3.75 stars! 💫 Huge thanks to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the ALC! This one was a wild ride—it took a bit to hook me, but the audiobook definitely made the journey much more fun! 🎧 The story? 3.5 stars. The audio? 5 stars. 🙌

✧ Bad boy hero 🖤
✧ Second chance romance 💫
✧ Grumpy/sunshine dynamic 💖
✧ Family drama 💕
✧ Opposites attract 💗
✧ Small-town vibes 🏡
✧ Forbidden romance 💓

Okay, so I thought this was going to be a light, quick romance, but plot twist—it was so much more! Harley, the bad boy who turned into a self-made success, comes back after ten years to meet his son, Brandon, whom he left behind (cue the emotional rollercoaster). And Lauren? She’s the perfect good girl, raising Brandon after her sister Audra’s death. She’s NOT thrilled to see Harley back in town... at all. Can they put their past aside for Brandon? Or will their history tear them apart?

At first, I wasn’t feeling the characters. Harley was a little too misunderstood, and Lauren’s uptight vibes made it hard to connect. But as they started working through their issues, the chemistry really started to heat up! I was all in by the end! 💕 I especially loved Harley’s character growth—turns out, he’s a big softie with a heart of gold 💖. Lauren also grew, seeing things in a new light, which totally made me root for her too!

But can we talk about the audiobook? GAME. CHANGER. Alana Marie Cheuvront’s narration was everything! She brought these characters to life in such an engaging way, even during the slower parts! 🎙️

In the end, it was a sweet, heartfelt read, but it took me a minute to really get into it. If you love second chance romance with family drama, grumpy heroes in need of redemption, and some serious chemistry, this one’s for you! 😊

Brenda Novak will never disappoint! Just a notice to her lifelong fans, this is a release of a previous story down in audio format.

The story is classic Brenda, with a great heartfelt journey and characters you will find yourself rooting for. Narration is excellent and i highly recommend

So, now that I’m going to write my review, this book makes a bit more sense. Apparently it is a re-release of a book from 2002, and now, COMING SOON, is the audiobook version!

Harley and Audra dated in HS…
He was the cool, leather clad, motorcycle riding guy.
She was the rich, spoiled girl trying to get attention…

When they met, neither of them were their best selves… drinking, using drugs, etc…. But, they were young…

Fast forward ten years….
Audra is dead. Harley is gone. And left behind was their little boy, Brandon…

Lauren (Audra’s little sister) has been taking care of him, along with her parents. But when she learns that Harley is back in town, and wants to meet Brandon, well… what is she supposed to do??

Told from alternating POV’s from Lauren and Harley…and sometimes even Brandon, this will definitely touch your heart…and pull at the strings…

Family drama…. Difficult relationships… Bad reputations…Good friends….
And, last but not least…. Trying to start over again….

3 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me, rounded up to 4!

#ShootingTheMoon by #BrendaNovak and narrated nicely by #AlanaMarieCheuvrant.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #HarlequinAudio for an ARC of the audiobook which is **** due to be released soon, on…. 1/14/25, so look 👀 for it then! ****

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Harley came back for his son that he had never met. Brandon’s mom had died so he was living with his grandparents and aunt who was basically a mom to him. Lauren has taken care of him even before his mom died so when bad boy Harley came into town she fought him. Didn’t want him to meet him. Then she started to think about what Brandon wanted and decided to let him meet his dad. Her dad was not happy about it. He had paid him off years ago trying to keep him away. But this time Lauren stood up to him.
This was an older book from Brenda Novak but I still really enjoyed it.