The Belle and the Beard

By: Kate Canterbary

Narrated by: Zachary Webber, Jo Raylan

Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's Summary

Jasper-Anne Cleary’s guide to salvaging your life when you find yourself publicly humiliated, out of work, and unemployable at 35 - not to mention newly single: 

1. Run away. Seriously, there’s no shame in disappearing. Go to that rustic old cottage your aunt left you. Look out for the colony of bats and the leaky roof. Oh, and the barrel-chested neighbor with shoulders like the broad side of a barn. Definitely look out for him. 

2. Stop wallowing and stay busy. It doesn’t matter whether you know how to bake or fix things around the house. Do it anyway. Dust off your southern hospitality and feed that burly, bearded neighbor some pecan pie. 

3. Meet new people. Chat up the grumpy man-bear, pretend to be his girlfriend when his mother puts you two on the spot, agree to go as his date to a big family party. Don’t worry - it’s only temporary. 

4. Cry it out. Screwing up your life entitles you to wine, broody-moody music, and uninterrupted sobbing. 

5. Get over it all by getting under someone. Count on your fake boyfriend to deliver some very real action between the sheets. 

6. Move on. The disappearing act, the cottage, the faux beau - none of it can last forever. 

Linden Santillian’s guide to surviving the invasion when a hell-in-heels campaign strategist moves in next door: 

1. Do not engage. There is no good reason you should chop her wood, haul her boxes, or pick her apples. 

2. Do not accept gifts, especially not the homemade ones. Disconnect the doorbell, toss your phone over a bridge, hide in the basement if you must, but do not eat her pie. 

3. Do not introduce her to your friends and family. They’ll favor her over you and never let you forget it. 

4. Do not intervene when she’s crying on the back porch. Ignore every desire to fix the entire world for her. 

5. Do not take her to bed, even if it’s just to get her out of your system. 

6. Do not, under any circumstances, fall in love with her.

©2021 Kate Canterbary (P)2021 Kate Canterbary

SORRY.. IT WAS JUST TOO SLOW

This was a mixed bag for me because the slow-build between the enemies-to-lovers was quickly won then progressed really slowly. It was cute, it’s was fun, it did have great banter, it was sexy, it did have a loving family with great dynamics. And it did have great narrators who brought the dual POV storyline to life. So it should’ve worked.. but I found my mind drifting at times, I even started looking for my next listen and I eventually changed the speed up to move the story along to its sweet Epilogue.

Worth a credit? It’s okay, it’s an easy-paced, low angst, low drama story.. however, it was just too drawn out for me personally. It’s a ‘relationship’ driven story with the events in their day playing out in the storyline rather than some kind of drama occurring by a third party causing conflict. And it’ll be creditworthy for some of you.. but for me, it’s a meh 50/50 split decision.. but hey, I won’t be asking for my credit back so that’s something positive ;).

Phenomenal story. Audio casting perfection! ❤🎧❤

Kate Canterbary hit it out of the park again with Linden and Jasper's story. The opposites attraction is off the charts HOT and so smart and beautifully written. The narration is So Perfect. Jo Raylon's Jasper and Zachary Webber's Linden could not be any more Sensational They both embodied the very essence of Kate's characters. I cannot say enough about this story and narration that would do it justice. I loved all of it and I think you will too.

Boring 😴 zzzz

I could only handle this book to chapter 8. I listened to chapter 7 and I was getting ready to turn it off, when she dropped the bomb she was married. Thinking it was finally going to be good. That is when I could feel my eyes start to close! I kid you not chapter 8 was the worst of the snooze fest!!
I kept thinking this will pick up pace. Thinking the characters were good. But NO! I'm sad I wasted my money on this!
The problem you ask. Is the author takes so much time describing the characters view of one another. Or talking about her job without really saying anything. Of substance. I didn't even know this was possible! The story never progresses. SAVE your points or money!

Growly Lumberbear and Bossbabes

This narration is one of the best audio books ever! Zachary Weber is amazing as Linden and you simply cannot put the story down. The author took her time to find the right voices for this story -- and it did not disappoint!

I wanted to like it

I really wanted to like this, but just couldn’t get into the story. I purchased because I love almost anything narrated by Zachary Webber, but even he couldn’t save his. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the female narrator. I feel like Zachary reading the female part was more enjoyable. Overall, if you were on the fence about this one, I’d pass.

Eye rolling

The male vocals were good but the female did this breathy voice that was not only annoying but had me switching the volume up and down regularly. The book was still bad though - the attraction comes off unnatural and forced. There are just plain strange phases and unrealistic dialogue. I like the concept and characters on the surface but it falls short because the author's writing is cliche and amateurish - she uses "bosom was heaving"!!

Unique love story.

Amazing. I’m going to recommend this book and this author to all my reader friends. The Belle and The Beard has a little bit of everything, I laugh a lot. These characters make me fall in love with them with each book. Linden’s mom Diane is one one my favorite characters, she’s a hoot. She loves her children fiercely and isn’t afraid to meddle in their lives but with caution. The Santilian family is a breath of fresh air, the love they share amongst them is unique. Very unique and beautiful love story between Linden and Jasper.

I tried to like it!! I really did!

I tried to like this book! I really tried. There are few books I don’t like and even this one had some redeeming qualities. The characters were likable. The names were good, I don’t know why that is always important to me, but I like the name to fit the character.

However, I should have believed the other reviews! From all the whining I expected Jasper to have been sexually and mentally abused, and kept locked in a closet her entire childhood. That sounds cruel but for real, with all the heartache and tragedy so many children experience this character was way too traumatized. Remember, I’m talking about a fictional book, NOT real life!! Also, the language was terrible and not necessary. I like smut as well as the next, but it just didn’t sound right. Might have been better reading it.
I liked the male narrator.

Yuck

I really didn’t like this storyline. Every time they used the word “mansplain” I wanted to just stop but I kept trying. I officially had to just be done with 3 hours left in the book and that is something I never do.
I wish I liked it more.
Also please mark this as LGBTQ+ because the male lead is clearly bisexual. I don’t know why they hid that. Nothing to be ashamed of.

Great book

I really like this book it mad me laugh but to me it was a slow burn but I would recommend reading it is worth it!

soul deep

The voice actors really brought this beautiful story to life and made this story feel like you were in the thick of things like a bystander

Fabulous!

With a fantastic storyline, great characters, witty, thoughtful dialogue and internal musings this has been an audio to relish. Both voice actors were excellent. I loved their narration skills which were of the highest quality. Wonderful 💖 💖 💖 💖 💖

Perfectly cast

I really enjoyed this book, and I thought it was perfectly cast. Jo Raylan and Zachary Webber were brilliant. I loved that the author included pansexuality in the story, and it felt like a natural part of it. The author didn’t make a big song and dance about being inclusive in her storytelling, she just was. I will always love that.
Linden and Jasper are such a fun couple, and I really enjoyed their dynamic.
The side characters in this story are all the things. Especially Linden’s parents. I laughed so much. I hear his siblings have books too, so I’m going to need to move them up my TBL because I need more from his family.
My only issue was the way it felt necessary to keep trying to show that the heroine was an independent woman by telling the reader rather than showing it with her actions. It felt very much like an ‘I am woman, hear me roar’ thing and it wouldn’t have been that off-putting if it wasn’t continuous throughout the book. That being said, I really enjoyed Jasper’s progression through the story, and how Linden helped her see things through a different lens.

Sweet romance

This is a very sweet romance with a naughty side to it. With likeable characters this book is lovely. I really enjoyed the combination of Jo and Zachary, they work very well together and both have beautiful tones to their voices.

The Belle and the Beard

Omg I absolutely loved this book Audible even better Zachary Webber ‘s voice omg he could talk me into anything he wants . I’ve got quite a few books of his . Story getting of track loved it the book the story just what I wanted so thank you xxxx

Fabulously well written story

My first book by Kate Canterbary, have already bought more of her books.

It says all that is needed :) but in order to try to be helpful. Kate Canterbary writes real people with issues, love and understanding like she she isn´t faking it. Humor and hotness too. The story sucked me in from the get go and I didn´t want it to end. Absolutely brilliant. Also Jo Raylan and Zachary Webber are a dream duo. Perfect narration.

Bliss

loved everything about this book - story was emotional and wrenching at times but so beautifully narrated that I was sweet up. What a treat.

A gorgeous story you need to listen to.

Linden….Sigh! I needs me a lumber bear now! Not sure my office working, wannabe handy man on the weekend, occasional hunter can quite compete with Linden but I’ll keep him coz I love him. The storyline in this book draws you in, the characters are likeable, no scratch that they’re totally loveable and I loved how Linden and Jasper’s relationship grew into a sturdy old oak tree. It’s funny, yet has all the emotions needed for a great love story.

Jo Raylan is a fairly new narrator to me. I’ve listened to a couple of her performances before but this one tops them for me. Juuuuust enough accent to hint at Jasper’s southern roots but not too much that it’s a pantomime. She has such a soft, melodic voice, breathing life in Jasper and I just wanted to be her friend. My favourite part was when she read the notes that Jasper and Linden left each other, so funny in her delivery. Those notes were classic, you’ll know what I mean when you get to it.

Jacob Morgan’s rich voice helped to shape an image of Linden in my head. He’s this big bear of a man with a soft as butter centre. Jacob gave us all the emotions and the little nuances that made Linden so loveable. A fantastic audiobook, with the perfect narrator pairing for these characters. Well worth the money/credit.

It’s the story though, this story set in the woods with the city girl escaping scandal and the woodsman trying to save her from her DIY and baking disasters, that you just have to keep reading or listening to until it’s done. You can’t help but fall in love with these characters and we get to see Linden’s triplet siblings again with their partners too, bonus! Both Linden and Jasper have loss in their pasts and this reflects in how they deal with life now. They push each others buttons spectacularly, but eventually find a rhythm that is 100% them and it works. Kate did a great job of describing all the things, so you know exactly what they looked, sounded, smelled, felt or tasted like. I could abso-freakin-lutely demolish some “fancy” toast right now. I loooooooooooove toast!!!! Anyway I digress, this story has a little of everything, it has DIY calamities, friendships, tension, emotions, a burly lumber bear, terrible baking, funny notes, layers upon layers of heat and lots of not hating. It's a gorgeous story you need to read. That is all