Valley Storm

A Friends to Lovers Second Chance Romance - The Langthornes of Napa Valley, Book 3

By: Tessa Bowen

Narrated by: Logan McAllister

An unrequited love rekindled. Luke Langthorne and Amanda Samulesen have loved each other since they were children. Luke, ever noble and true, is confident they will be together when the time is right. Before claiming his woman, he must make his mark as a man in his own right and sets off into the world to do so. The impetuous and emotional Mandy panics. She fears Luke will never come back for her and enters into an abusive marriage, shattering their dream of love.

Until...five years later, Mandy, in a dramatic escape, flees her sadistic husband and takes refuge at the home of her second family, the Langthornes. Unable to resist the pull of his first and only true love, Luke returns to his birthright in the Napa Valley’s Wine Country. Luke and Mandy aren’t children anymore. Now, as complex adults, their once-chaste romance becomes a torrid passion that threatens to ruin them both. They struggle to reestablish a relationship as the tempest brews around them in this third and final installment of the Langthornes of the Napa Valley.

Is this finally Luke and Mandy’s time? Or will the tumult of their stormy desire keep them apart?

©2018 Tessa Bowen (P)2019 Tessa Bowen

Sweet Story

I had a hard time getting on board with Luke in the beginning because he seemed so mean to Mandy. Granted it was the childish teasing/flirting that boys do but it was a little harsh. But as time past and Mandy and Luke grew up, neither one of them forgot the feelings that they had for each other.
By the end of the book I was very happy with the way things turned out, not just for Luke and Mandy but the whole Langthorne clan:)

Very good storyline

I enjoyed listening to this book and listening to the narrator. This storyline will pull you in and keep you hooked.

Love Tess Bowen's Valley Books!

I love the Valley books and this one did not disappoint! It offered everything you want, fun, action, adventure, and romance!

Funny and emotional story

Logan McAllister had a wonderful, measured speaking voice and he was perfect for this role. I ended up listening to him at 1.5x to 1.75 speed because he did speak slowly. He differentiated well between voices and I enjoyed listening to his narration.

The hero and heroine had a really difficult relationship; this book spans years. They were friends when they were children and have a 2 year age different with Mandy being 2 years older and his sister's best friend. Luke kind of goes hot and cold while Mandy has always loved him. He also doesn’t want his older sister to be angry so he refuses her when they were younger. In response, she enters into a disastrous, abusive relationship and suffers for 5 years.

When she finally leaves her abusive ex, she goes back to Luke’s family. Again, Luke remains hot and cold- he obviously wants to be with her but then ends up leaving again. The relationship seems a bit forced in that way but the author does do a good job of conveying that the love was always there. I just wish Luke was a little more consistent in his affection and I wish Mandy was a little more patient and acted a bit more mature. Their way of addressing each other was equally funny and a bit frustrating (they liked insulting each other but I think it was generally in good fun) The epilogue was great and overall, the book had many funny parts making it interesting and easy to finish.

I received the audiobook from the author and am providing an unbiased review.

Wow!!!

This book had me hooked from the very beginning! I love Luke and Mandy so much 😍
Mandy has had it way to rough, and Luke has always been her knight in shining armor! There is so much love in this book.

Her knight to the rescue!

Mandy and Luke have grown up together since his parents took her in as a child. They bicker a lot as children do. As a child two years age difference can be a lot. This bickering carries over into their adult years. However, Luke will always be her knight that is there to save her. This story watches their relationship grown from childhood play to go adult feelings and emotions. Mandy feels abandoned when Luke goes off to make his mark in the world, but he comes back when she really needs him. There are times when she acts very childish but it is her way of dealing with her feelings and problems. This book is filled with family love as well as sexual love. This narrator does an excellent job with his range of voices and expressing the emotions of the characters. I received this Audible book and chose to write an honest review. I recommend this Audible book.

Love this family!!

Book 3 in the series. I was very thankful we didn’t have to hear to much about Amanda’s marriage and I was thankful there wasn’t any real ex-husband drama. I found myself yelling at Amanda to quit being a whining brat and I felt like their arguments were kind of childish but I think they were supposed to be to reiterate the fact that they grew up together. I can’t say enough about Logan. He is so awesome at bringing these characters to life in my head. He is an expert voice actor. I enjoyed this entire series they all had good endings I would definitely recommend it.

🎧audiobook Obsession reviewer

I loved these two!!

This story is driving my crazy! It’s heartbreaking due to this life long “want” these two have had but it seems like the time is never right. I can’t believe how knightly Luke is! He definitely plays the part well. I am very impressed with him and all he has accomplished! I keep forgetting he is younger than Mandy! Mandy is a mess. She thought Luke wasn’t coming back and so she moved on. Turns out it wasn’t the right choice for her. Hopefully she can move forward.

The secondary characters are great. That Lola! She sure has a mouth on her. She really has NO filter! I do love when she calls her husband “Frenchie”. Speaking of name calling. The names that Luke comes up with for his sister?!? They are so inventive! Alex, Tobias and Lena all add wonderfully to the story at just the right times!

This is my first book by this author. She writes a great story. It almost seems like *real* life. I can see this stuff happening. Misunderstandings, amazing childhood memories, anger issues, his parents love....it’s all good! I really enjoyed the whole Knight and princess theme throughout the story! Plus that Epilogue?! Loved it!

I listened to this on audio. Logan McAllister is the narrator and holy smokes does he do a great job! When he is the kids voices?! It is so CUTE! I loved it! His (voice)frustration and love Easily translates to me (the listener).

Loved it!

Tessa and Logan did it again! Great story! Couldn't stop listening! Hate the series is over. Got attached to the characters. A must listen!!!

Wonderful second chance story

I absolutely loved this series! You get so many emotions steamy romance, a sense of family, long lost feelings, happy and sad at the same time. The narration as usual was excellent, Logan McAllister brings the story to life. I very much enjoyed this audio book and highly recommend it.