Almost Strangers

A Decker Family Novel (Somehow Everlasting, Book 1)

By: Claudia Burgoa

Narrated by: Joe Arden, Stephanie Nemeth-Parker

Length: 5 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

USA Today best-selling author Claudia Burgoa pens an emotional, heartbreaking romance duet where soul mates can’t be together and everything around them tears them apart.

I found it (him) at the bookstore.

Love.

He was six-foot-four, lanky, blue-eyed.

Jacob Decker was goofy, handsome, and cheesy.

There’s no better way to describe him.

But what can I expect of an 18-year-old boy who’s lived under a rock all his life?

I’ll let you into a little secret.

I had no idea what to expect.

We were each other’s first everything.

But the fantasy lasted only a semester.

Soon I had to move away.

A few years later, he was a rock star, and I was...

Grasping for a lifeline.

The problem with first loves is that they never leave you.

But they never come back, do they?

Almost Strangers is the first novel in the Somehow Everlasting duet, a Decker Family novel. This book ends on a cliff-hanger that'll change everything....

The Somehow Everlasting Duet is based on Jacob Decker and Pria Walker's story. Part of this duet was released as Uncharted.

©2022 Claudia Burgoa (P)2022 Claudia Burgoa

What an emotional roller coaster

Firstly be prepared that Almost Strangers end on a cliff hanger, so you have been warned. Jacob Decker and Pria Walker’s story was an emotional roller coaster of a read. It evoked so many emotions that I felt my head and heart spinning out of control.
Having read a number of books by Claudia Burgoa, I was excited to listen to Almost Strangers narrated by Joe Arden and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker who certainly did justice to this emotional roller coaster of a listen.
This is a second chance at love story that tore at my emotions and had me all over the place. It was at times a heartbreaking story and one that pulled me in multiple directions. They fell in love in college but after one semester they had to part ways.
Two souls who were destined to be together but are torn apart by fate. Both Jacob and Pria struggled through life even as a successful rock star, Jacob has struggled with his demons as has Pria.
There was so much angst, heartbreak and pain that brought me to tears. I cannot wait to read the conclusion in Strangers In Love.

A Captivating & Emotional Romance! Outstanding Story & Listen🎧

After listening to and loving Claudia Burgoa’s “Unexpected Everlasting” Duet, I was looking forward to return to the amazing Decker world she created and to hear Ansley’s brothers’ story. Each duet features a different Decker triplet and stands on its own, but the siblings and their parents appear in each other’s book and while you need not have to have read the other’s books, I think it is best that you do. Not only are they amazing stories, but timelines overlap and knowing the other’s back story is beneficial, beside seeing them again is like seeing an old friend. This book is the start of Jacob and Pria’s story and wow, what a story it is, it is one not to be missed and I can not wait to start the next book in the duet, so happy it is already available. This story had me right from the start, grabbing my attention and captivating it straight to the end. After being homeschooled their entire life, the two Decker brothers were off to college and ready for the entire college experience. I love the camaraderie amongst the triplets and these two together are hilarious without even trying to be with their back-and-forth bickering, also loved how they are missing their sister, the more responsible one of the three. Cipriana “Pria” Walker, a freshman at UW, she is going to make the most of her time in college, for however long that may be. Her parents are always looking for the best places in the country for treatment for her sister, Maeve, who has Cystic Fibrosis. Her demanding overprotective mother asks a lot of her too, including being the caregiver for her sister, who she loves dearly. When Jacob throws the worst pickup lines on her, she just blows him off, but their paths cross again and he is persistent and will not give up on her. It was great to watch these two get to know each other and see it morph into young love, one that was supposed to be everlasting. Except Pria needs to go back home and knowing he is destined to be a big rockstar one day she makes a foolish decision to let him go. He does not except that and it turns out to be disastrous for him and when she realizes she made a mistake, she finds out he was gone and it she was too late. This is a beautifully written and plotted story of first love and heartache, the emotions pour off the pages and straight into your heart and you can feel every single one. Claudia Burgoa, thank you for this exceptional love story and emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧📚🎧 And for the fabulous narration, Joe Arden and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker do an amazing job bringing these characters to life, and did so with a complete understanding of each of their personas. I loved how they took each role, ran with it and made it their own, sounding natural in that role and believable. Besides nailing it in the lead roles, both were just as fabulous performing the roles of the secondary characters too. You could hear how much heart they put into their work as they capture all the character’s emotions and project them into their performance, making you feel every single one. These superbly talented narrators are entertaining storytellers and versatile voice artists. Thank you for another exceptional listen, it is always a pleasure to listen to your performances.

Emotional

I loved reading Jacob and Pria's storybut hearing it brought to life by Joe Arden and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker was wonderful. They were able to capture the emotional turmoil the characters experienced and their torments. I cannot wait to listen to the next book.

Enjoyed

I jumped into the middle of the series a few days ago. Now I am taking the time to learn more about all of the family. Jacob was a mystery so happy to get to his duet. Pria has been through so much in his life. Was nice to get a peek into his beginning with Pria. There are times when I think they are alive as Joe and Stephanie bring the side characters to the next level. Happy I started with Mattie's story as he seems to be asleep in the previous stories..haha

Excellent book!

How do you take an already excellent read and make it even more so? Put it in the hands of Joe Arden and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker. I listen to a lot of audiobooks, and Joe Arden is one of my favorite narrators. If you've never heard him before, just sit back and listen to him voice Jacob Decker, and you'll understand why I do a bit of fangirling when I pick up a book with his narration. Stephanie Nemeth-Parker is new to me, but she is Pria, as far as I'm concerned. Claudia Burgoa couldn't have chosen any better for the narration of the Somehow Everlasting Duet.
I knew a couple of things about Almost Strangers before I even read the first word: it's part of a duet, so this first book was going to leave me hanging, and the angst would be off the charts. I had book two ready to go, which is something I highly recommend, but if I hadn't, I would've been one very impatient reader. As for the angst - well, this is Claudia Burgoa, and I've learned if she takes us on a journey, she makes it worth the trip. That knowledge didn't keep me from shedding a few tears along the way, though.
This is the start of Jacob and Pria's love story. Young, just getting ready for college, Jacob is just the sweetest guy. The first time he and Pria meet is definitely what I'd call a meet-cute, and I'd have to say that most girls couldn't help melting right there in the bookstore. But Pria isn't most girls, and she's had to grow up much faster than the average young adult. Anyway, I just loved this pair to pieces. They're so sweet together as they move from friendship to something more serious.
So, where are those earlier-mentioned tears? Well, I'm getting to that. I knew all the hearts and flowers couldn't last; this is a duet, after all. I was kind of on pins and needles, waiting for that other shoe to drop. And drop, it does. Then things start to snowball, and my heart broke for this couple. I'll stop there, so I don't spoil it for anyone, and I'll just wrap it up by saying you have got to read this book. Have part two ready and waiting, but definitely don't skip Jacob and Pria's journey.

Captivating and Emotional Romance!

I was completely captivated by this emotional love story. When Cypriana (Pria) Walker and Jacob (JC) Colthurst-Decker meet in college they have instant chemistry. Jacob knows immediately that Pria is his soul mate, written in the stars and destined to be together, forever. Pria isn't as convinced by Jacob's less than stellar 'lines' but after perseverance she agrees to go out with him. They fall hard for each other, and give each other all their firsts. Jacob is sweet and a romantic at heart. His artistic soul is awakened by Pria and he can't imagine life without her. Pria's life is ruled by her family and soon it is time for Pria to move away to get more help for her sick sister. Unfortunately events happen and Jacob can't contact or find her. He tries everything he can think of to find her but tragedy strikes in the process. Pria waits for him to call her but when he doesn't, she is finally forced to move on. This story is about how their lives, the decisions they made and how their responsibilities made them who they are. I was completely consumed by these star crossed lovers and my heart broke for them both.
Joe Arden, and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker developed and expressed these characters and their struggles so intimately, making them their own. Arden and Nemeth-Parker made me feel all the turmoil, excitement, and sexual tension that Jacob, and Pria felt, keeping me completely engaged, and making me care deeply for them.
This is a moving and emotional story of love, sacrifice, and consequences. It brought out so many extreme emotions and I loved every minute of it, and can't wait to see what the stars have in store for them!

Wow! Amazing story!

Jacob and Pria took me through all the emotions. What a story! Can’t wait for the conclusion.

Young love

This is a book with a lot going on. Pria is starting college but is unsure how long she can stay due to her sister's illness. Jacob and his brother Matt have started college on campus with the understanding they must finish before they can pursue their dreams of becoming a rockstar like their father. When Pria and Jacob first meet it is awkward at best since neither has really been out in the world but there is an attraction there and the sparks of first love have ignited.

Fast forward through life for both of our pair and we watch as life happens and it isn't always like we think it will be. Many years and heartaches later they meet again but once again life isn't through throwing them curves. This leaves us with a cliffhanger so on to book two to see what happens.

Joe Arden and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker narrate this emotional book and did a great job.

Angsty, emotional romance!!

Oh, my heart! Almost Strangers by Claudia Burgoa was an emotional, heartfelt rollercoaster ride that did crazy things to my heart. This is book 1 in the Somehow Everlasting Duet, so be prepared for an angsty cliffhanger that will leave you longing for more. Jacob Decker and Pria Walker have a first love whirlwind romance that is suddenly ripped apart by tragedy when they are teenagers. They say time can heal a wounded heart, but both Jacob and Pria have had to overcome so much, and yet they are both still healing. Can fate lead these two back together?

Joe Arden and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker narrate this audio, and wow, do these two bring all the feels! Stephanie showcased Pria's innocence, vulnerabilities, and desires perfectly in a moving performance that made me tear up at times and feel all of Pria's troubles. Joe is spot on in conveying Jacob's curiosity, wants, and inner turmoil as he strives to move on and forget about his first love. The chemistry between Jacob and Pria is complicated yet magnetic, and both narrators portrayed it so well!

Overall, I loved this book! If you are a fan of an angsty emotional romance with a hot hunky triplet turned rockstar, a sweet, determined heroine determined to provide for her family, family drama, first love, tragedy, the passage of time, and a cliffy ending that will leave you needing more, then you will love the beginning of Jacob and Pria's romance. I am ready for Strangers in Love now!

A Captivating & Emotional Romance! Outstanding Story & Listen🎧

After listening to and loving Claudia Burgoa’s “Unexpected Everlasting” Duet, I was looking forward to return to the amazing Decker world she created and to hear Ansley’s brothers’ story. Each duet features a different Decker triplet and stands on its own, but the siblings and their parents appear in each other’s book and while you need not have to have read the other’s books, I think it is best that you do. Not only are they amazing stories, but timelines overlap and knowing the other’s back story is beneficial, beside seeing them again is like seeing an old friend. This book is the start of Jacob and Pria’s story and wow, what a story it is, it is one not to be missed and I can not wait to start the next book in the duet, so happy it is already available. This story had me right from the start, grabbing my attention and captivating it straight to the end. After being homeschooled their entire life, the two Decker brothers were off to college and ready for the entire college experience. I love the camaraderie amongst the triplets and these two together are hilarious without even trying to be with their back-and-forth bickering, also loved how they are missing their sister, the more responsible one of the three. Cipriana “Pria” Walker, a freshman at UW, she is going to make the most of her time in college, for however long that may be. Her parents are always looking for the best places in the country for treatment for her sister, Maeve, who has Cystic Fibrosis. Her demanding overprotective mother asks a lot of her too, including being the caregiver for her sister, who she loves dearly. When Jacob throws the worst pickup lines on her, she just blows him off, but their paths cross again and he is persistent and will not give up on her. It was great to watch these two get to know each other and see it morph into young love, one that was supposed to be everlasting. Except Pria needs to go back home and knowing he is destined to be a big rockstar one day she makes a foolish decision to let him go. He does not except that and it turns out to be disastrous for him and when she realizes she made a mistake, she finds out he was gone and it she was too late. This is a beautifully written and plotted story of first love and heartache, the emotions pour off the pages and straight into your heart and you can feel every single one. Claudia Burgoa, thank you for this exceptional love story and emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧📚🎧 And for the fabulous narration, Joe Arden and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker do an amazing job bringing these characters to life, and did so with a complete understanding of each of their personas. I loved how they took each role, ran with it and made it their own, sounding natural in that role and believable. Besides nailing it in the lead roles, both were just as fabulous performing the roles of the secondary characters too. You could hear how much heart they put into their work as they capture all the character’s emotions and project them into their performance, making you feel every single one. These superbly talented narrators are entertaining storytellers and versatile voice artists. Thank you for another exceptional listen, it is always a pleasure to listen to your performances.