Love Me Today

By: A.L. Jackson

Narrated by: Joe Arden, Andi Arndt

Length: 10 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

A jaded single dad. A woman returning to her small-town roots. Neither was prepared for their paths to collide....

I should have known I was in trouble when I backed my old, beat-up truck into the shiny Range Rover.

The driver looked like a gorgeous fallen angel–one who’d been booted right out of paradise for being a giant prick.

Good thing I’ll never have to see him again.

Except when I show up for my new job to teach a little girl how to ride her horse, I find the same icy blue eyes glaring back at me.

Paisley Dae is completely reckless. She’s also the best trainer in this small town. And Evelyn gets the best.

Protecting the little girl is my one focus.

Only the sassy trainer in her cut-offs and cowgirl boots quickly gets under my skin. Distractions are dangerous, but she soon becomes everything I crave.

One reckless night of giving in, and Caleb and I spiral into a web of passion.

But when I begin to unravel the secrets hiding in this place, I find there is more riding on this job than I thought.

Caleb and Evelyn are worth any sacrifice–only Caleb has to decide what he will sacrifice for me....

©2023 A.L. Jackson Books Inc. (P)2023 A.L. Jackson Books Inc.

Love Me Today: Time River Book 1

PERFORMANCE REVIEW & RATING: 4 STARS

Joe Arden & Andi Arndt are a force to be reckoned with when they come together to narrate a story. They are both incredibly talented and did a good job bringing this story to life for me. Although Joe still tends to sound like he’s trying to “beat the buzzer” when he narrates, it didn’t happen throughout his entire performance with this title so that’s progress :)

Thanks to Valentine PR and their team, I had the pleasure of both listening and reading this story with an early copy of both formats. Some of you might be thinking this just means I *read* the story twice, but it is so much more than that.

Listening to a story incorporates narrators who may or may not change your perception of the ”who, what, where” of it all for the better, worse, or none at all. It has happened to me time and time again and ever since the first time I experienced a stark contrast in my ”experience” with a story, I have sought out both formats whenever possible.

Obviously, if you’re reading a story only for the ”mechanic” of it, this wouldn’t pertain to you, but if how a story makes you feel is also part of what you, as a reader, consider part of the full experience of a story, these are my 2 cents on that subject. Do with them what you will :)

As for which format, I would recommend, I’d say which ever one you prefer will do just fine. This is not one of those times where there was a stark difference in my experience.

STORY REVIEW & RATING: SOLID 3.5 STARS with just enough to justify a round up to 4 STARS (because half stars are not a thing)

There are two things that kept floating in my head while listening to this story that just made me twitchy. One was the past circumstance between Caleb and his sister and the other was Caleb’s past and his upbringing as a whole. Caleb used his past circumstances to define who he was today to the point where it actually became a bit repetitive in his inner monologues. The repetitiveness of it all made me want to experience his past in more ways than a couple of flashbacks because it was important in how he defined himself as a person and his actions and reactions to present day circumstances. It was a missed opportunity, in my opinion, to make this story more powerful, which is what I’ve come to love about A.L. Jackson’s style of writing. The second plot-point I felt should have been fleshed out in more in-depth was his relationship, or lack of, with his siter, especially because of Evelyn. We only got bits and pieces about their relationship or lack of, but the mystery surrounding this storyline very much surrounds his sister. I can’t say I have an opinion on how it could have been done because I’m not a writer lol but the reader in me felt that particular plot point too superficial for its impactful consequences. Maybe a full-length prequel? UGH, I don’t know, but something!!

The story did hold the passion I’ve come to expect from an AL Jackson story and the chemistry did not disappoint. But here again, Caleb held out on his attraction and feelings because of the person he perceived himself to be and the baggage he didn’t want to ”touch” anyone else but as a reader I couldn’t connect with his turmoil because I just didn’t know it. Again, one or two flashbacks just weren’t enough for me to believe he was this persona he kept telling us he was. There’s a difference between being told something and being shown and in this case, being shown would have been more impactful, in my opinion. *shrug*

I appreciate being surprised by the who behind the mystery surrounding this story. Yes, the actions (you’ll have to read the story to get details) were somewhat predictable, but I did not see the who coming for nothing! Well done in that respect.

Sidenote: Sometimes the most benign and innocuous things get me all riled up and here’s one for you LOL This isn’t a single dad romance. #fightme

👏🏻 another amazing story for Amy

Evie, Paisley and Caleb are so so perfect, the three of them complements each other for the better. This new small town of Amy is definitely promising. This book has the perfect combination of sweetness, romance, lust and passion/fire. Without missing all the suspense and a little bit of darkness characteristic of this author. I love how Paisley with all her reckless and light has the power to succumb Caleb’s walls. Evelyn is one of the most amazing little girl. I love Caleb personality so much! And Paisley is Paisley Dae, she’s a force, his riot and together? Together they are amazingly perfect.

Both narrators are amazing!!! Joe always knows how to makes me fell everything, all the emotions. And Andi, she’s pretty amazing too, love her voice. Excellent.

Can’t wait for more of this Small Town and Time Ricer series. Who’s gonna be next, Ryder? Ezra? Dakota?

Favorite Day

Joe Arden, Andi Arndt. - Kept the flow of the story moving. It was easy to follow characters and scenes.

Small town romance with a broody, grumpy hero.
A man with a past.
A woman giving him the patience and love he needs

Paisley returns home needing a restart. She gets the job of her dreams. She always wanted to work with horses and giving lessons are exactly what she needs. Teaching 5 yr old Evelyn is great except the grumpy dad that come along with her. He is her bane until she starts to pull away the layers.

Caleb and Paisley’s relationship burns hot and intense. It quick and deep. Caleb is a man with a past. A past that is coming to destroy his future. His only want is to keep his niece Evelyn and now Paisley safe. He will burn down the world for the two of them.

A fast paced story with twists turns and plenty of emotion.

AMAZING

Another amazing story. This book will make you mad, sad and happy. Totally worth a credit. Paisley , Caleb and Evelyn are so adorable together.

Absolutely wonderful!

A.L. Jackson brings us another story of a couple to fall in love with.

Paisley and Caleb were not looking for love, but it found them as they try to take care of Evelyn and keep her safe.

Once again superb performances by Joe Arden and Andi Arndt. I just love the little kid voices they both do them so well.

Love Me Today....epic

A. L. Jackson always gives you a story with all the feels and more. One that doesn't leave your soul!

Small Town Romantic Suspense

Love Me Today is the first book in a new series, and I loved it so much! I cannot wait for the next book in the series. This is a small town, single parent, nanny romance. Paisley gets into an accident at the beginning fo the book, and things end up with her arguing with the guy. She leaves the accident to get to her new job as a horse trainer. When she gets there she realizes the guy she got into the accident with is her new boss. He’s the guardian of his niece, and he has hired Paisley to teach his niece how to ride a horse. She eventually ends up becoming Evelyn’s nanny as well!

I loved this book! Caleb is super protective and caring and I loved getting to see this from such a brooding hero! Paisley’s relationship with Evelyn was so sweet. I loved getting to see Evelyn open up to Paisley and do so well with her lessons as well. She had been through a lot, so it was sweet to see her happy with a good relationship with Paisley. The chemistry between Paisley and Caleb was so stinking good, and I loved the romantic suspense elements. I listened to this book as an audiobook, and didn’t want to put my headphones away. I was so into it and couldn’t wait to see what would happen next.

Loved everything about this book.

Loved following Caleb and Paisleys love story. The way Paisley wanted to just love and protect both Evelyn and Caleb warmed my heart. ❤❤

Excellent start to this new series!

I had to grab Love Me Today, book one in the new Time River series! I love Ms. Jackson’s stories and knew I had to dive into this new series and I did with the audio version and I was definitely not disappointed! Her characters and storylines always have a way of pulling on your heartstrings and this book was no exception.
It was easy to fall in love with Paisley with her free spirit and full of sass attitude. She doesn’t take any crap from Caleb her overbearing, overprotective boss right from the start which surprises him and knocks him for a loop since know one else would be able to get away with it in his world. She is there to help his niece, but there is so much more happening on this beautiful ranch especially when secrets are uncovered.
Caleb fears that his past is going to come back and take away who he loves the most since it is his dark past that took his sister and left him to care for his niece, Evelyn. But he surprisingly finds so much more than he expected in the small town called Time River. He finds friendship and community in the townspeople but more importantly he finds love and family with Paisley and Evelyn. Tragedy and fate have thrown Caleb and Paisley together, but it is their chemistry and connection that propels them forward into so much more.

Enjoyed this book

It was a good listen and the narrators were spot on as usual. Love the small town story!