A love story amidst an all-too-current fiery landscapeWhat is it like to be caught in the middle of a raging California wildfire? Does famous musician Bodhi Beckett have what it takes to save himself, a quirky hairdresser, and a car full of pets? Don’t miss this high-action romance!“Quirky, fun, lovable and a joy to read.” – Katie“I’m gonna read this book again and again and again!” – Christy A.… and again!” – Christy A.
“I didn’t just love Breeze and Bodhi, I was OBSESSED with them.” Melissa B. Audible Editor
When a letter from his supposedly deceased mother finds its way into his hands, life changes in an instant for international pop star Bodhi Beckett.
Reeling from the deception of those closest to him, Bodhi spirals out of control and is sent to a secluded mansion in the coastal mountains of Southern California for some rest and relaxation. But the retreat proves to be anything but relaxing when a raging wildfire sets the landscape around him ablaze.
While escaping the flames, Bodhi rescues Breeze, a quirky, pet-loving woman, and together the two fight their way to safety.
In the aftermath of the fire, Bodhi and Breeze hit the road to uncover the truth about his family. What neither of them expected is to forge a powerful connection that will change their lives forever…but can it survive the real world, or will it disappear like the wind?
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Note: This review contains NO spoilers
I loved this! I had to listen it again to remember what I loved about this audiobook, and I have fallen in love with this… AGAIN! I laughed and loved all at the same time from beginning to end. I enjoyed the quirky and snarky banter between these two characters. I liked how this was told in both of their points of vies (POV). The descriptive writing brought forth an emotional and humorous love story between two people from two different worlds brought together by a devastating wildfire.
The pacing was perfect. It had its laugh out loud, teary-eyed, and “awww” moments that kept perfect pace with all the emotional angst that the narrators evoked in this audiobook. Zachary Webber and Callie Dalton were the perfect voices to portray these characters.
This is the first of the many stories that J. Bengtsson has written, and I am already in love with Like The Wind. With the beautiful balance of romance, humor, and snarky banter, Like The Wind is an emotionally addictive love story that I probably can listen to a few times over… Just like now! This is a re-listen for me…Haha!!!
Reviewer: Jasmine
J. Bengtsson did a good job creating an intriguing novel. I really enjoyed this book; it had a little of everything. Breeze and Bodhi were an enjoyable couple. The book had romance, angst, family fun and family issues. Breeze and Bodhi; the romantic couple both grew as adults and the side characters were just as interesting. There are cute and scary pets that brought even more fun to the book. I have read all of Ms.J. Bengtsson’s “Cake” series, and enjoyed them all, this book had a little more of a lighter side.
Loved Bodhi and Breeze. Breeze was so quirky and different than what Bodhi has seen in the past. I loved her sense of humor and heart and how accepting he was. He was so fascinated by her that he just rolled with the punches. A wonderful love story filled with heart (and also a little tidbit of Quinn McCallister to tantalize you!).
So many things were done very well in Like The Wind; if I wasn’t already a fledgling fan of J. Bengtsson after reading Rogue Wave, this book would have been the deciding factor. From the intense introduction, to the way that my heart shattered as I was forced to sympathize with those that suffered from the wildfires in California (the way the author penned those scenes evoked visceral reactions in me), to the likable characters, to the many twists and turns the story took that I was just not expecting- this book had everything. Now, I will admit to feeling bit of an emotional disconnect with the characters, as well as some ambivalence towards their coupling (other than the wildfire bits, I felt more like an observer than someone that was immersed in the story, which is what I prefer), so I can’t give Breeze and Bodhi 5 wine glasses. But I can give them a strong 4 and I look forward to reading more from the author (probably by starting the Cake series from the beginning). 4 out of 5 wine glasses.
Exciting and emotional!
What a wild ride this book was! Pop star Bodhi and pet sitter Breeze fleeing from fire and rabid fans! Exciting, emotional, funny, sexy, this book had it all! Loved it!
Audio Review from Jan 2019
This was the epitome of a slow burn new adult story.
Overall it was a good story though.
The couple was very cute as individuals and super cute together.
I enjoyed the end though. The last hour or so of the book was the best overall in my opinion.
Zachary Webber was great as always.
Callie Dalton I had to warm up to.
A delight
Like the Wind has a lot to recommend it, the most appealing aspect being J. Bengtsson’s knack for creating central characters – particularly heroes- that pull the reader completely into their journey. Bodhi Beckett is no exception. Bengtsson is skilled at presenting male leads at moments of growth. Bodhi not only finds himself in a literal firestorm that puts his life in danger, but also an emotional blaze as he struggles with truths about his past, his family, and, what he truly wants from life. And in the havoc of this crisis he meets Breeze, who is having her own struggles. Relationships (romantic or otherwise) forged in traumatic circumstances are intense and the connection between Bodhi and Breeze flares.
Bodhi’s arc is by far the stronger of the two protagonists; the development of his character is is more fully realized than Breeze. She had a lot of potential and some great personality traits (her confidence; her selflessness; her love of animals) but she was mired by past experiences that were a bit cliche and it seemed as though she didn’t get the same space to work through her past that Bodhi did. As a result, I felt more of a connection to the H than the h.
Both leads have subplots connected to their arcs which felt like threads that were never fully woven into the story; they were left to dangle a bit. This is particularly true of the threads concerning Bodhi’s brothers and Breeze’s best friend, Mason. There was more to explore there and as a reader I wanted more for those characters. I think further development, especially of the the Mason plot, had the potential to add something more to Breeze’s arc and so might have helped me to forge a stronger connection to her.
The addition of the epilogue to the book edition compared to the audiobook was helpful to tie up some of the loose ends, but there were times it did feel a bit like a bandaid, particularly for these two plot lines. Regardless, I enjoyed the epilogue (complete with a Cake nod that made me squee a bit!). I absolutely loved that it was Bodhi’s p.o.v. Like the Wind struck me as more his story, so it was fitting that he gave the last word. I wish it has been part of the audio because Zachary Webber’s performance as Bodhi was pitch perfect and I wanted to hear him perform it. (Though I could almost hear it in my head as I read, it wasn’t the same.) Bengtsson crafts some spectacular metaphors and analogies in her descriptions of character, feelings, setting, situations, etc. and Webber’s delivery of those through the entire book is spot on. In those moments, it is as though her writing was made for his narration; so, to hear him do the epilogue would be epic.
The only weakness of the audio for me was Callie Dalton’s performance as Breeze. Though I have enjoyed Dalton’s performances in the past (her work in the audio for Mariana Zapata’s The Wall of Winnipeg and Me was amazing), I didn’t feel she was the best fit for Breeze. Her delivery was rather plodding, which clashed a bit with Breeze’s characterization in the book. As a result, those portions of the audio were less engaging for me as a listener.
Despite some of these critiques, Like the Wind is an enjoyable book and well deserving of reading/listening. J. Bengtsson is a wonderful writer; Bodhi alone is worth the price of admission, plus there are adorable and temperamental animal moments that are fun and sweet. I will absolutely revisit this story, though perhaps not as often as I revisit the Cakes series. =)
*I received an advance copy of this ebook from the author and listened to the audio through ARP.*
I live the Cake series books of J. Bengtsson and I think this novel did not give me the same “feels” as those books. This is not to say that you should skip this book. I still like it, but not as much as one of the Cake books.
This is The first book that I have read/listened to by this writer. It grabbed my attention at the start, dragged just a bit in the middle, and finished with a bang.
I thought the narrator did a great job with their parts. I do have to say that it seemed like the Callie Dalton spoke more in this book than Zachary Webber did. Nothing was wrong with that, it just turned out to be a little surprising when I would hear his voice after hearing her voice for so long.
I liked both Bodhi and Breeze. This book provided many things that are often missing in so many romance novels that I have read lately. There was chemistry and a connection between the two MC’s. There was a buildup of sexual tension. You knew they wanted each other. They were romantic, sweet, fun, and funny. They were supportive. I liked Breeze’s parents, and eventually thought better of Bodhi’s father.
This book had all the feels. The happy, sad, angry, bitter, anxious, etc. When Bodhi met Marci. When he learned the true story from his father, and when he met Evan. Then you have Bohdi trying to find out who he really was and what he really wanted with the help and support of Breeze. When Breeze encounters her ex again, she has a startling realization.I
I would definitely give this book 4.5 stars. If it had an epilogue, showing Bohdi and Breeze a couple of years down the road, I would bump it up to a full five stars.
Callie Dalton. Sound familiar? She has narrated every Mariana Zapata novel. I already knew she is wonderful and talented. I stan her. Zachary Webber was a nice surprise. I can’t believe I haven’t listened to more books by him as he has an impressive back-list. It looks like I am going to have to check out more book that are narrated by him because –
Bodhi Beckett is a boy band heartthrob that is spiraling out of control. He has been forced into the limelight by his manager – who has also been deceiving him for quite sometime. Having taken enough crap from everybody around him, he hides in a secluded mansion for some relaxation and reflection. However, he awakens to flames and smoke overtaking the house. He manages to flee the area, but not before rescuing a quirky woman and her herd of animals.
Breeze was like a breathe of fresh air for Bodhi. She didn’t see him as the huge pop star like everybody else. She saw him as a friend – her rescuer. She gave him strength to tackle his demons head on and to quit hiding from his problems. She agreed to tag along for morale support and introduce him to some interesting characters along the way.
J. Bengsston was my favorite author find of 2018. Her Cake series sold me on her writing and storytelling. And Like the Wind is just as brilliant as her other works. Her novels are full of lighthearted relationships, angsty happenings, and comical relief. I highly recommend her to all of you that enjoy tamer romances as the steam levels are pretty low. But her stories always leaves a impression. Fans of Jessica Park will love J. Bengtsson!
This review was originally posted on Sincerely, Whitney
I absolutely loved Bodhi and Breeze. Their unlikely meeting and their particular personalities meshed into a terrific love story. I was drawn in and kept immersed throughout the entire book. I had a smile permanently planted on my face pretty much the whole time I was reading it, except when the story brought tears to my eyes. You don’t need fireworks nor bells and whistles when the story is this good, although Bodhdi and Breeze could have lit a bonfire with the heat between them. Even worth a reread!
Great characters and a beautifully woven story…
Didn’t like the story
Another outstanding read by Ms. Bengtsson. Set in the same universe as Cake, there is a lovely little clue for the future at the end.
Well edited.
Bodhi’s life is completely orchestrated. It has been since he was 2 years old. Child model, actor, star. Segued into pop boy-band after the child actor gig ran it’s course. A near meltdown earns him a few days of freedom. Except those precious days are literally burned to the ground. Fleeing a raging California fire, he happens upon Breeze – like the wind. Together, they survive the firestorm. Bodhi seizes the opportunity for a few days of freedom. Plus, there is the little matter of a personal bombshell that needs to be explored. Breeze helps Bodhi embrace life, freedom, and truth. Thrown together in the midst of a literal firestorm, will these two be able to forge ahead with a life that includes the other?
As in her previous books, Ms. Bengtsson creates some truly wonderful characters. No one is perfect. Everyone has light and dark. And together, some just shine. I look forward to the next installment in this beautiful, flawed, family filled universe. Enjoy!
Like the Wind is one of those stories that capture your heart and never let’s go.
I had never read any book by Bengsston, but my co-blogger raves about this author. So naturally, I had to see what it was all about. Like the Wind is a beautiful story about finding out who you are. Going through a traumatic event and finding that connection with someone, that you’ve always wanted.
Bodhi and Breeze are complete opposites on how they’ve been living. Bodhi is a Pop Star for one of the most famous boy bands. Girls are trying to get a piece of him at every turn. Breeze is a gentle soul; she loves animals and is seriously, one of the funniest characters. The writing style drew me in.
Surprisingly this story didn’t make me cry. I think I might be broken. But it had it’s an effect on me when I wasn’t reading, all I could think of was to pick it back up again. It is so much more than an average romance. It had everything, and I feel that there’s so much to this story. That my little review, can’t give you that. I’m not going to give away the story, in this review. I want you to pick up this book yourself and get taken by the story of Bodhi and Breeze.
Overall, Five Boundless Stars
If you don’t have friends that discover a new-to-you author and insist everyone read said author, well I think y’all need a new group of friends. Like The Wind is the third book by J. Bengtsson that I’ve read and loved, I’m so happy I have such wise friends! This story isn’t a second chance at love romance. It’s about being given a second chance at living, and finding romance, there’s a huge difference; and how the two main characters decide to make the most of it, after surviving a horrific fire. I know, I know, it’s become a cliché to say I went through all ‘the feels’ but I cried and laughed and shook my fist throughout this story…so yeah, all the feels! And if you don’t feel everything while reading this incredible love story, then not only do you need new friends, you need a new heart, too!
“Because, Breeze, you’re my first dime.”
Bodhi Beckett, twenty-four, had been performing since he was discovered at two years old. Raised by his dad, who was his manager, after his mother had died when he was just a baby, he’d acted in commercials and a TV series. And now, for the last five and a-half years, Bodhi had been a member of the wildly successful five man boy-band called AnyDayNow.
After Bodhi received a letter with some shocking information, he really needed to get away to make sense of it. If what was in the letter was true, then his entire life was a lie and he’d been deceived by the person closest to him. Bodhi heads south, to a private estate, were he can get the necessary solitude he desperately needs, while he figures out what to do.
“Maybe this was what I’d been missing—the spontaneity that was life. The messy. The unpredictable. Like the wind.”
Breeze Marigold Cassidy’s life was so very different from what she had planned for, over three years ago, when she was engaged to be married to her high school sweetheart. After her dream was crushed, she had moved from her hometown and now worked as a hairdresser, something she loved doing. There was a big difference between Northern and Southern California, and Breeze loved living near the surf and the sunny weather. When a wealthy client asks Breeze to stay in her house and pet sit, Breeze was happy to watch her dogs, cat, rats and fish.
“Surviving the fire had reworked our wiring, forged a connection and transcended the physical.”
When their lives are threatened by a raging firestorm, that destroying everything in its path, Bodhi stops and rescues Breeze, saving her life. Oh, and the pets she’s in charge of. These two become unlikely friends in a short time, and Breeze decides to help Bodhi on his quest to find the truth his father’s been hiding from him. They’re both faced with some painful decisions and truths they weren’t expecting.
“Breeze and I had been brought together for a reason, and I was committed to finding out why.”
BhodiBreeze! 4.5 Enjoyable & Heartfelt Stars
Like the Wind
By: J. Bengtsson
Narrated by: Callie Dalton, Zachary Webber
J. Bengtsson is a master at writing beautiful love stories and “Like the Wind” is not exception. The storylines and characters are interesting and well developed. I adored both leads, Bhodi Beckett is a pop star in a boy band and Breeze the hairstylist and petsitter. Each come from different worlds but they just happened to be staying in South California when the wildfires broke out and headed their way. The neighborhood was being evacuation, Bhodi was fleeing in a borrowed Range Rover heading down the road he saw Breeze flagging him down for help. He stopped helped her gather her animals and headed to safety. The two clicked & bonded right away, I loved the chemistry between them. Their story is a great one, so much heart and emotion, as well as humor, family drama with twists and heartbreaks. I highly recommend this heartfelt story. J. Bengtsson thank you for another great book.
I listened to the Audible edition, Callie Dalton & Zachary Webber are awesome narrators and voice performers. They bring the characters to life, give them their voice, personalty and a lot of heart. They are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for this great listen
This is my second read from the author and I must say that she is fast becoming my favorite go-to for the shiver inducing, swoon worthy, feel-good romance.
The author has delivered another great romance read with this one, and I shouldn’t be surprised since her last Cake book is such an amazing read. It tells the story of Bodhi, a former child star turned singer/performer in a boy band. His life turned upside down when he received an unexpected letter from his mother whom all his life he believed to be dead. Betrayed and lied to by his father, he started to spiral down until he was sent to a location to relax and maybe, rethink his life. He then met Breeze, a pet loving girl who was burned by love when his fiancé cheated on her. A dire situation and could be fate, placed them together to meet. They might have met under unfavorable circumstance but both have something that the other needs: a chance to love and be loved in return.
I have enjoyed reading this book; there are fun and sweet moments but most of all, lots of love. I’m looking forward to read more from this author.
A new book by Cake Series author, J. Bengtsson? Well of course I’m going to read that! Although I loved her rockstar Jake and his entire crazy family (give me more of them please), I was not so sure about a boy band ‘popstar’ but I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Bodhi Beckett was perfect, according to his fans, but under all that talented beauty was a little boy who never got to be young and carefree. He was already on camera at age 2, and his stage dad/manager planned out his career from there without really caring what Bodhi thought at all.
Burnt out (not that way!) Bodhi gets a reprieve to chill out in a beautiful hillside mansion, blissfully alone for for a few lovely days..no rabid fans, no dad from hell, no need to prentend he’s that teen heartthrob he portrays, just him doing whatever he feels like, for once in his life. Heavenly, until he wakes up to hellfire raging all around him leaving Bodhi to fight alone for his overprotected life.
Well, reading about being surrounded by flames was almost like being there..terrifying and you feel his fear as if it’s your own. He barely escapes barrelling away in borrowed car, almost running down another escapee, a woman and together they flee into the smokey night, hoping it’s not their last!
I really enjoyed Bodhi and Breeze together as their adventure continues. She is a free spirited hairdresser and he is, well, a displaced boy band singer with a big revelation weighing heavily on his mind right now. Not even his father has a clue of what he’s hiding..its big.
Even with this heavy beginning, the instant connection the two MC’s have are a riot..that adorable Bodhi has a very funny and sarcastic side and is super sexy without even trying. Sweet Breeze and her pink hair..she’s so unique, happy, easy going and likeable that I found myself smiling to myself through most of this story.
It’s a sexy and sweet without being overtly sexual, if that makes sense. Usually I want more juicy details but I really didn’t miss them here. Don’t get me wrong, smoldering might be a better word because that Bodhi will steam up your glasses with his hotness anyway.
The two of them finding out more about each other is the best but not the only part of the story as the ‘secret’ comes into play. Meanwhile, Breeze makes it her mission to give Bodhi some missing memories which had a lot to do with my permanent smile.
I really did love this book. Some of the secondary characters cracked me up, some bizarre 4 footed ones with personalities of their own made themselves known as well. There was this wonderful, humorous romcom-ish feel to it with a bit of drama and a very satisfying ending I could get behind. A great way to spend this Friday afternoon!
I can see some future books coming way that I know for sure I’ll be adding to my TBR list. Jill strikes again!