His First and Last by Terri Osburn

Narrated by Karen Peakes

I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Osburn this past March at the VA Festival of the Book. She, alongside three other authors, was on a panel discussing quirky Southern characters in romance. And His First and Last was mentioned several times. So of course I requested it when it came up for review. I’m ALL about the quirky southern characters in romance y’all!

Lorelei Pratchett has, grudgingly, returned to Ardent Springs, Tennessee to reclaim her life. After twelve years away, a failed acting career in Los Angeles, and a broken heart, she’s hit a wall of pity. All the plans she had made for herself – number one being get out of this two-bit town – have failed epically. With no where else to go, she sulks back to her hometown and her grandmother for some TLC and a breather before the next stage of her life. Only, it’s not her grandmother who picks her up from the airport. No, it’s Spencer Boyd, her first love and the man she left to pursue her dreams.

Spencer Boyd regrets letting Lorelei walk out of his life. But now that she’s back in town, it’s his chance to make up for lost time. Now he can show Lorelei how much he – and the town of Ardent Springs – has changed. Spencer is going to win Lorelei back, no matter the cost.

Let me start by saying that reviewing is a very personal process. A book can work or not work based on the reader’s own background, feelings, mood, etc. What works for one person may not work for someone else. That said, I had a surprisingly bad reaction to this book. If I had any issues with the writing or the pace, they were overshadowed by my immense disgust and frustration with the plot and characters. How dare Lorelei be made to feel as if she needs to justify herself to the community. So what if she was an attitude ridden teen and cursed the town before she left. This is a town that ridiculed and bullied her everyday for the fact she was born illegitimate. I don’t care if this is a small town (I live in a small town, so I know how they can be), the level of malevolence and strife these people felt about Lorelei seemed too extreme.

And how dare Spencer tell her that if she were nicer, the townspeople would like her better. Was he oblivious to the actions of the townspeople? How could he ignore the death glares or the animosity or the outright venomous speeches? What’s worse, Lorelei decided to stay and make a life with Spencer just because a few townspeople were nice to her. They were only nice because Lorelei was bringing in money for the local theater fundraiser. Nothing is said about the town changing its opinion of her – only that they smile at her and pat her back because she helped raise money. ARRGGGHHH!

I had never heard of Karen Peakes and I’m sorry His First and Last was my introduction to her work. It was very hard to appreciate the quality of her narration when the characters drove me so crazy. I guess that is a testament to her performance; she drew me so deeply into the book that I forgot I was being read to. She gave these characters so much life and energy. Her Southern accents were light and enjoyable with nothing obnoxious to grate on my nerves or make me cringe. Her female vocals were all varied and accurate – Lorelei’s concerned grandmother, her grandmother’s best friend (who sounds like Peggy Hill), Lorelei herself – all wonderful. Her male choices were a little more difficult to bear. Spencer wasn’t too bad with his slightly husky voice. It was all the other male characters who sounded like rejects from a Dukes of Hazzard movie. Mr. Winkle in particular was an ordeal to hear; he sounded like an old friend of the Colonel’s. Still, she was good and made an unbearable book manageable.

[section label=’Audiobook Information’ anchor=’Audiobook Information’]

Diana

AUDIOBOOK INFORMATION

TITLE: His First and Last

AUTHOR: Terri Osburn

NARRATED BY: Karen Peakes

GENRE: Contemporary Romance

STEAM FACTOR: Glad I had my earbuds in

REVIEWER: Diana [button type=’link’ link=’http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UNRJQIW/?tag=audiogalsnet-20′ size=’btn-lg’ variation=’btn-default’ target=’blank’]Buy His First and Last by Terri Osburn on Amazon[/button]