Crushing on Kate

A Red Maple Falls Novel, Book 2

By: Theresa Paolo

Narrated by: Krista Nicely

It was love at first sight until he opened his mouth.

Born and raised in the small town of Red Maple Falls, it's impossible for Kate Hayes to meet a guy she hasn't known since first grade. When she is approached by a ridiculously attractive, unfamiliar face during one of her glass blowing demonstrations, she can't help but get her hopes up. Until he opens his mouth.

Caleb James established his bike shop in the middle of nowhere to escape his past. When the owner of the adjoining business blocks his parking spots to put on her "arts and crafts hour" he has no choice but to shut her down. What he doesn't expect is the fresh-faced beauty who refuses to accommodate his requests. Nor does he expect for the small town to be filled with big personalities who feel the need to force their way into his life, refusing to leave him alone.

While Caleb continues to fight Kate, and tries to keep his distance, holding on to a vow he made to himself to never trust again, she tears down every wall he's ever built. Will the promise of a future with Kate be enough to break the promise of his past?

©2017 Theresa Paolo (P)2019 Theresa Paolo

A Troubled Past Leads to a New Love

Crushing on Kate (book 2 in the Red Maple Falls novels) by Theresa Paolo was a good book when I read it, so when I got the chance to review the audio book, I jumped on it. The first few minutes are always the worst for me until I am able to adjust to the new voice. This was no different. Krista Nicely was a good pick to read this book. Her voice was even and used enough inflection to differentiate the characters without resorting to ridiculousness. It is relatively short at just over 5 hours, the perfect length for many listeners.

Kate owns a glass studio in a small town. Her new neighbor, Caleb, is opening a bike shop and does not seem all that pleasant. Kate, being the nice girl she is tries multiple times to offer him a gesture of friendship. He is not easy, but she is irresistibly drawn to him. One evening they give up and have sex in the back of Caleb's shop...then he leaves. Kate is understandably upset, but so drawn to him. Can she help Caleb overcome his resistance and build something real? Or at least get along?

Crushing on Kate is a fun, easy read/listen. The characters are good. She plot is simply feel-good romance, which is fine. The book was good. The audio book is good. I recommend either if pleasant and fun is what you are looking for.

I received a free audio copy of Crushing on Kate. All opinions expressed herein are solely my own.

2nd Book

This was the second book I've read/listened to by Theresa Paolo and I enjoyed this one even more! The author writes great storylines with characters that I'm so invested in that I can't wait until the next book. It was so good to see Matt and Shay again! Loved the HEA.

Krista Nicely is a wonderful narrator. Her voice is smooth and well suited for both female/male parts. She is quickly becoming a favorite narrator.

#AudiobookObsessionReviewer

Great one in this series!

I enjoyed this book in the Red Maple Falls series. For some reason I didn't connect with it quite as much as I did with the first one, but overall I found this one a fun read.

Kate is fed up with the business owner that moved in next to her glass shop. He is rude and a jerk. Caleb has moved to a new town to settle down and open a bike shop. His one problem is the woman who owns the glass shop next door. As these two butt heads, will they discover that there's more than just annoyance between them?

I liked both Caleb and Kate in this book. They were really good together and I had fun reading about them. I don't know if I can really say what made this a three-star book for me other than I just didn't connect with it as much. I also felt like the conflict was resolved really quickly and easily and there wasn't enough care given to the feelings in that situation. I did enjoy seeing characters from the previous book, too! And I do like that both Caleb and Kate have their own lives and everything doesn't revolve around the central couple.

There was more difference in Krista Nicely's voices for the different characters in this book versus the first one. But I still wish there was a bit more distinction. Other than that, she did a really good job in narrating this book!

*I received a copy of this audiobook from Audiobook Obsession in exchange for an honest review*

Crushing on Kate

Kate and Caleb but heads from start after lust at first sight. Enjoyed getting to know this couple and watch as they work past their differences.

🎧 audio obsession

A cute and quick enemies-to-lovers.

If you are looking for a cute and quick enemies-to-lovers romance with a lot of heart, this could be the book for you. I enjoyed my trip back to this cute small town, and enjoyed this story.

While our main characters didn't have the best first impressions of one another, it didn't take long for sparks to fly. Their chemistry couldn't be ignored, but their friendship and love took a little longer to develop. However, once their guards were down, they settled in with a great relationship. Even with the shorter story, there was still plenty of background, but I do wish it had been expanded just a bit more to really let all the emotion set in.

The narration was well done, and I didn't have any issues listening, but it did feel a bit more like being read to rather than the characters coming to life.

Overall, I enjoyed listening to this story., and recommend listening to this series in order.

#AudiobookObsession

Sweet Romance!

This is a sweet romance. I loved the chemistry between Caleb and Kate even though Caleb fights it at first. Also, I love Kate's family they are amazing. I really enjoyed this book. 🎧AudiobookObessionReviewer

Great

This is a great read, it pulls you in and makes you feel part of the book. It is well written and engaging. The storyline is great and the characters Kate and Caleb are wonderful. They butt heads, argue and have wonderful chemistry. It was a great story I recommend it to all.

Fun series, heartfelt and sexy, great characters!

Listened to the story on Audible. The narrator did a good job. She doesn't quite fit the characters for me; sounds a little older than in my mind, but she still did a great job. I'd recommend listening.

I just love the feel of this story; hopeful and heartfelt. It's easy to root for the characters because they are just such good people that deserve good things. Love the connection between Kate's family; I'm super excited to read all of their individual books. In this one, local girl Kate and new to town Caleb get off to a not so great start when they argue over business matters, so there's a bit of enemies to lovers thing going on. There's a passion between them, but Caleb has his walls up due to some difficulties in his past. Loved Kate and Caleb's banter back and forth; Kate has just the right amount of sass to shake grumpy Caleb up. The romance is steamy! But still has lots of heart. Love all the scenes with the whole family, and Red Maple Falls is a fun setting with some interesting characters. Looking forward to reading Mason's book next! So far, this series is fun to read!

AudiobookObsessionReviewer

Cute Small Town Enemies to Lovers Romance

Title: Crushing on Kate
Author: Theresa Paolo
Format: Audio
Narrator: Krista Nicely
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Small Town, Sports (cycling), enemies-to-lovers
Standalone: Yes
Part of a Series: Book 4 of Red Maple Falls
POV: Kate and Caleb
Steam Level: Steamy
4/5

Small towns - where everyone knows you and your business. Crushing on Kate was a cute enemies to lovers romance where neighboring businesses are warring over the parking lot. I liked the characters created in this small town, with the restaurant-owner who feeds you what she wants you to eat, the grandmother who wants great-grandbabies and the sexy business owner next door. Crushing on Kate was a fun listen that had me smiling throughout.

I received this audiobook for free from Audiobook Obsession. This is my honest and voluntary review.

small town romance

Kate has a glass blowing shop. Caleb is new to town has a bike shop next to hers. They bump heads over parking spots for their businesses. since the small mall had few parking spots. He eventually finds her intriguing, Kate is feisty and does not back down from him. An enemies to !overs story with drama added in. Secrets he's hiding. He has built a wall around his emotions, and he noticed that Kate was slowly breaking it down. except for the darkest secret of all that he doesn't want to talk about. Krista Nicely narration was very good. I enjoyed listening to the story.
🎧audiobookobsessionreviewer🎧