Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Bright Spot by Jill Shalvis Narrator: Andi Arndt
Series: Sunrise Cove #5
Published by HarperAudio, William Morrow on January 16, 2024
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Life Fiction
Pages: 368
Length: 9 hours, 6 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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Luna Wright is a lot of things, but sweet and trusting isn’t on the list. However, she’s a sucker for the underdog and a hard-luck story. Adopted at birth, with scant knowledge of her biological family, she’s created her own inner circle, a motley crew which includes her bestie Willow, to help her run the struggling but charming Apple Ridge Farm. With a farm-to-table café as well as a menagerie of rescued animals (complete with a baby goat who keeps escaping to the pantry to eat the secret stash of decidedly not organic potato chips), it’s the best home she’s ever known.
But when the owner Silas, who they secretly call The Grinch, passes away, Luna discovers the farm is now under control of his investment manager, the enigmatic Jameson Hayes….and her. And that Silas had many, many secrets. Now Luna’s carefully controlled corner of the world is threatened and she—along with some help from her friends—has to dig deep to find true strength and the real meaning of love and family.
Sunrise Cove series has the warmest, loveliest people with the worst backgrounds ever. The books are completely standalones. I love the farm setting with the rescue animals and the various plants growing. Luna has created a group of misfits who are loved as family: her best friend and husband, her gay ex-boyfriend and his partner, her grandmother, and a bunch of others. Luna was adopted as a child and never fit in with her driven, doctor parents. She loves managing the farm for Silas.
Jameson has had no one to depend on since his father walked out when he was 5 and his mother died when he was 15. He tried to get a job with Silas and though he was too young, Silas took him under his wing and trained him in business. Jameson has done well with his numbers; they never lie to him.
Now Silas has died and Luna and Jameson are both going to learn things. As with many farms, this one is not profitable. Luna and Jameson are attracted to each other right away. It helps with their grief and also for them to work together to save the farm as Silas would have wanted. I love how they listened to each other, supported each other and figured out ways to make things work.
I was surprised by how little her adoptive parents were involved and that they never really connected with the wonderful circle of people at the farm. I wasn’t surprised how the group of co-workers and friends came together to support Luna and the farm (ala George Bailey). Luna was really amazing at her work and her maturity in dealing with people even when others might be overcome by their emotions. I highly recommend this or any other Jill Shalvis book.
Narration:
Andi Arndt is a favorite narrator and this is her first series with this author. She performs with the right emotional tone for Luna. I enjoy her men’s voices which are a bit deeper. Her performance enhanced my reading experience. I was able to listen at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Andi Arndt
Andi’s relatively neutral US English accent is a product of a Minnesota childhood, New Jersey high school years, and Maryland/DC/Virginia adulthood. Firm grounding in both theatre and broadcasting led to full-time work in voice over.
About Jill Shalvis
New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 23-COYER
I am looking forward to reading this one.
I always enjoy Jill Shalvis.
I’ve got some catching up to do! Wonderful review, Anne💜
Thanks Jonetta. This series from Jill Shalvis is all completely stand alones. Only the setting is the same and even that I couldn’t identify really.
Awww this sounds good. I don’t think I’ve read anything by this author. New to me!
This is one of my favorite romance authors.
A farm and rescue animals would attract me, too. I love that she has found family and the workers all come together to save the farm.
I loved it. Jill Shalvis always hits all the emotions.
Another Shalvis novel I can’t wait to read!
I haven’t found one I didn’t enjoy.
I look forward to every new Jill Shalvis so I’m happy to see you loved this one too. I requested the audio at my library. I didn’t bother requesting since this publisher usually rejects me.
It’s odd. This publisher rejects me except for Jill Shalvis (for eARCs) but the audio group likes me.
I haven’t read a Jill Shalvis book in a long, long time. I do love Andi A… I’ll have to keep this in mind.
Andi Arndt is narrating the entire Sunrise Cove series which are all easily stand alones. I’m the last person to say books in a series are stand alone but these really are.
I’ve read two now by Shalvis and enjoyed them both. And Andi Arndt is one of my favorite narrators too, so that means I’m sure it was very good. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Lisa. I love every Jill Shalvis read.
It’s been too long since I read anything by Jill Shalvis. I love that there’s rescue animals in this one. I am glad you enjoyed The Bright Spot!
Thank you Wendy. This series is really stand alone so you could pick and enjoy any book in it. I love farm life as My grandparents had a farm and my cousins, plus I was in 4H for 10 years.
I read and enjoyed this one. Glad to see the audio was good!
Thank you Kimberly. I’m a fan of Andi Arndt so it was easy to love. And I’m also partial to Jill Shalvis.
I’m reading this one now and really enjoying it though Luna is occasionally driving me crazy with her inability to understand how money works!
yes but her people skills are stellar. And she could end up with a partner who has money skills. 🙂