No Kind of Hero

Real people fall in love . . . again

Evan is the strong and silent type. Beth is a mixed up almost-partner lawyer. They had a history together nearly a decade ago and Beth ran out on it to be the good little daughter and go to college and become a lawyer in the big city. Evan got injured out of a pro football career, but liked his small town home better anyway. He is now partners in a painting company and busy as the small town has added a fancy resort. He's also a new single father whose partner ran out on him and their adorable baby, Gracie. Evan's down to earth while Beth is busy trying to figure out what on earth she has been doing working lawyer hours in the big city with no apparent life. (Oh, what we think we want when we start our careers and how they really turn out. . . that realism is always a place where Rosalind James shines!)

I found Beth hard to like, especially at first. Admirable, yes, but not so likeable because who is she, really? This story has to move fast because she's on a short timetable, but that works because of their past history and the small town make it hard not to know what someone is like. Beth eventually peels off the layers of herself that don't fit and does become more authentic. She was really a hometown girl at heart, too.

She and Evan have to get past their past and figure out if they have a future together while also juggling career aspirations plus assorted family members.

I enjoyed Tanya Eby's reading, but liked her female voices best. She did a good Beth and made fun baby noises for Gracie. :)

I received a free copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest review. I already had the ebook. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Beth and Evans Story

we were introduced to Beth and Evan in the First book, and the pain of their story was felt for those moment. In No Kind of Hero the back story ist told and the future is experience. this is a very well writing book and the narration was excellent as usaual. I do recommend this book for others that like a HEA.

Great story

This is book 2 but like all Rosalind James books, you don't need to read book 1 first. I loved the main character, Evan. I had a harder time relating to Beth, I really don't have anything in common with her other than loving her dog. Despite that, she is a well developed character that I enjoyed following. I also love the small town setting, it reminds me of where I grew up. As with all stories by this author, the characters and story line are beautifully written. I cried, laughed, and got all hot and bothered within the 1st 1/3 of the book. She is a master at emotional writing!

I am super picky about narrators, but I liked this one well enough. She isn't my favorite but she is still good enough to keep me listening.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Love Beth & Evan!

"No Kind of Hero" was very enjoyable to listen to - I loved the story of Beth, a high-powered career woman jumping off the train to return to her hometown and reconnecting with a former love. Of course, the fact that she goes back to her hometown to have a "breakdown" is what leads to her finding her ultimate contentment, and to the realization of the love she wants to claim. Evan is a powerful character, and is doing everything that he needs to do to keep his life as a single father on track. These two share a history, but would probably never have made it until they each went through their own struggles to transform into the people that they are now. There are some twists that make for a powerful story, and I really enjoyed the narration by Tanya Eby.

"I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.”

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Enjoyable listen!

No Kind of Hero is the second in Rosalind James's Portland Devils series. It is also completely stand-alone. I thought this was an excellent follow up to the first book in the series and effective delved dive into the drama and story that was hinted about Beth and Evan. I think this book will have a broad appeal as it really hits a number of characteristics that would be of interest to readers. These include professional dilemma for Beth, first loves, conflict between a daughter and a parent, love of a parent and an adorable young daughter, steamy romance, a sensitive handling of troubled characters, and more.

I loved the setting which is both a nature lovers paradise and filled with small town drama. Also, with what is a true James trademark, the secondary characters don't get short shrift. I found Beth's mother, while not likable, interesting and fleshed out to be more than a mere caricature you might find in another romance novel.

I have a tendency to believe, that in many cases you are drawn to certain books, premises, or characters based on things you have experienced in your own life, big or small. I find that I am often drawn in this way to many of James's books. I think it is a great testament to James's storytelling, that even when not drawn to the characters on this personal level, I am always fully invested and interested in them and the plot as it unfolds and find the book difficult to stop listening or reading to.

In short another great listen by Rosalind James.

Additionally, I enjoyed Tanya Eby's narration. She has great vocal characterizations, pacing, and clarity.

I was given a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any way. The opinions stated are solely my own.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Heartwarming and Heartwrenching

Any additional comments?

I'm not always a fan of second chance romances...not because I don't think there should be a second chance, but because all the years that were lost kind of make me sad. And while I'm a little sad that Beth and Evan didn't make it work the first time around, this story of second chances is full of hope for the right ending this time around. Beth and Evan are great examples of good people who become better as they've grown up and become more comfortable with who they are now.

Beth has what should be the perfect life, but she is smart enough to recognize that something isn't right. When she returns home, she thinks it's just for a break, but she slowly realizes that she doesn't fit into her life anymore and she wants something different. Taking up with Evan again reminds both of them they can't go back...but lucky for all of us, this author has the talent to take them forward in a heartwarming and heart wrenching story.

A very strong addition to this new series and another strong performance by Tanya Eby. I look forward to the next installment of the happenings in Wild Horse, Idaho. Who will fall in love next?

1 of 3 people found this review helpful

Baby-Daddy Finds Love

Where does No Kind of Hero rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This has been one of the better narrations since Claire Bocking. Tanya's reading of the characters and their situations was amusing and entertaining. I will definitely be listening to this story again.

Evan and Beth knew each other since high school. And for a brief time as young adults they have a relationship.

For once it's the woman who goes off into the world and makes something of herself - that was refreshing. Beth returns home after suffering work-burn-out in Portland. She finds Evan, a single father, available and running his own painting business. She decides a fling is just what she needs. What she and Evan re-find is much more.

What was one of the most memorable moments of No Kind of Hero?

A funny moment was when Beth propositioned Evan. It was tense, funny, and slightly nerve-wracking - I doubt I would ever have the nerve to do something that spunky!

Which character – as performed by Tanya Eby – was your favorite?

Tanya did a wonderful job on Beth. She was funny, quirky, saucy, almost innocent. I did think she lacked some of the edge an attorney-type would possess.

Any additional comments?

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

Take Another Trip to Beautiful Idaho

What other book might you compare No Kind of Hero to and why?

Stand-alone, but Book 2 in the Portland Devils series, is also a mellow thriller with a twist. This one is a second-chance romance and pretty complicated to follow as the characters deal with their pasts and present.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

While I enjoyed the Kindle edition of this book, the audio version was more difficult to follow along and I didn't care for the male narration, so it's not likely to be a repeat listen for me.

The novel is slow to start but picks up steam halfway through until the listener is hooked. The plot, sub-plots, and even the characters are complex and that makes for an interesting story. While the main characters were tough for me to like, the many secondary characters were fun in both the hateful and lovable categories.

Highly recommended second-chance romance!

Any additional comments?

I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. This is my personal opinion.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

Loved this story

I am a big fan of Rosalind James' books. I love listening to her books in the car and this is another great one that makes the ride go by quickly.
Tanya Eby did a great job as Beth, she spoke as I would have imagined Beth's voice to really sound like. Loved it!

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

No Kind of Hero

No kind of hero is a sweet story about 2nd chances. The story follows Beth and Evan who share a past.

Beth, a lawyer, who returns home for some much needed rest when she feels like she is on the brink of a breakdown.

Evan, is a very hard working man and a single father, raising his daughter, Gracie.

When the former loves run in to each other, they realize that they both still have feelings for each other after many years, but can they put their past aside and overcome obstacles for a 2nd chance at love. Can they let go of a past to have a future together.

I really enjoyed listening to this book on Audible.
Tanya Eby does a great job giving these characters a voice and bringing this story to life.

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an hones review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful