Hold Me

Story of Love/Jiai Jouwa, Book 1

By: Hildred Billings

Narrated by: Laura Angell

The Jiai Jouwa (Story of Love) series takes a look into how one lesbian relationship overcomes the dichotomies that can keep two hearts apart: Age, class, social expectations, and distance.

Born into an elite family, Jun has spent her life cultivating the professional qualities needed to claim her inheritance, the Nippon Royal Hotel empire. Just when she thinks her dream is about to come true, however, Jun's uncle ships her from her homeland of Hokkaido to the city of Nagoya to become the new local general manager.

Enter Saya, a 20-something who invades Jun's life with a bang and leaves just as swiftly. It's the hope of seeing Saya again that keeps Jun grounded in her goal of taking over the family empire one day...and the more she encounters the enigmatic Saya, the more she realizes she's falling for her.

Under the scrutiny of her uncle, Jun must prove that she can become the head of the family. But she also must prove to herself that she is capable of sustaining a romantic relationship, even if her intended has an insatiable wanderlust. Her family's judgment, Saya's crippling demons, and the needs of the people she meets along the way will all conspire to change Jun's life forever.

©2019 Barachou Press (P)2020 Barachou Press

really good listen

The narration on this book is good but not great. I think it was mostly because the setting of the book is Japan with Japanese characters but with an American narrator. The story was really good. It didn’t feel predictable and as I listened I kept wondering how it would end. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to book two to find out how the characters lives have progressed.

Japanese love story with a twist!

I love being able to hear about a Japanese love story between two women as it is something that isn't too common over there. The performance could be better, but overall great experience!

Nevwr let me..

If only you want is feel good in someone arms and you only get is few hours. Throughly enjoyed the story of routing for the main character but laughs eludes her in this off the cuff round about way to get soul to get to just stay.

Wonderful sapphic romance in Japan

This is a wonderful opposites attract romance. It takes place in Japan, and that was an immediate attraction for me. I love Japan and have been to Nagoya, the setting of the book. It’s the story of Jun, a hotel manager working to claim her inheritance of running the high-class hotel empire run by her rich family. It’s also about Saya, a younger and poorer woman who blows into and out of Jun’s life like a whirlwind. She’s what Jun has been searching for her whole adult life. But Saya has many secrets. They are great, rich characters that will have you yearning for them to finally get together. The book also has delightful side characters (especially Jun’s assistant manager), and I really enjoyed their journey also. I can’t wait to read the remaining books in the series. Highly recommended.

Great story

I love this story. I wasn’t sure at times, but I realized it wasn’t the story, but the narration that I didn’t like so much.

The narrator did enunciate well, and that is important. But at least a couple of her voices got on my nerves. And the rest weren’t really spectacular.