Incredible Story & Narration! Gripping & Emotional! ~ This is a wonderfully heartfelt romance novel, and I loved every about it, from Layla Lochran’s wonderful writing style to the fabulous characters and storylines she created to the perfectly cast narrators who bring it all to life from the pages. This book drew me right in, grabbing my attention and holding it hostage the entire time. I adored the two lead characters, August and Patrick, there were some great secondary characters too. August’s family gifted him with a surprise trip to England, and that gift included a ticket to an American football game in London. Unfortunately, the ticket was counterfeit and he could not get in, but a stadium employee recommended a pub to go watch the game and it turned out to be the best thing that happened to him because he met the man who not only captured his eye, but his heart too. Patrick and his mother escaped an abusive home, but it left him damaged and scarred, both inside and out. He has a good friend who he runs the bar with and another who talks him down and out of his own head when he has panic attacks. It was his good friend who plays matchmaker after she sees the two eyeing each other and she pushed Patrick towards him. The chemistry between the two is smoking hot, but August only has a few days left of his vacation and wants Patrick to spend it with him. It was great watching these two and thought they were perfect together and for each other. I loved all the layers of the story, the complexity of the characters and how it all played out, with the perfect balance of drama, angst, heartfelt emotions, and steamy romance. Layla Lochran, thank you for this amazing story, the emotional rollercoaster ride and an ending that leaves you wanting more or rather needing more, needing to know what happens next on Schuster Ranch with these fabulous characters. ~  And for the incredible narration, Sean Masters and Joe Arden deliver an outstanding performance, bring these characters to life, humanizing them, giving each a voice that was fitting and was believable in every role. Joe Arden nailed it as Patrick, accent and all, grasping all aspects of his personality, and Sean Masters did the same for August, playing the swoon worthy cowboy perfectly. Both were equally amazing at performing the roles of the secondary characters, female voices included. They set the perfect tone for the story, captured all the characters’ emotions and had you feeling them all. These two are entertaining storytellers and their performance elevates this already fantastic story to another level. Thank you for another wonderful listen.

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5

Like a Wildfire by Layla Lochran is a MM romance that I listened to on audio narrated by Joe Arden and Sean Masters. This is the first book of Layla's that I have read, and it won't be my last. I loved the chemistry between August and Patrick. I really enjoyed getting both of their points of views throughout the book. It really brought the story to life. The bonus chapter left me begging for more. I can't wait for Layla to announce the release date of Wildfire Whiskey which will be book one in The Schuster Ranch series. OMG Joe and Sean were absolutely amazing in this book! They brought this book to life for me. I don't think you could have picked better narrators for this project. I would recommend this book if you're looking for a MM romance, grumpy/sunshine romance, or a cowboy romance.

Layla Lochran was a new to me author, I'd heard of her but never read one of her books before this one. I will definitely plan to read more in the future. This was a great story. A mix of heavy and light, emotional and breezy, tears and laughter. I really enjoyed it. We have an American rancher/cowboy whose family sends his overworked, super stressed butt on a dream vacation and he ends up crossing paths with a workaholic Scottish pub owner. Both men have emotional backstories and scars that they carry with them in their day to day lives, but the joy they find together in a vacation fling is heartwarming. The resulting distance relationship after the the American heads home is both beautiful and painful at the same time. The audiobook was performed in dual narration style by Sean Masters and Joe Arden. Since Joe's character Patrick is Scottish we get some great accent work out of both of these performers as they bring Patrick's dialogue to life. Sean was a new to me narrator, but the smoothness and warmth in his base tone for August makes me want to listen to more. It's a mark of a good story and performance if an audiobook can break my facade and make me react (laughing, crying, talking back to the book etc.). This one had a moment that was so genuine and unexpected that I cracked up laughing on my crowded morning commute (where my mask is most firmly in place). You will know it when you get there, but I will say, it stuck with me for so long, it was so well crafted (story and performance). I requested and was provided with an advanced copy of the audiobook. These are my honest opinions.