✫✫ 5 Stars ✫✫

SEX AND OTHER SHINY OBJECTS
Another fun loving, quirky, sweet & sexy friends to lovers story from Lauren Blakely. Even though this is a friends to lovers, it is also a single parent trope with a man raising his teenage brother and that is my weakness. A man who is trying to do his best to raise a sibling or child on his own is something that grabs my heart strings every time so I loved Tristan from the very beginning. I loved all of the relationships in this book. Tristan and Peyton have chemistry that they both try to ignore, they are comfortable with each other and their flirty banter and concern for each other is a complete winner in my book. Tristan and his brother have a great relationship too, I loved their sarcasm and how close they are, it was super sweet. I did find the main story line was a little silly but in a fun Rom-Com kind of way and the sex scenes were pretty hot with a little dirty talk add too. It's not a surprise to say I enjoyed it and I always appreciate that in her books, the drama is low and the characters are mature which is something rare in contemporary romance.

The narration was outstanding. Lauren casts the best of the best for all of her audiobooks but even more, she adds fun little parts with cameo narrators which for me is perfection. Nothing better then hearing some of your favorite narrators included in small parts of an already amazingly cast audiobook.

DEAR SEXY EX-BOYFRIEND
It's no surprised that I loved this book because I always know going into a Lauren Blakely book that I will swoon, giggle and fall in love. Oliver & Summer were such a fun couple. I have a weakness for friends to lovers romance, I really enjoy that the characters have so much history and already know so much about each other. Not only do we get a great story but we also get another British hero...Something else to swoon over for sure. I also really loved the side characters, especially finally meeting Fitz who we will be getting to know later this summer. This book has a lot of really great scenes that involve a lot of friends and I love getting to know the male characters are when they are with friends, it makes it easier to get to know what kind man he is... and Oliver is the perfect men ;)

The narration is perfect, I mean Shane East & Andi Arndt were amazing together! Also Joe Arden and Kit Swann did a great job. As always the casting for this book was perfect.

HARD WOOD
Another great Male POV Rom-Com from Lauren Blakely! She is a master at making me feel warm and fuzzy from these sweet alpha males and their journey to get their girl.
Patrick is a boy-scout, he is sweet and adventurous and he knows what he wants! Mia is a workaholic who needs to be reminded how to slow down and relax and Patrick is just who she needs to help remind her. Their story is sweet and sexy. And to no surprise for most this book is filled with pets ;)

The narration was great as always! I don't care what anyone says I never tire of Sebastian York ;)

8 people found this helpful

An amazing collection from Queen LB!

Sex & Other Shiny Objects
Oh, Tristan! I’m in love with Peyton’s best guy friend. He’s the full package: successful business owner, bearded beauty, great big brother, selfless friend. When Peyton asks him to help her research sexy scenes popular in romance novels, he’s all in. They shared a hot, passionate kiss several years prior, but it wasn’t their time. This research project could be just the push they need.

The experiments were smoking hot. Tristan and Peyton are great friends, their chemistry is off the charts, and they laugh so much together. To me, that’s a very sexy thing between couples. Both of them have their baggage, but it’s not a secret to either of them. I love when friends discover what they’ve been looking for has always been right in front of them.

This story has the feels; a beautiful journey between two childhood friends. Lauren’s friends/best friends to lovers stories are some of my favorite. The supporting cast is wonderful. Jason Clarke and Andi Arndt make a great narrating team. There are a few special guests, but I won’t spoil it.

This Boyfriend Material series is addictive, and I can’t wait for the next book!

Dear Sexy Ex-Boyfriend
My heart is so happy right now! This friends-to-lovers story is so sweet, and hot, and beautiful.

Oliver and Summer have been best friends since high school. They’ve been there for one another for everything, good and bad. When Oliver needs Summer to pretend to be his fiancée, she willingly agrees. Maybe being in such close proximity isn’t as easy as they thought. And maybe they don’t know as much as they thought about each other. I loved that even though they’ve been friends for so many years, this ruse has enabled them to discover more, and those new finds introduce feelings...something that wasn’t supposed to happen.

Shane and Andi do such a wonderful job bringing this Lauren Blakely book to life! I love the banter between Oliver and Summer. In addition to being best friends and buddies, there’s an innocent flirty chemistry between the two. Each finds the other attractive, but they aren’t willing to mess up their friendship by acting on their attraction. Friendship is more important. Which is what makes their getting together that much better. When they discover the heat between them, fighting it is futile.

The supporting cast is wonderful, as always. There are a few surprises, and I won’t spoil them for you. But they are heart-stopping and delightful.

This is the first book in The Guys Who Got Away series, and I can’t wait for Logan’s story, and the much-anticipated story from Fitzgerald, hot hockey player not looking for love.

Hard Wood
I'm so sad to see this non-serial series end, but what an ending! Lauren has teased us with little tastes of Patrick and Mia, and I knew when their story finally made it to my Kindle, I'd be happy. But, their story also means the end to some great friends I feel quite close to. Like more than a few of the couples in this series, Patrick and Mia were good friends. They both had the hots for each other for a while, but didn't quite know how--or if--they should cross that line into "more." Both were busy w/their dream jobs, Patrick based in New York, and Mia in San Francisco. No spoilers, but if you know Lauren--and we do--you know what happens next. And lots of it!

I don't know how she does it--nor do I care--but Lauren has a gift for giving all these HEA's their very own, unique, wonderful story. And when the couples from previous books show up, there's a separation somehow, but it feels like you're in the middle of all their conversations. That takes some great talent. I know I'm not the only one that feels like we know all these folks personally, but it's so easy to get surrounded in the tale, and you feel you're in the thick of things, and a fly on the wall of some dirty, naughty sh*t. Farewell to an awesome series! Is it too soon for an audiobook marathon of the series?

1 person found this helpful

Take a Chance on Love

If your looking for a winning collection of awesome couples books pick this up!

Sex and Other Shiny Objects
Friends to lovers it’s my favourite trope. They are such great friends that putting yourself out there to be rejected or even to lose your friend who doesn’t relate to that on some level.
The fact that they both fear the same thing losing each other and not wanting to rock the boat. But you can’t deny sparks and chemistry sometimes those things just will not go away. So you have to explore where that will take you. Tristan is just so vulnerable and I kind of love that about him.
The multi cast makes this book even that much more incredible. Everyone has a voice and it’s wonderful.

Dear Sexy Ex-Boyfriend
Friends to lovers this one the characters have an effortless way with each other, they truly want what is best for the other person. So when the opportunity arises and Summer gets the chance to help Oliver she doesn’t hesitate to help.
Their connection is deeply felt it doesn’t feel put upon or for show. The falling in love with the person who gets you 100% well that’s kind of amazing.
Shane and Andy were perfect for this book.

Hard Wood
Brothers Best friend who is a total softy for cats! I mean he is perfect for Mia. Their chemistry is fabulous and you can help but root for them.
Narrated by Sebastian York so you know it’s delicious.

1 person found this helpful

love it

I love the hole books and all the narrators can not get enough 3 times I have listened to the book want more

1 person found this helpful

Terrible

Waste of credit. Couldn't finish the first one. Barely made it tho 2nd one. Couldn't finish 3rd book. Stories were terrible. The author was reaching.

❤️ so good

I’m never disappointed with Lauren Blakey’s books. They are the best feel good stories! The narrators are all of my favorites in this collection.

Don’t waste your time

I have loved several JA Huss books but this one was ridiculous and couldn’t get past Chapter 4. Don’t waste your time or your credits.

Great storytelling with heat!

This Friends To Lovers Audio Collection contains three of my favorite stories by Lauren Blakely, Sex and other Shiny Objects, Dear Sexy Ex-Boyfriend, and Hard Wood. I have read all 3 of these love stories several years ago and now I was able to listen to the audio versions. I have come to love audiobooks because the narrators truly bring the story to life for me. Lauren always has the best narrators. In this collection you will hear the talented voices of Andi Arndt, Sebastian York, Jason Clarke, Shane East, Stella Hunter, Joe Arden - epilogue, and Erin Mallon - epilogue. Totally love these narrators. I received an ALC in exchange for an honest review. *****

Dissappointed

Definitely dissappointed in this. Was definitely looking forward to this treasure bundle. But lacking & no real story.

Absolute swoonfest!

SEX AND OTHER SHINY OBJECTS
One of my favorite tropes, friends to lovers. Peyton and Tristan are just adorable. I loved how he jumped at the chance to help her with the project but also watching their relationship becoming more. He was real gun shy after their kiss years ago and then being passed over for Peyton's crappy exbf. Also, how adorable is it that he asks his little brother for advice? I loved Barrett so much. I think my favorite scene with with Barrett and Tristan and the "big talk". That totally brought me to tears. They have such a great relationship. Both such good brothers to each other.
The audiobook was perfect! Such a wonderful cast and I hope I don't leave anyone out. Andi Arndt, Jason Clarke, Erin Mallon, Julian Whelan, Joe Arden and I think more, but I didn't catch everyone. This book is not to be missed!

DEAR SEXY EX BF
I listened to this audiobook all day long on release day. It was so good and I could not get enough of all the swoony, fun, sexy and emotional parts. So many great lines and situations in this book. It was literally a sexy swoon fest. I mean it had all the kissing! My god, every kiss between them was everything. Gah! I just loved this so much I could see myself listening again and again.

Andi Arndt and Shane East really made this book all that it was meant to be. The author chose wisely when it came to them as narrators. They literally became Summer and Oliver and I could not get enough.

HARD WOOD
First off, Zeus is my favorite cat! lol!
I absolutely LOVED Patrick and Mia. Lots of great humor with each other and Zeus, plus so much swoony hotness. GAH!
Sebastian York was so good in this!
Listening again reminds me of how much I love Lauren's books.