Don't Start Now

By: Tara September

Narrated by: Hollie Jackson

“If you don’t wanna see me dancing with somebody, don’t show up…don’t start caring about me now.”

What can go wrong being stuck on a cruise ship with your ex and entering into a fake relationship with a sexy coworker? It might not be the Titanic, thank goodness, but Eve Richard’s heart is sinking by the minute, and love is definitely going down.

Pulitzer-prize-winning-war-journalist-turned-small-town-newspaperman Adam Seager has given up a lot for his work, country, and family, but not this time. He knows what he wants, and it’s his coworker, Eve. Her smile is the brightest part of his day and a daily reminder that more adventures are yet to come. When they are both assigned a travel feature on board a new cruise ship, it’s the perfect opportunity to let his feelings set sail.

Eve will never date another coworker or writer again. Been there, done that. Time to pursue her own writing dreams, even if it means bunking with the infuriating and complicated Adam Seager. So what if the butterflies he sets off in her belly can rival the waves outside their cabin. She intends to keep things strictly professional...that is, as much as they can be while also pretending to be a couple. Their relationship might be fake, but the pull to get to know more of him is real. Her reporter’s gut says there is more to uncover than meets the eye. But what will happen when they are back on dry land?

©2021 Tara September (P)2023 Tara September

Fun summer listen!

Eve has been hurt and is licking some old wounds still, but her coworker Adam has been keeping an eye on her from a safe distance for a while and is just now making a move. He’s given the perfect chance once they are both assigned a travel writing assignment on board a cruise ship. Better yet, the forced proximity continues when they have to share a cabin and put on a fake relationship.

Narrator Hollie Jackson adds sass, comedic timing and fun accents for a further enjoyable listen.

Do the Cha-Cha

Even though the ending felt rushed, I enjoyed listening to this book. There were silly and serious moments as well as some sizzle and dirty talk. Adam and Eve were quite the pair, even if she tried to fight it. 😍😄

Hollie Jackson is at the mic for the audio. I like her and she was a good fit for Eve. Having a second, male voice in the mix would've been better.

Story: 4 stars
Narration: 3.5 stars

4.5 Stars...Clever Dialogue and Romance on a Cruise

Adam is a Pulitzer Prize winner writer who dials his entire life down to work in a small local paper in Naples, Fl. Eve is a writer in the small paper and looking to be a travel writer.
Adam and Eve (too cute) go on a cruise for the paper..perfect for Adam who wants to get together with Eve...Eve is attracted to Adam but doesn’t want to get together with a co-worker.
A fun, entertaining and romantic story with a great narrator.

Steamy and Heartfelt

This book brings the heat but stays sweet. Loved the relationship between the veteran journalist and younger travel writer. It’s clear that Tara September knows her stuff when it comes to this setting and these characters. Loved the twist and the end and The reader did a great job as well. Now I want to go on a cruise 😂

Loved it!

I listened to this story with a smile on my face. The banter between Adam and Eve (yeah, those names ….) is really funny.

Adam and Eve are unexpectedly thrown together on a job: write an article about a cruise. Adam has a secret crush on Eve (I loved that he called it: Operation Garden of Eden). It’s actually helping him when Eve’s ex-boyfriend Hugh is also on this cruise and Eve suggests to pretend to be in a relationship with Adam.

I absolutely loved the narrator, Hollie Jackson. She has a great variety of voices and did an excellent job!

Fun romcom!

Fun! Fun! Fun! This romcom had me laughing and falling in love! Eve is given the job of a lifetime. A week long cruise where she has to write a travel piece on her experience. Just when she thinks it's the best thing ever, her boss sends Adam to come along and collaborate with her. These two have obvious chemistry, and it could be a dangerous trip. Making the best of it, things can only get better right? Eve's ex is also on board, trying to woo her back. Now what is she going to do? I loved this! Tara September had me laughing out loud while falling in love. It's fun to have characters you love to hate and others impossible not to love. It's quirky, funny and romantic pushing all the right buttons for a wonderful listen.

Hollie Jackson delivers a marvelous performance. She has great comedic timing and her voices are exactly as I would assume the characters to sound like. Each one has a fitting personality. The narration is enjoyable and highly recommended.

Hollie uses her voice as an instrument...

Summary –

Eve’s heart is drowning fast, and her only life preserver is her sexy co-worker. Eve never thought she’d be in this position. She and her co-worker, Adam, are both assigned to write a travel article on board a cruise ship. But wouldn’t you know it, Eve’s ex is also onboard. So, Eve does what any woman would do in this situation: convince her co-worker to be her fake boyfriend. She’d never date him in real life, nope, not going down that road again. Eve’s in for a mess of trouble when her heart wants Adam, for real. #Epicfail. Can she really be falling for him or is this just the lure of a cruise ship romance?


Narrator’s overall voice –

Hollie Jackson has a vivid voice with a great personality to it. She takes each character and brings them to light using intonation. I closed my eyes and I felt like I was watching it on screen, without leaving my home.


Does the narrator fit the characters?

Yes, she does. Hollie uses her voice as an instrument, so each character has their own voice. From the main characters to the minor characters, it’s a full cast of characters Hollie recreates with ease. She does a superb job with Adam.


Narrator’s reading style –

Hollie’s reading style is effortless, and I found it easy to get caught up in the story. The enunciation is clear, no matter which character is speaking.


Narrator’s impact on reading experience –

Her characterizations of Tara September’s writing are brilliant, and I found myself laughing at Eve’s antics. Hollie breathes new life into this rom com.


Narrator’s pacing –

The pacing is well done with plenty of romantic tension so the reader can follow along without getting lost.


Audiobook flow –

The audiobook flowed from start to finish with the right balance of humor, romance, and fake relationship drama. I didn’t want to stop reading/listening.


What makes this audiobook unique –

I’m a huge rom com reader and this audiobook has a unique setting. What could be better than falling in love on a cruise ship?


Would I recommend this audiobook –

YES! I would recommend this to any reader looking for a vacation romantic comedy on a cruise ship. There is a full cast of characters and Hollie brings each one to life. Highly recommend!


My Rating: 5+ stars