Captain

By: Lauren Rowe

Narrated by: Lily Reynolds, John Lane

From, Lauren Rowe, the USA Today best-selling author of The Club Series and Ball Peen Hammer comes a sexy standalone romance: Captain.

It wasn't the way this kind of story was supposed to go...insta-love isn't supposed to turn into insta-hate. But that's exactly what happened when the hot-as-hell dreamboat I met in a bar turned out to be a lying, cheating scumbag-player-douche looking for nothing but a little side action. Jerk. And he has the nerve to call me a liar and a "sociopath"? Asshole. And now, three months later, through a mind-blowing series of events I couldn't have predicted in a million years, it turns out my boss is marrying his sister in Hawaii and I've got to play nice with him for an entire freaking week. Okay, sure, I'll put on a happy face this week and act like I've never even met the jerk before - did I mention his sister is marrying my boss? - but that doesn't mean I'll like it. And it certainly doesn't mean I'll stop secretly hating the cocky bastard's guts. Because I do. I hate him. I really do. I just wish my brain would explain the situation to my body...because every time he flashes that panty-melting smile at me, it takes all my self-restraint not to jump the bastard's hot-as-f--k bones.

For fans of Ball Peen Hammer and The Club Series, please note Captain features Ryan Morgan and takes place one year before the events of Ball Peen Hammer. It also includes characters from both Ball Peen Hammer and The Club Series, though Captain is a complete standalone.

©2017 Lauren Rowe (P)2025 Lauren Rowe

Rum Cake for the win!

What made the experience of listening to Captain the most enjoyable?

The audiobook truly enhances Lauren Rowe's witty and heartfelt writing. Every joke is funnier and every emotion is more sincere thanks to the wonderful performances by John Lane and Lauren Rowe.

What did you like best about this story?

The best part is Captain Ryan Morgan himself. I loved that he didn't waver even when things looked grim. He was loyal, patient, loving, charming, sexy, and just the right amount of cocky.

What does Lauren Rowe and John Lane bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

These characters are sometimes enthusiastically over the top and both narrators hit it out of the park. John Lane was especially sinfully sexy as Rum Cake, but was also able to convey the sweeter and more vulnerable Ryan as well.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Ryan's power point presentation at the end had me grinning ear to ear. It was perfect and brought the story full circle.

Any additional comments?

Captain really took me by surprise. I am never a fan of the manwhore hero, but when we meet Ryan, it's clear that part of his past is exactly that - the past. I really loved him and Tessa both individually and together and their meet cute was adorable, well, until it wasn't. Yes, it's instalove/lust and misunderstandings and assumptions are made, but what transpires afterwards and in Maui really helped make the connection more believable. Ryan's references to Moby Dick and the quotes at the start of many (if not all) of his chapters were a wonderful addition. The Morgan family truly shines and each and every one of them give such heart to the story. The secondary characters are just as amazing and round out the cast of characters so well that everything comes together beautifully.

Different vibe from first, and I like it

Being the 2nd book in the series I appreciate how the author made this story it's own. It had such a different tone - beware those who don't like a lot of swearing - but it fit these characters. Being really picky, to make it a truly great standalone there could have been a little more backstory better explaining some of the interactions between characters a little earlier in the story. As it is written, to really appreciate the story and all the characters, it is best to read/listen to it in order of the series. There are a lot of negatives about the narration in other reviews, but I think their tones fit these passionate, dramatic characters. John Lane - swoon - has a fantastic voice and I enjoy everything I've heard him narrate.

Doesn’t disappoint!

This is such a sweet romantic comedy that really does keep you anticipating when the characters will FINALLY figure out the entire story. I’ve recently discovered this author and the narrators and I am absolutely in LOVE with them! I’m now on to Ball Peen Hammer. I’m addicted!

Adorable

Absolutely enjoyed every single moment of this story. Ryan and Tessa’s journey is fun, a little frustrating, but overall amazing.

Oh Captain My Captain...

Captain was another amazing wonderfully written and phenomenally narrated book by Lauren Rowe. I'll start with the narrators. The team of Lauren Rowe and John Lane could read the ingredients of a can of soup and I would be hooked. They are both amazing in how they brought my two favorite characters to life. John Lane as Ryan "Captain" had me swooning and falling in love over and over again. Lauren's performance of Tessa "T-Rod" was Amazing!! The two of them together a FREAKIN' FANTASTIC. The chemistry between Ryan and Tessa burned up my headphones as I listened to them bantering back and forth and then came the HOT HOT HOT angry sex! The performance and the writing was one of the best I've listened to in a long time.