Her Valentine Surprise

Manhattan Holiday Loves, Book 2

By: Ayla Asher

Narrated by: Kai Kennicott, Wen Ross

Sam has a secret he holds close to his heart...

Joy Paulson is fine being single. In fact, it saves her from the maddening dating rituals in Manhattan. If she ever settles down, it will be with someone she truly loves and trusts. That’s why she turns down her super-hot boss when he asks her out, leading to disaster when he retaliates, forcing her termination.

Sam Davidson has pined for Joy since the first time he saw her sweet smile and stunning eyes. But there’s a secret that the shy IT developer holds deep inside: Sam is still a virgin. At twenty-nine, he never intended it to happen, but accepts that he could never please Joy in all the ways she deserves.

Sam can offer her a job, though, and proceeds to help Joy rebuild her life after the unfair firing. As their work relationship grows, Joy is taken with Sam’s kindness, gorgeous crystal-hazel eyes and generous smile. And his hands…oh, his firm, broad hands...Joy can’t figure out why Sam resists the desire that sparks so vividly between them, but Valentine’s Day is coming and she’s determined to seduce him and make them both burn. Even if it means discovering all his secrets...

Inexperienced hero trope lovers unite! This is a fun, fast-paced, steamy novella from an author who wanted to flip the script and write about a sweet, sexy, inexperienced male main character. Sam is so adorably sensual and endearing, he might just melt your heart. Here’s wishing you a fantastic Valentine’s Day all year round!

©2020 Ayla Asher (P)2020 Valerie Eubanks

sexy cute story

Ayla Asher has written a short sexy story, that is not without its drama. Joy, a perfectionist executive assistant, Sam the cute, shy IT nerd guy, and her hot sexy boss. Her boss retaliates, fires her, when she turns down a date with him. Joy is at a loss when she was fired.
Sam quit his job, hired her for his new IT company, and SamJoy was formed. Sam shows his vulnerability when around Joy. He always had a crush on her. He has a major secret he's withholding from her. Their connection is electric, and Joy has a plan for a Valentine Surprise for him.
Wen Ross and Kai Kennecott duet narration is great! They make it an enjoyable experience listening to this story. I was gifted this story and offered my honest review

Conflicted

I like the story and I like the narrators, but I felt what Joy did was much like what Drake did at the beginning of the story. I also wish Sam had been a little more developed.

WOW!

Alya Asher has written an amazing love story! Wen Ross and Kai Kennicott are wonderful working together narrating books. You can feel the connection they have for each other by just listening to their voices.

SamJoy

Book 2 in Asher's Manhattan Holiday Loves series. This book is the story of Sam and Joy. This is a beautiful romance that is sweet and steamy and perfect for Valentine's day! I love the characters - Sam is just the sweetest and Joy is so open. I adore the bond Joy has with her besties and Carter is a blast with his 2 cents. The growth that these two have as characters as well as in their relationship is great. I loved the open communication and emphasis on how important that is. A great read with good characters, storyline and flow. Dual narration is awesome - I loved it and felt it brings more of these characters emotions to life - very well done!

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Refreshingly sweet book

OVERALL: This is my first book from Ayla Asher, and my first audiobook narrated by Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross. This is a really fun easy listen. There’s no crazy drama or unhealthy relationships. I have been immersed in “alpha male” romances as of late (nothing wrong with those; I love them too!), and this was a fresh breath of air! What you do have is a great holiday book, and I’m a sucker for a good holiday book!

STORYLINE: I don’t know that I’ve listened to a book like this in a long time, to be honest -- a guy longing for a woman he works with, but without the extra drama. It’s honestly an extremely sweet tale, but also very honest and real at the same time. It’s a slow burn, but it’s worth it!

CHARACTERS: Sam and Joy are fantastic characters. Both are quite relatable in this workplace romance. Sam is an adorable, shy self-proclaimed “geek.” Joy knows what she wants, and she’s honest and straightforward about it. There are no games here with these two, which is pretty refreshing. I love all the girlfriends chatting! It is one of my favorite parts of the book overall. They have a really wonderful bond, and I enjoyed it immensely.

NARRATION: First, the duet narration was fantastic, and I felt it really enhanced the storytelling. I was really pleasantly surprised by both narrators! They work really well together, and the chemistry is palpable at times. Kai Kennicott has a great cadence when she speaks, and she’s very easy to listen to. Wen Ross’s voice is warm, inviting, and seductive, like a good bourbon.