Stories + Narrator = KEEP GETTING BETTER!

If you’ve read any of my other reviews for this series, you know that (like a lot of other readers) the stories really piqued my interest ... and now love ... of rugby. And prompted me to set up a “New Zealand Vacation” fund, as Rosalind really shows us how gorgeous En Zed is and instills a fervent curiosity about a lesser-known country. (I’m getting close, folks! Yay!!) I can’t think of any other audiobooks I’ve listened to (or books that I’ve read) that have inspired that sort of ‘fan-dom.”

This story begins with Hugh Latimer just having one heck of a time. He’s just broken his hand, which takes him out of the line-up playing rugby for the All Blacks for the Northern Tour. That’s bad. No, that’s awful! And to make everything worse, he has to play parent to his two younger half-siblings who have been recently orphaned, as his aunt has decided to take a break from her custodial duties and travel to her native England. Well, we do learn to love Hugh, but this guy is bordering on clueless. He’s lucky to get himself places on time, never mind Amelia’s ballet lessons, Charlie’s rugby practice and ... oh! don’t even mention the grocery shopping. And hoovering ... with a cast on. He’s expected to do the hoovering, too!?!? (That’s vacuuming, for all you Yanks.)

Well, it’s hard to sleep with a cast on ... never mind worrying about all the aforementioned stuff. So, early one morning, Hugh feels like he’s just gotten to sleep, but he’s awaken by the next-door-neighbor wailing at the top of her lungs. This is just too much and he isn’t going to stand for it! He’s either going to rescue the old bag or get her to shut up. Except ... it’s not the old bag. Hugh has a new neighbor.

Okay ... with a set-up like that, you’ve got to know what happens next, right? =) So, go spend your credit!

Our narrator is the very, very talented Claire Bocking. You’ve got to know that she’s good with an Audie nomination under her belt for her very first audiobook (“Just This Once.”) [Way to go, Claire!] She just keeps getting better and better with these “Escape to New Zealand” stories. She’s funny, she makes you cry, her timing is impeccable, you never have to guess who’s talking ... well, I could go on and on. Just know that she really adds to the story and she’s wonderful!

Recommended? ABSOLUTELY!!


[I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.]

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

Great Story!

Any additional comments?

Ok, let me start by saying......again, that I love the Escape to New Zealand series. I have read every book written so far in this series and love them all. I have listened to books 1-6 on audio and I love the audio version just as much as I do reading them alone. When I listen on audio I go back and follow along in the book with Claire narrating. I pick up on things that I didn't pick up on before when reading alone. If you have never listened to these audio books, I suggest you do. You will love it!

It hasn't been that long ago when I read "Just Not Mine", so when I had the opportunity to listen to it on audio, I jumped at the chance. I wasn't sure how I felt about Josie in the beginning when I first read this story, but I have to say that with the help of Claire, I fell in love with this couple and their story.

Here's a little summary:

Hunky rugby player Hugh Latimer is wounded with a broken hand and is missing the European rugby tour. He is forced to deal with instant fatherhood by taking care of his half brother and sister, which is wreaking havoc on his love life. He meets his neighbor, sexy soap star Josie Pae Ata. Oh boy, the sparks start to fly. Josie is hesitant about getting involved with her neighbor, Hugh, but after a break-up between Josie and her partner, she finally decides to take a chance on Hugh. They embark on a journey of love, which requires them both to face some challenges that lay ahead of them.

Read their story to find out if they ever get their happy ever after.


Hearing Claire Bocking narrate Hugh and Josie's story made me see them in a totally different light. Claire did an amazing job. Each character voice was so distinctively different in this book. I must say that the children's voices (Amelia and Charlie) were my favorites. Claire hit the ball out of the park on this one.



** "I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.”

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Wonderful Book in the series. the books are great!

LOVE the entire series, I'm on my 2nd round of reading/listening to each book. I cannot get enough of this series, a little too much sex and details in that department for my taste but that's my personal opinion. ROSALIND JAMES is a fantastic wtiter. the narration by CLAIRE BOCKING us truly unbelievable! Reading Is great but listening gives you the real feel for the country of New Zealand. combining sports and history and education about the culture and the accents of the people makes you feel part of the culture. I feel like I know the Country and It's on my list of dream vacations, only wish I had an "All Black Rugby player waiting for me, but I'm a little too old for them. I was thinking I enjoyed some stories better than others but they all pull you in -house until the very end. PLEASE WRITE MORE AND CONTINUE THIS SERIES, IT COULD GO ON FOREVER AS NEW PLAYERS COME IN EACH YEAR. or I'm going to have to start on Round 3 with book 1 again.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Time Off

In Just Not Mine: Escape to New Zealand, Hugh has his hands full, especially since he has only one hand that is working well. He has been left as the guardian of his half brother and sister which leads to some awkward and humorous situations as Hugh has limited experience in taking care of others. He makes some mistakes along the way but he is endearing and handsome while doing it. Just as the other Escape to New Zealand books reeled you in, this book does not disappoint with the story line and characters, I especially appreciated the strong female character and how she challenged Hugh step for step.

The audio book is read by Claire Bocking. She is sweet as as far as I am concerned. As a reader, I found her easy to related to as she brought each character to life. Another good investment of time for sure!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Another amazing escape to the lovely New Zealand

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I already have! I love Rosalind James' books but Claire B.'s performance is what keeps me returning for another audio book. Why not share it with friends? 😊

What did you like best about this story?

The Kiwi accent that the narrator flawlessly speaks in is def. up there, but I especially love the interaction between Hugh and his siblings. You can feel the awkwardness, the love and confusion between the three while they're trying to find a foothold with each other.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene where Will, Hugh and Koti are shooting the scene for J.'s show and afterwards when J is showing Hugh her evil character's dirty secrets (in the lingerie drawer)....naughty girl! 😜

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did listen to it in one sitting. 😊

Any additional comments?

I love R.J's Escape to New Zealand series so keep the books coming! But for God's sake....keep Claire on for the audio books! She's brilliant!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

just not mine

enjoyed it would recommend it. the series flows on . all connected to ruby and New Zealand

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

A great look into the meaning of family

Another great story about family and the bonds that are forged through love and understanding. Highly recommended and among the best of the stories so fat in the series.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

💜

This is my favorite in the series so far! The issues, sadly, touch home and it is so sweet!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Rosalind and Claire- Another Winner!

Any additional comments?

This is the sixth book in the Escape to New Zealand series. This time, the story is about Hugh Latimer, an All Blacks rugby player who has broken his hand, is out of rugby for a while and is helping to raise his half brother and sister.

Hugh lives next door to the very beautiful and talented Josie Pae Ata- a TV soap opera star. How the sparks fly... and how they don't (remember, there are kids involved!) makes for a great story!

Claire Bocking, the narrator, continues her amazing command of Rosalind's books. Her narration is nothing short of brilliant. She manages to seamlessly switch between American and New Zealand accents, all the while changing her voice for each character. Not only that, but the depth of the characters' joys, sorrows, and overall understanding of what makes each character "tick" is fabulous! And the love making scenes are HOT!!!

Another fan of Rosalind's said recently: even when I'm reading the book, I hear Claire's voice. This is so true! Claire absolutely brings the characters to life!!Do yourself a favor and get hooked on the Escape to New Zealand series. And be sure to listen/read in order. You'll enjoy the books more that way!

And now, for the "legal part": I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

Great fresh Romance!

If you could sum up Just Not Mine in three words, what would they be?

Deep,sweet,romance

What was one of the most memorable moments of Just Not Mine?

The Christmas time finding the emotions,came out real and smooth. It was soo deep, I loved the moments of anger,that where really deep caring love! Claire Bocking put deep emotions into the charters ,bringing the charters to life,putting such incredible feelings into it.

What does Claire Bocking bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Deep deep emotions,she captured each and everyone feelings,bringing them to life,a wonderful story teller?

If you could rename Just Not Mine, what would you call it?

Just not mine,give Michelle Hugh,jk. I think the Author was dead on with the name,because it was about how everyone and thing,just wasn't theirs, so I loved the "Just not mine"

Any additional comments?

I have found that this book in the series was one of my favorite. I found that the book was very realistic dealing with the hurdles in the book.

It was a very fresh,realistic,once you got started,I did not want to put it down. I loved how the soap opera story line was placed in the book because Josie, made it clear what was real in romance and not.
The love that grew,I found my self saying come on,the chemistry was there,but both were scared for different reasons,the love story rolls so smooth,and in a realistic way,that it had me believing or rather visioning it being played out on the big screen!
This wasn't your day to day romance book,there where parts that were tragic,inner feelings.
Hugh not knowing what he was doing all alone was what was needed to be done,and with the help of Josie tragic past help turn on the light bulb(so to speak) by showing him love comes in all shapes and ways,Rosalind James did a wonderful way of bringing out life's events nice and smooth.
I love the way the books play out, how you do not need to read in order to understand the Big Family she has made with the charters.
This was for me the best Romance book I have read in a long while,she made you believe in the charters,she brought out Josie and Hugh in a smooth way,as I said seeing this amazing romance grow,not rushed,but realistic.


The Love scenes were done in a way that was incredible sexy,having my heart rate increasing at some parts,but the job was done in a very tastefully way!
The book gets you learning more and more about NewZealand,the culture and life styles ,Love learning more about Maori History.
I keep finding myself wanting more and more of her story lines,
There was one nano of a section,That I wish gave me more.(don't want to give a spoiler,if you want to know hit me up. Only one part I wish I was given as a reader a nano of more as there was so much building of all the charters that I wish............
This new Romance book was such a sweet loving feel good book.I would say give it a go,you will not be disappointed ! I promise.

I have received a free copy of this book,in exchange for my Honest review.
The opinion stated is my own!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful