Title: Don't Start Now
Author: Tara September
Narrator: Hollie Jackson
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Contemporary Romance, Fake Relationship Romance
Book Blurb:
“If you don’t wanna see me dancing with somebody, don’t show up…don’t start caring about me now.”
What can go wrong being stuck on a cruise ship with your ex and entering into a fake relationship with a sexy coworker? It might not be the Titanic, thank goodness, but Eve Richard’s heart is sinking by the minute, and love is definitely going down.
Pulitzer-prize-winning-war-journalist-turned-small-town-newspaperman Adam Seager has given up a lot for his work, country, and family, but not this time. He knows what he wants, and it’s his coworker, Eve. Her smile is the brightest part of his day and a daily reminder that more adventures are yet to come. When they are both assigned a travel feature on board a new cruise ship, it’s the perfect opportunity to let his feelings set sail.
Eve will never date another coworker or writer again. Been there, done that. Time to pursue her own writing dreams, even if it means bunking with the infuriating and complicated Adam Seager. So what if the butterflies he sets off in her belly can rival the waves outside their cabin. She intends to keep things strictly professional...that is, as much as they can be while also pretending to be a couple. Their relationship might be fake, but the pull to get to know more of him is real. Her reporter’s gut says there is more to uncover than meets the eye. But what will happen when they are back on dry land?
My Review:
Summary –
Eve’s heart is drowning fast, and her only life preserver is her sexy co-worker. Eve never thought she’d be in this position. She and her co-worker, Adam, are both assigned to write a travel article on board a cruise ship. But wouldn’t you know it, Eve’s ex is also onboard. So, Eve does what any woman would do in this situation: convince her co-worker to be her fake boyfriend. She’d never date him in real life, nope, not going down that road again. Eve’s in for a mess of trouble when her heart wants Adam, for real. #Epicfail. Can she really be falling for him or is this just the lure of a cruise ship romance?
Narrator’s overall voice –
Hollie Jackson has a vivid voice with a great personality to it. She takes each character and brings them to light using intonation. I closed my eyes and I felt like I was watching it on screen, without leaving my home.
Does the narrator fit the characters?
Yes, she does. Hollie uses her voice as an instrument, so each character has their own voice. From the main characters to the minor characters, it’s a full cast of characters Hollie recreates with ease. She does a superb job with Adam.
Narrator’s reading style –
Hollie’s reading style is effortless, and I found it easy to get caught up in the story. The enunciation is clear, no matter which character is speaking.
Narrator’s impact on reading experience –
Her characterizations of Tara September’s writing are brilliant, and I found myself laughing at Eve’s antics. Hollie breathes new life into this rom com.
Narrator’s pacing –
The pacing is well done with plenty of romantic tension so the reader can follow along without getting lost.
Audiobook flow –
The audiobook flowed from start to finish with the right balance of humor, romance, and fake relationship drama. I didn’t want to stop reading/listening.
What makes this audiobook unique –
I’m a huge rom com reader and this audiobook has a unique setting. What could be better than falling in love on a cruise ship?
Would I recommend this audiobook –
YES! I would recommend this to any reader looking for a vacation romantic comedy on a cruise ship. There is a full cast of characters and Hollie brings each one to life. Highly recommend!
My Rating: 5+ stars
Buy it Now:
Author Biography:
Blogger and former PR executive for The Walt Disney Company, Tara holds a Master’s degree in journalism & communications from New York University and majored in English for her BA at Wheaton College, Massachusetts. For 16 years, Tara has penned a popular lifestyle, travel and parenting blog at TaraMetBlog.com.
An avid romance reader, she has been daydreaming about being an author since high school. Dozens of bad dates and adventures later, she still finds it impossible that she met her husband on a New York City subway. They now live in sunny Southwest Florida with identical twin boys and four cats underfoot/on her laptop/everywhere. Fueled by an IV of green tea, she's finally writing the happily ever after tales she's been dreaming about.
Social Media Links:
Website http://www.taraseptember.com/
Reviewed by: Mrs. N