(Not) the One

Love in London, Book 2

De: Donna Alam

Narrado por: Shane East, Zara Hampton-Brown

Three reasons why rebound s-e-x with my hot neighbor is a very bad idea.

1. My life is already complicated enough.
2. He knows I wear Batman undies (please don’t ask).
3. He’s older, sophisticated, and so hot he makes me weak at the knees.

I know that’s more than three. But it still didn’t stop me.

On paper, we’re the worst kind of match. He’s rich. I’m...not. My second job is pet sitting! He says we’re friends. I say barely, but I do love those benefits.

The man rocks my world. But he’s so not the one. Which is unfortunate, because he is the the one who got me pregnant.

Disclaimer: This is not (just) a story about accidental pregnancy. It’s a story about accidental love.

©2019 Donna Alam (P)2023 Donna Alam

Geez Louise…my heart!!

James & Miranda are the age gap romance that I never knew that I absolutely needed in my life. Their meet cute was something else. An accidental break-in turned conversational chemistry turned earth shattering captivation. Because that’s what these two were…captivating.
I loved the way that neither could stop thinking about each other, though they didn’t know how to find each other. Their mutual connection that brought them back together was kismet, fate, destiny, and whatever else you want to throw in there. They were just flat out meant to be & made for each other. Miranda’s reservations came from a difficult place in her heart, but the way that James loved her openly (even if not verbally), no doubt she felt it & couldn’t help but be effected.
I won’t lie and say that I didn’t cry, because I absolutely did. My heart broke at one point, but those broken pieces were mended.

Audiobook Review:
You cannot go wrong with Shane East for that alpha British character. I could listen to him all day long (which I did today). The way he takes every character & owns them completely. He becomes his characters & makes you never want to leave. Zara Hampton-Brown brought Miranda to life on a way that consumed me during any kind of emotional moments she experienced. You can just reference the confession of crying as to the level of narration mastery.

Steamy, emotional and heartfelt!

Oh my heart. I went through all the emotions while listening to this story. “Not the One” is a steamy, sweet and heartfelt romance that pulled me in with the chemistry between James and Miranda and kept me there as they built their relationship.

Miranda works with Olivia at her start up dating app and also has a second job as a pet sitter. After a night out, the cat she’s watching gets out and goes into the neighbor’s house. Taking matters into her own hands, Miranda gets stuck in the dog door. And to her horror, she meets the attractive neighbor, James. The two have a mutual connection and an even bigger connection when after an incredible night together, Miranda ends up pregnant.

I loved the little bit we got from James and Miranda in the first book and I’m so happy that they got their story. James is a dirty and delicious dream. He’s kind, smart and patient with Miranda as she went through all of the emotions of finding out she’s pregnant. I loved how he was all in without hesitation and how much he loved Miranda. He’s a swoony book boyfriend. Miranda is a sweet, quirky and genuine person who was so much fun to listen to. Her struggles of trying to make it on her own were so relatable and I loved listening to her navigate all the ups and downs. And those spicy scenes with the tension leading up to them were delicious. It might have started as pure lust but they built such a great relationship.

Shane East and Zara Hampton-Brown were phenomenal as James and Miranda. Shane did such a great job, one chapter left me so distracted (and in the good way) that I completely missed my exit while driving. I loved Zara as Miranda, she brought all of her quirky personality to life and was phenomenal in the few chapters that were so full of emotions.

Steamy Age-Gap Romance

(Not) the One by Donna Alam is book two in Donna Alam’s Love in London series. I was intrigued by Miranda when she was introduced in the first book of the series. You know I love when books open with a slapstick meet-cute. (Not) the One has an adorkably sweet and steamy beginning. I’ll be honest though, I had a hard time connecting with the MCs after that. BUT Donna Alam’s storytelling and character development won me over in the end. James was charming and I loved how smitten he was with Miranda from the start. While Miranda was a challenge for me to relate to for part of the book, she charmed her way into my heart. Which almost stopped a few times in the third act. Overall I liked the premise, James was swoon-worthy, and I felt for Miranda.

Shane East plays suave billionaire Brit impeccably. I enjoyed the dichotomy of James’ charismatic & protective side and his endearing & vulnerable side. Shane portrays James’ smoldery, handsome gentleman on the streets and seductive, irresistible hottie in the sheets brilliantly. Zara Hampton-Brown is a newer-to-me narrator. I was charmed by her effusive, quirky, characterization of Miranda in the first chapter. I love Zara’s pacing and gorgeous accent. Despite my trouble relating to the character, I could listen to Zara all day! This was a fun listen.

Book 2 - Love in London

This is book 2 in Alam's Love in London and can be read / listened to as a standalone. A steamy, age-gap romance. Love the dual narration which I thought was perfect for our main characters - Miranda and James. Loved the meet-cute and the character dynamic. Great storyline - what was supposed to be a no strings attached hook up turns to so much more. Loved the character growth, the steam, the humor - just an overall captivating, emotional and fun read/listen!

This book was given to me for free at my request and I voluntarily provided this review.

If only I could give (Not) The One 10 stars!

This is James and Miranda's love story. But we do get to hear from some familiar characters from book one, like Olivia and Beckett, and our favorite grumbler, Jorge! Miranda works for Olivia at her start-up, but also pet sits on the side so she can avoid the awful situation of living at home, after being dumped by her fiancé, with her miserable parents. They are NOT good role models for what a marriage should be in the least. Needless to say, she is extremely guarded when it comes to her heart, and kind of a hot mess when she meets James. Cue an AWOL cat, a doggy door, Batman undies, expensive liquor, and you get the most hilarious and scorching hot meet-cute ever. Until Miranda is "ghosted" the next morning.

Fast forward to several weeks later when Miranda and James are reunited where they least expect it, at a singles event sponsored by Olivia's company. Oh, and Miranda is "pissed", as in both meanings, when she confronts James. She doesn't end up with a normal hangover and soon confirms she's pregnant courtesy of her one blissful night with James weeks ago. James has his work cut out for him to convince Miranda that he wants to make a go of it with her and their bundle of joy on the way. The man is willing to give her the world if only she weren't so infuriatingly independent and weary of a happily ever after being in the cards for her.

This was one of the funniest, melt your earbuds level steamiest, and most tragic stories I have listened to in a LONG time. If you read the book you absolutely MUST listen to the audiobook! The performances by Shane East and Zara Hampton-Brown were nothing short of brilliant. If you've read the story you know it was already chock full of emotions, but they elevate Donna's words in a way very few people could have. I was a sobbing wreck the last hour and it was 100% worth every tissue and hiccup!

Great story with fabulous narration

The initial meeting between these two is fantastic! And from that moment in there is steam, heat and passion. Miranda and James are a bit opposites attract but they are drawn to one another. The banter between these two is great; this book is filled with humor, emotion and love. Donna writes amazing intimate scenes that will have you fanning your face. Shane East has the best voices…sexy, swoony and delicious. His performance is amazing and gives James the perfect emotion, voice inflection and confidence. This is my first list to Zara Hampton-Brown and I really enjoyed her performance. Her voice is strong, sweet and a bit vulnerable which is perfect for Miranda.

Loving this series!

Not the One is book #2 in the Love in London series. This is Miranda and James' story. Miranda works for a dating app company and also as a pet sitter. James is the next door neighbor of her current job. When Miranda loses the cat she is watching, she accidentally ends up stuck in the doggy door at James's house. Things get frisky from there. I love the chemistry that the author builds between the two MC. And the ending...is heart wrenching! So stinkin' good.

The narration was brilliant. Nobody does a stuck-up Brit better than Shane East and Zara Hampton-Brown had the quirky girl down pat! These two gave a 5-star performance.

Alam is a master storyteller

All the humor, heat and heartache of a great story are expertly done in this book. So much of this genre can be formulaic and unimaginative. Donna Alam is a gem! This is my second book of hers and both have been greatly enjoyed. She is fabulous at writing witty, humorous banter and interactions that are clever (not the least bit of cringe or eye rolling here!). The steamy scenes are artfully written for maximum heat (yes, you will need a fan…whew). The tearful bits are totally relatable and squeeze your heart (so, keep the Kleenex box handy).

Sweet, Steamy, and Entertaining!

This is the second book in the Love in London Series, a Romantic Comedy. I like this series! Miranda and James's story is sweet, steamy, entertaining, emotional, and engaging. I liked their banter, and their sizzling chemistry. The characters are complex and interesting, and I loved to follow them in their journey to love. This is a great age-gap romance. Outstanding narration from by Shane East and Zara Hampton-Brown. They are perfect as James and Miranda. This audiobook was really enjoyable to listen to. This is another great addition to the series. #HomeCookedBooks

Best ending EVER!

This was the 3rd book of hers that I’ve finished in 2 days. To say this author is my new favorite is an understatement. Each book is good but the twist in this one followed by the ending … WoW! Highly recommend!

PS/The spice level is perfect too.