Sweet Talk: A Novel

Buchanan-Renard-MacKenna, Book 10

By: Julie Garwood

Narrated by: Angela Dawe

Length: 10 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

When FBI agent Grayson Kincaid first encounters Olivia MacKenzie, she makes quite an impression. The beautiful, tough young attorney has stumbled into the middle of an FBI sting operation and reduced it to chaos. Months of surveillance and careful planning down the drain, Kincaid’s partner is furious and lets Olivia know that she’s ticked off the wrong guy. After all, he’s FBI.

But Olivia isn’t intimidated by his partner’s bullying because she’s something even scarier...she’s IRS.

And working for the IRS is no picnic. She’s on the trail of an elaborate Ponzi scheme, one that threatens to ruin the lives of naive and unsuspecting victims, and one she has personal reasons to be angry about. But after she asks the wrong people questions, her life is suddenly endangered. She’s accustomed to looking out for others who are weak, but being vulnerable herself makes her realize she needs help. In desperation, she calls Grayson Kincaid.

Together they join forces to fight corruption, but Olivia is also fighting the immediate and intense attraction she feels for Agent Kincaid, and that may be a battle she is bound to lose.

©2012 Julie Garwood (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"As always, Ms. Garwood creates engaging characters who come alive page after page. The banter and interaction between Ellie and Max is beyond charming. Ellie is a spirited and strong heroine, and Max is charming in a stoic, gruff sort of way." ( New York Journal of Books on The Ideal Man)

"Julie Garwood creates masterpieces every time she writes a book. Indeed, she is the Rembrandt of romance novels." ( The Kansas City Star)

"Julie Garwood has become a trusted brand name in romantic fiction." ( People)

Poor narration

I was wondering how Julie Garwood had managed to write a book with such cold and emotionally dead characters. I finally realized that it wasn’t what the characters said but how the narrator said them. I listen to audiobooks because my eyes are a problem, otherwise I would have bought the Book

if you like 'em Sweet!

good old fashion wit, and sexy flirtatious dialogue. Garwood's old humor comes out!
I have made up excuses to stay in the car so I can listen longer. This is light listening and a good show of a group of girls/ladies who have stuck by each other. Ms Dawe is a great reader that has gotten even better as she narrates newer books. Her male voice and Scottish accents are tops. Great for a long drive. You must be an Garwood fan of her contemporary stories. I have purchased Sizzle which is a great book too, and I am only on chapter 4 on this book. I wanted to give Garwood fans a brief report.
We’re my comments helpful?

love Julie Garwood...Hate Angela Dawe...

I will all ways get a Julie Garwood novel, she writes a good story and can make me laugh out loud. Sometimes I laugh because I can finish the lines for her. But this narrator is horrible, I could do better myself. As the story went on I kept thinking she would get better...she didn't. If I see any books Narrated by Angela Dawe again I'll be reading it myself.
+

Wonderful Julie- not so good narrator

Would you listen to Sweet Talk: A Novel again? Why?

Julie Garwood books are always good for multiple listens.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

It seemed as if she was rushing to get to the end of a sentence before she ran out of breath.

Any additional comments?

Listen to the sample but if you're like me a Julie Garwood book is good regardless of the narrator.

good story, bad narration

I didn't like the narration of this book at all. I think I would have enjoyed the story much more if I had read it myself.

Another great story....

Love Julie Garwood's contemporary stories! Want more!!! I've listened to other books narrated by Angela Dawe and had no problem however not impressed with this book.

Dirty Dealing

The story is okay. Nothing special, but fairly enjoyable entertainment while driving. Sweet romance, with about three sex scenes. Olivia and Grayson, hero and heroine, are perfectly flawless, like Ken and Barbie. Predictable suspense plot involves fraud and attempted murder. Some fun banter and good humor. Some heartwarming scenes with a 7-year-old boy. Some violence. Minimal or no profanity or coarse language.

The narrator, Angela Dawe, has a nice voice. She read the non-dialogue beautifully, but she didn't portray dialogue with distinction. All four of the girlfriends (The Pips) sound similar. Dawe portrayed Collins' voice with an inconsistent Southern accent -- on again, off again. I couldn't tell the difference between the two men, Ronan and Grayson.

Very enjoyable

Any additional comments?

This isn't great literature but is a fun listen. I loved the main characters, great back story of the pips, and the beginning was fabulous; quite the different than usual job interview for sure. The reader adds a lot to the story, her male voices didn't annoy like so many readers. Very enjoyable and I stayed up late listening. I want more like this.

The narrarator was awful!!

What did you like best about Sweet Talk: A Novel? What did you like least?

I love Julie Garwood but this person reading the story was so bad I couldn't finish the book.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

didn't make it that far

Would you be willing to try another one of Angela Dawe’s performances?

no never!

Any additional comments?

lose the person reading the book

Sweet Talk -Too Much Uneeded Detail - Average Read

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Sweet Talk is a romantic mystery with a little bit of adventure thrown in.

I failed to see the relevance of the prologue; four young girls being treated for a mysterious disease. It had no real relevance to the story, the only reason I can think of is that the author included it was to draw sympathetic characters; a possible reason, perhaps the four girls who were "abandoned" by their wealthy and busy parents. That could've been achieved in any number of more realistic scenarios, in my opinion.

Sweet Talk was a bit more unique than the run of the mill romantic mystery. I enjoyed it but doubt I will revisit it.

Julie Garwood is a talented writer and I enjoy her work from historical romance right up into contemporary romance – this book fell a bit short of my expectations for her. However, others, with a bit more imagination, I may enjoy it even more.

Angela Dawe delivers a great performance. I find her narration a bit slow for my taste, so I speed it up to 2X the normal speed on almost everything. This is a personal preference. If I see a book has been narrated by her I know that I am in for a solid performance.

Thank you for taking the time to read my review. If you found it helpful in your decision-making would you please select yes below this review. Thank you.


Publisher's Summary

When FBI agent Grayson Kincaid first encounters Olivia MacKenzie, she makes quite an impression. The beautiful, tough young attorney has stumbled into the middle of an FBI sting operation and reduced it to chaos. Months of surveillance and careful planning down the drain, Kincaid’s partner is furious and lets Olivia know that she’s ticked off the wrong guy. After all, he’s FBI.

But Olivia isn’t intimidated by his partner’s bullying because she’s something even scarier...she’s IRS.

And working for the IRS is no picnic. She’s on the trail of an elaborate Ponzi scheme, one that threatens to ruin the lives of naive and unsuspecting victims, and one she has personal reasons to be angry about. But after she asks the wrong people questions, her life is suddenly endangered. She’s accustomed to looking out for others who are weak, but being vulnerable herself makes her realize she needs help. In desperation, she calls Grayson Kincaid.

Together they join forces to fight corruption, but Olivia is also fighting the immediate and intense attraction she feels for Agent Kincaid, and that may be a battle she is bound to lose.