J. Leigh Bailey

2.5 Hedging Hearts

I’ve got to say that half the time I liked this story while the other half drove me to frustration.

Donnie works in the local coffee shop and has been crushing hard on the enigmatic and reticent new professor William, who teaches at the nearby shifter university these last few months. One day, out of nowhere he’s asked by sinister strangers if he knows the quiet customer, and Donnie’s first instinct is to protect William despite the fact that he hardly knows the man.

What ensues is kinda a comedy of errors as Donnie finds himself wittingly and unwittingly embroiled in a revenge scheme where bad guys want to kill William, a retired undercover agent who brought down a notorious weapons dealer. The charm of this is pretty much all on Donnie who is fiercely independent with some foibles that include being overly chatty, clumsy, and sarcastic but always with a heart of gold. He surely seems to find himself in absurd situations as he tries to help William who never wants his assistance in the first place. Donnie’s bumbling nature was mostly endearing, but I do admit he had a temper and acted stupidly impulsive one too many times.

There also seems to be a lot of reader frustration with William’s lack of communication. Granted, he does come clean around the 45% mark, but he still holds his cards close to the vest and is very reluctant to part with any extra information if he doesn’t have to. I admit, his mysterious badass nature was appealing and who doesn’t like to see a gruff stoic guy fall in love?? Many a time though, his slow to reveal crucial information was just the impetus for Donnie to go off half cocked which added to the above mentioned frustration.

Note to self. Narrator Finn Sterling and I just don’t get along. I’m still scratching my head at how he basically makes Donnie sound like a girl most of the time. I. Just. Don’t. Get. It. I’ll give credit that his voice for William was a dream and he does character distinction like a charm, but it is just so jarring when you’re expecting a certain octave and what you get is a boy going through puberty. Granted this isn’t as bad as [b:Out of the Shadows|35455651|Out of the Shadows|K.C. Wells|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1497771085l/35455651._SY75_.jpg|56844321], but it’s there and it was enough to throw me out of the story multiple times. Admittedly, one’s listening experience is highly personal and we all vary in what we like and don’t like - I just don’t think this narrator is for me…

Again, this had its various charms with a good dash of smexy that helped negate the negatives. Mostly. This definitely has potential in its interesting set up about a small town that’s the hub for shifters as it boasts a university that caters to such. The next story is about Donnie’s bff Ford, who’s an elusive mysterious thunderbird, and I’ll strongly consider continuing but I’ll hold out to see what others think about it first.

Thanks to the author/publisher for the audio in exchange for a honest review
… (más)

After suffering a combat injury, James "Freddie" Fredrick has returned to a place he doesn't want to spend much time: home. There were many reasons he joined the Navy and left four years before. It's not something he wants to talk about with anyone and he never has. But when his sister picks him up from the airport and tells him she's buying Elliott House, it seems he just can't get away. Aaron Elliott is right back at the front and center of his life. Aaron who selfishly left him without a word four years ago. And things get even more complicated when he learns Aaron is back in town.
Aaron Elliott has avoided conflict all his life. If he can get through something without making waves, he will. But when he learned his mother and stepfather were planning to sell his father's house, he knew he had to speak up. Aaron's father left that house to him, and though a legal technicality has put his ownership in question, Aaron believes his father's wishes should be carried out. So he halts the sale and decides to spend a summer at Elliott House. He just doesn't expect to run into Freddie. The feelings come rushing back, but Aaron tells himself he has to let them go. After all, Freddie destroyed anything the two of them could have had four years ago.

As the two live in proximity again, their past eventually becomes a big enough elephant in the room that it can't be avoided. Though both are committed to never going back down that road, can their collective willpower hold out? And what exactly is the truth of their breakup? Is it possible all could be forgiven?

I've been a fan of this series of stories by j. leigh bailey since the first one. The stories they tell are so rich and dynamic, I always have a hard time putting the books down. And the story of these two is certainly no exception. The value of communication and trust is clear in how this story plays out. And it reminds us that it's also so important to meet another person where they are. You can't hold someone to expectations that are outside of their nature--especially if you never communicate those expectations to them.

Strong recommendation on this one!

[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]… (más)

Micah Burke knows all about responsibility. He's been the head of his family since he was a teenager, and he's also the guardian for his teenage sister while also caring for their mother, going to college, and working a job. He doesn't have time for frivolous things--he barely ever has time to go out and have fun. And on one rare occasion when he goes out, he meets Sebastian and loses himself in a moment of what could be, only to be quickly reminded of his responsibilities. Their paths cross again, however, and Micah quickly learns that Sebastian seems like the exact opposite of him: he's an impulsive risk-taker who seems to just dance through life doing all he can to avoid responsibility.

And Micah may not be wrong. Sebastian comes from a wealthy family and has been largely left to his own devices in recent years. He is a thrill-seeker and might even admit himself that he can be a bit reckless. Although he's gone from guy to guy, mostly keeping things casual, there's something about Micah that he just can't seem to shake. He's determined to break through Micah's shell to get to it, and he just might break through a shell of his own at the same time.

If you can't tell from that little bit of summary, there is some definite angst in this book. It's not all sunshine and rainbows and smooth sailing. But while it will take you up and down as a reader, it's not all doom and gloom. This is assembled strong characters, a well-developed plot arc, and a compelling narrative--which is something i've come to expect from J. Leigh Bailey. You'll laugh. You'll cry. But you'll also be inspired.

[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]… (más)

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Brad has left his family and what many would see as a privileged life behind. Now, he's arrived in his college town at the beginning of the summer with no place to stay and the hope of a job. But the night before his interview he helps out a guy in trouble in the parking lot of the diner where he was sleeping in his truck. Danny is interested--and Brad is, too, to be honest--but Brad can't go down that road. He did once before and it ended badly for everyone. He's in town for school, and that's it. He's not looking for complications. But complications are exactly what he finds when he gets the job and it comes with a place to stay above the boss's garage--and Danny is the boss's son...

Wonderful. I really enjoyed this and I found myself rooting for both Brad and Danny at every single turn. These two are such so adorable and they've both been through so much that one just can't help hoping they get what they need. Brad's family is infuriating--to say the very least--and is such a stark contrast to Danny's. Well-written and engaging, I found myself easily engrossed in this story set in a town not far from where I grew up. And it all just rings so true.… (más)