Checking You Out

Green Valley Library, Book 10

By: Smartypants Romance, Ann Whynot

Narrated by: Ariel Royce, Christopher Rourke

Lois Washington is at the end of her rope. Struggling as a single mother in an apartment the size of a closet is not the New York City adventure she dreamed of in her starry-eyed youth. When her job goes on the chopping block, she is ready for a major life change. Joining her best friend in Tennessee to become the newest employee at the Green Valley Public Library isn't exactly where she thought life would take her, but she feels up for the challenge. Only this relocation comes with more than she bargained for.

Norman Grant has had a string of online dating disasters back in Florida. Dealing with chronic pain, he's concluded that finding a woman who is understanding about his war wounds just isn't in the cards. That is until he becomes quite taken with the single mother who's also a new arrival in Green Valley. The catch? Things are not quite what they seem.

When the past and present collide, Norman and Lois must face painful reminders from their youth. Now, at 27, Norman's about to find out just how deeply the wounds he left behind cut.

Checking You Out is a full-length contemporary romance and can be enjoyed as a stand-alone. Book 10 in the Green Valley Library series, Green Valley Chronicles, Penny Reid Book Universe.

©2022 Smartypants Romance (P)2022 Smartypants Romance

Excellent narration, okay story

The story was okay but not all that compelling.

I really liked Norman a lot. I like Lois ok. It just isn’t anything that I’ll be putting on my “read again” list

Also the character names just aren’t very sexy (apologies to all Normans and Loises out there)

Quirky Small-Town Romance

Oh my gosh, I love Ann Whynot’s group of awesome nerds! Checking You Out is heartwarming, captivating and swoon-worthy. Nerdy cinnamon rolls are my favorite book boyfriends, and Norman is a great one! Norman is the most affable, romantic, adorably goofy hero. Lois is a newly divorced single mom attempting to build a community for her daughter and herself. I love Ann Whynot’s style of small-town romance; her romcom additions to the Green Valley Library series are marvelous. Checking You Out is sweet, funny and nerdily awesome!

Christopher Rourke and Ariel Royce are new-to-me narrators. They were perfectly cast for the narration of Checking You Out. Ariel captures Lois’s character with a heartfelt, beguiling, and lovely performance. I could listen to Christopher Rourke croon all day! His portrayal of Norman the broken, fiercely loyal, fun-loving war hero is fantastic. His emotionally raw performance leaves a lasting pull on the heartstrings. I hope to hear this wonderful duo again soon! If you like small-town romcoms with a twist and a whole lot of heart, Checking You Out is a must-listen.

Not my favorite

I’ve enjoyed this series but this felt out of place and I wouldn’t recommend (especially for the price of these credits). Narration was nice but only finished because it felt like obligation.

They also had a few mistakes with calling the daughter in the story by the wrong name (Ella vs Elsa) and changing the main character’s favorite color (once her fave was purple and then later a gift was red because that was her “favorite” color). I know these sound petty but I’m a stickler for detail and this threw me off.

Also when reading about medical and military service details are VERY important and those living in both of those world will find major fault.