Just for Fun

Escape to New Zealand, Book 4

By: Rosalind James

Narrated by: Claire Bocking

What happens in Fiji stays in Fiji - except when it doesn't.

Nic Wilkinson is a responsible, organized, disciplined rugby player at the top of his game. Emma Martens is a sometimes-scattered, often-emotional, and always-broke would-be designer with a big chip on her shoulder where Nic's concerned.

They have no history together, except one perfect week. Nothing in common anymore, except the most important thing of all. Getting together again would be messy. Complicated. Scary. And, just maybe, worth every risk.

Note: This romance, like New Zealand, contains a bit of steam. If that isn't your cuppa, maybe visit some other country.... er, audiobook.

©2012 Rosalind James (P)2014 Rosalind James

The fun in New Zealand continues

Where does Just for Fun rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Having listened to probably 50+ audiobooks, I'd say top 10. I'd give the story a 4.5 if I could + the 5 on the narration. The story is good but just not a huge favorite of mine BUT I know I will listen to it again and again.

What did you like best about this story?

It centers around a potentially heavy topic--a fling that results in an unplanned pregnancy and for various reasons the mother is left to raise the child on her own. Even though Nic could have been an arrogant jerk about the whole situation, he "mans up" and steps in. At the same time, he is sensitive and not overly manly. I love how Emma and Nic's relationship grows, including those pesky bumps along the way. I also like how this is a very real story that people can relate to but it's not heavy or depressing.

What does Claire Bocking bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her accent, portrayal of different characters and the amount of emotion so reads with is spot on. Unlike a lot of other narrators, she doesn't over-emote or have weird or awkward pauses in her reading. She's very fluid in her transitions. The written story is great in itself. Ms. Bocking takes it to the next level with her narration. Even if I hadn't read the book prior to listening to the audiobook, I'd still highly recommend "Just for Fun" because it's the "whole package" as far as audiobooks go. The narration is phenomenal and the story is solid and moving.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Nic's response when Zack goes missing . . . how emotionally wrecked he was about did me in.

Any additional comments?

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

Best of the series

I love the series, but this is my favorite. Excellent Narrator. Great flow to the story.

Sexy, Moving, Heartfelt Story

Any additional comments?

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

Ok, legal stuff is done. Now, on to my review!

This was the first Rosalind James story I have listened to and I was caught up in it within the first minute. The narration is absolutely first rate- Claire Bocking brings a depth of warmth and feeling to each character she portrays (and she has a different voice for each) and she is able to effortlessly switch back and forth between a New Zealand and American accent with ease. As a listener, this never felt distracting; rather, it added to the characters and story.

And, speaking of the story, I loved it! I had not read the book first, so I cannot compare. I can tell you that there was some sadness (of lost time) and lots of reawakening love.

I fell in love with the characters and how they handled conflicts and treasured moments. I did not want the story to end!

I know you will love this story as much as I did!

You will love it!

Would you consider the audio edition of Just for Fun to be better than the print version?

I love all of Rosalind's books and have read them at least twice. But I find when I listen to them it's like it's brand new. I really enjoy and savor the story. When I finished listening to the last chapter I started again with Chapter 1 and have been enjoying it while I drive to work.

What other book might you compare Just for Fun to and why?

Any of New Zealand stories, starting with Just this Once since it is the first in the series. But you can start anywhere and be hooked!

Which character – as performed by Claire Bocking – was your favorite?

Claire is excellent with all the characters but Zack's voice will melt your heart.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A honeymoon by herself that Emma will never forget!

Any additional comments?

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an hones review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

Claire's narration is the best!

What did you love best about Just for Fun?

The story of a single mom in New Zealand re-finding a lost love (who happens to be a local rugby player) is sweet and believable. The characters are well-developed, and you find that you like little Zack and don't really dislike the 'woman in the way' of Emma and Nic's story.

What other book might you compare Just for Fun to and why?

This series often includes American ex-pat woman who encounters a handsome and rugged rugby player :) There is a nice inclusion of detail about New Zealand, too, which makes the series interesting. I totally want to go there purely based on Ms. James's descriptions! If seated next to a rugby player on the flight there, well, that would be a win-win... :)

Which character – as performed by Claire Bocking – was your favorite?

It is pleasant to follow Claire's narration as she easily switches between the accents of the characters. Of course, she does a great job of Nic's accent -- at least to my American ears! When reading the story, I wondered how to pronounce some of those local terms and she glides right over them. Nice job!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes -- I would listen to the story in one sitting, if I had a full day to do it. It took me a few days as I mostly listened while I commuted. If you are heading on a flight to New Zealand or Fiji, you could totally do it in the one-way leg there!

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the earlier audio books and actually contacted the author to find out when the next audiobook in the series was being produced. I'd already posted some reviews on the earlier books! Therefore, for this book, I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

Loved it!

Rosalind James is my new favorite Author. True love stories with a minimum of distractions! So far Just for Fun is my favorite in the New Zealand series!

Emotional and Lovely

Any additional comments?

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

Getting all that legal stuff out of the way, I will say that I gladly would've bought this audiobook. I love this series and have read all of the books, and this is the most heart wrenching in the series. There is something about lost love, all those years that went by when the couple wasn't together, and the "lost baby" story (I only like it if there's a really good reason) that just breaks my heart. I've only recently started listening to audiobooks, and this narrator is the best I've heard. She puts you so far into the story, it's hard to stop listening. My reaction to an already highly emotional book was, as I said in the beginning, heart wrenching and visceral. This only makes the eventual reunion even more satisfying as a listener.

I highly recommend this book both in print and audio and I can't wait to take another trip to New Zealand to catch up with the rest of the All Blacks. The author has the gift to make you care what happens to these new friends (what, they're not real? say it isn't so!) and never stop wanting more.

Another Great Escape! (to NZ)

What did you love best about Just for Fun?

Another great audio edition of a great romance book - "Just for Fun" is a second chance at love with all of its challenges when the two lovers meet again - only this time they are both more mature and have adult issues to deal with.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Just for Fun?

Definitely a LOL moment when Nic makes fun of Emma's insistence on clean sheets.

What about Claire Bocking’s performance did you like?

Ms Bocking is simply amazing - her performances for each character - male & female, old & young, Kiwi & American accents, happy & sad - are remarkable. I enjoy her narrations immensely.

Any additional comments?

Although part of a series, this book can stand-alone as a read (or listen) and *WARNING* - may make a rugby fan out of you, requiring extra cable charges so that you can watch on your own!

"I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.”

Another great one!

So want to hear the rest of this series. I would also love to have all of the RJ books. Thank you for what could be some of the best books available!

Just For Fun - A Story of Redemption and Love

If you could sum up Just for Fun in three words, what would they be?

HOT!, Tenderness, (taking) Responsibility

What was one of the most memorable moments of Just for Fun?

When Nic and Emma had their first real date and she asked him to make it "special". That was such a hot scene it made me blush. SEVERAL TIMES, LOL.

What about Claire Bocking’s performance did you like?

Voice quality -was very good, varied changes with various characters, differences of emotions were well portrayed. I liked the portrayal of the characters with only one exception - the little boy, Zack. He sounded a bit overly whiney and like he was on the verge of tears or a meltdown all the time. It just seemed to rub me the wrong way. I've raised 3 kids and they're not generally that emotionally distraught all the time (mine were not anyway).

If you could take any character from Just for Fun out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I think I would like to have dinner with Emma's sister, Lucy, since she probably has the most broad perspective of all the characters and has watched Emma go through everything, including her growing up and maturing stage, overcoming obstacles, and then seeing Emma's and Nic's relationship develop.

Any additional comments?

I loved the way Nic took responsibility for being a parent before they gave into their attraction for each other. Emma and Nic reestablished their friendship before jumping back into anything physical, and how it made the story much more believable and warm. Nic standing up to his dad for the way he had put Zack down and criticized him. I loved the dynamic that he didn't want his son brought up under a cloud of shame and abuse to be taught how to be a man. My favorite scene is when Emma stood up for herself with her bully of a boss and told him off good and quit and told him to shove it. I was so proud of her. Some of the most moving scenes are Nic's declaration of love. Also Nic and Emma's calls after she had a crisis with the little boy. But afterward Nic begged Emma and Zack to come to England to be with him at the World cup. It was such a tender moment. I also loved the ending. It was such an appropriate finish to such a sweet love story. My notes about the Audio presentation aspect: A few awkward pauses where they are not really needed- perhaps due to extra commas that are unnecessary to the flow of the dialog. Chapter numbers vs. Titles (please use both) - my older print version on kindle has chapter numbers, and it was a little hard to synchronize my reading to the audio which reading along.
NOTE: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.