Series: One Love

Review: Come As You Are by Lauren Blakely

Posted July 19, 2019 by Holly in Reviews | 1 Comment

Review: Come As You Are by Lauren BlakelyReviewer: Holly
Come As You Are by Lauren Blakely
Narrator: Andi Arndt, Sebastian York
Series: One Love #5
Also in this series: The Sexy One (One Love, #1), The Only One (One Love #2), The Hot One (One Love, #3), The Knocked Up Plan
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: April 16, 2018
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
Point-of-View: Alternating First
Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 334
Length: 7 hours and 29 minutes
Add It: Goodreads
Reading Challenges: Holly's 2019 GoodReads Challenge
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
four-half-stars
Series Rating: three-stars

I couldn’t have scripted a more perfect night.

For one fantastic evening, at a masquerade party in the heart of Manhattan, I’m not the millionaire everyone wants a piece of. Fine—multimillionaire. But who’s counting all those commas? Not me, and not the most intriguing woman I've ever met, who happens to like dancing, witty banter, and hot, passionate up-against-the-wall sex as much as I do.

There's no need for names or business cards. And that’s why I’m eager to get to know her more, since my mystery woman seems to like me for me, rather than for my huge…bank account.

Everything’s coming up aces. Until the next day when things get a little complicated. (Newsflash — a lot complicated.)

***

He's charming, brilliant, an incredible lover, and right now I want to stab fate in the eyeballs.

I've had one goal I've been working toward, and lo and behold, my mystery man is the very person who stands between me and my dream job. A job I desperately need since my hard-knock life has nothing in common with his star-kissed one.

But it’s time to put that fairytale night behind me, and focus on learning what makes him tick. Too bad it turns out his quirks are my quirks, and his love affair with New York matches mine.

And as we spend our days together, I discover something else that feels like a cruel twist of fate — I’m falling for this naughty prince charming, and that’s not an ending I can write to our story.

Come As You Are by Lauren Blakely is the 5th book in the One Love series. I really enjoyed the previous book and I couldn’t wait to see what happened with Flynn. I ended up loving this book. I think it might be my favorite of the series. Andi Arndt and Sebastian York narrated, which probably helped. They’re my favorite duo.

Flynn Parker and his twin brother Dylan sold their start-up for millions. Now they’re working on a fully automated home system. He’s a hot, young millionaire at the top of the tech industry. But he never knows if people want him for him, or for his money. A masquerade ball gives him the chance to reinvent himself for a night- to remain anonymous. He could never have guessed he’d meet the woman of his dreams there, but that’s exactly what happened.

Sabrina Granger has been unlucky in love and business lately. But all that turns around the night she meets a mystery man at a masquerade ball. After the hottest encounter of her life – with the possibility of more – she’s offered her dream assignment – the chance to interview Flynn Parker, with the potential to make this a full-time writing gig with a prestigious magazine. She’s flying high – until she and her masked mystery man from the night before meet up in the daylight and she realizes her hot library fling is none other than Flynn Parker, in the flesh.

She needs this job more than she needs orgasms, so she tells Flynn they have to keep things professional. But that’s easier said than done when New York’s hottest bachelor turns out to be the Prince Charming she’s always wanted.

Flynn was such a sweetheart in the previous books, I knew I was going to love him. He was everything I expected him to be. He was sweet, funny, generous and kind. But also dirty, sarcastic and not afraid to take chances. Sabrina was the perfect partner for him. She was adventurous, kind and quirky. I loved the way they explored the city and got to know one another.

This was a sweet romance filled with witty banter and a lot of chemistry. I absolutely loved it.

Rating: 4.25 out of 5

One Love

four-half-stars


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Review: The Knocked Up Plan by Lauren Blakely

Posted July 18, 2019 by Holly in Reviews | 1 Comment

Review: The Knocked Up Plan by Lauren BlakelyReviewer: Holly
The Knocked Up Plan by Lauren Blakely
Narrator: Andi Arndt, Sebastian York
Series: One Love #4
Also in this series: The Sexy One (One Love, #1), The Only One (One Love #2), The Hot One (One Love, #3), Come As You Are
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: June 23, 2017
Format: Audiobook
Source: Audible Escape
Point-of-View: Alternating First
Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Length: 6 hours and 59 minutes
Add It: Goodreads
Reading Challenges: Holly's 2019 GoodReads Challenge
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
four-stars
Series Rating: three-stars

There are three little words most guys don’t want to hear on the first date. Not those…I mean these… “knock me up.”

This single gal has had enough of the games, the BS and the endless chase. I know what I want most, and it’s not true love. It’s a bun in the oven, and I’m not afraid to hit up my s-e-x-on-a-stick co-worker to do the job. Ryder is gorgeous, witty and charming — and he’s also a notorious commitment-phobe. That makes him the perfect candidate to make a deposit in the bank of me. I won’t fall for him, he won’t fall for me, and there’s no way baby will make three. Right?

****

There are four words every guy wants to hear on the first date — “your place or mine?”

When my hot-as-sin co-worker makes me a no-strings-attached offer that involves her place, my place, any place — as well as any position — I can’t refuse. Besides, I've got my own reasons to take her up on her deal even with her one BIG condition.

There’s no way I’ll want more from one woman than any position, any where, any night? Except . . . what if I do?

Be prepared to swoon and fan yourself from the heat! This full-length standalone contains lots of hot baby-making s-e-x, happy tears, playful jokes and a hot, swoonworthy hero you will fall madly in love with. One-click now for pure reading enjoyment!

The Knocked Up Plan is the 4th book in the One Love series by Lauren Blakely. This series has been hit or miss for me, but Andi Ardnt and Sebastian York are two of my favorite narrators. When I saw they were doing the audiobook I knew I had to give it a go. I’m glad I did. This was a sweet story. I liked both Ryder and Nicole. They had great chemistry and I really felt their friendship, too.

Nicole is ready to be a mother. She’s never really had a long-term relationship (except once, and he was more committed that she was), but she doesn’t want to wait. Her father died when she was young and her mother raised her alone, so Nicole sees no reason why she can’t do the same. The problem is finding the right donor. She wants to know what kind of DNA a potential father is contributing to her child, and picking one out of a catalog is difficult. Until she decides to ask her co-worker, Ryder. Ryder has everything she could ever want in a father for her baby – he’s kind, smart, sweet and sexy-as-hell. Plus, after his marriage went sour, Ryder isn’t looking for any kind of commitment. Which makes him the perfect candidate.

Ryder is pretty shocked – and, if he’s being honest, flattered – when Nicole asks him to donate to her cause. He’s been off romance since his marriage went down in flames, but Nicole doesn’t want romance. She just wants his sperm. He also needs help with a problem. He used to be the ultimate wing-man, the city’s dating Guru (think Hitch), but lately his ratings are down. When his producer tells him he needs to do a “10 Dates to Romance Her” feature, he figures he and Nicole can help each other out.

As these two embark on Ten dates designed to make couples fall in love, and fall into bed every night, things soon turn from light and flirty to serious. But are either ready, or willing, to take the next step? Because there aren’t just the two of them to consider..there’s the potential future child, too.

I thought this was such a fun, cute listen. Ryder was really wonderful. Down-to-Earth, happy, sweet, chivalrous. He had a it all. He and Nicole had chemistry in spades, so their jump from co-workers (and ping-pong partners) to lovers wasn’t a stretch. But more than anything, it was their friendship I adored. They both went out of their way for one another. There isn’t a lot of conflict or angst here. They both acted like adults about the situation with the baby-making, and watching them realize their feelings beyond that was great. Plus, Ryder’s on-air confession was super adorable.

Rating: 4 out of 5

One Love

four-stars


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Audiobook Review: The Hot One by Lauren Blakely

Posted October 26, 2018 by Holly in Reviews | 0 Comments

Audiobook Review: The Hot One by Lauren BlakelyReviewer: Holly
The Hot One (One Love, #3) by Lauren Blakely
Narrator: Zachary Webber, Andi Arndt
Series: One Love #3
Also in this series: The Sexy One (One Love, #1), The Only One (One Love #2), The Knocked Up Plan, Come As You Are
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: February 25, 2017
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
Point-of-View: Alternating First
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 300
Length: 6 hours and 21 minutes
Add It: Goodreads
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DNF
Series Rating: three-stars

A sexy new standalone romance from #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Lauren Blakely...

Ever notice that sometimes a guy will do something really stupid, like let the love of his life slip through his fingers?

Yeah. I'm that guy. But the moment I run into the woman I once loved madly, I’ve got one goal and one goal only—a second chance. The plan? Go big or go home.

Fine, at first glance, stripping naked at my ex-girlfriend's place of work might not seem like the brightest way to win her heart again. But trust me on this count—she always liked me best without any clothes on. And you've got to play to your strengths when you're fighting an uphill battle. As a lawyer, I know how to fight, and I'm prepared to fight hard for her. Because sometimes you need a second chance at first love.

He's the one who got away . . . The nerve of Tyler Nichols to reappear like that at my job, showing off his rock-hard body that drove me wild far too many nights. That man with his knowing grin and mischievous eyes is nothing but a cocky jerk to saunter back into my life. Except, what if he's not . . .? I've tried like hell to forget him, but maybe I'm cursed to remember the guy I fell madly in love with eight years ago. Lord knows I’m not over him, so what's the harm in giving him a week to prove he's changed in the ways that matter?

After all, how do you resist the hot one…

I’ve been on a Lauren Blakely kick lately. I’m slowly working my way through her backlist at random. I read The Sexy One and figured I’d give The Hot One a try.

Tyler and Delaney fell in love their senior year of college. They planned to go to law school together, until a week before graduation when he broke up with her. For Delaney it was completely unexpected and really devastated her. It was also the catalyst that helped her realize law school wasn’t for her. 7 years later a chance encounter makes Delaney realize she may not be as done with Tyler and she thought. But she isn’t willing to give him the power to hurt her again.

Tyler has spent 7 years regretting his decision to end things with Delaney. When they run into each other again he knows this is his chance to make things right – and to win her back. He’ll go to any lengths to get her.

This started out well enough, but one of Delaney’s biggest issues with Tyler was how selfish he was. He didn’t consider her or her future when he broke up with him, only his own. When he contacts her again after their chance meeting in the present, it’s once again all about him. So when Tyler shows up at Delaney’s work and starts stripping, I couldn’t get past it (for context, she owns her own massage therapy spa. He booked a massage with her, so him getting naked isn’t strange as if, say, she worked in an office). It was such a dick thing to do. She was pissed at first, then distracted by his hot body and unable to stay mad. I suppose I should have taken my cue from her, but I just couldn’t. The longer the book went on and the more she let things slide, the more pissed I got. I ended up listening to about the 3/4 mark and I wasn’t able to go any further.

DNF

One Love

DNF


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Review: The Only One by Lauren Blakely

Posted October 24, 2018 by Holly in Reviews | 1 Comment

Review: The Only One by Lauren BlakelyReviewer: Holly
The Only One (One Love #2) by Lauren Blakely
Narrator: Zachary Webber, Andi Arndt
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: December 6, 2016
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
Point-of-View: Alternating First
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 140
Length: 3 hours and 34 minutes
Add It: Goodreads
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one-half-stars

From the NYT Bestselling author of THE SEXY ONE comes a romance about fate and second chances

Let’s say there was this guy. And he gave you the most mind-blowing night of sex in your life. And you never saw him again.Until ten years later.Now, it turns out he’s the ONLY ONE in all of Manhattan whose restaurant is available the night of my charity’s gala. The trouble is, he doesn’t recognize me.

***

This woman I’m working with is so damn alluring. The first time I set eyes on her, I’m captivated and I can’t get her out of my mind. Even if it’s risky to tango with someone I’m working with, she’s a risk I’m willing to take. The trouble is, she won’t give me the time of day. But I’m determined to change that.

Penelope and Gabriel spent 3 amazing days together one summer in Barcelona. They agreed to meet up a few weeks later in New York, but he never showed. She wouldn’t have thought 3 days with a man would ruin her so completely, but 10 years later she’s still smarting. When her assistant sets up an interview with him as a possible caterer for a charity event she’s organizing, she can’t decide if she wants to see him and get an explanation, or if she wants to stand him up. But in all the scenarios she imagined for their meeting, him not recognizing her never crossed her mind…

Gabriel is almost positive the Penny in front of him is his Penelope from 10 years ago. A comedy of errors kept him from meeting up with her that fateful day in New York, but he’s continued to think of her. Not wanting to embarrass either of them, he says she looks familiar and she denies ever meeting him. Since her name is different than the one he remembers, he figures his mind is playing tricks on him. But whether she’s his Penelope from 10 years ago or not, he can’t deny he’s attracted to her. If only she’d give him the time of day…

This started out pretty well, but quickly went downhill when Penny lied about the two of them knowing each other, then gave him a fake last name so he wouldn’t know it was her. She was a 31-year-old woman who had supposedly moved on from him, yet she lied to his face about them knowing each other because he “should have known it was me!” Let me just leave that right there. She was mad that he didn’t immediately KNOW IT WAS HER when he asked and SHE LIED. WTAF?? Then to continue the lie and feel justified for doing so because HE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN? No. Just no.

via GIPHY

The only reason I kept reading the story was because Gabriel, along with Penny’s friend Delaney, called her out on her bs. If not for them I would have DNF’d it. As it is, I didn’t care for her actions and she really ruined what could have been a sweet second chance lovers story.

1.5 out of 5

One Love

one-half-stars


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Audiobook Review: The Sexy One by Lauren Blakely

Posted October 23, 2018 by Holly in Reviews | 1 Comment

Audiobook Review: The Sexy One by Lauren BlakelyReviewer: Holly
The Sexy One (One Love, #1) by Lauren Blakely
Narrator: Andi Arndt, Sebastian York
Series: One Love #1
Also in this series: The Only One (One Love #2), The Hot One (One Love, #3), The Knocked Up Plan, Come As You Are
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: October 7, 2016
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
Point-of-View: Alternating First
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 270
Length: 5 hours and 12 minutes
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
three-half-stars
Series Rating: three-stars

From the NYT Bestselling author of MISTER O, comes a sexy new standalone romance…

Let me count the ways why falling into forbidden love is not my wisest move…1. She works with me every single day. Did I mention she's gorgeous, sweet, kind and smart?
2. She works in my home. Playing with my five-year-old daughter. Teaching my little girl. Cooking for my princess. Which means…
3.
She's the nanny.And that makes her completely off-limits…But it doesn’t stop me from wanting her. All of her.

***

The other nannies in this city don't call him the Sexy One for nothing. My boss, the amazingly wonderful single father to the girl I take care of every day is ridiculously hot, like movie star levels with those arms, and those eyes, and that body. Not to mention, the way he dotes on his little girl melts me all over. But what really makes my knees weak are the times when his gaze lingers on me. In secret. When no one else is around.

I can't risk my job for a chance at something more…can I? But I don’t know how to resist him much longer either…

I’m really digging on Lauren Blakely and Single Dads lately, so a single-dad romance by Lauren Blakely? WIN!

Simon hired Abby 7 months ago to be his daughter’s nanny. He basically fell for her on day one. Abby took a little longer – she didn’t fall for him until day 3. Neither wanted to cross the employee/employer line, so they’ve kept their distance. Until one fateful night when some baby eagles bring them together and they realize they can no longer deny what’s between them.

I really liked this. It was a light, quick listen. The narrators were good and the conflict pretty minor, so it was easy to fall into. I loved how great Simon was with his daughter, and how well they worked as a family-esque unit. I also liked Abby and Simon together. They had great chemistry. It didn’t feel dirty or sordid, because he was only 8 years old than she and single, instead of being married to someone else while developing feelings for the nanny.

There were times both Simon and Abby could have been more forthcoming with each other, but that’s a minor quibble. Mostly I thought this was a sweet, light contemporary romance.

3.75 out of 5

One Love

three-half-stars


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