Becoming Us - College Love Never Hurt So Good

London Lovers Series, Book 1

De: Amy Daws

Narrado por: Emma Lysy

The dreaded friend zone...

The last place I ever want to be with college basketball god Jake LaShae.

I am losing my mind trying to figure out what this gorgeous and confident man wants from me. I need to break through his walls. What is it about me that makes him not go there? What am I lacking?

When a mind-blowing betrayal knocks the wind out of me, and I think I can't feel any lower...Brody stumbles into my path - barefoot no less, and sexy as hell. His direct and mouthwatering swagger is a breath of fresh air. The feelings this man gives me are like nothing I've ever experienced.

But Brody has a past.

A past that makes it nearly impossible for him to trust me and let us become us in whatever capacity that may be.

Just when Brody and I truly connect, just when I think that finding my soul mate in college isn't a total joke, Jake comes back into my life...and messes things up...possibly for good.

©2015 Amy Daws (P)2015 Amy Daws

Brody and Finley

NA and a bit immature.

Professions of "BIG LOVE" between college students who overcome the small stuff, but left with a cliffhanger that felt like a last-minute idea. Rating may change depending on how the story progresses in book 2.

Narrator sounded like Rose McGowan, which is great... if you like Rose McGowan!

Coming of Age meets College Romance

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

The narrator gave presence and emotion to the story that would have been lacking had I simply read the book.

Any additional comments?

Becoming Us is a coming of age story full of college shenanigans and considerable drama wrapped in a budding romance. There were characters I loved and those I loved to hate which made this very reminiscent of my own college experience.

Finley's naivety was both charming and frustrating. Though I liked Finley, I struggled with her love interests. Neither one deserved her and that made it difficult for me to connect. I found myself at an impasse where Jake and Brody were concerned and never overcame my apathy towards them. There were sweet gestures and endearing confessions that softened my heart by the end of the story but I never felt the sense of peace from that pivotal moment when the relationship solidified.

I adored Finley's friends. They were fiercely protective and full of charisma. I absolutely believe they ensured Finley got the full college experience and they evoked plenty of smiles and laughs from me.

There is some unresolved conflict at the conclusion of the story that is expected to be resolved in the next installment which is available now. While this book did not work for me, I would expect those who like college age romances would enjoy this story.

*I was provided a complimentary copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Not worth the money

I did not like this book at all! Not worth the time at all. The girl is way too needy and sex does not make you be in love and solve your problems

So many ups and downs.

This book reflects so openly the emotional rollercoaster that is dating in college. Even when you think you find the perfect someone, they can always break your heart. Finley thought she found all she wanted in Jake, but he held back. She found more than she could have dreamed in Brody, but he had a past she had to battle through. The end of this book did not go how I thought it would…but I absolutely need to know what happens next!!
On to A Broken Us

Interestingly Different!

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

Lysy's performaces are always of a high quality. She doesn't get in the way of the story, and she brings out each character's personality perfectly.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Love never felt so good!

Any additional comments?

I received this book free from the author, for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book.

A Must Listen!

Listening to this book on audio, I loved it from the beginning! Becoming Us is a great realistic college romance. The Narrator did an excellent job transistioning from characters and pulling you into the story! Amy did a wonderful job on making you want more! The connection between Brody and Finley is intense from the start and you get pulled into the trials and tribulations of making a relationship work! Be sure you have A Broken Us ready to go because you're not going to want to leave the world of the London Lovers!

Get out your tissues

Where does Becoming Us - College Love Never Hurt So Good rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This was good listen, I even listened at work because I NEEDED to know what happened next!

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the realistic actions of the characters. Very age appropriate.

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

This was my first with Emma

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

I love angst. And there was a part in this novel that made my heart drop. With as much as I read or listen too, that is very difficult these days...

Entertaining

I have read numerous books by Amy Daws and yet I have not read her London Lovers series. Becoming Us is the first book in the series and I enjoyed it although I was frustrated on numerous occasions.

This is a coming-of-age story that contains, drama, angst, romance and heartache. There were moments where I was really frustrated with Finley, so immature at times and I struggled with her at times. Jake and Brody also had their challenges, and I found it hard to connect with either of them at times. I’m not a huge fan if YA/NA but dived into Becoming Us, although I had no idea that out ends in a cliffhanger, so you have been warned.

I will say there were moments where I was a little confused.

The narrator Emma Lysy is new to me and she did a credible job in narrating.

✫✫ 3.75 Stars ✫✫

I'm a little conflicted about my feelings of this book. I enjoyed it and I liked most of the characters but I think maybe I should have saved this one for last, maybe a glimps back at where it started would have given me a better image of Brody. I really enjoyed the beginning but somewhere in the middle Brody shows his jealous, insecure side a few times and honestly I could relate to that part of him, I've met people like him but what I couldn't relate to was him just "throwing" away his baggage and all of a sudden being a great guy with no issues. I know I should have been rooting for them but to be honest, I was rooting for Jake to get his head out of his rear. The relationship with him felt more real, maybe because they got to know each other as friend or maybe because I was rooting for them and then BAM 180, Oh look new guy... I don't know. I know me and that means after A Broken Us I will feel completely different and I'll probably love Brody which is why I think I should have started there, maybe I needed to see the good side before the bad side so I could excuse it ?? That is just me I'm sure! In the end I am looking forward to seeing what's next for these two and I hope to fall in love with them in while they figure things out.

The narration was ok. Nothing I didn't specifically dislike, but nothing that stood out either.

Looking for more from Amy Daws!

Where does Becoming Us - College Love Never Hurt So Good rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I'd rank Becomimg Us in the upper 20% of the audiobooks I've listened to. I haven't read many books occurring in college, so that was a little different for me. The narrator was good, but I definitely had a few issues with her performance of the male characters.

Which character – as performed by Emma Lysy – was your favorite?

Finley was my favorite character as performed. There were a few places where words were mispronounced and phrases repeated that probably should be fixed if possible.

Any additional comments?

I'm really looking forward to more books by Amy Daws. Super potential and looking forward to more!

Note: I received this free from the author but doesn't alter my opinion.