Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Favor for a Favor by Helena Hunting Narrator: Erin Mallon, Jacob Morgan
Series: All In #2
Published by Brilliance Audio on January 28, 2020
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Length: 8 hours, 5 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible
When I joined Seattle’s NHL expansion team, I thought it was the start of something great. But nothing ever goes the way you expect. Take my introduction to my new neighbor. She came rolling in on the hot mess express at midnight, making a racket while she tried to get into my team captain’s apartment. Did I mention that he’s married to a woman who definitely was not her?
Imagine my surprise when I end up with an injury that has me out of the game for weeks, and she’s the one to offer to help me. I should probably add that she’s not the captain’s mistress. She’s his sexy, pastel-haired younger sister.
So we come up with an arrangement: she rehabs me so that I can get back on the ice sooner, and she can add a professional athlete that isn’t her brother to her client list. Seems simple enough. As long as I can keep my hands to myself and my hormones in check.
I can’t think of a better read to celebrate Valentine’s Day then A Favor for a Favor. This is the second installment in the All In Series by Helena Hunting, a spin-off of the Pucked Series. While it is definitely a sports romance, it is also a perfect enemies to friends to lovers story that will have you laughing out loud, blushing with heat, and sighing with happiness. I am a huge fan of Helena Hunting, especially her hockey romance. She effortlessly makes the characters real and relatable, even when the premise is a bit fantastical. (If you have a hot NHL boyfriend/husband this doesn’t apply to you.)
In A Favor for a Favor, we meet Stevie and Bishop. Stevie’s moved to Seattle, eager to begin the next stage of her life and ready to move on from her cheating ex-boyfriend. Bishop has left his old NHL team to be part of Seattle’s expansion team, where he hopes to earn a long term position and secure a future for himself and his younger brother. The two go from cold ‘underwear wars’ to unlikely allies where they find that the insecurity and uncertainty around being the new kid on the block is universal, no matter if you are a professional athlete or beginning your first post-college job. The two characters fight against their undeniable chemistry as the sexual tension escalates.
Helena Hunting’s heroes are never the stereotypical jocks. They have quirks and real life issues, but are presented in such a way that their vulnerabilities don’t decrease their masculine appeal. Her heroines are strong and competent women, even when they might not have their act together or their life plans have been derailed. Stevie and Bishop are no exception, and I was invested equally in their HEA.
I really enjoyed the way family, both blood and found, has an enormous influence on the characters in the story. Their relationships apart from each other were just as engaging as they were together. I loved the camaraderie of the team, the banter (sometimes tasteless and crass) between friends, and the humor in the most awkward of situations. A Favor for a Favor could easily be read as a standalone novel, although I think it is worthwhile to at least read the first in the All In Series, as the characters are closely connected and a source of tension in this story.
A Favor for a Favor is more than just a sexy romp. It is a slow-building romance between two flawed and conflicted characters, served with a heavy dose of comic relief.
Narration:
I loved the narration. Both of the narrators captured the essence of the characters and did a great job with pacing and diction. Erin Mallon always delivers a great performance, and is adept at communicating vulnerability without crossing over into whiny. I can easily say that Jacob Morgan is one of my top three favorite narrators ever. The combination between Ms. Hunting’s dialogue and his delivery make the performance so believable.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Erin Mallon
Erin Mallon is an actor, writer and voice artist in NYC. Her naturally warm personality and youthful sound have proven excellent tools for the many young adult and romance titles she narrates. She has originated roles in the theater with Ensemble Studio Theater’s Youngblood Company, The Drilling Company, Mabou Mines, Incubator Arts Project and many more. Erin is a devoted volunteer at The 52nd Street Project, the voice of many TV and radio commercials, and was one of BACKSTAGE’s “Career Dispatch” columnists for 2012.
About Helena Hunting
Helena Hunting is the author of The USA Today and NYT bestselling PUCKED Series. She lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She writes everything from romantic sports comedy to new adult angst.
| Rating Breakdown | |
|---|---|
| Plot |
|
| Writing |
|
| Characters |
|
| Dialogue |
|
| Narration (Audio) |
|
| Overall: | |
I've developed a preference for audiobooks over the last few years, which allow me to complete chores, run carpool, or work on my many building and craft projects while 'reading.
My all time favorite selections include Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, Karen Marie Moning's Fever series, and all of Robin Hobb's books set in the Farseer world. Honorable mentions to Elle Kennedy, Penny Reid, Meljean Brook, Ann Aguirre, Krista and Becca Ritchie, Jeaniene Frost, and Kristen Callihan.
Friend me at Goodreads.
- 🎧 Smoke Gets in Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty @TheGoodDeath @RecordedBooks #LoveAudiobooks @4saintjude - October 4, 2024
- 🎧The Briar Club by Kate Quinn @KateQuinnAuthor @SaskiaAudio @HarperAudio #LoveAudiobooks @4saintjude - September 6, 2024
- Bride by Ali Hazelwood @EverSoAli @tplummer76 @jwdamron @BerkleyPub @PRHAudio #LoveAudiobooks @4saintjude - August 2, 2024
I still need to try her Pucked series first, but I’m glad to see the spin off is just as good and I like the way you describe her characters and their real life problems and growth to face the problems.
i do enjoy a good sports romance now and then. glad this was a good one for you
Slow building romance feels so genuine to me. And I have some favorite narrators who have caused me to try books I might never have otherwise.
I’ve only read a couple of books by this author. This one sounds good. I love Erin Mallon’s narration but I’m not sure I’ve listened to Jacob Morgan before or not. I still haven’t tried the Puck series although I have the first one in my tbr. Maybe I should move it up my list-if I had a real list. Ha!
It has been a minute since I’ve read a Helena Hunting story! I didn’t know she continued on the Pucked series with a spin-off. My TBR will definitely be outliving me lol.