Stronghold

Vino & Veritas Series

De: Ana Ashley

Narrado por: John Solo

A second chance at love? Or a second chance to ruin everything?

When Skyler spots the new bartender at Vino and Veritas, his body responds before the guy even turns around. But when he does, it takes only a heartbeat for recognition to set in and for sparks to fly. Judson's been gone for ten years, but he's the man Skyler never forgot. Or forgave.

The last place Judson wants to be is back home in Burlington, living with family. Not so long ago he was a world-class chef with the lifestyle to prove it. Now he's serving drinks and flying under the radar until he can get the hell out again. But when his childhood best friend reenters his life, looking finer than any entree at a five-star restaurant, he wonders if it's time to update his menu of life choices.

Working through past wounds with Skyler won't be easy, though, especially with family obligations-and the occasional dairy cow-interfering. When their loyalty is tested, will their newly built stronghold be sturdy enough to withstand the storm?

Contains mature themes.

©2021 Ana Ashley (P)2022 Tantor

John Solo’s narration is so good!

He was perfect bringing the author’s characters to life. If you like low angst served with sweet, spicy, and a side of maple syrup, you’re going to love Judson and Skylar’s second-chance love story. This was my first book by this author, and I’ll definitely be checking out more.

Aww second chances

This childhood bff, second chance romance is so sweet! We get to see poor Skylar who dated the pathetic Theo in an earlier book reunited with Judson, the formerly chubby, formally trained super chef. They’re cute together and the author does a great job working in V & V regulars. The audio performance is fantastic!

Short and quick read that packs a punch filled with romance!

A second chance love story that left me smiling ear to ear with such sweetness like the maple syrup described in the book. Childhood friends Judd and Skylar had parted ways by a pained miscommunication but the author didn’t drag it out and cleared it quickly once they reunited. Loved it!

So good

The storyline and the performance are stellar. I couldn’t stop listening to it. It’s so enjoyable

Amazing.

I love the romance of the Sky and Jud. Although the ending could have just a little more for me. it seemed a littled rushed.
but overall a great listen!

Better Than Expected

I’m not sure why, but it took me several starts until I actually listened to the whole book. Although the narration was just ok for me, the story was better than expected.

One of the best friends to lovers

I liked this book. There's a lot of detail for a five hour recording and it had a lot of realism.

Sky and Jud…

Good story…kind of a second chance romance. I liked “conflict” in this one even though it just proves communication is always the key.

John Solo is my favorite narrator, but he isn’t my least favorite. He does a decent job of differentiating between characters, but he doesn’t really add life to them. The story holds though and I was glad to see them get their HEA.

Back Home

This was a great second chance romance. Skylar and Judson had been best friends. What turns out to be a bad misunderstanding has kept them apart for years. I love the fun of the contest but also like having the reconnection without it.

Sweet second chance romance.

3.5*

Stronghold was a sweet childhood friends to enemies/lost touch second chance romance. Judson and Skyler had been friends since birth, but one misunderstanding blew their friendship apart, until 10 years later when they're both back home.
This is another one of those books that makes me sad for the characters, having been separated for so long due to a lack of communication. But thankfully they got their second chance and were able to clear the air, even if it took too long.

I enjoyed the narrator, although there were times it was difficult to differentiate the two characters.