NICO
She serves me coffee late at night when I come around to write lyrics,
but it’s not the caffeine I’ve gotten addicted to.
We’ve got the spark, but she’s the only woman in town
who seems to be immune to my charms.
When it’s time for me to leave for my cross-country tour,
I just can’t imagine not seeing her for months.
So I offer her a job on the road with me.
KAT
Everyone in LA knows … months.
So I offer her a job on the road with me.
KAT
Everyone in LA knows that Nico Todd has a way with songs and with the ladies.
What he doesn’t know is that I would love to let him have his way with me.
But my life can only revolve around one infuriatingly cute guy—
the six-year-old that I live with.
Imagine my surprise when Nico finds out about my little boy
and tells me to bring him and my mom on the road too.
And imagine Nico’s surprise when he realizes my son
is the biggest charmer of them all.
*This is a 79,000 word steamy romantic comedy novel.
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“That first kiss was the end of me. And the beginning of us.”
I did NOT mean to finish this book at 10pm without even having had dinner. I swear I meant to read a couple more chapters and the rest of it in bed. Well, we’re long past that now. Because who cares about dinner when there’s a lump in my throat right now, and it’s both the sappy kind and the happy kind, and I’m in love with this book.
“Nico Todd really is every kind of trouble, and every part of me wants to get into all of it.”
Nico Nico Nico Nico Nico… I don’t even… I mean, OK, he’s a musician, and I have a soft spot for those. He’s a stud muffin, and we all have a soft spot for those. But there’s more about him. I love that we get to see some of his songs, and that he expresses what he feels by writing them. I love how devoted he is. And how intense everything about him is. But mostly, I love how hard the guy who is seen as the playboy falls for Kat. And I mean hard.
“She laughs a sad little laugh. And this is how she hooks me, like a hit song that I can’t get out of my head.”
Thank you, Kayley Loring, for writing a woman with a dirty mouth who is open about sex, who knows, and says what she wants! Kat (Katherine, with all her syllables) is a single mom with a film degree, working at a diner at night so that she can spend the day with her son, Tate. She lives with her mom. Her life’s far from perfect, but it’s OK. And then one night Nico goes to the diner for coffee, and everything’s about to change for both of them.
“Where have you been?” comes a shockingly girlish, almost whiny voice that I do not want to accept as mine.
“All over and never where I wanted to be, which is wherever you are.”
I was full-on prepared not to like Nico for some reason. No idea why. Even if he is a singer-songwriter. Even if he was kind of cute in the previous book in the series. Man, that was out the window when I started reading about him at a diner waiting for a waitress to notice him, or touch him in passing, and writing songs about her without even knowing her. I think I lost my heart to Nico when he asked Kat for a thirty-second date. I’m sure I totally lost it when they danced in the parking lot.
“I’m not exactly the same guy that I was before that first night I met you. I’m not the guy I want to be for you yet either. All I can say is that I want the chance to become that guy for you.”
She doesn’t give him the time of day until she can’t really help it. And then he asks her to come on tour with him to film him for a fan documentary, so she can actually put her degree to use. So that he can see her every day. With her mom, and her kid.
And just like that, the guy who didn’t even know how to handle his best friend’s kids suddenly finds himself drawn to her kid, and completely lost for Kat.
“I don’t want you to not be you, Nico. You’re amazing. I love being with you.”
“Then just fucking be with me.”
So, they’re stuck on a tour bus together, and their feelings for each other are palpable. Of course there are issues, but not much angst. She’s a single mom, her kid needs to come first. She’s scared of what’s coming and how life is going to work out for the three of them.
But there’s so much want, lust, and love between them, and it’s so heartwarming to see them let go. To see Nico realize how far gone he really is, and to see Kat understand she really can have everything.
Random thought: any book that mentions Jerry Maguire (one of my favorite movies ever!) and Bon Jovi deserves an award from me. It’s almost unfair. Seriously?
“This woman is not just the one at the end of the line and the end of the road; she is the beginning of everything that really matters.”
All jokes aside, this is a heartwarming book and a sweet read, with some steamy moments. It’s romantic, with an emotional side, and a dirtier side. And it’s all kinds of dreamy.
Kat was worried about being the girl left waiting at the end of the line and at the end of the road if she let herself be with Nico. All she needed to realize was that, for him, all lines and all roads lead to her.
My name is Leticia and I’m a Nicoholic.
I absolutely LOVED this story..!!!
This was the first time I have read anything by Kayley Loring and it certainly will not be the last time I read one of her books,because I was totally charmed by her words.
Nico and Kat’s Romance was so sweet,sexy and funny…I adored the humour in this book…and it is a book I could not stop reading until the end.
I fell in Love with Nico,a gorgeous musician and I Loved the fact that he never gave up with his pursuit for Kat’s Affections,and accommodated his lifestyle for her and her son while he went on tour.
Hiring her to document the tour by video for his fans, that way he could be with her and get to know her…and hopefully do other things with her also.
Kat is a single Mother so she snaps up the opportunity to go on tour with an famous musician and the bonus is she is able to take her 6 year old son and her mother too.
I don’t think they both realised how difficult it would be to try to resist eachother and their sexual tension and electricity sizzled throughout the book.
Charmer is an INCREDIBLE Book,and I enjoyed it so much.
I was completely riveted and definately a deserving 5 STAR Read.
Fantastic !!
I loved every part of this book! It was so smoking hot but also sweet, romantic and funny. The book has some great humor and lots wonderfully emotional scenes. My favorite part was with Nico and Tate after the night with Tate’s dad. Kayley does such a fantastic job with her books. Every one I read/listen to becomes my favorite!
Jason and MacKenzie are perfect as Nico and Kat. MacKenzie’s emotional performance as Tate just broke my heart is was so good. Both narrators are so good at doing the different voices.
This is Nico’s story and by gosh, he deserves one! When you meet him in Sleeper, you get the playboy musician vibe that most artists give off. What you don’t get in sleeper is all the lonely longing Nico has. In Charmer, Nico finds Kat by chance at a late night dive and it is insta-something for this gorgeous man. So much insta-(?) that he no longer wants to seek out other woman. Just like that? Kat thinks this is an obviously absurd notion from a celebrity, but can’t resist the attraction she has for Nico. And Nico wants her photography skills for his road show. Problem is, she has a son and she will not pick anything over Tate. He comes first, always. Can Nico convince her that he wants a full package deal, or will Kat’s continued questioning of his motives drive them apart? 2 months on tour together will make or break them, but what a ride it is! I can honestly say that the sweetness I felt for Nico was absolutely insane. Truly, if he were a candy my teeth would be crying. This book is a perfect cozy blanket read, with just the right amount of heat to fuel your fire!
Gosh, Kayley Loring is one of my very favorite authors. This is another ‘hit it out of the park’ story for me. Charmer has the same feel that (Book 1) Sleeper has, and that’s okay with me because after reading Sleeper I really wanted a reboot and this story was exactly what I was hoping for.
Charmer’s got that warm, comfortable aura that makes it feel safe to immerse yourself in this story, like you’re not going to get your heart broken or regret reading it. This is really Nico’s story. We delve deeply into his thoughts and personality through his song lyrics and interviews, and see him to be the epitome of a book boyfriend—open, patient, romantic, devoted and unwilling to give up on her. We’re placed into his unique world as a musician on tour and Ms. Loring paints such a believable picture that you wonder how much of it is the result of personal experience.
Nico has an unexplainable pull to this woman Kat. He’s just ready for something real after all those years on the road, and Katherine is very, very real. She’s got responsibilities that supersede her own dreams and desires, and she doesn’t let herself get distracted. She challenges Nico’s resolve, but to his credit he never waivers. There’s minimal angst in this story which is classic Kayley Loring and which I appreciate more than you know.
The story is enhanced by some great secondary characters. The little boy Tate is a special gem, the two grandmas are priceless, and the characters from Sleeper are generously written in.
I guess it’s kind of hard to separate these two books Sleeper and Charmer. When I think of one, I think of the other. I’m not comparing them because I can’t in any way say that one is better than the other. They’re like twins and I couldn’t possibly choose a favorite. You could read this book as a standalone, but do yourself a favor and read both.
Nico and Kat’s story is so beautifully well written. Their story is so sweet and romantic. Nico, a singer, is handsome, caring, and supportive. Kat is a lovely strong single Mom. The supporting characters are wonderful, and they have an important part in the story. Tate, Kat’s son, is so cute! Her Mom is so supportive! Nico’s grandmother is hilarious! The characters are well developed, and likable. This is a very heartwarming story, and I loved to follow them in their journey. The Epilogues are so beautiful! Jason Clarke and Mackenzie Cartwright did an amazing job with the narration. I enjoyed it.
Audio Review
Oh wow where to begin, I am still in euphoria from listening to this book. This book has so much going for it. It’s funny and full of great characters and a perfect story line that it is a solid 5 stars for me with just that but there is so much more. Nico Todd is definitely a Charmer and we fell for him in Sleeper when his sister Willa fell for his best friend Shane, but Nico has more to him than just his good looks and ability to charm the ladies. Yes he has a beautiful voice and can sing a love song and yes he was a child star and has fame from that but he also has a heart that he didn’t realize he had until he met Kathryn Dempsy. Kat is a waitress on the night shift and once he lays eyes on her he must have her. Kat has other ideas.
This was so much fun and sweet and romantic and it is one I will listen to again.
Jason Clarke and Mackenzie Cartwright were terrific narrating this book. OMG Jason was perfect as Nico and Mackenzie brought the emotion needed for Kat. Loved listening to both of them.
I loved this audio book and highly recommend it. Beyond 5 stars for me.
I absolutely adored this hilarious, heartwarming, and sizzling romance! Nico has completely stolen my heart and left me breathless scene after scene! He is a musician who has enjoyed the benefits that come along with that lifestyle, until he meets Kat, a waitress at the diner he frequents. He is instantly attracted to her and the lyrics he writes in his note book gives us a peak into just how much. Kat is attracted to him as well, but is a single mother who puts her son first, works hard, and isn’t looking for any complications. Nico is completely charmed by her son, Tate, who loves magic tricks and silly jokes. But Nico is about to leave on tour and can’t imagine not being around them. So he convinces Kat to work for him on his tour, bringing Tate, and her mom along as well. This road trip adventure is filled with laugh out loud situations, quick witted banter, heartwarming and heartbreaking moments, and lots of slow burn sizzling passion! I loved Nico’s earnest desire to prove he was all in with Kat and Tate. His sweet song lyrics along with his interactions with Tate had me totally swooning from beginning to end. I loved how strong Kat was, willing to find that perfect balance of being a good mom, following her dreams, and discovering true love.
Jason Clarke, and Mackenzie Cartwright were brilliant as Nico and Kat, delivering a performance that was completely addictive. They portray each character with a perfect balance between fun & flirty, heartbreaking emotion, and sizzling passion flawlessly. I was really impressed with Clarke’s ability to make me swoon one minute, then making me laugh the next with his manly comments. Cartwright was amazing at bringing out the worry that Kat struggled with, pulling at my heartstrings. Both narrators did a great job with accents and voicing adorable little Tate as well. This was such a fun listen as I laughed out loud, more than once, at their hilarious banter and awkward situations. There is so much to love about this delightful, tender, and steamy romance and is the perfect all-round rom-com to get lost in!
Nico is a musician/songwriter and former child-actor. He also is a lover of women. But lately he can’t think of any other woman but the beautiful waitress at the coffee shop. So he does everything he can to get her to go out with him.
Kat is a single mom who put her photography/documentary movies career on hold to raise him and give him everything she could.
This was another great read by Kayley Loring. It was cute, funny, and quirky. She wove a great story about how a single mom and a musician found love. Nico was soo swoon worthy how he not only fell for Kat, but her son also. The way he was when Tate’s father was in the picture, soo sweet!
A great read. I just want more like it!
If you need to swoon with a single mom romance
I always jump in when I’ve enjoyed the author before and so when i discovered heroine to be a single Boy mom, and the struggles she faced I just knew this would be the book for me as I could relate and happily add nico to my book bf list.
There was no real conflict, just the struggles of finding the balance as the story focused on single mom and love interest and said Hero is a swoony up & coming singer we all need, this is definently a recommend with all the hilarious banter from family member who offcourse know better than my new fave couple.
Charmer
By: Kayley Loring
Narrated by: Jason Clarke, Mackenzie Cartwright
There are times I need a story that will not only make me fall in love, but make laugh, tear up, love and just feel good. This book is it! Nico has his heart set on Kat, but being a famous singer, and being a child TV star has made me out of reach to her. Hiring her to document his tour seems to be a logical step to win her heart. But she has a son! And a mother! Just bring them along and see what happens. Now involved and falling for them all, things appear to be on track! But will it stay that way? Will he stay faithful? Will she be able to deal with his fame? And what about her son, Tate? With humor and passion, Kayley Loring gives us Charmer. Nico is swoon worthy! He is good looking and talented, but what makes easy to fall for is his heart. It’s huge! He is wonderfully attentive and his scenes with Tate just melt me. Kat is independent, but she definitely holds a bit of insecurity. I love how she puts Tate first, yet wants to balance her life. And her mother is hysterical! The real scene winner is Tate. This little boy is energetic, curious and reminds me so much of my kids! If you want a book that will warm your heart and make you feel happy and make you laugh, pick this one up!
Kayley Loring takes care when casting her books, and Jason Clarke and Mackenzie Cartwright are perfect for this story. Clarke brings so much to Nico. He has that warmth to his voice, making him easy to fall for. And he sings! What a bonus because he is amazing! Cartwright finds the essence of Kat. She has the mother tone and the real woman feels. You can feel the switch, and I love how easy it is for her. Both have incredible comedic timing and truly enhanced this book. Loved their performance.
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I listened to the audio version of this book and absolutely loved it!!
Nico is a child TV star turned musician that returns to the same coffee shop night after night for her. Kat is a waitress doing what she needs to do for her son and is content in her life, but not necessarily happy. When Nico sets his sights on Kat and offers her an opportunity that will change her life, she is hesitant but goes with it. What happens next is a wonderful story of them falling in love and finding their happily ever after!
Jason Clarke nailed it as Nico and his singing….swoon worthy! Mackenzie Cartwright did an amazing job as Kat and really made you feel right along with her. Definitely worth the listen!
So much laughter to be had – Fun and witty banter, sexy times, kid voices, grandma’s, parents, just a riot. Tate with his magic tricks, fart jokes, and poop-scapades. In the mix of all this is a wonderful love story. Nico is a rockstar with a heart of gold, he’s the perfect book boyfriend. Nico doesn’t second guess his love for Kat or her son Tate and makes it known he wants the whole package as he takes them, AND her mother on tour with him. Hilarity ensues, Bon Jovi is recited, Miguel and Marvin Gaye music play in the background while love is in the air for more than just Nico and Kat.
I also listened to the audio version and absolutely love the narration of Jason Clarke and Mackenzie Cartwright. We get to hear Jason sing, but I think their little kid voices stole the show. They were so adorable and Mackenzie will even bring you to tears.
Nico, Nico, Nico, where have you been all my life!! It seems once his sister, Willa and his best friend Shane figured out they belonged together, Nico saw everything he was missing. And once he found the woman that made him feel something more, he just couldn’t stay away. When I first started listening to this audio, I couldn’t believe Kat was acting completely immune to Nico. I was thinking “Girl, what is wrong with you?” But over time she opened up to Nico and allowed herself to experience so much more. I always enjoy when authors give us glimpses into characters, we already love (Shane, Willa and the twins). I totally awwed and giggled at the kids in this one, they seriously stole every scene!! The narrators were amazing, as usual!! Mackenzie Cartwright & Jason Clarke were the perfect Kat and Nico, and Jason actually SINGS in this book
I received an ALC of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review. With Jason Clarke and Mackenzie Cartwright narrating I knew I would love it, but I was immediately hooked by all aspects of the story. From the very beginning I was pulled into the characters on a deep level. Kayley Loring perfectly captured the soul of a talented songwriter/musician who puts his art and creative process over commercial success in a way that is absolutely believable. Nico is a talented, sexy musician who has found his muse in Kat. He is definitely not innocent and owns his past while driving to a new future – hopefully with Kat. He is also an excellent big brother and uncle to twins who are adorable! When he sings to them I melted! The chapters with lyrics are very powerful and the perfect window into his thoughts and feelings in an organic way. The song, Manhattan, is all the things!
Kat is a hardworking, fierce single mother struggling to get by and not lose her passion & creativity while keeping her priorities straight. I also enjoyed her creative process in this book! She is sex positive and a strong female character I admired. I was lost in Nico’s connection to Kat, in her resistance, in their delicate dance. Once he makes up his mind he is the epitome of devotion and THAT IS LOVE!
All of the characters melded so perfectly into the story layers, and it was beautiful! Grammy is amazing and hilarious and a bad-ass woman who gives great advice and meddles perfectly! Kat’s mom is snarky and fun! Tate is a fantastic kid with complex layers who stole my heart. Ricky is great. They are all great!
On to the narration – Jason Clarke & Mackenzie Cartwright are favorite narrators – and I’m VERY #NarratorMotivated! I knew I would enjoy this story because they were performing it, but they knocked it out of the park with their top-notch delivery of this wide variety of characters, moving flawlessly from one to another. I never got lost and had to wonder who was speaking.
I laughed, I swooned, I giggled, and I fell in love with Nico & Kat falling in love with each other! Charmer is funny, adorable, swoony, sweet, sexy, hilarious, and Seriously HAF with next-level dirty talking! Holy dirty-talking rock stars, batman – Chpt 16 is so HAF I almost can’t stand it! Almost! Seriously – This book was so good that when I finished I pressed play and listened again.
Kayley Loring is a new Author to me, but I will be immediately listening to Sleeper next to get the story of Willa & Shane, narrated by Teddy Hamilton & Mackenzie Cartwright. I will be prioritizing her work in the future on my #faveylist!
I loved just about everything about Charmer by Kayley Loring! Nico and Kat are such a great couple, and their love story is so entertaining and fun. I listened to the audiobook, and Jason Clarke and Mackenize Cartwright hit it out of the park with the narration.
Nico is a former-child-star-turned-rock-star, kind of like a fictional Justin Timberlake. His awkwardness around his niece and nephew is highly entertaining, and you just know that when he falls for a single mom, he’s going to seriously be out of his comfort zone! He finds himself inexplicably drawn to Kat, a waitress at what becomes his favorite diner entirely because she’s the waitress. They both feel the pull, but Kat doesn’t want to act on it because she’s got a little boy at home. When Nico meets her son at a grocery store, he’s so enchanted, and that’s before he even realizes that he’s Kat’s son.
What did I love about this book? The dialog, the inner monologues, Nico’s insecurity even though he’s a huge star because he knows that being a star scores him no points with Kat and her family. The interactions between the extended cast of characters, from Nico’s family to Kat’s family. The fact that Nico kind of falls apart in the most hysterical way on his way to realizing that he wants to be the family man that Kat needs. This is low angst, heartfelt humor with loads and loads of heat, and it all boils down to a man and a woman being exactly what the other needs, even though they are not what they were looking for. The last thing Kat wanted was a rock star, and the last thing Nico wanted was an instant-family, but when it clicked, it just clicked, and they couldn’t ignore it.
Kayley Loring wrote an absolutely engaging, entertaining and fun-filled story, and Jason Clarke and Mackenzie Cartwright delivered masterful performances that brought the words to live. Such a great writer/narrator combination, and an all-around enjoyable way to spend the hours listening.
Kat and Nico have amazing chemistry. Through the course of the story, they learn a lot about relationships, Nico falls hard and grows up. I enjoyed this first person, dual POV story. Kat’s son and mom were dynamic secondary characters. Nico’s growth as he falls for Kat and her family is rewarding. Kat learns to open up and trust Nico. I love the HEA: incredibly sweet. The addition of the video diary transcripts, and Nico’s song writing journal are humorous and touching.
Oh my goodness what a charming story about the musician and the single mom who has captured his attention. I found myself chuckling at all the little jokes, swooning over their attraction and Nico’s lyrics to Kat, and just full of all the feels. The story had an easy flow it that made it super easy to devour in one sitting I felt the characters were so easy to relate to I loved the honesty of their personalities
This was my first read from this author and I definitely know I will be back for more for her stories.
Loved! So glad I tried to this new to me author!
Single mom/reformed bad boy…yes, please!
Kat and Nico’s story is well written, super relatable, easy to get lost in and completely awesome!
There’s drama too. Will Nico still be interested once Kat’s life is fully revealed?
“Charmer by Kayley Loring was a great read! I’m not so into rock stars trop but I do really enjoy Nico and Kat’s story. Kate is a single mother that captivates the handsome Nico but she was worried about her son. It was funny and interesting how both of them interact. It was a lovely romantic comedy story. I’m looking forward for more books of Kayley.”