Emotional and Lovely

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

Getting all that legal stuff out of the way, I will say that I gladly would've bought this audiobook. I love this series and have read all of the books, and this is the most heart wrenching in the series. There is something about lost love, all those years that went by when the couple wasn't together, and the "lost baby" story (I only like it if there's a really good reason) that just breaks my heart. I've only recently started listening to audiobooks, and this narrator is the best I've heard. She puts you so far into the story, it's hard to stop listening. My reaction to an already highly emotional book was, as I said in the beginning, heart wrenching and visceral. This only makes the eventual reunion even more satisfying as a listener.

I highly recommend this book both in print and audio and I can't wait to take another trip to New Zealand to catch up with the rest of the All Blacks. The author has the gift to make you care what happens to these new friends (what, they're not real? say it isn't so!) and never stop wanting more.

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The fun in New Zealand continues

Where does Just for Fun rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Having listened to probably 50+ audiobooks, I'd say top 10. I'd give the story a 4.5 if I could + the 5 on the narration. The story is good but just not a huge favorite of mine BUT I know I will listen to it again and again.

What did you like best about this story?

It centers around a potentially heavy topic--a fling that results in an unplanned pregnancy and for various reasons the mother is left to raise the child on her own. Even though Nic could have been an arrogant jerk about the whole situation, he "mans up" and steps in. At the same time, he is sensitive and not overly manly. I love how Emma and Nic's relationship grows, including those pesky bumps along the way. I also like how this is a very real story that people can relate to but it's not heavy or depressing.

What does Claire Bocking bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her accent, portrayal of different characters and the amount of emotion so reads with is spot on. Unlike a lot of other narrators, she doesn't over-emote or have weird or awkward pauses in her reading. She's very fluid in her transitions. The written story is great in itself. Ms. Bocking takes it to the next level with her narration. Even if I hadn't read the book prior to listening to the audiobook, I'd still highly recommend "Just for Fun" because it's the "whole package" as far as audiobooks go. The narration is phenomenal and the story is solid and moving.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Nic's response when Zack goes missing . . . how emotionally wrecked he was about did me in.

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

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Totally Unexpected

Unexpected drama right from the start: Nic discovers he has a six-year-old son he never knew existed.

Unexpected dynamics: Emma is the one that is reluctant to open herself up to Nic. I usually expect the woman to be the one that is anxious to have the man recognize his feelings for her.

Unexpected plot: this book does not turn on boy/girl drama. It turns on boy/girl/their child drama.

All these things make this a new listening experience for me. I did not guess what was coming next, I did not get impatient with one or more characters harping on the same issues over and over, and I was encouraged to hear the characters growing with each interaction and life experience.

I love Rosalind James, I love this series, I love Claire Bocking’s narration…and I loved getting to know another hunky rugby player.

Plus, now sitting in the WAG section of the stadium is all that more fun, because if you have read the books in order like me you know all the wives, girlfriends and kids! It is fun to catch up on Reka, Ariana, Jamie, Hannah, Kate, Jenna, Harry and Sophie. And it was comforting to have the characters we already know help Emma and Nic navigate the challenges before them.

I definitely recommend Just For Fun, Escape to New Zealand Book 4.

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I love this series!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
I love this series, and I adore the narrator. She spent a majority of the time narrating a 6 year old, and I thought it would grate on my nerves. It did not!! With her narration I am able to distinguish between the female and male characters; as well as between female characters.
This is another story about the All Blacks rugby squad. Some past characters show up, but the story line is fresh and unique to me. I think that Rosalind James' style of writing is sexy but not smutty, and her characters are very real to me.

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Sexy, Moving, Heartfelt Story

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

Ok, legal stuff is done. Now, on to my review!

This was the first Rosalind James story I have listened to and I was caught up in it within the first minute. The narration is absolutely first rate- Claire Bocking brings a depth of warmth and feeling to each character she portrays (and she has a different voice for each) and she is able to effortlessly switch back and forth between a New Zealand and American accent with ease. As a listener, this never felt distracting; rather, it added to the characters and story.

And, speaking of the story, I loved it! I had not read the book first, so I cannot compare. I can tell you that there was some sadness (of lost time) and lots of reawakening love.

I fell in love with the characters and how they handled conflicts and treasured moments. I did not want the story to end!

I know you will love this story as much as I did!

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It really is just fun!

What did you love best about Just for Fun?

I loved this book when I read it on my Kindle and I loved it on an audio book! This is only the second audio book that I have ever listened to and really enjoyed it! I was asked to review this book and give my honest opinion on it. I was offered a free copy to read, but purchased this copy on my own. I really enjoy listening to Claire Bocking's voice and her story telling. I haven't found a book that Rosalind James has written that I didn't like; this is no exception.

What did you like best about this story?

I love the way the story unfolds and how the character's relationship builds. I also love that it takes place in New Zealand and would love to travel there sometime! I like that you get the perspective of both of the main characters.

Have you listened to any of Claire Bocking’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

As I said, I have only listened to two audiobooks and they were both by Claire Bocking. I love her story telling and her voice of all of the characters.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I love the way the romance builds and takes off!

Any additional comments?

You should definitely get this book and will want to read and listen to all of her other books!

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Great book to listen to!

If you have never read/listened to any books in the Escape to New Zealand Series by Rosalind James, they are definitely worth a read and can be read/listened to as a stand alone. Each is filled with interesting locations, colloquialisms, and cultural information in a way that is interesting and seamlessly a part of the story and this is no exception. Emma and Nic are great characters and a great pair. Emma is artistic, but avoids falling into the cliche of the hippie artist type and I love how we come to learn how she has matured over the course of the book. The character development of her character is particularly strong and likable. The chemistry between her and Nic is sizzling. Also, the conflicts that arose were pretty realistic and not overly done.

Having also read this book, I have to say, I preferred listening to this book. Something about taking the time to listen rather than to reading through it. I am a quick reader, and taking the extra time to listen really seemed to enhance the way the characters interacted and somehow added to how the relationships matured in a deeper way than reading did, even though it was all there in the text! Without any spoilers, I found that to be particularly enjoyable with this book.

Claire Bocking again does an excellent job. Her voice is very clear and very likable. She does an excellent job of switching from reading from book to book so the characters have a unique personality and sound to them. It is noteworthy in a romance book like this that she does a great job with both the female and male characters, nothing is lost in the chemistry between the characters. She also does a great job with the children voices which is pretty key in this book as well.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

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THE EXCELLENCE CONTINUES ...

Oh, my. I already said that the last book (JUST FOR NOW) was my favorite book. I don’t know now. =) Well, this one is right up there, too. As I said before, I’m saving for my own trip to New Zealand. And I’m paying online to watch rugby. (WHAT!?!?) Yep, never have followed a sport, but I am so smitten with rugby now, I can’t begin to tell you. Go, mighty All Blacks!

Okay … plot in a nutshell. Kiwi girl (by the name of Emma) gets left at the altar and takes the honeymoon trip by herself. On the plane, she meets a Kiwi boy (rugby player by the name of Nic), and they spend her erstwhile honeymoon together in a bure on a Fiji beach. (Yeah, that’s as hot as it sounds.) Boy professes undying love (uh huh) and takes off to play rugby in Bath, England for a couple of years.

Fast forward 7 years … Nic is engaged to cool (cold?), capable lawyer Claudia and is a superstar All Black rugby player. He helps out a bunch of 6 year olds at the rugby pitch and notices one (Zack) that is really good and, hmmm … kinda looks familiar. Then he spots Emma on the sidelines. Hmmm, again. Nic, being the bright guy that he is, puts 2 + 2 together.

Wow … I guess you can see where this is going. I loved (LOVED) the story of Nic and Emma getting their second chance and finding their way back to one another. And Zack! Claire Bocking (our marvelous narrator) does such a good job of bring Zack to life. Poor Zack! If Zack doesn’t make you laugh and cry, I don’t know about you. =)

Claire deserves some kind of award for her performance here and it doesn’t hurt that it’s a really, really great story.

Highly recommended and well worth a credit … imho.

[I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review nor was I was required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.]

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Loved.

Rosalind James' writing is so entertaining. I'm enjoying my reread of the series even better. Love learning about NZ and footie.

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Another winner from James!

Where does Just for Fun rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I absolutely love the Escape to New Zealand series - these stories are fun, exciting, and make passionate true love seem even that much more exciting!

This story has it's strife by way of a short term love affair and mistakes made by young people... The story is heartfelt and exciting to listen to people struggle and fall in love, fall out of love, and discover the paths they want to be on in their lives.

Definitely another winner by Rosalind James and another great narration by Claire Bocking who is so talented at switching between characters - voices, accents - she does it all and does it well!

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

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