The Leaves In Autumn

Lyon Family Series, Book 4

By: Leslie Pike

Narrated by: Jason Clarke, Samantha Brentmoor

A man saddled with grief, who isn’t looking for love....

A fiercely independent single woman....

And a friendship that should never become more....

Aargon

I’m not looking for love. Hell, I can barely see my way through to the end of every day, but I do it for my son. What choice do I have? Not exactly what I planned for my life, but this is where things ended up.

The one bright spot is my best friend, my favorite sparring partner, the funniest person I know, and the only woman who seems able to accept me without demanding more than I can give. Barbra.

And yeah, she’s sexy. But she’s leaving, and friends is all we can ever be.

Barbra

Being Aargon’s sister-in-law’s sister doesn’t make us blood. But it does mean we’ll be in each other’s lives…pretty much forever.

And that’s only reason number one why giving in to our desires would be a terrible idea. Reason number two? I’m months away from the trip I’ve been planning my whole life. I’m moving to Europe, and I have no plans to return.

But now? Europe’s shine has faded next to the spark and joy I feel igniting between us.

Leaves in Autumn is a single dad, opposites attract standalone contemporary romance with a happily ever after.

©2022 Leslie Pike (P)2022 Leslie Pike

Fantastic story and narration

Updated 12/6/22 - audiobook review Jason Clarke and Samantha Brentmoor’s performance was spectacular. Jason’s deep, smooth and sexy voices is fantastic for Aargon. He gives him a confident, caring and determined voice. Samantha’s voice is so amazing, sexy and strong. She’s gives Barbara a loving, determined and confident voice. I saw Samantha perform live earlier this year and had the pleasure to meet her. She blew me away with her amazingly talented performance and voice! She is so lovely and kind. The Lyons family is one of my favorites and I’ve enjoyed every book in this series. This book is fantastic, full of emotions and some lol moments. Leslie brings us characters that are a bit broken, seeking help/acceptance and who are full of love but just trying to figure out how to let go and let it happen. Aargon and Barbara are best friends and share everything with each other. Their relationship is fun, sweet and caring. Leslie tackles tough topics and these two characters handle their challenges with such grace. I was laughing so hard I was crying during the tortilla challenge. One of the best cometic scenes I’ve read. The moment between Aragon and Teddy (his son) in Chapter 25 is sweet and heartbreaking. Their relationship is something special. Great read that will give you all the feels, many laughs and possibly a few tears.

I Can't Wait to Read the Rest of the Series!

Loved this book so much! Older, well developed characters, fantastic writing and amazing narration make this a must read. Grab this audio now!

Fantastic!

Wow! This is an exceptionally well written emotional rollercoaster of a book. Once I started listening I could not stop. I love this family. They are so loving and accepting. Non stop meddling and the Lyons' are hilarious. I enjoyed every bit of this series. Game time with the whole family was off the charts hilarity. I love how Leslie Pike draws you in and makes you feel what all of these characters are feeling.
Aargon is a man who has dealt with a lot of loss and carries the guilt. He becomes friends with Barbra and over the course of a few years they create an undeniable bond. These two finally give into their attraction and oh my... These two are hot together. Aargon figures out quick Barbra is worth whatever he needs to do to keep her. A 5 star must read book and series.
I was sent a free audiobook and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

Everything I could want for Aargon's story

Oh This makes me so HAPPY!! I’ve been waiting for Aargon’s story for what seems like forever!
And this is everything I ever wanted for his story to be. This is so charming!... In a hot tantalizing flirty way. The tension and build up between Aargon and Barbra, going from best friends to lovers, is palpable and perfect.
Pike continues weaving her story of all the family members and now with the added grandkids it brings a new layer of depth that added to the family fun. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a book so much… laughing with the Lyons family as they go through their cooky family antics.

Samantha Brentmoor and Jason Clarke narrate this book. Jason with his soulful take on Aargon and Samantha’s upbeat fun attitude is a perfect pairing.

I’m secretly hoping this isn’t the end to the Lyons family and some distant cousin is waiting in the wings for their story as I don’t want to let this amazing family go.
If the Lyons family wants to adopt another member I’ll volunteer.

Wonderful Story & Listen🎧 Captivating & Heartfelt

Leslie Pike pens another beautiful and heartfelt novel, the fifth in her amazing “Lyon Family” series. Each book features a different member of the Lyon family and is just as wonderful as the next, characters overlap and appear in each other’s books and it is beneficial to know each other’s back story, besides seeing them again is like seeing an old friend. This book is Aargon’s story, we have gotten a glimpse of him throughout the series and I have been looking forward to learning more about him. He is a widower and a single dad, he has practically closed himself off from the rest of the world, built walls around him and his heart, despite doing a wonderful job raising his son, Sam, a son who has grown into a fine young man. Barbra came to Montana to be near her sister Layla, she never planned on staying forever, she has plans to travel abroad starting with Paris. She and Aargon became good friends, the chemistry between them was undeniable, but he never wanted to take it any further than that, until they do and it was just magical. Except Aargon can not get past his grief for his late wife and the guilt of what happened, it was heartbreaking to watch him hold himself back from living life as he could, for allowing himself to love again or to let love in. I loved how everything played out in this book, it is a wonderfully written and plotted story that not only captivates your attention the entire time but tugs on your heartstrings as well, you can feel the emotions pour off the pages and straight into your heart. Leslie Pike thank you for another amazing story and emotional rollercoaster ride, it was great to see the entire Lyon family again too, they are some of my favorite characters.

🎧📚🎧 And for the fabulous narration, Leslie Pike always casts the perfect narrators to bring her characters and story to life. Jason Clarke and Samantha Brentmoor are wonderfully talented narrators and versatile voice artists. They had a complete understanding of the characters they portrayed, gave each a voice that fit their character’s persona to a tee and were believable in every role they played. Clarke nailed it as Aargon, he brought out every side of his personality, from his strengths to his vulnerabilities and sorrow. Brentmoor was amazing as Barbra grasped her sunny personality with perfection, as well as her inner insecurities too. These two make a great team and you could hear how much heart they put into their work as they capture all the character’s emotions and project them into their performance, making you feel every single one. They are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another amazing listen.

Loved it!

I really enjoyed this story it was both laugh out loud funny and hit me emotionally. Aargon and Barbra had all that fun flirty banter and a great chemistry and friendship. They are complete opposites and I loved that she brought out his fun side. Throughout the book you see Aargon take the steps to deal with his wife’s suicide and I loved that we were able to see that. The Lyon family is a close family and it was so much fun seeing their family dynamic and all the family gatherings throughout the book.

Samantha Brentmoor and Jason Clarke did amazing at bringing these characters to life. Samantha brings out Barbra quirky fun personality perfectly as does Jason bringing out the broody side of Aargon. This was my first story Leslie and I’m looking forward to going back and reading/listening to more of the Lyon family.

This is one of my favorite in the series!

I can not express how much I enjoyed this book! This could be my new favorite of the series! There is a lot of fun, laughs and some more serious moments. The story just really made my day! There is a lot of attraction between these two main characters. It was easy to see and feel when they were together. They have great verbal sparring! She is super energetic while he is…not. She really brings him out of his shell. The thing they do for each other is just the sweetest! (Ahem…birthday parties! )

One of my favorite things about this series is the Lyon family. We always get to see them but in here they play a larger role in the story. They have crazy challenges and play wild family games. They together are the soul of the story. I always love family time!

Overall this book is full of wonderful characters and an amazing story of overcoming the past and finding that one special person. I laughed a lot and mostly had a smile on my face while listening! I highly recommend this book or better yet..the series!

I did listen to this on audio. Jason Clarke and Samantha Brentmoor are amazing narrators in here! They both fully encompassed their characters and are a delight to listen to.

A simply wonderful Friends to lovers romance

I’ve been looking forward to Aragon's story in this series and I got to say it was the perfect conclusion to the Lyon Family Series (until the next Generation? One can hope)

Argon had really closed himself off from love since his wife died when their son was just little. He has never opened up about his feelings and it impacted him in so many ways. When Barbra moved to town to be close to her sister and nephews the two developed a wonderful friendship and for years they never crossed the friend line until one night they do and it’s more of an emotional connection then either had expected or was ready for….

This book was a truly hilarious heartfelt journey about self discovery, following your dreams and finding love in the midst of it all. The friendship between these two characters was everything and it gave them such a solid foundation to build on I loved their relationship. The banter, the steam and the fun family dynamics made this such a joyful listen.

Samantha Brentmoor and Jason Clarke delivered flawless performances. They brought all the witty laughs and emotional moments to life. I think both were the perfect choice to give a voice to Aragon and Barbara’s story.

Emotional and Captivating Story

The Leaves in Autumn was a captivating and emotional story of the healing power of love. Aargon and Barbra were a perfect fit for each other. They had developed a powerful friendship that offered support and encouragement to one another and then one day their feelings began to shift.

Aargon was a portrait of a man who was suspended in time. He had never fully dealt with the tragic events in his past. Instead he had concentrated on raising his son and he did not face or heal from the pain he felt. When he realized that Barbra deserved more than he could offer, he began to take steps to deal with his trauma. She was the catalyst that led to change.

Barbra had dreams for her life and she wasn’t willing to compromise her happiness. I loved her strength and determination to fulfill her dreams. She offered Aargon her friendship and support because she knew that was what was needed in order for him to heal.

Jason Clarke and Samantha Brentmoor narrated the audio book. As always, Jason Clarke did a masterful job of bring Aargon to life. His deep voice is yummy. Samantha also does a terrific job narrating Barbra. You can feel all of Barbra's sassiness and love for life in her narration. I really enjoyed listening to the audio as well as reading the book.

This was a beautiful story that I loved and it gave me all the feels. The Lyon family is such a warm and loving family that always supports each other with so much humor and fun. Aargon and Barbra were genuine, well-developed characters that told a story full of love, heat, and passion.

Amazing and heart-felt story!

The Leaves in Autumn by Leslie Pike is the 5th installment to the Lyon Family series. It is a friends-to-lovers, second-chance romance, and age-gap romance. In this particular book, we get to follow Aargon and Barbra. The Lyon family are a close family full with meddling parents and siblings who at the end of the day just want what is best for each other. They also enjoy the occasional prank and tiktok challenge - all of which is the promise of a good time!

Jason Clarke and Samantha Brentmoor narrate this audio; I am familiar with Jason's narrations but this was my first time experiencing Samantha and I have to say that I was extremely pleased with the outcome! Samantha did such a fantastic job at portraying Barbra's spunky and sunshine personality. At the same time, she also captured Barbra's inner tormoil between following her dreams vs falling in love and what to do in the end. Jason brought to life the emotions of Aargon; The sexy broody side of him along with the part of him that was still struggling with the emotions that were brought on from the trauma in his past. Jason really captured the way that Aargon grows as a character and the way that he heals throughout the book.

Both narrators did such an excellent job with their side characters, including a French accent! They both brought so much emotion to all the characters that they had me laughing as well as crying with the characters.

This was another five star read and I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did!