4.5 Smiley Stars

I was most looking forward to this book, Smiley is one of my favorite characters of the whole series.

His unique outlook on life and how he could always make light of any situation was just something I enjoyed.

Vanni hmm I liked her I felt for her. And I love how when she knew Smiley was the one for her, she didn't try to push him away she kind of embraced it. I loved that the most.

But Smiley wasn't the Smiley from other books he was more possessive and alpha-ish, if that’s a word. I didn't get the fun loving jovial Smiley we are so used to.

Don’t get me wrong it was a great story but I kind of missed that. So I was a little let down but overall it was a great addition to the series one I will gladly re-listen to over and over again.

Love Vanessa’s narration, only her Smiley voice wasn't the same for this one. I was looking forward to that too but it wasn't the voice we know him to be from the other books.

*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*

17 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Perfect

This installment of the series contains everything we have come to expect; trouble from new species haters, a beautiful young women in need of protection, doubt and suspicion from the NSO, action with nail biting- hair pulling moments, and lots of hot sex. What sets this one apart is the main characters. Smiley is different from all the other NS males. His emotions are closer to the surface and he feels more everything This makes him compassionate and a good friend to everyone. Before diving into the story I wondered how Ms. Dohner was going to pull off writing this character as an sexy, possesive alpa male. Well, she did it beautifully and seamlessly, while staying true to the original character the fans have gotten aquainted with over the course of the series. The author also created the perfect match for smiley in the sweet, shy, soft spoken heroine. Loved the way she brought these 2 together. Finally, I am very picky about narrators, and so thankful Vanessa Chambers is still with this series. If you are not reading/listening to this series, then you are missing out. I usually get board with a series, especially when it is the same book over and over. There are so many recurring characters in this book and the story of the NS people progresses with each book. I can't wait for the next insallment...

17 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

ANOTHER WINNER

Smiley!!! What a great book! Super funny, full of drama and suspense, and as usual, sexy, sexy, and a little more sexy, which is the New Species way. A new threat arises against the New Species and Smiley is caught right in the middle of it all. If you're into this series, this one won't disappoint!

14 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Really good addition to the series :D

4-4.5 stars

This was a really good story. I liked both Smiley and Vanni both separately and together. Their story was very good and kept me engaged until the end.

Vanni is a nice lady that got sucked into a mess. She lives with her BFF, Beth and has a job she likes. Vanni starts the story engaged to a lawyer named Karl. Her last boyfriend had cheated on her so she thought that Karl was a safe bet to settle down with. She doesn't like Karl's father (who's a preacher that's a hate monger against the New Species Org) and Karl told her he wasn't close to his father. Unfortunately, she soon finds out that Karl's been lying to her.

Smiley is a NS male that's a primate. The NS come in 3 varieties, feline, canine or primate. The primates tend to be less animalistic and more emotional than the other NS. Smiley took his name because he's a friendly guy who is almost always smiling and in a good mood.

Vanni was supposed to be going out of town with Karl for a weekend getaway but when they get to their destination, she finds that they're actually at a conference to support Karl's father. Karl insists that they have to be there because they need more money for their wedding and his father is willing to give them the money to be there. Unfortunately, Vanni is expected to act and talk like the members of the church and she's not ok with that. Karl sends her off to her room (since she's not toeing the line) but Vanni isn't interested in being locked away in her room. She goes to the bar and gets an ice tea and is surprised to find that she's sitting next to a New Species. Although Karl's father is hates the NS, Vanni supports them and is disgusted by the people that treat the NS badly. She starts talking to Smiley but is embarrassed to tell her who she's at the conference with. Soon however, Vanni is feeling drunk and that makes no sense considering she didn't drink any alcohol. Smiley realizes that they've both been drugged with the mating drugs that were developed in the labs for the NS while they were in captivity. It causes horrible pain to the recipients unless they can get sexual gratification.

Once they figure out that Smiley and Vanni have been drugged, the NS try to get them back to Homeland to get medical help. They don't get very far before the drugs start affecting them strongly and in order to save Vanni pain, Smiley offers to help her (sexually). At first she's horrified (because although she's already having thoughts to break up with Karl she hasn't yet so she's still officially engaged) but soon the pain is too much to bear and she takes Smiley up on his offer. They make a connection while they're together but things go wrong and Vanni doesn't get to Homeland and her and Smiley get separated. They both miss each other and want to see each other again but Vanni's also worried because the NS may believe she had a part in the drugging so she doesn't try to make contact with Smiley. Unfortunately, the bad guys behind the drugging aren't done and decide that they're going to cause more trouble which puts Vanni in much danger. Vanni manages to escape the bad guys and ends up reunited with Smiley in Homeland. Once they're reunited, things go pretty quickly between Vanni and Smiley. Smiley knows he wants Vanni for his mate and sets out to convince her of that ASAP. Vanni is a little freaked because she's kind of shy and hasn't had much sexual experience and Smiley's tendency to talk so openly about feelings and things of a sexual nature is something she has to get used to. Smiley is patient with her but isn't afraid to push her a bit so she can open up to him. They get to know each other while the NS works on getting the bad guys taken care of and by the end of the story, Smiley and Vanni are starting their HEA together.

I really enjoyed this story. Smiley and Vanni are such a sweet couple. I lived that when things seemed to indicate that Vanni may have been behind drugging Smiley, Smiley believed her protestations of innocence and tried to convince others that she wasn't responsible. He was just so sweet and protective from the start and I was so happy to see him find happiness with Vanni. This was a really good story and addition to the series. I'd recommend this story. Thumbs up! :D

12 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

I'm in love

I have loved all of the books in the series. The story is great and the narrator is awesome too.

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A Male who Deserves to get his Female!

This one has turned into one of my favorites. Smiley is one male who says "she's the one I want" and spends the storyline proving why he deserves to get her.

Also fun to meet some new chatters and learn a bit more about others who have been there all along.

10 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Laurann did it again, and again, and again

I don't know what I will do. I'm getting to the end of this New Species Series. Because Laurann Dohner is such a wonderful writer, I guess I will have to branch out to some of her other series. The 13th book already. Love this series. Laurann Dohner does a wonderful job of giving us a unique story for each of her New Species books. Vanesa Chambers does a wonderful job of relaying Laurann's characters and bringing them to life. Awesome book, just like all the others.

9 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

New Spe-shes

What did you love best about Smiley?

I loved the story itself and all the characters. I was especially happy the author went deeper with the New Species relationships and friendships. Smiley was also a bit different and laid back compared to all the others.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Smiley?

The most memorable moment is without a doubt the jeep/alley scene in the very beginning.

Have you listened to any of Vanessa Chambers’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to another book by this narrator before, but this one was good. My only issue (which was really bothersome at times) was the pronounciation of New Species as "New Spe-shes".

9 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Smiley is just Smiley!!!

Where does Smiley rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

For the New Species Series this is not one of my favorites , but it was still very enjoyable. I tend to like the characters who have larger roles in the other books. Plus I was hoping that smiley was a female.

What did you like best about this story?

I think he was won over way to fast. It appears as if he was taken in by the fact that she gave him a glance. She never had to work to secure his feeling. He was in love from the door. This was unreal to me. In all .....I found the book enjoyable. But I spent a lot of time thinking how things could have been different.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, there were parts that made me laugh

8 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Sweet and touching.

A simple love story. A reminder of true love. It is the reason we all get married.
Thank you.
RMP

8 personnes ont trouvé cela utile