Touch of Fondness

Stay in Touch Series

By: Joy Penny

Narrated by: Susan Marlowe

Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Four friends. Four college grads. Four people figuring out that life doesn't always turn out the way you expected.

Brielle Reyes may not have post-college life planned out like some of her friends do, but she figures she'll work for her mother's home cleaning service while job hunting for something that makes use of her history and philosophy degrees. It'll work out as long as she doesn't fall in love. Her last relationship was a disaster and she has no idea where she'll be in a few weeks, let alone the rest of her life. Since the only guy in her age range she sees now on a regular basis is cantankerous if handsome client Archer Ward, she probably won't have a hard time sticking to that vow. Probably.

Archer Ward likes very few things: illustrating as a somewhat-celebrated comic artist and his privacy. When his meddling mother hires him a cleaning service on an almost daily basis because she doesn't fully trust her son to live on his own with his disability, he's at first annoyed - even if his house cleaner is the most beautiful woman he's ever spent more than a few minutes with. When he realizes her dreams may take her far outside of his restricted orbit, he has to decide whether to stifle his interest in her or risk messing up her plans to explore if there's something more between them.

Neither can deny they're growing a little fond of each other, even if falling in love just now makes no sense whatsoever. But how often does love ever make perfect sense?

©2017 Amy McNulty/Joy Penny (P)2017 Amy McNulty/Joy Penny

An Absolute Gem of a Read

I loved this book! At turns sweet, uncertain, occasionally with angst (but not self pity), I fell for Archer and Brielle's story. Well written and authentic, I really appreciate the inclusion of a disabled male lead, but also how honest the book is with struggles and relationships. (Not simply with Brielle, but with Archer's parents) This is a lovely and adorable read. The narration is wonderful as well, and I tore through the audiobook as quickly as possible. When I reached the end I was sad to say goodbye. This is my first book from this author, but I'll be looking for more of her work. The maid characters aside, I enjoyed all the secondary characters as well. We're just given a taste of Brielle's 3 friends, but I want more. The parents are all great as well. (Even if Archer's mother drove me nuts) All around, this is a very, very good, heartfelt book. Highly recommend! This is a voluntary review of a copy gifted by the author.

Great read

Any additional comments?

Touch of Fondness by ahoy Penny was a great Read. Brielle's life hasn't gone as she planned since she graduated college. She is currently working at her mom's cleaning company. One of her clients is Archer Ward, a comic artist who is in a wheelchair. I loved reading their story, it is a must read.

Loved it!

I read hundreds of books each year but this is the first book I've read where someone in a wheelchair is a main character, there's something quite sad about that. I loved this story, it deals with the topic of disability is a very normalising and respectful manner.

Archer and Brielle are interesting because of their interaction. Other than Archer's disability both are very normal and yet the people around them help create some odd and trying situations.

The book is very well written, the story flows and is engaging and I really enjoyed listening to it.

The narration was excellent, smoothly delivered and with great character voices.

This book was supplied free by the author/narrator/publisher and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.

If you found this review helpful would you please take a moment to click yes below, thanks

I Like Different!

I enjoy romance stories that go outside the standard trope and Touch of Fondness is one such story. Archer is a brilliant artist but his disability has left him somewhat isolated. Brielle has just graduated from college and is unsure of what direction she wants to go career wise. She heads back home to help out her mother’s cleaning service, that’s when she meets Archer and their relationship slowly begins to bloom and evolve into more.

I enjoyed how this story unfolded. There’s conflict, uncertainty and misunderstandings, but the situations they found themselves confronting felt true and realistic.

Susan Marlow narrates this audiobook in just under 8 ½ hours. I think she did a good job in this fully voiced production. The voicing of some minor characters was a little uneven at times but her pacing was perfect.

If you’re looking for something a little different Touch of Fondness just might do!

Exciting Story dull Narrator

The story was well written but the narrator put me to sleep three times. She speaks in the same monotone no matter who is talking. This is a love story that defies all odds. Both are fighting things that they feel they can't overcome but are drawn to each other in such a way that they can't help themselves. I love the way the disability was overcome. His Mom was hilarious and his dad just made me proud. He had a way of moving his Mom away so the son could be the man he was supposed to be, Those friends each need their own book. They were just too funny for words. If the narrator was not so laid back or if there was a male and female narrator this book would be a home run. I have listened to this narrator before and it struck me the same way.

Enjoyed this book a lot!

I really enjoyed this book and I really appreciate that the author has a disabled main character! I really enjoy when authors do that to shed light on people who are a little different from others.

Ok, not what I thought

Overall good story... it needs a better ending/epilogue... it just kinda drops off...
Narrator was not impressing, at times it was like she didn't care to be reading...

I am fond of this book!

I really liked this book. I'm a bit far off from the ages of these characters but I still recall being in my early twenties. I can relate to their motivations and actions pretty easily. I loved that Archer was a main character and his disability was not glossed over. the fact that it was never actually defined really didn't bother me because it doesn't quite matter. I don't need to know why he's disabled. just like a real life person, a disability should not define somebody.

I think Susan Marlow did a great job. The distinct voices she gave to each character were easily identifiable, and I think she brought a nice amount of emotion to each scene.

I received a code for this audiobook in exchange for my honest and fair review. This did not impact my opinion on this book.

Sweet Story!

Typically I do not listen to many Coming of Age romance books, but I found this one to be original and enjoyable. I thought the author and narrator did a very good job of portraying the characters and their emotions. This was my first listen to a book by both the author and narrator that I have experienced. I loved how realistic Archer was given his disability. (The author did a provide great insight into how a socially shy person might behave). My review is not a synopsis of the book, but rather my opinion of it. I leave it up to the professionals to write the synopsis as they are much more eloquent. I was provided with this review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily written this review.

Amazed I liked this book so much!

**I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.**

There were so many aspects of the story that wasn't something I thought I would enjoy, younger/ un-experienced protagonists; an "adult" romance that didn't have a lot of heat.

But I was cheering for the characters and absolutely loved them and was so excited to hear the end. Listen to this book for a great love story, but not erotic, which is fine!