Just in Time

Shame on Rosalind for 50 Shades of NZed

The Escape to New Zealand books have been my favorite series of all time, for any author. They are well written with compelling, well-developed characters exploring real emotions and growing into better people for the struggle. Now Rosalind is screwing with a great franchise by jumping on the BDSM bandwagon.

I was disappointed when, in Just Once More, Koti tied up Kate. It was totally not necessary to the story and was not consistent with my perception of the type of man Koti is. Okay, so I don't expect my friends to get off on dominating or being dominated -- but I think of Koti as a man who has learned to be happy inside his own skin without having to get over on a woman for thrills.

But this book, Just in Time, is disturbing. It is a real departure from the character of characters in the previous books and has me thinking that Rosalind is a sell out to the 50 Shades fad. Her books were plenty steamy, sexy and seductive without discipline and dominance. They celebrated tenderness and romance. Now, James is suggesting to her readers that we should find a man wanting to bind a woman more sexy than a man wanting to hold a woman.

Shame on Rosalind. A really bad trend that , if it continues, will make this the last of her books that I listen to.

Claire Bocking remains the VERY BEST narrator of all time!

7 of 9 people found this review helpful

Felt so different from the rest of the series

Narration: was very good. Claire Bocking does very good male voices and adds the intensity and the tone the story needs. I would definitely listen to more books narrated by her.

Story: I’ve listened to this series in order and loved all the previous 7 books. But I couldn’t connect with this one. The storyline felt so different and not in a good way. It tried to bring the fifty shades vide but it didn’t really go with the characters. It was also difficult to follow the story between what was really happening and what Faith was writing for her story. I felt that was confusing. Also, having a famous rugby player go to Vegas and take steamy pictures without consulting with his agent seems too dumb to believe. I’ve loved all other books in this series and will continue with the next book but this one was a bit of a disappointment.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Another great book from this Audie nominated pair.

Any additional comments?

I love this rugby romance series and this book did not disappoint. Each character has depth and past events that is effecting their present choices. Ms. James does an excellent job and holds my interest in the process. Her characters are not perfect, often conflicted and often very funny! Faith took me some time to warm to but All Black rugby player Will is one of my favorites. He works hard, makes mistakes, underestimates his value and learns how to do what he thinks is best regardless of what those around him say. Family responsibilities are his priority and even that he mishandles but recognizes his faults and rights the wrong.

This book is really two books in one. Book one is the main story of rugby player Will who, on a whim, poses for some risqué pictures (sexy but not porn) while he is in Las Vegas for a break. There he meets photography assistant Faith. She is a busy woman with 3 jobs and rent to pay. They become friends, enjoy time together then he leaves to return to New Zealand. Book 2 (or at least 1.5) is when Faith takes the pictures and starts to write fan fiction about a Kiwi billionaire to accompany the pictures that feature hunky Will. Unfortunately she forgot to tell Will. This storyline becomes a problem very late in the book, but, until then it is hot, steamy and profitable for Faith. It is also becomes another book for the author- Fierce by Rosalind James.

Will and Faith becoming friends and don't pursuing a deeper relationship until the pictures come to light to the rugby fans of NZ. Then they reconnect to help save Will's career. The All Blacks value dignity, on and off the filed. Bad press personally= bad press for the team= not playing. He tries damage control by having Faith come for a visit and that leads to romance, sex and love!

Claire Booking is brilliant. It is a long book with a lot of characters and she does their voices perfectly. Only once, when going from the main story to fan fiction, did I get lost and have to rewind to figure out why I was in Paris because I didn't catch the change in voices. She has spoiled me for other audiobooks- she is that good.

There are characters in this book from previous books, but this can easily stand alone. In fact, it is probably the best stand alone in the series.

I liked it a lot and truly appreciate the multifaceted characters. No cookie cutter, slam bam romance here. Great stories, great characters, great romance.

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.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Sexy, Sweet, Superbly performed!!

Any additional comments?

Rosalind James' Just In Time was a delightful read - a sexy, sensitive, romance with a touch of rugby. And if the book was a rich chocolate mousse cake then Claire Bocking's characterizations are the decadent icing on the cake. She is able to portray a very masculine Kiwi rugby player, a talented Las Vegas female writer, an adolescent teenager, and a wise grandmother seamlessly. Claire just keeps getting better and better. This is a great pairing that should not be missed.

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.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Have I found my favorite book boyfriend???

LOVE the newest Rugby Romance from Rosalind James!! The hero of this story, Will Tawera, has it all going on - looks, muscles, a great sense of humor, and on top of that, he's a family man - ticks all of my boxes! Claire Bocking's narration bring so much emotion to this thoroughly enjoyable novel - she brings emotion and individuality to all of the characters. I love the family interaction in Rosalind's books - the families behind the main characters add so much dimension, and Claire's interpretation of these characters makes this book so compelling - I highly recommend this book, for readers new to Rosalind's New Zealand Rugby Romance books, and for those of us that have known and loved her books for some time now!

"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.”

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Make time for this!

Would you consider the audio edition of Just in Time to be better than the print version?

I would say that the audio edition is better than the print because of Claire Bocking. I have listened to other audio narrators and can say she is my favorite! She is able to capture many different characters, both male and female, and make them believeable. She has spoiled me for audio books!

What did you like best about this story?

As with all of the Escape to New Zealand series books, it's the characters. Will is a wonderful character and so is Kate. I love their story, and that there's a story within a story!

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene is when Kate goes to New Zealand and is staying with his family. I love the interactions she has with his family, especially his mom, who isn't her biggest fan. I love the way their relationship blossoms.

Who was the most memorable character of Just in Time and why?

I would say both Will and Kate. They each aren't looking for commitment, but fall for each other. They make each other better versions of their selves.

Any additional comments?

I bought the Kindle version of this book and was given a free copy of the audio book to listen to and give my honest opinion. It's great and would love hearing Claire Bocking read a grocery list. I would definitely recommend this book!

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Its a great story

Not my favorite one but this story is good their hook up was strange one i had a hard time to telling which part was the story and which part was her story that she was trying to write about him all in all not too bad of story

not one of my favorites in the series

it was a bit removed from the setting of the other books in the series. it was cute still but the end scene in the airport seemed a bit rushed. narrator was great as usual but I still feel the books would greatly benefit from having both a male and female narrator.

The same but more

I enjoyed this story more so because of the characters. It was interesting to hear of athletes and writers and actors who are not super wealthy. They are almost average joes who happen to be athletes and writers and actors (etc.).
I seemed to connect with the mother and sister and grandmother a little more too. I felt their pain and I understood their characters.
The love story was a happy one and I liked hearing their story evolve in Las Vegas and then in New Zealand.

sexy covers and writing romances

While in LasVegas, Will agrees to pose for sexy photos on a whim. It’s for a new subscription romance writers website. No big deal, right? Not in NZ where it’s gone viral and they’re thinking smut. Oh no!
Faith agrees to come to NZ as a friend to help calm things down. In LV they agreed to just be friends since he was leaving. Only now, they find out how much harder it is to keep those more intimate feelings in check. They can’t. And how much worse would it be for Will and NZ fans to find out she is writing for the website?
Bocking does a decent job of narration.