{"id":30243,"date":"2018-02-10T07:10:11","date_gmt":"2018-02-10T12:10:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=30243"},"modified":"2020-01-17T20:46:11","modified_gmt":"2020-01-18T01:46:11","slug":"arc-review-wanderlust-by-lauren-blakely","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=30243","title":{"rendered":"ARC Audio Review:  Wanderlust by Lauren Blakely"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4><strong>Buy:\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/2FVa6vH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Amazon<\/a><\/strong><strong> |<\/strong> <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/apple.co\/2y8czTK\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">iBooks<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<\/strong><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2iCTK4c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kobo<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<\/strong><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2yvQhIH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nook<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<\/strong><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2yNanka\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Google Play<\/a> |\u00a0<\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/2yZOXRD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Paperback<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n<h4><strong>Buy Audiobook:\u00a0 <\/strong><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/2AH1abg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Amazon Audio<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/adbl.co\/Wanderlust\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Audible<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n<hr \/>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><!--Yasr Overall Rating Shortcode--><div class=\"yasr-overall-rating\"><div class=' yasr-rater-stars'\r\n                           id='yasr-overall-rating-rater-0903c8be3e196'\r\n                           data-rating='4.5'\r\n                           data-rater-starsize='32'>\r\n                       <\/div><\/div><!--End Yasr Overall Rating Shortcode--><\/strong><\/h4>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><strong>Review<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><b>4.5 wanderlusty stars<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Oh, I loved this book. Take Lauren Blakely\u2019s fun, heartfelt, sexy and addictive romance and put it in one of my favourite cities in the world, and it\u2019s all win, really! She has given us another drool-worthy hero, a smart and relatable heroine, a chemistry-filled, functional friends-to-lovers romance, a whole lot of heart and the magic of Paris, and she\u2019s done it beautifully.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Wanderlust-Audio-Teaser.png?resize=460%2C460&#038;ssl=1\" width=\"460\" height=\"460\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Joy is taking on her dream adventure by moving to Paris to work, and after a bad break up, she\u2019s all set to live wild and free and experience everything that the city of her dreams has to offer. Except that she very quickly realises that her French is problematically lacking. Thankfully, her company has hired her an interpreter \u2013 who just happens to be British, gorgeous, and everything that Joy could ever want in a man.<\/p>\n<p>Griffin is a half French\/half British interpreter living in Paris. He is an explorer at heart, and though he loves his life in Paris, he is keen to take off and explore the world at his earliest opportunity. His latest contract seems to be the one that is going to get him where he wants to be, and to make it even more interesting, he\u2019s going to be working daily with a sexy, loud and dangerously attractive American who appeals to him like no other.<\/p>\n<p>The attraction between Joy and Griffin is electric from the very start. They like each other and they\u2019re both keen to explore what\u2019s going on between them, but as soon as they discover they\u2019re going to be working together they agree to put the brakes on for the sake of professionalism. So instead they become friends \u2013 spending time together, laughing, bantering and getting to know each other. And as they grow closer, their attraction to each other simmers away, creating a delicious tension that I couldn\u2019t get enough of, even though it left me with an almighty case of balls (you know what I mean).<\/p>\n<p>Of course it\u2019s only a matter of time before it all explodes into a lust-filled encounter that triggers them letting loose and deciding to embrace all that they are feeling, and it\u2019s so gorgeous! They are open and honest with each other and don\u2019t hold anything back, just going with it and falling in beautiful, passionate, sweet and swoony love, and it\u2019s so freaking functional! But with Griffin due to leave the country, and Joy\u2019s future also up in the air, what kind of future can they possibly have?<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Wanderlust-Teaser.png?resize=615%2C322&#038;ssl=1\" width=\"615\" height=\"322\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>This is such a beautiful story. I loved Joy and Griffin, and I could <i>feel<\/i> everything that happened between them \u2013 the laughs, the fun, the banter, the sweet anticipation, and the emotional fall. It\u2019s a gorgeous romance, and the fact that there is no stupid or game playing is an added bonus. I was easily swept up in it all, and I fell in love right alongside them. I also loved the added emotional aspects of the book, the family storyline was really gorgeous and cleverly woven into the story, creating a wonderful depth to the book.<\/p>\n<p>My other favourite part of the book was the setting. I suffer from my own wanderlust, and books set in other countries always appeal to me, and Blakely\u2019s graphic and emotional description of Paris is almost like a second love story in the book. It\u2019s clear that she loves the city (and how can you not?) and that comes across clearly in the way she talks about the beauty of it, its magical feel and its secret treasures, and it added a fantastic sense of wonder to the story. I\u2019m now desperate to go back and experience it all again for myself!<\/p>\n<p>I listened to this one as an audiobook, and the narrators were just perfection. Grace Grant delivers a wonderful portrayal of a passionate heroine who is embracing everything that life has to offer. And I\u2019m a long-time fan of Richard Armitage who is Griffin brought to life. I admit I would sometimes find myself picturing him as a dwarf king (a la, <i>The Hobbit<\/i> movies) which would get a bit strange during a hot, dirty-talking scene, but his voice is perfection and he tells the story beautifully.<\/p>\n<p>I really loved this book. It was fun, heartfelt and gorgeously romantic, and one that I will be adding to my audiobook re-read library to enjoy again and again.<\/p>\n<p>4.5 stars.<\/p>\n<p><i>An Advanced Review Copy was provided by the author via Audible in exchange for an honest review.<\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Check out an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=30207\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">interview and behind-the-scenes special<br \/>\nwith audiobook narrator Richard Armitage<\/a>!<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong>From Paris with Love<\/strong><\/h4>\n<div data-post-id=\"32205\" class=\"insert-page insert-page-32205 \"><p><strong><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"28444\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?attachment_id=28444\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Wanderlust.jpg?fit=150%2C225&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"150,225\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Wanderlust\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Wanderlust.jpg?fit=150%2C225&amp;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-28444\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Wanderlust.jpg?resize=80%2C122&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"122\" \/>\u00a0 <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"30259\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?attachment_id=30259\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Part-Time-Lover.jpg?fit=150%2C225&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"150,225\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000026_00024]&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000026_00024]\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Part-Time-Lover.jpg?fit=150%2C225&amp;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-30259\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Part-Time-Lover.jpg?resize=80%2C122&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"80\" height=\"122\" \/><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Wanderlust <\/strong>(Griffin &amp; Joy)<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=30243\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Review<\/a><br \/>\nBuy:\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/2FVa6vH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/2ALeca9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Paperback<\/a>\u00a0 | \u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/2D4qFon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Audiobook<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Part Time Lover<\/strong> (Christian &amp; Elise)<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=33652\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Review<\/a><br \/>\nBuy:\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2LNPedl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 | <a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/2nKPsrk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Paperback<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/blkly.pub\/PT-Lover-Audible\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Audiobook<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?page_id=25955\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lauren Blakely Author Spotlight<\/a> for more great reads<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Buy:\u00a0 Amazon | iBooks\u00a0|\u00a0Kobo\u00a0|\u00a0Nook\u00a0|\u00a0Google Play |\u00a0\u00a0Paperback\u00a0 Buy Audiobook:\u00a0 Amazon Audio\u00a0 |\u00a0 Audible Review 4.5 wanderlusty stars Oh, I loved this book. Take Lauren Blakely\u2019s fun, heartfelt, sexy and addictive romance and put it in one [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":28444,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","yasr_overall_rating":4.5,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"Product","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[454,25,9,29],"tags":[59,56,48,76],"class_list":["post-30243","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-audio-recommendation","category-friends-to-lovers","category-romance","category-steamy","tag-arc","tag-lauren-blakely","tag-review","tag-standalone"],"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":false,"span_bottom":false},"number_of_votes":0,"sum_votes":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Wanderlust.jpg?fit=150%2C225&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7gaNL-7RN","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30243","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=30243"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30243\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/28444"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=30243"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=30243"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=30243"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}