The Opposite of Wild

Clover Park, Book 1

By: Kylie Gilmore

Narrated by: Charles Lawrence

Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's Summary

USA Today Best-Selling Series!

A humorous second-chance romance from USA Today best-selling author Kylie Gilmore.

Unleash the wild woman...?

Ex-cop Ryan O'Hare takes one look at buttoned-up control freak Liz Garner and just itches to loosen the woman up. Not that he's into her. Because a woman like that comes with way too many expectations. Not to mention she practically works for him, and he didn't hire Liz to watch after his beloved Harley-stealing Gran so he could turn Liz loose in his bed. Still, there's something about her, a hidden wild side, that makes him wonder what it would take.

Liz must be crazy to work for the insensitive, arrogant, horribly...hot man she's avoided for years. Unfortunately she needs the money, and Ryan's grandmother needs a keeper. (Midnight tango lessons and zip lines with Gran, anyone?) Ryan's rare smile and swaggering confidence have Liz torn between throwing her favorite pinot grigio at his head and throwing herself at him. Can this control freak find a way to let loose with the tough, no-strings guy who once broke her heart?

Author's note: Each book in the Clover Park Series can be listened to as a stand-alone novel, or for more fun listen to them in order. Characters you've loved from past books frequently pop up in other books.

The Clover Park Series Book 1: The Opposite of Wild Book 2: Daisy Does It All Book 3: Bad Taste in Men Book 4: Kissing Santa (a Novella) Book 5: Restless Harmony Book 6: Not My Romeo Book 7: Rev Me Up Book 8: An Ambitious Engagement Book 9: Clutch Player Book 10: A Tempting Friendship

Don't miss my new spinoff series, The Clover Park STUDS, with some Clover Park favorites popping up, too!

©2014 Kylie Gilmore (P)2016 Kylie Gilmore

Highly Entertaining!

This is a highly entertaining story that had me giggling throughout. Liz has been affected by an incident in her past that has made her into a sensitive, control freak but still infatuated by the man involved. Ryan was affected by the same incident however in a positive way. He also experienced an incident as a cop that affected his life as well. This is a fun, romantic comedy made more entertaining by a secondary character. Ryan’s grandmother adds many highlights to the story with all her antics. A very enjoyable story expertly narrated by Charles Lawrence. I look forward to the next book in the series.

A surprising delightful listen

Any additional comments?

This was a total delight from start to finish. Nothing can be better than the love of a family unless you want your love one to stay alive and you control her life as Ryan did with his every fun loving granny. She is something else with a bad accident behind her she has learn life is short as she takes the bull by the horn and becomes one wild granny out for thrills that will chill her grandsons. This book will make you laugh and laugh some more at all the grandmother gets into. This is one woman after my heart with her wild ways along with a few shocking ones. There are many lessons to be learn the question is who is doing the teach could it be the handsome grandson Ryan or the wild Harley steal Granny, or just might be the sexy Liz who will teach not only Granny but her sexy grandson a thing or two.

Ryan along with his brothers thinks Granny has a few screws loose every since her accident but she and I know she is very sane and only out to enjoy life at it’s fullest. Granny has a few tricks up her sleeve that will not only put the fear of God into Liz but take a few years off Ryan’s life. Her last little plan has Ryan in a total uproar. Just when he thinks things can’t get worse than her taking his Harley for a joy ride she lets loose with a few hair raising plans but nothing and I mean nothing beats the last one she has come up with. Ryan will not have this no way no how. He hires Liz who is one hot little thing and dang if she hasn’t changed from the girl of long ago he hopes she can tame granny down to be the loveable kind granny any grandchild will be proud of. Liz has her hands full trying to keep granny under control which let me tell you isn’t very easy. Every time he thinks he has control Granny lets go with a wilder plan than the last and dear sweet sexy Liz seems to be right in the middle of it. Ryan would love to pick Liz up and tan her backside for letting Granny get away with so much. Just as he starts yelling Liz makes Granny see things in a different light. Everyone takes a breath and then she is off again with even wilder ideas than before. Granny will be the death of them all that is if Liz doesn’t kill him first with all the trouble she gets into with Granny,

Liz is just your normal every day flower on the wall child. She wants so much but just doesn’t feel the condense to go after what she wants. She more or less lives through her sister who is the wild child. She has given up so much to look after and take care of her. Liz is the baby of the family but at times she feels so old looking out for and keeping her sister out of trouble. This time her sister has out done herself with Liz having to pay. She agrees to take on Granny and help her keep busy doing granny things only granny has her own plans and lord the places she takes Liz and the things she talks Liz into seem to keep getting her in trouble with the sexy Ryan who Liz has always had a crush on. She just can’t forget those years long ago when something happens to make her crawl deep inside herself and never come out.

The narration of Mr. Lawrence was wonderful when he plays Ryan you can feel the angry, hurt, frustration that he goes through. He really had me feeling sorry for Ryan even when I thought he didn’t deserve it. Lord Granny he was outstanding having me in stitches as he played that roll. His Liz was just so sweet, lovely and delightful. You could really feel the emotion in his voice his tones for each character was outstanding. There were not any background noise, or any place where the volume changes going higher or lower than it was before. He female voices were as lovely as his male voices. You have no trouble knowing who is talking or what they are feeling. Mr. Lawrence really brought this story to life for me. I had no trouble picturing Ryan pulling out his hair as granny took a trip on the wild side or his emotions when it came to Liz. He gives you a very pleasant audio that will have you laughing you way to the last page. I really enjoyed his character voice so much that I didn’t want to put it down and found things to do so I could listen longer. The narrator has a wonderful pleasant voice you have to trouble getting lost in as he brings to life the wonderful humorous story the author has given us. Before I knew it the audio was over leaving me wanting more of these wonderful characters. I had no trouble at all picturing each scene as the movie ran in my head. I can’t wait to listen to more from this narrator.

I loved the humor in this story and all the things granny came up with. I love the back and forward baiting between Ryan and Liz. Things heat up really hot in more ways than one. The attraction is off the charts with some very steamy scenes. Ryan kept over thinking or over saying when he should have been listening. I had no trouble at all understanding how much he loved his grandmother. The author does give you heart break with Ryan’s father who had his own issues. When his grandmother stepped in taking on all three boys raising them you have no trouble feeling the love between them. I understood why he felt the way he did for his father but it was nice to see them start to work out the issues. I really enjoyed watching Liz take Ryan in hand making him feel like a fool. She is really a class act that is hard to follow. The things she can do with just a few soft spoken words and the way she handles herself is a delight. Not to say she is always calm, cool and collected. Tempter to rise when emotion get in the way. I do have to admit granny steals the show I just LOVE this character with her exciting handle on life, her go get it ways. I loved the library scene which had me laughing so hard. This is very well written with wonderful characters you can relate to. There is no doubt you will be very invested in them and the story. I loved the plot and all the twists and turns. This is the first I have listen to from this author it won’t be the last. I can’t wait to dig into more of her stories. If you are looking for a highly entertaining read with an author who knows how to pull her readers in you really need to pick up this audio you are so going to love it.

The beginning of an entertaining series

What about Charles Lawrence’s performance did you like?

Mr Lawrence narration of the story was right on.

Any additional comments?

This book/audio is the first in Ms. Gilmore’s series titled , Clover Park. I have listened to most of the books in the series, but somehow, I had missed this one and I am so very glad I finally got to it.
We have Ryan O’Hare , ex-cop, now PI, and one of 3 brothers. Gran Maggie, a funny, lively woman and one that the O’Hare brothers think needs a keeper.
Liz, an uptight, school teacher and one that has a teenage history with Ryan.
Liz is hired to “sit” with Maggie and keep her out of trouble. Not that it stops Maggie :)
Needless to say, chemistry exists between Ryan and Liz, but Liz is reluctant to get too serious since she believes Ryan doesn’t want a commitment.
If you are up for frequently funny, family crisis, a cast of characters that are unique and entertaining, plus romance between seniors as well as between 30 something, this is the story for you.

OK book with great narration..

I try not to judge all of an author’s books by the first on I read so I might read another book by Kylie Gilmore and hope it’s not like this one. I liked Ryan but Liz was almost too much for me. Between telling Daisy about the nutrients and vitamins and antioxidants in everything she was going to feed the baby, and every book known to man about raising a child it’s no wonder Daisy left Liz’s place for the next few months. Good grief, Liz was soooo annoying. I could barely stand her and I wondered what Ryan saw in her. My favorite parts of the book was when Ryan was spending time with his brothers, Travis and Shane, and I just loved his time with Maggie, what a hoot that old woman was. Another reason I didn’t like Liz was because she broke up with Ryan at one point because “Bryce” needed her, she had to RAISE Bryce, crap like that. Even when Ryan reminded her that “Bryce” was Daisy’s baby not Liz’s. She was that much of a control freak. I guess she thought she was going to take over mothering Bryce whether anyone liked it or not. Liz just wasn’t likable.

As far as the sex went? One, I finding it stupid when the author has a couple kiss for the first time and the guy reaches down and grabs the woman’s ASS. There’s not a thing romantic about that. Two, I wonder how many authors actually “scream” when they have sex that they would write such a thing. So, I skimmed over the sex because of the ridiculousness of it. But, that’s just my opinion!

There was swearing and the F-bomb was used 5 times.

As to the narration: Charles Lawrence was a great narrator. He read with emotion and his men’s voices were sexy and the women sounded just like women should. There were a few times I had to stop and laugh because he read something in such a funny way. I will definitely listen to him again.

Very ORDINARY

What would have made The Opposite of Wild better?

The main characters were just too irritating. I saw so many positive reviews I persisted, and while they because tolerable, I just didn't care if they had a happy ending. There was no character development that made me feel emotionally invested. It felt like a cookie cutter, been there, read that 1000 times kind of story.

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

Given a lot more emotional charge to the characters.

What three words best describe Charles Lawrence’s performance?

OK

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Boredom

Any additional comments?

There's nothing special. If you want quirky grandmother, try Stephanie Plum books, this book just doesn't even get past the starting line on a great book. It's just OK, nothing special.Ma

Fun, light romance with great narration

If you could sum up The Opposite of Wild in three words, what would they be?

Fun, surprising, romantic

Who was your favorite character and why?

Grandma was so adventurous about life.

What does Charles Lawrence bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His narration brings out the hilarity of grandma's antics, making them so much more fun than just reading it.

If you could rename The Opposite of Wild, what would you call it?

The title is perfect.

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this book, especially in the Audible edition. I laughed out loud listening to this. Great book!

Super sweet and sexy

This was my first audio by this author and I can say I'll definitively be listening to the rest of this series. I loved the complex backstory of the characters and how different they were. This is a story about family, friends and the responsibilities of growing up and reality realizing some things are worth taking a leap in unfamiliar areas of life and that some love is worth fighting for. The narrator did an amazing job with all the different characters making it easy to identity who was saying what which is always a plus for audio books. Fun filled story with some sweet and sexy money moments that made this a very entertaining and enjoyable listen.

What a fun book!

The Opposite of Wild was so funny I don't think I could narrate it without giggling! I loved the characters, especially Maggie. Her antics made me laugh out loud more than once. Liz and Ryan were a great "second chance" story. They made me laugh and want to shake them at times! This was a great start to the Clover Park series and I'm looking forward to reading book 2, Daisy Does It All.

I am still fairly new to audio books so I am still getting used to hearing just one voice for all the characters. Yes, when I read a great book I hear the characters speaking. Oh the voices that I hear!! The narrator did a good job making all the characters sound believable for me most of the time. There were one or two places where a female character sounded a bit off, but for the most part it was very good. I would listen to him narrate other books.

First Time listening to an Audio Book

Where does The Opposite of Wild rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This was the first Audio Book I listen too. I really enjoyed listening to it!

What other book might you compare The Opposite of Wild to and why?

All of Kylie's other books in the Clover Park Series

Which character – as performed by Charles Lawrence – was your favorite?

Ex-Cop Ryan O'Hara and his grandmother

If you could rename The Opposite of Wild, what would you call it?

Nothing! This was a perfect name for the book because the sisters are total opposites and so are Ryan and Liz.

Any additional comments?

This was the first book in the clover park series and it started of the series perfectly! The grandmother is one of my favorite characters through out the series. Watch Ryan & Liz's story unfold was great. I highly recommend this series!

Great Book!

I read the book before I listened to it. The narrator is great. I listened to it in the car and hearing it made the story even better. I'd definitely recommend this to everyone!!