Listen To Me by Kristen Proby
Series: Fusion, #1
Romance Contemporary
April 12, 2016
William Morrow Paperbacks

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: “I’m a prostitute of feelings”

Addison (Addie) Wade is the co-owner of the hottest up and coming restaurant in Portland-Seduction. Looking to further their brand, the women decide to hire live entertainment, never suspecting that they would get former rock star-Jake Keller. Gorgeous, sexy, and cocky, this is one bad boy Addie has no intentions of tangling with. She’s already been burned a few too many times. But Jake has his eye on her and soon the temptation to walk on the wild side again becomes too much for Addie to resist.

Jake Keller (Knox) walked away from fame five years ago. Missing the music, Jake decides to go back to singing on a very low-key level and applies at a local restaurant. If this gets him closer to the bomb bombshell who manages the restaurant, then that makes it even better. But getting Addie to hire him is far easier than getting her to let him into her life and bed. As Jake woos Addie, showing her that not all bad boys are the same,  she begins to let down her walls. But when Jake’s past comes back to haunt him, Addie has to decide if she’s brave enough to listen to her heart.

Relationships that start out with a slight antagonistic angle are always fun and Proby uses this trope to give readers a humorous, sexy, sweet, lightly angst filled romance contemporary. Laugh out loud dialogue and a steady engaging pace keeps the reader entertained as Proby builds a cozy, swoon worthy romance between two people whose emotional baggage creates some obstacles on their path to love.

Listen To Me is the first book in the new series, Fusion, by Kristen Proby. Heavily character drive, this installment is firmly built around our protagonists Addison Wade and Jake Keller (.  Addison is one of five best friends who co-own and run the restaurant-Seduction. A savvy business women, this former model turned restaurateur has the best luck in business but the worst luck in men. She has just kicked out her latest mistake after she caught him with two women in her bed and vows she is officially done with men. Jake Keller is a famous rockstar who choose to drop out of the limelight when his best friend is hurt in an accident he blames himself for and now focuses solely on producing and writing songs.

I loved meeting everyone in here. Such delightful individuals whose personalities all add to the overall dynamics of this story. Jake and Addie are fantastic-both as individuals and as a couple.  Addie is smart, funny, loyal, and strong-willed. Her parent’s lack in interest in her life and her bad luck with men has left her questioning herself and her ability to be loved. Meeting Jake both exhilarates and scares her.

Jake is a sexy playful devil with some pretty smooth moves that hides a heart of gold. Reckless, loyal, intelligent, and charming…he’s the ultimate bad boy. Having made some bad choices in life due to his rock star lifestyle, he sought redemption by cleaning up his act. Meeting Addie sets his world on fire and he drives into her world head first determined to make her his.

Proby does a wonderful job of facilitating the romance amongst the backdrop of their personal issues.  The humor flows through effortlessly; helping to keep the story on track and provide entertainment. Legitimate concerns are addressed and nothing is skimmed over or rushed to make the story more aesthetically pleasing. It’s an emotional journey for them both of them. Nothing is perfect and we aren’t sure till the very end if either will be able to grab the gift they’ve been given.

Addie’s and Jake’s chemistry is off the charts with some deliciously playful scenes and delicious dirty talk. Both Jake and Addie have quite the naughty mouths and minds and Proby gives us all the delicious details. *fist bump*  I enjoyed the fact that neither played games with one another and Jake was bluntly honest about his feelings and intentions towards Addie. A mild conflict that pushes these two out of their comfort zones and where they need to go was fairly predictable; the most drama in the entire book played out here.

I definitely enjoyed meeting Addie’s best friends and look forward to reading their stories. They are a gregarious,happy, nosy bunch whose love for one another beams off the pages. Everyone needs friends like these. Jake’s friends are as enthusiastic and nosy as Addie’s and they use whatever means are necessary to make Jake realise he is entitled to happiness. A quick ending wraps up mostly everything up and leaves us secure in Jake and Addie’s relationship. Fans of sexy, cozy, and fun romance contemporaries are sure to love Proby’s latest offering. I am looking forward to book two-Close to You-which is set to release August 9th. Proby offers us a little preview at the end of Listen To Me and I AM READY!!

Grade: B

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