The Connector

by Harper Dale

His job is as dangerous as it comes.
She doesn’t do danger—until he puts her in it.

B.J. Cole is a connector who risks his life every day, walking six-inch beams a hundred feet in the air. He knows no fear.
Loving him is the only risk Patsy ever took. When B.J. takes a calculated risk driving a van load of drugs cross country, their lives take a drastic turn.

“Damn it, B. J.! Why didn’t you tell me?”
Our gazes meet in his rearview mirror. “That’s exactly why I didn’t tell you.”
“Did you think about what would happen if we get caught?”
His eyes are on the road, his tone calm. “We’re not going to get caught.”
“But what if?”
“Babydoll, I don’t do what ifs.”
When B.J. pushes life to the limit, Patsy ends up in the hands of a handsome mafioso who can’t keep his eyes off of her, and B.J. finds out—Matteo DeVecchio intends to have her for his own, at all costs.
Now, B.J. knows what fear is.
Patsy sees that some wild spirits would rather die than submit.

AN UNSUNG HERO WITH AN UNCONVENTIONAL LOVE STORY

Readers' Favorite says "The Connector is more than a love story... a gripping, emotionally resonant read."

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 10, 2024

Reviews

[Jo Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up to 3 🌟

I’m really conflicted on this book. I definitely didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it either, after a rocky start and shouting why are you whispering at the narrator I stared to quite enjoy the story for part one anyway.

Part 2 came along and k genuinely thought a chapter of another book had been inserted it came completely out of nowhere. While it did eventually make sense it was just odd.

Nice enough love story, and where the story was strong it was excellent, hence rounding up.

s I said some issues with the narration too 🎧

My thanks to RupertBossier Audiobooks and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook which is available now.

[Chasity Trimble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to audio while I read the book. I really enjoyed part I of the book. Took place in early 70’s. BJ is a connector and walks beams daily this job. Patsy is a stay at home mom to their son. When BJ, Patsy and their son take off from Texas what seems to be just a weekend trip to pick up BJ’s best friend from Richmond little did Patsy know there was more behind it. Is BJ putting himself or his family at risk?

Part II jumps ahead to 2020 to the Covid era. I’m not quite sure what this had to do with the first part of the book. I didn’t quite know what to make of it. I’m basing my rating on the first part of the book since I feel like the second part could have been omitted.
3.5 stars bumping to 4/5

[Jodi Maxine · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. BLOWN AWAY! THIS WAS EPIC. I wasn't sure what to expect going in, and that made it even more of an adventure with the two main characters. Their road trip feels as if you experience every turn with them, and before you know it, author Harper Dale has you lost in the world of the 70's. The drugs... the innocence... and the mafia behind it all tests one couple's fate to the core of both of their beings. The themes of this book for B.J. and Patsy's course seem to mirror, "Careful what you wish for," "is it worth the risk," and "we'll never get caught." It truly makes the reader think about the choices you make in life... moreover, WHO you choose to be by your side. And when push comes to shove, are they the person you thought they would be? A remarkable treat of a 20th Century historical romance with an undying love. I gave The Connector my "Top Notch 5 Star Review." It will be one of your most unique reads this year. True love prevails with its unsung hero, and I highly recommend this book! Will be looking for more from Harper Dale.

[Felicia Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Connector started off a little rocky for my liking. It took me a while to get into it, but I did eventually get a little more invested, and then, what felt pretty abrupt, a huge time jump into part 2. When part 2 started it felt like an entirely different book, which honestly may not have been a bad thing. I too, did eventually get pulled into the second part but it felt a little too late. I felt like I was reading just to finish the book - like I wasn’t super invested in the story or characters at all. It just didn’t hold my attention and wasn’t as enjoyable as my usual reads. This is my first book by Harper Dale, and even though this book wasn’t really for me, I would like to read another book from her in the future. I listened to the audiobook and both of the narrators did a good job. I did have to keep adjusting the volume as sometimes it would get really low.

I would like to thank RupertBossier Audiobooks and NetGalley for giving me an ARC (which did not sway my opinions or review).

[Michelle Brenner · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Connector is a non-traditional-hero romance by new to me author Harper Dale. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, but only part I. The book is well-written, with decent characters and a good story line, but I think it should have ended at part I. And I really didn't like the epilogue, it was just a little too cuckoo for me.

The majority of the novel takes place in 1974, following B.J. and Patsy, as they navigate out of a tricky situation. Part 2, and the part that I think could have been left out, brings us to 2020 and the COVID outbreak and the book takes a turn that I didn't expect and didn't enjoy.

The audiobook was well done, the only issues I had was with volume regulation, as the male narrator and female narrator had different volumes for different chapters, so I did have to adjust for that occasionally.

Overall, the first 90% of the book I really enjoyed. The last 10% I wasn't really fond of, and the epilogue was a hard pass.

[Ava · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m honesty pretty conflicted on how to to feel about this book. It started off pretty slow, the build up took a while, but once we got about 15,% through the book I was it in. I was under the impression that it was a fast past romance involving the mafia, which it was for a little, but once it got to part II the book really mellowed out. I didn’t love the jump in timeline, I honestly wasnt even aware it was set in the past until quite late bio the novel. The jumps back and forth in Part II felt super messy, jumbled, and unnecessary, iut would have been more enjoyable if the mafia plot line as expanded upon, and without the COVID plot line. Overall, I enjoyed my listening experience, and I could really feel the I’ve between Patsy and BJ.

I didn't mind the narrators for BJ, but Patsys narrator just did not work for me. She sounded too old to be voicing such a young character, although it suited Patsy in Part II when she was older.

Thank you NetGalley for the alc.

[Athena 💗 · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐️ To avoid giving away spoilers by giving a play by of the book and its timeline I will keep my review short and to the point. I went into this story thinking it would go one way but by part two of the story we are thrown 50 years into the future. If I’m being completely honest, I was confused with where the author was taking this story and what the plot point was. The writing itself was interesting and fast paced which kept me turning the pages. I thought that Patsy and BJs love for each other was very sweet as well. The story as a whole though, I don’t know if I was interested in it enough to want to recommend it to someone. My biggest takeaway from this story was that our actions have ripple effects and can affect the lives of those around us. I also took this story as a reminder to love and live well.

[Hex Que · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being married to an iron worker, I was very curious about this book and how this character would feel on-page. I went in sort of blind and let the story speak for itself. The characters were distinct and the story itself was engaging. It was interesting to experience the onset of the pandemic from someone else’s eyes as well.

What sort of ruined this story for me was the timeline. Being taken back and forth in time from multiple point of views was a bit jarring but mostly I feel like it took away from the fluidity of the story. The natural moments of anticipation building up, weren’t really allowed to happen. It wasn’t hard to follow, it just made the whole story feel sort of flat, in my opinion.

[Michelle Preston · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to RupertBossier Audiobooks and NetGalley for this copy of The Connector.

This book was just not my cup of tea. I was struggling to find the point of it. There was WAY too many conversations about drugs/drug use for me. I didn't so much mind the mafia boss, but that almost felt like an afterthought. I also expected us to learn a lot more about his job due to the title being what it is.

The second half felt like a completely separate book that had nothing to do with the first. I did actually like the second act a little better than the first. However, I hated the epilogue.

I listened to the audiobook, and didn't care for either narrator. The voices did not sound like what I would expect from either party.

[Connie Ira · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to an arc of the audiobook. Once I got into the book a little bit the narrators were good. But the sound levels need to be a little more even. Also, I didn’t realize the book was set in the past right away. I truly don’t know if I missed it but it took me a minute to figure that out. And then when part two came the time jump really was odd. I understand the author was showing how their love was and how they grew but I was hoping for more meat or hoping the two parts would tie together a bit more. Overall I thought the book was interesting enough.

[Jennifer Wycech · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dual narration- Matthew J Plumb & Sage Porter

I enjoyed Matthew’s voice it was just deep enough without being too much. Not sure about Sage if maybe it was her microphone or something but I kept hearing almost clicking out like a weird “sticking” mouth noise. I struggled a bit.

This is an emotional love story. The storyline was intriguing and I enjoyed parts of it but I found it hard to connect with.

[Tiffany Segal · Rating 4 out of 5]

ALC Review for Net Galley


This was an interesting storyline. BJ and Patsy are deeply in love and committed through and through. I rounded up to 4 stars simply because of the beautiful live story between these two.

The Connector starts in the 70’s and eventual jumps forward and back in time. Initially it’s a little confusing to follow because it takes such a detour from the first 2/3 of the book.


The narration was ok on this one. I thought the female narrator should have done the entire book.

[Nicole Dee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hooked all during Part I. I got into it and thought, hey this is going to be a fast paced mafia book. Then all of sudden, part 2 starts and we are thrust into the future. Part 2 is dragged and I felt it really wasn’t needed. It was sweet, but it didn’t match the first half of the book. Overall, it was fine, but definitely didn’t blow me away.

Thanks NetGalley and RupertBossier Audiobooks for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Alanna Fowler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was strange with no main purpose. I can’t really deal with covid stories these days but the fact that there was a few chapters of mafia followed up with older people. I can’t say too much about it because I feel like I can’t figure out what to say.
It was an ok story. Thanks NetGalley for letting me listen and review.