A DELICIOUS ESCAPE.. BUT BEWARE NOT 6.5 HRS

The whole friends to lovers storyline isn’t new and they’re all fairly predictable too.. but, when it’s penned by Kendall Ryan then narrated by Andi and Sebastian, you’re guaranteed an enjoyable listen. It’s a charming, sweet, sexy and humorous journey by two likeable characters who were the last to see that they were actually perfect for each other. Slate and Keaton had been platonic best friends for years and they thought they could go back to being ‘just friends’ after the sex line had been well and truly crossed. They thought they could ignore the intense chemistry between them, tamper down their lust, clean up the dirty talk and keep a tight lid on their unleashed attraction for one another.. but they were SO wrong. Because they hadn't planned on their hearts getting involved too.

Worth a credit? Well, this dual POV story was fun, flirty, light, hot, easy-going, had smooth sexy banter, a droolworthy hero and the narration was, of course, on point.. BUT the actual story was way too short for me. Because, even though the length states it’s 6 hrs 32 minutes, it isn’t just one story.. there’s a whopping 1 hr 30 minutes of a taster teaser of, presumably, the next story. And, for me, it doesn’t matter how good the author is, how enjoyable it might be or who it’s narrated by.. (shrug) I just don’t personally like a short 5 hr listen and usually steer well clear of books under 6 hours. So, in answer to my question - and even though this is an entertaining listen, NO, I wouldn’t have used a credit on it.. but that’s on me not the story.

43 people found this helpful

An adorably written and narrated listen! 5+ stars!

Welp, stick a fork in me because I'm done! I've just found my new favorite Kendall Ryan listen and it happens to be my favorite trope—friends-to-lovers! Love Machine is about best friends Keaton Henley and Slate Cruz. When Keaton realizes that she's lacking in seduction skills, she turns to Slate, who isn't exactly lacking in female companionship, albeit fleeting. Slate would love to help his best friend in need...but then he finds himself needing a whole lot more of close contact with Keaton, who in turn sees Slate in a whole new--and a heck of a lot hotter--light. This may sound like any other friends-to-lovers story that's been published, but this one's got a bit of extra that made it SO much more than those before it.

Keaton and Slate were friends. PERIOD. No clandestine crushing or lusting after or pining for going on here. Yes, there's an acknowledgment of one another's hotness, but it's more of a statement of fact than anything, and hooray for that. I don't necessarily mind it, but again, with so many books that fall under this sub-genre, I want what's outside the norm. Then there's this one specific twist in the story that had me wanting to stand up and applaud. Nope, I'm not going to go into specifics, but it was noteworthy as far as I was concerned.

I had the pleasure of reading this book, but if reading was a fun-filled experience, well listening to it was even better. Narrated by the ever-popular tandem of Andi Arndt and Sebastian York, I dare say that this is probably the best I've heard this two give voice to a rom-com so far this year. Their narration along with Kendall Ryan's great writing made for an adorable story worth listening to and two main characters that I couldn't get enough of. Love Machine gets five-plus stars. ♥

12 people found this helpful

incomplete at the end

At the end of Love Machine there is the start of a book about Riley and Alexi. Does anyone know the name of this book? It is irritating that there is no mention of it. I would like to know what happens to them.

5 people found this helpful

Perfect balance

I really enjoyed this book - it was amazingly well put together. The characters were strong smart and interesting, and for a short book the author was able to develop an amazing depth that meant I was connected and invested in the outcome. I thought the sex scenes were hot - there was no apology for them being direct and steamy and there was enough story to make them relevant.
Overall I was surprised by hw much I enjoyed this book.

3 people found this helpful

Amazing friends to lovers story!

Friends to lovers is one of my all time favorite tropes. I love the idea of two people who have known each other in one aspect realizing they just might work out in other aspects, too. This trope can be hard to pull off in my opinion; sometimes it can feel rushed or forced. Love Machine definitely didn't feel that way. I loved this sexy, funny and realistic tale of Keaton and Slate.

Keaton is someone I could absolutely, 100%, without a doubt relate to. She is funny, genuine and smart. I could see myself hanging out with her at a party and just having a great time. I liked her sense of self-awareness as well; she wasn't shy about who she was and what she needed.

Slate. Holy hot, Slate. I loved him from start to finish. He's smart, sexy and fun. He's exactly what Keaton needs, even if they don't really recognize that at first. I was absolutely captivated with him and couldn't have stopped falling for him if I tried.

The connection between these two was evident from the start. I loved seeing how their relationship blossomed; it felt incredibly authentic. I laughed along with them and I swooned, too. I enjoyed their relationship both in the bedroom and out. I think they worked together emotionally and physically really well.

The narrators in this book brought the book to life even more to me. Andi Arndt and Sebastian York are just a dream team. They made Slate and Keaton even more relatable. They had me laughing and swooning throughout the entire listen. I've said Sebastian York could read the phone book out loud and I'd love it, but this is one of my favorite performances of his.

Friends to lovers isn't a new trope. But this book felt new to me. The plot worked, the writing flowed well. The supporting cast of characters added some extra fun to this book and helped our hero and heroine when they needed it.

This book was fun, sexy and totally believable. I was hooked from the beginning and read it in one sitting with a smile on my face. Kendall Ryan is one of my favorite authors and books like this remind me why that is. I adored this book and would absolutely recommend it.

3 people found this helpful

Silly, sweet friends to lovers romance

An overdone plot that has been updated with snappy dialogue, good character development, and great narration by Andi Arndt and Sebastian York. Keaton is a nerdy, successful, software salesperson, pretty but with confidence issues concerning her sexual abilities and dating skills. Her best guy buddy, Slade is a confident, playboy sports handler more than happy to help his good friend with her issues. Their comfortable familiarity and hot chemistry results in their friends with temporary benefits quickly developing into a deeper relationship. This amounts to an updated, sexy version of an old fashioned romantic comedy. If you are looking for an entertaining, sweet, sometimes funny, hot romance, with likable characters then this is worth the credit. Though it is a bit on the short side. A additional epilogue would have been nice though we get a peak of that in the Finding Alexi epilogue.

2 people found this helpful

Friends to lovers

Keaton is a little nerdy and feels like she needs some help with her sexual prowess. She asks her best friend, Slate, to help her. They make a pact that it won't change their friendship and won't fall in love with each other, yeah right. Things go along smoothly for a couple months and then feelings do get involved. I really liked Slate and that he declared his love for Keaton first. Then comes the sticky part of trying to get past the friends with benefits. Do they go back to being friends or take the relationship farther? Andi Arndt and Sebastian York are two of my favorite narrators and they don't disappoint on this audio book. Kendall Ryan has written a great book, too. I enjoyed the bonus story, too. I can't wait for the next book! Definitely worth a credit!!

2 people found this helpful

KENDALL RYAN KNOWS HOW TO MAKE US HAPPY!!!

I truly enjoyed this book. The story and the characters had me hooked from the beginning. I laughed, I cried and I melted. It was sexy, it was sweet and I couldn't stop listening. The narration was simply amazing as well.

1 person found this helpful

Good read

I really enjoyed this book, my only problem is that once the book was done automatically another book was read. It was done with no warning and no information so I can continue it.

Only 5 hours (+ 90 min. of bad 2nd book at end)

If you buy this, be prepared to get only 5 hours of complete story, followed by several chapters of a second story. The first story is what you are led to expect, with decent narration by classic romance duo Andi Arndt and Sebastian York. Other reviewers have covered that pretty accurately -- a sweet story, sometimes corny, with moments of "steam". But instead of the 6.5 hours of Arndt and York, you only get 5, with the last 90 minutes being the first 4-5 chapters of some other book. One odd thing about that is that the second bit almost bares no connection to the first story other than some vague mention of the main male character leaving the engagement party at the end of the first book. (He was otherwise never mentioned in the first story, nor were the characters of the first book mentioned in the second book.)

Strangely, the second story is never introduced under another title, and the narrators' names are not mentioned at all. (I would want to know at least for the reason of avoiding one of them in future.) The narrators of this second story are mediocre at best. The man is ok, though a little stiff at times; at least when he does a female voice in a dialogue, it's passable. The woman narrator has the rather annoying affectation of letting her voice "hang over" the last word of each sentence or phrasing. It's monotonous. (If you are irritated by the way narrator Justine Eyre does this, you'll know what I mean!) She also does not do masculine voices well.

I don't usually buy titles that are under 7 to 9 hours, and feel a bit swindled by the lack of transparency on this transaction. (I buy quite a lot of titles from Audible.com and Audible.co.uk, so although I always listen to the narration sample, I don't always take the time to read reviews.) It is highly likely that I will return this, which would make only the 3rd or 4th time out of about 200 purchases. The first story is not so special that I would keep it.