Now's the Time

The Ladies Who Brunch, Book 3

De: Harlow James

Narrado por: Jacob Morgan, Erin Mallon

“Let me experience all of you tonight, Penelope…since this is all that we get.”

That was the agreement between me and Maddox Taylor, the NFL’s most notorious playboy and mega-talented quarterback who happened to be out in California for one night—one night in which I broke all of my rules and gave in to the undeniable attraction I felt for the man.

He wooed me with dirty jokes, 80s musical references, an obsession with Steve Harvey, and a very specific piercing. How the hell was I supposed to fight that?

However, I should have listened to my gut because my reaction to him wasn’t just physical—it was more, something I hadn’t felt since the last man I let in left me all alone, and I vowed never to fall in love again.

Six weeks later, I find out I’m the new PR spokesperson for The Los Angeles Bolts football team, a team that just signed Maddox Taylor to their roster in hopes of a winning season.

With his signature cocky swagger, he corners me in my office, intent on rekindling our connection, but the tables had turned—I was now working for his team which created a conflict of interest, and put my job and both of our reputations on the line.

But that stubborn man wasn’t taking no for an answer, and before I knew it, I agreed to date him in secret even though relationships weren’t my thing.

And when Maddox had finally had enough of me refusing to open up, I was faced with a choice—do I let go of the one man that I’ve ever contemplated letting in despite the rules I’ve lived under for the past twelve years?

Or was now the time to face my demons so I could hold onto a future I didn’t know I wanted…

TW: loss of a loved one, themes of grief

©2022 Harlow James (P)2024 Harlow James

Great narration

Now’s the Time by @harlowjamesauthor

Ladies Who Brunch Book by 3

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely loved the Ladies Who Brunch series when I first read them back in 2022, so when the audios became available I of course had to jump on them. I have also gotten my mom on the band wagon of the Ladies Who Brunch and all week she has been asking for Penelope’s book.

I gave her the option of reading my physical copies or off kindle, but she has been loving the audiobooks since she can do more while listening. Let’s just say she was getting a little impatient having to wait until today to begin listening.

Erin Mallon and Jacob Morgan did a great job voicing Penelope and Maddox. I can not wait to hear Noelle’s book. Also forgot about the Newberry Springs connection!

Healing and bravery, with good audibook narration.

Penelope's transformation from a rebellious individual to embracing a surprising love with NFL superstar Maddox Taylor was both touching and exhilarating. Their clandestine love story, which took place amidst professional challenges, was beautifully portrayed, highlighting the themes of healing and bravery. The narrations by Jacob Morgan and Erin Mallon breathed life into the characters, adding depth to the emotions and humor of the story. This audiobook not only entertained but also delved into the intricacies of overcoming grief. A must-listen for anyone who enjoys sports romance!

Devouring this series!!

4/⭐️
2/🌶️

I loved this audio so much, I flew right through it!! Hearing the emotion in the stories gives such a different experience to the book. Jacob Morgan and Erin Mallon are two of my favorite narrators and they absolutely killed this!

Maddox made it so easy to fall in love with him. He really is the perfect gentleman, even if the outside world has a different perception of him. Pen and Maddox share some of the same type of trauma from their past, but I loved seeing them work through it and Pen start to heal.

I was laughing so hard at times. The banter and the dirty jokes were hilarious. The connection between these two could be felt.

I loved this series and all the side characters! I can’t wait to read more 🫶🏼

tropes - workplace romance, secret relationship, sports romance, cinnamon roll mmc, sassy heroine, female friendships

Maddox & Penelope are *Chef's Kiss*

Dear Penelope & Maddox, ⁣
⁣
You’re hot, you’re funny, you’re kind & caring, & dang it if y’all aren’t my newest favorite Harlow James couple! I’ll likely be adding you to my “slump buster” list of re-reads because your story was so unique and swoony. ⁣
⁣
You gave us a fantastic forbidden sports romance built on the foundation of a one-night stand, dirty jokes, sarcasm, concrete walls & sunsets.
⁣
You also gave us a couple to fight for, past trauma to overcome, & a reason to let people in to help you heal. Your shared experiences make you stronger as a couple & one worth rooting for. ⁣
⁣
Being a part of the Ladies Who Brunch friend group is ultimate goals & you two sure brought the fire. I’m so glad today is the day for everyone else to meet you! ⁣

More than just a story

Great stroyline. Loved how the hero didn't give up on the heroine. He was patient, kind loving knew what he wanted from the beginning and would not stop until he got what he wanted. Great on the spice level as well as great with the banter between the two main characters. Out hero was definitely deserving in this book. Great book 5 🌟 for me guys!

Cute story

Now’s the Time is the third book in the Ladies Who Brunch series, but it can be read as a standalone.

Maddox and Penelope had a one-night stand, thinking that would be it. One night. Until Penelope becomes the new PR person for the football team that Maddox plays for. Maddox couldn’t get Penelope out of his mind, and he was determined to get past her walls.

Penelope was so strong and very independent. She definitely had that “I don’t need a man” attitude, but she did give in to Maddox. Her past was so heartbreaking, but I was so happy when she finally got peace of mind and healing from it.

Maddox was so sweet with Penelope. I loved how hard he tried to get her to let him in, and he paid attention and listened to her.

They had great chemistry and banter! Some of those jokes were so funny! They were just so good for each other.

Narration Style: Dual

An emotional but beautiful story for sassy Pen!

Erin Mallon and Jacob Morgan did an amazing job narrating Penelope and Maddox. I can't get enough of narrator's making me feel like I know the characters through the story and they did that in Now's the Time.
I knew Penelope's story was going to be a good one based on the sass and independent woman vibes she gave off in the previous 2 books, but I was not ready for the emotional journey she took us on.
Having never gotten over the loss of her high school love, her first love and first everything, Penelope spends the next 12 years of her life detaching from connections with men, preferring hookups and moving on. Until she meets Maddox, the NFL QB that she felt an instant connection to.
After what was supposed to be a (very hot) one night stand, neither Maddox nor Penelope can stop thinking about each other. He knew from the moment they met that they had a connection and was determined to get her to admit it as well.
When she becomes the PR Rep for his new team, they are constantly in each others path, only spurring Maddox on to break through her walls even more. Try as she may, Penelope can't fight her attraction to him and agrees to give it a try, but still keeps her walls up as she starts to feel more and ore for Maddox.
As always, her girls are there for her and help talk her through what she's feeling once she finally opens up to them about what happened in her past. These ladies are the best of friends and I wish I could brunch with them. The found family they have in eachother is beautiful and we all need friends like that.
Returning home to say goodbye to her past, heal, and move on, Penelope realizes she loves Maddox and wants a future with him. Being the golden retriever that he is, Maddox welcomed her with open arms, and made her feel safe and loved enough to open up to him as well. When he shares what he went through in the past with his cousin, they realize they truly were meant to be and there was a reason for their instant attraction.
Of course, when they finally decide to go public, someone outs them first and causes issues with both their careers. I was so glad they quickly worked through that obsicle and came out even better from it with her landing a full time gig with his team.
Gah! The celebration after the big win...EPIC!!! I was so happy for Penelope and Maddox. I can't wait to hear more of them in Noelle's book! I love these ladies and the men they love so much, and I'm sad the series is getting ready to come to an end.

Fabulously Delightful! Amazing Story & Narration🎧

“The Ladies Who Brunch” series is an absolute delight, friends who meet once a week to catch up, and each book features one of them, and is just as amazing at the other. This third book is Penelope’s story, and I was looking forward to it because she intrigued me right from the start. Penelope has it all, the looks, the wit and a successful carrier in public relations. She also has secrets and a past that haunts her and reason she does not do boyfriends or relationships. She has rules about athletes, never get involved with one, romantically or work with them, but breaks that rule after meeting Maddox Taylor, an NFL quarterback, at a work event and has a steamy and memorable one-night-stand. Never planning on seeing him again since he plays for a team in New Orleans. But fate had other plans when her boss convinces her to work with the L.A. Bolts, a professional football team, the team Maddox was traded to. I adored Maddox, with his swoon worthy demeanor, his jokes and kind soul, what is not to like. Penelope has a good excuse to not get involved with Maddox, her job, but that does not discourage Maddox, and he is determined to not give up on her. I enjoyed watching these two dance around each other, the chemistry between them was undeniable and they could only deny themselves for so long. Maddox knows she is hiding a part of herself and they can never move forward until she can let go of her past, a past that haunts her and she will have to face. I loved all the layers to this story and the complexity of the characters, the writing, plot and world building are fantastic, as are the character growth and development. The story gives you all the feels, and has a perfect balance of drama, witty dialogue, charming humor, heartfelt emotions and steamy romance. Best of all, it puts a smile on your face. Harlow James, thank you for another wonderful story and emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧📚🎧 Jacob Morgan and Erin Mallon are the perfect cast to bring these characters to life and do so with a complete understanding of who they are portraying, giving each a voice that is fitting. I loved how they took their roles and ran with them, sounding believable and just as I imagined the characters to sound. They set the perfect tone for the story, captured all the characters’ emotions and had you feeling them all. These entertaining storytellers are a pleasure to listen to and their narration elevates this already amazing story to another level. Thank you for another fabulous listen.

Loved it!

This story follows up with Penelope who’s in the PR work field in the group of friends who have brunch. Penelope is a strong and successful woman who loves her independence and is not looking for a partner. Not even when she meets Maddox. She has one rule and she’s not about to break it. Maddox is a NFL’s mega-talented quarterback who’s about to meet the women who’s not afraid to put him in his place. This story was a little emotional which had me crying a little, but so worth the read. I loved this story a lot, which I definitely recommend. Erin Mallon and Jacob Morgan did a fabulous job narrating this audiobook together. The voices fit perfectly with the characters.

I’m obsessed with Maddox 😍

Audiobook Review!

This is book 3 in the Ladies Who Brunch series and it's my favorite! I've been interested in Penelope's story since book 1 and it did not disappoint. Maddox is a NFL player and Penelope works in PR. Maddox attends one of her events in California and they end up having a one night stand. Fast forward 6 weeks later and Maddox has been traded to to the Los Angeles Bolts and Penelope had been hired to be the PR spokesperson for the team. Penelope has been so guarded since a tragic accident 12 years ago. After that, she vowed to never fall in love. She stuck to it until Maddox who she was drawn to no matter how hard she fought it.

Ya'll, Maddox is absolutely SWOON WORTHY. He's perfection, patient, loyal, and so supportive of Penelope. Penelope is sarcastic, stubborn, and strong and it takes somebody like Maddox to challenge her. She does have some grief to work through and she has to decide if he's worth it. They're literally a match made in heaven. Their chemistry is off the charts and the humor throughout the book is great too!

"I think our souls knew we needed each other, baby. Mine recognized the guilt in yours, but perhaps together, we can completely heal."

Erin Mallon and Jacob Morgan KILLED this performance. They seriously did so good bringing both characters to life. I highly recommend the audiobook