Brett – The quiet loner. Content with life in his small town and a job he loves—except for the one thorn in his side.
Kelly—the world traveler that pops in and out of his life, taking a small piece of his heart with him every time.
Until the day she comes back, broken and adrift.
Can he show her there is more to life than bright lights and endless wandering?
Could his heart be enough to finally tame the restless need to run?
Or will she break his heart all over again and leave.
| Title: | Shifting Gears |
| Author: | Melanie Moreland |
| Narrator(s): | John Lane Maxine Mitchell |
| Series: | Reynolds Restoration (Book 3) |
| Length / Pages: | 6hrs 52m / 333 |
| Genre(s): | Contemporary |
| Trope(s): | Opposites Attract Second Chance Romance |
| Point of View: | First Person, Past Tense, Dual Viewpoint (H & h) |
| Location: | Canada |
| HEA: | âś” |
| Release Date: | 31st May, 2022 |
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Audio brings this story to life
This third Reynold’s Restorations book brings us back to the characters we’ve known and loved from the first two books. Brett and Kelly’s relationship was teased in Breaking the Speed Limit and we finally get to know their story and get their happily ever after. Does this book stand alone? Definitely in that Brett and Kelly get their happily ever after. But in this more than any other story, I think you really would benefit from having read the prior books – just to get a sense of the friends, family and the group dynamics.
Our story starts with Kelly returning from her latest travel adventure and getting a less than warm welcome from Brett. Having had his heart broken by Kelly’s leaving one too many times, Brett decides that the pair should be cordial and no more. Luckily for us readers, that vow lasts a hot minute and soon they’re back to being unable to keep away from each other.
I first read the ebook and have now moved onto the audiobook. As usual, Ms Moreland has gone with the incomparable John Lane and Maxine Mitchell as her narrators for our tale. It’s told in duet narration with each reading the chapter told from their character’s point of view.
Our story starts with Kelly returning from her latest travel adventure and getting a less than warm welcome from Brett. Having had his heart broken by Kelly’s leaving one too many times, Brett decides that the pair should be cordial and no more. Luckily for us readers, that vow lasts a hot minute and soon they’re back to being unable to keep away from each other. Maxine Mitchell does a great job of voicing Kelly. She gets a good blend of strength and vulnerability in her performance and even more so than the book, I really felt the struggle and indecision Kelly experiences.
Kelly and Brett being unable to keep away from each other also means not being able to keep their hands off each other and let me tell you – It. Is. Hot. The first chapter has a bit of a, well, reputation, as being particularly NSFW. And then add in John Lane reading those words to you. I tell you right now – you WILL be a puddle on the floor. And love every minute of your demise!
“…another fantastic story of true love overcoming the odds…”
Brett is a typical Reynold’s Restoration hero – he’s big, gruff and very much an alpha protector. But he’s also a big softie and isn’t afraid to show or tell his feelings. Kelly is his kryptonite and that made him a little crazy (in a good way) trying to protect his heart but also wanting to follow it. Simply put – I loved him. The aforementioned voice God, John Lane, reads Brett’s part and hooo boy does he do it well. He’s got a deliciously gruff voice but still manages to change up his voice, sounding more feminine when voicing Kelly, Charley etc. And from this book, I also realise that Mr Lane does a hilarious drunk voice. He really helps bring this story to life for me.
This is quite a simple tale with just the right about of angst and drama. There’s always something going on within this big group of friends and family and read to you, their shenanigans are all the funnier! Theo’s observations cracked me up as usual, and Stefano and Brett’s brotherly battles were extra funny when you hear the emotion behind them. With all that, there’s such a warmth to the story, the writing and the reading. Melanie Moreland writes worlds that I want to wrap myself up and live in – which is exactly what you feel you’re doing when you listen to the audio.
This book is another fantastic story of true love overcoming the odds and I would highly recommend it – even if you have to read the first two books in the series (Revved to the Maxx and Breaking the Speed Limit) first! As always, the narrators really bring Ms Moreland’s characters and stories to life, and you will just grab any chance to get another bit of this story in your ears. Another sure fire winner all round – 5 well-deserved stars.
* I received this book in exchange for my honest review
New York Times/USA Today bestselling author Melanie Moreland, lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her beloved husband of twenty-seven-plus years and their rescue cat, Amber. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them.
While seriously addicted to coffee, and highly challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties, and also enjoys traveling, here and abroad, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip.
Melanie loves stories, especially paired with a good wine, and enjoys skydiving (free falling over a fleck of dust) extreme snowboarding (falling down stairs) and piloting her own helicopter (tripping over her own feet.) She’s learned happily ever afters, even bumpy ones, are all in how you tell the story.
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Reynolds Restoration Series:
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