A Fool and His Manny by Amy Lane ~ Audio Review

Amy Lane - A Fool and His Manny Audio Cover 2938ygTitle: A Fool and His Manny

Series: The Mannies 04 / Dreamspun Desires 62

Author: Amy Lane

Narrator: Kenneth Obi

Genre: Contemporary

Length: 6 hrs, 18 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (6th December 2018)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: Seeing the truth and falling in love.

Dustin Robbins-Grayson was a surly adolescent when Quinlan Gregory started the nanny gig. After a rocky start, he grew into Quinlan’s friend and confidant—and a damned sexy man.

At twenty-one, Dusty sees how Quinlan sacrificed his own life and desires to care for Dusty’s family. He’s ready to claim Quinlan—he’s never met a kinder, more capable, more lovable man. Or a lonelier one. Quinlan has spent his life as the stranger on the edge of the photograph, but Dusty wants Quinlan to be the center of his world. First he has to convince Quinlan he’s an adult, their love is real, and Quinlan can be more than a friend and caregiver. Can he show Quin that he deserves to be both a man and a lover, and that in Dusty’s eyes, he’s never been “just the manny?”

Purchase Link: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: A Fool and his Manny is the fourth book in Amy Lane’s, The Mannies. I have adored every book in this series, so much so that I’ve both read the books and listened to the audio. It is just so super sweet, there is so much love and a crazy, whacky family supporting all the MCs.

It is also the last book in the series, so it’s kind of a butter sweet ending with all the happy couples and seeing the Robbins family and their associated branches grow over about twenty years. This is the second book in the series that goes onto the next generation of the people that are somehow apart of the Robbins family.

This is the story of the oldest Robbins-Grayson, Dustin. His father knocked up his mother, in book one (the hero’s, Tino, best friend and sister) and way before his parents had a bajillion kids. Now Dustin is all grown up and attracted to Quinlan Gregory, the man we met in book 3, a trumpet player and friend of Sammy (Dustin’s cousin) who was taken in and hired by Dustin’s parents to be a manny for their herd of kids. Dustin was a teen by book 3, he isn’t that much younger than Quinlan, so I assure you, it really isn’t as weird as it sounds. This is a relatively low angst book, my favorite kind, and Dustin and Quinlan make a totally cute couple.

I really enjoyed seeing this side of Dustin. He was always a brat when we’ve seen him previously. Now he has grown up and matured into a young man. Quinlan was an ordinary college student and gifted musician when we first met him but there has always been an element of loneliness to him from the start. He is one of those characters that I felt strongly and looked forward to having his own HEA. It makes me ridiculously happy to say that. I love how Lane has developed all the characters over the four books. On a side note, I loved the conversation on the band bus involving Harry Potter and how the kids grew up from cute kids to good looking (yes, we’re talking about Neville Longbottom!).

Kenneth Obi is the narrator and does a wonderful job. Obi did not narrate the previous books in the series (John Solo was the narrator for books 1 and 2, and Peter B Brooke was the narrator of 3), I’m not sure if this was on purpose in terms of what the narrator could bring to the characters, or if it was just a matter of availability. Nonetheless, I’ve enjoyed many of Obi’s performances and this was no exception. He added a depth to the characters with his tone that meant I could feel when the high emotional times popped up.

This is a must read for anyone who has been following the series. I’ve tried to be concise with my description but as you can probably tell, there is a lot of background, hence my recommendation. For those that haven’t read the series, I recommend reading it in order because this is a proper family saga that spans approximately 22 years. If you love a sweet story with a HEA and low angst this is the book for you, especially if you’re a sucker hot guys working with kids.

A Fool and His Manny by Amy Lane

Title: A Fool and His Manny

Series: The Mannies 04 / Dreamspun Desires 64

Author: Amy Lane

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (230 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (17th July 2018)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

Blurb: Seeing the truth and falling in love.

Dustin Robbins-Grayson was a surly adolescent when Quinlan Gregory started the nanny gig. After a rocky start, he grew into Quinlan’s friend and confidant—and a damned sexy man.

At twenty-one, Dusty sees how Quinlan sacrificed his own life and desires to care for Dusty’s family. He’s ready to claim Quinlan—he’s never met a kinder, more capable, more lovable man. Or a lonelier one. Quinlan has spent his life as the stranger on the edge of the photograph, but Dusty wants Quinlan to be the center of his world. First he has to convince Quinlan he’s an adult, their love is real, and Quinlan can be more than a friend and caregiver. Can he show Quin that he deserves to be both a man and a lover, and that in Dusty’s eyes, he’s never been “just the manny?”

ISBN: 978-1-64080-504-0

Product Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: A Fool and his Manny is the fourth book in Amy Lane’s, The Mannies. I’ve really been looking forward to this as I have thoroughly enjoyed the previous three books, which were all released as part of the house line Dreamspun Desire. This was a really fun and sweet book which I devoured every page as I got towards the HEA.

This is the second book in the series that goes onto the next generation of the people that are somehow apart of the Robbins family, because that family is so damn big there is an urgent need for mannies!

This is the story of the oldest Robbins-Grayson, Dustin. His father knocked up his mother, in book one (the hero’s, Tino, best friend and sister) and way before his parents had a bajillion kids. Now Dustin is all grown up and attracted to Quinlan Gregory, the man we met in book 3, a trumpet player and friend of Sammy (Dustin’s cousin) who was taken in and hired by Dustin’s parents to be a manny for their herd of kids. Dustin was a teen by book 3, so he isn’t that much younger than Quinlan, so I assure you, it really isn’t as weird as it sounds. This is a relatively low angst book, my favorite kind, and Dustin and Quinlan make a totally cute couple.

I really enjoyed seeing this side of Dustin. He was always a brat when we’ve seen him previously. Now he has grown up and matured into a young man. Quinlan was an ordinary college student and gifted musician when we first met him but there has always been an element of loneliness to him from the start. He is one of those characters that I felt strongly and looked forward to having his own HEA. It makes me ridiculously happy to say that. I love how Lane has developed all the characters over the four books. On a side note, I loved the conversation on the band bus involving Harry Potter and how the kids grew up from cute kids to good looking (yes, we’re talking about Neville Longbottom!).

This is a must read for anyone who has been following the series. I’ve tried to be concise with my description but as you can probably tell, there is a lot of background, hence my recommendation. For those that haven’t read the series, I recommend reading it in order because this is a proper family saga that spans approximately 22 years. If you love a sweet story with a HEA and low angst this is the book for you, especially if you’re a sucker hot guys working with kids.

Stand by Your Manny by Amy Lane ~ Audiobook

Title: Stand By Your Manny

Series: The Mannies 03,  Dreamspun Desires 57

Author: Amy Lane

Narrator: Peter B. Brooke

Genre: Contemporary

Length: 6 hrs, 1 min

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (17th July 2018)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Sammy Lowell has his hands full juggling his music, college, some pesky health problems, and making the uncles who raised him proud. He needs help fulfilling his after-school duties with his siblings. Nobody can be in two places at once – not even Sammy!

An injury puts Cooper Hoskins in a tough spot – if he can’t work, the foster sister he’s raising can’t eat. But years in the foster system have left Cooper short on trust, and opening up to accept help isn’t easy. Luckily, family intervenes – Cooper needs a job so he can care for Felicity, and Sammy needs someone who can see past his illness to the wonderful things he has planned for his life.

Each heals the damaged places in the other’s heart. But falling in love is a big responsibility for young men deep in family already. Can the two of them get past their fear of the immediate future to see forever with each other?

Product Link: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK 

Reviewer: Prime

Review: I absolutely adore Amy Lane’s books. They are sweet and beautiful slow burn romances that are just nice to read or listen and relax. They are the type of rather soothing because they are so sweet. This is the third book in Lane’s The Mannies series and I adore it as much as I do the two previous installment. There is nothing short to say, I love the simple, sweet love story between Sammy Lowell and the many hired to care for his siblings, Cooper Hoskins.

The audio was made better by the narration of Peter Brooke, which just hit the mark in tone with each character. It was something that I was extremely curious when I downloaded the audio because this is a new narrator to me and have become quite accustomed to definite set of three or four narrators I regularly hear for MM romances.

Way back in book 1 (The Virgin Manny), and chronologically approximately 10-13 years after, we met little Sammy Lowell. He was just a little kid who was grieving the death of his mother and was now being raised by his beloved uncle. It was brilliant catching up with Channing and Tino – Sammy’s dads for all intents and purposes, who adopted more kids over the years. Now Sammy is all grown up and he can’t help his uncles (I’m sticking to uncles I’ve decided) with the kids as well as juggling his music, college classes and assignments and a very serious health problem. So, Channing (and Tino) decide that they are going to hire a nanny. This is where Cooper Hoskins enters the picture. Cooper comes in to become Sammy’s rock, although that was not without teething problems on both sides, especially Sammy who felt some resentment of having help called in. Cooper, however, quickly sees past the walls that Sammy has built around his mind and heart and sets on the path for a sweet love story.

It was also funny catching up with Tino’s nutty family, which feature prominently in both previous books. And that is one of the main things I love about this series – the absolutely wonderful vibe of family and love is front and center throughout as guys come to terms with who they are, and they find their HEA with an equally wonderful man. I love that the whole Robbins family create of chaotic atmosphere of welcome and love for anyone who comes into the orbit of any of their clan.

Wonderfully sweet, simple about relatable and mostly realistic characters, this was purely enjoyable, and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

Manny Get Your Guy by Amy Lane ~ Audiobook

Title: Manny Get Your Guy

Series: The Mannies 02 / Dreamspun Desires 37

Author: Amy Lane

Narrator: John Solo

Genre: Contemporary

Length: 6 hrs 16 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC (10th August 2017)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: Starting over and falling in love.

Tino Robbins’ sister, Nica, and her husband, Jacob, are expecting their fifth child. Fortunately, Nica’s best friend, Taylor Cochran is back in town, released from PT, and in need of a job.

After years in the service, and recovering from grave injury, Taylor has grown a lot from the callow troublemaker he’d been in high school. Now he’s hoping for a fresh start with Nica and her family.

Jacob’s cousin Brandon lives above the garage and thinks “Taylor the manny” is a bad idea. Taylor might be great at protecting civilians from a zombie apocalypse, but is he any good with kids?

Turns out, Taylor’s a natural. As he tries to fit in, using common sense and dry wit, Brandon realizes that Taylor doesn’t just love their family – he’s desperate to be part of it. And just like that, Brandon wants Taylor to be part of his future.

Product Link: Audible USAudible AU | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: Manny Get Your Man is the second book in Amy Lane’s series, The Mannies. I suppose that this does work as a standalone book, but I think that you really need to get acquainted with first book if you haven’t already. If nothing else you’re doing yourself an injustice by not reading an excellent book. Manny Get Your Man features a lot of characters from The Virgin Manny and is set about 10 years later, so you find out about all the characters (major and minor) we fell in love with in book 1. In fact, the first sentence of the blurb does assume that the reader has read the first book.

I really loved Manny Get Your Man. Taylor and Brandon’s story was just… awesome. We met Taylor back in book 1 – he was the obnoxious, brash best friend of hero Tino’s (The Virgin Manny of the title) sister Nica, who hit on Tino while Tino was busy getting his HEA with Channing. But 10 years later and after a stint in the military, Taylor has grown up – A LOT – and starts his journey of redemption (at least for the reader). Taylor is returning home after recuperating from injuries and his job is to be the manny for his best friend Nica, who is about to have her 5th kid with her brother’s best friend, Jake. It is here that Taylor meets Brandon, who lives in the garage apartment of his cousin, Jake.

I know, it’s a tangle. I won’t stop you from getting a paper and pen out to draw the family tree.
I absolutely loved this story. John Solo’s narration of the book is wonderful to hear, but then again, I think I could listen to almost everything narrated by John Solo and be exceedingly happy. That man can narrate a book like nobody’s business.

If there was one criticism it is that unlike book 1 where Sammy (Tino’s charge) was a major character of the book, Nica and Jake’s kids are not really characters, only occasionally getting the spotlight with their manny. Though I must say, this would have been tricky to work through with that many kids… seriously, five kids before 30! But with my belief suspended, I fell in love with both Brandon and Taylor. Their story is beautiful, and it was just awesome to be able to revisit old friends. The guys just clicked with their chemistry and were super relatable.

Manny Get Your Guy by Amy Lane

bspja8s0346b515zgTitle: Manny Get Your Guy

Series: The Mannies 02 / Dreamspun Desires 37

Author: Amy Lane

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (236 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (1 July 2017)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Starting over and falling in love.

Tino Robbins’s sister, Nica, and her husband, Jacob, are expecting their fifth child. Fortunately, Nica’s best friend, Taylor Cochran, is back in town, released from PT and in need of a job.

After years in the service and recovering from grave injury, Taylor has grown a lot from the callow troublemaker he’d been in high school. Now he’s hoping for a fresh start with Nica and her family.

Jacob’s cousin Brandon lives above the garage and thinks “Taylor the manny” is a bad idea. Taylor might be great at protecting civilians from a zombie apocalypse, but is he any good with kids?

Turns out, Taylor’s a natural. As he tries to fit in, using common sense and dry wit, Brandon realizes that Taylor doesn’t just love their family—he’s desperate to be part of it. And just like that, Brandon wants Taylor to be part of his future.

ISBN: 978-1-63533-647-4

Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/manny-get-your-guy-by-amy-lane-8550-b

Reviewer: Prime

Review: I’ve been excited for reading Manny Get Your Man as soon as I finished reading the first book in Amy Lane’s Mannies series, The Virgin Manny. Happily, I can say that I was not disappointed by this one. I’ve definitely enjoyed Amy Lane’s writing in the past but The Mannies series has been one of those books that I instantly fell in love with. The writing style is easy to follow and the pace is excellent.

Since this is the second book in a series, as much as I would say it does work as a standalone novel, I think. But I think that you really need to read the first book before this one, if nothing else you’re doing yourself an injustice by not reading an excellent book. Manny Get Your Man features a lot of characters from The Virgin Manny and is set about 10 years later, so you find out about all the characters (major and minor) we fell in love with in book 1. In fact, the first sentence of the blurb does assume that the reader has read the first book.

I really loved Manny Get Your Man. Taylor and Brandon’s story was just… awesome. We met Taylor back in book 1 – he was the obnoxious, brash best friend of hero Tino’s (The Virgin Manny of the title) sister Nica, who hit on Tino while Tino was busy getting his HEA with Channing. But 10 years later and after a stint in the military, Taylor has grown up – A LOT – and starts his journey of redemption (at least for the reader). Taylor is returning home after recuperating from injuries and his job is to be the manny for his best friend Nica, who is about to have her 5th kid with her brother’s best friend, Jake. It is here that Taylor meets Brandon, who lives in the garage apartment of his cousin, Jake.

I know, it’s a tangle. I won’t stop you from getting a paper and pen out to draw the family tree. 

I absolutely loved this story. If there was one criticism it is that unlike book 1 where Sammy (Tino’s charge) was a major character of the book, Nica and Jake’s kids are not really characters, only occasionally getting the spotlight with their manny. Though I must say, this would have been tricky to work though with that many kids… seriously, five kids before 30! But with my belief suspended, I fell in love with both Brandon and Taylor. Their story is beautiful and it was just awesome to be able to revisit old friends. The guys just clicked with their chemistry and were super relatable.

Manny Get Your Guy by Amy Lane Blog Tour, Guest Post & Excerpt!

Hiya guys, we have Amy Lane stopping by today with the tour for her upcoming release Manny Get Your Man, we have a fantastic guest post and a great excerpt, so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~

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Manny Get Your Guy

(Dreamspun Desires 37 / The Mannies 02)
by

Amy lane

The Mannies

Starting over and falling in love.

Tino Robbins’s sister, Nica, and her husband, Jacob, are expecting their fifth child. Fortunately, Nica’s best friend, Taylor Cochran, is back in town, released from PT and in need of a job.

After years in the service and recovering from grave injury, Taylor has grown a lot from the callow troublemaker he’d been in high school. Now he’s hoping for a fresh start with Nica and her family.

Jacob’s cousin Brandon lives above the garage and thinks “Taylor the manny” is a bad idea. Taylor might be great at protecting civilians from a zombie apocalypse, but is he any good with kids?

Turns out Taylor’s a natural. As he tries to fit in, using common sense and dry wit, Brandon realizes that Taylor doesn’t just love their family—he’s desperate to be part of it. And just like that, Brandon wants Taylor to be part of his future.

Release date: 1st July 2017
Pre-order:
 Dreamspinner Press ebook | Dreamspinner Press paperback | Amazon

Continue reading “Manny Get Your Guy by Amy Lane Blog Tour, Guest Post & Excerpt!”

The Virgin Manny by Amy Lane ~ Audiobook

Amy Lane - The Virgin Manny Cover AudioTitle: The Virgin Manny

Series:  Dreamspun Desires 25 / The Mannies 01

Author: Amy Lane

Narrator: John Solo

Genre: Contemporary

Length: 6 hrs 14 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (14 Feb 2017)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: The Mannies

Growing up and falling in love….

Sometimes family is a blessing and a curse. When Tino Robbins is roped into helping his sister deliver her premade Italian dinners, when he should be studying for finals, he’s pretty sure it’s the latter! But one delivery might change everything.

Channing Lowell’s charmed life changes when his sister dies and leaves him her seven-year-old son. He’s committed to doing what’s best for Sammy…but he’s going to need a lot of help. When Tino lands on his porch, Channing is determined to recruit him to Team Sammy.

Tino plans to make his education count – even if that means avoiding a relationship – but as he falls harder and harder for his boss, he starts to wonder: Does he have to leave his newly forged family behind in order to live his promising tomorrow?

Product Link: Audible US | Audible UK  

Reviewer: Prime

Review: It’s definitely no secret that I love the Dreamspun Desires series. If you’re after sickly sweet romance, maybe a dash of insta-love and a passionate HEA, this line of books by Dreamspinner Press will, more often than not, give you just that. And in reading Dreamspun Desires I have definitely grown a massive appreciation for the work of Amy Lane – I am totally smitten with her writing.

Seriously, Dreamspun Desires are the best thing to listen to on flights. They have been my go to for when I make visits home to see the family, which started out totally for their convenient length.

The other thing that I attracted me to this book is that I can never resist a book with a manny! Hot guys and kids – everything could go wrong but I’m a sucker for this often predictable trope. Seriously: ovaries = blown.

The Virgin Manny of the title is Tino Robbins. He’s an out of this world smart kind of guy, though he never shows that part of him, more often than not he is talking up how smart his younger sister Nica is. After all, Nica is 18 and already has a successful and growing business of delivering prepackaged meals she makes herself. But Tino himself has just finished up college and ready to tackle the world of business. One night she ropes Tino into taking a delivery to one of her regular clients and it changes Tino’s life forever. At the home he delivers to he meets Channing and his nephew Sammy. Channing’s sister has recently died, leaving Channing as Sammy’s guardian. Channing needs a nanny, all he has is his sister’s spiteful bitch of a housekeeper and Tino seems to be able to communicate with Sammy. Let’s not forget that the guys have an instant attraction and let’s face it, that attraction has to be the only basis for the entire story.

Ok, so the beginning is a bit shaky when it comes to Channing recruiting Tino (I really needed to keep my mind open for that), but really and truly the one criticism I have is that there was a brief mention of Sammy’s biological father and fighting him for full parental rights. But that was it.

But the best, best part – I looked up the series and am currently doing a little happy dance (and not just because I’m watching Doctor Who) because book 2 is going to be coming out and centers on the same group of friends, just a few years in the future. Totally excited now. Actually I’m kinda giddy (but that could also be because of Doctor Who).

The Virgin Manny by Amy Lane

Amy Lane - The Virgin Manny Cover sTitle: The Virgin Manny

Series:  Dreamspun Desires 25 / The Mannies 01

Author: Amy Lane

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (228pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (1st January 2017)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: Growing up and falling in love…

Sometimes family is a blessing and a curse. When Tino Robbins is roped into helping his sister deliver premade dinners when he should be studying for finals, he’s pretty sure it’s the latter! But one delivery might change everything.

Channing Lowell’s charmed life changes when his sister dies and leaves him her seven-year-old son. He’s committed to doing what’s best for Sammy… but he’s going to need a lot of help. When Tino lands on his porch, Channing is determined to recruit him to Team Sammy.

Tino plans to make his education count—even if that means avoiding a relationship—but as he falls harder and harder for his boss, he starts to wonder: Does he have to leave his newly forged family behind in order to live his promising tomorrow?

ISBN:  978-1-63477-680-6

Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/the-virgin-manny-by-amy-lane-7860-b

Reviewer:  Prime

Review: It’s definitely no secret that I love the Dreamspun Desires series. If you’re after sickly sweet romance, maybe a dash of insta-love and a passionate HEA, this line of books by Dreamspinner Press will, more often than not, give you just that. I love this line of books purely to read when I want to unwind or have something easy to read.

Something else that isn’t a secret – well actually 2 things – I love Amy Lane books. The writing style is just so easy to get into and I love the emotion she creates, adding some comedy element to a serious or danger element. The other thing is that I can never resist a book with a manny! Hot guys and kids – everything could go wrong but I’m a sucker for this often predictable trope.

Here, we meet Tino Robbins. He’s an out of this world smart kind of guy, though he never shows that part of him, more often than not he is talking up how smart his younger sister Nica is. After all, Nica is 18 and already has a successful and growing business of delivering prepackaged meals she makes herself. But Tino himself has just finished up college and ready to tackle the world of business. One night she ropes Tino into taking a delivery to one of her regular clients and it changes Tino’s life forever. At the home he delivers to he meets Channing and his nephew Sammy. Channing’s sister has recently died, leaving Channing as Sammy’s guardian. Channing needs a nanny, all he has is his sister’s spiteful bitch of a housekeeper and Tino seems to be able to communicate with Sammy. Let’s not forget that the guys have an instant attraction and let’s face it, that attraction has to be the only basis for the entire story.

Ok, so the beginning is a bit shaky when it comes to Channing recruiting Tino, but really and truly the one criticism I have is that there was a brief mention of Sammy’s biological father and fighting him for full parental rights. But that was it. I mean, I did forget this little fact after a few pages and only remembered it just now as I am writing, but I suppose I’m fickle like that.