Someone You Deserve

Carrington Cove, Book 2

De: Harlow James

Narrado por: Aiden Snow, Vanessa Edwin

Rule number one of bro-code: exes, sisters and of course, wives are off-limits.

Don't think about them and sure as hell don't kiss them.

But what if your best friend dies, and suddenly you want the woman who has always been his?

Four years ago my childhood friend lost his life serving our country, and Astrid and her kids became my responsibility.

But before I knew it, something started to shift between us.

Her smile started to make my stomach twist. Our conversations gave me something to look forward to. And working with her made me appreciate just how strong she truly was.

But then one night, I did the one thing I shouldn't have but couldn't fight any longer—I kissed her.

She pushed me away, told me it was a mistake, and begged me to forget it ever happened.

And then she shoved me deep and fully into the friendzone, where I've resided since then.

Until one instance changes everything and I know for certain she's the woman I want.

Just when I think were on the same page, a secret from our past threatens to destroy our future.

I shouldn't want my best friends widow. I shouldn't care what other people think.

But in the end, the only thing that matters is being someone Astrid deserves, and I'll stop at nothing until she believes that too.

©2024 Harlow James (P)2024 Harlow James

The chemistry!

I loved this book! The characters, the chemistry pouring through the speakers, everything! I also loved the way the conflict in the story was handled. Audio was amazing. The narrators did a great job bringing these characters to life.

Hilarious & steamy single mom

Story Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (0-5)
Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 (0-5)
Overall: 4.5/5
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥☄️ (0-5) I bump up for public places/outdoor spaces.

What I’m Starry-Eyed Over:
🤩 Vanessa Edwin and Aiden Snow give us a fantastic show in this narration, especially the steamy parts—they are hot! Vanessa Edwin, you did amazing with that first time, making the intimate conversation so scrumptious! Aiden Snow, I feel like it’s been a while, and you totally got me with your f***, baby!
🤩 Deceased husband’s best friend and those forbidden type feelings.
🤩 Such a well-written and captivating story from the start. The flashback chapters are perfectly placed.
🤩 Penn Sheppard (aka Uncle Penn) is so amazing with Astrid and her kiddos—he is total book boyfriend material. I looooooove the Hershey’s kisses and Ferrero Rocher as symbols of his love and care.
🤩 Secret pining, once she’s ready.
🤩 A little jealousy/possessiveness to get things moving works on me.
🤩 The single mom trope and sneaking around, yessssss! It’s laugh out loud hilarious!
🤩 Smells like sugar!!

What I’m Wishing/Dizzy About:
💫 I love how this widow trope starts; however, I wish Astrid would have let sweet, beautiful, amazing Penn in on her secrets quite a bit sooner. I don’t like my MMC feeling second best.
💫 I was wishing for some steamy intimacy after the honesty.

Penn and Astrid

Someone You Deserve is the second book in the Carrington Cove series, but it can be read as a standalone.

Penn was so sweet and caring, and he was absolutely in love with Astrid. Honestly, he was just a great guy all around — always helping others.

Astrid was also sweet, and she was such a great mother. She truly made sure they knew they were loved. And I loved how passionate she was about her baking.

This was angsty and emotional, but it also had so much love and healing. I enjoyed their story and can’t wait for the next book!

Narration Style: Dual

These two did a great job bringing the story to life. Aiden’s voice was perfect for Penn, and Vanessa truly brought out all of Astrid’s emotions. Also, her “male” voice was very believable.

mutual pining that’s oh so good

“He’s so far away from the line that he can’t even see the line. Hell, the line is a dot to him.”

Ohh this book! What do you do when you find yourself falling for your best friend’s widow?! Angst and Mutual pining? Yes please!!

Aiden Snow and Vanessa Edwin did an amazing job bringing Penn and Astrid to life!
You could really feel the emotions, the swoon, the angst, the sweetness and the spice! Love the audiobook!

This story was beautiful!!!

Harlow James did it again!! Someone You Deserve is a beautiful story about finding love and fighting for it.

Astrid and Penn have been friends for a long time. Specially after Astrid's husband who was Penn's best friend pass away. Penn has been the friend Astrid and her two kids needed. He was so sweet and caring, always spending quality time with them but what started as friendship becomes something more that either of them wanted to admit for fear of loosing that one of a kind friendship.

Penn has always been a people pleaser, trying to help in any way he can so when Astrid becomes the brand new owner of her dream bakery he is more than happy to help only there is a man trying to convinced Astrid to go on a date and this is what triggers Penn to finally go for what he wants and finally make Astrid his.

Astrid has keep a secret from Penn that might damage their friendship. So she felt guilt and this was one of the reason she didn't let go. She keep pinning after Penn until he made his intentions very clear which it was so hot and with his help she starts to let go of the pass and with every step they take together they realise that they are meant for each other.

🎧The narration of this book was absolutely fantastic. Aiden Snow and Vanessa Edwin did an amazing job bringing these characters to live with the extra layer of passion, swoony moments and incredible family time.

Love this one so much!!

Book 2 of the series, you don't need to read book 1 but I think Harlow James is amazing and this series is fantastic. There is always a better payoff if you've followed the story in sequence.

Astrid is a single mom widow and Penn was her husband's best friend. No matter how much they want each other, they never acknowledge it.

Penn doesn't want to betray the memory of a friend, Astrid doesn't want to cause small town scandal. The angst around these two and their inner thoughts slayed me. They both deserve to be happy and when they finally break and give in to their feelings... hot damn it is the best thing EVER. Frosting and sanitizing workstations go hand in hand.

The audio was performed so amazingly by Vanessa Edwin and Aiden Snow. Both of these narrators gave incredible performances. The emotions and the passion and the kid voices! OMG the KIDS!!! There were some absolutely hilarious moments that broke my composure. Laughing out loud on the street unable to contain myself. Such an amazing production.

I requested and was provided with an advanced copy of both the Audiobook and eBook. These are my honest opinions.

Penn & Astrid =LOVE

I absolutely loved this book! The build up of emotion that both characters struggled with were perfectly written. Narration was perfect!

Penn & Astrid

This story felt like being pulled into a hug you didn’t know you needed. Aiden Snow and Vanessa Edwin’s wonderful voices drew me into this magical world created by Harlow James and I never wanted to leave. Carrington Cove has everything you think of when you imagine life in a small town. Family vibes, everyone knows everyone’s business, and people looking out for each other. Penn and Astrid’s emotional friends to lovers journey was raw and real. Their vulnerability was genuine and endearing and the way he treated her had me swooning. This was a 5 star listen!

Didn’t want it to end!

Someone You Deserve is giving all the angst!

Penn & Astrid have been friends forever and years after Astrid's husband (also Penn's friend) passes they find their feelings are just too much to avoid. I loved the way this story was written! With so many elements, friend/husband passing away, kids involved, etc Harlow James still made this story read smoothly and believable. There were so many great moments (the kisses!) and I just didn't want this story to end. It was beautiful and sad and steamy and I loved them. The characters of Carrington Cove are quickly becoming favorites!

I was able to listen to an audio of this book and I tip my hat to the narrator choice! Vanessa Edwin & Aiden Snow were amazing as Penn & Astrid!

“In a room full of people, he’s the only one I want to see.”

There were so many things I loved about this story, but one of my favorite ones was how the author showed that there's more to being a woman than just being a mom, even if you are a mom. How it's ok to have dreams and want things for yourself that don't revolve around your kids.

Astrid is the widow of Penn's best friend, which makes their feelings for each other complicated. But there's no denying that they are meant to be together. I loved the way that they supported each other first as friends, which only was enhanced when they became more. Penn is the absolute perfect partner, and it made me happy that Astrid got to experience the difference between a good and a poor partner. Another thing that I loved was how Astrid didn't let her relationship with her ex affect what their kids thought of their father.

Aiden Snow and Vanessa Edwin are both ntm narrators, and I gotta say they were perfect for this story. They brought all the feels and absolutely killed it.

Quote: “This is it for me. This is what I want. You and the kids. A life of the two of us chasing our dreams together, lots of naked times, and late-night talks. I want to build a future with you because you are the woman that was meant for me.”