Age of Ava

Vested Interest: ABC Corp, Book 4

By: Melanie Moreland

Narrated by: Maxine Mitchell, John Lane

Length: 8 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's Summary

Ava Callaghan

A woman working in a male-dominated field.

Organized, strong, and tenacious.

That’s how she has to be to succeed.

Hunter Owens

A loner.

He needs no one, has no ties, and his future is an unanswered question mark.

It’s all he knows.

Until the day their lives intersect.

He sees the woman she hides from the world.

She nurtures the part of him he lost long ago.

But they both agree - their connection is temporary.

They are only for now.

Can their stubborn natures allow them to bend and accept that maybe, just maybe, there is more to life than they believed?

That love can heal.

That happiness can exist.

That for now can be forever.

©2021 Moreland Books Inc (P)2021 Moreland Books Inc

I really love this books

Hearing is so much better than reading. ABC corp book 4 is amazing! Melanie keep making me fall for all this stories. This family, the BAM, ABC corp are wonderful stories. Hunter and Ava are awesome and obviously perfect for each other!

Amazing story and narration!

I didn't think that Melanie Moreland was going to write a story that was going to top my love of Jaxson and Gracie in My Saving Grace.......but she did just that with Age of Ava! And John Lane and Maxine Mitchell - the narration was outstanding!! They both did a fantastic job of bringing Hunter and Ava to life!!

This is hands down my favorite story from her - it was AMAZING!!! I was completely sucked into Ava and Hunter's story from the very first page and I just loved the chemistry between them from that first moment they bumped into one another......and that magnetism between them just continued to grow stronger and stronger every moment they spent with one another. I just loved the easiness between them - nothing felt forced between them. Hunter definitely frustrated me though at times, not wanting to truly admit how he felt for Ava, especially when she could see how he felt. And how everyone else could see how things were between them. I mean, look at how Ronan and Liam teased both of them every chance they could - those scenes just made me crack up! But they could see how much their sister had fallen for Hunter and could sense just how perfect they were for one another. But knowing how his life had been prior to meeting Ava, you could understand his reluctance to going all in.....and I'm glad he finally realized what he had with her (and truly her whole family) before it was too late.

I could go on and on about how incredible this story is, but I think it's just one that everyone needs to read for themselves. Definitely one that will make my favorites of 2021 list!

Amazing!

I don't know how this author does it but at some point she is going to make me cry. Ava and Hunter are so sweet and perfect together and I just loved how their relationship developed organically, even when Hunter would deny it. Of course the entire clan makes him feel welcome so how could you not fall in love with not only Ava but everyone as well? There are some hard moments and I felt for Hunter and what he went through. Their chemistry was off the charts and starts off on fire. I just couldn't put it down. The narrators do such a great job that I couldn't stop listening. They bring the characters to life and had me crying and smiling all over again.

A great listen

I am loving this second generation series. It is so great getting to catch up favorite characters from the Vested Interest and Contract series and to see where their kids are now.

This time we get Ava and Hunter. She is strong, smart, and working hard to succeed and get respect in the male-dominated industry she is part of. Hunter is a loner who is only in town temporarily. Things shouldn't be more than temporary despite the chemistry they share. However, their connection is deeper than expected and I liked getting to see them find their way to an HEA.

Melanie Moreland is one of my must read authors, and she reminded me why with this audiobook. Strong characters, excellent writing, great narration, and a nice romance all add up to my favorite book in this series yet!

EPIC Romance Audiobook!!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 STARS

I absolutely devoured Hunter and Ava’s story! I didn’t want the book to end. The fourth book in the Vested Interest: ABC Corp series has everything you come to expect from a Melanie Moreland novel—just absolute perfection! I loved the narration by Maxine Mitchell and John Lane, they were the perfect choice for Ava and Hunter. Age of Ava by Melanie Moreland is an EPIC audiobook that will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!

Emotional and witty

This was one of my favourite reads of 2021 so I jumped at the chance to listen and I wasn’t disappointed. Maxine Mitchell and John Lane did a wonderful job bring the characters, the emotions and the journey to life.
I loved everything about Age of Ava, I was intrigued by the blurb and I fell hook, line and sinker for Ava and Hunter. As you would expect from Melanie Moreland this is a strong and beautifully written romance but this story is also emotional and it will certainly also tag on your heartstrings as you join this couple on their journey.
Ava is not looking for love or a relationship, she enjoys her single workaholic lifestyle but watching her brothers one by one find their forever loves has her thinking is she missing out on something. When she bumps into a man at the local courthouse she starts to feel a connection she has never felt before but as soon as he hears her last her name he runs in the opposite direction…..
Hunter has inherited his grandfathers cottage, struggling to understand why his grandfather would leave a home to a grandson he hasn’t seen or talked to in many years he decides to renovate, rent it out and move on. But he hadn’t expected to meet his stunning neighbor and he certainly hadn’t expect her and her family to become important to him…….
I fell hard and fast for Hunter even when he was being a stubborn mule, I adored the strong and sassy Ava and I would love a friend like her in my corner, the chemistry is sizzling, the story is captivating, I smiled, I sighed and I really didn’t want this book to end. Add in catching up with the rest of the gang from BAM and you get a perfect read. Wonderful addition to one of my favourite series.

Witty, sexy, and emotional

Age of Ava is a sweet and sexy romance, but it's also a story of family, friendship, and trust. Of building something together and finding your place in the world. This is absolutely a home is where the heart is kind of story, and its characters are like old friends I'm happy to visit with from time to time.
All of that was true when I read Age of Ava, and it's just as true after listening to Maxine Mitchell and John Lane give voice to the characters. Ava and Hunter have some work to do to get to their HEA, and I absolutely loved their journey. Of course, Melanie Moreland gives us all the feels with this one, and the narrators bring them out wonderfully. The chemistry between this couple is absolutely combustible, and even when they're butting heads, they're good together. It's everything I expected from this author and more. I laughed a lot - everything from a chuckle to an outright laugh - and I swooned - Hunter is a silver fox after all - and I even shed a few tears. Oh, and I have to mention the epilogues. It's not just this book, although it's pretty great too, but if you've never read Melanie Moreland, I'll just tell you: She does the best epilogues! To sum it up, Hunter and Ava are one more reason this author is one of my auto-reads or listens as the case may be. It's witty, it's sexy, it's emotional, it's another fantastic love story in a series of fantastic love stories.

Melanie saved the best for the last

Another fantastic addition to the series. I absolutely loved Ava and Hunter . The story captured my attention from the very first moment and kept me hooked. Both the narrators did a fantastic job and did absolute justice bringing life to Ava and Hunters characters. Both BAB and ABC are fantastic series and I have discovered my new favorite narrators now can’t wait to listen to more beautiful books by them. A must read/listen . Deserves more than 5 stars ⭐️

“You will never be too much, or not enough."

“You are the gift I’ve been given to make up for everything that came before.”

Age of Ava was a beautifully written and emotional story of learning to trust and accepting and recognizing love. From the moment they met, Ava and Hunter were instantly drawn to each other and each encounter only strengthened that attraction. Both have sworn off relationships, but when you find someone who understands you completely, can you let your guard down enough to start to believe in the possibility of love?

“I hadn’t had to pretend to be anything with Hunter. He accepted me for exactly who I was.”

Ava had always been the strong, independent woman who thrived in a man’s word. She had been hurt in the past and had learned to hide her vulnerabilities from the world. When she meets Hunter, he sees through her tough façade to the sensitive woman beneath and it’s exactly what she needs.

“Love is always scary, Hunter. Staying is always scary.”

Hunter has been a loner and drifter all of his life and doesn’t know the meaning of family. One minute he’s charming and loving and the next he is gruff and distant. He’s sure that he doesn’t know how to love because he’s never know it in his life. Ava softens him and opens him up to a world filled with family and friends who help and love each other.

John Lane and Maxine Mitchell narrated Hunter and Ava and their voices really brought the story to life for me. Maxine was perfect as Ava. John Lane is a new narrator to me and his deep voice is yummy.

“You will never be too much, or not enough. You are perfect for me.”

These two were so special together. They were so completely in sync and really understood one another. Their push and pull relationship was so moving and gave me all the feels. Ava and Hunter will capture your heart and fill you with hope. What a great addition to the BAM family!!

Better and better

They just get better and better. Please don’t stop. I love this family. And yes, history repeats itself but I never get tired of listening to these wonderful stories. Amazing characters, amazing sex!!!! Ava was one of my favorite woman and Hunterwas slow to catch on but always on when he did. From their very 1st meeting.

I Love this series!

Ava is working long, tiring hours, a woman in a male dominated business and in many cases having to fight hard to be taken serious. She watches her brothers and cousins finding love and settling down, but worries that she won’t find that.

When she meets Hunter Owens, their connection is immediate. But Hunter is a bit of a wanderer and lets Ava know that he can’t offer her anything more than temporary.

“You know what they say about big hands and feet, Little Dragon.” I winked and leered at her.
Laughing, she pushed me aside. “Yeah. Large gloves and shoes. They both match your ego.”

I loved this story. Both Ava and Hunter have a lot to learn about themselves, but together they discover each other.
What an awesome story on audiobook! The narration brings the book to life.
-5 Stars!-

A delightfully good story

I’ve found I really enjoy listening to the audiobook of recent reads as you always pick up on little nuances that you hadn’t noticed - or the way a narrator reads a line can give you a different perspective to the way you originally read the line. I very much enjoyed this book and I’m very happy that the audiobook lived up to my expectations and then some.

Age of Ava is the fourth book in the Vested Interest: ABC Corp series, which is a spinoff from the original Vested Interest series. But don’t worry if you haven’t read any of the earlier books, this one stands alone and comes complete with its own couple and their own HEA.

When we first meet Ava she’s kicking some business ass - but Maxine Mitchell’s voice smooths out any feelings of harshness that I initially felt on reading. Her voice is emotive and engaging and really made me like and relate to Ava.

John Lane does a fantastic Hunter and plays him exactly as I imagined - that delightful mixture of grumpy and funny is on point. And when he calls Ava ‘little dragon’ it definitely does funny things to my inside. On occasion I wanted him to go a little slower with his speaking. Not that I couldn’t understand him - far from it - but I wanted to savour the words a little more. Still a great performance though.

As to the actual story, Ava and Hunter meet right at the start of our story and have almost instant chemistry. Hunter is slightly older than Ava - probably about 10 years or so, I would guess - and is just in town to complete a project before moving on. In some ways, he’s Ava’s complete opposite. While she’s always stayed close to her family and revels in her strong roots, Hunter is a nomad and has no-one save his dog, Cash.

As I mentioned, the chemistry between our characters is instant and that’s a theme that continues throughout the book. The sex is a wicked delight but it’s also in the quieter times that I felt that deep connection. And in the banter. I adore some teasing and banter and Ava and Hunter do that especially well. Extra points for the bromantic banter between Ronan, Liam and Hunter, too.

Melanie Moreland always manages to make me want to live in the worlds that she creates and either know or be these characters. With this story, her writing, as always, is top-notch and I fell into the story and fell in love oh so quickly. Although you know it’s going to turn out in the end, I found myself a little teary eyed (okay, fine, I was openly weeping!) as we reach the climax and then ending of the story. The ending was believable and oh so satisfying. The couple of epilogues thereafter were the cherry on the top of the perfect sundae.

If you love Ms Moreland’s work, are looking for a romantic story of love conquering all, or just have ever felt that perhaps there isn’t that person out there that’s perfect for you - you’ll love and feel uplifted by this story. I loved it, the narration, and I hope you will, too. 5 stars from me.

Ava and Hunter!

Ava is brash. bold and she knows that her family loves her but when it comes to romance she has learnt she is a lot to handle. The job she has at the family business suits her personality, but it also requires her to be demanding and it is a struggle at time to get the respect she deserves. When she meets Hunter, the sparks fly but finding out he was her neighbor was a surprise she didn’t see coming.

Hunter has learnt the hard way that the only one he can count on is himself. He has Cash, his trusty companion, and his plan is to renovate the house he inherited from his grandfather, but Ava and her family show him a different way of living if he will only open his heart to the possibilities.

The chemistry between Ava and Hunter was never in question but it is the emotional connection between them that makes their relationship so special. They understand each other in a way that no one else does and seeing them find the love they both deserve is everything you could want and more. The narrators did a great job at bringing out the personalities of the characters and the emotions they were feeling.

The heart wants what the heart wants!

They know the deal but their hearts didn't get the memo.

Why does Melanie do this to me? Every book is the best I've read then, boof she does it again. More magic.
Ava and Hunter's story is a mix of romance and intense emotion. Ava had an idyllic upbringing in a loving supportive family. She'd had her twists and turns. Her job is taxing, being a woman in a man's world doesn't make it easier and her romantic life, well her ex was less than supportive, but her family was always there. She's a strong, confident, driven woman, but with a vulnerability, most don't see.
Hunter has essentially been on his own since he was 5 when his mum dragged him from his grandparents home even though she didn't really want him. She skewed his whole concept of love. Having been alone his whole life he struggles to connect until he almost knocks Ava on her butt. Their connection is intense and instant but he has no idea what it is or what to do with it. Which leads to an emotionally tumultuous ride for them both.
Melanie gets into your heart with her characters every time. She plays with your emotions as if you were one of her characters, in stories masterfully interwoven with humour and an intriguing narrative. In the background we have all the characters we know and love, being who they are (as they always do).
Every story leaves me wanting, that's a lie they leave me needing more.
Got to say that John Lane & Maxine Mitchell are fabulous narrators. They bring the words off of the page. I always worry that having the same narrators for a series from differing pov would be confusing, but that definitely isn't the case with John & Maxine. All the main characters have their voice. They are a very talented pair and Melanie picked well for her characters.