Serve

By: C.W. Farnsworth

Narrated by: Lucy Rivers, Tim Paige

Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Georgette Adams is trouble incarnate. Spoiled, sassy, smart . . . and the President's only daughter.

Getting summoned to a meeting at the White House felt like an honor-until I caught the catch. I'm the newest member of her security detail. Not only for this summer in DC, but once she leaves for Stanford in the fall as well. Her safety is my responsibility.

Trouble is, the only place Georgie respects any rules is on the tennis court.

Our priorities clash and our personalities conflict, yet somehow-the more time we spend together, the less it feels like work.

But my job description doesn't include making her laugh or enjoying our conversations. And it definitely doesn't involve broken rules or blurred lines.

My only job?

Is to serve.

©2022 C.W. Farnsworth (P)2023 Tantor

Hoping to circle back

I might have to read this book vs listen to it. The male narrator is very very hard to listen to.

Another winner - make Farnsworth your guilty pleas

Ethan & Georgie are another new high !

Like her other stories this one uses some of the old tropes but her approach is so much more refreshing and with new twists. She uses - Proximity, Off limits, secret love, tension (not really enemies) to lovers.

This could have been your typical young / college love story but it is soooo much more. It progresses naturally from Ethan being appointed to Georgie’s protection detail as she goes away to college. It creates realistic scenes and interactions with College parties, family, college friendships and the events that logically force proximity and then secrecy. One of the undertones of this sectret relationship and it evolution is the onging limitation that secrecy forces. This in turn tests them in a more real way given their respective positions.

Farnsworth also takes into account how envy and jealousy might play out. She does this without crossing any lines and instead gives us a perspective that feels real and natural.

The thing I like most about Farnsworth is that she delivers a clever narrative that builds on realistic interactions over a logical time period. The characters remain true to the story and she builds them sensibly without requiring radical plot changes or a third party to introduce a dramatic twist. Instead she uses logical steps that progress normally and make sense.

The other potential plot-hole that Farnsworth deals with brilliantly is the way she addresses Georgie’s and Ethan’s ages and maturity. She builds the story with insights into their minds and thinking process. Rather than a monologue she leads us on a path to discovery that helps build the characters. Like her other stories the supporting cast are used a reflective tools for plot development rather than caricatures or cardboard cutouts. If they don’t add to the story then they don’t figure in detail. This includes the potential male and female suiters or love interests for the MC’s. Farnsworth avoids unnecessary plot distractions.

Overall the story has a very natural finish froms its progression, it deals with the obvious conflict of interest between a Secret Service Agent and his subject while making it realistic. There are all sorts of scenarios that a writer could have constructed but they wouldn’t remain true to the narrative, instead Farnsworth keeps it real and focussed on the plot and the developing romance.

The other thought that keeps recurring to me is that Farnsworth has remained true to the vibe you would get for the ages of the subjects, their setting and has then matched them to this story and its characters. They feel right for the circumstances. She avoids forcing the plot or the story. It lacks fluff or padding and instead retains a steady course to the HEA.

Overall
Story 5++
Spice / Steam 3
Romance and realism 5
HEA Yes
Readers – Her is a bit stiff but OK (3) / Him – really good and natural (5)