✫✫ 5 Stars ✫✫ Romantic with great narration!

I want to go to Paris now!!! I truly could visualize everything in this book. I could tell by the descriptions of everything that Lauren Blakely wrote about what she saw while visiting the city or did some great research. I think that was my favorite thing about this book, seriously I could taste the chocolate with berry's and lime juice and to me that is awesome writing.

Griffin is a seriously great character because he was so realistic to me. He had some hard situations in his past and was just trying to live each day and wanted to do what he thought he needed to do. Joy was also great because she had her insecurities from her past but didn't let them stop her. Even when she was feeling discouraged she would push through it and come out better because of it. Together these two made me swoon, they became friends which I loved. Even though the attraction and the sexual tension was there they still did spend time getting to know each other as friends. I thought this story was very romantic and this would be every women's dream to meet a person and truly just to enjoy each other's company so much while visiting so many great places and laughing together so much. In the end I loved the romance & the way this book left me with a happy light heart in the end.

NOW lets talk about the narration!!! Grace Grant is great as always but Richard Armitage stole the show!! This man with his natural British accent was great but his French was great too! I loved how smoothly he flipped from French to British and he really brought Griffin to life for me! Great Narration choice!!!

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79 people found this helpful

My new favorite narrator

Any additional comments?

From the moment Richard Armitage spoke I was hooked. Lauren hit it out of the ball park with this one.

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46 people found this helpful

Lauren Blakely's most romantic novel yet!

STORY OVERVIEW AND REVIEW:

Wanderlust, a perfect title for a story that will give you a major case of wanderlust, is definitely Lauren Blakely's sweetest novel yet. It's set in one of the most romantic cities on earth, with two strong and charming characters you'll root for from the start.

While one moves to the City of Light to start anew, the other is ready to bid adieu and move on to the next adventure. Joy and Griffin meet in Paris shortly after Joy moves to the country for work. They start their acquaintance with flirty banter and guesses of names, the chemistry between them strong and palpable. They meet again when Joy's company hires Griffin to be her translator.

Now that they're technically workmates, they have to turn down the sparks to stay professional. But when Joy asks Griffin to teach her French and help her experience all the pleasure France has to offer, it's inevitable their restraint snaps.

As they fall more and more for each other, they have to accept the fact that their love affair has a time limit. Once Griffin's contract ends, he's packing his bags to check off the final items on the bucket list his brother made for him before he passed away.

I loved the pacing of this story, the build-up from strangers who have that spark, to friends, then to lovers. I became even more invested this couple because I personally saw that they were falling even more in love. Two words to describe the sexual tension—delayed gratification.

It was sweet, sexy, and oh so romantic. But most of all, it's a story about rediscovering oneself and realizing that the only way to move on and forward is to let go.

WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT THE AUDIOBOOK?

I loved everything. Absolutely everything. I have to be honest that when I first heard Richard Armitage speaking, I had to rewind a few times because I was too distracted by that man's sexy voice. I mean, it's Richard Armitage.

He was fantastic in this audiobook! Not only was he a wonderful Griffin, he made a pretty great Joy, too. His shift from English to American to French accent did things to my heart. His accents for the different characters—Griffin especially when he's speaking in French—were fantastic, all with just enough emotion to shoot straight to my heart.

This is my second audiobook narrated by Grace Grant, and I enjoyed this just as much. Her portrayal made Joy's confidence, the awe she felt for her new surroundings, her feelings for Griffin, so vivid, so tangible.

The collaborative efforts of the two narrators brought a kaleidoscope of butterflies in my stomach. I was transported to Paris, to their romance and happily ever after. I tasted the food, smelled the scents, saw the sights. I laughed, swooned, teared up, and felt hopeful.

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THIS AUDIOBOOK TO A FRIEND? IF SO, WHY?

Romance lovers will definitely enjoy Wanderlust. Aside from the vivid imagery of everything Paris has to offer, the characters had great chemistry, story arcs, and growths. It was hopeful, sweet, and incredibly dreamy. And did I mention Richard Armitage is one of the narrators? No?

I just have to say, Ms. Blakely knows how to end a book. Whenever I finish her stories, she never fails to leave me in a happy daze and with a full heart. Wanderlust is not an exception.

Tropes: Friends to Lovers, Love Abroad—Paris
POV: First Person, Dual POV
Standalone: Yes

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45 people found this helpful

Compelled to review

Lauren is one of those writers that I just automatically buy. Her books are not filled with angst, many are funny and her audiobook narrators are always great. This book is so lovely, it’s easily my favorite of hers. The characters are smart, the storyline poignant, a real love story and its set in Paris. Paris, people!!! Having visited that city a couple of times, it was great to read about the tiny pieces of Parisian life I love and remember. It’s worth your time to listen. The narration is great. I have no idea if Richard Armitage is actually British or not, but his narration is like butter. I would happily buy the narration of Webster’s Dictionary if he were to read it.

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A coming together of three true talents...

Le sigh. What can I say? I'm a sucker for a romance that pulls a smile out of me while also tugging on my heartstrings. If you think this is nothing more than a fluffy love story with nary any sort of substance, you're sorely mistaken. Griffin and Joy have their respective reasons for being in Paris, but while she feels like she's finally able to live beyond the humdrum of her life in the US, Griffin is living a life away from London that's half-inspired and half-dictated by a bucket list handed to him by his late brother Ethan. As much as Joy wants to feel like she belongs in Paris, Griffin doesn't give himself the chance to feel the same, feeling the desire to wander about take over. While Joy may often find herself lost in translation, Griffin is simply lost, his brother's passing having altered the direction of his life in more ways than one. Listening to Armitage and Grant bring Blakely's story to life made me believe I was actually listening to Griffin and Joy share their unique tale of love and language in the City of Light. It was a coming together of three true talents. I'm highly recommending you give Wanderlust a listen. Five-plus stars. ♥

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OOO LA LA.. FAULTLESS STORYTELLING

What a wonderful love story Lauren Blakely has written.. she skilfully transports you to the cobble streets, cafes and hidden sights of Paris.. and that’s the setting of a very sweet and very romantic journey. It’s a slow build and a slow burn of a journey as two wonderfully crafted relatable strangers meet in the City of Love. Joy is an American woman starting her new life and career in Paris where she is ready to soak up, to experience and to enjoy everything new. And early on Joy meets Griffin, a handsome Englishman, who slowly steals her heart through chemistry, charisma and charm. Their strong characters, mutual attraction and easy banter forges a very solid, and very real, relationship.

Their bittersweet story started when they were mere strangers instantly connecting with each other through chemistry and easy flowing banter.. but a cruel twist of Fate forces them to be co-workers instead of lovers. Joy’s just starting her exciting year long job placement in Paris where she hopes to put down new roots, make new friends, learn a new language and create a new perfume. Unfortunately, Griffin’s time in Paris is almost over.. he’s been steadily working his way through his late brother’s bucket list dreams and he’s ticked quite a few of them off.. but there’s some that’ll take him away.. away across the oceans. However, despite the unspoken three month deadline that’ll end their relationship, Joy and Griffin forge ahead with plans of being ‘just’ co-workers. But time together enables a sweet friendship to develop, lust to build and lines to blur then get crossed allowing sexcapades to happen, love to blossom and for time to tick away. Because all too soon the day will come when Griffin has to move on to the next big challenge and chapter in his life.

This well written, perfectly balanced, nicely developed, entertaining dual POV love story has got to be the most tender and sweet Ms. Blakely has ever created. It’s plotline has no angst.. but it does have a romantic settings, touching words, steam and great characters. Joy, Griffin and the rest of the characters are brought to life by two talented narrators, who, together with Ms. Blakely’s descriptive, powerful and thought provoking words, enabled me to picture, to paint and to mentally project every delicious scene.

Worth a credit? Absolutely YES.. IMO, from the first scene to the last, this audiobook is definitely a solid 5 star creditworthy listen.

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19 people found this helpful

Sensuous, Juicy, and Delicious!

First of all, the voice of Richard Armitage alone makes this book a must for romance lovers! That being said, what makes this book really special is the way the descriptions engage the senses, particularly those of scent and taste. I really felt like I was in Paris falling in love as I listened. The story had sweetness balanced by poignant moments and moments of unbridled desire. It was a sensuous journey about adventures grand and intimate, living life to the fullest, and the reasons we make the choices we make. Enjoy!

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The swooniest romance I've ever heard

It's no secret that I adore Lauren Blakely. Her writing never ceases to amaze me but Wanderlust? It just blew me away. The story is so incredibly full of love and passion-both between characters and life in general- that I was moved to tears more than once. This is a book that I will come back to over and over again.

I quite simply adored Joy and Griffin. I was grinning from the moment the book began. I don't know if there has ever been a character name more suited to a character than Joy. She brings happiness and laughter, she's quick and funny and so incredibly brave. She doesn't always feel it, but she takes many leaps of faith that had me applauding her. I would absolutely love to visit her in Paris and sit down for a cup of hot chocolate, or champagne on her rooftop.

Griffin? Well, hello swoon. He is absolutely, hands down, one of my all time book boyfriends. He nudged some pretty impressive ones out of the way to grab his spot, but he's worth it. He is such a sweetheart and so romantic. But there's a vulnerability to him that more than once I found myself just wanting to reach through the book and hold him. I'm sure Joy wouldn't mind. He's so sexy as well-obviously.

These two have intense chemistry. But their connection is so much more than physical. They understand each other. Their sexy times are incredibly sexy, but their time spent exploring the city? Learning about one another? Just magical.

The narration of this book brought it to life for me. Normally, I read a book and then get the audio to keep me company while I work. That being said, I am glad this one released in audio first. Hearing these narrators tell this story added a whole other level of richness to an already rich story. I loved hearing the descriptions of people and places. I truly felt I was there in Paris with them, experiencing this story. I don't know that my imagination would have done these characters and this setting justice. But Grace Grant and Richard Armitage took me on the best audio journey ever.

There's a theme of time and moments in this book, and that really hit home for me. It connected me to these characters as I could understand exactly what they meant. Listening to some of the lines made me hit pause and reflect on what the characters were saying. I was moved to tears-again, more than once. This story was incredibly beautiful and lush. I'm already listening again as I write this because I just can't get enough. The story and narration were perfection. If I could give this more than five stars I would. I adored it and cannot recommend it highly enough.

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13 people found this helpful

You can actually judge this one by its cover

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I've never been able to read a book penned by this author so the fault lies with me for picking it up in the first place. It was actually the male narrator that persuaded me to give it a shot, believing he might have found some redeeming quality in Ms Blakely's new book. Sadly, it wasn't meant to be.I'd have had a better listening experience if I had bought a romance by an author whose work I trust will always suit my personal taste.

What could Lauren Blakely have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

She would have had to change her writing style altogether and that'd be asking for the impossible.

Would you be willing to try another one of Richard Armitage and Grace Grant ’s performances?

The only reason I'm not asking for a refund is that I have every single thing Richard Armitage has ever recorded and filmed, and I wish for my collection to remain complete. As usual, he did a first-class job and, if not for the filthy language, ridiculous lines and poorly-written erotica, I wished he had voiced all the characters. Sorry, but I hated the female narrator; I found her irritating and a poor casting choice. It was so evident both narrators recorded their chapters at different times. There was no coherence in either tone or mood and her performance sounded more like an immature high schooler than a confident career woman. Richard did a much better job voicing Joy than Ms. Grant.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

My first reaction was "Why, Richard?!" "What made you offer such low quality material to (one of) the best voice talent in your ranks, Audible?"I spent the whole time wanting to fastforward Joy's chapters to stop the boredom and cringing at the foul language and ridiculous prose Richard had to read.The only way I can explain this faux-pas is either that he was compelled to record it for contractual reasons or that, like all of us mortals, he has to earn his keep. I'd understand either reason, but it's painful to see such talent squandered so blatantly.

Any additional comments?

If you're looking for real quality romance, try Julia Quinn, Sarah MacLean or Samantha Chase, to name but a few. They do know how to write sensual, playful and tasteful stories, including bedroom scenes- if that's your thing. If it's quality erotica you're looking for, try any of the books written by Robin Schone, who knows how to write rich plots, layered characters, believable lines and sizzling love scenes without having to resort to the use of vulgar language.

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9 people found this helpful

Ugly American in Paris. No thanks.

DNF'd at 45%

The good: Armitage's narration. I almost kept going just for that.

The okay: Grant's narration. Honestly, just about anyone's narration would suffer when contrasted with Armitage's. But her English accent was abysmal. So every time we were in Joy's POV and she talked to Griffin, I was cringing.

The bad: Joy. Joy, Joy, Joy. Here is a professional who thinks she's going to come to a foreign country and just...absorb the language by osmosis. Like a child. Every time she busts out a "bonjour" she congratulates herself. And when her (slightly) more complicated efforts go tits up because she doesn't know what she's doing? She spirals. She thinks her smartphone translator app should be a substitute for actually...learning the language. (And around the point where I quit, she says she actually did take French in high school. So she should know better. Learning a language is damn hard.)

She comes off as very much of an Ugly American stereotype. And I just didn't want to spend another minute with her.

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8 people found this helpful