🎧AUDIOBOOK REVIEW 🎧

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audio ARC!

3 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

As far as the audio goes I enjoyed it. I am a big fan of duel narration. So that made me happy this book had it. It flowed nicely and they did a good job embodying the characters.

The story was cute. Small town romance. The MMC and MFC were ok wasn’t a huge fan of their chemistry. I am a huge small town romance fan so this one just fell a little flat. Overall a cute story tho.

This book stirred up a lot of mix and conflicting feelings for me.

Andi & Kevin

I genuinely adored Kevin's character and found I both understood and related to him in a way I wasn't anticipating. This man is a walking green flag. He was provided feedback about his character and personality that he didn't love and set out to make some positive changes in his life to set him on the path to who he wanted to be. He was always the most kind, respectful and generous person. Boundaries were definitely something he needed to work on, but we watched him actively develop new boundary setting skills and put them into practice.

Kevin is the ultimate caretaker, but also just so badly wants to be loved and accepted for who he is. I have such a soft spot for him.

I struggled to connect with Andi's character. Probably because I'm more alike Kevin - who wears his heart on his sleeve and is an open book.

While I understand and am absolutely empathetic to Andi's past trauma and upbringing, there were so many times that I was frustrated by Andi on Kevin's behalf. She repeatedly punished him for things he never did nor demonstrated to be inclined to ever do. I appreciate that Andi needed more time to open up and develop trust with Kevin and once she told her story everything made so much sense.

That said, there were moment where it almost felt like Andi relied so heavily on her grandmother's teachings that she wasn't thinking critically or logically for herself. She is very obviously a smart woman, but repeatedly reverted back to her grandmother's teachings. I truly think Andi herself would seriously benefit from more therapy on opening up and building healthy relationships.

I will say, right from the beginning I felt an extreme lack of chemistry between these two. It felt very much like Kevin was entranced by the first beautiful woman he saw and latched on to her. Not once did I feel the sparks fly or felt like they were the perfect match. They just ... were? I don't think their friendship would have bloomed into much more if the baby wasn't a factor.

I will also admit, I quickly realized this was going to be an accidental pregnancy and I don't love books with this trope/plot device. I feel like it takes away from the authenticity of the romance and makes it contingent.

The narrators were great though. I truly felt like the embodied the characters perfectly.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the advanced copy audiobook.

Quick Summary: A #big love romance

My Review: Hard to Get by Laura Moher is book #3 in the Big Love from Galway series. It is scheduled for release on 4/15/25.

About the Book: "Everyone may know your name, but do they know the real you?"

About the Characters:

Andi - >

"Andi Salazar's [did] hard work at the local women's shelter...[but] Andi can't wait to blow off some steam as her sexy, voluptuous bombshell singer persona..."

Kevin - >

"After his ex dubbed him as too 'vanilla,' Kevin's on a mission to find the real version of himself."

In My Own Words: Hurt by those who should have shown them more compassion, more love, more sensitivity, more support, more understanding, more..., two individuals find something special together and with a community of friends.

About the Audiobook: This novel was narrated by Michelle Price and Paul Bellantoni. This duo flowed well together and made the listening experience very entertaining.

My Final Say: I have followed this series from the beginning, and I must say that this book, like the others, has texture and heart. It is not a simple ONS/lust to love story, rather it is a story about two people with uncomfortable, hurtful histories who learn to trust and love themselves and each other. It is also a story about Building, growing, and nourishing in a community of healthy found family support.

There is an element of strength that each character possesses that is notable. There is also vulnerability in both leads. Struggling to trust is a huge theme.

I found it interesting that communication hits and misses played such a large role between Kevin and Andi. They were naturally expressive and exploded onto the scene through that medium, however, they also had to work through that very thing.

I really liked that both characters were so instrumental in helping others. There was a diverse representation of the ages and stages that people were in. I loved that they equipped and empowered those who were in need.

Other: This book deals with several serious issues. It will be necessary for all potential readers to read any author's and/or publisher's notes, so as to be made aware of the associated triggers.

Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series: Yes
Audiobook: Yes
Narration: +

Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Dreamscape Media), and to NetGalley. Thank you so much for granting access to an ALC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. It was a pleasure to review this work.