Almost Strangers

A Decker Family Novel (Somehow Everlasting, Book 1)

By: Claudia Burgoa

Narrated by: Joe Arden, Stephanie Nemeth-Parker

USA Today best-selling author Claudia Burgoa pens an emotional, heartbreaking romance duet where soul mates can’t be together and everything around them tears them apart.

I found it (him) at the bookstore.

Love.

He was six-foot-four, lanky, blue-eyed.

Jacob Decker was goofy, handsome, and cheesy.

There’s no better way to describe him.

But what can I expect of an 18-year-old boy who’s lived under a rock all his life?

I’ll let you into a little secret.

I had no idea what to expect.

We were each other’s first everything.

But the fantasy lasted only a semester.

Soon I had to move away.

A few years later, he was a rock star, and I was...

Grasping for a lifeline.

The problem with first loves is that they never leave you.

But they never come back, do they?

Almost Strangers is the first novel in the Somehow Everlasting duet, a Decker Family novel. This book ends on a cliff-hanger that'll change everything....

The Somehow Everlasting Duet is based on Jacob Decker and Pria Walker's story. Part of this duet was released as Uncharted.

©2022 Claudia Burgoa (P)2022 Claudia Burgoa

Very fast paced

This was incredibly fast paced. The story moves so fast that before you know it, 10 years have passed. It was a whirlwind romance that two college freshmen start before they’re torn apart by circumstance. It’ll tug on your heartstrings and you’ll be mad because they both definitely make some dumb assumptions/decisions. I did really like the premise of the story and the characters.

I think it could have been improved a bit if the story would have just jumped ahead after they initially went their separate ways to when they actually meet again but with them being frosty to each other. Could have left the reader wondering what happened to make them hate each other after they were seemingly in love then had them reveal to each other during fits of anger or sadness once they start opening up to each other again about what happened that made them that way.

This one does end on a cliffhanger.

A Captivating & Emotional Romance! Outstanding Story & Listen🎧

After listening to and loving Claudia Burgoa’s “Unexpected Everlasting” Duet, I was looking forward to return to the amazing Decker world she created and to hear Ansley’s brothers’ story. Each duet features a different Decker triplet and stands on its own, but the siblings and their parents appear in each other’s book and while you need not have to have read the other’s books, I think it is best that you do. Not only are they amazing stories, but timelines overlap and knowing the other’s back story is beneficial, beside seeing them again is like seeing an old friend. This book is the start of Jacob and Pria’s story and wow, what a story it is, it is one not to be missed and I can not wait to start the next book in the duet, so happy it is already available. This story had me right from the start, grabbing my attention and captivating it straight to the end. After being homeschooled their entire life, the two Decker brothers were off to college and ready for the entire college experience. I love the camaraderie amongst the triplets and these two together are hilarious without even trying to be with their back-and-forth bickering, also loved how they are missing their sister, the more responsible one of the three. Cipriana “Pria” Walker, a freshman at UW, she is going to make the most of her time in college, for however long that may be. Her parents are always looking for the best places in the country for treatment for her sister, Maeve, who has Cystic Fibrosis. Her demanding overprotective mother asks a lot of her too, including being the caregiver for her sister, who she loves dearly. When Jacob throws the worst pickup lines on her, she just blows him off, but their paths cross again and he is persistent and will not give up on her. It was great to watch these two get to know each other and see it morph into young love, one that was supposed to be everlasting. Except Pria needs to go back home and knowing he is destined to be a big rockstar one day she makes a foolish decision to let him go. He does not except that and it turns out to be disastrous for him and when she realizes she made a mistake, she finds out he was gone and it she was too late. This is a beautifully written and plotted story of first love and heartache, the emotions pour off the pages and straight into your heart and you can feel every single one. Claudia Burgoa, thank you for this exceptional love story and emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧📚🎧 And for the fabulous narration, Joe Arden and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker do an amazing job bringing these characters to life, and did so with a complete understanding of each of their personas. I loved how they took each role, ran with it and made it their own, sounding natural in that role and believable. Besides nailing it in the lead roles, both were just as fabulous performing the roles of the secondary characters too. You could hear how much heart they put into their work as they capture all the character’s emotions and project them into their performance, making you feel every single one. These superbly talented narrators are entertaining storytellers and versatile voice artists. Thank you for another exceptional listen, it is always a pleasure to listen to your performances.

Emotions and angst aren't lacking!

Another great duet by Claudia Burgoa. The angst and emotions are definitely never lacking and I'm so here for it. This one does end in a cliff hanger so be prepared to wanna jump right into book 2.

I listened to this on audio and was so excited that Joe Arden was narrating the MMC. He always does such a great job and with Stephanie Nemeth-Parker dueting with him, it was so well done.

This one takes you on such an emotional journey with Jacob and Pria. These two no doubt where destined to be together but life and circumstances had other plans. Meeting in college and being ripped away from each other. They go through so much.

Dying to see what happens next in the conclusion of their story.

Thank you @foreverandalwayspr and Claudia Burgoa for allowing me to listen and review this ALC.

What an emotional roller coaster

Firstly be prepared that Almost Strangers end on a cliff hanger, so you have been warned. Jacob Decker and Pria Walker’s story was an emotional roller coaster of a read. It evoked so many emotions that I felt my head and heart spinning out of control.
Having read a number of books by Claudia Burgoa, I was excited to listen to Almost Strangers narrated by Joe Arden and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker who certainly did justice to this emotional roller coaster of a listen.
This is a second chance at love story that tore at my emotions and had me all over the place. It was at times a heartbreaking story and one that pulled me in multiple directions. They fell in love in college but after one semester they had to part ways.
Two souls who were destined to be together but are torn apart by fate. Both Jacob and Pria struggled through life even as a successful rock star, Jacob has struggled with his demons as has Pria.
There was so much angst, heartbreak and pain that brought me to tears. I cannot wait to read the conclusion in Strangers In Love.

Captivating and Emotional Romance!

I was completely captivated by this emotional love story. When Cypriana (Pria) Walker and Jacob (JC) Colthurst-Decker meet in college they have instant chemistry. Jacob knows immediately that Pria is his soul mate, written in the stars and destined to be together, forever. Pria isn't as convinced by Jacob's less than stellar 'lines' but after perseverance she agrees to go out with him. They fall hard for each other, and give each other all their firsts. Jacob is sweet and a romantic at heart. His artistic soul is awakened by Pria and he can't imagine life without her. Pria's life is ruled by her family and soon it is time for Pria to move away to get more help for her sick sister. Unfortunately events happen and Jacob can't contact or find her. He tries everything he can think of to find her but tragedy strikes in the process. Pria waits for him to call her but when he doesn't, she is finally forced to move on. This story is about how their lives, the decisions they made and how their responsibilities made them who they are. I was completely consumed by these star crossed lovers and my heart broke for them both.
Joe Arden, and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker developed and expressed these characters and their struggles so intimately, making them their own. Arden and Nemeth-Parker made me feel all the turmoil, excitement, and sexual tension that Jacob, and Pria felt, keeping me completely engaged, and making me care deeply for them.
This is a moving and emotional story of love, sacrifice, and consequences. It brought out so many extreme emotions and I loved every minute of it, and can't wait to see what the stars have in store for them!

Angsty, emotional romance!!

Oh, my heart! Almost Strangers by Claudia Burgoa was an emotional, heartfelt rollercoaster ride that did crazy things to my heart. This is book 1 in the Somehow Everlasting Duet, so be prepared for an angsty cliffhanger that will leave you longing for more. Jacob Decker and Pria Walker have a first love whirlwind romance that is suddenly ripped apart by tragedy when they are teenagers. They say time can heal a wounded heart, but both Jacob and Pria have had to overcome so much, and yet they are both still healing. Can fate lead these two back together?

Joe Arden and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker narrate this audio, and wow, do these two bring all the feels! Stephanie showcased Pria's innocence, vulnerabilities, and desires perfectly in a moving performance that made me tear up at times and feel all of Pria's troubles. Joe is spot on in conveying Jacob's curiosity, wants, and inner turmoil as he strives to move on and forget about his first love. The chemistry between Jacob and Pria is complicated yet magnetic, and both narrators portrayed it so well!

Overall, I loved this book! If you are a fan of an angsty emotional romance with a hot hunky triplet turned rockstar, a sweet, determined heroine determined to provide for her family, family drama, first love, tragedy, the passage of time, and a cliffy ending that will leave you needing more, then you will love the beginning of Jacob and Pria's romance. I am ready for Strangers in Love now!

Angsty & Emotional Rockstar Romance

𝑨𝒍𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒔 is the first book in the 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐮𝐞𝐭 by Claudia Burgoa, featuring an angsty and emotional rockstar romance for Jacob Decker and Pria Walker. A chance meeting in the college bookstore led to a whirlwind romance for the two young lovers who were clearly soulmates. But unfortunately, life is cruel sometimes, and family obligations, secrets, and career ambitions rip them apart. Do you ever forget your first love? Will they be able to find a way past everything that happened in the past?

I listened to the audio version narrated by Joe Arden & Stephanie Németh-Parker, and was immediately hooked by these characters!! I was gripped by the emotions, the angst, the connection, the longing. They were clearly meant to be, but fate is cruel with all the twists that are thrown at them! The sibling bonds between Pria and her sister, as well as the Decker triplets were a blast to observe. Both narrators did an amazing job conveying all the emotions and the various characters! This is the first time I’ve heard Stephanie, and she was excellent! Joe Arden is one of my favorite narrators, and was phenomenal as usual. Luckily, I don’t have to suffer over that cliffhanger. I’m jumping into Strangers in Love now.😆

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶

Soul mates and heart break

This was such an intense love story, it burned so hot, and then it burned them both. This was a beautiful and heartbreaking story, full of soulmates, first loves, family tragedy and hopelessness.

Wow! Amazing story!

Jacob and Pria took me through all the emotions. What a story! Can’t wait for the conclusion.

Enjoyed

I jumped into the middle of the series a few days ago. Now I am taking the time to learn more about all of the family. Jacob was a mystery so happy to get to his duet. Pria has been through so much in his life. Was nice to get a peek into his beginning with Pria. There are times when I think they are alive as Joe and Stephanie bring the side characters to the next level. Happy I started with Mattie's story as he seems to be asleep in the previous stories..haha