Taming Jake

Cypress Corners, Book 2

By: JoMarie DeGioia

Narrated by: Wendy Rich Stetson

Length: 6 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

The girl afraid of taking chances. The guy always looking for his next thrill. Staying on the ground or soaring through the air... Falling in love is the biggest risk of all.

Jake Chapman loses himself in extreme sports to fill the emptiness in his life. But when he meets CPA Claire Callahan at Cypress Corners, he wants to spend his visit proving to her that living in the moment is worth the risk.

Claire cares for her ailing father, a compulsive gambler who repeatedly risked all they had in the quest for a new high. When she falls for Jake, beloved uncle to her close friends' little boy, she throws her own caution to the wind for once in her life. But his risk-taking soon shows her he's as addicted to the rush as her father is, and she won't put her heart in danger.

Can Jake be the man Claire needs to keep her heart safe? Or will his thirst for adventure keep him from taking the biggest risk of all?

©2014 JoMarie DeGioia (P)2014 JoMarie DeGioia

The heat continues in Cypress Corners

Would you listen to Taming Jake again? Why?

Absolutely!

Who was your favorite character and why?

It is a toss up between Jake and Claire. Each comes into the story with their own problems. Claire is very rigid and by the book. She has a definite order and way of doing things. Jake shows up, carefree and living life day by day by day.

Have you listened to any of Wendy Rich Stetson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the second book by Ms. Stetson I have listened to. (The other was book 1 in this series). Her ability to give each character their own voice and to continue the flow from the previous book is great.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

At over 6 hours it would be a little difficult for me to do this in one sitting but I was able to listen to it in about 2 days. I would suggest this as a weekend listen. You will want to go back and listen to this one again!

Any additional comments?

Taming Jake continues the Cypress Corners story. Jake, younger brother of Rick from Finding Harmony, comes to Cypress Corners to get out of the Boston office run by his father. Once in Cypress Corners Jake meets Claire. Claire is the CPA in the sales center and very set in her ways. Can the wild at heart free spirit Jake win over Claire? You will have to listen to find out!

I would recommend this book to those who love a good and sexy romance. The love scenes are passionate but tasteful.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Best in the Series

I enjoyed this second book the best in the Cypress Corners series. A great feel good book with romance but not super graphic sex scenes. Worth a credit.

Romantic and Sexy

Would you listen to Taming Jake again? Why?

Although it is a very good book I wouldn't listen to it again, went straight to the next one in the series!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jake Chapman of course, hot sexy and all man! A player and a bad boy who falls in love with the sassy redhead and doesn't know how to deal with her!

What does Wendy Rich Stetson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Wendy Rich Stetson is awesome, I love her performances and her southern accent. All the books she narrates are amazing!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, and I did.

Any additional comments?

I received this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts opinions and ratings are my own. I was under no obligation to post a review or give positive feedback.
Thank you very much Wendy Rich Stetson and JoMarie DeGioia for this book.

Terrific characters The perfect summer audiobook

TAMING JAKE
A Cypress Corners Romance

Author: JoMarie DeGioia

Type of Book: Audiobook - Unabridged

Narrator: Wendy Rich Stetson

Length: 6 hours, 17 minutes

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: January 5, 2015

Publisher: JoMarie Gioia

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐

* I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Jake is the consummate rich bachelor. He is not interested in having a relationship. He lives to travel from place to place chasing the next adventure. Currently he is working for his father and hates being stuck in an office all day. Plus, no matter what Jake does, his father never thinks it is good enough.

Clair is the opposite of Jake in every way. She is the accountant for the Cypress Corners Resort. She has a talent for numbers and is saving money for the future. She is also responsible for the financial care of her father who lives in a nearby retirement community.

Jake comes to Cypress Corners with plans of adding an adventure course to the resort. He will be there only as long as the project lasts and then he will be off on his next adventure.

When Claire and Jake meet there is an instant physical attraction. But Claire is all about stability and long term planning and Jake is all about living for the moment. Can these two gorgeous and talented people put aside their differences and become a couple? Or will the fact that Jake is only there for a brief period of time stop their attraction from turning into something more?

I enjoyed this audiobook. It is a contemporary romance and would definitely fit into the category of "Chick Lit".

The characters are well developed and readers will become invested in the outcome of their potential romance.

The only small flaw was that this book was definitely predictable, but that seems to happen with all romance novels and did not detract from my enjoyment of this audiobook.

The narrator, Wendy Rich Stetson, did a great job voicing the multiple characters in this audiobook. Her voice lends itself very well to romance audiobook narration. Her pacing is excellent and her tone of voice allowed me to get caught up in the story. I liked the fact that she did not use sound effects since I find that they usually distract me from the story.

Overall I rate this audiobook as 4 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Taming Jake

Taming the hot adventures Jake is something every girl wants. Jake is happy with how life is from one adventure to the next. Then Jake meets Claire and starts seeing things differently! Cypress Corners seems to have this magic in the air! Great story and the narration really brought it to life.

Another Sweet Cypress Corners Story

Sizzling chemistry with a sweet happily-ever-after end. Enjoyed Rick, Harmony, Tammy & others in their ongoing roles. Great narration!

Nice second story in the series

Book two in the series picks up a few years after the first book. It is all about middle child Jake and his free flying lifestyle. Pair him up with meticulous Claire, who seems a touch OCD, and it is a dynamic opposites attract!

I loved Claire, she has a terrific back story and some fun surprises. I loved the dynamic with Jake, such fun banter. He does a great job of bringing her playful side to the forefront.

This is a mixed narrative, so you get both leads POV. This really helps you understand where they are coming from and the romance is fuller.

There is a bit of smexy here, a nice touch of detail but not nearly as hawt as an erotic read. Still, open bedroom door that heats things up considerably.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Wendy Rich Stetson, who is delightful. I enjoyed her pace and the energy she infuses into the read. She has a wonderful feel for the romance and characters. It is a great match and I hope to see her in the next book as well.

I loved the supporting cast here, another appearance from brash Lettie is a laugh riot. I was also surprised to find I want to get a romance for man eater Tracy, I hope that is her name gonna have to check it.

Disclosure – I received this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts opinions and ratings are my own. I was under no obligation to post a review or give positive feedback.

*** I hope this review was useful to you and helped your decision to read or not read this book. I love reading and sharing my opinions with other readers. I listen at double speed; all my impressions of the narration are from that setting. Thanks for taking the time to read my review!

Nice addition to series

If you could sum up Taming Jake in three words, what would they be?

Sweet, Longing, Business

Would you be willing to try another book from JoMarie DeGioia? Why or why not?

I’m definitely listening to the next book in this series I’d love to see these characters again.

Sweet romance

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I would have added a little me suspense into the book. Something to keep you guessing, it was just a sweet romance.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I felt that it was very predictable.

Which character – as performed by Wendy Rich Stetson – was your favorite?

All of them, i felt the narrator did a great job!!

Any additional comments?

This is a good book, if your looking for a very easy simple read this is for you!

Sweet Love story with Great Characters

Taming Jake was a great follow up to the first book, Finding Harmony. It really enhanced the story for me to read them in order, as the characters from the Finding Harmony play a big role in this book. This is a low angst enjoyable story set in the idyllic fictional town of Cypress Corners in central FL. I have to say, I enjoyed this book more that the first, the author spent more time on character development and I really liked Clare and Jake and how their relationship evolved. I wish more time could have been spent on their relationship, that portion seemed too fast and they were apart more than together and their much deserved HEA at the end seemed rushed. However, still an enjoyable listen that kept me interested throughout.
The narrator Wendy Stetson did a Great job, it was very easy to distinguish her male and female voices. Her voice has a soothing tone and really brought the story to life. I hope to see her narrating additional books and perhaps there will be a book 3 in this series someday!