Naughty & Nice

By: DJ Jamison

Narrated by: Darcy Stark

Length: 6 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's Summary

Why can't I forget your kiss.... 

Dear Quinn, 

Why must I have these feelings for you? You're my ex-stepbrother, and nothing will change that truth, no matter how many letters I write.  

I never expected to see you again - or to rescue you from the side of the road in a blizzard. I didn't think you would ever like me, much less kiss me in a steaming hot tub on a snowy night. It seems we make better lovers than brothers, which is all kinds of naughty and nice while we're snowed in together. 

But can this new intimacy last when the skies clear and my family finally arrives for the holidays, or are we just two guys in a mountain cabin with a great view of everything we want but can't have? 

Hopelessly yours, 

Jonas

©2020 DJ Jamison (P)2020 DJ Jamison

A steamy taboo romance!

This was a taboo ex brother's romance!
This was hot and steamy and sweet with all the feels.
Darcy Stark performed an amazing audio delivery and narration.
He really brought the characters to life and made this all the more enjoyable to listen to.
Quinn and Jonas's love story was epic and quite a journey.

The writing style was engaging and easy to read as well as engaging.

Great book but just ok narration

Story 5+
Performance 3+
Overall 4+

I was given a free audio copy from the author and Neon Rainbow Arc Team to review.

#mm #forcedproximity #HEA #Christmas

The 2 MCs are college students but even though they are young it didn't have a YA feel. The writing is like any other mature couple which I appreciated.

It has a 2nd chance feel to it. They had one kiss years ago and then they never spoke of it for years even though they both still had it bad for each other. I love this trope and this did not disappoint.

It also has that slight taboo/off limits feel. At the time of the first kiss they were step brothers living together. Now their parents are divorced but still stay in touch so there's that secretcy and wondering what will they think. It added a little suspense/slight drama/slight angst to the story. Though it's still a very low angst read.

It is a holiday book in the sense that they are on Xmas break from school and there's a Christmas tree but it's a low key Christmas book. So even though this is releasing in Jan and some like myself may be over Xmas, you would still ver much enjoy this. It's just that melt your heart sweetness that is perfect regardless of the time. For the most part the story focuses on the 2 MCs thinking they are going to a family gathering only to end up being stuck in a cabin just the 2 of them for a week due to a blizzard and all that comes along with being stuck alone with the one you secretly still love.

Both characters were so sweet. I loved them both and they had great chemistry together. This is a story I couldn't stop listening to. I loved the plot. It drew me in from start to finish. It's light, heartwarmingly sweet with some low heat. Great writing. I loved it and would definitely recommend the story.

As for the narration, for me it was just ok. 3.5 stars. His voice was pleasant enough and kept good pace. His tone/age suited the fact that the characters are college students. What I didn't like was that the voices weren't noticeablly different. Also, he definitely wasn't monotone but he didn't express the emotions as well as other narrators I've heard before.

Note: There is also a freebie called Going the Distance and it's great too. A little extra about these 2 guys on Prolific Works.

Fantastic!!

This was an awesome listen!! Loved Jonah and Quinn! Darcy Stark did a fantastic job distinguishing the character voices!

Amazing listen!

Jonas and Quinn are so sweet! I love this ex- stepbrothers with secret crushes, second chance and forced proximity storyline. This is such a perfect Christmas story that I just love. I love seeing these grow as characters and in their relationship. Just such a sweet and heartwarming story. Then Darcy Stark does such an amazing job with the narration and may me love this story even more. I absolutely love this one.

Naughty&Nice

Thank you for the ACX audio, I voluntarily give this book an honest review. Then, One Christmas tree kiss and The feeling Jonas has are far from brotherly. Now, Jonas is need of this holiday break more than he knew only the guy he never thought to see again was now stranded in the cabin with him due to the early snowstorm. Something is going on ..Quinn is hiding out but from what or whom?
Quinn is determined to prove he can adult without a hero coming to his recuse.. Only Can he start to live again or has the past worn him to far down? Jonas started looking for hookup the lever breaks. but years has passed. they both can only think of that one and only Christmas tree kiss. Feeling are starting that a far from brotherly..Can Quinn do casual for Jonas? I just love the melody of Darcy Stark voice as he read for these wonderfully boys..great job.

solid 3.5 stars

Cute, easy going story. Characters are likeable and it has a good pace. Darcy Stark did a good job on the narration - characters voices were distinguishable, he has good rhythm and showed a good range of emotions.

Loved the audio so much!

I absolutely adored Naughty and Nice as a book and the audio added so much to the story! Darcy Stark did an amazing job bringing Jonas and Quinn to life - you knew which character was speaking at each moment and that is so important. Great quality, spectacular story - a must listen!

Naughty & Nice

I really enjoyed this book. Can be listened to as a stand-alone. Benji and Ace do make cameo appearances but it’s not too spoilery for their story. Highly recommend.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the author via Neon Rainbow ARC reviews and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Loved It!

Naughty and Nice is a sweet, sexy, low angst holiday novella that I really enjoyed.
After years on not seeing each other Quinn and Jonas cross paths again. Old unresolved feelings resurface.
No longer step brothers can they act on these feelings?
The chemistry is undeniable between these two.
I loved this little bit naughty with a hefty dash of nice romance!
Darcy Stark does a great job narrating this story!

Heartwarming opposites-attract story.

This was just the perfect, heartwarming feel-good story I needed.
Quinn has gone through a lot and, as a result, has a tendency to keep others at arm’s length. He has people who are ready to love him, like Jonas, like his (ex) stepfather … but he is unwilling to let them in or believe in their sincerity. My heart ached for him, both for his loss and his low self-esteem. Jonas was such a nice surprise in this story. He’s been carrying a torch for Quinn for so long, and now he finally gets his chance. He is incredibly easy to like, and I loved how he uses humor as armor of sorts and how considerate and caring he is. Ken is a sweetheart too. He’s one of those secondary characters that really makes an impression. I want him to have a HEA too.
There are several funny moments and sly jokes that made this into an entertaining read as well as a sweetly romantic one. Holiday cheer and second chances are a great match. Loved this.

Narration: Darcy Stark has a soothing, warm voice which is very pleasant to listen to. I liked the different voices he did and the nuanced emotions he brought to his performance.

Nice story of m/m love

Pleasing story of love with a few ups and downs along the way but has a lovely outcome.

Great Christmas story

I loved Naughty and Nice. I really do love a good Christmas story, no matter when I listen to/read it. I like forced proximity stories and especially former step-brothers. It was sexy and hot, which I love.
I really liked the narrating by Darcy Stark. I think he has a great voice and I liked that I could differentiate the characters. I liked his pace as well.
I definitely recommend this audio book.

Fantastic narration!

4.5 Stars!-*-

I loved Jonas, he was really dreamy. I liked Quinn, although his attitude towards Jonas at first kinda put me off and made it harder for me to warm up to him. I got that he'd had a difficult time with his ex Clay but he took it out on Jonas, who'd always been kind and nice to him. Yeah, I'm sorry, but I hold grudges, even against fictional characters. LOL -*-

They had amazing chemistry, though, and I loved that they got to reconnect. They were fantastic together, be it in or out of bed. ;) -*-

Overall, a pretty good book like DJ Jamison has us used to. Well-written, hot, light and fun, and full of the cozy, Christmas-sy feeling that this season brings us. -*-

Darcy Stark totally made this book! His voices for Quinn and Jonas were perfect for them and he totally brought them to life for me.

Nice easy read with fantastic narration

This is a cute, low-angst, forced proximity, pseudo-taboo holiday story focusing on Jonas (from Secret Admirer) and his ex-stepbrother, Quinn. (I call this “pseudo-taboo” because maybe it sounds that way, but it really isn’t; these two aren't related by blood and aren’t even “family” anymore since Quinn’s mother and Jonas’ father divorced. However, this issue isn’t ignored in the text and is actually dealt with by Jonas and Quinn when they become a couple.) You may recall if you’ve read Secret Admirer that Jonas is Ace’s frat brother - the guy with the reputation of being a player who goes on an ill-fated date with Benji. We learn more about his “player” reputation in Naughty & Nice. I have to admit, I wasn’t a big Jonas fan coming into this story, probably because I was so solidly Team Ace, but I took to him very quickly. The author did a great job of staying true to Jonas’ character in Secret Admirer while explaining why all is not as it seems, and then making us fall in love with him just like Quinn does. 😍.

Jonas and Quinn are totally sexy and adorable and wonderful together. Quinn has a great backstory; I actually wish more had been made out of it because there was a lot of material there to develop some outside conflict. He and Jonas click and their chemistry is evident. The title of this book perfectly encapsulates Jonas’s and Quinn’s respective personalities: Jonas appears all naughty on the outside but he’s actually “nice” behind that facade. Jonas has a good heart and isn’t self-centered, putting others ahead of his own wishes and respecting their boundaries and requests, particularly Quinn’s. Quinn, for his part, appears to be all “nice” through and through, but we quickly learn that he’s got a naughty side to him too. He breaks the rules, does his own thing - even though it’s misguided at times - and is definitely not timid or complacent in the bedroom. Together, they are a well-balanced and deeply in love couple. It’s a short book, and I loved them together so If I had to lodge a complaint, it would be that I wish that there was more of them to enjoy!!

I read this book when it first came out and reread it now in connection with the audiobook narrated by Darcy Stark. He is super talented and his narration is nuanced, impactful and spot on. He embodies Jonas and Quinn with distinct voices and packs emotion to every word. He is not just reading lines. I recommend you read this with the superbly narrated audiobook which brings it to life. A really enjoyable book is made even better because of it.

Ex-stepbrothers snowbound in a mountain cabin...

Quinn can’t forget the sweet kiss his ex-stepbrother Jonas gave him four years ago, as they lay beneath the Christmas tree gazing upward through its branches, after pouring out to Jonas the sadness that consumed him over missing his late father. To this day Jonas can’t forget that kiss either, and he struggles with the memories and feelings he’s always had, and repressed, for Quinn. So when they get thrown together unexpectedly, snowbound in Jonas’s family’s mountain cabin in Colorado, they have no choice but to confront their past. I loved this story... Jonas was a minor character in SECRET ADMIRER and seemed like a bit of a player, but here you get to know him full on as a genuine and caring guy. The forced proximity imposed upon them by the weather brings the story forward at a good pace, and snarky Quinn with his insecurities and Jonas with his quiet confidence and flirty ways complement each other well. The heat level here is off the charts, and the feels are not lacking, either. Ace and Benji from SECRET ADMIRER make an appearance, which is fun, and NAUGHTY AND NICE ended up being just what I wanted under my tree this year. Darcy Stark kills the narration, bringing these guys to life! Highly recommended!

A Moment On The Lips

Quinn didn't know what to do, he wanted Clay to stop contacting him and he couldn't keep avoiding his Mums calls and texts...it was just easier than lying to her about school! He was grateful to his ex stepfather for letting him stay in his cabin in Colorado but he didn't know how he was going to face any of them especially Jonas...
I loved how they reconnected and got to know each other again, Gripping story narrated brilliantly by Darcy Stark.

Sweet

This is a really sweet book and I enjoyed following Quinn and Jonas through their budding chemistry after not seeing each other for years.

Super sweet story

Quinn is such a sweetheart and is struggling to make a fresh start after a bad relationship. Jonas has been half in love with Quinn since they were stepbrothers but hasn't seen him in years. Now adults, the pair find themselves alone in Joans' family cabin for the week before Christmas. Jonas is so sweet, holding back his feelings and trying to be a good friend to Quinn as Quinn, in turn, struggles with his trust issues and his own attraction to his ex- stepbrother too.

Truly Naughty and Nice

This book truly took me by surprise. Quinn hiding and Jonas longing make for an enjoyable and slightly angsty book. Stark's narration brings these lovely characters to life. Jamison's writing is smooth and engaging without being overwhelming, but gently tugs at heartstrings.

An adorable Christmas-y romance

Though Jonas was a side character in another story, this book definitely worked as a standalone. Getting to know Jonas on a deeper level was so satisfying, and I have to say that I didn't expect him to be such a romantic at heart. His and Quinn's attraction started when they were stepbrothers, but by the time this story picks up they're college-aged and no longer related. For me, the idea of an ex-stepbrothers relationship isn't particularly scandalous, but if that bothers you then this might not be the story for you.

If Jonas was secretly a romantic at heart, then Quinn was the unexpectedly wild lover I never saw coming. At the beginning of this story, Quinn was so beaten down by the curveballs life threw at him that there was almost no spark of liveliness left in him. Seeing his spirits lift as he spent time with Jonas warmed my heart, and I loved seeing him get more and more comfortable being open and free the longer he stayed in the cabin. In my opinion, Quinn was the star of this story. I got to see him turn his life around, find romantic love, and embrace his family's support like he never had before. The only thing that bothered me about Quinn's journey was the way he reacted to Jonas's letters. For a man who had so thoughtfully and maturely approached every other aspect of this relationship, it felt strange for him to freak out so badly about a few heartfelt words. Maybe I'm biased because I knew how pure Jonas's intentions were, but I do wish the main relationship blowup had been about something else. Even factoring in my grumpiness about the drama, I still absolutely adored this story and how it ended. This isn't one of those Christmas stories that hits you over the head with holiday cheer, but it did fill my heart with warm happiness and content. Darcy Stark's narration was heartfelt, swoonworthy, and wonderful. I love the way he brought these characters to life.

**I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.