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That's One Big Series #3
That's One Big Drill
Sabella
What happens when you drink a bottle of wine after your husband divorces you, and you see your childhood home for sale online? Well, you buy it, of course. When I hired a carpentry crew to fix it up, I didn’t realize the boss was my high school sweetheart from thirty years ago…
Darius
She left me with no explanation when we were eighteen. I didn't realize who my new client was when she showed up at my job site all these years later. Old feelings and anger come up, and she tells me about the trauma she endured. Now we have to hash out our past so we can move on, but some things never change.
What happens when you drink a bottle of wine after your husband divorces you, and you see your childhood home for sale online? Well, you buy it, of course. When I hired a carpentry crew to fix it up, I didn’t realize the boss was my high school sweetheart from thirty years ago…
Darius
She left me with no explanation when we were eighteen. I didn't realize who my new client was when she showed up at my job site all these years later. Old feelings and anger come up, and she tells me about the trauma she endured. Now we have to hash out our past so we can move on, but some things never change.
228 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 20, 2024
About the author
Mika Rayne
26 books86 followersMika Rayne was cornfed and raised in Iowa. She lived in Colorado and Louisiana for a bit, and now her home is happily in the Rocky Mountains. She loves cooking, running her cleaning business (she has the best clients ever), taking photos, reading, writing, and being a mom. '80s metal, oldies, grunge, and classical music are her favorites. Inspiration for writing is easy since nature is abundant where she lives. She writes all types of romance tropes. Mika loves her little family more than life.
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July 26, 2026ALC provided by Dark Star Romance.
That’s One Big Drill: Sabella is the third book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone. It was a fun, fast-paced second-chance romance that kept me entertained from beginning to end.
One of my favorite things about it was that the main characters are in their late 40s. It was refreshing to get a romance centered around adults who have actually lived a little.
The cast was amazing. Troy Duran, Miel Webb, and Jack Hill all did a great job, and the duet narration made the story stronger and even more entertaining.
My only real hang-up was that one of the emotional beats felt a little rushed. I wanted more time to sit with it before the story moved on, so that part did not fully land for me.
Other than that, this was spicy, funny, and easy to stay invested in.
I’d recommend this to listeners who enjoy second-chance romance, mature main characters, fast pacing, plenty of spice, and a strong duet cast.
That’s One Big Drill: Sabella is the third book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone. It was a fun, fast-paced second-chance romance that kept me entertained from beginning to end.
One of my favorite things about it was that the main characters are in their late 40s. It was refreshing to get a romance centered around adults who have actually lived a little.
The cast was amazing. Troy Duran, Miel Webb, and Jack Hill all did a great job, and the duet narration made the story stronger and even more entertaining.
My only real hang-up was that one of the emotional beats felt a little rushed. I wanted more time to sit with it before the story moved on, so that part did not fully land for me.
Other than that, this was spicy, funny, and easy to stay invested in.
I’d recommend this to listeners who enjoy second-chance romance, mature main characters, fast pacing, plenty of spice, and a strong duet cast.
Did Not Finish
July 26, 2026DNF | That’s One Big Drill by Mika Rayne
Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t the right fit for me. I made it to about 10% before deciding to put it down.
The premise immediately caught my attention—a second-chance romance between high school sweethearts reconnecting while renovating a childhood home sounded like something I would really enjoy. However, I struggled to connect with the writing style. For me, the dialogue and narration felt a bit immature, and some of the wording came across as though it was trying too hard to sound trendy or relatable. Because of that, the story never found its rhythm for me, and I had a difficult time staying immersed.
This is completely a personal preference, and I know writing styles are incredibly subjective. Just because it didn’t work for me doesn’t mean it won’t work for someone else. If the humor and voice click with you, you may have a very different experience.
DNF at 10%. Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t for me.
Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t the right fit for me. I made it to about 10% before deciding to put it down.
The premise immediately caught my attention—a second-chance romance between high school sweethearts reconnecting while renovating a childhood home sounded like something I would really enjoy. However, I struggled to connect with the writing style. For me, the dialogue and narration felt a bit immature, and some of the wording came across as though it was trying too hard to sound trendy or relatable. Because of that, the story never found its rhythm for me, and I had a difficult time staying immersed.
This is completely a personal preference, and I know writing styles are incredibly subjective. Just because it didn’t work for me doesn’t mean it won’t work for someone else. If the humor and voice click with you, you may have a very different experience.
DNF at 10%. Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t for me.
March 5, 2024
When I saw Darius was getting a book, I didn't know what to expect. I couldn't put it down. Sabella gave Darius a run for his money in the beginning and he just took it. What a great love story. Even with all the bumps.
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August 2, 2026That's One Big Drill: A Second Chance Romance by Mika Rayne is a story about love, loss, friendship, and redemption that reminds us sometimes life really does give us a second chance with the person who got away.
Sabella and Darius's story begins thirty years after they first fell in love, and I really enjoyed the idea behind their journey. Darius has always carried feelings for Sabella—the one who got away after she ended their relationship at eighteen and left for college without giving him the answers he needed. Fast forward thirty years, and fate brings them back into each other's lives in the most unexpected way. When Sabella returns to her childhood home and hires a carpentry crew to restore it, she has no idea that the person leading that crew is the same man who once held her heart.
What I loved about this story was the way Mika Rayne blended the past with the present. The memories, photos, and even the connection through food helped bring their history back to life and showed how much those early years shaped who they became. Darius and Sabella have both grown, built successful lives, and experienced their own struggles, but when they're together again, it's clear that some feelings never truly disappear.
Their second chance isn't an easy one. There is a lot of hurt, unresolved emotions, and difficult conversations that need to happen before they can truly move forward. I appreciated watching them clear the air, open their hearts, and finally understand the choices and pain that shaped their lives. Sometimes people need time apart to grow into the versions of themselves that are ready for the love they couldn't hold onto before.
While I enjoyed the overall storyline and the emotional journey, I did struggle with some of the banter between the characters. At times, the dialogue felt like it belonged to their teenage years rather than the successful adults they had become. The characters are supposed to be in their forties, with careers, life experience, and maturity, but some of the slang and joking felt more suited to their younger selves. There were moments where it pulled me out of the story because their conversations didn't always match the people they were portrayed to be.
The audiobook narration was a definite highlight. Miel Webb, Troy Duran, and Jack Hill did an amazing job bringing these characters to life. They captured the emotions, the struggles, and the connection between the characters in a way that made the story even more enjoyable to experience.
Overall, That's One Big Drill was an enjoyable second-chance romance with a strong foundation of love, forgiveness, and finding your way back to someone who has always mattered. Sabella and Darius's journey shows that sometimes the timing isn't right the first time around, but that doesn't mean the story is over. Fate can surprise us, and sometimes the person who got away is exactly where we're meant to end up.
Sabella and Darius's story begins thirty years after they first fell in love, and I really enjoyed the idea behind their journey. Darius has always carried feelings for Sabella—the one who got away after she ended their relationship at eighteen and left for college without giving him the answers he needed. Fast forward thirty years, and fate brings them back into each other's lives in the most unexpected way. When Sabella returns to her childhood home and hires a carpentry crew to restore it, she has no idea that the person leading that crew is the same man who once held her heart.
What I loved about this story was the way Mika Rayne blended the past with the present. The memories, photos, and even the connection through food helped bring their history back to life and showed how much those early years shaped who they became. Darius and Sabella have both grown, built successful lives, and experienced their own struggles, but when they're together again, it's clear that some feelings never truly disappear.
Their second chance isn't an easy one. There is a lot of hurt, unresolved emotions, and difficult conversations that need to happen before they can truly move forward. I appreciated watching them clear the air, open their hearts, and finally understand the choices and pain that shaped their lives. Sometimes people need time apart to grow into the versions of themselves that are ready for the love they couldn't hold onto before.
While I enjoyed the overall storyline and the emotional journey, I did struggle with some of the banter between the characters. At times, the dialogue felt like it belonged to their teenage years rather than the successful adults they had become. The characters are supposed to be in their forties, with careers, life experience, and maturity, but some of the slang and joking felt more suited to their younger selves. There were moments where it pulled me out of the story because their conversations didn't always match the people they were portrayed to be.
The audiobook narration was a definite highlight. Miel Webb, Troy Duran, and Jack Hill did an amazing job bringing these characters to life. They captured the emotions, the struggles, and the connection between the characters in a way that made the story even more enjoyable to experience.
Overall, That's One Big Drill was an enjoyable second-chance romance with a strong foundation of love, forgiveness, and finding your way back to someone who has always mattered. Sabella and Darius's journey shows that sometimes the timing isn't right the first time around, but that doesn't mean the story is over. Fate can surprise us, and sometimes the person who got away is exactly where we're meant to end up.
July 28, 2026
🙌🏻A second-chance romance that proves 30 years doesn't erase what was meant to be, 4.5/5 Stars 🙌🏻
This was such an easy book to get completely lost in for a day.
Can we first talk about how this book decided to emotionally sucker punch me right out of the gate? 😭
I also really loved that the main characters are older. As someone who's older too, it just made everything feel more relatable. Their history felt like actual life instead of unnecessary drama.
The characters were probably my favorite part. I genuinely loved every single one of them. The banter was so much fun, the coworkers were such a great found family, and everyone had their own personality. I especially loved watching Sabella become friends with Alejandro, and Darius was just so damn sweet with the people he cared about. It made him ridiculously easy to root for.
Now... Sabella got on my nerves. 😂 She kept saying they were "just kids" back then, but then she'd turn right around and hold things that happened when they were kids against Darius. Ma'am, it's been 30 years. The man has very obviously grown up. She'd realize she was being ridiculous, and then five minutes later she'd be doing the exact same thing again. I wanted to shake her a few times.
And Alejandro, man I hated what happened to him. Like genuinely hated it. It made me so damn sad. It was heartbreaking, and unfortunately a reminder of something that's still a reality for so many people in the queer community.
The audiobook was fantastic. Troy Duran completely sold Darius's emotions, and Miel Webb did such a great job giving everyone distinct voices and accents that I never had trouble keeping up with who was talking. The pacing from both of them was great too. I don't even think I had to bump the speed up, which almost never happens for me.
The romance was exactly what I wanted. Darius's yearning was so obvious, the spice was great and had a great buildup to it without taking over the plot, and I absolutely LOVED the ending.
This landed at 4.5 stars for me. Is it a new obsession? No. But would I recommend it to people all day long? Absolutely. If you want a quick, emotional, spicy second-chance romance with great banter, found family, and characters you'll actually care about, this one's definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to Dark Star Romance for this ALC in exchange for my honest opinion 💙
💕 Second Chance Romance
🫶 Found Family
😩 Yearning Hero
👩❤️👨 Older Main Characters
😂 Banter & Snark
This was such an easy book to get completely lost in for a day.
Can we first talk about how this book decided to emotionally sucker punch me right out of the gate? 😭
I also really loved that the main characters are older. As someone who's older too, it just made everything feel more relatable. Their history felt like actual life instead of unnecessary drama.
The characters were probably my favorite part. I genuinely loved every single one of them. The banter was so much fun, the coworkers were such a great found family, and everyone had their own personality. I especially loved watching Sabella become friends with Alejandro, and Darius was just so damn sweet with the people he cared about. It made him ridiculously easy to root for.
Now... Sabella got on my nerves. 😂 She kept saying they were "just kids" back then, but then she'd turn right around and hold things that happened when they were kids against Darius. Ma'am, it's been 30 years. The man has very obviously grown up. She'd realize she was being ridiculous, and then five minutes later she'd be doing the exact same thing again. I wanted to shake her a few times.
And Alejandro, man I hated what happened to him. Like genuinely hated it. It made me so damn sad. It was heartbreaking, and unfortunately a reminder of something that's still a reality for so many people in the queer community.
The audiobook was fantastic. Troy Duran completely sold Darius's emotions, and Miel Webb did such a great job giving everyone distinct voices and accents that I never had trouble keeping up with who was talking. The pacing from both of them was great too. I don't even think I had to bump the speed up, which almost never happens for me.
The romance was exactly what I wanted. Darius's yearning was so obvious, the spice was great and had a great buildup to it without taking over the plot, and I absolutely LOVED the ending.
This landed at 4.5 stars for me. Is it a new obsession? No. But would I recommend it to people all day long? Absolutely. If you want a quick, emotional, spicy second-chance romance with great banter, found family, and characters you'll actually care about, this one's definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to Dark Star Romance for this ALC in exchange for my honest opinion 💙
💕 Second Chance Romance
🫶 Found Family
😩 Yearning Hero
👩❤️👨 Older Main Characters
😂 Banter & Snark
August 1, 2026
Nearly thirty years after Sabella said no to Darius's proposal (a decision made by a scared, newly pregnant kid who thought he was going nowhere) life has circled back. Divorced at nearly fifty and seeking new roots, Sabella buys her childhood home in New Orleans. Cue the universe's cruel sense of humor: the construction company she hires to renovate it? Owned by THE Darius.
Sabella's southern fire had me in love with her from the start. She's guarded, but when she loves, it's with her whole heart. And she's not afraid to throw hands when needed. Darius checks every ideal MMC box: loyal, protective, soft when it matters, and makes GREAT sammiches. He's a bear-sized presence who has never lost his love for her.
The tension between them is instant and infuriating in the best way. Listening to Sabella convince herself she broke it off for good reason, knowing damn well her reasons were the product of a young brain with zero real world experience, had me frustrated AND rooting for her.
Mika Rayne nails the emotional beats that matter. Just when you think you've got the trajectory, she delivers a gut punch that lands hard enough to bring tears (no, seriously, I cried).
The narration is a stellar ensamble. No single voice dominates, and every character is distinct and memorable (Alejandro, I'm looking at you!). It elevated the story and I didn't want to put it down!
Sabella's southern fire had me in love with her from the start. She's guarded, but when she loves, it's with her whole heart. And she's not afraid to throw hands when needed. Darius checks every ideal MMC box: loyal, protective, soft when it matters, and makes GREAT sammiches. He's a bear-sized presence who has never lost his love for her.
The tension between them is instant and infuriating in the best way. Listening to Sabella convince herself she broke it off for good reason, knowing damn well her reasons were the product of a young brain with zero real world experience, had me frustrated AND rooting for her.
Mika Rayne nails the emotional beats that matter. Just when you think you've got the trajectory, she delivers a gut punch that lands hard enough to bring tears (no, seriously, I cried).
The narration is a stellar ensamble. No single voice dominates, and every character is distinct and memorable (Alejandro, I'm looking at you!). It elevated the story and I didn't want to put it down!
May 29, 2024
This book had my emotions all over the place. I didn’t want to put this book down for the life of me, but unfortunately I had to because of taking care of the house, kids, my fur babies and work. I was sooo ticked off because of what Sabella did to Darius when they were younger. I get why she did what she did, but still…I was angry with her. And then years later she gets drunk and looks online to see her childhood home for sale.
What does any drunk person do? She buys the house and gets a carpenter company to fix her home. Lo and behold it’s her ex beau who owns the carpenter company Erect the Deck. Do they still have feelings for each other or is their feelings left in the past? If you want to know, you’ll have to read this amazing book.
Go show this amazing author some love and support cause she definitely deserves it. If you leave a review please be kind and not hateful. I know not everyone likes the same books and that is perfectly fine. Just don’t tell anyone not to read it cause you don’t like it. Just cause you don’t like a book doesn’t mean someone else won’t like it.
What does any drunk person do? She buys the house and gets a carpenter company to fix her home. Lo and behold it’s her ex beau who owns the carpenter company Erect the Deck. Do they still have feelings for each other or is their feelings left in the past? If you want to know, you’ll have to read this amazing book.
Go show this amazing author some love and support cause she definitely deserves it. If you leave a review please be kind and not hateful. I know not everyone likes the same books and that is perfectly fine. Just don’t tell anyone not to read it cause you don’t like it. Just cause you don’t like a book doesn’t mean someone else won’t like it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2024
second chances are the best
Darius, Big Daddy D 🥵 Losing the person you imagined you’d spend the rest of your life with is hard. Having that person show back up 30 years later…well what is there to do but try again.
Darius is a complicated man, with a pretty messed up past. Sabella is the one who got away and he’s regretted it for 30 years. When Sabella returns to the bayou on the edge of her divorce, she returns to the home where she and Darius shared most of their memories.
These two have so much history but from the moment they reconnect, there’s no denying their chemistry. The laughs, the drama and the sexual tension are all so good. I’m so happy to have found Mika’s books. 4.5 ⭐️ 4🌶️
Darius, Big Daddy D 🥵 Losing the person you imagined you’d spend the rest of your life with is hard. Having that person show back up 30 years later…well what is there to do but try again.
Darius is a complicated man, with a pretty messed up past. Sabella is the one who got away and he’s regretted it for 30 years. When Sabella returns to the bayou on the edge of her divorce, she returns to the home where she and Darius shared most of their memories.
These two have so much history but from the moment they reconnect, there’s no denying their chemistry. The laughs, the drama and the sexual tension are all so good. I’m so happy to have found Mika’s books. 4.5 ⭐️ 4🌶️
July 28, 2026
This was my first book from Mika Rayne. I’m now invested and will have to get into the entire series.
Sabella and Darius is the best kind of second chance. I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that they were a mature couple.
I found myself wanting to jump through this book to smack Sabella because GIRL!!! Imma need you to check yourself because all this man wants to do is LOVE YOU!!! Stop with self sabotaging behavior!! Lol..
I would like to thank Darkstar Romance for providing me with a Free ALC of That’s One Big Drill and feeding my audiobook addiction.
Sabella and Darius is the best kind of second chance. I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that they were a mature couple.
I found myself wanting to jump through this book to smack Sabella because GIRL!!! Imma need you to check yourself because all this man wants to do is LOVE YOU!!! Stop with self sabotaging behavior!! Lol..
I would like to thank Darkstar Romance for providing me with a Free ALC of That’s One Big Drill and feeding my audiobook addiction.
July 31, 2026
This the first audiobook I have listened to by this author and it didn’t disappoint. This was a great second chance romance with an unexpected reconnection after moving back home. Darius and Sabelle’s story is so well written that I couldn’t stop listening. After this story, I want to go back and read the others in this series.
August 2, 2026
Audiobook Review::
Performance is a Duet narrated by Troy Duran and Meil Webb.
The performance is 🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️
That’s in big drill is a second chance romance with a hometown MMC and a returning FMC. It’s full of banter, attraction, friendship and tragic moments.
I story of what truly matters, and sometimes you have to part to know what really matters.
Performance is a Duet narrated by Troy Duran and Meil Webb.
The performance is 🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️
That’s in big drill is a second chance romance with a hometown MMC and a returning FMC. It’s full of banter, attraction, friendship and tragic moments.
I story of what truly matters, and sometimes you have to part to know what really matters.
February 5, 2024
Sabella keeps Darius on his toes. His past was awful and so was hers. They're perfect for each other and found love through time and space. Loved the surprise at the end that leads into Alejandro's book!
May 24, 2024
Love it!!
I was wondering when main man Darius would get his way!! Whoop whoop!! Such a good read and honestly this opens up way more opinions on Stinky!
I was wondering when main man Darius would get his way!! Whoop whoop!! Such a good read and honestly this opens up way more opinions on Stinky!
February 29, 2024
Sigh. Darius. I'm glad he finally got the love he deserved.
December 14, 2024
This is another amazing in the Erect- A-Deck crew books Mika Rayne has published. In this book it's a case of you love someone let them go and if it's meant to be they come back and she did. Sabella came back after divorcing and buying her childhood home. She soon runs into her old sweetheart Darius and u can read were things go from there. JUST KNOW DADDY DARIUS IS A MAN IN HIS OWN LEAGUE!!
June 29, 2024
Darius got the woman he deserved. I bawled my eyes out in a few spots. And the spice was spicing!
September 7, 2024
Second chance spicy romance. She doesn't want to fall in love with him again. He can't help it. They never really stopped. The past reconnects them.
July 30, 2026
🛠️❤️ One impulsive house purchase, a long-lost first love, and thirty years of unanswered questions waiting to be rebuilt. ❤️🛠️
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
Spice-meter: 🌶️🌶️☆☆☆ (2/5)
Audiobook: 🎧 Duet
Series: That's One Big Series, Book 3 (interconnected standalone)
HEA: Yes (No cliffhanger)
That's One Big Drill was my first introduction to Mika Rayne, and it turned out to be a heartfelt, fast-paced second-chance romance that balances humor, emotion, and healing. Although it's the third book in the series, it works perfectly well as a standalone.
One of my favorite aspects was the age of the main characters. Sabella and Darius are both in their late forties, and it was refreshing to read a romance about people with decades of life experience behind them. Their shared history gives the relationship an emotional depth that younger romances often don't have, and watching them finally confront the past felt rewarding.
The chemistry between them is driven as much by playful banter as it is by unresolved feelings. Beneath the lighter moments, the story also tackles some difficult and emotional topics, making their journey toward forgiveness and healing feel meaningful. Because of those heavier themes, I definitely recommend checking the trigger warnings before diving in.
I also loved Darius's found family. His construction crew immediately welcomed Sabella, creating a warm, supportive dynamic that added plenty of humor and heart throughout the story.
What I Loved
✔️ Mature main characters in their late forties
✔️ Emotional second-chance romance
✔️ Fantastic banter between the leads
✔️ Found family with Darius's crew
✔️ Strong emotional growth and healing
✔️ A quick, engaging read with plenty of heart
🎧 Narration
Performed in duet by Troy Duran, Miel Webb, and Jack Hill.
The audiobook was a wonderful way to experience this story. Troy Duran perfectly captured Darius's lingering heartbreak, quiet strength, and unwavering devotion, while Miel Webb brought Sabella's humor, vulnerability, and emotional growth to life beautifully.
One of the standout aspects of the narration was how easily each character could be distinguished. Miel Webb gave every voice its own personality and accent, making conversations effortless to follow, while Troy's emotional delivery added even more depth to the romance. Combined with Jack Hill's supporting performance, the cast created an engaging and immersive listening experience.
Tropes & Vibes
✔️ Second-Chance Romance
✔️ Older Main Characters
✔️ Found Family
✔️ Emotional Healing
✔️ High School Sweethearts
✔️ Small-Town Vibes
✔️ Strong Character Growth
✔️ Plenty of Banter
✔️ Yearning Hero
Final Thoughts
That's One Big Drill is a touching second-chance romance that proves it's never too late to find your way back to the person who once held your heart. With mature characters, heartfelt emotional growth, plenty of witty banter, and an outstanding audiobook performance, it's an enjoyable read that offers both warmth and healing.
If you enjoy romances featuring older protagonists, first loves reunited years later, found family, emotional healing, small-town charm, and relationships built on history rather than instant attraction, this one is definitely worth adding to your TBR.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
Spice-meter: 🌶️🌶️☆☆☆ (2/5)
Audiobook: 🎧 Duet
Series: That's One Big Series, Book 3 (interconnected standalone)
HEA: Yes (No cliffhanger)
That's One Big Drill was my first introduction to Mika Rayne, and it turned out to be a heartfelt, fast-paced second-chance romance that balances humor, emotion, and healing. Although it's the third book in the series, it works perfectly well as a standalone.
One of my favorite aspects was the age of the main characters. Sabella and Darius are both in their late forties, and it was refreshing to read a romance about people with decades of life experience behind them. Their shared history gives the relationship an emotional depth that younger romances often don't have, and watching them finally confront the past felt rewarding.
The chemistry between them is driven as much by playful banter as it is by unresolved feelings. Beneath the lighter moments, the story also tackles some difficult and emotional topics, making their journey toward forgiveness and healing feel meaningful. Because of those heavier themes, I definitely recommend checking the trigger warnings before diving in.
I also loved Darius's found family. His construction crew immediately welcomed Sabella, creating a warm, supportive dynamic that added plenty of humor and heart throughout the story.
What I Loved
✔️ Mature main characters in their late forties
✔️ Emotional second-chance romance
✔️ Fantastic banter between the leads
✔️ Found family with Darius's crew
✔️ Strong emotional growth and healing
✔️ A quick, engaging read with plenty of heart
🎧 Narration
Performed in duet by Troy Duran, Miel Webb, and Jack Hill.
The audiobook was a wonderful way to experience this story. Troy Duran perfectly captured Darius's lingering heartbreak, quiet strength, and unwavering devotion, while Miel Webb brought Sabella's humor, vulnerability, and emotional growth to life beautifully.
One of the standout aspects of the narration was how easily each character could be distinguished. Miel Webb gave every voice its own personality and accent, making conversations effortless to follow, while Troy's emotional delivery added even more depth to the romance. Combined with Jack Hill's supporting performance, the cast created an engaging and immersive listening experience.
Tropes & Vibes
✔️ Second-Chance Romance
✔️ Older Main Characters
✔️ Found Family
✔️ Emotional Healing
✔️ High School Sweethearts
✔️ Small-Town Vibes
✔️ Strong Character Growth
✔️ Plenty of Banter
✔️ Yearning Hero
Final Thoughts
That's One Big Drill is a touching second-chance romance that proves it's never too late to find your way back to the person who once held your heart. With mature characters, heartfelt emotional growth, plenty of witty banter, and an outstanding audiobook performance, it's an enjoyable read that offers both warmth and healing.
If you enjoy romances featuring older protagonists, first loves reunited years later, found family, emotional healing, small-town charm, and relationships built on history rather than instant attraction, this one is definitely worth adding to your TBR.
August 10, 2026
I went into That’s One Big Drill without having read or listened to the first two books in the series, and honestly, I never felt lost. It reads like an interconnected standalone series, where the books overlap through characters and relationships but you can still jump in without needing a crash course in everything that happened before.
And now I’m actually curious about those earlier books—which is probably the best compliment I can give a series.
Sabella grew up in New Orleans and fell hard for Darius, the boy she thought would be the love of her life. But she had dreams of getting out of NOLA and going to college somewhere else. When she unexpectedly became pregnant young, she made the painful decision to walk away from Darius and leave, breaking both of their hearts in the process.
Thirty-plus years later, life has brought Sabella right back to where she started. After a divorce from the husband she believed was loving and devoted, she returns to her childhood home—only to discover that the man running the carpentry crew she hires is none other than Darius.
Because apparently, you can leave New Orleans, but New Orleans—and sometimes the person you left behind—has other plans.
What I really enjoyed was watching Sabella and Darius find their way back to each other. This isn’t just a simple “old flames reconnect” story. Their relationship gets the chance to grow from the friendship they once had into something deeper, and eventually into that soulmate kind of connection. There’s history between them, but there’s also the realization that they aren’t the same people they were in high school.
The character development was one of my favorite parts of the book. It wasn’t limited to Sabella and Darius, either. The supporting characters and friendships felt developed enough that I actually cared about what was happening around the main couple. And, considering I hadn’t read the previous books, that says a lot.
I listened to the audiobook, and overall, I really enjoyed the narration. Miel Webb and Troy Duran did a great job bringing the personalities and individual characteristics of the characters to life. My one complaint would be the New Orleans accents. There were a few times when the accents were so strong that I genuinely had trouble understanding what was being said, and I found myself rewinding to catch the dialogue.
But overall? I enjoyed this one. I went in knowing absolutely nothing about the series and came out wanting to know what happened before Sabella and Darius’s story—and what’s going to happen with some of the characters we meet along the way.
That’s a pretty good sign that Mika Rayne did her job.
Now I need to go back and see what I missed in the first two books.
And now I’m actually curious about those earlier books—which is probably the best compliment I can give a series.
Sabella grew up in New Orleans and fell hard for Darius, the boy she thought would be the love of her life. But she had dreams of getting out of NOLA and going to college somewhere else. When she unexpectedly became pregnant young, she made the painful decision to walk away from Darius and leave, breaking both of their hearts in the process.
Thirty-plus years later, life has brought Sabella right back to where she started. After a divorce from the husband she believed was loving and devoted, she returns to her childhood home—only to discover that the man running the carpentry crew she hires is none other than Darius.
Because apparently, you can leave New Orleans, but New Orleans—and sometimes the person you left behind—has other plans.
What I really enjoyed was watching Sabella and Darius find their way back to each other. This isn’t just a simple “old flames reconnect” story. Their relationship gets the chance to grow from the friendship they once had into something deeper, and eventually into that soulmate kind of connection. There’s history between them, but there’s also the realization that they aren’t the same people they were in high school.
The character development was one of my favorite parts of the book. It wasn’t limited to Sabella and Darius, either. The supporting characters and friendships felt developed enough that I actually cared about what was happening around the main couple. And, considering I hadn’t read the previous books, that says a lot.
I listened to the audiobook, and overall, I really enjoyed the narration. Miel Webb and Troy Duran did a great job bringing the personalities and individual characteristics of the characters to life. My one complaint would be the New Orleans accents. There were a few times when the accents were so strong that I genuinely had trouble understanding what was being said, and I found myself rewinding to catch the dialogue.
But overall? I enjoyed this one. I went in knowing absolutely nothing about the series and came out wanting to know what happened before Sabella and Darius’s story—and what’s going to happen with some of the characters we meet along the way.
That’s a pretty good sign that Mika Rayne did her job.
Now I need to go back and see what I missed in the first two books.
July 27, 2026
Sabella and Darius shortly after reuniting find that those feelings maybe never ended because they are back to feeling like high schoolers again. Their relationship doesn't progress right away which I appreciated as the ink wasn't even dry on her divorce paperwork when she moved back home and in that way I think that the pacing of the story worked well covering a larger period of time.
I enjoyed how Darius had a found family with his crew of workers and they right away accepted Sabella as one of their own.
This story goes back and forth between current time and the past showing how Sabella and Darius both struggled with DV in their homes growing up and my heart went out to both of our leads even with this difficult past they were able to find their own way in life and be successful, even though it's been many years between their last time meeting the love between them can be seen by everyone around them... they just need to get on board with getting back together.
Darius is such a sweetheart you could see in the past and current times how much he just wanted to take care of Sabella and give her what she needed to feel safe, happy and sastisfied, he also was caring and protective towards his found family as well.
The banter between these two was fun, I received this as an ALC through DarkStar Romance and I liked the duet narration the narrators Troy Duran, Miel Webb and Jack Hill did a great job bringing this story to life.
There were several very emotional sections in this book and covers many sensitive topics so please check out your trigger warnings prior to reading or listening.
I wasn't sure if this would be the book for me when it first started and there were some parts of this story that were difficult to hear, but over all this is a heartfelt story between two people who lost each other once but have found each other again and this time they are going to hold on tight.
Book Blog: https://elbyslibrary.blogspot.com/202...
*Dark Star Romance ALC *High school sweet hearts *Second chance for romance *found family
*State Challenge Louisiana (Repeat) *spice *forced proximity *dealing with long term grief
*Green flag MMC *Protective MMC *Fierce FMC *Couple in their 40's
I enjoyed how Darius had a found family with his crew of workers and they right away accepted Sabella as one of their own.
This story goes back and forth between current time and the past showing how Sabella and Darius both struggled with DV in their homes growing up and my heart went out to both of our leads even with this difficult past they were able to find their own way in life and be successful, even though it's been many years between their last time meeting the love between them can be seen by everyone around them... they just need to get on board with getting back together.
Darius is such a sweetheart you could see in the past and current times how much he just wanted to take care of Sabella and give her what she needed to feel safe, happy and sastisfied, he also was caring and protective towards his found family as well.
The banter between these two was fun, I received this as an ALC through DarkStar Romance and I liked the duet narration the narrators Troy Duran, Miel Webb and Jack Hill did a great job bringing this story to life.
There were several very emotional sections in this book and covers many sensitive topics so please check out your trigger warnings prior to reading or listening.
I wasn't sure if this would be the book for me when it first started and there were some parts of this story that were difficult to hear, but over all this is a heartfelt story between two people who lost each other once but have found each other again and this time they are going to hold on tight.
Book Blog: https://elbyslibrary.blogspot.com/202...
*Dark Star Romance ALC *High school sweet hearts *Second chance for romance *found family
*State Challenge Louisiana (Repeat) *spice *forced proximity *dealing with long term grief
*Green flag MMC *Protective MMC *Fierce FMC *Couple in their 40's
July 29, 2026
That’s One Big Drill – Mika Rayne
I’ve read the book and now had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook via darkstarromance alc team 💕
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you’re looking for an emotional, second-chance romance with unforgettable characters, That’s One Big Drill (book 3/7 in the series) absolutely delivers.
Sabella, brought to life by narrator Miel Webb, is the kind of heroine you can’t help but root for. She’s funny, messy, resilient, and trying to find her way after life doesn’t go as planned.
Then we have Darius, played by the fabulous Troy Duran, the bold, beefy builder with a “can fix anything with a power tool” attitude. He’s strong, steady, and unexpectedly soft where it matters most.
The romance is packed with chemistry, but what really stood out to me was how the relationship develops through trust, patience, and genuine care rather than instant perfection. Darius is protective without being overbearing, supportive when Sabella needs him most, and together they balance each other beautifully.
The audiobook narration truly elevates the story. Miel Webb captures Sabella’s humour, vulnerability, and growth perfectly, bringing every emotional beat to life from the witty banter to the more heartbreaking moments and giving each character a distinct, memorable voice.
This story had me laughing, smiling, and getting emotional in equal measure. It perfectly blends humour, heart, healing and spice, making it one of those romances that’s incredibly easy to binge.
If you love:
🩷 Second-chance romance
🩷 Emotional healing
🩷 Strong character growth
🩷 Small-town vibes
🩷 Plenty of heart with a side of spice
…this audiobook deserves a spot on your TBR. I absolutely loved it 💕
Thankyou darkstarromance and Mika for this wonderful opportunity 💕📚🎧
I’ve read the book and now had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook via darkstarromance alc team 💕
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you’re looking for an emotional, second-chance romance with unforgettable characters, That’s One Big Drill (book 3/7 in the series) absolutely delivers.
Sabella, brought to life by narrator Miel Webb, is the kind of heroine you can’t help but root for. She’s funny, messy, resilient, and trying to find her way after life doesn’t go as planned.
Then we have Darius, played by the fabulous Troy Duran, the bold, beefy builder with a “can fix anything with a power tool” attitude. He’s strong, steady, and unexpectedly soft where it matters most.
The romance is packed with chemistry, but what really stood out to me was how the relationship develops through trust, patience, and genuine care rather than instant perfection. Darius is protective without being overbearing, supportive when Sabella needs him most, and together they balance each other beautifully.
The audiobook narration truly elevates the story. Miel Webb captures Sabella’s humour, vulnerability, and growth perfectly, bringing every emotional beat to life from the witty banter to the more heartbreaking moments and giving each character a distinct, memorable voice.
This story had me laughing, smiling, and getting emotional in equal measure. It perfectly blends humour, heart, healing and spice, making it one of those romances that’s incredibly easy to binge.
If you love:
🩷 Second-chance romance
🩷 Emotional healing
🩷 Strong character growth
🩷 Small-town vibes
🩷 Plenty of heart with a side of spice
…this audiobook deserves a spot on your TBR. I absolutely loved it 💕
Thankyou darkstarromance and Mika for this wonderful opportunity 💕📚🎧
August 4, 2026
Sabella and Darius' story is one of heartache and pain, but also one of love and healing.
Sabella moves back to her home town after her life comes to a screeching halt when her husband wants a divorce. She decides to buy her mama's old home and restore it. The contracting company she hires is none other than the one her ex boyfriend owns... and let's just say naming a company "erect the deck" is a bold choice 😂
It also tells a story of how devoted Darius was, and still is. How he loves Sabella with his whole being. There is so much history there and oh my, the description of this man is just 🫠🤤 delicious!
Her reason for breaking his heart was that she could see no future and no goals in life, and she kept coming back to that. It was a major sticking point but instead of having a real discussion about it, she left him and it was so heartbreaking. I was heartbroken for Darius because he saw his entire life with her.
The book had me giggling throughout with the carpentry jokes and innuendos though! I found myself smiling and cackling because many of their interactions were hilarious.
Mika Rayne blends past and present to create an intoxicating story of love, loss and second chances. Her story telling is amazing and one thing I can say I loved, was that Sabella was also able to admit her wrongdoing and see a way forward (eventually) with Darius. Their chemistry is undeniable, like they were always meant to be together. I also adored Alejandro. He brought a levity to the story and added a ray of sunshine, even when things were tense and sad. He is for sure my favorite character and I HOPE WITH MY WHOLE BEING that we get his story because he is the sweetest!
Troy Duran and Miel Webb made this audiobook absolutely phenomenal. We also got cameos from Jack Hill. The way they got into character and showed us the love, heartbreak, the fight for a second chance, the fall, every single emotional moment was perfectly charged... it just made the entire audiobook PERFECT!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶.5
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Sabella moves back to her home town after her life comes to a screeching halt when her husband wants a divorce. She decides to buy her mama's old home and restore it. The contracting company she hires is none other than the one her ex boyfriend owns... and let's just say naming a company "erect the deck" is a bold choice 😂
It also tells a story of how devoted Darius was, and still is. How he loves Sabella with his whole being. There is so much history there and oh my, the description of this man is just 🫠🤤 delicious!
Her reason for breaking his heart was that she could see no future and no goals in life, and she kept coming back to that. It was a major sticking point but instead of having a real discussion about it, she left him and it was so heartbreaking. I was heartbroken for Darius because he saw his entire life with her.
The book had me giggling throughout with the carpentry jokes and innuendos though! I found myself smiling and cackling because many of their interactions were hilarious.
Mika Rayne blends past and present to create an intoxicating story of love, loss and second chances. Her story telling is amazing and one thing I can say I loved, was that Sabella was also able to admit her wrongdoing and see a way forward (eventually) with Darius. Their chemistry is undeniable, like they were always meant to be together. I also adored Alejandro. He brought a levity to the story and added a ray of sunshine, even when things were tense and sad. He is for sure my favorite character and I HOPE WITH MY WHOLE BEING that we get his story because he is the sweetest!
Troy Duran and Miel Webb made this audiobook absolutely phenomenal. We also got cameos from Jack Hill. The way they got into character and showed us the love, heartbreak, the fight for a second chance, the fall, every single emotional moment was perfectly charged... it just made the entire audiobook PERFECT!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶.5
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
August 2, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ **5/5 Stars**
I had the opportunity to listen to an ALC (Advanced Listener Copy) of **That's One Big Drill** by Mika Rayne, and I had such a great time with this audiobook.
First, Troy Duran and Miel Webb absolutely knocked the narration out of the park. They brought so much personality to Darius and Sabella that it was incredibly easy to get lost in the story. Their performances made the banter feel natural, the emotional moments hit harder, and the chemistry between the characters practically jumped through my headphones.
I was laughing my ass off by Chapter 4. The back-and-forth between Sabella and Darius was hilarious, and the endless carpenter innuendos were both clever and ridiculously sexy. Their chemistry made this such a fun listen, and I found myself smiling through so many of their interactions.
Then Mika Rayne completely blindsided me with Chapter 21. I was not expecting the hospital scene or Alejandro's trauma, and it genuinely broke my heart. It added an emotional depth that I wasn't expecting, and I loved seeing Darius step up and be there for Alejandro as he worked through everything.
The ending was exactly what I was hoping for. After everything they went through, I was so happy that Sabella and Darius **finally** got married and got the happily ever after they deserved. Their second-chance romance was funny, heartfelt, emotional, and incredibly satisfying from beginning to end.
If you're looking for a romantic comedy with laugh-out-loud banter, sizzling chemistry, emotional moments that sneak up on you, and fantastic audiobook narration, I definitely recommend giving this one a listen.
I had the opportunity to listen to an ALC (Advanced Listener Copy) of **That's One Big Drill** by Mika Rayne, and I had such a great time with this audiobook.
First, Troy Duran and Miel Webb absolutely knocked the narration out of the park. They brought so much personality to Darius and Sabella that it was incredibly easy to get lost in the story. Their performances made the banter feel natural, the emotional moments hit harder, and the chemistry between the characters practically jumped through my headphones.
I was laughing my ass off by Chapter 4. The back-and-forth between Sabella and Darius was hilarious, and the endless carpenter innuendos were both clever and ridiculously sexy. Their chemistry made this such a fun listen, and I found myself smiling through so many of their interactions.
Then Mika Rayne completely blindsided me with Chapter 21. I was not expecting the hospital scene or Alejandro's trauma, and it genuinely broke my heart. It added an emotional depth that I wasn't expecting, and I loved seeing Darius step up and be there for Alejandro as he worked through everything.
The ending was exactly what I was hoping for. After everything they went through, I was so happy that Sabella and Darius **finally** got married and got the happily ever after they deserved. Their second-chance romance was funny, heartfelt, emotional, and incredibly satisfying from beginning to end.
If you're looking for a romantic comedy with laugh-out-loud banter, sizzling chemistry, emotional moments that sneak up on you, and fantastic audiobook narration, I definitely recommend giving this one a listen.
August 5, 2026
Another day, another ALC… and another new author wondering why I’ve only just found them! Huge thanks to Darkstar Romance for feeding my audiobook addiction.
Yes… I dived straight into book three again. 🙄 Thankfully, That’s One Big Drill works beautifully as a standalone.
After a divorce (and perhaps one glass of wine too many), Sabella buys her childhood home, only to discover the contractor renovating it is Darius—her high school sweetheart from thirty years ago. What follows is a beautiful second-chance romance filled with heartbreak, healing, chemistry and hope.
And Darius… Big Daddy D. 🥵 Troy Duran absolutely owned this role. Walking green-flag energy with a voice that had my AirPods melting. Miel Webb was a fantastic new-to-me narrator, bringing Sabella’s strength and vulnerability to life so effortlessly. And Jack Hill… sir, that little appearance at the end was completely unfair. ❤️
Mika Rayne beautifully balances humour with some deeply emotional moments, giving us two middle-aged characters proving it’s never too late to find your way back to the person who once held your heart.
🎧 Childhood Sweethearts
🛠️ Second Chance Romance
🤎 Found Family
✨ Redemption
Please check the trigger warnings for miscarriage, parental abuse (mentioned) and past domestic violence.
This one reminded me that sometimes love doesn’t come back because it never left… it was simply waiting for the right time.
Yes… I dived straight into book three again. 🙄 Thankfully, That’s One Big Drill works beautifully as a standalone.
After a divorce (and perhaps one glass of wine too many), Sabella buys her childhood home, only to discover the contractor renovating it is Darius—her high school sweetheart from thirty years ago. What follows is a beautiful second-chance romance filled with heartbreak, healing, chemistry and hope.
And Darius… Big Daddy D. 🥵 Troy Duran absolutely owned this role. Walking green-flag energy with a voice that had my AirPods melting. Miel Webb was a fantastic new-to-me narrator, bringing Sabella’s strength and vulnerability to life so effortlessly. And Jack Hill… sir, that little appearance at the end was completely unfair. ❤️
Mika Rayne beautifully balances humour with some deeply emotional moments, giving us two middle-aged characters proving it’s never too late to find your way back to the person who once held your heart.
🎧 Childhood Sweethearts
🛠️ Second Chance Romance
🤎 Found Family
✨ Redemption
Please check the trigger warnings for miscarriage, parental abuse (mentioned) and past domestic violence.
This one reminded me that sometimes love doesn’t come back because it never left… it was simply waiting for the right time.
July 30, 2026
Darius Broussard is large and In charge. As a master carpenter and owner of Erect the Deck. He is
supremely qualified to handle all of Sabella's screwing, hammering and nailing needs.
- Except Sabella Chenevert has a few apologies to make for unceremoniously dumping him 30 years ago.
dumping him 30 years ago
-Troy Duran and Miel Webb & Jack Hill are fantastic narrating these characters★★★★★
- This midlife romance (both are 48) is extremely funny, full of carpentry puns and the banter banters!!
-There is Good spice- Fun Series and a very strong love is love & Found Family tropes.
Darius Broussard is a very handy and capable man who takes care of everyone in his circle. Mika Rayne creates male characters who are man enough to build shit AND nurture others. At the age of 48- Darius has emotional intelligence which feels both genuine and swoon-worthy. Mika Rayne’s unique writing style is full of funny banter and bawdy storytelling. I really hated Sabella- the main FMC for 3/4 of the book. It is Sabella in the book that needs to grow. Miel Webb’s narration and Mika Rayne’s creativity finally won me over !!! I will definately be reading the rest of this series - this was my first Mika Rayne novel.
Other tropes include:
Redemption
Second Chance
Childhood Sweethearts
Protective MMC
Big "Tools" (LYKYK)
supremely qualified to handle all of Sabella's screwing, hammering and nailing needs.
- Except Sabella Chenevert has a few apologies to make for unceremoniously dumping him 30 years ago.
dumping him 30 years ago
-Troy Duran and Miel Webb & Jack Hill are fantastic narrating these characters★★★★★
- This midlife romance (both are 48) is extremely funny, full of carpentry puns and the banter banters!!
-There is Good spice- Fun Series and a very strong love is love & Found Family tropes.
Darius Broussard is a very handy and capable man who takes care of everyone in his circle. Mika Rayne creates male characters who are man enough to build shit AND nurture others. At the age of 48- Darius has emotional intelligence which feels both genuine and swoon-worthy. Mika Rayne’s unique writing style is full of funny banter and bawdy storytelling. I really hated Sabella- the main FMC for 3/4 of the book. It is Sabella in the book that needs to grow. Miel Webb’s narration and Mika Rayne’s creativity finally won me over !!! I will definately be reading the rest of this series - this was my first Mika Rayne novel.
Other tropes include:
Redemption
Second Chance
Childhood Sweethearts
Protective MMC
Big "Tools" (LYKYK)
August 2, 2026
Decent Book / Heartwarming Stiry
Not gonna lie, this story had me all kinds of angry at the FMC. She was so awful through most of the book to the MMC. The way she treated him made me so angry. At least she admits to her faults though. The MMC is so dedicated to her throughout the whole book. He deserved so much better. I think that’s why I found it so hard to rate it over 3 stars. I got this book as an ALC. Troy Duran, Miel Webb, and Jack Hill narrate. The audio is good. I’d probably rate that 4 stars. I’m a huge fan of Troy Duran’s narration, but I feel like it might have lacked some intensity. He still did great. I’d not listened to Miel Webb or Jack Hill before, but they did amazing work, especially Miel. Great narration, good book. I don’t know that I’d do a reread, but I’d definitely like to continue the series. I fell in love with a lot of the side characters and want to read their stories. So, overall, I’d say it was a success for me.
Not gonna lie, this story had me all kinds of angry at the FMC. She was so awful through most of the book to the MMC. The way she treated him made me so angry. At least she admits to her faults though. The MMC is so dedicated to her throughout the whole book. He deserved so much better. I think that’s why I found it so hard to rate it over 3 stars. I got this book as an ALC. Troy Duran, Miel Webb, and Jack Hill narrate. The audio is good. I’d probably rate that 4 stars. I’m a huge fan of Troy Duran’s narration, but I feel like it might have lacked some intensity. He still did great. I’d not listened to Miel Webb or Jack Hill before, but they did amazing work, especially Miel. Great narration, good book. I don’t know that I’d do a reread, but I’d definitely like to continue the series. I fell in love with a lot of the side characters and want to read their stories. So, overall, I’d say it was a success for me.
July 28, 2026
I was under the impression that this was a Ramcomb. And yes, it does have some romantic comedy, but it also has your second chance love. And some heartrenching things that happened in the past. That is brought back up because well now she's gotta come clean,
And that's not so easy when it comes to what she omitted. When she left. Not to mention what happened to poor Alejandro, but it ended up a wonderful story that made me cry. Make sure you have your Kleenex close when you come to chapter 19 otherwise, you're pretty okay. And you don't need Kleenex for the rest of the story. But this was one of those that makes you go through all the different emotions. Happy angry, sad, you get it all. even a little anxious at times. and all three narrators did a wonderful job. Can't wait to hear the next book. I have a sneaking suspicion as to what it is now.
And that's not so easy when it comes to what she omitted. When she left. Not to mention what happened to poor Alejandro, but it ended up a wonderful story that made me cry. Make sure you have your Kleenex close when you come to chapter 19 otherwise, you're pretty okay. And you don't need Kleenex for the rest of the story. But this was one of those that makes you go through all the different emotions. Happy angry, sad, you get it all. even a little anxious at times. and all three narrators did a wonderful job. Can't wait to hear the next book. I have a sneaking suspicion as to what it is now.
August 5, 2026
I received the alc for review for That’s One Big Drill. I have not read any other books by this author, so I was excited to read something new to me. This is a story about a mature woman who moves back to her hometown and ends up hiring her childhood ex boyfriend’s construction company to remodel her home. I loved the concept of the story. I had a very hard time connecting with the fmc. I felt she was extremely childish in her ways of thinking and speaking to herself and the people around her. I would think that someone so close to 50 would have so much more personal growth than she had. Most of the time, it was like reading a story from a teens perspective. There were some pretty heavy topics covered, so please check trigger warnings if the author has them listed. The narrators both did a fantastic job. I would consider reading another book by this author.
Did Not Finish
July 28, 2026DNF @ 30%
I really wanted to love this one, and I gave it multiple tries, but unfortunately it just is not working for me. The premise sounds really good and like a story that I would really enjoy, however, the writing just does not work for me. I was expecting older, mature characters, and the writing makes them feel very immature and completely pulled me out of the story.
Even though I was struggling with the writing, the narration for the audio was fantastic. The audio is duet narration with Miel Webb, Troy Duran, and Jack Hill.
Just because this one didn't work for me, it may work for you. There's definitely some good banter with the characters.
I really wanted to love this one, and I gave it multiple tries, but unfortunately it just is not working for me. The premise sounds really good and like a story that I would really enjoy, however, the writing just does not work for me. I was expecting older, mature characters, and the writing makes them feel very immature and completely pulled me out of the story.
Even though I was struggling with the writing, the narration for the audio was fantastic. The audio is duet narration with Miel Webb, Troy Duran, and Jack Hill.
Just because this one didn't work for me, it may work for you. There's definitely some good banter with the characters.
August 5, 2026
That’s One Big Drill: Sabella is a beautiful, delicious second chance romance. Even though it’s part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. Sabella and Darius were high school sweethearts. She broke up with Darius after graduation and went away to college. That was about thirty years ago. Now, she’s back in town and Darius is her contractor for her house renovation. They see each other often and are getting to know each other again. What will happen?
The duet narration by Miel Webb, Troy Duran and Jack Hill was phenomenal. Miel Webb was magnificent as sweet, sassy, strong, intelligent, beautiful Sabella. Her hurt, pain, sadness, grief, anger, sass, strength, intelligence, happiness and love were all clearly evident in her voice. Troy Duran was spectacular as gruff, happy, kind, caring, loving, protective, obsessed Darius. His growly tone-swoon worthy. Jack Hill was fabulous as new comer Jude. His role was very small at the end-possibly he will featured more in the next book. I highly recommend listening to this audiobook.
Thanks to the author and Dark Star Romance for this ALC.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Story 4 stars Narration 5 stars
The duet narration by Miel Webb, Troy Duran and Jack Hill was phenomenal. Miel Webb was magnificent as sweet, sassy, strong, intelligent, beautiful Sabella. Her hurt, pain, sadness, grief, anger, sass, strength, intelligence, happiness and love were all clearly evident in her voice. Troy Duran was spectacular as gruff, happy, kind, caring, loving, protective, obsessed Darius. His growly tone-swoon worthy. Jack Hill was fabulous as new comer Jude. His role was very small at the end-possibly he will featured more in the next book. I highly recommend listening to this audiobook.
Thanks to the author and Dark Star Romance for this ALC.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Story 4 stars Narration 5 stars
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