Scan barcode
keller6690's review
5.0
Fate, does it exist? Lauren Blakely’s newest book will have you pondering that thought. Part Time Lover is told in a dual POV (which I love). Christian is a man happy on life, who just happens to like to flash tourists on the canal in Denmark by doing handstands. Elise and Christian “interact” due to his antics on the canal, ending with a date request. Does “fate” intervene and prevent the couple from meeting that night? Does “fate” bring them back together a year later? Do Christian and Elise find a second chance at real/forever love? To get those answers I suggest you dive into Part Time Lover!! As always, Blakely writes strong characters. Christian is very swoon worthy and heartwarming. While Elise is quite beautiful inside as well as outside. Elise does more growing because she has been emotionally hurt from her past. Both the hero and heroine are reluctant to let down their walls. It really is beautiful to watch Elise learn to trust herself and believe in love again or at least let it back into her heart. Christian works very hard to move part-time status to full time “husband” status with Elise. This is a wonderfully written love story. Want well written characters and HEA? Then, you won’t go wrong with Part Time Lover by Lauren Blakely. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
readfrenzy's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
As much as I wanted to love Part-Time Lover, ultimately it is an average story that benefited from some excellent audiobook narration.
The plot is okay, but I never really connected with the characters and couldn’t see them together as a real couple. I’ll admit I enjoy a nice hot bedroom scene, but the ones in this book have cringey wording filled with cliche metaphors. I found myself wanting to skip them altogether. There are multiple epilogues, and even they didn’t increase my enjoyment of the book.
As much as I wanted to love Part-Time Lover, ultimately it is an average story that benefited from some excellent audiobook narration.
The plot is okay, but I never really connected with the characters and couldn’t see them together as a real couple. I’ll admit I enjoy a nice hot bedroom scene, but the ones in this book have cringey wording filled with cliche metaphors. I found myself wanting to skip them altogether. There are multiple epilogues, and even they didn’t increase my enjoyment of the book.
jigsawgirl's review against another edition
4.0
This was an enjoyable listen, but I enjoy almost anything Shane East narrates. The added plus to this audiobook was the writing.
This book was fun, funny, quirky, witty, sweet, and romantic. The story was so entertaining. I liked that this couple liked one another so much before their marriage of convenience.
I liked the sense of injustice Elise felt in regard to what was done to Christian's brother. She was committed to righting a wrong. I liked the way Elise handled Eric's wife when she made an appearance.
This was a marriage of convenience book that just felt different. I also appreciated their HEA, and loved the 3 epilogue and the bloopers.
This book was fun, funny, quirky, witty, sweet, and romantic. The story was so entertaining. I liked that this couple liked one another so much before their marriage of convenience.
I liked the sense of injustice Elise felt in regard to what was done to Christian's brother. She was committed to righting a wrong. I liked the way Elise handled Eric's wife when she made an appearance.
This was a marriage of convenience book that just felt different. I also appreciated their HEA, and loved the 3 epilogue and the bloopers.
ameserole's review against another edition
4.0
This was really cute!!
Part-Time Lover started off being a fake relationship between Christian and Elisa but we all know how that story usually goes. Things definitely heated up between these two and I was really happy that they were both getting a second chance at love as well. It almost seemed like fate when they reunited a year after they initially met and planned their first date.
Of course, things didn't go their way and they ended up missing one another. That is until they reunited and sparks bloomed once again. I'll admit, these two were really cute together and it was quite obviously they truly cared about one another. It wasn't surprising one bit when they realized that things were never fake between them. Even if it did take them a long time to see it.
In the end, I'm so happy this series had another book. I also see that it has a little novella and I'm dying to get my hands on that one! Hoping it's cute as well.
Part-Time Lover started off being a fake relationship between Christian and Elisa but we all know how that story usually goes. Things definitely heated up between these two and I was really happy that they were both getting a second chance at love as well. It almost seemed like fate when they reunited a year after they initially met and planned their first date.
Of course, things didn't go their way and they ended up missing one another. That is until they reunited and sparks bloomed once again. I'll admit, these two were really cute together and it was quite obviously they truly cared about one another. It wasn't surprising one bit when they realized that things were never fake between them. Even if it did take them a long time to see it.
In the end, I'm so happy this series had another book. I also see that it has a little novella and I'm dying to get my hands on that one! Hoping it's cute as well.
lauren_soderberg's review against another edition
4.0
A swoon-worthy, witty, marriage-of-convenience story with great characters and laughs aplenty. Lauren Blakely is the master of creating unique stories that never fail to entertain. There’s minimal angst, chemistry for days, and a wonderful heroine and hero. Yes, please.
gabbysreading's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars! Fate, flowers, and naked handstands. Lauren Blakely delivers once again!!
Part-Time Lover is a really cute and sexy marriage of convenience/second chance romance. I loved this book. It had everything I've come to expect in a Lauren Blakely book - humor, an entertaining storyline, amazing characters, steaminess, and a lot of heart. Add in the bonus of naked handstands from a hot Danish/Brit, obviously, this is not a book you want to miss. I just could not get enough of all things Elise, Christian and Paris.
We first met Christian Ellison and Elise Durand in Wanderlust as Griffin and Joy's friends and right away you could tell they had a connection. We learned in Part-Time Lover, before Elise and Christian properly met that night with their friends, they had a history together and it’s hilarious. Their initial run in is my favorite first meet ever. I swear you could not wipe the smile off my face after reading it.
Magnificent characters is a Lauren Blakely specialty. Christian and Elise are absolutely delightful. Elise has such a big heart. Yes, most of time it's guarded behind a self erected wall after being hurt in a previous relationship but she's easy to lend a hand or shower a friend with a just because gift. The way she was so quick to help out Christian and his family is proof alone to her kindness. And then there's Christian. Christian is another Lauren Blakely hero that I've fallen head over heels for. He's so funny and charismatic, a bit perverted but in a lovable, flirty, charming way. He makes me laugh and swoon all at the same time. Together…gah!…perfect. You can't go wrong with a Lauren Blakely couple.
I can certainly recommend this sexy, sweet book wholeheartedly. I just loved it! Although the characters were introduced in a previous book, this book can be read as standalone.
Part-Time Lover is a really cute and sexy marriage of convenience/second chance romance. I loved this book. It had everything I've come to expect in a Lauren Blakely book - humor, an entertaining storyline, amazing characters, steaminess, and a lot of heart. Add in the bonus of naked handstands from a hot Danish/Brit, obviously, this is not a book you want to miss. I just could not get enough of all things Elise, Christian and Paris.
We first met Christian Ellison and Elise Durand in Wanderlust as Griffin and Joy's friends and right away you could tell they had a connection. We learned in Part-Time Lover, before Elise and Christian properly met that night with their friends, they had a history together and it’s hilarious. Their initial run in is my favorite first meet ever. I swear you could not wipe the smile off my face after reading it.
Magnificent characters is a Lauren Blakely specialty. Christian and Elise are absolutely delightful. Elise has such a big heart. Yes, most of time it's guarded behind a self erected wall after being hurt in a previous relationship but she's easy to lend a hand or shower a friend with a just because gift. The way she was so quick to help out Christian and his family is proof alone to her kindness. And then there's Christian. Christian is another Lauren Blakely hero that I've fallen head over heels for. He's so funny and charismatic, a bit perverted but in a lovable, flirty, charming way. He makes me laugh and swoon all at the same time. Together…gah!…perfect. You can't go wrong with a Lauren Blakely couple.
I can certainly recommend this sexy, sweet book wholeheartedly. I just loved it! Although the characters were introduced in a previous book, this book can be read as standalone.
missy_evanko's review against another edition
4.0
The narrators were fire! Duet recording was cool. Short little romance story in Paris, also covering Copenhagen and New York for the world traveler through books.
ashley_immersionreader's review
3.0
Narrator: Shane East, Vanessa Edwin
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Characters: Christian and Elise
I loved the dual narration of this audible book. The accents were AMAZING! The story line was good, and I enjoyed it.
“Love is a terrifying choice. That’s why I’ve built walls. He wasn’t supposed to tear them down. I wasn’t supposed to let him knock them to rubble with all his kisses, and his tender touches, and his sweet and dirty and thoughtful ways with me.”
― Lauren Blakely, Part-Time Lover
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Characters: Christian and Elise
I loved the dual narration of this audible book. The accents were AMAZING! The story line was good, and I enjoyed it.
“Love is a terrifying choice. That’s why I’ve built walls. He wasn’t supposed to tear them down. I wasn’t supposed to let him knock them to rubble with all his kisses, and his tender touches, and his sweet and dirty and thoughtful ways with me.”
― Lauren Blakely, Part-Time Lover
theamyleblanc's review
3.0
3.5 stars, if I could
My feelings are mixed here. I loved that it's set in Paris but I wish it explored Paris and Parisian culture more. I loved that the characters are crafted to be so multicultural but it didn't seem to shape them much. Christian and Elise were both interesting characters but I don't feel like the plot went deep enough into their interesting bits. Their banter and teasing/flirting was fantastic and I adored it but it's like trying to subsist on candy alone. It wasn't filling.
Basically, I wanted more. I wanted more depth, more build, more tension, more conflict, more more more. I think this needed to be longer to really do the characters justice. The end kind of felt like a cop out, too. It seemed to resolve too easily. And I could've done with one less epilogue but then again, I'm probably scarred for life where epilogues are concerned.
This would make a cute beach or travel read but it doesn't make the top of my list for those categories.
My feelings are mixed here. I loved that it's set in Paris but I wish it explored Paris and Parisian culture more. I loved that the characters are crafted to be so multicultural but it didn't seem to shape them much. Christian and Elise were both interesting characters but I don't feel like the plot went deep enough into their interesting bits. Their banter and teasing/flirting was fantastic and I adored it but it's like trying to subsist on candy alone. It wasn't filling.
Basically, I wanted more. I wanted more depth, more build, more tension, more conflict, more more more. I think this needed to be longer to really do the characters justice. The end kind of felt like a cop out, too. It seemed to resolve too easily. And I could've done with one less epilogue but then again, I'm probably scarred for life where epilogues are concerned.
This would make a cute beach or travel read but it doesn't make the top of my list for those categories.
anasatticbookblog's review
5.0
Part-Time Lover by Lauren Blakely
Narrated by Shane East and Grace Grant
Standalone Contemporary Romance with RomCom elements.
4.5 Stars
I feel like I start every Lauren Blakely book review the same, wondering how the hell she does it? She releases about a book a month and each one is amazing! I don’t even read the blurbs to Lauren’s books anymore. Because the cover for Part-Time Lover cover seemed to go with Come As You Are and I had that one already, just hadn’t listened yet, I read that first, thinking they were related (review to come). They weren’t, but Wanderlust was related! In fact, we first met both main characters in Wanderlust. Elise was Joy’s friend, and Christian was Griffin’s friend. BUT you do NOT have to read Wanderlust first!
Part Time Lover begins in Copenhagen. Elise and her friend are on a boat tour when they pass (and take pictures of) a hot naked guy doing yoga and handstands on the riverbank.
They try to meet, but due to some mixed messages, they don’t meet up again for another year, this time accidentally in Paris. But that didn’t stop Elise from ogling the photos she took for the past year. In fact, they each thought about the other a lot over the year, so when they do finally meet, the chemistry is off the charts.
Christian is half Danish and half French and Elise is half American and half French. They have a lot in common, most importantly, neither is looking for anything serious, especially Elise, and Christian is happy to go along with whatever she wants, as he enjoys being her Friday night lover.
"I'm only half French."
"Which half?"
"Which half of you is British?"
"My cock, of course."
"My tits are French then."
"I love French."
They were great, coasting along with this part-time love affair until Christian’s brother ran into a business problem and was about to lose the family business. The only person who can save it is a married sibling. Since Christian is a genius at helping her business, Elise agrees to marry him for three months. He helps her business, she helps his, and then after 3 months, they both walk away. But you know how that goes, right?
The falling is complete. It’s here. It’s happened, and now I’m in love with the woman in my arms.
But this woman needs me to be the kind of man who doesn’t fall so easily.
While in Wanderlust, Paris was almost another character in the story, this time we still got the rich descriptions and quirky finds, but the focus was more on the characters and less on the city, and it was a great balance. I also loved how Elise got down and dirty with the banter and never seemed overly girly and delicate. She was a very independent woman.
My favorite thing in most books is flirty banter and text banter. Part Time Lover had both and of course, it was my favorite thing.
“It’s bloody brilliant. You know what else will be brilliant?”
“What?”
“Finally getting you naked and under me tonight.”
“You’re assuming I’ll put out since it’s our wedding night, are you?”
“Hope springs eternal. So does my cock when I look at you.”
Likes:
- •The setting and vivid descriptions of both Copenhagen and Paris.
- •The banter.
- •How successful and independent Elise is.
- •The tie-in to Wanderlust without you needing to have read it first.
- •Made me smile like a goof the whole time.
- •How even though you know the turnout, you love the journey.
- •The creative use of her blog posts to give insight into her past.
- •Shane East’s narration! That accent! YUM.
Dislikes:
- •Can’t think of one.
The Narration:
Shane East is absolutely perfect for the part. Grace Grant has that every-day girl sound. She's bit tougher and snarkier sounding than most narrators. I listened to an arc of this audiobook that you can’t speed up. I wouldn’t want to speed up Shane, but found Grace spoke very slow compared to him. She NEEDS to be sped up, and he doesn’t. I love the way they both did the other characters in the story, never doubting who was who. I also loved that the messaging was done duet style. It was great narration.
The Down & Dirty:
Once again, Lauren Blakely delivers a sweet, sexy, funny, romantic, scenic, juicy, fun book. I always recommend Lauren’s audiobooks first because it feels like her books are written for audio. She pays attention to the audio aspects from the beginning and also gives the narrators more direction than most other authors do. The sexy accent is just a bonus! While I was listening to this one, both my husband and son asked several times what the silly grin on my face was for. They didn’t see the airpods in my ears and just kept thinking I was walking around with a swoony grin on my face. I think whether reading or listening to Part-Time Lover, you are bound to enjoy the trip.
"A gentleman should always thank a lady for giving him the gift of her body. I’ll thank her by lavishing attention on her with my tongue."
Rating: 4.5 Stars, 4 Heat, 4.5 Narration
Purchase Part-Time Lover by Lauren Blakely
(affiliate links)
