Wonderful follow-up to Perfect Rhythm!

Not the Marrying Kind by Jae is a wonderfully satisfying follow-up to one of the most romantic books I've ever "read" (listened to), Perfect Rhythm. To get the most out of Marrying Kind, you really do need to listen to Rhythm first. Rhythm begins when hugely successful out lesbian pop star Jenna "Leo" Blake goes back to her home town of Fair Oaks, MO after a good many years to see her ailing father. There, she meets his caretaker, Holly - someone she knew as a child - now all grown up, caring, confident, beautiful and not altogether impressed with her. Holly is asexual and their story focuses on what happens when Leo and Holly develop feelings for one another. Can an asexual person have a satisfying relationship with someone who isn't? How would they navigate that? Will Leo go back to her big pop star life and break Holly's heart? That book was a huge surprise for me as I wasn't sure I would be able to relate to the asexuality aspect. I love it when I learn something new and felt enlightened afterwards and maybe even a little embarrassed that I didn't know more about the subject. Both characters are so well written, likable and actually communicate like grownups. Really - it's as romantic as they come. Marrying Kind picks up shortly after the first one ends and focuses on the story of the very closeted town florist, Ashley, and Sasha, a woman who owns and runs the bakery. Both women's lives revolve around their work and neither has time for a relationship. But when a huge event in town forces the two to work closely together over an extended period, will their walls come down? Coming out isn't always easy and sometimes comes at huge personal risk. Will Ashley - who is in her 30s - finally decide that her happiness is worth possibly losing her parents and business over? Can Sasha stop herself from falling in love with Ashley, knowing she could be in for heartbreak? Both stories are absolutely swoon-worthy, and melted this die-hard romantic's heart. They are also both narrated by the ridiculously talented Angela Dawe. I'm not embarrassed to say that I'm having a serious love affair with that woman's voice. I absolutely loved both of these!

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Odd Choice for Character Voice

I enjoyed this story by Jae, equally as much as the first in the series. The narrator did a great job with all but Sasha's voice. I couldn't understand why that choice was made for a strong 6' tall woman. I mostly got over it as the story progressed, but it did distract throughout. Other than that, I really enjoyed this listen.

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Wow

I don't say this often, this book is in my opinion better than Perfect Rythm ,and that book was amazing. This book feels so real, the angst the love the first time rollercoaster of emotions just burst through the seams. i couldn't put it down. I hope you read both books. but know you can read each separately. You won't be disappointed .

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No thank you, please!

The narrator is NOT GOOD. The voices start out like scratchy children, and then Missouri was pronounced “mis-our-ahh” (please- as a KC native, I beg you stahhhp). I returned the audiobook and bought the kindle version. Problem solved! Book was pretty GOOD. But the audio version... *yikesface*

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narrator mad bad choice

Good story. I enjoyed it. For the most part the narrator was fine but why she chose to give Sasha the choice of a cartoon character I don't get at all. It took me right out of the story. It was a really poor choice by the narrator.

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I love the book, didn’t care for the reader.

The book was fun and I loved it. I wish the voices were more sexy. I enjoyed it though.

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Problematic narration

I'm completely baffled by Ms. Dawe's vocal choice for the character of Sasha. The voice itself was not one I would expect to hear on a primary character as it was a tad betty-boopish, but it really wasn't a good match for this character. While it wasn't one of those experiences that made me just not listen, it was distancing as the voice and the character clashed. Took me out of the story often. Too bad, I really enjoyed her as a narrator on the last book I listened to. The story itself wasn't quite as interesting as Jae's usual. Took a while for me to get into it. I appreciated the topic of how toxic closet living can be. I thought it was quite creative that she found a way to raise the stakes to being somewhat similar to the social conditions from before Ellen but telling a contemporary story. I also liked the dynamic between them, and found myself respecting both characters.

Just buy the kindle version.

The story was pretty good, but the narration ruined the experience for me. The issue was with the MC Sasha. Her voice did not fit the character at all (it was cartoonish, nasal and entirely unattractive). I tried so hard to get past it, but it was too much. I suggest buying the kindle version instead.

Do what feels right...

As usual I seem to read Jae's novels in the wrong order, but it's not that it matters; each novel is its OWN. That being said, this novel was probably one of the most emotional I have felt... from a Jae novel. I could only  sympathise with Ashley Gaines and her struggle as a closeted gay. Living in a small town where everyone talks to each other then to have her friends want to marry each other in said small, conserveted town? I was surprised that Ashley did not have a nervous breakdown from keeping all that emotion bottled up.  But I prefer to believe that it fellow business owner,  Sasha, that allowed Ashley to stay afloat and come to terms with her sexuality realising it is not the worst thing in the world.  I enjoyed their friendship development. Sasha's laid-back, care-free attitude rubbing off on Ashley allowing her to realise that not everyone is homophobic and giving her the courage to come into her own, standing up for herself and beliefs. Do what feels right and you'll never care for anyone else opinion...

Tender and Sweet

I really enjoyed this story - good characters, sexy, enjoyed the continuation of Leo and Holly’s relationship. I hope there’s another in the series.