Entertaining, sweet story; fantastic narration

Any additional comments?

“Must Love Chickens” is a very entertaining, sweet story that’s as much a love story for our cultural ideal of small towns as it is a love story for the main characters.

While I do, of course, include the mandated disclaimer at the end of my review, I want to point out right away that I received this audiobook as a free review copy. This is the very first time I’ve ever requested a review copy of any book, and I was very excited to have been accepted to review the book. What I want to explain, or perhaps clarify is a better word, is why I requested this book. Narrator Lori Prince. That’s why.

I was halfway through Jea Hawkins’ “Something About You”, and was about to get on an airplane to visit my mom. At the airport, I realized I would need more Lori Prince. So I bought Heather Blackmore’s “It’s Not a Date”, despite mixed reviews for the storyline. Why? Because Lori Prince is the narrator, and I was really enjoying her voice on “Something About You”. Also, because that’s the same desk that Bold Strokes Books used for the cover of Georgia Beers’ “Right Here, Right Now”. Helloooooo! First those legs, now the bare feet…that’s a nice desk.

Anyway, I’m sitting at the boarding gate, looking at email, and I see that a review copy of “Must Love Chickens” is available. Narrated by…Lori Prince! Oh please!! I requested a copy, got on the plane, and checked my email as soon as we landed four hours later. Hooray! My request was accepted. So…I listened to the book (when my mom wasn’t around!!!), and here’s my review!

As I said earlier, this is a fun story of idyllic farm life; gathering apples by hand (does that really still happen anywhere?) and feeding friendly chickens…each of which has their own personality (the chickens provide eggs, they aren’t eaten!!). The MCs are very very likable, the small town secondary characters are friendly, and the big-city secondary characters are shallow and/or bitchy.

Much of the story revolves around big-city, rich family, MC girl Natalie trying to decide which camp she really belongs with. Family insists on big-city, of course. But who or what will make her happy…or want her to be happy. Yes, those are the questions many of us face, and it’s enjoyable being with Natalie as she decides. We don’t really learn as much of MC Jess….she has her own painful past, but she is more confident in knowing where she belongs…or, I should say….where she WANTS to belong. Understanding and choosing what one wants is very much a central theme of this delightful book.

For the most part, there’s very little angst in the book, and Natalie and Jess often communicate well…both in, and out of the bedroom. ;)

But…there is, in sort of Melissa Brayden fashion, just enough self-doubt and uncertainty thrown in late into the book for each MC to internally question each other’s “true feelings” for each to make assumptions about what the other may want to be moderately annoying. Really…they were doing so well together…this is a sweet romance…assuming the worst without talking….really? Sheesh.

I enjoyed Natalie’s conversation with her grandmother. As much as I agreed with Natalie’s internal assessment of the adage “if you love something set it free” being a “crock of shit”, I was surprised that the author made Jess’ decision not to try to influence Natalie’s ultimate decision work…work very well, in fact.

I really enjoyed listening to “Must Love Chickens”, and I will listen to it again when I want to relax with a story and voice I know will make me happy. 4.25* for the book, at least another half-star added for terrific narration, rounded up without reservation to a highly-recommended 5* audiobook. This isn’t complex or hugely thought-provoking…this is highly enjoyable entertainment. Get this audiobook!!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

My rating and my review was not in anyway affected by my having been provided a review copy.

4 people found this helpful

I want a movie

It’s like every cheesy romance I’ve always wanted to see for a lesbian couple. Make this in to a lifetime or hallmark movie and I’ll be one happy person. Really great!

2 people found this helpful

Excellent Audio!

I loved Must Love Chickens. I can't say enough good things about it. The story/plot is excellent. The characters of Natalie and Jessica are excellent. The scene where Natalie sits on the floor of the coop talking to the chicken is so memorable. If you have ever poured your heart out to a dog, cat or horse you will empathize with these women. Something I never mention, I Love the cover of the book. Lori Prince does an excellent job with the narration.

1 person found this helpful

Sweet

Sweet lesbian romance, no over the top drama. Great narration. Some dialog super cheesey. But overall very entertaining and a good listen.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review

1 person found this helpful

A nice, easy and very pleasant story.

As another review said, this is a lovely story without needless drama. I mean, I love some drama, but it's nice to read a story that doesn't have evil exes, plotting villains or dumb secrets kept for dumb reasons.

It felt like a real story, that could happen to real people. They talk about their problems and doubts like mature and intelligent people. I hope Jea has other books, because I would most definitely like to have more of this.

1 person found this helpful

Fun Lesbian Love Story Excellent Narration!

City Mouse Country Mouse, super sweet story with just enough light conflict to keep things interesting and somewhat true to life, but nothing the characters can't overcome.

Jess owns a small apple farm in a small town upstate New York, where she has lived her entire life, and loves. Natalie works at a fast paced high stress art gallery job in big city New York, her "dream" job. Due do unfortunate events, Natalie decides she needs a change of pace, and takes a job at Jess's orchard, a 180 degree turn from everything she has ever known.

Lori Prince nattation is a smooth easy listen, I was able to relate to both characters, the storyline was solid and included a sweet love story with a well-written plot.

I enjoyed it so much I recommended it to my girlfriend, she's only about half-way and it's fun to revisit the characters w/her. Highly recommend!

1 person found this helpful

I loved this book!

This book is so sweet and lovely! If you need a good feel good, pick-me-up....This is the audiobook to make that happen!
This novel offers a sweet and charming storyline with a narrator, Lori Prince, that adds just the right inflections to make you heart gush! Well Done!

The story it's self was good.

I had trouble with the narrator and how she sounded out the words so formally. And her voice for the character of Jess reminded me of someone with a cold. But the story it's self was good. Natalie figured out what she really wanted in her life. I should have just read it. So read it and you will enjoy.

Loved it!

I loved this romance! Super sweet and great chemistry between the characters - this was perfect! Narration was really well done!


I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. The fact that I was gifted this book had no influence over my opinion of it.

I now LOVE chickens

OMG, this is such a sweet and wonderful book. Jea Hawkins is a new author to me, but I plan on reading more by her.

The premise is simple – city girl runs away to the country to lick her wounds and hide out from real life. This story, though, is so much more than that.

Natalie has enjoyed a successful run as an art gallery assistant in New York City, but a string of poorly-reviewed shows has pushed her lower in the echelons of prestige. Realizing she’s been betrayed by someone she trusted, she takes a chance on an ad from a farmer who is looking for an assistant. Natalie knows nothing about working the land, but escaping sounds perfect.

Can a woman go from Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Vera Wang, to mud, apples, and chicken dung?

Jess isn’t holding her breath. She’s been tricked into hiring Natalie and believes the woman won’t last two weeks, let alone an entire season. City women never stay and they only break Jess’ heart when they leave.

What begins as a tale about polar opposites soon becomes an exploration of the law of attraction. It doesn’t take long for the women to see that not only are they both attracted to women – they are attracted to each other.

I love slow-burn stories. These women don’t leap into bed. They get to know each other, care for each other, trust each other. When they do finally acknowledge their feelings, I felt rewarded for having followed them on their journey.

So what happens when reality intrudes? Natalie is summoned to the city and Jess is resigned to losing her forever. I had more faith in the women, but there were a few times when I wondered if either would be willing to compromise—willing to lay her heart on the line.

I liked that each woman held something back because that’s often how it is in real life. When they did finally open up, I felt validated for having believed in the women. Jess’ story was especially heart-wrenching.

I got my happy ending and I plan to come back for more.

Lori Prince is a new narrator for me. She was perfect for this book, giving unique voices to both women and I’ll be happy to listen to more books narrated by her.

Finally, I want to say, I want to meet someone who finds me beautiful—“mind, body, and soul”. Jea Hawkins made me believe that there might be someone out there for me as well.