Escape to New Zealand Boxed Set, Vol. 2

By: Rosalind James

Narrated by: Claire Bocking

Length: 36 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's Summary

Three best-selling steamy and sweet New Zealand rugby romances.

Just for Fun

What happens in Fiji stays in Fiji. Except when it doesn't.

Emma Martens and Nic Wilkinson have no history together except one perfect week. Nothing in common anymore except the most important thing of all. Getting together again would be messy. Complicated. Scary. And, just maybe, worth every risk.

Just My Luck

When roommates Kristen Montgomery and Ally Villiers head to New Zealand for a year's working holiday, Kristen hopes she can reboot her life after a disastrous marriage. Ally's just along for the adventure. They both get more than they bargained for after an outing to a climbing gym introduces them to the new captain of the All Blacks and his teammate. One man's perfect. The other isn't. Sometimes the course of true love runs smooth. Other times it's a very bumpy ride indeed.

Just Not Mine

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 All Blacks' 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. Or maybe not, because his new neighbor is a Maori soap star with issues of her own.

©2015 Rosalind James (P)2016 Rosalind James

Rosalind James + Claire Bocking = Fantastic!

If you could sum up Escape to New Zealand Boxed Set, Vol. 2 in three words, what would they be?

Rugby, New Zealand, Steam!

What other book might you compare Escape to New Zealand Boxed Set, Vol. 2 to and why?

Is it too easy to say Escape to New Zealand Boxed Set, Vol. 1?...

What about Claire Bocking’s performance did you like?

I've already read these books by Rosalind James before and it was amazing to hear them brought to life! The accents were awesome, and hearing words pronounced correctly will change the way I read books that take place in New Zealand from now on!

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

Steamy New Zealand Rugby Romance

Any additional comments?

I am a huge fan of Rosalind James and her Escape to New Zealand series. I have read all of the book in the series. This was my first time listening to any of them on Audible. How amazing that it was three books in a set, not just one! Claire Bocking brings to life books 4-6 in this series. The country of New Zealand comes to life, along with the voices of each character. Each book had its own unique sound and could stand alone on its own, but together as a set they are even better. There are children that are central characters in two of these books and Claire is able to narrate their voices without sounding like a condescending adult. I did wonder how the steam factor of some of the scenes would translate to narration, but I wasn't disappointed. I think you need to listen for yourself and come to your own judgement.

I am so impressed with the narration of these books. I am going to have to go and listen to more in the series, even though I have already read the books in print!

Fine print: 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.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Truly Impressed with the Narration

My favorite of the 3 books is Just For Fun, but the other books are also very good. You start reading or listening to the books and you are immediately drawn into the story. Fully entrenched, whisked away to another place, another life.

The Escape to NZ books are unique in that the romantic characters really seem to like each other. There is not a great deal of angst between the characters. They have conversations, which are often humorous. Their dialogue is engaging. They have a strong chemistry, and the sex scenes are not only sexy, but romantic.

Claire Bocking does an amazing job with the narration. Listening to her, you manage to forget that only one person is telling the tale. She manages to give each character their own voice, personality, identity. It is definitely not boring. I have listened to other audio books and find my mind wandering. This didn't happen when reading the same book, so it is more than just a well written book that makes the narration work.

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.

I can say in all honesty that I truly enjoyed both the print and audio books. Between the great stories and the wonderful narration, you cannot go wrong with this set of books.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

OMG

Thinking about moving to NZ. Claire Bocking is so great. Feel I know all of RJ's characters personally thanks to Claire.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Kept falling in love

If you loved the first three books in this series, you will love the second set just as much. I was worried I might get bored of more of the same New Zealand, rugby players, but I was absolutely mistaken. Rosalind James is wonderful at creating distinctive characters, and beautifully complex and unique love stories. Although all the heroins are strong, independent women and the men are all gorgeous, rugby players, each story is so different in its own right. The writing is clever and smart, and the stories are all equal parts heartwarming and sexy. Claire Bocking did an outstanding job with all narrations. Usually I prefer men to narrate the male portions of a book, but in this case, I wouldn't change a thing. All of her voices women, men, and children (even brooding teen) were a joy to listen to.

Now for the reviews of the individual books.

Book 4: Just For Fun (Nic & Emma's story) - I loved this single-mom reunion with baby- daddy. Being a mom, Emma's story was easy to relate to. And I really loved that Nic wanted to the right thing from the get go. You just couldn't help, but want the HEA family story.

Book 5: Just My Luck (Nate & Ally and Kristen & Liam's stories) - This one was probably my least favorite of the series. It took me quite a while to warm up to Nate's character, and the story didn't draw me in the way the others have. Maybe it was all just a bit too realistic.However, I did love Kristen & Liam's sub-story...beautiful, bombshell falling for the heart of gold.

Book 6: Just Not Mine (Hugh & Josie's story) - Rosalind James got right back on track with this one. I loved it start to finish. Hugh's misfortune of losing his father and having to raise his minor siblings becomes a blessing in disguise for all involved.

You don't need to listen to the first 3 books to enjoy this boxed set, but I would highly recommend it. I find it more enjoyable knowing the back story of many of the peripheral characters. And like the first boxed set, this one is definitely worth a credit!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

First 3 books were better...

While I enjoyed this boxed set, it didn’t have the pull for me to never stop listening as the first boxed set had. I found myself drifting into other thoughts while listening rather than being rapt. Claire Bocking did a great job as usual, though. I’ll continue listening to Rosalind James of course - and I’d definitely recommend all of her work!

Takes you away!

Books 4-6 in the Escape to New Zealand series did not disappoint! These books absolutely make you feel as though you are there in New Zealand with the ladies experiencing what they are going through.... The MEN! The Games, the true culture of it all is described so well. I highly highly recommend this series, especially if you are into a little Alpha Male characters along with some strong willed women.

omibus 4-5-6 great listens

these stories seemed to be developed better then the first set. I really enjoyed each book, and recommend others to this series.
just for fun, just my luck and just not mine.

Great book!

This was a great continuation of this series! I've yet to be disappointed in Rosalind Jame's books. Great storylines. I just can't choose a favorite. Claire Bocking is an excellent narrator. Looking forward to the next set!!

GREAT

love that there wasn't to much drama. It's nice that u can read a book that's not from one sad tell to the next. Sometimes u can just be happy and it all work out just that way.

Great books + great narrator = win!

Any additional comments?

This is a great set of books and well worth the money! Rosalind's stories are some of my favorites, and are great. Her characters are always so well written - no matter the age of the character, from small child to a much older adult. And in these books, Just My Luck is a bonus, with following 2 different couples instead of one! Overall, the books and characters are very engaging - they draw you in and it's hard to not like them. I could easily see almost all of them as people that I wouldn't mind hanging out with.

Claire's narration was great, as always. Her ability to do the different voices is perfect, and there is zero confusion as to which character is talking.


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 opinions expressed here are my own.

Summer fun listening

Claire has an amazing skill for breathing life into some of my favourite Rosalind James characters. These stories are great for the beach or in my case enjoying the sunshine in the garden. I don't think this series could have better title than escape to New Zealand. Of the three stories Nate and ally's is my favourite sometimes life just can't be scheduled :)