A Tempting Friendship

Clover Park, Book 10

By: Kylie Gilmore

Narrated by: Charles Lawrence

Widow Julia Turner is finally ready to date again after five years of mourning her husband. She confides to her longtime friend Angel Marino that she's signed up for an online dating site and is shocked when it's Angel that shows up at her door on the night of her first date. And the look in his eye is anything but friendly.

Angel has secretly been in love with Julia since college, and after fulfilling his promise to his deceased best friend to watch over her these past years, he can't stand idly by and watch her date another man. It's time to unleash the sexy for a seduction that's been a long time coming.

©2016 Kylie Gilmore (P)2016 Kylie Gilmore

Great Finish!

This 10th book is a great finish to the Clover Park Series. The entire series is fun and entertaining. Angelo “Angel” Marino is the youngest of the family and the last single man standing. He has been in love with Julia Turner ever since they met in college, however has had to keep that to himself. Julia married Angel’s best friend & Angel has been fulfilling a promise to watch over her since his friend’s death. Julia has been mourning her husband for five years but thinks she may be ready to get on with life now. Angel is hoping she will do that with him. Things get a bit complicated and pretty funny. A couple of good twists spice up the story but all ends well. Definitely a series to consider if you're looking for some fun romantic comedy. Thank you Kylie Gilmore for a great series and also Charles Lawrence for his exemplary narration.

Romantic perfection!

I have listened to the entire Clover Park audiobook series written by Kylie Gilmore, and narrated by Charles Laurence and I have enjoyed each and every one because these two talented people are a match made in audiobook heaven. Kylie Gilmore writes heartwarming comedic romance storylines that have wonderful characters and are what I call romantic perfection. Angel Marino has been in love with Julia Turner since they were in college together. But she was married to another man and before her husband died, he asked Angel to watch out for her. Angel has been Julia's best friend through thick and think and now that she's decided she's ready to date again, Angel makes sure that the only man that's going to show up on her doorstep and show her a good time will be him. Witnessing their dating antics and disasters was comical at times and so deeply emotional at other times that I was in tears either way. The best part of this series is the love and support of the Marino/Reynolds family who are always on hand to add family drama and comedic relief while all six male siblings search and find their true love. The second best part of this series is the narration of Charles Laurence. He's my absolute favorite audiobook voice and I'll buy any audiobook that has his name on the cover because he's simply the best at what he does. He has a great voice that is fun, flirty and oh-so-sexy it makes me swoon! I guarantee you will love it! I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook and all opinions expressed in my voluntary review are completely my own.

Angelo & Julia

Any additional comments?

Angelo loved Julia from the moment he met her and loved spending time with her. His friend Brad knew how he felt about her and jumped in front of Angelo and went after her. Brad was Julia's first in everything. She was attracted to both Angelo and Brad, but felt she needed to stay with Brad because he was adopted like she was. Julia has spent many years mourning his death and feels ready to move on, but she wants Angelo to move on. Brad hid many things from Julia and Angelo. Julia has problems knowing what she wants and acting on them. She hurts herself as often as she hurts Angelo.

Another winner by Ms Gilmore

If you could sum up A Tempting Friendship in three words, what would they be?

Friendship, Lovers, Guilt

Who was your favorite character and why?

Love BOTH Angel and Julia. Their relationship, and friendship transcended 10 intense years of their lives.

Have you listened to any of Charles Lawrence’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to other performances by Mr Lawrence and continue to be impressed by his narration.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Would have wanted but not able due to commitments

Any additional comments?

Wow, was I in for a huge surprise with this audiobook, 10th in the series by Ms Gilmore, Clover Park. All good!!
Totally not what I expected of Angel’s and Julia’s story. Though part of a series, it is truly a stand alone.

That said, if you have listened/read the previous books, you will get to visit with the those characters as well and find out how they are doing .

Angel is the last single/unattached brother of the Marino/Reynolds clan. He and Julia have a history that extends from their meeting in college to the present as co-workers in the school where she teaches and he is a social worker. It’s a friends to lovers story, full of twists and turns, surprises, roll player and LOTS of heat.

A truly complex plot that will keep you on your toes.
That said, while others will give you more on the storyline, I want to add that it made me think about how one incident that can occur in someone’s life 10 years before, can really affect how the lives of multiple individuals are affected. Sometimes causing hurts , misunderstandings, longing and guilt. Thought provoking for sure.

I do want to say that Mr Lawerence’s narration of the audiobook was excellent and will not hesitate to pick up an audiobook narrated by him, or a book written by this talented author.

I was gifted this audiobook. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

An Excellent End to a Beautiful Beginning...

Would you consider the audio edition of A Tempting Friendship to be better than the print version?

I liked both, in fact, I read the print before listening to the audio. I enjoyed this book immensely both ways.

What other book might you compare A Tempting Friendship to and why?

Since I can't recall having read a book like this before, I can't really say off the cuff. I do know this though. This great friendship in the book gets better and better with each page you turn or listen to in this case.

Have you listened to any of Charles Lawrence’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to Charles Lawrence through all of the Clover Park series, starting with The Opposite of Wild. All of these books are written by Kylie Gilmore, and they are all fantastic.
I think that this book falls in line with all of the others and that Charles Lawrence did a fantastic job narrating. He pinned down all of the characters and their voices. Very well done all the way through.

If you could rename A Tempting Friendship, what would you call it?

Friends with Benefits...lol

Really though, the title A Tempting Friendship is a perfect name for the book. I wouldn't change it at all.

Any additional comments?

I hope everyone enjoys this book as much as I did. You will laugh and cry at lots of different intervals through out the many scenes in this story. I know you will love it too. I didn't want to put it down.

a relationship built on cheating

What would have made A Tempting Friendship better?

I wish the promo had let me know that their relationship was built on a history of cheating. The premise doesn't ring true. Why would two people who were willing to cheat when her boyfriend/ husband was alive not immediately go for it when he dies? Guilt? Really? Couldn't get past the first 20 minutes.