Sophia Rose is back to share an audiobook by Olivia Dade. 40-Love narrated by Kelsey Navarro. Grab a sports drink and check out her thoughts on this contemporary sports romance.
by Olivia Dade
Series: There's Something About Marysburg #2
Length: 10 hours and 1 minute
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Heat Level:
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.0x
This match is no game.
When a rogue wave strips Tess Dunn of her bikini top, desperate, half-naked times call for desperate, please-cover-me-kids-are-coming-closer measures. Enter Lucas Karlsson, AKA that flirty Swede in the water nearby. When he prevents her bare buoys from being exposed to fellow vacationers, even an ocean can’t drown the sparks that fly.
Lucas, a former top-level tennis pro now giving lessons at the resort, fled there after the abrupt, painful end to his injury-plagued career. But he’s finally ready to move on with his life—and after a few late-night, hands-on sessions with Tess, he’s eager to prove he’s the ace she wants.
But this match comes with challenges: She’s forty, and at twenty-six, he’s barely old enough to rent a car. Worse, they only have two weeks together before Tess returns to her assistant-principal life in Virginia. During that brief time, they’ll have to play hard, take a few risks, and find out whether their chemistry is a one-shot wonder…or whether they’re meant to be doubles partners for life.
Sophia Rose’s Review
A beach vacation for a vice principal brings more than a sunburn and a souvenir when all’s said and done. I spotted this one and had an instant summer frolic romance vibe from it and happily settled in to listen to a new to be author/series and narrator. I was instantly smiling and enjoying my intro to Tess Dunn and her dilemma.
40-Love is the second in a series, but it stood alone just fine. I hadn’t read/listened to the first book and had no trouble launching into Tess and Lucas’ story.
Tess is forty and a vice-principal back home in Virginia. She has dreams of being principal and knows her conduct will be taken into consideration. Such as flashing her extremely large girls at a bunch of kids at the beach in Florida when she has a bikini wardrobe malfunction. She has to accept the assistance of a smug-faced younger guy who knows he’s got it. She’s not falling for that.
Lucas is twenty-six years old and had his pro tennis career derailed and he’s just now getting himself sorted out as he does tennis lessons at the resort. He may appear the opposite of the uptight set in her ways, Tess, but he’s settling down and looking for more than flirty fun in the sun. They have two weeks for the sparks of attraction to catch into flame.
I am a sucker for flirty banter in the getting to know you stage and that was what was happening when Lucas came to Tess’ rescue out in the water by letting her hide her exposed boobs against his back so a bunch of kids playing nearby didn’t get an eyeful. Her best friend decides Tess needs to relax and have a vacation romance, so sets her up for tennis lessons. Tess presumes about Lucas (though at first, he gave her good reason) and they have a stormy shouting match that clears the air when they both come back and admit they were out of line.
Both characters were fabulous, and I really enjoyed how they heated things up, but also had some frank conversations. Plus, there were some hilarious inner monologues on Tess’ part. The age gap is a factor for Tess and they have pasts that factor in the present, but, yay, we avoided the evil ex cliché. In many ways this is a low angst romance though there are some hurdles to get over and a clock ticking down. Tess doesn’t have a rocking body, but she is comfortable in her skin and it takes her a bit to realize that Lucas isn’t just making time, but he appreciates her as is. He truly heard her and responded well to unselfishly make it about her needs. He might be younger, but he bridged the gap and made it believable that they could work. The author wrote relatable people’s feelings and conversations.
40-Love by Olivia Dade had fabulous characters with hilarious inner monologues and frank conversations. #audiobook #SophiaRose #JIAM @LoveAudiobooks Share on XAbout Olivia Dade
Olivia Dade grew up an undeniable nerd, prone to ignoring the world around her as she read any book she could find. Her favorites, though, were always, always romances. As an adult, she earned an M.A. in American history and worked in a variety of jobs that required the donning of actual pants: Colonial Williamsburg interpreter, high school teacher, academic tutor, and (of course) librarian. Now, however, she has finally achieved her lifelong goal of wearing pajamas all day as a hermit-like writer and enthusiastic hag. She currently lives outside Stockholm with her patient Swedish husband, their whip-smart daughter, and the family’s ever-burgeoning collection of books.
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About Sophia Rose
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Lola
This sounds like a great summer-y read. It’s great when you pick up a new author and narrator and it immediately clicks for you. I also like it when a couple has some great banter in the getting to know you stage. And I like the sound of how they clear the air relatively early in the book and both admit they were wrong. It also sounds great how it’s believable that they can make the age gap work. Great review!
Sophia Rose
Great assessment, Lola! It all happened with perfect pacing. I might listen to this next summer to get in the mood for the season. 🙂
Berls
I’m so excited you enjoyed this. I have it for audio review (as well as the first and 3rd books) and hope to get to it soon. I’m even more eager to read it now!
Sophia Rose
Neato that you have all of them on audio. I enjoyed the narrator’s voice and I liked the writing so I want more of the series.
Jen
Great review Sophia! I absolutely adore Ms. Dade’s work. As you mention, she writes relatable on so many levels, they are mature, and they deal with their emotions in healthy ways. You really must read more of her work!
Sophia Rose
That style of portraying her characters and their situations was like a breath of fresh air after a couple romances when the couple got me irritated with their antics. I must read more.
Nadene
This sounds fun and perfect for the summer.
Sophia Rose
It was just the thing for a summery feeling mood. I really liked the characters and the romance development, too.
Wendy Williams
Terrific Review! I’m also a sucker for flirty banter! Thanks!
Sophia Rose
Thanks, Wendy! I was hooked from the start when I got the wry monologue from Tess and then their banter. 🙂
Maureen @ Maureen's Books
I’m glad this book worked for you. It definitely sounds like a nice summer romance read.
Sophia Rose
It sure was. Thanks, Maureen!
Anne - Books of My Heart
I don’t mind an age gap but it rarely goes this way or if it does the guy doesn’t always stay with her. It’s usually the other way where the woman is younger, even much younger.
Sophia Rose
I’ve only ever seen the age gap with older men/younger women in real life expect with one situation and it didn’t work out (but that had the complication of ‘green card’ stuff) Still, fun to see it work in fiction. 🙂
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters
I’ve been wanting to read this one! I love Olivia Dade’s writing so much.
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters
Sophia Rose
It was adorable fun in the sun. I need to read more of her stuff including the first one in this series. 🙂
Debbie Haupt
Awe this sounds like my kind of summer read. Thanks Sophia Rose
Sophia Rose
It was a fun summery one, Debbie. Happy to put you onto it. 🙂