Just This Once: Escape to New Zealand, Book 1
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Just This Once: Escape to New Zealand, Book 1 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Rosalind James (Author), Claire Bocking (Narrator), Rosalind Iiams (Publisher)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 6,539 ratings
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Everyone needs to be rescued sometimes.

Everyone but Hannah Montgomery, that is. She just needs a vacation. Three weeks in New Zealand to sort out her life, figure out what she wants, seems just right. Oh, and to relax. She should definitely put that on the agenda. She certainly isn't looking for a fling with a professional rugby player, no matter how attractive he is. Hannah doesn't do casual. But maybe just this once.…

Drew Callahan is happy to help Hannah find all the fun she's been missing. But as much as he's shared with her, he's kept one very big secret. And learning the truth, now that she's back home again, has made Hannah more wary than ever. Drew knows that she's right for him. But how can he convince her to let down her guard enough to explore what they could have together?

Note: This romance, like New Zealand, contains a bit of steam. If that isn't your cuppa, you may want to visit another country…er, book.

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  1. Listening Length
    8 hours and 38 minutes
  2. Author
    Rosalind James
  3. Narrator
    Claire Bocking
  4. Audible release date
    March 1, 2014
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Rosalind Iiams
  7. ASIN
    B00IGBWF3K
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 8 hours and 38 minutes
Author Rosalind James
Narrator Claire Bocking
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date March 01, 2014
Publisher Rosalind Iiams
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B00IGBWF3K
Best Sellers Rank #118,887 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#677 in Sports Romance (Audible Books & Originals)
#3,826 in Sports Romance (Books)
#4,338 in Women's Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
6,539 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Gatorfan
5.0 out of 5 stars great read, steamy, fun and entertaining...
Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2017
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First, I read this book in 2013. I had no idea how to write a review and had no idea reviews even existed. This was my first Ms. James book. I ABSOLUTELY loved it. I fell in love with New Zealand and have been a big fan of the NZ authors ever since. I love the description of their beautiful country and people. A great book and I definitely recommend it.

The heroine has come to New Zealand to get away, relax, and find her place in the world. Her first day she goes for a swim. Not realizing how far she had gone and that she had been in a rip tide, she is in trouble. She keeps swimming to try and get out of it and back to land. However, she just seems to be getting further and further away and she is beginning to tire. Out of nowhere she is pulled aboard a small boat. She is overcome with relief that she has been saved and is going to be ok. Little does she know her life is about to take a big change. She doesn't know it because she has no idea about rugby or how big it is in the country she is visiting. But the captain of the Blacks team just saved her.

This is their story and it is good. I loved every minute of it. She finds her place alright and it is in his bed!! Now the book is STEAMY, the author tells you that in the write up, so to be upset and give a low star review is hardly fair. But then some people just don't get it. Some reviewers thought the book was boring but for me, I could not put it down. I loved the story, the location and the characters. I thought they were all very likable and you definitely care what happens to them. A great read and for me it was the start of a great relationship! I know own 16 of Ms. James' books.

I was not paid for this review. I am not an author nor do I know one. I am not kin to this writer. I would love to visit her though!! I am a reader and this is my opinion, nothing more, nothing less. 11-2-17
13 people found this helpful
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Dux
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun, romantic adventure, not at all formulaic! (phew)
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2013
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I was delightfully surprised by this lovely, well-written, interesting and informative story, the first I'd read from this author. Talk about a rugby romance for people who love to read and learn!

I loved learning about NZ, rugby, even sportswear marketing, but what I enjoyed most of all was that our protagonist, Hannah, isn't a damsel in distress, needing the (insulting) rescue by a man. Ugh, enough already. Of course, in this story the man in question, Drew, is more, um, "take charge" than most of the men I know, but based on how we come to know Drew through the story that "take charge" felt real: he seemed like that would be part of his makeup.

Hannah is an adult with a real job with significant responsibilities professionally and personally, inc feeling responsible for her two slightly younger and definitely more carefree siblings; a parent had died early in their childhoods and the remaining parent became nonfunctional, leaving Hannah to assume the parenting role while still a young teen herself. Because of her own aborted worry-free youth concomitant to her drive to (professionally) succeed, it makes sense she doesn't have much of a social life. She's too busy! Add to that the pain and sadness she both felt and witnessed with her parent's early death (and then the other parent's inability to cope without their spouse) it further makes sense her desire to close herself off, or rather be extremely guarded. I liked the way the author painted this full picture of Hannah for us. I also really like the way Hannah is an adult -- yes, she has her issues, but she is a smart, successful, adventurous woman. As a smart, successful, adventurous woman who also has her own issues, I really loved reading about Hannah! I got to live vicariously.

Drew, our Kiwi male lesser protagonist, is less fully drawn and while I would've loved to learn more about him (because I'm greedy and because I liked what we did learn), he makes perfect sense. I can envision him as a real person, a person who knows himself, who doesn't do a lot of deep thinking (this is not an insult), who trusts his instinct and what he says is what he means. Drew is the captain of two rugby teams in NZ, so he clearly has an authoritative manner.

Hannah lives in California and meets Drew while on vacation in NZ. She doesn't know who he is, doesn't understand the incredible fame associated with rugby players in NZ; Drew of course likes this for multiple reasons, one being that he knows Hannah likes him for HIM, not for his fame. Their attraction was sweet. Because of Hannah's insecurities / fear of interpersonal relationships, she feels the need to stand solely on her own two feet. She doesn't understand that part of being strong is being able to accept help and love: learning this is her journey. Drew understands it, and because he and Hannah have something real, not just a vacation fling, he wants her to "get it."

I really liked the time we spent in their relationship -- wish we were able to spend more, reading their conversations as they did their activities, the way these two quiet, stoic people find each other and are able to let go. The sex was descriptive and also fun: it never felt gratuitous. Instead, it seemed to highlight the safety, the trust they found with each other. We also got to travel throughout NZ in this book, and it was *fascinating*. It never felt like a travelogue or someone showing you their (boring) vacation photos: instead, the author used real settings to further the story. This book should be given out by the NZ tourism board!

I did feel there was too much exposition re Hannah's work life (more detail than felt necessary and didn't move the story along), but that's a small complaint. Truthfully, I ultimately wanted more of Hannah and Drew's relationship inner workings.

I did really like this story, the author's smart, interesting, informative and romantic writing style, and went on to purchase the other three in the NZ rugby romance series.
3 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this series
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2024
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I love this series; I've read and listened more than once. The setting, New Zealand, is so important in all the books, makes you want to visit. The rugby players are fantastic as are their stories. I still don't understand rugby but have enjoyed listening and reading these, truly great escapes.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Kindle reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved the book!
Reviewed in India on December 21, 2022
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This is one of the sweetest romances I have read. Both the mcs are awesome, and really likable. There isn't much drama in the book, but it's still a great read. I have actually reread it multiple times, and it's always a fun and comforting read.
The mcs are such favorites tbh, that I look for them in all of Rosalind James' books, and enjoy following them in their lives.
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Linda
5.0 out of 5 stars Hannah and Drew
Reviewed in Australia on June 9, 2023
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Fabulous story from the first page. Loved every word of it. Being that it’s set mainly in New Zealand and has rugby in it was a bonus for me being a Kiwi rugby lover!! Definitely a page turner.
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Riverdaffyd
5.0 out of 5 stars Just This Once
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 7, 2016
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I bought this book ages ago and for some reason did not get round to writing a review. It is a delightful story, very much with a sports theme, you really get to understand how being in a rugby team, especially the best team in the world - hurts! The players get knocked about in every match, and just pray their injuries won't keep them out of the next game.
Drew Callahan rescues Hannah Montgomery, an American from San Francisco, when she gets caught up in a rip tide on the first day of her holiday in New Zealand. She is totally exhausted when he gets to her, and he spends the rest of the day looking after her, making sure she is warmed up, hydrated, and gets warm food inside her. She doesn't have a clue that he is famous, the captain of the All Blacks. He spends most of her three week vacation with her and they get to know each other without her having to consider his fame. When she returns home he wants to keep in touch with her, but she is very self-doubting and thinks that he is just saying that because it is what she wants to hear, that they have had a holiday fling and he will now return to his normal life. But he goes to San Francisco to spend some time with her, and persuades her, eventually, to come out to New Zealand to be with him and see how they get on. She refuses to live with him, she finds herself a good job, and he finds her a small apartment close to his house.
It is a lovely, romantic story, Drew tries so very hard to break down her defences, but they have been her safeguard for so long. It is when he is finally defeated, and goes away that she realises she doesn't want to let him go. This feels such a real story, real people living normal lives, with strong emotions that are almost palpable, you feel them along with the characters. A very satisfying read.
One person found this helpful
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Paola B.
3.0 out of 5 stars Un piacevole free book
Reviewed in Italy on February 20, 2015
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Una storia d'amore appassionato con contorno di giocatori di rugby e la splendida Nuova Zelanda. Viene voglia di far la valigia e mettersi in viaggio verso l'altra parte del pianeta.
La lettura è rilassante.
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ShannyB
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!!!
Reviewed in Canada on July 4, 2013
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This is my first read from this author...wasn't really sure about the length. Boy, am I glad I got it! It is an absolute must read! Plain Hannah meets very hot, super built All Blacks Rubgy Team Captain Drew....mmmmm. Romantic, funny and characters that are so realistic. You totally get caught up in the emotions, the story and their lives. I loved everything about this story especially her being very descriptive about the scenery of New Zealand giving me the feeling of being there. Two worlds collide in this book and it turns out fabulous! Can't wait to read her other books!
2 people found this helpful
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