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Loving Cara  By  cover art

Loving Cara

By: Kristen Proby
Narrated by: Deacon Lee,Elizabeth Louise
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Publisher's summary

Chemistry was never this sexy in high school.

In her sizzling new series, USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby sets the stage for a passionate reunion under the breathtaking Montana sky.

Cara Donovan's summer tutoring job is turning out to be a challenge - and not just because of her troubled 12-year-old student. It's his uncle Josh who's the real problem. If problem is the word for an irresistibly cocky, muscle-bound rancher with a taste for tight Levi's and shameless flirtation.…

Cara is nothing like the wallflower Josh King remembers good-naturedly teasing in high school. This Cara is gorgeous, confident, fun. From the moment the fiery teacher steps foot on his family's Lazy K Ranch, the stubborn playboy is determined to corral her. So what happens when his luscious lover takes over the reins?

The first in a steamy trilogy, Kristen Proby's enthralling novel is filled to the brim with one hardworking family's triumphs and challenges, all the wild adventure of the modern West, and a whole lot of titillating fun.

©2013 Kristen Proby (P)2013 Simon & Schuster

What listeners say about Loving Cara

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

3.5 stars Good but not great

This is the book in a nutshell.
Ranch in Montana
Sexy, alpha-male (w/o being obnoxious), kind, loyal, loving cowboy - Josh
Pretty, smart, kind, loyal and loving teacher - Cara
Throw in a sad and hurt boy (Seth); a pained brother (Josh's twin) with some PTSD from Afgan and a nutty BFF (Cara's BFF) and you have a very lite sweet romance.

I think the book started off strong. I thought that Seth would play a larger, more angst-y role in the book. Would have added more depth to the book.

The characters are fairly superficially written. Meaning that I garnered very little understanding beyond them being good-looking nice people. Although Cara's insecurity about being fat (although my guess is that she's a size 8/10 instead of a 0/2, so she feels fat and the obnoxious jealous caddy women call her 'fat' b/c she isn't emaciated?). But her insecurity got really old. The more she complains about it, points it out or let's other women make her feel badly about her weight- the less I liked her.

I gave this book 3 1/2 stars I can 'like' books that are totally romance-lite (oh - with lots of 'steamy' scenes). Sometimes it's easy to read a book that doesn't make you cry, churn your stomach or make you sweat things out. Just a very lite, quickly forgotten, but a sweet innocent ride along the way. (formulaic - hot 'popular' sought after bachelor male runs into former shy high school colleague, falls immediately for her, pursues her romantically, brings her out of her shell, things get bad, she runs away, he chases her, they promise to love each other, the end. Oh, and it's obvious there is another book in the series - Josh's brother is back from his tour and needs to reunite with his son and his family...more to come.
I am not a fan of dual narration however, Deacon Lee and Elizabeth Louise did a good job with the delivery of the story

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

WOW Supper Hot Josh & Horses ! Oh Yes Yes Yes :)

Any additional comments?

Loving Cara is the first book in author Kristen Proby’s newest series, Under the Big Sky and talk about one hell of a debut. I loved everything about the book from start to finish.

Cara Donovan and Josh King have known each other for years. They went to high school together and still live in the same small town but despite the geography, they really don’t see much of each other. That all changes when Cara gets a job tutoring Josh’s nephew over the summer. Seth’s mother drops him off at the King’s family ranch and leaves without so much as a backward glance. Zach, Josh’s brother and Seth’s father, is in the Army and overseas for at least another month which means Seth was now Josh and his parents responsibility. No problem, right? Wrong. Seth needs a whole lot of love and attention to bring him out of the anger he’s settled into. He also needs whole lot of help in the schooling department which is where Cara comes in and ends up as Seth’s tutor. Luckily Cara is up for the challenge. Of course that means Cara and Josh will be spending a whole lot of time together and soon the attraction they both feel is too much to deny. Josh can’t believe his high school friend has grown into such a beautiful and smart woman and Cara is in awe of the handsome, sexy, and caring Josh. Sparks will fly and lust will ignite all while helping a young man learn to trust and love again. Will they all get their happy ending?

Man, I devoured this book. In less than a day. Cara and Josh have some serious heat building from the very beginning and it slowly builds at a delicious pace until they both decide to take the next step and holy hell. These two are HOT together! But beyond that, Cara and Josh come together to help Seth, and that’s where they shine. Where Josh is stern, Cara balances him out with a softer side and Seth stands to learn a lot from both of them. Of course there are a few bumps in the road for Cara and Josh, which makes it more emotional and intense and that much better. Along the way we meet Cara’s best friend Jillian, Jillian’s brother Ty, and at the end, Zach, Seth’s dad. All of them are fabulous, complex characters and I suspect we will be seeing more of them in this series and I can’t WAIT!

If you’re looking for a romance with serious heat, loads of emotions and a small town feel, this is the book for you! Thank you, Kristen, for a fantastic book and a series I look forward to continuing!

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

PREDICTABLE YES.... BUT OH SO ENJOYABLE

A very nice Contemporary romance that flows really well and gently meanders through Josh and Cara's budding, building then blooming relationship. There were a couple of b*tches, a tree where it shouldn't be, a slight hiccup along the way, lots of sex, some great secondary characters made up of family and friends and a lost, mentally abused 12 year old boy.

Although Josh was all Alpha don't expect the Chaps, Spurs and frustrated cowboy that goes with it as he was kind, thoughtful, loving and said all the right things to make Cara (and me) melt and Cara's a sweet-natured Teacher (unless provoked). This really is a touching, tender, sweet, sexy and romantic listen about two people that were meant for each other and this listen is like gently floating in the middle of a pool and starring up at the clear blue skies with absolutely nothing on your mind but the pure, blissful and peaceful ease of the day mmmm delicious.

Worth a credit? If you're looking for a well-written and narrated, light, Contemporary, sexy listen then hit the 'Add To Cart' button now. As this is book 1 of a trilogy about 3 handsome sexy men, all friends, who grew up in sleepy small town Cunningham Falls, then I'll be eagerly looking out for the next in the series and YES creditworthy.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The Montana guys are my current favorites

Listen to Cara, Lauren, and for the Holidays Grace (Baby it's cold outside, starts at chapter 16) over and over! I can't wait for January 27th for Jillian's story. I was sad to find out there will only be three books in the series but excited that Kristen Proby going South for her new adventure. Until then I'll be " satisfied" with the North Western folks. I didn't think Kristen Proby could ever top the Seattle stories but then she melted quite a bit of snow in Montana. I'll have to see if she can bring the spices of New Orleans to the pages of her next region.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • DK
  • 08-29-17

This is the style of story I love... 💖



This is the style of story I love. A hunky, sexy, single guy – something life-changing affects him [in this book, his family.] Enter in a heroine with a secret crush to help him through things.

The Publisher's Summary is pretty inclusive, so I am not going to add to it at all – for fear of SPOILING.

Narration: Deacon Lee has a really deep voice, but it is a little slow for me. I listened on
1.25x and that helps a lot (that is my preference for most narrators) I also enjoyed Elizabeth Louise, as well.

I will be getting the rest of the series – they are in my card as we speak. :-)

If you found my review helpful, would you please select yes below? I really appreciate any feedback. Please consider following me here on Audible. Thanks!

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Language not necessary

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Clean up the language. The F word didn't add anything to this story, and it was used around Seth the boy in the book. This language may be exceptable to some people, but not to anyone in the three generations in my family.

Would you ever listen to anything by Kristen Proby again?

NO WON'T WASTE MY MONEY ! I think the story was going to be good, but she needs to expand her vocabulary so she doesn't have to use offensive language. I know you will call me a prude and I know I am, but I know a lot of prudes just like me.

What about Deacon Lee and Elizabeth Louise ’s performance did you like?

They were very good, and I liked the voice changing it kept me more into the story. I only got two hours in before I stopped listening.

What character would you cut from Loving Cara?

None

Any additional comments?

I think I have said it all.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

NOT QUITE SURE ABOUT THIS ONE ???

Would you try another book from Kristen Proby and/or Deacon Lee and Elizabeth Louise ?

YES, by Kristen Proby as she seems to be fairly highly rated, that said, this book was highly rated by a couple of ladies I follow and I just don't get it. Josh's character seemed "real" and so did much of the interactions between he and Cara but the entire storyline was a bit lacking with the exception of pulling in Ty, Jill & Zach for what I am assuming will be the continuing "Under the Big Sky" saga.

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

Again, not quite sure but for me really lacking.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Deacon Lee and Elizabeth Louise ?

I thought EL's performance, while not great and not much in the way of changing her tone or inflection during those parts that could have used a change (sad, angry, aroused, etc.),
was much better than DL's, including her male voices. Didn't like his narration at all; too stunted.

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

No. Not enough there to hold my attention.

Any additional comments?

Hope KP's upcoming books in this series are better. I will try again. Please, someone pay attention to the fact that the narrator can make or definitely BREAK a decent story.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I moving to Cunningham Falls, Montana.

Would you consider the audio edition of Loving Cara to be better than the print version?

Normally I enjoy reading a book myself, because I like to paint my own pictures from the author's words. This audio book was amazing. I felt that Deacon Lee and Elizabeth Louise did a superb job in portraying the range of emotions of the characters without losing the feel of the book.

What other book might you compare Loving Cara to and why?

As I read this book I was reminded of the talented Nora Roberts and her family spun series.

Have you listened to any of Deacon Lee and Elizabeth Louise ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, this was the first time listening to the two actors.

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

I was invested in the characters and went through the range of emotions with them. I cried for Seth and Zack and wanted to reach out to hug both of them. I cheered for Cara and Josh and laughed with them during tender moments. I booed the mean girls.

Any additional comments?

I truly love this first book from the Under the Big Sky Series and anxiously await more. I purchased this book on every format available.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Sweet, sexy romance but dragged out and a bit boring

Not much plot other than introducing the characters for the next few books. The main action was between the sheet or the misbehavior of the preteen nephew. The main couple- Cara and Josh had insecurities about each other and communication problems plus Cara had issues about her appearance due to her being a bit overweight and being bullied by mean girls in high school. Surprisingly their was no explanation of how the weight loss occurred- only how she relaxed her curls- and her main exercise seemed to be having sex with Josh. This book was ok as a mindless summer read but a bit disappointing compared to other Proby books and not as good as the recent Cunningham Falls books that are set in the same town, but these characters reappear in the later series so at least this provides a bit more background. This book and the series is not part of the escape package though it should be- along with the other 2 books in the series. It is a bit overpriced for a credit unless you have an abundance.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Could have been much better

I found this book because Elizabeth Louise is my favorite narrator. She is still amazing but the book was lacking. It could have been much better. It was just missing a lot of substance and too much detail in the unimportant. I don’t think I will use another credit for the rest of the series.

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