Love in the Afternoon by Alison Packard

Narrated by Gia St Claire

This is Ms. Packard’s debut novel, a contemporary romance featuring two actors in a soap opera, hence the clever title. Published in ebook and audio by Carina Press, a Harlequin line, it has the components of a Harlequin-style book: good story, good pacing, interesting characters, and not too deep or complicated. I read it first, then downloaded the audio.

It’s really a light romance with a touch of suspense. Here’s the publisher’s blurb:

Kayla Maxwell is eager to shed her slasher-flick bimbo image—and she plans to do just that in her new role on daytime’s most popular soap. With a chance to showcase her dramatic range, Kayla will be able to wash away the lingering betrayal and public humiliation left by her controlling, philandering ex-boyfriend.

Sean Barrett, the son of an influential, award-winning actor, is the hottest soap star in the country. Paired on-screen with the talented and beautiful Kayla Maxwell, Sean is determined to keep her at arm’s length, burned before by fame-seeking actresses who had no qualms about using him to get to his famous father.

But when Kayla receives threatening letters, her past as a scream queen seems to be coming back to haunt her. Succumbing to an attraction neither one of them can deny, Sean and Kayla must face down her stalker and their own personal demons before trusting what they both feel—a love that lasts long after the cameras stop rolling.

Here’s my take on the story: I liked it! It was a fun read, with some clever writing and just enough suspense to keep it interesting. I don’t particularly like it when the “bad guys” are portrayed as really, irredeemably bad stereotypes (there’s a jealous, catty co-star, for instance) but I overlooked it for a weekend read. The main characters were very human and believable. I will definitely give Ms. Packard another try, especially since she seemed to be setting up another character for a future book – that is, unless she never meant for us to learn why Sean’s best friend the famous baseball player had such a change in personality.

And my take on the narration: good. Ms. St. Claire has some promise – she’s got 9 mostly (or all?) romance titles under her belt at Audible. Her voice is very young, which was appropriate for Kayla. (Not creepy, adolescent young – 20-something young) She was able to create distinct character voices for the various players, although her male voices were not that great. However, she read and acted the narration well and I kept thinking she has some promise that maturity and experience will improve. She sounds like any number of young, inexperienced narrators, but I heard traits that I liked. It was a winsome, well-paced reading, and once again a fun way to while away the day.

Melinda

Narration: B-

Book Content: B

Steam Factor: Glad I had my earbuds in

Violence: very minimal

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Carina Press