From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward, comes a new, sexy standalone novel.
It seemed like a good idea at the time. Look up Landon Roderick, that boy from childhood whom I’d never been able to forget—even though he so easily forgot about me—and call him.
Then again, anything sounds like a good idea when you’ve had a little too much wine before bed, right? It was supposed to be … right? It was supposed to be just a quick, meaningless, prank call. Instead, I went off on him—unloading thirteen years of pent-up emotions.
I didn’t think he’d call me back.
I certainly could never have anticipated the weeks of sexually tense phone conversations that followed as I got to know the man he’d become.
Turned out, Landon had never really forgotten me, either. That special connection we had was still there. I opened up to him, but there were also things about me he didn’t know. And he had his own secrets.
Over the countless hours we talked on the phone, I wondered what would happen if we actually saw each other. One night, I did something impulsive again. Only this time, I went to the airport and booked a ticket to California. We were about to find out if one phone call could bring two lost souls together or if my drunk dial really was all just a big mistake.
A complete STANDALONE.
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meh. didn’t love it, didn’t hate it.
I could not connect to the characters to save my life. some of the story line just felt rushed and almost out of place/context with other things that had been going on. I don’t know…this was a weird one for me.
My third book by this author and once again I really enjoyed it! At first, I was a little unsure. I figured that the main character must have some kind of scar or something, but the reason that she didn’t want to show her face to Landon was a total surprise to me. Although I was unable to understand exactly how she felt in the one comment she made, so much of the story was really good besides that. Landon was a dream guy, and I don’t quite get why she got upset over his big reveal, because really, how was that any worse than a guy who had just been a straight out manwhore? But then there was the whole big part of the story that had to do with her secret, as well as her “little sis”, and that had me in tears, and I couldn’t stop listening. A great story!
I listened over audible and absolutely loved this story! A second chance romance. These characters had flaws and humor and some sadness too. But it was totally a story of what ifs. I think we’ve all had that friend from childhood or high school or whatever that touched us or maybe infuriated us, but that we can’t help but wonder what if. For this pair those questions get answered when after one too many glasses of wine and a visit to our friend google result in a drunk dial. Reconnecting changes everything. I loved this story, this couple and all the twists and turns that ensued. So well done!
THe characters weren’t your run-of-the-mill variety. I appreciated that. What could have been somewht cringe-worthy became a lovely story.
To say I’m a fan of this author is such an understatement. I’ve loved every book I’ve read from her and this one’s no different. Although I think this story is different from what I’m used to reading from her, it had such a magic and beauty about it that you can’t help but fall in love. A story that is a must read and that will make you believe, not only in love, but in yourself too.
Rana hits rock bottom one night and when she drunk dials a boy from her childhood, everything will change. All the things she thought were true are blown away and the minute she and Landon reconnect, she’ll not only find a love that will change her life forever but also a love for herself that was lost a long time ago…. When Landon gets a call, he never thought he would reconnect with someone that he would never hear from again. The more time passes and the closer they get, he’ll do anything to keep her in his life…
The beauty that comes from this story and the way it was written, it touches your heart in so many ways that it’ll stay with you after you finished it…
Drunk Dial by Penelope Ward (Audiobook)
Narrated by Andi Arndt
5 Stars – This book was great! Had me laughing out loud early on and all throughout. I loved all the random texts and phone calls, creates the nice slow burn kinda feel. I liked the childhood friends aspect as well. Rana and Landon (so far I haven’t met a hero named Landon I didn’t like.. anyway) they were a fun pair to watch fall in love.
Andi Arndt does such an amazing job narrating. This book was a definite win for me.
~Paragraphs and Petticoats~
Penelope Ward books never disappoint. Love all your books, Penelope… but this is my favorite!
Not your momma’s Cinderella but Drunk Dial is definitely dreamy. A friendship that lingered. Emotions that took hold of a lost soul connected them. One drunken phone call changed the rest of their lives. Forget the glass slipper! Forget Sleeping Beauty!
Landon is a Prince Charming in his own right. It may not be the Disney kind but Drunk Dial certainly nails the happily ever after!
I loved this book, more than anything I have read in awhile. I have been reading alot of Vi Keeland’s books as well as ones written with Penelope Ward. This book touched me to my soul. Tough topics but written beautifully. Characters who were absolutely funny, heartfelt and powerfully honest. I am just in awe by the writing of this and need to say bravo! I will continue reading these authors because they surprise me and make me believe in the beauty the world could hold if they just were honest and true to who they are.
This is my first Penelope Ward book, and I’m more than hooked. I’m impressed! I get it! I see why she’s sold so many books and why she’s so loved. This is such a great story. I felt deeply for both characters even though the book is written only from one POV. The unique voices were spot on. I could picture Landon during those first few phone calls. His dialogue was very guy like. He actually sounded like my older brother. He expression, the words he used, and even the way he called her by her nickname.
Rana was a mess, but in a very lovable sort of way. Not once while reading did I get a bad vibe or feel like the story was unrealistic. She was crazy but consistently crazy and I loved her for it too. If anything was missing, I guess it would be wanting to understand what drove her to dance. What drove Landon to cooking. But, really, I can’t even say that was needed. They seemed complete, yet messy, without it. Very real.
Now I have to go shopping for my next Penelope Ward book! Thank you for the great read!
I liked it and thought some parts were cute. It took me forever to get through it though. I found myself reading some then putting it down. I’m chalking it up to not my absolute favorite but still mildly enjoyable.
The first thing that comes to mind when you hear the phrase Drunk Dial is that amazing moment when you are stupid drunk and call someone from your past – 99% an ex – who you are angry with and start spouting out everything that you never dared say, right? Well, if you think that’s all this book is, you have another thing coming. The whiplash is just around the corner waiting. But let’s take it from the top.
Landon Roderick & Rana Saloomi. The one an aspiring chef and the other a belly dancer. The one living in California and the other in Michigan. Kind of hard for two people like them to meet and fall in love, huh? Well, that’s where the Drunk Dial comes into play. Rana, at one night, she decides to call the guy who had a crush on forever and whose parents had thrown them out of their house and dish on him about the past and her feelings. But this plan had two plot holes. The first: she was drunk. And the second: that guy was Landon, who never stopped thinking about his Rana Banana. Although, that phone call only scratches the surface of the relationship these two have.
When I first read the blurb I thought that this would be fun since every story that starts with that kind of a call, most of the time will evolve as a rom-com. But, really, I shouldn’t have fooled myself and should have prepared me for the expected unexpected twists and the huge, heavy turning points the story would have. One chapter after the other something new and important would happen or some well-hidden secret would get discovered which only made the unfolding of both the book’s and Rana & Landon’s love story that much more intriguing, captivating and totally Ward-y. And under that description couldn’t be missing the little Lilith. Lilith is a 10-year-old who Rana helps and spends her time with under a social program for child encouragement and support. From the first moment she is introduced to us, she was a witty, smart, mature, serious little thing who captured, not only Rana’s heart, but also mine. Every time she was appearing in the story, she was adding a different layer in its development. The thing that I NEVER expected to happen, not even in a million years, was to learn WHO was actually Lilith and what was her real role in the whole story. To say that I was stupefied for awhile would be an understatement. It totally came out of the left field and blindsided me. Even after I finished the book, I was having a hard time realizing it.
As for the love between Landon and Rana, the words great and perfection sum it up pretty accurately. Their relationship may started on uneven ground and as light flirting through phone calls and texts – of course there was some sexting in it! – while they were trying to leave the past behind and get to know each other all over again, but, in the end, the feelings that they were both harboring for over 13 years for each other, took over. While I’m writing this review, their moments together are passing in front of my eyes. And they are moments that you can’t forget easily considering how they are interacting with the rest of the story. Both characters have an undeniable bond and chemistry. It really doesn’t matter if they are in the same room or not. Their feelings are so deep and true they don’t know borders and distance. The one thing that would undoubtedly add even more intensity and feelings is if it would be a dual POV, but I’m customed to Ward’s writing that I don’t really mind. Just voicing a thought I had after I read it.
From the moment I read RoomHate I’m addicted with Penelope Ward’s mind. Her stories have that something that makes them irresistible and you never know what she will throw in your way while reading it no matter how many times you have read the blurb and make hypothesis about it. She is an author that everybody has to read at some point and fall in love with her dynamic lead females and her hot, steamy, yummy, strong males ones.
Beautiful and emotional. Penelope Ward always takes a beautiful story and idea and makes it so much more.
With two flawed characters, you wonder if they’ll be able to find a middle ground and be happy. Such beautiful and fun characters, you want them to be together and stay together. As their pasts come to light, you pray that they’ll find a way back to each other and overcome their obstacles.
Definitely a must-read in my book!
I really liked this book. It kept me interested in a moment where nothing caught my attention.
It is a reading about acceptance and forgiving oneself. I loved that message, because it was captured in an intelligent way.
“Quick, tell me something funny.”
Every time I read Saloomi, I thought of Salami. True story.
Anyway, back to the review.
Rana drunk dials that boy from her past.
Landon is the boy from the past that needed a laugh.
Neither one realized how much that drunk dial call would change their lives.
This story goes way deeper than a phone call and I loved where Penelope took this book with a message of love, second chances, and redemption. Another stellar read.
Raw. Real. Refreshing.
I always ask myself how is Penelope Ward going to top her last book when she releases a new one? And every time she delivers. Every. Single. Time. I DEVOURED this book in just a few short hours. Her storytelling and writing were flawless.The pacing was great and the story just flowed. It was such a delicious slow burn with the main characters that had me aching . A lot of books in this genre can become repetitive but Ward was able to write a story that was refreshing and heartwarming.
“There’s nothing wrong with having flaws. They’re what make us human.”
“Life definitely wasn’t perfect. But there were moments in time that absolutely were. And this was one of them.”
“Each tear that fell represented the regret pouring out of me, regret for not only my past mistakes but for what living in fear was causing me to miss out on right now in the present.’’
What I love the most about this story is that Landon and Rana are so relatable. They aren’t perfect, rich or have all their ducks in a row. They have flaws. They didn’t follow the same path as everyone else. They have real issues, failures and regrets and you can’t help but want everything to work out in the end for these two. Landon and Rana I absolutely adored as a couple. They balanced each other out and I loved seeing both of their walls coming down and them becoming one. Landon was tough on the outside but so sweet, thoughtful and protective. I really loved Rana’s character because I could relate to her with certain issues. I too can let my past fears prevent me from enjoying the present day but I’m a work in progress. The support they showed and the love they have I can only hope to have one day. That’s what it’s all about accepting and loving someone flaws and all.
I’ve been a long time fan of this author and I have to say this is her best book yet. I know I said that about Mack Daddy but this I’m serious this time …..It’s hard for me to put into words but this book had such a real and raw authentic feel. Something about this book touched my heart and wouldn’t let go. This book touched on several different topics and had my emotions all over the place. It so many sweet and tender moments. Plus moments that made me laugh and tear up. Bottom line. You need to read this book whether you’re a long time reader of P. Ward or first time reader. This book will stay with me for a long time as Landon and Rana worked their way into my heart and won’t let go.
Drunk Dial was fantastic with real life problems and characters that were just regular people. The obstacles kept coming and the secrets came out. What mighty secrets they were.