Martini Mondays

Palm Springs Poolside Novels, Book 1

By: J. L. Brannick

Narrated by: Katie Thompson, John Lane

Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

At her aunt’s funeral, Laurel stumbles across an irate woman shouting at a gorgeous man, calling him a jerk, a prick, and a grumpy asshole. Then she meets Sebastian and adds a few names to that list. Because he may be hot as sin, but he has the personality of a rabid, prickly porcupine. And Laurel has enough trouble.

She’s graduating from law school, but it’s not to pomp and circumstance. No, it’s to a mountain of debt, unemployment, and her father disowning her. But the most brutal blow was her beloved aunt’s death. So after graduation, she escapes to her deceased aunt's enchanting home in Palm Springs, California to heal.

As an ugly confrontation with her father looms, and Laurel struggles to protect her mischievous little brothers, suddenly the “grumpy asshole” is everywhere. She tries to stay away from Sebastian and keep her temper and libido in check. But fate, circumstance, and her aunt’s meddling from the grave have other plans.

©2023 J. L. Brannick (P)2023 J. L. Brannick

Great Book

I liked this contemporary audiobook. It dealt with the loss of loved ones and the disappointment and betrayal of those who should love unconditionally. Laurel arrives to find her way in the world post graduation. Her first impression of Sebastian is not good. Turns out he hates everyone. The narrators did a good job.

Laurel and Sebastian

I loved this story, and am looking forward to the next one! Laurel is going to college to be a lawyer. She comes from a dysfunctional family (who doesn’t?).She changed schools to be with her terminally ill aunt. Her father withheld her college fund, as a control to make her do what he wants. Ha, it did not work. After the aunt passes, Laurel inherits property. One house she is having security cameras installed. Grumpy Sebestian does the camera install. She picks at him, and gets under his skin. Laurel has a big heart, and helps her step-mother and brothers escape from her abusive father and get a protective order. Cameras are great for evidence. I thought the idea of friends getting together every Monday for a friendly night of drinks is sweet. Characters well developed. The narration was excellent. I received a free copy of this audiobook from BookSprout and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Good

Martini Mondays
Palm Springs Poolside Novels, Book 1
By: J. L. Brannick
Narrated by: Katie Thompson, John Lane
Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins
Audiobook

The story and characters are well written and developed. I enjoyed the drama, chemistry and journey. Good read.

Spicy but fun

Enjoyed reading this while in Palm Springs. All the Palm Springs elements made it more fun to read.

A bit of a shake and a stir

This one it's slow interesting and something for you to read when you're curled up by the fire It said more but really it wouldn't come to this if I say something it could be spoilers so I'm just going to leave it at that

Wonderful story line

This was a great read. The characters were easy to like (most of them) and the situations and issue in the story line were easy to relate to. There was death, illness, domestic violence, love, happiness and sadness.

Laurel, who had a traumatizing childhood, loses her Aunt, who she was so incredibly close to. During her lose, she learns that friends can be family and family can be disastrous!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Romantic

The book was very drawn out, it could've finish within a couple of hours of reading, I loved all the characters, other than that it was a awesome book, I enjoyed it

Martini Mondays

I really loved this story! Katie Thompson was amazing. I wish there was more from John Lane, but he really enhanced the dual Narration for Sebastian. This was my first book by J.L Brannick, but it will not be my last one! I also want to start having Martini Mondays with my friends lol.

Realistic romance

The audiobook version of "Martini Mondays" is an experience that brings the characters and story to life with remarkable authenticity. The narrators are well cast, encapsulating the essence of each character through their voices and making distinguishable shifts for different characters, which greatly enhances the listening experience. The slow-burn plot unfolds with depth and nuance, creating a rich tapestry of three-dimensional characters whose behaviors and attitudes resonate with real-life complexity. The likability of the protagonist and the credibility of the plot make for an engaging narrative.

The portrayal of grief at the beginning is handled with a raw honesty that sets a powerful tone for the story and serves as a testament to the audiobook's ability to convey deep emotions effectively. This sensitive rendering may be intense for some listeners, but it lays the foundation for a story of healing and transformation that is both touching and inspiring. "Martini Mondays" is not just an audiobook; it's an auditory journey that captures the heart and the imagination. Whether you're here for the romance, the drama, or the resonant portrayal of personal growth, this audiobook is a compelling companion from start to finish.

Great Narrators, Pure Palm Springs, and Spice

Wonderful narrators who didn't take me out of the story. Their spicy scenes are just, whew! Hard core grumpy vs. sunshine. The plot had some suspense and twists, and Laurel's father is someone I loved to hate. The Palm Springs, CA setting is like this wonderful extra character. This is first in a series, so there were several characters that will likely have their own stories. Slow burn with some explicit spicy scenes, FYI. I'm pretty sure John Lane, who does the voice of the male character, speaks Spanish. He can call me mi cielo anytime.