Man of Mystery

By: Carol Collins

Narrated by: Mary Phillips

Exactly who was the mysterious stranger who caught Joanna's eye and instantly had such an incredible effect upon her senses? On holiday with her twin brother Paul, she was minding her own business, sipping an iced drink in the lovely old town of St. Malo, when the impertinent blue stare of a rather disreputable looking busker totally unnerved Joanna. She tried to flee from him, but fate decreed they should meet again, in circumstances where she felt forced into giving him aid.

Within days, Jake had won her love, but Joanna was soon to discover the awful truth. Her penniless drifter had deliberately lied, cruelly deceiving her as to his real identity. Angry and hurt, Joanna vowed revenge.

©2011 Carol Collins (P)2016 Mary Phillips

Jake and Joanna

This was a sweet, and sometimes funny, second chances love story. At times I felt it was too slow, but overall it was really good. I liked Jake. Sometimes I like Joanna and other times I just wanted to shake her and say “grow up!” She over-reacted to being hurt before and now assumes the worst in other guys. Honestly, in a mind space like that, she would not be a good girlfriend. The narration was a joy to listen to. The narrator did an excellent job! I received a free copy of this audiobook and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Sweet Story

I got this book via audiobook boom.com. This is Jake and Joanna's love story. It is filled with things that are slightly unbelievable. If you already think this man is a homeless vagabond why would you invite him to stay with you and then remain alone with him while your twin brother goes out dancing? You still don't like or trust him but you take all of these chances. Then when you finally fall in love with him you get mad when you discover that he is not a vagabond but a millionaire and he did not tell you. This is one of those stories where you have to truly suspend reality and just go with the flow. The narration was very good and kept the story flowing. It was a nice story to pass the time while I was crocheting. Because the story is about British citizens some of the words were strange but after a while they were explained so that I knew what they were talking about.

Sweet Story

What a sweet story. I loved it. It was s clean, beautiful love story, and Carol Collins drew you into the lives of Joanna and Jake so easily. I don't really believe you can fall in love so quickly but Joanna and Jake were perfect. I was rooting for them from the beginning. I also loved the relationship Joanna had with her brother Paul. I love reading books where brothers and sisters back each other up. The ending was a surprise for me. I did not expect that at all but I loved it. I listened to the audio version of this book and the narrator was fantastic. I loved her accent and she was perfect for the voice of Joanna. I highly recommend this book. I will seek out Carol Collins for more of her books. I loved the way she writes.

An okay listen with a mild twist at the end

Any additional comments?

Once you get past the very pedestrian cover art, this listen had some very good elements. The main female, Joanna, was a bit full of herself but the story did try to make her sympathetic.

The mystery was only barely. You pretty much knew the tie-in early on. The meat of the story was getting to the HEA.

Speaking of...the HEA had a bit of a twist. It wasn't a story line twist, just a pivot of the main male character, Jake. It was a bit jarring, since there was no build-up to that revelation, but it played well with the HEA.

The narrator was good. Truth be told, she was probably the reason why I gobbled up the book in one sitting.

It was an okay listen; not much of a mystery; a satisfying love connection; and a HEA with a twist.

Mystery man, Jake.

A lovely romantic sweet romance. I fell for Jake even more than Joanna did! Such a kind man. Such a patient man. He always knows just what to say. A very enjoyable listen.
The narrator, Mary Phillips, British, but easy to understand, brings alot of feelings to this story. 5 stars for her as well.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the author through Story Origin.