Hard Core

De: Tess Oliver

Narrado por: Lauren Sweet, Marcio Catalano

This sexy new book from New York Times best-selling author Tess Oliver may lead to a serious book hangover!

Ledger

Sometimes one good dose of trouble could turn your life around, put you on the right path. But I'd taken the opposite side of the forked road and headed off looking for even more trouble, like a junkie constantly searching for the next high. Never would I have guessed that turn would lead me to her. I couldn't stop thinking about her. She was an angel, a hardcore, bonafide angel, and in her short life she'd already had a taste of hell.

Jacy

Despair. Heartbreak. Silence. That was all I'd grown to know, until he showed up next door. The handsome, tattooed stranger had the kind of eyes that were hard to look away from, and he gazed at me as if we'd been friends or even lovers in a different life. He looked at me as if he knew me, and suddenly I had this flash of feeling as if I was right where I was supposed to be.

Hard Core is a full-length, standalone novel.

Contains mature content. Intended for listeners 18+

©2017 Tess Oliver (P)2017 Blackstone Audio

TESS OLIVER! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN???

I was provided this audiobook through Audiobook Boom at no charge by the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

My first Tess Oliver book and I couldn't be more delighted. I love a book that keeps me in the dark, wondering why? how? when? Oh, and it has to have the big drama scene toward the end, too.

Ledger is fresh out on parole, a real loser life behind him and a chance to maybe, somehow, do something good in his future. His stint in prison was because of a stupid stunt he pulled when he was high. But it's time to grow up. No substance abuse any more. A job, a place to stay and hopefully, someone special, too. His actions, words and thoughts are so entertaining. Love him.

Jacy is hiding. Her ex-husband is imprisoned after a domestic situation. She hopes never to see him again. She wants to stay low and live a quiet, unassuming life and maybe, life will be gentle to her. That doesn't mean she's blind and cold. Her new neighbor its gorgeous and mysterious and well, needs fresh muffins as a welcome neighbor gesture.

Narration was golden! My one and only complaint was that Ledger should have had a deeper male voice than the alto/tenor of Marcio Catalano. His performance was spot-on, just not a deep enough voice for what I picture Ledger to have.

ALL THUMBS UP AND WAVING AROUND!

Great!

I really enjoyed this story! Steamy, sexy and a sweet romance with likeable characters, mild drama and great writing! Narration was absolutely perfect! Highly recommend!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Good story, Great narration

I really enjoyed this story, it was my first Tess Oliver Book and I can't wait to read more.

Ledger is just out on parole and trying to put that life behind him. Growing up without much good in his life but wanting to be better and do something for himself and be someone moving forward without anything to his name. He wants someone special to be with as well.

Jacy settled down in a new town and is hiding after an abusive marriage and is happy living a quiet life owning a coffee shop. Last thing she wants is a new relationship...

The narration in this book is amazing. The two blend together and make the characters come alive in the story. I could listen to these two narrate this book for hours and never get bored.

I was provided this audiobook through Audiobook Boom at no charge by the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

Jacy and Ledger

A cute, entertaining,and enjoyable journey to go on with Jacy and Ledger. I liked this story.

The duo narration made this listen!

This was a really good book but the duo narration made it exceptional! Listening to Sweet and Catalano was like listening to a radio drama.

The story itself was boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back. The fun was in the process. Ledger, the boy, was an interesting energy. His motivation for being "bad" seemed justified and I was rooting for him the whole way. Jacie, the girl, was an incredibly sympathetic character. Your felt every bit of her pain.

The inevitable HEA was welcomed and celebrated. Loved it!

Letting go of the past

Showing how things can change because of past situations and overcoming these issues ability to trust again which is hard for anyone. Then igniting the passion between 2 people

Really good story with great narration

Very entertaining and enjoyable. Really good story with great narration. It pulled me immediately and held my complete attention. Even though it is predictable in some ways there are a couple of little twists that keep it interesting. A bit of heartache, mystery and suspense with a healthy dose of steamy as well as sweet romance and a great HEA.

The bad boy and the good girl is always an interesting and entertaining mix. Everybody loves a bad boy. Especially one that has a sweet softer side just under the rough exterior.

Great cast of characters. Ledger and Jacy were both immediately likable. You couldn't help but root for them.

Lauren Sweet and Marcio Catalano did a great job with the narration. Both have voices that are easy to listen to for long periods of time. They also complimented each other. Her soft voice vs. his rough deep voice = perfection. The narration is clearly spoken and flows smoothly. Great character voices. The transition between characters flows seamlessly. They brought the characters, their emotions and the story to life. Very enjoyable.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily provided this review.

Hard core is sweet

Hard Core is actually a sweet story with some barely there dark edges. Loved the premise, bad boys can become good, they only need the right motivation. The chemistry between Jacy and Ledger is hot. He is lovable, with a big heart and protective. Loved that he saved Mike from the robbers despite the danger to him, same with saving Jacy when she was attacked. My heart broke learning of what Jacy went thru with her ex and I am glad she saw past Ledger's background and gave him a chance and gaining a second chance at happiness for herself. The few hot scenes are really hot. It ends in HFN (happy for now) which is almost as good as HEA.
My first listen from both narrators. I found that Ms. Sweet's voice sounds too young for the female characters and too nasal for my taste that would be more appropriate for a spoiled rich girl bratty character. There was no distinction between the two or three female characters. Mr. Catalano's voice is perfect for Ledger, I like it that he chose that warm voice for him. He also added enough variation between the male characters to be distinct. I would have liked to hear a bit more passion especially in the hot scenes. Overall it was enjoyable.

Sexy and Enthralling💋

After coming out of an abusive marriage Jacy moves to a new town and buys a coffee ☕ shop. When she meets Rachel who owns the bakery next door. The two women strike up a deal to help each other's business and quickly become friends. Jacy was happy with her mundane life until a hot new neighbor moves in.

Ledger comes from a dark past and is trying to rebuild his life as well, but his reasons for starting over in Jacy's town may not be a coincidence. Ledger is a sweet caring man nothing like
Jacy's ex. A friendship blossoms easily and of course the hero and the heroine feel that "magnet to steel" pull of attraction.

*No Spoilers*
The romantic relationship has its hiccups though... First of all Jacy has her trust issues and things will come to light that only heightened them. The question is will she see Ledger's true intent? And give her heart to a man that loved her before he met her? You'll have to spend a credit to find out.

This book has a little drama with the ex, no cheating, and very descriptively hot sexy times with Ledger. Maybe a little less time spent on the description of the scenery around them and more time spent on the relationship between the characters would have been nice. But still a good listen. Both narrators did a great job portraying the characters. I do recommend this book to other listeners because over all it is a good listen. I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest unbiased review.

Exceptionally well done!

I loved this book!!! The story was oh so good and the narration performance outstanding! I was totally immersed in this book and loved how the emotions were given. The author wrote great imagery. I could even absorb the smells of the ocean and coffee shop. This book had so much going for it -- unexpected twists, great characters who learned from their mistakes, and a sweet love story. I enjoyed the fact that Ledger fell in love with Jacy from stories he heard about her and not her appearance. Also, I love happy endings! I had requested this audiobook and have voluntarily written this review. This book is a standalone listen and worth a credit.