Just Not Mine

Escape to New Zealand, Book 6

De: Rosalind James

Narrado por: Claire Bocking

Destiny can sneak up on you. Or it can smack you in the face.

Hugh Latimer's coping with a few problems just now. A broken hand, missing the European rugby tour... and a half-brother and sister who are playing havoc with his love life. Instead of packing down in the scrum, he's driving the carpool to ballet - or forgetting it's his turn. When he hears his neighbor wailing out bad pop in the wee hours, it's the last straw.

Josie Pae Ata is a fortunate woman. A new house, good friends, a gorgeous boyfriend - oh, and stardom, too. Getting involved with her new neighbors would bring risks she doesn't need. But life has a way of changing the rules. And when you get more than you can handle, sometimes all you can do is hang on for the ride.

Note: This romance, like New Zealand, contains a bit of steam. If that isn't your cuppa, you may want to visit a different country... er, book.

©2014 Rosalind James (P)2015 Rosalind James

Stories + Narrator = KEEP GETTING BETTER!

If you’ve read any of my other reviews for this series, you know that (like a lot of other readers) the stories really piqued my interest ... and now love ... of rugby. And prompted me to set up a “New Zealand Vacation” fund, as Rosalind really shows us how gorgeous En Zed is and instills a fervent curiosity about a lesser-known country. (I’m getting close, folks! Yay!!) I can’t think of any other audiobooks I’ve listened to (or books that I’ve read) that have inspired that sort of ‘fan-dom.”

This story begins with Hugh Latimer just having one heck of a time. He’s just broken his hand, which takes him out of the line-up playing rugby for the All Blacks for the Northern Tour. That’s bad. No, that’s awful! And to make everything worse, he has to play parent to his two younger half-siblings who have been recently orphaned, as his aunt has decided to take a break from her custodial duties and travel to her native England. Well, we do learn to love Hugh, but this guy is bordering on clueless. He’s lucky to get himself places on time, never mind Amelia’s ballet lessons, Charlie’s rugby practice and ... oh! don’t even mention the grocery shopping. And hoovering ... with a cast on. He’s expected to do the hoovering, too!?!? (That’s vacuuming, for all you Yanks.)

Well, it’s hard to sleep with a cast on ... never mind worrying about all the aforementioned stuff. So, early one morning, Hugh feels like he’s just gotten to sleep, but he’s awaken by the next-door-neighbor wailing at the top of her lungs. This is just too much and he isn’t going to stand for it! He’s either going to rescue the old bag or get her to shut up. Except ... it’s not the old bag. Hugh has a new neighbor.

Okay ... with a set-up like that, you’ve got to know what happens next, right? =) So, go spend your credit!

Our narrator is the very, very talented Claire Bocking. You’ve got to know that she’s good with an Audie nomination under her belt for her very first audiobook (“Just This Once.”) [Way to go, Claire!] She just keeps getting better and better with these “Escape to New Zealand” stories. She’s funny, she makes you cry, her timing is impeccable, you never have to guess who’s talking ... well, I could go on and on. Just know that she really adds to the story and she’s wonderful!

Recommended? ABSOLUTELY!!


[I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.]

Another amazing escape to the lovely New Zealand

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I already have! I love Rosalind James' books but Claire B.'s performance is what keeps me returning for another audio book. Why not share it with friends? 😊

What did you like best about this story?

The Kiwi accent that the narrator flawlessly speaks in is def. up there, but I especially love the interaction between Hugh and his siblings. You can feel the awkwardness, the love and confusion between the three while they're trying to find a foothold with each other.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene where Will, Hugh and Koti are shooting the scene for J.'s show and afterwards when J is showing Hugh her evil character's dirty secrets (in the lingerie drawer)....naughty girl! 😜

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

I did listen to it in one sitting. 😊

Any additional comments?

I love R.J's Escape to New Zealand series so keep the books coming! But for God's sake....keep Claire on for the audio books! She's brilliant!

just not mine

enjoyed it would recommend it. the series flows on . all connected to ruby and New Zealand

A great look into the meaning of family

Another great story about family and the bonds that are forged through love and understanding. Highly recommended and among the best of the stories so fat in the series.

💜

This is my favorite in the series so far! The issues, sadly, touch home and it is so sweet!

Rosalind and Claire- Another Winner!

Any additional comments?

This is the sixth book in the Escape to New Zealand series. This time, the story is about Hugh Latimer, an All Blacks rugby player who has broken his hand, is out of rugby for a while and is helping to raise his half brother and sister.

Hugh lives next door to the very beautiful and talented Josie Pae Ata- a TV soap opera star. How the sparks fly... and how they don't (remember, there are kids involved!) makes for a great story!

Claire Bocking, the narrator, continues her amazing command of Rosalind's books. Her narration is nothing short of brilliant. She manages to seamlessly switch between American and New Zealand accents, all the while changing her voice for each character. Not only that, but the depth of the characters' joys, sorrows, and overall understanding of what makes each character "tick" is fabulous! And the love making scenes are HOT!!!

Another fan of Rosalind's said recently: even when I'm reading the book, I hear Claire's voice. This is so true! Claire absolutely brings the characters to life!!Do yourself a favor and get hooked on the Escape to New Zealand series. And be sure to listen/read in order. You'll enjoy the books more that way!

And now, for the "legal part": I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

Great fresh Romance!

If you could sum up Just Not Mine in three words, what would they be?

Deep,sweet,romance

What was one of the most memorable moments of Just Not Mine?

The Christmas time finding the emotions,came out real and smooth. It was soo deep, I loved the moments of anger,that where really deep caring love! Claire Bocking put deep emotions into the charters ,bringing the charters to life,putting such incredible feelings into it.

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

Deep deep emotions,she captured each and everyone feelings,bringing them to life,a wonderful story teller?

If you could rename Just Not Mine, what would you call it?

Just not mine,give Michelle Hugh,jk. I think the Author was dead on with the name,because it was about how everyone and thing,just wasn't theirs, so I loved the "Just not mine"

Any additional comments?

I have found that this book in the series was one of my favorite. I found that the book was very realistic dealing with the hurdles in the book.

It was a very fresh,realistic,once you got started,I did not want to put it down. I loved how the soap opera story line was placed in the book because Josie, made it clear what was real in romance and not.
The love that grew,I found my self saying come on,the chemistry was there,but both were scared for different reasons,the love story rolls so smooth,and in a realistic way,that it had me believing or rather visioning it being played out on the big screen!
This wasn't your day to day romance book,there where parts that were tragic,inner feelings.
Hugh not knowing what he was doing all alone was what was needed to be done,and with the help of Josie tragic past help turn on the light bulb(so to speak) by showing him love comes in all shapes and ways,Rosalind James did a wonderful way of bringing out life's events nice and smooth.
I love the way the books play out, how you do not need to read in order to understand the Big Family she has made with the charters.
This was for me the best Romance book I have read in a long while,she made you believe in the charters,she brought out Josie and Hugh in a smooth way,as I said seeing this amazing romance grow,not rushed,but realistic.


The Love scenes were done in a way that was incredible sexy,having my heart rate increasing at some parts,but the job was done in a very tastefully way!
The book gets you learning more and more about NewZealand,the culture and life styles ,Love learning more about Maori History.
I keep finding myself wanting more and more of her story lines,
There was one nano of a section,That I wish gave me more.(don't want to give a spoiler,if you want to know hit me up. Only one part I wish I was given as a reader a nano of more as there was so much building of all the charters that I wish............
This new Romance book was such a sweet loving feel good book.I would say give it a go,you will not be disappointed ! I promise.

I have received a free copy of this book,in exchange for my Honest review.
The opinion stated is my own!

Another Winner from Rosalind James

What made the experience of listening to Just Not Mine the most enjoyable?

The most enjoyable of listening to Just Not Mine is the way that Claire Bocking is able to capture the emotions of each of the characters.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character of this story has to be Josie and how she is able to help Hugh when he is clueless with his siblings. Rosalind also wrote a tough story with Josie not being able to have her own children. She also writes about her emotional struggle with self-acceptance and self-esteem in a loving way to make readers understand that this can be reality to some women.

Any additional comments?

This is the 6 book of the Escape to New Zealand and Rosalind James does another fantastic job of creating character that are realistic with the problems that they encounter. I cannot wait for the next book in this series!!

[I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.]

Love Hugh!

Story flows well, characters realize the connection and don't drag it out. Young Amelia is hilarious, trying to teach Hugh.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own

even better than the written version

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review I was not compensated or required to write a positive review the opinion expressed here is my own.

I read this book awhile back, and did not think it was possible to improve on it. Claire Bocking really nailed the nuance of the speech of each of the characters. I have read all of the books in the New Zealand series, and listened to others on Audible, and this is my favorite so far. Rosalind wrote such believable characters in both Hugh and Josie, along with all of the supporting characters. She really accels at developing the characters in a book, and telling their back story without a long narrative that drags down the pace of the story.

Josie and Hugh both saw the good in each other before they saw it in themselves, and that added to their growing attraction. The kids were so well written, they were a big part of the story. I especially like the part when Amelia was locked in her room, and Hugh was so far out of his comfort zone, and turned to Josie for help, but still let Amelia know that he cared, and would help. I think everyone would love to have parents like Josie has, they were so supportive and loving and both gave her such great advice and encouragement.

When so many books in this genre fall back on sex to develop the story, and the attraction of the characters, I appreciate that Rosalind writes great sex scenes into her books, but it is just one aspect of the attraction between the characters. Because I was in public, I turned the volume way down on this part.

And, just like all of the New Zealand series of books, I really love that the beauty of the country, and the athletic nature of rugby are such a intrical part of the story.