Audio Review: Cookies for Courting by Amber Kell – Narrated by Michael Stellman

Author: Amber Kell

Narrator: Michael Stellman

Run Time: 2 hours and 13 minutes

At a Glance: Overall, I was disappointed with this story, but Michael Stellman did a great job with the narration.

Reviewed By: Amy

Blurb: After his sister’s death, businessman Marshall Hunter gains custody of his niece. Unused to children, Marshall struggles to connect with her. In an effort to make her more comfortable in her new home, he hires professional muralist Pace Barlow to personalize her room.

Pace is intrigued by his tiny client, and even more interested in her handsome uncle, but Pace isn’t certain he’s ready for the commitment of an instant family.

When Marshall decides to move for the sake of his niece, will he be able to keep his relationship with his young artist, or will he have to give up love to become a good father for a lonely little girl?

The love baked into an old-fashioned recipe might bring the two men together, but some things take more than magical cookies to fix.

Review: I am a big fan of Amber Kell’s paranormal stories, and decided to take a chance on this short. Well, I think as many who have read my reviews know, I am not a fan of insta-love. There are some situations in which this works, but mostly if falls flat. I like seeing a couple’s friendship develop and the characters fall in love. Cookies for Courting is a contemporary love story—without the love.

Pace is a trust fund baby who doesn’t like to use his trust money on principle. He is an artist. This seems weird, considering he is doing work that isn’t true to his art to make money to get by. So, what’s the difference?

Marshal is a cold fish who says he finds Pace irresistible, but I don’t feel it’s demonstrated. Overall, I was disappointed with this story, which was all over the place.

Narration: On a positive note, Michael Stellman did a great job with the narration. From Pace and Marshall to Alice, he kept the pace up and the voices distinct. I look forward to many more audiobooks by this narrator.