Kiwi Rules

New Zealand Ever After, Book 1

De: Rosalind James

Narrado por: Emma Wilder, John Hartley

Afghanistan hadn’t quite killed me. Karen Sinclair just might.

You don’t find many too-pretty rich boys in the New Zealand Defense Force. Turns out there’s a reason for that. Fortunately, you can find your true self in the oddest places. Of course, you can lose yourself in those places, too - at least some pieces of you.

Since I was back home with a new leg, some facial alterations, and time on my hands, I might as well help out my sister. Showing a potential buyer around some of New Zealand’s quirkier ecotourism sites, having a few adrenaline-fueled adventures? Fine. It wasn’t like I’d never been camping, unlike the walking tornado that was Miss Karen Sinclair. Unfortunately, Karen had never heard of the phrase “let me get that”, let alone “we don’t have time”. She’d definitely never heard “there’s no more room in the car”.

And then there was the sexual frustration.

©2019 Rosalind James (P)2024 Rosalind James

Fun Kiwi Adventure

Karen - who we met before as Hope's teenage sister in the Not Quite a Billionaire books - is all grown up now and visiting New Zealand on behalf of her brother-in-law Hemi. Her first day in the country, she jumps with both feet into a situation and causes a bit of mayhem. (She actually does that a lot.) When she does jump, she meets an injured soldier, former model and playboy Jax, on the beach and they hit it off, but the mayhem is an issue. They meet again when she takes up her task for Hemi and get to know one another better as they race through many adventures together. The canyoning was very cool!

The two narrators take turns reading as the first person viewpoint switches back and forth between Karen and Jax. This is a surprise when they first switch, even though I expected it, because their voices are so different. You have to get used to the changing voices speaking for Karen and for Jax, depending on who is viewing the scene. I enjoyed both Emma Wilder's and John Hartly's readings and this was an interesting way to perform the book.

I liked Jax, he was complex and determined, but Karen was a difficult character this time around. I found myself disappointed in her and along with her for the time she spent with the ex-fiance and his company. I loved her family again though. Looking forward to the next book in the series!

I received a free copy of the audio version of this story for writing an honest review.

Excellent!

I love all of Rosalind's books and this one is no exception and listening to it is even better. Once again I her characters are all loveable and realistic and nobody writes steamier sex than this author!
It took me a few chapters to get use to John Hartley doing his narration but I ended up enjoying him as much as Emma Wilder.
This is definitely an excellent listen!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

A Story full of Emotions!

"I may have lost my leg. I may have lost my job. I didn't have to lose my courage.
You don’t find many too-pretty rich boys in the New Zealand Defence Force. Turns out there’s a reason for that. Fortunately, you can find your true self in the oddest places. Of course, you can lose yourself in those places, too—at least some pieces of you.
Since I was back home with a new leg, some facial alterations, and time on my hands, I might as well help out my sister. Showing a potential buyer around some of New Zealand’s quirkier ecotourism sites, having a few adrenaline-fueled adventures? Fine. It wasn’t like I’d never been camping, unlike the walking tornado that was Miss Karen Sinclair. Unfortunately, Karen had never heard of the phrase, “Let me get that,” let alone, “We don’t have time.” She’d definitely never heard, “There’s no more room in the car.”
And then there was the sexual frustration."

Just by reading this I knew this story was going to pull at my emotions. When we first met Karen in Ms. James "Not Quite a Billionaire series". She has overcome many obstacles in that series and now she finally gets her ever after!
You have to listen to this story. You will definitely not be disappointed!
I love Emma Wilder as a narrator; she does an amazing job in capturing each character's emotions.
I can't wait to see what more Rosalind has in this new series!!

"I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.”

Homerun!!!

Adore the narration. Has to be about the best collaboration I've experienced in the years of audible books behind me.
Rosalind James can write. What an incredible opportunity to experience this book.
Don't miss it!

Great story with wonderful readers.

Fun Romance with a great weave of Maori traditions The readers were
Easy to listen to and had great accents.

Great start to a new series

This book features characters from another series, but you don't need to read the series follow. I didn't and did not feel lost at all. At first I struggled to connect with the characters, I didn't really have anything in common with them. However, as Rosalind James usually does, the characters develop so nicely that despite not relating to them, I am still invested in their outcome. Make sure you have your tissue box ready towards the end, it's a very heartfelt story.

I'm a huge Emma Wilder fan, I am super picky when it comes to narrators. It took me awhile to get used to having two narrators, I did not like it at first. It grew on me after the first couple transitions though.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

Love Karen’s story!

I cannot tell you how excited this book makes me for the rest of the series. It is not a cliffhanger, but knowing this is the first in the Kiwi Rules series makes me happy to see what is next. John Hartley is an amazing addition as a narrator! Emma Wilder can certainly hold her own, but the dual narration was a happy surprise.

We first met Karen in the Fierce series when she was a teenager. Now up against her 30th birthday, her whole world has upended. Where to go? Her Koro’s house in NZ while on a temporary job from her brother in law. An unexpected meeting on the beach continues Karen’s new trajectory.

This is, I think, my favorite of Rosalind James’ books. It is a laugh and cry book, but it has a lot of self-awareness and reflection from both usually strong characters. Worth the credit!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

love your stories

your stories about New Zealand makes me want to visit there. you bring your characters to life. I laughed with them, cried with them and celebrated with them. thank you

My Resting Place

Kiwi Rules is the first book in a new series by Rosalind James. We first met Karen in Not Quite a Billionaire Series. She's all grown up now and back in New Zealand to figure out her next steps in life. Jax is a wounded warrior who is home on medical leave. Neither knew they needed each other till they met.

This books has all the feels, I loved listening to every minute. Having a female and male narrators took some getting used to and I'm not completely sold on John Hartley's voice for Karen, but it didn't deter me. The emotions throughout this book will have you thinking, may make you cry and certainly laugh. You can tell Ms. James did her research on both Karen's career and Jax 's disability. That is one of the things I love most about reading Ms. James' books you know you are getting real information not made up stuff.
I loved having Hemi and Hope, Karen's sister and brother in law make an appearance. You can also most feel the brotherly love Hemi has for Karen it's so warming. I wish I had a way with words like Ms. James does to describe just how touching this book is. The love Karen and Jax have for each other, is amazing. I will be listening to this again.

I received a free copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

So much going on! (But I loved it!!)

I really enjoyed the story of Karen and Jax. We first met Karen Sinclair as the teenage younger sister in the Not Quite a Billionaire series, but she is now all grown up and approaching her 30th birthday, newly single and out of a job. Jackson (Jax) MacGregor is still adjusting to life as an amputee and recovering from the catastrophic injuries that he received as an explosives expert in Afghanistan for the New Zealand Defense Force, when the two meet and sparks fly. In the next 50 Chapters, they camp (or "glamp"), visit her adopted grandfather several times, adopt/rescue a duck, confront her health problems, confront his health problems, confront his family issues, visit so much beautiful NZ scenery, and fall in love! Emma Wilder and John Hartley do an AMAZING job narrating this story and deserve absolutely so much praise. Two thumbs up to them, for sure. This is a great book. I look forward to reading the next in the series and buying the audiobook, too. There are adult themes, but they are handled well.
"I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own."