My Favorite Souvenir

By: Penelope Ward, Vi Keeland

Narrated by: Andi Arndt, Sebastian York

Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

From New York Times best-selling authors Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland comes a new, sexy stand-alone novel.

My planned trip for two unexpectedly turned into a trip for one. Rather than let my breakup get me down, I packed my bags and decided a week at a luxury resort was just what I needed. But one calamity after the next, and suddenly I was stuck without a hotel room, along with a few hundred other people. It looked like my fancy vacation was about to turn into me sleeping on the hotel lobby floor. Until I overheard a gorgeous man pretending to be someone he wasn’t in order to steal a reservation from a guest who hadn’t shown up yet.

When I realized there were two rooms, instead of calling him out, I pretended to be his sister. That’s how the story of “Milo and Maddie Hooker” began. We were the Hookers. My depressing trip quickly made a U-turn into an adventure. My fake brother spent the next few days showing me around his hometown. When it was time to leave, neither of us really wanted to go yet. 

So, instead of flying back to our respective homes, we ventured on a road trip. At every stop, we’d pick up souvenirs. But as hot as our chemistry was, we never crossed the line. Milo knew I’d just come out of a tough relationship and didn’t want to mess with a vulnerable woman. So instead, at the end of our trip, we made a pact to meet again in three months. It was always my intention to meet him. But when I got back home, reality hit in a big way. And I worried I may have lost my handsome stranger forever.

Was there a place for him in my future? Or had the memory of him just become my favorite souvenir?

©2019 Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland (P)2020 Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland

Don’t Waste a Credit

Wow, what a disappointment. I love a Ward/Keeland book but this is the dumbest book I suffered thru in a long time. The heroine is a weak minded door mat. The fiancé calls off the wedding, is a complete jerk, yet she still dates him and acts all confused as to whether or not she should give the hero a chance or keep dating the jerk fiancé. Keep in mind the hero has been a great guy throughout. SPOILER ~Unbeknownst to both the heroine & hero, the fiancé is the hero’s best friend. That plays a big part. The hero knows the fiancé cheated and lied about the heroine and doesn’t tell her. It’s a ridiculous story line, a ridiculous heroine who I easily lost interest in. She acts like she has no choice but to date her ex fiancé, why doesn’t she have a choice? Why does she act all jealous when her hero checks out other women yet she goes out on romantic dates her her ex ? Keep your money and skip this one it’s just awful.

Review: My Favorite Souvenir

My Favorite Souvenir by Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland is their brand new standalone contemporary romance that borders on a love triangle without ever actually being twisted up in one. Told in dual POV between Hazel/Maddie and Matteo/Milo, this book is equal parts hilarious, heartbreaking and heartwarming. Maddie & Milos beginning is fun, adventurous and totally carefree. The interaction with Zara in Nola left me with chills. The conflict with Brady was exhausting. As a reader on both sides of the story, I just knew he HAD to GO, but watching Hazel work through her emotions was exactly why I read romance and love these authors so much. Milo/Matteo - swoon! Sweet and thoughtful but also possessive and slightly alpha - yes please. With outrageously awkward moments for each of these characters and some super steamy times too, this was another spectacular romance from one of my favorite co-author teams! Enjoy!

The audio performance was stellar - as always - and to be expected with two professionals such as Andi Arndt & Sebastian York reading. They seamlessly manage to embody the character they are reading for and make the listening experience completely immersive and enjoyable.

It started out great !!

The story started out great ; however, like a couple reviews here mentioned, I found it ridiculous that the heroine is such a weak character. How do you date your ex who dumped you two months before your wedding, after meeting someone so incredibly awesome like the hero! I understand all the hesitation while they where on the road, or even after they went their separate ways, but when they met up again, she still continue to date the ex while acting jealous and not wanting to let the other guy go... like how stupid is that ?
Save your money ! It was on Audible escape, and I still couldn’t finish it !!

Disappointed

I usually love Ward/Keeland books and in fact they are my one-click favs. But I was so bummed at the direction they took with this story. The first half was fun and funny and just sweet. The second half was a terrible twist that was just heartbreaking and not in the tragic, romantic sense. Heartbreaking because they took two, smart intelligent adults and turned them into immature teenagers that suddenly couldn’t think for themselves or clearly see what’s right and what’s wrong. What’s worse, they made Hazel into an insecure woman who got twisted up in her own head whining “woe is me, I just don’t know what to do and I can’t make a decision so I’ll just go along and pretend everything is okay but continue to whine about it.” Argh! And to twist the knife in this poor reader’s romantic heart? They gave Hazel a truly horrible “best friend” who was no friend at all! By the time our lovers get to do the deed (in a nice slow burn fashion too which I normally love) their union was tainted to me. I couldn’t even enjoy it! I actually skipped over it because it was such a turn off! In fact, I listened to the second half entirely on double speed just to get through it. *smh* Like I said, so disappointed. 😢

Great, fun romance

This is a wonderfully written romance that really focused on the building of the relationship but through a fun way. Matteo and Hazel met after Hazel was pretty much dumped at the alter and they both found themselves stuck at the airport because of a snow storm. They had to do some lying to get one of the last rooms at the nearby hotel and so, the Hookers were born. Agreeing not to exchange real names, they went on an adventure together and helped each other grow as people and also, move forward from their pasts. But what happens when real life intrudes?

I smiled so much while reading (and listening) to this book. It was written in such a way that it allowed the reader a front row look at the building of their relationship as friends and eventually, as they fell in love with each other. The way it rolled out felt authentic, making the book even that much more enjoyable.

I have Audible Escape so I was able to both read the ebook and listen to the audiobook. The powerhouse narration team of Andi Arndt and Sebastian York narrated and overall, they were great, as expected. There were a couple of times when I felt like the voices melded a little as both narrators played other characters so I was a little confused about who was speaking but that was very rare. Overall, I really enjoyed their reading of the story.

A Love Adventure for the books!

The writing is fun; and the story keeps you wanting more. The “Hookers” had mad chemistry which kept me laughing! The story unfolded beautifully and the bonus of adventures in different cities and the shared music made it even better!

1st Review in MANY Months

I haven’t left a written review in a long time even though I have enjoyed many books! Until this one. My heart is exploding with all the feels! It came together and wrapped up all in the best kind of package ever! Top notch writing, and add to that 2 of the best narrators! What more can you ask for. If your a romantic at heart this book is a #1 seller❤️

Love Andi and Sebastian - Spoiler Alert

First the ex-fiancé is a Jackass. Second love the narrators. Third the best friend Felicity needs a throat punch for being team ex-fiancé/cheater. Lastly, Matteo/Milo shouldn't have not had to wait for the Hazel/Maddie to make up her mind, her ex-fiancé was a douche. Loved the HEA though.

P.S. Love Penelope and Vi.

excellent slow burn

There is a good story here that builds upon itself and turns into a sweet romance. There is minimal drama and the more intimate scenes are appropriate and not gratuitous or cheap.

Love these authors and the narration is perfect!

On the fence also SPOILERS

This book felt too long. It felt like it took way to long to get to the point. She seemed indecisive about who she wanted and then told him she had decided already but it felt like she was stringing him along til she figured out who she wanted. I mean how hard is it to say “I don’t want you anymore. It’s over”! Just took to long to get to the point for me.

A Great Read !!!

What a fabulous story. I was hooked from start to finish. A great read during 'Lockdown'. It had my undivided attention.
I love both these authors, both independently and when they pair up.
Two of my favourite Narrators too, who brought this book to life.
I was swept away. A terrific read ladies. I loved it.
I recommend this love story to all readers.

well worth five stars

Wow!! I absolutely loved this story, it captured my attention right from the start, its clever and funny, there are some laugh out loud moments especially with the clairvoyant who was brilliant. This is definitly one of my favourite books and will read it again I'm sure. The narration as always with Andi and Sebastian is fantastic.

Amazing

Penelope ward and Vi Keeland are amazing authors I love their books.Andi Arndt and Sebastian York are excellent at reading the story and bringing the characters to life very highly recommend this book

A good romance

As usual what a brilliant audiobook by Vi Keeland an Penelope Ward. They just never fail to write a great romance . The narrators Sebastian York and Andi Arndt and my favourite American narrators.

Beautiful

I loved this so much, this could be made into a movie, I'd love that.

Loved it

Didnt want this book to end, loved every minute of it. I would highly recommend

Not great

People seem to love this book but I don’t know why. It was passable, but so much of it was annoying. The relationship drama just frustrated me and I didn’t feel much sympathy for the heroine, and just wanted her to be decisive. I didn’t get swept along emotionally either, and I struggled to stay focused throughout. Usually these feelings would cap a book at 2 stars, but there were enough good aspects, and it had potential, so I’ve given it 3.

I didn't finish it

So usually I power though books even if I at first find them a little hard to get through but I just couldn't with this one. Idk why.
I felt like the story didn't really evolve. It just was the same over and over and nothing surprised me or kept me exited to listen on. So I stopped a little close to halfway through..

Fabulous story

Can’t wait for the next book! Amazing writers and narrators!! 100/10!!! Next book please!!

What a read!!

Fantastic read! Could not put it down! Beautiful story, amazing characters and the right ending!!!