#NetGalley Audio Book Review: A Waterfront Wedding by Leigh Duncan

This is an easy listen and sweet romance. Pretty much what you expect from Hallmark.

A Waterfront Wedding
A Heart's Landing Novel from Hallmark Publishing
By: Leigh Duncan
Narrated by: Karissa Vacker

Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins
Release Date: April 20, 2021
Publisher Dreamscape Media, LLC
Genre: Clean & Wholesome, Hallmark, Romance, Weddings
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
In Heart’s Landing, Evelyn wants to prove she’s a good manager of the Captain’s Cottage by the bay - a favorite place for weddings. Meanwhile, Ryan has invested his life savings to remodel the town’s old boatworks into a brand-new wedding venue.
When a Marine and his bride win the Wedding in a Week contest, they have seven days to put together a romantic, all-expenses-paid event. It’ll be written up in Weddings Today magazine. But will they choose Evelyn’s cottage or Ryan’s boatworks?
The rival business owners cozy up to the bride and groom, helping them plan their military wedding. And even though Evelyn and Ryan both grew up in Heart’s Landing, they learn they never truly knew each other until now. But can they trust each other when only one of them can win?
This sweet, heartwarming romance includes a free Hallmark original recipe.
©2021 Leigh Duncan (P)2021 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Review:
Heart’s Landing is a premier wedding destination. Evelyn is a bookkeeper for the family business at the Captain’s Cottage, a longtime favorite for weddings. Evelyn is filling in for her brother, the top manager, and wants to prove she can handle the management while he is on his honeymoon. Now Evelyn is in the competition for the Captain’s Cottage to be picked in the prestigious Wedding in a Week Contest.

Ryan has just finished remodeling the town’s old boatworks into a wedding venue on the water. He is surprised to learn that someone put his brand new location into the Wedding in a Week Contest. If his new building is picked by the winning couple, his business will be made.

Ryan was the childhood friend of Evelyn’s older brother. She always tried to tag along with the two guys and as she grew, she had a crush on Ryan. Although Ryan was kind when they were young, as they got into high school he seemed to avoid her. Now they are thrown together as they play guide to the Marine and his bride who are the winning couple in the all-expenses-paid Wedding in a Week contest. The various vendors in Heart’s Landing are thrilled to participate, even as Evelyn and Ryan experience a cautious attraction while anticipating that their venue will be selected.

Evelyn has some confidence and control issues that I found frustrating. Still, I enjoyed the rivalry between Evelyn and Ryan and the various wedding details were fun to follow. The wedding couple had their own pre-wedding jitters and issues that needed some soothing. Of course, this is a Hallmark Romance so I was glad to have the expected HEA ending. I recommend this to readers who enjoy an easy read and sweet, “Hallmark” romance.

Audio Notes: Karissa Vacker does a very good job with the narration. She provides distinct voices and fitting emotional delivery. The narration enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: NetGalley 2021. This qualifies for 2021NetGalley and 2021Audiobook goals.

Audio Book Review: Olivia Twist by Lorie Langdon

This is a fun and interesting “twist” on a classic.

Olivia Twist
by Lorie Langdon
Read by Pearl Hewitt

Young Adult
• 9.5 hrs.
• Unabridged
• Black Hills Audiobooks • 2018
Genre: Clean & Wholesome, Romance, Teen & Young Adult
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

British narrator Pearl Hewitt introduces listeners to the mysterious Olivia Brownlow, a London-born debutante whose high-society friends are unaware of her untraditional upbringing. Hewitt characterizes Olivia with graceful and elegant tones as she mixes with elite crowds. When Olivia ventures into the dark London nights as Ollie, a kindhearted boy who looks after a group of homeless orphans, Hewitt arms her with a rougher British accent and a wise voice. When Jack MacCarron, another character leading a double life, is introduced, Hewitt seamlessly switches between the man's false Irish accent and his true English tone. Though switching between two main characters, who both have dual identities, poses quite the challenge, Hewitt accomplishes it with a smoothness that is found in only a select few narrators, flawlessly pulling off the performance. V.T. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2019]

Review:
Olivia has a lot of interests and emotions to balance. She is more than her London society friends know as once upon a time she was a street urchin known as Ollie. Now she sneaks out at night to help a current group of homeless orphans.

Olivia is surprised and distressed when she comes face to face with another imposter. The debonair Irishman, Jack MacCarron, was Ollie’s childhood friend, Dodger, whom she believes betrayed her. On the other hand, Jack is willing to help protect the orphans even if it means he has to take risks of resurfacing as the Dodger.

Olivia has the chance to secure a safe position for herself and her ailing Uncle with her wealthy fiancé. But Olivia feels no spark with Max and he doesn’t understand her obsession with street orphans. Meanwhile, Jack has uncovered a threat to Olivia and he is determined to protect her. As they meet in secret Olivia has to fight the emotions pulling them together.

I enjoyed the characters with their dual roles. There was good chemistry and tension both in the romance and the murder threat. I admit I was a little surprised about the extent of sensual innuendo when this is promoted as “teen & young adult clean & wholesome”. It caused me some concern for my church ladies but the first couple I talked to about the story enjoyed it. I did enjoy the overall package and recommend it to fans of Dickens and historic romance.

Audio Notes: Pearl Hewitt does a remarkable job portraying the characters with their changing personas and accents. She presents the story with appropriate pacing and emotional depth. I enjoyed the audio experience.

I bought the print book for Ladies Book Club which we will discuss in April (if we meet).
Source: June 23 SYNC Audio 2019. This qualifies for 2020TBR, 2020Audiobook and 2020Alphabet goals.