Yours to Keep

By: Shannon Stacey

Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang

Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Sean Kowalski no sooner leaves the Army than he's recruited by Emma Shaw to be her fake fiance. Emma needs to produce a husband-to-be for her grandmother's upcoming visit, and, though Sean doesn't like the deception, he could use the landscaping job Emma's offering while he decides what to do with his civilian life. And, despite his attraction to Emma, there's no chance he'll fall for a woman with deep roots in a town he's not planning to call home.

Emma's not interested in a real relationship either; not with a man whose idea of home is wherever he drops his duffel bag. No matter how amazing his "pretend" kisses are....

©2011 Shannon Stacey (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Cotton candy

This book is well-balanced, not stretched for too long. Predictable, but excellently simple for exercise listening. Cotton candy sweet :)

Good read

Great love story with strong emotional feeling. Good plot, easy to follow and sweet vibes that can be identified with and understood.

Awesome

What did you love best about Yours to Keep?

Love those Kowalski boys.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Yours to Keep?

When Sean realized he loved Emma.

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

I have listened to most if not all of Lauren's performances. She is awesome, she is always good. As a matter of fact I search out the book she performs because I like her performances so much.

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

Definitely made me laugh in some spots and cry in others.

Nice relaxing book

In between my romance/mystery books, this was a nice relaxing listen that didn't require much concentration - but I still really enjoyed it though! Typical romance :-)

Silly Premise but A Cute Story

What made the experience of listening to Yours to Keep the most enjoyable?

The characters were fun and the love story was cute.

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

It was very, very cute.

What aspect of Lauren Fortgang’s performance would you have changed?

Her depiction of Sean's voice at times. She didn't give him much of a vocal range.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

This was pretty darn adorable. Though the overall plot was a bit silly, I liked that she didn't portray any of the characters as boneheads which, with such a goofy premise, could have been a major issue. It was definitely a cute, quick and very entertaining read that will leave you smiling.

A keeper!

What made the experience of listening to Yours to Keep the most enjoyable?

I have enjoyed this whole series. It has a good feel to it.

What does Lauren Fortgang bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I like Lauren Fortgang. She does a good job.

Any additional comments?

Just an overall good love story!

Good addition to the series :)

3-3.5 stars

This was a good story. I liked Emma and Sean and their story was enjoyable.

Emma is a nice lady with her own landscaping company. She was orphaned at the age of 4 and was raised by her grandparents. Her grandfather died and her grandmother has moved to Florida for her retirement but still worries about Emma. Unfortunately, Emma's Grandmother can't seem to relax and enjoy her retirement, worrying about Emma all alone without a man to look after her. Emma doesn't want her to worry so she made up a fake man, planning to replace him with a real man when she started dating a real guy. Unfortunately, Emma hasn't had time to find a man and now her Grandmother is coming for a visit.

Sean is has just left the Army and is trying to figure out what to do with his life now. He and his siblings have a lodge in Maine but he decides to hang around his New Hampshire side of the Kowalski family for a bit and visit with his cousins, Aunt and Uncle. He's just settling in to his temporary apartment when he's surprised by a visit from a woman he's convinced must be crazy.

Emma is best friends with Sara and has heard a lot about Sean from her. When she first told her grandmother about her fake boyfriend she had just heard talk about Sean so she used his name and a bit about him since it was easier than making someone up. She figured eventually she'd find a real boyfriend and then tell her grandmother that her and Sean broke up and she'd bring up the real boyfriend. Unfortunately, with an unexpected visit from her Grandmother, Emma is freaked and doesn't know what to do. Her grandmother seems convinced that Emma shouldn't be alone and keeps threatening to move back from Florida because she doesn't think Emma should be alone. Also, she keeps making comments that makes Emma think she might sell her home (which still belongs to her grandmother) out from under her because it's too much for her to handle as a "single woman" when all Emma wants is to buy the house for her own. Emma's convinced that if her Grandmother sees the truth she'll ruin her life to come back to live with Emma so Emma is determined to figure something out and ends up at Sean's door, introducing herself as his fake fiancee (which gets him thinking she's crazy). Sean is not interested at all at first but after stewing it over for a while he decides to go ahead and help Emma out.

Sean and Emma don't have much time to get to know each other before her grandmother comes so they have quite a job to pull off. They have mixed results and this isn't helped by the fact that Sean's family do their best to make things tough on him and Emma while still playing along. Emma and Sean of course have an attraction between them but neither is ready to settle down and they both make it clear there's nothing between them, not even sex. As they proceed with the masquerade, Sean and Emma begin to get to know each other and although there's issue on both side that they could complain about, they also find a lot in each other that they like. Soon they're both having to fight the physical attraction between them as well as the deepening feelings between them. Eventually of course, they give in to the sexual attraction between them but they both still try to keep it temporary, thinking that once her grandmother is gone they will be done. There's the expected drama between Emma and Sean as they try to figure things out and don't do very good at it. Thankfully some good advice brings one of them to their senses and they come together in the end so they can start their HEA.

This was an enjoyable story. I liked Emma and Sean as well as the secondary characters. I liked the story but it was pretty much what I expected with no unexpected twists so I guess I just had a little trouble getting completely into the story (the reason for 3 stars instead of 4). Overall it was a good story though and I'll probably try more of the series down the line. :)

ZESTY Romance Story

Would you listen to Yours to Keep again? Why?

This story was the best so far. It was zesty! You'll have to listen to it and decide on the degree of zestiness, but I think it deserves five stars.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Yours to Keep?

The "fake" stuff becoming "real" was well done.

Which character – as performed by Lauren Fortgang – was your favorite?

The "fake" couple acting as the "real" couple was nicely conceived. And the grandmother was awesome too. She definitely adds an extra measure of zest to the experience.

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

Very nice ending. Just like I thought it would end. Nice details.

Any additional comments?

This book has a lot of details. They are interesting. A woman would probably enjoy all those details more. For me, it was more like a documentary. It's educational. There is revelation in those details that can only be ascertained when you dig a little deeper.

Great Book!!!

Loved this!! This is the first time I have read anything by Shannon Stacey but it won't be the last. It was a very entertaining romance & the narrator did a delightful job. I highly recommend Yours to Keep. I am planning to get the whole series!!

Love it! Funny & happy!

If you could sum up Yours to Keep in three words, what would they be?

Happy, hilarious and hot

Who was your favorite character and why?

Emma -she was not whiney, could take care of her self and vulnerable at the same time.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes but I would have to make myself stop

Any additional comments?

I love how the author ties the characters together in her books.