My Funny Valentine

Jasper Falls, Book 5

By: Lydia Michaels

Narrated by: Amber Battaglia

Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

My Funny Valentine is the fifth book in the Jasper Falls series by best-selling and award-winning author Lydia Michaels.

©2022 Lydia Michaels (P)2023 Lydia Michaels

Emotional yet entertaining

4.5 Stars for My Funny Valentine ( Jasper Falls #5)
I read this before listening so I did have some preconceived ideas on how I thought this story should sound and Amber Battaglia did a wonderful job with the narration, she really had me believing I was in the same room visiting Jasper Falls.
Another visit to Jasper Falls and another great addition to the series but be warned Erin and Giovanni’s story is not all sweetness and light, this is an emotional roller coaster and I do feel the need to point out there maybe triggers for some readers. This is a beautifully written story that touches on subject matters that a lot of authors would steer clear off and Lydia Michaels did a wonderful job taking us on Erin and Giovanni’s journey.
Erin hasn’t had an easy life but her motto has always been the best form of defence is attack but the only person she can’t use her own motto for is her Dad and that leads to a miserable life. Erin has built walls to protect herself and it’s going to take a very special man to break them down so could Giovanni be that man.
Giovanni is an aspiring stand-up comedian who left Jasper Falls many years ago but back in town for one show he finds himself rescuing Erin from her car when she has an accident in a blizzard. Stranded in one room has this couple finding things out about each other as they pass the time and suddenly lust becomes hate and then moves into so much more…….
A beautifully written, emotional roller coaster that will touch you on so many levels, it’s not just a story about love, it’s about finding yourself and learning to trust. A great addition to the Jasper Falls series and I’m excited to see where we get taken next in this series.

Emotional at times

Having met Erin Montgomery is a previous book I really disliked her. Now having read My Funny Valentine, I understand all that she has been through and the circumstances that made her into the woman she has become. Please take note that this story may cause triggers for some so be prepared.

This was an emotional roller coaster of a read that tugged at my heart strings. Erin’s childhood was horrible and she suffered a great deal emotionally and physically. To the people of Jasper Falls, Erin’s father Ward was an upstanding member of the community but if they only knew his treatment of his children they would have been horrified. Her only friend was Finnegan (Finn) McCullough who was always there to help her.

The journey that Erin Montgomery and her childhood frenemy Giovanni Mosconi (cousin of Finn) went through was at times heart breaking. When Giovanni returns to Jasper Falls, the stand up comedian retaliates after Erin heckles his performance.

The narrator Amber Battaglia did a credible job in portraying all the emotions that Erin goes through and she brought the characters to life. Her voice was easy to listen to and she drew me in with her performance.

When fate puts these two together, the sparks fly. We all know there’s a fine line between love and hate and passion soon ignites between this fiery couple. The walls that Erin has surrounded herself with in order to avoid pain and further heartache will be hard to tear down.

The chemistry between them was intense but the connection between them is strong. Will Giovanni be prepared for the truth when it comes to light? Can Erin take a leap of faith and put her trust in him?

One click and find out.

Erin’s story

Erin is the villain from a couple of Lydia Michael’s books. When I saw this was her story, I knew it would be good. Erin shows up at a comedic performance for an old classmate, Giovanni. Since the two have never gotten along, she heckles him but wasn’t expected to be heard. He gives it right back to Erin and she leaves the club in tears during a snowstorm. When the two are paired up again, an unlikely bond begins to form. Their stories are wonderfully told, as Erin has to work through her traumatic past and Giovanni deals with his own insecurities. The unlovable are often the ones that need it the most and seeing Erin’s layers slowly peeled away is a beautiful story. The kindness that is displayed in difficult times tells a great life lesson. The narrator does a great job, especially as male and female roles.

Great

I always really enjoy reading the story of those characters that everyone has loved to hate in the series! To finally see things from their perspective and figure out why they ended up the way they do is so worth the wait. I guess I just love a good redemption arc.

This one was a great read, and although all the other books in this series try to make you hate her, I've always had a soft spot for Erin so I was ready for her to blossom. I was really happy with how her story ended up going!

Amber Battaglia did a wonderful job narrating this one! Her voice is so soothing, but not in the way that makes you want to fall asleep, more in the way that makes you want to listen longer, which is good for an audiobook.

Missing pieces

I had read all of the books in this series but somehow had missed this one. I’m happy I finally took the time to read it! It filled in some blanks for me for these characters. I did. feel like I was still missing more from these and it wasn’t long enough for me. I think there could have been more. But overall I liked the characters, felt emotional about the characters and enjoyed how it ended.

I loved this!

I didn't think I could ever like Erin but here I was crying during the prologue. This book was so good. I loved all of the characters and LOVED Erin's redemption ARC. Highly recommend this for contemporary romance fans!

Emotional

I've loved listening to the jasper Falls series. Though I don't particularly enjoy third-person storytelling, the story pulled me in from the beginning, and My Funny Valentine is my new favorite of the series. However, you should know of physical and emotional abuse triggers before starting. These events will leave your heart aching for Erin as she is left behind by those she loved and knew should always be there for her, which skews her self-worth and leads her to believe relationships ultimately end in pain.

Erin and Giovanni will begin a relationship with many ups and downs in an enemy-to-lover, forced proximity romance. Their beginning had me disliking Giovanni, but the more time he spent with Erin, I discovered a caring and sweet side that I couldn't help but love this very patient man. Unfortunately, Erin had a lot of emotional baggage to unpack. Her inner dialogue had me wanting to yell at her when she would second guess or overthink, but I understood why she felt that way, so I had too had to be patient.

Amber Battaglia did a spectacular job narrating both characters.

Nuance and Powerful

My Funny Valentine is an incise discussion of the trauma of familial abuse and neglect in the context of a romance. Micheals deftly manages to handle the light with serious is a exquisite manner.

good story

I read this one first, and I think I enjoyed it more reading than I did listening . I still enjoyed the audio, don't get me wrong. this was my first book with this narrator, and she wasn't bad, I would listen to her again

Surprisingly heavy subjects.

This book was surprisingly pretty heavy. It had triggers of physical and emotional abuse. The "funny" in the title comes from the hero being a stand-up comedian. There's really not much else funny in the book. That being said, My Funny Valentine is a highly emotional story. It has a enemies to friends trope and a forced proximity trope.

Erin has seen little love in her life and has suffered abuse. She is one messed up gal. It has made emotional intimacy exceedingly difficult for her. That becomes apparent after she is stranded with one of her childhood enemies during a snowstorm. Giovanni has had no use for Erin, but starts to see wisps of a different woman as he spends more time with her. The question is whether Erin's behavior will drive Giovanni away or could he be destined to leave her regardless of any changes she makes?

The story really had a dark side. I just want to know why no one got this girl some professional help!

I listened to the video version of this book. The narration was pretty good. Thanks to Valentine PR for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.