Gracen Lowell is on the hunt for a man—but not just any man. He has to be ‘the one’. Her only problem is that no one she’s dated has ever measured up to the charming qualities of her best friend. Slade Owens knows no matter how much he loves Gracen, he’ll never be what she’s looking for. And he dang sure isn’t going to stick around to watch her fall in love with someone else. Slade leaving the … leaving the Owens’ family farm for an out-of-state job should put enough distance between the two to allow him to move on with his life and Gracen to search for her happily-ever-after.
Gracen knows asking him to stay isn’t fair. Slade thinks leaving her behind is the only thing to do. Inexplicably drawn together, the best friends must decide if they have what it takes to own up to their feelings… before it’s too late.
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The story is one of such great love, friendship, loss and a new chance. Two best friends, Gracen Lowell and Slade Owens, try navigating from friendship to lovers. Yet it’s too late by the time they realize their true feelings. Thinking he would never have his chance with Gracen, Slade has agreed to a job far away from her in hopes that he will soon forget her and all the feelings he knows will never be able to get over. But life, as it often does, throws him a curveball. Gracen loves him back. Slade, though, is a man of his word. He slinks out of Gracen’s life.
Gracen slowly starts rebuilding her life without Slade. She sadly finds out that not every man is honorable. Will the turmoil in Gracen’s life bring Slade back? Will they find out how strong their love is when it is truly put to the test?
Loveday has built a story of finding ones strength, abuse, love and second chances that flows so smoothly with Morency’s voice that you, as the listener, can close your eyes and see it all happen.
This was a first for me with both author and narrator.
I really liked the storyline as well as the small town and characters. Gray & Slade had such great chemistry and I am a sucker for childhood friends to lovers stories. I didn’t like that Gray was playing games with Slade, he tried to tell her how he felt and instead of recognizing that he was putting himself on the line and being vulnerable she decided to “test” him and have an inner monologue rant about how he didn’t understand how scared she was to say anything. A lot of drama could have been avoided had she actually talked with him, but then there wouldn’t be a story I guess.
The narration by Angie Morency wasn’t what I expected. I’m used to country twang type accents with books like this set out on farms/ranches, instead she had a mix between a creeper and an old smoker going on that didn’t really help set the story for me.
#AudiobookObsession
AudiobookObsession
What It Takes: A Dirty Road Love Story is a ya romance with a paradoxical exposition. I loved the narative in this southern romance with its sweetness. Character’s are compelling with complex personalities. A novel encompassing just the right blend of ingredients. Crossing the line of demarcation, bombshells dropped, and suspense exploding through the pages. I loved the sweet epilogue ending with Cheese and Crackers.
First listen by narator Angie Morency and I’m not sure if she is the right person to narate this book. I did not love her performance, but I didn’t hate it. I think the narrative needs a narator who is capable of showing all the sentiments & angst in the right places. I did not feel this narrator gave justice to the emotional bits. Her voice didn’t flow though smoothly and tone and pace were middling.
Audiobook Obsession
What was a light and cute southern romance, turned emotional and gripping. This was such a good story! This was my first time reading this author and prior to starting this audiobook, I had never heard of her work. But I look forward to reading more of her work because I loved this story!
GracenSlade! Cheese & Crackers! 4.5Heartfelt Stars!
What It Takes: A Dirt Road Love Story
By: Sonya Loveday
Narrated by: Angie Morency
This is a well written, well told story that tugged at my heart. It shows how a person can be their own worse enemy, allowing miscommunication and stubbornness lead them away from what they really want. Gracen & Slade were best friends, each wishing and wanting for more but not telling each other this. When they do finally talk about their real feelings comments made were misunderstood causing them to think they did not want each other that way. Slade moves away, Gracen moves on with Clint, who turns out to be abusive. After a horrific incident Slade comes back home. Their story and journey to love was not an easy one but I was glad they finally came to their senses and realized they were each other’s everything. Shoutout to Sonya Loveday, domestic abuse/violence is not an easy topic to cover. She did a great job with it. Kudos for including the helpline numbers and letting her readers know help is out there.
I listened to the Audible edition, Angie Mordancy did a wonderful job narrating and telling the story. She performs the voices of all the characters, brings them to life & gives them heart and personality. You can hear the emotions flow from the characters Thank you for this great & entertaining listen.
Thank you AudiobookObsession
What It Takes: A Dirt Road Love Story
By: Sonya Loveday
Narrated by: Angie Morency
This friends to lovers story is emotionally charged and left me wanting more! Gracen and Slade have been best friends forever. In love, but too shy to tell each other, Slade takes a job in Montana to give Gracen the time she needs to find someone and time for him to get over her. What no one bargains for is the relationship Gracen becomes involved in. Sonya Loveday writes a story that includes domestic violence with realism and compassion. It’s a heavy subject and she hits it head on. I loved Gracen, she was young, yet knew what she wanted. She just didn’t know how to get it. Slade, while I understand his thinking made me a little frustrated. There were a few times, I wanted to knock sense into both of them, but this for me is a sign of how invested I am with the story. It’s a great listen, and I highly recommend it.
Angie Morency is a good voice for this age. Her narration is full of the first love feelings, the sadness of breakups and fear of violence. She drew me in and let me experience their journey.
This was my first book that I have read by Sonya Loveday, and Wow it was such a intense read at times. Gracen and Slade have been best friends forever, yet they are both two blind to know how they feel about each other. Slade moves away in an attempt to forget, and that allows Gracen to start seeing someone else. Things spiral out of control, in that relationship. The book was very well written, moved along at a good pace and I really enjoyed the book. I would definitely recommend the book to others