Cricket and Wolf

I LOVE the grump + sunshine trope and Unraveling Him is a fantastic example of this trope done right! Evan and Fiona were so wonderfully mismatched, but also the perfect complement to each other. They might be my favorite Claire Kingsley couple ever! These two pushed and supported each other, but also let the other just be themselves. Fiona was such a badass and I appreciated that even though she didn't have all the answers, she never lost her optimism. I also thought her love of houseplants was awesome (plant mama here!) and how she fit so seamlessly into the Bailey family.

Evan, Evan, EVAN. I love a hero who is all in and Evan Bailey was the quintessential alpha caveman with an ooey gooey heart for his girl. His jaded attitude about love was a little anticlimactic once the history was revealed, but nothing a growly declaration of "mine" can't solve. Jason Clarke nearly made me combust with his performance as Evan and when I say that this book and hero did things to me, I really mean it. It worked for me on every level. LOL This was such a fantastic audiobook and the narrators were perfectly cast. Ava Erickson paired wonderfully with Jason Clarke and I could have listened to them forever.

The secondary characters were fantastic again, especially Grams, Gavin, and Cara. They were just the right amount of comic relief and the voice of reason when the story and characters needed it. I didn't really need the drama with Fiona's dad, but the Miles family cameo/tie in was great and the epilogue has me excited for the next book! I was hoping Chief Stanley's daughter, Skylar, would make an appearance and I can't wait for the sparks to fly with Gavin!

Overall 5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 4.5 stars

5 people found this helpful

Evan and Fiona in audio....music to my ears!!

This is the first time I have heard Jason Clarke narrate and O.M.G....he is AMAZING! I couldn't stop giggling any time he went from deep voiced growly Evan to happy go lucky Fiona in a heartbeat plus throw in Gram and his brothers....he nailed it. Ave Erickson was the perfect Fiona. Whenever Fiona was having an inner monologue it was so realistic. I look forward to hearing more from those two.

Evan is the grumpy hero that all ladies love and he just wants to be left alone and then the whirlwind that is Fiona Gallagher blows into his life and from that moment on his life is changed. He is a recluse that is happy to be left alone and she is a woman who not only talks to her plants....but names them too. There could not be a more perfect woman for Evan Bailey.

If you have read Evan's story you know the greatness that it is and audio is obviously the way to experience it again. You will not be disappointed.

2 people found this helpful

Such a fun story

The narration was really great. Both narrators bring the story to life in such a way that I forget I am listening to a narration. Plus Jason Clarke’s deep, growl-y voice is just amazing!

Fiona is fun and quirky. Her upbeat, positive attitude is the perfect compliment to Evan. Love and family and even some action and intrigue. Highly recommend!

1 person found this helpful

Rooting for Evan and Fiona!

This story captures your attention on page 1. Evan, whose growly rasp is perfectly captured by Jason Clarke's deep timber, had something happen to him that turned him off relationships. He lives off the beaten path with his best bud, Sasquatch. It is adorable how he talks to his dog and looks to him for advice.

Fiona, our plant-loving, animal-whisperer heroine, is ready to spread her wings and get away from the toxic relationship with her dad and best friend. Ava Erickson portrays Fiona's sunny disposition in her tone during the narration. Reading about her taking control back in her life and leaving behind the people that use her had me rooting for Fiona.

"Bravery isn’t the absence of fear,” I said, surprising myself with my reply. “It’s feeling fear and doing it anyway.”

I also love her interactions with the different animals throughout the book! Seeing Grace, Cara, and the Bailey brothers welcome Fiona into their circle and befriend her is heartwarming. This story has steamy hot sex scenes, new friendships, happiness, sadness, love, Fiona finding her self-worth, and Evan struggling with his feelings and slowly lowering his walls. And, of course, some Bailey/Haven pranks and crazy Bailey pranks on each other. Gavin is hilarious and tends to "steal the show" when he is in a scene! It's great how Gram welcomes Fiona in with open arms and gave her a nickname of her own. And, as always, shares her wisdom on the nickname "Cricket is who she is. She’s the evening song that soothes the spirit of the restless wolf."

Jason Clarke and Ava Erickson seamlessly transition their voices between characters and perform this narration flawlessly.

Another stellar book by Claire Kingsley!

"Wow. Women of the world, get yourself a man who looks at you like Asher Bailey gazes at his girl."

1 person found this helpful

Loved Unraveling Him!

Such a sweet and steamy small town romance! Evan and Fiona’s love story was set among the strong Bailey family and the world of classic car restoration. Fiona, quirky over-talker with an always positive outlook, was the perfect foil for the grumpy, lone wolf Evan. Their HEA was delightful!

Narration was stellar! Clarke and Erickson are masters at their craft!

Amazing

I just started with the Bailey Brothers series. I LOVE Claire Kingsley!! What an amazing author. This book made me laugh out load many times. Steamy and funny. A complete work!!

Perfect Grumpy Sunshine Romance

With every book I read from Claire I just fall more in love with her writing. Evan and Fiona’s story was fantastic. Evan is grumpy and closed off and Fiona is the complete opposite being happy and friendly. I love how honest they are with each other and how they open up to each other about their troubles pasts. They had amazing chemistry from the start and Fiona was the perfect fit for Evan. The small town shenanigans is one of my favorite things and adds so much fun to the story. I just love Grams and the amazing advice she gives. I can’t wait to continue this journey with the Bailey’s!

I had originally read this book and loved how the narration from Jason Clarke and Ava Erickson really brought these characters to life. Jason was great at bring out the grumpiness that is Evan Bailey and Ava was perfect at bringing out all of Fiona’s quirks. Another great listen from Claire.

Another really good book

Really good book and series. The narration is great. Ava is awesome. Thanks for the book

Evan May be my favorite

Evan May be my new favorite Bailey brother. As the brooding outsider of the Bailey clan he’s used to being on his own but when Fiona Gallagher bursts into his life everything changes.

Grumpy meets sunshine.

Those Bailey men leave me breathless. I think Unraveling Him is going to be my favorite book in this series. I love a grumpy guy on the exterior but soft, sweet on the inside. With the right woman loving him Evan Bailey becomes a fun, playful and lovable man. Highly recommend this series.