New Audiobook Release Review: Good as Gold by Sarina Bowen

 

Good as Gold by Sarina Bowen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was so good to be back in author Sarina Bowen's True North world. Good as Gold treats us to Mateo Rossi and Leila Giltmaker's love story, told through both chapters in the past as well as the present. Friends to lovers will always be a top trope for me, and this story was both sweet and heartbreaking and had me rooting for them from the start. I truly felt recently divorced Leila's anxiousness and eagerness to have a child and loved that Matteo was so eager to help. It was refreshing that there really wasn't any awkwardness once they decided on their arrangement and I loved that their attraction to each other slowly turned to lust and more. I got teary with happiness at the end of the story to see it all come together. I listened to the audiobook and Jason Clarke, one of my favorite narrators, did a great job bringing Matteo to life. Lessa Lamb, who performed as Leila, was new to me, but I loved her voice and will definitely be checking out more of her work. Although it was great to see both people and places from other True North books, Good as Gold stands alone and would be an excellent introduction for anyone not familiar with the universe.

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Review: Safeguard by Stephanie Rose

 

Safeguard by Stephanie Rose
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed Melanie and Matteo together. Matteo's daughter Lauren is adorable and I loved how seamlessly Melanie fit into their family when she began babysitting for them. This was my second read in the Speakeasy Taproom series and I am looking forward to reading more.

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Review: Heartwood by J.H. Croix

 

Heartwood by J.H. Croix
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5 stars rounded up
I am always glad to visit Sarina Bowen's World of True North and enjoyed getting to know Belle and Ty. I appreciated how the author dealt with Belle's bipolar diagnosis and found it interesting to read Belle's journey. An enjoyable read.

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New Audiobook Release Review: Darkroom by Kate Willoughby

 

DARKROOM BY KATE WILLOUGHBY

Release Date: April 26, 2021

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2KHVqI4

Purchase: https://geni.us/AmazonDarkroom

Audiobook: https://geni.us/AudibleDarkroom

Moo U Hockey: https://hearteyespress.com/wotn#/moo-u-hockey/

Cover Design: Christine Coffey

BLURB:

As a top draft pick from a family of hockey royalty, I'm under so much pressure that I’m losing my edge on the ice. I need something to snap my brain out of this self-destructive stress-loop. That’s where Indi Briscoe from my photography class comes in. She’s flirtatious and funny one moment, sweetly shy the next. 

But she’s cagey. She has secrets. Also? She’s a virgin. Did I mention the pressure thing? Maybe I’m crazy for starting something with her. But we can’t seem to help ourselves...

Warning: this standalone novel contains heat, heart, familial expectations, extreme milkshakes, and a hamster with deep thoughts.

My review: 4.25 stars!

I have really been enjoying the Moo U series in Sarina Bowen's World of True North. It has introduced me to so many new authors, and narrators as well. Kate Willoughby's Darkroom was great- I want to avoid spoilers, so I will just say that the heroine, Indi, was someone I could relate to immediately. My daughter and Indi have been through a similar journey and I was excited to read Indi's story. I thought Indi and our hero Hudson had fantastic chemistry and I enjoyed seeing their journey from classmates, to friends, to lovers. Joe Arden and Victoria Mei gave excellent performances on the audiobook. Joe is of course a fan favorite, but Victoria was new to me and I enjoyed her voice very much.