Hugo by: Jennifer Millikin (Audio Review)

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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Jennifer Millikin's "Hugo" is a captivating audiobook that seamlessly blends a gripping cold case murder mystery with a passionate, slow-burn romance, skillfully brought to life by narrators Marissa Clay and Aaron Donahue. The story follows retired fencing Olympian Hugo De la Vega, whose quiet life is disrupted by true crime podcaster Mallory Hawkins, determined to investigate his father's unsolved murder from twenty years ago. Their initial clash evolves into a compelling alliance as personal stakes are revealed, leading to an undeniable attraction that blossoms amidst the pursuit of justice and a looming threat to Mallory and her unborn child.

Book Description

Retired fencing Olympian Hugo De la Vega lives a quiet life in Olive Township. He has his friends, his olive orchard, and a recurring daydream about what he would say to his father's murderer if given the chance to look him in the eyes.

True crime podcaster Mallory Hawkins arrives in the eclectic small desert town with one to investigate Hugo's father's unsolved murder from twenty years ago.

A chance meeting at a sandwich shop has Hugo harmlessly flirting with Mallory, until he realizes she's the stubborn woman who has been hounding him for months. Hugo's swift and emphatic refusal to support her investigation forces Mallory to reveal her personal connection to the case.

Now Hugo is spending time with the woman whose emails he once deleted. She's witty, eternally curious, and pregnant. Finding this out should make it easier for Hugo to deny the magnetic pull he feels toward her, but it has the opposite effect.

When a situation threatens Mallory and her baby's safety, Hugo finds himself moving her into his house at the orchard. Now they're splitting time between a search for justice and fighting their mutual attraction... until a middle of the night encounter in the kitchen has them taking their relationship from professional to personal.

With each passing day, Hugo gets closer to laying it all out on the line for Mallory.

As long as the killer doesn't get to her first.

About Jennifer Millikin

Jennifer Millikin writes emotional contemporary romances. She has nine published titles and is a two-time recipient of the Readers Choice Award. Jennifer lives with her husband and two young children in Scottsdale, Arizona. When she isn't chasing after her little ones she can be found gulping coffee in her office, typing furiously at her keyboard, and reenacting scenes. Find Jennifer on jennifermillikinwrites.com and facebook.com/JenniferMillikinwrites.

My Thoughts

Jennifer Millikin's "Hugo" delivers a compelling blend of mystery and slow-burn romance, brought to life beautifully by narrators Marissa Clay and Aaron Donahue. The story centers on Hugo De la Vega, a retired fencing Olympian living a quiet life in Olive Township, haunted by the unsolved murder of his father two decades prior. His tranquil existence is shattered by the arrival of Mallory Hawkins, a true crime podcaster determined to unearth the truth about that very cold case.

The initial friction between Hugo and Mallory is palpable and engaging, with Hugo’s emphatic refusal to cooperate giving way to a grudging alliance once Mallory reveals her deeply personal connection to the investigation. The evolving dynamic between them is a highlight, marked by witty banter and an undeniable magnetic pull, even as Hugo grapples with Mallory's pregnancy. Donahue masterfully captures Hugo’s conflicted emotions and protective instincts, while Clay imbues Mallory with a perfect balance of stubborn resolve and vulnerability.

As the investigation intensifies, threatening Mallory and her unborn child, Hugo’s protective nature takes over, leading to their cohabitation. This forced proximity fuels their mutual attraction, shifting their relationship from professional to deeply personal in a steamy, well-earned middle-of-the-night encounter. The narrators skillfully navigate these emotional shifts, allowing the listener to fully immerse themselves in the burgeoning romance amidst the underlying tension of the murder mystery. "Hugo" is a satisfying listen for anyone who enjoys a captivating whodunit intertwined with a heartfelt, passionate love story, all expertly delivered through the engaging performances of Clay and Donahue.

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