I listened to the audio version of this book narrated by Alana Marie Cheuvront. The narration was good.

I wish I had known that this was a re-issue of one of Ms. Novak's books from 2002. It is your typical Harlequin romance from back then. Nothing wrong with that, I was just looking for a story written that had more to it like her recent releases.

A good romance. I wish they had updated it a little bit. The answering machine was a dead giveaway, even if you weren't tipped off by the type of story told.

Thanks to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the audio version. All thoughts are my own.

The story was an emotional one. It is a great example of not making snap judgements. Lauren's day changes completely when Harley knocks on her door. I liked Lauren as a character. She really tries to do the right thing for her nephew. The book covered the range of emotions. I enjoyed it a lot. The story was paced well and the characters felt real. I received an advance copy of the audio book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Shooting the Moon by Brenda Novak
Contemporary romance. Originally published as Silhouette Harlequin Super romance 2002.
Ten years ago, with no other good options, bad boy Harley Nelson drove away from Portland, Oregon, leaving his son behind. The baby’s mother was reckless and only wanted the bad boy. Her father refused to let Harley near the child or assume any responsibility. So he left to make something of his skills, and hoped to make it back to his son one day.
Lauren Worthington is young Brandon’s aunt and assumed the parenting duties when her sister died. She’s not happy that Harley Nelson is back in town and asking to be part of son’s life. As far as she’s concerned, it’s too late. He abandoned both her sister and his son for money. But Harley has another side to the story and as Lauren reads her sister’s forgotten journals, she realizes Harley didn’t have choices back then. Harley wants to be involved in his son’s life and starting to realize she shouldn’t stand in the way.

🎧 I listened to a audiobook version published January 2025 narrated by Alana Marie Cheuvront. The performance is wonderful with specific voices for the two main characters and emotional ups and downs clearly expressed. I listened at a speed of 1.5 to more closely match conversation speed.

An emotional romance with the past being turned over and the present opening doors to possibilities.
The romance stands up to the time between today and 2002 with a few background exceptions that were amusing. One in particular was that the family money came from a chain of video stores. It was a huge entertainment money maker at the time. 😂. Bottom line, bad boys are still a draw for good girls and bad.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Harlequin Audio.

I really enjoyed the story in this book. It was the bad misunderstood boy who made many mistakes that has turned his life around and is back to have a relationship with his son. The story had lots of emotions and some wonderful characters. I listened to the audiobook version of this story. The narrator was good. It was a very easy book to get into and held my interest from start ot finish.

Thanks NetGalley for the Audio ARC of Shooting The Moon by Brenda Novak
This was a fun heartfelt read with a touch of drama and young love. I enjoyed listening to this audiobook.
It took me  a bit to get used to the narrators voice as she sounded so young, but over time I realized she really fit the characters
I enjoyed the plot, the characters and descriptions of people and places. I enjoyed how the story unfolded and loved the ending
I always enjoy books by Brenda Novak
Totally recommend this novel

Brenda Novak is a master at any book she writes. This is no exception and being able to listen to the audio was great. The narration done by Alana Marie Cheuvront was perfect. Giving characters their own voice from children to adults and women and men. She handled the various characters with just the right tones for the listener to follow easily.
The story centers on a well-to-do family raising the ten-year-old grandson Brandon, of their rebellious, single, and now deceased daughter. Brandon’s aunt Lauren is like his mother doing all the things his drug-addicted mom didn't do to give him a good life. When Brandon was born his father was run off by his grandfather but now that the mother is gone the father Harley comes back wanting his son. He's not 18 years old now and can't be run off. Lauren isn't sure what to do and her parents are traveling so Lauren must decide what to do however, the complication of her heart's reaction to Harley is not helping.

Another great book by Brenda Novak. Narrator was Alana Marie Cheuvront. She did a wonderful job distinguishing between the characters. Would definitely listen to another that she narrates. Definite must read. Great book to sit in front of a fire curled up and lose yourself in the story of Harley Nelson and Lauren. Thank you to the author Brandi’s l Brenda Novak, NetGalley, and Harlequin Audio for the arc read. This is my honest review!

** spoiler alert ** I suppose it wasn't that bad, just not my lane of romance novels. Good premise... seemed very rushed and fantastical, specifically toward the end. I got an audio arc courtesy Netgalley. The voice didn't work for me at all but I got used to it. I wouldn't listen to another book by this narrator.

An okay read if you like a standard instalove romance that uses a child as a plot device.

Ten years ago Harley left Portland with nothing. He is back now with the purpose to meet his son and to try and have a future with him. Lauren’s life is going to change the moment Harley threatens to take away her nephew Brandon, the child she had raised as her own son. Bad reputation, lies, secrets, forgiveness and family dynamics are the center of this wonderful live story. The audiobook with Alana Marie Cheuvront is a very good one. Thanks to NetGalley for providing the ARC. This is my honest review.

Thoughts that only one person is at fault is not a true statement, often times parents look for someone to blame. Harley comes back for his son. He is having trouble with his past. People believe the wrong things. Brandon’s mom had died so he was living with his grandparents and aunt who was basically a mom to him. Lauren has taken care of him even before his mom died so when bad boy Harley came into town she fought him. Didn’t want him to meet him. Then she started to think about what Brandon wanted and decided to let him meet his dad. Her dad was not happy about it. He had paid him off years ago trying to keep him away. But this time Lauren stood up to him. She is being difficult until she reads her late sister's journals. This appears to be an older book being re-released, I still enjoyed the story line although in the beginning Lauren is annoying. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley.

This book would have been a lot better if the relationship between our two main characters had more of a buildup. They went from fighting about custody of the child to all of a sudden being in love, despite barely spending any time together on their own. I feel like a chunk was missing in the middle! I liked the happy ending though and the audiobook narration was done well.

Harley Nelson and Lauren Worthington knew each other. He was the bad boy from the wrong side of town who dated Lauren’s wild sister, Audra. Ten years ago he left town and Audra.
Audra had a little boy and now that she recently died, Lauren is the one raising the boy.
Harley is nowadays a successful business man and wants to not only connect with his son, but have some type of custody rights.
Needless to say Audra’s parents and at first Lauren, are not thrilled with Harley and want to stop any contact.
But as Lauren gets to really know Harley, and finds out some secrets kept by Audra, her view of Harley changes.
Will they be able to realize that together they are the best for not only for Brandon but also for each other?
I have to confess that while I found Harley a very likable character, I never quite warmed up to Lauren.
The narrator Alana Marie Cheuvront did a good job with the voices.
I was entrusted a copy of this audiobook by Netgalley andHarlequin Audio. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

3.75 stars! 💫 Huge thanks to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the ALC! This one was a wild ride—it took a bit to hook me, but the audiobook definitely made the journey much more fun! 🎧 The story? 3.5 stars. The audio? 5 stars. 🙌

✧ Bad boy hero 🖤
✧ Second chance romance 💫
✧ Grumpy/sunshine dynamic 💖
✧ Family drama 💕
✧ Opposites attract 💗
✧ Small-town vibes 🏡
✧ Forbidden romance 💓

Okay, so I thought this was going to be a light, quick romance, but plot twist—it was so much more! Harley, the bad boy who turned into a self-made success, comes back after ten years to meet his son, Brandon, whom he left behind (cue the emotional rollercoaster). And Lauren? She’s the perfect good girl, raising Brandon after her sister Audra’s death. She’s NOT thrilled to see Harley back in town... at all. Can they put their past aside for Brandon? Or will their history tear them apart?

At first, I wasn’t feeling the characters. Harley was a little too misunderstood, and Lauren’s uptight vibes made it hard to connect. But as they started working through their issues, the chemistry really started to heat up! I was all in by the end! 💕 I especially loved Harley’s character growth—turns out, he’s a big softie with a heart of gold 💖. Lauren also grew, seeing things in a new light, which totally made me root for her too!

But can we talk about the audiobook? GAME. CHANGER. Alana Marie Cheuvront’s narration was everything! She brought these characters to life in such an engaging way, even during the slower parts! 🎙️

In the end, it was a sweet, heartfelt read, but it took me a minute to really get into it. If you love second chance romance with family drama, grumpy heroes in need of redemption, and some serious chemistry, this one’s for you! 😊

Brenda Novak will never disappoint! Just a notice to her lifelong fans, this is a release of a previous story down in audio format.

The story is classic Brenda, with a great heartfelt journey and characters you will find yourself rooting for. Narration is excellent and i highly recommend

So, now that I’m going to write my review, this book makes a bit more sense. Apparently it is a re-release of a book from 2002, and now, COMING SOON, is the audiobook version!

Harley and Audra dated in HS…
He was the cool, leather clad, motorcycle riding guy.
She was the rich, spoiled girl trying to get attention…

When they met, neither of them were their best selves… drinking, using drugs, etc…. But, they were young…

Fast forward ten years….
Audra is dead. Harley is gone. And left behind was their little boy, Brandon…

Lauren (Audra’s little sister) has been taking care of him, along with her parents. But when she learns that Harley is back in town, and wants to meet Brandon, well… what is she supposed to do??

Told from alternating POV’s from Lauren and Harley…and sometimes even Brandon, this will definitely touch your heart…and pull at the strings…

Family drama…. Difficult relationships… Bad reputations…Good friends….
And, last but not least…. Trying to start over again….

3 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me, rounded up to 4!

#ShootingTheMoon by #BrendaNovak and narrated nicely by #AlanaMarieCheuvrant.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #HarlequinAudio for an ARC of the audiobook which is **** due to be released soon, on…. 1/14/25, so look 👀 for it then! ****

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Harley came back for his son that he had never met. Brandon’s mom had died so he was living with his grandparents and aunt who was basically a mom to him. Lauren has taken care of him even before his mom died so when bad boy Harley came into town she fought him. Didn’t want him to meet him. Then she started to think about what Brandon wanted and decided to let him meet his dad. Her dad was not happy about it. He had paid him off years ago trying to keep him away. But this time Lauren stood up to him.
This was an older book from Brenda Novak but I still really enjoyed it.