Good with His Hands

Good Love, Book 2

By: Lauren Blakely, Lili Valente

Narrated by: Joe Arden, Lili Valente

A sexy best friend's brother romance from best-selling authors Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente, performed by Joe Arden and Lili Valente!

I'm the wrong guy for her.

She's sunshine and cherry pie. I'm whiskey and fast cars. I'm also keeping one hell of a secret from the woman I've wanted for years.

But when I find a list my sister left behind for Ruby, I've got no choice but to offer the sexy, big-hearted girl next door both a road trip and a chance.

A chance to discover how big she can dream.

And if some of those dreams play out in the bedroom? Well, there’s nothing wrong with a few - okay, several - hot nights together as we hit the beach, visit old stomping grounds, and test all sorts of limits, in and out of the sheets.

Seven days, then I'm off, moving across the country, far away from her.

No way can things get complicated in a week. Ruby and I aren’t the kind of dream that has a shot of coming true.

Especially once she learns what I’ve done.

©2020 Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente (P)2020 Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente

A Sexy Romance from Lauren Blakely & Lili Valente!

A great romance wonderfully narrated by Joe Arden & Lili Valente. Loved everything about this book!

Lili and Joe killed it!!

Good With His Hands is the first book in the Good In Bed series, by two of my favorite authors, Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente! These women are fantastic authors on their own( I have read ALL of their books), but when they collaborate it's always genius level storytelling! Good With His Hands is a best friend's brother romance that made me laugh, tear up, smile, fan myself and laugh a little more. Jesse and Ruby suffered the loss of his sister, Claire, and her best friend two years ago. They've become close friends in that time and both of them are having more than friendly feelings. But that can't happen. Nope. Claire left a list for Ruby, something she wants her to do to make her happy. Jesse knows Ruby needs this list right now and not only wants her to have it, he wants to share it with her. He's moving away in a few weeks and he needs to do this with her. As they work through the list, the flirting and touching cross the line from friends to much more. Ruby is getting her spark back. She's finally becoming the woman she was before she lost her best friend. Jesse can't look away from Ruby and her beauty that shines from the inside out. Once he gets a taste of her it's all he can think about. There's no guilt when he touches her. No fear when he knows he's falling. But he is keeping a secret from her. When Ruby finds out the truth will she run away from Jesse or toward him? This story! Oh my. It's sweet, sexy, fun and hopeful! I love a forbidden romance, especially when they follow their hearts! Jesse is so sexy and sweet. Hot and knows how to use his words. Ruby is independent, talented and fun! Together they share a love for art that bonds them even more. Once I started I didn't want to put it down! Looking forward to the next book!
Audio: I always say this, but listening to Lili narrate and knowing she wrote the words makes my heart stutter. The emotion she puts into telling the story gets me every time! But this time, she was so much more. I felt it. She was Ruby. I wanted to hug her and laugh with her. She makes my ears happy. Lili and Joe are so good together! Joe always knows how to use his voice and emotions to tell a story and together they were perfection!

My Thoughts on Good with His Hands

4 of 5 stars

Fans of friends to lovers romance I would recommend check this one out. It's also a best friend's older brother romance, but with a sad twist.

There was an underlying hint of sadness in this story for me. But it didn't take away from the fact that it was a good read.

Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente are a good team and this was a good example of their collaborative skills.

There were two likable characters for the leads. A list of things for the leading characters to accomplish which was a big plot point. And tons of emotion, but not in the angsty, make you cry sort of way. At least not for me.

I liked the idea behind the list. I liked how important family and friendships were. Overall I just really liked the story.

What I loved were the narrators. Lili Valente is an excellent author but I feel like I have been missing out on what an amazing narrator she is. I want to hear so much more from her. She really impressed me and pairing her with Joe Arden was perfection.

✫✫ 4.5 Stars ✫✫

I am a sucker for friends to lovers and best friends siblings romance so I knew this book would be for me! I fell in love with Ruby from the very beginning, she was a very strong women who was overcoming so much pain in her life. She is the exact kind of female lead that I love in books, not only is she strong but she knows what she wants and goes for it. In this book she pushes through so many of her fears and discovers that she is strong and enjoys things that once terrified her. Jesse grew on me, in the beginning I wasn't sure about him but I loved the idea that he was going to help Ruby complete the list made by his sister to push Ruby to live her best life. I loved that he wouldn't let her give up and encouraged her by showing her how strong she was. I was smiling from ear to ear when this book ended, Ruby was stronger and Jesse was honest because he couldn't stand not to be instead of being caught in the lie. Exactly my kind of ending!

The narration was on point as always. I enjoyed both Joe and Lili narration.

Friends to Lovers

A great co-written book by two of my favorite authors, Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente.And bonus narrated by two of my favorite narrators, Lili Valente and Joe Arden. The story of Ruby and Jesse is perfect. A couple of bumps in the road but they are trying to figure things out. I'm looking forward to the next in this series.

Absolutely loved Ruby & Jesse..Fantastic Narration

I absolutely loved this best friend's brother romance between Ruby and Jesse. For me this was a low drama fun friends to lovers romance. This was my first Lili Valente book and I really enjoyed her narration as well as the way she and Lauren wrote the book.

Loved the idea of the living life bucket list that Claire wanted Ruby to do and that she did everything with Jesse. These two were just perfect for one another. I was so proud at the growth that Ruby showed through the book.

Narration was fantastic. My first listen with Lili but I have been a huge Joe Arden fan and just love everything that I have heard him narrate.

Definitely excited for the next book.

Good hands almighty!

Once again, Joe Arden captured my attention and respect. He seems to really get into the characters he portrays!

So good!!!

Good With His Hands is a fantastic best friend’s brother to lovers romance. This book was co-written by two amazing authors, Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente. What I love is that it flows effortlessly and you can’t tell who wrote what. This book is full of emotions. I felt the pain that both Ruby and Jesse felt from losing someone so dear to them. Jesse, a sister, and Ruby, a best friend. In the years since Claire’s death, Jesse and Ruby have become close. Both having feelings but not acting on them, until in a way Claire brings them together with a “to do” list she put together for Ruby before she died. Jesse gave this list to Ruby right before he planned on leaving town. He wanted to complete it with her before he moves. In watching Ruby and Jesse come together completing this list, you will laugh, cry, have “that’s so sweet” and toe curling moments. In the midst of it all Jesse is keeping a secret that just might tear their more than friends relationship apart. These two are just so right together and I was in knots waiting to see how it all turned out.

Joe and Lili were a perfect fit for Jesse and Ruby!! The narration was perfect.

Sweet, emotional, fun and sexy friends to lovers!!

I absolutely adored this book! Lauren Blakely continues to wow and entertain me with her wonderful stories and characters! Add in the talented Lili Valente as her cowriter and you have a little slice of heaven right here! Not only can she write, but Lili Valente is also a wonderful narrator! Joined by the incredibly talented Joe Arden, they are so beyond amazing bringing Jesse and Ruby to life. Such a delicious feast for the ears!! I love these two characters and they are so good together and good for each other too. Their connection is special in that they have been friends for a long time on a different level because of Jesse's sister who was Ruby's best friend, who passed away. I love the whole concept of what she left behind for Ruby and how that shapes Jesse and Ruby's current relationship. OMG that first kiss was probably one of the hottest ever!! Swoon!!!! Their decision to try FWB of course is thwarted because it is so hard not to catch feelings when you are intimate together and spending so much time together but even more so if you were truly meant for each other. And you can clearly see that Jesse and Ruby are meant to be!! Loved it!! Can't wait to see what's next in this series!

Beautiful, Emotional and Steamy Romance!

Wow, what a team! I am a fan of both Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente's work. Their writing styles compliment each other and they have created a poignant and breathtaking story about hope, healing, and finding a beautiful life. Two years ago a tragic car crash left Ruby severly injured and took the life of her best friend, Claire. It left Ruby broken both physically and mentally. After hard work, she is finally able to walk again. But she has lost the passion to go after all the experiences that she and Claire dreamed of doing together. Ruby, Claire, and Claire's older brother, Jesse, were all close growing up. Jesse was a huge support and devoted friend, helping Ruby thru her recovery. He is sad that Ruby doesn't have the bright spirit that attracted her to him. He has a list that Claire gave him to help Ruby take chances and experience life the way she dreamed. Jesse talks her into going out and living her best life and he will help her occomplish that, at least until he moves his business across country. Ruby is scared but is able to move forward with the help of the only man she trusts and has always loved. When those chances bring them closer than they've ever been, they realize life is too fleating not to act on the sparks and chemistry between them. But what happens when it's time for Jesse to leave, and their hearts can't bare to say goodbye? I really loved Jesse, and Ruby. They know each other so well, supporting each other unconditionally, and their chemistry is so explosive it leaps right off the page. This story is an exploration of life, and the journey through all it's ups and downs. I loved how Blakely and Valente address it all with honesty and empathy, especially adding in their signature wit and banter. It was so moving, and took my breath away, making me cry from both sorrow and joy.
Joe Arden and Lili Valente did an amazing job bringing these characters and their moving and passionate story to life. They portrayed both Jesse and Ruby with all their strengths and vulnerabilities so beautifully, that I was totally captivated by their performance from start to finish.
I loved this beautiful, heartbreaking, fun, and uplifting collaboration, and would love more from them.