For Fork's Sake

De: Karen Grey

Narrado por: Erin Mallon, Alastair Haynesbridge

SAM: I hate my hometown. But whether I like it or not, I’m back. Putting me face-to-face with all the reasons I left, including the forking family I’ve been avoiding for years. What I don’t expect to find in Fork Lick?

The woman who upended my world last year. Making videos with my grandmother.

DIANE: I know what I’m hiding. But the guy I left in bed after a steamy one-night stand…I haven’t a clue what’s going on behind those Clark Kent glasses of his. I’ve met his goofy dog Gomer, his social media-obsessed grandmother, and his sheep that lives in a palace. I know he wears a three-piece suit and a flannel shirt equally well–not to mention what he looks like underneath. I know he abruptly quit his job at that evil conglomerate.

Because of something I said. What I can’t figure out is why he avoids his adorable, hilarious family. Or why he steers clear of their picture-perfect farm. Or what’s so wrong with cute-as-a-button Fork Lick. I never felt at home in the Manhattan penthouse where I grew up, but I love everything about this tiny town. Including… Sam.

Problem is, no matter what his secrets are, mine are definitely worse.

©2024 Karen Grey (P)2024 Home Cooked Books

“Sam and Diane sitting in a tree…”

ARC Review - July 2024
Story: 4.5 ⭐️s

Karen Grey picks up the Bedd family baton in book 3 of the joint Farm 2 Forking series and, so far, this one is definitely my favorite. Trope-wise there is some grumpy/sunshine-do-gooder happening, with a meet cute that culminates in a steamy one-night-stand (wowzer!), as well as some shades of enemies-to-lovers vibes when they meet again (though not in OTT way, which I appreciate). Plus, there is an adorable dog (❤️Gomer❤️)! So this book definitely pushed a lot of my built-in romance buttons in the best ways!

Sam (twin to Colleen, dog-dad to Gomer) is super smart, has all the facts - but that has somewhat alienated him, or caused him to alienate himself from his family (as is often the case, it turns out to be a bit of both as the story progresses). He knows all the ag-science, but he has a few lessons to learn people and he gets a great mentor in Carlos. Sam is also harboring some secret guilt about family wounds old and new. Diane McCarthy wants to make the world - or at least her small part of it - better. She has some secrets of her own, that motivate her ambitions, but this doesn’t prevent her being genuine in her intent. She has a passion for bringing attention to farmers and their practices and traditions through her YouTube channel. Though she and Sam are unknowingly on opposite sides of an industry line when they first meet, that dissolves rather quickly, which leaves room for other tensions to build when they meet again several months later. And what a reunion it is!

Sam and Diane are a fantastic couple. Despite a rocky re-start, they ultimately bring out the best in each other. They bond via shared love of trivia, a passion for farming issues, and admiration for each other’s abilities. Plus, they are FIRE 🔥 together, and this absolutely felt like one of Grey’s steamiest books. It probably doesn’t hurt that Sam is described as a dead ringer for Henry Cavill, which projected a picture of beautifully rendered sexy-nerdiness directly into my head the whole time; so, Holy Hotness, Batman! (Or Superman, to be accurate!) Of course, there were also beautiful moments between the MCs, but also between the MCs and the secondaries for humor, pathos, and character development. All in all, I just loved their love story and I felt like I smiled just about every time they were on page together - or on page with Ethel or Gomer! - which made for a great reading journey!

The development of the broader Bedd family dynamics felt much more present in this book than in the previous two, and I was all here for it. I think because Sam had his twin-mind-melding with Colleen and so many wonderful scenes with Ethel (she feels so much more like a tangible character rather than a plot device to me now!) - it all worked better for me this time out. I was compelled by the family connections - even when fractured or strained - so much more in this book than the previous two. I hope that trend continues into the next books.

The only element in FFS that gave me pause was the handling of Sam’s potential neurodivergence. When first introduced in conversation with Carlos, it came off as a bit arm-chair diagnosis on his part. And while Sam then talks with Colleen who has some training and experience as a teacher, I would have felt more comfortable if Sam had sought out a professional consultation to verify. As the story left off, he is seemingly relying solely on the combo of brief “I think you might be..” conversations, some questionable self-diagnosis through online tests, and cursory personal research. It just felt like this element needed a little more page time. Awareness of ASD, ADHD, or other diagnoses in adulthood, should absolutely be overt in romance, and it’s great that the attempt is here. One of the things I love so much about Grey’s writing is that she not only builds a beautiful love story, but that she so often imbues her characters with a variety of lived experiences and thereby makes such experiences visible. She also works hard to make that feel like a nuanced part of her characters’ existences, not just traits or quirks. However, while this aspect of Sam’s life had great potential, compared to her handling of other experiences (bodily autonomy, anxiety, trauma, etc.) in past books, this one felt a little under-baked.

Regardless, there is still a lot to love here, and I had a great experience with this book. Again, Sam and Diane (and Gomer!) are my favorite so far, so I wholeheartedly recommend their story. Now, I impatiently await the audio version of FFS, as well as the next book and Bedd sibling love connection!

I received an ARC copy of this book via the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

Audiobook Addendum - December 2024
Narration: 5 ⭐️s

The wait is over! The audio version of FFS has arrived and I loved every second of it! Erin Mallon and Alastair Haynesbridge did a fantastic job bringing Diane and Sam to life. Their skills shine, and that’s true of the whole series so far. Book 3 is where the F2F shared setting and characters really started to gel for me, and I felt that Mallon and Haynesbridge’s work paired well with that shift. Both performers handle the entire cast of characters so beautifully (Mallon’s approach to Ethel is particular charming), yet still always allow the central performance of the main couple to shine. Sam and Diane’s story is such a lovely and engaging one that returning to it in audio was a joy. I highly recommend it!

I’m grateful to have received an ALC copy of the audiobook via Home Cooked Books. All opinions expressed are my own.

Heartfelt & Punny

From a steamy one-night stand to a professional standoff, Sam and Diane’s love story was exciting from page one! I love a good “hot stranger rescuing the FMC from the creep at the bar” setup! A fake boyfriend sweeping in for the rescue is swoony and hot, especially when the MMC has an alluring voice that captivates the FMC “like a flower to the sun”. Diane and Sam’s chemistry was sizzling and their flirty banter & chippy bickering were equally cute. If you like a good arguing-to-makeout moment, you are in for a treat and a kiss so hot it’s a wonder the barn didn’t catch fire! Sam and his dog Gomer will melt your heart. Family dynamics, working through guilt, and managing grief are only a few of the touching issues Karen explores that make this charming rom-com a wonderful read. For the love of trivia and strawberries, this book was funny, and sweet, and left me a swoony puddle of mush at the end.

Erin Mallon and Alastair Haynesbridge brought Karen’s first contemporary romance off the page perfectly. Alastair captured Sam’s relatable, heartwrenching, sweet character arc to life with an outstanding performance. I loved Sam when I first read the book, and Alastair’s narration evoked the smitten swooning all over again! Erin’s portrayal of Diane’s kindhearted, relentless, sultry character was charming. She is unwaveringly marvelous at bringing humor and heart to life in her performances. I cannot get enough of this duo! Bring on more Bedd Farms fun!

Loved it

Karen Grey is a relatively new author to me and I am shocked that I have not read more from this author before.

Set in Fork Lick ( I just love the name) For Fork’s Sake is Dam and Dianne’s story and it ticked all the boxes for me. From the first chapter to the last I was invested in the story that Ms. Grey wove.

Sam’s grandmother and the Bedd family are such quirky and engaging characters, add in a dog named Gomer and hang on for the fun. Fate often works in mysterious ways when Sam and Diane reconnect and their journey is rocky.

This story gave me numerous laugh out loud moment which I really needed.

The narration by Erin Mallon and Alastair Haynesbridge brought the characters to life for me. Their voices were easy to listen too and they brought all the passion, drama, romance and humour to their performances.

Sam and Diane are Delightful

I love Erin Mallon as a narrator. she is wonderful as Diane. The story of Sam and Diane's first meeting is so fun. I love that they were friends on the app for so long before meeting in person. I think it's a good person that can learn to change throughout the story. I eant to be a part of Sam's family too.

Saving the family farm

Sam and Diane had a hot sexy night.
the next day, the bliss wore off when they were on opposite sides, when they both were speaking about agriculture before Congress.
Months later Diane’s blog brought her to small town America to interview family farmers about their practices.
It just so happens to be Sam’s family farm.Their relationship is hot/ cold. Decisions that can affect their lives are made.
Erin Mallon and Alistair Haynesbridge are excellent narrators. They captured the personalities and voices of each character.

Sweet love story with farming tips

I enjoyed the characters and the story and learned some things about seeds and farming during the story. This was my first time reading about a neurodivergent main character. My heart went out to Sam as he described his life and struggles. To see him and Diane both overcome their issues and find love made me love this story!

Sam is sneaky smexy

Ole Sam Dan came to the party & said "watch this".
He had me wrapped around his pinky from the night of his one night stand with Diane.
Sam is the nerd, if you will, of the family, & has always been the one who is "going places" beyond the farm life. But the sacrifices made to get him to where he is now are far greater than anyone could ever know.
Diane is living a life that was never expected of her.
She has a heart for philanthropy & a passion to help the small town farmers. But will the people she's come to cherish still accept her when real life shows itself?
I loved Sam & Diane's meet cute. After meeting in a bar, they find that they have unknowingly been online gaming with each other on a trivia app. Their connection is so potent & instant. What was meant to be the start of something beautiful quickly turned into a one night stand when circumstances took an unfortunate turn.
Diane, now helping a college friend's family farm, finds herself face to face with her scorching hot one night stand only to find out that he is the twin of her college friend. But misperceptions are strong & both Sam & Diane find themselves fighting their draw to each other.
I loved seeing Sam's side of his relationship with his grandpa & his place in the family. I loved seeing the family come together one by one to become the unity that their grandma craves. I loved how their grandma also has a way of connecting so perfectly with these newcomers to her family & using her
"meddling grandma" talents for the greater good. I can't say Baaaarbara's meddling tendencies are for the greater good, but they are useful in upping the funny & lighthearted factor.

Audiobook Review:
Erin Mallon & Alastair Haynesbridge knock another one out of the park. I love their transitions to the different couples & their abilities to keep true to the main characters even with previous characters popping in.

Fun romcom with lots of heart

Karen Grey's romances are always a treat for me as a nostalgia loving lady that likes call backs to growing up. Sam and Diane? A classic couple name for me!

For Fork's Sake is the third novel in the multi-author Farm 2 Forking series, and this time Sam Bedd is the one to fall in love. Sam's relationship with his family is strained, but underlying is so much love and caring for each other, even if they don't always understand him. His happily-ever-after with Diane started months ago with a one night stand, but to Diane, Sam represents everything that she is advocating against. Luckily Sam and Diane are able to sort out their differences, and Sam finally opens up to his family and starts mending fences. Along the way, we have some fun, lots of heart, and some steam to keep you warm at night.

The audio, narrated by Erin Mallon and Alistair Haynesbridge, really puts you right inside the story. You can feel Sam's pain of being the odd-man out within his family, and Diane's confusion with the assumptions that she made vs the man she knows Sam to be. Highly recommend the audio!

Loved the story, the characters and the narration

I’m loving everything about this series and I’m excited for every release. For Forks Sake is book 3 and it’s a fun, sweet, flirty read that will appeal to a wide range of audiences. This is Sam Bedd and Diane’s rivals to lovers story.

Erin Mallon and Alastair Haynesbridge brought the characters and their story to life for me. Their voices were easy to listen too and they brought all the passion, drama, romance and humour to their performances.

Sam and Diane meet when they are both travelling for work and they end up spending a couple of passionate nights together. What follows is two complete opposites ending up back in Sam’s small hometown where Diane meets his quirky grandmother, his goofy hog Gomer and the sheep who lives in a palace…….
This is a hilarious read and it’s a great addition to the series. If you love romantic comedy’s look no further than this gem of a read.

Charming RomCom

I enjoyed this story. I appreciated the small-town setting. I liked Sam and Diane as they both were concerned about others and the earth. I was entertained by their romantic dance as a couple. I loved Gomer as he was a real charmer. I liked the flashes of humor. I enjoyed Erin Mallon's and Alastair Haynesbridge's dual narrations as their performances enhanced the story's entertainment. I was given a copy of the audiobook through Home Cooked Books. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which reflected my honest opinions regarding this audiobook.