Excellent

This is my third Heather Blackmore book and damn...damn...so. damn. good. It has all the components of a good romance novel, young love, a separation and then 10 years later they meet again. Some authors can pull it off better than others but, did I mention, DAMN!!

Kazz, broken from her father's military lifestyle, comes alive in California when she meets Sarah during her senior year. Both are smart, athletic, competitive and beautiful. And then there's the sparks that fly between them. 10 years later they meet again as Kazz unknowingly walks into Sarah's non-profit as an undercover agent, on a tip that someone is embezzling. Sparks once again fly as the women reconnect tentatively and the secrets of their pasts are revealed. Great character development. Believable story line. Beautiful angst. We get to see the characters face their fears and overcome them on what is just a beautiful ride.

And then there's Lori Prince. She nails her performance, which is pretty flawless. She takes the book to a whole new level. I can't recommend enough.

5 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

This book cut deep.

This book made me feel things. The main character is a bright and shy military brat in high school. She is suddenly presented with feelings for the most popular girl in school. And the feeling is obviously shared. The girl is alil unbelievably amazing and perfect. As unbelievable the second main character is, the things she discovers and doesn’t say drive me insane. But...a gay woman who discovered thos in high school, alone, I definitely 100% agree with the author. If you see this, Ms. Author, you nailed it. When certain things happen and they huge event in the middle of the book tears you from this freakin beautiful, innocent love story, I was stunned. It was raw. The author was obviously trying to invoke the feeling of loss and damn it was well done. The first half was one of the most relatable things I’ve seen or read in print. I hope some young lgbt kid gets theirs hands on this book. The second half was cute, predictable and had a very happy ending. I felt is readers deserved it, after the first part. Tread lightly y’all, especially if you love and lost your first gay crush at a young age. I highly recommend this book.
The narrator is perfection. To her I’d say... Your voice is a thing of beauty <3.

2 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Cute

The rating is PG-13 in all areas. If you are looking for Hallmark romance this is it. Good story, funny and sweet. Thumb up

Jazz

Sweet book, a bit angsty. Not a lot of romance, kinda tame. Narrator was good.

Blackmore and Prince equal a match made in heaven!

First, for the performance: In just two listens of two books (this book and “It’s Not a Date”) the combination of Heather Blackmore and Lori Prince has become probably my second fave in lesfic audiobooks (second only to Lee Winters and Angela Dawe). There is just something so rare and refreshing about a truly intelligent, standout lesfic book being read by one of the most gifted and intuitive narrators of this genre that makes me want to weep with gratitude. Ms. Blackmore writes the clever words and weaves the engrossing story; Lori brings it all to life with a performance that shows she GETS IT. She gets these characters, she gets their personalities, and she gets their stories. It’s such a treat to listen to a story that’s performed exactly as it’s written. There’s no sense that this is a “Lori Prince” performance, as is the case (IMO) with some other popular narrators of the lesfic genre. The only way I can think to describe it is that Lori is the kind of narrator who takes herself out of the equation, respects the author’s vision, and tries to stick with that instead of putting her own “stamp” on things. Which I just really appreciate.

Next, for the story: simply put, IT’S GOOD. Honestly, it’s leagues above some of the popular lesfic that is just not nearly as smart. First of all, the setup is believable. It gets a little tiring reading lesfic that requires you to suspend your disbelief of the circumstances because the author is writing characters in a job/situation they clearly know nothing about, and didn’t bother to research. I’m fatigued with rolling my eyes at the “detective” who can’t recite (let alone operate within) a police procedure to save her life; or the top “attorney” who seems to spend all her time in court and none doing the endless, tedious paper pushing that is actually 90% of an attorney’s job; or the “movie star” who only ever stars in silly romantic comedies, despite which she somehow has an Oscar and three golden globes...you get the point. Ms. Blackmore knows the business finance industry and she sticks to it in her books. Yes, all the details given of financial workings can get a little tedious, but I’ll take that over an unrealistic portrayal any day. It makes for solid stories woven into a setting that is actually BELIEVABLE. Blackmore’s books are an experience you can escape into where the characters feel real and their lives relatable. Cassidy and Sarah may be a little too perfect, as per the usual romance trope (they’re both gorgeous, brilliant, athletic, driven, and kindhearted) - but hey, that’s the kind of unreality I don’t mind given the genre and the caliber of the story. Added to that, I really LIKE both these women. I rooted for them through the whole novel, from the moment they formed their unlikely (but oh so touching) friendship in high school till the moment they faced each other with no more secrets and half-truths between them as grown women. I’m happy with their happy ending and I know I’ll be listening to their story again and again.

My one criticism: *SPOILER* Though she only hints at it, it’s pretty clear throughout the second half of the book that Sarah has all these feelings she never quite got over from when Cazz essentially abandoned her when they were teens. When the big moment comes where Sarah finally admits that truth to Cassidy, it’s kind of stolen from her. What I mean is, we get a small bit of dialogue where Sarah reveals the truth, but then it’s followed by a very long inner monologue in Cassidy’s POV where it’s all clicking into place for her. Here Cassidy is inwardly working through what Sarah must have been feeling all these years and explaining it to the reader when there was really no reason why Sarah couldn’t have been saying it all herself. The book is already written entirely in Cazz’s POV, so Let Sarah have her moment! For me, the letdown of not having that final glimpse into Sarah’s POV was disappointing enough that it takes a half star off the rating (from a 5 to a 4.5).

Still, this book as a whole remains leagues above many of the other offerings of this genre. At times sweet and funny, at times moving, always smart and always well written, it’s time you won’t regret investing. The audio version especially is a WONDERFUL experience. Buy it!

Outstanding...

Sometimes there is a book that so moves me it's hard to think of something to write that does it justice. This is one of those. A tender and moving love story with an excellent dose of romantic suspense. And Lori Prince's narration? Wow! Just wow!

Wow

Lori Prince was AMAZING!!! Wow for how she was able to cry and make it real!!! Great story

awesome!!

Well written story that takes you on sweet and tearful journey at times. Lori's best narration!!

My Favorite Audiobook

I love this story so much I have listened to it more than 5 times. The characters have kept me company many times during my long commute to and from work and I can never get enough of the steamy romance between the main characters. Lori Prince also does her best work with this book.

Beautiful story telling...

If there was such a marriage between author and the narrator, then Lori and Heather have the best chemistry... Really enjoyed this one. Have now finished your books... cant wait for more..