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Always Satisfied #2.5
Delayed Gratification
Once upon a time a sexy, charming, hot British guy walked into my bar.
He was flirty and delicious, and we hit it off right away. So well in fact, that I'd have given him my number.
Except, fate decided to play a trick on me.
Since the guy turned out to be my brother's best friend, he was off limits.
So we made a pact to be just friends. And we became great friends.
It worked for a while.
Until the night we were snowed in...
*This prequel story of Jason and Truly was previously included in the original Instant Attraction edition that followed the tales of three different couples. That book is no longer available. However, the story of how Jason and Truly first met has been edited into Delayed Gratification, a story that NOW focuses entirely on that couple. I hope you enjoy this tantalizing introduction to their romance.*
He was flirty and delicious, and we hit it off right away. So well in fact, that I'd have given him my number.
Except, fate decided to play a trick on me.
Since the guy turned out to be my brother's best friend, he was off limits.
So we made a pact to be just friends. And we became great friends.
It worked for a while.
Until the night we were snowed in...
*This prequel story of Jason and Truly was previously included in the original Instant Attraction edition that followed the tales of three different couples. That book is no longer available. However, the story of how Jason and Truly first met has been edited into Delayed Gratification, a story that NOW focuses entirely on that couple. I hope you enjoy this tantalizing introduction to their romance.*
182 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 14, 2019
223 people are currently reading
1272 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Blakely
245 books24.4k followersYou can find Lauren on TikTok at @laurenblakelybooks! A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, feel-good and witty. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
February 14, 2020
Another super quick novella.
Long story short, it's a HEA but it's a really good one. I loved getting to know these characters because I listened to the novellas before the big books. Heck, I'm known for going into series out of order from time to time. Makes things interesting enough especially when it's these romance books. I did think it was quite hilarious that they two MC's were so focused on being friends. Mostly because I know that's not going to end up that way.. it never does.
Long story short, it's a HEA but it's a really good one. I loved getting to know these characters because I listened to the novellas before the big books. Heck, I'm known for going into series out of order from time to time. Makes things interesting enough especially when it's these romance books. I did think it was quite hilarious that they two MC's were so focused on being friends. Mostly because I know that's not going to end up that way.. it never does.
June 25, 2020
I'm glad Blakely decided to split the book Instant Attraction up. I dnf'd it because I got so confused with it being more than one story.
Considering that I'd listened to some of this already, I remembered som stuff. But I liked it!
Considering that I'd listened to some of this already, I remembered som stuff. But I liked it!
July 30, 2020
I do love these two characters this is a great, I have already listened to their book so I knew going in what the end looks like but this was a sweet little taste of what these two characters are all about.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and I hope you do to.
Great narrators!
I thoroughly enjoyed it and I hope you do to.
Great narrators!
July 11, 2020
A short prelude to the Truly and Jason story that will have you demanding more! It's definitely a great teaser to have you rushing to get the full story in the next book! FYI: The sexy brit that narrates for Jason gives simply divine voice to the character!
November 24, 2019
Quickies
Good in between novella even if you haven't read any from this series. It's also a prequel for one of the couples so it's technically not a HEA vignette. Interesting set-up the way the story is told but would've liked a little more heat as the couples don't really have any sexy time until their last scenes & even then they're a bit too rushed for my taste.
Good in between novella even if you haven't read any from this series. It's also a prequel for one of the couples so it's technically not a HEA vignette. Interesting set-up the way the story is told but would've liked a little more heat as the couples don't really have any sexy time until their last scenes & even then they're a bit too rushed for my taste.
November 24, 2021
Ok, so Laurne Blakely was WRONG for that! LOL, talk about a tease!
I loved this though. Truly and Jason meet in her bar and hit it off immediately. But then they find out he's her brother's (twin brother) best friend. So they immediately acknowledge that they are going to have to put their attraction on the back burner and just be friends as to not cause any issues with her brother.
But, there's a trip and it's just the two of them and you know...
They were hot together, but they realize that they can't have a thing when her brother could be caught in the middle. They decide to go back to being friends....and then it ends!
I'm definitely going to have to finish their story. I'll take any opportunity to listen to Shane East again anyway. His British accent is like instant ear porn for me!
I loved this though. Truly and Jason meet in her bar and hit it off immediately. But then they find out he's her brother's (twin brother) best friend. So they immediately acknowledge that they are going to have to put their attraction on the back burner and just be friends as to not cause any issues with her brother.
But, there's a trip and it's just the two of them and you know...
They were hot together, but they realize that they can't have a thing when her brother could be caught in the middle. They decide to go back to being friends....and then it ends!
I'm definitely going to have to finish their story. I'll take any opportunity to listen to Shane East again anyway. His British accent is like instant ear porn for me!
December 2, 2021
love 💞💞 the cast of narrators
Overall 4 out of 5 stars
Performance 5 out of 5 stars
Story 4 out of 5 stars
I think I should have started with the first book but I am very happy with this one. I was able to see the two of the from their initial meeting and at various points in the years of their friendship. I always love Andi, Shane and Sebastian. Each brings a story to life and makes for a wonder cast of narrators together.
Overall 4 out of 5 stars
Performance 5 out of 5 stars
Story 4 out of 5 stars
I think I should have started with the first book but I am very happy with this one. I was able to see the two of the from their initial meeting and at various points in the years of their friendship. I always love Andi, Shane and Sebastian. Each brings a story to life and makes for a wonder cast of narrators together.
October 30, 2021
Tierna y divertida
November 19, 2021
This was a great teaser for Truly’s and Jason’s story! It will be nice to read their full story and catch up with couples from other books/series that I’ve loved.
November 20, 2019
A hot British guy walks into a bar. Instant Gratification tells you Jason and Truly's HEA, but this book tells you how they met, and the forming of an instant friendship. They're immediately attracted to one another, but fate decided it wasn't their time. I love how they supported one another, and were great friends. Their banter was too cute.
Listening to this was quite fun because we know they end up together. Yet, it didn't feel like a spoiler, just the very beginning of their eventual epic love story. Anytime I get to hear Shane and Sebastian is a treat. And Andi does a wonderful narration of Truly.
Listening to this was quite fun because we know they end up together. Yet, it didn't feel like a spoiler, just the very beginning of their eventual epic love story. Anytime I get to hear Shane and Sebastian is a treat. And Andi does a wonderful narration of Truly.
December 24, 2022
This collection was an interesting concept, featuring Spencer Holiday, our hero from Big Rock who serves as the omniscient narrator who connects the 3 couples featured, including what is the prequel to Truly and Jason's HEA in Instant Gratification. (Full disclosure, I started IG and then realized there was a prequel and went back to read this.)
We have Gavin and Savannah, the friends-to-lovers newlywed couple who appear at the start of IG where Jason's the best man for hire.
Then there's Enzo the billionaire male supermodel, which, OK, I have to call bullshit because I'm pretty sure modelling is still one of the few (if not only) industries where women make more money then men, and there are no billionaire female supermodels as far as I know. Anyway - he's a billionaire male supermodel who gets his HEA with Valerie, who's a 48(!) yo Chinese billionaire media mogul.
And finally there's Truly and Jason who get their HEA finally in IG. We find out in this prequel how they first met, became friends, had one night while away skiing and then decide that they have to forget it ever happened.
The novella/prequels were interwoven and well-done quick reads.
Dec/22 - re-read in audio and this has been re-worked as a prequel to Truly and Jason's HEA in Instant Gratification which is unfortunate since I really enjoyed the diversity in the original novella.
We have Gavin and Savannah, the friends-to-lovers newlywed couple who appear at the start of IG where Jason's the best man for hire.
Then there's Enzo the billionaire male supermodel, which, OK, I have to call bullshit because I'm pretty sure modelling is still one of the few (if not only) industries where women make more money then men, and there are no billionaire female supermodels as far as I know. Anyway - he's a billionaire male supermodel who gets his HEA with Valerie, who's a 48(!) yo Chinese billionaire media mogul.
And finally there's Truly and Jason who get their HEA finally in IG. We find out in this prequel how they first met, became friends, had one night while away skiing and then decide that they have to forget it ever happened.
The novella/prequels were interwoven and well-done quick reads.
Dec/22 - re-read in audio and this has been re-worked as a prequel to Truly and Jason's HEA in Instant Gratification which is unfortunate since I really enjoyed the diversity in the original novella.
March 7, 2020
The reading/listening order for this series is confusing. This novella came from a book “Instant Gratification” which is no longer available. That book was listed as 1.5 in the series. This is described as a prequel/teaser for Instant Gratification which is listed as book 2 in the series. After listening, I went to log Delayed Gratification into GoodReads and it’s listed as book 2.5. Chronologically, it’s before. I’ve heard there’s a flow chart somewhere detailing the chronological order of the books ~ because despite being listed as standalones, there’s some heavy crossings of characters/events even across multiple series. This book is an example. Spencer, from Big Rock (book 1 of Big Rock series) acts as omniscient “narrator” for this and is married to Truly’s best friend. The fact that a novella this short needs constant input from Spenser to clarify what’s going on proves the point.
While this audio is listed as 1.5 hours, only an hour of it is the novella – the last 30 minutes is actually an excerpt from Instant Gratification.
So, we’re down to an hour that is a quick intro in to how Truly and Jason meet as well as the hook-up they decide is better left as a mistake. Included in my Audible Escape membership this was merely OK. I can’t imagine spending money on it or listening to it again.
Duet narration. Sort of. Sebastian York, Andi Arndt, & Shane East all sound fantastic as usual. However, there’s a serious inconsistency in the “duet” classification. Sometimes it’s duet, sometimes it’s dual – even in the same paragraph. A big clue would have been that when Arndt had to use a British accent, that’s where East should have been heard talking. I get that it’s more expensive and takes a lot more work, but this felt thrown together in that respect.
While this audio is listed as 1.5 hours, only an hour of it is the novella – the last 30 minutes is actually an excerpt from Instant Gratification.
So, we’re down to an hour that is a quick intro in to how Truly and Jason meet as well as the hook-up they decide is better left as a mistake. Included in my Audible Escape membership this was merely OK. I can’t imagine spending money on it or listening to it again.
Duet narration. Sort of. Sebastian York, Andi Arndt, & Shane East all sound fantastic as usual. However, there’s a serious inconsistency in the “duet” classification. Sometimes it’s duet, sometimes it’s dual – even in the same paragraph. A big clue would have been that when Arndt had to use a British accent, that’s where East should have been heard talking. I get that it’s more expensive and takes a lot more work, but this felt thrown together in that respect.
February 17, 2023
2.7 stars. It was alright. As per usual, I read this novella out of order and started this before I touched the series, so take my review with as many grains of salt as you need.
As a “stand alone prequel” (no guarantee it’s meant to be read as such) it’s well written syntax-wise, but this book doesn’t really reveal much about the characters as potential romantic partners and while we’re told the MCs form a tight friendship, I didn’t feel it. It’s one of those books that checks boxes on what a “friendship” should be in a Hallmark movie but misses the gritty, painfully honest, 2 am calls waking you out of a dead sleep so you can listen to your friend cry their heart out over the phone kind of close relationship they like to masquerade as. There was nothing raw or real that the MCs shared. Everything was fun and light, and while many people have casual friendships like that (and there’s of course nothing wrong with it) I always hope for a little more from my romance bestie friendships.
I’m not sure what the point of this mini-book was. It could have easily been blended into the main story of their romance as a intro. Not convinced I’ll read the rest of the series, though the fem MC’s name did sound familiar so maybe I have read one of the books and forgot to mark it “read”.
As a “stand alone prequel” (no guarantee it’s meant to be read as such) it’s well written syntax-wise, but this book doesn’t really reveal much about the characters as potential romantic partners and while we’re told the MCs form a tight friendship, I didn’t feel it. It’s one of those books that checks boxes on what a “friendship” should be in a Hallmark movie but misses the gritty, painfully honest, 2 am calls waking you out of a dead sleep so you can listen to your friend cry their heart out over the phone kind of close relationship they like to masquerade as. There was nothing raw or real that the MCs shared. Everything was fun and light, and while many people have casual friendships like that (and there’s of course nothing wrong with it) I always hope for a little more from my romance bestie friendships.
I’m not sure what the point of this mini-book was. It could have easily been blended into the main story of their romance as a intro. Not convinced I’ll read the rest of the series, though the fem MC’s name did sound familiar so maybe I have read one of the books and forgot to mark it “read”.
July 8, 2020
I started listening to Instant Gratification, Book 3 of Lauren Blakely‘s Always Satisfied series, and I felt that something was missing. That was when I discovered this novella. Then the story got clearer.
I loved this prequel! This was the beginning story of Jason and Truly, who started out as best friends doing fun activities together while both secretly wanting to be more than friends. All these bottled up feelings are due to Truly being the twin sister of Jason’s male best friend, Malone. But all that they wanted came out one snowy day.
Will they go back to being friends after that or will they stay as lovers? On to Instant Gratification for the continuation of their story. Btw, I also enjoyed Sebastian York’s intermissions in this novella.
Is it worth a credit? A strong yes and if you have Audible Escape, it is a no brainer.
I loved this prequel! This was the beginning story of Jason and Truly, who started out as best friends doing fun activities together while both secretly wanting to be more than friends. All these bottled up feelings are due to Truly being the twin sister of Jason’s male best friend, Malone. But all that they wanted came out one snowy day.
Will they go back to being friends after that or will they stay as lovers? On to Instant Gratification for the continuation of their story. Btw, I also enjoyed Sebastian York’s intermissions in this novella.
Is it worth a credit? A strong yes and if you have Audible Escape, it is a no brainer.
November 14, 2019
🎧 Audio Review 🎧
I love getting a sweet and sexy short novella for a couple you loved in another book. Jason and Truly were a fun and great couple from Instant Gratification, book 2 of the Always Satisfied series. In this novella we get to hear the story of their first night together and when they started to fall in love which is where their story started at in book 2. These two have perfect chemistry, great banter and will sweep you off your feet. I'm so glad Lauren Blakely is giving us the missing pieces of the stories in this series.
This book has Sebastian York narrating the just the "fairy Tale" telling of their story while Shane East and Andi Arndt narrate the story, All three narrators are perfect as always.
I love getting a sweet and sexy short novella for a couple you loved in another book. Jason and Truly were a fun and great couple from Instant Gratification, book 2 of the Always Satisfied series. In this novella we get to hear the story of their first night together and when they started to fall in love which is where their story started at in book 2. These two have perfect chemistry, great banter and will sweep you off your feet. I'm so glad Lauren Blakely is giving us the missing pieces of the stories in this series.
This book has Sebastian York narrating the just the "fairy Tale" telling of their story while Shane East and Andi Arndt narrate the story, All three narrators are perfect as always.
March 19, 2022
This is a prequel for Truly and Jason's story. Truly is a bar owner and she meets handsome British speaking Jason in her bar they become friends. Jason is also friends with Truly's brother so this makes this interesting. They do hook up but decide to keep as a friendship instead. Will this be the case in the next installment of their relationship. The sex was steamy will they do it again?
This was a fast read and I plan on reading the next installment of this series to find out what actually happened or did not happen between Truly and Jason.
Lauren Blakely is an excellent writer to these quick read romance stories. Their are always hunky men going after beautiful ladies.
I recommend this book to anyone who love HEA romance. I rated it 4 stars.
This was a fast read and I plan on reading the next installment of this series to find out what actually happened or did not happen between Truly and Jason.
Lauren Blakely is an excellent writer to these quick read romance stories. Their are always hunky men going after beautiful ladies.
I recommend this book to anyone who love HEA romance. I rated it 4 stars.
July 12, 2020
Way too short!
Truly own a bar where she meets Jason. They strike up a conversation and find they both are interested in the other. Her brother comes up to the bar to introduce them and they are quickly thrown into the realization that a relationship can't happen. So, they become friends. Then, they can't deny their feelings or chemistry a few years later and hook up.
It was a cute novella but it annoyed me how quickly the story played out. The time jumps were a bit jarring but I understood why the author chose to go that route.
Truly own a bar where she meets Jason. They strike up a conversation and find they both are interested in the other. Her brother comes up to the bar to introduce them and they are quickly thrown into the realization that a relationship can't happen. So, they become friends. Then, they can't deny their feelings or chemistry a few years later and hook up.
It was a cute novella but it annoyed me how quickly the story played out. The time jumps were a bit jarring but I understood why the author chose to go that route.
October 4, 2020
I love a great friends to lovers and best friends sister romance. This is just that book. It all starts when Jason walks into Truley’s bar for the first time and they have an instant connection/attraction. It only grows as they become friends and share their interests with each other. I love how they took that trip together, where they were in their own little bubble to act on their attraction for each other. Even though it was just for that night. I am excited to read the next book and see watch their love story continue.
November 20, 2022
Pure unadulterated fluff. It had a spicy scene but it was so boring.
This is the kind of book people read at the beach I guess where you don't give a crap if you put it down and not pick it up again.
Only listened to this because I like the male narrator Sebastian York, and then it turned out that he was not even in the book other than the so-called "interludes".
The book itself is an interlude and free on audible as a teaser to get you to buy the next in the series. But I wouldn't. The story was too boring, mainstream and predictable. But if you like that sort of thing you're in luck
This is the kind of book people read at the beach I guess where you don't give a crap if you put it down and not pick it up again.
Only listened to this because I like the male narrator Sebastian York, and then it turned out that he was not even in the book other than the so-called "interludes".
The book itself is an interlude and free on audible as a teaser to get you to buy the next in the series. But I wouldn't. The story was too boring, mainstream and predictable. But if you like that sort of thing you're in luck
August 17, 2023
I loved this novella and the look into Truly and Jason's first meeting. These two had instant attraction until fate stepped in by way of her brother. Jason and her brother are BFFs. So that puts Jason in the friends-only zone. Jason and Truly decide to be just friends and they become the best of friends.
This story is fun, flirty, and a great way to kill an hour or so by reading or listening to it.
Now on the Instant Gratification. I hope you give this novella a chance and that you enjoy it too.
The narrators Shane East, Andi Arndt, and Sebastian York, and the characters come to life.
This story is fun, flirty, and a great way to kill an hour or so by reading or listening to it.
Now on the Instant Gratification. I hope you give this novella a chance and that you enjoy it too.
The narrators Shane East, Andi Arndt, and Sebastian York, and the characters come to life.
June 13, 2022
Short and sweet as always.
Twin brother’s best friend, forced proximity. Nothing better than a quick read from Ms. Blakely. This ticks all the boxes as a prequel to Jason and Truly’s book.
These few chapters are very much an insta attraction read. Jason’s best man for hire/advice column, and Truly’s bar, are a most unusual combination.
Staying in the friend zone won’t be easy.
Twin brother’s best friend, forced proximity. Nothing better than a quick read from Ms. Blakely. This ticks all the boxes as a prequel to Jason and Truly’s book.
These few chapters are very much an insta attraction read. Jason’s best man for hire/advice column, and Truly’s bar, are a most unusual combination.
Staying in the friend zone won’t be easy.
February 4, 2020
Jason and Truly are trying SO hard to "just be friends'
There was an instant connection between them until they realized that Jason and Malone's friend and being Malone's twin she felt she had to put him in the friend zone.
This book is the prequel to their story so its all the set up. I just really wish this was part of the other book so it would flow better.
There was an instant connection between them until they realized that Jason and Malone's friend and being Malone's twin she felt she had to put him in the friend zone.
This book is the prequel to their story so its all the set up. I just really wish this was part of the other book so it would flow better.
May 9, 2020
Great insight.
Now this is just a darn teaser. I enjoyed the "thought" if each couple staying just friends. Don't get me wrong it was fun and a little predictable. Trudy and Jason though, now that is what I need more of. That sux degrees of separation thing has me wondering how it will all the with Enzo and Savannah nem.
Now this is just a darn teaser. I enjoyed the "thought" if each couple staying just friends. Don't get me wrong it was fun and a little predictable. Trudy and Jason though, now that is what I need more of. That sux degrees of separation thing has me wondering how it will all the with Enzo and Savannah nem.
September 26, 2020
Always Satisfied #2.5
if you're going for a chronological read with this series then you should read this before instant gratification. It is Jason and Truly's prequel. It starts when they first meet and tells the story of the infamous snowboarding trip. Enjoy!
Read:
September 24, 2020 – Audible Plus
if you're going for a chronological read with this series then you should read this before instant gratification. It is Jason and Truly's prequel. It starts when they first meet and tells the story of the infamous snowboarding trip. Enjoy!
Read:
September 24, 2020 – Audible Plus
March 16, 2021
This novella is the prequel of how Truly and Jason first met. I was confused at first because their story was actually book two in the series, Instant Gratification. This book should be re-numbered and be ready prior to Instant Gratification. So it was a cute little novella and I have loved Jason and Truly since their book. It was nice to get a deeper look into their origin.
August 20, 2021
I love Jason so much!! He is a sexy man and Truly is a feisty, independent woman that liked what she saw when she first met Jason but only to be disappointed when he turns out to be her brothers best friend. Truly and Jason become good friends and they do alot together, like take a ski trip where everything changes even if they don’t want to admit it.
March 13, 2020
This author is great. Read this in one night and it was worth the late night. Going to start another to night. They were trying to stay just friends but it was hard. He was her brother 's friend. And she did not want to mess up their friendship but it is not easy.
.
.
July 2, 2020
3,5 stars
Audiobook listen. Part of my Lauren Blakely binge-listen so no review, only a rating.
Supershort prequel to Truly and Jason’s story. Ratig might have been higher if I’d listened in order (before listening to Instant Gratification).
Audiobook listen. Part of my Lauren Blakely binge-listen so no review, only a rating.
Supershort prequel to Truly and Jason’s story. Ratig might have been higher if I’d listened in order (before listening to Instant Gratification).
December 27, 2020
Novella teaser to a full book story about Truly met her twin brother's best friend (though she didn't know it at the time), Jason. They plan to honor the best friend code and only be friends. A snowstorm changes their intentions. Continued in Instant Gratification.
February 27, 2021
Lots of plots
I am not a big fan of this book. It started out okay. Then when it started into the interludes it lost my interest.
This book didn’t stay with one couple but had the story of three couples in it. Had a hard time keeping my interest in order to read.
I am not a big fan of this book. It started out okay. Then when it started into the interludes it lost my interest.
This book didn’t stay with one couple but had the story of three couples in it. Had a hard time keeping my interest in order to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews