Do Me a Favor

By: Cathy Yardley

Narrated by: Elyse Dinh, Teddy Hamilton

Cathy Yardley, author of Role Playing, serves up a delectable rom-com about a widowed cookbook writer and a divorced handyman who find that it’s never too late for a fresh start.

Willa Lieu-Endicott moved from California to the Pacific Northwest to start over. Since her husband’s death, she’s been struggling to get back her old career as a cookbook ghostwriter. Unfortunately, her latest project—ghostwriting for a viral cooking sensation known more for his washboard abs than his meals—has her stuck.

Until she meets her new neighbor.

Hudson Clark, the handyman next door, lives on a farm with his parents and two adult children. He’s the opposite of everything she’s ever known. His happily chaotic life includes biker barbecues, an escape artist dog, and adorably menacing goats. He’s also got a sinfully sexy smile and a rumbling bass voice that makes her shiver. He inspires her.

From their first meeting, the two fall into an escalating cycle of favors, paybacks…and attraction, even though Willa’s trying to keep her distance.

They both have their own pasts to deal with. Now, they just have to figure out if they have a future.

©2024 Cathy Yardley (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“In this captivating slow-burn romance narrated by Elyse Dinh and Teddy Hamilton, Willa has just moved into her late aunt's home on a remote island in the Pacific Northwest.… Hudson, the island's handyman, voiced by Hamilton, is striving to establish himself in a new contracting business.… The two meet, and sparks fly. Hamilton's gruff voice and perfect timing add to Hudson's charisma.” —AudioFile Magazine

“A grieving woman finds love in this cozy small-town romance from [Cathy] Yardley…Fans of slow-burn romances and the lovers from different worlds trope will find plenty to enjoy.” —Publishers Weekly

“A sexy and sweet romance between two forty-somethings figuring out their next chapters together. I love Cathy Yardley books!” —Julie Tieu, author of Fancy Meeting You Here

New favorite author on the rise

Another delightful read by Cathy Yardley who is quickly becoming a new favorite author for me. I particularly love that she writes about older characters. Her stories lack some of the markers I’m used to in romance— a frustrating lack of communication between the MMC and FMC, a ridiculous third act breakup, epilogues that end with an OTT wedding proposal or the heroine pregnant— and I can’t honestly say that I miss them. I guess that’s what one can expect with mature characters who learn from past mistakes what it takes to EFFECTIVELY cultivate a healthy relationship. WE LOVE TO SEE IT! 🥰

Love that the main characters are adults

I love most romance, genres, but I was so glad to find that the main characters were adults with histories and experiences and not 20 something! Enjoyable characters and relationship development

great read

I really enjoyed reading this author.  I look forward to reading more books by this author in the near future.

Real Life, just a little better

I adore Yardley’s characters and the situations are so relatable. It’s still a romance and it still makes you feel good but it’s doesn’t feel like a fantasy. There’s so much more depth to the characters and the situations.

Wonderful couple

Grieving the loss of her husband and struggling to revive her career as a cookbook ghostwriter, Willa seeks a fresh start in the Pacific Northwest. Handyman Hudson, her charming neighbor, lives on a farm with his family and their menagerie of animals. As Willa and Hudson navigate a growing attraction and the wounds of their pasts, they must decide if they have a future together.

Despite its sometimes serious themes, this book mostly has a lighthearted feel. I love that Willa and Hudson are in their forties and still chasing their dreams. They’re smart and likable and a wonderful couple I couldn’t help rooting for. I enjoyed the audiobook narration.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The narrators bothered me

The male narrator made the sex scene feel weird/creepy to me.
The female narrator’s pronunciation of Italian cuisine was so odd I had to SKIP the entirety of chapter 33.

Seemed like a good book

I couldn’t get through the female narrators voice. Her “masculine” character was just a whispered version of her female character voice. And I was having a hard time with her annunciation.

Very cute

I really enjoyed this listen. Teddy Hamilton is always amazing of course but the story was cute and I didn’t get bored.

Great characters

The characters were great, likeable and believable. I enjoyed the story and while the characters had things to overcome it was not angst laden.

Worth the Wait!

I have been waiting for this audiobook for what feels like forever, I was obsessed with Yardley's previous novel "Roleplaying" and this read was just as amazing. The more mature characters combined with stories that I can't help but connect with instantly. I adore Hudson and Willa, these two couldn't more opposite but share so many dreams for themselves. Not only was the story beautiful but the narration added such depth to the world. I was already a fan of TH and Elyse Dinh, but them combined was a masterclass in narration!