Panther's Claim by Eve Langlais

Title: Panther's Claim

Author: Eve Langlais

Narrator: Chandra Skyye

Series: #2 in the Bitten Point series

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Tantor Audio (March 22, 2016 first published March 2nd 2016) 

Source: Audible Escape

Rating: ☕☕☕

Synopsis: 

Cynthia: So I met a man.

Mom: Is he single?

Hitting on the wrong woman finds Daryl regaining consciousness in a motel taped to a chair. Things were looking up--and not just below the belt.

A sexy, cocoa-complexioned veterinarian--with killer curves--wants answers, and he's only too happy to give them to her, for a price, say a kiss, or something more, from those luscious lips. The problem is Cynthia isn't the type to fall for flirty words and panty-dropping smiles. She tempts Daryl into helping her. Teases him into acting. Claims his heart without even trying.

But that was okay because...She's mine...and someone was trying to hurt her.

Hell no.

This kitty isn't afraid to unleash his claws and rescue the woman he wants. An intriguing, hot woman, a mystery, and danger? Sounds like fun, and Daryl is ready to play. He'll do anything to claim Cynthia as his mate. 

My Thoughts: While I really liked the first book in this little series this second book missed the mark a bit.

The Good, The Bad, and Everything in Between: The opening was super fun. It started where book 1 ended, with Daryl being kidnapped. I very much liked the first 1/4 of the book...maybe not quite 25%. While I read the first book on my Kindle, I opted to listen to this one using my Audible Escape (I'm going to miss you AE). I, honestly, thought this was a bad idea as Daryl was coming off as a creepy singles greasy guy trying to hit up women in a bar using super cheesy pick up lines. Had I read the lines it probably wouldn't have been as bad. The attraction between Daryl and Cynthia is off the charts and I sometimes get a little weird when a romance gets a little more into the erotic genre. Erotica isn't my jam but I don't automatically hate all books within the genre. The sexy parts weren't terrible. As a matter of fact I think Langlais does a good job balancing the action with the sex within her books (at least the 2 I've read.) But man! I just couldn't get over the stupid things that were coming out of Daryl's mouth. I think it started with Cynthia's name. She introduced herself and said her friends called her Thea. Daryl immediately said he'd call her Cyn....as in Sin...because her body was so sinful and he wanted to do her. I'd like to say his sexual innuendos got smoother but every single one of them made me cringe.

Honestly, if it weren't for the fabulous connecting plot between the first and second book I may have rated this one lower. I will absolutely continue with this series to find out how the underlying plot will pan out but I may go back and read it rather than listen.

In a Nutshell: Not the best book in the series but nothing I wouldn't tell someone not to read but I'd recommend someone should start with the first one for sure.

The Unexpected Millionaire by Susan Mallery

Title: The Unexpected Millionaire

Author: Susan Mallery

Narrator: Catherine Carr

Series: #2 in the Million Dollar Catch series

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Silhouette Desire December 5th 2006 (audio version March 22nd 2010 by Harlequin Books S.A.)

Source: Audible Escape

Rating: ☕☕☕☕

Synopsis: Millionaire Kane Dennison's first mistake had been carrying an injured Willow Nelson inside his home, which, as a rule, was off-limits. Of course, she'd needed his help, but his one kind gesture had her believing he was a nice man. He wasn't.

His second mistake had been surrendering to passion after warning Willow to run away. Because a woman like her deserved better than a one-night stand. She believed in soul mates. He trusted no one--needed no one. And not even Willow was going to change him!

My Thoughts: What a gem!

The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else: I loved this book. The heroine was quirky and optimistic. The hero was brooding and emotionally unavailable (until the right woman came along anyway.) The plot was a little thin and a longer book could have developed some of the storylines better (like the family dynamics between Willow, her 2 sisters, her dad, etc.) This is a straight forward contemporary romance with no suspense, no miscommunication, no love triangles....and I liked it so much for not trying to be something it wasn't. Sure it could have been longer. The love could have developed over a longer period or time. Willow's character could potentially grate on some people's nerves as she's quite quirky in her sense of humor. The sex happened very quickly and was pretty explicit (as Silhouette Desires are known for....the Harlequin Temptations were their doppelgänger...all which were replaced by the Harlequin Blaze line...essentially....all of which featured a lot more explicit sex than other category romance imprints.) None of those things took away from my enjoyment. The epiphany of Kane's love did happen almost off page (not quite but it would have been nice had we seen him literally brought to his knees prior to his declaration to Willow.) He groveled but perhaps not nearly enough for me to bump this book up to a 5 star read. Even though this book is practically 14 years old it didn't feel dated at all. Major plus! Just a side note...I really hate this cover.

The narration was done well and I was able to listen to Catherine Carr's voice at 2Xs the speed without difficulty. I would listen to another book narrated by her but I'm not sure I would purposely seek out a book she reads outside my comfort book zone just because of her narration.

In a Nutshell: I honestly find more diamonds with Susan Mallery books than I do coal. I really liked this book and will definitely read the rest of the series. I'd also recommend this book to my friends who like to read the occasional category romance and ones who read them habitually. 

With a Hitch by RC Boldt

Title: With a Hitch

Author: RC Boldt

Narrator: Jennifer Mack and JF Harding

Series: Standalone

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: RC Boldt Publishing LLC (March 19, 2019)

AudioBook Published: Audible Studios (May 7, 2019) 

Source: Audible Escapes subsription

Rating: ☕☕☕☕1/2

Synopsis: Amazon bestselling author RC Boldt brings us a smart, sexy new standalone about a matchmaker/dating coach who's faced with the challenge of finding Mrs. Right for the city's beloved NFL wide receiver...

———————————————————

She’s playing it safe. He’s playing for keeps.

DARCY

Growing up in the foster system, I learned the hard way that lasting love doesn't always come easy. Dating in the modern era can be daunting; the bar scene and dating apps leave you wondering if there's any hope in sight.

That's where I come in. Helping you break the “swipe-right” cycle, I’m dedicated to matching you with the love of your life.

Finding Mrs. Right for Dax Kendrick should be a piece of cake. Except nothing about this man is simple.

DAX

The NFL has given me more than I ever imagined—a roof over my head, food on the table, and a chance to provide for the family who sacrificed everything while I chased my dreams.

Maintaining a squeaky-clean image for my sponsors when my paycheck and the fruits of my endorsements are all women want is a hefty challenge.

I’d nearly given up when I hired Darcy Cole. Yet the more I’m around her, the less I care about finding my perfect match.

Because it might be right in front of me. 

My Thoughts: A surprisingly good friends to lovers romance from a new to me author. 

The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else: Being so character driven it's not surprising how I was completely sucked in by Dax. He is everything a book boyfriend could be. When Darcy has menstrual cramps he baked her turmeric muffins and went over to her house to watch chick flicks with her. He started a fundraiser for Gainesville Florida after a natural disaster that raised millions which he matched. Oh did I mention he's a hawt football player with a multimillion dollar contract and endorsement deals? Book Boyfriend people....Book Boyfriend. Darcy was a little harder to like because she's ruled by fear when it comes to accepting a relationship with Dax. Yet.... she proved herself by trying to protect him from harm showing she really did care for him. She's driven and a smart business woman who came from nothing to make something of herself. I ended up liking her more than I thought I would. The secondary characters were notable and I really need to read more about them especially his teammate Kyler.

The plot is fairly simple as far as the friends to lovers part goes but it did add an added layer when a nefarious character is introduced and ultimately a #MeToo additional storyline came into play. I couldn't be more please with this. I thought it was tastefully done even if it was wrapped up with the best possible outcome, which isn't always reality....thus the reason for the movement and it's importance. Overall, despite the sunshine and rainbows outcome of the storyline I am happy to have it included in a book that could have just been all fluff.

Towards the middle of the book begins the sexy times (remember it's friends to lovers and Boldt did a great job of creating the foundation for an amazing and believable friendship.) The steamy parts were pretty hot and I'd go as far as to say almost erotica in nature (minus all the over the top 50 Shades fetish sex.) Darcy and Dax have great chemistry despite both stating neither one is their typical type.

The audio was done well and the dual narration of JF Harding and Jennifer Mack helped make Dax and Darcy come alive. Both narrators are new to me and I'd absolutely listen to another book by either one or both again.

In a Nutshell: I picked this book up to satisfy a reading challenge I'm doing. These random books can be hit or miss and I'm happy this was an absolute hit for me. I'm 100% going to read more by this author. Just an FYI While this book is touted as a standalone there is a book written prior to this one that involves Darcy's sister and one of Dax's ex-teammates.

The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros

Title: The Last Letter
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Series: Standalone
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Entangled: Amara (February 26, 2019)
Audio version Published: Audible Studios (April 23, 2019)
Source: Audible Escape
Rating: ☕☕☕☕1/2

Synopsis: Beckett,

If you’re reading this, well, you know the last-letter drill. You made it. I didn’t. Get off the guilt train, because I know if there was any chance you could have saved me, you would have.

I need one thing from you: get out of the army and get to Telluride.

My little sister Ella’s raising the twins alone. She’s too independent and won’t accept help easily, but she has lost our grandmother, our parents, and now me. It’s too much for anyone to endure. It’s not fair.

And here’s the kicker: there’s something else you don’t know that’s tearing her family apart. She’s going to need help.

So if I’m gone, that means I can’t be there for Ella. I can’t help them through this. But you can. So I’m begging you, as my best friend, go take care of my sister, my family.

Please don’t make her go through it alone.

Ryan

My Thoughts: Did I love this book? Maybe. Did ugly cry during it? Absolutely.

The Good, The Bad, and Whatever Else I Want to Say: The longer I listened to this book the longer it felt. The longer it felt the more I was irritated by, Ella, the heroine. So, why was I going back and forth between rating this book 4 Stars or 5? Because it had two adorable kids, a dog, a military man, and it made me cry...more than once.

First off, Ella...she has major trust issues and it really started to get on my nerves because she couldn't trust Beckett because she just knew he'd be like all the other men in her life and leave. Through the whole book she was just waiting for Beckett to prove he wasn't trustworthy so she could say "I knew it." Yet I didn't hate her. I actually liked her a lot. She was actually a really great character and Yarros did an amazing job of fleshing her (and the other characters) out.

Colt and Maisy, Ella's twins, are adorable. I think they stole the scenes they were in every time. They acted and talked more like little adults rather than the 6 year old's they were but I still liked them a lot anyway. Beckett Gentry was also fleshed out well and despite his keeping part of his identity a secret from Ella he was very upfront with his intentions and thoughts. I liked him a lot. Are you seeing a pattern here?

The supporting characters are just background noise and not that remarkable but with everything going on with the storyline their additional input wasn't necessary. Speaking of the storyline...how much should one person have to go through? Honestly it was too much. Bad things happen to good people. It's a fact. Also, just because a person goes through one really bad thing doesn't mean they are exempt from more bad things from happening in their life. This sucks but true as well. With that said, I've decided this book is a standalone because everything that could have possibly taken place in a sequel took place in this book. There is nothing left that could happen to these characters but good gravy WHY? Because Rebecca Yarros wanted to make us cry. It's the only thing that makes sense in my mind. She wanted to make her readers sob to the point of red puffy eyes and lots of snot....AKA ugly cry. Yet I still liked this book a lot.

The Audible experience was a good one. Teddy Hamilton (who I've listened to before) and Jennifer Stark dual narrate which is always a great way to listen to dual POVs within a book. Teddy's voice is great for Beckett and Ok for Ella....this is pretty typical in audiobooks. Men are great narrators but when it comes to their women voices they all come out a bit weird to me. Jennifer's voice was new to me but I thought she did a good job. I was able to listen to the book at 2X the speed easily and would pick up another book narrated by her.

In a Nutshell: I picked up this book because it fit into a reading challenge I'm doing. I've never read a book by Rebecca Yarros before and even though I overall really really liked this book I'm not sure if I'd pick up another book by her any time soon. I love a book that can run my feelings from warm and tingly to sad and crying and back again but this book was just too much. I don't like to ugly cry.