What It Takes: A Dirt Road Love Story

By: Sonya Loveday

Narrated by: Angie Morency

Gracen Lowell is on the hunt for a man - but not just any man. He has to be "the one". Her only problem is that no one she’s dated has ever measured up to the charming qualities of her best friend.

Slade Owens knows no matter how much he loves Gracen, he’ll never be what she’s looking for. And he dang sure isn’t going to stick around to watch her fall in love with someone else. Slade leaving the Owens’ family farm for an out-of-state job should put enough distance between the two to allow him to move on with his life and Gracen to search for her happily-ever-after.

Gracen knows asking him to stay isn’t fair. Slade thinks leaving her behind is the only thing to do. Inexplicably drawn together, the best friends must decide if they have what it takes to own up to their feelings...before it’s too late.

©2017 Sonya Loveday (P)2019 Sonya Loveday

So much more than expected.

When I got this one, I was expecting the typical friends to lovers story. You know the one. Boy meets girl, they become friends, they fall in love but neither of them realizes it is mutual until someone finally makes a move and they live happily ever after. While this story does have several of those pieces, it also has so much more. These characters have a hard road and several obstacles to overcome to make it to their HEA. They were very well developed on their own, and it made their relationship with one another that much better, because I wanted them to find their happiness so badly!

There was a bit of everything in this book. Love, suspense, heartbreak, friendship, and a happily ever after. I was hooked from the very beginning and didn't want to stop listening until I got to the end. The narration was really well done! This was my first time, I will definitely listen to Angie Morency again!

A story that grabs you...

I have never really done a audiobook review so please forgive me while I cut my teeth on this one. As with most audiobooks the big thing is the narrator. Angie Morency's voice is so nice and smooth. It lulled me into the story and kept me wanting to listen. Hearing Angie as Gracen's voice painted a very vivid picture.
The story is one of such great love, friendship, loss and a new chance.Two best friends, Gracen Lowell and Slade Owens, try navigating from friendship to lovers. Yet it's too late by the time they realize their true feelings. Thinking he would never have his chance with Gracen, Slade has agreed to a job far away from her in hopes that he will soon forget her and all the feelings he knows will never be able to get over. But life, as it often does, throws him a curveball. Gracen loves him back. Slade, though, is a man of his word. He slinks out of Gracen's life.
Gracen slowly starts rebuilding her life without Slade. She sadly finds out that not every man is honorable. Will the turmoil in Gracen's life bring Slade back? Will they find out how strong their love is when it is truly put to the test?
Loveday has built a story of finding ones strength, abuse, love and second chances that flows so smoothly with Morency's voice that you, as the listener, can close your eyes and see it all happen.

Friends to lovers with a twist

Enjoyed listening to this book. There were some intense scenes involving abuse. Gracean and Slade do find their happiness in the end.

🎧 audio obsession

You have had my heart all along ....

A sweet romance that has it all !
Best friends to lovers story line .
You might need a tissue . .
The bitter becomes sweet .
Great job by the author
An amazing job by the narrator .
Five stars .....

Best Friends + Cheese & Crackers!

What It Takes: A Dirty Road Love Story is a ya romance with a paradoxical exposition. I loved the narative in this southern romance with its sweetness. Character's are compelling with complex personalities. A novel encompassing just the right blend of ingredients. Crossing the line of demarcation, bombshells dropped, and suspense exploding through the pages. I loved the sweet epilogue ending with Cheese and Crackers.

First listen by narator Angie Morency and I'm not sure if she is the right person to narate this book. I did not love her performance, but I didn't hate it. I think the narrative needs a narator who is capable of showing all the sentiments & angst in the right places. I did not feel this narrator gave justice to the emotional bits. Her voice didn't flow though smoothly and tone and pace were middling.

🎧 Audiobook Obsession 🎧