I loved it!!

This is the first book in the ABC Corp Series, a next generation Series of the outstanding BAM Series. This is a wonderful introduction to this new Series, and I am already in love with the ABC's! Grace and Jaxson's story is beautifully written, and captivating. They are both great characters. Grace is lovely, and smart. Jaxson is sexy, handsome, caring, and enigmatic. They are opposites attract, but they complement each other. They share an undeniable and sizzling chemistry. Their relationship is filled with miscommunication. The storyline is fun, sweet, and filled with secrets, and misunderstandings. At some point, I was so mad after Jaxson, but he brilliantly redeemed himself! The story is told from dual POV, which is awesome. The cast of supporting characters is amazing. I LOVE the BAM's and the ABC's! The Epilogue, and the extended Epilogue are fantastic. I HIGHLY recommend it. My favorite quote: "Welcome to the family, Jaxson. Brace yourself. It's gonna be a bumpy ride." Maxine Mitchell and John Lane did an outstanding job with the narration. I love their voices together. Now, I can't wait to read Finding Ronan's Heart, the next book in the Series.

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Excellent book - excellent audio

Having read and adored the paperback of this book, I jumped at the chance to listen to the audio book. This is actually the first time that I’ve listened to a book *after* I’ve already read

Although this is the first in a new series that spins off from the Vested Interest series, it features a new couple and stands completely alone. I haven’t read/listened to any of the previous books and I more than understood and enjoyed this book without needing prior information.

The narrators for this book are Maxine Mitchell and John Lane. Both are very good narrators - clear, concise and really bringing life to the characters. They both have, to my British ears at least, fairly indistinguishable North American accents and I definitely believed them as Canadians Jaxson and Gracie.

The story itself pulled me in right from the beginning and before I knew it, I was hooked. The story was so fresh and engaging - I loved the characters, felt their feelings and was part of their world. The whole book is 9 hours and 9 mins long and I whizzed through it, listening whenever I could.

Grace is the kind of heroine that you wish you could be, wish you were friends with and can 100% root for. She’s calm, cool, collected and knows her own mind, not afraid to stand up for herself. Yet she’s also vulnerable, goes into something with her whole heart, and definitely happy to hold a grudge! She was so relatable and so likeable - I fell head over heels for her. Plus she likes snuggly socks, cosy reading nooks and a cup of tea - the perfect heroine!

Jaxson was also my absolute jam. He’s older (only by about 10 years, 37 to her 28, I think it was), gruff, grumpy and is definitely one of those heroes that has that broken little boy inside, just needing the love of a good women. Gah - I love a sexy hero I want to both and hug and well… you know! I like how he was completely alpha but almost a little undone by Grace. And he really tried with her. Tried to be the best version of himself because he knew that was what she deserved. The Hallowe’en in the office was to die for. *swoons* And yet, of course, he makes ridiculous decisions assuming he knows best and doesn’t need to discuss it. Stupid man! John Lane’s deep voice was exactly how I would expect him to sound.

It’s not until you listen to the book in audio that you realise that the story is told from Gracie’s viewpoint for the majority of the time. This really works as you feel how Gracie feels - and only know what she knows. So when you get Jaxson’s point of view, and things start to make sense and shift, it makes you feel more invested and involved in the story.

The narrators brought all the emotion to the story and the ending was absolute perfection - exactly the happily ever after that Gracie and Jaxson deserved. Having read the book previously, listening to the story after the fact really made me appreciate it all the more.

I have thoroughly enjoyed Ms Moreland’s writing and storytelling before, so I shouldn’t be surprised that this was such a winner for me. Whether you’re picking it up in paperback, ebook or on audio - it’s highly recommended. Definitely 5 stars.

My Saving Grace

It's been a while since a book completely captured my attention from the get-go and didn't let me go until I finished. This is that book.
I loved it from the moment I started.
An older man-younger woman, office romance with steam and angst.
Grace and Jaxson have an instant connection and listening to their relationship form and grow was inspiring. I loved it all.
The narrators were incredible in bringing the characters to life making the experience even better.
As my first Melanie read/listen I think it has captured my attention enough to go back and read more of her books.

Grace and Jaxson!

Now that Grace has finished law school the only thing standing between taking a position at ABC Corp is the one year she is required to spend at Smith & Hodges to complete her internship. She is well aware of her new boss’s reputation when it comes to his talents as a lawyer but her attraction to him is a complication she wasn’t expecting, and he might just teach her professionally but personally as well.

Jaxson has focused on his career as a lawyer to the detriment of his personal life. He keeps everyone in his life at arm’s length but there is something about the feelings that Grace inspires in him that are not only different but unwelcome as well. He is determined to keep his distance but that might be a challenge he will be unable to keep.

When it comes to love and family Grace and Jaxson have completely differently experiences but the chemistry between them radiates off the pages. As much as they try to deny it their love is undeniable, and her feisty personality challenges him at every turn which is exactly what he needs in his life. I thought that the narrators did a great job at bringing out the turmoil that Jaxson was feeling and the strength and sassiness that is Grace.

It was ok

This book was ok, but it was all a bit forced and I didn’t feel the chemistry. There were several eye roll moments. Didn’t really see what was so different about her to make him change his ways, so it seemed a bit insta, cheesy and not believable. I think Colleen Hoover does the “damaged soul finding a special someone” story much better in many of her books - though to be fair, it has been a few years since I listened to her books, and it was when I first started listening to audiobooks, and I might not feel the same way about them if I heard them now. This book was still an ok listen though, and I’m sure some people would enjoy it.

great audio

loved this book on audio , really brings the story to life a must listen to

Great listen

Blown away. I can’t believe the emotional roller coasters Mrs Melanie Moreland can take you on. The highs, the lows, the frustrations when you really want to “facer” a character or maybe her for making you cry again. “Sometimes, we don’t have a choice,”. You need to go along because Melanie gets you so invested that stopping isn't an option. Her characters and story telling are absorbing, and the narrators bring all that to life with their amazing vocalising of Melanie's words.
“I wasn’t going to allow Jaxson Richards and his selfishness to destroy me. I was Grace -fucking- VanRyan, and I was my father’s daughter. He taught me to be strong. To stand up for myself. I refused to let someone else destroy me. With a defiant toss of my head, I straightened my shoulders.”
Grace VanRyan, the first BAM baby, the daughter of Richard and Katy VanRyan. She’s focused and determined with her whole life planned. Pass the bar, work with BAM to gain experience & then ABC, the next generation of BAM.
Jaxson Richards a lawyer at the top of his field, but his life is wholly focused on work. He has flaws moulded by his childhood, relationships & love are things he cannot conceive of being part of his life. Meeting Grace VanRyan is a revelation which he really doesn’t have the experience to handle.
Grace and Jaxson have chemistry, but logically they aren’t a good match. Jaxson is older & Grace is his articling student.
“Because she is the only warmth in my life. Without her, the cold will destroy me.”

Fab listen!

Great story with amazing narration. Absolutely loved hearing it come to life. A must listen!

wonderful reading experience ♥️

Now I have read the book & hearing it made me love the story more. Maxine & John done has good job bringing them to life and I did shared some tears. But I did smile all the time