Enemies to lovers where the spice is spicing. What starts as a unfortunate mishap with travels stranded quickly turns into 3 nights of forced proximity, one bed and lots of fun. Only to finally be able to return home and quickly realize the person they just had the most intense connection with was actually their rival.

Audio review: CJ Bloom and JF Harding did a fantastic job. Narrated in dual narration they each had to use their voices to change up characters and male/female voices, which was done superbly. This story was easy to slip into and get lost in, wanting to listen to one more chapter.

Why have I not read any books by this author until now?? Mann has been added to my list of must read authors! This was such a fun read! I’m a sucker for a good enemies to lovers story and this hit the spot just right. The story line incorporates several tropes, enemies to lovers (my fav), billionaire, forced proximity, and feuding families. I listened to the audiobook version. The story is told in dual pov/ narration and follows the FMC, Rowan and MMC, Cooper. Rowan is a strong but complicated FMC who joins the family business. Cooper is a deliciously arrogant yet lovable MMC. My goodness, the mouth on Cooper! Lawdddd! I could not get enough! The narrators did such a great job bringing their chemistry to life. This was a fun spicy read. It even has minor holiday vibes and would be a great read for holiday mood readers. I can’t wait to continue the series. Overall, luved this read!

Billionaire + Spice + Workplace 🤌✨💫❤️
Ahhh my perfect combination 😍 and that too in my most favourite format of book- Audiobook 💫 was epic. I absolutely love this book.

Tropes in this book-
💫 Strangers to Lovers to Enemies to Lovers
💫 Spice ^ infinity
💫 Billionaire x 2 (FMC and MMC)
💫 Grumpy x Sunshine
💫 Unexpected pregnancy
Book 2 in the series but can be read as a standalone

This was such a cute feel good listen, with such amazing spice. The narrators were so perfect. I’m usually not a fan of narrators reading for the opposite sex. However, they delivered and it wasn’t even a thought on my mind while listening. I would 10/10 recommend. Especially if you’re a dark romance girly like me and need a little palette cleanser.

4.5 Stars
The Rebel is book 2 of the "Spade Hotel" series. It's a forced proximity, accidental pregnancy romance. It's also a spin off of the Daltons series.

This book hooked me from the start. The chemistry between Cooper and Rowan is off the charts. This book is full of steam and banter. It's action packed and full of all the feels. Cooper will definitely have you swooning. What an enjoyable read, I can't wait for more from this series.

J.F. Harding and CJ Bloom did an amazing job bringing these characters to life.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐁𝐄𝐋
ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
ꜱᴘɪᴄᴇ: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

🎧 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗶𝗮 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆
⏳ 09𝗛 50𝗠
🎙️𝗝.𝗙. 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗖𝗝. 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗺

Cooper Spade and Rowan Cole are the modern real-life Romeo & Juliet. Their fathers have been feuding since they were young, and they are each other biggest rival in the Hotel industry. A chance encounter leads them to 3 steamy nights, with Cooper unaware of her identity, but Rowan knows who he is. When their fathers decide to bury the hatchet and merge their business, they are forced to work together. But when Cooper found out her real identity, he was livid…

I have mixed feelings about this book, on one hand, I love all these tropes and their chemistry is incredible. Cooper falls head first and so hard, that he immediately thinks she is “IT’ for him and ready to end his playboy way, only to be met with betrayal from Rowan. And rightfully so, I understand why he was so angry as Rowan had so many opportunities to come clean, but she didn’t. I love Rowan, she’s a bad-ass businesswoman who can rival any man, including Cooper and their brothers, but she could be very childish at times.

I just thought this book was very heavy on the smut, was it bad? Depends, if that’s what you’re looking for, you will LOVE this, because they are top-tier smutfest. Since this has ONS trope, the heat started pretty early, and it goes on and on, I feel like every other chapter they are having a sexy time. And I also didn’t really understand why the children from these families could hate each other so much, that they go against their own siblings for having a relationship. I mean Rowan’s brother was such an asshole, I hated him and it gave me a sour taste till the end.

I do love the endings, and I actually don’t mind surprise baby trope. If you love instalove enemies to lovers romance with sizzling chemistry, you may like this book.

🎧𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄🎧
Easily the best part of listening to this book, both narrators are new to me, and they did a stellar job in bringing these characters to life. With the amount of smut in this book, it’s important to have great narrators who can deliver them in a way that will not make me cringe. And the delivery of that line by JF Harding in the epilogue, portraying Rowan’s father? It made me cry, he’s done such a good job with the speech impediment. I’m looking forward to listen more audiobooks narrated by them.

✴𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘 NetGalley & Dreamscape Media 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚙𝚢 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙰𝙻𝙲 𝚒𝚗 𝚎𝚡𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚊𝚗 𝚑𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠✴

Forced proximity
Enemies to lovers
Rival families
Billionaire
No third act breakup

Audio review
Narrated by:
J. F. HARDING & C.J. BLOOM

Narrators had a good flow. It was easy to follow the story from chapter. They played well against each other. The conversations/ banter was easy to distinguish. They were multiple characters including the main characters with different conversations and it was easy to follow.

Cooper and Rowan get snowed in at a hotel. They share a passionate couple of days. They only exchange first names. Cooper had no idea who Rowan was but she was fully aware of who he was. They are business rivals. Their families hate each other. Now the families are forced into business together.
Cooper does not react well when the secret is revealed. He is angry, hurt and becomes a bit of a jerk. Rowan’s however, pushes back. This dirty talking billionaire does not stand a chance.

Many will love Rowan. She is smart, independent and owns who she is. She puts it all out there for Cooper. She lays it out and leave the ball in his court as far as the relationship goes.
Once Coopef gets out of his own way they soar. They are a team and have each other’s back personally and professionally. No third act breakup.

5 He Needs Her Stars!!

I’m not even sure where to begin with how much I FREAKING LOVED this book!! Both Rowan and Cooper have captivated me. Their instant and electric chemistry had my heart fluttering! A lot of my love of this book is du in part to J.F. Harding and C.J. Bloom’s narration. They embodied Cooper and Rowan so passionately and that came through each word spoken.

Cooper and Rowan are in Banff to scout out a new hotel location for their family’s companies. Unfortunately, they didn’t know who each other was at the first meeting; or at least one of them was in the dark. One of my favorite things about the first several moments of the book is how they each were able to be who they are intrinsically. There’s no one to impress and they truly let their guard’s down which neither of them have been able to do in a very long time.

As fabulous as their days together were, reality soon pops its ugly head into their lives once they’re back in LA and come to find out that not only will they be seeing each other daily, but their family empires are merging. Let the fun times begin!

Ms. Mann has done a wonderful job of writing one of the best enemies-to-lovers books I’ve read. The family dynamics are outstanding! Both the Spade’s and the Cole’s are fiercely protective of each other and fully don’t understand why this merger is happening let alone why it’s now. This is not going to be a smooth coming together of two empires. In between all of the quarrels are two people that want to move past the drama, even if it takes them a while to get there. I fell even harder for Cooper Spade in the moments when he was vulnerable with Rowan. His evolution throughout this book had me swooning hard!

It’s not an easy road for these two given their families and some bad blood between them. There were moments I wanted to slap a few of them upside the head. This story about so much more than love. It’s about forgiveness and recognizing what’s important in life and that family is so much more than blood. There were so many moments that I laughed out loud and then the moments that were the exact opposite. This is a trifecta win with a fabulous story written by a wonderful author and the two perfect narrators that bring every moment to life in just the right way.

Those Spade brothers just get hotter and hotter! Marni Mann delivers another can't put down billionaire romance with The Rebel. Cooper and Rowan had such combustible chemistry they were literally burning up the pages during their 3 day "adventure." When the secret comes out of who Rowan really is, add to it how Cooper found out, the family drama that unfolds is unreal. The Coles and Spades are sworn enemies and competitors but when they are forced to work together and join their family businesses, not one of them are OK with it. Rowan and Cooper know they both felt something more from their time together but Cooper can't get over the betrayal and anger at Rowan once he discovers she knew who he was all along.
I love a woman that fights for what she wants but also knows her worth. After putting her heart on the line, and fighting for Cooper, and being rejected, she decides it's time he fights for her. And fight for hr he does!
Once Cooper realizes he can't live without Rowan, all bets are off and he doesn't care what either family thinks. Rowan and Coopers unwavering support and love for one another was what romances are all about. She chose Cooper over her own family (Rhett and his A-hole self), and that spoke volumes to her commitment to Cooper.
I got very emotional during the Cole family meeting where all the secrets of the past and present were exposed. Knowing why their father decides to join forces with the Spades made the Cole siblings see things in a new light and I was so happy to see Rhett eventually turn his attitude around and support Rowan and her relationship and growing family.
The epilogue will have you in tears so have the tissue handy! Marni Mann DID THAT with The Rebel and Cooper and Rowan's story! I can't wait for more of this series.
JF Harding and CJ Bloom were phenomenal as Cooper and Rowan. I love when the narrators make the characters seem so real with their raw and emotional narration and they absolutely nailed Cooper and Rowan!

🇺🇸This was fine but not exceptional? The characters have great chemistry but I’m not a fan of instalove (or instalust). The Romeo & Juliet kinda plot could have been great if the two families had a real reason to hate each other (and still did) but the original reason wasn’t great.

Also, I saw the plot twist coming from the very beginning and— yeah, no thank you.

The Smut was very fine though and I also liked the ending.

4.5 stars

The Rebel is book #2 in the Spade Hotel series. This is an enemies to lovers, forced proximity romance.

I loved Rowan & Cooper individually, and as a couple. They were both strong willed and their chemistry was off the charts. I enjoyed the push and pull with the drama and tension. Their steamy moments were perfection, and I couldn’t get enough of these two. The heartfelt ending had me an emotional mess.

CJ Bloom and J.F. Harding did a really great job narrating and bringing these characters to life.

Rowan and Cooper
Spade Hotel book 2
Duel Narration Style

Apples and Cedarwood the scent that caused another Spade to fall and fall hard. Cooper Spade meets a mysterious woman during a snow storm in Canada and spends three heat filled nights with her going as far as giving her a Christmas way from home. Leaving the ball in her court he waits for her to call him but she doesn’t and he has no idea why? Another chance encounter leads them to reignite the fire in the parking. Cooper can’t imagine why he won’t call him with chemistry as hot as theirs. Until he shows up to a family meeting where they are discussing the Spades Rivalry Cole International and he smells that scent that is solely hers.

This was my first J.F Harding audiobook and he brought Cooper to life. CJ Bloom was fantastic as always.

This is the second book in the Spade Hotel Series. This is my favorite in the series. I liked Rowan and Cooper's story. This is a beautiful romance, passionate, and engaging, filled with secrets, and twists and turns. The supporting characters are great. CJ Bloom and JF Harding did a great job bringing this story to life. Looking forward to listening to The Sinner, the next book in the series.

"You have me thinking about you, wanting you....in ways I didn't know was possible."

✨️ Enemies to Lovers
✨️ Workplace Romance
✨️ Rival Families
✨️ Off Limits
✨️ Instant Attraction
✨️ Forced Proximity
✨️ HEA

Stranded during a snowstorm, two strangers met in a bar, having an instant connection. They shared three wild nights together but they weren't really strangers. Rowan Cole recognized Cooper Spade but he didn't realize who she was or that he was literally sleeping with the enemy. Was Rowan playing with fire by not telling him? And once they both started developing feelings, could any of it have been real?

I absolutely devoured this story! The angst, the tension, all the emotions and feelings! The steam was top notch scorching hot in a way only Marni Mann can write. But it wasn't just about the spice because there was also a solid plot centered around the Spade and Cole families and their businesses, along with the rivalry and competitiveness between them. I was truly captivated and enjoyed every single minute of it. Would their families understand and accept their relationship? Would it interfere with business? Could it ever become more?

"Because I love her."

Cooper Spade was such a deliciously hot alpha, controlling, powerful and relentless in going after what he wanted but he had the most breathtaking tender moments of vulnerability too. The way he initially denied himself of Rowan, wanting more, needing more, overcome by conflicted feelings, holding back from giving in, pulled at my heartstrings. The anger, the desire to fight for each other, the heat and fire, all of it was so intense and emotional and absolutely consumed me. Rowan was Cooper's perfect match, a strong, independent FMC, hard-working, knowledgeable and dedicated to her work. I loved how she voiced what she wanted with her family, in business and in the bedroom. Cooper cared for her so deeply, always thinking of her no matter what. And I just about melted when he cooked for her. I mean, what's better than a hot alpha billionaire cooking for the woman he's falling for? I loved how possessive and dominant Cooper was but also how he stepped up for Rowan, proving himself to be trustworthy and committed to the future. There was so much love and passion between them, all of it layered with a beautiful intimacy.

I was so caught up in this story and in the intense emotional push and pull throughout all of it. The conflicted feelings, the family history and dynamics, the angst, the chemistry, the unexpected twists and turns! This story blew me away and I couldn't get enough! I listened to the audiobook and the narration was completely on point, both J.F. Harding and C.J. Bloom perfectly embodying the essence of these characters, their thoughts and feelings, everything they had experienced. I can't wait for the next installment to see Cooper's brother, Brady, and the woman who brings him down to his knees. I love how this series is interconnected with others and seeing all of these characters interact. I've already read The Playboy and the latter part of the Dalton series but I know I want to go back further and dive deeper into the world Marni Mann has created.

"This is what love is, what it looks like, what it feels like....this is fulfillment."

* Special thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this ALC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Quotes subject to change at time of publication. Available February 29, 2024. *

This is the first book that I have read by this author. I was interested to learn where this would go, I'm a sucker for only one bed, stranded for three days types of stories, but this one was so much more than that, in such a great way. We get to learn about the family dynamics of two families, the Spade family and the Cole family. Some of the tropes you'll see in this book include enemies to lovers, unplanned pregnancy, family drama, and workplace drama. There are spicy scenes (descriptive and more than one) and just the right amount of angst. #TheRebel #NetGalley

Marni Mann books are so unique in the fact that they start off right away super spicy. Like if you just want to jump right in hot and steamy, this is the author for you! Then she keeps it up through the rest of the book too. It’s like, the opposite of a buildup of that makes sense but then the plot builds up as it goes too. Unique and enjoyable.

🌀Synopsis
Cooper and Rowan are stuck in the same town for Christmas. With no flights out they find themselves at the same hotel and one thing leads to another. It ends up being a very enjoyable 72 hours but when it’s done, it’s done. Rowan doesn’t give him her number. Life goes back to normal.
Only life for both of them is about to be shook up. Cooper is a Spade and Rowan is a Cole, both families in the hotel business and both hate each other. Now, the heads of their families have gotten together and decided it’s time for them to merge companies. A decision neither family is happy about, especially Rowan and Cooper. The two keep ending up together though and Rowan really proves she’s a valuable asset in and out of the bedroom.
Cooper is smitten but now they have to get their families on board with this change as well.

When a snowstorm trapped Cooper Spade in a hotel in Banff, he couldn’t have foreseen how his life would turn out. Drinking in the bar he encountered a beautiful woman, Rowan and thought they might as well make the most of things. It was only supposed to last the storm, but the cocky player fell hard and fast for his mysterious girl, so he gave her his number and hoped she’d call him, but something held her back. She’d known who he was all along but before she can tell him he’s been sleeping with the enemy he finds out in a dramatic fashion.

I love a steamy romance where the hero and heroine are equals in every way and Rowan was a perfect match for Cooper. She was just as powerful as him in the boardroom and countered his disdain for her ideas with facts almost like she was schooling a naughty schoolboy. Even when he was at his most cutting, she met each of his barbs with her boss lady demeanour and turned things back on him. There was so much sizzling passion and chemistry between this pair I almost blushed at some parts and swear I felt my ears burn as I listened to their encounters. Cooper had wanted her, but Rowan was hesitant because he didn’t know her name, now suddenly he can’t be with her. He couldn’t betray his family while Rowan decides that now their identities are out in the open, all the obstacles to them being together were gone. Honestly, I almost had whiplash at this point so quick was the role reversal. I did enjoy the fabulous relationship development though and if that wasn’t enough, playing out along with the steam there was an epilogue that will tug your heartstrings. I know it had me sitting at the traffic lights in tears as I listened.

Narration for The Rebel was provided by JF Harding and CJ Bloom. While CJ was a narrator I’m familiar with, JF Harding was new to me but like CJ, I found he could easily alternate between voicing the male and female roles and still sound believable doing so. Together they brought all the heat and passion of Cooper and Rowan to life, their performances keeping me on edge throughout my listen.

Can it be enemies to lovers when one of the characters has no idea that they’re having a one night stand (that turns into three nights) with the enemy? When Cooper and Rowan are stranded during a snow storm in Canada, they spend three glorious nights together. Cooper is hoping for more when they part ways, but Rowan knows that is never going to be a possibility. Luck is on Cooper’s side when they run into each other in a liquor store and he gets his more. When he learns who Rowan actually is though, the table’s turned and Cooper proved to be extremely stubborn and pig-headed, Rowan though, was persistent. I loved that when they decided to go all in, they went all in, so very romantic. The chemistry between them is off the charts hot and passionate. Cooper is a a real dirty talking alpha, I loved that about him. They also didn’t let the feud between the families affect them. In and amongst all the sexy time and family drama, there’s a few emotional moments that pulled at my heart strings. The audio was narrated by JF Harding and CJ Bloom and I loved every minute of it, they were the perfect Cooper and Rowan. I received an advanced copy of this audio book from the publisher via NetGalley.

Man this book was steamy!! But it also had a great story line too! The narrators did an excellent job!

I love how Rowan and Cooper meet! And the. I love how it all plays out once they figure out who each other are. It’s not necessarily enemies to lovers but it has vibes. They have some great chemistry and brought the dirty talk.

I love how the story flowed and the depth that was brought with it. Definitely pulled on my heartstrings. And then that epilogue 🥹 absolutely beautiful.

This one was rough. It relied completely on carnal attraction and had little storyline for much of the first part of the book so it was hard to get through. The dialog was not believable and so the story was hard to engage in.