This audiobook made laundry so much more fun! It was so good from the first chapter that I couldn’t stop. Loved the characters and the storyline.

Lawbreaker AUDIO by Diana Palmer is a romance interspersed with ranch life and mob life. Odalie is a twenty-six year old professional singer whose goal it is to sing with the Met. Tony Garza in a thirty-eight year old ex-mobster, who now runs an art gallery, leaving his less-legal pursuits to underlings. Odalie and Tony are brought together by her sister-in-law and best friend. Their attraction was clear to everyone, even themselves, but Tony knew he was too old for her so he satisfied himself with friendship. Odalie could not be distracted from her goal of singing with the Met, but first she had to overcome her debilitating stage-fright. So they slowly moved forward until an enemy of Odalie’s brother decided to get back at him. Since his wife is well-guarded, his sister is the obvious choice. But, Tony doesn’t see it that way and uses his own men to take care of her. This leads to the end result, which we all saw coming.

Both decent characters, Odalie and Tony are entertaining both before and after their relationship heats up. The plot is decent, if a little bizarre: the mob and cowboys? The book is written in the came comfortable style Palmer has employed for years, and moves quickly and quietly toward its ultimate goal. It is enjoyable and despite the fact that it refers to things that were in another book, it is easily read as a stand-alone. Good story. Enjoyable listen. Love Palmer’s books.

Todd McLaren is the reader and although he did a decent job, I don’t feel like he was the best choice. Even when he read Tony, he sounded too old. When he read the women’s parts it bordered on ridiculous.

I was invited to listen the Lawbreaker by Harlequin Audio. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #HarlequinAudio #DianaPalmer #Lawbreaker

This is an age- gap, frenemies to lovers romance. I liked this. It was cute and heartwarming with a bad boy and a good girl.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Harlequin Audio for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The embers of heartache fan the flames of romance. Palmer proves that she still has it after all these years. From the unpredictable to the inevitable, Lawbreaker dares to expose it's soul. Through the eyes of a feisty, heroine that speaks her mind and doesn't back down and a hero with a chip on his shoulder and loneliness in his heart, seduction is only a page turn away. McLaren shines bright and delves deep into his cavern of emotion to deliver a showstopper that will steal your breath and haunt your soul.

I’ll preface this review by stating I haven’t read any of the other books in this line/series, but it was still super easy for me to follow along with without really being confused. This book is not geared for a younger audience. Not so much content wise, but more in terms of writing style and just little nuances. I feel like if you like Nora Robert’s books, you’ll like Diana Palmer too.

There were moments (as a reader who is not their target audience) that I cringed and laughed, but I was thoroughly entertained the majority of the time. The bravado and overt gender stereotypical roles were a bit exaggerated, but I think part of that was like a bit of comedic relief for me

Odalie is a young prospective Opera Singer. She has been studying and practicing her entire life, and her dream is to sing at the Met. Tony Garza is a former crime boss and moonlights as an art dealer in NYC.

These two characters are completely different and Tony fights his attraction until he just… can’t anymore. I really enjoy an enemies to lovers book and I’m glad this one didn’t take 3/4 of the book for the characters to start liking each other. The progression felt mostly natural, though I did get lost a little on how much time had passed at points.

The age gap of both main characters was also a huge conflict point in this story. Tony is 37 and Odalie is in her early 20’s, though the conflict is mostly on Tony’s end. Odalie really doesn’t care much about that aspect.

Overall I enjoyed this audio book, narrated by #ToddMcLaren , and thank you to #NetGalley and #HarlequinAudio for an ARC of the audiobook

4 ⭐️-Overall
5⭐️- Narrator

This is a Cowboy Age-gap Romantic Suspense, and this is part of the Long, Tall Texans series. I have read some of the other books in this series. I enjoyed this book, but this book reads like it is a historical fiction when it takes place in the current time period. So, parts of this book made me crazy with how old fashion parts of this book were written. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. I listened to the audiobook for this book. The narrator was ok. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

This is a sweet, yet heartbreaking story at times...of true love, true misery, family, friends, ... and mob bosses and crime and life...

Odalie is a young wannabe Opera Singer. She has been studying and practicing for what seems like forever, and her dream is to sing at the Met Opera House. Only one problem...she has a deathly case of stagefright!

Tony Garza is a young-ish Art Dealer in NYC...and, an ex-NJ Crime Boss.

Once their lives intertwine, well, there's really no going back. Even though the idea is fought tooth and nail!

It's at once breathtaking and beautiful (and sweet), and yet harried, scary, and edge of your seat--hang on to your loved ones...frightening!

While Odalie is quiet, and sweet and timid...with a BEAUTIFUL singing voice, Tony is loud, charismatic, confident and commanding!

They are from TOTALLY DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS!

OF NOTE: Apparently this series has been going on for a long time, and I've read that it is helpful to read book #1 in this particular part of the series (The Loner).

Although Tony speaks a lot of him being older, and how he CANNOT get involved with anyone because of his past...well...the heart wants what the heart wants...

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #HarlequinAudio for an ARC of the audiobook yesterday! The release date was 12/17/24, so it should be available now!

#TheLawbreaker by #DianaPalmer and narrated nicely by #ToddMcLaren.

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!!

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You just can't go wrong with a Western by Diana Palmer. I think the popular TV show has made them even more popular. She never disappoints and this title didn't either!