Take Me

By: Bella Andre

Narrated by: Grace Grant, Ian MacLaren

Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

An appetite for sensual pleasures must never be denied....

Lily Ellis has curves - soft, beautiful curves. The kind of voluptuous body she fears Travis Carson, the man she's always loved from afar, would never crave. But Lily is about to be proven wrong. Her adventure begins when the demure San Francisco interior decorator agrees to model a plus-size dress for her fashion designer sister. Watching this sensual beauty move down the runway, Travis can't believe it's the same Lily he's always known - and always rejected. In a whirlwind of electric attraction, Lily is soon moaning Travis's name in his bed, not just in her wild fantasies. But Lily is all too aware that she's nothing like his past lovers.

Determined to beat Travis at his own game by guarding her true feelings, Lily partners with him on a business deal that takes them all the way to Italy. In the seductive warmth of the Tuscan sun, Lily plays a game of desire with the hot-blooded Travis. Will she be burned by an all-consuming ecstasy or will Travis open his heart to the sexy, exciting, and lasting love she has to offer?

©2013 Bella Andre (P)2013 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"Emotionally charged and deliciously erotic. A must-read from cover to cover." (Jaid Black)

"Oh my! Bella Andre's Take Me is wonderfully sexy - a big, fun fantasy with an equally big heart. You'll cheer these characters on as they find each other...and themselves!" (Emma Holly)

Don't waste your money!

After reading the other reviews I had high expectations of Take Me, but I was really disappointed - the book was flat and lacked the spark that makes you want to keep listening despite the late hour and lack of sleep.

The narration by Grace Grant was superb as always, but Ian MacLaren sounded like he was bored and just wanted to finish up and go home.

I am a huge fan of Bella Andre but this book lacked the usual finesse that I have come to expect from her writing.

Narration was very enjoyable

I enjoyed this story. It was quite believable. I enjoy authors, like Bella Andre whose writing creates a screen before your mind's eye. I could just see Lilly walking that runway and Travis' shocked face!
It was a book that I could relate to and I would recommend it to anyone who loves a love story. Warning....it is highly erotic and if that's not for you then you'll not care for this one.

No real plot

If you like sex scenes unconnected by any real plot, by all means, buy this book. Otherwise, save your credit. Boring. I couldn't listen more than halfway.

TITLE MISLEADING

What did you like best about Take Me? What did you like least?

I enjoyed the story, somewhat. It had a bit of a different flavor from what B.A. has written in the past. Even though I enjoyed the story and very much liked that the heroine was not the typical "bony blonde" that most romance novelists write about and loved that she was a "real girl" and despite her shyness and self-loathing she could be bold and bolster her inner strength to get and do what she wanted, at times, I think the story could have had more substance, more intrigue; something to hang onto.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Not sure how I would have changed the story, but would liked to have seen it drawn out a bit to include a little more intrigue. It does seem that B.A. has set us up to expect a second book to include Janecka & Luke's story, I just hope it's better than this one.

Would you be willing to try another one of Grace Grant and Ian MacLaren ’s performances?

No. I was not so turned off by their performance, not so much as to quit listening (which I have done in the past with other books), but Ian MacLaren's voice and narration did not do the story justice. Also, I would have expected that whenever Travis or Luke talked, Ian's voice would be heard, however, that was not always the case. I think the set up of how the dual narrators was used lacked sync.

Could you see Take Me being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Only "Lifetime", otherwise, a resounding "NO"

Any additional comments?

Not Bella Andre's best, or even close. This book, however, will not make me quit listening to her books, but I will wait in the future to see some reviews and not blunder headlong into purchasing her book when it first hits Audible.

Blushingly says "WOW" ehem....

If you could sum up Take Me in three words, what would they be?

Steamy, funny, Romantic-as-hell!

What did you like best about this story?

Although the language was perhaps a bit strong for me I really, really did enjoy the story. For the real women out there I'm sure there's a chapter each one can relate to. I like the way you didn't have to wait to the end for the love affair to begin, and I like that after all the glitter and wonder of Italy (no spoilers) Bella takes you back to reality and continues to develop the story back home on US ground where the characters have to deal with the realities of everyday life. I ended up falling in-love with Travis, who wouldn't? I loved Lily from the the beginning although sometimes wanted to strangle her and say "SHUT UP WOMAN, DON'T SPOIL IT" but then realised most women do just as she did (no spoilers again). I think I'll try her "Sullivans" series as I enjoyed this one so much.

What about Grace Grant and Ian MacLaren ’s performance did you like?

I thought Grace Grant did a wonderful job and her voice is so versatile, she can handle any situation and make you live it. As for Ian MacLaren, why the heck has he only done one audiobook? I loved him. Contrary to what another reviewer said, I don't think he sounded bored at all. I think he made Travis sexy as hell and I applaud how comfortable he was reading those super steamy words. I blushed a few times as it was quite strong for me, and couldn't help but wonder whether he had to take a cold-shower after having read it, lol. I think he did a great job. Lovely voice and he really brought the character home for me.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Oh yes, when Ian MacLaren is narrating Travis saying I LOVE YOU LILY for the first time. Ufff I just cried and felt out of breath and stared out the window for a bit, thinking, wondering...

Any additional comments?

Although very steamy it is definitely a lovely love story. The author created wonderful scenes and details and the narrators delivered it with much talent.

Great story, I would recommend this book.

This was a good story I just wish they would'nt have made Lily such a martyr. She finally gets the love of her life but she can't accept the fact that he loves her no matter how many times he tells her.The "poor me" when it came to Lily was stretched out too long. I wish it would've ended with a little more pizzaz then they way it did, but it still was a good-erotic story.

Totally Loved It!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

hot, sexy and had me giggling ... thoroughly enjoyable!

What did you like best about this story?

entertaining mix of characters

What about Grace Grant and Ian MacLaren ’s performance did you like?

I read all books with Grace Grant's narrations. Really enjoy her. First time I had heard Ian, but enjoyed him.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

giggled a lot

Any additional comments?

Loved the way this book showed a plus size woman enjoying all the pleasures usually reserved for thin women. Couldn't help but love Lily and Travis too.

Excellent listen !

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes defferently would recommend take me , really enjoyed the story

What did you like best about this story?

that Lily found confidents in herself and come out of her shell and enjoyed the funny wit between the characters

Which character – as performed by Grace Grant and Ian MacLaren – was your favorite?

i enjoyed both Narrators , both very easy to follow and listen to

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

this book defferenly made me laugh and smile

Any additional comments?

defferently would recommend !! very enjoyable listen

Hot!

Where does Take Me rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of definite top 5

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lily, I related to her in a special way.

Which scene was your favorite?

Where Travis is declaring hs love to her and drops down on one knee.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Everything under the sun

Any additional comments?

Love it! I would love to find out what happens with Janice's and Luke.

Good Effort-Look 4 Improvement If She Continues

What did you like best about Take Me? What did you like least?

It had its moments-good & bad. At times I could really 'feel' Lily's hurt. However, overall the plot was a bit jerky and didn't flow well.

If you’ve listened to books by Bella Andre before, how does this one compare?

I have not, but understand her to be a good 'feel good', nice, chick-light romance writer.

I think she will do well in this new genre as she continues to write and becomes more comfortable with the edgier parts.

What does Grace Grant and Ian MacLaren bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

These two are fantastic and brought the story to life.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No. This one ran hot and cold, one is in love-the other isn't and vice versa. That can be fun but the plot was a bit loose.

For Example---SPOILER ALERT---a mob comes together in wedding celebration & 'forces' them into wedding clothes and neither realizes it is a real wedding?

Any additional comments?

Some hot sex scenes & strong language.

Head Candy...

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I wouldn't say time well spent, more like a guilty pleasure.

If you’ve listened to books by Bella Andre before, how does this one compare?

This is my first Bella Andre novel and it was ok.

Which character – as performed by Grace Grant and Ian MacLaren – was your favourite?

Both GG and IM narrated really well and got the feelings and storyline of ALL characters over well, no grumbles here.

Was Take Me worth the listening time?

Again it was ok and probably will not re-listen too.

Any additional comments?

A fun easy listen, I especially enjoyed the shenanigans the 'plan' involved, the novel could of ended a lot sooner though and was feeling a little bored towards the end, but the prickly interplay and the blossoming of realisation was good to witness, but like I said dragged on too long...