Audio Blitz: How To Date A Douchebag (The Learning Hours) by Sara Ney

He’s not a douchebag;

but that doesn’t stop his friends from

turning him into one.

MY FRIENDS WANT ME TO GET LAID.
So much so that they plastered my ugly mug all over campus, in bold printed letters: Are you the lucky lady who’s going to break our roommate’s cherry? Him: socially awkward man with average-sized penis looking for willing sexual partner. You: must have pulse. Text him at: 555-254-5551 The morons can’t even spell. And the texts I’ve been receiving are what wet dreams are made of. But I’m not like these douchebags, no matter how hard they try to turn me into one.

THIS ISN’T THE KIND OF ATTENTION I WANT. One text stands out from hundreds. One number I can’t bring myself to block. She seems different. Hotter, even in black and white.   However, after seeing her in person, I know she’s not the girl for me. But my friends won’t let up—they just don't get it. Douchebags or not, there's one thing they'll never understand:

GIRLS DON’T WANT ME. Especially her.

Available for purchase at 

Amazon | Audible | Amazon UK | iBooks | B&N | KOBO

 

Excerpt

He’s seated at a table in the far corner when I spot him from the door. He’s not hard to miss—not with his purple t-shirt in a sea of black and yellow, and wavy mussed hair.

He’s slouching, hunched over his table.

Defeated. Tired.

My stomach rolls with nerves, nerves that have me rooted to the spot in the doorway, watching him.

Just watching.

For the entire four minutes I stand here, he sits immobile, studying his laptop, eyes moving along the screen, completely transfixed by whatever he’s reading.

Learning.

“Just go over there,” I whisper to myself, blowing out a puff of pent-up air.

I put one foot in front of the other and begin toward him, spine ramrod straight, steeling myself, prepared for another argument.

Twenty feet.

Fifteen.

Eight.

Two.

“Hi.”

No reply.

“Do you mind if I sit here?” I lay my hand on the back of the wooden chair across from him, intending to pull it out.

He stiffens but doesn’t lift his head. “Yes I mind.”

“Would you mind if I sat at the table next to you?” I’m pushing his buttons, looking for a reaction, but he only spares me a brief glance.

Shrugs. “Free country.”

I bite my lip to hide a smile, glad he didn’t tell me to take a hike...

 

About The Author

 

Sara Ney is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the How to Date a Douchebag series, and is best known for her sexy, laugh-out-loud New Adult romances. Among her favorite vices, she includes: iced latte's, historical architecture and well-placed sarcasm. She lives colorfully, collects vintage books, art, loves flea markets, and fancies herself British. She lives with her husband, children, and her ridiculously large dog.

Connect with Sara at

 Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Audio Book Review: Billionaire on the Loose by Jessica Clare

Billionaire on the Loose
(Billionaires and Bridesmaids Series, Book 5)
By Jessica Clare
Narrated by Jillian Macie

Blurb: 
Taylor is a genius when it comes to computers, but understanding the opposite sex is beyond her. Because she always fumbles her flirtations, she needs help in finding her Prince Charming. So when her friend, Gretchen, sets her up as a tour guide for a new guy in town, she says yes despite her misgivings. She just doesn't expect Mr. Charming to actually be royalty.

A faction in his country wants him to be king, but Loch has no intention of taking the crown. To keep from being named as the next successor, he hatches a scheme to marry a totally unacceptable American woman. Quirky Taylor seems like the perfect person for the job, until Loch realizes he likes more about her than her ability to keep him off the throne.

When Loch's secret schemes come out, his chance of happiness with Taylor are blown - unless he can find a way to get the nerdy object of his affection to believe she's truly the queen of his heart.

Available for purchase at 

         

Viviana's Review: 

I had been looking forward to release and as soon as the book started I feared this may become a DNF or a low rated.

Taylor, the heroine who is a total nerd and computer geek. From being a tech specialist to role playing in computer games. There is this arch within the story with a manipulative "friend" which is more like a stalker than anything else. She feels this huge level of guilt vs. seeing the manipulation and stalking behavior that it is. Then there are moments where she acknowledges the "obsession" vs. them being friends and "needed". I mean COME ON! How many times does the reader need to see how CRAZY this 'friend' is when he tells her he's going to hurt himself because she didn't answer an email, text, pin on the game or on social media. This is after Taylor telling him several time she is NOT interested in him "in that way". This line of communication between Taylor & the "online friend" occurs over and over throughout the book. She blames this situation and the guild (gaming) for her "lack of time" and "accepting the promotion" and just about everything else for not going "outside and living". Sigh.

Jessica usually writes stronger heroine and though it seems that there was an effort to make Taylor either into or seem as if she was "strong" because she's has a dominant streak in the bedroom and seems to be 'herself' (i.e. nerdy/geeky, klutzy, lack of filter with her thoughts, etc.). However, this fell flat as there are several times when her friends speak to her harshly and down to her and Taylor doesn't stop that or defends herself. Then there was an incident where she felt the need to change shirts due to how others were looking at her. I get having insecurities, but this didn't stand true to what the readers were asked to believe.

Loch may be "next in line" for the throne in Bellissime but it's obvious he is no where near ready to run a country. He's hot (trust me, we get told how hot he is over and over and over and over and over, by Taylor) but is oblivious to how things truly are and comes across as ...naive and a tad absent minded... an example is when he wants to go running and asks "where the running clothes are".... mind you, he just slept over someone else's house (thus he doesn't have his own clothes there) and he seems to EXPECT that there would be stuff he can use.... when he's asked how things are "usual" for him, he flat out says that he opens the closet and the clothes are there. Basically, he comes across as a bit of a spoil brat who can't seem to make himself breakfast.

Let's talk about the "conflict" between the Heroine and the Hero.... SO OVER DONE it's not funny really. I would expect more from Jessica.

So there were several times where I rolled my eyes.... felt like smacking the heroine for several reasons from accepting to help the Hero because he was "bored senseless" and she would be a distraction from the boredom to the point where she enables the "friend" and his stalker behavior. 

Narrator's Review: 

Jillian Macie is overall good/okay. Her British accents are good and she does a few different voices/tones for the female characters, however, the males all sound too similar and not a difference enough in the tones to have readers believe it's a guy. If you can look over that, then its all good. 

Overall, this felt like a filler book and not one that "needed" to be part of the series. I could have totally been okay with THIS storyline being the "novella" and the one that is a "novella" the "Beauty and the Billionaire: The Wedding (Billionaire Boys Club #6.5)" be a full length book.  Love the idea of this series, but unfortunately, this one just didn't work for me. 

Rating: 1 Star - I didn't like it. 

Disclaimer:

I received a complimentary copy of this book from InterMix via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

Audio Book Review: Wildest Dreams by Kristen Ashley

Wildest Dreams
(Fantasyland Series, Bk #1)
By Kristen Ashley
Narrated by Tillie Hooper

Blurb: 
Seoafin "Finnie" Wilde was taught by her parents that every breath was a treasure and to seek every adventure she could find. And she learns this lesson the hard way when they perish in a plane crash. But she never forgets, and when she discovers there is a parallel universe where every person has a twin, she finds a witch who can send her there so she can have the adventure of a lifetime. But upon arrival in the Winter Wonderland of Lunwyn, she realizes she's been played by her twin and finds herself walking down the aisle to be wed to The Drakkar.

Thrown into inauspicious circumstances, with years of practice, Finnie bests the challenges and digs into her adventure. But as Frey Drakkar discovers the woman who is his new wife is not Princess Sjofn, a woman he dislikes, but instead his Finnie, a free spirit with a thirst for adventure just like him, without her knowledge he orders his new bride bound to his frozen world, everlasting. But at the same time, Frey plunges Finnie into a web of political intrigue that includes assassination plots, poison, magic, mystery and...dragons.

   

Viviana's Review: Wow... uhm... where to start? It's all good though... it's just that there's A LOT going on and it was listening 18 hrs and 49 mins ... It's all worth it though!. This is my first dive into this series from Kristen Ashley and while I originally didn't think I'd be into this series when I first learned about it... my interest peaked after I read her book BOUNTY... here's the truth... I've read her UNFINISHED HEROES series and LOVED IT. She has her other series the ROCK CHICKS.... I hear mix reviews but always willing to give things a try... just not yet. I had the opportunity to review the audio book of BOUNTY from Colorado Mountain. Bounty is book 7 in the series and this cemented that I am TOTALLY GooGooGaga over Kristen (okay, lets be honest... more than I already was). So when the opportunity arose to listen to WILDEST DREAMS, book 1 of a five book series, I jumped at the chance and I'm so happy I did!

There is a LOT of world building and lots of descriptive narrative (Kristen likes to paint you the picture) however, this is done from the POV of the heroine, Finnie, who is experiencing this world for the first time as well as ours! Yet, the manner in which it's described and the performance of the narrator, it doesn't feel like the story is 'dragging'. There were a few times where I did shake my head at Finnie's describing how "gorgeous" Frey was or how 'handsome', but I get that goes along with the territory...

I really enjoyed reading (well listening) to this story because the heroine is strong, smart, independent and adventurous! She seeks out the adventure and that's how she ended up in Lunwyn. I loved how she didn't complained or succumb to the situation or circumstances, instead she thrives and blossoms.

Ah... Frey Drakkar... typical of Kristen's males... he's a complete Alpha, YET.... can be a complete sweetheart to his Finnie! It was a breathe of fresh air to get to know him as a character, because he was true to himself but never an ass to the heroine. Granted... certain events when they first met he may not have been pleasant, but this was due to his knowledge of the original Sjofn. Upon learning the truth... he does everything within his powers to make things right between them and goes above and beyond to make things easier for her.

There was definitely the attraction between the Hero and Heroine, but the passion grows further as they get to know each other. While not a complete "slow burn" type of story, it isn't an "instant jump into your bed" sort of story either.

There is loss and heartache and moments that are joyous. It's a great mix of going through the emotions of a reader as they get to know new characters and of course some of the topics included such as "living life to its fullest" as well as "loving those you have in your life while you have them".

Narrator's Review: 
Tillie Hooper NAILED IT! Her performance is great and provides the reader with ease of listening! She utilizes different tones and voices for each character and the narrative allowing the readers to follow along easily! She not only tells the story but keeps you engaged as well. I'm happy to see she's also narrating the second audio book in this series and look forward to seeing how she manages the different sets of characters.

Overall, I'm so happy I picked up this book as I now have another series to continue to discover and fall in love with. If you like/love Kristen Ashley's writing style, you'll fall for this series hard. Alpha Males, Strong Women, creative bantering, interesting worlds, I could go on and on.

Rating: LOVED IT!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the audio publisher Audible in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

AudioBook Review: Revealed To Him by Jen Frederick

Revealed to Him 
(Kerr Chronicles Series #3)
by Jen Frederick
Narrators: Sebastian York and Carly Robins 

Blurb: 
Handsome and tough Jake Tanner, a veteran and the owner of a successful security firm, never lets his past hold him back. Despite his prosthetic hand and foot, women swoon over him—and with him between the sheets. Yet Jake feels bored and restless…until he’s hired to protect a beautiful writer whose life is in terrible danger.

Self-imprisoned by the fear of the anonymous stalkers who threaten her life, video-game writer Natalie Beck now only dreams of the world outside her pink-bedecked apartment. Trusting people again is off-limits. But the more time Jake spends with her, the more his professional commitment evolves from simple duty to scorching desire. While deeply sensual sparks ignite between the two, the danger outside circles closer. Will Jake’s intense devotion be enough to save Natalie? Or will she turn away from the one man willing to do anything to save her?

Available for purchase at 

   

Viviana's Review: 

I'll be completely honest here... I never meant to read "Reveal To Him", but I accidentally click on the widget and I got approved. The idea of the story was okay but it wasn't jumping out to me and I hadn't read the previous books in the series so I wasn't sure if it would be an issue or not. Also, I've read one or two books by the author in the past and they have been okay. With "so many books, so little time", I didn't want to take on a book I wasn't going to be all giddy about wanting to read. However, I got approved and I'm a girl of her word. I was happy to learn that Sebastian York was narrating the audiobook and so I purchased it to see if I'd like it better in audiobook version. 

I was pleasantly surprised at the beginning not only by the narrators, but by the characters, and story itself! Jake, while an alpha male is very sweet and funny. He is sincere and patient. Natalie is quirky and cute in that she can be your BFF. She is smart and sassy.

While Natalie is suffering with a mental disorder, Jake has a physical limitations in that he has two prosthetic limbs. Though Jake is significantly further along in his recovery there are still things he must 'deal with' when it comes to people and how they see him.

The heroine is agoraphobic due to stalkers and an assault. She is currently an author but was originally a 'screen writer' for a game. Jen, the author, address two very important topics with the heroine and the situation - Natalie, an original game developer is obviously female, in a male dominated industry. The amount of backlash she received upon people, fans, gamers and peers, finding out her gender exists true today. Then Natalie becomes an author in the Scifi genre which again, is typically read and written by males and due to this, she feels she must use a gender neutral name, however one many believe to be male. While the issue was address in the fact that it was mentioned, that's it. Natalie doesn't deal nor "fight" to remain a gamer in the industry nor does she let her readers know her true identity for her author persona. I think while the issue is a great one to bring up, if the character isn't going to 'do something about it" then what's the point?

Unfortunately, there is INSTA-LOVE... while in the beginning of the story, they seem to be getting to know each other, and that is what I was enjoying the most. Their conversations. Then when they finally get together, OMG, it's like "You're MY EVERYTHING" Dude, it's been a week. Take a second! Then there's the forgotten matter of the finding who is now stalking Natalie... yeah, it seems to have gone to the back burner. Then it's rushed at the end and it's a bit obvious and disappointing. 

Narrator's Review: Both Sebastian and Carly did an amazing job! Carly brought the character of Natalie to life. Sebastian brings the sexiness of the males to the forefront. I wish that they each would read their own gender (i.e. Carly the female characters and Sebastian the males) at the same time. THAT would be awesome.

Overall, it was a good audiobook as the narrators really did their jobs in bringing that extra dimension to the story. I'm sort of curious about the next book IF it's about Jake's sister and his friend.... 

Rating: 3 Stars - It was okay

Disclaimer:

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Amazon Publishing, Montlake Romance, in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.