Ttly Addicted 2 Reading

An intense emotional journey

Reviewed: 01-19-25

In "A Love Letter to Whiskey," Kandi Steiner crafts an intense and emotional romance. Readers who enjoy angsty romance and the friends-lovers trope will adore Jaime and Breck's (B's). This novel take readers on an emotional journey, allowing them to witness the numerous upheavals in the characters' lives.

Planning to read A Love Letter to Whiskey, then prepare for an intense and emotional journey. The main characters, Jaime and B, will frustrate and anger you; they will make you laugh and make you cry. Despite all of this, one cannot help but root for their happily ever after. B is the more frustrating of the two

Jaime and B can never seem to get it right. They have been in each other's lives since they first met in high school when she was 17 and he was 18. Since then, misunderstanding, miscommunication, fears and insecurities led to them missing out on the many opportunities of being together. In each new chapter of their lives, opportunity presented itself for them to take a chance on love, but their decisions led them down another route. Despite, this they couldn't stay away from each other, resulting in others experiencing hurt through their actions. They say the timing wasn't right, but these two just needed to get out of their heads to get it right.

Although the story had more angst than I would normally tolerate, and despite my need to shake some sense into the characters I enjoyed the story. I was invested in the story and the characters. This was the most difficult story I've read, but it was worth it. I loved the author's metaphorical use of whiskey and alcohol addiction throughout the story.

A Love Letter to Whiskey was told mainly form B's POV, however in this fifth anniversary edition readers get the opportunity to read Jaime's POV in Love, Whiskey. Expect repetition of scenes of you choose to read Jaime's story. However, reading his POV provides the closure not offered in A Love Letter to Whiskey. Now while this may have been fiction, A Love Letter to Whiskey highlights the power of love to survive time, distance, mistakes and misunderstandings. It demonstrates that love can bring both joy and pain. While the story was toxic, angsty and frustrating at times, I found the story interesting and enjoyable.

I listened to the audiobook while reading the e-book. Lauren Sweet narrated A Love Letter to Whiskey while Edward Black narrated Love Whiskey. They both did an excellent job of giving voice to both characters. They captured their emotions and attitudes with perfection. Their male and female voices were on point.

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Sunlight

Reviewed: 10-21-24

"Sunlight," book two in Devney Perry's Haven River Ranch series, weaves a heartwarming tale set in a small town in Montanna. The novel's blend of an accidental pregnancy plot with the dynamics of forced proximity, delivered a mix of cheerfulness and depth of emotion, that promises to keep readers engrossed in the unfolding story and intimately connected with the characters' lives.

"Sunlight" delivers the captivating tale of Jax, the younger brother of West Haven who appeared in Crossroads. While it's the second installment in the series, it works well as a standalone.

From the moment Jax met Sasha, he was taken aback by the profound effect she had on him. Their initial encounter resulted in charming and flirtatious exchanges that had the reading grinning from ear to ear. The playful banter continued until Sasha realized she would be working closely with Jax, which led her to abruptly ending their light-hearted exchanges. Immediately, she erected walls, that presented a challenge for Jax to overcome. Despite her efforts to maintain a professional distance, the attraction between them was undeniable. Eventually, a relaxed evening out and a couple of drinks led to a night filled with passionate intensity, leaving them with an unforeseen consequence: pregnancy.

Sasha has made a firm decision to distance herself from everyone, including Jax. It's admirable that he chose not to pressure her and respected her boundaries. Yet, this doesn't imply that he gave upon her. He's consistently present, supporting her at every turn, even when she believes she doesn't need him.

As the story unfolds, Sasha's secrets come to light, revealing the myriad of struggles she faces. The plot thickens with a mysterious figure from her past. While my theories about this person were completely wrong, the unraveling of this mystery was fascinating. Emotions run deep in this part of the story, with Sasha's anguish so vivid, it's easy for readers to feel empathy towards her.

Jax and Sasha's chemistry is undeniable, creating a delightful duo. Their exchanges are so engaging they'll leave you with a smile on your face. The inclusion of secondary characters added depth to the story, enhancing the reading experience.

For those in search of a heartwarming romance, this one is sure to delight. It's a feel-good story that I thoroughly enjoyed and would happily recommend to fellow readers.

I have listened to Ava Erickson several times, but this is my first experience with Stephen Dexter. The chemistry between these two narrators is undeniable! I enjoyed their performance and look forward to more collaboration between these two. Stephen brought the character of Jax to life in a way that's hard to resist. Meanwhile, Ava lends her voice to Sasha, embodying the character's vulnerability with such finesse that it becomes a highlight of her performance. Together, they elevate the audiobook to a wonderful level of storytelling. It's simply beautiful.

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Second Chance Romance in a small town setting

Reviewed: 06-09-24

"Crossroads" by Devney Perry is the first book in the Haven River Ranch series. It showcased a second-chance romance set in a quaint town. The protagonists, once childhood friends and sporadic lovers, find their lives intertwined again when they must collaborate to rescue a ranch cherished by both. It's a story of first love, nostalgic childhood memories, loss, healing, and new beginnings.

Indya and West's acquaintance began in childhood. He, a rancher's son, and she, vacationing with her parents at the ranch guesthouse each summer, formed a bond that deepened with every yearly visit. Despite their limited interaction, a profound relationship blossomed. As the years passed, farewells grew more difficult, until poor decisions and a failure to communicate caused a prolonged separation. However, Indya's eventual return sets the stage for unforeseen developments.

"Crossroads" exemplifies why I adore Devney Perry's small-town romances. She skillfully crafts a story that captivates and invests readers in the characters' lives. Indya and West's story was particularly engrossing. The tale evokes a spectrum of emotions. Particularly through West's internal conflict over perceived betrayal by his father, compounded by his feelings for Indya. Moreover, the story addresses the themes of loss and grief, eliciting an emotional response as readers resonate with Indya's experiences. The story depicted Indya as a resilient and self-reliant businesswoman, revealing her sensitive side in her interactions with West.

The supporting cast enriches the story, featuring one character who is particularly intriguing, prompting a desire to delve further into the Haven Ranch world. Devney Perry's latest work will surely appeal to fans of second-chance romances set against the backdrop of small-town charm.

Having listened to the audiobook, narrated by Samantha Brentmoor and Connor Crais, I found it to be a delightful new experience. I believe they both excelled in bringing the story and its characters to life.

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Too Short

Reviewed: 12-31-23 Listener received this title free

Because of my fascination with stories featuring motorcycle clubs, the synopsis for Sting captured my attention. It is the first book in the Iron Tzars MC series and is written by new to me author Marteeka Karland.

The premise was good, however the story suffered the fate that normally comes with novellas. Insufficient information with regard to the characters, which led to a disconnect with them. The heroine, Iris, is seeking to adopt her younger sister, but she needed to wait until she was eighteen as ordered by the court. Then her sister was adopted under suspicious circumstances three months before Iris's eighteenth birthday. She turned to the MC for help in finding her sister. This led to her encounter and subsequent relationship with Sting, the president of the Iron Tzars.

Personally, I found the relationship lacking in authenticity. They knew nothing about each other prior to the start of their relationship. The romance did not get time to develop, as the story was dedicated to the search and rescue of Iris's sister. The thing that shocked me the most was that Sting did not seek to determine Iris's age before getting involved with her.

Readers are aware that the girls' mother died and since the Iris has been taking care of her sister. However, information regarding how their mom died was not provided, and it would seem they had no other relatives. Not much information was provided about Sting. We know he is 29, and he became President after his father was expelled from the club.

The events occurred over a three-month period, but the delivery gave the impression that it all occurred in one day.

Sting had potential, but due to the above-mentioned issues, it failed to live up to my expectations.

Umi Markkanen did an excellent job with her narration. She breathed life into the story and the characters. I would definitely listen to her again.

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A Second Chance at Love

Reviewed: 12-30-23

A Partridge and a Pregnancy mark the end of a fun series. This is the third book in the Holiday Brothers series, delivered a second chance romance, an accidental pregnancy as well as the miscommunication trope. This is Tobias Holiday's story.

Tobias is Heath's twin and youngest brother of Maddox. His appearance in book two set the tone for his story in A Partridge and a Pregnancy.

Tobias and Eva were romantically involved while in college. While he had plans to settle down, she had intentions to travel and chase her dreams. Their relationship ended as a result, leaving them both broken-hearted.

Fast-forward a few years later. The company Eva works for is sending her to London to finalize a project. Before leaving for this incredible opportunity, fate provided an opportunity for her to bid a proper farewell to Tobias. Unable to resist their attraction to each other, the farewell was topped off with a night of passion. This one night culminated into an unexpected pregnancy.

I love the whole second chance romance and was looking forward to enjoying this one. Now without a doubt, Tobias and Eva loved each other. Now as much as I loved seeing this couple and enjoyed their interactions, their stubbornness drove me bonkers. Their stubbornness coupled with their failure to communicate threatened the hope of them being together. Their lack of communication in the past led to heartbreak, and it would seem history would repeat itself.

Again, like the previous books, A Partridge and a Pregnancy didn't deliver any Christmas vibes. Furthermore, the events of this instalment occurred after Christmas. This however did not taint my experience by far.

Emma Wilder and Teddy Hamilton provided the narration for this instalment. I enjoyed listening to Emma Wilder's narration. This was my first time experiencing her work and I would definitely listen to her again. One could easily identify her male and female voices as that of each of the characters. Teddy Hamilton did a fantastic job as per usual.

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Friends to Lovers

Reviewed: 12-30-23

Three Bells, Two Bows and One Brother's Best Friend continues The Holiday Brothers series. This instalment treats readers to Heath Holiday's story. 

The introduction of Heath in book one left the reader eager for his story. Heath's love interest, Stella, has been crushing on him for fifteen years. However, being her brother's best friend made him off limits. Her feelings over the years remain unchanged, a situation made awkward now that she joined the Holiday Homes team. She needs to find a way to overcome her feelings for him now that they are co-workers. Then her brother did the unthinkable by declaring to Heath that Stella has always had a crush on him. This revelation made her realize that the crush was not one-sided. Heath, on learning of Stella's feelings, decides to make a move irrespective of her brother's off limits warnings.

The events of this instalment coincided with that of book one. So from reading The Naughty, The Nice and The Nanny the reader knew Heath and Stella were going to hook up. Three Bells, Two Bows, and One Brother's Best Friend provided the details leading up to the hookup. Heath and Stella made a great couple. Their relationship transition smoothly from friends to lovers. However, there was one hiccup, Heath wanted to keep it a secret.

My respect for him here fell a notch. After putting in the effort to win her over, he allowed fear to hinder him from revealing his feelings to her brother and his family. The chemistry between them was palpable, and their interactions enhanced the vibe of the story. Prepare for moments of laughter whenever these two are together. Although set around the Christmas Holidays, the story didn't give a Christmas vibe. So go into this expecting a holiday experience. Despite this, it was a cute and fun read.

Aiden Snow and Ava Lucas provided the narration. Having listened to Aiden in the past, I expect a top-notch representation of the characters on his part. He delivered as expected. Ava Lucas also brought her A game. Both narrations combined made for a pleasurable listen.

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A cute holiday romance

Reviewed: 12-28-23

The Naughty, The Nice, and the Nanny is the first book in The Holiday Brother series. The series centres around three brothers, with the first book focusing on the eldest brother, Maddox Holiday. Designed to put one in the mood for the holidays, The Naughty, The Nice, and The Nanny delivered a quick and sweet read served with a side of steam.

Natalie, a professional Nanny, is between jobs at the moment. She's looking forward to the holidays. However, that desire is shattered when her boss called asking her to take up an urgent last minute job. Unable to say no and needing the extra cash, she agreed. Little did she know that her new client was none other than her high school crush, Maddox Holiday. Maddox is a single father, seeking a nanny to take care of his troublesome daughter, Violet, during the week of Christmas.

One clearly sees the reason Natalie's boss called on her for this emergency job. Not only is she reliable, she is good at her job. She achieved in a few days what none of the other nannies could. Also, the reasons for Violet's behaviour came to light. She required attention, something her father barely had time for and which her mother failed to provide. Her mother was rather selfish.

The romance between the characters developed rather quickly. Despite this, I enjoyed the fleeting moments they spent together. However, I wished more time was given to the development of their relationship. Natalie's relationship with Violet, didn't receive a lot of page time. One learns of their growing bond based on conversations between the characters. It would have been nice to actually see how their relationship developed.

I enjoyed this fun, cute, sexy and short read. Although not fully focused on the theme of Christmas, it was enough to put one in the holiday mood. Overall, The Naughty, The Nice, and The Nanny delivered a feel good holiday romance.

Aaron Shedlock and Vanessa Edwin did a wonderful job in bringing the characters to life. I enjoyed listening to Aaron in the past, and this time was no different. Despite his naturally deep voice, his voices for the female characters sounded authentic.

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A Fitting Conclusion to the Series

Reviewed: 05-02-23

A Cruel Arrangement is the second book in the Kings of New York. Although each book focuses on a different couple, they do not work as stand-alone. Questions raised in book one are answered in the second installment. In A Cruel Arrangement, readers get a story steeped in suspense, danger and romance.

A Cruel Arrangement gives us Molly and Ashton’s story. From the moment of their introduction in book one, I sensed the chemistry between them. This, along with my need for answers to the questions arising as a result of the cliffhanger, had me eager to pick up A Cruel Arrangement.

Now Ashton was cold and dangerous. He did some stuff in the first book, which made it difficult to like him. However, he redeemed himself on this installment. One could say that love mellowed him out. However, he still had that dangerous and cold side to him which was reserved for his enemies.

Molly went through a tough upbringing. She, however, did not allow it to hinder her from becoming a successful businesswoman. I had an interesting getting to know her. Although there when moments when she did some questionable things with regarding her safety.

Their relationship started out as a business arrangement. However, when the danger resulting from this arrangement escalates, placing Molly at risk, their relationship became more. They attempted to fight the attraction between them, but they failed miserably. In addition to the danger, insecurities threatened to derail the growth of their relationship.

Now, for the second reason, the reading of this installment was imperative. The answers which I so desperately needed after that cliffhanger in book one came to light. Interestingly enough, it wasn’t at all what I expected, but it provided closure for everyone it affected.

Readers receive updates regarding the couple from the previous book. It was great catching up with them and seeing how their lives had developed. 

Overall, A Cruel Arrangement delivered a satisfying conclusion to the Kings of New York series.

Narration Review
Brooke Bloomingdale and Jason Carpenter narrated this installment. The story alternates between Ashton and Molly’s POV. I did not like the male narrator’s interpretation of Ashton. His tone was dry and emotionless. I switched speeds during his narration. Not that speeding it up helped much.

The female narrator did a wonderful job with Molly. Her male voices were good, and she did a better interpretation of Ashton than her male counterpart. While I am not sure if I would listen to Jason Carpenter again, Brooke Bloomingdale’s performance is one I would recommend to listeners.

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Short and Sweet

Reviewed: 12-28-22

Narrated by Carly Robbins and Aaron Shedlock, 🎧︎Resting Scrooge Face by Meghan Quinn delivered a short, sweet and fun holiday second chance romance.

🎧︎Resting Scrooge Face  tells the story of Nola and Caleb.  Nola left Bright Harbor, Maine for New York. However, a breakup and the feeling of wanting to be near family she returned home.  Now although she's happy to be home, she dreads running into the guy who broke her heart years ago. Added to that she's not to keen on Christmas. After all what's cheery about having your broken twice.

Caleb, the guy who broke Nora's heart before she left for New York, owns and operated the local hardware store.  He harbors regrets regarding his breakup with Nora and he clearly still has feelings for her. Now that Nola is back in town, the regrets have intensified leading to him acting like a grumpy Scrooge.  On one of his not so good days Caleb took pen to paper and listed all the things he despised about Christmas. A list which was written out in the form of a letter. He threw it in the trash, however his elderly friend who so happened to be the mailman, took it out the trash and delivered it to no other than Nora. Soon the two began exchanging letters not knowing to whom they were expressing their shared hate of Christmas.

Despite the brevity of the story, 🎧︎Resting Scrooge Face was heartwarming, charming and delightfully hilarious. I loved the concept behind the exchange of letters. My only wish is that the story was longer. The narrators did a great job in bringing the story to life. If you are looking for a short and sweet Christmas read with Hallmark vibes I recommend this latest offering from Meghan Quinn.

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Cliffhanger Ending

Reviewed: 12-11-22

A Dirty Business is the first book I have read by the author Tijan. I picked this book up when I discovered the mafia world would be the setting for the story. Yes! Mafia stories are my catnip. It’s my understanding that Tijan is a master at young adult stories. It would seem that A Dirty Business is her first adult romance book and her first venturing into the mafia world. While I cannot make a comparison between her newest release and her backlist, I believe she did a fairly good job with A Dirty Business, which featured a forbidden romance between a parole officer and the heir to a mafia empire.

A Dirty Business introduces readers to parole officer Jess Montell and hedge fund manager and heir to a mafia family Tristian aka Trace West. In addition to her job as a parole officer, Jess also works at a nightclub on the weekends. Unbeknownst to her, the club is owned by Trace and his best friend, Ashton. As parole officer, Jess sees the world through a black and white lens. Meaning a situation or person is either good or bad. For her, a middle ground does not exist.

Trace’s job as a hedge fund manager kept him out of the family business. However, with the failing health of his uncle, the man who raised him, and the threat of the takeover of the West territory, he knew it was a matter of time when he would step up to the helm.

Trace and Jess had an interesting first meeting. Their attraction to each from that moment sizzled and popped. Learning she was a parole officer engaged the brakes on his attempt to have her in his bed. However, this discovery did little quench his desires, and it proved too difficult to stay away from her.Despite sensing the air of danger surrounding Trace, Jess could not stop thinking about him. Then she learns of his connection to the criminal underworld. A discovery which should have the effect a fire extinguisher would have on a blaze. Instead, her attraction to him grew stronger and soon she can no longer stay away. 

Now this story did not possess the darkness and grittiness one would expect from this world. Sure, there was torture and murder, but not a large scale. Neither were the details graphic.

The slow burn romance which developed between Jess and Trace had its share of angst, which came as no surprise given their differing views and affiliation. Yes, there was a lot of back and forth between these two. Then we had Jess trying to maintain a balance with her morals and a relationship with Trace.I enjoyed the Mafia storyline. There were scenes which had me on the edge of my seat. Also, there were some interesting revelations. Now, as much as I enjoyed the story, two things prevented it from being a five star read. First, the pacing was off in some parts of the story. Second, the ending threw me for a loop. Can you believe it? The story ended on a cliffhanger. I never saw it coming. 

Readers who enjoy the forbidden romance trope set and love stories with heat, family ties to traditions and their livelihood, A Dirty Business makes a great addition to your library. 

This book was narrated by the duo of C. J. Bloom and Joe Arden. Joe Arden, I’ve listened to before and really liked - C. J Bloom, was new to me. They complimented each other well, and I really enjoyed listening at 1.5x speed.

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