gap/Widower/Found Family

Forbidden/Enemies to Friends to Lovers

Release Date: February 26, 2024

BLURB

From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a new, STANDALONE novel…

ABBY:

I’m falling for the father of the baby I’m carrying.

The problem is: it’s not my baby.

And the broody widower is not looking for a long-term partner.

As a surrogate, the deal was that I’d only be in England long enough to give birth.

At first, the man seemed as pretentious as his name: Sigmund Benedictus.

He and I butted heads.

Sig challenged my intentions, accused me of just wanting to do this for the money.

Gradually, he learned to trust me.

He even became protective.

Over time, our heated animosity turned into fiery chemistry.

I was falling in love with him.

But my time here had a limit.

I needed to protect my heart from the devastatingly gorgeous older man who’d end up breaking it.

SIG:

When my in-laws told me they wanted to use my dead wife’s eggs to conceive a grandchild, I wasn’t immediately on board.

They swore that on her deathbed Britney told them it was what she wanted—but only if I fathered the baby. Her parents insisted they would be the ones to raise it.

Against my better judgment, I agreed.

I vowed to keep my heart out of it, though.

I’d continue to pretend it wasn’t happening and live the empty, single life I’d become accustomed to the past five years since Britney died.

And despite the fact that a certain younger American named Abby Knickerbocker had awakened things inside me that I thought were long dead…

I most certainly wouldn’t fall in love with the surrogate.

ADD TO GOODREADS

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS

GOOGLE PLAY / AUDIBLE AUDIO

AMAZON AUDIO

SPECIAL EDITION PAPERBACK

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

AGE GAP

WIDOWER

BRITISH HERO

FOUND FAMILY

SLOW BURN

FORBIDDEN

ENEMIES-TO-FRIENDS-TO-LOVERS

My review: 5 stars!

As a fan of author Penelope Ward, I was one of her readers who crossed their fingers and longed for a story about a side character named Sig from her 2021 book The Aristocrat. It was definitely worth the wait- The Surrogate was just phenomenal! Diving in I had no idea how emotional and absolutely special this story would be but I was immediately drawn in. Seeing how Abby brought a broken Sig back to life and happiness was so inspiring. I purchased the audiobook and really loved the performances by narrators Jacob Morgan and Desiree Ketchum- Jacob does a fantastic British accent!

AUTHOR BIO

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.

With over two million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty books. Her novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.

AUTHOR LINKS

FACEBOOK
FACEBOOK GROUP
INSTAGRAM

TIKTOK
TWITTER

OTHER BOOKS BY PENELOPE WARD

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS

GOOGLE PLAY / AUDIOBOOK

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS

GOOGLE PLAY / AUDIOBOOK

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS

GOOGLE PLAY / AUDIOBOOK

SEE MORE BOOKS HERE

New Audiobook Release Review: I'm Your Guy by Sarina Bowen

 

I'm Your Guy by Sarina Bowen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm Your Guy is the second book in author Sarina Bowen's Hockey Guys series and we meet hockey player Tommaso and interior designer Carter. I enjoyed their grumpy/sunshine relationship and how much effort Carter put in to making Tommaso's place a home and getting it ready for a holiday visit from his ailing mom. Although at first glance it seemed that the two men didn't have much in common, it turned out that they were each what the other needed and fit so well into each other's lives. Although this book reads well as a standalone, it was nice to see Hudson and Gavin from the first book in the series. I listened to the audiobook and was excited to hear two of my favorite narrators, Teddy Hamilton and Jacob Morgan. Both gave excellent performances. I listened at 1.3X and found it to be perfectly conversational.

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New Release Review: The Best Men by Sarina Bowen and Lauren Blakely

The Best Men

by Sarina Bowen and Lauren Blakely

Release Date: January 18, 2022

 

Bestselling authors Sarina Bowen and Lauren Blakely team up for the first time in an enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract, irresistibly sexy standalone romance between the best man and the other best man!

In my defense, I was left alone with a bottle of single-malt and a life-long penchant for protecting my baby sister. Still, that's no excuse to send ten drunk-texts on why her hasty marriage would be a mistake.

If only I had just texted my sister. But nope. I accidentally sent the message to her, her groom, and his super hot wingman.

I also used the phrase “super hot wingman,” so I’d like to die now.

Instead, I have to plan a wedding with the aforementioned hottie and share a too-small guesthouse in steamy Miami.

Three days in the sun with the cocky, charming former athlete who likes to push my buttons? Fine, two can play at that let’s-infuriate-each-other game.

Until Asher ups the stakes with one wildly sexy suggestion. A no-strings fling, then I go back to my single dad life in New York, and he returns to his star-studded one.

Sign me up.

But the more nights I spend with the other best man, the more I want days too, and that just can't happen. Especially when I find out the real reason why…

Contents Include: First times, a secret to-do list, champion-level flirting, fast cars, #eggplants, and two men who look good in formal wear.

Amazon | Apple | Kobo | Nook | Google | Audio

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58790303-the-best-men

My review: 5 stars

I was super excited when two of my most favorite authors announced they were writing The Best Men together. Enemies to lovers is always such a fun trope, and when spreadsheets were tossed in, this accountant knew this tale would be fantastic! I listened to the audiobook, narrated by fan favorites Jacob Morgan and Teddy Hamilton, and their performances were so good! The witty banter was showcased so well in audio form! I definitely hope that Bowen and Blakely team up again.

New Release Review: Handle With Care by Helena Hunting

Handle With Care 

by Helena Hunting

Release Date: August 27, 2019

Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author of SHACKING UP and I FLIPPING LOVE YOU Helena Hunting mixes humor and heart in this scandal-filled romantic comedy.

HE WANTS TO LOSE CONTROL.
Between his parents’ messed up marriage and his narcissistic younger brother, Lincoln Moorehead has spent the majority of his life avoiding his family. After the death of his father, Lincoln finds himself in the middle of the drama. To top it all off, he’s been named CEO of Moorehead Media, much to his brother’s chagrin. But Lincoln’s bad attitude softens when he meets the no-nonsense, gorgeous woman who has been given the task of transforming him from the gruff, wilderness guy to a suave businessman

SHE’S TRYING TO HOLD IT TOGETHER.
Wren Sterling has been working double time to keep the indiscretions at Moorehead Media at bay, so when she’s presented with a new contract, with new responsibilities and additional incentives, she agrees. Working with the reclusive oldest son of a ridiculously entitled family is worth the hassle if it means she’s that much closer to pursuing her own dreams. What Wren doesn’t expect is to find herself attracted to him, or for it to be mutual. And she certainly doesn’t expect to fall for Lincoln. But when a shocking new Moorehead scandal comes to light, she’s forced to choose between her own family and the broody, cynical CEO.

5 stars!I purchased the audiobook and loved it so much! It is narrated by two of my favorites, Andi Arndt and Jacob Morgan. They did a fantastic job! Wren and Lincoln's romance was so swoony, and fun and flirty. G-mom was a hoot! This drama-free romance was perfection and I enjoyed every single minute.

Bio:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.

Buy-Book Link: 

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250183996

I purchased the audiobook on Audible