Audiobook Review: Love is Strong by Ivy Alexander
Love is Strong
Series: Helena’s Grove #4
Author: Ivy Alexander
Narrator: Jennifer Groberg
Originally Published: September 13, 2014
Published in Audio: January 19, 2023
Audiobook: 3 hours 6 minutes
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: March 17-22, 2023
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
Aunt Gabby is a strong, purposeful lady whom everyone loves dearly. When a surprise visitor made an unannounced visit that no one saw coming, it put her, and everyone around her in a tailspin.
Now Aunt Gabby must relive events from her past she thought were gone and buried, which brings many truths to light her family never knew. Will the secrets of her past bring them closer together, or pull them apart?
Filled with drama, love, laughs and more, this story will convince you that love is strong, through anything!
Jessica’s Review:
**Please note that if you have not read the previous books and just my reviews that this review will involve spoilers dealing with the cliffhanger and Jen and Zach’s relationship of the last book Love Takes Hold.**
Love Is Strong takes place just after the ending of the previous book and the whole family is shocked to discover that Aunt Gabby has a grandson! Wait a minute: that means she had a child that we didn’t even know about! Who really is Aunt Gabby?
This book we get Aunt Gabby as the central figure! When I read the series back in 2015, Annie was my favorite and now as I read the series, Aunt Gabby has become my favorite! I was excited to learn about her past and experience her life: and as a reader we do!
Aunt Gabby is not what she seems. She really lived quite a roller coaster life with having a child that her siblings did not know about among many other things. We see the development of Gabby as she tells her life story to her family. We see her determination to get her child back over the years and this I found an immaturity to her: Wanting her child with her whole life without thinking about the consequences for her and the child. We do see her growth as she becomes involved with a man about 10 years older than her. We experience their love story which I was leery of Kevin at first, but he did grow on me.
I did have some issues with the narration this time. For me Gabby and Jen’s voices sound the same and I didn’t listen to this in one sitting. When I went in for my second sitting (driving home from work) the audiobook started and I was confused as I thought I was hearing from one character when it was the other. It was easy to distinguish the men from each other. Other than that, I had no issues.
This story shows how every step of Gabby’s life led her to where she is today. It also shows how family can be so much more than blood. I really enjoyed this one.
Many thanks to Ivy Alexander for sending me an audiobook to listen to! I’m off to listen to the final book in the Helena’s Grove series: Love Lives On!
Audiobook Review: Love Takes Hold by Ivy Alexander
Love Takes Hold
Series: Helena’s Grove #3
Author: Ivy Alexander
Narrator: Jennifer Groberg
Originally Published: August 13, 2014
Published in Audio: December 9, 2022
Audiobook: 3 hours 28 minutes
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: April 18-19, 2023
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
Jennifer Berkley and Zack LaFaye have been leading busy, on-the-go lives. With work and school filling their time, their relationship ends up taking a back seat. Zack finally decides to take matters into his own hands when he asks Jen a question she doesn’t know how to answer.
When Jen once again finds herself living with her father in New York, she is struck with the realization that the scene that was once her life is no longer right for her nor is what she wants. Soon, Jen is confronted by her past and she has two choices: take what’s in front of her and move on, or leave and never look back…
Will Jen and Zack’s relationship stand the test of time?
Filled with drama, laughs, intrigue and a little country, this story will have you believing in the power of love.
Jessica’s Review:
The book’s description for Love Takes Hold sums it up well! In the third book of the Helena’s Grove series we are back to continue Jen and Zach’s story. These books all closely follow where the previous book ended, and of course all of the characters return for each story.
Jen and Zach end up being at a turning point in their relationship, and usually you know what that means… But what happens if things don’t go the way one expects?
How can you not address certain things in a relationship at all until that certain moment occurs/ or afterwards? This does show that even in their mid-twenties that both Zach and Jen still have some growing up to do while playing house. But I am sure this situation happens every day!
This is such a sweet series! We also get a definitive answer with Jen and Zach, and yes, there is realization and growth with both of them. And we have a bit of an unexpected cliffhanger that turns this whole family upside down that will affect the rest of this series!
Many thanks to the author Ivy Alexander for sending me an audiobook copy to listen to! I’m really enjoying my return trip back to The Grove!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Audiobook Review: Love for Hire by Ivy Alexander
Love for Hire
Series: Helena’s Grove #2
Author: Ivy Alexander
Narrator: Jennifer Groberg
Originally Published: July 15, 2014
Published on Audio: November 10, 2022
Audiobook: 3 hours 28 minutes
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: April 17-18, 2023
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
Annie LaFaye is a small-town girl going to college in the big world. She’s talkative, polite, fun and… single. She dreads going to the holiday dinners by herself, until her roommate suggests something that’s so out of Annie’s comfort zone that it just might work!
Annie finds a date for the holidays in Marcus, a confident, handsome curly-haired blond who has everything going for him. Annie feels lucky to be with someone who has it so all-together. But complications arise when Annie and Marcus find they can’t hide behind appearances. Will Annie’s feelings ruin everything?
Light, fun and full of romantic moments, this sweet story will have you falling in love all over again.
Jessica’s Review:
The characters from book one are back for book two in the Helena’s Grove series! This time Annie is the focus. And like the first we have a sweet and clean romance.
Poor Annie: She is the eternal single gal and it is starting to get to her, especially now that her brother Zach is in a relationship with Jen. So much so that at Thanksgiving dinner Annie let it slips that she is dating someone, and of course Aunt Gabby, Zach and Jen want to meet Marcus! But Marcus doesn’t actually exist…
This enters the trope of fake dating/ buying a date. And I think I like this trope! Annie just keeps digging herself into a bigger hole with each lie she creates. Like with Love Finds You, you know where this story is heading, but this time I had some doubts. I actually shouted “YES!” when I got to the part of the story where it went in the direction I wanted.
This really is a fun, sweet series, and the books are of novella length. Therefore, they can be read or listened to quickly. Sweet stories can be such a refresher that we need when life becomes difficult. Love for Hire would make a cute Hallmark movie!
Jennifer Groberg narrates again. She does a good job, though at one point I was getting Aunt Gabby mixed up with another character with her narration. That only happened once and otherwise I could keep the characters straight. She did really goof with her interpretation of Annie and Annie’s feelings.
Many thanks to the author Ivy Alexander for sending me an audiobook copy to listen to!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK