The Brazen One

Wrench Kings, Book 2

By: Daisy Jane

Narrated by: Daisy Jane, Ryan West

Out of darkness comes light.

Goldie Hawn Berry has never failed to resemble the bubbly woman she was named after. But after a devastating trauma leaves her single, broke and without a job, Goldie loses sight of herself. And when things come back into focus, she doesn't like what she sees.

Atticus Winters is a forty-two-year-old no-nonsense mechanic with no intention of being someone's other half. He's content with torturing himself over his past, living out his days enduring his own punishment.

When their friends become a couple, Goldie and Atticus are forced to be in each other's lives. They both have healing to do, but the similarities end there—this grumpy-sunshine duo are practically opposites.

But you know what they say: opposites attract.

The Brazen One is Book Two in the Wrench Kings series, and is an interconnected standalone.

Author's Note: Please visit the reading guide on the author's website for all content warnings and other information. For Adult Listeners.

©2022 Daisy Jane (P)2024 Daisy Jane

Atticus Winters is the new standard...

If I showcased every quote from this audiobook that made me laugh, cry, cheer, gasp, fan myself, and fall in love with Atticus "Atti" Winters, alas, it would spoil the entire book.

Daisy Jane has taken an everyman, confirmed bachelor, anguished mechanic in his early 40s, and made him the most grumpy, gruff, swoony, sexy, zero fvcks given consent king and perfect book boyfriend. Ever.

She's also given us a wounded, lost, white collar heroine whose sunshine has been dimmed by trauma experienced at the hands of not just one, but two people, and whose attempts to hide that trauma under a sunshiny facade serve as speed bumps in her relationships and friendships.

Atti and Goldie's best friends are married to each other, forcing the two into regular contact. Despite rubbing each other the wrong way on the surface, they are inexplicably drawn to each other, until two nights snowed in force them to reevaluate the assumptions each has made about the other. Their obvious physical chemistry gives way to vulnerability for both our grump and our sunshine.

Jane has crafted an emotionally honest & raw look at the aftermath of trauma for both our hero and heroine...at how opposites not just attract, but complement each other...at how communication and consent (and counseling) are crucial to healing...at how serious soul searching can end in finding a soulmate.

The book alone is a must read, but the duet audiobook elevates Jane's storytelling to the next level. Jane voices all of her own FMCs, an added bonus as her talents lend themselves beautifully to her performances of the heroines with whom she is so intimately familiar. Whether a scene called for sassy, sweet, or spicy, vulnerable, righteous, or brave, Jane's Goldie in this audiobook was a delight!

Jane's choices for co-narrators are always sublime. Ryan West as Atticus Winters is no exception. West's performance as Atticus is utter perfection! All of Atti's grumpy, growly, gruffly tender moments came alive and I couldn't wait to hear him say "Goldie girl," "baby girl," and "good girl."

Book 2 in Jane's Wrench Kings trilogy, The Brazen One covers serious topics, including SA (off-page, but recounted), eating disorders, and death by suicide (off-page but recounted). Please prioritize your mental health and check content warnings.

I do love some Daisy Jane

Goldie and Atticus' story is really heartfelt. They both have some past trauma and once they are able to open up to each other about it, ahhhh the sparks fly and the connection is made. Atticus' story is so heartbreaking and you really rooted for him to come to terms with it and live his life.
Goldie's story... well it feel VERY real and something that happens all too often, I did love how Atticus resolved that one for her. I don't mind his overreach here. Someone needs to stand up to that kind of behavior.
There is the trademark Daisy Heat, and I highly recommend the story.
The narration by both Ryan West and Daisy Jane was very good. I love hearing Daisy narrate her own stories!

Atticus and Goldie 🥰

This was my first book by Ryan West, and it won’t be my last! I loved the Wrench King series, and hearing this story come to life was such an experience.

Ryan’s performance as Atticus fully formed him- I had this exact picture in my mind — and it did not disappoint. Hearing the evolution of Atticus as Goldie opened up his heart, and as he in turn healed hers, was my favorite part of this story.

Daisy is so good as all of her FMCs— I love that she voices them. She captured Goldie’s overall goodness, and showed her vulnerability by recounting the trauma she experienced through her work, and through her mother. Goldie falling in love with Atticus, and finding love and acceptance with his parents, was so beautiful.

And last but certainly not least - the chemistry and slow burn spice made these scenes explode. Goldie and Atticus are combustible.

Wasn’t worth it for me….

I loved that the characters were above 30 but then stupid 37? What a disappointment… it really felt like she lined Atticus because of his family… selfish and whiny… she had a bad thing happen but all I saw was a disappointment of her job loss with the baseball team which was her whole, literally her whole personality 🙄🙄

She moves to be with the friend but only calls it hangs out when she’s complaining… what a friend! And the explanation of Atticus? WTF!?!? Smelly? Eew…

I don’t know… there were too many holes too like the fact that she took employees files home the weekend she started working? Where is that legal? The author could have done without timelines…

I didn’t know what to expect and I wasn’t wowed… I hated Goldie and couldn’t connect or feel sorry for her… she was just too annoying… and let’s not mention how repetitive some things were… like WTF was my mantra…

That’s all I got and for spicy lovers? It’s was meh on that… so disappointed that I wasted my credit gah!