Romancing the Ugly Duckling cover art

Romancing the Ugly Duckling

Dreamspun Desires, Book 36

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Romancing the Ugly Duckling

By: Clare London
Narrated by: Joel Leslie
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About this listen

Romancing the...

Is this the makeover of a lifetime?

Ambitious fashionista Perry Goodwood lands the project of his dreams - track down a celebrity family's missing brother in the Scottish Highlands and bring him back to London for a TV reality show. But first he must transform the rugged loner into a glamorous sophisticate.

Greg Ventura has no use for high fashion. He lives on the isolated island of North Uist to escape the reminder that he's nowhere near as handsome as his gorgeous brothers and to avoid the painful childhood memories of being bullied.

Greg wants nothing to do with city life, and Perry's never been outside London. When Perry is stranded on North Uist, this conflict seems insurmountable. But Greg is captivated by the vivacious Perry, and Perry by both the island and his host. However, Perry's one heartfelt wish remains: that ugly duckling Greg fulfill his potential as a swan.

©2017 Clare London (P)2017 Dreamspinner Press Contemporary Romance Heartfelt

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To be honest I thought this was going to be like other transformation stories but this is so much more. A truly modern and realistic take on the story. Greg Ventura is the ‘ugly duckling’ brother and has hidden himself away on a remote Scottish isle because of his brothers bullying. Over time he has become more of a man in all senses then his materialistic brothers. Perry was sent to entice him back so that the brothers can What I loved was that Perry is not a shining Prince Charming character but a lovely friendly bloke who is down on his luck. When he gets to North Uist Perry finds a different and better way of life which he begins to appreciate. Both Greg and Perry, with a little help, fall for each other. I think there are two Swan moments, one for Perry when he realises being a fashionista doesn't make him happy and the other is Greg’s

Joel Leslie’s narration makes the story glow. I already knew he is a master of accents but in this story he shows how superb he is. I loved his Scottish accent and was sorry when the audiobooks finished.

Such a perfect feel good story and one I will listen to over and over again.
I was given a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

So Much more than a Fairy Tale

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AUDIO REVIEW

This was a nice, sweet, east listen. Quite a unique concept and although unrealistic it was fun and interesting. Joel Leslie was a great narrator, switching his voice between English and Scottish is no easy thing but he managed it with ease.

Perry works in London at the Latham Agency doing makeovers for b list celebrities. One day 4 impossibly attractive brothers come in to request their services. They want Perry and the team to collect their 5th brother from Scotland, give him a makeover and bring him back to the capital for a reality TV show that will only go ahead if all 5 of them are involved.

Perry is sent to the middle of nowhere in Scotland and right from the beginning it is one cock up after another. The rest of the team never shows up and he soon realises this London city boy is well out of his league in the countryside. And then he meets Greg.

Greg left London and his family once he graduated university for an idyllic life in Scotland. Bullied by his brothers and their friends for being 'the ugly duckling' of the bunch he just wanted to escape and never return. All of a sudden he has an attractive young gay guy from London dripping wet on his door step trying to convince him to return.

They are both attracted to each other and whilst circumstances lead to Perry staying with Greg in his cottage they realise how deep their feelings for each other go.

These two are so sweet I loved listening to them interact. Although Perry comes across as a slick city boy he has his own insecurities and vulnerability that is endearing and sweet. Then there's Greg and oh how I loved him. He's not 'the ugly duckling' at all but just different to his brothers and in all the best ways! But he has been damaged by the taunts from his youth and Perry needs to help show him how truly unique and amazing he is.

Secondary characters are great in this book. I loved all the Scottish folk on the island they made me laugh and I loved Joel Leslie's narration of them. Greg's dog Rory is awesome! Love him! And he manages to win round Perry who is scared of dogs.

There's some angst and drama in this book mainly surrounding Perry returning to London and Greg being in Scotland but thankfully it wasn't over done.

A nice, light and sweet story and an awesome audiobook

Good audiobook!

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Listener received this title free

A quick read that is entertaining enough to ignore the minor niggles I had (e.g., Rory could have been Lassie). But IMO Dougie stole the show!

Entertaining

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Listener received this title free

This was sweet and so cute and I really enjoyed it! Perry was adorable and Greg was the perfect sullen counterpart. It was paced well and a nice feel good story

Loved it!

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Young makeover artist and an inveterate Londoner, Perry Goodwood is sent to the remote Scottish island of North Uist to persuade rough-and-ready Greg Ventura to join his more glamorous celebrity brothers on a reality TV series. Greg has always been resentful of his more handsome brothers and still remembers their cruel jibes. Perry braves the mud, the rain, and the nauseating sea voyage to wrangle his man. This was a lot of fun, the two MCs were decent guys, and the villagers were enjoyably larger than life - the perfect feel-good romance. Joel Leslie handled the London and Scottish accents and humour with ease, although I did grimace each time he pronounced gri-MACE!

Fish out of water transforms the ugly duckling in this charming odd couple romance!

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Listener received this title free

Part of the Romancing Series, Romancing the Ugly Duckling can be read as a standalone and has no connection with the other books in the series. This was an entertaining story about two very different men who are the perfect match for each other…if only they can open their eyes and see it. I really enjoyed this story, especially the drama and the validation Perry finally gets in the end.

Ugly Ducklings Grow Up Into Swans

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