Vanessa moves to Savannah to pick up the pieces of her once very certain existence after her fiancé cheats on her. An independent and self-sufficient accountant, Vanessa also has a knack for DIY. When she purchases a ramshackle property in need of repair, she crosses paths with Daniel, a sexy and skillful carpenter. Daniel is a ladies’ man who plays the field and has his own romantic issues to conquer. As Vanessa embarks on a journey to embrace her new community and rehab her new home, she enlists Daniel’s help. Tackling the house is the easy part, but can two do-it-yourselfers find a way to work together to fix their love lives as well?
What made the experience of listening to A Building Passion the most enjoyable?
The book had me wanting a DIY project and find a Daniel in my area to help me with it.
What other book might you compare A Building Passion to and why?
I've not read a book like this recently. Would not compare to another book if I did. It's not right to make a comparison. Not fair to either author. You could try and compare narrators but that's not fair to either of them.
Which character – as performed by Kelley Hazen – was your favorite?
I may surprise some but my favorite character was Nate. I wouldn't mind him as a neighbor. He's an experience. He had me wanting to take a trip to Savannah and look for his establishment. I want to try his special root beer.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I didn't have an extreme reaction but there were times that I had to laugh. Since I was in the car at the time I'm sure onlookers may have wondered what I was doing. It was a great way to make a long trip more enjoyable.
Any additional comments?
This was an audio version where I probably would have enjoyed the book itself better. Ms. Hazen was ok as a narrator but felt that she did a greater job when she was in character. I loved those moments. But at other times it almost felt as if she was reading in a monotone voice and that made it hard to concentrate on the story she was telling.
The author has written characters that are very believable. You can see Vanessa working on her home, especially with all the DIY shows out there, while having an interesting tenant next door. Then there's Daniel. He's a man that was in the right town at the right time when Vanessa moves there. His job just happens to be perfect for what she needs in order to improve her new home. Daniel certainly had me wondering if he had a friend who could help me around my house.
Besides giving her readers characters that are thoroughly likable, Ms. Kyle gives us a character to hate. I came to like Vanessa - could picture her as a friend. As such you don't like to see a friend hurt because of a failed relationship. Every once-in-a-while her ex makes an appearance that may have you wanting to be there the next time he makes an appearance.
It would be interesting to see if this is going to have a second book in the series. The toss up becomes whether I read the book or if there's an audible edition available would I listen. It might depend on who the narrator is. This book was a great introduction to this author and I would read more of her work.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Audio Copy of this book.
An enjoyable, steadily pace story with lovable characters and an interesting background plot. After a heartbreaking betrayal by her longtime ex fiance Vanessa decides to leave everything behind and move to Savannah, there she will meet Daniel a very unexpected handsome/sexy and completely different character from her ex, the question is ..is she willing/capable to low her defenses and welcome new feelings for another man after what she went through?? (Well you have to read it to learn that...)
I liked Vanessa's character and her personality she is stubborn and independent (an explosive combination) who didn't drown in sorrow of sadness after her stupid ex but she turned page and continue to try to give the best to herself. Daniel's character brought a fresh vibe in the story he is a hardworking man who enjoys flirting with Vanessa. You can definitely feel the chemistry between these two characters and as for the secondary ones my favorite was Monica's she was really funny and made the story even more enjoyable, as for my least favorite for the obvious reasons was Brian (her ex).
Furthermore this was a very sweet and even emotional some times story which i definitely recommend and i'm certain you won't be disappoint the author has added many ingredients to make it very interesting and pleasant to read it.
A Building Passion is a great read powered by some strong characters-particularly the female lead, Vanessa. She takes charge of her life, starting over after unceremoniously dumping her cheating fiancé in a perfectly orchestrated exit.
Vanessa is strong, brave and determined, and our male lead, Daniel, has truly met his match with her. Even though you know from the start that their boss/employee relationship is going to go in a more personal direction, watching it unfold is pretty entertaining. Throw in some complications from Vanessa's ex and get a bit of drama, and add it on to the heat Vanessa and Daniel have created and you've got a fun, spicy read with a touch of worry.
That worry comes in the form of Vanessa's ex who keeps trying to stir up trouble. He's one of those characters you want to smack upside the head (or worse), who won't just go away quietly no matter what Vanessa tells him.
A Building Passion was a good, 4-star read for me and I'd recommend it to contemporary romance fans, especially those who like those players who finally find the one.
After a heartbreaking betrayal by her ex, Vanessa decides to move to Savannah, Georgia and start over again. She and her father share a love of home renovation, and when she finds a dilapidated duplex for sale she decides it's where she's meant to be. At the local hardware store she meets Daniel, a talented carpenter, and they share an instant attraction. Vanessa needs help with her renovations, and Daniel needs help with his bookkeeping, and it should be a match made in heaven. But Vanessa's ex isn't willing to let her go that easily.
This book is the first in a series but doesn't end on a cliffhanger. The sweltering city of Savannah was the perfect location for this steamy read! Vanessa and Daniel were interesting and well drawn characters, and just when I thought I had them all figured out another layer was revealed. Their conversations were so flirty and fun, and their attraction was built on more than just physical. The secondary characters were great, especially Vanessa's dad, and added even more dimension.
Kelley Hazen performed the speaking voices well, she gave each character a distinct recognizable voice. She narrated dramatically and with deliberation. I was provided a copy of the audiobook and I'm voluntarily leaving a review. I really enjoyed this book, and I will be keeping an eye out for the sequel!
A Building Passion is a most enjoyable romance, bringing with it second chances, family issues, DIY, hilarity and interesting neighbours. When Vanessa discovers her fiancé cheating on her, she doesn't act hastily, but plans her break-up thoroughly. Once her plans are in place she lets the despicable Brian know that she's leaving having exacted her revenge. Vanessa's move to Savannah is a complete break from her past, and she decides to indulge her love of restoration by buying a ramshackle duplex. Her introductions to her estate agent and tenant are hilarious and the story only gets better. I'm not completely sure whether Ms Kyle meant to be humorous, but she has a very dry wit and her descriptions had me laughing out loud. Vanessa's meeting with Daniel is either fated, or they live in a really small town and keep on running into each other. When Daniel gets involved in Vanessa's restoration, and Vanessa starts to help Daniel with his books, there are no bars held to their physical attraction for one another. I loved the characters in this book, all except for Brian, but without him there wouldn't be a story. I read a lot. Having said that, this book is one of the few where language and grammar are good and if there are any typos, I didn't notice them. This made a welcome change. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Love DIY themes and this one did not disappoint. I found myself being slightly annoyed a little things the characters did/said, but the more I pondered them, the more I realized my expectations were off. I think the character flaws in the H/h were more real life and I haven't read enough of that lately. Overall a good solid read and i will look for the next in the series.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Vanessa has moved to Savannah to start over after she catches her now ex-boyfriend cheating. She buys a house- a fixer upper duplex that already has a tenant. Her mom left her and her dad when she was a child and her father has a tendency to drink.
She meets Daniel when she goes into his woodworking shop to purchase some items. There is It s an immediate attraction between them but she tries to push it away because of what has happened with the ex. It doesn't last long though because she has also hired him for some projects in the house.
Daniel has his secrets also. He moved away to distance himself from a situation that has him feeling very guilty. He is known as a ladies man around town but the truth is, he hasn't met anyone he really wants to see after the first date.
Vanessa just plans to enjoy her time with Daniel.....
Oh and throw in an ex, that comes from money, who thinks she will come back at the snap of his fingers.....
I think Vanessa and Daniel were meant for one another and I really liked them together. It was fate. Neither had any problem expressing opinions and they had a mutual respect for one another. He was a whiz at woodwork and she at accounting, which Daniel was in desperate need of as she was with needing help on her house. They worked so well off one another, they genuinely liked one another.
They mutually discover that maybe they would like this relationship to be more than a fling but there is so much going on elsewhere that they just can't take the time to consider their options.
Can they break down the walls each other hides behind? Will they take a chance?
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it. I wasn't too crazy about the title though...I don't think I would buy this book based on title alone. I understand where it comes from though.
I found it very entertaining even though I don't usually listen to contemporary romance. The main characters are well written and the story moves along well with a bit of humour and suspense. I found myself chuckling as I read it. It's well worth time.
Vanessa had her life planned and the man to live that life with. Until she visited him late at work. She is trying to move past him and his betrayal. Daniel is the perfect distraction for her. His reputation as a lady's man preceded him and all she is looking for is some fun. Daniel cannot believe how taken with Vanessa he is. Both have unresolved issues with their families. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
A beautifully written sweet and funny romance. Vanessa and Daniel are loveable complex characters, each with their own issues to overcome to find happiness. Sandra Kyle is a new author for me, and one I will definitely be reading again.
****Kindly gifted in exchange for review***** This was my first by Sandra Kyle, but I can't wait to read more in this series. I love a good sappy romance and this one fit the bill for me. It was full of flirty banter and some serious main character chemistry. The supporting characters made this book awesome! Vanessa packs her bags and moves to Savannah, GA impulsively after a devastating betrayal by her ex, Brian. She buys a duplex that needs more than a little love and care, but looks at the project as a great way to rebuild. Enter Daniel, the sexy and sweet neighbor whom she enlists to help with her new home. But can Vanessa move past Brian's betrayal to let another man in? Brian of course, has to reappear to stir up some drama, but sassy and head-strong Vanessa is up for the challenge. Vanessa's strong character is my favorite part of this story. I love a good alpha female, but hers takes the cake. She is sassy, witty, and brutally honest. Ladies, take note on this girl, she is awesome!
3.5 stars Vanessa has a reason to be wary and untrusting. If she hadn't learned her lesson from her mother, she certainly did from the one man she was going to love forever. Having learned the truth, Nessa makes some drastic changes for a fresh start. It seems that start is going to be in Savannah. She had no idea how good it would be for her.
Vanessa's new project is turning into more work than she thought. She needs more help than she expected. It doesn't hurt that for her potential new job she has a view and a staff discount- though she would love some more benefits included.
Not ready for much more than fun Vanessa makes Daniel stick to no expectations...But what happens when they both long for more? Will they face the issues they ran from or hide from their feelings now?
A sweet tale about remodeling you heart and home.
Book received in exchange of an honest review. Reviewed on behalf of Once Upon An Alpha
A Building Passion by Sandra Kyle is the first book in the DIY series.
Vanessa has been burned in the past. Having just broken things off with her fiance, Vanessa decides she needs to start over. Vanessa finds her way to Savannah. She buys a double that needs repairs knowing she can do most of them herself. Vanessa meets Daniel. Daniel is a carpenter and offers to help Vanessa, in more ways than one.
I enjoyed this story. One of the things I liked most about this book was that there was no major angst between Daniel and Vanessa. They dealt with normal couple, relationship issues; as well as issues with trust due to being screwed over. This book is very well written and I can't wait to read the next one.
A Building Passion was a cute and enjoyable read. It's one of those books that makes you want to sit down with a slice of pie and a glass of wine while you enjoy a few hours of reading time. I absolutely loved the characters. Vanessa's stubbornnesswas definitely one of my favorite qualities in her. Daniel, there was not a single thing I didn't like about him. The story was really well-written and I could definitely feel the emotions of the characters, especially Vanessa dealing with the betrayal from her ex. A Building Passion was an enjoyable read, and one that I'm glad I took the time to enjoy.
Vanessa was was strong and not one of those whiny heroines. As she picks up her life and moves on she try to tackle alot more along the way. Meeting a man that hopefully won't break her heart she tries to reopen her walls but what she lets in will give you a fantastic read.
The way the author describes each scene is purely perfection so much detail you feel like your are in the book living in each moment.
This is my review of the audio version as posted on Audible:
I really wanted to like the book more, but it turned out to be somewhere between OK and good, thus my 2.5 stars for the story, rounded up to 3.
The premise sounded good: Vanessa comes to a new city to start a new life after her fiance (ex now) broke her heart. and meets Daniel, a ladies' man who has his own issues to tackle. Both are afraid to get involved emotionally, but find each other irresistably attractive... It's a good starting point for a story, in which two main characters slowly fall in love and heal each other's emotional wounds...
But, while the general plot is good - we find out why Daniel is so adamant never to give his heart to anyone (and it's an interesting background story) and we accompany Vanessa in her struggle against her ex stalking her, somehow the book left me kind of indifferent. Maybe it's because nothing much happens from chapter to chapter and the book seems a bit lenghty... or maybe it's because I can't really believe that Vanessa would jump into a new relationship so fast after breaking up with her ex, even if it was strictly sexual attraction...
All this said, however, don't give up on the book and the DIY series. This first book is the weekest of the three - but it's a good set up for the overall plot and puts in motions some events that will end up in a "storm" in the final (and best) book of the series.
As for narration by Ms Hazen, it's very good as usual. If you're new to her reading, you'll have to get used to the way she reads some of the male voices, but it stops bothering you with time. And she's great at doing female voices and acting out dialogues. A very good narrator, in general.
DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
A Building Passion is a sweet and comical romance of starting over and finding love. The characters have strong personalities that are easy to like. The main characters have to go through every normal relationship issues including not letting their past dictate their future. You can really feel the sexual tension between Daniel and Vanessa. The author describes each scene with enough detail that you feel like you are in the book living in the moment.
Unfortunately, for me, the narrator’s voice took away from the book. Kelley Hazen had a clear and crisp voice with a clear difference between her female and male voices. I didn’t like the sound of the voice throughout the book. I think I would have enjoyed the book more by reading it instead of listening to it.
This is the first book that I have read by Sandra Kyle. I really wanted to like the book but unfortunately, the audio book didn’t do it for me. I would like to try to read the book or another book from Sandra Kyle. I recommend A Building Passion to anyone that enjoys reading contemporary romance.
Watching Vanessa move to a new city, buy a new home, make new connections was interesting. Her trip back home visiting her dad was sweet. Her conversations with her mother strained. Her ex was stressful and freeing. Her new handyman, hot, Daniel. I did enjoy the read but was not over the top about it. There was something missing that took away from the story.
Narrator Kelley Hazen for this book type did not work for me. There was something lacking in the quality of her voice and the connection with me as a reader. I found that her voice would be more fitting to a cozy mystery or different kind of chick-lit. The sound quality was good, smooth, and able to keep pace with speed change. There were no noticeable skipping of repeats.
I received a free copy of Building Passion by Sandra Kylie and this review was given freely. Vivid descriptions of Savannah scenery and of the Characters make this an interesting and complex story that has it all. Just some of the colorful characters included in this romance include: Margaret and George, who are cute and hilarious! Neighbor Nate adds humor and friendship. Vanessa and her father's family dynamics. Daniel's complex personality including his past relationship with his sister in law, his attraction of women of all ages, his unselfish assistance for those in need, his support of small business owners and craftsmanship over mass production, and his chivalry. Be prepared for may steamy encounters. I especially enjoyed the uniqueness of the DIY plot and the happy ending.
I loved this first book in the DIY series. Vanessa is a strong woman to have handled the situation she was in, the way she did. I was drawn right into the story the way it unfolded. The secondary characters were fantastic too! (Nate is the best!)
Fantastic narration by Kelley Hazen. She really has a knack for handling multiple characters with their own unique voices.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
A Building Passion (A DIY Romance, #1) by Sandra Kyle was a great read. The life that Vanessa thought she had fell to pieces and she decides to move to Savannah to start new. Vanessa meets Daniel when buying things to fix up her house. I loved reading Vanessa and Daniel's story and can't wait to read more by Sandra Kyle.