Best so far!

My Musings

I am so pleased I had the opportunity to review this audio performance and the book. When I received the request from Ms. Stetson, I was thrilled. I recently reviewed Finding Harmony and Taming Jake and enjoyed them immensely. I looked forward to reading/listening to Loving Cassie with great anticipation. Cassie’s character in the first two books intrigued me, so I was anxious to learn more about her. This book is definitely an excellent read. I thoroughly enjoyed Wendy Rich Stetson’s narration tremendously as usual.

So far, Cassie’s life has been aimless, until her father steps in, cuts off her money, and then sends her to Cypress Corners to her brothers. She’s never worked a day in her life. Can she find her way and learn to take care of herself, instead of depending on others to do it for her?

Ty Walsh spends his days working at the institute as the animal conservationist, and his weekends with Riley, his adorable niece, the daughter of his late troubled sister. He has to battle Riley’s father for visits constantly. His mom suffers from Fibromyalgia and needs his attention as well. When Cassie blows into his life, can he find a loving relationship with this troubled party girl as she learns to find a new way to live?

Ms. Stetsons’s narration brings the sensual love scenes to life in a way that had me fanning my face several times! The chemistry between Ty and Cassie heated up my iPhone, to say the least. Her ability to get the emotion and passion that the couple feels for each other to come out with just the right inflection of her voice is fantastic.

Ms. Stetson has worked very hard on perfecting a New England accent for Cassie’s father, and it shows. She was spot on with this performance of the cantankerous man with his brusque style of speaking. She truly brought his character to life.

I was so pleased that Lettie, the older gently-bred southern lady introduced in the first two books was also in this book as well. Ms. Stetson is able to show this delightful character with her at times scandalous talk, as the humorous, playful character she is. I love the narrator’s smooth voice and well-modulated tone a great deal and would definitely listen to future books with her as the narrator.

JoMarie DeGioia writes another light-hearted story with engaging characters and an interesting story line. I fell in love with Ty’s character from the first page and remained in love with him throughout the entire book. His ability to encourage Cassie to look at her potential for the future, rather than dwelling on her past mistakes was fantastic. He’s such a caring man with his concern for his mother and his desire to have a meaningful relationship with his darling niece.

Cassie is an endearing character, and I liked her a great deal. I could feel her pain over living such an only for the moment life, and allowing her father to influence her decisions. She was a party girl, and her shame over her previous lifestyle came through loud and clear, gaining my empathy for her character. Cassie suffers from a huge lack of self-esteem. I can identify with her character, since I’ve had bouts of this in my own life. This definitely touched my heart in a big way.

In this story, Bill Chapman takes a stand with Cassie, lying down the law, cutting off her allowance and sending her to Cypress Corners. This put him in a better light than in the previous books in this series. His reveal at the dinner with Cassie and her brothers, also showed a different twist to his character, allowing me to see him a better light.

I felt a deeper connection with Cassie and Ty in Loving Cassie than I did in the characters of the earlier books in this series. I truly felt Cassie’s emotional pain, and the heartache Ty feels over the situation with his niece. Ms. DeGioia has penned an emotionally-charged story, and I thoroughly enjoyed the romance between the pair, and I also enjoyed seeing Cassie blossom under Ty’s loving care.

This is by far my favorite of the three books, and I suspect there will be another one in this engaging series with Bill’s astonishing news. The pacing is excellent in Loving Cassie, making it an easy read and kept me entertained, and isn’t that what a book should do? Happy reading!

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Great Series!

Any additional comments?

This is a great book; this is the third book in The Cypress Corners series written by JoMarie DeGioia and narrated by Wendy Rich Stetson. Cassie Chapman finally caught her father’s attention when racy photos of her hit the tabloids. She goes to Cypress Corners to find a job and herself. Ty Walsh makes sure the animals at Cypress Corners thrive in their habitats. The more time that Cassie and Ty spend together they can’t deny the attraction.

The narrator Wendy Rich Stetson, did a wonderful job, and was very easy to listen too. She did a great job with the different characters and their voices.

This book has a great story; if you are looking for a great romance, then you need to get this book. I am looking forward to the next book by this author. Once I started listening to this book, I didn’t want to stop until the end.

A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

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A most satisfying return to Cypress Corners

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the feeling of family both with the Chapmans and the Walshes. Rick, Jake and their wives draw Cassie back into the fold and try to let her know that she is important to them. Ty and his mother do so much to try and keep his niece Riley in their lives.

Which scene was your favorite?

I really enjoyed it when Ty, Cassie and Riley went to Old Town. The feeling of family was strong in this scene.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I really felt for Cassie when she felt as tho she didn't have a place to go to and belong. She was at a crossroads with her life and I was happy to see her family stand by her.

Any additional comments?

Loving Cassie is the latest installment in the Cypress Corners series and might I say, the best yet. Cassie is the youngest sister of Rick and Jake. Always the party girl, when pictures of her show up in the tabloids her father puts his foot down and sends her to stay in Cypress Corners with her brothers. Animal Tech Ty Walsh has his own family issues in trying to keep his niece in his and his mother's life. Cassie and Ty meet and are the sparks flying!

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves romance. The love scenes are hot but tasteful. I loved this book!

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Another trip to Cypress Corners is so satisfying!

Due to being the feature in a gossip spread, Cassie Chapman has been yanked from her fast and free lifestyle and been "banished" to Cypress Corners by her father to find a job (OMG!), where her brothers now live and work. She has absolutely NO skills and is overwhelmed by absolutely everything.
Ty takes care of his mother, who has Fibromyalgia, He takes care of the animals and their habitats in Cypress Corners at work. He also tries to spend as much time as he can with the daughter of his dead sister. He and Cassie rapidly form a sexual relationship. Cassie "doesn't do relationships", so anything else is an uphill battle. He rescues her more than once and tries to show her her worth. Soon there is more gossip that could destroy everything they have built together and Ty must convince her that the life she has in Cypress Corners is worth fighting for.

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The Wild Child And The Wildlife Wrangler?

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes! This whole series is fun and flirty yet down to earth. This was the best one yet :) I would advise anyone start at the beginning though!

What other book might you compare Loving Cassie to and why?

I do not compare books.

Have you listened to any of Wendy Rich Stetson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Every book in this series Wendy Rich Stetson’s performance gets better as she gets more comfortable with the characters! The first book was great but they keep getting better. Her expressive portrayal of all the characters, old and new, sucks me in and keeps me engrossed in the latest couple to fall in love in this amazing community while still keeping us updated on all the previous couples and their lives. I wish I could live in such a magical place as Cypress Corners :)

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This whole series makes me laugh! It's a great mood enhancer I swear :)

Any additional comments?

This series must be listened to (or read) in order. The first book is Finding Harmony. The second book is Taming Jake. This is the third book. I can't wait to listen to Winning Ben!



Cassie has finally done it. She has pushed her father too far with her crazy antics and wild ways in Europe. Now he has put his foot down. She is cut off completely. He is sending her to hide in Cypress Corners under her brothers' watchful eyes. Nos way she can get into trouble in a quiet and boring place like that! She will be expected to work for a living and keep her nose clean. The gorgeous guy who picks her up from the airport strikes her fancy. Does she have a chance with him? How will she hold down a job when she knows nothing? Will she embarrass her brothers and their sweet wives? How can she deal with her nephew Nick? Can she finally find a place to belong?



Ty has alot on his plate caring for his family and trying to keep the wildlife in check at Cypress Corners. Most of his time is spent wrangling animals or taking care of his ill mother (she hasy Fibromyalgia). The loss of his sister has been doubly hard because they lost his niece Riley to her father. Fighting to see her is a constant battle. He is instantly smitten with Cassie when he meets her. But she is off limits isn't she? Will her brothers allow him to date her? Or will his attraction to her implode not only his life but his job? Can she be what he has been missing all these years?


***This chicklit romance series is suitable for adult readers who enjoy hopeful stories with plenty of steam and a dash of ecofriendly morals to go with the requisite HEA :)

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Just gets better and better!

This series just gets better and better. Though there are some things that seem recurrent, like the Love Shack, I really enjoy these characters and this series. Not sure why everyone seems to have to use the tent cabin first, but it's no matter. And, I really liked that it was given the name, Love Shack, in this story. That was funny and cute. Also, I was slightly confused by the repetition that there is no custody in Florida when it was clear that the father of the child in question has full physical and legal custody, which is not different than most states. I worked for the DA in my county in CA, specifically family support dealing with custody day in and out, and I didn't see much difference in the limitations in Florida being referred to as "no custody laws"? There are laws, but grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc do not generally have rights in most if not all states, unless they can prove an actual parent is unfit. I found this slightly distracting when it was clear the father had 100% parental rights which is fairly typical when 1 parent is deceased.
BUT, other than that, another great story by JoMarie DeGioia. And, it really wasn't a big enough distraction to take away from the book or make me not want to read it. I completely enjoyed this story and felt the pain and frustration of Ty and his mother. It is something I have seen over and over again. And, most people are shocked when they find out that they have no legal recourse if a parent or parents decides they cannot see their grandchild or niece or nephew at all. However, this was a small part of the story. I can't wait for the next one. I'm hooked on this series.

I listened to this book and, as always, Wendy Rich Stetson just makes these characters come to life. Dare I say her voice is even richer and smoother in this book? She really captures the essence of the characters and feel of the story. Her interpretation and portrayal of personality for each character gives them such realism, you feel like you know them. Another job well done for both author and narrator.

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Loving Cassie

I think this is my favorite in the series! Great story! I loved that Cassie was not as reserved as her new sister were about their men. I also love that Mr Chapman is seeing the light, and showing some humanity signs!

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Loving Cassie

What was one of the most memorable moments of Loving Cassie?

The first and second books were great but they keep getting better. Her expressive portrayal of all the characters, old and new keeps me engrossed in the latest couple to fall in love in this amazing community while still keeping us updated on all the previous couples and their lives.

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Best so far

If you could sum up Loving Cassie: A Cypress Corners Novel, Book 3 in three words, what would they be?

Modern, Scandal, Family

Have you listened to any of Wendy Rich Stetson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I’ve listened to the other two books in this series both narrated by Wendy Rich Stetson and this one is my favorite.

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I Wish I Could Give 10 Stars, Amazing Book/Series!

⌂⌂⌂⌂ Spoiler alert! Spoiler alert!⌂⌂⌂

Some of what I have written below touches on the outcomes and/or important scenes from the previous two books in the series. Do not read this review if you haven't read the first two books as you may be disappointed - if you plan on reading the series.

The Cypress Corners Series is one of the best I have ever read. While I thought this would be the end, I was pleased to learn that there MAY be another relation and hopefully, another book.

Cassie is the daughter of a very wealthy Boston businessman. She spends her time jet setting around the world giving the image of the ultimate party girl.

Meeting her father one day she learns that he is sending her down to the wildlife resort/retreat that her brothers run (from the two previous books in this collection). He is cutting her off, she will have a place to stay and hopefully one of her brothers will take pity on her and give her a job.

When she gets there she meets her family – her brothers, their wives and her cute little nephew. This is strange to her, because growing up her mother had raised the three of them but they hadn't been close. Her brothers always looked out for her but since becoming adults and moving to Cyprus they have swapped regular emails and occasional phone calls. She is delighted to meet each of their, wives who are so different yet so open, welcoming and affectionate to her. She thinks that maybe this is how home should feel, but has no basis for which to measure.

Cassie meets Ty, who is in charge of all of the wildlife at the Cypress resort. He is in charge of helping her out as she finds her way around her new job (not office work! Those those scenes were pretty funny.) Cassie learns that Ty has a niece that he and his mother rarely get to see because of custody rights or lack thereof in the state. She admires the way that he drops everything for even a few minutes to spend with his niece.

Quite early in the book they decide to become intimate – friends with benefits with no long-term, for either of them.

Will their circumstances change the easy relationship that they have? Will Cassie up and move on, like she usually does after a few months in one place? Are they capable of loving one another? You will have to listen to the book to find out the answers to these questions!

A beautiful book with depth, a lot of realistic scenarios and many surprises, good and bad. The author has done another bang up job with the third in the Cyprus Series. I could listen to stories about these people forever. This series reminds me of Shannon Stacey's Kowalski Series, which I adore.

Wendy Rich Stinson does what she does best. She is able to perform in a way that you forget that you are listening to a book but you are actually in the story. There are no distracting habit or the like. It is straightforward and she does a brilliant performance. Portraying characters in a range from an older woman, youngish men and women (20s) and little children.

The author, book & narrator are a perfect combination and I hope that this series will continue for many more books and that audible will carry them.

NOTE: Mature Themes

I received this book in exchange for my review, including the above thoughts and opinions.

Please take a look at all of my reviews and you will know that I judge appropriately. Again, I recommend this book, the two previous books in the series and quite likely anymore to come. I would use one of the precious credits on it. I never like to pay full price for it a book so I would likely wait for it to go on sale before purchasing it out right.

I appreciate you reading my review and hope that it was helpful. Please select yes or no immediately following this line to let me know if you do feel it was helpful or not. Thank you.

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