I didn't finish this book. The language and the sexual content was more than I anticipated. I wasn't impressed with the writing in the first few chapters that I did read.

I love an audiobook and although this was a slow start; I found myself enjoying it more and more as the book progressed. Hudson was a great character. I liked him from the very beginning, but Willa was a different story. It took me a while to warm to her, and she did irritate me a bit when she was constantly calling on Hudson to come and get her out of a pickle.

Both Elyse and Teddy were great narrators and worked well together as Willa and Hudson. Teddy’s voice made me melt inside. I have no idea what he looks like and don’t want to check in case I am disappointed lol!

Small-town-romance and family-orientated books are always a winner for me and once the scene was set, and I understood the background of both characters, I enjoyed Cathy Yardley’s latest book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Cathy Yardley and Literary Media Tours for the opportunity to listen to and review Do Me a Favor.

Cute story but found myself a little uninterested at times, overall the narrator was good and the story was cute enough to finish!

This story had such lovable characters! It was a slow burn which is not usually my fave but I still really enjoyed this story and the plot. The narrators were great and I felt very immersed in the story. Great book!

adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

Thank you to @netgalley
@literarymediatours #brillianceaudio
for this #gifted ALC 🎧 it is a comfort read I know I will come back to again and again

✩ 4 stars ✩

What to Expect:
➼ Love After Loss
➼ Mature MC’s (40’s)
➼ Small Town Romance move me to this PNW island
➼ Doggie Matchmaker (In cahoots w/🦨) NOODLE!
➼ Single Dad w/Adult Children..and GOATS
➼ Widowed FMC
➼ Processing Grief
➼ Fresh Start
➼ Slight Reverse Age Gap
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ One Bed
➼ Slow Burn
➼ Found Family
➼ Dual POV

Teddy Hamilton can read anything and I 👏 Will 👏 Read

Loved this setting of a PNW island that is welcoming to Willa . She is ghost writing a cook book, and so close to a farm gave her fresh ingredients to be creative with. I loved Silas character as Handy man ; so needed when something broke down that he could fix, and the renovations of turn of the certury homes were his passion to do the whole project. Creative people truly inspire each other and there are some meet cutes for this couple that were just a positive cozy read.

The female narrator ; although authentic in nationality ( Willa is part Vietnamese) cadence was off and inflection was a little cringy like she was trying too hard , it didnt sound natural. Also the phase "sexy chef" sexy cookbook , and sexy was just overused. A beta reader would have caught this and suggested an edit. When the reader can start counting the times the word is used then it is too much.
Overall I will definitely read this book again for the cozy vibes . Cathy Yardley is making me want to move to pack up and move to this island near Seattle.

Do Me a Favor by Cathy Yardley is a refreshingly sweet romance that I had the pleasure of reading as an advanced listening copy (ALC). This charming story deserves a solid 4-star rating for its delightful portrayal of love blossoming between two mature main characters in their 40s.
The chemistry between the protagonists is simply electric—uuuufffff! Yardley skillfully captures the spark and depth of their connection, making every interaction a joy to read. I particularly appreciated how the story challenges the conventional notion that self-discovery and finding love are reserved for your 20s. Watching the characters grow and find themselves in their 40s is both inspiring and heartwarming.
Another standout aspect of this book is the clarity and maturity in the relationship. There’s no teenage drama or the confusing state often seen in romances set in the 30s. Instead, the story focuses on honest communication and genuine emotions, which made the romance feel real and relatable.
Overall, Do Me a Favor is a wonderfully written romance that celebrates love, growth, and self-discovery at any age. It's a refreshing take on romance that I highly recommend to anyone looking for a sweet, feel-good read.

Do Me A Favor is a sweet (and savory) over forty romance from Cathy Yardley! Culinary enthusiast and recipe wizard Willa is recently widowed and regrouping in a small island town. Hudson is a broody single dad and oh-so-good with his hands. The island handyman is happy with his hometown life and contribution to his community. And yet, he seems to be missing something. I loved this foodie romance! The contrast of Willa & Hudson’s characters worked beautifully; they were dynamic and alluring. Hudson was such a charming crunchy cinnamon roll. Willa was a compelling FMC with a heavier arc and I loved how her character’s journey developed. Do Me A Favor is a great slow-burn, found family, multicultural love story.

Elyse Dinh is a newer-to-me narrator and I’ve really enjoyed her work! Teddy Hamilton was fantastic as the wary, broody Hudson. Elyse & Teddy’s styles and pacing complimented each other well and brought these characters off the page beautifully. I enjoyed their portrayal of Cathy’s heartwarming love story from start to finish.

Do Me a Favor is my first book by Cathy Yardley. This was not one of my favorites, but reading about older MCs' love stories is always refreshing. Willa, 46, is a widow trying to start over and get her career going again. Hudson, 42, is Willa's neighbor. He is a handyman and single dad of two adult children. Husdon lives on a farm with his family, so of course, there are cute animals that make appearances. This is a slow-burn romance, so it took time for Willa and Hudson's relationship to develop. I liked that both characters were sort of at a crossroads in their lives and had to decide what to do next. This story shows it is ok to start over later in life. The book is very character-driven, and I would have liked there to be more of a plot. It felt like the characters didn't do much. The book was a bit boring for me. I didn't connect with the characters and this story didn't maintain my interest. I'm also not a huge fan of books written in third person point of view. I listened to the audiobook, which generally is better for me. Elyse Dinh did a good job providing a voice for Willa. I love Teddy Hamilton and think he did a good job portraying Hudson.

Willa is a cookbook ghostwriter (who knew this was a thing!) who moved to the Pacific Northwest for a fresh start after her husband’s death. Hudson is the handyman next door that thanks to his adorable dog, Noodle, is now a part of Willa’s life. While Willa is trying to keep her distance, it’s undeniable how attractive Hudson is. They’re both dealing with their pasts, but does that mean they can’t have a future?

This was such a fun romance. I enjoyed that both Willa and Hudson were in their 40’s as you don’t see that often in romcom books. Ashley someone in their 40’s, I found both characters relatable, and I thought that Yardley developed them well. Their romance was a slow burn, but the chemistry between these two was undeniable.

Willa and Hudson’s families played a big part in their lives, and I liked how involved Hudson’s family was. They brought some comedic energy to this story, and I can’t review this book without mentioning how funny the cookie scene was IFKYK!

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Elyse Dinh and Teddy Hamilton. I enjoyed this format, and besides one overly mispronounced word (kewlinary) I thought this was the perfect way to immerse yourself in this story.

One of my favorite parts of this book was all the recipes that Willa made throughout. Prepare yourself to get hungry while reading this book. I felt that Willa and Hudson’s romance moved at a natural pace, but the ending felt rushed to me. I wanted a bit more of how their life together would be. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more of Yardley’s books.

Read this book if you like:
- A couple in the 40’s
- Found family
- Farm animals - GOATS! 🐐
- An adorable, escape artist dog
- Food and cookbook references
- Some steamy scenes

Thank you to the author, Literary Media Tours, Brilliance Audio, and NetGalley for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

This book holds a special place in my heart. I read it in audio, ebook, and paperback formats, ensuring I could enjoy it in the car, at night without a reading light, and outside during the summer. I couldn't put it down.

The story revolves around Willa, a widowed cookbook writer who moves to an island in the Pacific NW to start fresh. Her love interest, Hudson, is the island handyman with two adult children. Both Willa and Hudson have been putting themselves last for years. The addition of an escape artist dog named Noodle and a comedic goat adds a delightful touch of humor to the narrative.

I particularly appreciated the mature main characters. Reading about people my age made their motivations and challenges more relatable.

A sign of a great book is how it influences your everyday life. My family should thank Cathy Yardley for including so many recipes in the book. I was constantly inspired to try new dishes, which elevated our meals and brought joy to my cooking. If anyone finds a honey and ice cream recipe, I'd love to try it—this book made me so hungry!

If you're looking for your next read, I highly recommend "Do Me A Favor" by Cathy Yardley.

✨ Do Me a Favor ✨

Ok...I loved it. This audiobook had me laughing out loud, kicking my feet, smiling, and even thinking about how dreams grow and change over a lifetime. I love how these characters were older- mid to late 40s- and they were still finding their way. I loved Hudson from the very beginning. I will say, at first, I wasn't sure about Willa, but oh my gosh she grew on me!! I love how she found her confidence and came out of her shell as she got to know the people on the Island and began to fall for Hudson. She had so many hilarious one liners and I loved her intelligence. The ending was just so sweet too. This was in 3rd Person which took me a while to get used to, but in the end it didn't take away from the story for me.

If you're looking for an audiobook to bring all the good romance vibes, with a small touch of spice, some hilarious small town antics, and a whole lot of heart, you will love Do Me a Favor by Cathy Yardley.

✨ Small Town
✨ Opposites Attract
✨ Older Characters (late 40s)
✨ Single Dad
✨ Slow Burn

📚 Book: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 Audio: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥Spice Rating: ❤️ (light)

The narrators were fantastic! I always love Teddy Hamilton and I think he brought so much to the role of Hudson. This was my first time listening to Elyse Dinh and I loved her! Willa comes from an immigrant family and I love how she brought that to life in this audiobook. The way she read Willa's mom was so great! Overall, I highly recommend this audiobook!

Thank you so much to Cathy Yardley, Netgalley, and Literary Media for this gifted audiobook.

Spice Rating
🤍 clean romance
💗 closed door/ fade to black
❤️ sexual content (a few detailed scenes)
❤️‍🔥 explicit, play-by-play (major part of the plot)
🖤 graphic, more than vanilla

I was able to read this on and listen to the audiobook - so I was able to get the story two times and with that I have an even deeper connection and a few more questions.

The audio is done very well the narrators, Elyse Dinh and Teddy Hamilton, Did a great job expressing the emotions of both the main characters. I enjoyed the banter and they played that well too!

I like to see books with mature characters and live stories this was fun to have the woman, Willa, be older than handyman Hudson.

I liked the small town that was on an island. It’s so fun to see things that are so relatable. I enjoyed the dynamics of the families and neighbors.

The only complaint I have deals with her husbands death, I think this could have been explained differently or more accurately. I was confused more than not at the beginning of this one in regards to that. Once I got to the family party I was all in. Thought I missed something. But second time
Around I found that just as confusing.

Overall I enjoyed this book and the way they support each other and make sacrifices to be themselves and be with each other. I think this is so realistic for an older romance and I really appreciated it!

Thanks to Netgalley and Literary Media Tours for these opportunities to read and listen to a great story!

4⭐️ | 2🌶️

Tropes:
• While you were sleeping vibes
• Love after loss
• Mature MCs
• Small town
• Single dad
• Mutual pining
• Slow burn
• Lots of food stuff
• Strangers to friends to lovers

Review:
I loved this book! It had me giggling, laughing out loud, and even contemplating how dreams evolve over a lifetime. I had the opportunity to review both the arc and alc, and it made the experience absolutely amazing!

The double POV added depth, and I appreciated the exploration of themes like loss and relationships with adult children. The story features characters in their mid to late 40s still finding their way, which I found refreshing. Willa, a 46-year-old widow struggling financially and emotionally, attempts to rebuild her life, while Hudson, a 41-year-old divorced handyman with two adult kids, lives on the family farm. Willa’s journey to confidence and self-discovery, as she bonded with the islanders and Hudson, was delightful, and their growth in understanding romantic relationships and self-awareness was compelling.

Initially, I found the third-person narration a bit jarring, but it ultimately didn't detract from the story. This was my first read from Cathy Yardley, and now I’m eager to read more of her work. The book hooked me from the start, making me appreciate the charm of later-in-life romances focused on the romance itself.

This audiobook also impressed me with its narration. Teddy Hamilton, one of my favorite narrators, did a phenomenal job with Hudson’s voice. Elyse Dinh, who was new to me, brought Willa’s character to life, especially highlighting her immigrant background.

If you're looking for a book filled with romance, humour, small-town charm, and heart, ‘Do Me A Favor’ by Cathy Yardley is a must-read.

Yardley’s writing was chef’s kiss—pun intended. This was so sweet, charming, and funny. Our MCs Hudson & Willa were lovely. Hudson’s respect and eye for vintage beauty (woodwork, old homes, mantle clocks and of course Willa) really made me love him. I just couldn’t help but think “yes Willa!” When she so eloquently explained her key and lock analogy. I also particularly enjoyed the sections where Willa describes Hudson as a Timothy Oliphant type with an ASMR deep voice and Hudson admires Willa’s high arches. Basically, I loved it all and the side characters just made this read all the more endearing! What’s more, I smiled often at the enthusiasm depicted by the narrators as it definitely brought the characters to life. Overall, this story was a reminder that it’s never too late to go after your dreams in life and love.

Thank you, Partner @LiteraryMediaTours @catheyyardley @brillianceaudio @NetGalley for my early copies.

It is audiobook was pretty good. I love teddy Hamilton which is why I picked this up. The story was ok but I didn’t love Willa and I felt like their chemistry but solely based on proximity. I did like that the MCs were older though I want more of that

What a delightful story, I loved it!

Second chances, small-town romance, a dog, goats, adorable characters, slow burn. I had so much fun with this and ended up with a warm and happy feeling!

My first book from this author and it won’t be my last.

I was absolutely obsessed with this cover & it might have been the sole reason I requested this alc! Thank you to the author & literary media tours for this gifted copy 🫶🏼

This follows Willa, a recent widow who decides to move into her late aunts home on an island in the pnw. There she meets Hudson, the towns handy man & father to adult twins who is running his families farm-oh & he also loves clocks🤨 When Willa hires Hudson to work on her home, they form an unlikely friendship turned relationship.

•There were parts of this book I enjoyed, so I’ll focus first on those then give you a few of my qualms. I loved the ghost writing a cookbook part. I felt like it was so interesting getting that behind the scenes. I loved the small town island vibes & it seriously made me want to visit! I loved that both MC’s were older & in their 40s & both at that stage of life-it made their quick relationship make sense. There was some spice that was at best ok—1.5🔥
•I did have a huge issue with this book, and that is that the fmc’s husband passed away from type 1 diabetes. I honestly don’t think this author did any research into T1D because almost every instance this is mentioned made me cringe & I almost dnf’d bc of this. That T1D representation was piss poor in this book & actually made me take off an entire star rating. Lastly there were some plot holes & moments where I was honestly just confused how we got from point A to point B in their relationship.
•Overall, there wasn’t enough positive to outweigh the negative feelings in this one.

🎧As for the audiobook narration, I loved Teddy & it had been awhile since I had listened to him so I loved all of his chapters. Elyse did a fine job with the FMC, with no notes on dictation or understanding. However since this book is written in 3rd person, I think there were moments that were just hard to understand & make sense writing wise. I was confused at moments & had to relisten to totally understand. 3.5/5🎙️

Unfortunately, this book was much too slow paced for me. I do think many will like this book but it just isnt for me.

2 stars.

Thank you for this ARC!

Willa is up to her eyeballs in medical debt - she was the caretaker for her late husband, and while he has been gone for two years, the crushing debt remains. But Willa was taught that reaching out for help or asking for favors was rude and weak, so she tries to make money in her old career: ghost writing cookbooks. She's desperate, so she takes on a contract that no one else will touch - make a "sexy" cookbook for an influencer best known for his near-naked cooking videos. Unfortunately, Willa doesn't even remember what sexy is. Until she meets Hudson.

I enjoyed this audiobook. The story was unique in a lot of ways: there aren't a ton of romance books about ghostwriter, and it was nice to see protagonists that were in their 40s. It's a bit of a slow burn with a touch of spice when they finally get to their physical relationship. I enjoyed the lack of miscommunication trope and the lack of third act breakup. Willa and Hudson were refreshingly straightforward with one another (mostly due to Hudson's directness) The narrators had nice voices, I wouldn't mind listening to either of them again. I'm interested in reading Cathy Yardley's other novels now!

I love how the author has given us a bit of a later in life love story. Both characters have had a first marriage and lost their significant other due to divorce or death. One has kids, one is floundering and unsure where to go at this point. The story takes place in a small town with a fun cast of supporting characters.

Willa is reserved, still dealing with her husband’s death, she’s unsure how to move about in this new world and new reality. She married pretty young, against her parents’ wishes, and her life never became the steady, safe one they’d always wanted her to have. Now she’s kind of trying to move on, to start a new life on her own, with the luck of her great-aunt’s home in this small town. The first job opportunity that might actually help her get on her feet comes along, but it’s not an easy one. The antics with trying to come up with “sexy” recipes for this influencer’s cookbook is so much fun. Even as I could feel the stress Willa was dealing with to complete it.

Then there is Hudson. He’s the flirty divorcee, with two grown kids, because he also got married at a young age. He’s a few years younger than Willa, but also at a point in his life where he thinks he wants to be. But as he gets to know Willa, and learn about her life, he does start to wonder about a few of his own misses in his life. However he is a giver, he’s there to help out anyone, and so that has always come first, like raising his kids when his wife left them. His family is a blast. His daughter and his mom, and even his dad. All of them just want him to be happy, and of course are shocked when it seems he’s interested in this new woman on the island.

The romance progresses at a slow pace, both attracted, but Willa unsure and not wanting to accept help, and Hudson worried about scaring her away if he moves too fast. When Willa visits her family, it makes sense why she feels the way she does. But I love how she makes her decision on what to do next.

Another thing I loved about the story is that we don’t get that third act break up really. There is a bit of the disaster we need to move the story along of course, but the two of them are able to figure that out, and then we have other things to worry about messing up their relationship, or them figuring out what they are going to do and how they can move on.

Another sweet romance, with a little bit of spice from Cathy Yardley.