perfect

Darcy is perfect in all he did.. I had read the book the minute it came out but listening enriched it so more.

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We finally get to listen to Ben’s story

Chasing Benedict: The Gentleman Courtesans, Book 5
Written by: Victoria Vale
Narrated by: Darcy Stark

Finally we get Benedict Sterling’s story in book 5 of The Gentleman Courtesans series.

Benedict has not had an easy life. His father never liked him and beat him and he was a victim of bullying while at Eaton, which lead him to fight for himself. He had few friends but the ones he had were true friends. Benedict however hid something from almost everyone in his life. It could mean death for him if it ever was found out and there had only been one person in his life who he trusted and loved, Lord Alexander Osborne, Earl of Vautrey. That ended for Ben when he thought Alex had changed his mind and left Ben to the crazed machinations of his father.

Victoria Vale’s words give Darcy Stark a beautiful blueprint to narrate this story. Darcy’s voice skills are amazing and when it comes to narrating Vale’s books it’s like leaving this century and going back in time to the days of balls and duels. Where we picture events in her books when we read, we take up residence in her books when Darcy Stark narrates. This team of writer and narrator do a most amazing job taking readers/listeners on a journey.

I am such a fan I own the books and the audiobooks and when I want to escape you can be sure it’s to Victoria Vale and Darcy Stark I return to again and again.

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Ben & Alex

Story:~4.5 Stars
Audiobook:~4.5 Stars

I have always been interested in reading romance books set in historical times so when I saw that a friend from goodreads was reading one I was intrigued. Fair enough to say that I loved it and will be on the lookout for more M/M from this author if/when she writes more. Darcy Stark was an amazing narrator, His voices were different for each of the characters including the women.

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Awesome wish there were more

Wow what an awesome book. Good narration great story. Only wish there were more m/m regency books. If anyone is interested please check out Joanna chambers books for the best m/m regency romance books. The best is Enlightenment series. Omg best ever. 10 stars there. It’s so worth it. This was great too. Very good story hot romance.

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⭐️🌟⭐️ Liked it alot ⭐️🌟⭐️

Bring those honey pots because you gonna need them! Narrator Darcy Starks’ voice dripped sweet sensuality and pompous English regency. His polite demeanour and natural refined voice carried me back to the early 1800s’ and stirred my passion for muscled men in hand-tailored suits, all dressed up and well mannered, until they reach the bedroom. I listened at 1.4 speed while I enjoyed being carried by the narrators’ melodic cadence into a fluid tale about overcoming the challenges of growing up during this time period, surviving horrible parenthood and discovering the strength of true friendship and love… Swoon.

The author wrote an authentic regency filled with well-rounded characters and milieus.

Listeners with a lust for regency will enjoy the full package of frustratingly backwards views towards men who love men. The mannerisms of the narrow-minded, the controlling, the domineering and of course the hornets who strike selfishly, guarantees lots of melodrama with a vivid experience of social, political, and economic status sensationalism. Just like a night at the opera. (PUN intended)

I do recommend this audiobook. You don’t have to listen to the whole series to enjoy this one, it can be enjoyed as a standalone.

Happy Listening

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Victoria Vale and Darcy Stark are an AMAZING team

First off I have to say that for a debut MM, Victoria Vale did a phenomenal job. This is definitely a genre she needs to continue to write.

This is a second chance romance full of angst and passion with well developed characters. I enjoyed very minute of Darcy Stark's performance bringing these characters to life.

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Very entertaining

I was waiting for Benedict’s story and wasn’t disappointed. This was a captivating story that told of Benedict’s reuniting with his former lover Alex. Their story is told through flashbacks to when they first met in their earlier days. However, Ben had felt such heartache over the past and wasn’t sure he could forgive Alex. There are also some untold matters to be revealed. There is also the matter of the London Gossip and her threat to Ben’s livelihood, not to mention his excuse of a father. This story will keep you gripped until the end and believe me, the end is well worth waiting for! The narrator, Darcy Stark has an easy voice to listen to and he changes his voice for the different characters, to bring them to life.

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such a great story and excellent narration

Benedict Sterling has long been determined to be financially independent of his hateful father and establishing the Gentleman Courtesans has helped him achieve that goal and help his friends out of tight situations as well. But his success is now threatened by the vindictive London Gossip who threatens to expose his secrets, and those of his friends, in print. Determined to prevent ruination and, more importantly, protect the reputations of his friends, Benedict sets out to learn the Gossip’s identity and put a stop to her slander for good. While he’s bogged down with this dilemma, distraction arrives in the form of a past love seeking to set things right and Ben must also deal with the traumas of his past along with the problems of the present.

Lord Alexander Osborne, now the Earl of Vautrey, has returned to London for the sole purpose of winning back the love of his life. But after three years of separation which followed a painfully abrupt parting, Ben is adamant he won’t allow Alex back into his life. But Alex is determined, and stubborn, and he’ll do anything he must to get Ben to hear his explanations of the past, including contracting him as his temporary courtesan. Alex will take anything he can persuade Ben to give, and he’s willing to be patient, but he won’t give up until he’s achieved the future he and Ben were so cruelly denied.

I was a bit nervous about this book at first, especially given the high angst level I expected, but I actually think this may be my favorite of the series so far. This was certainly one of the most emotional books I’ve ever read and the pacing of conversations, intimacy, and ultimately reconciliation between Ben and Alex was spot on. The revelations kept setting me back each time, even after I thought I had it all figured out. This was extremely well thought out and well-executed and the angst was just enough to heighten the emotions and make me not want to put this down without making it a chore to read. Alex’s grand finale was superb, and I loved how Ben learned to rely on his friends and Alex and that he didn’t always have to handle things alone. Both Ben and Alex had a lot of past trauma to overcome, especially Ben, and I felt like the intimate scenes between them were used to foster the development of their relationship and renewed closeness and trust, rather than just thrown in to be gratuitous. This was a highly emotional book, but it ended on such a feel-good high with the idea of choosing your friends and making your own family that I couldn’t help but love it and I already have favorite scenes I want to go back and reread. Victoria has outdone herself and obviously put so much hard work into this, I can’t give it less than the full five stars and I look forward to Lyons’ story.

I loved this story when I read it but Darcy's excellent narration really adds dimension and that little extra something special to it. Highly recommend.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an audio advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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I adore the characters!!!

Where to start... first I must mention darcy stark is a wonderful narrator! Then the storyline was more than I ever expected...I adore the characters and hope to revisit them in coming novels. This book as well as the series has it all... there is mystery, heartbreak, deceit , romance and love . The audibles/books are addicting.. I have reviewed more of the authors Audibles and never been disappointed! job well done!

I was gifted this Audible as an ARC and this is my voluntary and honest review.

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Wow! Unpredictable and absolutely amazing

Yet again the masterful partnership of Darcy Stark and Victoria Vale has come up with a powerful story with a character whom you both love and feel for in this very different story of love.
Benedict or Ben, is followed from his gruelling years at Eton college, until he meets young Alexander Osborne and where we all knew there was only one way this could end, namely with a HEA!

Be prepared for drama, gruelling scenes, love, laughter and utter brilliance of wit and of course a very very good and interesting HEA!

But as always Mistress Vale made a story which was brutally honest, funny, sexy and cute as well, and besides a bit embarrassment from my own side reading of two men, well the naughty scenes was fantastic! The descriptions were beyond gorgeous, and had that yummy edge which characterise Mistress Vale’s books! And the performance of Darcy Stark as Ben and Alex was downright delicious 🤤 and made the whole plot come alive like never before!

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