Good with His Hands

Good In Bed, Book 1

By: Lauren Blakely, Lili Valente

Narrated by: Joe Arden, Lili Valente

Length: 6 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's Summary

A sexy best friend's brother romance from best-selling authors Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente, performed by Joe Arden and Lili Valente!

I'm the wrong guy for her.

She's sunshine and cherry pie. I'm whiskey and fast cars. I'm also keeping one hell of a secret from the woman I've wanted for years.

But when I find a list my sister left behind for Ruby, I've got no choice but to offer the sexy, big-hearted girl next door both a road trip and a chance.

A chance to discover how big she can dream.

And if some of those dreams play out in the bedroom? Well, there’s nothing wrong with a few - okay, several - hot nights together as we hit the beach, visit old stomping grounds, and test all sorts of limits, in and out of the sheets.

Seven days, then I'm off, moving across the country, far away from her.

No way can things get complicated in a week. Ruby and I aren’t the kind of dream that has a shot of coming true.

Especially once she learns what I’ve done.

©2020 Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente (P)2020 Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente

✫✫ 4.5 Stars ✫✫

I am a sucker for friends to lovers and best friends siblings romance so I knew this book would be for me! I fell in love with Ruby from the very beginning, she was a very strong women who was overcoming so much pain in her life. She is the exact kind of female lead that I love in books, not only is she strong but she knows what she wants and goes for it. In this book she pushes through so many of her fears and discovers that she is strong and enjoys things that once terrified her. Jesse grew on me, in the beginning I wasn't sure about him but I loved the idea that he was going to help Ruby complete the list made by his sister to push Ruby to live her best life. I loved that he wouldn't let her give up and encouraged her by showing her how strong she was. I was smiling from ear to ear when this book ended, Ruby was stronger and Jesse was honest because he couldn't stand not to be instead of being caught in the lie. Exactly my kind of ending! The narration was on point as always. I enjoyed both Joe and Lili narration.

Sweet, emotional, fun and sexy friends to lovers!!

I absolutely adored this book! Lauren Blakely continues to wow and entertain me with her wonderful stories and characters! Add in the talented Lili Valente as her cowriter and you have a little slice of heaven right here! Not only can she write, but Lili Valente is also a wonderful narrator! Joined by the incredibly talented Joe Arden, they are so beyond amazing bringing Jesse and Ruby to life. Such a delicious feast for the ears!! I love these two characters and they are so good together and good for each other too. Their connection is special in that they have been friends for a long time on a different level because of Jesse's sister who was Ruby's best friend, who passed away. I love the whole concept of what she left behind for Ruby and how that shapes Jesse and Ruby's current relationship. OMG that first kiss was probably one of the hottest ever!! Swoon!!!! Their decision to try FWB of course is thwarted because it is so hard not to catch feelings when you are intimate together and spending so much time together but even more so if you were truly meant for each other. And you can clearly see that Jesse and Ruby are meant to be!! Loved it!! Can't wait to see what's next in this series!

Under Your Heart Umbrella

"I've always felt honored to be one of the people under your heart umbrella." This was such a beautiful story, well crafted and performed. Tons of emotions but not angsty for the sake of it. Lili Valente captured Ruby so perfectly - quirky, sexy, fearful, determined, brave. There was something different about the quality of Joe Arden's voice in this book. Through the laughter and banter and emotion it was somehow warmer and more real and really brought Jesse to life.

Lauren and Lili Make a Great Team!

I really loved this book and am glad there will be another one coming. The narration was excellent. Lili is not only a gifted writer, and an excellent narrator as well. She puts believable emotion into her character. Joe Arden is one of my favorite narrators and in my opinion, he brought something new to this...a different vocal tone and even more emotion...a laugh, pain, sorrow and joy. Of course, add Lauren Blakely to the mix and you've got a hit!

Jesse and Ruby are inevitable! Swoon!

I'm so excited Lauren and Lili finally collaborated again, and this book is awesome!! I can't wait for the next one in this new series. Jesse and Ruby have been friends for years. They have a shared tragedy that has taken them years to recover from, and begin to move forward with their lives. When Jesse sees that Ruby is physically recovered, there's still something missing in her spirit. So, he offers to take her on a journey, an adventure to help get that spark back. Also, Jesse and Ruby have the hots for each other, but neither knows how the other feels. The adventure progresses, and Jesse and Ruby are having a great time getting to know each other better and getting closer. Jesse's been holding on to a secret that he needs to tell Ruby, but he's afraid it could spoil their trip. Here comes some angst, but not too much, which I love. Once again, Joe Arden gives you the feels with this tale. He has a knack for melting my cold heart just enough with his amazing acting abilities. Lili captures Ruby perfectly. Jesse and Ruby's family and friends were a big part of this story, but not so much to take away from the hero and heroine. Family and friends are a huge deal for them, and play a large part in both their healing, and eventually finding love. There's plenty of hot chemistry between Jesse and Ruby, and he's quite gifted w/the dirty talk. *cue swooning* For me, there's the bonus of Joe Arden saying my name (character in the book isn't me) multiple times throughout. I'll be replaying this quite a bit! Lauren and Lili do a great job with this book, and Joe and Lili do a wonderful job narrating.

So good!!!

Good With His Hands is a fantastic best friend’s brother to lovers romance. This book was co-written by two amazing authors, Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente. What I love is that it flows effortlessly and you can’t tell who wrote what. This book is full of emotions. I felt the pain that both Ruby and Jesse felt from losing someone so dear to them. Jesse, a sister, and Ruby, a best friend. In the years since Claire’s death, Jesse and Ruby have become close. Both having feelings but not acting on them, until in a way Claire brings them together with a “to do” list she put together for Ruby before she died. Jesse gave this list to Ruby right before he planned on leaving town. He wanted to complete it with her before he moves. In watching Ruby and Jesse come together completing this list, you will laugh, cry, have “that’s so sweet” and toe curling moments. In the midst of it all Jesse is keeping a secret that just might tear their more than friends relationship apart. These two are just so right together and I was in knots waiting to see how it all turned out. Joe and Lili were a perfect fit for Jesse and Ruby!! The narration was perfect.

Sweet and sexy

This heartwarming best friend’s brother/friends to lovers story finds Ruby and Jesse both at a crossroads in their lives when they finally admit their mutual attraction. I love how they both embraced the changes and the challenges of opening themselves to new experiences and deeper feelings while discovering where their life will go and how to make that happen. Lili Valente was superb and I loved hearing her bring Ruby to life. And Joe Arden was the sexy, swoony, and generally perfect voice to make me fall in love with Jesse as expected. Lauren Blakey and Lili Valente are amazing co-writers and I am thrilled that there is more to come from this perfect collaboration.

Beautiful, Emotional and Steamy Romance!

Wow, what a team! I am a fan of both Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente's work. Their writing styles compliment each other and they have created a poignant and breathtaking story about hope, healing, and finding a beautiful life. Two years ago a tragic car crash left Ruby severly injured and took the life of her best friend, Claire. It left Ruby broken both physically and mentally. After hard work, she is finally able to walk again. But she has lost the passion to go after all the experiences that she and Claire dreamed of doing together. Ruby, Claire, and Claire's older brother, Jesse, were all close growing up. Jesse was a huge support and devoted friend, helping Ruby thru her recovery. He is sad that Ruby doesn't have the bright spirit that attracted her to him. He has a list that Claire gave him to help Ruby take chances and experience life the way she dreamed. Jesse talks her into going out and living her best life and he will help her occomplish that, at least until he moves his business across country. Ruby is scared but is able to move forward with the help of the only man she trusts and has always loved. When those chances bring them closer than they've ever been, they realize life is too fleating not to act on the sparks and chemistry between them. But what happens when it's time for Jesse to leave, and their hearts can't bare to say goodbye? I really loved Jesse, and Ruby. They know each other so well, supporting each other unconditionally, and their chemistry is so explosive it leaps right off the page. This story is an exploration of life, and the journey through all it's ups and downs. I loved how Blakely and Valente address it all with honesty and empathy, especially adding in their signature wit and banter. It was so moving, and took my breath away, making me cry from both sorrow and joy. Joe Arden and Lili Valente did an amazing job bringing these characters and their moving and passionate story to life. They portrayed both Jesse and Ruby with all their strengths and vulnerabilities so beautifully, that I was totally captivated by their performance from start to finish. I loved this beautiful, heartbreaking, fun, and uplifting collaboration, and would love more from them.

Love, Love, LOVE this book!

This is one of the most fun and sexy books I have come across in a long time! The story writing team of Lauren and Lili - along with wonderful narration - made this a book I will come back to again and again. You won't be disappointed! My only complaint is that it's too short! Congrats on a surefire win.

Lauren Blakely & Lili Valente are a great duo

4.5 stars So good! Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente are such a great writing duo! Good With His Hands is both friends-to-lovers and best's-friends-brother, two tropes that are always fun. This was funny, swoony, heartfelt and hot. Ruby and Jesse were great together, and just what the other needed to process past events. I loved the ebook so much I purchased the audiobook too, and really enjoyed Joe Arden and author Lili Valente's narration.

Good with his hands

Ruby & her best friend Claire decide to go on a road trip. Unfortunately an animal jumps out in front of their vehicle. Due to injuries Ruby was put into a coma only to wake some time later to find that Claire has died. Before Claire died she drew up a bucket list for her best friend to complete so Ruby can live her life again.  Through out the whole book you go through Ruby's journey with the help of Jesse (Claire's brother) to discover who she is & what she wants out of life

Loved it

Brilliant book had my a tensioning from the beginning. Joe Arden and Lili Valente where do good at narration. Could listen to this book over and over again.

5 Try Something New Stars

Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente, what a dream team, their writing complements each other so much. The story, what can I say? Funny, cute, and oh so sweet. I love best friend sibling romances, even if the best friend is no longer in the picture, which made it all the more emotional. No hearts will get broken in this ‘friends with benefits’ romance. Yeh right. Jessie Hendrix, he was pretty much perfect, he understood Ruby Valentine so much, he just got her, he was so lovely, all he wanted was for Ruby to be happy. Then there’s Ruby who has had a crush on her best friend’s brother for what seems like forever. Sweet, enjoyable romance with a couple of surprises added in the mix. Angst free and totally addictive. Narrated by Joe Arden - I adore his voice, I could listen to him all day, he’s the perfect Jessie. Ruby is narrated by Lili Valente, and let me tell you, I loved her, what a wonderful surprise to have the author narrate.