Intension

What a lovely story as I have endometriosis and no children it meant so much too me that it had such a lovely ending

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Beautiful, raw and emotional.

Sometimes you read/ listen to a book and it's not what you expect. Intention is one of those books. I thought I'd enjoy it, but I wasn't expecting to connect so deeply. This book consumed me. It was everything. Things to know about me, I don't really like British heroes and I find it hard to connect with heroines. Things about this book, I adored Nathaniel Harrington, and I loved and connected with Madeline Montgomery. So yeah, that totally turned itself around and I love it when that happens. When something is so unexpected. Intention is everything, this book just captured my heart and soul, it made me laugh, it made me swoon, and it made me cry...honestly, at parts it made me sob. This book is a top read, not just of 2019, but ever! It just ticked so many boxes for me that it couldn’t not.

Ava Harrison has become a must read author. She is amazingly talented and she handles sensitive subjects with such grace and sensitivity and embeds beauty and care into it so well, that is is just astounding. She clearly does an awful amount of research. You can’t help but fall in love with her words and her characters. She’s amazing, her writing is flawlessly beautiful and raw. I urge anybody to pick up a book of hers. But, especially this book. This book is special, this is the book that is going to grab people and say, you know what, yes! The whole book is just astounding and everything you could hope for in a book, it is just beautiful. I actually want Olly’s story. What’s his jam, what’s going on. Who is this American he’s talking about? I definitely look forward to more from Ava. You must pick up this book it is magnificent.

Nathaniel Harrington is a self-absorbed a-hole with a heart and I love him. He wants what he wants, he does what he wants and he's not going to let anything get in his way. He's the lost boy that never grew up, he's never had to. When his legacy is threatened he does what every normal person would do, he manipulates his sparring partner into becoming his fake girlfriend. Simples. Except, it's anything but simple, the chemistry and sexual tension is off the charts. It is only a matter of time before all that tension and banter would collide into something else and the more time they spend together the more their feelings change. Seeing the progression and growth in Nathaniel was awesome. He started as such an a-hole, a smooth, sexy, funny a-hole, but an a-hole just the same. And seeing him acknowledge and change from the party boy into the businessman with a heart of gold who just wanted to be happy. Madeline Montgomery is everything. I love her. It’s rare I find a female character that I can identify with, that I can connect with and be on the side of. There were so many aspects of her life that I could relate to. She’s a strong independent woman, she doesn’t need anything, but, in reality, she does, she just doesn't know how she can have it. She doesn’t want to fall in love, but she does anyway. She makes some questionable decisions that I'm sure will frustrate some listeners, but I totally understood them. They made my heart break for her. Her strength is the shining beacon of this story. Nathaniel and Madeline's relationship was really special, how they brought out the best in one another and the banter, man, it was awesome. I loved the whole Peter Pan element to the story. The epilogue was just everything I could have hoped for, and it was necessary. It really fits with the story, it offers an air of realism to what they’re going through, and have been through as well, rather than just a simple, oh they lived happily ever after, which they do, don’t get me wrong, this just isn’t your typical and some people will not like that. Although it’s short, it gives you all the details you need to know and the feeling that this wasn't just a quick fix.

The Britishness of the story is handled brilliantly, it’s subtle and understated, every other word isn’t bloody, and everybody drinking tea. Which believe it or not, we don’t actually do. It is done in a way that it is obvious the character is British, but it’s not in a way that you think OMG, this is an episode of Downton Abbey. I love the fact that this is set primarily in New York but one of the characters is British and therefore has British friends, and they do go over to London and have that time there and do some of the touristy things because you know, there is nothing worse than having a book set in London and having them doing touristy things that we just don’t do. His reaction to it is very much how someone that has spent time in London would react, the touristy stuff is just that, for tourists. I thought that part was handled really well too. Credit to Ava for having the foresight to ask British readers to test read it to make sure she got it right. I wish more authors did this.

Shane East and Andi Arndt performed this book to perfection. Shane is the go-to voice for a British accent, and rightly so, he just nails every performance. He had the perfect style for the character of Nathaniel, he does sexy sarcasm so well. The progression of the character and his growth really came across brilliantly in is performance, and yes, lots of lots of swooning is to be had. Who can resist that accent? (Other than British listeners lol) Andi Arndt was fantastic as Madeline Montgomery, there are some emotional scenes that she just performed spectacularly. She left nothing out, every raw and heartbreaking part shined through. Andi is great at the smart and sassy characters and she didn't disappoint. I don’t think I’ve ever heard her do a British accent before, and it was good, although, her male voice wasn’t as swoony as normal (yeah, I swoon over a female’s male voice - stop judging) but I think that is to be expected, I’m critical of the British accent anyhow and having it switch from Shane to Andi - you’re going to notice it. I preferred Shane's Madeline to Andi's Nathaniel but I think many people would disagree, and that's going to be a location thing, I feel. That being said, there was nothing about their performances that I didn't like. If you pick up this audiobook, and I hope you do, I think you'll be swept away by their portrayal of these characters and their story.

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8 people found this helpful

fantastic narrators, loved this book

Rating 4.5 stars
Fabulous narrators (both Andi Arndt and Shane East have such expressive voices and I loved listening to a sexy, male English accent ;-) ) and a great story that builds throughout. Emotion, tension, tears, heartbreak, laughter and some super hot chemistry between two loveable characters full of depth, who grew so much throughout the book, in this enemies to lovers (and so much more) romance.

“Family isn’t about the blood that runs through your veins, it’s about the love you have.”

I'm really enjoying this authors books and will be reading and listening to more!

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1 person found this helpful

wonderful

I absolutely adored this book. I was taken on such a heartbreaking rollercoaster that moved me to tears. Shane and Andi are perfect as always.

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Enjoyable

enjoyed this audiobook but it did go on a bit......the narrators as usual were fantastic, plenty of emotion and bringing the characters to life

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Great Team.

This was a great story, and one of my favourite tropes. Well, two tropes really. Fake romance and Enemies to lovers. The story is well written and completely enjoyable.
There was no period that I felt dragged and I really liked the majority of the characters. The story was fabulous example of both tropes and I couldn't get enough.
Andi Arndt and Shane East are two of my favourite narrators. They have really great voices.
Andi Arndt maintained a pleasing flow throughout. Her representation of various characters was recognisable and consistent throughout. I have listened to quiet a few books narrated by Andi Arndt and have always been impressed.
Shane East's narration for Intention was outstanding He and Ms Arndt are a great combination. His narration is consistent and his characterisation is fluid and believable.
Overall this audiobook was everything that I could want for my Audible credit. Great story and great narration. A five star combination.

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loved this book

was un sure about this book and I must say it was really enjoyable nice story A few ups and downs but overall it was a good read (listen)

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1 person found this helpful

An ok listen

At times I thought I’d give this book 4 stars, but there were too many niggles and eye roll moments for me so the rating went down as the book went on. Struggled to connect with a hero who really is just a spoilt little rich boy. The choice of words and the time jumps being a bit clunky made me think they might not have a good editor. The narration is very good and I think that disguised a lot. Had a lot of potential, though!

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