Just This Once

Escape to New Zealand, Book 1

By: Rosalind James

Narrated by: Claire Bocking

Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Everyone needs to be rescued sometimes.

Everyone but Hannah Montgomery, that is. She just needs a vacation. Three weeks in New Zealand to sort out her life, figure out what she wants, seems just right. Oh, and to relax. She should definitely put that on the agenda. She certainly isn't looking for a fling with a professional rugby player, no matter how attractive he is. Hannah doesn't do casual. But maybe just this once.…

Drew Callahan is happy to help Hannah find all the fun she's been missing. But as much as he's shared with her, he's kept one very big secret. And learning the truth, now that she's back home again, has made Hannah more wary than ever. Drew knows that she's right for him. But how can he convince her to let down her guard enough to explore what they could have together?

Note: This romance, like New Zealand, contains a bit of steam. If that isn't your cuppa, you may want to visit another country…er, book.

©2012 Rosalind James (P)2014 Rosalind James

Thank heavens its only once

Would you try another book from Rosalind James and/or Claire Bocking?

No. It was mental chewing gum. Not that I have anything against mental chewing gum - sometimes its important but this was not enough to tempt me to return.

What was most disappointing about Rosalind James’s story?

Her blind assumption that all New Zealanders love rugby. Hint: lots of us dont although I have to say if my husband knew that I had actually listened to a book about a rugby player he would laugh till he cried.

What aspect of Claire Bocking’s performance would you have changed?

It would have been nice if she had actually used a New Zealand accent instead of that knock off Aussie mess. The only time she came close was with the little girl. However, only a Kiwi would find fault with that. Otherwise she actually did a good job.

Was Just This Once worth the listening time?

Once yes but I don't think it will become a regular listen

Wonderful

This was a nice romance. Enjoyed the narrator very much. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

loved it!

when I first started listening to this story, I wasn't sure I was going to like it. However, it turned out to be such a great story. I loved the characters, the narration and the whole storyline. I would listen to it again.

Now in Love with Rugby and New Zealand

Other book got me introduced to Rugby but these books taught me Rugby and the love of the game, love of family I show horses and have been around cowboys all my life and these New Zealand folks remind me of the cowboy way of love of country and pride in what you do No Whiners! Loved the romance and I know it is fiction but can dream. Thank you so glad I found these books. FYI Rugby World Cup this year in Japan 2019 hope we get in states.

Story okay, narration okay

Story was enjoyable, but not memorable. Liked the characters, although the H was too perfect. The narrator had the New Zealand accent, but I couldn't tell which character was speaking if more than one American was in the scene. No difference between men and women at all. Won't bother to listen to again.

See ya familia! I'm off to New Zealand!

What did you love best about Just This Once?

This was such a nice surprise - this was an engaging, sexy listen. I loved the story and found Hannah and Drew's budding relationship come to life under the backdrop of New Zealand. The author spent lots of time taking the reader "there" and I so appreciate that. I want to escape when listening to this genre and this story did it for me. Plus the narration was 5 stars awesome!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Drew was pretty sexy! Hannah's trust issues got old and she sounded like a broken record but as with any worthy "feel good" book, in the end they worked it all out.

What about Claire Bocking’s performance did you like?

So good. 5 stars! The New Zealand male accents are hot!

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

Just thoroughly enjoyed this one as well as book 2. Both are so entertaining.

Any additional comments?

If you like travel, romance, adventure, sexy sex scenes and pretty awesome NZ accents- here ya go. You've been served!

Sweet

Sweet book. Sweet does not mean sex/language free.


The heroine did drive me a bit crazy with her whole "I can't depend on anyone but myself" credo. If I had been the hero, my patience would have worn thin much earlier.

I listened to the Audible version. My first time with the narrator Claire Bocking. She did a stunning job. Lots of accents/characters and she was consistent and did not have to resort to really annoying characterizations, whining voices, or ridiculous overacting.

Am I the only one who paid for this??

Here is my first point about this book: I paid for this. It's disturbing to me how many reviewers were given free copies of the book to post "honest" reviews. Even with the disclaimer, the single act of receiving something for free changes the way you view it.

So here is my honest review: the book was okay. just ok. While the heroine was constantly annoying me with her lack of self worth and her lack of any acceptance of her own value, the hero in the story with spot on. He is exactly what you would wish to use as your fantasy man in this predic amtable nightstand book.

The narrator was possibly the stand-alone reason I would listen to another book in the series.

The book was wholly predictable but sometimes predictable is what you want to read.

Great book, awesome narrator.

What did you like best about this story?

A story that takes you to another place with a narrator that goes along for the ride.

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

I have not listened to Claire Bocking's performances before but will certainly look for more after hearing this book. She did a great job with the New Zealand accent!

Narrator missed the mark with Drews' Voice !!

Greatvstory BUT the narrator NEVER changed her tone of voice when doing Drews part!! Many times it left me lost until I figured out it was Drews part.