It Takes Two to Tumble

By: Cat Sebastian

Narrated by: Joel Leslie

Length: 7 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's Summary

"Sebastian proves she is a new force to be reckoned with in historical romances.” (Booklist)

Some of Ben Sedgwick’s favorite things:

• Helping his poor parishioners 
• Baby animals 
• Shamelessly flirting with the handsome Captain Phillip Dacre 

After an unconventional upbringing, Ben is perfectly content with the quiet, predictable life of a country vicar, free of strife or turmoil. When he’s asked to look after an absent naval captain’s three wild children, he reluctantly agrees, but instantly falls for the hellions. And when their stern but gloriously handsome father arrives, Ben is tempted in ways that make him doubt everything. 

Some of Phillip Dacre’s favorite things:

• His ship 
• People doing precisely as they're told 
• Touching the irresistible vicar at every opportunity 

Phillip can’t wait to leave England’s shores and be back on his ship, away from the grief that haunts him. But his children have driven off a succession of governesses and tutors and he must set things right. The unexpected presence of the cheerful, adorable vicar sets his world on its head and now he can’t seem to live without Ben’s winning smiles or devastating kisses. 

In the midst of runaway children, a plot to blackmail Ben’s family, and torturous nights of pleasure, Ben and Phillip must decide if a safe life is worth losing the one thing that makes them come alive.

©2017 Cat Sebastian (P)2019 HarperAudio

Cat + Joel = Perfection

Once upon a time, I was a Cat Sebastian fan. Then she went ahead and wrote a book that was more charming and lovely than any one book has a right to be, and I was upgraded to superfan.

It Takes Two to Tumble is a bright and beautiful story overflowing with characters that the reader can’t help but fall in love with. From the gruff and grieving sea captain to the local vicar with a bit of a radical streak, even the children and their canine companion, each character makes an impression that you won’t soon forget. There are no secondary characters in this book; each one has a vital role to play.

Cat Sebastian’s writing is some of the best, every word, every scene perfectly placed to keep the story moving while allowing the reader to be fully immersed. She has an amazing capacity for storytelling, and her fictional worlds are some of my favorite to get lost in. Attraction, longing, grief, despair, love, and hope are all mixed with unexpected bits of levity and it’s truly a joy to read.

When I heard that Joel Leslie would be narrating this series, my soul left my body, and I’m pretty sure I cried a little bit. All the dreams I dared not dream came true with this pairing, and this was one of his best performances I’ve heard to date.

He took an already amazing story and amplified it, giving it a new dimension that words on a page just cannot achieve. With distinct characterizations and impressive emotional range, he tells this story like it was written specifically for him to perform.

It Takes Two to Tumble has earned a place on my favorites shelf and has cemented Cat Sebastian as one of my auto-buy authors.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

A story of balances exciting and steamy

I used to have only one favorite author but after listening to the 1st and 2nd book of the Sedgwick novels I now have another favorite author Cat Sebastian and Abigail Hilton.

Good listen

Enjoyed listening to this. Great narration and nice story. Didn’t grab me by the heart as much as some which is why the 4 stars, but I’ll still get more by this author.