Stand-In Groom

By: Suzanne Brockmann

Narrated by: Kymberly Dakin

They met in the middle of a Boston street mugging. By the time Johnny Anziano helped rescue the new shop-owner on the block, he'd fallen completely in love. But it seemed like the romance was over before it even started. Because in less than a week, Chelsea Spencer was getting married.

Then she asked Johnny for a favor that left the aspiring restaurateur reeling - a "business" proposition a man would be a fool to accept - and a damn fool not to. But the rules of the erotic game they were playing were dangerously shifting with every touch, every glance. Until it was no longer a game at all, and winning meant risking everything.

©1997 Suzanne Brockmann (P)2009 BBC Audio

My fav S.B. romance

Sweet, tender, sexy describes "Stand-In Groom". Definitely my favorite romance novel by Brockmann. The narrator is a bit annoying and reads too slowly. Poor narrator aside, I recommend this book.

Better than i expected!!

If you are looking for an easy listen that will leave you smiling and feeling good, this is it and definitely worth every penny! No arrogant male hero here as is the case with most romance novels, Johnny is sexy, sweet and kind from the start!! A man every woman would love to marry!! Its worth another listen...or two!

Purchase at your own risk

I truly enjoyed this book. The only problem is the narrator. She reads so slowly that it's nearly impossible to listen to the story. I recommend this book with the disclaimer that the narrator is totally wrong for it.

Pretty good

Pretty good. I've definitely read better from Brockmann, but not bad. I wish the woman that read the audio version had used a more masculine voice for Johnny. I've listened to quite a few books where a woman was reading and still made the man's voice sexy. This reader kept making me picture a fourteen year old boy. Not even remotely sexy...

Readers Voice takes away from sweet story

Always love Suzanne Brockmann books - this one had a nice story that kept you engaged. However the readers slow voice with a lot of stiltedness (is that a word) made it a little annoying and grating. And her voice is so much older than the female character. I don't know if she was trying to modulate her voice like Bostonians but it was not pleasant. Loved johnny though, as a character.

Enjoyable Listen...

This being my first Suzanne Brockmann book, I want to read her again. I definitely will try her other titles. Very enjoyable!

Good beginning, lousy middle, good ending

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No, not really. I hated the reader and really liked the start of the book and was satisfied with the ending but hated the middle - from when Chelsea took Johnny on the honeymoon until she moved in with him and probably a little beyond. She was so mercenary and he was so generous & altruistic. When he cashed in his CDs to save her business so she wouldn't have to grovel to her father, he downplayed his sacrifice, saying he'd get the money back later when she got her inheritance & she interpreted his selfless generosity as selfish - as just protecting his investment for a bigger payoff later. The guy delivered meals-on-wheels, for goodness sake, and he spent time talking with each of his clients! He had a heart of gold and the only gold Cheasea had was monetary. WHAT did he see in her - other than that she was gorgeous?!

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I would have severely revamped that miserable honeymoon. It dragged and sucked.

How could the performance have been better?

The reader's voice was too breathy and soft. I didn't like this reader AT ALL.

Was Stand-In Groom worth the listening time?

I sure wouldn't read it again. The beginning was so great. The ending was ok. The middle was a trench.

Any additional comments?

Read a LOT of Suzanne Brockmann. LOVE Troubleshooters. The non-Seal heroes have not been as good.

stand-in bride

very enjoyable