The Hustler Next Door

Polson Falls, Book 2

By: K. A. Tucker

Narrated by: Tina Wolstencroft

Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

From the international bestselling author of The Simple Wild and Ten Tiny Breaths comes a new stand-alone enemies-to-lovers, small-town romance.

Justine MacDermott is in what she would call a transition period: squatting in her best friend's house and working in an appliance store in Polson Falls while the man she was supposed to marry starts a new life with someone else.

She's definitely not thinking about slashing his tires and wishing his vital extremities would fall off.

When newcomer Garrett Harrington strolls into Murphy's Appliances looking to buy a refrigerator, Justine convinces herself she's found her rebound. Or the next love of her life. Either works. But a chance encounter leads her to discover that Garrett isn't who he made himself out to be, and he's more interested in hustling her kindly old boss out of his family business—and using her to do it.

Furious at being fooled by yet another man and itching for retribution, Justine enlists the help of unlikely townsfolk to battle Harrington Group's big-city development plans for Polson Falls.

It's all going to plan . . . until Justine finds herself crossing enemy lines.

©2023 Kathleen Tucker (P)2023 Tantor

Enjoyed this book!

I laughed out loud several times during this book. I like Justine’s character, she has no filter.

Unlike the other reviews, I thought the narration was good.

Garrett and Justine

*****Spoiler Alert*****

The Hustler Next Door by K A Tucker. Polson Falls series, book 2 of 2. KU borrow; first listen via the Alexa app. Single POV (Justine's). This book can be read as a standalone, but it's a much better reading experience if read after book 1, 'The Player Next Door'. Slow burn. General premise: a wealthy man falls for a heartbroken, spunky woman hiding in a small town. Audiobook purchase. It's listed as 9 hours 55 minutes; I listened at speed 2.50 for 3 hours 58 minutes. I enjoyed the audiobook, and narrator Tina Wolstencroft made all the difference. Content warnings: a bit of a tearjerker because I felt Justine's family betrayed her by continuing their friendship with her cheating boyfriend after the devastating breakup; elderly widows and widowers; an intact crime scene of a solved case is discovered and the crime is discussed.

Justine MacDermott (30) is living with her best friend and working for a local small appliance store after breaking up with her cheating boyfriend. Her cheating boyfriend, aka B@st@rd Bill, is the son of her parents' neighbors and her brother's lifelong best friend. Garrett John Harrington III (35) is trying to keep a low profile while working for Harrington Group (HG), his uncle's commercial and residential development company. The two meet when Garrett needs a new refrigerator, and the chemistry is instant. The conflict starts soon after when Justine learns that Garrett is buying commercial real estate to develop for HG. Justine's brother proposed to the woman Bill's side chick introduced him to. Justine learns that Garrett is her future sister-in-law's cousin. Garrett pursues Justine, but she feels like she'll always be a stepping stone for men, so she keeps her guard up. In the end, they are dating but not married or even engaged, which was very disappointing. Apparently, neither of them learned anything about how short life is from the widows and widowers they know. JP

2 out of 5 on my spice scale.

1st "read" 01-19-23 (KU borrow, Alexa app listen)
1st listen 01-24-24

Loved the book, didn’t care for the narrator

I love K.A. Tucker’s books and I anxiously await each release. This book was no different. I have to say, the narrator wasn’t my favorite. In order to get through the book I had to play it at an increased speed. I might go back and read this book.

Save Your $$/Credit

I love the story!
Justine will have you laughing.
However, the narration is not the best. Her attempt at a fully-voiced reading was not good at all. It probably would've been better if it was unvoiced.
Also, the speed and sound of the narration is inconsistent. When I listened to the sample it seemed like the narration was tolerable.
So save your $$/credit and read the book.