Just Add Argyle

Fabric Hearts, Book 3

By: KC Burn

Narrated by: David Ross

Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

A Fabric Hearts story

Tate Buchanan is a troublemaker who can't keep a job, no matter how many times his lucky argyle sweater gets him hired. Add to that a learning disability and an impetuous nature that sends him into altercations to protect the defenseless, and he hardly manages to make friends, let alone find a man who's interested in him for more than one night.

Most people think EMT Jaime Escobar is a player, but the truth is he wants a serious partner - he just can't justify wasting time on guys he knows aren't a match. But when he treats a gorgeous redhead after a fight, he finds the spark he's spent so many years looking for.

Jaime wants to take the next step with Tate, but it's clear Tate's not going to curb his impulsive behavior - his next fight sends him to the hospital. Jaime's relationship with a near criminal isn't something his family is ready to accept, not any more than Tate is willing to be kept a secret. Jaime will need a lot of understanding - and some luck of his own - to keep them both. But this is one fight he's going to see through to the end.

©2017 KC Burn (P)2017 Dreamspinner Press

Really Seeing

Another great addition to the family. Tate feels like the only good thing is his argyle but even that doesn't seem to make a real difference. But Jaime really sees Tate. He can see that Tate works hard, cares about others, and just needs a chance. It is hard to move forward but together they are both better people.

Fan-freaking-tastic!

Book & Author: Audiobook - Just Add Argyle
Author: KC Burn
Narrator: David Ross
Rating: 5 Stars

Holy moly I loved these guys! Like, couldn’t get enough of listening to this book.

Tate was freaking fantastic. His personality could seem sometimes abrasive to some, but to me, it was low self-esteem brought on by his family and disability. He was bright and sweet and a firecracker. Jaime was everything. He was sure and strong and a little sad, but he loved with every part of himself. Family, friends, and eventually Tate.

They were this perfect balance. They each needed something the other gave, and the rocky part of their relationship only made the story better. It wasn’t over the top or underwhelming. They played off each other like planets revolving around the sun. When one made this move the other made a coordinating move. But in more of a romancey sexy cute way and not a scientific way LOL.

And once again the heat level in KC Burn’s books are fire and heat and everything sweet. There was purpose and want and emotion in every one of the sexy time scenes. They weren’t just there to be there. I like sex in my books as much as the next reader, but I do love when they serve a purpose and not just kinky filler.

The secondary characters were great, especially Jaime’s family. They didn’t play a huge role, and at one point I thought I was going to end up hating Jaime’s mom, but luckily for her, I didn’t because I had a couple of slaps saved up just in case.

David Ross did an even better job on these two guys than he did on the last one! Each guy was unique, and I was sad when the story was over. I’m not sure if there are any more books coming out for this series but if there are and David Ross is narrating I’ll be waiting in line to listen.

*I received a copy of this book through http://diversereader.blogspot.com/*

awesome book thanks

I love it the storyline is just perfect blend of sweet and made me relate to my husband. narrator is also just perfect . delivery is awesome

Not my favorite narrator - great story!

I absolutely ADORED this book. It reached me at EVERY level and I couldn’t read it fast enough!

I think it’s clear that a romance is best when the readers are invested in the characters – first and foremost. Tate – as a character – had me by the heart right from page one. He’s scrappy, got a short fuse, a low self-esteem – but the absolute biggest heart you’ll find.

Jaime is another amazing character who is so filled with love and also gratitude that he can literally do no wrong – but – this is important – he doesn’t come across as a goody two shoes or “too perfect”. He’s just a great guy.

I was surpised by the relative lack of smexy times – but what we do get is very HOT and very, very sweet, too. There was enough in here that I was satisfied – but I’m used to more from this author and this series.

I loved the “slow reveal” of all of Tate’s secrets. It wasn’t obvious – nor was it hidden in a fake way. It felt very natural and I learned something, too!

If I have any complaint at all – it’s the ending. Tate and Jaime felt so good together and the ending we get is amazingly sweet and wonderful – but I did want to see them a little further down the road- specifically so I could see where Tate ends up!

Seriously, Tate is my current favorite MC – and I highly recommend this book to fans of the author, fans of gingers, fans of scrappy MCs and anyone who needs a good book to warm your heart.

5 of 5 stars

Audio

David Ross has narrated all the books in this series and he does a fair job – but not a good one. He doesn’t sound authentic, though he definitely tries to infuse the right emotions into his voice.

The biggest thing he lacks is the proper accents – this would be such a delicious audiobook if the narrator had used an Hispanic accent – but David does not. His characters are not very well differentiated - though I could always tell whom was speaking.

If you couldn’t read this and needed to listen, this would be a fine way to go about it, but as an addition to the book – it doesn’t add much.

I thought it was ok, but not great.

3 of 5 stars

Overall 4 of 5 stars

Just Add Argyle

Just Add Argyle is Book 3 of K.C. Burn's Fabric Hearts series. It is possible to read and enjoy this book without having read the first two in the series, but the couples from the first two books are supporting characters in this book, so go ahead and read them first! Let me preface this by saying, I don't like picking favorites... but this is my favorite book in the series.

If you've read the previous books, you'll recognize Jaime. (I learned quickly in this audio that when I read this book I was pronouncing this name wrong. It's pronounced Hamee. I know, duh!). With his friends, he's considered a player who has a revolving door of men but in reality, Jaime is a workaholic who wants what his cousin and friends have: a relationship. Jaime comes from a large, very in your business family but feels like an outsider with them. His cousin was his rock, but now that he's found his soulmate, Jaime feels even more adrift. Jaime was also in the military and has lingering PTSD issues. Jaime wants to meet the man he's meant to have a relationship with, but he doesn't waste his time dating any guy who doesn't feel right from the start. One night while on call, Jaime is called to treat a man who was injured in a fight. He's attracted to the man, and though he doesn't have very much information, he can't stop thinking about him.

Getting into fights is just a normal part of Tate's life. He's impulsive, and despite his small stature, he is willing to jump in the middle of any fight to defend someone being attacked. That night, he saved an acquaintance from an attack and fought against the two men until police showed up. Tate thinks about the attractive EMT after that night, but his life doesn't allow for a lot of daydreaming. He needs to find a job so he can pay his mom rent, otherwise, he's going to find himself homeless. Tate lives a horrific life. When Jaime does find him again, and asks him out, Tate can't imagine someone is willing to go on a date with him. Jaime shows him a world and life that Tate never thought possible for himself and he doesn't trust any of it. After all, he's never been able to trust anyone or anything in his life so far.

This book is a slow burn and entirely worth the wait. There are a lot of heavy issues that this book is dealing with, and honestly, if the author had rushed the relationship between these two men, it would have been completely unbelievable. By the time the relationship seems to be on fast forward, the two men have experienced more than couples in longer relationships. I absolutely loved Jaime. He is full of compassion, empathy and is willing to give everything he is to have Tate. Tate broke my heart. He was such a fierce character and misunderstood by most people around him. Seeing him develop his first friendship, something he never even thought possible was sad. But, with all the heartbreak of his life, I loved Tate's love of the library and seeing what a different person he is inside those walls. And the growth of Tate from the beginning to the Tate at the end, when he's made friendships was beautiful to see.

David Ross narrated this book and did a terrific job. He has a very easy to listen to voice, keeps a good pace, brings the characters to life with varied voices, and doesn't have any weird pauses in his storytelling. This is the first time I've heard this narrator's work and really enjoyed it. The narrator brought the story to life and let the characters and story be the focus.

I loved this book, and will definitely be reading and listening to it again. Obviously, I highly recommend this book! And, I'm very much looking forward to the next book in the series.


Overall: 5 stars
Performance: 5 stars
Story: 5 stars

3.5 stars

The audiobook of Just Add Argyle was an enjoyable story with a good narrator. This is the third book in the Fabric Hearts series, but each features a single couple making the books easy to read as standalones or out of order. Just Add Argyle is more in line with a hurt/comfort story with paramedic Jaime- a secondary character in the previous books- finding his match in Tate, a cast aside young adult. There was a good assortment of tropes beyond the hurt/comfort aspect, including an age gap and opposites attracting. I was pleased how well each trope worked well within the plot, keeping things interesting and adding distinct conflicts, but never getting overwrought with angst.

In the second book, I struggled with liking one of the heroes. That wasn’t the case in Just Add Argyle as both Jaime and Tate were impossible not to like. Tate had such a difficult life up to meeting Jaime and I couldn’t help but want the best for him. I liked seeing the protective caring side surge in Jaime as he learned of Tate’s hardships and I liked that he wanted to get to know him and not just make assumptions based on other’s opinions. The author did a good job making sure the rapid progression of feelings and Jaime’s unwavering pursuit of Tate made sense given the plot details, while showing a side to Jaime’s character readers previously caught glimpses of in the first two books of the series. Although I definitely liked how much Tate’s character blossomed with Jaime’s help and how Tate’s love in turn helped Jaime overcome some of his own personal hang-ups, I wished there was a bit more depth to both characters. With both men having such intense histories and experiences, I felt some of the character development and emotions were more toned down than I expected. That said, I enjoyed the story and thought the plot and conflicts were well thought out and resolved. The writing was solid and the narration by Mr. Ross was steady and pleasant. If you’re looking for a hurt/comfort story with some angst but not overblown heartache, Just Add Argyle would be a great choice.

*Reviewed for Alpha Book Club*