Catch a Kiwi

New Zealand Ever After, Book 6

De: Rosalind James

Narrado por: Emma Wilder, Calum Gittins

Breathe, smile, and move on. When you’re writing the next chapter in your rags-to-riches-to-rags story, you need about a million quotes like that. I might have been short on inspiration, but I had determination. That was it, except for a very young cousin and a very old campervan, but I was all about starting over. Nobody knew me in New Zealand other than a series of café and motel managers, and anonymity suited me fine. Manlessness suited me even finer.

Until the day when that campervan rolled down a South Island hillside in a tropical cyclone and trapped my cousin Delilah inside, and an extremely rude stranger helped me get her out. Now, I had no campervan and possibly even less inspiration. I still had determination, though. Determination not to let one Roman D’Angelo, no matter how rich or bossy he might be, run my life or mess with my inner peace. I was serene. I was independent. I was in control.

I was in so much trouble.

©2024 Rosalind James (P)2024 Rosalind James

I Love Returning to Rosalind James’ New Zealand

Before its release, I had been looking forward to listening to the audio version of the latest Rosalind James book, Catch a Kiwi, and I was not disappointed as I enjoyed it very much. With the New Zealand setting and so many returning characters from previous books, it was a lot like coming home. The book touched on many themes, not the least was about new beginnings, whether geographically, emotionally, mentally and so on. The narration is excellent and does so much to bring the written words to life. It is a very enjoyable and entertaining book and fans of the romance genre, especially those who are fans of Rosalind James’ work, will love it. If I have any criticism, I think it ran a bit too long and that brought a bit of repetition. A solid four stars.

I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. I was neither compensated nor expected to write a positive review. The opinions stated are solely my own.

never cried so much

this book was a ruff start for me. but oh boy I'm so glad I stayed with it. I love how Rosalind brought so many characters together in this beautiful book.

From Pauper to Princess and back again

I enjoyed the story line and enjoyed that the characters were gently flawed. At first I thought the romance was evolving to rapidly. But this is Rosalind’s storytelling, I should have known better. It’s an interesting story with twists and turns and a few worthy cringe moments. And for good measure a few spicy moments. Roselind’s stories are always worth a good read.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

4.5 Stars Overall

Rosalind James is a favorite author of mine to read and listen to. I actually enjoyed listening to this book more than reading it.

I love this world she has created. We get to see characters from other books, which add to the investment of the book/series. This is a slow burn romance that had me laughing out loud a few times. I rolled my eyes a couple times as well, though. I hope we get Esther and Delilah's stories in the future! Looking forward to the next book.

Emma Wilder and Calum Gittins are excellent narrators! They brought this audiobook to life with emotional performances that had it rolling like a movie in my head. Perfection.

#RJReviewTeam

so many characters

I always love the series' that Rosalind writes. It feels like I can relate easier when I know some of the characters. This one was no exception, although there were so many previous characters it was so easy. I won't spoil the ending but I hated it. Not the story itself but what happened. You knew it was coming but it didn't make it easier. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the constant quotes. I like when there's some but I felt there was too many.
As for the narration, as always it was top of the line. I wasn't sure originally if I would like a male voice but it works out great. I think they compliment each other.
As always I can't wait for her next book.

Supurb narration of a wonderful Kiwi romance

Rosalind James has crafted another wonderful New Zealand romance.

The main characters, Roman and Summer, are well written, with complex messy lives that make the reader care about them. Roman and Summer seem initially to be very different, but as we get to know them we find out that their backgrounds have much in common. Summer's desire to be independent and not rely on anyone, even Roman, is so understandable given her past trauma. This is an amazing story of how they found their way to their HEA, with help from the supporting characters.

The supporting characters, especially Summer's cousin Delilah, bring humor and add dimension to Roman and Summer. I especially love seeing more of my favorite characters from previous New Zealand Ever After stories: Koro, Hemi, Hope, Matiu, Poppy, Grey and Daisy. They bring a continuity and background to Catch a Kiwi.

Like some other books in this series, Catch a Kiwi is action packed from the beginning. The author writes so well that the reader feels almost part of the action.

Update 8/10/24: After reading Catch a Kiwi twice, the audiobook narration was just released! I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Catch a Kiwi audiobook is superbly narrated by Emma Wilder and Calum Gittins. I enjoyed listening immensely! To me a good audiobook adds something more than just reading the story, and these narrators really brought the emotions of the characters and the story to life.

I highly recommend Catch A Kiwi, which is a standalone HEA, but part of a wonderful series, New Zealand Ever After.

Taking a Chance

Sometimes your life is bad enough you need to escape to another country to restart your life. Summer has already had a pretty crappy life to use her own words. But she has managed to pull herself up using her brains and her looks when needed. She has managed to change her life and moved from the US to the UK, married a football star (for the Yanks, soccer), been a WAG on her own terms, survived the idiot she married dragging her into his fraud and bankruptcy, and managed to keep her head held up high. She goes back to the US and takes her younger cousin, Delilah, with her to New Zealand for a gap year.

Summer and Delilah have been working their way around New Zealand working various odd jobs. They are on their way to a remote beach area to camp when their rather dubious camper van decides to quit working while they are going downhill on a gravel road. Their "grand" adventure goes sideways from here.

Roman has been quietly building his life and his firms up. He has been married twice before and has decided he doesn't need nor have time in his life for romance. Today has been one of the days nobody who owns a business likes for Roman. He has had to fire someone, promote someone and then drive to his holiday home to make sure that it is okay due to heavy rains and flooding.

And this is when the lives of Summer and Roman intersect. The camper van has done a runner and gone off the road into the trees on Roman's drive. Summer is there trying to get Delilah out of the upside down camper van. Trying being the operative word. Roman despite all of his exterior gruffness is deep down inside a gentle soul who has yet to meet his soul mate. He rescues both Summer and Delilah taking care of them and their injuries. And this is when the adventures really begin between Summer and Roman.

We do end up finding out that Roman is related to Hemi along the way. And we learn some interesting tidbits about Roman's admin assistant, Esther. Hopefully we will get Esther's story next.

I have read this book twice now and listened to the audio version. So realistically, I have read this book three times. I was provided an ARC of this book from the author prior to publication. But life intervened and I honestly forgot to read it and review on time. But I always purchase her books as soon as I get the email from her mailing list one is available for pre-order.

this book is a hoot

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own

this book is a hoot the main characters Roman and Summer seem to spark of each other and they each have there own baggage and Summer's cousin in a hoot

you will also catch up with some old friends if you have read or listened to Rosalind's other books in this series Koro, Hemi, Hope, Matiu, Poppy, Grey and Daisy

so if you like a rollercoaster of a ride when reading a book then this book is definitely for you as it is definitely a rollercoaster as characters in this book are definitely characters and you come to love and hate them and then love them again

I look forward to the next book in the series

Rosalind James never disappoints

Both the MC are strong, independent, and accomplished but have been hurt before. The characters are multi-dimensional and likable. We get to see beloved people from earlier books that are part of an extended family. I appreciate that this author's books are longer than many contemporary romances so we get to know and feel these individuals - I admit that I get attached and don't want the books or series to end!

I have learned so much about New Zealand, its culture and Maori traditions that I would love to visit.

Narrator Emma Wilder is awesome, and along with the male narrator (his name has slipped my miy) seem to do a good job with accents, though I haven't heard enough Kiwis' to know for sure.

Heartfelt Story

I enjoyed the new main characters brought into this book (Summer, Roman, and Delilah). They interacted well and there was plenty of chemistry that made this a fun and quick listen. I like that their relationship developed over time even though there was an early attraction which seemed realistic rather compared with an instant love story (especially with more mature characters that have had serious relationships before). I like too that there was none of the veering off into the common pitfalls of the romance genre (such when the pairs possess no ability to communicate.) I also really liked the exploration of family and belonging in this book. I would love to see more of side character Penny in future books! I am interested to see how Delilah develops and matures as a character, especially away from Summer. I enjoyed her snark.

I would definitely recommend this audiobook. I think it is a great read for romance fans that want a little more maturity and deeper content in their listen, but still want something that will be easy to read and a great escape.

Emma Wilder and Calum Gittins are both great narrators and create distinct characters with good pacing. Wilder specifically is a favorite. For whatever reason, I think I would have preferred if this was a single narrator audiobooks rather than the back and forth between the two, but I enjoyed the audiobook as is.

I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.