Not Quite Dating

Not Quite Series, Book 1

By: Catherine Bybee

Narrated by: Amy McFadden

From New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Catherine Bybee comes the first novel in the delicious Not Quite series.

Waitress and single mom Jessica “Jessie” Mann is practical to a fault. Even if she had time to date, which she doesn’t, she’d be determined to provide her son with a more secure upbringing than the one she had - and that would mean a husband with big bucks. When Jack Morrison - a sexy-as-sin, seemingly broke customer with a cowboy hat and a seductive grin - tries to flirt with her, she shoots him down. She doubts a carefree dreamer like Jack can provide the financial stability she needs. Yet with Christmas just weeks away, and Jessie not wanting to spend it alone, the charming Texan is proving hard to resist.

As the heir to the Morrison luxury hotel empire, Jack is used to being fawned over. But Jack needs someone who will fall in love with him - not his wealth. He’s set his sights on Jessie, though her hardened heart just might get in the way.... To be sure, he conceals his true identity and offers to help Jessie find the rich husband she seeks. But Jack’s daring charade may rob him of the holiday wish he wants most of all....

©2012 by Catherine Bybee. (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

very easy to listen and enjoy

Sweet story. Well narrated - great voices. Nice quick easy book to listen to. Very enjoyable.

Sweet Contemporary Romance

A sweet romance to make you smile. It's a bit chick lit with a focus on personal growth. It's easy to connect with very likeable characters. Narrator okay, though better with female voice than male.

Not Quite. That's It.

This is one of those books where there isn't a whole lot to the characters or story, and that can be okay when well-executed, but that didn't really happen here. This was simply good enough for me for when I needed something to listen to but didn't need to pay close attention. No one was that appealing or endearing as far as characters, and the plot left something to be desired.

I'm not Amy McFadden's biggest fan. It's something to do with her cadence as well as her poorer ability to narrate men.

This is only probably worth it for people who like very easy, simple romances without much substance. Even then, there is better out there of this sub-genre, so maybe those people should only get it when it's part of an Audible sale.

The Heart Wants What It Wants

Not Quite Dating is the first book in the Not Quite Series but can be enjoyed as a stand-alone book. Amy is pleasant to listen to and does well with the cast of characters.

Jessie is a young, single Mom struggling to make ends meet for herself, her five year old son, Danny and her younger sister, Monica who is in college for her BSN. She meets Jack at one of her tables. Jack is really a Morrison, heir to worldwide chains of Morrison luxury hotels. He is in town to try out a family friendly, less expensive hotel to see how it does for their chain. He is also tired of women only being interested in his money, so he passed himself off as a waiter at the Morrison hotel.

So Jessie passed on dating Jack wanting a more settled and stable man in her life who is fiscally responsible. Jack won't give up, but he is bound by his lies now. As their friendship grows and becomes a deeper love, Jessie is conflicted between what her heart wants and what she thinks she needs for stability for her family. Jack cares about all three of them and wants to give them the world even though he can't. Eventually they figure it all out with little Danny and Monica being the biggest cheerleaders for team Jack & Jessie.

Cute, Funny, and Sweet!

I enjoyed reading and listening to this book. Amy McFadden is one of my favorite narrators and really brings the story to life. She does an amazing job with all the different accents for all characters to give them their own voice lending to a better experience.