Sunday, February 4, 2024

✱✱Audio Book Review✱✱ Hearts Reclaimed by Ayla Asher

 

Hearts Reclaimed
Ardor Creek, Book 1
By: Ayla Asher
Narrated by: Kai Kennicott & Wen Ross

Two weary souls find each other against all odds...

Ashlyn Rivers left her cheating fiancé behind and moved to Ardor Creek to revamp her life. Done with men in general, she has plenty to focus on, like building her new business and renovating her house for the local haunted homes tour. Falling in love is definitely not on the agenda.

Scott Grillo lost his family in a tragic accident several years ago. Still processing the loss, he throws himself into his contracting business, pushing away the loneliness and heartache.

When Ashlyn blazes into Scott’s life, he turns down her request to renovate her house, vowing to squelch the desire she stirs deep inside. But Ashlyn is a force to be reckoned with and Scott finds himself longing for her embrace each day she remains in Ardor Creek.

Can these two disillusioned souls reclaim their hearts and choose to love again?

Welcome to Ardor Creek, the small Pennsylvania town where love is in the air! If you like a grumpy hero and feisty heroine, this book is your jam. As with all of Ayla’s books, there’s a slight holiday theme, and Halloween ghosts play a part! The main character is a widower who discusses the loss of his family so please take note of this before listening. Settle in and fall in love with Ardor Creek today!



Momma Says: 4 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ayla Asher isn't exactly new to me. I've seen her books and intended to check out her work, but hadn't had a chance. So, when I saw the Hearts Reclaimed audiobook and realized it was the first in a series and narrated by Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross, I decided it was time. I love that audiobooks let me enjoy a book when I don't have time to sit down and read. This book had lots going for it even before I started listening. In addition to being a series starter and narrated by two of my favorite narrators, it's also a small-town romance, which is one of my favorite tropes.
The storyline is a mix of sweet and sexy, and the feels are all over the place. I expected it to get emotional, given Scott's grief, and it certainly does. Scott is a great mix of grump and sweetheart, but he isn't much into showing the latter part of himself. Then we have Ashlyn, who has enough spunk for both of them. There are a lot of renovations being done throughout this story, and that was just fine with me. Don't ask me why, but I tend to be drawn to that particular storyline. Lord knows, I've had enough trouble with our extensive remodel here in the real world. Maybe I like seeing others have a good outcome. Anyway, that was just one more thing that appealed to me about Hearts Reclaimed.
The narration is terrific, which is nothing short of what I expected from Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross. If you've never listened to them, you're missing out, and after listening to this book, I'd say this is a pretty good place to start. The book is well-written, the pacing is good, and the narration is totally entertaining. 


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