Now's the Time

The Ladies Who Brunch, Book 3

By: Harlow James

Narrated by: Jacob Morgan, Erin Mallon

Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

“Let me experience all of you tonight, Penelope…since this is all that we get.”

That was the agreement between me and Maddox Taylor, the NFL’s most notorious playboy and mega-talented quarterback who happened to be out in California for one night—one night in which I broke all of my rules and gave in to the undeniable attraction I felt for the man.

He wooed me with dirty jokes, 80s musical references, an obsession with Steve Harvey, and a very specific piercing. How the hell was I supposed to fight that?

However, I should have listened to my gut because my reaction to him wasn’t just physical—it was more, something I hadn’t felt since the last man I let in left me all alone, and I vowed never to fall in love again.

Six weeks later, I find out I’m the new PR spokesperson for The Los Angeles Bolts football team, a team that just signed Maddox Taylor to their roster in hopes of a winning season.

With his signature cocky swagger, he corners me in my office, intent on rekindling our connection, but the tables had turned—I was now working for his team which created a conflict of interest, and put my job and both of our reputations on the line.

But that stubborn man wasn’t taking no for an answer, and before I knew it, I agreed to date him in secret even though relationships weren’t my thing.

And when Maddox had finally had enough of me refusing to open up, I was faced with a choice—do I let go of the one man that I’ve ever contemplated letting in despite the rules I’ve lived under for the past twelve years?

Or was now the time to face my demons so I could hold onto a future I didn’t know I wanted…

TW: loss of a loved one, themes of grief

©2022 Harlow James (P)2024 Harlow James

Fabulously Delightful! Amazing Story & Narration🎧

“The Ladies Who Brunch” series is an absolute delight, friends who meet once a week to catch up, and each book features one of them, and is just as amazing at the other. This third book is Penelope’s story, and I was looking forward to it because she intrigued me right from the start. Penelope has it all, the looks, the wit and a successful carrier in public relations. She also has secrets and a past that haunts her and reason she does not do boyfriends or relationships. She has rules about athletes, never get involved with one, romantically or work with them, but breaks that rule after meeting Maddox Taylor, an NFL quarterback, at a work event and has a steamy and memorable one-night-stand. Never planning on seeing him again since he plays for a team in New Orleans. But fate had other plans when her boss convinces her to work with the L.A. Bolts, a professional football team, the team Maddox was traded to. I adored Maddox, with his swoon worthy demeanor, his jokes and kind soul, what is not to like. Penelope has a good excuse to not get involved with Maddox, her job, but that does not discourage Maddox, and he is determined to not give up on her. I enjoyed watching these two dance around each other, the chemistry between them was undeniable and they could only deny themselves for so long. Maddox knows she is hiding a part of herself and they can never move forward until she can let go of her past, a past that haunts her and she will have to face. I loved all the layers to this story and the complexity of the characters, the writing, plot and world building are fantastic, as are the character growth and development. The story gives you all the feels, and has a perfect balance of drama, witty dialogue, charming humor, heartfelt emotions and steamy romance. Best of all, it puts a smile on your face. Harlow James, thank you for another wonderful story and emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧📚🎧 Jacob Morgan and Erin Mallon are the perfect cast to bring these characters to life and do so with a complete understanding of who they are portraying, giving each a voice that is fitting. I loved how they took their roles and ran with them, sounding believable and just as I imagined the characters to sound. They set the perfect tone for the story, captured all the characters’ emotions and had you feeling them all. These entertaining storytellers are a pleasure to listen to and their narration elevates this already amazing story to another level. Thank you for another fabulous listen.

Make room Swoontown.....Maddox Taylor has moved in

Now’s the Time is the 3rd book in the series, The Ladies Who Brunch. Penelope’s story has been one of my most anticipated ladies in the series. She immediately caught my attention in the first book with her strong, dominant & fun personality. She’s bossy, beautiful & brainy. She is unapologetic but I was not expecting her personal story to be so heartbreaking and complicated. She uses humor, sex & language to cover up her pain and has put a wall up to love. She has a secret, one she’s kept even from her three best friends. It’s a hard one to listen to, but quickly has become my favorite brunch lady. She is loyal and loves big but has made some definite rules for herself with regards to love to avoid being hurt again. But everything turns upside down when she meets, NFL Quarterback, Maddox Taylor, a man who she runs away from time and time again despite the fact that she feels an attraction to him and he refuses to let her get away.
Maddox Taylor, this freaking man stole my heart from the get-go! I was swooning so hard over this fellow. He has so many endearing qualities. His love and obsession for Steve Harvey, an affinity to tell corny dirty jokes to break the tension in situations and his absolute LOVE for 80’s music. He’s thoughtful, tender, and attentive to Penelope. He’s is all alpha with a gooey center. But Maddox has his own secret and that’s what makes their hearts so perfect for one another.
The development of their relationship happens over time. It’s raw and real and was wonderful to listen to. This book delivers in a HUGE way. It’s so fun having the “girl gang” all back together and this group of friends is honestly one of the best friendships I’ve read about in a long time. I wanna be a lady who brunches with them.
I love Harlow’s writing and references to her love of 90’s bands, N’SYNC, romance podcasts and love for the Double Tree Chocolate Chip Cookies. This adds to the delight and humor of the book. I adored her first two books in this series, but I think this tops them both!
Jacob Morgan really surprised me in this book. HE IS FANTASTIC! His voice narration is off the charts awesome, especially his Aussie accent, so funny! Erin Mallon can do no wrong in my book and she is utter perfection as the bossy and take no crap attitude! Their performances most definitely elevated the story for me. Harlow James, you have quickly become one of my favorite authors and I can’t wait to find out what happens to these ladies who have become my friends.

Now's the time when you kiss me again

Now’s the Time is the third book in Harlow James’ outstanding Ladies Who Brunch Series and every bit as fantastic as the first two books in the series, Never Say Never and No One Else. Narrators Jacob Morgan and Erin Mallon are always-favorite narrators and they make Now’s the Time truly special. They always manage to do whatever it is they do to change their voices just enough, change the cadence and pacing and emotion and accents just enough, to transport you right into the characters. I don’t think I’ve ever heard Jacob Morgan so grumbly and growly, and Erin Mallon strikes just the right note to capture Penelope’s personality. Quite impressive, because Pen has a large personality.

The Penelope we see in Now’s the Time is not the Penelope we’ve seen in the previous two books. Penelope is the Brunch Lady who’s especially bold, loud, often inappropriate, and borderline crude. But she’s always got her girls’ backs. She is fierce, dependable and loyal. But this Penelope is softer, more vulnerable, and we get a glimpse into her past and why she is the way she is. What her fears are. Pen’s philosophy for life is love ‘em and leave ‘em, why get involved when one fabulous night is so much better than all that mess commitment brings. And now we learn, maybe all that heartbreak.

Penelope is beautiful, sociable, and very, very good at her PR job. So when her boss sends her to manage an event and she checks out a guy who’s checking her out she thinks why not, no harm, I’ll never see this tasty guy again. Her night of fun is so much more than she expected and her heart reacts in a way it hasn’t in about twelve years. But, again, no need to take a risk, because she’ll never see this oh so tempting man again. Just shut that down and never think of him again. Except . . . she can’t stop thinking about him.

And – except again – two months later her boss tells her she’s being assigned as PR rep for the local football team that just acquired Maddox Taylor, aka Mr. Desirable who awakens all those feelings and brings up all those old memories she’s worked so hard to keep buried and who is living rent-free in her head. This is going to be hard, isn’t it?

As for Maddox, he felt a connection the first time he saw Penelope across the room and it’s not going away. He’s been burned and avoided really any relationships at all for a long time now, and keeps his past very well hidden, but this thing with Penelope feels so special, so promising, he’s not about to let it go. And this is one persistent man.

Now’s the Time just takes off. It’s wonderful; I couldn’t stop listening. Pen resists, resists, resists, runs, tries to hide. I don’t know how narrator Jacob Morgan does it but he makes Maddox seems like the most desirable man in the world, and Penelope feels her walls breaking down, and it’s terrifying. Their magnetic attraction is fun and funny and sexy and steamy and a little scary at times, because trust is so hard to give. The supporting cast of characters is varied and so entertaining: of course the other Ladies Who Brunch who are amazed and heartbroken to hear Penelope’s past story, a rash young football teammate of Maddox’s with a heart of gold, and so many others who are charming, or lovable or just plain mean.

This series just keeps getting better. One of the best things about it is that with each new book you get to catch up again with all the characters, not just the focus couple, and it’s so entertaining and so much fun and brings so much joy that I am now hoping Harlow James will just continue this series endlessly. Please?? I received an advance listening copy of Now’s the Time from Home Cooked Books. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

Maddox & Penelope are *Chef's Kiss*

Dear Penelope & Maddox, ⁣
⁣
You’re hot, you’re funny, you’re kind & caring, & dang it if y’all aren’t my newest favorite Harlow James couple! I’ll likely be adding you to my “slump buster” list of re-reads because your story was so unique and swoony. ⁣
⁣
You gave us a fantastic forbidden sports romance built on the foundation of a one-night stand, dirty jokes, sarcasm, concrete walls & sunsets.
⁣
You also gave us a couple to fight for, past trauma to overcome, & a reason to let people in to help you heal. Your shared experiences make you stronger as a couple & one worth rooting for. ⁣
⁣
Being a part of the Ladies Who Brunch friend group is ultimate goals & you two sure brought the fire. I’m so glad today is the day for everyone else to meet you! ⁣

More than just a story

Great stroyline. Loved how the hero didn't give up on the heroine. He was patient, kind loving knew what he wanted from the beginning and would not stop until he got what he wanted. Great on the spice level as well as great with the banter between the two main characters. Out hero was definitely deserving in this book. Great book 5 🌟 for me guys!

Little bit of spice..lots of feels

The narration choice for this was spot on. Power narrators who bring any character to light.
I appreciate the emotional journey that Pen went through in this book. Death has a funny way of changing you and causing a form of ptsd. I myself had to fight that battle on a different front but the book is very accurate about what the mind can do.
When Pen and Maddox did get together, spicy times were fabulous! I really want to find my real life Maddox. Overall this is a really good book!

Maddox & Penelope

Jacob Morgan and Erin Mallon did a great job of bringing this dynamic cast and their shenanigans to life. Maddox and Penelope’s cheeky banter had me smiling and laughing throughout. I think everyone needs a Maddox Taylor in their life. He constantly had me in the state of swoon. Now Penelope I swear is my spirit animal. Her one liners had me snort laughing. This is a great series, but I think this one is my favorite.

Strong sassy FMC and cinnamon roll mmc

Now’s The Time- Harlow James
Narrated by Jacob Morgan and Erin Mallon

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Narration 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧

Wow. This heavy and hilarious all at the same time. Harlow has a way of taking me from tears to cackling laughter from one line to the next. Penelope and Maddox hit it off after a hot one night stand and even after just one night, it seemed to bring emotions up that have been locked away for a long, long time. But with it just being one night, they don’t expect cross paths again. Expect…Maddox is the hottest new Quarterback for LA’s new football team, the same football team that just hired Penelope’s PR firm to represent the team. Maddox refuses to let her go this time. The more they see each other, the more feelings keep moving up to the surface, and the past with all its secrets come forward to be addressed. Like I said, this one is heavier than the first two, but it is so beautifully done.

I think Erin and Jacob were the perfect casts for Penelope and Maddox. They were able to switch from funny and sassy to tragedy and vulnerability so well.

Swoon!

This book was good! I found it to be a bit of an emotional roller coaster though. I laughed, felt sad, got mad and 🌶️ was there too! The supporting characters are fantastic!
The narrators made this book for me ❤️

Get out your big girl toys!!

Now's the Time is book #3 in The Ladies Who Brunch series. Penelope is the hard-hitting PR magician for all her high profile clients, all but athletes. When her ONS (that she ran out on) becomes her client, Penelope and Maddox can't resist their chemistry and attraction. Maddox and Penelope both have tragic pasts and have built up walls around their hearts. This story is heartwarming, hilarious with the banter, and steamy, steamy, steamy! The things Penelope has the team do is "snort" worthy. Ms. James gave us the perfect man with the stamina for Penelope. Loved, loved, loved this one.

The narration was everything. Erin Mallon and Jacob Morgan...come on. Even if you are new to audiobook, you know these two can deliver. They could make C-Span sexy! Loved their performance, 5 sultry stars!