Outstanding!

As a Nora Roberts fan, I was immediately intrigued with this book. I was not disappointed. I had a hard time putting this recorded book on pause. This is a book I will listen to again!

5 people found this helpful

Nora Roberts Land Is an Homage of the Best Kind!

Where does Nora Roberts Land rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top Ten!

I am an avid romance novel reader and a huge Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb fan. I'm talking I may have recorded all of the movies that come on Lifetime just so I can watch them repeatedly. I've also listened to favorites such as Blue Smoke and Northern Lights on long car rides and vacations. In addition to that, she's actually one of the few writers whose paperbacks I buy and keep. If you drop one of her books in my house, chances are you'll land on a favorite *sigh* scene. Girl loves some Nora. So you can imagine my excitement and hesitation when a new author actually used her named in the title and got approval to do so. Two things: either she knew some people or she had gotten the Nora stamp of approval.

I had previously read the novel, so I was apprehensive. I mean a narrator can MAKE or BREAK a novel on Audible, but Em Eldridge did NOT disappoint. The story was also just as delectable as the first two times I read it.

Where to start? Ok, we'll start with the Nora references which are many but well played (to the true Roberts fan) enough not to overshadow the actual story being told. Miles did a good job of paying homage without BECOMING Nora Roberts which is difficult to do when you've put her name in the title.

Meredith was completely down on her luck after a failed marriage to the sleaziest man child ever, Richard Sommerville. She decides to go back home to Dare Valley to help out the family newspaper and to find her very own hero (THE ONE), straight out of a Nora book. Sommerville, who in addition to increasing my hate for him, decides to blackmail the delicious Tanner McBride to entice Meredith to give up on her article about true love that could shed some negative light on him. Tanner agrees and before you know it, you are IN IT. I'm talking swiping (flipping) from page to page to see what will happen next. Will Jill forgive Brian? Is there something nefarious going on at the University? How does Grandpa (Arthur Hale) stay single at Bingo? and so on and so forth.

Although my questions do not shed light on the mystery and fun hidden in the book they are the kind of questions that pop into your mind because of the way Miles draws you into her characters. You just want to know.

I can't wait for French Roast (Jill's story!!!) It's my favorite in the entire bunch!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jill. She's so sassy and fun! I like to think I have a little of Jill in me, as I can totally see myself helping my sisters find a guy, while also putting them in cringeworthy situations.

Have you listened to any of Em Eldridge’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No. She got better as the story went on. Because I had read the book before, I had to get rid of my notions of how the characters "sounded". Also, it's always hard for women to do a good male voice without sounding whispery and stalker like. She did a pretty good job.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Sometimes happily ever after comes at a price.

Any additional comments?

I received this audible for an honest review.

10 people found this helpful

Loved this!

Im a Nora Roberts fan so this story caught my attention because of her. However it held my attention because of the skilled way it was written. I look forward to the rest of the series.

8 people found this helpful

Couldn't Finish

The plot was the problem for me with this book. I actually liked the main plot points, the execution, however, left a lot to be desired. I've been trying to find a way to explain this without giving away any of the story - but I can't do it. So, I'll just say the characters have to become stupid, forget their journalism training and do things that just do not fit the way the author describes them in order to make the plot work. I won't be reading this author again.

12 people found this helpful

Not bad, but really relies on the premise

Some really good parts - but by invoking Nora Roberts you are setting a really high bar that the story and the characters just don't quite make it over.

4 people found this helpful

The title pulled me in!

I'll have to admit that the title pulled me in. but after listening to the audio book, I was glad. I love Nora Robert's books and think it was great of her to let the author use her in this book. Little references to Ms. Roberts' stories were fun and the author wove her stories in and around the plot. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series!

4 people found this helpful

Made me smile, laugh and want to visit La Perla.

I liked the story, the homage to Nora Roberts (who deserves every praise) and the narrator! The audible trifecta. I will definitely buy Ava's next book with pleasure.

4 people found this helpful

Great Story!!

Very good story!! Was very entertained and engrossed in this novel. Will be reading the sequel soon!! Love Ava Miles

4 people found this helpful

Story is Good.. bothered by narration editing

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

The story its self was great. I would have enjoyed it better in print I think

How could the performance have been better?

The performance its self was good. Not excellent by any means, but definitely good. The problem is the background noises. For a good portion of the book you can hear what sounds like a fire monitor that needs a new battery. It beeps every few seconds. I got to the point where i was just listening for the next beep instead of the narration. I kept finding that I'd have to rewind to try to pay attention again.

6 people found this helpful

Hero shouldnt think like a villian

when a woman says "dont talk to me that way" that is a boundary and it's a huge red flag if the guys response is "I have 1st amendment rights, I'll say what I want" I expect that mentality from our villian. but if a man/partner cant respect a clearly marked boundary that is NOT OKAY. I ended the book then. hes forced her hand a lot in this story and it fit, without me spoiling anything. but THAT moment was all HIM, and he lost me there. if he cant respect the boundaries she put down what else is he going to disrespect when it's all him and not what brought him to her.

1 person found this helpful