Amazing!

I loved this cozy , angsty opposites attract.

The storyline was interesting and the characters were likeable, real and relatable.

The writing style was enjoyable and appealed to me.

Thr narration was absolutely brilliant and perfect

2 people found this helpful

Beautiful emotional ride

4.5 stars

I was given a free audio copy from the author and the GRR arc team for review.

The narrator was fantastic. He had a pleasant reading voice with a lovely accent, was age appropriate, kept a good pace and did different voices for the different characters. He expressed all the emotions and did a wonderful performance. 5 stars.

It's a super quick read that you won't want to put down. I kept needing to turn the page to find out what happens. It is very sweet but also very emotional, heartbreaking and heartwarming.

Get the tissues and prepare for a Rollercoaster of emotions. I did have to put this down at around the 75% mark cause I thought oh no I am not prepared for what was to come. Based on the blurb I expected a love story where the biggest drama would be whether or not the traveling famous photographer decides to stay but boy was I wrong. I don't want to spoiler but this book is definitely heart breaking but beautiful. The characters were all great. The 2 MCs had great chemistry and the plot was well written and definitely kept my interest.

The only reason I give didn't rate it a full 5 stars is due to zero heat. Given the story I understand but still I definitely missed it. Especially to break up the angst it would have been nice. Either way it was a great story that I definitely would recommend but just brace yourself going in. The writing was pretty good though the ending seemed rushed but under the circumstances I guess I could understand wanting to rush things.

1 person found this helpful

"sweet"

Would I listen to it again: yes ✔
Did the story keep me engaged: yes ✔
Was I invested in the characters: yes ✔

📖 Story comment: easy pace and likeable characters - the sort of listen that is good for lazy Sunday.
It's difficult to put much in the way of character development and depth into a story that runs just over 4.5 hours, but there is a "realness and maturity" in Jared and Xander's characters that helps carry the story so I was invested in their outcome.

🎧 Narrator comment: Michael Ferraiuolo is a master narrator - he has good timing, rhythm, inflections and intonations and it's easy to distinguish the characters from each other. A thoroughly enjoyable performance and he bought the story and characters to life.

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📌 Where does it fall on my personal scale? 7
• 1 not my thing • 2 didn't like the narration • 3 didn't keep my attention • 4 was good, but once was enough • 5 enjoyed it • 6 will listen again if i'm in the mood for the narrator [4⭐] • 7 goes on the "re-listen" list [4⭐] • 8 kept me up past bed-time [4.5⭐] • 9 recommended to family/friends [4.75⭐] • 10 own it in multiple formats [5⭐] • 11 keep a copy with me at all times [5⭐]
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And you are my heart’s photograph

I have not read the first book in the series but I was able to enjoy this book as a stand-alone. This is my only second book from the author and I noticed some things. If you are looking for more realistic love stories with vivid characters and a believable plot, this is a right author for you.

Jared, a receptionist in a small town inn met a guest, Xander, a world renowned Pulitzer winning photo journalist who’s there for a much needed break from all the ugliness of the world. On the surface, they couldn’t be more different but they are really quite same on the inside. Both men are running away from their pasts and there’s a reason why never talk about their families. The story is a bit slow but it was well-paced and interesting all the way. I’m glad Xander decided to take a rest in the small town in Vermont because he finally found his inner peace and a happy ending with a Jared.

This is a realistic love story with mature romance and believe abs lifelike characters. I enjoyed it. This was a good, comfort listen.

4 and you are my heart’s photograph stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Story - 3.75 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
Narration - 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall - 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A nice, tidy story with low heat

This story is part of a larger series with a very Hallmark feel. As such, there is very little steam and a nice, tidy story that wraps up quickly in an HEA.

Narrated excellently by Michael Ferraiuolo (as usual), each character is distinct and the various voices work well together.

While characters from the other books in the series do make an appearance, you do not need any knowledge of the prior books to enjoy this story. There is an oblique reference to a maybe ghost, but it doesn’t interfere with the plot.

As part of the Deerbourne Inn series, Gabbi Grey does a great job of following the format of meet-cute, genuine interest, fast romance. Unfortunately, at 4 ½ hours, this abbreviated length makes it difficult to fully flesh out the characters and subplot lines.

For example, Jared’s relationship with his parents is tumultuous and strained throughout the book, but then suddenly, Jared and Xander are hanging out with mom and dad like they’re at a Sunday brunch. Xander’s struggles are angst-filled and drawn-out, only to have a “don’t need to worry about THAT anymore” at the last 15 minutes.

I DO feel Grey does a great job showing our MCs getting to know each other and developing feelings for each other. Both MCs are likeable. Though flawed, their flaws are real-people flaws, not embellished or over-the-top character defects. The town is lovely, the setting is gorgeous and cozy, and the love story is sweet and gentle.

For a quick, feel-good listen, I would recommend this book. Just don’t expect a lot of steam.

When checking in to an inn becomes more

This is definitely a heart string pulling book! Gabbi Grey never disappoints with the emotional connection and world building.
The characters are amazing and so well developed you will definitely fall in love with them.
I had the pleasure of listening to the audible version. The narration is amazing and will draw you into the lives of these two talented characters. Both characters are photographers, one professional and one an amateur; from the narration you will get some amazing visuals mentally.
It’s a sweet romance with some angst thrown in. It does have a happy ending to look forward to. From their first meeting to dealing the emotional and mental baggage both men are carrying will have you enjoying every second of the journey.

Very Sweet Romance

**Audiobook ARC Review**

I really enjoyed this slow burn romance. The MCs were great and the story was nice and easy. Hardly no angst...just a little secret kept here and there but when all is revealed no drama was ensued...so that was great. The narration was good and wasn't dull...kept me enthralled until the end. A very nice listen.

Gratitude hurts more than it should

Xander and Jared what a special love.
Gabbi Grey wrote a very touching and attention grabbing story.
Michael Ferraiuolo, Outstanding!!! he tells a story better than most other male narrator's.
this story is so smooth and romantic with a tough situation thrown in.
well worth the credit and your time to listen.

My favorite by this author and narrator to date

Once again I'm listening to the audiobook after I've read the e-book. I have to say that I'm having a great time noticing how different the two versions are from each other.

One of my favorite things about listening to both versions is that I catch little things that I missed the first time around.

I love that Gabbi's guys have made it into 2 Deerbourne Inn books. What a great addition to the series.

I remember thinking when I read the e-book that it was one of the best books I'd read this year and now it's one of the best audiobooks I've listened to as well. It's definitely my fave Gabbi Grey book to date!

The characters are more complex than they appear at first glance as is the story. It's a very well written story that's put together beautifully.

Xander and Jared are both a little needy and lonely and a tiny bit angsty. Of course they have some big things to work through and grow as individuals and as a couple as the relationship blossoms. I sometimes wondered how they would overcome things to reach their HEA, I sometimes thought that they were silly to impose some of those obstacles on themselves, I sometimes cried because the things they were feeling were so real and raw. I had moments where I was frightened for their future together and moments when I cheered on and celebrated them. I can assure you that they earn their HEA.

Lastly, I love that Callum and Elijah made an appearance in this book. I adore the both of them!

Michael Ferraiuolo's narration was spot on for this book. He really does a great job bringing these characters to life.

Great romance with good character development.

This is the third audiobook by this author I have listened to. With each book, I am more drawn in to the characters and their chemistry with each other. This book takes place in a series that revolves around The Deerbourne Inn which has many contributing authors focusing on many different couples. This is Gabbi Grey’s second in this series and it was probably as different from her first as the other novels in the series are. In the last book, there was a mystical twist with a happy ending and it was nice to see that couple appear in this book and to hear Michael Ferraiuolo’s Scottish accent again. Swoon! Since I’ve mentioned the narration, I have to say he is one of my favorites and he really brings the story to life.

So in the first book, I mentioned a mystical twist, and while I consider this book more settled in reality as we know it, I did have a moment of wonderment at the end of this book. Was there a possible miracle? Or was it human error, a medical mistake? I’m not sure, but I have jumped too far ahead. Lets start at the beginning. We start the story from Xander’s point of view as he takes in the quaint town of Willow Springs. It’s idyllic in ways but so different from the big city life and it’s conveniences that he is used to. He finds the inn locked up until Jared comes in and starts his shift in the hotel.

Jared is a real sweetie, whose past was marred by the tragic death of his sister. Misunderstandings had him feeling set apart from his family. He loves his job at the inn, acts in local plays/musicals, and has a serious photography hobby. Because of that he knows who Xander is when he checks into the inn. A world famous photojournalist who has been in war zones and poverty stricken areas to shed light on those situations and the human element affected by them. It’s fair to say that Jared is an outright fan. But as much as he enjoys his job and hobbies, there is a loneliness in Jared. He longs to find someone to share that life with.

Xander is also lonely, though some of it is self-imposed. Between his fast paced job with lots of travel and the devastating news mentioned in the blurb he lacks any relationships with emotional attachments. There is something about the friendly Jared though. Xander tries to hold himself back but he finds himself drawn in just as much as Jared does with him. In their brief acquaintance, I suppose things kind of move fast, but with both characters hesitancy it felt like it was a slow-ish build up to the two men falling for each other. They don’t know how much time they have, jobs out of the country, devastating news, and all. But they can’t stop themselves.

I really enjoyed this story. I thought Xander and Jared were sweet together, and I just really felt a lot for Jared in particular with his openness and caring spirit. I thought there was a decent amount of character growth in this somewhat short audio as well, as Jared takes a chance to mend things with his parents, and Xander learns there is more things in life for him to enjoy than what his old life provided. I am glad I picked up this audio and I can’t wait to see what this author has in store for me next.