Reality in Check

A Sapphic Celebrity Ice Queen Romance (A South Downs Romance, Book 2)

By: Emily Banting

Narrated by: Angela Dawe

From the multi-award-winning, best-selling author of Broken Beyond Repair comes a new sapphic celebrity ice queen romance — listened to as a standalone or as the second book in the South Downs Romance series.

Sculptor Arte Tremaine is thrown into the hospitality industry when her beloved late grandmother bequeaths her and her sister a charming yet rundown country hotel with zero guests. Arte is determined to make a success of the business, despite her sister snapping at her heels to sell it and painful memories confronting her inside.

Charlotte Beaufort, heiress to a hotel empire, television celebrity, and self-confessed city woman, hits the countryside to film an episode of her reality television show, Hotel SOS, where she immediately clashes with the overwhelmed Arte and her inquisitive Labrador, Rodin.

Arte doesn’t take kindly to Charlotte’s attitude and frank opinions about her hotel, but when they are thrown together, she begins to realise not everything is as it seems with her attractive nemesis. As Arte begins to chip away at Charlotte's icy exterior, both women begin to realise dreams and reality rarely entwine and that, sometimes, our dreams are not even our own.

Can the artsy dreamer and ambitious heiress face the reality of their situations and discover their true paths? And if so, can those paths lead them toward true love?

©2023 Emily Banting (P)2024 Emily Banting

another good one

Dawe did an excellent job as narrator! And Emily wrote a great book with believable characters. Well worth the listen.

Pretty Good

Overall, I enjoyed listening to this novel and Angela Dawe always delivers. I personally found Arte to be quite petulant and, at times, I found it hard to root for her because of her attitude and how she responded Charlotte later in the book. She acted like someone much younger than 38 years old. In addition, I think that Banting was a bit heavy-handed when she pushed the life lessons and changes in character as overtly as she did in this particular novel. What I mean is that there are times when the reader can "see" the transformations (their obligations, happiness, legacy, growth, etc..) characters experience in novels. This book seemed to dwell on those lessons and it felt redundant, impressing upon the reader what the point was rather than allowing the reader to come by it on their own during the course of the novel. I don't regret listening to this book at all and will continue to download more from Banting in the future.

Delightful

Once again Emily delivers another fantastic book. A little bit enemies to friends. A little bit ice queen and quirky artist, and a very nice happily ever after.
There's even a visit from Bea, Sydney and Gertie from Broken Beyond Repair. And of course, Angela Dawe was amazing.

Loved it

I couldn’t let it off my hands and spent the whole day listening to this wonderful book and even more wonderful narration.

Enjoyable Romanic Storyline With Interesting Characters!

I enjoyed the different personalities of the main characters in this story and how they provided their individual perspectives to the reader. A very refreshing storyline and well written ebb and flow of feelings. The performance of the store as provided by Angela Dawe was smooth with the perfect tone.

One of the best

This book along with the 1st one in the series, has been 2 of the best books I have listened to. This series has easily became one of my favorite. Let's not forget Angela Dawe narrating brings them to life.

Loved it

Listened straight through. Low angst. High in warmth. Angela Dawe delivered a great narration, as always.

Wonderful

A fantastic story wonderfully narrated by Angela Dawe! I loved the tension between the two main characters, especially at the beginning, and the dialogue along with it. Very good!

Absolutely Beautiful

Omg, this story was FANTASTIC! The MCs are so likable, and I love that it’s relatively low angst. There’s just enough conflict to keep the plot moving, but mostly it’s just beautiful interactions and character development. And I appreciate that the MCs communicate with each other and listen to each other. It makes for a relationship that feels solid, respectful and loving. The cameo from Bea and Sydney at the end is so wonderful as well. I actually wish the author will write a story with all four of them together. Maybe a short story??

And of course, the EXCELLENT narration by Angela Dawe. The absolute QUEEN. She gives the characters life! I could listen to her narrate anything and be absolutely enthralled. I wish Angela or Abby Craden can narrate literally all wlw romances. They just make anything they read magical!

This is a new favorite listen!

I really loved this book! I listened to the audio version, and Angela Dawe is an excellent narrator, as usual. I loved so much about this book, starting with the dog! I really loved how the characters were, and how they made each other grow and change. They helped each other become their best, most happy selves. The plot is compelling. Charlotte is mean in the beginning, but once I got to know her, I understood why she was that way. There were so many reasons for that! Arte was just always herself. Their relationship wasn't always smooth sailing, but obviously they were made for each other. I'm just so glad they found each other, and also discovered how to make themselves happy, both as a couple and as individuals. The setting really comes to life. This book has angst and conflict and magic and joy. I laughed out loud a few times, too! This is a new favorite listen!