Take Me

By: Bella Andre

Narrated by: Grace Grant, Ian MacLaren

Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

An appetite for sensual pleasures must never be denied....

Lily Ellis has curves - soft, beautiful curves. The kind of voluptuous body she fears Travis Carson, the man she's always loved from afar, would never crave. But Lily is about to be proven wrong. Her adventure begins when the demure San Francisco interior decorator agrees to model a plus-size dress for her fashion designer sister. Watching this sensual beauty move down the runway, Travis can't believe it's the same Lily he's always known - and always rejected. In a whirlwind of electric attraction, Lily is soon moaning Travis's name in his bed, not just in her wild fantasies. But Lily is all too aware that she's nothing like his past lovers.

Determined to beat Travis at his own game by guarding her true feelings, Lily partners with him on a business deal that takes them all the way to Italy. In the seductive warmth of the Tuscan sun, Lily plays a game of desire with the hot-blooded Travis. Will she be burned by an all-consuming ecstasy or will Travis open his heart to the sexy, exciting, and lasting love she has to offer?

©2013 Bella Andre (P)2013 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"Emotionally charged and deliciously erotic. A must-read from cover to cover." (Jaid Black)

"Oh my! Bella Andre's Take Me is wonderfully sexy - a big, fun fantasy with an equally big heart. You'll cheer these characters on as they find each other...and themselves!" (Emma Holly)

Lovely Story....can't wait to read the next story

What did you love best about Take Me?

i cried in some scenes that went deep into the characters feelings and memories

Any additional comments?

Loved it, amusing in some scenes. This is a great story

Blushingly says "WOW" ehem....

If you could sum up Take Me in three words, what would they be?

Steamy, funny, Romantic-as-hell!

What did you like best about this story?

Although the language was perhaps a bit strong for me I really, really did enjoy the story. For the real women out there I'm sure there's a chapter each one can relate to. I like the way you didn't have to wait to the end for the love affair to begin, and I like that after all the glitter and wonder of Italy (no spoilers) Bella takes you back to reality and continues to develop the story back home on US ground where the characters have to deal with the realities of everyday life. I ended up falling in-love with Travis, who wouldn't? I loved Lily from the the beginning although sometimes wanted to strangle her and say "SHUT UP WOMAN, DON'T SPOIL IT" but then realised most women do just as she did (no spoilers again). I think I'll try her "Sullivans" series as I enjoyed this one so much.

What about Grace Grant and Ian MacLaren ’s performance did you like?

I thought Grace Grant did a wonderful job and her voice is so versatile, she can handle any situation and make you live it. As for Ian MacLaren, why the heck has he only done one audiobook? I loved him. Contrary to what another reviewer said, I don't think he sounded bored at all. I think he made Travis sexy as hell and I applaud how comfortable he was reading those super steamy words. I blushed a few times as it was quite strong for me, and couldn't help but wonder whether he had to take a cold-shower after having read it, lol. I think he did a great job. Lovely voice and he really brought the character home for me.

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

Oh yes, when Ian MacLaren is narrating Travis saying I LOVE YOU LILY for the first time. Ufff I just cried and felt out of breath and stared out the window for a bit, thinking, wondering...

Any additional comments?

Although very steamy it is definitely a lovely love story. The author created wonderful scenes and details and the narrators delivered it with much talent.

Good Effort-Look 4 Improvement If She Continues

What did you like best about Take Me? What did you like least?

It had its moments-good & bad. At times I could really 'feel' Lily's hurt. However, overall the plot was a bit jerky and didn't flow well.

If you’ve listened to books by Bella Andre before, how does this one compare?

I have not, but understand her to be a good 'feel good', nice, chick-light romance writer.

I think she will do well in this new genre as she continues to write and becomes more comfortable with the edgier parts.

What does Grace Grant and Ian MacLaren bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

These two are fantastic and brought the story to life.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No. This one ran hot and cold, one is in love-the other isn't and vice versa. That can be fun but the plot was a bit loose.

For Example---SPOILER ALERT---a mob comes together in wedding celebration & 'forces' them into wedding clothes and neither realizes it is a real wedding?

Any additional comments?

Some hot sex scenes & strong language.

Not in love

I usually enjoy this authors books but this one didn't do it for me at all. I understand the insecurities of a size 16 woman but the wish washy way she approached him was a big turn off to me. I just couldn't get into this book at all.

Fell short for me

I liked the story but didn't love the female lead. She was weak. Her main issues were that she thought the world treated her poorly because she was overweight although she was the one who didn't even think she was worth anything because she wasn't a size 4. I mean if your a good person then you deserve the same as the next person. She judged the world for treating her different but she was just as shallow towards her own self herself. I tend to like strong female roles who are beautiful because they are good people and don't value themselves solely on their looks.

Okay

I enjoyed the story. My favorite part was that Lily wasnt the normally long legged glowing tan skinny person but she was described with imperfections instead. Makes it more relatable I feel. I didn't care for the readers tho. Especially the guy. His voice just didn't match the one I had in my head so it was hard to pay attention to what he was saying.

Excellent listen !

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes defferently would recommend take me , really enjoyed the story

What did you like best about this story?

that Lily found confidents in herself and come out of her shell and enjoyed the funny wit between the characters

Which character – as performed by Grace Grant and Ian MacLaren – was your favorite?

i enjoyed both Narrators , both very easy to follow and listen to

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

this book defferenly made me laugh and smile

Any additional comments?

defferently would recommend !! very enjoyable listen

Enjoyed this passionate romantic story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes it had some real feelings and issues to deal with besides, love, and passion. Dealing with self image, and loss. How one deals with things under pressure>

What was one of the most memorable moments of Take Me?

When Lilly learns that she is more than what she thinks she is. When she understands how the people who love her see her.

What does Grace Grant and Ian MacLaren bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I think they did the emotions and voices very well

Any additional comments?

Sweet romantic and passionate story with learning experience I enjoyed .

Meh, middle of the road

The story was rather unappealing. The hero was a complete a** and shallow. The heroine had no confidence and if she truly felt confident she would have never settled for such an egotistical a**

Big girl romance? Heck yes!

What made the experience of listening to Take Me the most enjoyable?

Within a few minutes I cheered. This book is about a size sixteen woman getting the mouth watering heroe. Colour me impressed. Lily is extremely self conscious about her size and dresses accordingly: to hide her body. Travis is gorgeous and very confident and of course dates slim, beautiful women. That is, until Travis happened to watch Lily dressed in a stunning red dress during a fashion show put on by her little sister. Travis fell in instant lust, he couldn't believe it. Lily had a crush since forever on Travis. They have known each since they were children and Travis ignored and at times he even made fun of her. Travis pursues Lily after the show, she gives in thinking she may not get another chance.

Having sex with Travis not only made her wish come true but it was the start of Lily's journey towards loving herself. Travis, on the other hand not only couldn't get enough of Lily but found her beautiful inside and out. I loved how little by little both Lily and Travis found the courage to face their past mistakes and false assumptions. Travis gave a lot of thought to how badly he treated Lily. His journey wasn't as painful as Lily's and when the word love slipped past his lips and embraced that new reality. Lily took more time to come into her own because as much as she loved Travis she didn't love herself enough.

Lily discovered her sensual side. No more unflattering clothes and yet she allowed her insecurities to made her question whether or not she was the right woman for Travis. No matter how many times Travis told how much he loved her curves, how good she was as an interior decorator, what a beautiful woman she was, Lily still felt insecure. What surprised me too was that Travis figured that it all had to do with Lily not loving herself.

At the end Lily came to her senses, accepted the risk of loving and being loved and that it all starts with loving herself.