Dearest Clementine

Dearest, Book 1

By: Lex Martin

Narrated by: Arielle DeLisle, Nelson Hobbs

Twenty-year-old Clementine Avery doesn't mind being called bitchy and closed off. It's safe. And after being burned by her high school sweetheart and stalked by a professor her freshman year of college, safe sounds pretty damn good.

Her number-one rule for survival? No dating. That is until she accidentally signs up for a romance writing class and needs material for her latest assignment. Sexy RA Gavin Murphy is more than happy to play the part of book boyfriend to help Clem find some inspiration, even if that means making out...in the name of research, of course.

As Gavin and Clem grow closer, they get entangled in the mystery surrounding a missing Boston University student, and Clem unwittingly becomes a possible target. Gavin tries to show Clem she can handle falling in love again, but she knows she has to be careful because her heart's at stake...and maybe even her life.

Contains mature themes.

©2014 Lex Martin (P)2015 Tantor

good story overall

This was a good story and worth a credit. I felt like it had such potential to be a great story, but it never crossed that line. there was a whole story line that was just wrapped up too quickly after being built up. It could have been very suspenseful, but it just barely went there. anyway, it was a good audio story with really good narration.

I wish I could give it more stars than five

Lex Martin has this incredible talent of creating characters who are complex, passionate, and makes you want to be their best friend. This is the fourth book I’ve read/listened by her and I can honestly say that I have loved every character and every relationship she created in her books. I have laughed out loud, gotten angry, and even incredibly sad for these fictional characters. They are strong characters with flaws who overcome them with the help from people who love them, whether that be the love interest or their best friends. She also creates villains who you love to hate.

I cannot describe how much I loved this book. Arielle did an amazing job with every character she portrayed in this book. She has a way of creating a male voice that is not annoying to listen to. Not many female narrators can do that.

Even though this book can’t contain many mature themes, it wasn’t over the top. The relationship between the two protagonists had sexual tension, but their relationship developed before that, which made it even sweeter. Their love story was believable and so very sweet.

Love love love this book!

This book was so amazing. It tackled so many pressing issues that girls face growing up. Looking forward to reading more of Lex Martin’s books.

New Adult Romance

So, not exactly what I was expecting, but for this to be my first book by this author I can say that I enjoyed listening to this audiobook. I didn't love it quite as much as I was hoping and that's ok. The story was entertaining and it kept me interesting from the beginning all the way to the end. Clementine was a nice heroine that I liked. She wasn't over the top or dramatic. Even though she was scarred by an ex in the past, she wasn't clouded with trust issues that caused drama in her relationship. While there was something that caused her to walk away from Gavin, I didn't think she was being irrational, but rather set her expectations on what she needed in the relationship when it came to trust. The narration was well done. Arielle is a new narrator for me and I look forward to listening to her again.

i am not usually a romance reader...

usually find romance novels extremely boring and predictable. but this book has more then the meet, have sex, fall in love, stars, rainbows, and the knight in shining armour. there is mystery, a little suspense, actually make you smile or laugh, anger, and awe moments. i genuinely liked Clem and understood more then i would have liked the feelings she had when it came to trusting. Gavin is a likeable guy, he makes dumb decisions (which makes you like him more) but he is not the main character he is a wonderful bonuse. Its all about Clem and her finding her way.

5+Stars

I really enjoyed this book. The only thing that could have made the book better is if we had more of Gavin's POV. All the bits and pieces came together beautifully the maintained a dull angst throughout making it hard to stop listening. Clementine was everything I wanted in a character emotionally real in many ways. Gavin well he is the perfect book boyfriend. What I like best about their story was I felt like we really got to see the relationship being build. It wasn't the instalove you get were the guy sees what he wants and sexes her into submission. You get to know the couple and why they work. The book has a borderline YA feel to it's worth the listen for sure.

Sweet, humorous and romantic.

Dearest Clementine (Dearest #1) by Lex Martin is a standalone, new adult, contemporary romance with a mystery subplot. The story was simply delightful. It was sweet, humorous and romantic with a touch of mystery/suspense. The characters were well-developed, relatable, and likeable. It was easy to get invested in them.

Writing student, Clem, is a smart, beautiful, sarcastic introvert. She's also extremely private, standoffish, cold, and completely closed-off to the opposite sex. She has some major issues - and with good reason. Several bad experiences involving her high school (ex)boyfriend, her former best friend, her parents, and a college professor/mentor have taught Clem that she can't trust anyone. When she accidentally signs up for a romance writing class, she's at a loss for what to write due to lack of inspiration and personal experience.

Then there's RA, journalist and musician Gavin. Wow! He's totally swoony! Not only is he drop-dead gorgeous - described as a Henry Cavill lookalike - but he's sweet, patient, strong, protective, honest, understanding, and supportive. He knows what he wants, and he wants Clem. But how will he get past all of her walls? He proposes to help her find inspiration by acting like a real-life "book boyfriend" - but just as friends. It's all in the name of research.

I loved this story! Once I started it, I had a hard time putting it down. The narration was spot on! The chemistry between Clem and Gavin was off the charts, the secondary characters were fantastic, and the ending was completely satisfying. I highly recommend it.

My Heart...

My 1st Lex Martin book and O.M.G.! Her writing is magical. She sucks you in, makes you feel, and doesn’t let you go. My heart was engaged, pained, squeezed and shredded! Thankfully, she then pieced it back together, I doubted she could, but she did it. The narrators were excellent. I first thought Gavin’s voice should have been deeper but Nelson Hobbs did such a stellar job, he owned his character. Arielle DeLisle was Clementine, period. It seems like forever (if ever) since I felt characters so deeply. They wouldn’t leave me at the end of the book, I had to go back to the beginning and listen again-I Never do that.💖💖💖

Great story

Enjoyed listening to this. It was a story of two people in college. Gavin was the sweetest guy ever. I am not a hugh fan of the younger age but liked this one.

Buy this book!

This is a nicely written book. Reading the third book in this series. All of the stories tie together without being the exact copy of the first book. Read all of this series and enjoy.