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Cocktail
She’s the queen of crash and burn dating.… He’s the sexy bartender, who wants to save her.
For Aubree Cole, finding love while building a lucrative career seems to be just out of her reach. The Meet Cute dating app sounded like a great idea. But a series of epically terrible dates at her favorite bar, Aubree is rethinking dating, until she meets him...the sexy Aussie behind the bar serving drinks.
Matthew comes to her rescue after her latest awful date bails on her. He gives her a much-needed cocktail and some great advice…along with inspiring a few naughty daydreams. It’s just enough to make her take a chance on love again.
When a secret admirer challenge lands in her dating app inbox to French kiss a stranger, she knows just where to start. Throwing caution to the wind, she accepts the dare. Maybe she needs to get out of her comfort zone a bit to uncover something…more. One supposedly-harmless challenge turns into multiple romantic encounters with Matthew, and she’s left more confused than ever about which man she wants more, the friendly neighborhood bartender or the sexy secret challenger from the dating app. Aubree is ready to find the one. But which one is he?
For Aubree Cole, finding love while building a lucrative career seems to be just out of her reach. The Meet Cute dating app sounded like a great idea. But a series of epically terrible dates at her favorite bar, Aubree is rethinking dating, until she meets him...the sexy Aussie behind the bar serving drinks.
Matthew comes to her rescue after her latest awful date bails on her. He gives her a much-needed cocktail and some great advice…along with inspiring a few naughty daydreams. It’s just enough to make her take a chance on love again.
When a secret admirer challenge lands in her dating app inbox to French kiss a stranger, she knows just where to start. Throwing caution to the wind, she accepts the dare. Maybe she needs to get out of her comfort zone a bit to uncover something…more. One supposedly-harmless challenge turns into multiple romantic encounters with Matthew, and she’s left more confused than ever about which man she wants more, the friendly neighborhood bartender or the sexy secret challenger from the dating app. Aubree is ready to find the one. But which one is he?
Audible Audio
Published June 7, 2021
7 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Smith
142 books2,202 followersLauren Smith is a USA Today Best-Selling author and an Oklahoma attorney. She knew she was destined to be a romance writer when she attempted to re-write the entire Titanic movie just to save Jack from drowning. Connecting with readers by writing emotionally moving, realistic and sexy romances no matter what time period is her passion. She’s won multiple awards in several romance subgenres including: New England Reader’s Choice Awards, Greater Detroit BookSeller’s Best Awards, Amazon.com Breakthrough Novel Award Quarter-Finalist and a Semi-Finalist for the Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Award. To connect with Lauren, visit her at www.laurensmithbooks.com or twitter at @LSmithAuthor.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 17, 2020
4.5 Stars
Aubree Cole has put her energy into building a lucrative career now seems to be the right time to find love. The Meet Cute dating app sounded like a great idea. But after a dozen crash and burn dates she’s rethinking dating that is…until she meets him.
Matthew, a sexy Australian bartender comes to her rescue after a date bails on her. He gives her a much-needed cocktail and some great advice…along with inspiring a few naughty daydreams.
When a secret admirer challenge lands in her dating app inbox to French Kiss a Stranger, she knows just where to start. Throwing caution to the wind, she accepts the dare. Maybe she needs to get out of her comfort zone a bit to uncover something…more. One supposedly-harmless challenge turns into multiple romantic encounters with Matthew
I love the author’s books & this is no exception. I read it in a sitting as I just didn’t want to put it down. Strong characters with depth, not easy to do in a novella & a story that just flows effortlessly. I loved both Matthew & Aubree who both fell hard & fast, their attraction was so hot. A well written captivating read that made me smile, sigh, fan myself & totally lifted my mood
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Aubree Cole has put her energy into building a lucrative career now seems to be the right time to find love. The Meet Cute dating app sounded like a great idea. But after a dozen crash and burn dates she’s rethinking dating that is…until she meets him.
Matthew, a sexy Australian bartender comes to her rescue after a date bails on her. He gives her a much-needed cocktail and some great advice…along with inspiring a few naughty daydreams.
When a secret admirer challenge lands in her dating app inbox to French Kiss a Stranger, she knows just where to start. Throwing caution to the wind, she accepts the dare. Maybe she needs to get out of her comfort zone a bit to uncover something…more. One supposedly-harmless challenge turns into multiple romantic encounters with Matthew
I love the author’s books & this is no exception. I read it in a sitting as I just didn’t want to put it down. Strong characters with depth, not easy to do in a novella & a story that just flows effortlessly. I loved both Matthew & Aubree who both fell hard & fast, their attraction was so hot. A well written captivating read that made me smile, sigh, fan myself & totally lifted my mood
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
May 4, 2020
Lauren Smith’s book, Cocktail is beautifully written. Mathew and Aubrey gives you a piece of that saying, love at first site. Bartender Mathew sets his eye site on Aubrey as she goes through her series of bad dates. He eventually gets the nerve to ask her out on a quote unquote date. They use this time to get to know one another.
After this date their instant attraction takes off. The quiet times are soft and sentimental for both characters. The scene setting during the winter is great. It makes the love scenes more cozy and special.
I voluntary reviewed this ARC after receiving a free gifted copy.
After this date their instant attraction takes off. The quiet times are soft and sentimental for both characters. The scene setting during the winter is great. It makes the love scenes more cozy and special.
I voluntary reviewed this ARC after receiving a free gifted copy.
April 17, 2020
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
Sweet and dreamy story. Lauren has written this so well , a book of sighs and passionate characters who were made to dream about.
Cocktail is a novella in which you adore every character involved.
Mathew , what can I say, He’s an Aussie god of a man with an eye for the perfect woman and drink to match. He has all the right words at the right time, and is just about the most wonderful hero.
Aubree is a lady who’s desperately seeking the man to be her forever.
She’s answering dating site adds with no luck , until a certain bartender leans quietly over the bar and her world changes, all for the good .
Adorable, precious, beautiful .
Loved every page.
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review
💋💋
Sweet and dreamy story. Lauren has written this so well , a book of sighs and passionate characters who were made to dream about.
Cocktail is a novella in which you adore every character involved.
Mathew , what can I say, He’s an Aussie god of a man with an eye for the perfect woman and drink to match. He has all the right words at the right time, and is just about the most wonderful hero.
Aubree is a lady who’s desperately seeking the man to be her forever.
She’s answering dating site adds with no luck , until a certain bartender leans quietly over the bar and her world changes, all for the good .
Adorable, precious, beautiful .
Loved every page.
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review
June 10, 2021
Perfect Reset Romance!
When you are looking for a pick me up after tough, deep feeling romance, this is the book for you! Lauren Smith gave us just the right amount of drama to see how Aubree and Matthew can fall in love quickly, with moments of thought and reflection, and the very much needed spicy, open-door bedroom scenes. Putting a cherry on top is narration brilliantly performed by Shane East and Stella Hunter. Not only does Mr. East dial in a fab Aussie accent to compliment his English accented narrative, but Ms. Hunter shocks with a matching male Aussie when in her POV chapters. Cannot rave enough about the audio just filling my ears with happiness bring this feel good story to life.
When you are looking for a pick me up after tough, deep feeling romance, this is the book for you! Lauren Smith gave us just the right amount of drama to see how Aubree and Matthew can fall in love quickly, with moments of thought and reflection, and the very much needed spicy, open-door bedroom scenes. Putting a cherry on top is narration brilliantly performed by Shane East and Stella Hunter. Not only does Mr. East dial in a fab Aussie accent to compliment his English accented narrative, but Ms. Hunter shocks with a matching male Aussie when in her POV chapters. Cannot rave enough about the audio just filling my ears with happiness bring this feel good story to life.
June 12, 2021
I loved every minute of this! The story was cute and sexy and the characters so good! The fun, the flirting and great dialog kept me playing this book.
The narrators, Stella & Shane did a fabulous job bringing this cute short story to life. This will definitely be on my repeat listen list!
The narrators, Stella & Shane did a fabulous job bringing this cute short story to life. This will definitely be on my repeat listen list!
September 22, 2022
(AudioBook Review)
This has to be one of my all time favourite novella's and #ShaneQuickies - Shane East is my favourite voice actor and narrator and plays all my favourite #BritishHeroes and also #AussieHeroes together with Stella Hunter who is one of the OGs in romance and I adore her - she's probs one of my fave female voices and her and Shane share a magic together that I cannot adequately put into words how perfect they are in all their performances.
Shane's Aussie accent is perfect and you can't even tell he is British - he actually sounds like he's from Adelaide and not Perth...I adore him and he can really do no wrong - I would love to see him do more Aussie stuff because he is a natural - although being a Londoner helps but again our accent is not the easiest and in-fact is quite difficult but Shane has such a depth of talent that it's seamless for him to switch between the accents and characters.
And let's not forget the amazing talents of Stella Hunter - her Aussie accent is fire and perfection - not to mention her male voice - she is a superstar and I adore her: she can do no wrong.
I fell in love with Aubree and Matthew's story as I knew I would right off the bat.
Matthew is an Aussie Bartender and owner from Perth in the US (although he doesn't share he owns the bar with Aubree until later).
Aubree is at his bar on a blind date that she met on a dating app and Matthew comes to her rescue after her date bails on her and over the course of the next few days their attraction to each other sizzles and it makes for a delicious quick read/listen and will leave you wanting more.
But I do love that this little feel-good steamy number is a quick pick me up on times when you want something to perk you up in a pinch.
This is on my repeat listens and will be always. Seriously: do yourself a favour and pick this up.#noregrets
This has to be one of my all time favourite novella's and #ShaneQuickies - Shane East is my favourite voice actor and narrator and plays all my favourite #BritishHeroes and also #AussieHeroes together with Stella Hunter who is one of the OGs in romance and I adore her - she's probs one of my fave female voices and her and Shane share a magic together that I cannot adequately put into words how perfect they are in all their performances.
Shane's Aussie accent is perfect and you can't even tell he is British - he actually sounds like he's from Adelaide and not Perth...I adore him and he can really do no wrong - I would love to see him do more Aussie stuff because he is a natural - although being a Londoner helps but again our accent is not the easiest and in-fact is quite difficult but Shane has such a depth of talent that it's seamless for him to switch between the accents and characters.
And let's not forget the amazing talents of Stella Hunter - her Aussie accent is fire and perfection - not to mention her male voice - she is a superstar and I adore her: she can do no wrong.
I fell in love with Aubree and Matthew's story as I knew I would right off the bat.
Matthew is an Aussie Bartender and owner from Perth in the US (although he doesn't share he owns the bar with Aubree until later).
Aubree is at his bar on a blind date that she met on a dating app and Matthew comes to her rescue after her date bails on her and over the course of the next few days their attraction to each other sizzles and it makes for a delicious quick read/listen and will leave you wanting more.
But I do love that this little feel-good steamy number is a quick pick me up on times when you want something to perk you up in a pinch.
This is on my repeat listens and will be always. Seriously: do yourself a favour and pick this up.#noregrets
June 15, 2021
Having another unsuccessful Meet Cute dating app pairing, Aubree's slips out of the bar and leaves her with the tab. Matthew, the bartender, witnessed the bad behavior, and took care of Aubree's tab. She strikes up a conversation with Matthew, he buys her a drink, and it turns out they have pretty good chemistry.
Meanwhile, Aubree gets a few dating challenges from the Meet Cute app, and she decides to work on those challenges with Matthew. The more time they spend together, they start falling for each other. Having been burned by the app, Aubree is confused as to whether to go out with the person sending her the challenges, or continue the great time she's having with Matthew.
Although a quick listen, I really enjoyed the story, and it flowed quite nicely. There was plenty going on in the story, but it didn't feel rushed or crowded. I listened to the audiobook, and Shane East and Stella Hunter narrated Matthew and Aubree beautifully.
Meanwhile, Aubree gets a few dating challenges from the Meet Cute app, and she decides to work on those challenges with Matthew. The more time they spend together, they start falling for each other. Having been burned by the app, Aubree is confused as to whether to go out with the person sending her the challenges, or continue the great time she's having with Matthew.
Although a quick listen, I really enjoyed the story, and it flowed quite nicely. There was plenty going on in the story, but it didn't feel rushed or crowded. I listened to the audiobook, and Shane East and Stella Hunter narrated Matthew and Aubree beautifully.
April 18, 2020
Cocktail is a fun, romantic short story. Aubree is down on her luck when it comes to romance and although she's had no shortage of dates when she meets up with the men that she has been chatting with on her dating app, things just don't seem to go to plan. She can't help but think that the lack of spark and chemistry might be her fault somehow. After a particularly bad date, Aubree meets bartender Matthew.
This is only quite a short story, but that doesn't really matter. The relationship between Matthew and Aubree works well. There aren't any major misunderstandings or difficulties. All in all, this is a fun and satisfying little romance. Although it might make you want to go out and drink a cocktail or two, surely that's no bad thing?
This is only quite a short story, but that doesn't really matter. The relationship between Matthew and Aubree works well. There aren't any major misunderstandings or difficulties. All in all, this is a fun and satisfying little romance. Although it might make you want to go out and drink a cocktail or two, surely that's no bad thing?
November 3, 2021
So….
I got a little (and by that, I mean a lot!!) excited upon learning of a new, short, sweet, with a little bit of heat audiobook.
“Cocktail”, written by @laurensmithbooks, is narrated by Shane East and Stella Hunter.
The reason for my excitement? Two words:
🇦🇺 #AussieShane 🇦🇺
You can’t blame an Aussie chick for fangirling, one-clicking and staying up late to hear Shane breakout in a smooth, Aussie accent. 🌏
And I tell you, ladies, he does not disappoint. 🔥
Stella’s performance is just as fantastic. 💕
And the story is, quite literally, adorable!! 🥰
If you’re looking for a palate cleanser to help get over a book hangover, this little ripper is just the thing.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I got a little (and by that, I mean a lot!!) excited upon learning of a new, short, sweet, with a little bit of heat audiobook.
“Cocktail”, written by @laurensmithbooks, is narrated by Shane East and Stella Hunter.
The reason for my excitement? Two words:
🇦🇺 #AussieShane 🇦🇺
You can’t blame an Aussie chick for fangirling, one-clicking and staying up late to hear Shane breakout in a smooth, Aussie accent. 🌏
And I tell you, ladies, he does not disappoint. 🔥
Stella’s performance is just as fantastic. 💕
And the story is, quite literally, adorable!! 🥰
If you’re looking for a palate cleanser to help get over a book hangover, this little ripper is just the thing.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 26, 2021
Lauren Smith wrote the best sweet, sexy, short love story delightfully performed by two of my favourite narrators Stella Hunter and Shane East. This will be another favourite repeat listen. Like what Suzi said a perfect reset romance.
November 8, 2020
Very sweet, cheesy n short
June 25, 2022
This was a great little novella. Stella Hunter and Shane East did a fantastic job with this story. Even though it was short, I didn’t feel like it was missing anything.
March 18, 2023
A fun book!!
December 2, 2023
~**~ This review is for the audiobook ~**~ This book is short, but perfect. There is not too much drama. They fall in love fast, but you fall with them. Cute story. Narration is absolutely perfect!
April 19, 2022
~*~ Audio Review ~*~
This was a cute and fun novella! Aubrey is unlucky in love and meets Matthew a bartender after a bad date. These two have an immediate connection and strike up a friendship. Matthew helps push her out of her comfort zone and their story is sweet and steamy. Shane East and Stella Hunter are one of my favorite duos and they did a great job telling this story. Definitely pick this one up if need something quick and low on the angst.
This was a cute and fun novella! Aubrey is unlucky in love and meets Matthew a bartender after a bad date. These two have an immediate connection and strike up a friendship. Matthew helps push her out of her comfort zone and their story is sweet and steamy. Shane East and Stella Hunter are one of my favorite duos and they did a great job telling this story. Definitely pick this one up if need something quick and low on the angst.
April 23, 2020
A short fun contemporary story about a bartender and a simple girl trying to meet a guy using dating apps. I have never gone wrong with a Lauren Smith book.
April 17, 2021
Woman runs into a bartender and they begin to form a relationship.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews