Hachette Audio Archives - What's Better Than Books?

Publisher: Hachette Audio

30
Oct
2021

#BookReview #Audiobook The Perks of Loving a Wallflower by Erica Ridley @readforeverpub @grandcentralpub @HachetteAudio #ReadForever #Forever2021 #ThePerksofLovingaWallflower #EricaRidley #TheWildWynchesters #HachetteAudio

categories: 9/10, Book Review, Historical Romance, LGBTQIA

Title: The Perks of Loving a Wallflower

Author: Erica Ridley

Narrator: Moira Quirk

Series: The Wild Wynchesters #2

Published by: Forever, Hachette Audio on Oct. 26, 2021

Genres: Historical Romance, LGBTQIA

Pages: 346

Length: 10 hrs 27 mins

Format: Audiobook, Paperback

Source: Forever, Hachette Audio

Book Rating: 9/10

Fans of Bridgerton will love this Regency romp in which a proper Society miss recruits a very improper lady grifter in a quest for vengeance, only to find love instead.

As a master of disguise, Thomasina Wynchester can be a polite young lady—or a bawdy old man. Anything to solve the case. Her latest assignment unveils a top-secret military cipher covering up an enigma that goes back centuries. But when Tommy’s beautiful new client turns out to be the highborn lady she’s secretly smitten with, more than her mission is at stake . . .

Bluestocking Miss Philippa York doesn’t believe in love. Her cold heart didn’t pitter-patter when she was betrothed to a duke, nor did it break when he married someone else. All Philippa desires is to rescue her priceless manuscript and decode its clues to unmask a villain. She hates that she needs a man’s help—so she’s delighted to discover the clever, charming baron at her side is in fact a woman. Her cold heart . . . did it just pitter-patter?

Review:

Captivating, mysterious, and seductive!

The Perks of Loving a Wallflower is an enticing, passionate tale that takes you back to London during 1817 and into the life of Thomasina Wynchester, a young lady with many faces who is bound and determined while helping her family solve the mystery involving the wartime cipher to finally introduce her true self to the bluestocking she yearns for, the lovely Miss Philippa York.

The prose is witty and sweet. The characters are strong-willed, determined, and resourceful. And the plot is an arousing combination of friendship, family, secrets, determination, action, adventure, societal expectations, desire, acceptance, tender moments, and unconditional love.

Overall, The Perks of Loving a Wallflower is a charming, seductive, heartwarming romp by Ridley that does a fabulous job of taking the historical romance genre and spicing it up with a little gender-bending, some sapphic love, a touch of mystery, and such a unique and intriguing cast you can’t help but cheer them on. I was once again lucky enough to not only read this novel but also listen to the audio, and I have to say if you get a chance, give this one a listen as Moira Quirk, the narrator, does an incredible job of bringing not only this story but these characters to life.

This novel is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from the following link.

Thank you to Forever, Grand Central Publishing, and Hachette Audio for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

About Erica Ridley

Erica Ridley is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical romance novels. When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found riding camels in Africa, zip-lining through rain forests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.

Photo courtesy of Forever website.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

30
Sep
2021

#BookReview #Audiobook The Wish by Nicholas Sparks @HBGCanada @NicholasSparks @grandcentralpub @HachetteAudio #NicholasSparks #TheWish #GrandCentralPub #HachetteAudio

categories: 10/10, Book Review, Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction

Title: The Wish

Author: Nicholas Sparks

Narrator: Mela Lee, Will Collyer

Published by: Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Audio on Sep. 28, 2021

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction

Pages: 400

Length: 11 hrs 42 min

Format: ARC, Audiobook, Paperback

Source: Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Audio

Book Rating: 10/10

1996 was the year that changed everything for Maggie Dawes. Sent away at sixteen to live with an aunt she barely knew in Ocracoke, a remote village on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, she could think only of the friends and family she left behind . . . until she meets Bryce Trickett, one of the few teenagers on the island. Handsome, genuine, and newly admitted to West Point, Bryce gradually shows her how much there is to love about the wind-swept beach town—and introduces her to photography, a passion that will define the rest of her life.

By 2019, Maggie is a renowned travel photographer. She splits her time between running a successful gallery in New York and photographing remote locations around the world. But this year she is unexpectedly grounded over Christmas, struggling to come to terms with a sobering medical diagnosis. Increasingly dependent on a young assistant, she finds herself becoming close to him.

As they count down the last days of the season together, she begins to tell him the story of another Christmas, decades earlier—and the love that set her on a course she never could have imagined.

Review:

Pensive, absorbing, and profoundly moving!

The Wish is a beautifully written, touching novel that takes us into the life of Maggie Dawes as she spends her last Christmas savouring all the little things, enjoying time with those she loves, reaping as much pleasure and joy out of each day, and having no regrets before her battle with cancer comes to an end.

The prose is eloquent and reflective. The characters are strong, compassionate, and endearing. And the plot is a compelling, highly emotional tale of life, love, friendship, kindness, generosity, honesty, humour, contemplation, and acceptance.

Overall, The Wish is a charming, insightful, bittersweet tale by Sparks that, unlike most of his books that usually make me a little teary, this one absolutely slayed me. I think there was more than once when tears were trickling down my face. However, saying that this is the most exquisite, good for the soul story I’ve read in a while, and I do hope everyone grabs a few tissues and picks this one up in any version, as the audiobook narrators, Mela Lee and Will Collyer are fabulous, and spends a few hours immersed in a story that is guaranteed to remind you that life is short and every moment is truly precious.

This novel is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

Thank you to HBG Canada & Hachette Audio for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

About Nicholas Sparks

With over 100 million copies of his books sold, Nicholas Sparks is one of the world’s most beloved storytellers. His novels include fifteen #1 New York Times bestsellers, and all of his books, including Three Weeks with My Brother, the memoir he wrote with his brother, Micah, have been New York Times and international bestsellers, and were translated into more than fifty languages. Eleven of Nicholas Sparks’s novels–The Choice, The Longest Ride, The Best of Me, Safe Haven, The Lucky One, The Last Song, Dear John, Nights in Rodanthe, The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, and Message in a Bottle–have been adapted into major motion pictures.

Photography courtesy of Grand Central Publishing Website.

30
May
2021

#BookReview Dream Spinner (Dream Team #3) by Kristen Ashley @readforeverpub @grandcentralpub @HachetteAudio #ReadForever #ReadForeverPub #ReadForever2021 #DreamSpinner #KristenAshley #DreamTeamSeries

categories: 8.5/10, Book Review, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense

Title: Dream Spinner

Author: Kristen Ashley

Narrator: Susannah Jones

Series: Dream Team #3

Published by: Forever, Hachette Audio on May 25, 2021

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense

Pages: 480

Length: 12 hrs 45 mins

Format: Audiobook, Paperback

Source: Forever, Hachette Audio

Book Rating: 8.5/10

In this steamy and emotional contemporary romance from a New York Times best-selling author, two damaged souls must overcome the pain of their pasts to have the love they’ve always dreamed of.

Hattie Yates has finally met the man of her dreams. Yet years of abuse from her demanding father have left her petrified of disappointment. She’s already failed to reach her goal of becoming a professional ballerina – she can’t handle the terrible consequences of another dream becoming a nightmare. But when a stalker sets their sights on Hattie, there’s only one man she dares to hope can help….

Axl Pantera knows Hattie is the only woman for him. Yet despite the attraction burning between them, Hattie refuses to let him in. The former soldier is determined to woo her into letting down her walls. And when danger comes calling, he’s up against more than her wary and bruised heart. Axl will do anything to prove to Hattie that they’re meant to be, but first, he’ll need to keep her safe.

Review:

Colourful, spicy, and alluring!

Dream Spinner is a seductive, angsty tale that features the timid Hattie Yates who, with a past laced with disappointments and verbal abuse, is more than hesitant to fall for the sexy, alpha Axl Pantera who she is sure will not only protect her life but also severely break her heart.

The writing is steamy and intense. The characters are scarred, reliable, and kind. And the plot is a sultry push-pull tale of life, love, emotion, undeniable attraction, sizzling chemistry, familial responsibilities, tender moments, dirty talk, and a dab of mystery.

There’s something about Kristen Ashley’s novels that draw you in from the very first page and sweep you away into a rompingly good time, and Dream Spinner is no exception. It’s charged, passionate, and delightfully dangerous, and after listening to Susannah Jones do a wonderful job of bringing this gritty, tantalizing tale to life, I am confident that KA fans and romantic suspense fans everywhere will be satisfied with this outing regardless of how they choose to enjoy it.

This novel is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

Thank you to Forever, Grand Central Publishing, and Hachette Audio for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

About Kristen Ashley

Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn't taken her first breath!).

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.

Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.

And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.

18
May
2021

#BookReview #Audiobook Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall @readforeverpub @grandcentralpub @HachetteAudio #ReadForever #ReadForeverPub #ReadForever2021 #RosalinePalmerTakestheCake #AlexisHall #WinnerBakesAll

categories: Book Review, Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA

Title: Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake

Author: Alexis Hall

Narrator: Fiona Hardingham

Series: Winner Bakes All #1

Published by: Forever, Hachette Audio on Jul. 7, 2020

Genres: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA

Pages: 448

Length: 11 hrs 23 mins

Format: Audiobook, Paperback

Source: Forever, Hachette Audio

Book Rating: 8.5/10

Following the recipe is the key to a successful bake. Rosaline Palmer has always lived by those rules—well, except for when she dropped out of college to raise her daughter, Amelie. Now, with a paycheck as useful as greaseproof paper and a house crumbling faster than biscuits in tea, she’s teetering on the edge of financial disaster. But where there’s a whisk there’s a way . . . and Rosaline has just landed a spot on the nation’s most beloved baking show.

Winning the prize money would give her daughter the life she deserves—and Rosaline is determined to stick to the instructions. However, more than collapsing trifles stand between Rosaline and sweet, sweet victory. Suave, well-educated, and parent-approved Alain Pope knows all the right moves to sweep her off her feet, but it’s shy electrician Harry Dobson who makes Rosaline question her long-held beliefs—about herself, her family, and her desires.

Rosaline fears falling for Harry is a guaranteed recipe for disaster. Yet as the competition—and the ovens—heat up, Rosaline starts to realize the most delicious bakes come from the heart.

Review:

Amusing, spirited, and entertaining!

Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake is a playful, heartfelt, captivating tale that takes you into the life of the kindhearted, sweet Rosaline Palmer as she juggles motherhood, parental expectations, an unfulfilling job, a handsome new boyfriend, a fellow contestant with a heart of gold, and a cooking competition that could ultimately change her life.

The writing is witty and crisp. The characters are supportive, dependable, and eccentric. And the plot is a lighthearted, sassy blend of life, love, family, friendship, self-reflection, happiness, romance, baking, tricky mishaps, and awkward situations.

Overall, Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake is a humorous, uplifting, charming tale by Hall that I was lucky enough to be able to both read and listen to, and I can tell you they are both a delight. In fact, Fiona Hardingham does such a fantastic job of bringing all the quirky characters in this book to life, especially the precocious Amelie, who definitely steals the show, that I think, even though this typically isn’t the case, I might have even preferred the audio.

This book is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

Thank you to Forever, Grand Central Publishing, and Hachette Audio for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

About Alexis Hall

Alexis Hall lives in a crumbling gothic manor that he inherited in mysterious circumstances. He is a genial host provided you swear that you will under no circumstances venture into the west wing.