Sharkbait

The Natural History Series, Book 3

By: Erin Mallon

Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Erin Mallon

Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

My name is Louise, and I’m a serial-monogamist marine biologist.

Try saying that five times fast.

Fresh out of an awful relationship and tired of always doing the right thing, this girl is finally saying “screw it” and having herself a meaningless fling.

Here’s the thing about flings though: They only work if you keep feelings out of the equation.

Well, that won’t be a problem for a sensible scientist like me...that is, until a one-night stand with a hot single dad rocks my world and blows my plans completely out of the water.

If I’ve learned anything from the ocean world, it’s that those with the hardest shells have the most to fear. And something tells me this guy is going to crack mine wide the hell open.

©2022 Erin Mallon (P)2022 Oh Yes She Did Productions

A little out there, but funny and enjoyable

I have enjoyed this series. There was one scene that was way too "out there" for me, but I didn't let it ruin the book. (Sorry, but that party was just too weird to be believable). And to think that someone would lose a scholarship without any attempt to fix the situation? Also not believable. But the book was still funny and I enjoyed the HEA.

Laugh out loud funny!

I listened to this book while grocery shopping. Let’s just say I received a few looks as I snorted, chuckled and cackled down the aisles. The characters are complex but also likable. Erin is a fantastic author and narrator. And, no book can be bad with Teddy Hamilton. Love, love, love his voice. Overall this was a fun time. I highly recommend.

Great story from amazing story writer and narrator

Shark bait is my favorite with this series! You will love the fun story and the great narration from Erin and Teddy!!

Goldilocks! Third time is the charm

I found book 1 too cringe, with the exhibitionism while high and during a kids camp. I found book 2 too wacky, with a sheltered, doormat of a “scientist” matching people with bugs, falling for pyramid schemes, and throwing down made up, silly words like “cliterature.” But, I adore Erin Mallon’s narration and I liked her sense of humor in her short fiction, so I crossed my fingers and tried one more time with this book.

Lo and behold, this book had the perfect balance of quirky and wacky versus romantic and sweet. Whereas I didn’t much care for the MC’s personalities in the first two books, I liked them as supporting characters here. Better, I liked both Louise and James. Both are slightly flawed, but ultimately good and genuine people. Neither is so hyperbolic as to turn them into caricatures. This book also has a better balance of nooky to story. I also welcomed Teddy Hamilton’s narration, even if I find his gal voices too nasal (duet style narration would have been perfection).

This book did continue with the pattern of crap (or missing) parents (I mean, with six MCs, can’t one of them have a well adjusted, supportive mom or dad?). This book also, again, gave the gal the prior relationship baggage. And having Ms. Mallon narrate all three books at times caused the six MCs to blend together where I lost track of which character was speaking. However, these were minor issues that were outweighed by the humor and heart in this book. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Instantly hooked on Sharkbait

I have devoured each book in this series and Louise’s story did not disappoint. Erin Mallon has a unique way of developing characters that allows you to relate to them in multiple levels. You have all the feels, sometimes at the same time. But what truly makes these books special is not just the relationship between the main characters and the need to follow them to their HEA but also the relationships with the supporting characters. Louise’s character already had depth by book three because Mallon took the time in the first two books to develop a triad of women who connect outside of the “romance”. One should also appreciate how much attention Mallon spends on the professions of the protagonist.

James is the perfect counterpart for Louise. He challenges her in the most important ways while working through his own roadblocks of life. Although the first two books were single POV, I like the fact that this one was dual. There were some important aspects in his story that made the story even richer.

A side bonus, I have learned so much about the natural sciences in these books that I doubt I would have otherwise. That attention to detail further develops the world in which her characters inhabit and allows you to immerse in their world.

A. Side-Splitting, Delightful Listen

I love Erin Mallon as a narrator and she is even better narrating her own story. Teddy Hamilton is a good fit reading opposite her in this story. This was the first story that I have read/listened to that Erin has also authored and she certainly did it justice. I laughed so hard my stomach cramped. The writing was engaging and well-plotted. The cast of characters was wonderfully quirky and the ridiculous, side-splitting scenarios they experience were delightful. You won’t regret giving this story a try! I am voluntarily submitting this review
After listening to an advanced complementary copy of this audiobook.

Funny and fabulous story/narration

Erin always give us the best quirky, fun and entertaining characters. Sharkbait will have you laughing out loud, wanting to binge read the book and fall in love with the characters in this book. Loved the cameo appearances from the character in the books in the series.

Louise is a smart and determined woman who is working herself into the ground to meet her goals. She acts out of character one night and it leads to so much more than she anticipated.

James is a great human, a great dad and a great friend. Iris is his daughter that is his absolute world. He is strong, caring and isn’t afraid to show his feelings.

Louise and James are such a fun couple who have great banter and their chemistry is undeniable. I literally laughed out out several times - the oral surgeon scene is priceless!!

I highly recommend reading this book - it is a stand alone but reading the other books will help with the other characters who make cameo appearances.

The audiobook is phenomenal. Erin and Teddy Hamilton are gifted narrators with smooth and fabulous voices. They bring amazing energy and emotion to each of their characters. As with reading the book, listening to the oral surgeon scene and praying mantis scene will have you laughing so hard you will cry!

I received a complimentary copy and I am leaving my honest review.

Erin Mallon deserves all of the stars!

Meet Cold Brew… I mean Louise. We met her a couple of years ago, as estranged Ralph’s little sister, in Flirtasaurus - but we didn’t get to know her. We meet a completely different side of her, right from page 1 of Sharkbait! She and James meet and have a very quick introduction, and that is all she wants, but suddenly they’re running into each other everywhere..

Louise is a marine biologist working towards a special internship in Florida, and isn’t looking for any sort of a relationship. James is a recovering alcoholic single father, devoted to his daughter, and is really interested in a relationship with Louise. Their goals completely clash…

Erin, as usual, has written another gold-star novel with this one! I loved the first two in the series like nobody’s business, but this one - it has blown them both out of the water (pun completely intended)! Everything about this one, from how the couple interacts, the conversations, the friendships between the girls from the three books (and the guys), the chemistry and the steams - it’s all perfect!

The audio - what can I say that I haven’t said before… Erin is my number one gal! Her voice always soothes me and is pretty much one of the only ones I can have on when I’m migraine-ing. Teddy Hamilton (swoon!) is another voice I can pick out anytime and I think I could listen to both of them non-stop. The audio was perfection!

I’m glad I read this first and then listened, because the double experience made it even more special! I’m definitely recommending this book to everyone - in fact, I’m going to be shouting it from the rooftops, for my favourite Erin! Pick up this book, especially the audio, and the entire Natural History series (meet Calliope and Mabel!)!!!

I received an advance review & listen copy from Erin Mallon & Social Butterfly PR, and this is my honest feedback.

Loved Louise and James

I loved everything about this story, it was awkward fun, hilarious and will hit you in the feels. I love the humor and found myself hysterical laughing several times. I loved that James threw a wrench in Louise plan to just have a fling when they find out they both have mutual friends. These two have amazing an amazing connection and I loved the banter between them. One of my favorite things about the story was James relationship with his daughter.

Erin Mallon and Teddy Hamilton were the perfect voices for Louise and James. Erin did an amazing job bringing out all of Louise’s personality and Teddy brought out how James sweet and caring is. This one was my favorite of series and would definitely recommend to all the rom-com lovers!

Such a great pick up!

Loved this book #3 in this series (and delighted there will be more from these characters in the future). Just like the previous two books, I had to catch myself laughing out loud and remembering to not drink while listening to avoid that liquid shooting out my nose situation. Keep at it Erin!