syndi3's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Kayley Loring is a new author for me. I have a mix reviews of her works. So far I like her Brooklyn Boyfriend series. Her other books... just mediocre. Even the joke, the flirty banter can not push my rating to more than 3 stars.
Hello Darling has a mediocre romance story. A Hollywood star has a fling with a local girl. And that it is. There is no more depth or complexity of the story at all. I got bored in the middle of the story. I even skip it a bit. The chemistry is off between Stella and Evan. Even Hugh Grant joke can not help making the story alive.
I listen to the audio book. I appreciate the male narrator has British accent. I do love British accent. Overall I do enjoy this book OK. I do not love it but I do not hate it. Even I do admit I got bored in the middle of the book.
Hello Darling has a mediocre romance story. A Hollywood star has a fling with a local girl. And that it is. There is no more depth or complexity of the story at all. I got bored in the middle of the story. I even skip it a bit. The chemistry is off between Stella and Evan. Even Hugh Grant joke can not help making the story alive.
I listen to the audio book. I appreciate the male narrator has British accent. I do love British accent. Overall I do enjoy this book OK. I do not love it but I do not hate it. Even I do admit I got bored in the middle of the book.
msmathy's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars! A sweet romance
Gah! I want an Evan Hunter. As usual, books with a guy who falls in love and does everything he can to get his girl are my catnip. I found myself smiling as I read this book and it’s definitely going on my read again list.
Every once in a while, I read books and I roll my eyes at the perceived dilemmas about why people can’t be together. However, Stella’s reasons for not wanting to get involved with Evan makes sense. I never doubted that she loved him, yet I understood why she couldn’t be with him. Luckily, Evan didn’t let that happen.
Gah! I want an Evan Hunter. As usual, books with a guy who falls in love and does everything he can to get his girl are my catnip. I found myself smiling as I read this book and it’s definitely going on my read again list.
Every once in a while, I read books and I roll my eyes at the perceived dilemmas about why people can’t be together. However, Stella’s reasons for not wanting to get involved with Evan makes sense. I never doubted that she loved him, yet I understood why she couldn’t be with him. Luckily, Evan didn’t let that happen.
bookaddictreviews's review against another edition
5.0
Evan Hunter is officially on my ever-growing list of Kayley Book Boyfriends. Yes, it’s a thing. How can you not fall instantly in love with a sexy British movie star?! Seriously, this guy will be making you swoon. Plus, Shane East doing the narration on this audiobook? It is PURE MAGIC! You can thank me later.
Stella, well I just love her. I want to be her best friend. She’s a small town girl, she managers her family’s gym. She is just real and relatable as a character. I love that she doesn’t just instantly lose it and start fan girling Evan, too. Mackenzie Cartwright does an amazing job at bringing this character to life.
I love how opposite Evan and Stella are yet they have some INSANE amounts of chemistry. Both Shane and Mackenzie do a great job with bringing the chemistry and the banter of these characters to life.
Kayley’s romcoms are some of my favorites. Though, I don’t recommend listening to the audiobook while you are grocery shopping. Everyone will be giving you some strange looks because you’ll be laughing out loud!
Hello Darling is a MUST LISTEN! If you’re looking for a fun summer listen definitely check this one out!
Stella, well I just love her. I want to be her best friend. She’s a small town girl, she managers her family’s gym. She is just real and relatable as a character. I love that she doesn’t just instantly lose it and start fan girling Evan, too. Mackenzie Cartwright does an amazing job at bringing this character to life.
I love how opposite Evan and Stella are yet they have some INSANE amounts of chemistry. Both Shane and Mackenzie do a great job with bringing the chemistry and the banter of these characters to life.
Kayley’s romcoms are some of my favorites. Though, I don’t recommend listening to the audiobook while you are grocery shopping. Everyone will be giving you some strange looks because you’ll be laughing out loud!
Hello Darling is a MUST LISTEN! If you’re looking for a fun summer listen definitely check this one out!
phoenixinthecity's review
3.0
This was cute - the no-angst romcoms continue with Kayley Loring, who's turned out to be a great covid-comfort author.
Really enjoyed the bromance that developed between Evan and Stella's brothers. The wonderful BFF that Stella has in Mona, who took up her defence on Twitter as MoaningMona when haters hated: “Oh, here’s a funny thing that Sandra found—there’s a Twitter account that’s been trolling anyone who makes rude comments about your girl. Been very busy, this… MoaningMona. She basically Tweet replies to all critical people to fuck off because this is the best girl you’ve ever been with and you’re clearly smitten.”
Evan on Stella:
“From the moment I started talking to Stella Starkey, though, I felt that pull. That soul-stirring, deep-down recognition that here is a character that I need to know, and that becoming this person—the man who falls for Stella Starkey—would somehow bring me closer to myself. It’s exciting and unsettling. I want to get lost and found in the lush misty wilderness that is her personality.”
One detail I’ve noticed in this binge of Loring’s backlist is that she puts references to books/authors in her books. In this one, it was Tender is the Night because Evan’s pseudonym for check-one, etc is Richard Diver, a character in that book which I’ve never read and in Rebound with Me it was The Outsiders.
Really enjoyed the bromance that developed between Evan and Stella's brothers. The wonderful BFF that Stella has in Mona, who took up her defence on Twitter as MoaningMona when haters hated: “Oh, here’s a funny thing that Sandra found—there’s a Twitter account that’s been trolling anyone who makes rude comments about your girl. Been very busy, this… MoaningMona. She basically Tweet replies to all critical people to fuck off because this is the best girl you’ve ever been with and you’re clearly smitten.”
Evan on Stella:
“From the moment I started talking to Stella Starkey, though, I felt that pull. That soul-stirring, deep-down recognition that here is a character that I need to know, and that becoming this person—the man who falls for Stella Starkey—would somehow bring me closer to myself. It’s exciting and unsettling. I want to get lost and found in the lush misty wilderness that is her personality.”
One detail I’ve noticed in this binge of Loring’s backlist is that she puts references to books/authors in her books. In this one, it was Tender is the Night because Evan’s pseudonym for check-one, etc is Richard Diver, a character in that book which I’ve never read and in Rebound with Me it was The Outsiders.
vvreads's review
5.0
I keep falling for these books! Loved it, as I have all of her books. Hello Darling is adorable
leticia_jersey_girl's review against another edition
5.0
"One day, hopefully, she’ll realize that when I say 'hello, darling' I mean so much more than that."
I'm making my way through Kayley Loring's backlog and this seemed like a fun one when I was feeling down after having surgery. It was. Among other things, it was also annoyingly sweet, unbelievably cute, fucking steamy, and remarkably emotional, and had me crying a couple of times.
Why do you do this to me, Kayley? Wait, do I do this to myself? I guess so. It's OK, then.
"His voice is so sexy, I should probably wear some form of birth control on my ears."
There were many quotes to choose from when it comes to Evan Hunter, but I chose this one because accents... Yeah, they get to me. So yeah, I totally understand this quote.
Evan was pretty much incredible. OK, he's a famous British actor and he's used to the fame and spotlight, but underneath it all (and apart from his Jiminy-Cricket conscience sounding a lot like Hugh Grant apparently) is a man who doesn't know what he needs in life and who doesn't get the 'falling in love' and 'partnership' that comes with it. Until he meets Stella.
"And now here she is, serving up a large helping of great American sass with a side of small-town charm and a stunning naked face that I find it difficult to tear my eyes away from."
Again, Kayley's heroines are always perfect to me. The sass and snark of Stella were absolutely amazing. She's just so real! She manages the family gym and teaches yoga in Smalltown, Washington, and she's happy with her life. Hmm, did I say happy? Maybe 'content' would be a better word. Or maybe I could say she's settled into the life she has. Because she doesn't think she can aim for bigger and better.
"I’m sorry to get you out of bed so early. It’s quite the opposite of what I want."
Evan is in Stella's small town shooting a movie, and from the get-go... The. Banter. Between. Them, OMG! People, I live for the banter in Kayley's books, and this was made even better because Evan is so good at flirting it's just not fair. And Stella could just let it slide, but she gives as good as she gets, and quite effectively at that. She's not one of those to fall at some star's feet, and she's going to show him just that.
He's going to have a really hard time getting to her, but he's also not backing down. I love how stubborn they both are!
"I’m sure you can find something better to do. Or someone better to do."
"Are you? Because I’m sure I haven’t. And I’m quite sure I won’t."
They decide to have a fling. You know, a no-strings-attached-fling-while-you're-filming-your-movie-in-my-town thing. They shouldn't work at all, let alone work well. However, their chemistry? It's off the charts! Both in and out of bed, these two are FIRE! I think the sex scenes in this book were the hottest I've read by Kayley, and Evan is right up there as one of her hottest heroes.
I need to mention the pop culture references because they meant a lot to me. Not just the British actors I love, and Colin Farrell in his early career (the whole bad boy act was hot and I may have watched his movies more times than I should have!) but Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid, one of my favorite movies. Tender Is The Night and The Great Gatsby, two of my favorite novels.
This, and all the laughing-out-loud and swoony moments, made this book another special one for me.
"I love you so much. I love the whole world more because you’re in it."
They got through some stuff, but nothing could really keep these two apart, however opposites they seem to be. I hated Stella for a little bit, but I couldn't stay mad at her because she's effing awesome.
In the end, your home is wherever the person you are is, and for the right person you'll do just about anything. And it'll all be worth it.
I'm making my way through Kayley Loring's backlog and this seemed like a fun one when I was feeling down after having surgery. It was. Among other things, it was also annoyingly sweet, unbelievably cute, fucking steamy, and remarkably emotional, and had me crying a couple of times.
Why do you do this to me, Kayley? Wait, do I do this to myself? I guess so. It's OK, then.
"His voice is so sexy, I should probably wear some form of birth control on my ears."
There were many quotes to choose from when it comes to Evan Hunter, but I chose this one because accents... Yeah, they get to me. So yeah, I totally understand this quote.
Evan was pretty much incredible. OK, he's a famous British actor and he's used to the fame and spotlight, but underneath it all (and apart from his Jiminy-Cricket conscience sounding a lot like Hugh Grant apparently) is a man who doesn't know what he needs in life and who doesn't get the 'falling in love' and 'partnership' that comes with it. Until he meets Stella.
"And now here she is, serving up a large helping of great American sass with a side of small-town charm and a stunning naked face that I find it difficult to tear my eyes away from."
Again, Kayley's heroines are always perfect to me. The sass and snark of Stella were absolutely amazing. She's just so real! She manages the family gym and teaches yoga in Smalltown, Washington, and she's happy with her life. Hmm, did I say happy? Maybe 'content' would be a better word. Or maybe I could say she's settled into the life she has. Because she doesn't think she can aim for bigger and better.
"I’m sorry to get you out of bed so early. It’s quite the opposite of what I want."
Evan is in Stella's small town shooting a movie, and from the get-go... The. Banter. Between. Them, OMG! People, I live for the banter in Kayley's books, and this was made even better because Evan is so good at flirting it's just not fair. And Stella could just let it slide, but she gives as good as she gets, and quite effectively at that. She's not one of those to fall at some star's feet, and she's going to show him just that.
He's going to have a really hard time getting to her, but he's also not backing down. I love how stubborn they both are!
"I’m sure you can find something better to do. Or someone better to do."
"Are you? Because I’m sure I haven’t. And I’m quite sure I won’t."
They decide to have a fling. You know, a no-strings-attached-fling-while-you're-filming-your-movie-in-my-town thing. They shouldn't work at all, let alone work well. However, their chemistry? It's off the charts! Both in and out of bed, these two are FIRE! I think the sex scenes in this book were the hottest I've read by Kayley, and Evan is right up there as one of her hottest heroes.
I need to mention the pop culture references because they meant a lot to me. Not just the British actors I love, and Colin Farrell in his early career (the whole bad boy act was hot and I may have watched his movies more times than I should have!) but Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid, one of my favorite movies. Tender Is The Night and The Great Gatsby, two of my favorite novels.
This, and all the laughing-out-loud and swoony moments, made this book another special one for me.
"I love you so much. I love the whole world more because you’re in it."
They got through some stuff, but nothing could really keep these two apart, however opposites they seem to be. I hated Stella for a little bit, but I couldn't stay mad at her because she's effing awesome.
In the end, your home is wherever the person you are is, and for the right person you'll do just about anything. And it'll all be worth it.
theaccidentalromanceblogger's review against another edition
5.0
Stella Starkey has lived her whole live in Port Gladstone, where she manages the family-owned gym and teaches yoga. She is pretty much content living there.
She doesn't do flings with out-of-towners, so when pretty boy British movie star Evan Hunter waltzes into her gym to train for his new movie being shot in the town she goes "hmmm' but she has no interest in the man whatsoever. Right?
Pretty boy Evan is more a Henry Cavill/Hugh Grant hybrid than the Jason Momoa lumberjack types that appeal to Stella, but he is going to dial his charm up to 11 if it means catching Stella's eye...and her heart.
I absolutely loved loved loved this book! Evan is a movie star but a very level-headed one and he's so in need of something "real "in life and you can't get more real than no-nonsense Stella. I love their banter and how besotted he is with her. I wanted to knock her over the head with a frying pan and say "he loves you, girl!!!!" a few times, but well, it's a romance novel and we need a little conflict. I also loved how the "conflict" was not someone else thrown in or something bad one does to the other. They just needed to recalibrate things and finally get their HEA. Loved it!
Added bonus: how can you not fall in love with a guy whose inner monologues are in Hugh Grant's voice???
And I want to change my ringtone to HELLO DARLING.
Narration: Mackenzie Cartwright is a goddess and can't do no wrong and (even though I think he has narrated EVERY.SINGLE. BRITISH.CHARACTER in romance - well, Jacob Morgan does it too - ) Shane East is always a joy to listen to. His voice is like warm honey and British accents are swoony.
She doesn't do flings with out-of-towners, so when pretty boy British movie star Evan Hunter waltzes into her gym to train for his new movie being shot in the town she goes "hmmm' but she has no interest in the man whatsoever. Right?
Pretty boy Evan is more a Henry Cavill/Hugh Grant hybrid than the Jason Momoa lumberjack types that appeal to Stella, but he is going to dial his charm up to 11 if it means catching Stella's eye...and her heart.
I absolutely loved loved loved this book! Evan is a movie star but a very level-headed one and he's so in need of something "real "in life and you can't get more real than no-nonsense Stella. I love their banter and how besotted he is with her. I wanted to knock her over the head with a frying pan and say "he loves you, girl!!!!" a few times, but well, it's a romance novel and we need a little conflict. I also loved how the "conflict" was not someone else thrown in or something bad one does to the other. They just needed to recalibrate things and finally get their HEA. Loved it!
Added bonus: how can you not fall in love with a guy whose inner monologues are in Hugh Grant's voice???
And I want to change my ringtone to HELLO DARLING.
Narration: Mackenzie Cartwright is a goddess and can't do no wrong and (even though I think he has narrated EVERY.SINGLE. BRITISH.CHARACTER in romance - well, Jacob Morgan does it too - ) Shane East is always a joy to listen to. His voice is like warm honey and British accents are swoony.
vvreads's review against another edition
5.0
I keep falling for these books! Loved it, as I have all of her books. Hello Darling is adorable
erinnaissance's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars. I liked this one OK. It had a couple of funny or endearing moments but overall it just felt a little underwhelming. The “Hugh Grant in my head” commentaries missed the mark for me. Also, this seemed a bit too copycat of Notting Hill.
I enjoyed Stella’s family the most, most especially Billy, and think that the name “Muffin Top”for a cat is the most brilliant I’ve ever heard!
I enjoyed Stella’s family the most, most especially Billy, and think that the name “Muffin Top”for a cat is the most brilliant I’ve ever heard!
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