Wanderlust

By: Lauren Blakely

Narrated by: Richard Armitage, Grace Grant

Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's Summary

Narrated by Richard Armitage and Grace Grant — a breathtaking new romance from #1 New York Times best-selling author Lauren Blakely that will sweep you away!

A British accent is my weakness...

Good thing I can avoid that kind of temptation in my new job in Paris. And when my company hooks me up with my own personal translator, I should be on the fast track for success. Except, he's charming, witty, and, oh yeah, he just so happens to be British, which means everything he says melts me.

Don't mix business with pleasure. I do my best to resist him as he brings the city to life for me. Soon, I can navigate the streets, discuss perfume with my co-workers, and barter at the outdoor market. But I also learn how to tell the sexy man by my side how much I want him to kiss me under the streetlamps.

Except there's a catch — I can't have him.

***

One more assignment before I take off on my big adventure...

And it's a good farewell gig too since my newest client is a fetching American who loves to explore the cafes and cobbled streets while I teach her the language of love. We fall into a fast and flirty friendship, doing our best to resist each other. But you know what they say about best intentions. Soon we're spending our nights together too, and I don't want to let her go. The trouble is, my wanderlust is calling to me, and before we know it, I'll be traveling the globe to fulfill a promise I made long ago.

What could possibly go wrong with falling in love in Paris? Nothing...unless one of you is leaving.

*Includes a special bonus interview with the author!*

©2018 Lauren Blakely (P)2018 Audible Originals, LLC.

Gorgeous!!!

This book was not a normal romance book. They started as friends and fell slowly in love.

They were both adults about their situation and their dreams and didn’t take each other for granted.

I used the romance package to listen to this book but I will be purchasing it so I can listen again and again.

My new favorite narrator

Any additional comments?

From the moment Richard Armitage spoke I was hooked. Lauren hit it out of the ball park with this one.

✫✫ 5 Stars ✫✫ Romantic with great narration!

I want to go to Paris now!!! I truly could visualize everything in this book. I could tell by the descriptions of everything that Lauren Blakely wrote about what she saw while visiting the city or did some great research. I think that was my favorite thing about this book, seriously I could taste the chocolate with berry's and lime juice and to me that is awesome writing.

Griffin is a seriously great character because he was so realistic to me. He had some hard situations in his past and was just trying to live each day and wanted to do what he thought he needed to do. Joy was also great because she had her insecurities from her past but didn't let them stop her. Even when she was feeling discouraged she would push through it and come out better because of it. Together these two made me swoon, they became friends which I loved. Even though the attraction and the sexual tension was there they still did spend time getting to know each other as friends. I thought this story was very romantic and this would be every women's dream to meet a person and truly just to enjoy each other's company so much while visiting so many great places and laughing together so much. In the end I loved the romance & the way this book left me with a happy light heart in the end.

NOW lets talk about the narration!!! Grace Grant is great as always but Richard Armitage stole the show!! This man with his natural British accent was great but his French was great too! I loved how smoothly he flipped from French to British and he really brought Griffin to life for me! Great Narration choice!!!

Lauren Blakely's most romantic novel yet!

STORY OVERVIEW AND REVIEW:

Wanderlust, a perfect title for a story that will give you a major case of wanderlust, is definitely Lauren Blakely's sweetest novel yet. It's set in one of the most romantic cities on earth, with two strong and charming characters you'll root for from the start.

While one moves to the City of Light to start anew, the other is ready to bid adieu and move on to the next adventure. Joy and Griffin meet in Paris shortly after Joy moves to the country for work. They start their acquaintance with flirty banter and guesses of names, the chemistry between them strong and palpable. They meet again when Joy's company hires Griffin to be her translator.

Now that they're technically workmates, they have to turn down the sparks to stay professional. But when Joy asks Griffin to teach her French and help her experience all the pleasure France has to offer, it's inevitable their restraint snaps.

As they fall more and more for each other, they have to accept the fact that their love affair has a time limit. Once Griffin's contract ends, he's packing his bags to check off the final items on the bucket list his brother made for him before he passed away.

I loved the pacing of this story, the build-up from strangers who have that spark, to friends, then to lovers. I became even more invested this couple because I personally saw that they were falling even more in love. Two words to describe the sexual tension—delayed gratification.

It was sweet, sexy, and oh so romantic. But most of all, it's a story about rediscovering oneself and realizing that the only way to move on and forward is to let go.

WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT THE AUDIOBOOK?

I loved everything. Absolutely everything. I have to be honest that when I first heard Richard Armitage speaking, I had to rewind a few times because I was too distracted by that man's sexy voice. I mean, it's Richard Armitage.

He was fantastic in this audiobook! Not only was he a wonderful Griffin, he made a pretty great Joy, too. His shift from English to American to French accent did things to my heart. His accents for the different characters—Griffin especially when he's speaking in French—were fantastic, all with just enough emotion to shoot straight to my heart.

This is my second audiobook narrated by Grace Grant, and I enjoyed this just as much. Her portrayal made Joy's confidence, the awe she felt for her new surroundings, her feelings for Griffin, so vivid, so tangible.

The collaborative efforts of the two narrators brought a kaleidoscope of butterflies in my stomach. I was transported to Paris, to their romance and happily ever after. I tasted the food, smelled the scents, saw the sights. I laughed, swooned, teared up, and felt hopeful.

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THIS AUDIOBOOK TO A FRIEND? IF SO, WHY?

Romance lovers will definitely enjoy Wanderlust. Aside from the vivid imagery of everything Paris has to offer, the characters had great chemistry, story arcs, and growths. It was hopeful, sweet, and incredibly dreamy. And did I mention Richard Armitage is one of the narrators? No?

I just have to say, Ms. Blakely knows how to end a book. Whenever I finish her stories, she never fails to leave me in a happy daze and with a full heart. Wanderlust is not an exception.

Tropes: Friends to Lovers, Love Abroad—Paris
POV: First Person, Dual POV
Standalone: Yes

Compelled to review

Lauren is one of those writers that I just automatically buy. Her books are not filled with angst, many are funny and her audiobook narrators are always great. This book is so lovely, it’s easily my favorite of hers. The characters are smart, the storyline poignant, a real love story and its set in Paris. Paris, people!!! Having visited that city a couple of times, it was great to read about the tiny pieces of Parisian life I love and remember. It’s worth your time to listen. The narration is great. I have no idea if Richard Armitage is actually British or not, but his narration is like butter. I would happily buy the narration of Webster’s Dictionary if he were to read it.

Sensuous, Juicy, and Delicious!

First of all, the voice of Richard Armitage alone makes this book a must for romance lovers! That being said, what makes this book really special is the way the descriptions engage the senses, particularly those of scent and taste. I really felt like I was in Paris falling in love as I listened. The story had sweetness balanced by poignant moments and moments of unbridled desire. It was a sensuous journey about adventures grand and intimate, living life to the fullest, and the reasons we make the choices we make. Enjoy!

The swooniest romance I've ever heard

It's no secret that I adore Lauren Blakely. Her writing never ceases to amaze me but Wanderlust? It just blew me away. The story is so incredibly full of love and passion-both between characters and life in general- that I was moved to tears more than once. This is a book that I will come back to over and over again.

I quite simply adored Joy and Griffin. I was grinning from the moment the book began. I don't know if there has ever been a character name more suited to a character than Joy. She brings happiness and laughter, she's quick and funny and so incredibly brave. She doesn't always feel it, but she takes many leaps of faith that had me applauding her. I would absolutely love to visit her in Paris and sit down for a cup of hot chocolate, or champagne on her rooftop.

Griffin? Well, hello swoon. He is absolutely, hands down, one of my all time book boyfriends. He nudged some pretty impressive ones out of the way to grab his spot, but he's worth it. He is such a sweetheart and so romantic. But there's a vulnerability to him that more than once I found myself just wanting to reach through the book and hold him. I'm sure Joy wouldn't mind. He's so sexy as well-obviously.

These two have intense chemistry. But their connection is so much more than physical. They understand each other. Their sexy times are incredibly sexy, but their time spent exploring the city? Learning about one another? Just magical.

The narration of this book brought it to life for me. Normally, I read a book and then get the audio to keep me company while I work. That being said, I am glad this one released in audio first. Hearing these narrators tell this story added a whole other level of richness to an already rich story. I loved hearing the descriptions of people and places. I truly felt I was there in Paris with them, experiencing this story. I don't know that my imagination would have done these characters and this setting justice. But Grace Grant and Richard Armitage took me on the best audio journey ever.

There's a theme of time and moments in this book, and that really hit home for me. It connected me to these characters as I could understand exactly what they meant. Listening to some of the lines made me hit pause and reflect on what the characters were saying. I was moved to tears-again, more than once. This story was incredibly beautiful and lush. I'm already listening again as I write this because I just can't get enough. The story and narration were perfection. If I could give this more than five stars I would. I adored it and cannot recommend it highly enough.

A coming together of three true talents...

Le sigh. What can I say? I'm a sucker for a romance that pulls a smile out of me while also tugging on my heartstrings. If you think this is nothing more than a fluffy love story with nary any sort of substance, you're sorely mistaken. Griffin and Joy have their respective reasons for being in Paris, but while she feels like she's finally able to live beyond the humdrum of her life in the US, Griffin is living a life away from London that's half-inspired and half-dictated by a bucket list handed to him by his late brother Ethan. As much as Joy wants to feel like she belongs in Paris, Griffin doesn't give himself the chance to feel the same, feeling the desire to wander about take over. While Joy may often find herself lost in translation, Griffin is simply lost, his brother's passing having altered the direction of his life in more ways than one. Listening to Armitage and Grant bring Blakely's story to life made me believe I was actually listening to Griffin and Joy share their unique tale of love and language in the City of Light. It was a coming together of three true talents. I'm highly recommending you give Wanderlust a listen. Five-plus stars. ♥

OOO LA LA.. FAULTLESS STORYTELLING

What a wonderful love story Lauren Blakely has written.. she skilfully transports you to the cobble streets, cafes and hidden sights of Paris.. and that’s the setting of a very sweet and very romantic journey. It’s a slow build and a slow burn of a journey as two wonderfully crafted relatable strangers meet in the City of Love. Joy is an American woman starting her new life and career in Paris where she is ready to soak up, to experience and to enjoy everything new. And early on Joy meets Griffin, a handsome Englishman, who slowly steals her heart through chemistry, charisma and charm. Their strong characters, mutual attraction and easy banter forges a very solid, and very real, relationship.

Their bittersweet story started when they were mere strangers instantly connecting with each other through chemistry and easy flowing banter.. but a cruel twist of Fate forces them to be co-workers instead of lovers. Joy’s just starting her exciting year long job placement in Paris where she hopes to put down new roots, make new friends, learn a new language and create a new perfume. Unfortunately, Griffin’s time in Paris is almost over.. he’s been steadily working his way through his late brother’s bucket list dreams and he’s ticked quite a few of them off.. but there’s some that’ll take him away.. away across the oceans. However, despite the unspoken three month deadline that’ll end their relationship, Joy and Griffin forge ahead with plans of being ‘just’ co-workers. But time together enables a sweet friendship to develop, lust to build and lines to blur then get crossed allowing sexcapades to happen, love to blossom and for time to tick away. Because all too soon the day will come when Griffin has to move on to the next big challenge and chapter in his life.

This well written, perfectly balanced, nicely developed, entertaining dual POV love story has got to be the most tender and sweet Ms. Blakely has ever created. It’s plotline has no angst.. but it does have a romantic settings, touching words, steam and great characters. Joy, Griffin and the rest of the characters are brought to life by two talented narrators, who, together with Ms. Blakely’s descriptive, powerful and thought provoking words, enabled me to picture, to paint and to mentally project every delicious scene.

Worth a credit? Absolutely YES.. IMO, from the first scene to the last, this audiobook is definitely a solid 5 star creditworthy listen.

Take me to Paris!

After having listened to this book, I want to plan a trip to Paris and look for all the little landmarks from the book!
This was a sweet, romantic love story that is perfect for the hopeless romantic. The narration, especially Griffon' S narrator was phenomenal!

Deserves 10 stars for the Cringe Factor

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

Someone deluded.

Would you ever listen to anything by Lauren Blakely again?

No, never, never, never, never, never ever.

What character would you cut from Wanderlust?

All of them.

Any additional comments?

I usually like crime, sci fi and comedy but I thought I would try this for a change. Oh, dear, what a mistake. The cringe factor quickly popped up as did the nausea. Do people really enjoy this stuff? I only got to the third chapter when I gave up. The scene in the cafe at the beginning with the appalling dialogue and slimy thoughts gave me nightmares.

Similar to Fifty Shades without the tense plot

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

If you like this kind of surface romantic fiction then you will like this book. I found it ok but this kind of Mills and Boon fiction isn't my cup of tea, I just wanted to hear Richard doing something different.

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

I found Grace's narration wooden and slow. I kept checking whether I had accidentally slowed it down but I hadn't. The story was actually ok; a simple love story with one layer. They meet, a few complicated things occur, and then love conquers. Although Richard usually has the most entertaining and wonderful voice I found his narration quite stilted too which is unusual for him. I felt that he sounded as though he was just reading the book instead of feeling it and inhabiting the characters.Maybe soft-porn really isn't his kind of thing after all.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Richard's narrations were better. I found the simulated, fantasy, shower scene quite uncomfortable to listen to coming from Richard's voice as he's usually very articulate and puts great energy into inhabiting his characters and I thought he sounded uncomfortable. If you ignore the sex the story was ok.

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

I think the book would probably translate better into a film but the script would have to work hard to tease out all the things that were shallow in the book or not given greater depth. It would need a script writer like the Fifty Shades one or the Me Before You one to manage the sex scenes and bring out the conflicts of being torn between job and love and the pain of losing a loved one.

Any additional comments?

If you like this kind of fiction then you will like the book. If it's not really your cup of tea then even Richard can't bring it alive in his usual masterful way.

A tedious listen partly rescued by Richard Armitage

Quite a mediocre book given some value by Richard Armitage's narration. Sadly the female narrator doesn't match his skills and those chapters are rather tedious to listen to.

Disappointing!

Would you try another book written by Lauren Blakely or narrated by Richard Armitage and Grace Grant ?

No, Lauren Blakely's writing is shallow. I found Grace Grant's narration irritating. Richard's fans are known for saying they would listen to him read anything, even the phone book, but although his narration of Wanderlust is up to his usual excellent standard I feel that is voice is wasted on this low grade fiction. Whatever were you thinking of Audible? Richard Armitage is worthy of better!

What will your next listen be?

Outlander book 7 - An Echo in the Bone narrated by Davina Porter and The Tattooist of Auschwitz narrated by Richard Armitage.

Did Richard Armitage and Grace Grant do a good job differentiating each of the characters? How?

Grace Grant did not.

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Nothing that jumps out at me. I will be returning it.

Pure escapism

A lovely story line, a raunchy modern day Mills and Boon! Pure escapism.
Absolutely loved the narration by Richard Armitage, but found Grace Grant's narration grating, especially when she tried to do Griffin's voice. Would have been much better if RA had read those lines. Would give 5 for performance for RA, but don't feel I could as half the chapters made me cringe, sorry.

Oh Richard!

Having just listened to the Jane Austen Society, fantastically read by Richard Armitage, I thought I'd try this one.
I thought the cover was a tad racy but might as well give it a go... Oh. Goodness. Gracious. Me.

As ever, Richard Armirage's narration was totally first class: he can turn a mediocre story into something worth listening to. One of the very best at his craft.

And my goodness his oral skills were evident in this one (pun totally intended).
This was a run-of-the-mill romance, nothing to write home about, but boy-oh-boy RA's reading of the ahem... 'saucy' bits... was quite something! Is it hot in here or is it just me?

And the emotion he managed to put into his voice when reading about the male character's brother was extraordinary, very compelling listening.

Sadly the female narrator was not able to match RA and I was very tempted to fast-forward through her chapters.

Anyway, Jane Austen this was DEFINITELY not and I will not be purchasing another of this author...although if RA was the narrator, that would definitely be another story!

Why Richard Armitage, why?

What would have made Wanderlust better?

Not have Grace Grant attempting a male English voice - shocking!

Would you ever listen to anything by Lauren Blakely again?

Probably not

How could the performance have been better?

Although Grace Grant's non-naturalistic over-articulation generally is irritating, the real shocker is her narration of the male part of Griffin. It is excruciatingly bad and amateurish. How could Audible pass this as acceptable? I do a better job reading to my children. It contrasts strikingly with Richard Armitage's narration, which is excellent  - and he does the female role of Joy well. it would have been better if he had read both parts or if the actors had just voiced their own parts. I cannot understand why Armitage was involved in this,

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

It wasn't bad if you accept it for light, cliched, romantic fiction.

Romantic Escapism

Not ground-breaking stuff but it's great to escape the mad world we currently live in! Very descriptive which helps you to imagine the scenes and transports you to Paris. Story is plausible and fairly well grounded in reality without losing a touch of 'fairytale' romance. May not be for those with an aversion to raunchy scenes as it features a fair few throughout. Personally I think they help to build the character dynamics and are a necessary inclusion but each to their own. Narration by Richard Armitage is spot on and as a British listener I'm glad to hear it done right. Grace Grant's narration struggles a little more with Griffin's dialogue but it's not unbearable and Armitage's more than compensates for that. An overall good read that's on par with similar offerings from Blakely.

Fabulous romantic story for a Sunday afternoon

I really enjoyed this book. I must be honest I preferred Richard Armitage’s chapters as I think he captured both characters excellently. I felt that Grace Grant’s interpretation of Griffin was old and stuffy which didn’t work for me. When Richard spoke he came across as a young funny attractive guy who wasn’t stuffy in the slightest.

Very Saucy but really enjoyable

I listened to this because it was narrated in part by Richard Armitage who has the loveliest voice. I watched a video of him talking about the story and whilst he did say it was a kind of fairy tale having not read anything by this author before I did not realise how graphic some of the scenes would be! It was very entertaining and I would definitely listen to more by this author!