For Fork's Sake Audiobook By Karen Grey cover art

For Fork's Sake

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For Fork's Sake

By: Karen Grey
Narrated by: Erin Mallon, Alastair Haynesbridge
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SAM: I hate my hometown. But whether I like it or not, I’m back. Putting me face-to-face with all the reasons I left, including the forking family I’ve been avoiding for years. What I don’t expect to find in Fork Lick?

The woman who upended my world last year. Making videos with my grandmother.

DIANE: I know what I’m hiding. But the guy I left in bed after a steamy one-night stand…I haven’t a clue what’s going on behind those Clark Kent glasses of his. I’ve met his goofy dog Gomer, his social media-obsessed grandmother, and his sheep that lives in a palace. I know he wears a three-piece suit and a flannel shirt equally well–not to mention what he looks like underneath. I know he abruptly quit his job at that evil conglomerate.

Because of something I said. What I can’t figure out is why he avoids his adorable, hilarious family. Or why he steers clear of their picture-perfect farm. Or what’s so wrong with cute-as-a-button Fork Lick. I never felt at home in the Manhattan penthouse where I grew up, but I love everything about this tiny town. Including… Sam.

Problem is, no matter what his secrets are, mine are definitely worse.

©2024 Karen Grey (P)2024 Home Cooked Books
Romantic Comedy Funny Witty Feel-Good Heartfelt

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Engaging Storyline Heartwarming Family Dynamics Versatile Narrators Witty Humorous Elements Steamy Romantic Moments
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Loved it

Karen Grey is a relatively new author to me and I am shocked that I have not read more from this author before.

Set in Fork Lick ( I just love the name) For Fork’s Sake is Dam and Dianne’s story and it ticked all the boxes for me. From the first chapter to the last I was invested in the story that Ms. Grey wove.

Sam’s grandmother and the Bedd family are such quirky and engaging characters, add in a dog named Gomer and hang on for the fun. Fate often works in mysterious ways when Sam and Diane reconnect and their journey is rocky.

This story gave me numerous laugh out loud moment which I really needed.

The narration by Erin Mallon and Alastair Haynesbridge brought the characters to life for me. Their voices were easy to listen too and they brought all the passion, drama, romance and humour to their performances.

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Loved the story, the characters and the narration

I’m loving everything about this series and I’m excited for every release. For Forks Sake is book 3 and it’s a fun, sweet, flirty read that will appeal to a wide range of audiences. This is Sam Bedd and Diane’s rivals to lovers story.

Erin Mallon and Alastair Haynesbridge brought the characters and their story to life for me. Their voices were easy to listen too and they brought all the passion, drama, romance and humour to their performances.

Sam and Diane meet when they are both travelling for work and they end up spending a couple of passionate nights together. What follows is two complete opposites ending up back in Sam’s small hometown where Diane meets his quirky grandmother, his goofy hog Gomer and the sheep who lives in a palace…….
This is a hilarious read and it’s a great addition to the series. If you love romantic comedy’s look no further than this gem of a read.

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“Sam and Diane sitting in a tree…”

ARC Review - July 2024
Story: 4.5 ⭐️s

Karen Grey picks up the Bedd family baton in book 3 of the joint Farm 2 Forking series and, so far, this one is definitely my favorite. Trope-wise there is some grumpy/sunshine-do-gooder happening, with a meet cute that culminates in a steamy one-night-stand (wowzer!), as well as some shades of enemies-to-lovers vibes when they meet again (though not in OTT way, which I appreciate). Plus, there is an adorable dog (❤️Gomer❤️)! So this book definitely pushed a lot of my built-in romance buttons in the best ways!

Sam (twin to Colleen, dog-dad to Gomer) is super smart, has all the facts - but that has somewhat alienated him, or caused him to alienate himself from his family (as is often the case, it turns out to be a bit of both as the story progresses). He knows all the ag-science, but he has a few lessons to learn people and he gets a great mentor in Carlos. Sam is also harboring some secret guilt about family wounds old and new. Diane McCarthy wants to make the world - or at least her small part of it - better. She has some secrets of her own, that motivate her ambitions, but this doesn’t prevent her being genuine in her intent. She has a passion for bringing attention to farmers and their practices and traditions through her YouTube channel. Though she and Sam are unknowingly on opposite sides of an industry line when they first meet, that dissolves rather quickly, which leaves room for other tensions to build when they meet again several months later. And what a reunion it is!

Sam and Diane are a fantastic couple. Despite a rocky re-start, they ultimately bring out the best in each other. They bond via shared love of trivia, a passion for farming issues, and admiration for each other’s abilities. Plus, they are FIRE 🔥 together, and this absolutely felt like one of Grey’s steamiest books. It probably doesn’t hurt that Sam is described as a dead ringer for Henry Cavill, which projected a picture of beautifully rendered sexy-nerdiness directly into my head the whole time; so, Holy Hotness, Batman! (Or Superman, to be accurate!) Of course, there were also beautiful moments between the MCs, but also between the MCs and the secondaries for humor, pathos, and character development. All in all, I just loved their love story and I felt like I smiled just about every time they were on page together - or on page with Ethel or Gomer! - which made for a great reading journey!

The development of the broader Bedd family dynamics felt much more present in this book than in the previous two, and I was all here for it. I think because Sam had his twin-mind-melding with Colleen and so many wonderful scenes with Ethel (she feels so much more like a tangible character rather than a plot device to me now!) - it all worked better for me this time out. I was compelled by the family connections - even when fractured or strained - so much more in this book than the previous two. I hope that trend continues into the next books.

The only element in FFS that gave me pause was the handling of Sam’s potential neurodivergence. When first introduced in conversation with Carlos, it came off as a bit arm-chair diagnosis on his part. And while Sam then talks with Colleen who has some training and experience as a teacher, I would have felt more comfortable if Sam had sought out a professional consultation to verify. As the story left off, he is seemingly relying solely on the combo of brief “I think you might be..” conversations, some questionable self-diagnosis through online tests, and cursory personal research. It just felt like this element needed a little more page time. Awareness of ASD, ADHD, or other diagnoses in adulthood, should absolutely be overt in romance, and it’s great that the attempt is here. One of the things I love so much about Grey’s writing is that she not only builds a beautiful love story, but that she so often imbues her characters with a variety of lived experiences and thereby makes such experiences visible. She also works hard to make that feel like a nuanced part of her characters’ existences, not just traits or quirks. However, while this aspect of Sam’s life had great potential, compared to her handling of other experiences (bodily autonomy, anxiety, trauma, etc.) in past books, this one felt a little under-baked.

Regardless, there is still a lot to love here, and I had a great experience with this book. Again, Sam and Diane (and Gomer!) are my favorite so far, so I wholeheartedly recommend their story. Now, I impatiently await the audio version of FFS, as well as the next book and Bedd sibling love connection!

I received an ARC copy of this book via the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

Audiobook Addendum - December 2024
Narration: 5 ⭐️s

The wait is over! The audio version of FFS has arrived and I loved every second of it! Erin Mallon and Alastair Haynesbridge did a fantastic job bringing Diane and Sam to life. Their skills shine, and that’s true of the whole series so far. Book 3 is where the F2F shared setting and characters really started to gel for me, and I felt that Mallon and Haynesbridge’s work paired well with that shift. Both performers handle the entire cast of characters so beautifully (Mallon’s approach to Ethel is particular charming), yet still always allow the central performance of the main couple to shine. Sam and Diane’s story is such a lovely and engaging one that returning to it in audio was a joy. I highly recommend it!

I’m grateful to have received an ALC copy of the audiobook via Home Cooked Books. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Heartfelt & Punny

From a steamy one-night stand to a professional standoff, Sam and Diane’s love story was exciting from page one! I love a good “hot stranger rescuing the FMC from the creep at the bar” setup! A fake boyfriend sweeping in for the rescue is swoony and hot, especially when the MMC has an alluring voice that captivates the FMC “like a flower to the sun”. Diane and Sam’s chemistry was sizzling and their flirty banter & chippy bickering were equally cute. If you like a good arguing-to-makeout moment, you are in for a treat and a kiss so hot it’s a wonder the barn didn’t catch fire! Sam and his dog Gomer will melt your heart. Family dynamics, working through guilt, and managing grief are only a few of the touching issues Karen explores that make this charming rom-com a wonderful read. For the love of trivia and strawberries, this book was funny, and sweet, and left me a swoony puddle of mush at the end.

Erin Mallon and Alastair Haynesbridge brought Karen’s first contemporary romance off the page perfectly. Alastair captured Sam’s relatable, heartwrenching, sweet character arc to life with an outstanding performance. I loved Sam when I first read the book, and Alastair’s narration evoked the smitten swooning all over again! Erin’s portrayal of Diane’s kindhearted, relentless, sultry character was charming. She is unwaveringly marvelous at bringing humor and heart to life in her performances. I cannot get enough of this duo! Bring on more Bedd Farms fun!

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Sam is sneaky smexy

Ole Sam Dan came to the party & said "watch this".
He had me wrapped around his pinky from the night of his one night stand with Diane.
Sam is the nerd, if you will, of the family, & has always been the one who is "going places" beyond the farm life. But the sacrifices made to get him to where he is now are far greater than anyone could ever know.
Diane is living a life that was never expected of her.
She has a heart for philanthropy & a passion to help the small town farmers. But will the people she's come to cherish still accept her when real life shows itself?
I loved Sam & Diane's meet cute. After meeting in a bar, they find that they have unknowingly been online gaming with each other on a trivia app. Their connection is so potent & instant. What was meant to be the start of something beautiful quickly turned into a one night stand when circumstances took an unfortunate turn.
Diane, now helping a college friend's family farm, finds herself face to face with her scorching hot one night stand only to find out that he is the twin of her college friend. But misperceptions are strong & both Sam & Diane find themselves fighting their draw to each other.
I loved seeing Sam's side of his relationship with his grandpa & his place in the family. I loved seeing the family come together one by one to become the unity that their grandma craves. I loved how their grandma also has a way of connecting so perfectly with these newcomers to her family & using her
"meddling grandma" talents for the greater good. I can't say Baaaarbara's meddling tendencies are for the greater good, but they are useful in upping the funny & lighthearted factor.

Audiobook Review:
Erin Mallon & Alastair Haynesbridge knock another one out of the park. I love their transitions to the different couples & their abilities to keep true to the main characters even with previous characters popping in.

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Fun romcom with lots of heart

Karen Grey's romances are always a treat for me as a nostalgia loving lady that likes call backs to growing up. Sam and Diane? A classic couple name for me!

For Fork's Sake is the third novel in the multi-author Farm 2 Forking series, and this time Sam Bedd is the one to fall in love. Sam's relationship with his family is strained, but underlying is so much love and caring for each other, even if they don't always understand him. His happily-ever-after with Diane started months ago with a one night stand, but to Diane, Sam represents everything that she is advocating against. Luckily Sam and Diane are able to sort out their differences, and Sam finally opens up to his family and starts mending fences. Along the way, we have some fun, lots of heart, and some steam to keep you warm at night.

The audio, narrated by Erin Mallon and Alistair Haynesbridge, really puts you right inside the story. You can feel Sam's pain of being the odd-man out within his family, and Diane's confusion with the assumptions that she made vs the man she knows Sam to be. Highly recommend the audio!

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This was fantastic!

For Fork's Sake is book #3 in the Farm 2 Forking collection. This collection has five excellent stories, but this one was such a highlight for me. I'm a big fan of Ms. Grey (her 80's and 90's vibe is my jam!) so I was very excited for this. This is Sam and Diane's story. A nameless one-night-stand that goes horribly wrong the next day, these two find themselves on opposite sides of a seed controversy. Months later, they are thrown together again at the Bedd farmhouse and unable to avoid each other. Sam is finding his way with his job, his family, and his mental health. Diane is hiding a secret, but also finding her way apart from her family ties. The two sizzle with smexy chemistry that they can no longer ignore. And Gomer! He's the emotional support dog that everybody needs!! This is a fun and heartwarming opposites attract/enemies-to-lovers spicy gem that will leave you smiling with the HEA!

Alastair Haynesbridge and Erin Mallon continue the narration and it is just phenomenal. The quirky Sam, the determined Diane...absolutely loved this. 5/5 stars!

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Loved Sam & Diane

Really enjoyed Sam and Diane's story. I think Sam might be my favorite sibling from these stories. I loved how different he was and especially when he started to figure out and understand why he was different. I felt so bad for the guilt he had been harboring since his grandfather's passing.

I really liked his and Diane's relationship. She really helped bring out a different side of him. She also helped him rediscover his family and bring them back together and I think that was the best part of this story.

Really enjoying these Bedd family stories and watching them find their HEA's.

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Forking Great!

This entire series has been such a fun time! I've enjoyed every minute of it!

For Fork's Sake by Karen Grey was so entertaining. That first kiss that left Sam dumbfounded...awestruck? He was adorable! I really love Sam! When they meet up later in the book it was so perfect!
I can't say it enough lol, I love this family, the animals and the banter!

Erin Malon and Alister Hanyesbridge were so great in their performance! They really put their all into these narrations and it makes it even more enjoyable!

🧑🏻‍🌾🐮🍴 :Tropes:🍴🐮🧑🏻‍🌾
❤️Hot, grumpy, nerdy heroes
❤️Sunshiny, do-gooder heroines
❤️Small town
❤️Steamy One Night Stands
❤️Forced Proximity

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤
🌶️🌶️

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This great series continues in audio!

Edited for audiobook: Working through the Farm to Forking series has been such fun (and great news, it’s not done yet!). By now, at the third book in the series, For Fork’s Sake, you’ve learned about Bedd Fellow Farms and the difficulties the family is facing, laughed until you were sick at the antics of the people and the animals, and fretted with each new couple as they had their spats, made up – and argued again. Anything author Karen Grey writes is so, so good, but her books are always so, so far beyond so, so good when listened to. I was impressed (not surprised, because these are talented narrators) with how the same two voice actors for each book in the series, Erin Mallon and Alastair Haynesbridge, could make each story sound so unique. Sam and Diane are hilarious on the written page, but hearing them? Perfect, perfect, perfect. Great series, great author, great narrators. Do not miss it. I received an advance listening copy of For Fork’s Sake from Home Cooked Books. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

The description for this book included a warning, kind of: Don’t read this book unless you love hot, grumpy, nerdy heroes, sunshiny, do-gooder heroines, small town hijinks, and steamy one-night stands followed by forced proximity smexy times. Like they say, it’s a dirty job but somebody has to do it, so I went ahead and read it anyway. All joking aside – wow. The Farm to Forking series is already super great, super funny, super-hot, but starting the 3rd book in the 5-part series, For Fork’s Sake by Karen Grey, was like going home. Already a huge fan of everything she writes, after just a few paragraphs I slid smoothly into the humor and heat – and it felt so good.

We’re working our way through the Bedd siblings, four brothers and a sister, at Bedd Fellows Farm in Fork Lick, New York. When their parents died in an accident, the Bedd children were raised on the farm by their grandparents Eugene and Ethel. They grew up loved, but they’ve all got some hang-ups or issues that weren’t understood or addressed or communicated. Grandpa Eugene was a big believer in ‘my way isn’t just the only way, it’s the best way’ and the brothers especially weren’t always sure where they stood – or maybe they were sure and that was the problem. They are a family, but not always a close or happy family. Anyway, we’ve already read oldest brother Ethan’s story: he assumed the responsibility of running the farm after Eugene died. The farm that was on the verge of bankruptcy because of Eugene’s business decisions. Next came Alex, who was told he needn’t worry about running the farm because that wasn’t going to be his responsibility, so he moved on to manage the nearby Udderly Creamy dairy farm. Now it’s Sam, the brainiac who’s supposed to use the college education that Grandpa paid for working in the corporate side of farm management as Grandpa told him to. Not where Sam’s heart is, and Grandpa makes it quite clear a week or so before he dies how disappointed he is that Sam has quit.

For Fork’s Sake picks up right where Butter You Up left off. Cupid has shot some arrows and dropped some hearts and happiness on Ethan and Alex in the romance department, but Sam still feels like an outsider from his family and romance – ha ha ha – every woman decides sooner or later that he’s too weird for long-term. Usually sooner. His brain does in fact work differently than everyone else’s and there’s a valid medical reason for that, but Sam doesn’t know that yet. He’s working at a job he hates, at a conference he doesn’t believe in and feels alone except for his flunked-out-of-service-dog-school devoted dog Gomer. When he meets Diane at the conference he feels so immediately connected and understood that he is suddenly hopeful. Their night is magical; they discover they are both Trivia-Crush-aholics and have been playing against each other through their screen names for months. It’s amazing. But when he has to give his boss’s speech and Diane walks out, disgusted, he searches for her and then quits on the spot. But she’s gone and it’s probably just as well he’ll never see her again – because he’s weird, right?

Fast forward seven months. Sam’s working at a farm-related job he actually enjoys and believes in (except for those stubborn farmers who won’t listen; remember, he doesn’t know about the weird part of his brain yet) and not happy that he’s being transferred to his hated hometown, sort of a last chance to learn to fit in and help, not impatiently lecture.

You know who’s going to already be there at Bedd Fellows Farm when Sam arrives, don’t you? Yep, it’s that very same Diane. She’s a do-gooder with a secret past she doesn’t want revealed, trying to do her own tiny bit of good in the world. She remembers that night as fondly as Sam does, except for the horrible job part, but it’s in the past. And when she sees that “corporate suit” Sam she is shocked at the family connection, still disgusted about his work, but man oh man that one night was pretty doggone memorable and he is pretty doggone handsome. The sparks that fly between the two of them are like the 4th of July.

And then author Grey makes the story even more impossible to put down. Sam and Diane first try, unsuccessfully, to pretend they don’t already know each other. Then when the thaw starts to set in and Cupid comes for them again, they try, just as unsuccessfully, to pretend that lust and desire are not whizzing through the air. Sam is still so resentful and frustrated and unaware of some particular family history that he is often his own worst enemy and doesn’t know when to shut up. Diane still has her big secret to keep and isn’t sure how/if/when/or should she fit in.

Talented author Grey takes so many diverse threads and emotions and possibilities and weaves them together into an extremely entertaining story, populated with silly people and charming people and some not-so-nice people, like Ginny, Sam’s trivia night teammate who is obsessed with him and not averse to a little blackmail. Situations are serious and lighthearted and unpredictable. And fair warning: some declarations of love will bring lots and lots of tears to your eyes.

For Fork’s Sake is a wonderful addition to a series that is full of animals, girlfriends, and laugh out loud moments balanced with poignant, serious issues. Grandma Ethel is a hoot, Trixie and Gomer really are man’s best friends, Mootilda is a charming addition to farmer’s market weekend, and Baabara is a princess.

Thanks to author Karen Grey for providing an advance copy of For Fork’s Sake. I have already stated I love everything she writes but it bears repeating: her stories are well-plotted with engaging dialogue, quirky references and people who feel real and make you fall in love with them. Thanks also to the other authors contributing to the Farm to Forking series. Books 1 and 2 were fantastic, I can’t wait for books 4 and 5, and I have added names to my list of favorite authors. Read this series from the beginning and have fun in the Catskills. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

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