Nowhere but Here by Renee Carlino Published by Tantor Media on September 3, 2014
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Amy Landon, Zach Villa
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Amazon Audible
A Chicago reporter in her mid-twenties unexpectedly finds love in Napa Valley when she’s assigned to spend a week with a famously reclusive genius.
Kate Corbin has lost her spark. From the outside, her life seems charmed. She has a handsome, long-term boyfriend and a budding journalism career at a popular Chicago newspaper. But in reality, her relationship is going nowhere, and she’s quickly losing motivation for what she once believed was her dream job. When her boyfriend dumps her unceremoniously, Kate loses all hope of finding love.
With no living family and few friends, Kate confides in her boss. Trusting that the hungry, ace reporter is buried somewhere deep inside, he gives Kate the opportunity to jumpstart her career. The assignment: to interview the famously reclusive R.J. Lawson, a wealthy tech genius who disappeared years ago but recently reemerged as a Napa Valley vintner. The week takes an unexpected turn, however, when Lawson refuses to divulge any information. Desperate for a lead, Kate turns to Jamie, a vineyard hand who shows her the romance of wine country—and stirs her aching heart. But his connection to Lawson is ambiguous, and when Jamie disappears before the end of the week, Kate is left to investigate another story: the truth behind the man who stole her heart.
USA TODAY bestselling author Renée Carlino explored love and heartbreak in her beautifully written debut Sweet Thing, and her newest novel does not disappoint. For fans of Colleen Hoover, K.A. Tucker, and Katja Millay, Nowhere But Here is a stirring and satisfying romance that you won’t want to put down.
May Ultimate Reading Challenge 2018:
Set in a Place You’d Like to Visit
My selection for May’s Ultimate Reading Challenge was Nowhere but Here by Renée Carlino, which is set in Napa Valley, California. Visiting the wine country is on my list of places to visit once I’m an empty nester. This month, I decided to listen to an audiobook.
What did you like best about Nowhere but Here?
Life has a way of knocking you down and then stripping away nearly every ounce of your self-confidence, strength, and joy. I enjoyed the process of Kate gradually getting her mojo back despite her weariness.
Who was your favorite character and why?
My favorite character is Jamie. He is a genuinely nice and humble man who enjoys working hard and appreciates the little things in life. Jamie is also good with his hands (in the wine fields and in bed—just sayin’). I love his persistence in pursuing Kate.
Is this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
No. This isn’t a book that swept me away to the point that I was fully engrossed and couldn’t stop listening. I happily and easily reconnected with the characters when I was able to continue listening to the audio, though.
Have you listened to any of Amy Landon’s other performances before? What about her performance did you like or dislike?
This was the first audiobook I’ve listened to that was narrated by Amy Landon. I have to say that I enjoyed the way she voiced Jamie—with lots of feeling and without sounding like a male cartoon character. Her portrayal of each side character, in fact, is distinctive and believable.
Would you listen to another book narrated by Amy Landon?
Definitely.
Any additional comments?
The plot is fairly predictable, but the strong relationships between all the characters make up for it. If I could change one thing about the story it would be to immerse the reader in the more sensory aspects of Napa Valley. I had a clear vision of being a guest at the inn, but I wanted to feel intoxicated by the sites, textures, tastes, and smells of the winery itself.
Recommended for fans of:
Wine
Writers
Women getting their groove back
Bring on the #UltimateReadingChallenge for June: Movie Adaptation!! We will be doing our first giveaway in June, so don’t forget to submit your reviews for the previous months’ challenges:
▸ Submit your review link ➙ http://bit.ly/2m50x4P.
▸ For details & to sign up ➙ https://wp.me/p6Rh5Y-1Mq
The #UltimateReadingChallenge is co-hosted with Collector of Book Boyfriends.
About Renee Carlino
Renée Carlino is a screenwriter and bestselling author of contemporary women’s novels and new adult fiction. Her books have been featured in national publications, including USA TODAY, Huffington Post, Latina magazine, and Publisher’s Weekly. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons, and their sweet dog June. When she’s not at the beach with her boys or working on her next project, she likes to spend her time reading, going to concerts, and eating dark chocolate.
Any thoughts? (Comments may be held for moderation.)